Monthly Archives: May 2024
We Didn’t Plan On This . . .
On last year’s Alabama trip, I referred to it as Our Southern BBQ Tour, since we were eating at 6 BBQ places along the way. We’re only eating at 5 BBQ places this trip, but we could call this Our Old Restaurant Tour.
First up was Weidmann’s in Meridian, MS where we ate this past Saturday, which has been around since 1870, and of course comes with a crock of Peanut Butter on the table.
Then this coming Thursday we’ll be eating at Golden Rule BBQ, which is recognized as the oldest BBQ Joint in the U.S, having started up in 1891. And even more amazing, it’s been pretty much in the same location, only moving slightly to allow for highway expansion over the years, going from dirt road back then to a 4-lane highway now.
Today was the youngster of the bunch, Big Bob Gibson’s, having only been around since 1925.
Jan and I headed down toward Decatur about noon, with a first stop at Buc-ee’s for gas. Not sure why gas is about 20 cents higher here in Athens, but it’s much cheaper down the road a bit.
Then it was on down to Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ, one of our regular stops in this area. And not just because it’s listed on many Top 10 BBQ Restaurants In The Country lists. They’ve got two walls of trophies and plaques to prove it.
Jan and I both got the Pulled Pork Sandwich, hers with Fries and BBQ Beans, and mine with Red Skin Potato Salad and BBQ Beans.
And since we also like their Hot Dogs, we shared one those too.
Then, of course, we had to have some of their pie. Jan’s was the Chocolate,
and I got the Peanut Butter version. I mean, it’s got Peanut Butter right there in the name, right?
You know it’s got to be good since people come in at 3am to start making the pies.
We also got a slice of Chocolate to go for when we see my cousin Marjorie tomorrow.
We Didn’t Plan On This.
We didn’t bring any clothes with long sleeves. It’s been going down into the 40’s at night, and still in the 60’s when we leave the hotel room in the morning. In fact, the high today was only 67 and we were using the heater in the Jeep.
Not what we were expecting.
Finishing up, thought I’d post this comparison between the Titanic and Royal Caribbean’s Icon Of The Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world.
Hope the Icon has enough lifeboats.
Thought for the Day:
Sometimes holding in all this sarcasm physically hurts. And y’all are not helping.
Your Retro-Preview Highlights –
2011 – Margaritaville, Fremont St., and the Bellagio Fountains
2013 – Margaritaville Again
2015 – R.I.P. to A Real American Hero
2018 – Memories of My Mother
And Now On To Today’s Retro-Blogs.™
May 13, 2009
To Boldly Go…
Today was another easy day.
We went to lunch at Sonny’s BBQ and then later in the afternoon went to see the new Star Trek movie.
I went in prepared not to really like it, based on what I’d read.
But I came away pleasantly surprised.
I knew they had made major changes to the Star Trek timeline. But they handled it well.
And they set it up for an entire new line of sequels.
The basic plot starts with the birth of James T. Kirk, but the real action starts at the end of his Star Fleet Academy training..
All of your old favorites are here – Spock, Bones, Scotty, Uhuru, Sulu, Chekov, The Enterprise, etc.
Well worth your time…
May 13, 2010
Redwoods and Cat Barf, again…
Since we had a 295 mile trip today, we got an early start and left the Sonoma-Marin fairgrounds in Petaluma about 8:30 am heading initially about 12 miles north to a small Pacific Pride truck stop we had scouted out yesterday.
I wanted to fill up with diesel before we got up into the boonies of the Redwood National Park. And my experience here just reinforced why I don’t like the big truck stops like Flying J, Pilot, TA, etc.. I was in and out in a little over 10 minutes with 100 gallons of diesel, unlike about a month ago when we left Las Vegas and stopped at a TA truck stop on the outskirts of town. It took me over 40 minutes to get diesel and get back on the road.
About a hundred miles down the road we started encountering our first big redwoods. We had been seeing smaller ones, about 50-60 feet or so, soon after we left Petaluma. But now we were seeing really big ones.
Some of these were over 100 feet high and 8-10 feet in diameter. It’s hard to believe that we’ll be seeing some redwoods here that are over 3 times higher.
Along with the redwoods, we encountered something else, another cat barf situation. It was Mister this time. Don’t know why this has started. Neither cat had a problem with all the curvy roads last year in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, so why now?
Maybe we’ll try not feeding them on travel mornings and see how that works.
About 2 pm we stopped at a Pepper’s Restaurant in Fortuna for lunch. They were located in a shopping center parking lot so we had no problem finding a place to park the rig.
This was unlike two other stops we tried to make today. We first tried to find a place to eat in Leggett, a small town about halfway along our trip, but neither of the two restaurants was open. A little while later we drove thru Garberville, a very nice little with a lot of restaurants, all open. But we found no place to pull over and park the rig.
We ate at a Pepper’s in Petaluma last week and liked it, and it was good this time too.
We both had sandwiches that were large enough that we had leftovers to take with us for supper tonight. We also got a piece of coconut cream to split tonight for dessert.
Our road, US 101 was pretty good. It was mostly 4 lane with a smattering of 2 lane, usually thru the mountain curves and steep hills.
We had seen several signs about “Elk Crossing” along our route today, but about 30 minutes before we got to our park, we came across a small herd of elk right along the highway, only about 30 feet away. They didn’t seem to mind, or even take notice when we stopped right beside them.
We pulled into Klamath River RV Park about 4:30 and got set up. The view is certainly better than we’ve had for the past week. This is the view out the front of our coach.
And this is the view from out back.
We will be here for 3 nights and plan on leaving Sunday morning. Tomorrow we’re going to take a drive thru the redwoods, and see some of the other sights around here.
May 13, 2011
Margaritaville and Blueberries . . .
Yesterday was our last chance to check out some of the Vegas attractions on the Strip.
So, after we spent the morning resting up from our talk show trip to LA on Tuesday and Wednesday, we left the rig about 4 pm to have dinner at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville at the Flamingo Hotel on the Strip.
From a very large model of Jimmy’s seaplane hanging from the ceiling to a girl sliding down the side of a volcano into a blender of margaritas,
and then dancing on the bar, it was a great start to a fun evening.
Leaving Margaritaville, we drove down the Strip to the Border’s Book Store before heading up to Fremont Street to see the Fremont Street Experience. The Experience is a large video screen covering two city blocks in downtown Las Vegas that shows music videos every evening.
Out of the 4 shown every night, our favorite is the one set to Don McLean’s American Pie.
And something new this year is a Zipline Ride running almost 700 feet along under the screen.
You can even ride it during the show. You’re about 80 feet off the ground, traveling about 30 mph.
Then leaving Fremont, we headed back down the Strip to the Bellagio Hotel/Casino to take in their famous water show.
But to get to the fountains in front we traveled through the lobby and found this beautiful ceiling made from enormous glass flowers 2 – 3 feet across. Just beautiful.
Our viewpoint for the show let us look out across the lake toward the Strip and the Paris Casino.
The water show runs for about 5 minutes every 15 minutes, and each time it uses a different song, We heard Debussy, Chopin, and Beethoven, and even some Elvis. Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture would have been neat.
