Sun - Mar 30/14

It is a little below normal - only low 70's F (usually about 80 F).

At least we are seeing sunshine....and more of the same for the next week with temps rising into the mid-80F.

Today will be a Mt. Dora day.

The first stop was to get the Del Sol washed. The heavy rain cleaned the car except that it was so hard that the bottom was dirty from the sandy ground splashing up about a foot. We went to the Superwash Express in Mt. Dora which does a fantastic full service wash.

Our next destination was Pisces Rising in Mt. Dora for brunch. This is a great restaurant with a super view of Lake Dora from either the patio or inside (lots of windows).

We ordered from the Sunday Brunch menu rather than the lunch menu. Charlotte ordered the Smoked Salmon Plate. Pisces Rising smokes the salmon "in house" using apple wood chips. It was perfect. The plate comes with chopped egg, capers, onions, tomatoes, cream cheese and crustini toast - all for a very reasonable price.

I ordered the Pisces Benedict: two English muffins with Caribbean Crab Cakes topped with poached eggs and Hollandaise Sauce. This was served with scalloped potatoes. It was awesome!

A special treat today was the live entertainment provided by George Grosman, a jazz guitarist/vocalist who was exceptional. Today he was solo; however, his group, the Gypsy Bluez certainly benefits from his 30 Plus years of experience as a guitarist, vocalist, composer and producer.

Many entertainers play - George communicates as well. If we just wanted music we would use a radio. His rapport with the audience makes the music so much more enjoyable. He spotted my Route 66 baseball cap and promptly played an upbeat jazz version of that song: (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66.

Later he played "Itsy-Bitsy Spider" (regular and jazz versions) for a young miss who was holding her doll. She was totally mesmerized by his music. A few of the patrons (the 2 "Biker Babes" at the bar) where busy accompanying "Itsy-Bitsy Spider went up the water spout" with the appropriate hand gestures.

Everyone was having fun.

George's classical background was evident as he played several Gershwin tunes (Jazz versions). I couldn't miss the opportunity and requested "Summertime" (from the Gershwin Opera "Porgy and Bess") which George sang and played jazz style - marvelously!

Bonus: Not only a great meal "Al Fresco" at Pisces Rising; but, great music, to boot.

It was too nice a day after all the dull days this past week. Time to enjoy a drive with the top off the Del Sol. We started by cruising Mt. Dora. One of these days I hope to get a picture of the Orange Blossom Cannonball Steam Train crossing the bridge over Tremain St.

We then headed out onto the "Back Roads" for an hour or so. As we neared DeLand, FL we looped back through Altoona and then to our RV at OMS (Olde Mill Stream RV Park) in Umatilla, FL A nice, relaxing afternoon drive. We left the top off on the Del Sol back at the RV as we would be leaving again in a few hours.

The evening found us once again visiting Fort Sumter Landing in The Villages.Still nice enough out to enjoy having the top off the car. We went to the Sweet Day supermarket to pick up some groceries before drifting over to the Square for the evening's live entertainment.

Supper was at Johnny Rockets - again. We shared a Philly Steak Sandwich w/Bacon Cheese Fires and a Strawberry Milkshake (again). Just enough for the two of us.

The entertainment tonight was provided by "The Sixties Band". The Sixties is a band is actually based in The Villages, FL. They play songs from the 60s up until 1973, focusing on the British Invasion bands and similar American bands of that period. This is our music era! A lot of the audience (ages = to the band's name) = 60's (grin) were up and dancing to the music. Better than Geritol!

The 5 man band uses era correct Vox amplifiers and speakers, period correct Luwig drums, 3 Rickenbacker guitars (including two 12 string) as well as Gretsch, Hoffner and Fender guitars - all rehabbed and working well!

A nice quiet drive back to the RV park. We then "Hit the Sack". With nice weather coming we will likely be busy and will need the extra rest!