It's about time.

Many of you can relate to Working long hours at your career. Raising your families. Buying a home and paying all the bills related to being homeowners and parents. We're now retired and don't need all that work and expense. Now "It's about time" and what we do to follow our dreams.

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Thursday, January 16, 2014

Busy Day at the Tampa RV Show.



Our Location today is Crystal River, Florida.

Even though we were tired enough to go to bed early last night didn’t mean we were going to sleep the whole time. Remember I posted we planned on going to the Tampa RV Show today well I guess that 86 miles per direction sounded like a travel day to our bodies so you know how we slept.
By 7:15 this morning we were both tired of being awake most of the night so we got out of bed. Was that a shock because even though we had the cube heater on about medium with the outside temp being 43 F (6 C) inside was only around 50 F (10 C). That meant we didn’t take too long having our breakfast and getting dressed. It was still a shock going out the door by 8:30.
Of course this was the morning the GPS decided to be particular how the address to the Tampa Fairgrounds was entered. We had already driven through Crystal River and were half way through Homosassa Springs before Kathy finally got the address to be recognized by the GPS.
The trip was uneventful except for some minor construction once we were on the I-75 highway. By 10:00 we were pulling into the fairgrounds where another delay started. The dreaded parking of the masses which took about fifteen minutes then a half hour to get the entry tickets before the final hike of five minutes before entering the first vendors exhibition building.
At this point we phoned Elaine Cochrane from E & R's Travels who we continue to keep in touch with since we met last year at the Tampa RV Show. When she answered she and Rick were in a vendors building but she wasn’t sure where so she said she’d call me back when she could get a location to give me. Five minutes went by as Kathy and I looked around the Camping World area before the phone rang. Stepping outside Elaine and I were exchanging things we were seeing on the outside of the buildings when we realized it was the same building. I turned around and spotted them not even a hundred feet away.
 
 
 
After hugs and handshakes we were busy talking and shopping at the same time. They were looking for new chairs and Kathy spotted a camping ottoman that we bought because the ants have been biting her legs badly when she sits outside. Elaine and Rick were going to bring their purchases back to their RV since they were camped onsite with a promise to meet up later before we left.
 
 
 
 
Kathy and I finished looking around that exhibitors building before we decided we’d already worn off breakfast. At this point the best we could do was find an outside vendor that had picnic tables in the sun to help us warm up while we ate. We continued to the front vendors building where again we were met with some duplication of displays but many different things that is available for people who own RVs.
 
 
 
After a brief rest we started walking and just looking at different RVs that would have fit any budget or need and comparing what we would want if we were ever in the market for another new unit. We also took time to do what we like to do best, People Watch. Finally it was nearing 2:30 so we stopped for a soda so we could again sit at a picnic table. While relaxing for the second time the phone started ringing again.
 
Elaine was calling back to see if we’d had lunch. Because of Kathy’s diabetes that was done much earlier. She said they were at the floating restaurant which was only two hundred feet away but a thousand foot walk to get there. Kathy and I joined their table and had another soda while we all talked and they ate. A friend of Elaine’s that she hadn’t seen in thirty years was also at the table so we also got to meet with her. Next month when we leave Rock Crusher RV Park we’ll be staying at the same park as Elaine and Rick for a month so we should really get a chance to get caught up. Finally saying our goodbyes and see you laters Kathy and I started our half hour walk back to the truck.
The return trip up I-75 took us through the same construction zones as before so when we finally got to our exit we stopped at Cracker Barrel for supper. With all the walking and fresh air we had today I don’t think either of us will be up very late tonight nor will we have trouble sleeping. Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment. Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

What's the difference between a bagpipe and an onion?

No-one cries when you chop up a bagpipe.

6 comments:

  1. What a nice show.

    We think it is always a wonderful time when we met up with RV friends. Sounds like y'all had a great day!

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  2. Wow. What a busy place. Thanks for all the pics.

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  3. Love rv shows, but not the crowds, we have a few weeks of checking out everything RV related in Quartzsite.
    Looks like you had a great day.

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  4. Looks like a great day!

    I just HAD to zoom in on the pic of the little sheltie hanging out in the fiver storage compartment! Too cute!

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    Karen and Steve
    (Blog) RVing: The USA Is Our Big Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com
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  5. Well, I agree that the day seemed pretty packed. There were a lot of RV campers present, and the place was definitely filled with beautiful mobile homes. Did you find a fine RV that fits your budget? Anyway, thanks for sharing that with us, Rick and Kathy. All the best! :)

    Cristina Hamilton @ Mount Comfort RV

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