Florida backroads

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment
Good ol' fashioned gravel roads

Good ‘ol fashioned gravel roads

Sher and I are setting up at a huge antique tractor and steam engine show next week. We were able to get our vendor space this week, giving us plenty of time to get ready and even get to a couple of aucitons before the show starts. We headed to a nearby town yesterday to get some supplies, and our GPS thingy (a Garmin) led us down about ten miles of gravel road. Talk about being out in the middle of the country!

Between the thousands and thousands of orange trees in grove after grove that were flanked by large pastures full of cattle, we really saw true Florida agriculture in person.

 

 

Orange trees everywhere!

Orange trees everywhere!

 

 

 

Sisters run Buddy’s Auction House

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment
Buddy's Storefront

Buddy’s Storefront

While in Clearwater, Florida, Sher and I found a listing for an auction the evening we were planning on being there. So off to Buddy’s Auction House we went.

We found a great little facility that was packed with items up for auction that evening. This establishment has an auction every Tuesday night. Two sisters run the business which is named after a rescue dog that goes to yard and estate sales with the owners.

Beth shared with me that she and her sister Ruth aquired the business in March of 2014 and their first auction was held on April 15th. Normally a full 70% of the items up for sale each week are owned by the sisters.They are constantly on the move buying at estate sales, yard sales and anywhere they can find good merchandise.

Sold!

Sold!

When we first got to the business Beth was busy talking with folks who were previewing the items for that evening’s sale. She also told us some of the stories of folks she has interacted with in the business. Lots of people will put things in sales on a consignment basis. While I was talking to Beth a fellow came in wanting to put things in on consignment.

Beth shared that she and her sister used to have ‘normal’ jobs but loved antiques and the hunt for good antiques. When the opportunity came along to get their own business they boh jumped at the chance. Now these  lively vibrant ladies are living their dream and enjoying what they do.

The auction stared at seven. We had spent the rest of the afternoon in the coach. About a half hour before seven we went in, got our bidder’s number and took one final look at the items up for sale. Ruth introduced me to their auctioneer, Vince Gepp, and the rest of the staff. We had a great time during the sale. Some items did prompt some lively bidding.

Ruth, Vince, Beth and the rest of the Buddy's staff

Ruth, Vince, Beth and the rest of the Buddy’s staff

And yes, I did end up with a few things that I thought I couldn’t live without. That is what happens we you keep bidding on an item until everyone else stops. Go visit the Buddy’s Auction House website to learn more, and see what is up for sale next Tuesday night. You will find a friendly, helpful staff, have a fun time and chances are good you’ll also go away with a treasure or two. Sher and I highly recommend Buddy’s. Tell Ruth and Beth we sent you!

Clearwater: A beautiful place

/ Roadtirementvintage / 2 Comments
The boardwalk to the Sand Key Beach

The boardwalk to the Sand Key Beach

We are in Clearwater,Florida today. We got here around 11 this morning. The strip down by the beach was packed with cars and pedestrians enjoying the nice weather. It is cloudy, but the temperature is very mild, and it is so much warmer than the midwest now we are really loving it!

We found a very nice public park with lots of beach frontage. Sand Key Park has lots of parking, although there were very few people there when we were. I guess Tuesdays are not the busiest times for beach visits.

Pretty widflower on the beach

Pretty widflower on the beach

 

 

 

 

 

In Florida now and love the warmth

/ Roadtirementvintage / 1 Comment
Florida Welcome Center (I-75)

Florida Welcome Center (I-75)

We got to Florida yesterday, missed the free OJ at the welcome center by a bit less than an hour. Too bad they closed at five instead of six. Oh well, we made it .at least. Sher and I are sure enjoying the warm weather. We even commented last night that we were hot. I opened windows on the coach and enjoyed a nice Florida breeze all night.

Today we went to Webster planning on going to an auction. Once we got to the area we were happy to see flea markets that were open .Normally flea markets are closed on Mondays in the mid west, so Monday opens were a surprise to us. Two of the three markets we found were huge and did have literally anything and everything for sale. We are tentatively planning on returning next Monday to set up at one of them.

