That title sounds menacing, but it really wasn’t. Mainly it was annoying and some of it was all because the GPS was leading us in circles. It’s a long story and I’m hesitant to get into it, but what the hey, I’ve got nothing but time. You have permission to stop reading this any time you wish. Just don’t tell me.

First, the morning was overcast when I got up and it made me wonder if there was going to be rain in the forecast. Since I don’t check the news when I get up, or listen to the radio, I didn’t have a clue about what the weather would be. Also, I didn’t really give a rip because weather isn’t one of my concerns while we’re parked here in our current paradise. Nope, it might be cloudy, but it’s neither too hot nor too cold. Just perfect.

By easily ignoring the morning weather we had one less problem to worry about. Not that there was anything else to worry about but, you know, you just never know what might happen. That meant we could go out today and do something different instead of just hang out in the RV. We’ve been here a week and it’s about time we got out and looked around a little. Right? Yes, we needed to look around the town in which we lived for a number of years in the 80’s.

We had 2 objectives when we left: 1) Get gas in the car. It’s been running on empty for a few days now and we don’t want to get stuck halfway across the San Diego Coronado Bay Bridge although it might have been pretty exciting: 2) We decided to have lunch at the Shake Shack. We ate at one of those in the Portland area with Maryssa, Matt, their baby Tommy, Bob, Steffani, Jennifer, Daniel, Cedric, Lydia, Jeran, Jasper, and Siah. Say that six time real fast. The food at that facility was very good so we thought we’d try it again. Diane found one in Old Town so that’s where we went first.

We found the Shake Shack easily because the GPS hadn’t decided to test us yet. Again, the food was very good. The only negative was the price – two simple cheeseburgers, one order of fries, one root beer and one chocolate shake for $35 and change. That seemed a little excessive but, heck, we’re on vacation so it’s Ok to splurge once in a while. I offered Max a french fry, but he refused. I’m pretty sure he was hoping for a hunk of hamburger instead.

When we were done eating, I programed by phone to take us to a local Chevron so we could top off the tank. This is where the GPS went crazy on us. It took us around in circles to the point where Diane was getting really upset until I realized that the station it was trying to get us to was on the MCRD base, but the GPS didn’t know where the main gate was. What fun. It was then that I reprogrammed it to take us to the closest Chevron it could find, and it took us there without error.

The station was pretty crowded when we arrived, but we managed to get near an unused hose. I started the process then was accosted by a young black man who had wandered across the street and stood about 10 feet from my back, as I worked, yelling obscenities about the “racist b**ch who owns the station.” He also proclaimed, over and over, that he was a “n*gg**. Since he was behind me, I ignored him as best I could and continued filling the tank. I could have terminated the process and just walked away, but I stuck it out until the hose clicked off at 14+ gallons and about $75. All that gas and a show, too.

When I put the hose up, I had to turn around to get into the car, so eye contact was unavoidable. It was brief and I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it seemed to have been enough for this young man to terminate his tirade and walk away. I actually felt as though I dodged a bullet.

Back in the car Diane had already programed the GPS for the trip home and that’s where we went. It was determined, unanimously, that old town San Diego was far too peopley for us and nothing like we remembered from all those years ago.

Before entering the park, we stopped at the dog park situated just outside the gate. A young couple had two labradoodles, one black, one white. We waited until they left because we didn’t want repeat of the dog fight at the previous dog park. I explained our reason for waiting which was a good opener to conversation. We didn’t get names, but she is an emergency room nurse, and they own a townhome in Tucson, AZ which they offered to sell us. That was thoughtful, but since we didn’t get names, or numbers, it’s not likely to happen. Still, it was an interesting offer. Nice kids.

When Max had sniffed every corner, and blade of grass, we went back to the RV. Diane sat outside and read while I watched the last few minutes of the Chiefs and Bengals football game. It was an exciting game. Kansas won.

Now it’s late and time for me to brush my teeth and go to bed.