Day One at The Goldcoaster

Entry/Exit off SW 187th Ave.

Well, I confirmed my observations about this being an Oasis here in Homestead -- after getting officially checked-in to my site (giving them a check, of course for the balance due on my 10 day stay here), I headed to the nearby Walmart store to restock my pantry and fridge.  While enroute and while returning, I observed most houses and businesses had metal bars on doors and windows or they had chain-link fences surrounding them with gates and guardhouses.  Everywhere along the way, I noticed small gatherings of men (hispanic or black, young and old) seemingly waiting at spots familiar to local contractors who might ask for them to provide labor in return for a day's pay (probably in cash so they wouldn't pay taxes or benefits normally required for an employee) -- standard practice for an area with lots of legal and illegal immigrants.

Clubhouse at 34850 SW 187th Ave.

I dug out my jar of pennies from the Jeep before starting my shopping at Walmart and hit the "Coinstar" machine there -- hoping to pay for a few bottles of wine with the proceeds.  After feeding over 1550 pennies into the machine, I walked away with an empty jar and a voucher for just over $14 (which more than covered the cost of the 3 bottles of "Lucky Duck Riesling" that found their way into my shopping cart).  Yes! That wine is less than $4 per bottle but, it suits my taste and life-style now -- also had it before I started this latest journey.  Well, I restocked most everything I needed, including the next twelve days of food for the twins and another container of litter for their use -- just can't make them stop eatting and pooping.

After getting back to my site in the safety of the compound, I decided to wash both vehicles to get most of the salty deposits from the month at Flagler Beach -- where they wouldn't let you wash either.  It took most of the afternoon to get the RV and Jeep cleaned up and looking good again -- the Winnebago looks new again (except for the small side reflector light on the driver's side that I broke while backing into the site).  I didn't even notice I had broken the little light until one of the permanent residents (Ruth) came by while I worked on the RV -- the small red lens (about an inch by two) lay on the ground under the electrical box I plugged into.  Seems I brushed the box and chipped it off without noticing -- had my eyes on the back up camera and the fruit tree getting too close.

All Clean Again and Looking New?



Place Across the Street

The Meanderthal Man needed a rest after that and a short nap on the passenger-side sofa seemed to be just the fix needed -- before heading to drop-off the recyclables and getting the "Activity Sheet" for the resort and community.  After the brief, if any real nap, I walked to the one trash/recycle location and passed many nicely landscaped yards -- one of special note had these beautiful Palm trees and will need to get a picture of them today before I head out for an exploratory trip to Key Largo (my next stop).


Best Cluster of Palms I've seen



Those Beautiful Palms

Last night I decided to break out the small portable gas grille (Christmas present to myself) and have my first cookout of this trip (since I had bought the burgers and turkey dogs at Walmart earlier).  Got out the great BBQ utensils my daughter (Laura) had given me one Christmas a few years ago and used the light of the setting sun to enjoy a burger, a couple hot dogs and some Bush beans -- a few cold Coors-lites to help the cooking task go smoothly.  Before starting the grille and getting to the duties of cooking, I had to fix the rickety picnic table first.  It had one angle-brace setting on top and the other broken or split underneath the other end.  Fortunately, I had a little bundle of stainless steel deck screws in the Jeep console and my battery operated "Ridgid" drill kit sitting out next to my bed in the RV.  Took about 15 minutes to fix -- now if I could just bill them here or get that cable TV connection previously denied because of my short stay here.

As it turns out, I am only about half an hour away from the next campground (Calusa Campground) just south of John Pennekamp State Park so, I will probably pack the saltwater fishing gear in the Jeep and make the short trip down to check things out -- maybe try a little fishing with the few pieces of bait left in the fridge.  Take those pictures on my way out -- of those Palms and the community walls (with cast iron spiked tops).