February 23, 2011 A Tampa bay tour and Airstream temptation...

Gaita - derived from celtic bagpipes. 

Ybor City 7th Ave.

In the morning several of us truck to Ybor City, now a ward of Tampa, but founded by Cuban expat cigar makers in the 19th century. They were experiencing labor unrest and Spanish persecution in Cuba, and reestablished their businesses in Key West. But more labor unrest drove them north to the Tampa area where they built the company town known as Ybor City. It ultimately collapsed even here because of labor unrest when machines were introduced to lower costs, and the rising popularity of cigarettes.

We aren’t going to complain about heat after our very cold crossing of the country, but it is warm and humid. At the museum they tell us high humidity is ideal for cigar making but it must have added to the unrest. Although workers were provided nice homes at low cost, there was of course no air conditioning and disease was a big problem. Nonetheless, Ybor City was at one time a significant manufacturing base in the Tampa area because of the cigar industry.

Casino boat in drydock.

A large ship clears a small lighthouse - the keeper's house on the left.

 We then drive to Tampa and join the group for a harbor tour and luncheon on the SS Star Ship. Impressive meal with choice of entre, but the tour narration cannot be understood because of the noise. Tampa itself has an impressive modern skyline. The bay is mostly industrial (this is a major phosphate center). An old spoils island has been developed into luxury housing. The humidity in July/August must be unbelievable.

Marcia and I then drive to Bates RV. It is known for its stock of Airstreams and unique freeway advertising: a bunch of old Airstreams, half-buried on end. The local sign ordinance people don’t like it but we do.

We have a 25’ Airstream and are tempted by the new 28’ models but the added space is largely cancelled by the introduction of other design problems. The salesperson is cheerful but unhelpful. We leave.