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We knew the weather wasn't going to stay warm (or VFR) in Pensacola, so we cast our eyes to the south.  Becca had planned this flight to ultimately end up in St. Petersburg, Florida -- so we started looking at our airport possibilities.

Jim selected Albert Whittig, which is St. Petersburg's downtown airport -- and he couldn't have chosen better!  Whittig is Florida's answer to the now-closed Meigs Field in Chicago, with runways terminating in the bay.  In fact, if you look closely, below, you'll see SAILBOATS off the end of that 2800' x 100' wide runway!

The flight down was brutal, with moderate turbulence and low ceilings most of the way.  As we approached St. Petersburg the skies cleared, the wind abated, the temperature soared, and all was right with the world once again!  We eventually found a reasonably-priced Howard Johnson in St. Pete's Beach (located on a barrier island off the Gulf Coast) with beachfront access, and enjoyed a couple of days of glorious 80+ degree warmth and sunshine with the Burns family...

Here are some pix from St. Pete's Beach:

Bec & Mary at Pensacola, before we launched	A powerplant on our way south down the peninsula	Over St. Petersburg -- where's the airport?	Is that it out there?
There it is!	Lined up...	On final approach for St. Pete	Short final for St. Petersburg downtown
Those are sailboats out there!	Bec & Mary in our room -- nice view!	The wind was howling...	So the banner tow plane was almost stationary!
We're here!	It's 80 degrees and windy!	Bec on the beach at last!	The Burns and Honeck women
Driving around St. Pete's beach	Jim at the pool...	Jim on his birthday!	Ah....a Florida beach!
Yet another Irish Pub? You bet -- this one has an aviation theme!

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