FEB 2013 (First)

Saturday the 2^nd we were up early in preparation for our relocation to “The Field.” We decided to go ahead and stake out our spot and get ourselves moved and then go to the office to register.  We found a nice spot between two units that are parked long term.  We parked our bikes in the middle of the spot and then hooked up the 5^th wheel and moved it in.  Before we pulled out of the FHU site the fresh water tank was filled and the waste tanks emptied. 

This will be our new ‘home’ in the field until we rotate to a partial hook-up site.  We are stuck at number 11 on the ‘confirmed’ list so it may be a while before we no longer have to rotate.

The “Field” as it is affectionately called, is pretty full, unlike when we arrived.  Seems like lots of folks suddenly decided to head for MacDill.

Saturday the Jones’ stopped by to see if we were interested in going to the Oldsmar Flea Market on Sunday.  We had talked about going earlier in the week so we took off about 10 for Oldsmar.  Really just a typical flea market, but we did not walk out empty handed.  Jon found a ratcheting ¾ wrench to use on the wheel chocks Judy found a string for her glasses.

Monday morning the generator stopped outputting.  It would run but no power.  On investigation found that the 20amp circuit breaker had gone bad.  Checking on line found a Honda dealer not too far from the base so after lunch we drove out to see if we could get a replacement.  They did not have one, but would order it and we could expect it in 2 to 3 days.  Nick Jones offered to lend us one of his generators so we will not be without night or morning power.  No, a replacement from Home Depot would not work – special made part for Honda so it will fit in a small area.

Tuesday we were up early as Judy and Jane Coget (from Arkansas) were headed to Manhattan Beauty School for cuts and perms.  Don Coget and I did some shopping and waiting.  Jon made contact with the office and offered to re-start the computer users group.  The man who had been running the program had to leave suddenly.  Thursday mornings will keep him busy, if the group can re-start.

A drive to Siesta Key and a visit with Tom and Deanne Kietrys (Mark’s in-laws) was the plan for Wednesday.  It was a nice 90 minute drive down I275 across the Sunshine Bridge.  While Judy and Deanne walked the beach Jon and Tom took a couple of Kayaks out for a spin in the gulf.  The sea was calm and at one point cruised through an area of jumping fish.  After a good lunch at an outdoor cafe and a stop by the Siesta Key beach it was back to Tampa and another night in the field. 

On Thursday five showed up for the computer group and hopefully with some more publicity more will show next week.  Jon arranged for the use of a classroom in the education wing at the library building where WiFi is available.

Friday morning a call came from Honda of Tampa Bay that the part was in so after lunch we headed out to pickup the part, go by a bank, get the truck tank filled and stop by the commissary.  On the way back from the bank Judy spotted a “Happy Feet Plus” shoe store she had heard good things about.  It is a local chain with eight stores in the Tampa area.  After trying on a number of sandals she decided on a pair of Birkenstock's that felt and looked good and gives her the support she needs. 

While stopped for diesel just outside the base, the FamCamp called and offered us a partial hook-up site – and we accepted.  We managed to get everything done and moved into the spot by the canal just before 6.  As a reward for such a smooth move we went to SeaScapes for the dinner special.

Saturday we decided to ride our bikes to the BX and Commissary with a stop by the filling station/garage.  We needed a bulb for one of our outside lights and wanted to check to see if they could change the oil on the Ram.  The first mile and a half the wind was right in our faces and strong.  After checking out the BX (Judy bought a new top and Jon a new hat) we had a nice lunch at Subway.  The food court was pretty crowded as it was drill weekend for reservists and lots of families. 

As the station did not have the required bulb, after church we drove out to an Action Auto Parts store.  By the time we got back to the camper it was time to shower and settle in for Downton Abbey.

On Sunday Tom and Deanne stopped for a visit and a base tour.  After the tour we drove off base to Ballast Point to “Taste of Boston” for lunch.  The park was jammed and parking was at a premium.  Luckily Jon found a spot nearby as a couple was leaving.  After a good lunch on the pier and a game of domino's at SeaScapes, Kietrys' departed and we went back to our perch by the canal.

This location on the canal is nice but it is awfully dusty.  Last year they had ‘moved’ the road about 25 feet west and planted grass to make these sites better.  Well, over the early winter they dredged Lake Lewis and the trucks carrying the sand came straight up the canal road into the campground and tore up the expanded sites.

