January 12, 2016 - Thonotosassa, FL to Tampa, FL

The sky was so blue, but it was still too chilly to chill out this early morning.  We were not that hungry, so we went ahead and get the Lil’ Home(LH) ready before we head down to Tampa, FL.

There were three RVs in front of us at the dump station.  While we were waiting in line a guy walked up to the dump station, started talking with RVers. That stalled the time for RVers to get things done. Edith wanted to walk up to him to tell him to get lost and get going, by she did not.  

We decided not to hook the Jeep to the LH because where we are going to is about 15 miles from here.  We left the campground at 10 am, stayed on Route 301 all the way to Florida State Fairgrounds.  The rally signs were clearly marked, so it was very easy to follow.  

The event we are staying at is called “Buddy Rally’ sponsored by Newmar Corporation (the company that manufactures motorhomes in Nappanee, IN) and Kountry Klub.  It begins today and lasts til Sunday, Janurary 17th.  The purpose of the rally is to bring your buddies who do not own a Newmar motorhome and to introduce them to the company and their motorcoaches.  We did not bring any buddies along because it is our first experience and we wanted to see what it is like.

The line to enter the campground was long, but we did not wait very long.  There were plenty of volunteers around. We followed the guy riding the go-kart to the campground lot that is part of Florida State Fairgrounds lot. Parking volunteers were very helpful and directed Erwin to site #856.  We were parked between two Mountain Aire motorhomes, one from Nova Scotia and the other from Texas.  

Ours is on the left side 

Over 180 motorhomes are here!  Millions of dollars worth, maybe even billions?  There were few 43’ motorhomes, ours is 40’.  

Several big capacity Generators that feed electricity to RVs during the Rally

Lines running everywhere

Erwin getting our unit hooked up to power!

There were several interesting personalized license tags 

Cool windsheild shade
Made by Magna Shade Co. in North Carolina
www.magnashade.com
Like having a Tiger in your tank!

A lot of RVers put out interesting lawn decors

https://youtu.be/ke0WD6IvQhY

There is a big tent in the back of the campground where many events will be held in.  The first event is Service Write-ups where RV owners can talk to the specialist about problems with RVs and to get the ticket for mechanics to come and fix them. We waited about 45 minutes before our turn and talked to the service agent about minor problems in our LH.  The ticket was written up last November, but we wanted to add two more things to it.

One more!!! One more!!!

Edith was getting restless because she wanted to go to either Michaels or JoAnn Fabric store to look for colored pencils in purple shade for her adult coloring book.  We went to both stores in Brandon, FL and none of these stores had them in stock.  Bummer! 

The welcome social event was held at the tent at 5 pm.  Opening comments and announcements by Kountry Klub officers. Snacks were provided. Erwin had a hard time following the speech.  Edith had been in contact with Linda, Kountry Club coordinator about hiring interpreters, but things did not work out. Edith will try to meet with Linda this week to explain why interpreters are needed.  The social event lasted for 30 minutes.

Bob and Bonnie Krieger, International Directors, welcomed RVers to the rally.
Bonnie is seated on the left. Next to her is Linda Feece, Klub coordinator

January 11, 2016 - Zephyrhills & Thonotosassa, FL

Finally! A beautiful morning to wake up to.  Even though it is still cold it is nice to have the sun up to keep us warm.  

Since Erwin is a breakfast guy Edith suggested to go to Village Inn restaurant in Zephyrhills, FL. Village Inn is one of Erwin’s favorite places to have breakfast. There used to be several Village Inns in Jacksonville, but many have closed up since. There is only one left on San Jose Blvd.

No, we did not have desserts after our breakfast ;-)

After breakfast we went to Hobby Lobby, so Edith can look for colored pencils in purple shade.  The store did not have much to offer and Edith was surprised because the adult coloring fad is going strong. You would think the store would make an effort to stock up the stuff to meet colorists’ needs/wants. 

This car was parked at Hobby Lobby parking lot

We explored the downtown area, stopped at Chamber of Commerce to get information on cemetery sites.  The lady gave Erwin a map of the town, told him to turn left on Main Street, go about 2 blocks then make a right turn. Erwin left the office with a foldable map of the town.  “Tell me where”, Edith signed to Erwin.  Erwin shrugged his shoulder, which sent Edith a message that he did not get the details she was hoping for.  “Go on 301 turn left go 2 blocks turn right”, Erwin signed.  “Cemetery name?”, she asked him.  “The lady did not tell me the name”, Erwin said.  Of course, we drove around and around, could not find the cemetery.  

After getting back to the campground we wanted to go on River Ridge trail at parking lot #2. Edith went in the Jeep and Erwin rode his bike and met her there. He thought he could use his bike on the trail. No, it is not allowed. 

River Ridge trail is over a mile long, has several boardwalks and a suspension bridge.  No sign of wildlife except for one buzzard!  Lots of cypress trees and knees.  

Rapids

Bubble Gum fungus, Guess why it's called that?

Air plant on a branch

Cypress Knee as tall as Erwin

Cypress knees

Stairs to Suspension Bridge is closed :-(

Fooling around 

Cause of Alligators!

Turkey Buzzard

For supper Erwin wanted Edith to fix a new dish, Chicken-Parm Spaghetti Squash, he saw on Facebook.  For the kitchen this small it got very messy and Edith will have to figure out a better way to plan it next time, but she managed to get things prepared and cooked. So glad to have the convection oven! We both loved the dish and will definitely fix it again.  We each ate half of one piece, saved the other for leftovers.  

