In life it's not where you go but who you are with……Charles Shultz
Vagabond Tales- Escape a Few Tight Spots
February 4-5
Yesterday was one of the rainiest days we have had this trip. We spent the day relaxing, listening to a book, cooking, and I worked on the pine needle basketry. I could find only black in the correct type of waxed thread. I was able to go a lot faster and get it going together much tighter. I will still search for some colors when I can order on line.
Still working on the base. I am trying to get it large enough to make a basket for our dinner rolls. We shall see! It is only five inches across now.We ended our slothful day with a fun game of Quixx via Face Time with our friends, Anita and Ken. We celebrated his anniversary of receiving new bone marrow! 6 years of health and grace!❤️. If you have the game Quixx…we would love to play with your family, too. Just let us know and we can set things up.
February 5, 2022
Tight spots…. I know you were wondering. We left this morning and headed towards Santa Rosa Beach…right near Destin, Florida. It wasn’t a long trip and we were not able to check in at TopSail Hill Preserve State Park until 3:00 today. Harry had found another nice boardwalk for us in Niceville. When we turned into the parking lot there was no room for us….always something to be concerned about. We spotted a work shed close by, behind the main entrance with a U shaped driveway. Harry pulled in only to find the trees were growing such that he could not make the turn. It took us thirty minutes with me directing and Harry backing up. We ended up parking a few buildings down in a closed Colonel Sanders parking lot and we walked over to the park.
We are out of breath here from running across the street, dodging traffic from the Colonel Sanders.There were six docks along the way, just like this one. We can imagine in the summer every one of these would be filled with the ring of children laughing, families picnicking, and lots of swimming! Instead today, our walk was pretty silent. The temperature was in the fifties , pleasant for a walk but the animals are still hunkered down somewhere keeping warm.A mile of boardwalk…making a 2 mile walk! Very pleasant!Other than all the shades of brown against the blue sky, this was the only spot of red.
Tight Spot Number 2- We worked up a hunger, checked out TripAdvisor and we headed to the Local’s Eatery. Chosen number 2 of the best eateries in the region..following Siri’s directions, Harry turned right and no sooner than we had turned, we are surrounded by parked boats everywhere with water at the end of the tightly parked drive. Harry got out and perused the situation as he does in these cases…Wouldn’t you know it? There came a guy, who worked at the Emerald Coast Marine Center. They talked and he invited us to park in the back with his boats.
A lot of stored boats!While at lunch, they came up with a golf cart and had Harry move the camper. We had blocked in a boat on which he was working.Opps! I forgot to take a picture of the key lime pie when our waitress presented it. Trust me…it looked wonderful! You may not know, but Harry is a key lime pie connoisseur. He travels the world searching for the best key lime pie when, I think, he probably already has found it at home!Tight spot number three- Siri told Harry we had arrived so he turned into the road right behind this sign. We were in a very tightly parked neighborhood of multi family homes. As he drove through the gauntlet of cars we soon realized there was no circle/turn around at the end of the road. Some construction and no space to turn around. Harry got out…looked over the situation…and popped back into the car to say…we are going to have to back all the way out! 😳. My job is to direct from behind the camper assuring he doesn’t back into anything…luckily I noticed some grass beside the pool house and directed Harry to back over the sidewalk, onto the empty lot and he was able to turn around. It was crazy! We should be here ten days again. Contest coming up soon!
We wouldn’t make you drive or direct, Mary Ellen. Sometimes I want Harry to drop me off at the nearest coffee shop and pick me up after he’s all set! 😀
W are searching for better weather but may not see it this trip. Just not far enough south!😀. We can bike to the beach from here which is exciting! Can’t wait! Love you!😍
Now that you’ve had experience directing backing up from behind. I need to share a memory from my childhood. Ask about Bluewater Lake State Park. NM, 1959. Dan
I will try to remember to ask! You have peaked my interest! In New Mexico…things could really get dicey in some areas. Florida…things are pretty flat!😀
hkdorr 
Umm. I think I’ll pass on going around with you guys for now! Good luck! M.E.
We wouldn’t make you drive or direct, Mary Ellen. Sometimes I want Harry to drop me off at the nearest coffee shop and pick me up after he’s all set! 😀
Exciting times! Love the pine needle basket. Hope you have better weather from now on.
W are searching for better weather but may not see it this trip. Just not far enough south!😀. We can bike to the beach from here which is exciting! Can’t wait! Love you!😍
Now that you’ve had experience directing backing up from behind. I need to share a memory from my childhood. Ask about Bluewater Lake State Park. NM, 1959. Dan
I will try to remember to ask! You have peaked my interest! In New Mexico…things could really get dicey in some areas. Florida…things are pretty flat!😀