Touring Tampa

Bears Win! We started out our day in a traffic jam. Crowds of Buccaneer fans were winding their way to the football stadium on our side of town. We were trying to get to my sister's. I felt great pride in our Illinois license plate. I don't think they are hostile here.

Carol, Bill and Chip wanted to take us to a Chicago-style hot dog stand, called Mel's. In anticipation of our luncheon, Mel wore his Mel's Drive-in Hawaiin shirt. We waited until the game started then made our way to the Busch Gardens area. Out of respect for each family's loyalties, we did not listen to the game on the radio but the game was on at Mel's and the Bears were leading.

After lunch, we drove into Tampa's downtown and convention areas. Then, we went to Ybor City, the historic Cuban section of town, now Tampa's New Orleans-style Bourbon St. From there, we went to Davis Island, where brother-in-law, Bill, practiced dentistry for 40 years. Our finale was a drive down Bay Shore Drive.

We visited with Carol, Bill and Chip, then said our final goodbyes for this visit.

Tomorrow, we move to Disney World for a twelve day stay. As Mel says, "We are on our way home."