We put most stuff away, so we won’t have to do so much tomorrow morning before we check out.  Erwin topped off the fresh water tank.  The rally we will be at from tomorrow until January 17th there will be no water and sewer hookups, only electricity. We need to be sure the fresh water tank is full and the holding tanks empty.

A restful night for both of us with Erwin reading a pocketbook and Edith switching between coloring a page and updating travel notes.

January 10, 2016 - Dover & Thonotosassa, FL

Gloomy morning but at least it did not rain.  After a quick breakfast we headed to Camping World in Dover, FL to see if they have LED light bulbs for the light fixture in the dining area.  

We got on McIntosh Road from Route 301 to go to Dover, FL where Camping World store in in.  Along that road we spotted an emu, several tufted ducks, mallards, Highland cattle, hawk, wood storks and lots of farm animals. The drive was very nice and pleasant.  There are two tree canopies. 

Tree Canopy

At Camping World there was 2008 Roadtrek Popular 210 and the color and style were identical to what we owned before we traded it in for the Lil' Home.  In spite of its age the Roadtrek was in a very good shape. Of course, Erwin had to take a peek inside the camper van.  

Erwin asked for assistance on which LED light bulbs to get, but he forgot to take along the indacasent light bulb from the dining light fixture. The salesperson was not able to determine what type and size will work without seeing the part.  Oh boy!  That means going back to the Lil’ Home, get the bulb and drive back to the store.  Well, we did not mind that because the drive on McIntosh Road is very nice.  Only 8 miles one way.  No big deal, really!

On way back to the campground we stopped on the roadside to let Edith walk across the road, so she can get a close-up shot of the emu and Highland cattle.  The emu could not pose still for Edith. It kept popping its head up/down and sideways.  Highland cattle did not come closer.

Few miles down the road there is a small pond with lots of ducks.  An hawk was on the fence not too far.  

After we got back to the campground Erwin took the light bulb out of the fixture and Edith took the telephoto lens with her. She did not have it with her when we first went out this morning.

We got the LED light bulbs in white instead of yellow.  It is supposed to last much longer than the incandescent types.  Yes, it is expensive, but much cheaper in a long run.

On way back we made several stops to let Edith take pictures.  Highland cattle was nowhere to be seen. The emu excitedly came over hoping for handouts and when it saw there was none it did not want to stay around. 

The hawk was still on the railing, but moved to a different location.  The ducks were too far for Edith to get close-up shots.  They are inside a private property, so Edith was not able to walk up close to the pond.  The hawk did not move much as Edith slowly walked up to it. After getting few good shots it flew into the tree.

On Route 301 there was a shop that had all sculptures made out of old farm equipment.  It was closed, but Edith managed to snap few pictures.

After we got back to the campground we went out for a good long walk.  We stopped to check out Hillsborough River and there were two anglers fishing. 

January 9, 2016 - Jacksonville, FL to Hillsborough River State Park, FL

Edith managed to be up at 5:30 am, took a peek out the window, could not see stars.  “Not good for sunrise”, she told herself and went back to bed.

It was foggy when we were up at 9 am. We had planned on starting our trip around that time, but we were running late. No hurry really, but...

While Erwin took the Lil’ Home (LH) to Murphy USA to get diesel and propane fill-up Edith went to Publix to pick up RXs for both of us. She bumped into Herbert, our good friend and chatted a bit.  

We finally left home around 11 am.  The overpass to get on I-95 N was closed and we had to detour to Kings St, got on the interstate near Baptist Hospital.  The traffic was not too bad.  

It was very foggy at downtown.  That would have been a perfect photo op for Edith, but there is no place to park the LH near Southbank riverwalk.

We got on I-10 W to Exit #343 for Route 301 S. It started to mist and the fog was still thick.  According to GPS, expected time arrival to Hillsborough River State park is 3:01 pm. It might be later than this because of the weather.

Erwin saw a billboard for Hardee’s that is 2 miles ahead and gave hint to Edith that he wanted to have lunch there. He loves their chicken tenders.  Edith mentioned that we may have trouble finding a place to park. Sure enough, there was no place to park. Tsk!  We continued on for few miles and pulled into Walmart parking lot. We made ham sandwiches.  While Erwin was still eating his sandwich Edith made a quick trip into Walmart to pick up a couple items.  

Because of the lunch break the estimated time arrival is now at 3:35 pm.  The fog has lifted. The traffic is light.  The sun was trying and trying to break through the thick clouds, but did not succeed. 

We arrived Hillsborough River State Park at 4:10 pm and parked the LH on the side after passing the ranger station.  It started to rain as soon as we started walking to the station to register.  We got site #40 for three nights. The Jeep was unhooked before we headed to the campground.

The rain intensified as we left the station.  The visibility was not great.  

Erwin had his first lil’ fender bender with the Lil Home, while he was maneuvering the RV to get it into the right spot, a big oak tree suddenly jumped into the side of the LH causing a small dent/crack at the very bottom of the LH!  :-(  Edith was very upset and scolded Erwin for not looking out but he blamed the tree!!  It did not take long to get the LH settled.  We had to use boards for levelers because the ground was muddy. (Edith’s version: Erwin is still denying that it was his fault).

This is the tree that Erwin blamed for the damage

The damage!!!

Since there is electricity Erwin was excited to get started on woodburing again.  At home there is no 50 amp electricity that he can use while we park the LH on the driveway.

Edith decided to start her first coloring project from the book she bought at Five Below˚ yesterday.  Second childhood project! She had read so much about her Facebook friends showing off their finished projects. 

Edith's first adult coloring project