Troubleshooting and Other March Pastimes!

Troubleshoot, Troubleshoot, Troubleshoot

Paula flew back to Vermont for several days to get a few things taken care of, so I am quite free to work on my March post.

Repair of Rear Slideout

Just in case some of you were thinking that motorhoming was all peaches and cream, let me inform you that March has been far from trouble-free.  A slight brush against a metal power pole while pulling away from the curb in downtown Stuart caused enough damage to the rear of a slide-out awning that we had to have replaced.  Though State Farm is reimbursing me for most of the repair, it took considerable time (and luck) to find an rv repairman who actually came to our campground, removed the damaged awning, ordered the new parts, and replaced the entire awning, including new hardware several days later.

Next, we discovered that Paula’s bicycle seat had broken (I’ll not speculate any as to the cause! ), and would need a new post after the separate sleeve is 

removed from her bicycle. We hope to get it fixed at a bicycle shop in Melbourne Beach prior to our departure from our current area.  With only a motorcycle and a motorhome, it does not give us many options to run back and forth into town with items as large as a bicycle.

If that wasn’t bad enough, our discovery of a dead motorhome battery the day we had planned to leave the Savanna’s Preserve Campground in Fort Pierce required us to find an emergency rv serviceman. He replaced the battery with a new one on a rainy Monday afternoon;

Dead Battery!

the old battery wouldn’t even hold a charge. This enabled us to get on our way only 6 hours after we had originally intended to leave.  Fortunately, we had only a short trip planned that day, and arrived at our next campground near Melbourne Beach before nightfall (with celebratory pizzas in hand)!

New York Mets Spring Training Game

Terry, Paula & Tim at Mets Game

Paula and I did get a chance to spend some time with my brother Terry, who lives in Port St. Lucie, Florida.  One sunny afternoon we attended a New York Mets Spring Training game against the Florida Marlins at Tradition Field, a few miles from Terry’s house.  We rode to the field with him, ate a “tailgate” lunch in a shady spot prior to the game, and watched a very good ballgame on a sunny afternoon along with thousands of other fans. 

The home team Mets were trailing 4 to 1 in the top half of the eighth inning and many fans left the stadium to avoid the anticipated aftergame traffic jam. It’s not over “til the fat lady sings” however!  In the bottom of the 8^th inning, the Mets scored 5 runs and ended up shutting out the Marlins in the top of the 9^th for the victory.  It sure brought home the point of never giving up or giving in, if you have a goal in mind, and especially if you have teammates counting on you! 

Campground  Friends

Evening Happy Hour with Music!

Most of our longer visits at campgrounds allow Paula (and sometimes me) to make friends and develop short term relationships with others.  During our first evening at the Savanna’s Preserve and RV Campground in Fort Pierce, we were invited to a “happy hour” with some other dozen or so campers, most of whom were snowbirds. This gala event stretched over 2 or 3 happy hours.  Paula and “Mo” entertained us with their singing and guitar playing during the early evening as we snacked on a variety of pot luck appetizers and liquid refreshments.  A good time was had by all.  Several other evenings we tried to repeat the event, but none quite lived up to that initial night.

Port St Lucie High School Dance Dept

Late on a hot Sunday afternoon, Paula and I watched a quality presentation by the Dance Department at the Port St Lucie High School.  It included selections from Chicago and the Lion King, and was very well done by some talented teens and their director. 

The number that especially caught my attention was “He Lives in Me” from The Lion King 2.  Many of you were probably moved by it when you saw the film, even if you do not remember it now.  Simba, the soon-to-be Lion King, is asked by his friend Rafiki to remember with reverence his father, Mufasa.  My father, Lewis Hess does live within me more than a little.  But when I really focused on the lyrics, I couldn't help but be drawn to my relationship with

Lion King Cast

to my relationship with our other Father, God, and his son.  “He lives in you, he lives in me; he watches over everything we see.  Into the water, into the truth; In your reflection, he lives in you.” Every day I hope that I reflect God’s love.  Serving God through others brings purpose and peace into my life.  It was a very stirring performance.

Have a Happy Easter!  

My next post will probably come to you from the Carolina's or Virginia, as we move our way back towards Vermont.