Well, on the 27th we woke up to a flat tire in the Walmart parking lot. Homer mentioned the trailer didn't feel level when we woke up and I told him I had checked the level and both sides were level after we had parked. Lo and behold, right rear was flat. At least it didn't happen on the road. Of course the jack was buried but not as bad as we thought.
We then went to Homosassa Tire and Repair. They told us the rim had rusted thru but couldn't help us for that size. :-(. But they pumped us up and didn't charge a thing. Great place!
So we mozied on down to Pat and George's at Plant City (they are the ones we passed on I-75 in Kentucky) so we could unhook the trailer and head to daughter Kate's for a visit and dinner at our favorite restaurant, Moe's. Well, we couldn't get the padlock off the trailer hitch as Homer left the keys at home on the workbench. That, of course, is one key I don't have a backup to. Now you know they don't make these locks to be easily broken into, and in Katy's development - you can't park on the street with a car, let alone a trailer
So Mark Sprouse (Pat and George's son on the Strawberry Farm) had a grinder. It worked like a charm, so we could unhook and off we went for our visit.
Next morning we went to Downtown Plant City and bought 2 new tires and rims. Phew! I realize that I'd never do something like this on my own, just too many things to go wrong.
We left Plant City for Stuart, Fl Walmart. They don't allow overnight parking we found out (as we always ask when we get there) probably a town/township restriction. So we went to Phipps County Park which is across the road from the Port St. Lucie Corps of Engr. Park that we have reservations for the following 2 days
On the 29th we got to our reserved spot. We have been here several times in the past but it's not easy to get into without reservations. That's not our usual M. O. but you gotta do what you gotta do ahead of time.
It's fantastic weather. All the smells, fauna, bird sounds are returning to my memory. Beats the memory of rain, snow and mud. We are spoiled.
Forgot to mention that the camper next to us, a guy named Chuck, is a "Carnie." He traveled the carnivals for like 10-15 years, then took time off to raise his boys while doing real estate and then worked as an insurance adjuster, apparently where he made his best money. Of course Homer knows an insurance adjuster that worked this area during hurricanes and had them talking on the phone within minutes. They both knew some of the same people. Amazing!
Chuck is a veteran and gets medical thru VA, is retired from previous job(s) and he's been back doing what he loves most for some time now. He has a photo booth in the back of his vehicle and sells tickets at the gate. Of course he's divorced, so why not? His boys live around this area, so he camps in between gigs.
We had a nice discussion about the book: Water for Elephants - which I would highly recommend. He said the book was very accurate in its details except for the lingo or verbiage used. I was impressed. That's one of the great things regarding our travels, meeting such interesting people.
We had dinner tonight with cousins Ed, Doug, and 95 year old Aunt Marie Ludwick at the Square Grouper in Jupiter. It was hard to find, but a fantastic place on the water. I could live there, as I tell Homer each time we visit another great place.
Anyway, Marie is still sharp as a tack and I just love her to the moon and back. We should all hope to be as healthy at her age. Upon leaving, she said to the bouncer-guy, "I bet I'm the oldest person here today." He said - "Nah, the night is still young." I asked if he thought anyone over 95 would be coming yet, and he was shocked that she's 95 and told her that he was sure she won!
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