Pinellas Trail, Day 4: Largo to St Petersburg

20 miles (32 km), high temp 55F (13C). Beautiful but cold day, and I got inspired. I went ahead and finished to the end!

I started the day from my parents’ place at 9 am, after breakfast with Dad. The weather app said it was 37F (3C), feels like 24F (-5C). Yikes. It was definitely chilly, but I was layered well and warmed up quickly once I started walking. Mostly anyway. I had a hands issue - they got icy in the air, but in my pockets, they were hot. Problem/not-problem…I adjusted. As the day progressed, it warmed up - still chilly, but I was warm and shed some layers. It was perfect walking weather.

When I set out, I thought the sign said 16.5 miles to complete the trail. I decided to walk 8 miles and save the rest for tomorrow. I hit 8.5 miles just past the Cross Bayou Bridge, but the day was so beautiful, sunny, and crisp, I decided to just push through to the end! The second 8 miles (13km) somehow became 12 miles (19km) but that’s ok. I made it before sunset.

It is lovely residential walking all the way down through Largo and Seminole. There was an increase in foot traffic as I walked through Seminole. Still very quiet, but the most walkers/joggers I've seen since Dunedin. The trail is very well-maintained along this stretch, and park rangers in trucks monitored the trail. I passed a couple of lakes and searched for alligators, with no luck. Apparently, they become dormant when the temperature drops below 55F (13C) and stay under the water.

Once past the bridge, I began the alternate route that I planned yesterday. I ducked off the trail at Park Street, then followed Park Street to Central Ave, and walked Central Ave into downtown St Petersburg. Park Street is residential and quite beautiful, lined with mansions set along the water. At one point, the road becomes cobblestone, which is quaint but super noisy. Along Central Avenue it was less nice, just an urban neighborhood road. It did not always feel like the best part of town, but the road was busy, and I felt safe.

Approaching 29th Street, though, St Petersburg came alive, suddenly quaint again and lined with funky bars, lovely and/or cool cafes, and eclectic shops. It must be the dog capital of the world, as there were a surprising number of dog-themed establishments. I was supposed to join the trail again at 6th Street, but the trail followed a less exciting road, so I continued along Central until 1st Street, and then walked the trail to its terminus at Demens Landing Park. I thoroughly enjoyed St Pete's and look forward to returning someday to explore some more.

Dad picked me up at the end. My parents and Aunt Karen have been champions for helping me do this!

Photos of the day:

Today’s route

Sights from the trail through Largo and Seminole:

Thanks for the encouragement, fence!

Seminole Park

No alligators, but the usual park animals

Cormorant hanging with a turtle

Cross Bayou Bridge

Sights from Park Street:

Small park at Central Ave turn

Sights along Central Ave to Demens Landing:

Until 29th Street, it mostly just looked like this

Then it livened up.

Small sample of dog-themed places:

Bar

Restaurant

Close to the end…

Back on the trail

Demens Landing in sight!

As far as I can go

The End.