The show is another one of those events that the camera really doesn’t do justice. But here goes.
I’ll try to post some video in the next day or so when I get a chance.
After a somewhat abortive attempt to find a Boy’s Big Boy to have a late snack, we ended up at Blueberry Hill Diner once again, finally getting home at almost 1 am.
Who knew retirement would be so exhausting?
May 13, 2012
A New Record . . .
128 vehicles in and out today (Monday). That’s about one every 10 minutes for the 24 hours.
That’s too much like work!
They’re in the process of finishing up the well and big trucks are coming and going hauling out mud and other drilling fluids all day long. If they finish up on schedule then they’ll start tearing down on Wednesday, which is when we’ll move to the new site about 45 miles away.
However, we still don’t know the specifics of the move yet, like is our pad ready? Hopefully, we’ll know more tomorrow. If what other gate guards have told us works out, we’ll have several days free to relax and maybe drive into San Antonio, before the rig is set up and running at the new site. Certainly hope so, anyway.
Today marks the beginning of our 2nd month gate guarding. We plan on doing this another 3 months or so, before heading up to Celina, OH the first part of September.
Brandi and Lowell sent over some more Landon pics.
Here he is chilling out at Pink Berry. Cool glasses!
And here he is chowing down on Boudin Balls and Ranch Dressing at T-Bone Tom’s in Kemah.
That’s about it for today. IF we stay on schedule our next blog may be from our new site.
Stay tuned!
May 13, 2013
It’s Time to Get Out of Dodge . . . Well, Las Vegas, anyway.
We left Apache Junction when the temps started getting into 3 digits, and now that weather has caught up with us. Officially it was 101 today, but it was 113 under our awning, so it’s just about time to hit the road.
We’ll leave here Wednesday and spend one night in Tonopah, NV where it will be 82/52. Starting Thursday we’ll be in South Lake Tahoe for two weeks where the temps are forecast to be in the high 60’s/ low 70’s and high 30’s/ low 40’s at night. Very, very nice.
I braved the heat for a while to finish topping off my house batteries with the distilled water I got yesterday, and also packed some stuff away to get a head start for Wednesday.
I also washed out a couple of compartments using my new Little Big Shot Super Hose Nozzle,
This thing is really neat. It will adjust your water spray from a needle-fine hard stream to a full spray. The needle spray is great for washing out areas without getting water all over everything next to it, and the full spray is great for washing your coach.
Then after working out in the heat, a nap seemed to be a good idea, and I was right.
Since we wanted to see the Bellagio Fountain Show after dark, we planned on a late dinner, so we picked up Jim and Peri at 6pm and headed down Flamingo Rd. to the Flamingo Casino. We were having dinner at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville located in the casino there.
Our meals were good, and there’s something entertaining always going on, from dancers on stilts,
to a bikini-clad girl sliding down the slide of a volcano into a giant margarita glass,
finishing up with a trapeze act hanging from a large fishing hook high over the crowd. Really neat.
By the time we finished dinner, it was after 8pm and now dark, so we walked down the Strip toward the Bellagio.
The shows are every 15 minutes so we didn’t have to wait long for the next one. In fact we stayed for 3 shows, since each one is different.
For a little more, you can check out this short video of a show.
Tomorrow we’ll start getting ready to travel, and then finish up with one last buffet at Boulder Station Casino with Jim and Peri, before we head out on Wednesday morning.
May 13, 2014
Rollin’ On The Mississippi . . .
For the 2nd time in 7 years, we ran into an RV park where the shore power voltage was too high, I.e. above 132 volts. The last time was in Montgomery AL in 2010.
The voltage here at Tom Sawyer RV Park was running about 128 volts, but every now and then it would spike up to 133, just enough to cause our Progressive EMS to kick out. This was probably caused by AC’s on rigs around us cutting on and off. After checking the readings on my EMS, and seeing the spikes were short-term and seldom, I turned the bypass on so that the unit would stop popping the power on and off the rest of the evening.
We headed out about 9:30 for a quick, easy run up to Sikeston, MO. A couple of hours into our trip I pulled in the Pilot at Hayti, MO on I-55N to get some diesel. Coming up to the turn into the place I saw two entrances. The first one was labeled TRUCKS.
OK, probably not me. The second was labeled AUTOS/RVS.
OK, me.
Pulling in, Jan and I looked around for the RV pumps.
There were none.
So I pulled over to the right side of the pump islands to fill up there, although it would mean that I was stretching across both sets of pumps, but it wouldn’t be the first time.
New problem.
There were NO diesel pumps on the Auto pump islands. AT ALL.
And I wasn’t the only one lost. There was another RV, and a couple of dually diesel pickups orbiting the Auto pumps with me. Luckily I didn’t get hemmed in and was able to get back to the side exit, get back out on the road, and then into the truck area.
Followed closely by my new friends, like a line of baby ducks. Luckily there were open lanes so we didn’t have to wait.
My Silverleaf computer interface said I’d used 83.9 gallons, and 85.0 gallons filled my tank. Pretty accurate.
That 85 gallons took me 779 miles for an average of 9.16 MPG. The speed control set on 55mph, and a lot of flat country with no headwinds made that possible.
We got in the Hinton RV Park in Sikeston MO about 12:45 and got parked and set up. This is a very nice park where we stayed in 2012. It has nice long hard gravel pull-thru’s with an easy in and out.
After a nice nap, Jan and I left the rig about 4pm heading a couple of miles down the road to have dinner Lambert’s Throwed Rolls, one of our favorite places.
They have 3 locations around the country: Foley, AL, Ozark, MO, and here in Sikeston. And over the years we’ve eaten at all 3.
Later in the evening, I went online and canceled all the Thousand Trails reservations that I made for the Lake Conroe TT and the Colorado River TT through the end of August. I did this at the time when we didn’t know how things would work out with Jan’s breast cancer situation. But now that that’s been resolved, they can go away.
Tomorrow we’ve got another fairly short run of 185 miles up to Vandalia IL to spend a few days visiting with Jan’s sister Debbie, and her family. We’re really looking forward to it.
May 13, 2015
R.I.P. to A Real American Hero . . .
My uncle, Theo Wesley Calvin, Jr., died this afternoon at the Floyd Fann State Veterans Home in Huntsville, AL.
He was 93.
I knew from an early age that, like my mother, her brother, Uncle Buddy (what I called him) had been in WWII. But it was only much later that I found out just what that entailed.
My family and I visited my mother’s family in Athens, AL, as long as I can remember. Here I am with my Aunt Virginia and Uncle Buddy when I was about 18 months old.
This was probably in 1950.
Over the years, as I visited, and later lived in Athens, I learned more about his service to our country. One time exploring in my grandmother’s attic, I came across a WWII Army helmet that had ‘T. Calvin’ painted on the inside. And it also had a thumb-sized dent with a crack in it.
When I asked my uncle about it, he looked at me for a few moments and then said it happened the day after D-Day after his landing on Omaha Beach. He said it knocked him down, and his head rang for a week. Then he wouldn’t talk about it anymore.
