Sea Eagle Troubles and Tampa RV Show with Friends

Wednesday January 14 and Thursday January 15, 2015
Oscar Scherer State Park
Osprey, Florida

 

 

WEDNESDAY

It was another one of those cloudy damp days.  I feel like I’m in Ohio except for the temperature which tops out at 68.  Seemed like a day to do some cleaning, so we did.  And a grocery store run, so we did.  And then since we had found a buyer for our Sea Eagle we got it out to make sure it was still in good shape but Oh what we found.

Everything works perfectly but middle of the hull of the boat was covered with stains from what we guess must be mold and mildew although some of them a rusty in color.  We haven’t had it out for a year and apparently it has suffered greatly from the seriously rainy and humid conditions we’ve been  for much of the past 10 months.  And I do mean rainy in the spring South East, all through the Summer Great Lakes and then again all through the South East and now in Florida.   Definitely no drought happening East of the Mississippi.   Word to the wise, don’t leave your Sea Eagle unchecked in its bag for extended periods of time like we did.

 

In any case we tried everything we could think of but we didn’t have much luck.  We haven’t given up but we did cancel selling it at least for now.  We called Tim at Boats4Less where we bought the Sea Eagle and he wasn’t very encouraging.  We then called Sea Eagle and they suggested soft scrub which we tried and Tilex which we haven’t tried yet.  If any one else has any other good ideas for the heavy boat fabric, Please let us know.

 

In the middle of this, our friends Nancy and Bill arrived and were so happy to escape the South Carolina cold they didn’t even mind the dreary skies.  Bill whom we affectionately call Mr. Clean, also tried his various tricks on the Sea Eagle stains but no luck.  Thanks for the efforts you two.

They had done two 300 mile days of driving to get here and away from the cold so we invited them for dinner.  But they are pretty demanding dinner guests.   LOL

Since these are our fellow vegan friends we didn’t have to worry about how they would feel about meatless spaghetti and a huge salad.   Once the food was on the table it was all smiles. 

 

 

David’s medicine did come today and so he’s back on the cancer treatment track.   This is the group pills he took at bedtime.  Amazing isn’t it?   But way better than the alternative for sure.

 

 

 

THURSDAY

It is another gray chilly day so biking or beaching doesn’t sound like the thing.  Instead, we leave at 8:30 to drive up to the Tampa RV Show in Bill and Nancy’s brand new F-150 truck.  I can’t believe I didn’t get a picture of this shiny new truck with a tall cab cover.  I have serious truck envy.

 

We arrive safely with Bill at the wheel, get our tickets and hit the first vendor building.  I should have taken a picture of the crowds at 10am and then again at about 2pm.  BIG difference.  By 2:00 you could hardly walk through the place.  The only thing Nancy and I could find that we needed with a great map of the Ultimate trip to Alaska which we would both love to do.

 

 

We see a number of people we know before I think to take out my camera and get some pictures.  I’m too busy laughing at some of the stuff for sale and the comments of my companions.

Outside the skies are still gray and the crowds are relatively thin but it’s early in the day.  

 

 

I am amazed when someone calls my name and there is Page who comments on my blog and her husband Bob.  They have ordered their Air Stream and hope to be on the road by June.  I liked this close up picture of them but they also wanted one of them in front of the freightliner chassis.  They tell me that’s their truck.   They are pretty excited about getting on the road with the perfect rig and truck for them.  It is always wonderful to meet people who comment on my blog.   So glad you stopped to chat Page!

 

 

The entertainment around the “grounds” is quite interesting.  Lots of “musical acts”.   I wish I’d gotten a picture of the guy rolling around in the gondola singing “Oh Sol A Mio”.

 

 

This guy was playing trombone.  Muted when he was inside.  His partner is propelling the ship down the street.

 

 

 

I love the little retro trailers.  I didn’t get a chance to go inside but IF we go back tomorrow that will be top on my list.   The Tampa RV show tickets are $9 each with the $1 off coupon from the web.  They are good for two days.  Smart move on their part so rig buyers can come look, go home and think about it and come back the next day to buy without having to pay again.

 

 

 

We stop briefly by the “Vintage RV section.   David is walking away from this one that I think is just the right size for Bill and Nancy to tow to Alaska with their new truck and leave Baby behind for a rest.

 

 

 

He is headed over to the new rig Nancy is thinking they really need.  I mean it has fishing poles already right outside the door so they would be all set.  She’s knocking on the door to see if the owner is ready to sell.   As you can see, Bill isn’t getting anywhere near that thing.

 

 

 

 

We are headed over to Heartland to meet some friends of Nancy and Bill’s.   Sharon and Dave show us around the Heartland 5th wheel we “think” they may have signed a deal on after we left.  Don’t they look happy.  It was wonderful meeting them and sharing their excitement as they begin this great adventure.   They are starting out at the age I wish we had so we think they are doing everything right and wish them all the luck in the world.  Hope to see them down the road.

 

 

 

 

Then it’s time for lunch.  Here’s the scenic spot Nancy chose for us.  What do you think??

 

 

We wander around though the other vendor building looking at this and that.  They get info from Blue Ox, we get info from Demco.  Three of us try on new sunglasses.  Only two of us buy any.   After about 5 hours we’ve had it and decide to head out.  But on the way we stop by this interesting trailer.  Doesn’t this look like a great tent in the sky for them to pull to Alaska?

 

It was a seriously fun day with great friends.  But that’s all folks!