tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41259486543631990902024-03-09T02:22:33.189-08:00MNdriftersMNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.comBlogger290125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-84434522554248695382024-02-08T08:35:00.000-08:002024-02-08T08:35:10.689-08:00Winterpaloozafestathon Finale<p> Thursday Feb 1st came and we picked up the truck. Totally miffed at the situation but are over it now. We left Avon Park Friday morning bright and early. But where did we go?</p><p>As often happens with us, when we are done with something, we are done. So we pointed the truck north and drove 4 days home. Back to the SSUVFL. Three of those days were long driving days for us. Usually around 8 hours. The last day was shorter and what a relief when we pulled into our beautiful property. We both got out of our vehicles and said "We may never leave again". LOL.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa-22BQEz-XOQxOAFQQIyjn39ntHJnYYTOH8ZYa-99IDqkDvct2ksece1U9xnruAIXDbt6fy1ye3AtgyAnUNNz-6rgaPZI3rcwPtTcPGhXbyHCbHlHdk_mfjk3e7L8hjrPL5coUH7sOPVhXwGLupI20YLv5JpSbiSfpEJ0lHN5mih7Iecfi8Mx2QYuthr/s1553/426202842_1102376701105493_8725946452832909279_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1553" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa-22BQEz-XOQxOAFQQIyjn39ntHJnYYTOH8ZYa-99IDqkDvct2ksece1U9xnruAIXDbt6fy1ye3AtgyAnUNNz-6rgaPZI3rcwPtTcPGhXbyHCbHlHdk_mfjk3e7L8hjrPL5coUH7sOPVhXwGLupI20YLv5JpSbiSfpEJ0lHN5mih7Iecfi8Mx2QYuthr/s320/426202842_1102376701105493_8725946452832909279_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has been a strange winter for sure. We got home and there is no snow at all. Normally we would have 20-30 inches on the ground and the temps would be hovering around 0 for weeks at a time. But not this year. However when we were in Florida, most people we talked to said that that is the coldest (their words) it has been down there for many many years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What did we learn from this little expedition? Well, we know that we are done with the full time lifestyle. Heck, we don't even consider ourselves as part timers either. We felt like we needed to take a trip just because we haven't been on the road for awhile and that RVing was just a huge part of our life back then. I guess you could say that we have moved on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We thought we had planned well. Making many stops in places that are fun to be at. Lots of beach time at first but the cooler temps really didn't make it as enjoyable as it could have been. Remember, I only found $.06 metal detecting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We will have to rethink the way we travel in the future. The pickup camper got to be small after a while. We don't know how we lived in it for almost a year one time. Especially when it was cold out and you couldn't sit outside. Very few places we were at allowed fires and we didn't have the room to bring our propane fire pit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So we are home now, deeply entrenched into our fortress of solitude. Now we can concentrate our efforts on our home expansion and the food trailer business.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until then.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-16752162642136171252024-02-04T15:45:00.000-08:002024-02-04T15:54:34.649-08:00Winterpaloozafestathon. Jan-26th-Feb 1st<p> As I pulled out of the campground at Ft. Wilderness and started our trek south, the car behind me felt that I cut them off or something as they drove 50 in a 35 and quickly flipped me off as they went on by. So much for the happiest place on earth.</p><p>Our next stop was going to be the Everglades National Park and to Key West. That was the plan anyways. But fate was not going to let that happen.</p><p>Ever since we stopped in Mississippi coming down here, I have been watching an oil leak from under the truck. Every stop we made I would see a little spot of oil. Gradually the spot got larger and larger. Since we still have a lot of miles to go and the truck is carrying a heavy load, I felt that maybe it should be looked at by a professional. So knowing where we were going, I made an appointment at one of the Dodge dealers on the way. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIjV6RICg4RePtG3RN0Y7ht5iU-RGz1AVlDRcw6Ff8pJArTqwsVopkaXfIqiLqJTJNykQfdiXzEPoTooIDepruevlnWko_aRx85My4Nc2BLF5w64A62cFkjNHAUamx-dcjmYNWygEhbPF_5cWLMG-veG2lU3PkdV5IsQMllOWiQpOOSEA3pjcQQDlK_fB/s2016/416298667_1105803843751372_2011429175866044566_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIjV6RICg4RePtG3RN0Y7ht5iU-RGz1AVlDRcw6Ff8pJArTqwsVopkaXfIqiLqJTJNykQfdiXzEPoTooIDepruevlnWko_aRx85My4Nc2BLF5w64A62cFkjNHAUamx-dcjmYNWygEhbPF_5cWLMG-veG2lU3PkdV5IsQMllOWiQpOOSEA3pjcQQDlK_fB/s320/416298667_1105803843751372_2011429175866044566_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not camping. Sitting outside of the dealership playing tiddly winks.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDklwBE7zibAGh1xk9Wp-Zz-27p69VqNpMqNXvyoPMYJH8k6a64rnRZzGIhfTR92hnozoYdGFP0JKD-6On-oixy0vwZrYWvUX7R2Xq-PZ6XKIqDNLjAxxt6qajL7gubino8mr4K_T1reXb-SQgsqjGE4_jcQDy6XrsBs4pANWbdyWlh1UNJg_oQGwtQ10U/s2016/416280638_1781391459031261_327069321421206961_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDklwBE7zibAGh1xk9Wp-Zz-27p69VqNpMqNXvyoPMYJH8k6a64rnRZzGIhfTR92hnozoYdGFP0JKD-6On-oixy0vwZrYWvUX7R2Xq-PZ6XKIqDNLjAxxt6qajL7gubino8mr4K_T1reXb-SQgsqjGE4_jcQDy6XrsBs4pANWbdyWlh1UNJg_oQGwtQ10U/s320/416280638_1781391459031261_327069321421206961_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Still there playing Jacks this time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So we got to the Dodge dealer in Avon Park, Florida. Removed the camper so they could get it on the hoist and then waited for the autopsy. I was really hoping for something minor that could be fixed easily. With fingers crossed we waited for a couple of hours.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBiRd23rvHmS4-TaPnVL7EX1T0Rr9OZkV1ZE5tYhRbNJMzMgQ2kv9gpBVlDv04uzgrA3Htw7J-LRRDFM_YGiXmUt8Is8AOHYq4o3EQP1OTgy6L-jnVyIjytCabCLvt3M-__wegJU3Xedv9sC5y-icTTp8aNpf41LSTniqLAnrxj2XEVPUdSSBV9tkdGRG/s2048/416387957_1601830670653892_7735078374126353936_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="2048" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBiRd23rvHmS4-TaPnVL7EX1T0Rr9OZkV1ZE5tYhRbNJMzMgQ2kv9gpBVlDv04uzgrA3Htw7J-LRRDFM_YGiXmUt8Is8AOHYq4o3EQP1OTgy6L-jnVyIjytCabCLvt3M-__wegJU3Xedv9sC5y-icTTp8aNpf41LSTniqLAnrxj2XEVPUdSSBV9tkdGRG/s320/416387957_1601830670653892_7735078374126353936_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gandolf getting probed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later on, <u>I went inside since I wasn't getting a phone call</u> and got the bad news/good news, news. The bad news was that the leak was coming from the timing cover housing. It would take a week to fix it because it is very involved. Sad face. The good news is that our extended warranty would cover the repairs. Happy face. The bad news was that we will have to cancel the Everglades and Key West. Sad face. Our warranty went up to 100,000 miles. Our truck has 99.960 miles. If I would have waited till we got back to Minnesota to have it looked at, it would have been out of warranty. Happy face. When we went to the dealership I got this message on my phone.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98RsnHIZ6ewFghHZW9_OKhGDvXMG6j11spZhZwq2gsqFAfep90msmeQr7xD9tgAR7jEitlqq1hmWs-jvXJu6VZPNnLaqfz6gsW-Et4tCtPLoPQUFZsH5BXR6Lw9XV5xdtcs34ekle9X-0IKMI5ovWgEjY-ntAXPokxgrfq981Hq0GH3CycgCzaA1TCI5P/s2048/416030472_2354316301405656_9080107680160920245_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="921" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98RsnHIZ6ewFghHZW9_OKhGDvXMG6j11spZhZwq2gsqFAfep90msmeQr7xD9tgAR7jEitlqq1hmWs-jvXJu6VZPNnLaqfz6gsW-Et4tCtPLoPQUFZsH5BXR6Lw9XV5xdtcs34ekle9X-0IKMI5ovWgEjY-ntAXPokxgrfq981Hq0GH3CycgCzaA1TCI5P/s320/416030472_2354316301405656_9080107680160920245_n.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That was from after I picked it up. Notice any other messages?</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So we found a campground that had room for us. We called four before one had an open spot. Unloaded the camper and now we wait. It's Friday and <u>they said it would be done Wednesday</u>. We are at the mercy of others. We are in Avon Park, Florida. If you are looking for an affordable place to winter in Florida, check out this area. It is an hour and a half to the coast in either direction. Being on the coast is expensive just because you are on the coast. The RV park we found is an older park. I said that it was the trailer park that time forgot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Word quickly spread throughout the park about our predicament. The people here are so friendly. The first day we had two separate people offer us their vehicles to use. Strangers mind you. We thanked them and declined because fortunately we had our Jeep with us. So many have stopped and chatted with us. Telling us what there is to do here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day one stranded. Saturday promised to be the nicest. So we jumped in the Jeep and drove over to Anna Maria Island. Beach day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nB8xdxlrmMwkYGgzqrWjsGIUaHuirf2tzcExavz5MInJ-6Vd_D5xxOucKAJ-xZlfMcGmvmB8KPij2ppt23Of-KnXjChoDUCisji1-Ups_TPaOzHkOIExkpeHRqz-MHeNrpB4y0M1bcJSurqrOOovsUBR-fxgHa1lNWMKTaXtRdDFYNEOr4r4LiWRJkLV/s3488/20240127_134130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3488" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nB8xdxlrmMwkYGgzqrWjsGIUaHuirf2tzcExavz5MInJ-6Vd_D5xxOucKAJ-xZlfMcGmvmB8KPij2ppt23Of-KnXjChoDUCisji1-Ups_TPaOzHkOIExkpeHRqz-MHeNrpB4y0M1bcJSurqrOOovsUBR-fxgHa1lNWMKTaXtRdDFYNEOr4r4LiWRJkLV/s320/20240127_134130.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-X2Kus55ojOsZUkrmTqDGVj2KX-0p3aiXbdN7vYAxT95jOGrYl7EE2-1PdEaXfP9fYI7q0kpnbVk-VijoBLsMO5HmbyE4oVBzPbCz7tLnpzQvlzPkwSgX9EfyU89S8GiXGzKQPXVkqyO0hXHL2jhQYu7KkW4ev_KzAcFJcAnvOUUJ4rk2sA_bKLxzH4kl/s4032/20240127_134041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-X2Kus55ojOsZUkrmTqDGVj2KX-0p3aiXbdN7vYAxT95jOGrYl7EE2-1PdEaXfP9fYI7q0kpnbVk-VijoBLsMO5HmbyE4oVBzPbCz7tLnpzQvlzPkwSgX9EfyU89S8GiXGzKQPXVkqyO0hXHL2jhQYu7KkW4ev_KzAcFJcAnvOUUJ4rk2sA_bKLxzH4kl/s320/20240127_134041.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRK8DyqwMXrQpNPIgxPOfwq7Myz968uTgZltoP-_hfRVyFv0OKI9a-3Uufm3Ce62o3IB1CB6OOi8GWvqBmFe8Tz3INNaI4F-yOY2boZDXsGmfguaR9VBquJTBy9BiFCGIT2P-i32SbMLBBQIqR6jR3MVyGJoVhqPJ63q4u6BWyEQopNFCb8Zs4VTZFjmen/s4032/20240127_131542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRK8DyqwMXrQpNPIgxPOfwq7Myz968uTgZltoP-_hfRVyFv0OKI9a-3Uufm3Ce62o3IB1CB6OOi8GWvqBmFe8Tz3INNaI4F-yOY2boZDXsGmfguaR9VBquJTBy9BiFCGIT2P-i32SbMLBBQIqR6jR3MVyGJoVhqPJ63q4u6BWyEQopNFCb8Zs4VTZFjmen/s320/20240127_131542.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwik4ZVJMg4C3GeuF_vJdk0Hixje4ldDe1dLFGfxqaV9O9DqTqX3UfLr7CgMD5Hu-oUog_cERGjjrXzbE5OaT5ED605WyACjwF3PYRU1MrYcDbquKxfa4qTnu7ilQx6kXaTTegf0k6EDJCKkH8yZ_OWzZGOWxPqwKwG1IctG0PIHilWUoWRcKnixuTGzGe/s3977/20240127_130616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2603" data-original-width="3977" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwik4ZVJMg4C3GeuF_vJdk0Hixje4ldDe1dLFGfxqaV9O9DqTqX3UfLr7CgMD5Hu-oUog_cERGjjrXzbE5OaT5ED605WyACjwF3PYRU1MrYcDbquKxfa4qTnu7ilQx6kXaTTegf0k6EDJCKkH8yZ_OWzZGOWxPqwKwG1IctG0PIHilWUoWRcKnixuTGzGe/s320/20240127_130616.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a beautiful place to visit but I would not want to live there. Lots of people packed into a small area with one main road that is usually bumper to bumper. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day two stranded. A neighbor said that there is a nice State Park that is not far from here. Highland Hammock State Park. Rumor has it that a "Skunk Ape" was seen there. "Lisa! Warm up the Jeep because it is going to be in the fifties here. Lets go!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But first my little woman wanted to do some shopping at the local mall. You know the type of mall that was the pinnacle of 80's and 90's capitalism. Lakeshore Mall.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3Perkgn7d_A-TftsXnUT3T-go0qpfv6Xhb0YI_rhM3IiXnUIKWUa2qcV0r0QV9VhfAaDpO4I3YknLlG78wvDT9J0Y-iU8mtNOBxK6g1JLCWJeNHDpEyyAO-ZlSWmvAsXIrk0OzM1wcgHnY7xMKk6tdytohLa_XkGTtVJEirto9QbDAd8vCy9lPMlW7ED/s2000/420138519_3720381698176807_4187694100268428300_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3Perkgn7d_A-TftsXnUT3T-go0qpfv6Xhb0YI_rhM3IiXnUIKWUa2qcV0r0QV9VhfAaDpO4I3YknLlG78wvDT9J0Y-iU8mtNOBxK6g1JLCWJeNHDpEyyAO-ZlSWmvAsXIrk0OzM1wcgHnY7xMKk6tdytohLa_XkGTtVJEirto9QbDAd8vCy9lPMlW7ED/s320/420138519_3720381698176807_4187694100268428300_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have never been to a mall this empty. It was very sad to see this, remembering all of the good times as teenagers that we have spent in malls. One building that could offer so much in variety, foods and so many different friends to meet up with. With so few tenants, I was surprised that it is still open. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On to the state park. $6.00 entrance fee. Cheaper than a Bud light at Disney. What a vast wilderness. There is an auto loop with several opportunities to hike. One such hike we wanted to do starts out as a boardwalk out into the swamp. Then it turns into a catwalk for the rest of the duration. The catwalk was a smaller/narrower boardwalk with only one railing on one side. But that part was closed to weather damage. Awww. We got some good "Skunk Ape" hunting pictures from that area.