To Savannah, GA - #71-11

March 21, 2007 (Wed) Englewood, FL to Plant City, FL (104/2776 miles) - Mark brought Q into Quail's Run from the bank parking lot at about 8:00 and we loaded him with all that we'd been offloading over the last 12 days. We were amazed at how much we'd managed to carry into the house even from the parking lot. We said a tearful good-bye to Bom and started North (sunny 69°). It was so good to be with her but the time was too short and our next visit seems so far away.

Our first port of call was Mobil Services of Florida in Sarasota where we stopped to have the circuit board in the refrigerator replaced. Hopefully that will put an end to our having to worry about keeping things cold when we're dry camped. Early indications are that the problem is fixed.

Gordy and Ruth were out when we got there. But we made ourselves at home anyway. We'd barely settled in with our books when Ruth showed up. This is another place where Q isn't allowed to mingle with more stable abodes so we off loaded suitcases (actually duffle bags) and moved him to the swimming pool parking lot.

March 22, 2007 (Thu) Plant City, FL - Our adventure for the day was a trip to Alderman Ford Park where there were several walking/hiking trails. We took the 1.8 mile one. There were exercise stations along the way which would have been good had we been in shape for them. As it was they turned out to be more embarrassing than helpful. On the way home we saw an eagle trying to cross the road with his kill - it looked like a rabbit. It was too heavy for him to lift and he risked his life crossing two lanes of a busy four lane highway struggling to get airborne. He was in the median when we passed.

Q036850 Pool parking lot (parked) (x2)

March 23, 2007 (Fri) Plant City, FL to Lakeland, FL (16/2792 miles) - Since we had such a short distance to go and we weren't expected un till afternoon, we didn't get off until after lunch (Sunny mid 80s). Thank you Ruth and Gordy for a wonderful two days. It's always so good to be with you.

16 miles doesn't provide much chance for adventure and there wasn't any. We pulled into Ed and Kathy's yard at about 1:30 and found they had just gotten home from a week of camping in Georgia. Bud and Gladys, friends of theirs, where already there in their Bounder. Later we all went out for an early dinner at the Red Lobster. The wait was longer than we expected, because we were a party of six, but the the food was good.

March 24, 2007 (Sat) Lakeland, FL - Today was spend taking care of chores. Our lunch was the leftovers from the last night's seafood platter, dinner was pot luck for six.

Q036886 Ed and Kathy's yard (x2)

March 25, 2007 (Sun) Lakeland, FL to Savannah, GA (304/3096 miles) - Last night was comfortable for sleeping at 60° and was about that and clear at 8:45 when we got on the road to head North. Thanks, Ed and Kathy, for your hospitality and advice. We hope all goes well with the snake and code problems.

We had hoped that we could get to Georgia where the gas is a lot less expensive before refueling but couldn't make it. We stopped in Starke, FL and took on 8 gallons, enough to make it to the state line. Back on the road again we traveled a while behind the national Vice President of the Family Motor Coach Association or so stated the plate on the back of their motor home. The dogwood was blooming and the Magnolia trees are budding. Beautiful! It's definitely spring in northern Florida!

Gas at the first exit in Georgia was $2.37/gal - 12¢ less than what we'd paid in Florida (which itself was below the state average). We pulled into the Savannah Wal-Mart at about 4:30. We plan to be home on Friday (unless we decide to put in a long day on Thursday).

Q037171 Camp Wal-Mart Savannah, GA