Tampa 2014 Trip: Final push for home (Day 16, 1/19/2014)

Return to winter

We slept well and warm last night. The temperature outside is about 30 F, with an inch of snow, but inside the furnace kept the camper at a comfortable and quiet 60 F. After coffee at Duke’s and breakfast at another Cracker Barrel, we push for the last few hours, arriving home about 11:00am to 20 F and 3 inches of snow. After a two-week adventure in the new camper, it is fine to return to winter and home.  

Tampa 2014 Trip: Cruising back into winter (Day 15, 1/18/2014)

Winterized and ready to head north

We head out at 7:30AM before the free waffles and coffee, having dumped all our tanks before heading north. We stop at Cracker Barrel for breakfast, deciding to forego breakfast at the Jekyll Island Club or other resorts closer to the coast. The flat, coastal waterways, rivers, and meadows off to the east look peaceful and inviting, but we are anxious to make time. I drive six hours while Mike catches up on emails and work.  We stop about 4:00pm at Shelton Vineyards just into North Carolina to stretch our legs, enjoy the vistas over the hills planted with grapevines, and share a wine tasting. Mike takes over driving. I read to him a while and then we listen to Spectrum on Sirius XM. As we cross into Ohio, a driving snow has started and the temperature has plummeted.  About 10:00pm we stop at a Duke Truck Stop, use their bathroom and sleep in the parking lot. 

Tampa 2014 Trip: Heading north (Day 14, 1/17/2014)

It is in the 30’s this morning, but projected to reach the 60’s by afternoon. We show the campers to two customers, do a quick last tour of the Class B’s we want to see, and set out for Cleveland about 1:00pm. It is slow going on Route 4 East through Orlando. We camp about 7:30pm at the Jacksonville/St. Mary’s KOA just over the Florida line into Georgia. The hosts here are friendly and warm, inviting us to free waffles and coffee in the morning. The evening is beautiful under the tall pines with dazzling stars and almost full moon. I wish we had time to explore Amelia Island and the other islands and coastal waterways around here. 

Tampa 2014 Trip: A day of firsts (Day 13, 1/16/2014)

I shower in the motor home for the first time! Although I am careful not to use much water, thinking “bird bath” as one customer described it, the water is hot and the pressure is good.  Even the cleanup is easy. I’d rate this experience an A+. We are busy most of the day showing the RVs to potential clients. At the end of the day, I get to tour some of the show and enjoy seeing the other Class B campers. For dinner, we are joined by Rob, one of our cabinets makers who drove down to Florida separately, and we go back to Ybor City, finally getting into the famous Columbia Restaurant, established in 1905 to serve the Cuban cigar makers working in the factories set up here. We share the 1905 salad made at our table and enjoy the Cuban/Spanish fare. The restaurant itself is amazing: spread over a city block, it is packed with customers and the hundreds of industrious staff weaving between tables carrying trays aloft in an amazing choreography.  It is decorated with colorful tile; plaster arches, columns, and statues; and pictures of the family owners, now fifth generation. In the background we hear the Flamenco music from the floorshow in the next room. 

Tampa 2014 Trip: Meeting with clients (Day 12, 1/15/2014)

Brittany, who is staying in a hotel, meets us at the campground for a short run and early tour of the RV show. It is a sunny, crisp morning. Brittany has lined up several customers to see the Advanced RV motor homes today so we spend most of the day talking with them and demonstrating the features of the RV. As usual, they have great questions and good ideas for their own designs. One couple joins us for our return to Ybor City for dinner at Acropolis, a good Greek restaurant.



With friends at the SuperShow



 

Tampa 2014 Trip: Arriving at SuperShow (Day 11, 1/14/2014)

We leave our friends’ Sarasota home and about 4:00pm check into our campsite at the Tampa RV SuperShow.  We camp in the show’s campgrounds next to another Advanced RV motor home, owned by Bob, and we two Class B’s are surrounded by a sea of Class A’s.  We only have an electrical connection here, so we will be careful with our water supply. Mike, Brittany (our main sales person), Bob and I head to Ybor City and enjoy a good Middle Eastern dinner at Istanblu Restaurant.

Tampa 2014 Trip: Enjoying the oasis (Day 7, 1/10/2014)

Eating at Café Croissant

We start the morning with a senior yoga class in the campground and then bike down to Café Croissant where we enjoy cappuccino and a delicious spinach quiche. We take a two-hour bike ride on the Pinellas Trail, along with other bikers and walkers.  The smell of the bougainvillea overhanging the trail is delightful. We pack up and leave this oasis, heading to meet friends for lunch in Sarasota and move out of the camper into their home until we head to Tampa on Tuesday for the RV show.