Feb 10-12 Wednesday through Friday

Well, here we are back in Tampa. Got here about 5:30 Friday. Windshield did not arrive until late Thursday (because of weather "up north") so we didn't get the rv back until after 5PM. Believe it or not, Hollis Body Shop refused to take any money despite Jack's protests. He said we were in trouble and it was the least he could do although the adjuster estimated $60 for the temporary job of reattaching the hinges on the hood. Windshield costs are exempt from insurance deductible in FL. So nothing out of pocket for that either.
So anyway, at this late date it would have been straight driving to San Diego without much time for anything else along the way assuming everything else went without a hitch. That's not the way we like to travel. That and the terrible weather across TX, etc. made it easy to say, "let's go home". So we will regroup and wait for better weather for sure. Perhaps we will end up on entirely different path. It's better to travel with no specific goal or time table.
The ride home was terrible. In the low 30s and constant hard rain and wind. I know I shouldn't complain when considering "up north" weather challenges.
Had dinner at Madison's Warehouse again last night and learned a lot about Marianna. Claim to fame were big plantations and then St Joe Paper Co. So lots of big bucks. Current major employers are the Family Dollar Distribution Center and the penal system. Three federal and 4 state prisons in commuting distance. Also lots of hunting, fishing and there are famous caverns that attract tourists. However, they are flooded right now. 48% of county is African-American. And, did I mention it was a dry county. Liquor stores everywhere but only beer in Ruby Tuesday's. The only restaurant in the chain without liquor. Got a bottle of wine in Madison's Warehouse. Their story is that "petitioned" the city council so they got an exception to the county restrictions. Bet there is more to that story. But still no distilled "grains" can be served.
So, we will let you know when we roll out later in the spring.

February 6-9 Sat-Tues

Well, we are not off to a very good start. Unfortunately, hood of the rv smashed into the windshield on our very first day 300 miles out. We were right at the Marianna, FL exit on I-10. Jack was able to pull over, secure the hood with bungee cords, U turn across the median so we could exit. Unable to get anything done to fix damages until Monday. Emergency numbers for windshield repairs didn't answer.
We pulled into TA truckstop and spent the night. Our first using only generator/battery. It was OK. We were nice and toasty and it was much less noisy than we expected. We had breakfast at about 2:30 AM. Overheard quite the conversation among the truckers. What people think and think they know is really kind of scary. The topics ranged from the races to the Constitution. It just went on and on. Proud of Jack for biting his tongue and told the waitress that she deserves big reward for listening to the nonsense which must have been very offensive to her. She says she can't say anything or she would lose her job.
Decided to move over to the American Budget Value Inn next door on Sunday. So-so typical interstate place. Noisier than the truck stop if you would believe it.
On Monday, we heard immediately from the Geico glass repair service. We had already contacted Tommy's Repair so everything fell into place. Replacement windshield to arrive on Wed. Meanwhile, the rv is in body shop to have just the necessary done to secure the hood. We moved to much, much nicer Fairfield Inn.
We had dinner Monday at Madison's Warehouse. Turns out the bartender is father of the owner and they are from Latrobe, PA very near to where my family is from. Lots of reminiscing about U of Pitt, Oakland, Forbes Field, etc. Turns out the owner is the chair of the culinary arts program at local school. Food was very good. Unexpected find in a town where we were not expecting much.
It's now Tues AM. We were up early and made a run to Walmart across the street. Raining very hard today. Jack has law work to do and I have plenty to keep me busy.