St. Patrick's Day in Gulfport

Pedal Pub on the Water

Photos.

In recent years, we've usually been in Florida for St. Patrick's Day. The weather is often sweltering -- which seems plain wrong when the choices should be "hat or headband, winter jacket with or without liner, scarf or not, gloves or mittens, sunglasses or transitions ...".

Yesterday dawned quite chilly and I decided that I needed my light Vikings jacket (long ago freebie from Sports Illustrated. Bob opted for a polo with a green tee under it; Sonia wore a jacket and Jim compromised with long sleeves. By mid-afternoon, I shoved the jacket in my purse and wondered if I had worn enough sunscreen.

Jet Pack Guy

The celebration in Gulfport seemed more subdued than parties we've witnessed in recent years. The entertainment was more Neil Young and James Taylor than traditional Irish, but the music was well played with a decent (but not great) sound system. We had the corned beef and cabbage at O'Maddy's (OK if you like that kind of thing, but not as good as the one I make for Bob and Chris most years).

My attitude is curmudgeonly: I detest big hats and gaudy plastic jewelry, along with dyed hair and spray painted beards. Green beer seems disgusting and I've never had one. I did enjoy a Guinness at Manatees on the Bay (FB page here; no website).

Best: the company (Bob, Sonia, Jim); people watching, especially the skilled athlete marketing the jet pack experience.