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnGuNjWhZ1IBQ-ry5hPkmUdciHWJvq_Hnm2KgZAsrWI722d7KsrKEIWf0ITUzEwPIeV4HfFqFZVkasWW_U03IxkFWe73hzzafFPAd6CxIZYNHdobW03sLZ61Xs97yfH8bVsuyaoTYqe21jhJPDLw7if3Q6T91MzKV01b5JByVDQvDMmDOkA3QT-6YWiGj/s2000/420280953_1136074194427946_8652441657662693806_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnGuNjWhZ1IBQ-ry5hPkmUdciHWJvq_Hnm2KgZAsrWI722d7KsrKEIWf0ITUzEwPIeV4HfFqFZVkasWW_U03IxkFWe73hzzafFPAd6CxIZYNHdobW03sLZ61Xs97yfH8bVsuyaoTYqe21jhJPDLw7if3Q6T91MzKV01b5JByVDQvDMmDOkA3QT-6YWiGj/s320/420280953_1136074194427946_8652441657662693806_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyFUff8XrCxYljyDmLOJeWAhhIcKTPqZDKfswAavqdJlz1q9cGxOqY_S1xHdxDa8E77gATHB6ImiJF8nga7iFvwdoyGiVZlE7EoLoOy8o-aQtgLqVWA9jytqLpMsDW0Txg_IQ03ZPERIaQ3L_sJ4Y-YB5WAihF9nu1GfPhWazWv5jzxrW0Vi5iz0M4Noa/s2000/420139984_397224139346776_7217678950978130107_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyFUff8XrCxYljyDmLOJeWAhhIcKTPqZDKfswAavqdJlz1q9cGxOqY_S1xHdxDa8E77gATHB6ImiJF8nga7iFvwdoyGiVZlE7EoLoOy8o-aQtgLqVWA9jytqLpMsDW0Txg_IQ03ZPERIaQ3L_sJ4Y-YB5WAihF9nu1GfPhWazWv5jzxrW0Vi5iz0M4Noa/s320/420139984_397224139346776_7217678950978130107_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2xGu5lAFavjaiHsLborgCjaNdNlycE7kP_LIrw4tapKQXYDxDO1IVCmn-rcLHw3XQUvVkPkf0_5QlMnb8BotS5Krcuxm2aSC0VQhKiGHsRXZB1xPOTIVOEHtzsgU82fWktMTKYPkI7twqPgu4FJ8tVdQbDXRTxafdtTsnegneVwqooS9DTe6GQEZKYny/s2000/420129165_394558133228299_8163042249207168780_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2xGu5lAFavjaiHsLborgCjaNdNlycE7kP_LIrw4tapKQXYDxDO1IVCmn-rcLHw3XQUvVkPkf0_5QlMnb8BotS5Krcuxm2aSC0VQhKiGHsRXZB1xPOTIVOEHtzsgU82fWktMTKYPkI7twqPgu4FJ8tVdQbDXRTxafdtTsnegneVwqooS9DTe6GQEZKYny/s320/420129165_394558133228299_8163042249207168780_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fOQx2IGkvV6cXMXuPYKXRzNGI5FeHPHXLzLupZfHIHPg5YRLBl4OusT4GqWJnuDAMQAZMzfBuVCOPl1PKCKk9xojuDJtKA41JTLHRlV38LZ2Qi2QamWpmQugYbmKYUu-b5HvDCSdgFNG5GzOH9NrhvsHmbLRAzYCHOd2E2Y1Btn-cpO_LbV_n0Ma-3yA/s2000/420129162_419315143758087_8163380793555029490_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fOQx2IGkvV6cXMXuPYKXRzNGI5FeHPHXLzLupZfHIHPg5YRLBl4OusT4GqWJnuDAMQAZMzfBuVCOPl1PKCKk9xojuDJtKA41JTLHRlV38LZ2Qi2QamWpmQugYbmKYUu-b5HvDCSdgFNG5GzOH9NrhvsHmbLRAzYCHOd2E2Y1Btn-cpO_LbV_n0Ma-3yA/s320/420129162_419315143758087_8163380793555029490_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYJKscNRntQ2J5VTnyEi4wNgkv7-63GE0ozO9337s6PlYgApLixgvUjsLm-_S5P6DrasJJEUZM9s2LLUwpiheN1hNpPO1PkP70gkC80URvYn08H_42FfEDZ5llyMkrVdJv5qMil08nElIXkoU3iOPeW5yTcuBTj0_ZcXlcr8_9KA6lJKScBf19UX_8i6r/s2000/415826455_428100179659601_1691551505282737703_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYJKscNRntQ2J5VTnyEi4wNgkv7-63GE0ozO9337s6PlYgApLixgvUjsLm-_S5P6DrasJJEUZM9s2LLUwpiheN1hNpPO1PkP70gkC80URvYn08H_42FfEDZ5llyMkrVdJv5qMil08nElIXkoU3iOPeW5yTcuBTj0_ZcXlcr8_9KA6lJKScBf19UX_8i6r/s320/415826455_428100179659601_1691551505282737703_n%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We did a few of the hikes and then went to the CCC museum they have at the park. Very informative day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the way home we passed a Winn-Dixie. Winn-Dixie is one of the grocery chains they have in Florida and I love them for one reason. Wing bars. That's right, I said wing bars. Most, not all, I have found will offer a variety of wings that you can stuff in a bucket for the low, low price of $15.99. That's less than 2 Disney Bud lights. This store had plain wings, hot wings, garlic parmesan and my favorite, Teriyaki. They also had bbq ribblets. I got them all! BWAH HA HA HA!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC5uSKwRLwvVs6cC7S_VCDnnmxAbcyxGZtJm0Lk8iD7YhhDGZzv_2qJQGSKufQsFbCz-CGYYyZ1Nw6LpceuBiK0jhyZKQc-jo4Pz3TkymZE_Ck4n2GPO7JqcEpcPxB6oibyx0soip-URUCaDxNVFtFaVFEXItjnYkouuiq4qaaLAaHYrR90dmuFCNWOp8/s2000/416009071_965656198250387_6079319149110852199_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC5uSKwRLwvVs6cC7S_VCDnnmxAbcyxGZtJm0Lk8iD7YhhDGZzv_2qJQGSKufQsFbCz-CGYYyZ1Nw6LpceuBiK0jhyZKQc-jo4Pz3TkymZE_Ck4n2GPO7JqcEpcPxB6oibyx0soip-URUCaDxNVFtFaVFEXItjnYkouuiq4qaaLAaHYrR90dmuFCNWOp8/s320/416009071_965656198250387_6079319149110852199_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day three stranded. What are we going to do? There are not a lot of things to do. So we looked on the map. I found a place about 55 miles south of us called "Gatorama". To the gatormobile.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gatorama is a roadside attraction. It has been around since the 50's. It was very clean and well kept. Lots and lots of alligators, crocodiles and caimans. There is a saltwater crocodile that is absolutely huge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first thing I liked about Gatorama were their warning signs.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXSD_j1Ji9i2xxoWPi8C21nkbCZTDp7cRqa6GEYhVMjUB6ghgEff27v8z0VcfJS_Jugi98o_psOwujLIzgN3z9Rs-PiNTi-rAQhVJHMW0F0ILfAk6hYT1bYEDxhEx-2pjwigD-FYRU36bk85ryas50jb3F8zO7-NzBHCB3wuxWLvOhuPetmi0jeghzXN/s2000/415989886_676649587738115_7417363999814032169_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXSD_j1Ji9i2xxoWPi8C21nkbCZTDp7cRqa6GEYhVMjUB6ghgEff27v8z0VcfJS_Jugi98o_psOwujLIzgN3z9Rs-PiNTi-rAQhVJHMW0F0ILfAk6hYT1bYEDxhEx-2pjwigD-FYRU36bk85ryas50jb3F8zO7-NzBHCB3wuxWLvOhuPetmi0jeghzXN/s320/415989886_676649587738115_7417363999814032169_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBPuqQ9X-sERtGZCZRm_S5rF7gnNtyytAbgULw8oJ8Oou9Vuo0igDxBwD5OFW6IkGpoVXSe_YSW7FfEqUdrECLcOsBt0o4xNMevKdawWna9kSqKHxM20eV6nACYt7OreT1VOxYoBtvuv-o3LRIqxtsLysVmqJxgTOv23GA5c_juXMdj8uJ42gxw9NBiq9/s2000/415934765_927476045831997_9113941033936781048_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBPuqQ9X-sERtGZCZRm_S5rF7gnNtyytAbgULw8oJ8Oou9Vuo0igDxBwD5OFW6IkGpoVXSe_YSW7FfEqUdrECLcOsBt0o4xNMevKdawWna9kSqKHxM20eV6nACYt7OreT1VOxYoBtvuv-o3LRIqxtsLysVmqJxgTOv23GA5c_juXMdj8uJ42gxw9NBiq9/s320/415934765_927476045831997_9113941033936781048_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am pretty sure that people try to jump in there and pet the friendly 12 foot alligator. Gatorama is a working alligator farm. They raise the gators for food. Shocking, I know. They have to separate the sizes so that they don't eat each other.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiSdRkQ5-c_xjeZSRQjgTR1iPOyPaZNGw42FFSyNz2TebLy6oNljQ3sbcgjqtK2kmCKhar-aiTYP8cSEjjB3k4FUO19ag-Wlv6Qw5oEzVIWXeUtPLsdSv7ePtut9EfJNNBHrh_5_YGmYoQpaw-liHXf7lLsgynsaEYd23EmQ-QsquOlCRxsdSDHhkc2d5/s2000/421509599_795350052421498_8019383969719983842_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiSdRkQ5-c_xjeZSRQjgTR1iPOyPaZNGw42FFSyNz2TebLy6oNljQ3sbcgjqtK2kmCKhar-aiTYP8cSEjjB3k4FUO19ag-Wlv6Qw5oEzVIWXeUtPLsdSv7ePtut9EfJNNBHrh_5_YGmYoQpaw-liHXf7lLsgynsaEYd23EmQ-QsquOlCRxsdSDHhkc2d5/s320/421509599_795350052421498_8019383969719983842_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNzYi9wDVXbiGYP8lLti02-Y2gYRuFK6d7NE0g0RYqk8Uc3z_DsbzxngiRAUFO9FTNJ4BSCC0ZoC8jyPYHX13BpoWPXuZb1UUJbYgFTIVjopqyd5c32NqEXgYN0G7nYp4L3jWt9RRJaXgbNSuW40OzXLqSQKwQUim0ohIe4vCpvIWjo-jTZ6x1wBh7bVU/s2000/420280950_1902146086868751_8214589314424578789_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNzYi9wDVXbiGYP8lLti02-Y2gYRuFK6d7NE0g0RYqk8Uc3z_DsbzxngiRAUFO9FTNJ4BSCC0ZoC8jyPYHX13BpoWPXuZb1UUJbYgFTIVjopqyd5c32NqEXgYN0G7nYp4L3jWt9RRJaXgbNSuW40OzXLqSQKwQUim0ohIe4vCpvIWjo-jTZ6x1wBh7bVU/s320/420280950_1902146086868751_8214589314424578789_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then they have large open areas with alligators and another area for crocodiles. I did not know that crocodiles were native to Florida along with alligators. The guy feeding them said that in Florida, if you see a body of water, always assume there is an alligator in it. I remember a couple of years ago a child was taken in Disney World in one of the many water holes they have around the resorts.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfXsTEXQeEJyepwL-Cii00KeExYu_xP1kl_cU6cd_fMc2vB62iV4dvGFOsuQKad9NyP8_MxfUpVudc6FqBijDcKtzGggTgZg3m1lVrp-Z9zaExmNUSM1RjlB6Ell_GPqVUOaNUuNOCHyVNq2ucZBTVR5_y5mnnA8U3O_C6K8HNLE3c-CpQjLIMUzIW9Vd/s2000/421798281_351633004430159_3671036841091941322_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfXsTEXQeEJyepwL-Cii00KeExYu_xP1kl_cU6cd_fMc2vB62iV4dvGFOsuQKad9NyP8_MxfUpVudc6FqBijDcKtzGggTgZg3m1lVrp-Z9zaExmNUSM1RjlB6Ell_GPqVUOaNUuNOCHyVNq2ucZBTVR5_y5mnnA8U3O_C6K8HNLE3c-CpQjLIMUzIW9Vd/s320/421798281_351633004430159_3671036841091941322_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqFqSLX4IcAlS9f7HzxRe_MdwuEY8iXo1MDLhOw8n4Szyld0edpWXbPp3zBNqXZQr7DqiyWWSiek935zg7QQ6N8pYr_IVQjKSSS9jzit4GqYxP-TAyTgnTv4j8VyNGvEcJzlptBl9ppHAge4-mIckKMSksaVlk67WNLknkcX6nMjfEWc10ovjGHWcdYai/s1500/416032471_6652717868162937_8674517394816084137_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="1500" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqFqSLX4IcAlS9f7HzxRe_MdwuEY8iXo1MDLhOw8n4Szyld0edpWXbPp3zBNqXZQr7DqiyWWSiek935zg7QQ6N8pYr_IVQjKSSS9jzit4GqYxP-TAyTgnTv4j8VyNGvEcJzlptBl9ppHAge4-mIckKMSksaVlk67WNLknkcX6nMjfEWc10ovjGHWcdYai/s320/416032471_6652717868162937_8674517394816084137_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYkpWMQGZhm4SyjlJ3evjT3F4TH6wp_CNoMQ8FJkgjpQj6ieoQjw55WdHqsKrmDVceTh5HTjwwighQwXAXkD9ea1D7OWxd7grYznhMuZlhM7XPrZPwEAxB9IxHEFkXccpoi5lboCh-mxTIGnwOl78nMC9ApaIb3NpYd_BgNZDOhIP0v8V3G5WNCssjGcA/s2000/415790582_705680835047524_1337977059694148976_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYkpWMQGZhm4SyjlJ3evjT3F4TH6wp_CNoMQ8FJkgjpQj6ieoQjw55WdHqsKrmDVceTh5HTjwwighQwXAXkD9ea1D7OWxd7grYznhMuZlhM7XPrZPwEAxB9IxHEFkXccpoi5lboCh-mxTIGnwOl78nMC9ApaIb3NpYd_BgNZDOhIP0v8V3G5WNCssjGcA/s320/415790582_705680835047524_1337977059694148976_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCMCc4AT-iEGcxAx_HAedoZUbI0XINumgl9FOpFJfH5OsjWlFqR2IzB_XbtvpIYiGfFMPJpjeMvIHU1iRjokLtUhuLoSaf7lfjnhkbciBrbf_6sgo38ZrsWwYHK415eph8yYczP-fmVgsRESrQkzYGRq_wI8ZsJCJp22kFEdvLKxgvWQlQNvsJVZgXldM/s2000/415682535_1122701022230894_4827869285535661113_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCMCc4AT-iEGcxAx_HAedoZUbI0XINumgl9FOpFJfH5OsjWlFqR2IzB_XbtvpIYiGfFMPJpjeMvIHU1iRjokLtUhuLoSaf7lfjnhkbciBrbf_6sgo38ZrsWwYHK415eph8yYczP-fmVgsRESrQkzYGRq_wI8ZsJCJp22kFEdvLKxgvWQlQNvsJVZgXldM/s320/415682535_1122701022230894_4827869285535661113_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They also had a 20 foot Saltwater Crocodile. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjle25hXYxLEPwiAwphyIRx2zuaYlJlrax4vEpOwLYSX3F5HOQh6RKXu2EYmjMers_fXtBguYYTTtNYo5p-9osv6kgCT9KlcQjR4nBd8LjJUfgWZeOzLH2ht1C0EZwgdMeRMTfr278F8YM8Ecpo_jqJwNtPUi6SiCRlanSei08OFnBpOfUAIlcpBIQof25R/s2000/416152918_962108258615869_8049086399047836983_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjle25hXYxLEPwiAwphyIRx2zuaYlJlrax4vEpOwLYSX3F5HOQh6RKXu2EYmjMers_fXtBguYYTTtNYo5p-9osv6kgCT9KlcQjR4nBd8LjJUfgWZeOzLH2ht1C0EZwgdMeRMTfr278F8YM8Ecpo_jqJwNtPUi6SiCRlanSei08OFnBpOfUAIlcpBIQof25R/s320/416152918_962108258615869_8049086399047836983_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can't see him very well but he is floating in the water there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After that we went to find a place that served Gator. The Gator Shack was the closest so off we went. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5T_gBKl-2ybl0EJhb6aFbFhLSgNfF2Cu6fhIeOM6GkDPoiO5bYlYvOpyqypxBjiPqfT8csLPWWyYIL7HmP7c-MlB81wDfGenNwJo-RrCW50G3PbRFqYG85vG3vLn9uBElO9RQMKgt5sES5DSembqBZBSp4C5jQ3gEH10Z7XL0rlvXmuOQuY8aVGnJOwt/s2000/415787501_400036965854149_6466319850024694146_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5T_gBKl-2ybl0EJhb6aFbFhLSgNfF2Cu6fhIeOM6GkDPoiO5bYlYvOpyqypxBjiPqfT8csLPWWyYIL7HmP7c-MlB81wDfGenNwJo-RrCW50G3PbRFqYG85vG3vLn9uBElO9RQMKgt5sES5DSembqBZBSp4C5jQ3gEH10Z7XL0rlvXmuOQuY8aVGnJOwt/s320/415787501_400036965854149_6466319850024694146_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Deep fried gator bites! YUM, YUM!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day four and five of being stranded wasn't very interesting except for this. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tuesday I stopped by the dealership to check on the progress. I said I want to be sure it is going to be done . Our service adviser said it <u>would be done on Wednesday</u>. She didn't give a time. Or a poop!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wednesday came and <u>they said it would be done on Wednesday</u>. So we waited hoping to get the truck so we could hit the road on Thursday. Finally around four I said to Lisa that I am going over there. Now our service adviser was something else. You would think that they would have to have some people skills to maintain that job. She was the worst. I asked her about the truck. She looks at me like I just interrupted her game of bubble pop and meanders back to the shop. She came back and said it <u>would be done Thursday by noon</u>. Really? I can't do anything about that. She didn't give a poop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thursday comes and around 11 I finally get a call from some guy at the dealership. He says the truck is done and ready. My service advisor is on vacation now. Thank you for your business.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not the best dealership experience we have had but we are glad it didn't cost an arm and a leg for that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Gladys! Throw the cats in the camper and lets get going to our next grand adventure!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On a personal note. I had to tone down some of the language from my editor. Also, the cost of the repairs would have been over 77 Disney Bud lights. That would have been a weekends worth at Jethro and Bambi's.</div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-24595127751376015802024-01-30T16:45:00.000-08:002024-01-30T16:45:51.872-08:00The Magic is out there. Jan. 21st-26th<p> As much as we love St. George Island, we had to leave. Vowing to one day return again. We had a commitment to keep. So we packed up and headed along the gulf coast to our next magical destination. The drive along highway 98 was beautiful. Tall long leaf pine forests. Palm trees here and there. The sun reflecting off of the gulf coast waters. A great drive until you get to I-75.</p><p>What is it with Florida drivers? They are so angry and aggressive. Everywhere we go I am getting saluted with the one finger salute. (You know what finger I am talking about). </p><p>"I am sorry that I cannot drive 90 in a 70mph zone!"</p><p>"Pass me for cripes sake!"</p><p> I know when the bird is about to fly because they will tailgate me for a few miles and then zoom around me. "It's an interstate butthole!"</p><p>"There are three lanes! Is that really necessary?!" </p><p>But all of that is behind us now as we get to Disney World. The most magical place on earth.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6ZsbPE0wK4LR9j8W6_2LXuULcc5B9v05VMiuR8lVu9XJCfu-9XU_aQ4sHhN2IfO97iOAX4UiDCO7n5ZRDTez1TqKXXGxvwARbdiEZ1Rk8MffYUSQputIuRTW9Qsi2oiNmsQX-3fwFxPjK6UPq5NhWRYNftfNG-RRZx0CWGTBYPc56Gyo-Z2RF0NSjyeL/s800/entrance-archway-road-transportation-disney-world-185.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="800" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6ZsbPE0wK4LR9j8W6_2LXuULcc5B9v05VMiuR8lVu9XJCfu-9XU_aQ4sHhN2IfO97iOAX4UiDCO7n5ZRDTez1TqKXXGxvwARbdiEZ1Rk8MffYUSQputIuRTW9Qsi2oiNmsQX-3fwFxPjK6UPq5NhWRYNftfNG-RRZx0CWGTBYPc56Gyo-Z2RF0NSjyeL/s320/entrance-archway-road-transportation-disney-world-185.