“Mom, the window is missing”

We left Orlando on Friday morning headed to Pine Island, near Fort Myers. The temperature dropped overnight from the 86 degrees on Thursday to a cool 56 as we broke camp.  Mar wasn’t feeling well and was in bed for much of the AM.  She joined me upfront for a little school work and conversation about mid day as I was driving and then went to the back to go potty.  As we neared the transition from I-4 to I-75 near Tampa, Mar came up from the back to let me know that the window in the back bedroom was….gone.  I was in disbelief initially and then I looked in my mirror.  Yup.  Gone.  Huh?  How and where  did THAT happen?  I’m not sure I will ever know.  

As my mind raced about ‘what NOW!?!’ I noticed an RV dealership along I-4 and exited to figure out next steps.  The Camping World near Lakeland Florida does not stock windows and were not overly optimistic about repair time and window delivery, but they did close up the gaping 37 x 23 inch hole in the back bedroom where the window had been to get us on our way.  I checked to make sure the window was nowhere to be found, for other damage to the RV and also for damage to the Jeep. Everything seemed fine, although it still made no sense about what happened!?!

We made it to Pine Island by 3 and when I checked into the KOA here I mentioned my woes and they had a business card for a mobile RV repair guy. We got settled and I called Brandon with Fort Myers Mobile RV repair who laughed with me as I recounted my tale and assured me that this was not the first time he had seen this happen. He also said that we had not done anything wrong which I was relieved to hear. He said he would be by shortly to take a look. He came by and we visited and he took some measurements-he has a vendor he can order replacement windows from.

He let me know that he would be happy to help me and would prefer to get it fixed properly instead of just putting plexiglas or cardboard in the hole. I appreciate his willingness to help me and to do the repair right. He is unable to get the window until late next week, so we will keep our schedule and return to Fort Myers (very near Pine Island) in a week and he says that he can install the new window within an hour. 

So hows that for excitement!!?!? Sheesh. On the plus side, our spot at the KOA here in Pine Island is Gucci with a pool and hottub and a darling patio at our site. We are near the front of this huge park and Lilly and I have made many new friends as everyone stops here when they check in to the campground. Plus we are right across from the pool, so that’s a bonus! Last night I built my first solo charcoal fire and grilled turkey burgers at the campsite. #winning!

Mar has caught up on online school and I have done some work and laundry. Tomorrow morning we head south towards Miami and will have three days to explore the Keys and the Everglades.

Stay tuned for how the window repair goes! Happy Sunday!