Tuesday, February 23, 2016

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.
    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.


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.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Mark Your Calendar!

Galax VA Rally


Gerry and Bonnie Keen are preparing a great rally May 18-22 at Cool Breeze Campground  Galax is home to the Rex Theater where bluegrass performances take place each weekend, and the New River Trail runs through town for the enjoyment of walkers and bikers. Also, the Blue Ridge Music Center is at the top of the ridge to the east.

A rally agenda is currently under development and will be announced soon.



Saturday, February 13, 2016

Upcoming Rally Schedule


Oct 6-11 SECC/CCI  Kentucky Horse Park Rally. Hosts: Lee Zaborowski and Velma Williams
www.kyhorsepark.com

April 25-29 CCI  Meet Me in St. Louis Rally. The City of St. Peters Lakeside Park, 370 Lakeside Park. http://www.stpetersmo.net/lakeside-park.aspx