Back to the old stompin grounds!

Dave and I made a trip to Florida recently. We haven't been in years and it was an opportunity for me to visit with some old college friends and Air Force friends who I also haven't seen in quite some time. I flew into Orlando on Thursday, January 14th. Dave joined me Friday evening as he had to work and was coming down to attend a business meeting in Tampa on Monday.

On Thursday evening I was supposed to have dinner with Florida Southern College girlfriend but she and her fiance were unable to commit. On Friday I drove from Orlando to Melbourne to see my girlfriend Karen and her three kiddos; Alex, Reagan and Sophia. Karen and I were suite mates at McConnell AFB in Wichita, KS.

Here's Alex and Reagan:


Here's Karen and her youngest, Sophia:


Friday evening I drove from Melbourne to Lakeland, home of Florida Southern College. Because of that beautiful campus; to this day I am a huge Frank Lloyd Wright fan. I was supposed to have dinner with my girlfriend Vicki and her Mom Sheila but Vicki had taken ill following a doctor's appointment so Sheila and I had a lovely visit with one another and dined alone.

After dinner I drove back to Orlando to fetch Dave from the airport. On Saturday we made our way to Sebring to see another college buddy of mine, Norm, race at the Sebring International Raceway. Norm and I shared classes together and from our days in college I always knew he was a HUGE fast car fan. He was driving his first race at Sebring but unfortunately at the last trial; his transmission blew and he was unable to race. He took it so well! Here's a clip of the day I put together:



Also from FSC my girlfriend Merry Beth joined us at the races! She came with her nephew Toddy so we were able to see two friends in one day. That evening we drove back from Sebring to Winter Haven where we had dinner with my AF buddy Scott and his girlfriend Tammy. We had dinner together at Harry's Old Place; this tiny, tucked away spot that is ever so popular!

On Sunday Dave and I enjoyed a beautiful afternoon of golf at the Marriott Grande Pines Golf Club. Here's a shot of how wonderful the greens looked!



Sunday evening we made our way over to the JW Marriott Grande Lakes to stop at the Storepoint welcome reception. Storepoint is a conference Dave has attended in the past through H-E-B but he is no longer with H-E-B and is now working for Clear Channel Communications.

On Monday we drove to Tampa. We met my girlfriend Cathy for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Dave took the rental car to attend his business meeting and Cathy and I visited and window shopped. When Dave finished his meeting the three of us went over to the Hardrock Hotel & Casino. We stayed long enough to kill some time and lose money.

The three of us!



After that he and I drove to Zephyrhills to have a dinner with the parents of another college friend of mine; Sylvia & JT.

Me and Lisa's folks; Sylvia & JT.


After dinner Monday evening we drove back to Orlando. In the morning we packed up; gathered our belongings and made our way to the airport back to San Antonio.

It was a lovely trip but too short. I had missed out on seeing some other friends whose schedules just didn't permit the visit so it was sad not to see them. I hadn't been back to the old stompin grounds in years and goodness knows when we'll get back that way again.

Next trip is to Las Vegas for my birthday and Valentine's Day weekend! Pin It Now!