This is Merry’s Pier on 8th Avenue in Pass-A-Grille, Florida. The body of water is Boca Ciega Bay. If you turn around so your back is to the Bay, the beach on the Gulf of Mexico is a one block walk. The houses across the bay are on Tierra Verde a wealthy island community.
When I moved to Florida it was called Hubbard’s Pier. I would often go down to Hubbard’s Pier to watch the party boats and charter boats return from fishing trips. If they caught fish, the deck hands would get busy cleaning the catch. They made filleting look quick and easy. As they worked pelicans and gulls would crowd the pier hoping for a bit of fish.
The Pier was renamed after Captain Merry a long time resident of Pass-A-Grille. His grandson went to school with me for a while at Sunshine School. His name was Terry Merry and he had a sister Mary Merry. If you are in the area, Pass-A-Grille is worth a visit and while you are there walk out on Merry’s Pier.