FIFTH INSTALLMENT – THE PRAIRIE

Monday morning the 28th we packed up and headed for what we call “The Prairie” 35 miles NW of Okeechobee. It was just nine when we pulled out of the dump station and headed for the gate and almost 9:15 when we left MacDill AFB. We took a sort of zig-zag course to Sebring and then southeast on 98. It was just after 12:30 when we pulled through the main gate at the park.

As we pulled into the office parking lot, we saw the ‘swamp buggy’ coming to wards us on Military Highway. As we got to the office (which was closed for lunch) the buggy pulled in and here it was Charlie Brown, the park manager, with thee volunteer couples. Two of the couples depart on March 1 and he was giving them a last tour of the park. He told us that we could park on V3 or V4 (V for volunteer), and that is what Natalie, volunteer coordinator, told us. This is the spot from Google Maps.

We opted for V3 as it is a bit longer and wider. As we setup Cliff and Ruthann Anderson and Bob and Janice Lewis stopped by to welcome us. It took a couple of hours to get all setup, but this will be our home for the next five to six weeks and wanted to make it just right.

Tuesday we went by the office twice to make connection with Charlie about what he had on the list for us, but we could never make the connection. We did chat with two couples that had been here during February. Guess it was just as well as we had some good (good for here) rain in the afternoon. The entire county is under a fire ban, so no campfires or planned burning.

After dinner we walked the nature trail and had not gotten a quarter of the way when we spotted two deer watching us. After the walk we sat on the porch of the visitor center for a bit and then started towards home. On the way we met up with Charlie as he was driving home. He laid out a number of things for us to attack so we know we will be busy for the next few weeks.

Our first task will be picnic tables. One of the volunteer couples that left had used a power washer to clean them and remove the mold. Not exactly how familiar they were with a power washer as the wood was pretty feathered and gouged in some spots. It raised the grain and will make coating them a real task.

Wednesday morning we drove over to the shop area to gather materials – belt sander, sand paper, etc. As usual it was a bit of a challenge to find everything. It was interesting to see that the five gallon bucket paint mixer we had made the first year was still being used as were the old Maxwell House Coffee cans for painting. Thing is they never cleaned the coffee cans out so we dumped a number of them. We got started about 10 and realized that there was no way to get the tops and seats smooth again, so we just worked on the real rough parts. We managed to get five tables done and then after lunch took the ‘ranger’ to the shop to pick up the Thompson’s Water Seal. Charlie had pointed out a one gallon and a five gallon can so he thought that would keep us going. Well, the five gallon can was empty but the gallon was full.

We managed to get three tables done, but did not do the underside – just the exposed parts. That leaves about 35 more to work on so we will be busy for a while for sure.

Judy is applying some Thomson’s to a table already sanded and Jon is tightening all the carriage bolts and finding ones that need to be replaced.

Natalie, the Admin Assistant, asked us to help with the Speckled Perch Festival in Okeechobee the weekend of March 12-13. They will use the swamp buggy in the parade and have a booth that will need to be staffed. More about the festival later - when we know more.

Thursday nights are Domino's at the office so we went up and were introduced to a new game called Wildfire. It’s sort of a cross between Mexican Train, Chicken Foot and regular domino's. It was fun and an interesting game to learn. It allows much more conversation and interaction than Mexican Train. Judy came through the winner on our first night playing.

With a full campground expected for the weekend, we planned on working on tables only until about noon. Charlie bought us five gallons more of Thompson Water-seal so we have plenty – for now. We worked on all the tables we had sanded on the inside of the circle and sanded a couple on the outside, but had to give up about noon. A storm front blew in and we had high winds and a few drops of rain. Before we had to call it a day we managed to get all but eight tables completed in this campground section.

While sanding on one table Judy ran a splinter up under her right thumbnail. She worked on trying to get it our, but it is under the nail and no way to get to it with a needle or tweezers. For now she will use all sorts of potion to try to draw it out and peroxide and alcohol to keep it clean.

Awoke on Saturday to another beautiful, but windy day and time to ourselves. Just before dark what appears to be two families moved into the two sites behind us. They set up three large tents and a dining fly. We tried to count the kids, but they did not stand still long enough. After breakfast Judy took Lilly for a long walk and Jon worked on a couple of things in the trailer. We will head into town about 2:30 to accomplish a few tasks before church and then get a bite to eat and do our weekly grocery shopping.

Not a whole lot has changed in Okeechobee. We first stopped by the CVS drug store and Judy talked to the druggist about her splinter. The druggist recommended a salve and a drawing cream and to soak the thumb in Epsom Salts. It should work out so long as it does not become infected. After church we ate at Beef O’Brady’s and then to WalMart. We did’t get back home until after 8….a long day. So Sunday was just a day of rest and dog walks and just chatting with folks. Lilly enjoys soaking up the sun and Vitamin D.