Over the years, I picked up more facts, like that he fought across Europe under the command of General George S. Patton in an Anti-Tank Company
It was only in the last few years that even more of the story came out with the appearance of a mystery envelope full of medals in 2012.
As it turns out, Uncle Theo not only landed at Normandy on D-Day in June 1944, but he was also was part of the Operation Torch landings in North Africa in November 1942, and the Operation Husky landings in Sicily in July 1943. In all, he fought in 7 campaigns during the war, and received a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, signifying that he was wounded twice, both times in France.
He also fought in the last major offensive of the war, the Battle of the Bulge during December 1944 – January 1945. Dug in near Bastogne, Belgium, he said it was so cold nobody wanted to fight. “We could see the enemy, but we didn’t shoot at them, and they didn’t shoot at us.”
Among the many medals Uncle Theo received were a Bronze Star, the Belgium Fourragere, and the French Legion of Honor.
In 2011, Theo was the Grand Marshal of the Veteran’s Day Parade in Athens, honoring him for his service.
And then in 2012, Lt. Gen. Richard P. Formica showed up to pin that envelope of new medals on SSgt Calvin, medals that had been forgotten and not awarded at the end of the war.
Since we’ve been RV’ing, we’ve always made it a point to visit our relatives in Athens, and especially to visit my Uncle Theo in the Veterans Home where he’s been for the last several years.
Our hearts go out to my Aunt Virginia, and the rest of the Calvin family in North Alabama.
He will be missed.
May 13, 2016
Worse The Second Day . . .
Well, after a quiet morning, probably our last for a day or so, we headed out for Katy about 2:30, to pick up our grandson Landon so he can spend tonight with us in the ‘Truck House.” Unlike our last couple of trips south, this one was pretty smooth with no hang-ups or slowdowns.
We got to Brandi’s just about 4pm and Lowell had him all packed and ready to roll. Brandi was still at work, so Landon hugged Lowell and Miss Kitty, the dog., and we were on our way.
Going home, we took the new 99 Grand Parkway to avoid all the going-home traffic. And it really does. As soon as we got a mile or so off I-10 everyone was cruising at the 70 mph speed limit.
Well, no. Most everyone was doing 80 or above. This is like driving through west Texas, with absolutely nothing around you, just open countryside. So even though the route is further, and more expensive, than taking the Sam Houston Tollway, it’s certainly quicker during rush hour.
And there are the six entertaining toll booth charges. Where in the heck do they come up with toll amounts like $1.03, or $1.11, or even $1.98?
When I set our Garmin GPS to take us back to Conroe, the online traffic info said we would have 45 minute delay, and would be home about 6:15. But taking the Parkway we were back at the rig by 5:30. Nice!
Not actually back at the rig though, because we made a dinner stop at where Landon wanted to eat, Taco Bell.
The last time we ate at one was during our two-month blowout repair sabbatical out in Prescott, AZ last year. It’s strange because we always like it, but it never comes up when we talk about where we want to eat.
Getting back to the rig for real, Landon changed into his swimsuit and I dropped him and Jan off at the park pool for about an hour and a half or so, before picking them up a little after 8pm.
Getting home, we all snuggled down and watched the first episode of Star Wars, well, the fourth in the episode list, but the first one for us when we saw it in 1977. Landon had never seen it, and was looking forward to it.
Finishing up, apparently, a Treadmill Faceplant Face looks much worse the second day.
Here”s the first day.
And here’s the second day.
At least he’s smiling now.
May 13, 2017
The Biggest We’ve Ever Seen . . .
It got cold enough last night that we thought we might wait up to a covering of snow, but no luck.
But we did get more white stuff on and off several times during the morning and afternoon, but none of it stuck around. The temp finally crept up to the low 40’s, staying mostly overcast all day.
For breakfast this morning, along with our coffee, we had half of our Cardamom Ocean Rolls from yesterday’s visit to the Sparrow Bakery.
Really good, especially with the cardamom flavor.
Later our daughter Brandi sent over these pics of Landon at hockey practice.
Looking pretty good on skates
Not sure if Landon just checked the other kid, or maybe he just likes short naps.
And here’s Landon with his uncle Chris who came up to watch practice.
About 4:30 we headed out for dinner at Cinco de Mayo down in La Pine, with a stop right next door to pick up our friend Dina.
Whoever recommended Cinco to us years ago is lost in the mists of bad memories, but if they read the blog, hopefully, they’ll speak up. But whoever it was, it was a great recommendation.
Jan had the 3 item combo with a Chili Relleno, a Beef Taco, and a Beef Enchilada.
These are the biggest plates we’ve seen anywhere with a diameter of almost 19”, and they fill them up. So everyone had leftovers.
Dina got this huge Taco Salad.
I got the Carne Asada Dinner.
Everything more than met our expectations. Except their much-vaunted ‘Hot’ salsa. A number of the Yelp reviews talk about how hot it is. Well, maybe for Oregonians, but not for Texans.
In Texas, it would be, maybe medium-hot. So I used some of my Volcanic Pepper Dust to spice things up.
Besides Habaneros and Scotch Bonnets, this also has Moruga Scorpion Peppers, the 2nd hottest pepper, in it.
What I haven’t yet had a chance to try is the Carolina Reaper, the world’s hottest pepper as of a couple of years ago.
That thing looks deadly just sitting there.
Tomorrow we’ll probably just stay at home, with Jan whipping up a batch of her world-famous chili. And I can guarantee it will be hotter than Cinco de Mayo’s salsa.
May 13, 2018
Mother’s Day Memories . . .
I’ve mentioned before that my mother was an Army Nurse during WWII. Her first command as a Captain in the Army Nurse Corps was at Fort Benning, GA, where she was Chief of Nursing while George Patton was there.
When Patton left for California to set up the Desert Training Center for the Tank Corps, my mother, now Major White, was transferred to West Point where she spent the rest of the war, again as Chief of Nursing.
In August 1945, her nurses were on the train heading for New Orleans where they were to board a hospital ship heading for the coast of Japan to prepare for the coming invasion of the Japanese mainland. She wasn’t with them since she had the flu and was going to be on the next train, Then Hiroshima happened and they were turned back around
So it’s a good possibility that I’m only here because of the atomic bomb.
My father, on the other hand, a police detective in civilian life before he enlisted, spent the war in the Navy Shore Patrol, stationed in Chicago guarding the Navy Pier installation. He always said that he figured he did his part because “no Japs ever made it past Chicago.”
And then there’s a couple of the other mothers in my life, our daughter Brandi, and of course, my wife Jan.
Both here in one photo.
Jan and I headed out a little after 9am, on our way up to Katy,to meet up with our daughter Brandi, and her family. Then it was off to Anthonie’s Market Grill in nearby Simonton for a Mother’s Day get-together.
We’ve never eaten there before, but Brandi and Lowell had heard a lot of good things about it, and the reviews are great.
We were also meeting up with Brandi and Lowell’s friend’s Eric and Chantelle Nugent, and their son, Maddox.
Unfortunately Landon had wandered off.
And luckily for us, the reviews, if anything, were understated. The food was fantastic.
