Last Beach Day – Heading Back Home

Saturday – 4, 2023 (Cil’s Birthday)

We were planning on heading to Panama City to check the area out but time wouldn’t now allow so, it’s gonna be Dune Allen Beach again.  We’ve come to like this beach; it’s not a huge beach, it’s never crowded, has bathroom facilities and the sand is beautiful.  They have free parking for 30 cars or so, otherwise, you have to find a spot along the street.  One time we had to park in the street but every other time we were fortunate to have found a spot in the lot, I think because we usually arrive late afternoon.  The state has a flagging system to inform beach-goers of current conditions.  All week the Red Flag has been up indicating strong rip currents.  We’re not worried about that because the water is too cold for us anyway but today, two Flags have been run up the pole; the Red one and a second Red flag showing a swimmer with a line across the flag indicating the “Water is Closed to the Public.”  There is signage explaining the Flag system and the new flag is alerting folk, No Swimming.  An additional ad-hoc sign stuck in the sand by the entrance to the beach explains that there is absolutely no swimming and, if you’re caught swimming, you my incur a $500 fine; they’re serious!

For the evening, we made plans with Darlene and Rick for a game of Rummy 500 in the pavilion.  Darlene doesn’t know how to play and Rick remembers playing but it was a long time ago.  We play an open hand and they both quick to pick it up.  We played for maybe an hour an one half and we had a really fun time.  Lots of conversation and laughs.  Darlene has a little side-hustle on Facebook called The Little Extras.  She creates personalized decorative items and she felt our RV Pantry needed something a little extra.

Sunday –  March 5, 2023 (Denise’s Birthday) 

Today is the day we will get prepared to get back on the road for our journey north.  Monday we will head to Eastpoint, FL, just minutes from Apalachicola, where we spend some time with my Irish twin Trice and Jim.  From there we will backtrack through Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania then on to Massachusetts.  It will be nice to get home but we’re really going to miss our time on the road, especially Freeport, FL; we really enjoyed our time there.

Preparing for the trip means packing up stuff in the trailer that needs to be secured, some house cleaning, and laundry.  On the outside, check tire pressures and lug nuts for both the truck and trailer, fluids, clean/wash the truck, lubricate the hitch, secure the bicycles on the bike rack.  During the tire check I see the left rear tire is low again so I add air but will keep an eye on it, it was lower than usual.  At this point, everything looks good for a 10 o’clock departure tomorrow morning.

Monday – March 6, 2023

We’re up a little earlier today and after some quiet time and a cup of coffee, I head outside to check the left rear tire.  Ut oh, it down to 25 psi and should be 105 psi; no way we have travel with this.  I bring the bad news to Mag and let her know, we have to put the spare on and get the leak repaired.  I gather my tools and attempt to loosen the lug nuts but, boy their tight.  Wouldn’t you know it, I get 7 of 8 loosened but can’t get the last one.  I remembered seeing a truck with camper in the campground that advertised RV Mobile Repair, I’m gonna see if I can track them down.  Mag accompanies me and we walk the campground trying to remember where we saw the RV Mobile Repairman (person).  During our search, we ran into Dave, husband of Beth, who we met during a campfire earlier in the week with Keisha and Mike.  We explain our dilemma and Dave seems to know where we’ll find the repair person but says, maybe I can help.  I remember during the campfire Dave telling me he worked for a machinery manufacturer and traveled the continent servicing their equipment.  We walk back to the trailer, Dave scopes it out, and heads back to his place to grab some tools.  See, the socket I have doesn’t quite seat fully on the lug nut because the distance between the wheel and lug is very tight; my socket it just too fat.  I can get it on partially but when I apply full force, their very tight, it slips off.  Dave returns with few tools and he makes an attempt but his doesn’t quite make either.  He heads back to his trailer, for more tools.

When Dave returns, he is accompanied by Jason, whom we don’t know.  Jason introduces himself and we learn he is originally from Montana.  He runs back for some tools, as well, and returns with his Jeep.  The back of his jeep is loaded with tools and even a air compressor.  He explains that when he goes riding out in the mountains of Montana or in the sands of the beach, you have to lower the tire pressure and, if something breaks, you have to be prepared because you may be miles from civilization.  His socket fits perfectly and Dave, he’s a big guy, breaks the lug loose, hooray!  Dave and I work on swapping the spare tire while Jason is checking the tire for any punctures or leaks.

The spare is mounted on the trailer and Jason cannot find a leak in the tire so he suspects it’s the valve.  He swaps out the valve, he even has those in his tool box, fills the tire, all looks good.  I’m not sure I trust the tire just yet so I suggest we leave the spare on and mount the original where the spare goes.  I will monitor it over the next several days and, if it holds air, I will swap them.  We were so grateful for their assistance, we even offered a meager payment but both refused saying, “That’s what us campers do, we help each other out.”

Mag and I finished up with the breakdown and hitching and got on the road a little after 1 o’clock central time, about 3 hours behind schedule.  Mag alerted the office and they were very understanding.  With the time change we won’t arrive at the campground in Eastpoint until a little after five.  We drove along Route 20 to Hosford then down Route 65 to Eastpoint.  It was an easy drive, Route 20 is a two lane road with maybe less than a half dozen light across 70 miles and one 5 mile stretch of construction that slowed us maybe 15 minutes.  The drive down Route 65 was quite pleasant mostly through the Apalachicola National Forest.  We arrived at the campground about 5:15 eastern time without any tire issues and, again, we’re very grateful to Dave and Jason.