The note below from Captain Picklemann was copied from the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) mail list. As you can tell, this message was in response to a question about what one might do and see while in Clearwater. And, while some of these activities require auto transportation, others do not. Anyway, Randy does a great job of outlining some really neat area activities.

We are partial, but think that the Clearwater/St. Pete area is special. We are in Clearwater and can recommend any number of restaurants. For boating activity, there is a boat rental livery located at the City Marina on Clearwater Beach. Rent a small outboard boat and cruise up the ICW. Caladesi Island is a state park that is truly a treasure. Often voted to be among the top ten beaches in the world. Its an Island and the only practical way to get there is by boat. If you don’t want to rent a boat for the day, you can take a ferry. There is a kayak rental concessionaire on the island. You can easily cruise further up the ICW to the Anclote River and check out Tarpon Springs. Of course, you can also drive to Tarpon Springs.
There are boat excursions available from many different places, running the gamut from fishing trips to sunset cruises to day sailing trips to dinner cruises on mini-ships. Spring Training has started. The Phillies train in Clearwater, the Blue Jays train in Dunedin and the Yankees are in Tampa.
If you want to drive about 90 minutes north, Crystal River provides a wonderful opportunity to see and swim with Manatees. The 70 degree water is too cold for my taste, but being from Buffalo, that will probably feel like the 4th of July to you.
Regards,
Randy Pickelmann
Morning Star

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