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Published: September 6th 2013
Approach to Mexico Beach
The campground sits within 1/2 mile of the time zone line which makes for interesting figuring when heading east and crossing the line. But this sign really gives pause. We were camped across from the dumpster and were told that a bear DID visit on a regular basis. Cat stayed in at night.Leaving our friends Carol and Judy at Venice, we were headed for an overnight at Lazydays RV center, camping and looking at used RVs. But first we had to strike camp and get out of the park. We had the scooter loaded and strapped in, awnings rolled up and Trish, as usual, stowed the inside gear quickly and efficiently. Then it was time to dump the waste. We had a sewer connection at the camp site, but it was down in the ground and I could not get the top unscrewed. I tried tapping with a rubber mallet, twisting with pliers, but no good. So we drove a big circle in the campground and came back to the dump station. Upon opening that sewer, I noticed it had ground water about 12-18" down from the top. Remembering Robin Williams in "RV", I was leery, but proceeded. The phrase, "Fire in the hole" can not come close! Everything went down quickly (too quickly, perhaps) and then the rubber ring designed to contain an overflow burst up and the hose came out, spewing all over the ground. I had on surgical gloves and got the hose back in the hole, but it was...messy
Duct tape can fix anything
Neighbor pulled in and obviously had hit something as the bumper was hanging crooked. A bit of duct tape and he was good to go. He also had no awning, but put the arms down on the trailer and then hung a blue tarp on it, tied to the arms. and smelly. Nice way to start the last leg of the trip. I got cleaned up at the camp restroom and then we got on the road.
We checked in to Lazydays and they sent a young man out to help us disconnect and drop the trailer with the scooter, since they only have back-in sites. We got set up and went to lunch at the Front Porch restaurant, a free meal for guests. I then called the salesman I had been in touch with and we proceeded to go look at several used RVs we were considering. Because the young man was new at the drivable RVs (he previously sold trailers), his father, also a salesman, came along. We saw some nice ones and decided to make an offer on one we really liked. We got back to the offices and asked them to work the numbers. In my case, it was more to see if we could keep the monthly payments within a certain window. I lowballed them figuring they would come back higher anyway. Boy, did they! Bottom line, I could drive away IF I were willing to take out a 20 year loan (I'm only
Fish tacos at Killer Seafood
These were awesome!! This is the version with lettuce and tomato and a side of slaw. Even by itself, the slaw was great. Love to come for these!! doing a 15 year mortgage on my house), put a huge down payment on it, and accept a) their asking price for the coach (over the NADA book figure) and a lower trade-in value than originally offered to me via email 3 weeks earlier. This wasn't a Timex; it was a Gruein. (This is an old burlesque reference.)
Next day I went on my own and met with one of their financial advisors. He got the numbers down a bit, but still too high. We have always thought highly of Lazydays and they DO have a great campground, loads of stock, good service department, and great process for buying and getting an RV. BUT....I do question it when I have an email saying they will give me a specific amount on trade-in then tell me once I am there that they can't do it. Guess we'll look closer to home.
We left Seffner and drove to Beverly Hills, FL, north of Inverness, to a campground we've been to before. It has only gotten better! We had a very level pull through site, not a lot of folks around, and got set up in about an hour. Once hooked
Bacon outdoors for breakfast
Nothing better than frying bacon outside early in the AM to drive fellow campers nuts! We had bacon and french toast, all done in electric skillet outside. up, we swam for a bit and then waited for our nephew to arrive. Steve and his wife Denise picked us up and we headed off to dinner at a little spot by a river. Trish got a pound of steamed shrimp and I had the grilled scallops and we split. It was a lot of shrimp and yummy. We sat for a long time looking at pictures from our daughter's wedding and discussing family issues. It was a great time but eventually we had to leave and head back to the campsite. We said goodbye to Steve and Denise and they promised to visit at least prior to New Years when they come to Huntsville for a mini-Olsen family reunion and then up to Columbus, OH for their niece's wedding. We'll be anxious to see their new Super-B RV.
