Normally, when a public official says not to go to a certain location because of weather concerns, I'm already in the WOKV news car on my way to wherever that is.  Journalism is one of those fields where you run toward danger instead of away from it.  However, today, for the first time in my journalistic career, I actually heeded that warning.

In his update on Tropical Storm Isaac this morning, Florida Governor Rick Scott warned against going into Tampa today.  Considering the potential weather conditions and the traffic and road closures the Republican National Convention brings, I figured I might be a bit more productive if I stuck with Florida's delegates for the day.

After several hours, I was asking "Isaac who?"  Aside from a few sprinkles there was no rain, at least here in Palm Harbor.

The day began with a steak and eggs breakfast and remarks from South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, and Governor Scott.  It was my first chance to mill around with the delegates from Florida and South Carolina and make a few important connections with some of the delegates from the First Coast, who I will be following closely through the rest of the week.  I also had the opportunity to speak with Ted Yoho, a Republican candidate for Congress who beat out Cliff Stearns in the primary earlier this month.

The cancellation of the RNC events in Tampa meant not much going on here at the Innisbrook Resort.  I asked every delegate I could find about potential meetings, seminars, anything of interest that might be going on, but I found nothing.  From the delegates I talked to, it sounded like many of them were going to take the day to meet other delegates from around their state and those from South Carolina, who are sharing the resort with the Florida Republicans.

After dinner I thought I might head over to the recreation hall.  I figured the delegates, after a long day of prepping, would want to unwind with a few drinks, maybe some ping pong.  But I came up empty there as well.  The rec hall was almost entirely empty, save for a few RPOF staff members eating dinner.

Tuesday will mark the real beginning of the convention.  Events at the Tampa Bay Times Forum begin at 2 p.m., and convention-goers can expect to hear from House Speaker John Boehner, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Ann Romney, and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.  I'll be heading down to Tampa to take in the sights and sounds as the convention gets underway, hopefully without too much resistance from Mother Nature.