Leaving Tampa

     It took a bit of shuffling to get out of Tampa onto the road, and into this latest roadtrip. Somehow, likely by not paying attention, I managed to get the Toyota stored away into my shop along with all of the tie-downs and the ramp used for loading the Moto-Guzzi onto the RV. That had to be corrected. Then, waiting and waiting, jangling his squeaky mouse, shaking his cat food bag of kibbles, and walking around the RV park in Thonotosassa, Windy finally came strolling through the high grass toward me at the RV. He blinked, stopped to stretch once, and seemed to catily inquire, "Were you looking for me?"
     So off we went, North on Hwy 301 toward Valdosta. We stopped in Ocala dutifully asking Winn-Dixie manager if he'd mind our parking the RV overnight. So long as we kept to the back of the parking lot was ok with him. The fireworks guy and his son had their tent set up in back, near the highway, and I asked if I could park nearby. We started to talk about selling fireworks and sleeping at public parking lots overnight. The fireworks guy said he and his son slept in hammocks inside the 1000 sq. ft. tent. When would-be thieves snuck under his chainlink fence after he had closed, he would surprise them with a few kindly agressive words and off the thieves would run back to their cars. It had been a few 4th of July's ago, but it was always at this same parking lot. I slept with one ear and one eye open, then had a sound sleep, awakened with a head-butt from Windy letting me know it was time to get back on the road.
     Turning a little more health conscious, I mixed up some dried apricots with banana and raisins. It was light and I feel energized. I'm getting my caffiene fix and popping into the McDonald's wi-fi before loading up. What a great day...rain or shine. If I only remember what my buddy Mike said..."Some of us have to get up and go to work in the morning." Caio for now.