I've been to the crossroads

and the Devil was a large black woman 

driving a mid 80's Oldsmobile 

She looked at me, shook her head and

drove off laughing  through a cotton field 

Lake Panasoffkee Primitive Campground

Another SWIFMUD recreation area

Lake Panasoffkee 

is another of Southwest Florida Water Management's rec areas, and a fine example of a well thought out, well maintained, and certainly well-used campground. The Equestrian/RV area is wide open and the primitive area is wooded and somewhat secluded.

     I spent March 8-12, 2020 here, met another set of great friends and got more perspective for the quest. From retired age dirt bikers in small well thought out tow rigs, single mothers car camping, various classes of RV's, and converted school buses with obvious road experience...we shared the area, the fear of the oncoming pandemic, and the excitement of being...somewhat free of whatever we needed to be free of.

There had been a controlled burn in the area which gave an odd rainbow to some filters

   

My new friend and fellow fossil finder, Brenan, scouts out new territory

     This adventure was in early March. Most area camping sites have been closed for over a month. We were washing our hands repeatedly and maintaining distance then because campers know you have to take care of yourself. I hope and pray for the safety of each and every one of us. From the ashes begins the new..

Potts Preserve primitive campground

Potts Preserve Inverness Fl

I had a great 4 days..I met amazing folks who make the road their home and the wind their rudder.

Quite the eye opener. 3 out of 4 people here are full time on the road.

Amazing that you can take a family of 5 on the road for 5 years. Awesomely amazing a hearing-impaired guy that runs a football website has been doing nearly as long. They are out there, in every campground, in every Walmart that allows it, in every Cracker Barrel they are there. Whether it be a class A $300k bus or a 03 Dodge Caravan they are there. They are us. They are you and I. Given the circumstance or desire for freedom not acquired with possessions.  Friendly, accommodating and helpful.  They are a new class, the new America. The displaced, the not-quite homeless. The " I’m okay with not owning a house and property, I have a vehicle and a tent!"  It’s not as crazy, or as appealing as it may or may not sound.

New quest

I have camped several years, always in a tent...dragging way too much stuff along, enjoying myself but needing something more. I can't really afford a traditional RV (and don't really want that lifestyle either) so this is my alternative. 2019's birthday present from me to me was Betty Jo, a 12x6 cargo trailer. I plan conversion to part-time hauler part-time boondocking center.
I've begun the project, first with a shakedown trip to a SWFMUD equestrian campground and now with insulation, 12v vent fan, carpet, vinyl, a battery box and hookups for solar and shore power I'm nearly ready for a second shakedown!

Funny how things change yet stay the same. Since I left the area I grew up and started playing music in almost 40 years ago, I honestly have forgotten some people and especially musicians from that time. Last night after I arrived in town, a few of us who will be in the show Sat got together at Randy's house for a small rehearsal, so I got to catch up with guys I haven't seen in a long time, and met some new players that played in the Wuzz band after I left for the sunshine. As I sit here thinking, its the same guys...sure there are fewer of us, but the guys who were in the good bands 40 years ago...if they still play....are still good players. And it doesn't matter if its Ohio or Florida, the challenges are the same to book a band, to keep a band together, and to keep yourself alive and well. Oh look its snowing again...........

Spent a wonderful evening with Sally and Brooke in Seymour Tenn. Wed night. I got there early enough to take in a bit of the scenery, what a beautiful area. Very congested traffically (?), as is the entire Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area...but that means out of town money being spent. Just like every other high vacation traffic areas, lots of opportunities to work as an entertainer, and of course an overabundence of entertainers looking for work. Brooke has been a FOH sound engineer for...well forever, and has worked at dang near every theme park in Fl, and myriad other big venues. He knows his stuff. He has a great gig now, in rehearsals for a new show. Its really great to see that he is in such a good place with a great partner to share it with. Thanks for your hospitality Sally and Brooke.