Shakedown Cruise

First Sunset in the Keys.
In the absence of WiFi for days now this will be an account of the journey from Shreveport, LA to Marathon, FL. A shake-down cruise, an adventure, some hilarious mistakes, some sublime traveling.
Shreveport was Friday night. Saturday night was spent in Hattiesburg, Mississippi (I just had to spell that out!). By Saturday I realized that my waste tanks were frozen. I could not use my water at all so I asked the campground if they had restrooms and showers so that I could go out in 17 degrees and go to the restroom. Better than rupturing a tank. I knew the tanks were not full so they would stand some expansion of the freezing liquid and I appear to be right. There seems to be no damage. I put my hair dryer under the valve of the black water tank to thaw it out and after a while it did thaw. When I pulled it open nothing happened so I knew the waste pipe was frozen. It was too cold to thaw the waste pipe so that is when I officially abandoned the water in the trailer.
Sunday was a nice day on the road. Few trucks and almost no traffic. I discovered that Cracker Barrel has RV parking spaces! I had breakfast there and will consider Cracker Barrel as I travel although the food is bland.
I traveled Sunday from Mississippi through Alabama to the Florida Panhandle. Mobile Alabama has a tunnel under something. I cannot go through tunnels because I carry hazardous material. No I am not a dangerous person but my propane tanks are considered hazardous in tunnels. All RVs carry them. I went on a detour around the tunnel that took me through downtown Mobile. I actually prefer to see the city but I was glad it was Sunday and no traffic. It is a beautiful city. One to visit sometime.
I realized that the day was warmer than I had experienced so I stopped early in Marianna, Fl to see if I could empty my waste tanks. Black water – sewage, Grey Water, from sinks. The valves were thawed and so were the tanks and I was in business again.
Monday I wanted to make time. I was taking it easy but the trip was too long. The roads were empty. I really pushed the car. Gas mileage was lower but I made it to Fort Pierce on the East Coast of Florida. A very nice campground with friendly people. I settled in the site, a pull through, (I can’t back the trailer into a space yet) I plugged everything in,, added water to my fresh water tank, found that my microwave and TV didn’t work. I tried all the fuses and circuit breakers that Bob showed me and was very troubled. Went to the office to ask for help. I thought it was a fuse that I cannot reach. The office had a person who could look at it but alas, he was playing a card game and couldn’t be disturbed. A fellow camper said, “ Let me look”. He did. Almost immediately he said, “ Are you plugged in?” Yes. He said”Maybe the circuit breakers have tripped”. No, I just didn’t’ check to see if the circuit breakers were on! Everything in the camper will operate on battery except the microwave and TV! Problem solved!!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
I went to the office to ask to have my propane tanks filled. As I opened the door someone said , “We’ re not open.” “We don’t open until eight”. Then someone looked at the clock and said it was eight. I explained that I wanted propane and I was told where to go to get it but don’t go until these guys go because they are the ones who fill the tanks. I waited 10 min., 15 min. The guys stood and talked, put on jackets, stood and talked for 15=20 minutes and I decided I could get propane elsewhere. I left and began to look for a restaurant that they advertised in their brochure. I took a wrong turn and was in a farmer’s field thinking I will have to back out of a dead end. It took a long time but I came out on a real road and found route 1. I didn’t; find the restaurant I had read about but a diner, small and looking like everything I would like. I noted the driveway on the first side and then the second and decided I could get in and even turn around. It made my day! Their breakfast was the best I’d had since I left home and I got the trailer out easily. I am learning to find places where the trailer will get in and out.
I’ll be home in the Keys tonight. Stouts Restaurant for breakfast tomorrow.