INTERNATIONAL PLAZA MALL AND CHEESECAKE FACTORY!!

Thursday, January 12, 2017                 75 F

Courtyard Marriott Airport / Tampa, Florida

This morning TK and I had coffee on the beach-our Hampton Inn had beach access. The gentle roar of the waves and the feel of sand vs. snow and ice and slush. Hmmm. Throw in some sunshine, even a balmy breeze, and 60 F at 9 a.m. Count us in!

TK and Janie with their new friend at Hampton Inn, Cocoa Beach

TK on the Atlantic Ocean at Cocoa Beach, Florida

The two hour drive to Tampa was uneventful, so we were at a grand mall, International Plaza, complete with Nordstrom’s, Neiman Marcus, Dillard’s, and so many other of my favorite stores, and I had things to shop for! Actually, we both made purchases. We easily checked into our hotel (where we will be parked for 2 weeks/$5 per day) and made arrangements to meet cousin Geri, her son Kevin, and her very congenial 10  year old grandson Cade for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory at the Mall. Lemon meringue cheesecake was sold out, much to my chagrin, but we settled for 2^nd favorite, strawberry shortcake. It was great catching up with Geri and family—they have lived in Florida since the 80s. She is going to share the family cookie recipes with me!

There was really no controversy or excitement today—sun, warm weather, traffic not overwhelming. I did forget to notify credit card companies that we would be traveling in the Caribbean and the southern states, but I was able to make a few phone calls to confirm those details.  We reorganized our bags, ready for takeoff tomorrow.

I still have not figured out how to make the blog exciting for R and B. For some reason the football game channel is not working tonight. That would cause some excitement if they were here.  

TK’s Takes:  I thought Janie was going to sleep in her new hat last night-she had it on while working on her computer. She had it on first thing this morning too.  People in Florida have still not learned what to use their turning signals for. The Cheesecake Factory should stock up on lemon meringue cheesecake when Janie is in town.