Sand - #^*#!

Spent a couple of miserable days camped on the beach at Lake Powell (first two were just fine) - Wind came up a day early (35-50 mph). So strong I had trouble re-packing all the outside gear. So strong it skidded my solar panels out to full cord. Covered my outside carpet a half inch deep. And, I wasn't even down the beach were the sand's the most prevalent (thought I'd get stuck for sure down there). I now have sand dust everywhere, inside and out, TV and T@B.

So, wind died down a bit so thought I'd flee while the fleeing was good. Raised the levelers, stowed the leveling blocks, was ready to go - Ooooops, forgot the tire boot. Got down to unlock and discovered the lock cap had sprung open. Tried to insert the key, no go, lock filled with sand :-( ... The only way I could get the sand out was lay on the ground, squirt water into the lock and then suck out as much water and sand as I could. Rinse/repeat for 15 minutes. Finally got the key in and unlocked but now there was sand inside the sliding tubes. Had to get my hammer and beat them apart. The only alternative I could think of was to jack the T@B, remove the wheel with boot attached and put on the spare.

Looking back on it, I must have looked pretty funny laying there sucking on my boot lock. Nobody said anything but they had to have wondered what the heck I was doing.

Security or no, that boot ain't going on anywhere near sand or mud.