MacDill Air Force Base – Visiting - Massage

(Dover, FL) -- Hi 60 Lo 48 - We had a very chilly night.  The park has asked everyone to use propane to reduce the electricity load, so we couldn't use our heat pump.  We got up and shortened our morning routine so we could get an early start for MacDill Air Force Base.  We were in this area in 2001 and wanted to see the base, but it was right after 9/11 and they had the security tightened so much that there were long lines to get through the gate.  We eventually gave up.  It's back to normal now and we were allowed in after showing our ID cards.


MacDill is home to Central Command (CENTCOM), the organization that runs the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Headquarters CENTCOM.

We spent some time in the BX and had some lunch, then made our way across the base to the famcamp (RV park).  This is a very popular destination for retired military snowbirds, and the process of getting a site is very complicated.  It involves rotating from overflow to water and electric, to full hookups, where you can stay for only a set period of time, then you have to start the process over again.  I'm not sure we're up for that, but you never know what the future holds.  (click on pictures to make larger)

Entering the park.

This is the overflow area (boondocking only).

All the full hookup sites have concrete pads and patios with picnic tables.

The club house is right on the beach.


This beautiful white sand beach on Tampa Bay is right next to the RV park.





If you click on this photo you can see the skyline of St. Petersburg across the bay.


Bathhouse


The marina is adjacent to the RV park and just down from the beach.

We went from there across the bay to Clearwater to visit some of Jim's ex-coworkers at Progress Energy.

The Gandy Bridge.

It was great seeing everyone, and while he was there he did some “work.”  That's Jim in the chair on the phone with another one of his co-workers at a different location.  She wanted to "pick his brain."  Joe and Sandy are looking on with amusement. 
  Cathy

Jim bought a Groupon for a massage for me and I had an appointment across town.  When I was working I had a massage every month, and I really miss it.  So with the groupon it was over 65% off the regular price. The lady masseuse was excellent and she took away all the soreness from climbing in the RV’s yesterday. 
On the way we passed right by Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.   



After stopping at Sonny's BBQ for dinner (the food wasn't very good at all), we got home around 6:30.  It was a fun day.  It's supposed to be warmer tomorrow so we'll see what the day holds for us, here in our little part of paradise.