Tuesday after quilting, Ning Solon stopped by with Abigail.  We met them last year when we were here and Abigail was just a baby. Ning’s husband is retired from the US Army and currently a contract employee with Central Command.  Abigail knows us as grandma and grandpa.

Wednesday the Jones’ stopped by as they were getting ready to move from a partial site to a FHU one.  They were on site 303, right next to where we had started our time here at MacDill so we decided to see if we could switch sites.  Site 303 in nearer the tent area where Scot and Stephanie will be and near the field where Jon and Jenny will have the rented pop up.  To our surprise, Debbie (Campground Manager) was very agreeable so we did another rapid move.  We are getting very good and breaking and setting up camp!

After the move and before dinner Jon had time to take Lilly for her after dinner/evening walk.  He goes down an old path/road through the woods to Lake Lewis and then back up the canal road.  It is a nice walk, except for the mosquitoes in the first hundred yards or so of the woods.  Armadillo are plentiful here and Lilly enjoys chasing after them.  You can see all over the area where they have been rooting the ground.  This little one was on the canal side of the road as we approached. 

He had his head deep in the hole and did not hear or see us.  When he did sense our presence, he scampered across the sand road and into the woods. 

Saturday, after some waiting we finally took possession of the A-Liner “popup” trailer that Jon and Jenny will be using.  We had staked out a nice spot not far from us earlier in the day and between the two of us got it erected.  This will be Jon and Jenny’s ‘home’ while here and Scot plans on putting up a tent.  It started to rain and the cold front blew in as we were erecting it.  Tonight they all will stay in it as it will be too late to put up Scot’s tent in the dark.  And we are to have the coldest nights of the winter here in Tampa!  The generator is hooked up and a small electric heater came with the A-Liner so it may not be too bad.

The group arrived about 9:30 and after some unloading enjoyed sloppy joes and dump cake before heading off to bed.  They had departed Suffield at 4:40 Saturday morning and were pretty beat after the long drive and ride.

This is the A-Liner setup in the dry camp area.

Sunday dawned chilly but sunny so after Judy fixed a big breakfast we headed off to Tarpon Springs and the Sponge Capital of the world.  Before we left the base we made a quick trip through the BX and Clothing Sales where Scot picked up a hat just like Jon’s.  We ate a late lunch at Plaka’s and did some shopping.  

Here we are ready to leave Tarpon Springs. It was cold for Florida.

When we got back to base, Scot and Stephanie selected an area and put up their tent.  Scot had a difficult time stretching out in the A-Liner but should be fine in the tent. 

After another chilly night, Monday dawned clear and bright.  The kids saw dolphins in the bay and Stephanie says she saw a whale too, but no confirmation.  As it was President’s Day the base was essentially closed we headed off to Apollo Beach and the Manatee viewing area by TEMCO – the local power company.  When we arrived at 10:45 the parking lot was full.  There must have been sixty manatees in the bay area by the plant.  We saw shadows of several with calves.  It is not easy getting a picture of one out of the water.

  At least the kids got close to one manatee!

All bundled up but Scot – he would not admit to the chill.

Jenny taking a picture of Scot taking a picture

On the way to the viewing area we came across a big fire in the recycle facility on the way to Apollo Beach.  There were two big aerial trucks pumping water down on to the area plus several pumpers and long lines of hose stretched out - a highlight for Scot!  By the time we came back it was mostly out and a number of the fire units have left. 

After our visit with the manatee, we stopped by “Crab Shack” for a late lunch.  By the time we got back to the campground we were all pretty tired.  Scot and Stephanie were delighted to see an armadillo in the area behind the camper.  These creatures have very poor eye sight so it is easy to get close to them. 

Sot went for a long walk and happened upon one.  He got close enough to touch its back and videoed his actions.  He was as startled as the armadillo when the armadillo bucked back at him.

About 4 the girls left for Leesburg and Jenny’s niece’s wedding shower.  They will return on Tuesday evening.  That left the rest of us to rest on Tuesday.  Jon, Jon and Scot made a trip to the BX and Commissary for a few items.  After Lunch Scot took a long bike ride and stopped to visit both of the fire stations on base.  The troops there took him in and showed him their gear and equipment.  He even was able to get his picture taken in one of the big trucks.

And even took a few pictures of their crash and crash rescue units.

