Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Our travel companions for the last three weeks are headed home today. We spend a nice morning together, talking about how fast it all goes, what we liked best, what to change and what places we would revisit. Too soon it was time for them to head out, and we said our goodbyes. As the RV saying goes, see you down the road.
I drove to Lee Buick GMC in Crestview for an oil change. They were very good about getting me in and had a nice lounge with the news on TV. With an excellent WIFI, I was able to easily get the Virginia Airstream newsletter out, take care of some other things and read the news. Two hours passed in no time. Even though it’s a big, tough diesel, it still works hard pulling the Airstream and deserves good care. It already has 97,000 miles on it, and I hope it outlasts me. they replace the oil pan screw, which looked a bit chewed up. I had been having fluctuations in oil pressure, so hopefully all is well.
On the way back, Martha instructed me to go to Eglin Air Force Base and get permits to float the streams on the base. Two nice ladies greeted me and made the permits. They said the base was unusually busy, so the only stream we could float was Turkey Creek. They had me watch a video about not touching any ordinance, bombs, shells etc. “If you didn’t drop it, don’t pick it up.” At 720 square miles, it is the largest air force base in the world. We have been hearing fighter jets and helicopters flying over a lot. Also, there is bombing practice in the late mornings. In the little office, there were stuffed wildlife from the area – bobcats, foxes, coyotes and this giant cottonmouth moccasin of about 6 ft. and a big, thick muscle-building body. Wild hogs have overpopulated the area, causing lots of destruction.
Back at camp we built a fire, sadly without our friends and without the Solo Stove. Martha made a nice salad for dinner.
A big big thank you to Martha and Greg for allowing us to tag along on this adventure. It was absolutely a wonderful trip. We were able to experience a new form of travel with seasoned travelers, who had help us all along the way. We were able to spend time with long time friends and reconnect by spending time by the campfire, kayaking, site seeing, cooking together and eating out! We wish the trip could have lasted longer. We miss being on the road with the Walls and we are hoping for another adventure soon!
It was so much fun sharing this adventure with you guys! I never thought you would take to it the way you did. You are great friends since dental school, and we loved being with you. We look forward to our next adventure together!