This Old Runner Writes About Running

Have You Been to Spook Hill in Lake Wales?

10/12/2019

If there's a quirky attraction, I want to see it. As a family, we actually spent a year of our lives visiting every Ripley's Believe It or Not we could find. I guess we're easily amused.

Here's the latest roadside attraction oddity we checked off our to do list: Spook Hill in Lake Wales. We visited on our way home from the Brick Dash 5K and Bok Tower Gardens, which I also recommend.

Retro Spook Hill Sign

Here's an old sign describing Spook Hill. I kinda wish this sign was still there. "Weird!" "Fantastic!" "Clean with Prather's Laundry Cleaners" (Source: The Internet)

Present Day Spook Hill Signage

It's best to stop the car and read the sign before testing Spook Hill. There's some folklore and instructions. If it's TL; DR — just stop at the white line and put your car in neutral. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

This photo shows that we're uphill from the white line where we'll stop the car and put it in neutral. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

I love the signage over the road. We visited on a beautiful, sunny, non-spooky day. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Video of Our Spook Hill Experience

Play the video below to experience rolling uphill at Spook Hill.

There you have it. Gravity is unworldly at Spook Hill! I have to admit I don't scare easily in broad daylight. I think it would be fun to do this late at night or at dusk on Halloween. Baaaahaaaahaaaa!

Another Update on the St. Pete Pier

6/15/2019

I did some research on the white steel structure I saw on the Pier approach. It's going to be an open market called the Marketplace at the St. Pete Pier.™

The Marketplace includes kiosk and tent vendors. There will be 7 market stalls and 10 tents when it opens. If you have a business and want to lease a stall you can download an application on the Pier website. The application deadline is August 9, 2019.

Below are renderings of the Marketplace from Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc.

Rendering of the Pier approach in downtown St Petersburg, FL

Rendering of the Marketplace at the St. Pete Pier. Note: Fresco's restaurant and the public restroom (left) are on the Bayshore at entrance to the pier. The bulk of the Pier is to the right and not shown here. Rendering by Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc.

Kiosks and tents. Rendering by Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc.

Vendor Tents. Rendering of St. Pete Pier Marketplace by Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc.

Add the Pier to Your Downtown Running Route

I can't wait to add the Pier and all it's views to my downtown running route.

The walkable waterfront includes a fishing pier, coastal thicket, sloping lawn, Spa Beach, and overlook. The continuous pedestrian path goes along the approach, loops past the restaurant and the Pier. Check out the animated tour video below.

Hard construction is expected to finish in late 2019. The Pier opens to the public in 2020.

Note: The renderings and abstracts are subject to change as the design.

Summer Runs in the City

6/14/2019

A few of my views from my long run the other day. It was hot, humid, and beautiful! I love running in downtown St. Pete. Saw 3 dolphins and did plenty of people watching.

Panoramic view of Tampa Bay from Vinoy Park.

Panoramic: Vinoy Park facing the pier-in-progress in downtown St. Pete. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

This is the far end of the pier. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

This is the middle section of the pier. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Vinoy yacht basin and pier construction.

This structure is closest to the history museum. I also saw a white metal sculpture at the entry to the Pier approach. (It's behind the hill of dirt in this picture.) Not sure what it is. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

View of St. Pete behind palm trees in Vinoy Park.

Running around Vinoy Park. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Running around Vinoy Park there's plenty of sun and shade. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Student sailors practice in the south yacht basin in St. Petersburg, FL.

Summer in the city means sailing lessons in the yacht basin. Watched these young sailors for a few minutes. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Flatbed truck with new signage in downtown St. Pete, FL

New signage going in around town. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Truck carrying new signs for downtown St. Petersburg, FL.

New signs going in around town. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Innovation District signage in downtown St. Pete.

Here's one of the new signs in position. This one is next to Al Lang on Bayshore pointing south. The back of each sign has the sunshine graphic. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Always feel so lucky to be able to run along Tampa Bay in dtsp. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

How Many Dinosaurs Were #SeenOnARun ?

1/9/2019

If you're on social media, you probably noticed a lot of year in review posts. After seeing a few, I wondered how my year would look.

Dinosaur Theme in 2018

Technically, the year of the dino began on Dec. 30, 2017. Maybe that's why Top Nine didn't see it. Also, it could be because this post was on Twitter.

Dino #1

Spotted my first dinosaur facing his inevitable fate after the holidays. I left him there. Although, I like the picture in my head of me running a mile back home with this guy under my arm. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

Dino #2

This one was posted to Twitter, too. I found this at the park. He must have escaped one of the many strollers. I ran past him a couple of times before slipping him into my pocket. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

Dino #3

It took a couple more months until I found my next dinosaur. I spotted a Santa Dino (Santa Dino?) in early April. That's right, he had on a hat and had a gift to give. Although the sign encouraged me to take him home, I didn't. Where would I keep a Santa Dino?

"I'm FREE. Take me home!" (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

Dino #4, 5, 6, 7

I found lots of fun stuff over the summer, but no more dinos until I hit the jackpot in September.

My neighborhood embraces Halloween. There are decorations on decorations on decorations. And yes, they go up early. Check out the 4 Halloween dinosaurs below.

These creatures brought my total dino count to 7 for the year.

Along with a grave yard of skeletons, this house decorated with dino skeletons. Add 4 more dinos to my #SeenOnARun total. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

Dino #8? Maybe, Maybe Not.

Found this guy at the end of October. Now, I know a dino and dragon are technically different. But they seem similar enough to me.

Sure, a dino doesn't breathe fire. And, a dragon is a myth. But other than that: big scary creatures that roar. Right?

I guess it depends on how seriously you take the #SeenOnARun game. I'm going to count him.

This fire-breather had glowing eyes and made scary sounds. He's not technically a dino, but I'm counting him. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

What's Ahead for 2019?

I've had 5 neighborhood runs so far this year. I've seen a drone, a man's suit jacket, and a baby's sock. I don't see a theme yet. And no, I didn't bring anything home.

Nice gray men's suit jacket. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

Drone sitting in a tree for over an hour. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

Here's to a new year filled with fun runs. I hope you find lots of interesting things while you're out and about!

Breeze Turns Sailboats into Musical Chimes

5/15/2018

Today at lunch, I ran along the waterfront in downtown St. Pete. It's one of my favorite routes. There are water views and people-watching opps.

It was 78 degrees with 85% humidity. Yet, the steady breeze made it pleasant. When I reached the south yacht basin near Albert Whitted Park, I heard the boat chimes.

The sound comes from all the ropes and wires hitting the sailboat masts. When you have a bunch of sailboats together, it sounds like bamboo chimes to me. I've posted a short video below so you can hear it.

(Video credit: This Old Runner)

I'm sure the sound isn't as pleasant to sailors trying to sleep at night. But, to me it was a soulful, soothing sound found on my run. And look at those clouds!

Panoramic view of the south yacht basin in downtown St. Petersburg, FL. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

The Dali Museum as a backdrop. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Love those clouds! (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

#RunStPete #RunTampaBay #RunFlorida #DTSP #DaliMuseum #StPetersburg #SailboatChimes #BibChat #BibRavePro #ThisOldRunner #RunSarasota #StPeteWaterfront #SunShinesHere #DowntownStPete #SeenOnARun #SceneOnARun

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