I started off with one of their House Specialty Bloody Marys.
Made with Spicy V-8, as well as some added heat, it was great. I’m not sure what they used to heat it up, but it wasn’t the Tabasco Sauce that many places use, because I can taste that. But it was much hotter than standard Spicy V-8 juice.
Jan had the 1/2 Flame-Kissed Rotisserie Chicken with the Grilled Asparagus.
I really like Wedge Salads, and I’d heard Anthonie’s had a great one. So I got the Wedge Salad with Grilled Chicken.
Brandi and Lowell both got the Ribeye, Brandi’s with their Creamy Spinach Stuffed Grilled Tomato. Brandi gave me a couple of bites, and this was a really good piece of meat.
One of the things that make Anthonie’s so good is that, despite the high-quality of the food, the prices are on the level of a Longhorn or Saltgrass Steakhouse. Not bad at all.
Hopefully, we’ll get to go back soon.
On a side note, Brandi and Chantelle are leaving tomorrow morning for the Dominican Republic and the Punta Cana resort area. Chantelle is a travel agent and is always winning sales contests for free trips, resort stays, etc.
So she and Brandi get to spend an all-expenses paid 5-day stay at an all-inclusive resort there. Nice!
After that great meal, Lowell, Landon, and I drove back to their house, while Jan and Brandi headed out to get Mother’s Day Mani-Pedi’s. So they came home with pretty toes, and Lowell and I got to nap.
So a good time was had by all.
We headed home about 3pm, with a detour by our new storage room. We had brought a loaded bin and some other things to drop off, and also finally installed our combo lock on the door.
I was happy to see that no one stole our stuff before we got it locked up
May 13, 2020
We Got Stimulated, with Mexican To go . . .
Jan and I picked up food from our local Los Ramirez Mexican this afternoon, and were happy to hear that they will be reopening their dining room starting on May 18, which is next Monday.
Turns out that’s the date when restaurants are able to go from 25% occupancy up to 50%. And I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what a number of other non-yet-opened restaurants are waiting for too.
While we were out and about, we went by the local PO to pick up our mail and found ourselves ‘stimulated’. DakotaPost, our Sioux Falls, SD mailing service sent out our check via Priority Mail on Monday and it showed up this morning.
Very Nice!
But also in today’s mail was the postcard from ATT/DirecTV officially informing us that we will lose our DNS East Coast/West Coast channels come June 1st. So now for the first time, we’re seriously looking at dropping DirecTV and picking up alternative streaming services, with one of our main criteria the amount of online recording we’re allowed, and also being sure that all the other channels we want are also available.
We already have Netflix, Prime Video, CBSAllAccess, and CuriosityStream so we’ll be looking at what else we can ask.
It we do drop DirecTV, they will be losing a 24-year customer, all because they didn’t lobby Congress to continue the DNS service.
May 13, 2021
My Backup, Backup, Backup Plans . . .
We had a little cool snap last night with temps down in the low 60’s, so it was very nice sitting out on the patio this morning. And it looks to stay the same way for the next few mornings. Very, very nice!
Since our June travel plan dates have firmed up, yesterday I started booking hotels in Brandon, MS, Athens, AL, Birmingham, AL, Montgomery, AL, and Daphne, AL.
Over the years I found that I get the best deals using Booking.com, rather than the other services. And yes, I know I can possibly get a slightly better deal by calling the hotels directly, but not always.
Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no.
Then this morning I started sending out emails/FB Messages letting family/friends know when we’d be in their area, and we’ve already heard back from three of them.
Really looking forward to seeing everyone.
I’m sure regular readers with remember my recent experiences with ordering Jan a pair of flamingo cups for Mother’s Day.
And that I always have Backup Plans for everything.
The first set, shipped in a plastic bag, but at least wrapped in bubble-wrap, came in like this.
But at least the company gave me an immediate refund as soon as I sent them the photo.
But then I found the same cups on Amazon and ordered another set, thinking that at least Amazon would pack them correctly.
This was my first Backup Plan.
But even Amazon had a problem with shipping them. While one came through OK, the other one looked like this.
So I had Amazon send me a replacement cup.
This was my second Backup Plan.
But not really trusting Amazon, I found another, different flamingo cup on Amazon and ordered it.
This was my third Backup Plan.
And in this case, both plans came through. The second (or fourth, maybe) came through fine.
As did the new one (or fifth one?).
This one was packed in a cardboard box in a frame of Styrofoam, and that inside a larger box along with bubble-wrap.
And, Jan likes this one even better, saying it’s prettier, and more importantly, holds a lot more coffee.
May 13, 2022
So Far, So Good . . .
Well, as I had hoped, I got the new Shipping computer in place and working this morning, with only a couple of bobbles. Mostly due to the correct printer not connected with the correct program. But, Jennifer successfully processed all of today’s orders with no problems.
Right now I got the new computer set up right next to the old one, but if everything goes OK on Monday, then on Wednesday I’ll move the old one back into my area. I’ll leave it on for a couple of days in case I need to move some forgotten data over to the new one.
Glad I got this done before we go on vacation in a couple of weeks.
Tomorrow it’s Pho Barr and WalMart once again. Looking forward to a quiet weekend with nothing really scheduled except for a few chores around the rig.
Thanks to everyone for all the kind comments about my Ramses posts. It was an amazing exhibit, and to me, much better than the Pompeii one we saw several months back.
One thing that’s hard to wrap your head around is how old the Egyptian civilization actually was.
Like –
When Ramses became Pharaoh in 1279 BC, the Pyramids were already 2000 years old.
and
Cleopatra lived closer to the moon landing than to the building of the Pyramids.
Amazing!
May 13, 2023
Our Southern BBQ Tour . . .
The First Leg.
We were on the way about 7:45 this morning, heading out on the first leg of our Southern BBQ Tour. At least that’s what it seems like.
Starting with the Sonny’s BBQ here in Brandon, MS, we’ll eat at six of our favorite southern BBQ places along the way, including twice more at Sonny’s, one in Pensacola, FL, and one in Baton Rouge on the way back to Houston.
Our first stop was about 45 minutes later for a pitstop, coffee, and topping the Jeep off with gas. Next up was the Pilot station at the Breaux Bridge exit about 200 miles along. The only slowdown was approaching the bridge coming into Baton Rouge, and it lasted all the way until the I-10/I-12 split.
Then after a final pitstop at the Welcome To Mississippi rest area, we got to the Sonny’s BBQ here in Brandon about 3:30. We find it much easier to eat before we check in to our hotel. That way once we get to the hotel, we’re in for the night.
Jan got the Half Rack of Baby Back Ribs, with Beans and Beans.
I went with my usual Pork 3 Ways, with Sliced Port, Pulled Pork, and Ribs, along with Beans and Beans.
Our food was as delicious as always, but it took forever. Or at least it seemed like it. And we didn’t get out of there until after 5pm. Then it was just a few miles down the road to the Sleep Inn where we are spending the night.
Tomorrow we’ve got about a 325 mile run up to Athens, AL where we’ll spend the next few days catching up with family and friends.
Can’t wait.
