# Tampa with me **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 10, 2005, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033 "2005-12-10T10:29:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/1 "2005-12-10T10:29:02Z")
I think I’m going down to Tampa in February for a few weeks. I’m going without an agenda, just because I expect it to be warm, because I have the spring semester off, and because I have a buddy who teaches down there who can put me up for a while. What to do? is something I haven’t thought about much. Just warm is all I’m hoping for (warmer than NYC, anyway) but if you’re familiar with the area (I’m going to rent a car, so that area is pretty wide), LMK what I might do while I’m there. I’m actually supposed to be writing a book while I’m on leave, and I’ll have my laptop with me, so any rustic outdoors spots, any beautiful natural sights, any fine beaches or the like, will be appreciated but really anything you can tell me about the Tampa area will add to my trip as well. ---
**Author:** ![Kuizelemartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e19b73/32.png) [@Kuizelemartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuizelemartz)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/2 "2005-12-10T14:11:58Z")
If you come down before February 26th, you can go see this great exhibit at MOSI. I havn’t gone and seen it yet, maybe I could meet you there and we can look around for a few hours. It’s a expensive, but guaranteed good time if you are a little morbid. www . mosi . org Lots of others will chime in with suggestions in no time. ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/3 "2005-12-10T14:30:12Z")
Holy crap! Could this possible turn into another Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater Dopefest? ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/4 "2005-12-10T14:44:01Z")
Go to dinner at the [Branch Ranch](http://http://www.branchranchdiningroom.com/) . It’s on Branch-Forbes Rd. at (IIRC) exit 14 off I-4. Reallly good food in a casual atmosphere. I also second MOSI! Great place. [Lowry Park Zoo](http://http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/) is reall nice too. February will be better than NYC but probably pretty cool. Don’t plan a lot of water activities. ---
**Author:** ![Lucretia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@Lucretia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucretia)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/5 "2005-12-10T14:59:50Z")
> [@Amp](#): > > Holy crap! Could this possible turn into another Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater Dopefest? I really think it ought to. **pseudotriton ruber ruber** , Tampa is a helluva fun town. Some don’t-miss places are [Skippers Smoke House](http://www.skipperssmokehouse.com/) ,[Ybor City](http://ybor.tbo.com/) , any of many area beaches, but [Honeymooon Island/Caladesi Island](http://www.floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland/default.cfm), are especially nice, and [Big Cat Rescue](http://www.bigcatrescue.org/). If you like the amusement park sort of thing, there are the Orlando attractions, and [Busch Gardens](http://www.buschgardens.com/buschgardens/fla/default.aspx) right here in Tampa. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2005, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/6 "2005-12-16T15:06:27Z")
I was going to suggest Fort Desoto to him since it was so nice for the last Dopefest. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2005, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/7 "2005-12-16T15:29:31Z")
There seems to be a rectangular outline between the Pseudotriton’s shoulder blades. I touch it, and it swings open, revealing whirling cogs, and blinking lights. I fiddle around with the mechanics for a bit, then close the hood. “There! You’re Tampa’d with.” [Pic](http://www.worth1000.com/emailthis.asp?entry=112341). ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/8 "2005-12-16T15:45:04Z")
Nope. Nothin’ to see here. Move along. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2005, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/9 "2005-12-16T15:51:34Z")
C’mon, **Shibb** , I gave **pseud** a kick-ass “how much can we do in an afternoon” tour of Philly – surely you can be a little more hospitable than that? ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2005, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/10 "2005-12-16T16:18:26Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > C’mon, **Shibb** , I gave **pseud** a kick-ass “how much can we do in an afternoon” tour of Philly – surely you can be a little more hospitable than that? I was being ironic. Where’s the irony smiley when you need it? FWIW, I’ve been dying to get out to Skipper’s… anyone want to do a night out there? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2005, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/11 "2005-12-16T16:25:34Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > I was being ironic. Where’s the irony smiley when you need it? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2005, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/12 "2005-12-16T16:36:46Z")
I missed the last Dopefest, so I’d be up for that, or any other outings my Florida comrades are planning. I’m dying to see the Bodies exhibit(no pun intended)so let me know if / when you plan to go, 'kay? ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2005, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/13 "2005-12-16T16:37:12Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > I was being ironic. Where’s the irony smiley when you need it? > > FWIW, I’ve been dying to get out to Skipper’s… anyone want to do a night out there? Don’t everyone jump up at once now. I’d be down with that. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2005, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/14 "2005-12-16T17:13:50Z")
Hey, I’m starting grad school at USF in January, and even though my classes are online (and I live near Orlando), I’ll have to go to Tampa once or twice a month for live lectures, probably on Saturdays. Maybe I could meet up with everyone too. I don’t know Tampa very well at all, and I’m always up for meeting some Dopers. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/15 "2005-12-16T18:32:52Z")
> [@Amp](#): > > I’d be down with that. Are you going to be around during the holidays? ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2005, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/16 "2005-12-16T23:06:54Z")
Yep, not going to Cleveland this year. Staying here in Florida. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2005, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/17 "2005-12-17T00:42:55Z")
Now it looks like I’ll be flying into Tampa (my friend teaches at St. Leo’s) sometime in mid-January. How long would it take to organize a Dopefest? ---
**Author:** ![Lucretia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@Lucretia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucretia)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2005, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/18 "2005-12-17T03:26:43Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > I was being ironic. Where’s the irony smiley when you need it? > > FWIW, I’ve been dying to get out to Skipper’s… anyone want to do a night out there? Ooo, us, us! We lurve us some Skippers. ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2005, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/19 "2005-12-17T03:31:10Z")
Dopefest at Skipper’s! Who’s bringing the Wasabi candy? ---
**Author:** ![Kuizelemartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e19b73/32.png) [@Kuizelemartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuizelemartz)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2005, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033/20 "2005-12-17T04:11:00Z")
Oh hell yes. They got seafood, I’m there. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tampa-with-me/335033.md?page=2)