Cocoa, Florida – Back to RVing!

We are back to the 5th wheel coach after ten days of vacationing aboard a cruise and a quick trip to Key West. It was a great time and we thoroughly enjoyed, but it is always nice to return back home. Rarely leaving the RV, it was nice to take a decent trip away from our “home.” We are back to RVing, in Cocoa, Florida!

Leaving our Home Alone

I was a little concerned about leaving the coach for this length of time. Many things could happen such as bad weather and theft. So, how to ensure it will be the most weather proof and somewhat resistant to break ins? I asked my friends and longtime full time RVers, Randy and Pam Warner, for some ideas and they gave us some feedback.

As far as weather related issues, I decided to pull in the slide outs and awning to seal the rig up as much as possible. Although, we have never had a water leak with the slides out, it just makes sense to bring them in against the seals to have less horizontal surface areas.

With the slides in, the coach obviously looks as if no one is home. An invitation to theft? Maybe, but I parked the truck directly in front of the coach to make it appear that someone was home. I also let a few key folks at the park know that we would be gone and to keep an eye on it.

After all of my concern, the rig was fine. No issues. I guess it is my years of work experience and quality planning. We used to develop flow charts and decision trees focused on what can go wrong. Brainstorm all the things that can go wrong and try to put something into place to avoid the issue.

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JOY RV Park

Our park in Cocoa, JOY RV Park, is owned by a charity with all proceeds going to an orphanage in Africa. We like to stay here for the charity plus it is near Merritt Island, the home to where my parents lived in their retirement years. We know the area very well.

While the park does not have a ton of amenities, it is in a safe location, close to I-95, has a large club house, and the warmest heated pool ever. Plus, some very friendly folks.

Our next door neighbor has a truck almost exactly like mine. His is also a 2017, dually diesel, but it is the upgraded Lariat version. Paul is a retired engineer and is one of the most knowledgeable people about 5th wheel trailers and Ford trucks that I have met. He’s right up there with Bob Nies, from NY, that we have met a few times!

Paul asked me if I have had the rear outer rims replaced yet. No, why? Well, it seems they have a defect where the aluminum starts to corrode at the valve stem. Looking at my truck, we found the same thing. Ford is aware of it, but has no recall. If you complain, they may approve replacement. We’ll see…

National Cemetary in Mims, Florida

We drove the half hour or so north up to the tiny town of Mims, Florida to visit my father’s grave site at the National Cemetery for veterans. It is a very solemn walk around the graves, many of which are from WWII vets as well as Korea and VietNam.

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My father served in the US Navy toward the end of WWII aboard a destroyer escort ship. After war, he came home to Indiana and did a few jobs before starting at the New York Central Railroad which later on became Conrail. He retired from the RR in about 1994 and moved to Florida.

Military Museum

Merritt Island has a great little military museum. It is always good to visit. They had a couple of new displays.

New Blackstone Griddle

I picked up the small 17″ travel size Blackstone. It was pretty easy to season the heavy steel cooktop. Just like you season a cast iron skillet. My first use was to cook some vegetables and shrimp. I like it so far. More that later.

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Wrap Up

Next up is our trip to the Kennedy Space Center/NASA. Thanks for following along. Take care and God Bless.