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the perks of being in the military is that you get discounted park tickets. Plus we are also Disney reward members. So this week at Disney was theoretically free! We stayed at the Ft. Wilderness Campground. We love it there. Free transportation to wherever you want to go in Disney. That means, nobody flips you off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our first night there we hopped on the bus to Disney Springs for a little shopping and dinner. We got our first taste of large crowds. I asked Lisa, "Doesn't anybody keep their kids in school anymore?" She said that I was sounding like a grumpy old person. Keep calm. We made a vow that we were not going to be on our phones and the reason why is that wherever you look, people are plastered to their phones and not enjoying the surroundings. So many times we have been here and my only view of the parks was through the view finder of the camera. But not this time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our first full day was at the Magic Kingdom. In all honesty I was quite worried about being here. My health has not been the best lately and I did not want to be on the national news as the grumpy old guy that dies at the Magic Kingdom. Luckily I did not die there but I feel like I could have any day. More about that later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We enjoyed seeing all that Disney has to offer. The rides, the scenery, the food. We loved riding the old familiar rides. Checking out some new ones and a little sad at the ones that are gone. Disney is continually changing all of the time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzYqLIwv7MgjvdZTayLKfaUMWxX54nxCZTSfVSlRJ1G5iw0MyFR97-lGENbvwfYbSuAtN_MBkNk3TK9FmZc6w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lots of people milling about. Some rides had short waits, 30 minutes or less. Some rides had much longer waits, 60 minutes or more. So after a long day,we got our fill of the Magic Kingdom.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnXqAXBY1M9rTlXexv443i6ByR1NOoEvScXIq1UWN-0wBNtBWxb_CYzN0uuZH6vL_50jgtzpzS4tLotsaipcJBSByel_Tjz9ndWRHMyxqKvQQHMut_05k9YZbDjugvgqoRjpGsOYrO1RaIH-tjrzyRLPLLguaHmeOMtYQv73rRPdM-rvlGqszWfSxEMI-/s2048/416368571_1372710136755702_1734037673782698399_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2003" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnXqAXBY1M9rTlXexv443i6ByR1NOoEvScXIq1UWN-0wBNtBWxb_CYzN0uuZH6vL_50jgtzpzS4tLotsaipcJBSByel_Tjz9ndWRHMyxqKvQQHMut_05k9YZbDjugvgqoRjpGsOYrO1RaIH-tjrzyRLPLLguaHmeOMtYQv73rRPdM-rvlGqszWfSxEMI-/s320/416368571_1372710136755702_1734037673782698399_n.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We left before the fireworks and got back to our camper very tired. This was only day one. Those that have never been to Disney don't know what I am talking about but those who know, know. There should be an exercise program developed just for the people going to Disney. It should include walking all day. Standing in one place for what seems like hours. Just mainly being on your feet for an entire day. Many parents do it by wearing 20 pound backpacks and holding small children. We have been there and done that before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day two. We went to Disney's Hollywood Studios. This park is always changing the most it seems. Again lots of people. Some of the most popular rides like Rockin Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror where closed. I said to Lisa "A certain percentage of their rides are closed, they should give us that percentage in a discount off of our tickets". She chuckled and told me I was sounding like a grumpy old guy again. LOL?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We rode the rides with short waits and skipped the ones with longer waits. In past visits to Disney, they always offered what they called "Fast passes". That's where you could schedule a time to ride the most popular rides, thus skipping the waits. Now they call it the "Lightning pass." It does the same thing but now you have to pay extra to use that. So as we sit in line watching these other happy idiots skip lines as we wait, a small amount of anger starts to well up inside. I said to Lisa, "Disney should get rid of the lightning pass's and make everybody wait in line like the rest of us. That would make it fair." Grumpy old guy again. I'm starting to sense a theme. It's our own fault though. Disney saw an opportunity to make more money and they took it, because so many of these idiots said that they would gladly pay even more money to Disney than they already are.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They opened a new area at Hollywood Studios themed after Star Wars. Very well done. You would think that you are on a Star Wars planet of some kind. Except for the people everywhere. It was a very popular area.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUPcRKQ0fq2tKP7bCntI7bBchMT-_vUAVHluO8-zwVi_Wf0Ro94EGR43mFGY5LmdFLLBmmMZ9orpOYhL94hMOQ9l-vzhSflbfaulazxKgxruGgVKoQUSugJnB3r2ADAsxF9r734FJnamIObQyTjkGhF_Qd3ityKOZNWpOsL2UOi6SrVWojTTyXgKSvl9s/s2000/421337647_1100822161120375_7148720453016828629_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUPcRKQ0fq2tKP7bCntI7bBchMT-_vUAVHluO8-zwVi_Wf0Ro94EGR43mFGY5LmdFLLBmmMZ9orpOYhL94hMOQ9l-vzhSflbfaulazxKgxruGgVKoQUSugJnB3r2ADAsxF9r734FJnamIObQyTjkGhF_Qd3ityKOZNWpOsL2UOi6SrVWojTTyXgKSvl9s/s320/421337647_1100822161120375_7148720453016828629_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEsiZ6sOK0MFk6V42SZJ40e6OpcBEJbUEme-pADJUBy7OKU_3hyphenhyphenp32jiAVKavObtCv4aMiw1BLP6HXSJA-OwNkgsFnyUP5iVobjcr6mrx5vIzzUj7b6xuobh063SDrHP4Wt9B-vmN9PS8aTmQyKAx6kq77Etr9NDRWFn0KErPx_BBtHIa-rB6meC0bKFb/s2000/420012145_732615885258548_1085894654215751553_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEsiZ6sOK0MFk6V42SZJ40e6OpcBEJbUEme-pADJUBy7OKU_3hyphenhyphenp32jiAVKavObtCv4aMiw1BLP6HXSJA-OwNkgsFnyUP5iVobjcr6mrx5vIzzUj7b6xuobh063SDrHP4Wt9B-vmN9PS8aTmQyKAx6kq77Etr9NDRWFn0KErPx_BBtHIa-rB6meC0bKFb/s320/420012145_732615885258548_1085894654215751553_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw48dDvRP0mkoiCwXPRkOsGWVmDfQ0U2UKW-BUNjNh6nrYi-w1Cpx4xJW3M2gsFi757BqqQA2KbqiIDnt_aHlFAt7uEW9y4FCT8COUm_xCcA1LIRHPoJxubRG6VbiQz7iHDLs-ukwRRnerzIi6zm2S7xJV7ziWEqcsqaVCBlOR6jfeZN_yVGNbdCJSVtvX/s2000/415518633_407313685187019_6325748411575846795_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw48dDvRP0mkoiCwXPRkOsGWVmDfQ0U2UKW-BUNjNh6nrYi-w1Cpx4xJW3M2gsFi757BqqQA2KbqiIDnt_aHlFAt7uEW9y4FCT8COUm_xCcA1LIRHPoJxubRG6VbiQz7iHDLs-ukwRRnerzIi6zm2S7xJV7ziWEqcsqaVCBlOR6jfeZN_yVGNbdCJSVtvX/s320/415518633_407313685187019_6325748411575846795_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lisa kept thinking that we have been here before. In fact she swore on it. So she was looking back at photos. I on the other hand felt like we had not been here. Finally after much deliberation we figured it out. It was Disneyland where they had a Star Wars area. Duh. We were again tired and exhausted so we went to the camper for "Happy Hour". The local turkeys were eye balling the cats as we sat outside.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9zJ_xR4aOpUdgjC77uJBs3odzIs-FZPEpYfVo_Kugx2S9FbvVyK0QE7dbpibehpff-R0XinbFyA31OreIUJ82AS2JfZ1aipumF2D3NtDChoeYLeszcxobVlG6kN8mPzWBogwdfIxHVSZ5iYJnPXETtBSXZE9C7gYJwX-qPJYmjQ32ehaqANCjCvWq58I/s2016/416333914_391410650037396_989448725334814652_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9zJ_xR4aOpUdgjC77uJBs3odzIs-FZPEpYfVo_Kugx2S9FbvVyK0QE7dbpibehpff-R0XinbFyA31OreIUJ82AS2JfZ1aipumF2D3NtDChoeYLeszcxobVlG6kN8mPzWBogwdfIxHVSZ5iYJnPXETtBSXZE9C7gYJwX-qPJYmjQ32ehaqANCjCvWq58I/s320/416333914_391410650037396_989448725334814652_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojvd1sJjjo491PtjmCj8yYiaLRShCECMGtxrdDl44ucqA4QQafuMSVNH8FLvutL5goqJB7khmKrDs0HN_cXXu0gT3T-WVx0FieFG0l0ylzpQzD6DkEw7e398L95MmF9LsuPjnYgLV2fTtWAJuli2OKF1QPUr5kN12oBarpYNgxYycz_a1W5RHHvBHSTPh/s2016/415430625_1885867395166914_6795893348394309685_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojvd1sJjjo491PtjmCj8yYiaLRShCECMGtxrdDl44ucqA4QQafuMSVNH8FLvutL5goqJB7khmKrDs0HN_cXXu0gT3T-WVx0FieFG0l0ylzpQzD6DkEw7e398L95MmF9LsuPjnYgLV2fTtWAJuli2OKF1QPUr5kN12oBarpYNgxYycz_a1W5RHHvBHSTPh/s320/415430625_1885867395166914_6795893348394309685_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Watch out! Here comes the grumpy old guy again!" Many years ago I said that I would not pay 6 dollars for a beer at Disney. And that holds true even more so today. Now the beers are $9.50-$10.00 a beer depending on what park you are at. Those are Jim and Barb prices. Again Disney saw an opportunity and ran with it because apparently there are a lot of people that will. If you want to buy some beer at the gift shop at your hotel, $19.50 for a six pack. Knowing all of this from before, we stocked up on alcohol before we got there. Put that in your pipe Disney and smoke it. Ha!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day three. Disney's Animal Kingdom. Same story here. Lots of long lines for the most popular rides. We went to the "It's tough to be a Bug" show in the Tree of Life. It was so funny listening to the screaming kids that were so terrified by the show. That was the best part. There is a place in the Animal Kingdom named after me. If you go there maybe you can find it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfE7jqLIdJvxEMlWMxizEkoBHmbRCWhV-GGZG1t0GqQOscsfJWABw0ieOowuLI9Az-5MY2whG4BDjgp1tzXSVGZXrZlgeflCuV3x4oRMC4p4tzA8JnM6eMjFN-XwJB74XEDTWcXmkwO1YMjEqRZszkDYsBbcZChVFBd3NW57f2uLH93ycBNFaSXFPEBkD/s2048/421820645_7565692036774269_54318161135974979_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="2048" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfE7jqLIdJvxEMlWMxizEkoBHmbRCWhV-GGZG1t0GqQOscsfJWABw0ieOowuLI9Az-5MY2whG4BDjgp1tzXSVGZXrZlgeflCuV3x4oRMC4p4tzA8JnM6eMjFN-XwJB74XEDTWcXmkwO1YMjEqRZszkDYsBbcZChVFBd3NW57f2uLH93ycBNFaSXFPEBkD/s320/421820645_7565692036774269_54318161135974979_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We got through the park in a few hours and then headed back to the camper for another "Happy Hour".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day four. Disney Epcot. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH78q0CSetGuUaR0od8XbWhv7NfuvymWPgO9zLCJLKndBK308AucAf19FnIgF85r2BEclRy-5v-qO_0xpROuxMP8_35PR3pEAdlfgYiKu50r72SVBfqXkDTUFXx2hND5nxUGK3E-_Pssx1Jn7dU5bCrtReMeZ827eH71Z3yUqGBTLcNs0Ix0k380SX9-qQ/s1315/421274198_1431148097784101_2548189287590628530_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="910" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH78q0CSetGuUaR0od8XbWhv7NfuvymWPgO9zLCJLKndBK308AucAf19FnIgF85r2BEclRy-5v-qO_0xpROuxMP8_35PR3pEAdlfgYiKu50r72SVBfqXkDTUFXx2hND5nxUGK3E-_Pssx1Jn7dU5bCrtReMeZ827eH71Z3yUqGBTLcNs0Ix0k380SX9-qQ/s320/421274198_1431148097784101_2548189287590628530_n.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><br />Lots of changes going on again here also. We enjoyed walking around. Did a few rides. We walked around the World Showcase and got some good food from Japan, Morocco and England. We walked back around to Mexico for a Fiesta Margarita. ($15.50). After hours of fun we went home again for another "Happy Hour". Tomorrow we leave for more fun and frolic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4 parks in 4 days. We were beat. We kept getting worn out after just a few hours. We asked ourselves how we could have done it from park opening to park closing every day. We would go around each park 2 to 3 times. Now we can only make it once and we are done. We were younger and in better shape for one thing but how can we both feel so decrepit? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On to our next destination. It was great getting on the road again and being flipped off by the very first driver. Not kidding about that. In hindsight, that should have been a sign for how the day was going to go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until the next episode.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-42079655228293011352024-01-28T10:42:00.000-08:002024-01-28T10:42:26.667-08:00Winterpaloozafestathon, January 16th-21st<p> I know what you are thinking. Where are the Sasquatches you mentioned in the last "nail biting " episode of the "on the edge of the seat" post you promised us. There are parts of Florida that are full of trees and forests and not very populated. That's where we are. Torreya State Park on the panhandle of Florida. Did you know that the elevation here is a whopping 240 feet above sea level. We have been at sea level for so long that being at this altitude is giving us nose bleeds.</p><p>Back to Sasquatch's. I am very sorry but we will not find any Sasquatch's here in Florida. We did not know that. So back to "The Google" we went and discovered something even better. In the southeastern part of the United States they have what they call "Skunk Apes". Now we have something to look for. In fact I have heard of the term "Skunk Ape" before. I just thought it was the pet name for Jethro that Bambi would call him.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1ImkR4vOlucTzdMsoBWWge_wACVnBChlAO0xxhWYsEOf_M5nd8mU74hB0kdcGlglRUEMjPQQx_bOcs6rx9bvU68kdbfwM_VyRkZUXC-FdsL_TWU_ulpkTM3xNu1xwNAi6YOs5UIv7sIt4qQ4MNnTaYpFBtLvdifyUi9vKTSXvQMijlJcPB1jiqZ2OoFd/s2000/420061415_1584645505272875_291599380146115924_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1ImkR4vOlucTzdMsoBWWge_wACVnBChlAO0xxhWYsEOf_M5nd8mU74hB0kdcGlglRUEMjPQQx_bOcs6rx9bvU68kdbfwM_VyRkZUXC-FdsL_TWU_ulpkTM3xNu1xwNAi6YOs5UIv7sIt4qQ4MNnTaYpFBtLvdifyUi9vKTSXvQMijlJcPB1jiqZ2OoFd/s320/420061415_1584645505272875_291599380146115924_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our view out our back window. Nothing but woods as far as you can see. Very remote and very rugged. Torreya state park is named after the Torreya tree. This area is the only place this species is found.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcY8_JbzG8sIpGtSfR_GRIsnzEqP8AdZUMbZrefhcFyrGED3HwhIkaP4hV0oQXsSTIgsWqS2CxK3eiiqueBAdJXftYVGWxwVAEBQpnIN2Tf1M4oZF1TUmEkdxwSZ5UsKBC-BdXg94H8CyVNBnzdnfHY_l-Kkv_hPAtlwc2JMlUcezMDJdLoB5rzhTH82ci/s2000/420057069_715767630699339_7030555790413793361_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcY8_JbzG8sIpGtSfR_GRIsnzEqP8AdZUMbZrefhcFyrGED3HwhIkaP4hV0oQXsSTIgsWqS2CxK3eiiqueBAdJXftYVGWxwVAEBQpnIN2Tf1M4oZF1TUmEkdxwSZ5UsKBC-BdXg94H8CyVNBnzdnfHY_l-Kkv_hPAtlwc2JMlUcezMDJdLoB5rzhTH82ci/s320/420057069_715767630699339_7030555790413793361_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is the rarest of Conniferous trees. What does it look like you ask?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFni1Muf2irx7-GCIjgmv6SxHCtZsFNpRSB8rsTObHVDAs7RzO7x45PzLYYaRMLut8OkE3Z56gvTaiLCJbP3OQhGS_x0Ztd_HY16ROeRJ7QRk2xx9wnZOSn_DxgF5yRPYMfdaXhSrq6kHv5u_R-1p8cy1jJ1Yf49nAw7vmLfZ-eElWRZoIBdq45y64p5lj/s2000/415743080_1062707108112013_470249403851389676_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFni1Muf2irx7-GCIjgmv6SxHCtZsFNpRSB8rsTObHVDAs7RzO7x45PzLYYaRMLut8OkE3Z56gvTaiLCJbP3OQhGS_x0Ztd_HY16ROeRJ7QRk2xx9wnZOSn_DxgF5yRPYMfdaXhSrq6kHv5u_R-1p8cy1jJ1Yf49nAw7vmLfZ-eElWRZoIBdq45y64p5lj/s320/415743080_1062707108112013_470249403851389676_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Majestic for sure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Behind this tree sits the Gregory house. It was moved up onto this bluff to preserve it and keep it from flooding. It was down on the shores of the Apalachicola River.