St Patrick's Day on Anna Maria Island

This is not a very large town or a very large island, so St Patrick's Day is an event that everyone knows about.  I started my day with a 4.6 mile walk with friends along the beach.  Then we all went out to a late brunch - that was fabulous - with green mimosas.  That was a little odd, but mimosas are tasty even with green dye.

After some reading and sun time we went four blocks down to where the St Patrick's Day parade was passing by.  The weather was not the best for a parade - it was cloudy and there were a few rain drops - but the people who gathered made up for it with enthusiasm and cheer.

As you can see the parade included bagpipes, an elephant, camels, and (yes) pirates!  Aarrgh me mateys - Happy St Patrick's Day!  Afterwards we ate dinner at Duffy's pub - a place with a limited menu and excellent blue cheese burgers.  All in all it was a lovely day.