We left the next morning headed for Mexico Beach and a hopefully relaxing time on the Gulf coast with swimming, good food, and beverages in the shade while reading. It was a long trip and when we got in, we were shocked to realize that all the sites were taken for the Labor Day weekend. We had totally forgotten
Slinky observing the camp
Slinky used to get up on the transmission gear box and hide, but here she lies in the shade under the RV and watches what is happening. She is getting bolder. about that, so we could only get a spot for 2 nights. First thing Thursday morning, I spoke with the owner and while in pleading for a spot, she had two phone calls. First was a cancellation. Great! An opening. Then another call from someone wanting to change spaces. Turns out the 2nd caller wanted to be in the spot the 1st caller had cancelled; the 2nd caller's assigned space was where we were currently located. So it was win-win; they got what they wanted and we got to stay and not even have to move. We spent the day relaxing, setting up a bit more, and getting the motorscooter off the trailer and ready to ride.
Friday was nice so we went to lunch at Killer Seafood and had awesome fish tacos. They make them 2 ways: grilled fish with tomato and lettuce and sauce or grilled fish with slaw and sauce. We ordered set of each and got fries. Both ways are good and even Trish like the fries! Then some gift shopping and picked up tuna for dinner on the grill. Beach looked good, but we thought we'd wait till Saturday. Back at camp, we hit
Traveling on the bed
Without her brother to bother her, Slinky lounged on the bed while we drove, sometimes coming up front and sitting on the dinette seat behind the driver. She seemed to enjoy the trip a bit more this time. the pool for a dip and some exercise then back to the RV to relax and have dinner. I've mentioned how hot it is, and that is an issue. But here on the beach area, yellow flies (deer flies to Northerners) are out in force and biting. So are no-see-ums. Trish got a couple of bites and they festered and got sore. So she limits outside time. I lit some citronella candles in the middle of the day, sat outside with a sangria to read, and promptly got bit by the yellow flies 3 times. The difference between southern yellow flies and northern deer flies is: the southern fly is slower; he lands on you, thinks about biting, finally does, then sits longer and contemplates. WHAP! You're bit; fly is dead; you have a sore leg/arm/neck. Not drawing conclusions; just sayin'.
That afternoon and evening the rigs and celebrants started arriving. The campground hired a band to set up in the fire pit area and soon music was blaring, folks had grills going and cars and people were everywhere. So much for a quiet relaxing weekend. But the clouds rolled in also, lightening lit the sky and thunder rolled.
OMG!! Now we have to!
We signed up with the state to maintain about a mile of road in front of our house, picking up litter every few months. We've been doing it for 2 years. So imagine our surprise when we returned home and found this sign as we turned in the road. We had no idea it was going to be put up. (At least they spelled the names correctly.) Soon it started raining and folks took the parties indoors and we could get some sleep.
The days that followed had some afternoon rain, or morning fog. We went for a ride one day to get groceries and souvenir shopping. But because Trish's knee is bad, she didn't feel comfortable getting on and off the scooter a lot. So we pretty much stuck to camp, reading, relaxing, swimming in the pool, and taking short walks. It wasn't what we had hoped to do, but weather and physical ailments meant being flexible (even if her knee wasn't.)
We pulled up camp early Labor Day morning and had a 7 hour drive back home. Most of the prep was done the night before and we rolled out about 0800. It was a good drive with not as much traffic as we feared. Slinky knew we were headed home and yelled at us the whole way....Hurry Up!....Are we there yet??...Why is it taking so long??? Oh yeah, a fine drive. When we got in, we noticed a new sign at the end of our road. Yikes!! Our names for all to see. Well, after cleaning the coach, cleaning the house, getting some rest, guess we better get out and pick up the litter.
But we're only home for a bit. Next trip starts this month, a long western swing to see Aunt Dosia in Phoenix, former student in Las Vegas, high school friend in Colorado, and classmate from DOD Executive Leadership program at the AF Academy. We'll also catch national parks and monuments, Indian reservations, and who knows what else.
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Deborah Chamberlain
non-member comment
Another enjoble read!
The "fire in the hole" comment has great meaning for me! Our place in Bow, NH was well and septic. The first time the septic tank was cleaned out when we bought the place was quite an experience and more than one person got a splash! Hahaha!