WORK CAMPING 2019

Home Is Where We Park It:  Dade Battlefield Historical State Park

Date:  March 18, 2019

Crisis Averted with Little Graybeard

Today was another work day for both of us so it was up and at it first thing in the morning.  It was a bit difficult getting going since it was a bit cooler than normal today.  It was,in essence, another one of those days when you just wanted to pull the covers up over your head in order to make the world go away.  The world, though, would not go away nor would our responsibilities.

This morning Barbara was back on Gate House duty since there was an early morning class to be held at the Lodge.  She would be collecting the entrance fee for those attending the class.

Today I was a golf cart gopher.  I was tasked with running around the park and doing

whatever needed doing.  I took the leaf blower with me and cleaned several of the public pavilions; I cleaned around and in front of the Visitor’s Center; I cleaned in front of the Lodge before the class began there; and, I roamed the trails around the park making sure everything was in order.

While running the perimeter trail I came across this home that sits just outside the park.  I’ve passed it numerous times but never really took notice of it until today.  First thing

that caught my eye was this small replica of the Statue of Liberty.  Look closely and you’ll also see all kinds of barnyard animals as well as replicas of deer in repose.  In the background there are two statues holding American flags.  How about the big red wheel to the left of the picture.  Here is a view of the front porch with all kinds of odds and ends.  Such a really neat yard which I’m glad I finally noticed.

Once we finished work it was time to go get two tires for Little Graybeard.  The tread was all but gone on the front tires but the back tires had plenty of tread left yet.  The plan was to replace the two front tires and worry about the back two sometime later in the year.  That was the plan.  That plan would soon change in order to avert a full-blown crisis.

We arrived at Tire Kingdom for our 1 pm appointment and verified what we originally wanted to do.  While there we also decided to have the oil changed.   It was time for that.

In went Little Graybeard and in no time at all it was up on the lift waiting for new tires.

First front tire off the rim, time now for the new tire.

And that’s when things got real interesting.  Within minutes the service tech came out and said I need to show you something regarding your back tires.  Each tire is splitting right up between the tread.  That’s when we went from two to four tires real quick!

Crisis Averted – thankfully before any real damage had been done.  The tires were six years old and apparently had just dry rotted and split with age.

A couple of hours later shod with new shoes we pointed Little Graybeard home.  Once back home I gave him a bath and cleaned up the inside.  Here he is with his new shoes.

Once again we’re giving thanks to the good Lord that we caught this issue before anything really serious happened.  We sort of laughed because we weren’t going to address the tire issue for at least another week.  Something, though, motivated us to take care of it sooner and we are sooooooooooo glad we did.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  We completed our work duties, we spent the afternoon together, and most importantly we averted a real crisis.  In my mind that makes this day a winner in every way.  Thanks for coming with us again and we hope to have you along with us tomorrow.  Till then, goodnight.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

See you on down the road