Thankful for a Summer Date with Mike... 

in November

When I mapped out my blog posts through the end of the year, I simply wrote “Thankful” on my calendar for this week. I even considered reposting one of my Thanksgiving memories from years past. 

I have much for which to be thankful. 

Mostly, I am thankful God came to earth to die on a cross for ME. Well, for you, too, if you accept His gracious offering. 

And I am thankful for my family here and away. I am thankful for…the list could exceed my word count, so I’ll get right to business.

This holiday I want to share with my readers how thankful I am for a man named Mike. My husband. I have often shared Mike is a good man. It’s true. 

Last week, Mike and I took a little day trip south of Tampa. It was initially to be an errand but turned into a date. I love those kinds of moments. 

Manatee Viewing Center
at TECO's Big Bend Station
in Apollo Beach, FL

Our errand took us near the plant where Mike was a supervisor. Mike worked at the Tampa Electric Company (TECO) for “43 years, 6 months, and 48 days.” (Mike’s standard answer.) 

The Tampa Electric Company (TECO) uses the colder water from Tampa Bay as a coolant then pumps the clean, now warmer water into the bay, making a safe haven for manatees when outside temperatures drop. 

A Couple of Manatees

The company established a viewing area for the large but graceful critters.

It is a beautiful place. The days have been warm so we weren’t sure we’d see any of the manatee population. 

It tuned out a few manatees were there, but we also were able to see huge tarpon swimming along, some black and white striped fish Mike called Sergeant Majors, and several sharks. It was fascinating. 

Tarpon Near the Walkway

I had heard of Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center but the area was so much more than I expected with long docks for walking and observing, educational information on ocean life, a place on site where you can touch a stingray, and an observation tower. The volunteers working there were both knowledgeable and helpful.

We stood on one of the decks looking across the water at the electric company where Mike spent much of his adult life. He pointed to the building that housed his office. He pointed out the coal field and explained how everything worked. 

MIke's Office Building.

And, as often happens, someone there knew someone Mike knew. Mike knows everybody.   

A date with my husband. A beautiful sunshiny summer day. In November. You can’t beat that.

If you want to learn more about this hidden treasure, click here: https://www.tampaelectric.com/manatee/ 

And one more thing...

We ended the day with a delicious meal at Ford's Garage. It does get any better than that!