Tuesday, March 30, 2010

On Sunday, Rich and I headed over to Seminole, Florida. We left early afternoon, with plans to stop along FL SR-64 for lunch before we got to the hotel. Those of you who have travelled 64 already know that there is NOTHING on 64 west headed toward Bradenton and I-75. So we waited until we pulled on to I-275N and took the first exit before we came to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. We wanted something light for lunch as we knew we'd be eating dinner out that evening. We pulled into a Subway. Just so happened that it was a combination Subway and DairyQueen. So while I ordered a couple of subs, Rich was getting his Reeses Pieces Blizzard!. So much for a light lunch for him.......dinner would be a little later than normal tonight- for sure!!
By the time we left - the weather had turned. By the time we reached the Sunshine Skyway Bridge - we were in the middle of a typical Florida thunderstorm. It was raining soooooo hard and the visibility was so bad that you could not even see the water of Tampa Bay off the side of the bridge. We checked in to a hotel in St. Petersburg, just south of Seminole.

After such a big lunch- Rich was not in much of a hurry to stop for dinner. Actually neither of us was very hungry, so it was well after 6:30 when we started to look for a place agreeable to both of us.

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Well - as we travelled up US-19 we saw this sign for the Egg Platter - Oopen 24 hours, where they served breakfast all day. Breakfast sounded good to both of us, so we decicded to stop and give it a try! The menu was wonderful! Yes - they served breakfast all day long, but the menu also included a great selection of soups, salads, sandwitches and full course meals. I selected the Reuben - and Rich stayed with a light breakfast entre!! Right!!! If you look closely at the menu you will see something call WAFFLE A LA MODE? Well this was a waffle about 6 inches in diamater, covered with a crushed strawberry sauce. In the center was a large scoop of vanilla ice cream, surrounded by about 8 mounds of whip cream. Atop the whole thing chocolate syrup was drizzled beautifully. And my camera was in the car!!! At any rate - both of our selections were perfect. If you ever see an Egg Platter on your travels - you should stop and check it out.

Our main reason for heading to Seminole was to attend the Pickleball Tournament on Monday morning. I don't usually compete, but had agreed to play with Rich this time. I have been down with a cold and flu for the past week - so Rich thought it would be better if we headed over on Sunday and I could get a good night's sleep before having to play early on Monday. The Good Life Senior Games were played at the Seminole Recreation Center.

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No - this time we did not take home a medal. I know that's unusual for Rich - but unfortunately I was not much help - just did not have my strength back. He had tried for a couple of days prior to find someone else to play in my place - but no one was available at that late date. But despite that - we had a great time and enjoyed seeing some of our regular tournament friends there.
Buddy and Louann - on the far court played mixed doubles together again. Tough competition this time around. Played well, had fun, but no medal.


Louann and Nadine fighting for a win!!
That's Gena on the left. There were three ladies registered to play in the ladies doubles (Age 70-79). But one was without a partner and had never played pickleball! So that the other three ladies could compete, Gena agreed to play with the lady brand new to the game. What a great sport!!! Well - this little lady could really move around on the court and picked the game up very quickly. They won!!!! This was the first time Gena had ever played in a tournament and she went home with the GOLD!! (She will not let Bruce forget this - I'm sure!!)
Buddy again. This time playing with his mixed doubles partner, Ron Munson from Sun City Center.
But yes........Rich did get to play again. This time with a much better partner. That's him and Bruce playing in the men's doubles competition. They won this match easily!
Here they are again.........Lost this match.....uh, oh.................
Nadine and Louann..........played a great last match and took home a Silver Medal.

And after a hard fought match with the final game played to 15 points, the two of them came back to win 16-14, after being DOWN 13-4! Rich and Bruce took home the BRONZE!

It was a long day. We had arrived about 7:30 that morning and the games were over just before 5:00 pm.

Before heading back, Rich and I stopped at Boston Market, relaxed and enjoyed dinner with Bruce and Gena. When we finally arrived back home it was after 7:30. Unpack - a glass of wine, relax and catch up on the news and another glorious day of retirement comes to an end.
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