Look what I found!

Last night it got really chilly!  There was frost on the truck when I could finally see it.   But the day warmed up and Jim worked outside most of the day...except when we were shopping.

Jim and I were both busy today getting all set up and making things neat and tidy.  We needed supplies from Home Depot, Walmart, Ace hardware store and Camping World.

I found these Mini Mingos at Camping World...They're munching on my lettuce.

What did you discover today?  Anything different in your world?

Rainy Day Doings

Today started out dreary.  We had some sprinkles and of course it was cool.  I changed the sheets out and prepared a load of laundry....what else do you do on a rainy day?

While Jim was doing the dishes Kathy popped in and asked if we needed anything from the store and within the space of two seconds Jim was asking her about heading to Barnes and Nobles.  Decision made!

When John and Kathy returned we all hopped in our truck and headed out.  First stop was getting fuel then we headed to St Augustine in a fine drizzle of rain. During the drive we decided on Cracker Barrel for lunch and we could use our gift cards!  

Who knew the entire county would be there???  Of course the outlet mall across the street didn't have anything to do with it! We had to wait a bit before we got seated but we all enjoyed our meals.  Then we headed to Camping World for popcorn...not really, but they do have free popcorn and some of us enjoyed a bag.  Jim picked up something and John and Kathy looked at 5th wheel trailers.  I think they like our space and I know John would like to 'size up'.

Couple more stops for us, one for coffee cream at a health store and we needed to stop at a Verizon Store to update our military status to get our discount.  Since it was after 1600 Jim and I decided we needed some coffee so we stopped at The Hyppo Cafe.  Three of us had some mighty fine coffee and we shared two delicious cookies.

Never did make it to Barnes and Nobles, perhaps another day..

The drive home was wet but the rain was just a nuisance all afternoon, nothing heavy.

Once home Jim took our laundry up and got it washed and I divided it up and dried it at home.  A quiet evening and there you have it!  Another day in the life of us...

77 days

• 6,728,819 seconds
• 112,146 minutes (rounded down)
• 1869 hours (rounded down)
• 77 days (rounded down)
• 11 weeks

Tropical Storm Andrea

Hurricane season officially began June 1st and here in Florida we got it started with a bang!  Tropical storm Andrea formed in the Gulf as a low pressure system and gathered strength enough to get named.  We had several days of intermittent rain and yesterday was mostly rain.  As the TS was battering the West Coast town of Cedar Key we were in St Augustine attending to business.  To me it looked like the center of the storm went ashore just north of Cedar Key. For pictures and information, check out Pat's blog, Every Miles a Memory, http://everymilesamemory.com/blog/ 

As I type this the sun is out and we have sunny skies,not a cloud to be seen.  I haven't checked the weather, but I'm sure the worst of it is over for us, as this system heads north up the Atlantic coast.

We checked the weather before we left at 1000 and Jim decided there would be no danger to our awning so we left it out.  My only concern was possible streets flooding.  As we got to the intersection of hwy 309 and 17 we were directed to turn right instead of left to get to St Augustine.  There had been an accident and all traffic was being rerouted by law enforcement officers standing in the pouring rain, some with no hats!  And let me tell you the detour was through some country back roads and without guidance I'm not sure we could have made our way on our own!  At every turn was this drenched officer pointing the way.  I guess they don't have detour signs in this area!

Finally after 15 to 20 minutes we were back on Highway 17 and heading to the turn off for St Augustine. Normally we wouldn't go out in heavy rains but Jim had a doctor's appointment and we had made plans for shopping and having lunch.  Other than the detour we encountered no other problems.

Our first stop was Camping World as Jim needed some sewer supplies for the rig.  After that we headed to a restaurant we saw on a previous visit for a Japanese Hibachi lunch....it was closed and only opens for dinner.  So we checked the phone and found another and it's closed permanently....Jim asked if we could eat elsewhere and apparently from my disappointed tone he decided to find a Japanese restaurant!

So we continued to drive around in the rain retracing our route and ending up back near Camping World. I'm not sure how many miles we drove in a complete circle to arrive at Sushi Bistro but it was well worth the drive and we both enjoyed our lunch very much.  No hibachi tables but our meals were from the hibachi menu.  I had a cucumber roll (I really miss sushi) and a veggie tofu dish.  Jim had shrimp and scallops.  Both meals came with soup, salad and fried rice.  We had hot green tea to drink.  The only thing we didn't eat was my fried rice which I brought home.

Next stop was Diane's Natural Market for my coffee cream and other items I can't get in our area.  This market is small and expensive but I don't usually buy much there.

