On the Road

You'll understand why I included these scripture verses as we go along... keep reading to the end!

Romans 5:3-4... We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us... they help us to learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character.

James 1:2-4... Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurnace is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

When my sister-in-law, Barbara knew Irv and I were planning on selling all our worldly goods and making an RV our home she sent a book about RV'n to me. What a stitch! It was written by a man who wrote jokes for the Art Linkletter and some other comedy shows most of you won't remember but you know it was very humorous. That notwithstanding, Irv and I yet to have had as many troubles to endure as he and his wife did with their RV'n. I do intend to write a book also... everyone needs something to read for a good laugh!!!

Sunday, June 1st... Sharon, Arno and Lucas come to see us off with final hugs and kisses. It is so sad to leave them. I don't dare let the tears out... Carefull, they are right there about to overflow. We've stowed and secured everything inside the coach... put the slides in (sometimes it is a matter of prayer to get them in since as in Russian Roulette... they come in or they don't at the will of some polterguist). NOW we can attach the car to the trailer hitch and put the required by law brake machine on the brake in the car. Two of the most challenging tasks of taking leave. After much difficulty and sweat on Irv's part the tasks are completed. Wanda's job is now to walk along side the coach to make sure the tires are turning on the car. Why is this important? Well, once we tried to pull the car when the emergency brake on... didn't double check (it really wears the tires when they slide instead of turn) and another time when the car was in gear which resulted in replacing the engines on a one year old car... small $5,000 oversite! Hurray, the tires turn great... only one problem... the hitch is not on correctly so the car is not centered behind the coach. Oh dear... now we have to do the whole thing over again. You do know Practice makes perfect... right? Are you beginning to see why the scripture verses above come to mind. More difficulty, sweat and swear words. Hurrah, we're on the way. NOW the good stuff! We try to committ everything our eyes can see to memory... such beauty in the keys... truly a paradise. Finally, we are out of the Keys and in Florida City. Wanda says to Irv, "Can you see it? There it is! There it is! Cracker Barrel... the very one where we had our last meal before entering the keys April 5th. Ah, life is indeed good! After a thoroughly satisfying lunch we head north through Historical Homestead. As we travel on Route 997, there is one nursery after another. Beautiful Palm Tree nurseries... unbelievable. West onto Route 41 at the Indian Casino... no time to tour... gotta get onto Aligator Alley and see those gaters and on to Naples for the night... we saw only one gater and... no Panthers on the 5 miles "Panther Crossing" stretch of Route 41. Out campsite in Naples is a lovely tree covered site with cable TV.... Yeh!!! No getting the DirecTV dish out of the car and trying to find SSW through the trees. So it's a good shower, TV and Butter Pecan Ice Cream. Sleep Good!

Monday, June 2nd... Wanda wakes early detirmined to pull out by 8-8:30am becuase we have to have breakfast at Guess... Cracker Barrel up the road and then stop at Camping World. The closet Camping World to us in MD is 90 miles away so we appreciate being to pick up some things. Well... a basement bay door won't lock. Actually, it wouldn't lock yesterday either as I remember and Irv had to take a screw driver to it to finally get it to lock. This morning... no such luck... time to get out the duck tape. You know all you need in life is duck tape and WD40. If it moves use duck tape and if it won't move, use WD40. Let your mind wonder! Actually WD40 will remove adhesive from your fingers and/or anywhere else... just a tip! OK, we're off. Cracker Barrel and Camping World are behind us but down the road, we need to get diesel fuel. We get off I-75 and pull into a station, spot a green pump which anywhere but in Florida indicating diesel but in Florida the diesel pumps are orange. No matter, the turn to the green pump is too tight we realize to0 late as the coach made the turn but the car won't so we have to remove the car from the trailer hitch and the brake machine from the car brake so I can drive it. The bolts holding the hitch to the car must have swollen in the heat (just kidding, I know metal doesn't swell... does it?). After banging on a screw driver to get them out (more sweating )... we get gas for the RV. Wanda tells Irv, " there is no way at 3pm in the heat of this day are we going to attach this car to that RV and put that brake machine on for the third time today. I am driving the car". NOW, you would think I would get gas in the car since we are in a gas station and I have less than 1/4 tank but... Irv seems to think it's enough to get me to the next... you got it... Cracker Barrel for lunch. Trust me, these things keep me close to God and in prayer... please God, let me get to that gas station... Please God, don't let me run out of gas on I-75. Thank you God! Ah, a great salad and grilled cheese sandwich revives me and we head out to our campground in Busnell, Florida only 20 minutes up the road. This is a beautiful campground but unfortunately, no one is in the office to check us in. Fortunately, a couple of ladies came down the road who live here, made a phone call and we were parked. OK, hook up the cable TV... too bad, the basement door resting on the cable last night cut it... no TV! Wanda goes across the road to Wal-Mart and bought cable and the smoothies from Dunkin Donuts made all the stress go away and... the cable worked. Wanda took some pictures of the site. We are parked under a huge tree with hanging spanish moss. So Cool! and It is cool... no A/C on yet! Well, Irv has called it a night and gone to bed so I'll close for now... close the windows, turn on the A/C and have some Butter Pecan Ice Cream for sweet dreams!