North to Tampa

Left Naples around 9am, hit the I-75 north headed for Tampa. A beautiful day, hot and sunny. Just south of Fort Myers, saw on the map that there was a 'Bass Pro Shop' so we pulled in to have a bit of a look. I like the welcome sign - and they had alligator door handles - cooooool! Inside, they have EVERYTHING ever invented for the outdoor sportsman - from huntin' hats to camping gear, watersports, golf, munchies, jewellery and even a cafe! Best of all, they have animal displays (stuffed). Armadillos, black bears (with Linda, in pic), big fish tanks etc. In their advertisement they even have a float airplane parked outside the store. After deciding not to buy anything, we continued north up the I-75 towards Tampa. Lunch at Waffle House (fast becoming Linda's favourite haunt - not for the waffles! but for their scrambled eggs & hashbrown lunch). Made good time and decided to use the Toll Road/Highway to make our way into Tampa. Read the signs for the cash lanes, prepared change and then rounded the corner and the toll booths were closed, bollards all around them with a big sign "Electronic Tolling Started Friday 17 September". Well - that made our day - NOT. So we will have to get a money order from the Post Office and send it to SunPass, ring the car hire mob and tell them about the infringement notice etc etc etc. Note to selves: Avoid all toll roads!

Met up with Lesley and Jim at the Quality Inn. Did a spot of shopping then spent the evening in Ybor City - a Latin American district of Tampa. Fairly quiet for a Sunday night, though.