I had considered going down the keys and checking out the everglades but, after looking at the prices I decided there were better ways to spend $50+ then on a campground. So, instead I went back north. The wind was brutal on the coast and not all that much better inland which made the fatigue come fast and the miles slow. I would occasionally jump over to the gravel farm roads that run parallel to the highway for a change of pace.

Just as the sun was setting, I pulled into Allapattah Flats where I had reserved a free campsite.

Naturally I went 3 miles down the road before it dead ended with no sign of a campsite anywhere. After a couple minutes of confusion, I checked the satellite maps and figured out I was on the wrong access road.

By the time I had ridden back to the main road and it was completely dark. Then, going down the proper access road I had to dodge cows and their droppings, thanks to the lights I had just installed I didn’t make splats of any kind.

When I go to the campsite, I was the only one there.

The next day I got to Orlando where I stayed a couple of days with my godmother before heading north.

While there I noticed I was below low on oil despite having changed it less than 1k ago, I hoped it had something to do with the oil I put in or maybe a leak I hadn’t noticed. I changed the oil again, wiped down the engine and watched it for a day no leaks.

When I finally left Orlando the wind had died down and was replaced by some seriously menacing clouds.

The clouds seemed to hold off and I spent the day exploring Ocala National Forest.

I was headed to my campsite when I noticed a grinding noise, especially loud when I went over potholes. I pulled to the side and found the issue; the bracket holding my chain guard on had fallen off.

I got down and pulled it off I will have to find someone to weld it at some point. Somehow the combination of being on the side of the road with my tool kit out makes me a prime target for rain. Figures it rains 5 minutes and a quarter mile away from the campsite.

I set up my camp in the rain and hunker down.