This is the “Crash” fire station bordering the runway.  Doors on one side open directly to the runway/ramp and the other to the base proper.

He also captured a couple of jet just sitting at the old alert ramp.

Wednesday we had reserved a pontoon boat for a tip to Beer Can/Shell Island and a tour of the bay.  We boarded the boat with our ‘captain’ – Brenda Jones.

Here Brenda is at the helm piloting the boat on the way out the channel to the bay.

Scot and Stephanie looking for dolphins and enjoying the sun and ride.

We walked the beach for about an hour and the kids found a number of nice shells and lots of complete sand dollars.  There were two other boats pulled up to the beach.

Jon, Judy and Jenny in cruise mode.

Brenda let everyone who wanted pilot the boat. Here Scot has taken over under the watchful eye of Jon and Brenda.  Hey Scot, what’s that little button on the side of the throttle for??

As we cruised along Bay Shore, Judy and Brenda tried to pick out some landmarks.  There are markers all along the shore to keep boats out a half mile from the base.  The base security (formally Security Police now Force Defense) has several powerful patrol boats on the water at all times.

When we got back to the RV we had had a call from the FamCamp offering us a ‘confirmed’ site for the rest of our stay here.  Unfortunately, the lady in charge had left for the day by the time we got back. We were all pretty tired after a day on the water and it seems like everyone was in bed early.  Thursday after breakfast, Jon and family worked on breaking down the A-Liner and Scot’s tent and Jon headed off to the Computer User session.  About 10:30 we hauled the A-Liner back to the office and signed up for our new site – 122.  Everyone pitched in and helped with the relocation and by noon we were set up on our new site and we all headed to SeaScapes for lunch.

After Lunch the kids headed off for the weddings and we finished our setup at the new location.  The afternoon sun is really hot coming in and Don Coget stopped by and is loaning us a sunshade for the western end of the awning.  Jon put it up temporarily and it really does cut down on the sun.

This is the view from our dining room window.  Yes that is Tampa Bay you can see through the RV’s.

So much for this blog chapter

Florida 2013 - Still in NC

Still at Davidson for another 36 hours.  The time with the boys has been going along with out a hitch.  The weather turned warmer and nicer so Friday after school they played out until nearly 6.  By the time we got dinner over and they watched some movie and had popcorn they were in bed later than a school night.  They have been out since 10:30 (it is now 3 on Saturday afternoon) this morning playing hard.  Judy packed them a lunch and they went to the "green" (a park) with the boy next door and played.

The cat seems content back at the RV.  This is a shot of the campground we are now using.  It is 2/3 the cost of the raceway and less than half for the entire week.

This is a close-up of the area where are in.  The RV next to the third road to the left is just where we are parked for now.

Moving on Down

Monday morning the 7^th we began the move south again.  Had planned on beating the Charlotte rush-hour traffic, but it did not work out that way.  We both were sleeping so good that by the time we took care of all the issues and got on the road it was nearly 8AM.  It was a bit fun going down I85 through the construction zones and then on to I77 through the heart of Charlotte.  Once we made the South Carolina border things smoothed out and it was not too bad of a drive.  Because of the late start we decided to try to get into Kings Bay Sub Base for the night rather than our usual push on to Valdosta, GA.  We soon found that the GPS coordinates for the park are good, but Esther (our GPS voice/director) lead us to a long ago closed gate on a dead in street with barely room to turn the RV around.  A gentleman was leaving a local business, saw our distress and gave us good directions to the gate.  When we arrived, the place was full.  They put us in ‘overflow’ but we had water and electric and even limited cable – but no ESPN so missed the lopsided BSC game. 

We had heard of a local restaurant called Aunt B’s so thought we would try it and skip the ice cream social in the park.  After driving around and around and getting directions we found it – closed!  Judy had spotted a place on our trip to the wrong gate so we tried to find it again – and did.  St Mary’s Seafood restaurant is a place to go if you ever get in the area.  It is local (lots of locals and families) and the food was great and lots of it.

On the way back into the base, the guard asked to see both or our ID cards.  He kept Judy’s as it had expired in April of 2012.  So that’s another task to add to our list of must does at MacDill – get her a new ID.

