Places We Have Called Home In 2020

142

November 10, 2020

Temperature 81 Degrees, Humidity 99%

Back At Last

It seems like forever since I was online and doing a blog.

What happened?

My computer crashed and burned.  When we arrived here in October it was a bit wonky but it was still working.  Things went down hill from there.  Documents began to disappear.  I would have to reboot three or four times a day.  It took forever to bring any type of program up.  I had to finally admitt that something was seriously wrong.

Thankfully, we were in the right place at the right time.

Two miles down the road from us was Computer Emporium.  They have been in this location ever since the days of Noah and they have a stellar reputation.  I explained my issues to Edward and after a few tests he knew immediately what was wrong – the hard drive was on the way out.

The long and short of it, it was so bad it took him several days to just get it to the point were he could make a clone of what I already had.  This meant I would not loose either my programs nor my data.  He also added more memory and as of today I’m back in business.  It’s been a long journey but well worth it.  My computer is like new.

While that was going on we kept busy.  We both had several doctor appointments.

We took a day trip to Fort King.  More about this historical site in a future blog.

I completed my storage shelf for my one large locker.

Today, well today, I’m fighting some electrical issues.

When we were back in Congress, Arizona I installed a Victron Battery Monitor.  One of the features this gauge has is a low battery alarm.  You guessed it, the other day it started going off.  What?  Did we have problems with our house batteries?  At first glance that’s what it appeared to be.

But wait a minute.  The default battery monitor installed when the coach was built showed that the batteries were fine.

The battery gauge for the xantrex convertor/invertor showed that the batteries were fine.

And a voltage test of the batteries themselves showed all of them were fully charged.

In addition none of our 12 volt lights were dim or blinking.

Conclusion?  The Victron Battery Monitor has gone bad.  It is the only logical conclusion that I can come to.  Next step, contact the company.

So that is where we are on The Road of Retirement.  We’re doing well, except for the weather.  It has been several days of rain and they say more to come.  Other than that, no complaints from us.  We are indeed truly blessed and fortunate to be living the life we love.

Here’s hoping you’re glad to see us back online.  We always appreciate your company as well as your comments and suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

 

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

148

November 4, 2020

Temperature 81 Degrees, Humidity 62%

Amazon Came Calling

We Had To Park Her Bike For Now

We wanted to.  We planned to.  But we never did.  Go sightseeing that is.  We just never got ourselves in gear today.  Perhaps it had something to do with being up most of the night.  How about you?  Did you get any sleep last night?

But the day was not lost.  I finished yet one more book.  I’m glad the lending library is open tomorrow.  I will definitely make a visit.

I did complete one project.

The screen door was no longer opening nor closing smoothly.  Time for a minor adjustment of the hinges.  Thirty minutes later and all was well again.

One side of our block is now almost completely full.  There are just two sites empty, empty in the sense that there are trailers on site but no one home.  I’m told by others in the know that they will be here within the next two weeks.

I did learn something new about our site.  It would normally be occupied by a couple who make the trip here each year.  However, the husband had back issues this year and could not make the trip.  Though I don’t know him I do hope all goes well for him.

Amazon day.

I received a twelve pack of Strawberry Ice.

Ms. Barbara modeling her new slippers.  Oh yes, you need slippers in the morning because that tile floor is really cold in the morning.

She also received a new set of measuring cups.  I believe she now must have at least a dozen at this point in time!  Only kidding.

I’ve been looking long and hard for a way to keep hair and other stuff from clogging our shower drain.  I’ve tried all kinds of things but this I believe is the real answer.  It is a tub shroom and everything that I’ve read about it leads me to believe it will do the trick. Now I just need to find a way to spiffy up the drain itself.

One more new item, a nice new water bottle.

Unfortunately though the day started out on a great note it didn’t end so well.  We went out for a bke ride but Ms Barbara crashed and burned.  I was riding with her but was ahead of her and turned and saw her on the ground.  My heart stopped.  Before I could get back to her there had to be close to a dozen people from the park that were already around her.  I can’t thank them enough. One brought her home in their golf cart.  Another walked her bike back to our site.  She has a cut elbow and is bruised but otherwise she is OK.  So, for now her bike is parked indifinetly.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  We had a bit of a scare but thankfully all ended OK.  The good Lord definitely looks after us.

Thanks for checking in with us today.  We always appreciate your company as well as your comments and suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

 

 

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

149

November 3, 2020

Temperature 76 Degrees, Humidity 62%

The Coldest Morning Yet

Video Chat With The Doctor – One Of Them At Least

The Bottom Fell Out

Stuck

Ms. Barbara’s Bike

Need I say more.

 

We had our coldest morning to date today.  When I got up at 5 am it was 49 degrees.  No problem, heat pump on and we were as warm as toast.  The temperatures start going back up from this point on.

