CCI TAMPA RALLY
by Janet Sanders
Photos: Jan Sanders, Skip Saunders
While snowstorms tracked across the north, some of us enjoyed warmer weather at the CCI Tampa Rally at LazyDays.
The weather before and after the rally was great for sitting around outside so many of us took advantage to visit the area and the many friends and relatives that seem to have relocated to Florida, even if it is just for the winter.
The weather during the rally was a tad too cold at 50 degrees and 35 mile winds so we missed being able to party around outside visiting everyone. Still, it was way better than tornadoes and snowstorms up north!
The rally schedule kept us busy with a variety of events, hosted by the Heartlanders.
The main event was a white-table luncheon aboard the elegant cruise yacht Star Ship. We enjoyed a nice tour of Tampa bay.
We expected to see lush tropical homes on the bay, but had forgotten that it was also a busy port.
The afternoon was rounded out by a tour of historical Cuban neighborhood Ybor City just blocks away by a nice trolley ride. Some of the old tobacco warehouses have found new life in shops and lofts, but you can still smell your way to where cigars are being hand rolled.
The main event was a white-table luncheon aboard the elegant cruise yacht Star Ship. We enjoyed a nice tour of Tampa bay.
We expected to see lush tropical homes on the bay, but had forgotten that it was also a busy port.
The afternoon was rounded out by a tour of historical Cuban neighborhood Ybor City just blocks away by a nice trolley ride. Some of the old tobacco warehouses have found new life in shops and lofts, but you can still smell your way to where cigars are being hand rolled.
We experienced a bit of old Florida with a trip inland to the
old-fashioned Americana of Plant City. Inland Florida is farm and cattle
land, with small towns and trains moving all that produce up North.
We ate at the Whistle Stop Café right next to the tracks. The café is in the old restored pharmacy that also housed the town doctor, up the stairs, in the early 1900s. We shopped the antique stores, and walked over to the little train museum.
We ate at the Whistle Stop Café right next to the tracks. The café is in the old restored pharmacy that also housed the town doctor, up the stairs, in the early 1900s. We shopped the antique stores, and walked over to the little train museum.
 |
| Strawberry Shortcake at Parksdale Market |
The Heartlanders kept us busy in the evenings with a movie night (
"Bridge of Spies", a great choice!) , a game night and a Night at the
Races with fun gambling on horse race films.
Why
go back up North when you can hang around in warmer weather? Our
SECCers are now heading to other areas of Florida. The Harpers are now
down at John Prince County Park near West Palm Beach. Several of us
headed over to Lakeland to Fountain RV to have work done.
 |
| Harpers at West Palm Beach |
 |
| Post Rally Coaches at Fountain RV |
 |
| Post Rally Tech Talk at Fountain |
Don't miss another rally. We hope to see you at our next SECC rallies in Orange Beach and Galax Virginia. Register now on our web site.