Jennifer, our Office Manager, is Karma-sitting for us while we’re gone, and she sent over this photo of Miss Karma making herself at home.
Happy Mother’s Day . . .
To All My Favorite Mothers
First off, I want to wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all the mother’s in my life . . . Jan, our daughter Brandi, and our daughter-in-law Linda. Jan, of course, heard from both of our kiddo’s today. Always nice.
Love You All!
We made two trips out and about today, with the first one down I-65 to the local Buc-ee’s. I wanted a new drink Koozie and Jan had some things she was looking for.
Found this one which is actually a well-insulated drink koozie, as well as a mug.
Then it was back up to the Wal-Mart right down the road from us for a few more things.
Then a little later, Jan finally decided where she wanted to have her Mother’s Day dinner, which turned out to be the Longhorn Steakhouse back over in Huntsville.
Which I’m sure had nothing to do with the fact that it’s very close to the Trader Joe’s where she visited yesterday, and wanted to go back again today,
No, not a thing.
Though they were busy, we only had about a 30 minute wait, but the meal was certainly worth it.
We started off with Salads with their made-in-house Bleu Cheese Dressing.
Then Jan moved on with her usual 9oz. Flo’s Filet and a Loaded Baked Potato,
while I of course got the Ribeye, along with a Loaded Sweet Potato.
Really liked the char on my steak.
And after seeing the photo on the menu, we couldn’t resist sharing a piece of the Strawberry Shortcake.
Then it was down the road to Trader Joe’s again, and then back to the motel.
Tomorrow’s exact schedule is kind of up in the air, since my cousin Marjorie has a doctor’s appointment in the early afternoon. So we’ll work around it.
May 12, 2009
Gliding thru the ‘Glades…
This morning we headed back up the Tamiami Trail into the Everglades to take an airboat ride.
We passed a place called Coopertown Airboats on our way down thru the Everglades from Ft. Myers and thought we’d check them out.
Not Us, but one like ours!
And it was a blast!
The water levels are low in the Everglades so in some cases we were airboating over mud flats and not water, but an airboat doesn’t really care as long as there are no stumps.
And there were alligators everywhere.
May 12, 2010
Redwood Bound…
Today was our last full day in Petaluma. Tomorrow we’ll head about 300 miles north to Klamath, CA to check out the Redwoods in the Redwood National Park.
Jan woke up under the weather today so about 11:30 am I headed out to get my leaking truck tire fixed at the Big O Tires down the street.
Later in the afternoon, Jan was feeling better, so about 2:30 pm we headed up the road about 15 miles to Santa Rosa to pick up some magazines at the Barnes & Noble and scout out a place to take on about 90 gallons of diesel on our way north tomorrow morning.. I’ve still got about 60 gallons onboard which is more than enough to get us up to Klamath, but since we will then be in the middle of Redwood National Park, I figure it’ll be better to fill up now.
Coming back we checked out a small truck stop about 12 miles up the road that has enough room for us to get in and out, so we’ll stop there tomorrow morning.
Getting back to Petaluma about 4pm we stopped at the Gourmet Garden for supper. This is a great Chinese buffet that we ate at last week and it was just as good this time.
We got back to the rig a little before 6 pm and I started getting things ready to travel tomorrow.
May 12, 2011
“Wednesday on The Talk . . .”
Yesterday was The Talk talk show day, so after getting up about 6:30, we tried to have the breakfast at the hotel. But there was a tour group there that was taking up all the tables, and then some. So after waiting a while we went ahead and just checked out and hit the road about 7:45 am.
It was about a 35 mile drive that due to the traffic, took us about 90 minutes, but we’d allowed for that so we got to Studio City about 9:15, 30 minutes before the 9:45 deadline when we would lose our seats and have to go on standby.
Everyone was given a number card in the order of your arrival. We got numbers 52 – 53, and after going thru security, we were sent to a waiting room to fill out our cards, and also sign a release form that pretty much allows them to do anything they want to us, and we just have to grin and bear it.
Then, after walking us a couple of hundred yards to the soundstage, about 10:30 they led us to our seats in the studio.
And right at 11 am the show started. This show is live, and runs in real time. They don’t do retakes or corrections.
And like our visit to the Bonnie Hunt Show last year, during the breaks, about 30 people swarm out onto the stage. Fixing hair, touching up makeup, adjusting clothes, talking about the script, etc. It’s a busy place.
Then the Floor Manager starts a countdown with “IN FIVE, FOUR . . . and Poof! everyone disappears.
The first guest was Alex Trebek of Jeopardy fame, and his introduction and entrance gave us our little claim to fame.
We got on National Television! Aren’t we a handsome couple?
The second guest was Ellen Kunes, who wrote the bestselling “The Carb Lovers Diet”. Normally when an author is on the show, everyone in the audience gets a copy of the book, and today was no exception.
Just what I need, a diet book! (Well, actually, we probably do need it. We just don’t want it.)
It seemed like before you know it, the show was over. We had been told we would be taping two full shows today, but we only did one and some parts.
Parts, as in pieces that will be stitched together to show later.
While we were waiting to get started again, the crew passed bananas, granola bars, and water to the audience as a snack.
First off, was a cut-in with the editor of Redbook Magazine, along with the man voted ‘Hottest Husband” and his wife. The audience all got the latest issue of the magazine and a coupon for a year’s subscription. Whee!
Next was a cut-in with Megyn Price from “Rules of Engagement”. This 5 minute segment will be added to another show later. This usually happens when the guest star can’t be there when the show airs live.
Then everyone went off and changed clothes, and they taped the opening and closing for another show that will be shown next week when the cast and crew take a break.
Finally, they ended up with the cast members doing some promos for tomorrow’s show. You know, those ones that go “Tomorrow on The Talk our guests will be”.
And by about 1:30 we were done. As we filed out we were given our free diet book and our Redbook stuff. We were also given some free eco-friendly perfume, whatever that is.
At least last year The Bonnie Hunt Show fed us hot dogs and cupcakes.
After a quick walk to our car, and a slightly-less quick stop at the nearby McDonald’s, (no breakfast, along with a banana and a granola bar only takes you so far) we headed back toward Las Vegas.
Going home we took a longer way with a slight detour up through Palmdale and Lancaster.
By about 5 pm we were in Yermo, CA where we stopped at Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner. We’ve stopped here a couple of times before as we passed through the area and it’s always good. And this time was no exception.
Hitting the road again, we headed up I-15 toward Las Vegas and home, and after a quick pit stop at Primm’s, we got back to the rig about 9:30, very tired, but happy we had such a good time.
May 12, 2012
Our New Home ??
Yesterday (Friday) marked our 2nd week of gate-guarding here at this Marathon site. And we probably won’t hit 3 weeks because our rig will be leaving around the middle of next week, and we’re probably going with it.
At least we think so. The Marathon people want us to follow them, but we haven’t heard definitely from Gate Guard Services yet.
Since I was over near the new drill site today I decided to take a look at the area. The road is pretty good, much, much better than our first gate. The first 3 miles are regular two-lane paved road, with the last 5 miles consisting of a very good gravel road. There are already a couple of drill sites in the area, with a lot of heavy truck traffic, so the roads are being kept up.