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjys9TrZSsjvbpaJuEMCIZr6bTu5Jq0mJNgvPrsLDDtjWKpGbSSg9ubzuGzArqrG1mCy-cz4a9_Yytzj5DzJkAEfuc4bf9gP3n9adfnsfzOJ-BKjyGSv8f37AynEo4GzO5JlqD6jACi0nnIa76veTwDaktmi4WKGlSqf92E-4Prc82E3QKeogJU1rfgTtQ/s2000/420122801_930354605385912_1790329074897390345_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjys9TrZSsjvbpaJuEMCIZr6bTu5Jq0mJNgvPrsLDDtjWKpGbSSg9ubzuGzArqrG1mCy-cz4a9_Yytzj5DzJkAEfuc4bf9gP3n9adfnsfzOJ-BKjyGSv8f37AynEo4GzO5JlqD6jACi0nnIa76veTwDaktmi4WKGlSqf92E-4Prc82E3QKeogJU1rfgTtQ/s320/420122801_930354605385912_1790329074897390345_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was moved by the Civilian Conservation Core (CCC) board by board and then re-assembled on this site high above the river.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TYFMczUXGJryfX6QXlYl44WpfjtmH8Z0hBnoP1Z26f9vbDeQ06tTzavY6PdQADk52U-8593t53s7Ohn4lOLG91mLiuwhimhqygh6Bn2lIcgE5MFsq2zrOeK-h2pcLqSeQH0YRhfaRPqPoH0qIoXtbGrzQPIOOaj0m_TtLEoN6-0rhoXZ0yZXt0cSDB0Y/s2000/420108706_362283560080960_6698638569757372100_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TYFMczUXGJryfX6QXlYl44WpfjtmH8Z0hBnoP1Z26f9vbDeQ06tTzavY6PdQADk52U-8593t53s7Ohn4lOLG91mLiuwhimhqygh6Bn2lIcgE5MFsq2zrOeK-h2pcLqSeQH0YRhfaRPqPoH0qIoXtbGrzQPIOOaj0m_TtLEoN6-0rhoXZ0yZXt0cSDB0Y/s320/420108706_362283560080960_6698638569757372100_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well that is it for sight seeing here in this area. Lisa said to me, "What are we going to do for the next five days here?" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Five days !" I said. "There's not even any decent TV reception here."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As luck would have it, Lisa did some calling and booked us into a park that we have been hoping to get back to for years. St. George Island state park. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cr8tMeDbdD4iobGrRsaBdrZJJiaMIX-fYjT8up0xkPsqwnmXvdxBn2VjnVx3w_lYs_MrcBvkYn9h67RxcWyiYlPpzkbJTnSHH3Q9uprJ6whiZNRF2tFOZ49qrFDrbsWyjvYr0SpASl0qeTDa3TcK0mCozraYisIX6Vnrw2pSRkIBQhxBnSLIhQBbzYvx/s308/download.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="308" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cr8tMeDbdD4iobGrRsaBdrZJJiaMIX-fYjT8up0xkPsqwnmXvdxBn2VjnVx3w_lYs_MrcBvkYn9h67RxcWyiYlPpzkbJTnSHH3Q9uprJ6whiZNRF2tFOZ49qrFDrbsWyjvYr0SpASl0qeTDa3TcK0mCozraYisIX6Vnrw2pSRkIBQhxBnSLIhQBbzYvx/s1600/download.jpeg" width="308" /></a></div>The park is on the end of the island and the beaches are 8 miles long. It really is a beautiful place to be.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZ5guPiqlLyU2p34RwAmKzvtq4txRrVUbRU2z5CBhRsIGgDX6F1PsFWR5AtnIzQrH7P2HRxsILu_0q8snDaLgGbvvInxaFtUxkqKMC2q8F5VPz8wE1A2QC_hcr0SZSpTgqHmVo9Q5Ib5aFEe073hmkxaQl7Q_INZi5q0uaTr_ZkEeTjcVBwj-6BjQ9VIP/s2000/415536687_1128447834992109_140767746627432557_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZ5guPiqlLyU2p34RwAmKzvtq4txRrVUbRU2z5CBhRsIGgDX6F1PsFWR5AtnIzQrH7P2HRxsILu_0q8snDaLgGbvvInxaFtUxkqKMC2q8F5VPz8wE1A2QC_hcr0SZSpTgqHmVo9Q5Ib5aFEe073hmkxaQl7Q_INZi5q0uaTr_ZkEeTjcVBwj-6BjQ9VIP/s320/415536687_1128447834992109_140767746627432557_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We walked for hours looking for shells, watching the birds and just enjoying the solitude of an endless beach with so very few people. The sea shells are everywhere.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0fr5vGa5-Om8-_qImirflAiktaibQIL_Amf7-105zE8X0sWnHhSPpgy0b4gLgcVpyAxMsmpNvm7B2nCVM-eMSom-eutoTU2YJHbHdQMCXanh0nyC-8hCpH4EMZImthwTAxbUoAJIxTrwZBjkjCR0F8zWtOzH_7IECLeN2eJuWbfbG6XQbH3yK3J1IdIq/s2000/420174473_400193025901525_6399912525069526902_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0fr5vGa5-Om8-_qImirflAiktaibQIL_Amf7-105zE8X0sWnHhSPpgy0b4gLgcVpyAxMsmpNvm7B2nCVM-eMSom-eutoTU2YJHbHdQMCXanh0nyC-8hCpH4EMZImthwTAxbUoAJIxTrwZBjkjCR0F8zWtOzH_7IECLeN2eJuWbfbG6XQbH3yK3J1IdIq/s320/420174473_400193025901525_6399912525069526902_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During one shelling expedition I found a horseshoe crab. I put it back in the water to set it free. I also found two shells of the crabs. So I am bringing them home to try and save them.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65qxAB4UJ_TYj8rvSGor2QtaiT-FYQWWmq7v5a3DR6eDU6MTa3HacjjTCyrOQjsAyaREBxuGfuZ4wL8z1KhBRUj5qnAqHClaQ9AYzK0gFSZjcFl6nfwRIIxHj7kjBsR7n9vymjEx0k7p9bayUbuajOcMUQy4AqA5OXgXFYZEYXUd4LoUmDAvWdVRbHRMs/s2000/419916572_1066509854669937_1795170691779028533_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65qxAB4UJ_TYj8rvSGor2QtaiT-FYQWWmq7v5a3DR6eDU6MTa3HacjjTCyrOQjsAyaREBxuGfuZ4wL8z1KhBRUj5qnAqHClaQ9AYzK0gFSZjcFl6nfwRIIxHj7kjBsR7n9vymjEx0k7p9bayUbuajOcMUQy4AqA5OXgXFYZEYXUd4LoUmDAvWdVRbHRMs/s320/419916572_1066509854669937_1795170691779028533_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These creatures are living dinosaurs. They have not changed in millions of years. Very cool. Everyday we went out for shells. Lisa was happy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_V78ocSMoPH9DrBpQtmKE4UFj6fNGJEk1oNnhPlxpTzU4wkSTm5Kb4sa3u8u5u4VzDEsGEiHVMHIB_iEGtpLsRt8xk3E9KMRoTpAESgVwWXd90AHvWKAlBI-YgcSxUCHtD7VViuWX-yubQsgYKDBPaw5tC217KBcW2zc4Ku77pOYBeqL8yOuKLODT_AX/s2000/415566628_2196757204005615_1686138934367812368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_V78ocSMoPH9DrBpQtmKE4UFj6fNGJEk1oNnhPlxpTzU4wkSTm5Kb4sa3u8u5u4VzDEsGEiHVMHIB_iEGtpLsRt8xk3E9KMRoTpAESgVwWXd90AHvWKAlBI-YgcSxUCHtD7VViuWX-yubQsgYKDBPaw5tC217KBcW2zc4Ku77pOYBeqL8yOuKLODT_AX/s320/415566628_2196757204005615_1686138934367812368_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lisa smiling.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hkG5kmng2JfToOltF0DH8idr9vWynj6IUSaYALfCz-s0QPmYsdO_LITPVK8Zpyna-narpsvQkgwfiBPmRhuYWWesvEwGDDdXYACPGftU7aPG8Tqz9_a551CiA21kWTHIgQIIvyaazFZAH5GcrjoCE3bWKTmjUt-FWW9YA_Vr2YiPFkx5PATLvyYJvmzK/s2000/421273993_762467212425292_3875822885874516653_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hkG5kmng2JfToOltF0DH8idr9vWynj6IUSaYALfCz-s0QPmYsdO_LITPVK8Zpyna-narpsvQkgwfiBPmRhuYWWesvEwGDDdXYACPGftU7aPG8Tqz9_a551CiA21kWTHIgQIIvyaazFZAH5GcrjoCE3bWKTmjUt-FWW9YA_Vr2YiPFkx5PATLvyYJvmzK/s320/421273993_762467212425292_3875822885874516653_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A very cool sunrise this morning. 32 degrees and windy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our last day at St George Island was going to be cold and windy. Perfect day for a drive. So we took a drive to the St. Joseph Peninsula where there is another state park with camping and more beaches. The campground looked like it was brand new. The beaches were long and empty this time of year.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdOjWpk23wZyCgb_onqkV6p6B15fAFOd5nkVv9FcXnxGVVfWX7n7-ouPZtlxqZCsRwz6jSY8mE-bgaqyE3QThjufv0ZL9bgOH_pZyM7IR5E5EKWzLeTTNvpZYAkse5y2SEDUW48LzvMCvW8Fh7sJxXpDT40QzzVm56PCbhutcTYmCQDnmcEd0YC4tJlar/s2000/415738246_895839301946625_1874507922808792629_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdOjWpk23wZyCgb_onqkV6p6B15fAFOd5nkVv9FcXnxGVVfWX7n7-ouPZtlxqZCsRwz6jSY8mE-bgaqyE3QThjufv0ZL9bgOH_pZyM7IR5E5EKWzLeTTNvpZYAkse5y2SEDUW48LzvMCvW8Fh7sJxXpDT40QzzVm56PCbhutcTYmCQDnmcEd0YC4tJlar/s320/415738246_895839301946625_1874507922808792629_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">St. Joseph's beach.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz47uKsaiJUajdwc0aY0rdKuFudADP-dOvZQliZfLlFfOZZ7691b-BHYqOcxFekj821DrDkYJRc-S49TBqqkA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our time on St. George island has come to an end. Now we are moving onto the most magical place on earth. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are so excited we peed our pants!</div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-79413712210273387002024-01-18T11:01:00.000-08:002024-01-18T11:01:45.389-08:00Winterpaloozafestathon, January 9th to January 16th.<p> "I think that if we are going to find Sasquatch's in Florida, I think it will be here". A quote from Tango Allejandro said on 1/16/2024 at 8:55 pm eastern time. But wait. Where is here? That is something I will divulge later, after we have moved on to keep the paparazzi confused. Wherever, here is at the moment, it is 21 degrees when we woke up this particular morning. In the news they are closing schools, setting up warming shelters and warning the populace of the impending temperature drop below 32. As born and raised Minnesotans, we just laugh and shake our heads.</p><p>In fact I was listening to one news report and they were discussing options on how to insulate your outdoor water faucet on your house just in case you were not able to get those insulated cups built for that. One option was to just use a styro-foam cup and place it over it. That might work if it fits. LOL. The next option was to place a diaper over it. A new one I hope. LOL again. Like everyone has a diaper in their house. I should stand on the corner with a box of Pampers and sell faucet covers for $20 bucks. I would be rich.</p><p>(Gladys said I could sell Pampers and depends. I'm not selling my depends to anyone. That's just crazy talk.)</p><p>Back to the blog topic. We left Waveland a day later than we were supposed to because of a terrible cold front that had moved through. Bringing inches of rain, cooler temps and high winds. Our next stop was not far away. It was in Mobile Alabama at Meaher State Park. Nice park on the Alabama Bay. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4_ovnCUAT6S0T_xStoZLnj5H7jWjuTTuZWsRWkwL9FV4HBS2Sbp8zt8JDW9BSq79vUkCdHr1b5OtLlC6z6m1TdcFCG9Puc6osabEcJPr1EFwKVmIwl3F0agMD21HLOaarqqFbnChzUW8SF2xaYSXrfm6VgMGUl4xncqasnDITFRm4MlDPd8RtltGjVz0/s1970/416387955_1105522377271683_9200033230578250793_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1477" data-original-width="1970" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4_ovnCUAT6S0T_xStoZLnj5H7jWjuTTuZWsRWkwL9FV4HBS2Sbp8zt8JDW9BSq79vUkCdHr1b5OtLlC6z6m1TdcFCG9Puc6osabEcJPr1EFwKVmIwl3F0agMD21HLOaarqqFbnChzUW8SF2xaYSXrfm6VgMGUl4xncqasnDITFRm4MlDPd8RtltGjVz0/s320/416387955_1105522377271683_9200033230578250793_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunset at Maeher State Park. That string of lights is I-10. Photo by Gladys.</div><br />Off in the distance you can see I-10 crossing the bay. Did you know that sound travels over water. It does. So that is all you hear for 24 hours a day. We have been here before so we knew that. We sight see'd while we were there. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1h3_vY3BfWU_6twM3a51EUxqbg6qmGVsOL7-_EsV7AEFDL78b86r6SjQZ4EbI7WQE6BLyNhyphenhyphenf7t3gNQMoJ1B2KAWj6N-SzzBu48hoIWQrBTWlDHxVqCO3NIC5TV6cUwVtN25jRt081oR-08Idnh0vigFTCNDSnIih13HrZPVDJNMd8aHgFlqVuOo4YLbY/s1934/414996176_424246563386916_8422866492658265393_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1934" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1h3_vY3BfWU_6twM3a51EUxqbg6qmGVsOL7-_EsV7AEFDL78b86r6SjQZ4EbI7WQE6BLyNhyphenhyphenf7t3gNQMoJ1B2KAWj6N-SzzBu48hoIWQrBTWlDHxVqCO3NIC5TV6cUwVtN25jRt081oR-08Idnh0vigFTCNDSnIih13HrZPVDJNMd8aHgFlqVuOo4YLbY/s320/414996176_424246563386916_8422866492658265393_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We went to "The Original Oyster House" for dinner one night. Not to be confused with "The Carbon Copy Oyster House" down the road. I was wondering if that cold front had produced a "Sharknado" because there were sharks on the roof. One of my biggest fears about being on the coast is being in the middle of a Sharknado. I've seen all 6 Sharknado movies (something I'm not proud of) and I am well aware of how dangerous it can be with flying sharks falling from the skies.<p></p><p>Did you know that Mardi Gras actually started in Mobile, Alabama? It did in 1703 when at the time Mobile was the capital of Louisiana (think about that for a minute). I looked it up on "The Google". So we went and found a King cake. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkVN-dz-MjOHkg46V3-XZMs8Kb9aP3e21u9ZzbBJQz5SQ25d6qN8hJ493tzvr2klmFVrTfgL0SxcpEYkdEJd3nkTFy1352i1y-_ARSedszHsUiMmgY2jsmXrVdF-u0KXhpP7qxLH2yBsi5iNtp1O8WiEgvm2NWXs2PqWegcMioVJX4qJ2yVxY31AbUn2g/s1076/415464294_403153722133698_2298642561122558730_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1076" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkVN-dz-MjOHkg46V3-XZMs8Kb9aP3e21u9ZzbBJQz5SQ25d6qN8hJ493tzvr2klmFVrTfgL0SxcpEYkdEJd3nkTFy1352i1y-_ARSedszHsUiMmgY2jsmXrVdF-u0KXhpP7qxLH2yBsi5iNtp1O8WiEgvm2NWXs2PqWegcMioVJX4qJ2yVxY31AbUn2g/s320/415464294_403153722133698_2298642561122558730_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They look good and we have never in our wildest dreams ever had one before. Jim told us that at first you have to play a ring toss game with it. Jim is so weird. Our cake came with a little baby in it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpQ114GJlDpGUGAanQhZGO3MaK6_z7maznimgKqUOVchrL8ou9ojqzsk8nQfADV3fpHaJCTU4R98FvDOBxzGIKFmqExr097kRhs34fYJ6GpAM0mFWLX_ueli_GP6BxA8cQDvj6xyq8JfwL3ZR2X84-uvC_M5uguo_lE3c8pT4l9b07MqYQUOIjNRE1ECU/s2048/419558494_388107407009226_4495703661607021617_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1918" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpQ114GJlDpGUGAanQhZGO3MaK6_z7maznimgKqUOVchrL8ou9ojqzsk8nQfADV3fpHaJCTU4R98FvDOBxzGIKFmqExr097kRhs34fYJ6GpAM0mFWLX_ueli_GP6BxA8cQDvj6xyq8JfwL3ZR2X84-uvC_M5uguo_lE3c8pT4l9b07MqYQUOIjNRE1ECU/s320/419558494_388107407009226_4495703661607021617_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> Not knowing the significance of that, we had to go back to "The Google" and find out. "The Google" says that the baby is hidden inside of the cake and whoever gets it is "King" or "Queen" for the day. This is turning into a real educational trip. The cake was okay. If you were to ask us for our opinion, (which no one ever does), we would tell you it was just a fancy cinnamon roll with sprinkles. That's just us, you should find out for yourselves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our next stop on this whirlwind tour of "Dorks on Parade" was going to be Gulf Shores State Park in Alabama. We are still trying to find those warm temps that will put a smile on my baby's face. The key word is "still". Here at Gulf Shores we found some people we know of who are more secretive than us. Can you believe it? They are so secretive that they actually move their Super Secret Location every 2-3 years just so that no one can sneak up on them. But we found them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I agreed to change their names for the blog to keep their identities secret. They are Ford Ditchmower and Svetlana Roadkillpickerupper. We went out to lunch with them one day. The picture I have is a fake but this is a perfect example of how they eat.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5Hgv4R1mDTOJqd12TbP2nC5fgo1lGrh9WNWziAXI-Eju0VedNRUpMSIrFqpqrfgT4vnP5V1trTvLOMnc3MRIlY6sewIyQoWTOEyy-katkR84yOCUSMDSfCeO9Qdr-m2z9V9yXp7920WvPLKp9th7xZJtAMMSXC_vapbiMuFWihM8GkY33lXipwUCiFuR/s800/czNmcy1wcml2YXRlL3Jhd3BpeGVsX2ltYWdlcy93ZWJzaXRlX2NvbnRlbnQvbHIvay01Mi10b3AtMDIxMC5qcGc.