Beautiful bridge, I have a personal connection to the bridge. Back in the summer of 1985 I worked a college summer as a deckhand pushing a construction barge around on the flat approaches.

Great memories of that job. I remember we were on overtime by Thursday. Time and a half.

I remember seeing big schools of fish swim by every day, especially sting rays, just thousands of them.

I remember rainstorms at 3pm every afternoon. Could almost set your watch by them.

I also remember a good group of guys out there, working hard, good sense of humor, made the job fun

My Captain was a great man, a Vietnam Vet, became a friend, may his soul Rest In Peace.

I have fond memories of a girl I dated in St. Pete. She showed me what fun looked like, we had a good times. I have always remembered her and now wonder how her life has been. Oh yeah, I’ve googled her name, but nothing comes up.

My connection to the bridge was my brother, who was working as a mainspan quality engineer up on the pylons. Cool job for him and led to a very propsperous engineering career. He is still at it. Typical engineer, only knows work. But he is a great person and father, so there is that. Hardest working person I know.

Pushing barges around was great fun. I would say it was a transformative summer for me. Stepping away from Texas for a few months and seeing another part of the country and things I was not familiar with. Good stuff.

I also enjoyed seeing the beaches around St. Pete. Snorkeling, beach combing, and generally having a great time.

I also remember snorkeling around the rocks near the bridge, visibility was not great, but good enough. That was a great summer. I think about it often.

I’ve always wanted to explore Tampa Bay shallows, flats, and shoreline on the south side of the bridge. Wonder what is to be found?

And I’ve wanted to go fishing in that area too. Never done it. Need to do it soon.

I wonder if a kayak would be sufficient to get around? I know the area is bigger than it seems.

Do big grouper live around the piles of the old bridge?

I guess the old bridge is the fishing pier

Are there any mangroves on the shoreline?

Is there anywhere to camp without trespassing?

Thoughts of exploring this area brings excitement and happiness.