Here’s the turnoff to the drill site. The pad is a mile or so down this road, so I don’t know if we would be parked here, or closer in. I couldn’t get to the drill site itself because they were still working on the road back in there.
But this doesn’t bode well. Just to the left of this turn-in, I saw this.
Maybe this move isn’t such a good idea after all. Or is the road back in there worse than I thought?
Also yesterday, our diesel generator started acting up. The diesel part was fine, The generator itself was the problem. The L2 side kept dropping below 105 volts and our Progressive EMS was shutting down power to the rig to protect our AC’s.
The L-1 side was also low, about 112 volts, but still within limits. Since it was in the 80’s and we needed the AC’s, I disconnected from the generator and started up our coach generator. Then my next step was to call Mark, our support guy.
He was out here in about 20 minutes to check things out. By this time the L2 voltage was down to about 80 volts. Not good. And after fiddling with the voltage adjustment with no success, he declared the generator deceased and called to have a new one brought out.
So in about another 30 minutes our new generator trailer was in place and purring along. The replacement generator also solved our other problem of the frequency being off and making our clocks run slow. So that was a bonus.
I’ve now had some time to play with my new Kindle Fire, when I can get it away from Jan. It looks like we may end up being a two Kindle Fire family like we ended up with two regular Kindles.
Getting down to basics, I really like it. It’s great for reading Kindle books in low light, and even outside as long as you’re not in the direct sun. The color screen is bright and looks good.
The web browser works great and seems to be fast. I’ve not noticed any problems on my regular websites.
Battery life seems to be pretty good. Although, like the regular Kindle, it helps to keep the Wi-Fi turned off when you’re not using it.
Now for the Cons:
The glass screen is very reflective and attracts fingerprints like a toy store attracts kids. But I’ve ordered a screen protector sheet kit that’s supposed to take care of that problem. I also ordered a case that looks pretty nice. I’ll let you know how they work out.
I was surprised to find out how many of my favorite Droid apps aren’t available for the Fire. Especially odd since they both use pretty much the same OS.
That’s about it for today. I’ll talk more about the Fire as I play with it. (When I can get it away from Jan, that is.)
May 12, 2013
I Can’t Believe I Ate the Whole Thing . . .
And Lived To Tell About It.
So far.
First off, an update on the 3D printer story. Staples has announced that they will soon be selling several different models of 3D printers in their stores, and will also let you bring in your own files and print them on a store machine.
Other big name companies will soon follow.
After a lazy morning, I went outside to do some battery maintenance. I wanted to add some distilled water to the batteries and double-check the connections. But I quickly found a problem.
My 1 gallon jug of distilled water had sprung a leak and was empty. So I’ll have to pick up a gallon or so today or tomorrow to finish things up.
Jan and I headed out about 2:30 for an afternoon of dining and sheer terror. Well, maybe sheer terror for her.
Our first stop was the ATM at a Chase Bank and then it was over to the Fremont Street Experience at the top of the Strip.
We got parked at a nearby parking garage, and then first up was the terror part.
Jan had decided that despite her somewhat fear of heights she was going to do the zip line that runs down through Fremont Street.
So we got her ticket at the FlightLinez Zip Line store and then took the elevator up to the 5th floor.
That lets you walk directly out on the platform. The smaller tower in the front here is the one presently in use. The taller one in the back is the new one coming online soon. It will be higher, faster, and longer.
Some of you may be wondering why I’m not doing this.
Well, someone has to take the pictures, right? But the real reason is the weight limit of 225 pounds. I could probably squeak by on the limit, but I would have to do it in the nude, and I don’t think that would be an option.
Or a pretty sight for anyone looking up. Just saying.
The present zip line stops at the platform at the lower side of this photo. The new one will be higher and go all the way to the end of the covered area.
Here they’re getting Jan and her flight buddy strapped in and ready to go.
Ready, set, GO.
And a safe touchdown at the other end.
Here’s the video of her flight.
Jan said she enjoyed it, but that her knees were still shaking a half hour later.
It will be interesting to see if she will do the higher, faster, longer version next time.
The next item on our agenda was a little scary too. The Heart Attack Grill. It’s located at the front of the Fremont Street Experience, right on the Strip. It’s a place we had to try at least once.
They do have a lot of fun with the concept.
From the disclaimers,
to the hospital gowns everyone has to wear,
to the ID bracelets everyone is given. The white one is for the Heart Attack Grill, the blue one is for the Zip Line. Actually I think the gowns would be a good idea at some BBQ rib places I’ve been to.
Jan got the Single Bypass Burger and the Flatline Fries. I got the Double Bypass with Bacon, but without fries because we were going to share Jan’s order.
The Flatline Fries were really good. They’re sliced and then fried to order. IN LARD.
HMMM! LARD!
Besides their large selection of alcoholic drinks, the only others are water and Cokes. But the Cokes are the ones from Mexico made with real sugar, and not corn syrup.
Here’s the burger menu, with one to eight patties, and 5 to 40 strips of bacon (5 per patty).
And here’s the Octuple Bypass Burger. How do you even eat something like that.
Even my Double I ended up eating with a fork. If I went here again I’d have them leave off the Chili. It’s good but it makes it too messy
Oh, and if you weigh over 350 pounds you can eat here free. Or just eat here a few times until you then weigh over 350, and then eat free from then on.
Ready to leave, we stopped in the Walgreen’s there and I got a couple of gallons of distilled water for my batteries to use when we get home.
Along the way, we stopped off at Boulder Station Casino once again to register our Boarding Passes for the weekend drawings. And as it turns out, I won 1000 points in the last drawing. That’s $10 in the slot machines.
Getting home, I had planned to work on the batteries again, but that burger made me too sleepy so I took a two-hour nap. Very nice.
Tomorrow we’re going to eat at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville in the Flamingo Casino with Jim and Peri Dean, and then check out the fountain show at the Bellagio.
May 12, 2014
Never, never, ever, ever . . .
Order Brisket at a Memphis BBQ place!
Since we had a long 360 mile run today, we were up at 7, had our coffee and muffins, and were on our way by 8 a.m. This was made easier by the fact that we didn’t unhitch the toad, or even lower the levelers last night.
We stopped at a couple of rest areas for breaks, and Jan fixed us peanut butter crackers for a snack at one of these.
About 2:30 we pulled into the Tom Sawyer RV Park right on the Mississippi River in West Memphis, AR. We’ve stayed here twice before, and it’s one of our favorite parks.
After getting set up and resting up for a while, about 4:30 we headed across the river to have some Memphis BBQ. We had planned to eat at Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous where we ate two years ago and really loved, but to our disappointment, they’re closed on Mondays.
So checking online for Memphis Best BBQ, Central BBQ kept coming up in pretty much every list. So we decided to give it a try.
And it was good, but it was no Rendezvous.
I ordered the Rib Combo Plate with ribs, pulled pork, and ‘brisket’. Note the ‘brisket’ is in quotes. For my two sides, I got BBQ Beans, and homemade garlic potato chips.
