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Published: January 22nd 2017
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Wednesday was the big RV show in Tampa. We go every year and it looks like everyone else in the world did, too! Of course, our group alone took up a lot of room in the many, unending, winding lines. We have never stood in lines like these in times past. And that was just to get our tickets. Geeeze. Besides these lines, we got stuck in gridlock traffic on I-4 because of an accident and then, more gridlock because of the huge amount of travelers going to this mega show. Patience, people...Patience. Lulu started acting up so I zippered her carry bag up to settle her down. That did the trick.
We entered into the huge building that held the multi-million dollar RV's. No, we didn't buy one. And no, I didn't even go look at them. No sense getting my desires all hyped up.
The first year that just Cory and I went to this show, we entered into this same magnificent room. We checked it all out, drooling in awe. After seeing all the mega expensive RV's in this room, we left the show. We kind of wondered what people meant when they spoke of this monster
Lines & Crowds
Just to buy tickets sized show. We really didn't think it was all that big. Then we found out; we had only seen that one portion of the show. Had we exited out the back door, we would have seen all the rest of this wonderful and gigantic show. OMG! Live and learn!
In this building, with some of the truly top end RV's, you need an appointment to go inside them. Others, you have to take off your shoes (Lulu wouldn't have that as an issue) and then others have a platform at the outside front of the coach and you can only look through the front window. No jumping on their beds to see if they are comfy or not.
Next, we (the fearless foursome plus Lulu) headed to their exhibit buildings where there are hundreds of booths marketing their wares. Most are for different campgrounds but others include various items and accessories for your motor homes. Some freebie items along the way. Fortunately, Sam becomes our bag-man and carries all our stuff on his scooter. His poor legs are spread so far apart to accommodate all these bags, he looks like he has been horse back riding for a
week. Giddy-up, Sam. Again, we were packed like sardines inside this humongous tin box. Tricky maneuvering through it. Hope you saw and got all that you wanted.
We wandered around the massive grounds (this show is set up on the Tampa Fairgrounds) checking out more trade booths and of course, the hundreds of RV's on display. A cute parade passed us by. Finally, my legs gave out and I rested at a picnic table while Sandy and Sam plugged onward to the Tiffin RV section. Cory stayed with me. We were in front of a unique, primitive, old time camper. It was built on a 1923 Model T one ton truck. Very clever. Then, the two, old guys that own it came out and gave a musical performance. They were very good. I could hear some of you singing along. They called themselves Boots & Butches. Lulu wasted no time jumping up (best she can) and getting her picture taken with them. They really liked this flirty, pushy gal. She hummed a happy tune in their ears during the photo shoot.
Once Sandy and Sam returned, we still had to drag (me) ourselves back to our car. I
waited at the show entrance for the tireless threesome to come pick me up. Lots of folks to visit with when resting and waiting. Next time, we have decided to go on a different day. Today was "Senior Day" and every old person in Florida and beyond picked this day to go to this show. I think they even brought all nursing home patients to the show, also. It was like being in Times Square on New Years Eve! Yikes....but it was fun.
Exhausted and hungry, we headed to one of our favorite restaurants in the area: Willie's Fish Camp. Today, on the menu, was "all you can eat" of some of their best specialities. I had catfish, shrimp, clam strips and more shrimp. Cory had a grouper dinner. Sam & Sandy went for the "A-U-C-E" like me. Sam had so much fish on his plate he could have taken it down to the docks and tried to sell some of it. Lulu enjoys this place too. It was more than filling. Now, I'm going to have to run along tiny Sandy while she does her walking. That's not going to happen, though.....my knees won't allow it.
Last
Cory holds Lulu
Sam sneaks up behind night, Tropical Palms put on a free Appreciation Dinner for all the park residents. It was very nice. Good food and good musical entertainment. The staff here did a fabulous job putting it all together. Thank you very much! This party was a great opportunity to see all the old friends we have known over these years that we hadn't seen earlier. I'm sure you are beginning to recognize most of them as you travel along with us through this blog. ??Hail, Hail, The Gang's All Here!??? See you all soon! Many pictures (21) to see....do what you need to do.
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