Our next stop was Jim's appointment.  He needed to talk to a doctor about his GERD.  The problem is not resolved and his meds are about to be finished.  He had a good visit and likes this doctor who scheduled him for an endoscopy next week to see what's going on.

After this we headed home and arrived just before 1700...Boo was really happy to see us and once I fed him he calmed down.  We had a cup of coffee and decided to skip the Thursday night pot luck.  The rains had mostly stopped by then with just a few light showers passing through.

People pay the doctor for his trouble; for his kindness they still remain in his debt.  ~Seneca

Broth

Do you like to cook?  I do and I try to put tasty meals on the table.  From the weight we've gained I think I'm doing ok   :-)  I make  a lot of food from scratch trying to avoid packaged foods.  I love my veggies which leads me to making broth!  I keep all my scraps until I have about two cups worth and then I cook them.  Of course you can use whole carrots, onions, celery etc but I keep the stems from mushrooms, skins and tops from onions, celery leaves, stems from parsley...whatever bits and pieces to make broth.

Once you've gathered all the ingredients cover with water and add peppercorns, bay leaf, a clove or two and bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for about an hour.   You let it cool and remove all the spent veggies.  Viola!

I use my broth to 'fry' any onions etc for recipes instead of oil.  I also use it in my morning smoothies made with vegetables.  My Vita Mix makes excellent drinks!

We went to St Augustine to go to a Seafood Festival.  the drive was interesting because it was so windy!  The route we take has a lot of farm fields and they were losing a lot of sand? soil? whatever you call it, it was like a dustbowl out there!  Along the way we saw Texas Longhorn cattle, Wood Storks and before we left Welaka, Sandhill Cranes.

As we approached the the area where the festival was being held we ran into traffic and as we drove around looking for a parking spot we discovered everyone was at the festival!  I'm not sure how long or far we searched for a spot to park our black beastie but it was a no go...so we just kept driving and stopped for a pizza and beer for lunch.

After lunch we went shopping.  Stopping at Diane's Natural Market, Camping World and Bed Bath and Beyond.  The drive home was less windy and Boo was happy to see us.  

After everything was put away we settled in with our afternoon coffee and peach pie while Boo had his dinner.  No I didn't make the pie.....it's from Schwan's but it is very tasty.  It's Terry Browns fault!!!  She told me they were good a couple years ago in the Rio Grande Valley.

Bright Sunny Days

Means the temperature goes up!  As long as the AC works I don't mind.... :-)

We've been just hanging around the campground.  Reading, playing games and doing life's little chores.

Saturday we did drive over to the mall and have to admit it was nice seeing all the stores they had...so many malls we've visited lately have had a lot of closed up shops.  Jim was able to get some coffee at Bed Bath and Beyond so he's a happy camper.  This store has 20% off coupons that you can get by mail, email and now on your smart phone.  Well Jim spent about 30  minutes Saturday morning trying to print one!  We have a wireless printer but sometimes the wireless signal isn't the best and it can take a few attempts to get everything on the same wavelength.

the pond drains across the driveway into the woods
.
After the Mall we headed to Barnes and Nobles where Jim had cheesecake and ice coffee.  We both did some reading then we just drove around and saw some pretty older homes.  This area is quite lovely.  We're both enjoying the hills and curvy roads

I don't think we went anywhere on Sunday.   I do recall a brief rain shower.  I fixed Ginger Bok Choy Stir Fry from the Everyday Happy Herbivore cookbook.  It was real tasty!  I love trying new recipes 

sunrise 16 July


Today I've been doing laundry, I stripped the bed and washed the sheets.  We also took Boo to the groomer for a long overdue haircut and nail trimming.  He looks so much better! 

Boudreaux

We made a run to Walmart for vitamins and then Camping World for a clear, sewer elbow.  

Jim put some bleach in the fresh water tank yesterday and today he's draining it.  We don't use that water much but it's been sot hot lately that I thought it could do with a sanitizing.

As you can see, never a dull moment around here!

Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon.  ~Doug Larson

New Awnings!

We were up early and sitting at Camping World at 0800 this morning. We had gotten the rig ready for travel yesterday and all we had left to do this morning didn't take but 30 minutes and we were on the road. Fortified with a cup of coffee I was ready! Driving into the rising sun we were eager to get our awnings replaced.

The patio awning and motor were replaced. We opted to have two window awnings for the two windows because we never used the back awning. They look great and Jim says they're easy to use.

Now we can get our patio set up for our stay here.

