Sat - 11 Mar/17

Weather - same as yesterday; however tomorrow rain is expected and the temps will drop for the next week into the high 60's F.

Many of the RV park "Bikers" go out each nice day, as a group, for a ride (somewhere). With "Bike Week" in Daytona (actually started yesterday) in full swing, I can't help but think they may be going that way today.

I went to wash the car this morning in prep for today's road trip. Someone else soon arrived to remove the layer of oak tree pollen that also covered their vehicle.

We took the "Back Roads" to the Harbor Freight in Apopka, FL for their huge Parking Lot Sale. It was a great "N³ ≠ 2 Drive": Not too hot, not too sunny, not too much traffic. We drove with the Del Sol’s top off enjoying the lovely weather. I bought a whole bunch of odds and ends at a good price.

Our next stop was less than 2 miles away. We went to the 16th Annual Rotarian Lowell's Classic Car Show at the Apopka Fair, presented by the Rotary Club of Apopka, which was being held at Kit Land Nelson Park on Park Ave.

There were a lot of neat cars including several that were similar to ones I previously owned.

 ...a GTO similar to our 1970 Le Mans (dark green) convertible.

...a 1963 Chevy II (my Ice Blue one was my first car and convertible) - this one was an SS (Super Sport) with a V8.

...an old Ford Sedan (different Year); but similar to my '31 Ford (gold) Hot Rod which had a Corvette V8 w/three 2-barrel carbs.

...a Ford Skyliner Hardtop Convertible that reminded me of our 1965 Thunderbird Convertible because it's top, like my T-Bird, flipped the trunk lid up backwards to allow the top to retract into the trunk.

Then there were the cars I wished I owned.

...a "Mint" silver Dodge "Hemi" Charger. Classic!

...a Delorean (without the Flux Capacitor - grin)

...a Polaris "Slingshot" - a three-wheeled motorcycle 2-seat roadster. A "Craft Room" friend of Charlotte's (her husband) at OMS has one - in red. They are Canadian; however I don't think he has taken it back home because Ontario can't figure out how to license it - as a motorcycle or a car???

...a Porsche Spyder; which, if it had #130 painted on it, would look remarkably like the one that James Dean crashed and died in 1955.

This reminded me of the Mexican artist Octavio Ocampo's "James Dean" picture. We had the good fortune to acquire a "James Dean" print at Ocampo's residence when we visited with our good friends (Alberto and Diane) several years ago.

The longer one looks at this work, the more that is revealed.  At a distance or on "close up" inspection; various parts of the picture morph into something else entirely. I often study it (it's on my computer room wall) to see what else will appear before my eyes. It is hard to tell from this picture; however a few things you might be able pick out are the cars in the eyes, nose and lips and his hair that metamorphoses into "skyscrapers"...It is a truly an amazing work of art!

We bought tickets for the 50/50 draw. Proceeds are for charity. We were not lucky.
After the car show we went to "The Catfish Place" just a few blocks away. from the park. We have learnt a good lesson when travelling. If you want good food, don't ask; "Where can I get something to eat"; instead ask the locals - "Where do you eat?"

Often, like this restaurant, you will not find it on "The Main Drag". Just as often the exterior is not "Impressive" or fancy; however it's what's inside that counts. We were not disappointed.

The restaurant is housed inside a turn-of-the-century railroad depot complete with antiques and collectibles that adorn the walls contributing to the warm, homey atmosphere.

We thought the "Green Fried Tomatoes" at "Crazy Sista" Lucy Buffet's place (Lulu's) in Gulf Shores, AL (yes; that Jimmy Buffet of Margaritaville Fame's sister) were great; however these were equally excellent. Charlotte enjoyed their "In House" Ranch Sauce so much she wasn't just putting it on the GFT's; she was tasting it by the spoonful. (It's OK - they brought us more).

The "Lunch Portion" of Catfish was perfectly done as was my hamburger steak. It is no accident that they have been serving Apopka for over 35 years! The smaller "Lunch" portions were large. We didn't have enough "room" for dessert. We had hoped to share their "In House" Key Lime Pie. (Too Bad -So Sad) The food and service were excellent.

We reversed the path taken to get here with the exception of stopping in at our usual Publix to pick up a few grocery items and lottery tickets. We had hoped to pick up a Key Lime Pie. Unfortunately, they had a special on for that item and they were sold out until tomorrow. (Another Boo-Hoo).

We arrived back at the motorhome with just enough time to unpack, shower and arrive at tonight's show just before the start.

Bill's Rule: # 23 RV Park Event: being there a half hour early means you are already 15 minutes late.

We were lucky enough to find room at one of the very last tables in the Rec Hall. We had the good fortune to sit with a couple we had sat with previously and a couple we were meeting for the first time.

The show this evening was "The Sweethearts of Branson": Denny Yeary and Shelia Renee (Husband and Wife). This musical duo having been performing in Branson, MO for several years and bring with them experiences with a "Who's Who" of the music business. Their variety show covers a wide range of songs and artists. 

They are such a mainstay they have been the "Two of Hearts" on the Branson "Deck of Cards" for over a dozen years. The playing cards contain information for locating the best attractions in Branson. The cards act as a guide to Branson with each of the cards features a different attraction, show or restaurant. The deck includes a preferred customer card, which gets the card holder discounts throughout the area.

When Branson "Shuts Down" after the Christmas Season for a few months many of the acts tour the RV parks and other entertainment venues; mostly in the southern USA. Not only is this the last OMS show for the season; this is their last show before returning for their regular Branson shows.

This was a great ending for the OMS season.

A few minutes after the end of the show we arrived back at the motorhome. Charlotte talked to a fellow "Crafter" as we walked.

This wrapped up a busy day.