Dec 2, 2012 - Day 140 - in Largo/ Clearwater, Florida

Today was a very boring day for the journal. We went Christmas shopping. We actually found something for us that we have been looking for for years, a 6 inch square electric fry pan. We also found an egg poacher that we have been looking for for a couple of months. It is for the microwave rather than stovetop but it will do. We also found me some new sandals. As for Christmas presents, not so successful.

Dec 1, 2012 - Day 139 - in the Largo/ Clearwater area

We started the day doing chores. I did laundry and Garry installed the new vacuum, and fixed the plumbing issue. I made use of the vacuum when I got back, it looks and feels much better now. After lunch we drove the barrier islands to check out the beaches from Sand Key to Fort De Soto Park. They are beautiful but not quite warm enough to sit on them today. We came across a street market in Covey that had some lovely craft items. We wandered an hour, did not spend too much, but could have if we had space for things.

Nov 30, 2012 - Day 138 - to Largo, Florida

We travelled a little further north again today to Indian Rocks Travel Center in Largo, near Clearwater, just a little west of Tampa, Florida. This is where we can pick up a replacement vacuum for the bus. The original one died a month ago so I am looking forward to cleaning out all the nooks and crannies the broom can't reach. Once we got set up we headed across the city to pick it up and also some plumbing supplies that Garry needs, and groceries for the next few days. We lucked out on the groceries because our RV park backs onto a Publix...

Dec 23, 2011 - Christmas in Florida

This is our first journal entry. We are in Largo, Florida (which is near Tampa) enjoying the holidays with Mary's parents and her sister Dianne. From here we will head south to the Everglades, and then along the Atlantic Coast of Florida and leisurely return to California. We hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday!

Apr 8, 2011 - Largo, Florida

This was a nice central location for seeing some of the many interesting sights around Tampa Bay. We began at St. Petersburg near the south end of the Pinellas Peninsula, which forms the west side of the bay. Our primary reason for being there was architectural. We had seen pictures of some of its structures that were quite fascinating. We started our visit with lunch at The Pier, a shopping mall / aquarium at the end of a causeway jutting into Tampa Bay. This was an interesting building because the lower floors are narrower than the upper...

Mar 27, 2011 - Movin' on

We left our camp in Punta Gorda and went to Church first and then to the historic district. Ended up at the marina with lots o'shops, restaurants and bars. A bit early for the bars for me(I know some of you are shocked and appalled). Had a great lunch on the pier. Then we motored on to Largo Fl which is between St. Pete and Clearwater. Going to see Susan Huddleson who was in our wedding as a bridesmaid tomorrow and then heading just a bit east to visit with Tim and Lisa (our nephew and niece) and their kids. We are looking forward to both...

Feb 21, 2010 - Wow - Sunshine & Warm!

Yea.....first warm day in....like forever??? So, we had to go to the beach. Looked on the map for some beach less commercial and settled on Honeymoon Island State Park. It is a barrier island smaller and separate from the bigger barrier islands in the Gulf near Clearwater. Warmer means 60 here, so we still wore jeans and packed a warm blankie with the snacks. Scooted over towards the beach and of course, they were having street fair, so we sat in traffic. Drive over the Causeway to the state park and is it just me or weren’t state parks...

Feb 20, 2010 - Special Dance Night

Suncoast Ballroom had their Valentine’s Party tonight. Bernie put on his one suit he kept and I put on a dress and we hopped on our scoot and drove over. Not that many people on the street to flash but I tried my best! Just kidding! Did I mention it was only 55 degrees …which is a tad chilling in a dress, on a scoot, at 45 mph (Luckily, it only takes 2-3 min depending on the light).... We danced...... We avoided the weird guy We ate lots of food!!!. Elissa (the owner) made all of the food. There must have been 140-150 people there. And it...

Feb 19, 2010 - Toys Are Supposed to be Fun?!?!

Bernie has been driving all around this area (working his little butt off) and he spotted a local community park that has a train track running through it. Yep, a real train track!! Not so unusual you say? Well this track, complete with a tunnel and bridge that passes two waterfalls, is for passenger trains. Yup! Once a month you can ride a miniature train around this miniature world (and pretend you are a giant – if you like). I have no idea how much these little trains cost but I am betting they ain’t cheap! Some of these folks have more...

Feb 17, 2010 - Computers & Geeks

Bernie’s laptop lost its mind. We have been using the big desk model mostly. He opened his laptop after a few weeks of non-use and it thought it was 2006….. It must have been its favorite year......so after he fiddled with it awhile....(said quite a few words no lady would repeat).....(so I won’t for you, Mom), we decided we should get a new one. Neither one of us is a geek by any definition, but, I took on the task of searching for a replacement. I bought my last one on Newegg.com. This site was suggested by a geek I used to work with and...

Feb 15, 2010 - Largo

Dance …..Dance ….Dance…. cause damn…. we suck….amazing how fast we forget these steps…man! We danced Fri, Sat and Sun nights. I think they were real surprised we kept showing up, but, we haven’t had a place to go in months…it felt good to dance again. Dancing is a small world and as it turn out the owners (Joe and Elissa, who bought it from Manuel a few years ago), know Sandra Fortuna, who owns the studio, Universal Dance, that we both used to attend. Not really too surprised - all are qualified to be judges, so I am sure that is a small...

Feb 12, 2010 - Ooo.....Oooooo

Well, we found Lee’s Travel RV Park. It is in the middle of the city. I haven’t been to the Tampa, Largo, St Petersburg area for quite some time, but.....I can’t say it has improved any? What I didn’t like was everywhere you look is a billboard or sign for yet another strip center. The only people making money down here has to be the landowners cause...... good gugamooaga.....there is a shopping center on every block. If you look a little closer you also see that there is at least one empty store in every single center and the ones with the...