Mickey, Me & Our Big 4-0: Day 5 - Tampa

[wickesy]

I was up at 7:30 today and by 8:30 we were on our way to Sweet Tomatoes on International Drive for their Sunday breakfast. I had read a lot about this but it wasn't what I was expecting - I had expected the long salad bar to be replaced with breakfast stuff and there was no bacon or sausage etc. What we had was nice but I don't think I would make the effort to go up there for breakfast again, and now that the one at Crossroads is open we probably won't go there for dinner either.

After breakfast we drove down to Tampa, arriving about 10:45, and went into the aquarium.

Continued in next post

 

[wickesy]

From there we drove over to Raymond James Stadium to watch the American Football match between Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons.

We picked up our tickets from the Will Call window at 2:00 and at that point the thunder and lightning started and the heavens opened.

It was still raining when the gates opened at 2:45 but it had eased off quite a bit. We went into the stadium and made our way up to the upper level where we had a drink each and stayed under cover waiting for the rain to stop. Kick-off was at 4:15 so at about 3:45 we took our seats by which time the rain had stopped. Unfortunately just as the game started it began raining again, although it didn't last very long and we actually had perfect weather for the game - it was dry, cool and we weren't sitting in blazing sunshine which both of us had been worried about.

Tampa Bay had a big lead through most of the game but threw it away and ended up scraping a win 16-13. The game finished about 7:20 and, thanks to a car locater app I downloaded for my phone we easily found our way back to the car and were soon back on the road. We had a few problems initially as we were directed out of the parking lot a different way to the way the sat-nav wanted to take us and a few roads in the area were closed so I couldn't get back on track. I eventually found a way around and after an uneventful journey we were back at BWV by 9:30. I typed up my trip report and we were in bed soon after 10:00 with more shopping planned for the morning.

Day 6

 

[Jordanblackpool]

Love the American Football stuff, but surely the stadium was more full? Or were these pics taken before the game???

 

[DisFanJen]

That looks like fun! I've been to a baseball game (put's on her Tampa Bay Ray's cap) but never an American Football game. We've got Busch Garden's AP's too so we're usually in Tampa for at least one of our vacation days...

 

[wickesy]

Love the American Football stuff, but surely the stadium was more full? Or were these pics taken before the game???

Yeah, those photos were all taken just after we sat down. The stadium was probably about 90% full for the game but I didn't get round to taking any photos.

That looks like fun! I've been to a baseball game (put's on her Tampa Bay Ray's cap) but never an American Football game. We've got Busch Garden's AP's too so we're usually in Tampa for at least one of our vacation days...

You should give it a go - as long as you know the basics of what's going on it's a great day out.

 

[DISWolves]

That stadium looks huge!
Can you purchase tickets on the day, or do you need to pre-book?

 

[wickesy]

That stadium looks huge!
Can you purchase tickets on the day, or do you need to pre-book?

There were people buying tickets as we were standing waiting for the rain to stop so you can buy on the day. From what I've read the Bucs don't normally sell out the stadium so you should be OK.

 

[PudseyChancer]

The stadium looks fantastic, definitely going to try get to a game on our next visit!

 

[wickesy]

The stadium looks fantastic, definitely going to try get to a game on our next visit!

Go for it. If you get seats at the front row of the upper tier you get a great overview of what's going on because you can see the whole field.

 

[SusanEllen]

David,
I'm afraid this comment won't be as comprehensive as usual. I was enjoying the photos of the aquatic animals (cute little seahorses) when suddenly your trip report went dark. Just as soon as you mentioned . . . oh, let's see, what is that word? . . . oh, yes "football" . . . everything just melted off the screen. Afraid the very concept of such a thing is beyond me. I do hope you and Ray made some sense of it and had a good time.

 

[wickesy]

I do hope you and Ray made some sense of it and had a good time.

I make sense of it but Dad...not so much. We both had a great time though.

 

[SusanEllen]

As you are posting more installments while I'm sitting here trying to catch up to you this is almost turning into live chat. At this rate we'll both be caught up and you'll be back to reading Debbie's report before the day is over!

 

[wickesy]

You're OK Susan, I'm done for today - more tomorrow.

 

[irongirlof12]

What a different daySuch a nice change from the parks

 

[Chilly]

We def want to get to an NFL game one year.

 

[florida sun]

Wow thats one big Stadium, living just round the corner here from the Millenium Stadium I thought that was big but that beats it hands down, great day