Winter in St. Pete - Feb 2025
A Month on the Gulf Coast — Unexpected Cold, Unexpected Joy
We spent an entire month in St. Petersburg, Florida — my brother, sister-in-law, sister, Serge, and me — imagining a long stretch of warm ocean breezes and pool days. Instead, a major cold wave hit the area during our first two weeks, and we were immediately humbled. Our first full day was spent not on the beach, but at department stores buying warmer layers we never imagined we’d need in Florida. It became the running joke of the trip.
Our condo was right on the ocean, with a pool overlooking the water. On paper it was a three-bedroom unit, but in reality the third “bedroom” was a twin bed tucked into the laundry room — so Lisa and I took turns sleeping between the washer and dryer. It became another funny detail of the month, one of those quirks that makes a trip more memorable instead of less.
Once the weather warmed, the condo’s ocean views, the balcony sunsets, and the beach access felt like an absolute luxury.
Exploring St. Pete by Bike
We rented bikes almost immediately, determined to make the most of the area, cold weather or not. St. Pete has an impressive network of trails — some urban, some coastal, all beautiful in their own way. Biking became my personal daily ritual — a way to stay active, explore freely, and anchor the month.
🌴 Pinellas Trail - A legendary rail-trail running 45 miles through coastal towns. Smooth, scenic, and perfect for long-distance rides. I rode sections of this trail many times, including a long day with Holly, riding all the way up to Dunedin for lunch and back - long, sunny, and full of good conversation
🌊 St. Pete Beach Paths - Packed sand and boardwalk-adjacent riding, with Gulf views and a wide, open sky. Solo rides on the beach and the Pinellas Trail, some in cool mist, some in full sunshine
🌆 Downtown St. Petersburg Loop - Bike lanes, waterfront parks, marina views, and charming neighborhoods — ideal for urban exploration. Exploring downtown St. Pete by bike with Chris, stopping for coffee and wandering shops
Cultural Highlights — Museums, Music, and More
The Salvatore Dali Museum
Despite the chilly start, St. Petersburg delivered culturally. We visited:
🎨 The Dalí Museum
One of the most impressive collections of Salvador Dalí’s work anywhere in the world. Immersive, surreal, and beautifully curated, with enormous dreamlike canvases, sculptures, and the digital “experience” space that surrounds you in moving surrealism.
🖼 The James Museum of Western + Wildlife Art
A stunning collection of Western landscapes, cowboy art, Indigenous portraits, and wildlife sculpture. The architecture alone — sandstone-inspired walls and dramatic lighting — creates an atmosphere of the American West.
🎭 Shen Yen - A Chinese Music + Dance Performance
A touring show blending classical instruments, traditional dance, elaborate costumes, and cultural storytelling. Graceful, colorful, and mesmerizing.
😂 The Comedy Club
A much-needed night of laughter — the perfect counterweight to the cold weather and unpredictable days. We also spent time with Chris’s friend Diane, who added warmth and fun to the trip.
A Warm-Weather Escape to Hollywood, FL
Lunch at GGs is a must do anytime we are in Hollywood.
At one point, Lisa and I decided we’d had enough of the chill. We packed up the car and drove across Florida for a spontaneous four-day escape to Hollywood Beach. We stayed at the DoubleTree, enjoying the gorgeous freeform, infinity-edge pool the tiki bar and Poolside Mexican food. We visited Joe, Mary, Janice, and other friends, relishing the chance to thaw out and reconnect.
Family Visit — Bean & Bailey Arrive
Time with my family is my favorite time.
One of the highlights was when Ben and Bailey drove down — through a harrowing snowstorm — with their two dogs to spend a week with us. I booked a second condo for them nearby so they’d have space. We enjoyed dinners out together, Beach walks with the dogs, and watching the weather finally warm up just as they were leaving. It meant so much to have them there.
Strange Skies & Everyday Life
Our condo balcony.
During our stay, the news was full of UFO sightings. Every night I stood on our balcony staring at the Gulf sky — ocean stretching below, stars above — half expecting something extraordinary. Nothing appeared, but it made for a surreal backdrop to an already unusual winter.
We cooked at home most nights, rotating who made dinner, but we did find an excellent seafood restaurant down the street. Much of the area was still recovering from a major hurricane the year before, and we saw many homes for sale — owners unable to afford the new building codes. It was sobering to see, but also a reminder of the coastline’s resilience.
