The Bay Dolphin

Tampa Bay History-Plant Hall

When railroad magnate Henry Plant opened the Tampa Bay Hotel in 1891, it was the first with electric power. It's spectacular Moorish architecture housed 511 rooms. It's guests included Teddy Roosevelt and Babe Ruth. Today the restored building is the centerpiece of the University of Tampa campus and the downtown Tampa skyline. http://www.tampabay.com

Key West Exposed

Surprise: Key West has no nude beach. A Key West official wants voters to decide if a nude beach should be allowed in the Southernmost City. On tuesday he will ask the commission to put the question on the October 6 ballot. It will ask voters if they support an exception to the law prohibiting nude sunbathing in the city. Florida Keys Free Beaches supports the exception.

Born on the Fourth of July

Watch your step: Sea turtles are underfoot. Biologists say there's a sea turtle baby boom along Pinellas County beaches, with 86 nests identified, including one at Caddy's Beach Bar,which is number one on Treasure Island, and sure to be a mob scene today. Many are worried that the baby turtles will be hatching among the fireworks, and get smushed among the hundreds of beach towels, chairs, umbrellas, and general party chaos. The nests are marked by wooden stakes, yellow ribbons and small "do not disturb" signs. Just inches under are about 120 ping-pong size sea turtle eggs. This is the biggest early nesting season in years for the threatened sea turtles, and the first hatchlings could emerge during all the fun.

Tampa Bay Waterspouts

Three waterspouts were reported off the Pinellas Coast on Indian Rocks Beach Friday morning.

Several people captured the weather phenomenon with their cameras and video cameras.

One waterspout left the Gulf and made it onto land.

"That's when it started coming onshore, it's going crazy right there," said Jackson Tenney, 14, who was teaching a skim boarding camp to other kids when he ran and got a video camera.

He caught all three waterspouts.

"I thought it was really cool," he said. "I started filming figuring it was like a good video I could send into Bay News 9 or something."

Patti Bell, who was vacationing, also captured video of a waterspout.

"The sand is swirling, the beach umbrellas started flying, tables flying and there was people just standing there and watching it," she said. "That concerned me."

The waterspouts were even surprising to locals like surf shop owner Larry Garrison, who's seen several before.

"It got pretty big and I've never seen one come up on the beach like that. Usually, you see one out there for a while and they kind of dissipate," Garrison said. "First one I've seen on beach. It was really cool."

Late morning hours are a favorable time for waterspouts to form, according to Bay News 9 meteorologist Juli Marquez.

Waterspouts are most common between late spring and early fall, but they may appear at any time of the year or of the day or night.

Tampa Bay Vacation Idea

Egmont Key, accessible only by boat, this small wildlife refuge is between Anna Maria Island and St.Pete Beach. Part of the island's north and south ends are closed to the public, but the open middle area has secluded, pristine beaches. Great for swimming, picnicking, and fishing. Bring your own supplies as there are no concession stands here. The lighthouse was built in 1858 and is still guiding the mariners, plus the ruins of Fort Dade, used during the civil war. Secluded yet close by. A ferry runs from nearby Fort Desoto Park.

Tampa Bay Caladesi Island

Caladesi Island is reached by ferry boat from Honeymoon Island state park, at One Causeway Blvd, Dunedin,Florida. Starting at 10 AM and then hourly, a 70 ferry makes the trip in about 20 minutes. $10 for adults and $6 for children round trip. Boaters pay a $4 daily docking fee, or $9.35 with electric hookup. The island's Gulf side is a favorite with snorkelers. The bay side has mangroves, slash pine forest and maritime hammocks. A three mile nature trail winds through the interior. A concession stand, rest rooms, picnic tables, changing rooms, and showers available. Rattlesnakes run wild here, and a shack left by an old settler still stands.

Tampa Ben T Davis Beach

Another Tampa Bay destination. Close by the Tampa airport is Ben T. Davis Beach, on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. This narrow strip is handy if you want your car nearby, and don't mind the sound of traffic. The lot is usually not packed, and dogs are allowed. On weekends it's quite the jet-ski scene. The Courtney Campbell runs east-west, connecting Tampa and Clearwater.

Tampa Valencia Garden Restaurant

After 82 years. Tampa's Valencia Garden Restaurant,  is closing. The building has been bought by the University of Tampa, it's next door neighbor,which has been adding property to the campus for years. Founded in 1927 at 811 West Kennedy Boulevard by a Spain born Cuban Immigrant, it became the diner of choice by Tampa's rich, famous, and powerful. Over the years, presidents and governors have dined there. The founder's son, who was managing the restaurant, has not revealed the family's future plans.

Florida Anclote Key

Anclote Key, only three miles north of Tarpon Springs. A 19th century lighthouse stands on the southern end of this island preserve, accessible only by boat. Fishing and camping allowed. On the northern end there are picnic pavilions and grills. Open from 8am to sundown. A great place to get away from it all.

Florida Summer

Planning a summer vacation in Florida?  How about Anna Maria Island. forty miles south of Tampa, seven miles west of Bradenton. There are three major public beaches on the Island; Coquina, Manatee, and Bayfront Park. Coquina, on the wast side of Gulf Drive/State Road 789 is a clean 96 acre stretch popular with families.Free parking and Free trolley rides,lifeguards,concessions, picnic tables under shady Pine trees, restrooms,showers, playground and nearby boat ramps. Manatee, in Holmes Beach, State Road 64 and Gulf Drive, has the usual amenities, but no shade. The narrow Bayfront Park, at 316 North Bay Boulevard, has a terrific view of Tampa Bay.