Florida Bound 2012--Day 24

Another Cuban lunch and some swans.

Yesterday was a trip back to Tampa for another lunch. Fred's travel buddy, Pat, had not been able to join us all week so we all met for lunch at the Columbia Restaurant. We were also joined by another RVer who was visiting in town. Fred and Pat travel all over the country together, each driving their own motor home. They visited us in Oklahoma City a couple of years ago and we have attended several rallies with them since then. After a long lunch we returned to Fred's place to relax and chill out.

Today was just for bumming around. Started off by going back to Tampa to a flea market. (Flea markets are a big deal in this part of Florida.) This is one that Joanne and I went to when we were here in 2007. The buildings covered numerous acres with many vendors. Spent a couple of hours walking the aisles but did not see anything that I could not live without. Afterward I drove east to Lakeland to go to a lake in the middle of downtown to take some bird pictures. In addition to many tropical birds that frequent the area the city is in the business of raising swans. They have nesting cages scattered along the edge of the lake. The swans are sold off to other cities and zoos around the country. After a stop for lunch it was back to the coach to start getting ready to hit the road again. Now the holding tanks have been emptied and the fresh water tank has been filled. Been a good stay here in the Tampa area and Fred's hospitality and the use of his site is greatly appreciated.