Month: February 2014
The Dee-licious Fun Has Begun!
The FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL is underway in Plant City
Feb 27th – March 9th
You’ll find a great midway, the freshest strawberry shortcake (and everything else strawberry), and this year’s headline performers include Colt Ford, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Josh Turner, Kellie Pickler, Crystal Gayle, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Band Perry.
Visit http://www.flstrawberryfestival.com/.
http://www.flstrawberryfestival.com/.
Making life on the road a little easier department!
I don’t know about you but my biggest gripe about setting up at each campground (aside from hitting my head on the slide now and then) is connecting the TV cable.
It’s tedious, time consuming and calls for nimble fingers and a good grip. Just what you look forward to doing after a few hours piloting a few tons of home down the road.
Cable “Quick Connects” (F-pin Coaxial Quick Connect Adapter, Threaded F-pin Female to Quick F-pin Male)make setting up and life in general a touch more pleasant. They are readily available online when you do a Google search. Amazon sells them but they charge a high price. You can find them elsewhere for under 50 cents each. Shipping cost is high but you’ll need more than one anyway.
St Armand’s Circle & Anna Maria Island, Florida
Niki’s son Jay and daughter-in-law Kathy are “down” for a few days’
respite from the Indianapolis area weather and to soak up some of our warm weather. We were happy to meet them for lunch at the famed “Columbia Restaurant” on St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota.
Always a busy place at anytime but the the seating is usually quick and the biggest problem is finding a parking place within hiking distance of the restaurant.
Once seated, the meal always begins with each diner being served a warm, crusty loaf of Cuban bread to be slathered with butter and savored while we peruse the large and varied menu offerings.
Aromatic dishes on the dinner menu feature traditional favorites of Spain and Cuba, offering tender pork, chicken and rice, fresh fish and shellfish. Entrees are served while still steaming and enhanced by overflowing pitchers of fresh, fruity sangria.
Of course we both had to sample the Sangria!
Niki ordered the “Gazpacho Andalucia”, Spain’s famous cold soup of puree of ripe tomatoes, green peppers, onions, cucumbers and garlic. Topped tableside with finely diced vegetables and toasted Cuban croutons. She also chose Columbia’s legendary “1905 Salad” tossed at our table. Crisp Iceberg lettuce with julienne of baked ham, natural Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese and their famous garlic dressing.
Niki thoroughly enjoyed the salad but said she has had better Gazpacho elsewhere.
Jack chose the “Crab Enchilado” purported to be a Sunday favorite among Spain’s young folk. It’s a mildly spicy sauce of fresh lump blue crabmeat, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, garlic, oregano, white wine and chili peppers. Served over pasta. If it’s pasta Jack has to try it wherever we visit and he proclaimed this pasta dish to be “delicioso”.
Overall we both enjoyed all the food immensely and the conversation with Kathy and Jay.
After lunch we drove North along Gulf of Mexico Drive (Rte. 789) – Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island, with stops at Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach) . . .
where there were many people enjoying picnics and bicycling in the park while the sun worshipers were enjoying a gorgeous beach day.
In another part of the Park we visited the Arts and Crafts Show.
Coquina and Bradenton Beach Parks are located near Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida and are about an hour and a half South of Tampa and Clearwater. The areas are large with plenty of free parking, trails, picnic tables, beach access, life guards, restrooms and a snack facility. A great place to think about for Spring Break or just about any other time.
Another beautiful 80 degree day has slipped by in Paradise.
Today on Clearwater Beach
2/18/2014 – We thought you might like to see what an 80 degree day looks like on Clearwater Beach, Florida.
Free Sources for Workamping Jobs
Where To Find Workamper Jobs!
Temporary – Seasonal – Permanent
“Workamping” (work camping): Stay at a great campground, with full hook ups, at no charge, in return for 10 to 30 hours of work per week for the campground owner. The work can be as hosts, office or store work, maintenance, security, groundskeeper, etc. Whatever a campground owner needs a hand with. It’s a perfect match when the campground owner, needing economical help, meets the RVer that enjoys people, the lifestyle, and staying active. If you have experience, it’s a plus, but it’s often not a requirement!
We have workamped for 4 years and can help you find the perfect job for you. Visit the Workamping page on our website to find a ton of free sources for campground jobs. http://www.snowbirdrvtrails.com/workkamping.htm
Dining Out on the Snowbird RV Trail
Sharing some of our favorite (and not so favorite) restaurants along major North/South Snowbird routes in 17 Eastern States at
http://www.snowbirdrvtrails.com/diningreviews.htm
A misty hike in the Adirondacks
Join me for a walk along a Schroon River Nature Trail. Just you, me and the ducks (Oh yes, along with the symphony orchestra of course).
