Downtown Tampa - taken from inside car
Today is January 22, 2008. It is sunny and 75 degrees. Jane and Bill are finally settling in to life in Florida after Jon & Brad flew back to Brockport on Sunday, 1/20/08, to begin the spring semester. While in Zephyrhills, Jon & Brad discovered the wonderful world of Florida flea markets. 
They each purchased a fine pair of K-Swiss sneakers for $20 - a huge bargain - hopefully they weren't stolen, as well as jerseys, socks, a flashing police red light (oh boy) and bikini underwear. They also took in a movie in Lakeland,
They each purchased a fine pair of K-Swiss sneakers for $20 - a huge bargain - hopefully they weren't stolen, as well as jerseys, socks, a flashing police red light (oh boy) and bikini underwear. They also took in a movie in Lakeland,
Lots of leg room in this theater
ate at some of the area's finer restaurants, and claimed supremacy in shuffleboard and euchre jousts. Unfortunately it was not as warm as they would have liked for the entire vacation, but they each have tans to take back to beautiful Upstate New York.
Kevin Bryant and his wife Lee visited us two weekends ago to watch the football playoffs. Kevin is a retired NYS Trooper and moved to Florida where he works in the Federal court system. We all watched the game outside where we broke in our new Buffalo Bills tent and Jane broke out the blender for margaritas. We topped off the day with supper at Beef O'Brady's in Zephyrhills and saw Brett Favre beat Seattle in a snowstorm. Kevin and Lee bought a house in Fort Meyers and seem very happy in Florida. The boys were fascinated with some of Kevin's war stories from Troop D Narco.
ATTN: CNET CENTRAL GIU - We have discovered where all the handguns are coming from that find their way into NY - Florida flea markets! Jane and Bill were browsing at the Webster flea market yesterday 
and there were at least 10 stands of gun dealers selling all types of handguns. Bill took a photo of one dealers' handguns and the guy almost came over the table at him. Bill told him it was for a blog but the guy thought he was being infiltrated by the FBI. Good ole' southern boys. At another gun table Bill was checking a Dan Wesson .357 revolver when the dealer approached. Bill asked what paperwork he needed to buy it. The dealer looked around, then said it was cash and carry since Bill looked like he was over 21. Bill claimed poverty but the dealer even offered to walk him to the closest ATM. Bill felt like he was back in Narco waiting for Morgan and Chevy to execute the takedown!
and there were at least 10 stands of gun dealers selling all types of handguns. Bill took a photo of one dealers' handguns and the guy almost came over the table at him. Bill told him it was for a blog but the guy thought he was being infiltrated by the FBI. Good ole' southern boys. At another gun table Bill was checking a Dan Wesson .357 revolver when the dealer approached. Bill asked what paperwork he needed to buy it. The dealer looked around, then said it was cash and carry since Bill looked like he was over 21. Bill claimed poverty but the dealer even offered to walk him to the closest ATM. Bill felt like he was back in Narco waiting for Morgan and Chevy to execute the takedown! 
Last week brought a visit to the Florida State Fairgrounds where the Winter RV Show was being held. WOW! It made the Syracuse RV shows look like chopped liver. There were some beautiful rigs including Prevost, Country Coach and Bluebird all selling for over a million dollars. The nicest RV had mood lighting that changes, automatic interior doors, gold sink fixtures and other options fit for a queen - it was only 2.4 million! 
Despite these prices we learned that Florida is a great place to buy a used RV since so many retired couples try the lifestyle then decide it's not for them and their RV goes on the market.
Bagpipers at the RV show
Entertainer at the RV show
Bill, Jane and Brad made the short trip to Dade City, the county seat for Pasco County, and obtained official Florida ID's from the DMV. It's supposed to allow us to get a seasons pass at the theme parks if you buy a regular admission since we now are "official" Florida residents. Jane attended a Red Hat Ladies luncheon with some of the ladies in the RV resort at a fancy steakhouse in Zephyrhills. She wore a red Buffalo Bills hat.
Bill & Jane are trying to exercise with walks and bike rides around the resort. Bailey is actually starting to get in shape and seems to thrive in the warm weather. Bill's shoulder is slowly recovering from rotator cuff surgery. He has the OK to begin physical therapy at the end of this week so hopefully that will speed things up.
That's all for now - best wishes to snow shovelers and cabin fever sufferers!
Bill and Jane
