The drive from Brantley Lake to Santa Rosa is long and boring.
The view we saw most of the day. You can see bug marks as this was taken through the windshield.
But first the good news!
My first dump is an amazing success! This is no time for humility. I am very proud of this accomplishment. After breaking camp at Brantley, I pull over to the dump station on the way out of the campground. I can’t avoid this procedure any longer. Good. No one’s around to watch.
Okay. I can do this.
The yellow gloves are nowhere to be found. Hey, it’s a new sewer hose and if I’m careful, my hands won’t touch anything yucky. I mentally run through the steps that Barney (Old Fat Man) had gone over with me. I get my new Rhino-flex out of the bumper and extend it to its full length. I step on the little metal pedal that opens the hole in the ground and put the dump end of the hose in it. I attach the other end to the Casita, open the black water valve, wait . . . then open the gray water valve, wait . . . make sure everything has run out of the hose, rinse thoroughly with the garden hose, pack up, and we’re done!
Nothing dripped onto the ground and nothing on my hands! Taa-daaaa!!!
My next accomplishment is when I use my brain instead of listening to my GPS which tells me to turn left to go north as I drive west out of the campground. I avoid about an hour of correction there.
The gas gauge tells me I’d better get some gas soon.
Texas and New Mexico have already taught me not to let the tank get down to a quarter tank. In Georgia I used to drive around on E all the time. Gas stations are every 500 yards in my old neighborhood. Not so in the West!
Which brings me to another accomplishment of the day . . .
It looks like my only choice for the rest of eternity is a little Fina station on the other side of the highway across four lanes. It’s a busy place with several cars out front. This is going to take some tight maneuvering. I cross over and turn in wide after waiting for an SUV to get out of the way. I pass the pump as far as I can and still have the hose reach the PTVs gas aperture. This leaves the Casita sticking out at an angle across the entrance to the neighboring pump. I’m close to the parked vehicles at the front of the store, but there’s room to get by the rear of the Casita.
One thing I’m learning is I can’t be too worried about being in other people’s way.
The guy in the Kia is going to have to cut me some slack. As I stand at the pump, I pray the red pick-up doesn’t back up into the Casita. A lady comes over and asks me if I want to buy some tamales. “No, thank you, ma’am. Not today.” When all finished, I perform a beautiful exit involving a U-turn to go the right way on the highway.
I congratulate myself profusely to the crew.
By the time we reach Roswell, I remember we need groceries. Everything on this trip is on the other side of the road! On my side are abandoned buildings and useless places like welding shops. Again no problem. Well, I did leave my wallet in the PTV (I suspect Bridget pulled it out of my purse. She was messing around with it on the way.) I had to walk all the way back to get it so I could pay.
Somewhere along the way Bridget did a bad thing . . . again.
Notice the chewed edge? Bridget seems to be on a roll, doing a bad thing every day!
I notice Bridget is not whining. Oh, she must be sleeping.
I look down at the floor of the PTV. She’s chewing my hat!
I was planning on making this a perfect hat by lining the brim and the very top with a heavy material to block the sun’s rays (a design like Old Fat Man’s).
I’ve had this hat for two years and it feels good on my head. I like this hat.
Finally we arrive at Santa Rosa State Park!
- Our site does not have any shade. It does have water and electric. For that, I am thankful.
I am a bit disappointed with what I see, but that may be because it’s the end of a long drive, the good sites are reserved, and I’m beginning to feel the heat attack me again, in spite of drinking water all day. The crew and I collapse in the air conditioning.
I’ll tell the story tomorrow of getting settled into Santa Rosa State Park.
rvsue
What’s with Bridget? Is she anxious? Bored? Teething?
You give me courage, sue – manuevering, u-turning, and dumping. Seriously. Does it feel great to aquire these critical skills? I’m proud for you!
Hi, Kim,
Bridget has always been this way. I wasn’t kidding when I wrote that one of her hobbies is annoying me. She can be very cute and very exasperating.
I’m especially relieved (no pun intended) to know how to dump!
Congratulations!!! I am so proud of you. I am also glad to hear you are well enough to travel. Keep drinking the water and don’t forget to eat (I remember your childhood) We are following your travels on the map.
Thanks, Pauline! I can’t seem to get away from this awful heat. It’s really taking the excitement out of seeing new places because we can’t spend much time outdoors. I can see you guys checking the map! Hello to everybody!
I’m hoping to cut down on the travel for a while. I may have to wait for the cool weather to come to me, rather than me chasing after it.
Hope all is well in Rienzi . . .
Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dumping, gassing up, groceries – all in one day, WOW. Enjoy the weekend. You’ll probably have your pick of sites on Sunday if you want to change.
I know! I am really making progress!
There’s a rule here . . . only reserve for one day. I don’t think anyone showed up for the pull-through site across from me which is a lot nicer, so I may move there.
Next time you are at Walmart, go to the kiddies section and pick up some powdered Pediolyte. Yes, it is for kids, but it actually contains many more nutrients than the bottles of Powerade or Gatorade. You can get the little powdered packets that you mix with 8 oz of water, so they don’t take up much space in that cute little kitchen! 😉 The fruit punch flavor is not bad. They really are a “shot in the arm” when suffering the effects of dehydration. A friend’s husband and former Marine told me about this…His advice; “They should be a part of every survival kit!”
Hello, Suzanne!
