Friday, January 31, 2014

SEFFNER TO THONOTOSASSA, FL :

Thursday was another rainy day in western central Florida with temperatures in the 50's.  Our day started with our free breakfast which included scrambled eggs, biscuit and gravy and bacon. The morning seminars were "Today's Technology for Today's RV and another one on RV air conditioners.  The free lunch included a large loaded baked potato along with your choice of soup, salad or slaw. The afternoon seminar topics included Discovery 120 V Systems (50 amp) and Owners roundtable Discussion.  Happy Hour followed with drinks provided,. The catered dinner was carved turkey and ham, bacon-wrapped sausages,  mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, mixed roasted vegetables, rolls and apple pie. After dinner, the rally came to a close with entertainment by Kim & The Kadillacs.

Today (Friday) is an even rainier day than yesterday.  After our free breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and a pancake, it was time to pack up, unhitch and get the wheels on Little House moving once again.  Since we were only traveling 8 miles up the road, we didn't leave Lazydays until the checkout time of 11 A.M.  Now we're settled in campsite #76 at Happy Traveler RV Park in Thonotosassa, FL, just northeast of Tampa.  We're staying in the area because some of our Raleigh friends are coming to Lazydays on Sunday and we wanted to be close so we can meet up with them for a visit or two.  While Happy Traveler doesn't offer free meals like Lazydays does, there is free  Wi-fi on all sites and free cable TV on some sites at a less expensive daily rate.  We'll be here until February 5.
The weather forecast for the next 5 days is looking much better with sunny skies and highs in the low 80's.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

SEFFNER, FL; Wet Day

Our nice weather went away as Wednesday was very cool and wet. Since most of our activities are inside, that's wasn't a big deal.

Our free breakfast included scrambled eggs with salsa on the side, 2 bacon strips and 2 tortillas. The morning seminars were on 30 amp service and furnaces.  Our free lunch was a breaded chicken sandwich on a bun with cheese, tomato and lettuce plus French fries and we shared a table and conversation with a couple from Ontario.  There have been daily activities geared toward the women in the group, and today that included a seminar for co-pilots (men were also invited) where we shared ideas and tips for easier RV living.  The campground provided the drinks for Happy Hour again and snacks were shared.  The catered dinner inlcuded spaghetti and meatballs, Chicken Parmesan, salad and rolls as well as something like cherry dump cake with ice cream, along with beer, wine, soft drinks and coffee. Entertainment after dinner was Bingo.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

SEFFNER, FL: The Rally Continues

Tonight, many members of our family are having to endure rough winter conditions as snow, extreme cold,  and bad road conditions have invaded Alabama and North Carolina.  Today, here in west central Florida, we enjoyed highs in the mid-70's, but the next couple of days will see highs in the 50's.

Today was another busy day here at Lazydays near Tampa.  Our free breakfast this morning included scrambled eggs, sausage links and corn beef hash.  We spent the next couple of hours looking at used motor homes and getting some exercise as we walked around part of this huge property.  The free lunch today was a meatball sub with freshly made kettle chips.  This afternoon, after the Ice Cream social ( choice of 3 flavors with lots of different toppings) we met up with members of one of the Discovery Owners Assn., Inc. regional chapters - The Blue Ridge Discoverys - and found out more about their activities.  Dinner tonight was a pot luck, and with close to 200 people in attendance, there were plenty of dishes to choose from.  After dinner, we were entertained by Nick Paul, a magician from Orlando, who put on a lively show.

More activities are on the agenda for tomorrow and Thursday.  So far this week, we've met lots of great people who share our love for the RV lifestyle, and we're learning a lot in the process. As you may have already noticed, there is no shortage of dining opportunities when you hang out with this group!

Monday, January 27, 2014

SEFFNER,FL; Rally...Day 2

There was drizzly rain overnight, but warm temperatures.  Our free breakfast this morning was scrambled eggs, 2 sausage links and homestyle potato chunks. The free lunch was sloppy jo mix on buns, french fries and slaw.  The campground provided the Happy Hour hors d'oeuvres which included Italian meatballs, crab cakes, chicken fingers, beef strips, egg rolls, fried shrimp, chips, appropriate sauces, cheese and crackers and melon chunks along with soft drinks, wine and beer.  Dinner was NOT needed after all of that food!

Seminars began today on water heaters, battery care and charging systems, refrigerators, 12 volt systems and what's new in the 2014 Discovery line. Three 2014  models were available for touring.

Various chapters held meetings after Happy Hour.

No worry of snow here this week and no below freezing temperatures either.  Life is good!

Sunday, January 26, 2014

SEFFNER, FL: DOAI Rally

Today we made the 2 hour drive from McIntosh, FL to Seffner, Fl which is just east of Tampa,  arriving about 2 P.M..  We are here to attend the 2014 Discovery Owners Association, Inc. Southeast Region "Camp Discovery" Rally at Lazydays RV Campground in Seffner.  Lazydays is a huge facility that includes 300 RV sites, a rally center, many amenities including free cable TV, daily newspaper and WiFi,   a full service dealership and repair facility  and daily educational sessions.   Included in the campground fee is free breakfast and lunch daily at one of the two campground restaurants. Also on the property is a Cracker Barrel Restaurant and Flying J Service Center.

Discovery is a model line of Fleetwood motor homes, and Little House is part of that family.  Besides all of the fun activities, the rally will also include many educational seminars on the different systems and iitems found in Discovery motor homes.  Fleetwood  personnel are also here to provide parts and service at reduced prices.

Today's schedule included registration where we received our ID badges, seminar material, and goody bag.  We attended a "First-Timer's meeting" for a preview of what was ahead.  The rest of tonight's activities included:
Happy Hour with beer, wine and soda provided - attendees to bring snacks

Welcome Dinner - Burgers and hot dogs (both oversized!) complete with toppings, slaw, baked beans, chili, chips, watermelon, sponge cake, key lime pie, chocolate cookies, beer wine, tea soda, and coffee.

Entertainment by Ocean Road Band from 7-9 P.M. ( there  were 5 members)

The rally will end on the evening of January 30.

We have finally found warmer weather, although it's raiing tonight.  No below freezing temperatures are forecast for this area in the foreseeable future. 

Friday, January 24, 2014

McINTOSH, FL: Where We Are

McIntosh, FL is not exactly a booming metropolis.  It's a small town that's probably seen better times, situated on Hwy. 441 between Gainesville and Ocala, and surrounded by horse and cattle farms.  Sportsman's Cove Resort is actually located between the edge of the historical district and Orange Lake and very near to the historic train depot and museum.   (McIntosh, FL history)    Unfortunately, the lake level is so low, the old boat launches are over marshy land. There are some interesting looking houses nearby and an abundance of very large, old oak trees decorated with lots of Spanish Moss.  We'll leave here on Sunday for the 114 mile drive to Seffner, FL near Tampa.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

MCINTOSH, FL: Off the Beaten Path

Over the last two days, we've made our way east with an overnight stop in Quincy, Fl, and then south  arriving today at Sportsman's Cove Resort in McIntosh, FL  While this isn't exactly a "resort", it is a quiet, laid-back, rustic sort of campground near a large lake south of Gainesville and north of Ocala, with top-notch free WiFi and cable TV. The people we've met so far are very friendly.  We'll be here for 5 nights before heading further south to Tampa.  To fill our days, we'll do some exploring, but we'll also be enjoying the quiet as we stay busy with our computers and get caught up on a few RV chores.

The cold weather just keeps following us with nighttime temperatures just below freezing, but the pictures and stories of snow and cold from northern AL and central NC make us glad we're in sunny and unusually cool Florida.