Bastrop State Park - October 31st (All Hallows' Eve, aka: Halloween)

RIGHT BEFORE I was to leave for Bastrop State Park to put the ATXBreeze thru it's very first field test, an honest to goodness putting the trailer thru its paces outing I've been looking forward to, I asked my tenant David, at the last minute, to check the trailer tail lights while I braked, engaged the blinkers, y'know, test everything required of its lights. But nothing happened. They tail lights didn't light up no matter WHAT I did. The trailer lights had gone from being finicky to RIP. Bummer, huh? But I'd started so early today that I immediately set out to try and repair the problem (I'd already made and paid for my overnight reservation at the park and there were 20, non-refundable dollars at stake!).

I quickly discovered that the ground connection to the trailer hitch was, I kid you not, no longer even an honest to goodness actual wire. The "wiring", the metal thread inside the plastic - had literally turned to dust. Moisture (we've had lot of that lately!) had wormed its way inside the housing of the ground wire and done it's destructive thing. Same thing had happened further down, too, to the right tail light. A quick trip to O'Reilly's Auto Parts for a new flat, 4 pin connector and extra wire was followed swiftly by furious and determined repairing. An hour later the problem was fixed - the lights were back on. It was a quick fix, tho, and I'll have to tidy things up when I get back home tomorrow (see pictures of the quick fix). But I was road ready.

(side note: today is Halloween. Since I've lived on Wilson Street ((1999)), I have always doled out candy to the trick-or-treaters who've enthusiastically come to my front door in costume, bag in hand, sweet tooth at the ready. Sometimes it's just teens dressed like teens, but with a little face paint. Doesn't matter. I give candy to everyone who says those magic words. But not tonight. I'm not there. I'm here. But I took measures. Before I left, I put a large bowl (200+ candy pieces!) on the chair by my front door. Right above the bowl, on the chair, I taped a handwritten note that I composed with a Sharpie instructing the revelers to, while observing the "Honor System," help themselves to 4 candies each. I hope it worked! UPDATE: not only was every last Tootsie-Pop, bubble gum and Gummy Bear gone when I returned - so were the bowl and sign - everything had vanished!).

Aaany-way... I pulled out of my driveway at 2:30p, every trailer light now functioning. I had not towed the trailer more than a few miles from my front door heretofore on several test runs. But, BUT -- today I towed it all the way to Bastrop State Park (yes!). And it handled beautifully! It was a short, 30 mile trip. Per other folks suggestions regarding tiny campers, towing, and speed, I never drove above 60 mph, which is a nice speed for a right lane hugger like me. (I've finally learned to try and slow down, btw, and not be in such a hurry all the time. It's hard to tap this impulse down in Austin traffic, tho. More than once I've caught myself shaking a fist at other drivers. Embarrassing. And in Texas, quite possibly dangerous!)

Where was I? Oh yeah, my goddam trip. The GPS got me to the park office perfectly, and after checking in with the friendly ranger, getting my bearings, directions and ID stickers, I drove to my spot, #56. I found it easy. BUT, it took numerous attempts to back the ATXBreeze into its assigned area. Backing and aiming a trailer is a skill I presently do not possess but am very, very slowly getting better at. Why is it taking so long? Well, the whole angling, maneuvering, and aiming of a trailer to a particular spot while in reverse is entirely counter intuitive for ONE. I was relieved there were no other park visitors nearby to witness my hapless trailer-backing-up-skills as their laughter would only have added to my anxiety.

Since I've been here (I arrived around 3p) I've experienced a variety of weather conditions in just a few hours (it's almost 7p) Alternately, it's been hot, humid, cloudy, sunny, it's drizzled rain, its rained hard, there was a warm breeze followed by a cool breeze that transformed into a COLD breeze on the fucking spot. That last bit of weather drove me inside my tiny trailer. It was in the 80s when I left, it's 62 this very minute, and raining. I can hear thunder, too. When it was still light, warm and breezy, a Park Ranger came by and told me we were under a "tornado watch". He pointed me to a shelter (a concrete toilet building just over a hillock that I could barely see) should the tornado "watch" turn into a tornado "warning". So here I am inside the ATXBreeze listening to Bob Dylan on iTunes. Tom Waits and Abba too. And the Beatles. It's cozy in here, not at all unpleasant. I brought along some gin and some tonic for cocktail hour. I like having a couple of those to cap the evening off. But G&Ts makes me a little tipsy, that tasty drink does. And should a twister come around, I may have to make a dash for the toiletshelter. But under the influence, what if I should run in the wrong direction? Dorothy landed in Oz. If I should be swept up and land somewhere else (gravity) I may land in nearby Lockhart, which I heard a long time ago, a small KKK chapter had headquarters. If this is still true, I may have to gather myself, however bruised and battered, and make another run for it!

(Who the EFF cares department) The gin and tonic prep was serenaded (iTunes!) by Link Wray's "Rumble" The gin and tonic's, first sip had Lemmy and Motorhead performing their spectacular "God Save the Queen" (Sex Pistols) cover, followed by The Band, and "The Weight"

Slept well! The tiny heater that I brought along (I brought everything that a much longer trip would require as a packing test) and which I had NO intention of using kept me toasty all night long (it was 56 degrees when I turned the light out). Breakfast was Nescafe instant coffee (not bad) and one of my keto friendly flaxseed muffins. I pulled out around 11 or so and got home before noon. My first trip while pulling the ATXBreeze was fantastic, and I really enjoyed myself! I'm already planning the next trip, it'll be much longer (4 states, including the Lone Star one).

Hey, thanks for reading the ramble and looking at the snapshots. And don't forget to check back in now and again :) Peace out and luuuuv to all, Max!