The Show, The Game, The Drumming

Friday January 16 and Saturday January 17, 2015
Oscar Scherer State Park
Osprey, Florida

 

FRIDAY

 

We went back to the Tampa RV Show to use the second day of our tickets.  The cost is $9 a head and that’s for two days so we thought rather than just dump the day two tickets we’d go spend some more time outside looking at the rigs.

I especially want to see the little retro trailers.  They are terrific.  They are Amish made and the craftsmanship looks excellent.  IF we had a truck, they would be serious contenders for our ‘dreaming of Alaska” trip.  They look like they would also be great for solo full timers especially the trailers that are winterized.  

 

There were 5 or 6 of them in various floor plans and colors, red and turquoise mostly. This little one was 18’6'” and had twin beds. Looks like the two bears had been sleeping in them. These smaller units have two burner stoves, a shower in bathroom, and a half size refrigerator, similar to a Casita. $16, 811 new

 

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If you are willing to go 19’6”  you can have bunk beds, a separate shower and a large dinette.  $17,811

 

Smaller?  How about this winterized unit – extra insulation and dual pane windows.  15’11”

 

This was my favorite.  It’s the same length and everything as the one with bunks above but it has a queen bed.

 

 

 

We are just about to leave the “Retro” area when who should come running up but Terri Young with Mike.  We haven’t seen them in ages.  They are camp hosting at W.P. Franklin, a very popular COE park near Naples, and came up to the show for the day.  We chat for quite a while about their work and some recent big improvements there. If is really great seeing them after so long.

 

 

 

We then stop back by the cute Vintage Trailers.  Lee and Lu Geary of Owensboro Kentucky have completely redone this 1947 Westwood Tahoe.  Love their “mascots” especially the one with the hat.

 

 

 

The entertainment is out again today including a bagpipe group.  Sixteen pipers, 2 drummers and their finely dressed leader.

 

 

Not sure where this bush was going carrying his pot.  He clearly needs some soil.

 

 

We get a closer look at the new Brave including its distinctive 1960’s eyebrow.  It comes in other colors than “Mellow Yellow”.  You can also get “Crimson ‘n Clover” red, “Woodstock” gray, “Bell Bottom Blue” or “Aquarius” which I think is green.  We thought the names were a hoot!   They are clearly having fun at Winnebago.  Only had the red and yellow are at the show.

 

 

 

This evening we walk over to Nancy and Bills to play Mexican Train on their bigger table.  Bill is the big winner by large margin.  He skunked us all.  I had the largest single hand loss.   Call me L for Loser.   I didn’t remember my camera so the big W took these pictures for me.  Thanks Bill!

 

 

 

SATURDAY

 

 

 

Today is our last day at Oscar Scherer.  We’ve been here a total of 4 weeks and have yet to make it to the Drum Circle so today is the day.  We head over to hang out at the beach for an afternoon of good weather.  It’s a beautiful day on the gulf.  We stay for sunset and about at 4:00 Bill and Nancy join us.

 

 

 

 

 

Soon there are rows of drummers.  The best ones are up in front and as usual they are very good.  The Nokomis Drum circle does a drumming down of the sun on both Wednesdays and Saturdays.  Since it is Saturday there are a lot of spectators.

 

 

 

 

For a while, we have front row seats.

 

I am surprised that there aren’t as many dancers and costumes as we’ve seen in previous years.  But there are still plenty of interesting people to watch.

 

 

 

The man we call the Shaman who dedicates the circle and whatever else he does seems to have an apprentice.  He has on patent leather Nikes, I kid you not.  They shine in the sun. 

 

 

 

 

We are on the side of the circle facing the sun which is great for taking sunset pictures but not so much as it is going down and presents a difficult background.   Luckily most of the dancers are off to my left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not sure “interesting” is the word Bill would use for these folks.  I think we can safely say this is not his cup of tea. But it can’t be more strange than those mummers, can it?  Do mummers carry blades?

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, we are now in the second row beyond the Shaman whom I’ve been told is in his 80’s.  Can that be true?

 

 

The sunset sky is gorgeous.

 

 

They drum and dance on.

 

 

Nancy and I get up to go get some sunset pictures and this silly selfie.  We can’t find the sun to make sure we are in front of it.  But it looks like we lucked out.  Wish my arms were longer.

 

 

Down and down it goes.   I love the clouds streaking the sky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once the sun has set and as the after colors increase, the dancers’ lights come out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The drum circle seems a great way to wrap up our visit in the Oscar Scherer.  Osprey/Nokomis is an area we always enjoy although this  year was perhaps the worst weather we’ve ever had in the 4 or 5 times we’ve been here.  We’re glad we had a nice final day and great company to share the circle with.  Next time Bill, we’ll all get out there and dance.
We’ll be moving on in the morning.