Exploring Zephryhills, FL

It is hard to believe that we have already been here for over 2 weeks; time is just flying by. I thought I should write about what we have been up to so far in January, 2020, while it is fresh in my mind. During the first week, we didn’t explore too much other than to a few stores and restaurants in the area.

Of course on day 1, after we set up, we went to the Sunrise Cafe for dinner. If you don’t remember, I mentioned this place in the first blog entry about Tim’s time here in January, 2019. Sunrise was his favorite place in town and he could often be found there, especially for breakfast. This year is no different; we have eaten there a few times. Still great food at a reasonable cost and large servings. I actually got three meals out of that first dinner and needless to say, Tim has been back quite a few times for breakfast.

After settling in, we explored the area and did a little shopping. We found that the Wiregrass mall is much easier and quicker to get to now that the construction of Rt 56 is completed. I thought it took us about 30-40 minutes to get there last year. With the new road open, it only takes 15 minutes to get over there. Definitely a nice area with many shopping plazas, big box stores and restaurants. Nice to have this so close by.

Another place that we tried in town this year that we didn’t go to last year is the Zephryhills Brewing Company. They make 25 different beers which is pretty amazing for a microbrewery. We enjoyed the beer and the dinner we got at the food truck outside. It was right up our alley - pierogis and kielbasa. We didn’t have any of that on New Year’s so having it a few days later was perfect and delicious.

Wonderful food truck meal at the brewery

Tim has been enjoying many of the same RV resort activities that he did last year: pool tournaments as well as playing euchre and bingo. I joined him a few times at bingo but haven’t really played yet. I think I will start joining him at that next week. As I mentioned in the last post, we walk everyday and started bike riding almost daily. We should be in good shape by the time we start traveling again.

I probably mentioned this before but we chose this particular RV Resort at the recommendation of my cousin Gary and his wife Pat. They have been spending the last 7 or 8 winters here in Zephryhills and highly recommended it. They were delayed slightly leaving Pennsylvania and arrived a few days after us. It was nice to welcome them back and have family close by. A few more cousins surprised us one day with a call that they were coming for a visit the next day. My cousin Peggy and her husband Carey had flown down to spend a week and were staying with my cousin Patty and her husband Jim. They all drove up for a visit which we all highly enjoyed especially having lunch at Sunrise Cafe. What a nice surprise that was, a mini family reunion in Florida.

Luckily for us, it really got warm since we have been here, especially the last week or so being in the mid 80’s, so we have also been going to the pool and hot tub a bit. Katie was able to join us for 5 days during that heat wave which was perfect for her escape from winter. For a while, I forgot that it was January! I am highly enjoying Florida this winter.

While Katie was here, she and I did a little more sightseeing while Tim stayed back at the RV. We headed over to Orlando for a day and spent it at Epcot. Her friend Shelby was able to join us there for the day. We started off riding “Soarin” and walking through the aquarium. There was quite a bit of construction in the front part of the park so we spent most of our time in the countries, which was good fun. After a full day of eating and drinking our way through different cultures, we headed to my sister in law and brother in law’s, Sue and Greg for dinner. More good food and drink - a perfect day!

Between lounging at the pool, we made it to Parksdale Market in Plant City for ice cream and strawberries.

On another day, Katie and I went over to Tarpon Springs for a seafood lunch on the water and then the afternoon at the beach. Rusty Bellies was a great place for lunch - we sat outside on the deck facing the water and an island filled with pelicans. We sat for quite awhile and enjoyed our food, scenery and the entertaining birds. After lunch, we headed to Sunset Beach and sat in the sand and sun for a couple hours. All in all, a great way to spend the day.

I made a trip up to visit my Aunt Tish at the rehab center where she was recuperating from a hip replacement and discovered that we were further away than I thought. It took almost 1.5 hours to get there. I wanted to help her and my Uncle Paul out after she got home from the rehab facility so I planned to have Tim take me, so I can stay and help for a couple of days. Well, of course she came home while Katie was visiting and then I caught a head cold. So my trip up to help has been delayed for the past week. Tim is taking me up there tomorrow so I can finally be of some help. I am glad that we were able to be in the area and available to assist them. This will delay some of our travel planning so look for me to write about that in another few weeks. I hope you are enjoying our blog!

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