This is "Fred's Garage" in the Florida Flywheelers 290 acre complex. Many old buildings in the village area. Just filled with old things we used as a kid. Very Cool! These guys loved to collect anything, it was here to see!

Here is an old Gulf Station as seen in the 50's, I loved the old original signs everywhere.

This was a musical truck from Dallastown,Pa. great to talk to him. This piece was priceless. We saw alot of vehicles here from long ago.

Feb 22,tues, Doug and I went to the Florida Flywheelers annual Meet in Fort Meade, Fl. This was a 290 acre field turned into a gathering place for old farm & tractor collectors to meet. There were at least 12 airstreams scattered all over that they camped in. Some never get towed again. One guy said he lives here once a year and then goes home. Tires were flat and cement blocks sunk into the ground permantley!!

There were 290 acres filled with anything old. I really like the village, garages,church,post office, tractor dealers,old shacks,truck display dealer and tractors galore. We walked all day from 10-4pm my legs say Go Home!! This was a photographers paradise..so much art for the photos, I took over a few hundred shots and loved every item. I even met a man with a 3 ton hit & miss engine that had all kinds of running belts ending at an little old pencil sharpener..cool..yes I got a new sharp pencil as a gift..Billed as the worlds' largest pencil sharpener.

We saw groups of tractors(by models) together for show and bragging rights. This show opens wed with a parade each day and Thousands of people here. We went the perfect day..no crowds and could see everything up close. They even rent golf carts here for $90/day and there were 100's of them for rent. They also have people movers, old tactor wagons with seats for rides. They say 50,000 show up each day for the weekend. Tired....back to the women at the airstream, another Great Day!!

We are Leaving ...Time to Dump...

Feb.20, Sunday, Well it's over..What a week..Fun, Sun, & New Friends, we have moved off our spot and moved to the other side for an extra night. We still have elec/water, what a day to relax, the Airstream & Van are very dusty. Time for a bath for both, wow they still shine and are clean for a while. Now a time for a recap.. We arrived last sat and camped in the bull pen..no elec/water but free!!!!!!
Sunday, Feb 13, we moved to our pernament space and set up. Then reported back to the gate to sign in new arrivals from 2-4 pm. We met the rest of the committee and had a short training meeting...Let's Go!
On Monday(Feb 14..Happy Valentines Day), we reported at 8 am till 10 am at the gate..only 2 airstreams arrived but after 10am they started coming(we were off duty) JoAnn/Felix & Mom & I went to a local resturant (Dutch Heritage) for a buffet lunch. This was a Mennonite Cooking Style Food at it's finest! Just like eating back home in Lancaster County, the waitress said she was from Sugarcreek, Ohio. Home Cookin' umm umm good!! Back to the fairground to register, get our rally ribbons and programs for the week.
Tuesday(Feb 15), we had the day free till 2 pm then back to the gate to register airstreamers...Do you know how much fun it is to meet new people from all over the USA ?? We saw new rigs and well used rigs come thru the gate all week. It was interesting to see the travel stickers from caravan's they had traveled on..on their back windows of the airstream. I met a few full timers and also women towing by themselves..Go Girl!! These people are so full of "Adventure" and have traveled everywhere in North America. The field is filling up, over 300 have arrived..time for FUN!! Off to the vendors to buy "Gadgets" to make airstreaming easy & fun. Tonight is opening ceremonies & announcements for the coming week. There are many seminars to do this week, mark your booklets so you don't miss any!
Wednesday(Feb 16), We had a new "Fantastic Fan" installed today in the living area, while he was here he checked over the fan in the rear bedroom and found circuit board burned out, he replace it and also put an updated knob on the fan...no charge for any of this update/service. If you need a fan for your rig,"Fantastic Fan" is the Best and stand behind their product 100%..Thanks Jim Wood.
Then off we go for a drive along the west coast to South Venice Beach, what a beautiful drive past all the beach houses<>. we stop at the Venice Park Pier at Sharky's Den on the pier for a look. The food looked great so we waited 20 minutes for a table, looking to see the sunset later. We ate a delicious sandwich special and waited for the sunset. We walked the pier, talking to the fishermen & women too! The birds were very tame, looking for food. I started taking pictures and saw a beautiful sunset from the beach & pier. Back to the Rally for nightly entertainment.
Thursday(Feb 17), Today I hung out at the vendors and chatted then walked the rally field looking for that special photo shot. Camping World installed a new antenna on the rig this afternoon, poor guys..the hottest day to be on an aluminum roof. Only took an hour and they did a great job too. Tonight the entertainment was a lady that sang and acted (she changed wigs often) like many singing stars..Cher..Dolly..Tammy..Liza.. Petula..and many more....a standing ovation is well deserved!!! Free Ice Cream each night after the entertainment.
Friday(Feb 18) Since wednesday, we had free coffee and donuts for breakfast..no room service to the rig, you had to pick it up in person. Today we had a meeting with President Norm Beu on the club business, many new ideas were brought up and discussed. The Larry Huttle from Airstream Inc. talked about new Airstream Products and how the company is performing. Did you know 70% of new airstreams are bought thru the internet quotes? There was a new Airstream Display on the grounds for all to see.
Mom and I went downtown to see the waterfront and find the Kissing Sailor/Nurse Statue. Many were also taking pictures of them, over 40 feet tall and something to see. Downtown Sarasota has a great area to see while there, many Art Studios and open air resturants along the streets, very crowded. There was a craft show in town for the weekend.
Saturday(Feb 19) Time for a flea market for all airstream stuff (Hobbies & leftover parts) the room had over 40 tables set up..opens at 9 am..Bargains Galore!! At 1pm The Vintage Airstreams had an open house...Great to see all those old revitalized airstreams come alive with love and care in remodeling features. It took mom and I over 2 hours too see and tour all them. One even had a barber shop set up and taking donations for the food bank. Haircuts in the open air! Tonight we had a roast beef dinner for all.. over 700 people served in a 1/2 hour..4 serving lines..Great job volunteers!! Then Entertainment tonight, an Irish singer enjoyed by all. Door Prizes were a hit too.
Sunday(Feb 20). Church service at 9 am for all. The Offering collected was over $500.00 and given to a local charity. Some had already left early as this was the last day. They had 4 lines for sewer dumping..quick and easy for all. We then moved over to new site.... Well that's a recap, We had a Great Time at the 38th Florida State Rally. See you at the next Rally!!! All this for $185.00/week....Buy an Airstream and Come Along, you won't be dissapointed!!!
God Bless.. AirstreamHobo & Carol