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5Hgv4R1mDTOJqd12TbP2nC5fgo1lGrh9WNWziAXI-Eju0VedNRUpMSIrFqpqrfgT4vnP5V1trTvLOMnc3MRIlY6sewIyQoWTOEyy-katkR84yOCUSMDSfCeO9Qdr-m2z9V9yXp7920WvPLKp9th7xZJtAMMSXC_vapbiMuFWihM8GkY33lXipwUCiFuR/s320/czNmcy1wcml2YXRlL3Jhd3BpeGVsX2ltYWdlcy93ZWJzaXRlX2NvbnRlbnQvbHIvay01Mi10b3AtMDIxMC5qcGc.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was like really? Do you need to eat each others foods out of your mouths. I was hoping a roll would come flying out of the darkness and bounce off their foreheads and knock them out. We visited a couple more times while we were in the area. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were talking to Ford and Svetlana about where we were going next. Ford's eyes lit up like a child's at Christmas. Rumblings could be heard from his stomach. All of a sudden he started to convulse and Lisa and I started to get worried. Svetlana said "Don't worry, this happens all of the time." All of a sudden he blurts out a single word. "BUC-EE'S!!!!!!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Buc-ee's is a travel stop on the interstate in some parts of the country. If you get the chance you have to stop. Ford began to describe the sandwiches found inside. The way he described the food was as if he was talking about a long lost lover. Now we have to stop. We stopped at one a long time ago and we don't quite remember it the way he described it. So we put it on the "to do list".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were in Gulf Shores for a few days. So you know what that means. Beach time! Gladys shell hunted. I treasure hunted with no success. So with my casino winnings and my treasures from Waveland, I am at 11 cents. Well worth the trip if you ask me.(Which I know, no one will ever ask me).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDyrhIG_Gyhpm-cyE4yTzKIN4mFHhuRHyqFKUiI1PftMSKIJXtt7sLYQiqkmzI3gM-x9_s-PVtPMmTNxYDUqR4oaOpFanD0HG_kfP6FaZj4zhJWhqIREo0VuUuxU8P3p7x73htNC3oYyF22ZiJ5bVVP1-5VA9yb0Ar9-jfj97qjcnmE6k4aq5LQMBRr1M/s2016/415048128_926011085646658_7468603508096513530_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDyrhIG_Gyhpm-cyE4yTzKIN4mFHhuRHyqFKUiI1PftMSKIJXtt7sLYQiqkmzI3gM-x9_s-PVtPMmTNxYDUqR4oaOpFanD0HG_kfP6FaZj4zhJWhqIREo0VuUuxU8P3p7x73htNC3oYyF22ZiJ5bVVP1-5VA9yb0Ar9-jfj97qjcnmE6k4aq5LQMBRr1M/s320/415048128_926011085646658_7468603508096513530_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Still off the market ladies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One day the waves were very angry.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqBy-XrRx1mJcx2Paly7g72M5sBjQkeGdSO9rUoBW1_-WVo88bRzlNr7NL37OtbbBSCvGiaeriXNrLb8iF6d9hn0wZ01F4CjArANVgZanc-oci5itbG5_DO8WH-ZlDHYMl3SzmuTCbSGOgVJbnibhDl0I7_Q3H1tJJJ7_zgfNM53DT-H0zOI90qAtZlfv/s1965/415003284_1740751839779098_436770035988677378_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1474" data-original-width="1965" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqBy-XrRx1mJcx2Paly7g72M5sBjQkeGdSO9rUoBW1_-WVo88bRzlNr7NL37OtbbBSCvGiaeriXNrLb8iF6d9hn0wZ01F4CjArANVgZanc-oci5itbG5_DO8WH-ZlDHYMl3SzmuTCbSGOgVJbnibhDl0I7_Q3H1tJJJ7_zgfNM53DT-H0zOI90qAtZlfv/s320/415003284_1740751839779098_436770035988677378_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another day we just walked and walked. It really amazes me that people aren't out here enjoying the beach when the temps are in the mid fifties. Like us "Dorks on Parade".<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2QlJA6BFMmV8HcBJJnmAEK7WdzcOz-xy8-Dhh8f6cetsXznOynqOlhHqDg5b8eU60PR7yPHadZ7EW-3WdHSO2EyGwY60dhPNLci7ImlJnkTTg8Im_atYPBo9eJOMC0zw9Myk5vxM_QXxbKOICgkr-D8OyhRccZRx4bb8c_sRHfscOHlAAdC0M2Ati5Hu/s2000/419596893_704215031887266_8019905574035120494_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2QlJA6BFMmV8HcBJJnmAEK7WdzcOz-xy8-Dhh8f6cetsXznOynqOlhHqDg5b8eU60PR7yPHadZ7EW-3WdHSO2EyGwY60dhPNLci7ImlJnkTTg8Im_atYPBo9eJOMC0zw9Myk5vxM_QXxbKOICgkr-D8OyhRccZRx4bb8c_sRHfscOHlAAdC0M2Ati5Hu/s320/419596893_704215031887266_8019905574035120494_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nearly empty beaches.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbv_JmI_82qHUEzjkqJjJeUqr3y-KNH_m8MC8FFx9Y0sqt5IOfh4d7e50ZAyvlnnMFLWLpGvcNZiihqB9vLcizglifuRRqL849Bh_F-6SKaQdeAezwmyOgRqXgzZzWw7K4jCeUCiNyNib2CkIfwJ8dn_EiV0pUTM6M72DFQm2AP7S_C_df4HKnJvSVMnh/s2000/419564384_1051841412788412_8573179321216090692_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbv_JmI_82qHUEzjkqJjJeUqr3y-KNH_m8MC8FFx9Y0sqt5IOfh4d7e50ZAyvlnnMFLWLpGvcNZiihqB9vLcizglifuRRqL849Bh_F-6SKaQdeAezwmyOgRqXgzZzWw7K4jCeUCiNyNib2CkIfwJ8dn_EiV0pUTM6M72DFQm2AP7S_C_df4HKnJvSVMnh/s320/419564384_1051841412788412_8573179321216090692_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gladys with a sack full of shells.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qfgJ-3-zz762cf6-p_wI0Kzgk9TEFDl1QBFnzU6QTmVztUlWs3-P2lEnno6C5WLA8km2H-HdvncprQilD-otgRW8EV-49Y6SbhUQl5MkVVhx73dnHg2QC7iJ1Inqji2kLJETKiCwj3_oI2-Y2RLlcGy5wHG4bEK08q8hWptAWJGGU-gfraOVS3BGQ_b5/s1969/415193487_1281451612721013_1235628063619602370_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1477" data-original-width="1969" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qfgJ-3-zz762cf6-p_wI0Kzgk9TEFDl1QBFnzU6QTmVztUlWs3-P2lEnno6C5WLA8km2H-HdvncprQilD-otgRW8EV-49Y6SbhUQl5MkVVhx73dnHg2QC7iJ1Inqji2kLJETKiCwj3_oI2-Y2RLlcGy5wHG4bEK08q8hWptAWJGGU-gfraOVS3BGQ_b5/s320/415193487_1281451612721013_1235628063619602370_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gladys had her bag of shells in hand. She was staking out territories and battling other women when they got too close to her shells. Have you ever seen documentaries about Penguins and their nests. If so, it was kind of like that.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2La2CC6837j73o5C8VXHLMfC6IF_TI1whxN4Jk_tPwU8U5yGaXUuDJ7_84KowEi1Cr9P7v5E_3Q0R5W3eo9GLMvBDDRQcc27FxBmHPck1iTEqOhw2z62ZZtE7X4_5KtYXoTRsaCpcfT3DLE_fb6x1RcllIkhGENr9V5bZCKijSynMnXDK89CC8qt3NCks/s2016/416488312_751726997010452_1996223859351792667_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2La2CC6837j73o5C8VXHLMfC6IF_TI1whxN4Jk_tPwU8U5yGaXUuDJ7_84KowEi1Cr9P7v5E_3Q0R5W3eo9GLMvBDDRQcc27FxBmHPck1iTEqOhw2z62ZZtE7X4_5KtYXoTRsaCpcfT3DLE_fb6x1RcllIkhGENr9V5bZCKijSynMnXDK89CC8qt3NCks/s320/416488312_751726997010452_1996223859351792667_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She found this one day and we weren't even sure of what it was. So we left it. Later on she found a Seashell collecting guide hand book and discovered that it is actually a shell called a Stiff Pen Shell. More education. Now we wish we would have taken it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That is it for Gulf Shores Alabama. Thanks to Ford and Svetlana for taking time out of their busy schedules to visit with us. Until our paths cross again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We did stop at Buc-ees on our way to our next destination. It was amazing. The sandwiches were just like the way Ford and Svetlana said they were. I ended up getting two. One for lunch that day and one for lunch the next day. The first one I got was a chopped Brisket sandwich. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAT5fuF_H-B7A0Dspp-2Z0S-KJeHIb5vHn9Wat3j-RzDzbf5RK5RRkGp9Tjo7s2rmarEJ2WZJS6ZSKGFC58hIfkgph5ixL_zaiZJLh68AjyD_dYEWA0qB9Mz80-478rv_HXeBjRThRjFO9SuUU7TBcEPKQSYWM5pxQGuo6YV5x4sE3KE7xNpQ07p64IoGR/s1200/359221155_2436437979867664_4173890999996081015_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAT5fuF_H-B7A0Dspp-2Z0S-KJeHIb5vHn9Wat3j-RzDzbf5RK5RRkGp9Tjo7s2rmarEJ2WZJS6ZSKGFC58hIfkgph5ixL_zaiZJLh68AjyD_dYEWA0qB9Mz80-478rv_HXeBjRThRjFO9SuUU7TBcEPKQSYWM5pxQGuo6YV5x4sE3KE7xNpQ07p64IoGR/s320/359221155_2436437979867664_4173890999996081015_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chopped brisket with Beaver tots.</div><br />I love brisket as my physique is living proof of that. Pilled high right in front of you. It was like OMG! The other sandwich was even bigger than that one. It was a three meat sandwich. It was piled high with smoked turkey, brisket and smoked sausage. If you don't get the meat sweats from that you are probably already dead. Another side you could eat if you wanted to was called Beaver chips. (Insert your own beaver joke here. Then PM me with it.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Gladys, just roll me to our next destination!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As far as my sasquatch comment, that will have to wait for the next blog because we are currently still here.</div><br /></div>Did you notice the new name change for the title of the blog. It's more inclusive now and sustainable. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-75935392346701617582024-01-16T14:25:00.000-08:002024-01-16T14:25:00.806-08:00Winterpalooza, December 28th-January 8th 2023<p>SSSSSSHHHHHHHHH..............We left the SSUVFL and quietly made our way south to warmer weather. (We left in the fog so no one would see us leave.) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnh-BqiXd4IhzWY8oz3NUP9EZEddujHFVe2k-a6_oMPcRNq8cFuQWBvWcjFhRm42woI1yGOXh1uWqEnnw15kxPu9TL99NxBjYeUsTZJ7RIpmKGKc6gfK_CwZTxbfkb7_jjaz_CujHoD8UCRAZV2n9R7MNC6yJnbNfdyMz4Qwl68D_UqGj-f8sLDtpA7th/s640/415247943_739019641068638_1777812515078664392_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnh-BqiXd4IhzWY8oz3NUP9EZEddujHFVe2k-a6_oMPcRNq8cFuQWBvWcjFhRm42woI1yGOXh1uWqEnnw15kxPu9TL99NxBjYeUsTZJ7RIpmKGKc6gfK_CwZTxbfkb7_jjaz_CujHoD8UCRAZV2n9R7MNC6yJnbNfdyMz4Qwl68D_UqGj-f8sLDtpA7th/s320/415247943_739019641068638_1777812515078664392_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Although this may have been the winter to stay north because when we left December 28th, it was 32 degrees and no snow. I did a quick check on The Weather Channel and it looks mild temps up there until January 10th. Usually it would be 30 below zero now and it would stay that way until July fourth. That's an embellishment but it sure feels like that some winters.<p></p><p>Like I said, we hit the road south. It took 3 days of travel and over 800 miles to finally reach a temperature that was out of the 30's. Our first stop was in Clear Lake, Iowa at a state park. We stop there out of necessity because for a camp ground so far north it is open year round. All you get is electric, because they are no dummies, they shut the water off. For $12.00 a night , it works.</p><p>Next stop was in Perrysville, Missouri. Lisa found an open RV resort there that used to be a KOA. Again. open year round. Full hook-ups for $22.00 a night. Temps were still in the thirties here so it is nice having electric to run electric heaters. Day temps now were going to warm up to the 50's so it was safe to de-winterize the camper now.</p><p>Our stop on day three was an Army Corp. of Engineer park called the North Abutment on Lake Granada in Mississippi. $24.00 for full hook-ups. It has been awhile since we stayed at one of these parks and I have to say that they rank near the top for "Niceness". </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2JgFuGhIEJhbtmVOzglfjJQBjKtydmIROfu4Bo-ciq35MR3W1Gj_3wxpOPgp0lvT1XZBP59cX_PExrsF_fhdZpPHyFWsuYmGX8QaO37bhjUmz6HIk385aCQECFEOk2sGLIe23Llj3xyfKPXAQtZoiyDhIjzeC7ZOXTXld1XdPIoNADdiixacIPemwrj6/s2000/412412044_1041638063787989_4307085234845823648_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2JgFuGhIEJhbtmVOzglfjJQBjKtydmIROfu4Bo-ciq35MR3W1Gj_3wxpOPgp0lvT1XZBP59cX_PExrsF_fhdZpPHyFWsuYmGX8QaO37bhjUmz6HIk385aCQECFEOk2sGLIe23Llj3xyfKPXAQtZoiyDhIjzeC7ZOXTXld1XdPIoNADdiixacIPemwrj6/s320/412412044_1041638063787989_4307085234845823648_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our site, #9. Picnic tables, grills and all paved. I don't like paying taxes but if our tax dollars go to these parks, I'm for it. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSw_Z07DFF_pPNhUW8euMToKEcxnRiccbOgz-NsxByuvEWwvM4MheFZ35wKXS5X7XznuNh9CLYj4ozVn9WkLFDga1VxqCWQ1d9GIwMdWfERfdk7klKSpNhSFFekcm9WVwI7tHE4Dp-mVeXvnNZ9okBzUDTf5AeqAwNOQwYohqNquI4hwYE41V4Bib6ZOj/s2000/412771912_2048628522158782_7492550772564285037_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSw_Z07DFF_pPNhUW8euMToKEcxnRiccbOgz-NsxByuvEWwvM4MheFZ35wKXS5X7XznuNh9CLYj4ozVn9WkLFDga1VxqCWQ1d9GIwMdWfERfdk7klKSpNhSFFekcm9WVwI7tHE4Dp-mVeXvnNZ9okBzUDTf5AeqAwNOQwYohqNquI4hwYE41V4Bib6ZOj/s320/412771912_2048628522158782_7492550772564285037_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our view. Army Corp. parks are always built near dams or reservoirs. Way in the distance you can see the water. It would normally be closer but what I read about this lake is they drain it down so that the spring run off has a place to go. Otherwise the water would be at the edge of those trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AM7G3gsfhQQExCL3AdHfXplZwbDfBE-7D_-RHMYrmftHkQxNnWIlsy7pxpGjGv9rMhequZ2ZaywPn990940tTlSshku89HLDtiVg_O0Q6Hs-79U8GrTMpYXMv7xZcQFMl3zjhmFMFFuDRpCmCo0UxeuiX3JRGvG9-ErL2hyADm90hukUWJBfJ-u4tSlR/s2048/414663137_1436460263943605_285361188882419932_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="2048" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AM7G3gsfhQQExCL3AdHfXplZwbDfBE-7D_-RHMYrmftHkQxNnWIlsy7pxpGjGv9rMhequZ2ZaywPn990940tTlSshku89HLDtiVg_O0Q6Hs-79U8GrTMpYXMv7xZcQFMl3zjhmFMFFuDRpCmCo0UxeuiX3JRGvG9-ErL2hyADm90hukUWJBfJ-u4tSlR/s320/414663137_1436460263943605_285361188882419932_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the end of the road turn left. If you go straight you will be in the Gulf of Mexico.</div><br />Finally on day four we arrived at our first destination. Waveland, MS. We have been here many times. We just really like it here. The beaches are huge and empty. Our camp ground is Buccaneer State Park. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For a state park it is getting expensive from when we first stopped here. Something we will have to take into consideration for the future. I know Jim will choke on his beer when I tell you the price so don't be standing in front of him when he reads this. $65 a night for the holiday weekends $55 regular weekends and for a regular week day it is $45. If you want beach sites, shell out $85 a night. Like I said, this is a state park. It is getting too expensive for us now. We are here a week though and will make the best of it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHARQLP3gI7jOmCrYlZ3B4lmjjV_DN5NSGTV5qmBEKfwIWWpaGj-oQiqy12gjykJ9m5AxzD54sRCoiwKPWSd5-Iq6_8Np7BqBSpFlkLe5DYnEs-zg3Uxyp_iRE4fmaqjXnDW2UsSi5IjWqx4MO4ntdvRtHL_H4YNGHNR52yo6IkZyBCypg3-GA80P7Gk1/s1962/414878819_893240809009561_4314921194413081991_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1962" data-original-width="1472" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHARQLP3gI7jOmCrYlZ3B4lmjjV_DN5NSGTV5qmBEKfwIWWpaGj-oQiqy12gjykJ9m5AxzD54sRCoiwKPWSd5-Iq6_8Np7BqBSpFlkLe5DYnEs-zg3Uxyp_iRE4fmaqjXnDW2UsSi5IjWqx4MO4ntdvRtHL_H4YNGHNR52yo6IkZyBCypg3-GA80P7Gk1/s320/414878819_893240809009561_4314921194413081991_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Our first full day here, Jan. 1st, we went to the beach naturally. Lisa walked on the beach for hours while I did some treasure hunting. