Jan 2nd to 5th - Thonotosassa FL

Jan 2nd - Fri - Thonotosassa
I joined the aquatic exercise class this morning and really enjoyed it. It is held weekday mornings at 10 (weather permitting) and I hope to participate each morning that we do not have any other plans. Billy & Lauri also go but when I suggested that Terry come along to keep Billy company, he thought maybe he could walk over and sit in the hot tub.
About noon we joined Billy & Lauri for some more exploring. We went to Tampa, found a parking spot on the street and went to a mall right on the water. Unfortunately, it was a secured area so we had to look out through a fence. The mall was quite interesting with mostly bars & restaurants and a large, multi-screen theater. We were fascinated by a bar that had a row of about 20 rotating drums with “slushy” iced drinks. This was a bar so they were alcoholic slushies. We were taking pictures when the bartender asked if we wanted a sample. She put banana something and strawberry something side by side in a little tasting cup for me - very cold and very good. Lauri had a couple samples with coffee something and chocolate something mixed in one. Prices were $7, $8 and $9 for about 6 oz and up and you could drink while wandering around the area. We passed since it was a little early for happy hour.
Lauri’s back was bothering her with the walking so we headed for the Hard Rock Casino. Billy & Lauri received $20 credit each when they got a players’ club card but were not able to turn it into take home cash. I managed to break even with one lucky machine and Terry spent his allowance. We had a late lunch/early dinner in the small food court in the casino and headed home. On the way we checked out a large flea market near the RV park - only open Sat & Sun - we will be back.
Fairly cool with the sun down so we went our own way for the evening rather than sitting out. Our rig is aligned east/west with the door facing north so our “sitting out” side is in shade all the time. We also have trees on the south side. Great when it is hot. Billy & Lauri are beside us on the north and the sites are large so we can move chairs out close to them in the afternoon.

Jan 3rd - Sat - Thonotosassa
We drove today for a trip to the large Oldsmar flea market which is about a ½ hour drive away. It has an aisle down the center and 10 or 11 covered aisles branching off both sides. All of the flea markets here include lots of fresh produce at good prices. We spent quite a bit of time looking at some smaller chairs to replace our recliners that are not comfortable for Terry. Stopped at a shopping center on the way back to pick up a prescription for Billy and grab a couple of grocery items.
Carie & Gary were here when we returned. They are just staying one night. We were sitting out with a buddy burner when a helicopter started flying repeatedly over our area. We found out from the office that there was an escaped convict and they were looking for him. Then a park employee came by in his golf cart and stopped to check out our “fire”. Someone in the sheriff’s helicopter had contacted them to say there was an illegal open fire in the park! Once he looked at it, he did not make us put it out. We did lock the doors when we went to bed.
After dinner, Gary & Carie joined us for a swim. The hot tub was not hot and the water was cloudy so the pool was more appealing.

Jan 4th - Sun - Thonotosassa
Gary & Carie did not unhook since they were leaving today so at 9 we took them with us to a nearby flea market. Again, it is a large market. Not all stalls were open and some were empty but there was plenty to see. We returned about 11:30, made lunches and ate together and then Gary & Carie left.
I phoned Marg (sister) to wish her a Happy Birthday and had a nice long chat. We didn’t have time to go through the whole flea market in the morning so Terry & I returned for a short time. Didn’t have as much to finish as we thought. Next a stop at Camping World to try to find a cover for the TV input on the outside of the 5th wheel - no luck.
Back to the rig to putter & relax. Billy & Lauri were gone all day so we chatted with them briefly when they returned and then it was time for dinner.

Jan 5th - Mon - Thonotosassa
Water exercise class started a little late today due to a park resident meeting so I got to chat with another camper for a bit. Someone turned the pool temperature up last night so it was way too warm, especially for exercising. While I was gone, Terry cleaned the truck. I made a nice breakfast/lunch and we went for a bicycle ride around all the roads in the park. Then we gathered up dirty clothes and headed to the laundry which is right beside the pool. Very sunny & warm so it was nice to swim and take in some sun while waiting for the washing. After we returned and I put away the clothes and got out of my swim suit, Terry asked if I wanted to go for a bike ride! I said I really just wanted to sit and read - I had done enough for the day. So we lazed around until it was time to barbeque hamburgers for dinner.
Lauri had a sore neck and jaw today which she thought was possibly due to an infected tooth. So after Billy went to the water exercise class he took her to a dentist. All OK with her teeth so they went to a doctor. They spent from 11:30 to 6 waiting for the dentist, doctor and getting a prescription to treat the inflammation in a gland in her neck.