ESTERO TO DADE CITY, FLORIDA

ESTERO TO DADE CITY, FLORIDA

Saturday, February 15, 2014
Sunny, 70 F

We all met at Tom and Carol’s and decided to go to the 50 % off sale at the Goodwill store. Clothing was separated by color and type (jeans, capris, sweaters, tops, etc. An Ethan Allan chair and ottoman in great condition was priced at $30! I bought 5 books for $.50/each. The store was CROWDED and there was no parking which left Tim in a good mood. J

We finally left Estero about noon (two cars)—I-75 was busy and by the time we were outside Tampa there was a first class jam. We wanted to go to a big mall there and by the time we left the mall the traffic was even worse. Our decision to go to another mall (Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel) to eat was not a wise one, but we had dinner at Cantina Laredo. It was about 9:30 p.m. by the time we got to Scorchy and Mary Lou’s at Travelers Rest Resort and organized ourselves. We were tired. Everything was set up in the cabana an after a couple words on Words with Friends, we went to bed.

 RENNIGER’S ANTIQUE SHOW ROCKS!!

Sunday, February 16, 2014
Sunny, 70 F

Admittedly it did get cool last night, but we had blankets and a heater and slept very comfortably. We were off early to Renniger’s Extravaganza Antique Show about an hour and a half away in Mt. Dora, after breakfast at the Black Eyed Peas—fresh southern cooking at its finest. This antique show, which we have gone to now for at least 4 years, is the largest I have ever been to. I loved looking at the garden items (wrought iron, wicker, wood, twig), glass, pottery, primitives, vintage clothing, buttons, textiles, lamps, antique eyeglasses, Bakelite, Fiesta, Franciscan, collectibles like Coca Cola, toys,  and even old architectural features like fencing, doors, and stained glass windows.  Most of the show is open air, but there are little shops and a couple buildings that are open year round. This year I did not see all of it due to the time allotted (3 hours) by my companions. J  I did meet Tim at the food vendor who makes gran arepas—my absolute favorite Colombian food, a grilled corn cake “sandwich” with melted mozzarella cheese. She even grinds the corn to make the cake patty.

The drive to and from Mt. Dora is scenic, cows, horses, mansions, gated communities, orange orchards, tree farms, fruit stands, lots of lakes, with small communities along the way-and little shopping plazas.

Tonight we four went to the Sunday night show at the Busch Hall stage at Travelers Rest Resort (TRR). Irish comedian, George Casey, entertained us grandly for no charge (paid for by TRR)—he just finished a gig as comedian on a Holland America cruise ship and has worked Las Vegas and other venues. He lives in Branson, Missouri. A joke I remember: “My wife hates to cook and I hate her cooking.”

p.s. as soon as I stop having so much fun I will try to attach some photos---

Note: Mary Lou and Scorchy have a Verizon “hot spot” they pay $50 a month for. Now there is no problem getting on the Internet!!