Boo had an eleven o'clock grooming appointment and since the awning installation was taking longer than expected I asked Anne to pick us up and drive us to Dapper Dog. In the middle of laundry she dropped everything and came to the rescue! After we dropped him off we went shopping stopping at Dollar Tree and HEB.

This VW was parked next to Anne's car when we came out of HEB. Mexican plates and in mint condition! It looked brand new to me.

Jim was back at the Resort by this time and managed to set up without me.....I only had a couple things to do inside and we're settled in for the winter. As soon as he can I'm sure Jim will have the patio space enclosed and we'll have the extra living space outside.

this egret was stalking the fence line. It was fun watching him walk back and forth eating bugs.

I'm sure this little wren is the one that sleeps next door. But he was giving us a once over.

Busy Days!

The last few days have been busy with day to day life. Shopping, catching up with friends, happy hours and Jim has been work camping. None of this is difficult, just time consuming and it wears a body out!

Anne and Scotty are right next door. Pat and Vern in a circle site are biking distance away and Diana and John who arrived Sunday are on a super site, also biking distance away. Mark and Terry also returned Sunday.

We went to Hayashi on Sunday to celebrate Anne and Scotty's Anniversary and had a wonderful late lunch. There were six of us and we all enjoyed the Hibachi dinners. At happy hour Sunday we gathered at Pat and Vern's where we did some catching up with the new arrivals.

Jim started his new job on Monday getting the resorts bikes ready for the winter guests. Spending his mornings working and then his afternoons working on our awning replacement. We thought having the check in hand would make the process easy but so far we've been doing paperwork and passing back and forth with the bank and Camping World. The parts have been ordered so now we wait some more.

After dinner last night we headed over to Diana and Johns. It was Diana's birthday so we had a mini celebration. Jim and I also got a tour of their new Cameo. It has a peninsula like ours and a washer and a dryer. Very nice.

I think that's about all the highlights from the past few days. I think all this socializing wearing me out!

cleaning and setting up

Another day, another beautiful sunrise. Yesterday we did our morning chores and then dressed to head into town taking Anne and Scotty with us.

We stopped by Camping World to inquire about replacing our awnings. Right now they have a special going on. No labor charges. Jim bought a couple items and Anne got a new patio mat. Then it was on to Harbor Freight because they're having a sidewalk sale. The Scotts picked up some items but we didn't.

Since it was lunchtime we stopped at Chili's on the way home, they have 2/$20 going on. Jim had ribs and I had a salad.

Once home Jim headed outside to do more chores. He removed the bike rack and hitch and he set up the patio with the mat. Looks better with the patio mat!

We had leftovers for dinner. Afterwords I headed out for a walk with Anne but we didn't get far! Pat and Vern were walking their dogs and stopped for a chat, then Don stopped by and we all just stood outside watching the sun go down and the swallows pass by over head.

After the sun went down Anne and I saw fireflies. Of course the mosquitoes chased us in but not before we heard the coyotes! From the sounds we heard it's a bigger pack than last year.

Colorado Springs

Yesterday we headed into Cheyenne to check it out. Not much going on but downtown was busy, mostly at the restaurants. We stopped at a Sinclair station and got diesel for $2.75, that's the lowest we've seen in awhile.

While driving the downtown area we found another Sanford's Grub and Pub and we each tried something different from out last visit. Jim got a Crocodile Cristo and I had a club sandwich...again we enjoyed the food and the restaurants are filled with wonders. The ceiling of this one had sports pennants. Oh, they had 50 different draft beers!

the rest of our day was very relaxing, we came home and took a nap! had coffee when we got up but no dinner.

Our drive today wasn't a long one so we didn't hurry our departure this morning. Still, we were on the road around 0945 and the skies were really depressing.

About an hour into our drive we stopped at Camping World so Jim could pick up a Sewer Solution. Perhaps you full timers know what that is.

We're in Colorado! See the mountains?

The skies did start to clear up

But if you looked over towards the mountains you could see dark clouds.

Passing through Denver, now I can say I've been there! :) It's quite big and I'm sure there's lots to see and do but that would require some research and planning before I'd go back.

Castle Rock, from what I could tell from I-25 you go there to shop.

As we arrived at the Air Force Academy Fam Camp it started raining and by the time we got to our site it was a good steady, gentle rain. One of the first things we did was send up the dish. With all the trees we weren't sure if we'd get a signal for TV and internet. Once the signal came in Jim got busy. Bless his heart, he set up in the rain again.

We had an early dinner and then when the rain stopped we went for a walk taking Boo along. A couple of chores, showers and some TV.

A pretty sunset, suite dreams.