Chapter 708

Sept 12, 2026

Anniversary Dinner

it was sold out, man

The banquet in the Pier 22 Grand Ballroom at Bradenton, Florida on the Manatee River was designed to honor son in law Executive Chef and Director of Operations Greg Campbell. I felt like we were the feature VIP attendees as we got a standing ovation when we were introduced. But perhaps, I am misremembering it after 5 glasses of wine and 5 courses of food.

I do recall the owner mentioning he invited Greg in for an interview 20 years ago and it turned into an 8 hour interview as they really hit it off and Gregs culinary passion was evidenced. On this dinner night, Greg spoke for 2 hours covering a variety of topics.

Sun was setting as the first course of French Sauvignon Blanc was served with the Salmon and Caviar. Not my thing, but the Beef Wellington - yes.

We stayed the prior night at Margaritaville's Compass near Anna Maria Island. We were supposed to be surprise guests but the secret got out anyway. Bar not open at 10am so we improvised with some available Malibu coconut flavored rum on ice, delish.

Had a lunch right on Bradenton Beach at the Beach House with Karissa earlier in the day.

Then a walk and swim at Bean Point on Anna Maria Island yielded this fisherman scoring a Ladyfish - skipjack.

Day after the extravaganza we toured the amazing  MOTE Marine Laboratory & Aquarium where their octopus came out of hiding in daytime for a rare photo op.

A walk at Emerson Point Preserve still showing hurricane damage from 2 years ago was hot and humid for northerners.

The fiddler crabs all go scurring near the mangroves on Greg's property but I was able to catch this one before he dissapeared. Greg's 4 Bassett Hounds love to eat them. 

We spent hours around their beautiful dining table conversing. The Dinner / after hours discussions around this table with extended family was actually the highlight of the weekend for me. I ai-ed the wood to discover it was Monkey Pod from S.E. Asia. (Probably rainforest destruction.) On the wall ai proclaimed it to be Teak.

Greg views the sunset over the Terra Ceia Preserve and Tampa Bay from his third level balcony.