Feb 6 2012, Tampa Florida

After the rally we took the bus to Tampa for some routine maintenance. We went to the Cummings dealer. They are the makers of our engine. They have these great spots with 50 amp power and water for us to park.

Here we are at the Cunmings lot all hooked up. The next day we had a nice visit  with John’s cousin Stewart Moran. We took off and went to Ybor, it is part of Tampa now. But it was the cigar capital of the world. Vincente Martinez Ybor(pronounce E-bor) brought his cigar manufacturing company from  Cuba to this area the town followed.  Here at the chamber of commerce are huge cigars hanging from the ceiling.

Centuro Ebor. Notice the trolley. You can ride them all over Tampa. Here is Ybor Cigars Plus. One of many places they still hand roll cigars. The owner is in front. He is very proud of his cigars.

Here is is humidor room. John had to buy one, since we were in the cigar capital.  He chose one, the owner wrapped it up in a plastic bag, with a couple tobacco leaves in it to keep it moist. This woman sits in the front of the store and rolls cigars.

These Casitas were sold to the employees of Mr. Ebors factory for $250, interest free loans and taken out of their check each week. Most workers made $18 a week. $3 was for the house payment and health care.  A few cigar quotes from the cigar museum.

The court yard of the the cigar museum and the anatomy of a cigar.  Each layer is a tobacco leaf, even the wrapper is a tobacco leaf.

hibiscus, and the Italian club in Ebor.

Jose Gaspar was a famous pirate that pillaged Tampa area. They now have a big Gasparilla festival each year.  John in some Ebor arches.

historic building. Notice the brick streets

The Parque Amigos de Jose Marti-a famous Cuban revolutionary. John as the toy boy

Beer belly under construction.  We had dinner at the Tampa Bay Brewery. Down town Ebor at sunset

Of course when we returned they were not done with the bus. It was parked in the driveway-not on the level. We could not put the slides out but at least we could stay in our own home.  A huckleberry  pannakuchen I made- from a recipe from the microwave/convection class at the rally.