MacDill

The Tuesday trip to MacDill was without incident.  We arrived expecting to go into dry camp/overflow but were put in a partial hook-up site for 14 days (we have water and electric but Jon has to ‘dump’ our grey and black water).  We are number 27 on the list for a full hook up ‘permanent’ site so maybe we won’t have to stay in this spot too long.  For now we will spend our time on site 302.  An interesting thing occurred when we checked in.  When I told the clerk the last name – “Sample” – he put it in the computer and asked “From Wasilla, Alaska?”  It turns out that there is a John Sample who has been at MacDill from Alaska.

Unlike last year, only a couple of units are in dry camp.  Not sure why but it is okay with us.  We’ve meet several folks from previous years and Judy has started ‘exercise’ three days a week and on Tuesday’s it is quilting and Thursday’s crafts. Jon is busy making more modifications to the RV and fixing things to our liking. 

Sunday we had visitors from Ohio.  Jim and Karen McGir from our camping group were staying at a state park not far from us.  They came on base and we did the tour and had a good late lunch/early dinner of grilled chicken and broasted potatoes.

We had Lilly to the Vet for her annual check and shots and now we have to take Lydia too.  It seems that even cats must have the rabies shot on bases.  Because of her size and age, the Vet wants to see her.  The Tech said that quite possibly because of her age, size and fact that she is a purely indoor cat we would get a waiver.

How quickly our days begin to fill.  Friday nights will be the camp pot-luck dinners and we signed up for the dinner trip on Tuesday the 15^th to Miller’s Ale House.  Tuesdays will be quilting for Judy and Thursday Computer’s for Jon. We signed up for the “Walk Your Buns Off” program through the Base Fitness Center.  We begin our step counting on Monday the 14^th with new pedometers.

This is what Google Earth shows for the FamCamp at MacDill.

Wednesday night the 16^th we went to an outdoor performance by the “Tops In Blue” – a talented group of performers from all over the Air Force.  They put on a good 90 minute show.  Only drawback was the over two hours on metal folding chairs.

Our above normal temperatures broke early on Thursday.  Wednesday it was in the low 80’s but by 2 Thursday afternoon it was 59!  Supposed to have a couple of below normal days and then by early next week back to more normal temperatures – highs in the low to mid 70’s and down to the 50’s at night.

Friday we headed to the Florida RV show with Brenda and Nick Jones from Tennessee.  We had gotten to know them last year and re-acquainted this year.  The Recreation Office was giving out free “VIP” tickets (good for two) so we took advantage.  We saw maybe only a third of the RV’s on display.  Prevost had an entire building of their products.  One unit you could only look at through the windows – price tag 1.8 million!!  Lots of ‘toy haulers’ some had triple axles and an unloaded weight of nearly 15000 pounds.

The Jones’ were particularly interested in some of the ‘single wide’ units for set-up in a mobile home park.  They are really nice.

We definitely got in our steps for the day.  Camping World had a taken over an entire display barn (site of the show is the state fair grounds) and we did make one purchase, a “Jack” antenna head.  The reviews indicate it is much better than the ‘bat-wing’ antenna currently on the RV.

Saturday afternoon after doing a little shopping we got the call to move to a full hook-up site.  It did not take us long to get moved.  We are good here for 14 more days and at last check we were 15^th on the list for a ‘permanent’ site.  Hopefully we will get it before we have to move to dry camp.  But we can’t be to sure as the dry camp area is beginning to fill up.

This is our site for two weeks – site 37.  The location seems familiar and we think we were on this site once before.

Sunday we had a call from the Hlavic’s from home.  Mary is the church organist and Ken leads bike rides on the towpath.  They were in Florida doing ‘rides’ with a bicycle club.  They were on their way from Orlando to Venice so they stopped by for a visit.  After a tour of the base we had a nice lunch and they moved on.

Tuesday night’s dinner trip was to Campanalla’s in Pinellas.  It is good to meet new folks and experience some local restaurants.  Both of us brought home about half our meal so no cooking for dinner on Wednesday.

Each Thursday one of the fellows in the FamCamp runs a “G” rated movie for everyone at the ‘closed’ base theater. Folks take snacks and food and enjoy the movie.  This week we saw “Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Dog Days.”

Friday Judy was off to a day of quilting.  A small bus and a van took 22 ladies to a quilt show and stops at two quilt shops near St Petersburg. She got back just in time to make the Friday night “States Night” potluck.  Unfortunately, Michigan again had the most in attendance, but Ohio was second with 12.

