In all the anxious moments of disgust and the gut wrenching feeling that comes with being robbed, I worried about the items of Robin’s that were stolen from our car. I failed to realize what they had done to me until late last night. My most prized possessions. My Canon SLR digital, two lenses, a speedlite, three batteries, sync cables all within the bag. That cache amounted to about $4000 worth of photography equipment. So now yesterday’s fiasco has ended up amounting to a $7000 day for us. Our insurance agent notified me that the Segway probably would not be covered, given the fact that it qualifies as a personal transportation device, and needed insurance of its own. However, I do hope that my homeowners covers the IPAD and camera equipment. I may be coming up short on good photographs to share with you for awhile. I never realized that a theft like this leaves a gnawing in the pit of the stomach, akin to a being nauseous to the point of sweating. If I made pass on a word of warning to all my readers it is this. BEWARE! Do not visit the world flea market located just outside of Auburndale, Florida on US Route 92, just east of bypass 570, the Polk Parkway.
Robbed Again
VICTIMIZED
Today we opted not to attend the Tampa Super RV Show. We had done that the past two days just to see what a major show had in store. We’re not in the market for a new RV, just wanteing to check with vendors as to accessories that may be of interest to us. We did end up buying a set of 1000 threadcount sheets. We should have gone to the show. Instead, we went to a flea market, intending to stay only a few minutes as Robin wanted to check on a transporter for Brutus. We left him in the vehicle as we were parked in the front row and would be gone only shortly. Withing forty five minutes we were VIOLATED. Upon returning, we found our vehicle broken into, a new Segway just recently purchased gone, our MIFI, along with Robin’s IPAD. Never have we felt so scathed before in our lives. Fortunately, the thieves did not take Brutus. Nothing could have been worse. I called 911 and immediately they dispatched someone from the Sheriff’s Office. She dusted for fingerprints and took all the information but told us there would probably nothing that could be done. And then began the nighmare of making calls back to our bank as all our private and pertinent information was on that IPAD. Luckily, after about three hours of phone calls, accounts were changed, passwords were redistibuted, and our son Ryan, was masterfull in changing passwords as much as he can while helping out enroute across the PA Turnpike in a trip from Philly to Pittsburgh. Thank the good lord we have a son and daughter-in-law who are much wiser and smarter than the two of us when it comes to technology. I’m sure we’re out the several thousand dollars for the Segway, the IPAD will get replaced, but losing Brutus to theives would have been such a traumatic event to Robin, that there would be no consolation on my part which would have sufficed. In the end, we learned a lesson, albeit an expensive one. However, is there any lesson that comes without a cost. The amazing thing however, is that it happened in broad daylight, no more than 25 feet from the entrance to the flea market building, and in less than forty five minutes. No one was hurt, we’re all intact physically, so we have much more to be thankful for than money could ever replace.
Grouper for the Group
After our airboat ride we returned to the home of Glen and Cindy to retrieve Brutus. They offered sitting services as headcolds put the kibosh on their attendance. I offered to treat them to a late lunch. Glen suggested the Cherry Pocket Steak and Seafood Shack as they are noted for their seafood.
About a half hour down the road we entered the marina/resturant lot and immediately the ambiance of ‘old world’ Florida had once again charmed my socks off. Once inside I realized that 4 p.m. is not taken by most as a late lunch. The eatery was a conglomeration of seniors who someone see this hour as ‘suppertime’. Perhaps we’ll go that route in a few years as well. I find I eat many of my words as my days turn into years. Glenn’s suggestion boded well as the crabcakes that I chose were some of the better I’ve sampled over the years.
My counterparts opted for the grouper sandwich platters of which I sampled as well. If ever in the Lake Wales area, go a bit out of your way off Florida Route 27 and visit Cherry Pocket for some great food and downhome ambiance. I was especially taken by the deck, which had an antique wooden hull brought ashore to serve as the bar.
What a unique idea. We enjoyed our company and afterward, Robin and I hit the trail back to Lakewood to see the progress on ‘the Rev’s’ renovation. Tomorrow we head back to Tampa to take in the annual Supershow.
GypsyLarry