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKi8-wfhRDrpjBgryE2zzmLzNuDr81dy8CDuzofSoOocg4L6-IdMZCaAhdYWdGps4iw8ErpidZ1mwiJqrtDsO9pWmyxORkCPKZUm6atKbEWZIwjyT4JZ1p9ir5wOAzTGIrk-Qow_4yMgyIE2PbVRy_yWaijqSrzXdqwSyufvuO3i8rOD0hyphenhyphen_rW-vaGqyD/s1951/415025474_25400066872926250_16079505386576998_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1951" data-original-width="1463" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKi8-wfhRDrpjBgryE2zzmLzNuDr81dy8CDuzofSoOocg4L6-IdMZCaAhdYWdGps4iw8ErpidZ1mwiJqrtDsO9pWmyxORkCPKZUm6atKbEWZIwjyT4JZ1p9ir5wOAzTGIrk-Qow_4yMgyIE2PbVRy_yWaijqSrzXdqwSyufvuO3i8rOD0hyphenhyphen_rW-vaGqyD/s320/415025474_25400066872926250_16079505386576998_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sorry ladies. I am taken.</div><br />I ended up with a rusty nail, a tent spike and $.06 in cold hard cash. The clouds moved in later so we drove down the coast to Biloxi. Later on we ate dinner at our favorite beach bar, Shaggy's. We both had shrimp platters that were amazing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuxqUmmMqN64ID2UFbfEyKSzaKHW7eEc_p0iijkSCBm0rEc7czRWvga23ABjHNFB9Egq9Eq7D934Rp4Jve_inEOfjeYUOR3mySheOWSYi6X_gZQJl6WfeDRl9XsRCSVR2HaeQ0Iof2BkUhryv6TGMKJ6gHSmuICYrFxjF-7j4W83uJrHlfurElX5oq85L/s2016/414963503_258283533757652_8267284892657772474_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuxqUmmMqN64ID2UFbfEyKSzaKHW7eEc_p0iijkSCBm0rEc7czRWvga23ABjHNFB9Egq9Eq7D934Rp4Jve_inEOfjeYUOR3mySheOWSYi6X_gZQJl6WfeDRl9XsRCSVR2HaeQ0Iof2BkUhryv6TGMKJ6gHSmuICYrFxjF-7j4W83uJrHlfurElX5oq85L/s320/414963503_258283533757652_8267284892657772474_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUgzqkHkNckRQyis3V-mEWJvz7GcJWt5qnH9PULxkkMCTdVXfG_oyRmip7vfCvzwdZy1WO1H0WYKk2NtVTrQPj6EzTP54gYnYOGo9ibr_S2GTo8c6eYRRLuHLOeQxhkWWjwgqHl_9qBi7KexyYqv9RfwJ4x6qYte0PRYiQXWCICUlprqkvDTsr_ql87X8/s1916/415003278_912195583860123_1532717534244924870_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="1916" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUgzqkHkNckRQyis3V-mEWJvz7GcJWt5qnH9PULxkkMCTdVXfG_oyRmip7vfCvzwdZy1WO1H0WYKk2NtVTrQPj6EzTP54gYnYOGo9ibr_S2GTo8c6eYRRLuHLOeQxhkWWjwgqHl_9qBi7KexyYqv9RfwJ4x6qYte0PRYiQXWCICUlprqkvDTsr_ql87X8/s320/415003278_912195583860123_1532717534244924870_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The water was so calm.</div><br /></div>The next couple of days weren't very nice. So we decided to make the short drive to New Orleans. One day we drove to the Chalmette Battlefield. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-RMUL5EvKo68C9FXqier13ucnlSeh1TSY8jo2mHKhIa1EEJqbm4BZ_Hwi__FBS2o73NVK-Qcl-mxiPs6zF71PxcB8gXnHXuhdIXpLzTsMG8__cttQ3j_qmRZKQFA7zX00LyNLmxPbW9M-ZL68UqsitcEFvk8enfWJaUpnxgG4zSQs2qi30mFmzh6VuDV/s1320/413038033_1392116115032280_8116329139216966507_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1320" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-RMUL5EvKo68C9FXqier13ucnlSeh1TSY8jo2mHKhIa1EEJqbm4BZ_Hwi__FBS2o73NVK-Qcl-mxiPs6zF71PxcB8gXnHXuhdIXpLzTsMG8__cttQ3j_qmRZKQFA7zX00LyNLmxPbW9M-ZL68UqsitcEFvk8enfWJaUpnxgG4zSQs2qi30mFmzh6VuDV/s320/413038033_1392116115032280_8116329139216966507_n%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This is where the last battle took place during the war of 1812. Also known as the Battle of New Orleans. The American forces were outnumbered by the British but they were dug in and fortified. The British marched over an open field and were slaughtered by the Americans. 2000 British casualties versus 20 American. It was a major defeat for the British, thus ending the war. The battle lasted a brief couple of hours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So we learned some history and we got some great cannon shots.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDz4dtn6fg3HqBO4Xy_UrDf7KS7XBBrsmKts2MmpE44OYr_x8vV8pxys0dg2rF4GqQ23Z06O7yf4ya2MTgB3GmYF_NSHWPqPQuGHseEAzPLVB3b-FlYjo6qM90lMwcPNBq5xlXC3EqwSiGFm_IgL8dB7wtvySvMtb37W1OVFr1dT6on7COqw_Itbh54-PZ/s2000/398418452_382269474277037_8512145613780666453_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDz4dtn6fg3HqBO4Xy_UrDf7KS7XBBrsmKts2MmpE44OYr_x8vV8pxys0dg2rF4GqQ23Z06O7yf4ya2MTgB3GmYF_NSHWPqPQuGHseEAzPLVB3b-FlYjo6qM90lMwcPNBq5xlXC3EqwSiGFm_IgL8dB7wtvySvMtb37W1OVFr1dT6on7COqw_Itbh54-PZ/s320/398418452_382269474277037_8512145613780666453_n%20(1).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monument</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf0yDRs1m-81stg7SPfI6ybbYjhdSqyXVlwX8khVtmhExZLiEjJZ2Kc-V2eoD0hbijjlsZ_nyJxC12r4f5SykzlLx-HtavGXZACxcihgC9FScYLepRRTt61PzwlAGL9tUOkCUQLyXN7x5aP8YaReRyQwlo411TwucCBBfRirdTYyvNAnRQqeN21NefRJ0/s2000/413038037_676914314518108_1951061344056750111_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf0yDRs1m-81stg7SPfI6ybbYjhdSqyXVlwX8khVtmhExZLiEjJZ2Kc-V2eoD0hbijjlsZ_nyJxC12r4f5SykzlLx-HtavGXZACxcihgC9FScYLepRRTt61PzwlAGL9tUOkCUQLyXN7x5aP8YaReRyQwlo411TwucCBBfRirdTYyvNAnRQqeN21NefRJ0/s320/413038037_676914314518108_1951061344056750111_n%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Navel Battery. You can tell by the cannon.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKoj1IYnQDGw0xLZHwQGO725KhNXA_hGEY8prRhyphenhyphen2ltE9s5L8sCdJ3QqQgXf1unRcMBjxLI5e_UFTOdZri4VxvUf9IDU04yjkzRD914kmUohiHbbgJxhtzWV9N1kX1kbDsRiPEQjvb_aHJyXJ8swwb4ahLUFEWDD8KW4mW5VIrRWhn_rOR4_4J1wcnpzn/s2000/415033469_3585553941733381_2547448617606922768_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKoj1IYnQDGw0xLZHwQGO725KhNXA_hGEY8prRhyphenhyphen2ltE9s5L8sCdJ3QqQgXf1unRcMBjxLI5e_UFTOdZri4VxvUf9IDU04yjkzRD914kmUohiHbbgJxhtzWV9N1kX1kbDsRiPEQjvb_aHJyXJ8swwb4ahLUFEWDD8KW4mW5VIrRWhn_rOR4_4J1wcnpzn/s320/415033469_3585553941733381_2547448617606922768_n%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lisa playing "I bet you can't shoot me!"</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirce1zZB_p3MjhiOMeVylhnUisgJCW12yA44UNBRAlMN3ftYcw1b8P9p770HF2YmucmSQbeSomFRU0TB0Gfi6r7fAK49q0sL7FSz7eL48m1wgf1U1lV4rldXkLOC8q1ZkquTAZIm6jFDbzcvt0DP55IcwCXhTuySTI3vIxwE_AC5nxGnyzuPNLiNJYDrDU/s2000/415264478_1098616001327992_2989175640430939194_n%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirce1zZB_p3MjhiOMeVylhnUisgJCW12yA44UNBRAlMN3ftYcw1b8P9p770HF2YmucmSQbeSomFRU0TB0Gfi6r7fAK49q0sL7FSz7eL48m1wgf1U1lV4rldXkLOC8q1ZkquTAZIm6jFDbzcvt0DP55IcwCXhTuySTI3vIxwE_AC5nxGnyzuPNLiNJYDrDU/s320/415264478_1098616001327992_2989175640430939194_n%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was a military cemetery next door so we went to check it out.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrctJ5M3Q2sP9xRl3scLrYIPCXH2N5tYP_aWfJqbaGRFJCT2Y3Vu9A75OKGEWNhpt8oQVSLSJznOAJf9YL1TDejstKFt-QBb2LBu6xyeqAxmvthpt1HIanUAPftR3t8JKUsRSxNqR7VVVXRhv1SEv0LT1Q4AY10fVyYihAGtJjwIclzoL0V5pMYrNOjuPF/s2000/410571362_1958353614560675_5867306122228364606_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrctJ5M3Q2sP9xRl3scLrYIPCXH2N5tYP_aWfJqbaGRFJCT2Y3Vu9A75OKGEWNhpt8oQVSLSJznOAJf9YL1TDejstKFt-QBb2LBu6xyeqAxmvthpt1HIanUAPftR3t8JKUsRSxNqR7VVVXRhv1SEv0LT1Q4AY10fVyYihAGtJjwIclzoL0V5pMYrNOjuPF/s320/410571362_1958353614560675_5867306122228364606_n%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another day we drove back into New Orleans to go to the World War II National Museum . Now the literature says that that takes all day to do. They were right. It is enormous. There are 5 different buildings to check out and it can get crowded sometimes. Well worth the stop. There is also a 4D movie that is extra but it is a must also.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cnSE6jMwtBxMTXO3YngbSLr34F53IuRcvUIkAdL2LfYo7BrF4C0ydm-zFVKyMa4TAj_FxQ9x3TeZ2Z_fFAioL8rpsYnEHTL7YMvaIS8KtJj80kKifx8M1gLhsLb0c05CY8ajMuDMb6EFPjhObGeaUCLKIAYOmmB1F8ppsyGv2sjt5bx_5RfSxfIRrckZ/s2000/415067338_701283935319635_8899526702419524513_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cnSE6jMwtBxMTXO3YngbSLr34F53IuRcvUIkAdL2LfYo7BrF4C0ydm-zFVKyMa4TAj_FxQ9x3TeZ2Z_fFAioL8rpsYnEHTL7YMvaIS8KtJj80kKifx8M1gLhsLb0c05CY8ajMuDMb6EFPjhObGeaUCLKIAYOmmB1F8ppsyGv2sjt5bx_5RfSxfIRrckZ/s320/415067338_701283935319635_8899526702419524513_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Howitzers!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5n4D8AJgrEvsLWqK7DTtpyZJdkzc4Fl48ByMnHCQdiguJa5RJJFRiP8PoCP627j34Ak0tke3HYjglZsF-5Favj7RjGmtJEXUPFF8AlI3feodWdewXWc8q6pCNYkn1cFpnL8IKIcfn1jwlAZnS4YsFRZQt-1mgzsyzL0edMSJfaKA7k8ySVDx4ZKHOEENC/s2000/413485731_1043723213583005_313101533199735102_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5n4D8AJgrEvsLWqK7DTtpyZJdkzc4Fl48ByMnHCQdiguJa5RJJFRiP8PoCP627j34Ak0tke3HYjglZsF-5Favj7RjGmtJEXUPFF8AlI3feodWdewXWc8q6pCNYkn1cFpnL8IKIcfn1jwlAZnS4YsFRZQt-1mgzsyzL0edMSJfaKA7k8ySVDx4ZKHOEENC/s320/413485731_1043723213583005_313101533199735102_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Guns!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FjAaBwNRa3NLIYZiTTyn63D3EXMl8IlF8hGaDfnw6a4b7tyiyrCjMO9ZTWKQP2yKWOOyUb9mEPema2OP56uyk_ucBPMyDWiQXuEMcyCMPVL2Bbj-mhX7MReX0w7Dxaq-qE2Tvf4IAFewHMtlqQbuNCEgPNGTlRlFXZHnsCMhkXCiEA7WCz53iA0bIIxC/s2000/413026832_872865251153261_7470515573120327245_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FjAaBwNRa3NLIYZiTTyn63D3EXMl8IlF8hGaDfnw6a4b7tyiyrCjMO9ZTWKQP2yKWOOyUb9mEPema2OP56uyk_ucBPMyDWiQXuEMcyCMPVL2Bbj-mhX7MReX0w7Dxaq-qE2Tvf4IAFewHMtlqQbuNCEgPNGTlRlFXZHnsCMhkXCiEA7WCz53iA0bIIxC/s320/413026832_872865251153261_7470515573120327245_n%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tanks!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZC3rQD4B1JxrHXFRxfCtrzbpiWocNzDBCnFiCE-qPUkVzzR83Ff4QNVJNmvM6pSZ4m4Yrh8gAFKWwFVHy3wI1BfsjgaWM3QTT2O9EPauKg9Jj4V2s5FVUqJkZy-SxC3eBPgisllzI4KRSrh9YbWPOcXuXmxnylQIlpul-rv_1dtRBapqk10MjFDhQx1T/s2000/414927350_915133376854373_1522092000992716229_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZC3rQD4B1JxrHXFRxfCtrzbpiWocNzDBCnFiCE-qPUkVzzR83Ff4QNVJNmvM6pSZ4m4Yrh8gAFKWwFVHy3wI1BfsjgaWM3QTT2O9EPauKg9Jj4V2s5FVUqJkZy-SxC3eBPgisllzI4KRSrh9YbWPOcXuXmxnylQIlpul-rv_1dtRBapqk10MjFDhQx1T/s320/414927350_915133376854373_1522092000992716229_n%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Planes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What more could you ask for. There was also a section about the liberation of the concentration camps. It was very moving. They had interviewed survivors and also GI's who were the first to go into those camps. It was a very moving experience to see. I was telling Lisa that the sad part is that there are very few WW II soldiers left along with the Holocoust survivors and if it wasn't for places like this, the history will be forgotten. I only think of that because of my father passing away at 97 last year. He was a WW II vet and now he is gone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One afternoon we went to the local casino. I had 17 dollars burning a hole in my pocket and I wanted to strike it rich. So we go in and pick out 2 penny machines side by side. Me being the big gambler, immediately put in a fiver. Lisa asks for money so out of the kindness of my heart I give her a dollar. These machines are confusing to us. You don't just bet one penny at a time. No. My bets were $.40 cents a pop. Blew through five bucks very quickly. I look over at Lisa and she is just punching buttons not knowing what she is doing and her machine starts to go crazy. Making all kinds of noises and lights flashing. Somehow she won just over $40 on one bet. She quickly cashed out and ran. I found the quarter slots and they just as quickly ate my last eleven dollars.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1q-JnODgX7biY_pSeG_HCHoozYau-SsKlbQavVzucmoRU5Mc25NKQ103JbuWNaJMwntey1QgiIf6UiDazYpEqGEQWCwOymUpz5x8p26EystjiozgEqAr8YbBwCbtaPuLmIa_L76rD4vg4w5JXUGEvY8uUSSCx-Hi5Ufk7gobjIQxteNF4EUhqEvxs0Sh/s2016/414721482_1879188615843318_708195483618034289_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1q-JnODgX7biY_pSeG_HCHoozYau-SsKlbQavVzucmoRU5Mc25NKQ103JbuWNaJMwntey1QgiIf6UiDazYpEqGEQWCwOymUpz5x8p26EystjiozgEqAr8YbBwCbtaPuLmIa_L76rD4vg4w5JXUGEvY8uUSSCx-Hi5Ufk7gobjIQxteNF4EUhqEvxs0Sh/s320/414721482_1879188615843318_708195483618034289_n%20(1).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lisa showing off her winnings with my money.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXF42jIzQ5NDAKA5Z0NfFeW11eNkUQZqdqhQtbKe6uDyQyFHa0qQZn0xOB75JF_FYuGqny3qjxkA4a4ibjWO21I6xgMpmzY1LOxnMGT2VNr__UY4IZFUbK8YoFBfsh5VrYCpP5tyfaR15AOS4NfJ7Z0VTmimmv6SKeUdZ7k30-kCMsBbRokL8beaR4FOj/s2000/415476214_351741380895486_7679953584569851544_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="2000" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXF42jIzQ5NDAKA5Z0NfFeW11eNkUQZqdqhQtbKe6uDyQyFHa0qQZn0xOB75JF_FYuGqny3qjxkA4a4ibjWO21I6xgMpmzY1LOxnMGT2VNr__UY4IZFUbK8YoFBfsh5VrYCpP5tyfaR15AOS4NfJ7Z0VTmimmv6SKeUdZ7k30-kCMsBbRokL8beaR4FOj/s320/415476214_351741380895486_7679953584569851544_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My winnings. You can't even get cash for that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More beach days followed along with more shrimp feasts. But sadly our time in Waveland is at an end. On to our next wintery destination.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can post this blog now because Lisa let it slip that she was enjoying the beach. I mean it was all over the Facebook so now everyone, (I mean the 5 readers that read this blog) will know that we are outside of the SSUVL. We will have to hide from the Paparazzi.</div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-35164762573700582042023-12-23T11:23:00.000-08:002023-12-23T11:24:45.904-08:00Christmas 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDrmv1ugCe41tBdysPj9H6C41S2nT-hMymrXwQlTw5ggaVbALHCsog1G9qG29GIuRnY6A7gXmdpFfHg-6uc_aIXYWV5P6KxjVqZMKKnI_dAlIh-xdVaKyLOv9Mw_9IFL3N9t-AEjLJJiA0DQWbk6wKfVLJg8uRbTgnh_TpowbIb4T1LXBso1cgyZ2zzxI/s2048/412700569_917961563273567_3795589040566629870_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1669" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDrmv1ugCe41tBdysPj9H6C41S2nT-hMymrXwQlTw5ggaVbALHCsog1G9qG29GIuRnY6A7gXmdpFfHg-6uc_aIXYWV5P6KxjVqZMKKnI_dAlIh-xdVaKyLOv9Mw_9IFL3N9t-AEjLJJiA0DQWbk6wKfVLJg8uRbTgnh_TpowbIb4T1LXBso1cgyZ2zzxI/s320/412700569_917961563273567_3795589040566629870_n.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Merry Christmas from Tango and Gladys!</div><br /> Christmas is upon us and I can't help but think about Christmas' past.<p></p><p>As a child, Christmas was such an important time in our lives. The anticipation of opening presents. I was telling Lisa the other day. Back in "the good ole days" we didn't get toys but twice a year. Birthdays and Christmas. So it was a big deal to get toys back then.