Fine Scale Modeling Museum...Unbelievable!!!

The reason FL is so nice and green is because we get plenty of rain(and we have great temps year around)...and right now is our rainy season...so it was time to plan something to do indoors.

Being the Groupon junkie that I am...we'd found  a groupon for a Brazillian Steak house in Tampa...so we wanted to go there, but wanted to do more than just that when we made the drive up. Since we are Clearwater Aquarium Members (thx to a Groupon)...we get discounts or free entrance to other attractions...some in other states....so we'd found this neat scale modeling museum...so, now we had something to do before dinner.....so up the highway we headed.

It was about 1.5hr drive but a fairly straight shot, easy to find. EXCEPT...when we got there they were closed....oh dear, I'd read their site wrong and they weren't open. In just a few minutes 4 guys drove up and explained they are only open the 3rd Saturday in Sept-May....wow, I got that wrong....but since they were there working they'd let us in. 

These guys own this building for their hobby....it was amazing....here's their site and if you are ever close, on the right day...it's really worth it....  Fine Scale Modeling  

It's only $7 to get in and I promise it's well worth the few dollars to see this talent. They even teach a few modeling classes....

Since they were not really open, only one train was running...but just seeing the layouts was amazing...we'll come back when they are really open.

Here's the only one that was running....

The detail in each scene was fatastic....these guys take lots of pride in their hobby.

This guys rocking chair rocked and the dogs tail wagged....

The Ferrier....what detail

This worshop was amazing........

The train year was wonderful, can't wait to come back and see them running...

Look at the detail on this gravel and timber wall...lots of patience

High on a hill was a lonely goatherd.........

The do have a sense of humor too...the only church is next to the Dance Hall !!!  

All trees and shrubs and bushes...they make it all....even the waterfalls look real

Another humorus part was this scene...that was a "play" on more current events....
See the name on the oil barrel...and that's Obama...trying to clean it up....too funny.

And...if you look real close...there's The Duke in the red shirt, and holding a rifle....we do love John Wayne

They also had several military displays....they got authentic pictures and did their best to duplicate them...they did a great job ...

The facial expressions and had gestures....it was amazing...

As the display rotated..the other side of the building was a bombed out inside, again, very real looking

Some of these were done by other guys, but were on display here.

This big display was outside...they use it when they take these displays on the road. Yep, they actually take them apart, travel to somewhere and put them back up....that's dedication...

We really enjoyed walking around and looking, we can't wait until they are really open so we can come back. Perhaps it will be better wether and we'll find a better restaurant. The Brazillian Steak House was not all that great...glad we were using a Groupon.

So...that made for a fun outing. 

The past week and weekend were good weather, so we hung close to the pool and had some guests over for dinner. Very soon I'll be making a trip to ATL then we have a trip to Maine planned. Will be nice to have some cooler wether and eat some lobster!!!

Hope you've had a fun summer.....schools are starting back and before we know it the snowbirds will be back....that truly changes our small city. 

But until then....we'll enjoy not having as much traffic and less crowded restaurants!!