Epic Road Trip Brew Tour Honeymoon 2012 - Pool Party

 After spending the morning at the beach we went back to M's Dad and Step Mom's house to relax by the pool. This is their dog Tyson. He LOVES jumping in the pool.

We were having such a great afternoon until M laid down on the deck, got bit by an insect and had an allergic reaction.

Epic Road Trip Brew Tour Honeymoon 2012 - Siesta Key Beach

 On our last full day in Sarasota we went back to Siesta Key Beach with M's Step Mom, Sister, and Nephew. Did you know that Siesta Key Beach was voted the number one beach in America this year?

 It certainly was beautiful this day. There was a storm out west in the gulf and the clouds and high surf were incredible.

 M taking calls on the beach.

Epic Road Trip Brew Tour Honeymoon 2012 - Ybor City

 After our brewery tour at Cigar City Brewing, we drove across Tampa to historic Ybor City because we had heard that it is kind of a 'hot spot' in Tampa. It was definitely a cute, historic area, but we hardly saw any people around at all. It was almost like a ghost town, and we were expecting it to be bustling.

 So we went to Tampa Bay Brewing Company for lunch and got a flight sampler of all the beer they brew.

 These were hands down the best pretzels we've ever had. If you go to Tampa Bay Brewing Company do not leave without ordering these.

 This is probably the closest you will ever get to an "outfit" photo of me. I'm wearing Tumbleweeds sunglasses, LAMB tank top, shorts from Target, Converse sneakers, and carrying a clutch wallet from Target.

 Beneath this awning were the following cutouts, so of course we couldn't resist posing...

 After Ybor City, it was time to head back to M's Dad & Step Mom's house in Sarasota.

We found this much talked about beer at the local beverage center and had to try it. The first sip is delicious, but after that it gets to be a bit much. M didn't like it at all, but I thought it was so-so. 

Have any of you ever tried the Rogue Voo Doo Donut Beer?

Epic Road Trip Brew Tour Honeymoon 2012 - Cigar City Brewing

 After leaving the manatee viewing center without seeing any manatees, we hopped back in the car and headed to Tampa. On the way up, M spotted this van with a very high tech air conditioning system...

 We made it to Cigar City Brewing with about 20 minutes to spare until their next scheduled tour.

 We paid our $5 for the tour, the $5 fee included a tour of the brewhouse, a free beer, AND a free souvenir pint glass. Not too shabby. We sat at the bar and enjoyed our complimentary beers while we waited for the next tour to start.

 The brewery is pretty small, but their beer was delicious. They are going to start canning it this summer, so be on the lookout for it!

Our tour guide was awesome, and of all the breweries we visited on our trip this was probably our favorite. If you're ever in Tampa we definitely recommend stopping by.

Epic Road Trip Brew Tour Honeymoon 2012 - No Manatees

M was coming down with a cold, so we started the day with a dose of Emergen-C

 Our first stop was the Red Barn, a GIANT indoor flea market.

This place was so big we couldn't even think of seeing all of it. But M did manage to find a pinball machine to play.

 After the flea market, we stopped at the Manatee Viewing Center, but the only manatees we actually saw ended up being painted on wood.

 Such a beautiful day, but none of the manatees were hanging out at the viewing center. Bummer.

Epic Road Trip Brew Tour Honeymoon 2012 - Siesta Key

 After driving 17 hours, through the night from DC...we arrived at M's parents' house in Sarasota! We got there around 7am, so we crashed for a few hours then headed right for the beach. After having a difficult time finding a parking spot, we finally made it to the water.

 I should have had my Tumbleweeds over my eyes, then I wouldn't have been squinting quite so much!

 M carried my camera bag as we walked up and down the whole beach. My hero.