Birds..Birds..

Little house??

Lets play Volley Ball...

Everyone watches the beautifulSunset.........

A View of the Rally....Sarasota,Fl.

Rows & Rows of Airstreams

Pack'm In!!

Feb 14, Mon..Today Mom & I are at the gate from 8-10am to register airstreamers. Relax the rest of the day..meet & greet old friends.
Feb 15,Tues, We have gate duty from 2-4pm, lots of airstreamers arrive. We process them then off to the parkers to park. There are over 321 rigs here. We ordered a new Fantasic Fan for the airstream. He will install it on wed at noon. He also will check out the rear fan to repair it.
Feb 16, Wed, after the fan is installed we head for South Venice beach. Lots of beautiful homes along the coast. We eat at Sharky's Cafe on the pier. Delicious chicken sandwich and fries. We then stayed for the sunset...BEAUTIFUL!!!
Feb 17, Thurs. We had the new antenna installed today. We also had a happy hour supper with Sanders, Sollenbergers, Olshefskis,Buchers, & Obers.

God Bless..AirstreamHobo & Carol

What a Sunset!!

Red Sky is Awesome!!!

37 miles to go, we arrive in Sarasota at 3pm and park in the bull pen for the night with about 75 rigs are here. No hookups overnight, they will park all of us in the morning. You should see the beautiful sunset(see the pics)Wow!
Feb 13, Sunday, we wake up , make a Spam/eggs/potatoes for breakfast..Then we wait our turn to park..11:30 we park, Buchers, Olshefski & Obers together. We get water/electric very shortly. We are working the gate of incoming Airstreamers between 2-4 pm with Buchers. We handle about 20 rigs, collecting passes and $$$ from those registrating today.
Tonight we have a Hot Dog Dinner, they were foot long with Bake Beans, coleslaw, chips, and a drink. I Love Bake Beans!!! Ask Carol, she hears them all night long?? Tomorrow we report at 8am till 10am for the same job. We work 2 hours a day Sun, Mon & Tues. There are many volunteers helping to make this a sucessful Rally..more Later ZZZZZZZZ
God Bless..... AirstreamHobo and Carol

Thessa & Carmon Shollenberger at their home in Sun City, FL.

Feb 12, Sat., Time to pack up for Sarasota. The rig was grimmy from 1800 miles, so I decided to wash it before we leave..thats done, hitch up and round the park we go..saying good-bye to all and some last minute Huggs. Down Rt 75 we go 87 miles to drive today. I see Sun City Exit and decided to call an old friend from the club (they sold their Airstream),Carmon & Thessa Sollenberger..yes they are home. We stop for 15 minutes(when have I ever stop talking for 15 minutes?) Thessa invited us for lunch Too! Hot Dogs, Bake Beans, Apple Salad too! Yum, Yum, I gained 15 lbs this week!! Thanks Carmon & Thesssa for a great lunch and view overlooking your back yard and big waterpond..what a great place to live..Do you need a border?? I'll come back anytime. Carmon even gave me some parts to use on my trailer. After 2 hours..Hee Hee..we are on the road again. Aren't Airstream Friends GREAT!!

Beautiful Banquet Hall at Travelers Rest..

Then off to see others. Friday night Carol & I caught up on laundry and listened to the 50th Anniversary Party for residents, this was for 15 couples in the Park who are married 50 years...We salute You!! We were in the back of the room while the wash was running. We watched the Newly Wed Game live with 3 couples..Great Funny Answers!!