More Than the Lure of Florida Sunshine
/I returned recently from 4 sunny days in St. Petersburg, FL, where I attended the annual Power & Sailboat Show. This was my second year visiting the show, and I think there are at least five good reasons I went back. It’s similar in some ways to other shows--many great boats on display, plus boating equipment and accessories galore, clothing, seminars, food and beverages.
First, here’s what is different and what I like best: the opportunity to see powerboats and sailboats together. That seems to show a cooperative spirit in the boating industry and makes it easier for consumers to explore many more options for getting out on the water, and maybe to explore the similarities and differences between powerboating and sailing. I get a kick out of the contrasts—a little sailing dinghy like the 15-ft. Picnic Cat in the same venue as a huge 40+-ft. fishing boat with triple 300 HP outboards and tall fishing towers, along with just about everything in between.
Second, there’s always so much, it’s hard to get to all the exhibits I want to see, and spend enough time talking to exhibitors. I value the opportunity to learn more about boats, and meet more people in the boating industry--something that always helps me in my business.
Third, it’s such a great place to take pictures, which is my secondary reason for going to any boat show. This year I had just bought a Panasonic Lumix DFC-1000 and was sorting it out during the trip. I didn’t want to carry around the weight of a standard-size DSLR and a bunch of lenses. I was quite impressed with intuitiveness and performance the little Lumix—I was able to get some excellent images without reading much of the manual.
Fourth, there’s always some non-boat oddity that attracts a lot of attention. This year it was the Yamaha 3-wheeled motorcycle—quite an interesting land machine! (see top photo) I sat in the driver’s seat for a few minutes, pretending I was zooming down some nearly traffic-free highway going through the gears, getting it up near its top speed. That was kind of a pipe dream, like imagining sailing a Laser in 25 knots. Then there was the fun of joking with the salesman, telling him I was going to tell my husband I ordered him one for Christmas.
Fifth, I live in Northern Virginia where it’s cooler, so being in Florida for a bit of summer weather in December is such a great getaway. I try to add on an extra day for a trip to one of the Gulf beaches, enjoying the sun and sounds of the ocean and gulls. I’m actually getting pretty good at catching the water birds with my camera. And I usually cut out of the boat show early one day, just to hang out in one of St. Pete’s fabulous city parks.
One of many, many gulls photographed, and one of a few that came out sharp. Firing off those shutter bursts really makes a difference.
This heron stood on the sea wall in Vinoy Park for at least 15 minutes, and didn't seem the least bit concerned by all the humans activity all around. I had to wonder if this was really a wild bird or semi-tame like some of the squirrels in the park who had been fed by people so much they seemed to have no fear of us.
Alice in the driver's seat of a new 3-wheel motorcycle, imagining going really fast.