Sunday we headed to the Tarpon Springs area with Nick and Brenda Jones.  We loaded all the bikes in/on the Ram and left a little after 9:30 for the 40 plus minute drive to Wall Springs Park.  The park is a beautiful place and just a little under five miles from Tarpon Springs.  We had a nice ride on the Pinellas Trail (a 35 plus mile rails to trails bike path) into downtown Tarpon Springs.  We walked the old town called the sponge capital of the world.  It is a Greek community with plenty of good places to eat.  About 1:30 we stopped in Plaka’s for lunch.  On the ride back to the park, we went several miles south of the trail head where we had parked.  All in all we did 15 miles on the bike and lots of walking.  Lilly was certainly happy to see us when we got back at 4:30.

Monday we had guests from Ohio.  Two teachers Judy knew who winter in St Pete.  They drove over and we gave them the base tour and enjoyed lunch at SeaScapes.

The rest of the week was pretty much as usual.  Wednesday we did decide to head to the Mustang Flea Market near St Pete.  Another camper had mentioned that on Wednesday parking was free and there were many fruit and vegetable vendors.  We walked around and bought a few things. 

Judy bought a red hat and some socks and a scarf and Jon bought some bungee cords.  On the way home it was so late we decided to just stop by a Taco Bell for a quick snack.  Bad plan as it was lunch time for a nearby high school and the place was full of kids and it took 20 minutes to get our $4 lunch.

Tomorrow (Friday the 1^st of Feb) will be our last day in a FHU (Full Hook Up) site with all the amenities.  Hopefully we won’t be there too long before we can get to a “partial” site where we will have water and electric.  We’ve been stuck at number 12 on the ‘confirmed/permanent site’ list for over a week

Saturday dawned beautiful but cold – 41 – and the groundhog says it will be an early spring.  After it warms up a bit we will head off to the dry camp area.

Home for Summer/Goodbye Greystone/South again

We made it home with the rental and shortly after Scot's wedding Jon flew down to pickup the Ram and the RV.  The trip down and back was without incident and we soon fell into our normal summer routine - yard and flowers and garden.

We did mange to get the 5th wheel out several times after we had the front axle replaced. Jon did some forum readings and found that the fading front cap on the RV was a known problem by Heartland.  He negotiated a settlement, but found further problems including a rotting bedroom slide and broken bed.

In October we bid farewell to the Greystone and picked up our 'new' Forest River Wildcat.  This one is nearly five feet shorter and 2500 pounds lighter. It is laid out like our last Cougar, except it does have a bedroom slide.  After making some alterations and 'improvements' (including removing the sleeper sofa and replacing it with a rocker/recliner) we are set to move south for the winter.  The Christmas tree and decorations are down and most of the items we will need for the winter are loaded. We plan to head to Charlotte, NC on Monday the 31st.  We will spend about a week there watching over two grandsons before making it to Tampa and MacDill AFB.

But mother nature is not going to let us out easy.  We've had plenty of snow in the past week.  That snow blower bought in October 2011 has gotten a little use in December 2012.

Sunday Morning and had to clear some more snow.  Matt stopped to say goodbye.

Have a few more things to load and later today will hook it all up so we can be moving early.

March 14 - 24

 

Before we started home from the shop on Tuesday we had gathered what we would need to begin working on the trails – blue paint, yellow paint and reflective tape – so Wednesday we headed out Military Trail to the first marker and began the next task.  We were able to complete nearly all of the Prairie Loop Trail before running out of blue spray paint to mark the posts.  We also ran out of the flat black that we needed to cover blue blazes on trees.  Someone had marked the trail in spots with blue blazes on trees, some of which were right next to a post with a blue end.  Charlie was going to town later and said he would pick up more paint.  That ended our trail work for a while.

On the way back to the campground we spotted this gofer tortoise along the edge of the road.  They borrow long tunnels deep into the sand for a nest.

 

On Thursday we found out that Charlie had not gotten us the paint we needed to continue so we decided to take the day and head to Sebring.  There is a quilt shop along the way and we needed to pick up a few grocery items.  Nothing at the quilt shop said – “Buy me”- so we left empty handed and drove through Sebring looking for a spot to stop for lunch.  After lunch things went down hill in a hurry.  As we left the restaurant we had to make a “U” turn to head back north on US27.  The turn was nearly completed (US27 in a 6 lane divided highway with a wide median) when we either side-swiped or were side-swiped by a VW Passat.  Fortunately no one was really hurt and no citations were issued that we know of.  Judy’s seat belt caught her across the chest and her upper back was sore.  The EMS checked her out and we both refused treatment.  This is the truck loaded on the flatbed for transport.  The driver actually drove it up and onto the truck.  We rode with the driver to Alan Jay GMC/Chevrolet that happened to be a State Farm Select Service shop.  We managed to get the info called in and arranged for a rental.  

