Camping in Hollywood, Florida and the reality of traveling 

Camping in Hollywood, Florida and the reality of traveling 

 

IMG_20150712_085345 IMG_20150713_132211I woke up early to geDSCN0246 DSCN0251t set up and I just wanted to leave that place. It was loud with the RV’s blasting their bachata music the whole night. It was terrible. I wanted to use the bathroom but it was being serviced for cleaning I looked for my pants and used clothes form the other night to organize it and to my surprise it was missing. I back tracked and remember.that I must have left them in the bathroom last night. I waited for the cleaning to be done when they were done I did saw my clothes hanging from the bathroom door. I picked it up and my wallet was gone. I told myself “This can’t be happening to me.”  Finished breaking up camp and wait directly to the office. I asked “Did anyone left dropped off a wallet?” The desk answered “Yes cab you describe it for us” I replied “There is about $4 in there and $2 bill.” She then tells me “There isn’t any money here.” I my head I couldn’t believe what I was just told. “Who takes $6 in a lost wallet?” I then described what it looks like and even confirmed my credit card with my ID. I wanted to leave already and just be back in the main land in Miami. But I wanted to make sure my credit card wasn’t compromised. I called  up the card company and just double checked. If they would tKe my $6 they would attemp my card as well. It was a relief that they didn’t use the card. If they had it would have been a problem since I can’t replace the card with no agrees to to have them send me a new card.

There were still some few things I would have to do with the scooter to push on with my journey. Since two main maintenance was already taken care of when I was key west, the only left now is a tire replacement. The tires of my scooter are actually golf cart wheels. I pre ordered the tires before I was able to get to Miami. I knew it would take long and I knew no one will be carrying these type of tires. I asked a favor from one of my colleagues in NY to ask a favor from his brother to use his address for his tire, which her brother agreed. It was gonna be another waiting game when it will come in. I ordered the part Wednesday and I got back in Miami by Saturday. I was hoping it would come in by Friday before I got back but it did not. Saturday deliveries are rare so I knew it was gonna come in Monday.

From Saturday to Monday I will have to find a place to stay. I wanted to see and check a state amp in north Miami. So I called some parks already in that area. One promising park I called said they don’t do camping but they do have cottages for rent. I wanted to reserve it on the phone already but they told me I have to call their reservation company. I already how this works. The company can’t make same day reservation you actually have to walk in the park and take your chances. But some park sa catapult handle the reservation themselves so I wanted to see if they can. The ranger that answered the phone told me this but I told her you can’t make same day reservation so I asked her if I could walk in and reserve it already. She told me the only way for her to do it is if I walk in. Hearing that they have openings I then head out to Oleta river state park.

I was able to reach the state park at great time. It was still 4:30 so I stopped in the park office. The ranger recognize my voice and asked me “We’re you the one that called in inquiring about the cottage opening?” I replied “Yes that’s me. Since you guys don’t offere camping how much is it per night.” She responds It’s $45 per night and you’ll have to share the cottage with 3 other guests.” I then excitedly responds “Yes can I reserve it until Monday?” She. Then responds “sorry but but reservations are already full.” My jaw just dropped from hearing this and in my head I was sayin to her “Wow and you didn’t tell me while I was on the phone with you?” I then told her is I could just park for a while and look where I can go. I definetly didn’t want to pay another 100 per night in Miami and motels are surely booked already since it’s the weekend. I looked in my phone which close camp grounds I can take. KOA showed up which I have already did before. I called them up and asked for their openings. The lady that answered told me “Yes we have peeping but we are only open till 6pm and I can’t give you a spot without showing you the location first.” I was thinking “are you serious?? What kind of rule is that, denying a potential customer because it’s 30 before you close and you can’t show me my spot with in the same period of time.” I then responded ” Can you still a little longer a very sure I can make it. I am only 30 min away.” I quickly hang up and went to the fastest route I could get.

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I started getting my camp set up and the couple that directed me to the camp staff asked me about the scooter. They introduced themselves as Ross and Livy. They are from Australia doing a road trip themselves. They started in New Jersey and camping the rest of the way like me. We started talking more about our trips. They were using a van that was converted for tent traveling. It contained cupboards, a small fridge, drawers and containers, even a portable stove. Their route was almost identical to mine. Only difference is I went close to the Atlantic coast. Theiy went south using the interstate and it a cross path in the middle of Florida doing east to Miami. They were only staying for a day and heading to Miami by the next day. And for me I have to stay 3 days there to get a tire I pre ordered already. I knew this will take long so even before going to Miami I already ordere it online.

On the evening time I was still preparing my dinner and Ross saw me and approached me. He offered to help by letting me use his stove. I tried to decline as much but both of them are very convincing and I think for me it was more on just talking to people. I would say at this stage by now in my trip that I am always hungry for interaction. Anyone for me to tell stories or for me to complain about something is really fun. And for other people maybe my stories could be interesting to listen to. After dinner and a great talk with the Aussie couple I promised them that before they leave I would have coffe with them. They agreed and we all called it a night.

The following morning I woke up but saw their camp and figured they are not out yet and most probably still asleep. I went back to bed and woke up after an hour or so. I saw both of them already awake and arranging their things. I greeted them and told them I have this special coffee from my country in the Philippines that they should have with me. they boiled water and prepared a drip brewer for my coffee. We shared more stories and at some point I was able to convince Livy to go tokeywest with my stories. But they were in a schedule and could not fit it at their current schedule. They were going to head to the pan handle soon like me but since they would be hitting the interstate, my 10 days schedule will be a 2 day schedule for them. I thank them for their openness and just the stories we can share and let them finish breaking their camp. After a while before they left for their miami hotel Ross comes to me and tells me “You should take these canned goods with you. We’re already over loaded wi things and would want to at least make our load lighter.” I didn’t wanted to accept it a the beginning since they did gave me a lot already but like I was saying they were able to convince me. I did tell Ross since I was getting all this help from them they should also take my coffee with them. We the both agreed and bid our goodbyes.

It was already Sunday and I knew the tire will come in Monday and I still had 2 days to burn. I then decided I should call this day to just do my research and logistics on the coming days. I opened up my bank account and checked out what’s going in and out. And by looking at it I knew I was already on the edge. I called my brother to make sure that money should come in my account and what ever bills we pay should done first. It got so stressed to think how I was able to continue my trip with $50 left on my account. When I started this trip I only counted on gas, food, accommodations, and maintenance. My biggest mistake on this trip was not counting on allowance on repairs. The scooter was not meant to pushed this much and by the time I was able to reach Florida the repairs have already mounted up and i already went over budget. I was so stressed thinking where I could get the money to continue that I wanted to stay in Miami until I what’ve something solid to lean on financially. It was just good that my younger brother was able to help me. I did the math once again and from there it was already possible to continue to go north and then to the panhandle. I felt much comfortable pushing in but at the same time gave me a though on much I did not prepared myself of the expenses I was to incur. I stayed the whole day at camp and just made sure I was able to take care of the scooter when the tire comes in.

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