My alarm clock woke us at 5:30am – I know – crazy early! We wanted to arrive at our next stop early, since the campground was first come/first serve. We were on the road by 6:35am. Following a one hour 20 minute drive, we landed in Lithia at Lithia Springs Park. This would be our second stay, our first visit was back in 2017. Our friends, David & Sharon, of Two Lanes of Freedom, were camphosting there, and David would be helping Bill with the installs.

Despite our early departure/arrival, someone with a 30′ Travel trailer was an earlier bird than us, putting them first in line for an open site. After the ranger opened the gate, one at a time we pulled up and added our name to the list, then parked and waited in the parking lot.

After a while, we saw a pop-up leave. The other trailer must have gotten called because they pulled out of the parking lot and toward the campground. A short time later, maybe 10 minutes, another pop-up left. Bill decided to walk down and see which sites opened up.

Turned out that the travel trailer chose the larger site, and we were too big to get into for the one left open. We actually could have fit in the site, but there wasn’t enough swing room for us to get into it. We spent that night in the parking lot, and got a site the next day.

What was stressful was Bill had two installs scheduled, and I was concerned about them getting sites. We ended up paying for one night for each of them to “save” the sites that became available the day before their arrival dates. Didn’t want to risk nothing opening up the following day. I don’t think we will be doing this again, as much as we love the park.

While Bill and David worked on installs, Sharon came over and spent some of her volunteer hours painting some fencing around our site. It was nice to chat, just us girls. I also appreciated Sharon letting me hitch a ride to the grocery store, since Bill needs the truck, which houses all his tools.

Shannon and Rodney came to visit us one day. I made Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs – they were so good! Shannon brought brownies for dessert! It was hard when they left, as I’m not sure when we will see them again.

Jim & Barb, of Jim and Barb’s RV Adventure, reached out to see if there were any sites available, and initially there wasn’t, so they went to dry camp at the Escapees Park in Bushnell. No sooner had they parked and started setting up in Bushnell, when someone left in Lithia. I couldn’t initially get in touch with them, so I went ahead and paid for the night for them, holding it until the following morning. When they returned the call and learned the site opened up, they packed back up and drove over! Bill & I had Happy Hour with them and Sharon & David.

We hosted the annual FL RV Dreams Picnic at Lithia Springs Park. Sharon & David watched the week prior to see if anyone reserved our preferred pavilion, #2, and thankfully no one did! That meant it became first come/first served. Bill & I were at the pavilion at 7:55am, before the gate opened, to put some signs and stuff there to claim it, so people would know it was taken.

Bill & I went back about 12:30pm, in case anyone was early for the 1pm start time. Originally the weather was supposed to be cloudy and yucky, but it turned out to be a really beautiful day! We had 28 people come; some friends we hadn’t seen in a few years and new friends we hadn’t met before. A great time was had by all!

We’ve had a crack and big bullseye in the windshield of the truck for quite awhile. While in Lithia, we decided it was time to get it replaced, so we called the local Safelight. Joshua arrived and got right to work. Less than an hour later, we had a brand new windshield! They even contacted our insurance and got all that figured out. It literally was one of the easiest things to do! All things should be so easy!

Our last full day in Lithia, my parents came to see us. I had really wanted to get to Parkesdale Farmers Market in Plant City, but hadn’t yet, so we decided to go. They have the best strawberry everything, including strawberry shortcake and shakes – so good! Knowing I’d be seeing my strawberry-loving son soon, I picked up half a flat to share with him.

It was sad saying “see you later” to my Mom & Dad, as it always is. Good news is I know they will be in PA in April to see Freya!

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