This is the Ram on the bed of the tow truck headed for the shop.

By this time Judy was beginning to feel it some so we stopped by a drug store and picked up a few things, including some Naproxan.  She took two on the way back to the RV and when we got back stretched out on the bed.  One of the other volunteers who is a retired RN came over and also did some checking and brought over several large ice packs and told Judy to use the ice – 15 to 20 minutes on each hour.

Needless to say we did not sleep well but Friday was a new day.  Initially Jon was going to finish the Prairie Loop trail (repainting markers and painting over trees that had been marked), but all good plans……  The park has an 1800 acre prescribed burn set for today.  On his way to the fire zone, Charlie drove into the campground and asked Ron (another volunteer) and Jon to get the “Duce and a Half” (old military truck they have a large water tank loaded on) to get it to the burn zone.  As Jon knew the way, he drove the ranger 4x4 and Ron followed in the truck.  It was about two and a half miles out so by the time we got and back it was lunch time.  We had just finished eating when Ron came by and said that Charlie wanted Mike and Jon to take the repeater radio out to the zone and set it up and on the way back, pickup a Polaris 6x6 that had lost a wheel. 

After gathering everything we stopped by the RV and Judy decided to tag a long, even though she was still feeling it some.  We made it out to the burn area and set up the radio antenna and station. 

 

Judy was a bit tired from it all but said the bumpy ride was OK. She is probably discussing knitting with Carol.

Saturday was a day of rest and laundry.  In the afternoon we went to town early to take care of a few things and then met the other volunteers at Golden Corral for St Patrick’s Day.  And yes they did have corned beef and cabbage!

After taking it easy on Sunday, we headed out to finish the trail and take care of remarking some intersection markers and repainting the posts.  Charlie also wants us to put reflective tape on the post so they can be seen in the night with a flashlight.  When we got back in we both looked like raccoons in reverse – white around our eyes our faces and gritty and dirty.

The thistles are growing here.  They are feeding plants for all sorts of insects and butterflies.  This one is about five feet high.

This is a bug down into a big thistle flower.

As we have completed the Prairie Loop Trail it is on to the intersection markets on the other hiking trails.  We had initially put them up several years ago so are pretty familiar with where they are and how they are marked.We finished all of the ones in the ‘cattle lease area’ except two.  Those two are in areas too wet to get to with the ranger.  On that trip we saw some neat things.  We were bouncing along, Judy driving, when we came upon a 4 foot diamond back warming in the sugar sand trail.  He saw us and flicked his tongue but scurried off the trail.

We also spotted several of these. 

They are beetles stock on a barb of wire by a loggerhead shrike.  These birds enjoy hanging their prey on the wires…sort of a trophy.

We also spotted a young gofer turtle trying to cross the disked sand road. 

We were unable to make it to two of the markers.  The one was in a very wet area and we did not want to get the ranger stuck.  The other was at the north edge of the park (about 2 miles out) and we would have had to drive on a freshly disked path that was far from smooth.

This is a view across the prairie from “Peevine” the road the follows an old railroad bed through the park.  As far as you can see is nothing but the prairie.

Wednesday we had to drive to Sebring to clean out the truck and swap the rental.  The passenger’s side airbag was not working - well at least the light was on saying it was not.  We managed to get everything in the rental and did get a photo of the truck. Sorry it is not to sharp.  They have stripped the interior and were ready to remove the hitch and bed.

As the 4x4 Ranger was running a bit rough, Thursday it got a minor tune-up.  Cleaned and adjusted the plug, cleaned the air cleaners and blew out the junk from the radiator.  On the trip from the shop back to the campground it was running so nice. We will head west in the prairie to work on intersection markers in that area on Friday morning.

