Sunday December 17th 2023

Yesterday’s rain storm became today’s wind storm. Two to three inches of rain accumulated at various measurement sites around the area. The bulk of the rain storm seem to pass by about 1AM. It was cloudy and dry, but very windy when I got up to start preparing to travel. Just when I was ready to start on the outside tasks, the rain returned. It was mostly a heavy mist, but one gust of wind brought a line of heavy rain with it. I kept dragging my feet waiting for the dry weather to return. Shortly after eleven I was able to work outside without getting wet.

I pulled out of my site at 12:30, but spent a half an hour at the dump station. It was before Thanksgiving that I last had a full hookup campsite and I will not have one again until the middle of January. Consequently, when I don’t have anyone waiting in line behind me at the dump station, I take the time to flush the black tank a little more thoroughly. Still, it only took about half an hour. I pulled out onto the highway a few minute after 1PM.

Driving across the state was a challenge today. In addition to the normal heavy traffic, I needed to deal with the wind. The sustained northwest wind was strong and the periodic gusts were challenging. I managed to stay in my lane, but I rarely had less than two hands on the steering wheel. Once I turned south on Interstate 75 in the suburbs of Tampa the wind was more of a pusher. My speed going south was a little faster with the wind at my rear, but the traffic was still heavy. I arrived at my destination at about 3:30PM.

I’m at Lake Manatee State Park in Bradenton Florida until New Years Eve. The site I made a reservation for is an old favorite. I’ve been on this site many times before, but it was different this time. They have cleared out more of the brush around the edges and at the back. The two hammock stakes at the back of the site have been removed and the grading has been changed. All of these things improved the site, but really confused me. Backing in was a multi attempt challenge. Any of the locations I stopped at were acceptable, they just had a little nagging issue or two. One wasn’t aligned with the side of the site. Another didn’t leave enough room to park my car. Once I solved those issues, I was worried about having clear satellite access. Anyone watching was probably very confused or laughing their head off. Eventually I was happy.