This is the last volume of the review of our recent camping season. I promised Gary that I'd get this done ASAP, and I think I've done a pretty good job. I don't think I will have to worry about getting my TV privileges revoked anytime soon, and I am VERY happy about that. Here's where we went to on our last two rounds of camping. Round #10 (March 22nd thru March 29th, 2015) As I mentioned previously, our air conditioner was a "must have" accessory to take along with us as we headed to central Florida. The temperatures were climbing quickly, and we knew we would need it. Our first stop (of two) was Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka, FL. That's in the Orlando area. We spent four nights there. At most of the places we went to during our camping season, Gary went antique shopping a lot while I hung out at the campground. Wekiwa was no different. There are several antique stores in the Orlando area that Gary really likes, so he was gone every day. I had a nice shady campsite to enjoy, lots of squirrels to watch, and great TV reception, so I was fine with him being gone. Our next stop was Tomoka State Park in Ormond Beach. This was our second visit to Tomoka this season, both visits taking place while car shows were going on at the Daytona International Speedway. It rained heavily right after we arrived, and Tomoka turns into a mud pit when it rains. We are sick of the muddy conditions there, and we won't be going back. We spent four nights there. A total of 629 miles was traveled, and I was along for 222 of those miles. Gary and Dodge logged 407 miles without me. This was our last leisurely camping trip of the season. We had one more trip to go on, but it was a working trip for Gary. For me, camping is ALWAYS leisurely. For Round #11 (April 12th thru April 22nd, 2015), we headed back to where our camping season actually began back in October. The destination was St. Petersburg, FL. Just like our previous trip to St. Petersburg, the purpose of going there was for Gary to work on his rental house. We were supposed to head over there at the beginning of April, but there were several delays. We arrived on April 12th, and camped on the driveway of our friends Bill and Sandy, just like we did in October. Gary had no idea how long it was going to take to complete the repairs on the house. As usual, it took longer than he thought. We were there for eleven nights, all of them spent with Bill and Sandy. We headed back to St. Augustine on April 23rd. Our lengthy (and fun for the most part) camping season was over. Gary had no time to antique shop in St. Petersburg, so there wasn't much additional mileage racked up by him and Dodge by themselves. A total of 527 miles was traveled. During 403 of them, I was along for the ride. Only 124 miles was traveled without me. So here are the grand totals after our eleven rounds of camping: We traveled a total of 11,018 miles in 3 states. I tagged along for 5676 of those miles, and Gary and Dodge traveled 5342 miles without me. We spent 4 nights with family in Georgia, and 17 nights with friends in Florida. A whopping 104 nights were spent at state parks, including 71 in Florida, 31 in Georgia, and 2 in Alabama. Gary knows exactly how much money he spent, but I won't get into that because I don't want to depress my best buddy. But he agrees with me that it was worth every penny. Looking over our camping reservations for next season, I can tell already that we are going to have a TON of fun. Going to all new places that we haven't been to before will be REALLY exciting. I can't wait to get started. But first things first, and we have a hot Florida summer to get through. I'm sure there will be some interesting things going on around here, and I will keep you in the loop when they do. Until next time, this is Toaster. Over and OUT!!!
At least once a year (and sometimes more), Gary spends a considerable amount of time cleaning and rearranging my home here in the Green Acres Garage. That has been his primary project since we got home from our trip to St.Petersburg a couple of weeks ago. He threw out a bunch of stuff this time, and that's very surprising because Gary doesn't throw out much of anything. He still has a long way to go to get the garage the way he wants it, but this was a step in the right direction. The main purpose in doing all this was to make enough room in the garage so Casper (the white cargo van) could live inside with me and the other vehicles. Unfortunately, somebody had to leave the garage to make room for Casper, and that somebody was my brother Scotty. He is now outside in the back yard with a tarp over him. He should be fine out there, but I really do miss him. I guess it does make more sense to keep the much more valuable Casper in the garage instead of a 44 year old trailer frame. It's just sad there isn't enough room for everybody. As far as who went where, here's the scoop. The old Dodge Dart and the A100 van remained where they were in the back of the garage. The space underneath the loft where Scotty used to be is now filled with clutter from other parts of the garage. Poppy is still where she was too, but got moved just a little bit closer to the roll-up garage door on the side of the garage. Dodge (who probably won't get used much this summer because his A/C doesn't work) is now alarmingly close to Poppy, and I got moved between Dodge and the workbench. There is a path on both sides of me big enough for Gary to walk through. Casper is closest to the front roll-up garage door so that he can go in and out easily. He will be Gary's primary transportation for the summer. Helen the Husqvarna got moved too. She was on the opposite side of the garage in a cramped little spot. Now she's in a wide open space near the rest of the lawn and garden equipment. Although tight, there's enough space to move her in and out of the garage without having to move Casper. Even though the garage is still a mess (obviously not MY fault!), it is definitely more organized and space efficient than it was. Gary should be happy with it, at least for awhile, and if he's happy, then I'm happy.