</p><p>My parents must have been gluttons for punishment because they adopted 3 kids at the same time. We were all 16 months in age apart. I tell people that the orphanage had a sale that week. Buy 2 get one free. I was the free one. When Christmas came around and we were on our Christmas break from school, we would literally drive my mother up the wall.</p><p>"Can we open a present! Can we open a present!' the three of us would hound her nonstop.</p><p>My mother, getting sick and tired of it, and only being eight in the morning, too early to start drinking, finally gave in and let us open a present. The plan was genius. We would play all day with that toy. Staying out of her hair. At night she would then re-wrap those gifts and put them back under the tree. The next day we would pester her again. So she would let us pick another gift to open. If we would pick something we had already opened, we would be so happy exclaiming that we had gotten two trucks or whatever it was. We weren't very bright. I can just picture my mother laughing and laughing about that.</p><p>Another fond memory I recalled was this. If we weren't in snowy Minnesota for Christmas we would travel to Long Beach, California to be with my mothers sister and her family. We would pile into the family truckster and my father would drive and drive. Usually making the trip in two days. One year we stayed in a motel right across the street from Disneyland. It was truly magical. Now LA was a totally different place back in the 70's versus the way it is today. I remember my parents giving us our tickets for the park and then letting us walk across the street and spend the day in the park alone. </p><p>My mother was a wild and crazy person. Around Christmas time she and her friends would get together and go caroling. Only it was called Yulebaching. Not sure of the spelling but knowing her she made it up. It was like caroling but for drinks. As a kid I could tell that it must have been fun by the way she came home.</p><p>When we did go to my aunts house I remember never being able to play on the swing set they had in the back yard. Why is that you ask? The reason being is that they had a monkey that lived on that thing. It was not a cute monkey but rather a monkey from hell. Mean monkey. But that is what memories are made of.</p><p>Another fond memory is the first Christmas I spent with Lisa and her family. The Christmas that never ended. Rather, it was the gift opening that never ended. We would take turns opening 1 gift. Everyone would watch that person open it and then "oohhss and aahhss" would ensue. Comments and stories would follow. Then the gift would be passed around the circle so everyone could see it. Then the cycle would be repeated for the next person. I swear that gift opening took forever but in reality it was more like 3-4 hours. Now my side of the family was more of a free for all. Someone would hand out the gifts. Once your pile was in front of you it would begin. It was like a feeding frenzy. Lasting maybe 5 minutes.</p><p>When Lisa and I got married, Christmas cards were our thing from the beginning. I will include them so you can see us dorks on parade.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hCL51AFImlCjzrUe_Z9LZqJqOO1M7kAQYVYFXZbSm8-AxtbFY59YQ7wUF325upveYyJtiyO5U8W36C0gjhDOw6THwfAA4y8TChdd7hkrlWv7gACzMUyEBJaP5xxw1NYcHAV_O5opfsdD7VOHfCk6501MbU0ntN6Kn48MinaHxB2mHgHOdELJrRGphPTy/s1344/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1344" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hCL51AFImlCjzrUe_Z9LZqJqOO1M7kAQYVYFXZbSm8-AxtbFY59YQ7wUF325upveYyJtiyO5U8W36C0gjhDOw6THwfAA4y8TChdd7hkrlWv7gACzMUyEBJaP5xxw1NYcHAV_O5opfsdD7VOHfCk6501MbU0ntN6Kn48MinaHxB2mHgHOdELJrRGphPTy/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our cats before we had kids.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OgiAaVGJaB5NShXFK4YOPom5YPwMtnldCrUXU9uW8TFDdfi4fab4Yfsl9z2bgToHHnWBn38xKvl73UDhGaDvHnNlfNQ0jRlBWoP76TscvqPHhDSJ1htOki8tcKYeUaMe0AtjLqh2Z4LWvqjTQeszNTi_B6BJsAfM25eb0DAaCbNPUapLninXUcALs7vI/s1344/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1344" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OgiAaVGJaB5NShXFK4YOPom5YPwMtnldCrUXU9uW8TFDdfi4fab4Yfsl9z2bgToHHnWBn38xKvl73UDhGaDvHnNlfNQ0jRlBWoP76TscvqPHhDSJ1htOki8tcKYeUaMe0AtjLqh2Z4LWvqjTQeszNTi_B6BJsAfM25eb0DAaCbNPUapLninXUcALs7vI/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our son and my vintage SnoJet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAR38WgLohnPRG4fkkL6K7II_HNyXSXKs_bQxgur6ArwO3zW1DFlnZhDOJfn9C374NLAOergEKflW0lgSYj4tciM8NM8dMRiYUNzBai0yV-KuJPn5VMnNmaavcyP6mfbP7CqmDAzHEDi6K1fTWvZmEtx-t9_F_0LLzOoA3eLSSdo-PryR7ZO-_JCvId31/s624/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="432" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAR38WgLohnPRG4fkkL6K7II_HNyXSXKs_bQxgur6ArwO3zW1DFlnZhDOJfn9C374NLAOergEKflW0lgSYj4tciM8NM8dMRiYUNzBai0yV-KuJPn5VMnNmaavcyP6mfbP7CqmDAzHEDi6K1fTWvZmEtx-t9_F_0LLzOoA3eLSSdo-PryR7ZO-_JCvId31/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20002.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This year we sent out a letter with this picture. Dorks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtV6I24-fUI4JC6vIGUMHEvfc4CS1v0jcag17KCDXpe9NV_cpVYv8DlgeHKkLT5DA2kvWeIFc6i-AhSYbqt5X3Lz06TRgsinEMVLexzSgT1rH3p6VE_mvoYgaRgG3m6Ty0wViZpSlZ_tCMDtrQOee6cH8WuVsOejMZ3-YJmTUGMtDmUoNxA5LXBJ-wh-H/s976/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="704" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtV6I24-fUI4JC6vIGUMHEvfc4CS1v0jcag17KCDXpe9NV_cpVYv8DlgeHKkLT5DA2kvWeIFc6i-AhSYbqt5X3Lz06TRgsinEMVLexzSgT1rH3p6VE_mvoYgaRgG3m6Ty0wViZpSlZ_tCMDtrQOee6cH8WuVsOejMZ3-YJmTUGMtDmUoNxA5LXBJ-wh-H/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20004.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv8_vU-L8ZVWwzwP9bgDZzxPYOmh5p3TQ92bFlJT47xy6auS2Jxn-YzO5kzvjxZjYnE4-0zJemgwSqCxlcD6ecgZvfAHBgql2AB9jKms-gU_jzFF-4huyGJMLiWdkfOP3nyKsyhNKnwTAIQvz9HuyBh01WQGr9SMZ1xNeXl3DLbguyNfj-4wwFYxNi4tX/s1584/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1584" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv8_vU-L8ZVWwzwP9bgDZzxPYOmh5p3TQ92bFlJT47xy6auS2Jxn-YzO5kzvjxZjYnE4-0zJemgwSqCxlcD6ecgZvfAHBgql2AB9jKms-gU_jzFF-4huyGJMLiWdkfOP3nyKsyhNKnwTAIQvz9HuyBh01WQGr9SMZ1xNeXl3DLbguyNfj-4wwFYxNi4tX/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQLJAqDLwkGH7hgSEDCqjKxaEBZ32_aPE3hYYM93U6opwG8Rnp5S8BFcOnq9MkWy5hRg0TMjCc_A8dlMgHS6zljg8lEG6r1KkK-jmsAr0cEIwDfLmCIhpwBHOWiqfdHhqJvcYEVkWL1VhAvfnzzofaliNQnv6Ut1DiI3QgQOsUIMglkx11L1ZjaIOtxQ8/s1504/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1504" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQLJAqDLwkGH7hgSEDCqjKxaEBZ32_aPE3hYYM93U6opwG8Rnp5S8BFcOnq9MkWy5hRg0TMjCc_A8dlMgHS6zljg8lEG6r1KkK-jmsAr0cEIwDfLmCIhpwBHOWiqfdHhqJvcYEVkWL1VhAvfnzzofaliNQnv6Ut1DiI3QgQOsUIMglkx11L1ZjaIOtxQ8/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpRwdtrN5iTUUYybSmu5zbiwIpivwoInV_wHnLg_sSjTmVUsDx_Eclmlw7xv39UodrOhyphenhyphenZzDfumRxEMP7w9oriDTrpF_lafxpFhxl2oT_iH7HK-lvjdq8LX5CUMutpKWzilP1IYN0dmDplb8niBBxhZpp2SVn2T3RNzHsdmwSm_oDA5NiMFEiG_j-V-kh/s1584/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="1584" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpRwdtrN5iTUUYybSmu5zbiwIpivwoInV_wHnLg_sSjTmVUsDx_Eclmlw7xv39UodrOhyphenhyphenZzDfumRxEMP7w9oriDTrpF_lafxpFhxl2oT_iH7HK-lvjdq8LX5CUMutpKWzilP1IYN0dmDplb8niBBxhZpp2SVn2T3RNzHsdmwSm_oDA5NiMFEiG_j-V-kh/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6K9ASj1RCm3icVHr1zcSnjdm71HzE8w7Tfhi-tCVMeB2sgnCJW_tWiX1ItsAHq20133EfHO9G4ZqZTkpMDJlrqaOfIoLu5YNaw69YAgIM7Ndl5vSR4z_Mdhz7C5WkilAkBAEumCxk2HxEo5F-M8PA5QHrZIX7Ss6EzwPhiPNBTihdr_RaszCwl_0KbwP/s1600/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6K9ASj1RCm3icVHr1zcSnjdm71HzE8w7Tfhi-tCVMeB2sgnCJW_tWiX1ItsAHq20133EfHO9G4ZqZTkpMDJlrqaOfIoLu5YNaw69YAgIM7Ndl5vSR4z_Mdhz7C5WkilAkBAEumCxk2HxEo5F-M8PA5QHrZIX7Ss6EzwPhiPNBTihdr_RaszCwl_0KbwP/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20008.jpg" width="163" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWD3q0749_RI3wUed9BK2bw1-b8467yk8KUHZHYjXynqt5wv4C-KfamVCuu2AcqdMSg81b0fmR2SjLFr_IMFFMpuW_2jqlAVpD37Di7R2Kj97GYESdDlDTAhKzE0f7JU7K_0M1Gzt6USawVoySxLYnmpTn72uD4FQ_tcgOhfa246ErDwYlPzslwks0mHln/s1600/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWD3q0749_RI3wUed9BK2bw1-b8467yk8KUHZHYjXynqt5wv4C-KfamVCuu2AcqdMSg81b0fmR2SjLFr_IMFFMpuW_2jqlAVpD37Di7R2Kj97GYESdDlDTAhKzE0f7JU7K_0M1Gzt6USawVoySxLYnmpTn72uD4FQ_tcgOhfa246ErDwYlPzslwks0mHln/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20009.jpg" width="163" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotkIA8QoJTtNgoO_4TqL46Q6_J8FRTmM7MAP5AvuDrNuOchC856vP5kzU2BETbySu_8KGz67i4sRbVNm2YsTvbjNsWd374Z_-kkp0HGe3TRWaUWAkVbXBeSCsTP06wVKydtcjK01GwhTWnUIU8GbOyRrqm2L9SGUKCwzuOT0F3k6SzFlPyBAHtUM9bU2b/s1216/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotkIA8QoJTtNgoO_4TqL46Q6_J8FRTmM7MAP5AvuDrNuOchC856vP5kzU2BETbySu_8KGz67i4sRbVNm2YsTvbjNsWd374Z_-kkp0HGe3TRWaUWAkVbXBeSCsTP06wVKydtcjK01GwhTWnUIU8GbOyRrqm2L9SGUKCwzuOT0F3k6SzFlPyBAHtUM9bU2b/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20003.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our kids throughout the year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQOKHUkEPgJvn4lderzVpCiC5Slmz-PEuSsihxWJGNeusgXGn1qOm3Gto0tUVzABcWOgDf6TKZB1F4-ihQr3ObyQ0szxgDJ1JC6zqDG7lIAKq1SC1WI14rx-dpJM08IsH2m9cTDWEEHFSC4HAb9-eMx_xgqhz5FjH6WNY9_0j8l43pPy8Oujg3HjEUs07/s1536/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1536" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQOKHUkEPgJvn4lderzVpCiC5Slmz-PEuSsihxWJGNeusgXGn1qOm3Gto0tUVzABcWOgDf6TKZB1F4-ihQr3ObyQ0szxgDJ1JC6zqDG7lIAKq1SC1WI14rx-dpJM08IsH2m9cTDWEEHFSC4HAb9-eMx_xgqhz5FjH6WNY9_0j8l43pPy8Oujg3HjEUs07/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The ATV's and kids.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtUHkuvfpvC4eWkLY532VZcAJNTEZL_fZn_i4FsSJzFpRyHRmuwwlkW-MCXjmKdcpIAJoOdcL2-_L0P9WFPWzP1BsHKQcZo2NwGJ4bHKn_TxWrK7NCUkEamv6DPYwhJDGJG1w9LpvjTzDa_zOM9xGdtdWez11TMcl_cw7fDAh1rs2cZ_aca1ThvdM94oi/s1152/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtUHkuvfpvC4eWkLY532VZcAJNTEZL_fZn_i4FsSJzFpRyHRmuwwlkW-MCXjmKdcpIAJoOdcL2-_L0P9WFPWzP1BsHKQcZo2NwGJ4bHKn_TxWrK7NCUkEamv6DPYwhJDGJG1w9LpvjTzDa_zOM9xGdtdWez11TMcl_cw7fDAh1rs2cZ_aca1ThvdM94oi/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20013.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had a character drawing of the kids done one year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMpchDmHD-1wbMGxCnGVkczdnKFaHsRen5LdLNd-6NExXCdOvZDr6Ky0aLOPiUFBTJUj889zKpC2X__HFznef7wyNxCQIHj18zrNq3TiDdLOGhRGwOteoJOaDuahh8TOO5sJrQEgbaEId1kM5aMHZ5Jr-StMNkAwt92i4jAJZQ0RfrM-rAqR0Zqu71-Vh/s1552/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1552" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMpchDmHD-1wbMGxCnGVkczdnKFaHsRen5LdLNd-6NExXCdOvZDr6Ky0aLOPiUFBTJUj889zKpC2X__HFznef7wyNxCQIHj18zrNq3TiDdLOGhRGwOteoJOaDuahh8TOO5sJrQEgbaEId1kM5aMHZ5Jr-StMNkAwt92i4jAJZQ0RfrM-rAqR0Zqu71-Vh/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20014.jpg" width="168" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As the kids got older we started camping and traveling more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZ5k_wLEKOCsGlV5oHLDfaOj4UCJN4x8XWzgQMWWFixjYTR_bNky2EI5bnSzGMjHjtrZKnZq0ypbf-YmBdpgsf9Bv-R_yg8rm_TJu3uCQAPEbJhcMClgzv3aecDUVcBBfULVOMNakxGKBsX88AKvV9FzZSpqn0d-L07-y2OskhvWlK5m3R16ZkUx6TR9w/s1216/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1216" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZ5k_wLEKOCsGlV5oHLDfaOj4UCJN4x8XWzgQMWWFixjYTR_bNky2EI5bnSzGMjHjtrZKnZq0ypbf-YmBdpgsf9Bv-R_yg8rm_TJu3uCQAPEbJhcMClgzv3aecDUVcBBfULVOMNakxGKBsX88AKvV9FzZSpqn0d-L07-y2OskhvWlK5m3R16ZkUx6TR9w/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another fun dress up card we sent out. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOf7ZN3Y6lmhfW0ucAvj7Sxm87t5292ETvG5ZCNpi5GArbPvBKPLJ-0GchljVCXuWNvWxHyKHPMPsPzLzqjpDPgejygTrBJyn-dm4ItnW3jGpYJjaUxud749pSj6q0Xso_zw-N_V2dS-UekIcBXL91xt4IOU2cGs5MlNoLXIQ_92fdHd0mbQwyIHvrOBhZ/s1616/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1616" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOf7ZN3Y6lmhfW0ucAvj7Sxm87t5292ETvG5ZCNpi5GArbPvBKPLJ-0GchljVCXuWNvWxHyKHPMPsPzLzqjpDPgejygTrBJyn-dm4ItnW3jGpYJjaUxud749pSj6q0Xso_zw-N_V2dS-UekIcBXL91xt4IOU2cGs5MlNoLXIQ_92fdHd0mbQwyIHvrOBhZ/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Silver Lake sand dunes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1L_YwzhWfAGEIEZJ8UBREk5BKfhqSmDdFBh99f5JwOtsU7HGeoUOD8xdullMKXoDnvz39yF8PahETZuEyBXbeZTKGNmN8FJt5L_rdjkKcOVsBAvUbUNwu3t55KRUH6qRJJs_CiAe7Xoygg40PZC6JNw9U-7zew9hCk7I68iPBxkPOjqt8-9483AX6wOr7/s1600/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1600" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1L_YwzhWfAGEIEZJ8UBREk5BKfhqSmDdFBh99f5JwOtsU7HGeoUOD8xdullMKXoDnvz39yF8PahETZuEyBXbeZTKGNmN8FJt5L_rdjkKcOVsBAvUbUNwu3t55KRUH6qRJJs_CiAe7Xoygg40PZC6JNw9U-7zew9hCk7I68iPBxkPOjqt8-9483AX6wOr7/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One year everyone didn't want a picture taken so I had to improvise. Yes, we had five cats at one time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmKfUQsYH_6K-tUfKV0cJLrD1jszb1wM-zMSdxrpdVNYCXS7o6AUhCFlqfKvqJTfOk3c0yBjhko6Zp-x3PmTzuUMY6rN9FdRyFsHJ0BBUqqckC5-qwCLVVWKGXtQf2BEe6gSVjj-FEjJhtYbZov5zr72oXG9kqTWCfR6jxJ_Jxzh8qwpmqWLbPAEeYHEA/s1552/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1552" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmKfUQsYH_6K-tUfKV0cJLrD1jszb1wM-zMSdxrpdVNYCXS7o6AUhCFlqfKvqJTfOk3c0yBjhko6Zp-x3PmTzuUMY6rN9FdRyFsHJ0BBUqqckC5-qwCLVVWKGXtQf2BEe6gSVjj-FEjJhtYbZov5zr72oXG9kqTWCfR6jxJ_Jxzh8qwpmqWLbPAEeYHEA/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20018.jpg" width="168" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Moab Utah.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2icrN0jRtGmbaKxDD9sUYzEK2IsaLh6V3sHCv7XZ38WUj3WGXKPOHkV-hiPbrduumq3rROcKtRZh6FCGrte3iklo5kSRspaS7tqqJiOUDhoqic3hXRVbWwZi4fkkGLPy8ymTtCv72-V270o6Tfhe5r6HnAs4zKUwScY9E_SEKPCOBlrukfwtebfKgR-II/s1600/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1600" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2icrN0jRtGmbaKxDD9sUYzEK2IsaLh6V3sHCv7XZ38WUj3WGXKPOHkV-hiPbrduumq3rROcKtRZh6FCGrte3iklo5kSRspaS7tqqJiOUDhoqic3hXRVbWwZi4fkkGLPy8ymTtCv72-V270o6Tfhe5r6HnAs4zKUwScY9E_SEKPCOBlrukfwtebfKgR-II/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the year we were hiding our identities.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0BhHwBsHlfjYZcW6jDxlbDR_xO10z9FtGTAmFMwzM1SjWu69RqOwSLlz6F3TZbctxApvHU4lA4JjgTjQD9DIQ3GIdYewqjZEcFPpRIMDOYsvIkL2N1IylijzrZ3Zdl9JwCBC1MPshvAFDS-egOtJRfAM_jkDnXapZg5NVlwGDVGGH17onHMVfvF6ygN4/s1600/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0BhHwBsHlfjYZcW6jDxlbDR_xO10z9FtGTAmFMwzM1SjWu69RqOwSLlz6F3TZbctxApvHU4lA4JjgTjQD9DIQ3GIdYewqjZEcFPpRIMDOYsvIkL2N1IylijzrZ3Zdl9JwCBC1MPshvAFDS-egOtJRfAM_jkDnXapZg5NVlwGDVGGH17onHMVfvF6ygN4/s320/Yearly%20Christmas%20Pictures%20020.jpg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On a glacier in Canada.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's it for family photos. Kids are adults now. Time moves on. