16:30 5/8/2003
Got our usual early start (like 10:30!) and hit the road for Florida. The first part of the trip was really pretty. After a while we found some Interstate highway and made some miles. We ended up stopping in Perry, Georgia. It's only about 250 miles but good enough for us. And it's our first 'independent' Passport usage; I can stand paying $11 in places like this! (Forgot to mention that we are pretty close to the interstate but we don't care because it's 88 degrees and want to run the air.) We finally figured out that it is really pretty quiet here. Don't know why because it is only two tenths of a mile off the interstate but it's not bad at all. Works for us.

22:30 5/9/2003

Got to Carrabelle about 14:30. The park we were looking for (a Passport park) is no longer. The second one on our list is still here but is up for sale. Such is the fate of parks in a land seller's market! Anyway we got a spot where we can see the Gulf from our windows (last one!). Went & told the park people that I noticed that the biggest dog is a 35 pounder; they said they didn't want to cut their dog into three parts! Sammie is fine with them. I also asked for help with finding a place to get the truck checked out. It is making a noise from what I think is the driveline. Judie stayed here & computed while I went off to see about the truck. I went to C&S Services in Eastbay (suggested by the campground host). The guy took a ride with me and then put the truck up on the rack. He found that the noise is coming from the differential. The pinion gear bearing is the culprit. Driving will make things just worse but even if we took the truck to Tallahassee (the closest dealer), it's possible that they would take the truck differential apart and then we would have to wait 3 or 4 days for parts. We've decided to stay here and check out the area a little bit but basically enjoy ourselves. Then we will try taking the trailer to Ginny & John's house. We asked them if we can leave it there and take the truck back to PH to be fixed (and it could take some days). Then we'll come back up and get the trailer when the truck is better. They did say 'ok' BTW! Now there is a possibility that the truck won't make it to Crystal River and then we will be calling ERS and seeing how good their service is. We are planning to take Ginny and John out to dinner to repay them for keeping Scotch; then another time for keeping the trailer! Rusty Pontoon is going to love us!

Sat outside and talked about what all was happening. Judie took Sammie out into the Gulf; the pictures are in the Carrebelle, Florida folder. I liked them!

08:09 5/11/2003

Talked to the guy who runs the park. He asked if there was oil in the diff, I didn't know so we looked. Sure enough there was oil. We talked a bit about the truck and what might be wrong and he suggested it might be the limited slip; the same problem that we had with the BMW. It made me really hopeful that maybe there isn't anything really seriously wrong with the truck. I think there is a Chevy dealer in Crystal River and if there is I'm sure going to buy some of that lube. He also said that someone told him he could break the limited slip loose by simply driving in tight circles for a few minutes. Weird idea but I think I'm willing to try it.

Woke really early this a.m. because some people in the next row were wandering around. I ended up waking Judie and we might get an early start this morning! We've already taken two doggie walks, rolled up the rug and had breakfast and done the dishes and it's only 08:30.

16:35 5/12/2003

Got to John & Ginny's about 14:00 yesterday. Frolicked around in the pool with them until 17:00 then went to dinner at Rusty Pontoon. Pretty good food and somewhat moderate prices. They have four wines on the wine list too! Spent a very quiet night. I slept from 21:00 to 07:00 with only about an hour awake around 04:00 or 05:00.

Drove down to Palm Harbor in the late morning. The trip was uneventful. I unloaded the truck while Judie put all the refrigerator stuff away. Then I went out & bought differential lube, food and booze. I'm just going to have to check out that and the driving in circles theory! Great to be driving the BMW again.

Go to the Afterward

Go to main