So maybe I was wrong about the VA.  Today I had a video chat with one doctor who was very professional, and very warm and friendly.  He took care of a few issues for me, issued a needed prescription and promised an in-person follow up visit sometime during the next two months. Now if this keeps up I’ll be the very first to say I was wrong about their care of Vet’s here in Florida. Time will tell.

Today the bottom fell out – of my kitchen chair.  I guess I stuffed too much junck in it over the last year.  So now I have a new project.  The original bottom was just a cheap piece of cardboard stappled in place.  I’ll get a piece of plywood and screw it in so that it actually stays in place no matter what I put in there.

Then there is this.  Ms. Barbara put these two bowls together just before we took the rig to Ocala last week.  Well, the one settled into the other as we drove and now they are stuck together.  We tried putting the bottom bowl in boiling water and ice in the top bowl.  That didn’t work.  So now we are back to square one wondering what to do to get them apart.  Suggestions anyone?

Today we brought a new bike home for Ms. Barbara.  It is just a simple, single speed bike with coaster brakes.  We also purchased a basket for the front that I’ll put on tomorrow.

I adjusted the seat for her and now, after 50 years, time for her first ride.

Away she goes on that first historic ride around the block!

Back after that first ride.

Parked for the night side by side.

I hope my sweetheart enjoys riding as much as I do.  I’ve met so many new people on my travels around the park.  I’ve found that all you have to do is roll up in front of a rig and say to it’s owner That’s a nice coach you have there.  That is usually enough to get a conversation going.  I’ve also discovered that most people have been coming here for 5, 6 and even 11 years.  Why, I even discovered a section that is called The Hood which is a whole block of Ohio State football fans.

That was our day on The Road of Retirment.  We once again found enough to keep us both occupied.  We now have bikes for each of us so we can both peddle ourselves around Paradise.  We had a great afternoon meal of spaghetti and meatballs.  Now it’s time for Mexican Train and a glass of wine.  Who will win the election?  I guess I’ll find out tomorrow morning because I’m not about to stay up tonight.

Thanks for checking in with us today.  We always appreciate your company as well as your comments and suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

 

 

 

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

150

November 2, 2020

Temperature 75 Degrees, Humidity 68%

Cool and Crisp with a Strong North Wind

Doctor’s Appointments

What an absolutely beautiful day.  It was cool and crisp and not a cloud in the sky.  While some already have snow on the ground all we have is nice green grass.  It is cool, however, for Florida.  We’ve had a strong wind from the North for the past two days.   Yet, this is the kind of weather that we so enjoy.  Temperatures are normally in the seventies during the day and fifties during the night.  Excellent.

This is where our day began, at the James A Haley VA Clinic in Brooksville.  I had two appointments, one at 9 am and the other at 9:01 am.  Unfortunately, the quality of care for vet’s here in Florida is dismal.  Remember I said I had two appointments?  Not with a doctor, oh no, with a nurse who asks a lot of questions and then sends you home.  Yes, they took my blood pressure and it was high.  Their recommendation?  Remember to take your blood pressure twice a day.  Like, how in the world is that going to correct the issue?  But that was their recommendation.  I believe I need to look for an actual medical doctor to work with.

On the way home we stopped at Talin RV.  This is where we ordered our new patio awning, slide toppers and other awnings.  The date for installation has been set for Nov 30th through Dec 4th.  The big hold up has been the patio awning which was ordered from CareFree.  They are absolutely backed up and what they are producing has been going to the manufacturers in Elkhart.  Hopefully, we’ll have ours by the end of this month.  If not, well, we’ll figure it out then.

Note the RV in the picture above?  That will be us when it is our turn.  They are working on putting in RV sites behind the building but they aren’t finished yet.  So, that will be our home for the first week in December.  We’ll have 50 amp only but we’ll get by.

We were undecided as to whether we would replace this awning over our door.  But, we decided what’s in inch on an elephant!  This way both the patio awning and this awning will match.  We’ve also decided to replace our other awning on the driver’s slide.  Then, all three will match!

Time for lunch and this is the meal deal that we scored today.  We stopped at WalMart for a simple chicken to take home for our big meal.  Well, they had a fantastic deal, two rotisserie chickens, a pound of mashed potatoes with gravy, and a pound of mac and cheese for just ten dollars.  How could you go wrong!  We have enough food for a minimum of two if not three meals this week.  Sweet.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  We had a great day and finished it off in style by going out for ice cream this evening.  Tonight we’re bringing out the medium blanket since our overnight temperature is supposed to be in the mid to low forties.  But only for tonight.  Life is good.

Thanks for stopping by today.  We always appreciate your company as well as your comments and suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!