First, the pluses:
The pulled pork was delicious. Really good.
The Ribs were also good, with a lot of meat on the bones.
The BBQ Beans were also very good, and chock full of meat pieces.
Also good were the homemade potato chips.
The mild sauce was very good, very tasty, so I had high hopes for the hot version.
Now the minuses:
Although the ribs were good, they were the smaller baby-back ribs, and not the full-sized pork ribs. But that’s just personal preference.
As far as the hot sauce goes, it tasted like they had just added Tabasco or some other vinegar-based hot sauce to their mild sauce. And again, it seemed all I could taste was vinegar. So I ended up using the mild sauce, and then adding some of my ghost pepper/ground habanero powder to heat it up.
Now to the ‘brisket’. But I’m not sure I would call it brisket, and I doubt anyone from Texas would either. Note the pile of meat-looking stuff in the photo above, between the chips and the ribs.
It’s more like thin sliced roast beef, tough and chewy, and with no real taste. It reminded me of deli meat you buy in a package at the supermarket.
But not as good.
I had seen a couple of references in the online reviews about the brisket at restaurants around town, but did not imagine it would be this bad.
As far as Jan’s meal, she had the pulled pork sandwich and said it was delicious.
One interesting thing about Central BBQ is that it’s right across the street from the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot in 1968. The entire area is now part of The Civil Rights Museum.
Getting back to the park about 6 we sat out on the river bank and watched the boats and big barges go by.
Mister enjoyed it too. If you look carefully below, you’ll see a big furry lump rolling around on the concrete.
The sites here have concrete pads and are right on the river.
Mister certainly enjoyed it.
Some enormous barges go by here. This one consisted of 21 separate barges strapped together.
The tug’s props really stir up the water,
making a continuous ripple effect behind the stern.
We first stayed here in 2010, but the flooding of the Mississippi in 2011 just about wiped the park out. The sign below marks the high water point during the flooding.
‘How long can you tread water?”
Tomorrow we got a short run of 137 miles up to Sikeston, MO, home of Lambert’s Throwed Rolls.
Guess where we eating supper?
May 12, 2015
I Feel the Need for Speed’s . . .
As far as the rig repair goes, we’re still waiting to hear back from the insurance company, but since our agents, (and friends) Chris and Charles Yust of C and C RV Insurance are on the case, we’re not worried.
A couple of days ago Peter and Patty Louchheim got in touch with us about getting together. They were coming up from Scottsdale to stay at the Fairgrounds RV Park in Prescott Valley to stay for a while. We first met at a rally in Yuma.
Peter and Patty showed up at our rig a little after noon. After talking for a while, we then started talking lunch and decided on Speed’s Hanger Deli, a repeat for us and a first time for them. But they had read the blog post about our last visit and were happy to give it a try.
Jan and I did a rerun on our last visit, with her again getting the Rosie the Riveter,
while I got the Fatman, but on rye this time instead of sourdough.
Still delicious, and so big that both Jan and I took half home, along with some of the great potato salad.
Peter got the 8oz Sirloin Steak Sandwich which looked so good I may try it next time, or the time after that. After all, it’s not like we’re going anywhere anytime soon. Unfortunately, I lost track of what Patty ordered, but I’m sure it was good.
Since we hadn’t seen them in several years, we spent a good while just catching up. Like us, they have an older rig, a 1994 Safari, and are well aware of the trials and tribulations of keeping things running.
Since they’re staying over at the Fairgrounds RV Park in Prescott Valley, hopefully we’ll have a chance to get together again. After all it’s not like we’re going anywhere anytime soon.
These people were also lucky as you can see in this photo.
And here’s a link with more info about the crash.
May 12, 2016
Faceplant . . .
Yesterday while we were down in the Clear Lake area, I stopped by Fry’s Electronics to pick up a few things, one of which was a new video card for my new computer.
After trying a number of different non-effective fixes for my HDMI problem, I wanted to try one last thing. My old computer was set up with a 12ft. HDMI cable feeding video and audio to our 32” LCD TV at the front of the rig.
So if one of us wanted to show the other one something on the computer, all we had to do was change the TV Input from HDMI1 to HDMI2 and there it is. And it still shows up on the computer monitor as well, which is fed by a DVI cable from the same video card.
But when I plugged the HDMI cable into the computer, it killed the monitor output, and nothing showed up on the TV either, neither video nor audio.
Now I knew the HDMI cable and the TV input were still good, since it still worked from my ASUS laptop. So my next step was to download the latest drivers from AMD Radeon. Then I deleted the old ones and installed the new ones.
And struck out again. Nothing changed.
So my last gasp was to just replace the video card and hope for the best. I once again deleted the old Radeon drivers, removed the old card, installed the new nVidia card, and turned it back on. I had deliberately bought a different brand card from the original one to be sure that there was no interference between the old one and the new one. The uninstall routines are bad about not deleting everything, sometimes causing some weird problems.
Of course, when it came back up, with no drivers installed, it was in the blocky default 640 x 480 mode, or the Commodore 64 mode as we call it. I had already hooked up the HDMI cable and switched the TV over, but still had a black screen. But since the monitor was still working, maybe I was on the right path.
Putting the Driver Disk in the drive, I got them installed and then did the mandatory reboot.
And, Voilà!, I had video on both the TV and the monitor. And sound too.
Now Jan can get back to streaming Big Love, so she’s happy.
We had planned to pick up Landon tomorrow afternoon at his home in Katy, and then bring him back here to Conroe to spend the night in the ‘Truck House’ as he calls it. There’s a lot of kids here on the weekend, and he can check out the playground and swim in the pool with the others.
But it may be on hold until next Friday, because Landon came down with a bad case of Treadmill Face.
He was upstairs playing and he decided try out the treadmill. He had been told a number of times to stay off of it, but I guess it was just too tempting.
So, turning it on, the result was a faceplant right to the mat. At least he didn’t lose another tooth.
Poor kid. But I bet he stays off the treadmill now.
And after hearing the story, Jan and I couldn’t help but think of the Polar Bear on the Treadmill cartoon. Check it out.
May 12, 2017
April Showers Bring May . . . Snow?
Well, the Weather Channel has been promising/threatening snow for the last few days, but this morning Mother Nature finally delivered.
I looked out about 11:30 and it was really coming down, heavy enough that it was hard to see the rig next door for a few minutes. It only lasted for about 20 minutes, but nothing stuck since it was in the 40’s. But it was neat!
And then a little after noon, it did it again. Not quite as heavy, but it lasted a little longer. There’s more forecast for tonight, and with temps in the mid 20’s, it might actually stick. We’ll see.
About 12:30 we headed into Bend once again, first for another visit to The Sparrow Bakery, but the other, larger location this time. Located in a high-end neighborhood market area, it has a completely different, modern feel.
Like last time I again got a Cardamon Latte, this time with a better leaf.
Here’s last time’s.
We both started out with a cup of their Minestrone Soup. Very good, but more as a really good vegetable soup with pasta, well seasoned, but not very Italian tasting.
Jan once again got the Chicken Waldorf Croissant Sandwich, the same one she got last time.
