Ah-Choooooo!

Yes, I have a nice cold coming on. But it's still better than having a
good day at work or home.

Yesterdays open house was still fun even with the rain. Remember the
the mortician and tattoo artist? Well they were last nights
entertainment. They are fire eaters and sword swallowers! Afterwards
Tim & I enjoyed a nice campfire with friends who came over.

Yuuuummmmm!!!

Last night we had a pot luck dinner at the pavilion. Dinner was
followed with special entertainment provided by Mike Sales. We enjoyed
the dancing, singing and great conversation. Can't wait for today's
open house and the extra special evening entertainment. Rain go away ...

On another note . . .

We enjoyed some good down home music at The Burro Camp last night in
the cold.

Picture of wild beast captured!

No animals were harmed in the taking of this picture.

More carnies have arrived!

With more to come in today. There are some very unique campers here. I
cant wait to catch up with the couple who are a mortician & a tattoo
artist among other things. More on them later. The festivities will
begin this evening.

Roxy rests between armadillo hunts

Armadillos invade Camp Manatee. We are hoping to catch pictures of the
wild beasts today.

They're here!

The Tin Can Tourists are slowly filtering into the park in preparation
for their 90th Winter Convention this weekend. The activities begin on
Thursday and will continue until Sunday morning.

Yesterday Tim & I had a nice hike in the park. Then we hunkered down
for the afternoon rain that NEVER happened until we got a small
sprinkle sometime during the night. In the afternoon the couple
camping next to us in an '86 Airstream came over for a visit. What do
ya know .... He is a retired Fire Chief from outside of Chicago.

For the last few days it's been no AC or heater and the windows open
at camp.

Roxy has met a younger man . . .

Quincy is his name. Clancy will be upset. We are off to Lake Manatee
State Park today. There will be a campfire tonight.

Airstreams To The Horizon!

We made it to the Airstream Rally in Sarasota, Florida yesterday. Stay
tuned for more updates from this expedition.

MARQUEE UPDATE

JANUARY 2010
Can Opener - Air Forums Gathering
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
(Expedition Complete – Success)

FEBRUARY 2010
Florida State Airstream Rally – Sarasota, FL
and
Tin Can Tourist 90th Winter Convention @
Lake Manatee State Park
Bradenton, FL

MARCH 2010
Bluegrass Festival A/S Rally – Ft. Christmas, FL
(Volunteer Working Rally)

APRIL 2010
Idle

MAY 2010
Georgia, Tennessee & Kentucky
Mmmmm . . . I can taste the fried green tomatoes
At the Whistle Stop Café.
(Travel Days to Ohio)

JUNE 2010
ALUMAPALOOZA!!!
The Mother Ship in Jackson Center, Ohio
(Airstream Factory)
Then . . .
West Virginia &
Blue Ridge Parkway
(Return Home)

JULY 2010
***EXPEDITION CANCELED***
Airstream International Rally
Gillette, Wyoming

And

North Carolina Outer Banks
***EXPEDITION CANCELED***
(These events will be re-addressed)

AUGUST 2010
TBD

SEPTEMBER 2010
Rainbow Springs State Park
Dunnellon, FL

OCTOBER 2010
IDLE

NOVEMBER 2010
Tin Can Tourist Koreshan Vintage RV Show
Estero, FL


DECEMBER 2010
Idle

Gzzzzzz . . .

Now that we are safely home I decided to take a quick look at my recent posts. When viewing these posts of the past week I realize half of what I wrote didn't even show up. Guess that's what I get for trying to blog from my iPhone in 23* weather. We had cable TV but no wifi or internet service. Nothing like fat frozen monkey fingers. Anyway I will do a short recap:

Tim and I were at an Airstream gathering called the Can Opener. The Can Opener is all organized virally on the internet through the Air Forums web site. We decided it would be a good way to start off the new year. Approximately 29 trailers arrived to this gathering being held at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach in north Florida. A good number of people canceled but the diehards made a go of it.

There were a few rumored competitions. Like the Polar Bear Swim that a few guys were talking of wearing their fancy Speedos. And a Naked Trek through the campground at midnight. Either way neither Tim or I placed in any of the events. But kudos go out to the AirheadsRus for bringing the Mud Slides to the Trailer Park Lounge.

There were pot luck dinners and breakfasts and an afternoon of Bloody Mary's. The open house of Airstream trailers was an event not to be missed either. One day we were lead by The Bohemian on a 5 mile hike to the beach and to a few of the rare fresh water dune lakes. Joining us were the Bandits who enjoyed the great photo opportunities as well. On the last night we went into Destin for a few pints of home brewed stout at the local Irish pub and were joined by AirheadsRus. This was followed by a great dinner at Dewey Destins with four other couples - Sky, Ike T, HowieE and of course AirheadsRus.

And again stay tuned I will update the traveling marquee soon. Please stay warm and safe and as always forget the box . . . just think outside.