It is off to the gulf tomorrow. We can’t wait to see the water and get a little beach time in!

One of the smaller Flea Markets at Webster, FL

One of the smaller Flea Markets at Webster, FL

Heading South

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment
Calhoun, GA grocery stop

Calhoun, GA grocery stop

Sher and I decided to head south on the day after New Year’s Day. We have a couple of shows that we are considering down in central Florida in a week or so. We loaded up some of our goods to sell and off we went.

The first day of our trip took us from central Indiana to Williamsburg, Kentucky. There off I-75 we stopped at a Pilot Flying J truck stop for fuel and the night. This Pilot had designated RV parking, well lit and not next to the big rigs. This morning we headed out about 8 or so.We really didn’t watch the clock at all today. We stopped at some antique stores and at one huge flea market.

A quick stop at a grocery in Calhoun, Georgia and we got set for a few days on the road.

 

EXIT 76 Antiques

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment
Dealer parking only: about five spaces for hundreds of dealers!

Dealer parking only: about five spaces for hundreds of dealers!

EXIT 76 Antiques is located off, ah, you guessed it, EXIT 76 on I-65 about 30 miles south of Indianapolis. We have recently rented a booth at this popular antique mall. The place is huge, with over 70,000 SF of climate controlled space. There are literally hundreds of dealers and booths. The nice thing about this establishment is both the number and quality of the people who work there. There are always staff walking around, opening locked cases for customers as well as being an added security measure above and beyond the CCTV.

The staff is now used to our showing up with our RV and parking for a while not only while we unload things to stock our booth, but to also stick around awhile. If we are going to be there long, I don’t park in one of the limited number of spaces for dealers.

The Entrance to the antique mall

The Entrance to the antique mall

2015 is here

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment
Our new FourWinds 22e

Our new FourWinds 22e

2015 is now officially here. I know because I saw the ball drop. As Sher and I look forward to the new year we are excited about our new RV, a Four Winds 22e motorhome. We have had it a couple of weeks and are still getting things organized the way we want them. Changing from a truck pulling a travel trailer to a self-contained Class C has been a change as you can imagine. The coach will fit into our travel life a lot better than the trailer.

We are planning on heading south from Indiana, maybe towards Florida or maybe towards New Orleans. That is the fun of the RV lifestyle: you can go where ever you want.

Curry and Stockberger bring down the house in ‘The Odd Couple’ at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

/ Roadtirementvintage / 2 Comments
Oscar convinces Felix to double date

Oscar convinces Felix to double date

The 2015 season at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis opened this week with the Neil Simon classic hit The Odd Couple. Starring 25 year friends Eddie Curry as the fastidious Felix Unger and Jeff Stockberger as the slovenly Oscar Madison, this is truly a must see show.

Curry and Stockberger are favorites of  B&B patrons and tonight’s production showcased these two talented funnymen at their best. They have worked together for years. Their delivery, timing and facial expressions were frankly some of the best this author has seen in quite a while. Both used this 4 time Tony Award winning script to the max.

There were too many hilarious moments in the play to list, but when you go and enjoy this play be ready for Felix’s bout with neck pain and other physical afflictions. Oscar has a funny time dealing with the curse that Felix put on him.

Oscar flirts with Pigeon sisters

Oscar flirts with Pigeon sisters

The supporting cast brings a set of characters to the stage that add to the frivolity and humor of the entire situation that face Oscar and Felix. Oscar has a Friday night poker game. Darrin Murrell, Dave Ruark, Michael Davis , and Craig Underwood play Vinnie, Roy, Speed, and Murray respectively. These four keep poppng into scenes with a flair for suppporting roles. Hats off as well to the performances of Carrie Fedor as Cecily and Erin Cohenour as Gwendolyn, the Pigeon sisters from upstairs.

The Odd Couple is celebrating its 50th annivesary this year. The B&B production, directed by Douglas E Stark continues the tradition of a top notch comedy production. This show runs through Feb. 8, 2015 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Don’t miss this show. It is one of the best  ever performed at B&B. Here is their website for information.