Lost In Tampa

November 10, 2001 Saturday-11:30am I suppose we are definately in Tampa now! Man I hate this place . Nothing ever has been in my favor here. The trick now is to find 301, I'm not gonna get in no big hurry , just try to cruise thru and not draw any attention to us. My biggest concern is finding Skillet something to eat.I have enough money for one more meal for him. Our luck has held up so far, he's ate everyday.Not healthy , but substance is what we're working on here.

I found a Parka that blew out of someone's car yesterday and that might fight off the chill a little at night. I sure ain't carrying the wardrobe I'll need up the road. There's an old saying about dumb and tough, right now both have the same meaning. I metr this homeless guy this morning and he told me about a soup kitchen that started serving at 3:00pm. Sounded good but I can't hang around in one place in the city that long. So, we headed on to the hunt for 301. Really , really chilly last night (40's are cold for a Miami native)

3:15pm- What a miserable day trying to find 301. I'm sitting in a little kids car in front of a home being demolished on Hwy 92. We got lost twice trying to find 301. Some tracker this little dog is, or maybe he's mad at me and is punishing me. I don't know if I am going in the rigt direction or not , but this is the way we are going. I suppose we are in Brandon at the moment. Seems like a nice town too. I could live here if it wasn't in Tampa.

My luck hasn't taken a positive turn yet, but I did find a Granola Bar somebody left a phone booth and a bag of red licorice candy that tasted like gummy bears. Also found a bag of puppy chow with about a cup of food still in the bottom. That isn't enough food for Skil's, but there has to be a grocery store somewhere in this town. The next main road I find that is headed north I'm taking it. We need to find a place where we can rest up for a day or two. The little guy does alright in the evening , but the heat of the day is rough on him.

6:30pm- Finally on 301, where it meets I-75. This town is confusing! Earlier we walked under 301 and didn't know it. We walked about 6 miles that were a waste of foot power. But, while walking along I found boxes of Mini-Muffins, some empty and 2 that were unopened. Oh Happy Days! Skil's hasn't never ate sweet stuff, so I didn't think to offer any. But, when I did he gobbled 2 of them down. I had eaten most of them by then and I felt so bad that he didn't get any. He could have had them all if I knew he would eat them. I'll get him something good tomorrow if I have to slaughter someone's cow. I sure hope this little guy makes this trip. I sure love that little dog.