The Savage Traveler: Winter Trip 2015: Lithia Springs Part I

Wed. Feb. 25-Fri. Feb. 27: We were driving from Alexander Springs to Lithia Springs, west of Tampa, and getting some errands done on the way. Along the way we found out that our empty propane tank had a faulty valve and so it couldn’t be filled until that is fixed. We stopped in Lakeland to get a new trailer tire at a Discount Tire and have lunch. I sent out a text to update a few people on our progress as we drove on to buy groceries and get a campsite at the Springs. To our mutual amazement we found out that Lou and Janice were in Lakeland and on their way back to LazyDays RV dealership, where they were going to camp for the second time as they seriously pursued a new RV to replace their New West converted GMC van. That put them about 15 miles away from us! Marv and I got settled and rode our bikes down to see the spring and continued on to the bike paths that wind through the vast and growing Fish Hawk that is being built on a huge tract next to the park. We could see additions and growth since last year when we were here. We found a small pond and enjoyed watching a flock of Bufflehead Ducks along with an Egret and a Great Blue Heron. Without ever leaving the area we rode over 6 miles before we returned to our campsite and made dinner.

Lithia Springs campsite #29

Riding part of the bike path

Riding the endless sidewalks of Fish Hawk Reserve subdivision

A pair of Bufflehead Ducks

Swallowtailed Kite

On Thursday, after I put sauerkraut, sweet potatoes and Andouille sausage in the CrockPot, we headed to LazyDays and spent most of the day looking at new and used RVs that Janice and Lou were considering and also a few trailers that we might consider in the future. We even had a free lunch at the dealership with the coupons Janice and Lou had accumulated. Around 5:00 we all headed to Lithia Springs where Oiens decided to join us as they considered their options. The gate was partially closed at the park and the ranger said that they closed at 6:00 but that the camping had closed at 5:30. We managed to convince him to let us pay for a site for the Oiens and have them settle up for more days tomorrow. But as we negotiated, Janice and Lou arrived and managed to get the site across the road from us. They got settled and then we all enjoyed our CrockPot dinner at our picnic table on a lovely, balmy evening. We couldn’t have planned for a better outcome, and were all amazed that it had all happened spontaneously in two days.

Oiens first campsite (they moved after a ruckus)

Lou and Peggy

Janice and Marv

Friday we all spent a relaxing morning lingering over coffee outdoors at our campsite. Nearly at noon Marv and I went to do the last laundry we’ll have to do on the trip while Janice and Lou took care of business related to Social Security and financing a new RV. It was a cloudy day and never got much over 65° so it was a good day for such activities. We ate late lunches separately and then played a French lawn ball game called Petanque on the empty campsite next to theirs. After a small Happy Hour Marv drove the four of us to a nearby Beef O’Brady’s where we could eat dinner and watch the Spartans play Minnesota at home in basketball. Sadly, MSU blew the lead they had held the entire game and let Minnesota tie it up at the end to put it into Overtime. Then Free Throws and being outplayed lead us to a 5 point loss. So Sad.