Last Thursday (June 23rd, 2011) my friend Oz texted me the above photo of my friend Bridget & this message:

“Bridget and I left you a gift. 27:56:53.20, -82:27:42.51, or there abouts. Rsvp”

I was immediately excited because Oz knows I love to geocache & those were GPS coordinates!

This morning we decided to find it on the way to Gregg’s office. The building in the background of the picture is of University of Tampa, so we knew to look in the park across from the campus. (Curtis Hixon)

We got to the park, and the cords were pretty far off. Gregg saw the fence that Bridget is leaning on, it was the only one in the park without a wooden top rail.

We to that spot, & wedged between the concrete there was an altoids tin. We had found the cache!

Inside was a note from Oz & two antique dice, which on one of them the 1 is a skunk! Also he typed up the directions to a game called “Mia”; which I am going to try to learn tonight. :)

This is probably one of the most awesome & creative things friends have ever done for me. I already am thinking of ideas of how to get them back!

Monday of last week, Gregg asked me if I wanted to go somewhere that weekend. I suggested the beach, hotel was booked & we left Friday by 6pm.

Friday!

We got in after sunset, checked in, and decided we needed to find a bar within walking distance. We found a dive! of a bar & had some long islands while hearing some wonderfully fabulous karaoke. After we walked along the beach, & headed back to the hotel to get some sleep.

(The pier, so pretty!)

Saturday was beach day!

We woke up early, headed to a beach shop to pick up towels, an umbrella, and scuba masks. Once on the beach, we went right into the water & swam out to use the masks. The water was so cloudy! So we just hung out for a few hours. We walked down the the pier, I got soft serve ice cream. We left our flip flops two miles down where we had set up camp, so we bought some cheapie flip flops to walk back, lol.

(Beach Allie, lolz)

Once we got back, we packed up & went to the grocery store to pick up lunch. We had buffalo chicken lunch meat wrapped in iceberg lettuce. We then hit up a putt putt place that also had laser tag, go carts and arcade games. Gregg won everything besides putt putt. :)

We went & had dinner at an amazing sushi place. The rain had set in more, so we decided to go bowling…which turned into 2 pitchers of beer & cosmic! bowling. :)

Sunday! We went to Kennedy Space Center!

It was an amazing place. During the 2.5 hr tour, I definitely got misty a few times. It was nice to learn a ton & see the Endeavor before it took off the next day. I wish we had more time to spend there, it’s for sure an ALL day thing.

& that was the trip!

We stopped in for dinner & coffee in Orlando on the way back. It was a wonderful weekend, with an even more wonderful man. ♥♥♥ I can’t wait till our next weekend getaway, it’s just what we both needed!

****FYI: We have a habit of staying at really crappy hotels/hostels, because what’s the point of spending a ton per night, when you are only there to sleep a few hours? So we stayed at a very! basic motel six. For two double beds (one serves as luggage/clothing holder, lol) it was $60ish for each night. I’d definitely recommend it if you are looking for just somewhere to lay your head & spend your money doing stuff! :)*****

Hello! This past Saturday was Train Day! Train Day is all about bringing life to the rich history of how trains have transformed America. The free event feature live entertainment, interactive & educational exhibits, kids’ activities, model trains & tours of Amtrak equipment.  I was probably the most excited person in Tampa for this event. I love the railways, even though I have never taken a train trip! This will be remedied ASAP.

Here is some photos from the day.

I’m shocked how cheap rail is. From Jacksonville to Charleston ROUND, w/ two nights in a hotel there, was UNDER $300 per person! I think it would be a perfect vacation! OR an awesome 5 day? Tweetup ;)

Here is some photos from the sleeping car they had on display.

Cabin window, bottom bunk folded up.

Bottom Bunk, folded up.

Sink, very tiny -cute!

The dining car downstairs.

Toilet/Shower combo, every man’s dream in life.

Overall the event was awesome. I had a great time, there was lots of swag. :) Please take some time to stop & check out  Tampa Union Station. It’s a beautiful building that was opened in 1912 & served railroad passengers through the Great Depression & both World Wars. In 1974—it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a GORGEOUS building, with so many intricate details. It also makes you feel like you’re stepping back into time. :)

Also!!! attached is an amazing open space building called the “baggage building“. I have been posting that link everywhere, it would be an awesome stop for a coffee house, bar, restaurant, art gallery…etc. Tampa Union Station will anchor one end of a planned rehabilitation of Zack Street into an “avenue of the arts”.

]]> http://www.thatgirlallie.com/468267846/train-day-2011-tampa-union-station/feed 0 http://www.thatgirlallie.com/468267367/surpris http://www.thatgirlallie.com/468267367/surpris#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:15:29 +0000 Allie http://www.thatgirlallie.com/?p=468267367

Melissa at Oh my Darling is hosting a Surprise Ball exchange. It’s based on  “suprise balls” made my Gina Namkung.

I posted a few weeks ago about surprise balls made to look like bombs & in lieu of posting 500 images of cute surprise balls, go sign up here!! I signed up last week, & registration ends July 22nd. I’m really excited, I love little, cute trinkets. Let me know if you end up signing up! :) & I will make sure to show pictures when it’s all over!