It has been almost a week from my last update due to my lack of internet along with the uncomfortable heat that has caused me to be unable to find a comfortable location to write. So please bare with me this blog post may be a long one but then again it may never get posted with the internet luck I have been having.

Lets start from the start and end at the end. Florida has been full of my best times and my worst times on the road and at camp grounds. On the first of May I was driving down US27 on my way to Okeechobee FL. As it is with most roads in Florida I am forced to drive my 30mph scooter on the shoulder. This stretch of road proved to be a little more unclean than most of the roads I have driven on. So hearing sounds come from my tires was a normal thing as I kicked up loose gravel and debris, I do however remembering hearing a louder then normal sound come from my tire about 3 miles away from my normal gas station fill up… I pull into the BP station off of US27 put $1.89  into my tank, topping her off to the brim, I go into the station pay, come out, gaze upon the beauty that is my scooter,  notice that my back tire is sitting a little flat and there before me was some strange object protruding out of my tire. Sad but not shattered by what has just happened I push my bike to the back of the BP popped the kickstand and broke out my surgical tools.

“Nurse, forceps” I call out as I pull my pliers out of my luggage. The sweet is beading up on my forehead not wanting to loose this patient I dive in. First pulling, then twisting at this strange object. With out the proper X-rays I had no idea how big this object was, but just when all hope was lost I twisted and turned and pop then sssspppppphhhhh the air came leaking out and like the Dutch boy on the dyke I put my finger in the hole. It was an Allen wrench! Then I grab my patch kit and plug up the hole…THE DAY IS SAVED. Grabbing my tire pump that the employees at DICKS said would work for me I try and try to pump my tire up but it was just not the right fit. So I noticed that their was a air hose at the front of the BP. Rolling my bike over to the air hose I put my kick stand back down and as I do this… The patient goes into critical condition (the tire falls off the rim.) knowing that anything and every thing I can do is now out of my hands I take off my surgical mask and fall down in the corner hands on my head, head between my knees ( aka sit on the curb.)

After 10 min or so I walk into an Auto Zone next to the BP asking if they knew of a motorcycle shop around that can remount my tire. They said the closest one was about 2 miles down the road, knowing that it would be just to far to push they nicely offered to put my bike into the back of a pick up truck and give me a ride down there. Probably some of the nicest guys I have ran into that live in Florida (not saying that EVERYONE in Florida are jerks but just are not country nice.)

The old man had quoted me on the phone that it would be $65/hr but after only a few minutes of work they managed to put the tire on the bike properly fill it up with air and before I left we swapped stories of the road and in great generosity he only charged me $10 for the whole job. Now then the day was saved.

I reached Okeechobee around 7pm. I purchased my self a cabin to make up for the long day on the road went to use the internet but it never let me sign on. Once again I was left with out my comfort blanket of modern technology.  I did however get a good night sleep after watching several episodes of the Office that I have downloaded onto my computer.

THE DRIVE THE CAMP THE JOB HUNT AND MY LAST DAYS WITH THE GATORS (for now) 

Leaving Okeechobee for what I hoped to be my last day on the road. I finally got to see a gator and a few blocks down from that I got to see an iguana, both of them being larger then I would ever have expected to see. That same day I watched storm after storm blow by miles and miles ahead of me. But all at once on got to me and even though it only lasted for a good 5 minutes I was soaked but quickly dried up from the hot, hot air. I am currently staying at this camp ground in south Miami. It would be a lot nicer if they would open the pool during the week and if it did not rain every day last night just I returned to my tent to find a lake Michigan came down to see me and everything that I had dried out that day had soaked up more water then a sham wow. Having no quarters in my pocket for the dryers I was forced to use TP from the bathroom to soak up the lake in my tent and then sleep on  a wet pillow and sleeping bag… strangely I slept very well. I am only allowed to stay at this camp ground until Tuesday morning and then I must figure out something to do. I was not able to get a place to live like I thought I would have. So now I have not much more options left. Its kind of sad because I had just interviewed for an assistant manager job and have been told that they would like to hire me but first I must meet with the district manager… now im going to have to turn down a job that would have gave me insurance and a lot of money. So yes I am very upset about that. 

I made it to a Marlins game last night it was fun. it was like going to a minor league game on a major league level. There was probably about 2,000 people their and a lot of free giveaways. It was my first national league game the giants vs. the marlins 2-1 giants.

Well now I am off to search the internet for A: a way to stay here  B: a way to get out of here

Grace and Peace,
Christopher

PS my camera has acquired some condensation  so until further notice no photos.  Also my scooter is making a lot of funny noise… oh well.