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Started the day at Lazy Days RV Dealership in Seffner, FL. Wanted to look at several coaches, get some ideas and who know. Anyway the salesman picked us up, took us to about 3 coaches and then back to our campsite. Real bummer. So, we then looked on our own, finished early and decided to proceed down the road. We ended up at Lake City, about 170 miles north and on our way to Panama City.

As you can see, Barbara has added some pictures to the blog. In the large house picture, look at the railings on the secont floor. They are curved thus allowing the ladies with HOOP skirts to stand outside and not tilt the skirts,

The South most point in Key West compliments the East most point in Maine we visited.

The campground in Key West was awesome along with the area, which is why we stayed an extra day. The water at high tide was only 12 feet from the coach.

The EL BO ROOM in Fort Lauderdale was the hang out and meeting place for thousands of students on their spring break during college. It was made famous by the movie: WHERE THE BOYS ARE, the story of spring break. It is still there, even though the rest of the beach front has been remodeled.

On the road for a short drive to Seffner, home of Lazy Days RV. They are the largest RV dealer in the US and probably the best at the moment. Will LOOK at new coaches, just to get ideas.
Saw a unique sign on the drive over from Madeira Beach. It said: CHECK YOU GAS, LONG BRIDGE AHEAD. The bridge was over the northern end of Tampa Bay and was very long. Guess they don't want you running out on the bridge.

Another beautiful day in Paradise. If we were to live in Florida, it would be on the west or Gulf side. The sunsets are spectacular! Every day time would stop as the sun nears the horizon (good time for happy hour) just to watch it set. Today Barbara was able get her ring fixed as it had broken. We all went to Ft DeSoto to see the fortifications that defended the Tampa harbor or bay. Also drove my several of the 'small' homes along the waterfront.

On the road again, only a very short drive. Left Sarasota and headed to Madeira Beach and a visit with some dear friends, Wayne and Rita Ward. On the way we crossed another spectular bridge over Tampa Bay. We will be here another day.

Wow, another experience that should be on your bucket list. Today we toured the Ringling Museum. John Ringling and his 4 brothers established the Ringling Brothers Circus. It then expanded to the Ringling Bros, Barnum and Bailey Circus. Sarasota was the winter quarters of the circus and John built a large home and museum. When he passed away it was given to the state of Florida. Today FSU manages the estate of several acres. The home was built and furnished in European architecture. Many of the fireplaces, chandeliers and furnishing came from auctions of the rich all over the world.

The Museum is one of a kind. Mr Ringling purchased 600 paintings and built a special building for them. It houses 5 of the 7 known paintings of Paul Rubens, masterpieces!

The circus building contains a miniture circus with hundreds of pieces in a full circus city. It is so huge and complete that the only was to describe it is: GO VISIT IT.

We enjoyed our stay in Sarasota with friends Karen and Dino.

On the road again, this time very short. Heading to Sun&Fun in Sarasota. We will spend a couple nights there as we are visiting friends in Sarasota. The RV park is huge, 1600 sites, lakes, hobby crafts, golf and Tennis are just some of the activities. We spent the afternoon with Karen and Dino Oliva. Their house is awesome, right on a canal on the back and the bay and Gulf of Mexico on the other. They had warned not to bring the motorhome down the street and they were right, the Jeep barely had room. LOL. In the evening we took the LaBarge cruise complete with music into the bay for the sun set. As it turned out, there was a wedding party on board also with the cutting of the cake and lots of dancing.

On the road again, this time we are leaving Key West. Driving again on the Overseas Highway or the Keys Causeway. US 1 as it crosses the seveal keys and many bridges. It was morning and the sun was shining brightly. Only a few maritime clouds dotted the skies. Once back to the southern tip of Florida, we took I 75, commonly called alligator alley. This does a direct line from the East coast to the West coast of Florida right thru the everglades.
We stayed the night at Ft Meyers.

Hey, decided to stay another day at Key West, so relaxing. We toured the Hemingway House. He lived here with wife #2. It was originally built by a sea captain. The captain cut the coral from the ground into blocks and then used the blocks to build the house. It is the only house with a basement and has withstood all the perils that have plagued Key West. Lunch was had at Kelley's, home of the first Pan American operations. After lunch a visit to the little White House of Harry Truman was in order. This was originally the home of the naval commander of the base. When President Truman was in need of rest after the grueling first year of his Presidency, the doctors said Key West was the perfect place. He visited often as did other presidents in later years.

Being Friday, the town was really coming alive. Cruise ship in port, visitors for the weekend made the streets full of people. Friday night was the Boombah, a Jamacaian festival and the start of Phantom Fest. The fest is Key West's version of Madri Gras.

Tour day of the Key. Started by riding the Key West Trolley. This is a narrated sight seeing trolley that covers much of the historic areas of the island. It is a great way to get oriented on the area you want to visit later. One benefit is you can exit and reenter at any of the stops. For a small island or key, Key West has lots of history. Pirates, Navy, hurricanes, fires have all contributed to the current day city. Many famous personalities have either lived here or visited. President Truman had his summer white house here, and Jimmy Buffett still performs here regularly.
Another night at Mallory Square to watch the sunset was in order for the day.