Ups and Downs in Pensacola

After a long day's stop and go driving on 98 through the beach towns on the coast, we finally arrived at Fort Pickens National Park outside of Pensacola Beach.  It was recommended by John Schwab 2 that we were there to visit.  It was the most beautiful spit chock full of white sand, but way far out there for just an overnight.  There are too many beautiful places in Florida!

Unfortunately, when we went to unhitch the trailer the jack completely failed.  It was too bad that the campsite was too short to hold the trailer and truck.  Therefore the truck blocked the one way entry to several sights.  With cars backing up in queue, Tim was almost bending metal to get the truck unhitched.  With a little help from our neighbours, some ingenuity using the stablising jacks and a lot of sweat from Tim, we got unhitched and let the flow of cars through.  The next thing we did was call Camping World to triage the problem.  They thought the best thing to do was to replace the jack, our first and hopefully last emergency maintenance.  

The only way to relieve Tim's anger and frustration was to head to Peg Leg Pete's to meet John Schwab 2 (the father of John Schwab 3, our friend from London).  This place was brilliant.  It had a live band and playground.  So, Tim and Karen enjoyed margaritas and music while Georgia got stuck in to the playground.  John arrived just as our table became available.  He treated us to drinks, appetizers and stories about their family and Johnny's childhood.  It was great to meet him.

Oysters with John Schwab II

When we went back to our campsite and after Georgia was asleep, Tim called his mum for a chat.  In the middle of his conversation, Tim asked Karen to come out with the camera.  An armadillo had joined us for his evening rummaging.  

The next day, Karen found some tree frogs and brought one into the trailer for Georgia to see.  It got loose and took a tour of our trailer.  Tim had to do a catch and release.