March 1-2, 2013

March 1^st was a travel day from Ocala Fl to Tampa Fl.  About 82 miles.  After checking in at Lazy Days Campground we visited the Yuengling (pronounced ying-ling) Brewery. The main branch of this brewery is in Pottsville PA.  They bill themselves as “America’s Oldest Brewery”. We went on a tour of the Tampa Fl. Brewery and did a little tasting after the tour.  Their beer is in only 14 states on the east coast. 

Then we visited the Florida Strawberry Festival.  This reminded me a lot of the LA County Fair.  Rides, a few animals, fried anything you want and corn dogs, pretzel dogs, etc.  They did have beautiful, delicious strawberries and strawberry shortcake.

March 2^nd was a bus tour of the Tampa Bay shore including views of many luxury homes and unique buildings.  Then to Ybor City. Ybor City was once the cigar capitol of the world.  You can watch cigars being handmade.  Carl did purchase a few.  We visited a small museum.  We had a Cuban sandwich for lunch.  And we visited a Cuban bakery.  Their specialties were flan, bread pudding and guava pastries. 

Then the bus took us to Tarpon Springs Fl. Greek sponge divers came to this area in the early 1900’s.  We went out on a boat for a short sponge diving demonstration.  It was so cold and windy that everyone was wrapped in blankets.  The boat captain was an 86 year old man that had been a sponge diver until he was 72.  It was very interesting and would have been enjoyable if it were a warmer day.  Back at the dock we went to the Sponge Factory for a little shopping and a movie on sponge diving and its history.  We had an excellent dinner at Dmitri’s waterfront restaurant.