Walkabout 2020 day 5

 Friday August 7

Heading out...

[Of course I'm posting this well after the days. I'll be stopping by Starbucks in Burnett, Texas to upload what I typed yesterday as there is no wifi in the park. This post will wait until I'm all the way back. I don't like to advertise that I'm not at home. Yes, we have alarms and video surveillance, but I'd rather not have to address that.  Better to be here and prevent some of those issues.]

Last day at Inks Lake and I've had a really good time here.  I did have a brief issue with a ranger (all my fault, by the way). I decided to have a late swim at the Devil's Waterhole. Now, you're not supposed to swim after dark or alone. Guilty on both counts. The water was cool and soothing in the heat of the evening.  The Ranger was very nice about it. No scolding or threats or anything like that-- just more like "Sir, you really shouldn't be here swimming alone after dark. It's really not safe." No argument from me because, hey...he was right and I was wrong.  Again...no pictures.

Last night also was the loudest night of my trip so far.  The campers who had "bugged out" the previous night came back, but only the dad stayed.  The mom came in a separate car and carried off most of the stuff including all of the kids' stuff.  The dad was joined later by some of his buds and they stayed up kinda carousing until late.  Not too obnoxious...just drinking and loud. I let it go for once. (Here is also where I went for the "dark swim".)

Got up this morning, fixed breakfast with espresso (thanks again Steve) and packed up. Dismantling the camp went very well and I was packed completely in an hour and 20 minutes. I did give the leaking Styrofoam cooler to my neighbors. Told them it leaked but was good for short-term storage. Before I fully left the park, I drove a bit and took some pictures for Kathy to possibly paint. Then on the road.

I drove by way of Saledo, a different way than I had come, in order to visit at the home of Beth and Brian Dill, my sister-in-law and her husband. We had a really good, albeit short, visit. Then back on the road. Lord, everything is sooo dry! Finally got to my last campground, checked in, and started setting up.  Getting pretty fast at this, I must say.  This time--for the first time during this walkabout-- I had electricity available. Not only that, I was across the road from the bath-house and just a couple of dozen yards from the pool.  There were a lot more people at this campground.  Owner said they were fully booked for the weekend. Many didn't come until Saturday morning, but mine was the last tent site available. This was/is a very different campground that my usual. Several of organized activities including a live band for tomorrow. Also I finally have shade for my tent! Woohoo!! Makes a whole lot of difference.  Spoke to Kathy, of course, told her I love her (which I do), and settled in for the weekend.  These will be my last two nights on this walkabout.