But she liked this one better, because it was made using white meat, not dark.
I decided to try their Monte Cristo Sandwich with roasted turkey, gruyere cheese, onion marmalade, raspberry preserves, served on battered slices of miche bread, a type of French sourdough.
This was one of those sandwiches where the whole is less than the sum of the parts. It wasn’t bad, but just didn’t have a lot of taste, kind of bland. I used to get the Monte Cristo sandwich at the late-lamented Bennigan’s years ago and it was really good.
One thing that might have help would if it had more raspberry preserves on it. A Monte Cristo should be a little sweet. It is dusted with powdered sugar after all. But the Sparrow version just had a schmear. In fact, I couldn’t even taste it.
I’ll know better next time.
Before we left we did pick up a couple of their famous Cardamom Ocean Rolls.
Jan got the chocolate version while I went plain.
Coming back down US 20 we made a loop through the Fred Meyer’s to check it out for topping off the rig’s diesel on our way out of town this coming Wednesday. And at $2.55;/gallon, it’s one of the cheapest in the area.
While we were at Wal-Mart I came across this VR headset.
Though actually it’s only a holder for your smartphone, and not a full-blown VR headset with its own screen. And according to the box, it’s made especially for Wal-Mart.
But since this one only costs $12.88, and the others are $100’s of dollars, it’s a pretty good deal. It says it will fit smartphones up to 6”, and it will fit my new S8+ . . . almost.
It would fit perfectly if I didn’t have the Otterbox case on my phone, but it won’t quite latch shut. So I’ll have to find some way to keep it fastened . . . maybe Velcro.
As it turns out, there’s actually a lot of VR software available for the Android phones, roller coasters, space battles, sky diving, etc.
Pretty neat. Check it out.
Google has their own version called the Cardboard VR, because that’s what it’s made of. They give you the scored cardboard and a set of lenses, and you roll your own.
But since the Wal-Mart version comes with a headband and only cost $12.88, and the Google version cost $15, I know which one I’d pick. And did.
Tomorrow, dinner at Cinco de Mayo down in La Pine.
May 12, 2018
Snow and BBQ . . .
One year ago today we were in Bend OR staying at the Bend/Sunriver Thousand Trails park for two weeks. And it was SNOWING!
With the weather starting to tickle the 90’s here in the Houston area, it’s starting to sound good.
With another busy day planned, Jan and I headed out about 11am to first have lunch at the Cheddar’s up in Webster. We figured that by getting there early we’d beat the crowd and we were right. But by the time we left less than a hour later, they were on a wait.
Our next stop was at my client’s office to pick up an Amazon package that came in yesterday, and to tell my client that his office parking lot becomes an overflow parking lot for the restaurant right down the street. That’s what keeps setting off the Wyze camera’s motion detection alarm in the early evenings.
The camera is mounted in the lattice work along the roof edge of building and it’s pretty invisible from any distance if you don’t already know it’s there.
Don’t know how we’re going to handle this, possibly by not turning on the alarm until after the restaurant. We’ll have to figure it out.
The Amazon package I picked up while I was there was a sunshade for my Garmin GPS.
Seems like no matter which direction the sun is, the glare is always on the GPS screen, so I ordered this.
It’s a quick setup, only taking a couple of minutes to snap it on and add the extension hood. It’s not specific to Garmin, but is more based on the size of the unit. But it fit mine perfectly.
Our next stop was a local electronics place for some more Remote Dump project parts. I was looking for a couple of mini DPDT toggle switches and a couple of momentary SPST switches to mount on the control box to be able to manually control the valves from the water bay.
I did find the two DPDT switches,
but I didn’t find any momentary switches that I liked, so when we got home I ordered a couple of these from on eBay.
Hopefully next weekend I can start putting it all together.
Finally heading back down towards Santa Fe, we made a Lowe’s stop so I could return the outlet box I got last week that turned out to be too small for the dump valve controllers. Then it was right next door to WalMart to return the storage room lock we got that turned out to be too large for the slide lock, and then get another one, this time a combination lock that’s a little smaller.
Then it was back to the rig to continue sorting and packing stuff to take over to the storeroom in the next few days.
Tomorrow we’re driving up to Katy to have a Mother’s Day get-together with Brandi, Lowell, and Landon. Unfortunately Chris and Linda will be up in Kingsland prepping for their move next month, so they’ll be missed.
May 12, 2021
A Sad Day, But It Ended Nice . . .
We got word last night that the mother of a long-time friend had died on Monday and they were having a viewing from 3 to 5pm this afternoon at a funeral home in Friendswood. So Jan came into work with me this morning to do some shopping before we drove over to the viewing about 4pm,
We’ve known Connie, the daughter of the deceased, since about 1997 when we first started attending the Alvin Opry. And we ran into a lot of old friends that we haven’t seen for a while there this afternoon.
A couple of ministers gave a nice service talking about Hazel and her life, and then a number of people who knew her told stories about what a character she was. The reason there was only a viewing here in Friendswood is that Hazel wanted to be buried in California where she was from, so her body was put on plane this evening.
A very nice tribute.
After it was over, Harry and Sadie said they were going to have dinner at the Texas Roadhouse over on I-45 and invited us along, so we happily (and hungrily) accepted. And getting there about 5:45 we were happy to be seated immediately.
Interestingly, the first thing we saw as we entered was a large sign saying that masks were optional, and the majority of the diners seemed to be taking them up on that.
Looking over the menu, Jan and I decided that we wanted something a little lighter than steak, so we both got the Combo Platter, with Boneless Buffalo Wings, Rattlesnake Bites, and Loaded ‘Tater’ Skins.
Very, very good. And in fact all four of us ended up getting the same thing.
We did talk about setting up a schedule to get together for dinner regularly, especially since they actually don’t live too far away from us in Santa Fe.
A sad day, but at least it ended on a nice note with old friends.
May 12, 2022
Good Steak and More . . .
Jan and I were on the road by 10:30 this morning, heading up to the Spring area for our monthly lunch at the Longhorn Steakhouse, along with friends Debi and Ed Hurlburt.
We all started out with salads, Jan and mine’s, with Bleu Cheese dressing.
Very good.
Then, of course, everyone got steak, with Jan getting her usual Flo’s Filet, the 9oz version,
with the Steamed Broccoli.
The white sauce on both our plates is Creamy Horseradish, which we both like with our steaks.
I got a Ribeye, what else, the 12oz one, with the Fried Okra.
The Fried Okra was delicious, though different, from the usual Southern fried version.
Though I usually like Saltgrass’ steaks better, this ribeye was one of the best I’ve had.
Really good.
We had our usual great time, and have already scheduled the date/time/place for next month’s get-together.
We were on our way home a little after 2:30, and were home by about 4pm, after a stop at Cowboy Coffee for Cold, Blended, Sugar-Free Hazelnut Lattes with Almond Milk.
A very nice day.
May 12, 2023
Alabama Bound . . .
Heavy in to trip prep, so just the Retro-Blogs™ tonight.
We’ll leave about 8am tomorrow and be back in a couple of weeks.
