Fri - Jan 12/18

Just a wrap up on last night. Dave and Daphne put on a great show to a packed hall at OMS.

We had the good fortune of sharing a table with a delightful couple from upstate New York. They live in the Elmira/Corning area which we have visited several times. We have enjoyed "Glider Flights" in Elmira, NY (where they trained the Space Shuttle pilots), the Corning Museum, the Curtis museum and other attractions in the Finger Lakes area of Upper New York State. I won't mention the many winery tours (Remember, I didn't mention that - grin).

Today we decided to get out ahead of the rain. We left at 10 a.m. for our usual "Deland Trip". It was still near 80 F so we headed out with the top off. We wanted to enjoy the weather before another cold front hits tomorrow when the temps will drop to a high only in the 50's F during the day.

Our first stop was the Quilt Shop of Deland. We got our usual parking spot. Deland, like Mt. Dora, provides parking free of charge. This is a great way to support the merchants who pay taxes on the main streets. (Boo! Hiss! to all the cities that "Nickel and Dime" visitors to death.)

Charlotte pondered several items in the store.

She finally settled on a few that would become "Future Projects". Then we were off.

Another of our favourite stops in Deland is Kermit's Key West Lime Shoppe. Here we usually stock up on their specialty "Key Lime" peanuts and "Sugar Free" Key Lime candies. Unfortunately, they were temporarily sold out of the candies. As Arnold says; "I'll be back!"

Next we were off to the Daytona Flea & Farmers Market. As usual, we parked at the south end (next to I-95) and followed our usual pattern of going up one side and down the other in each of the several indoor buildings. This is basically a huge indoor mall that runs year round due to being air conditioned. The air conditioning felt good today because of the humidity.

Today we found items..."We DID know we needed". We wanted small stainless steel containers to hold the sliced pickles that we eat with our sandwiches.

Speaking of PICKLES! We came upon the "World's Largest" Pickle Bar. Here one can sample dozens of various styles of pickles. Most choices are sold sliced while a few types are only available as whole pickles. It is too bad that we (in Canada) are spoiled by "Strub's" and "Mrs. Whyte's" pickles. Nothing came close to the sour snap that they provide with each bite. We left empty-handed.

There were many things available that we would never consider buying ...but many do! If we ever want an AK-47, hand guns, pepper spray, a Tazer, knives (huge), mace or some other weaponry we know where to come. Actually, you can find these items in almost any major Flea Market in Florida.

We continued on and found a few other items before departing for our next destination which was back in Deland.

It was time for lunch and a regular spot, Bill and Frank's Brickhouse Grill, was our destination.

We decided to eat on the patio. We ordered our usual: Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna (Sesame Crusted Sushi Grade Ahi Tuna, Wasabi, Sriracha, Wakamis, Lemon and Ginger Soy). We ordered the meal rather than the appetizer which allowed us to add our choice of two sides. Charlotte enjoyed the Baked Sweet Potato and Cole Slaw while I choose Garlic Bread and Mac and Cheese.

Just as we were leaving the restaurant it began to rain. They are really accurate and track the weather (there are apps for that) by the minute here in Florida. Morning TV Weather predicted 3 p.m. for the start. It was now 3:06.

Most of the store fronts along the main street have awnings or marquees that cover the sidewalk so we decided to walk a bit despite the rain. Now I remembered why we didn't get donuts from Mr. Bill's last time - they close daily at 2 p.m. We were too late again. Maybe next time?

Right as we finished "doing the street" a "Florida Downpour" hit. Instantly there were huge puddles in the street. They were fed by streams of water pouring down driveways and soon were 3-4 inches deep. We got a bit wet; but made it to the car and departed Deland.

In only a few miles we were out of the rain. This was the typical "Florida Downpour". The early evening news said some areas received an inch an hour - even though most places only had it "Heavy" for 20 minutes.

Charlotte decided that we would go to JoAnn on the way back to OMS. This was not a direct path (of course) so we took US-44 from Deland directly to Eustis.  Once there we took our usual Lakeshore Drive route to the Tavares JoAnn store. Armed with a number of discount coupons we saved $16 on several "Next Project" items. These included a zipper, a battery operated clock kit, embroidery hoops, a yard each of clear vinyl and burlap material as well as "Rudy".

Rudy is a 14", dark brown teddy bear with a Red and Black Plaid Lumberjack style ear-flap hat with white fur trim. He will be our mascot for the Ottawa "Red/Blacks" Football Team.

We were back at the motorhome before 5:30 p.m. Charlotte remained to look over her patterns while I left for the MPR to do the blog.

Tonight about two dozen arrived to play cards as I was completing things that required Wi-Fi (e-mails, banking, etc.).  I then started the blog. They are usually finished playing before I have the blog completed. I must be typing quicker (grin).

At the moment we have no plans for tomorrow. Perhaps we will just relax?