Beautiful day!  We headed over to Honeymoon Island State Park. They have a dog beach. Others at the campground said it is not bad. Was not too crowded around dog area. Unfortunately, Thumper is not a water dog. She spent most of the time laying in the sand and digging holes. Water was on the cold side. The following day Skip and I went to Busch Gardens. Definitely overpriced. First you pay $20.00 just to park. The fee was $105.00 per person for he day. Not happy. I was ready to leave, but the manager came over and told us about the City Pass for $99.00 each but lets you into 5 attractions in the Tampa area. We got the pass.
  Not impressed with this attraction. We took the Serengetti Train

which lets you stop off at different areas of the park. A rhino was right next to us as we rode through.  In the wild beast area, we saw tigers (beautiful), hyenas, lions and cheetah among other animals.

There is a large plate glass between you and the lions. It was like you were next to them. At least I got a good walk today.
  Using our City Pass, the following day we went to the Florida Aquarium

in the Channelside area of Tampa. This is where cruise ships dock. This was a great little aquarium. Saw seahorses, sharks, alligators, boa constrictor and other animals indigenous to Florida. We enjoyed this museum.

Afterwards we took a walk around the area. More pics are on facebook.

Drove over to Ybor City (known as Tampa's Latin Quarter) including Cuban cigars and Cuban coffee along with a variety of cuisines. Founded by Vicente Martinez-Ybor as a cigar manufacturing center , Ybor City is a National Historic District in Florida.

Shops to browse through. Many events going on throughout the year per their information guide.  Had lunch at Columbia Restaurant.

Black bean soup one of the best I have had.

  Over the weekend, we drove down to St. Petersburg for the annual Kite festival. It was about a 45 minute drive from our campsite. Parking is difficult. Found a spot behind the Publix's grocery store. We saw a Transformer kite, a scuba diver kite, a large bug kite and many more.

Stopped at Sloppy Joe's on the beach for lunch. Could not get seating outside, so we ate inside.

  On the way back, we stopped at Verizon. Skip was having trouble with his phone. Ended up getting a new phone.
  The following day we were invited over to Chris and Virginia's for dinner. It was nice to get to meet Virginia. Enjoyed our meal and lots of laughs.

Hello everyone - It has been awhile since the last blag - our arrival in Tampa, Florida. First grateful for USC winning Rose Bowl. Granddaughter,Sabrina, goes to USC. An old childhood friend, Chris Maillefert, lives in Tampa and came over for a visit. It has been over 58 years since we had seen each other. His dad went into the foreign service when Chris was 12 and they moved oversees. It was fun to see him and remember our childhood and old friends.

   Few days temps were cool. Once started warming up, we took a ride over to Tarpon Springs (will remind you of a Greek fishing village).

Tarpon Springs is known for their sponges. Our neighbor, Doreen, came with us. Walked around and had lunch at Yanni's

Skip had peel and eat shrimp and I had pasta (still have to be careful because of sore teeth). Doreen had a salad. All was good. On return, Skip decided it was nap time

  The following day, Skip and I took a ride over to Lazy Days RV Center re: getting the motor looked at and fixed. Have an appointment the end of February to bring it in for servicing. On the way back we stopped at Village Inn for lunch (recommended by  Chris and Virginia). Skip had liver and I had spinach salad. Lots of food and good. Since it is Wednesday, everyone is entitled to a free slice of pie. We took ours to go

Happy New Year - 2017 to all!!
   We left Dixieland Music RV Park and continued heading west to Tampa and our home for the next two months - Bay Bayou RV Resort. Upon arrival, I got my feet tangled up getting out of motor home and fell on pavement Great welcome for me! I chipped one tooth and shifted another tooth from the gum. Let's just say, it was not a pretty picture. Have to find a dentist ASAP.

  When we got to our site, Skip had trouble with the electric. Thankfully, our new neighbors for a couple of weeks, Bill and Clairann from Spokane, WA came to the rescue. Bill figured it out and we got full power.  Neighbors on the other side pulled in soon after we did. Doreen and Kathy from New Hampshire.  Ken, from staff and Skip spent time discussing campground

   They also had trouble with electric. Skip helped them out and they are now up and running. I'm doing what I can while keeping ice on my mouth.
  Watched Rose Bowl game - USC v Penn State - YAHOO - USC won!!! Good game.
   After holidays, called an old friend, Chris, that I haven't seen in over 58 years. We were neighborhood childhood friends. Well he recommended his wife's dentist. Called and went in right away. Dr. Chang and her assistant were terrific. Two and one-half hours later, my chipped tooth was filled and they were able to move my other tooth back into position. Great job. Now on easy foods, and have a brace holding teeth in place. Welcome to Florida!!!!
  Have just kept in the area so far. My brother Peter and his girlfriend, Jane, came over from Orlando. Watched some football and went to Cody's for dinner. Good to seem them. Things can only look up from now!!!!

Left for Tampa, Florida after the holidays. After being away on holidays for the past 4 years, it was nice to be home with family and friends.

Got on the road heading south to warmer days and nights. Thumper couldn't get going fast enough. Traffic was not bad across the Tappan Zee Bridge across Route 78W to I-81. We stopped for the night at KOA-Harrisonburg, VA (have stayed here before).

Nights still cold. Up early and on our way still on I-81 to I-77 south. Lots of traffic. All the years on these highways, we have never been in this amount of traffic. We figured it had to be holiday traffic.
   Despite the heavy traffic and construction, we made it through Charlotte, NC into Fort Mills, SC (KOA-Fort Mills) for the night. We are all tired, but at least weather is warming up!!!
  It is now Friday, Dec 30, 2016 - traffic is heavy I-77 to I-95 south. We are crawling into Georgia (I-95 only two lanes each way in southern S.C.); Lots and lots of traffic through Georgia and into Florida.

  Trying to get to the I-295 bypass in Jacksonville was a nightmare. Forgot about football games and snowbirds (Skip and I now officially 2 snowbirds). We turned off 295 bypass onto 301 west to Tampa.
  We pulled inot the Dixieland Music RV Park for the next couple of nights. Nice small campground. Good place to spend New Year's Eve.

Went to local farmer's market for oranges and veggies, Already had a pork tenderloin - good New Year's Eve dinner.
  Happy New Year 2017 to everyone - On the road, heading to Bay Bayou RV Resort in Tampa (North Tampa really) for the next 2 months.