Day One: A Bunny, a Brake Wire, and the Open Road

Ten years married, and we’re kicking it off the way we do everything — hitched up, pointed south, and hoping the fifth wheel behaves. Today was day one of the big one: sixteen days down to the Gulf Coast of Florida and back, our anniversary loop.

We rolled out of Milliken this morning for the longest driving day of the whole trip — nearly nine hours to our first overnight at the Elk City/Clinton KOA, just over the Oklahoma line. Better to get the big miles out of the way early while everyone’s still fresh.

About halfway through the Texas panhandle, the trailer brakes started cutting out — not gone, just intermittent, which is almost worse because you’re never sure if they’re going to be there when you need them. We pulled off in Spearman, TX to have a look and found a short in the brake wiring. Nothing serious, just an old connection that had finally had enough. A few zip ties, a wrap of electrical tape, and we were back on I-40 in no time. Filed under “why we always carry a tool bag.”

We rolled into the KOA right around sunset, got leveled and set up, and while we were unwinding a tiny cottontail hopped straight into the campsite to check us out — ears up, not the least bit shy, clearly unbothered by the new neighbors. Good a way as any to end a long driving day.

Fifteen days and a lot of miles still ahead of us. Everything’s going great so far.