Sunday AM was a near repeat of Saturday, with us sleeping in. I was up around 7 to the sound of drip drip of water falling on the top of the coach from the trees. I got up and used the bathroom and when I opened the door under the sink to get toilet paper realized that everything was wet. I used my flashlight and saw water fast dripping everywhere. UGH! Ran outside and turned off the water. The extra roll of TP was dripping and about 5 pounds. I cleaned out the cabinet and dried it off as much as possible but the shelf is pressboard and I think its done.
The floor is dirty with pressboard flakes in case you are wondering. Notice the bottom of the Pledge can is rusty. I think it started on the last trip as a can wouldn't rust that fast in 2 days. Not sure where the leak is, but will mess with it this weekend while camping. I suspect it is the faucet as it's from 1976 and has been hard to turn on or off lately. May be time for a bathroom renovation, I already need a new toilet.
Well I figured I'd deal with it when I got home and set off to make coffee. Ernie got up around 8:30 and we made the same breakfast.
There was a hawk in the tree just next to us. I think it's a Red Shouldered Hawk. He hung out for a good long time and had great color. After breakfast we headed back over and walked the Kitching Creek Trail, which is 1.1 mile loop through the pine land area.
To the bottom right you can see the concession area parking lot. We basically followed this trail to a lookout over the creek. You can see where we paddled too, and that there was a good bit more of creek that we missed. Just have to go back!!
I had noticed a similar structure on the main park road. As you can see it's pretty new as the concrete is still light. I realized that these have been put in to keep the freshwater in the park to preserve the natural ecosystem and prevent the saltwater intrusion. It was about two feet high.
The pine flatland area west of the coastal dunes in the park. Lots of Southern Pine and when near the water bald cypress.
We saw these tracks and decided they probably were a coyote (have seen them in the park not far from here). A couple minutes later a couple came by with there dog and we realized we'd been had ha ha.
Looking up the creek from the lookout deck.
Looking down stream, you can see the tide is out.
This little guy, wasn't so little at about 5 inches long.
The Eastern Lubber, I used to see these ALL the time as a kid even in eastern Ft. Lauderdale. Habitat destruction has pushed them far away now. I hadn't seen one in at least 5 years. Reading the linked article, I realize it was pretty late in the season for this one to still be out and about. It wasn't the biggest one I've seen but it was an adult.
So back to camp and break it down, I wished my buddy goodbyes and we parted ways near the entrance as I had to dump my tank. I got on the road and drove down Alt A1A. They were setting up for a Christmas parade and I got alot of waves.
Easy drive all the way down to Lake Worth and then BANG!! Really load and the coach was listing badly. I knew right away the airbag went. I had just gotten it installed about 6 months ago.
I had heard that when this happens on the factory set up, the wheels hit body and you you are stuck on the side of the road. As I changed lanes as I was coasting down I heard no rubbing so was happy about that. I drove to the next exit and pulled off on a side street as soon as possible.
The first thing I noticed was that my fender skirt was gone. I didn't even attempt to go look for it as I was in the middle lane and I doubt it blew all the way over to the inside shoulder. Even then stopping on I95 for a hunk of fiberglass isn't worth the risk.
I immediately called my friend Dave who lives about a mile from where I was and good news, he's home. I'm there in 5 minutes and he is late and has to go. We get it in the side yard, it's about as tight as my side yard but then opens up.
You can see here the new bag system keeps the frame off the ground a couple inches and the wheel off the body. I was happy all I lost was an airbag and the fender skirt.
Damage to the bag when I jacked it up. What I noticed when I stopped was the compressor was running still and had been the whole 30 minutes I had been driving. There is supposed to be a safety cutoff but I need to find out why it didn't work.
I got a new bag and it was almost exactly a week (I had to work everyday) before I got back over there. It took me about 2 hours but would go quicker next time (hope there isn't one!).
So more projects! Troubleshoot the air ride and fix the plumbing..... Merry Christmas!!
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