The Rod & Reel Pier as seen from Bayfront Park. Mom & Dad used to bring us swimming here when the Gulf was too rough. That was back in the 1960's. A lot has changed, but a few of the important things are still the same. The water is still beautiful and the sand is still pure white.
I drove down to Bradenton to meet a buddy for lunch today, but his work schedule intervened and I faced the horrible prospect of lunch alone. Boo, hoo. So I did what any self-employed Florida native would do when faced with such a dire situation in the middle of the week on a hot July day: I headed for the beach!
I decided to have lunch at the Rod & Reel Pier up at the north end of Anna Maria Island, then check out the beach afterward. On the way to the pier I stopped by Bayfront Park.
Bayfront Park beach offers calm, clear water, shade, picnic tables and restrooms.
A family enjoys the view of the Skyway Bridge from Anna Maria's Bayfront Park.
Egmont Key is in the mouth of Tampa Bay and is easily visible from Anna Maria Island.
I decided to have lunch at the Rod & Reel Pier. It has a great view of the tip of the island.
The restaurant is on the upper deck and has some outside seating. I chose to sit at the end on the left, overlooking the water.
Beachhunter enjoying a beautiful summer breeze while waiting for his grouper sandwich on the Rod & Reel Pier.
The view from my table on the pier. That little cloud turned into a major rain squall and drenched the north tip of the island.
My grouper sandwhich was very good. Fresh firm fish, good tartar sauce, lettuce & tomato on a hamburger bun. The cole slaw was average. What more can you ask for for $8.95? The view was priceless.
The outside deck was empty when I arrived, but filled up quickly.
While I was eating, the innocent-looking rain cloud that was hovering over the tip of the island started to get serious and soon a steady rain sent a light mist across my table. That’s air conditioning the Old Florida way.
A welcome summer rain drenched the pier while I was eating lunch.
The rain squall moved across Bean Point and out into the Gulf of Mexico.
After lunch I made a quick stop on the Gulf beach to snap a few photos of the rain and enjoy looking at the water. It was really clear and beautiful. I wish I knew why the water is so much clearer and prettier on Anna Maria than it is just across Tampa Bay to the north on St. Pete Beach.
The dark rain clouds really made the white sand and brilliant clear green water stand out.
A lone paddleboarder enjoying the clear waters while paddling into a cool breeze coming from the rain storms.
The central and southern portions of the island were clear and sunny. There were quite a few people on the beach, for the end of July in the middle of the week.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
David, someone has to do these things. You were just the unlucky one chosen:) BTW-Your fish sandwich has the remarkable shape of a porpoise. But then again, I might be seeing things.
Alan, I was thinking the same thing about the shape of the fish filet when I first looked at the photo.
yes, but it’s a dandy looking sandwich!
What beautiful photos – I want to go. And that grouper sandwich is making me hungry!
Great blog. Looks like we are all passionate about Anna Maria Island. Rod and Reel is fantastic!
That grouper sandwich did look good but I highly suggest the grouper ruben. Who would of known that sourkraut with thousand Island dressing with fried grouper with a large pickle and cold beer could be soooooooooooo delicous
One of my favorite things to do 
{ 1 trackback }