It was another beautiful morning as we headed west on Military to reach the first marker, almost4 miles from the camp ground.  We had not trouble finding the next four markers.  During our ride out we spotted a wild hog and several deer.  About noon as we headed south on Duck Slough Prairie Trail we stopped for lunch in the shade of the only live oak we could find.  We had to drive on a freshly disked ‘road’ and that made traveling slow and bumpy.  When the sand got too soft we moved over to the cut down palmetto/grass beside the road.  We found the marker and the south boundary and decided to head west along the boundary road to the final marker – at the extreme southwest corner of the preserve.  We had traveled about a mile when the ranger gave out a ‘clunk’ and stopped forward progress.  It would go a foot in reverse but not forward.  After some checking we determined that the drive belt had either slipped or broke.  We tried calling on the radio but could not raise anyone, nor could we hear any other radio calls.  We thought we were just a little out of range so our only option was to start walking and get into range.  We thought that even if we raised someone on the radio it would take an hour or so to get to us.  And so we started to walk - walking we did.  We had about a half cup of water left in Judy’s bottle and about the same in Jon’s coffee cup.  We also had a bag for dried cranberries.  As we walked back east to the trail north we kept calling but heard nothing.  It was 12:45 when we left the ranger and began walking. 

We came upon a small flock of wood storks hanging out in the trees along the boundary.  There is a wetland just south of the fence that they are apparently using as a temporary home.

 It took nearly and hour to reach the north trail marker so we could head north from the south boundary.  We had to walk in that freshly disked road or if it was too soft in the mowed palmettos stepping over ‘gator backs’ or areas the hogs had rooted.  Going was slow.  We did stop several times to rest, when we could find the shade of a lonely palm or high growth of palmetto, but the sun was nearly overhead so little shade was to be found.  By the map we had another 3 plus miles to hike before we even reached Military Trail….all of it in a freshly disked road.  As we walked we kept trying the radio but could not get a response, nor hear any other transmissions.  We were really dragging and our rest stops became for frequent.  About 3:20 we heard a faint radio transmission and tried to reach someone, with no luck, but that did give us a slim glimmer of hope. As we continued to hike and press on we kept trying the radio.  It was 3:30 when we finally heard complete transmissions.  We tried to reach the office but got no response.  We heard the office talking to Paul the biologist so we tried going direct to him.  He was on the main road out of the park nearly to the shop area in his truck.  He heard our call and turned around and headed our way.  At this point we felt some revived, but Judy was done in.

Jon took his rest by leaning against the trunk of a palm that was giving shade to the work out hikers.

At nearly four we saw Paul’s truck slowly making its way down the soft sand road.  He brought cold water and we were so thankful for the ride.  On the way back we discussed, among other things, the need to roll and compact these roads once they are disked.  They use the roads not only for hiking, biking and horse trails, but as fire breaks when burning. 

Paul, the biologist had an interesting theory on our loss of radio reception/transmission capability.  When we started our long walk, we could hear planes making practice bomb runs on the Avon Park range that is just across the Kissimmee River from the park.  In fact the river is the boarder between the park and the range.  At any rate, the entire three hours we were walking, we could hear but no see the planes.  Just before we heard the first radio transmission, we heard what turned out to be the last plane making a run.  All the while we waited for Paul, no planes.  Curious thought is that when the planes are practicing, they have activated their anti-jamming radios and that blanks out the park radios.  Maybe???

When we arrived at the RV we had some more to drink then drove to the shower house.  Our bodies were so grimy from the sand and dried from the sun and our clothes so full of dirt we did not want to stay in then longer than necessary.  We both felt so food after long hot showers.

About 7:30 Frank, the on duty ranger, pulled up in front of the RV.  He had the 4x4 on a trailer ready to take to the shop for repairs.  He felt too that the belt had broken and said he would have it ready for us by Monday. He said it took him and hour and a half to go from Military Trail (a decent road) south to the boundary and then west to the 4x4. He could not believe how far out we were and how bad disked roads are to drive on and agreed that the roads need to be rolled and compacted as soon as they are disked.

Needless to say, it was an early night to bed.

Saturday we took it easy until we had to go to town.  We manned the park information booth at the BassPro bass fishing tournament on Lake Okeechobee.  Met some interesting people and saw some awesome fishing boats.  These guys are professionals, with sponsor labeled boast and tow vehicles.  ESPN was there and apparently the contest will be on TV in the future.

Later this coming week we will do a follow up on the truck.  We may have to return this rental too as one of the ‘warning’ lights just came on.