Wow! That sounds like an excellent idea! Thanks for the tip on what flavor to buy, too. I definitely need a survival kit.
Hey Lady, You have proven once again how far ahead of the usual new RVer curve you are! Check out Storrie lake for cooler temps. I had to go back down to the higher temps today.
I read your post about having to move on. I’ll stay here for at least two nights. If I make a move it will be Sunday. Maybe I’ll see you at Storrie.
Thanks for boosting my confidence . . . And your lesson on dumping was a big help.
I just checked the weather and Storrie Lake State park would lower the temps 10 degrees (highs and lows) for you and it’s only 80 miles away but check availability before you move. Be sure to remember that next weekend is Labor Day. You probably want to get located somewhere you can stay over the weekend at least through Tuesday, September 6th.
It looks like temps at Santa Rosa Lake will begin to cool off some later next week so letting the cooler weather come to you may be a great choice.
Hi, Reine,
Storrie Lake sounds inviting. I really appreciate you telling me about forecasted temperatures. This connection is weak. I can get on rvsue and her canine crew most times. Other sites are iffy. It’s difficult to do any research.
I do need to make a decision soon and act on it re: where we will be next week through Labor Day.
Good job! Take care of yourself and don’t try to do to much in one day – you make your own schedule now so be easy on yourself. The hat now has some character 😉
Remember E-Z does it !
Very wise advice, Kayjulia. The only thing I have to do is walk the crew to get rid of their energy. Our walks are early morning, a short potty break under a tree at midday, and a walk at dusk. The rest of the time we’re inside.
I want to be more active but I know better.
Reine is right find someplace to stay for the weekend of the holiday NOW! so you will be comfortable and safe don’t wait till the last minute to get a site!!!!
I will. I promise! ASAP!
I just think you are doing a great job. I don’t know if you keep germ-x in your glove box but its a good idea and the gloves too. I also make sure I have a plastic bag handy to throw the gloves in and dump them in the trash as soon as I see one. Enjoy your travels and stay safe.
I like the tip about pediolyte have to get some.
Hello, JoJo!
I do have some wipes and germ-x. Yeah, I’m going to get some pediolyte, too. I’m glad Suzanne shared that idea.
It sounds like you are finding things easier than you thought they would be. Isn’t that nice? I’ve found everything is easier to do when no one’s watching or waiting the first couple of times. Then I can take my time. Especially dumping and backing in. 🙂 You’re doing great!
It’s so true. When people watch, especially people I don’t know, I’m always anticipating a remark or interruption and it ruins my focus.
I never thought the biggest challenge during my first weeks fulltiming would be the heat!
Even on the worst days…just remember a certain “cafe” where we both formally ate together daily around 11:30am. Anything would be better! Your old “team/crew” is very proud of you!
B.
Betty,
I’ve already thought to myself more than once, “Would I rather be back at work right now or doing this?” It makes doing things like dumping a waste tank a happy time!
Whenever I think of one of you team members, I look at my phone for the time, calculate for Eastern Standard Time, and picture what you are probably doing. Always nice to hear from you, Betty! Hope all is well with you and yours . . .
Betty is right. A BAD day camping beats a GOOD day working any time! No problem about the iffy internet. You have gobs of books to read on your Kindle and hopefully you can get some type of TV signal.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Psalm 23:2 “He makes me lie down in green pastures…” For the sheep, lying down is critical to their digestion, for us, our Lord loves us so much that He MAKES us lie down to recharge and refresh. Think of this time of heat as a time to RECHARGE your personal batteries so you will be ready for new adventures.
Reine,
I’m not having any trouble keeping myself occupied while waiting out this heat. I’ve got an interesting book going on my kindle. I haven’t even tried for television yet, but I doubt I have a signal. I’ve lost interest in tv. Getting this little house organized is one activity. I have to fine-tune exactly what should be in it and what should not. If anybody knows about that, you do!
I’m hand-washing my clothes and hanging them in the shower, as this campground is filling up and I think a clothesline would be frowned upon! So I’m keeping busy . . . when I’m not napping.
Reine, I agree with you and Psalms 23:2. Some times we have to just lay down and “reboot”.
Susan, the pediolyte sounds like a good idea…and that hat!? I agree, it now has lots of character. Wish I could find a button that says “My dog ate my hat”
Please stay safe
I love you
Pauline
Pauline,
Don’t worry about me. There are so many campers in this campground, as it’s the weekend, I’m hardly out in the wilds! Some young people pitched tents here today. I can’t imagine doing that.
I’d need a whole drawerful of buttons for Bridget: “My dog chewed her leash,” “My dog ate my lunch,” “My dog is guilty.”
Love you, too. Take care of yourself.
Hey Sue,
Your first dump went a lot better than mine. I put the slinky in the dump station hole and opened the valve. A big slug of sewage came shooting down and the hose popped right out of the hole. The stuff flew around everywhere; what a mess! It took me nearly an hour to hose it all back down the hole. Thank goodness there was nobody around except my family to witness that little debacle. After that I always put extra weight on top of the hose at the hole 🙂
Enjoyed your “on the road” stories. You’re amazing. Oh, and funny too!
P
I was lucky. This dump station had a concrete weight for putting up against the end of the hose to keep if from jumping out.
I hope your family doesn’t bring up your “dumpscapade” too often!
I’m happy you’re enjoying the blog.