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Merry Christmas to all. Have a Happy New Year also. We will be going into hibernation soon and hope to wake up in the spring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-38266666321285377912023-12-11T08:58:00.000-08:002023-12-11T08:58:09.638-08:00Hockey<p>Hockey-a game played on ice between two teams of players who each have a curved stick with which they try to put a puck (a small, hard disk) into the other teams goal. -Cambridge Dictionary</p><p> One of the joys of being near the grandkids is to be able to watch them grow. From little balls of babies that do nothing but eat, cry and poop, to toddlers who are into everything, and to where they are now. 4 and 5 years old. At this age they are definitely developing their own personalities. </p><p>We had the four year old stay with us for a couple of days last week he was so excited seeing our Christmas tree and all of the presents under it. He really wanted to start opening all of the gifts we told him he had to wait until Christmas. Now it is funny how their minds work. So he says, "Can I touch them?" We said that was fine. So he touched them all and then he was done with them. The top half of our tree has candy canes on it. The bottom half that he could reach are all gone. Every time I turned around I would see him munching on a candy cane. </p><p>"Stop eating my candy canes!" I would tell him. Only to get a sheepish little giggle out of him.</p><p>Now the five year old is playing hockey. In Minnesota if your child isn't skating by kindergarten, they will never make the pro circuit. A friend of mine had asked me what we had planned for the day. I told him we were going to Fargo to watch the five year old play hockey. I said that that should be interesting. It did not disappoint.</p><p>Imagine 8-10 kids who can barely stand on skates chasing a puck around for an hour. They were laying on the ice more than they were standing. Actually I give them a lot of credit. They are better skaters at this age than I ever was. But it was fun watching them develop those skills. I loved it when the puck would get out to open ice and the kids would skate after it with wild abandon. The first one to reach it would wind up for the shot, only to whiff, fall on his butt and slide into the boards. Then he would scramble to his feet just so that he could get into the mix again. They sure were burning the calories that night.</p><p>The four year old fell asleep that night on the way to the game. So Lisa stayed in our daughter-in-laws vehicle while he slept. Then half way through the game, I changed places with her, so that she could enjoy the game. When it was done they came out to the parking lot and our five year old was in a very happy mood. He had a huge smile on his face and as proud as he could be he declared that he had lost a tooth. I said to him "Now you look like a real hockey player!" </p><p>Now flash back to my childhood. We lived a block and a half from our neighborhood ice rink. Like I said earlier, Minnesota is a huge hockey state. Well my father, being the hairdresser that he was gave us kids figure skates. Figure skates. Back in those days kids could walk around without adult supervision. So my bother, sister and I would ask our mom if we could go skating. She would usually tell us we could, under one condition. We had to put our skates on at home instead of at the warming house by the rink, the reason being my mother didn't want our shoes to get stolen. So we walked to the rink in our ice skates without guards on them. I don't think skates on concrete is very good for them.</p><p>To this day my now brother-in-law who lived down the block would always comment about that. "Here come the Oliver kids walking to the rink in their skates." And then laugh and laugh.</p><p>As chance would have it. I never did become the next Brian Boitano.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbo5h8tZ4MjGnROFVMHE-aqyBaom_09_f40j7U5Y1RQXphY9x3Sb9hOi3CpSGUjxmctlgzFYG8Egrjzl1gnCgtgKOzLyz17ITBQgwJnRJ4N12N0yqy8tjkZ8ka7zl5pjNEc4LwKbUAFfhVz41jmfqMQKsp4fwdy7s_XtFzl5VvHuJ2Z5sORpBFqWA0MLTA/s430/406322994_850652040093135_165292992824096811_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="290" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbo5h8tZ4MjGnROFVMHE-aqyBaom_09_f40j7U5Y1RQXphY9x3Sb9hOi3CpSGUjxmctlgzFYG8Egrjzl1gnCgtgKOzLyz17ITBQgwJnRJ4N12N0yqy8tjkZ8ka7zl5pjNEc4LwKbUAFfhVz41jmfqMQKsp4fwdy7s_XtFzl5VvHuJ2Z5sORpBFqWA0MLTA/s320/406322994_850652040093135_165292992824096811_n.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br /> Was it because my skates were dull? Or was it because of my notoriously weak ankles? I'm betting on the latter. I would stand on my skates, the blades would be pointing out and I would be standing on the inside of the boot. It made it very hard to do a triple sow cow like that, not to mention just standing up. <p></p><p>Christmas is fast approaching. Then after the holidays the real deep freeze will hit us here and then we will go into hibernation. Until then. </p><p>Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-86856516012407003742023-11-26T08:59:00.000-08:002023-11-26T09:02:14.403-08:00The Truth is Out There<p> *Names have been changed to protect the innocent.</p><p>Sit back, start a fire and enjoy the tale I am about to tell you. </p><p>Every so often it happens. Our hero and his spouse are just living their lives to the best of their abilities. Hard working people. America was built on the backs of such hard working people as themselves. He wore a soldiers uniform. Many times not seeing his family for days, weeks and yes, even months at a time. All in the name of freedom. She had to raise two small children while working full time jobs. Just to give them the morals and values that make good human beings.We will call them Tango and Gladys. </p><p>Our antagonists, Jethro Buckhumper and Bambi Poledancer, are from Wisconsin. Need I say more? Tango and Gladys are from Minnesota. So you know there is a natural hatred amongst them. I mean, just look at their rival football teams. The proud and Noble Vikings.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YDQRRrqrHG3HX_rTX0fmo40Mu0K0lnmUJwU3jg-yQLIiTC-0uv-2JnPB9SVJgNyUZ_jjZWQs7ZcHQ5aKOGulcp74eE3qwhDqMB-r_wkLQfa9hnPmp4FtNP9CGxYKIHn_YpZN79DdOLE9eTX1dnSHruyFsUbGUJ6zh0wcWERF49nte-2NfzHD5M3WdYm-/s290/images%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="290" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YDQRRrqrHG3HX_rTX0fmo40Mu0K0lnmUJwU3jg-yQLIiTC-0uv-2JnPB9SVJgNyUZ_jjZWQs7ZcHQ5aKOGulcp74eE3qwhDqMB-r_wkLQfa9hnPmp4FtNP9CGxYKIHn_YpZN79DdOLE9eTX1dnSHruyFsUbGUJ6zh0wcWERF49nte-2NfzHD5M3WdYm-/s1600/images%20(1).jpeg" width="290" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Feared far and wide throughout Europe. Even going so far as to discover the Americas. Then look at what Wisconsin has to offer. Cheeseheads.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCikrQrqOlMoaS2yQhNduEqGRv8kszaHnejIM-eCjYX_Vna7FmJULtif3YPljns1viuwAdvEn_rGM9MqdQ_8AWx3iu4xMkvMf13VMKsqfWPH7yZiA_ujp_u5KLmpYHvNdf9XndKXeb6uaDk8T6KNltTHvQ55F5zyeb3B4b0TGJ4F7IeCXaQg0M-k8OodZ/s400/8114808_orig.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCikrQrqOlMoaS2yQhNduEqGRv8kszaHnejIM-eCjYX_Vna7FmJULtif3YPljns1viuwAdvEn_rGM9MqdQ_8AWx3iu4xMkvMf13VMKsqfWPH7yZiA_ujp_u5KLmpYHvNdf9XndKXeb6uaDk8T6KNltTHvQ55F5zyeb3B4b0TGJ4F7IeCXaQg0M-k8OodZ/s320/8114808_orig.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wearing a block of cheese on your head. That is what is supposed to strike fear in your enemies? The teams mascot is actually a "Packer". I am not sure what a packer really is. Does it have something to do with fudge? Here's another look at them.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfRdl9PRyQe13lDohEwN7ky23-Y5uz_mhNEgTKgGnzcqSB2zhJqF2WQfGJAaUXsyfnBRG5PMcOWfc_UmDt1F8vT1bIYqeC5PgaHNnyB0l-PllnMI1p1Jdl4Asl4bq790rlwGNICXRUTSXXhq3is2zj7fgtnM0tobmleRj4HqhvnqMZGiHB2s9ZRBNexRs/s290/download.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="290" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfRdl9PRyQe13lDohEwN7ky23-Y5uz_mhNEgTKgGnzcqSB2zhJqF2WQfGJAaUXsyfnBRG5PMcOWfc_UmDt1F8vT1bIYqeC5PgaHNnyB0l-PllnMI1p1Jdl4Asl4bq790rlwGNICXRUTSXXhq3is2zj7fgtnM0tobmleRj4HqhvnqMZGiHB2s9ZRBNexRs/s1600/download.jpeg" width="290" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I am getting away from the story. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tango and Gladys had worked hard all their lives finding a chance to make a new life after their kids had moved on, they decided to travel this great country in their RV to explore America. Not only to find new adventures but also to find themselves. It started beautifully. The spark returned to their eyes. They began to see each other as if it was the first time in their lives. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The cruel hand of fate was about to deal an evil blow. Our heroes were in the middle of Florida one year not so long ago. Minding their own business when what should happen on that fateful day. A day we refer to as "The Beginning". We were sitting outside our RV when we noticed a funny little man walking a funny little dog in front of our rig.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hindsight is always 20/20. Now I wish we would have ran into our camper and locked the door and drawn the shades, but we didn't. At the very least I wish we would have listened to the advice from my dear departed mother. That was "DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS". Four simple words probably would have changed our lives for the better. But we didn't.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As he ambled by, I winked at Gladys, nudged my head in his direction and we both chuckled to ourselves. We watched in amazement as his little dog crapped in front of our camper and he nonchalantly just kicked some dirt over it and continued on. He took two more steps, stopped and ever so slowly turned in our direction. He looked at us with eyes that didn't see. His mouth started to quiver as if there were words trying to form. Before he spoke he spit a stream of tobacco juice onto the dog turd. Wiped his chin with his forearm and said these words.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Howdy neighbor! I see those plates on that there pickem up truck is from Mini-sota dag gum it! The little woman and me are Wisconsinites. I'm Jethro and she goes by Bambi. She's going to love ya all, I just knows it. We will be back for dinner at 5. I likes to eat early so I's can drink all night. You have beers right?" With that he grabbed his little dog, jumped up in the air and kicked his heals together and returned to where ever it was he came from.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gladys and I looked at each other and said "What the heck just happened?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5 o'clock came that night and sure enough so did our new friends (for lack of a better word). Jethro introduced us to Bambi. If there was a Daisy Duke look alike contest, she would win easily.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLnhS2qZNhPCfHDWdnqp0mH3C8PFhkceNDgD3Z1b__AayQQmbubyOG-urhNcOP8JlUfiCrlgNhx_XH07IHusoFHPm5fo-gVdlcOnHtFQZsh1dpg2C1QXQ0zSgZ6AekD5LfC59mnFhi_tqPCQp-LVTZ_wvFp97g2KD7YxrrJUMwg7N-TUgigSJ_o6o_DBY/s1000/397999687_841597181025184_4715121430348076280_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLnhS2qZNhPCfHDWdnqp0mH3C8PFhkceNDgD3Z1b__AayQQmbubyOG-urhNcOP8JlUfiCrlgNhx_XH07IHusoFHPm5fo-gVdlcOnHtFQZsh1dpg2C1QXQ0zSgZ6AekD5LfC59mnFhi_tqPCQp-LVTZ_wvFp97g2KD7YxrrJUMwg7N-TUgigSJ_o6o_DBY/s320/397999687_841597181025184_4715121430348076280_n.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /> Jethro on the other hand. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9LXFZXwTFew2D2rsVhU1_vIVybCuLpVzUyDDQWHOxa5YIfGb7mpAKwUzrfWAyrme9z7QmUtHzEeBmF0AAn_T0tNssqJn-T_zFS6skQhd9ml7pJIECJW_OCmzjDNTEioadh7O5hCR_3pmNjb_aItMYoSoOEKSzXyQDAvuyS0bskwa5ExHzQGjB6gmPrOO/s247/download%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="247" data-original-width="204" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9LXFZXwTFew2D2rsVhU1_vIVybCuLpVzUyDDQWHOxa5YIfGb7mpAKwUzrfWAyrme9z7QmUtHzEeBmF0AAn_T0tNssqJn-T_zFS6skQhd9ml7pJIECJW_OCmzjDNTEioadh7O5hCR_3pmNjb_aItMYoSoOEKSzXyQDAvuyS0bskwa5ExHzQGjB6gmPrOO/s1600/download%20(1).jpeg" width="204" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was truly amazing to see that man eat. He had a spork in one hand and his beer in the other. It went something like this. Shove a bite of food in his mouth and then wash it down with beer. Eat, drink, eat, drink and on and on it went. He would occasionally belch once in awhile but that was it. I noticed that he never went to the bathroom. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Jethro," I said. "Don't you ever go to the bathroom?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He said "Not since I discovered these new fangled underpants called Depends. I never have to stop drinking to use the potty."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To which I had to inquire. "How long have you been wearing that pair?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"All day, why?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Well you seem to be leaking."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For years we traveled around. That's putting it nicely, when in fact we were hiding from them. Now I don't blame Bambi .That's the hand she was dealt with and I am sure she is doing the best that she can. WE worked in Moab, Utah. Sure enough they were there. We worked in Yellowstone. Again they were there. I don't know how many times we would be somewhere and they would show up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We finally got off the road and built our house we even gave it a name. SSUVFL. That stands for Super Secret Undisclosed Virus Free Location. I don't know how they find us but they do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's my tale. Those who know, know.</div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-48195552458180532772023-11-18T14:27:00.000-08:002023-11-18T14:27:54.075-08:00Fall 2023<p>Procrastination-the action of delaying or postponing something. (Oxford Dictionary)</p><p>I have been meaning for weeks now to put a blog together. I started out naming it just October. Then I changed it to October/November. Finally settling on just "Fall". Mainly because it encompasses many weeks of activities. When thinking about subjects for the blog I go around and around about ideas. Usually shooting them down because of the lack of entertainment value or witty insight on my part. </p><p>But after reading a blog I found on the internet today about a guy playing the word game called "Wordle" and about how he went on and on for ever in his blog. Then the other half was about dogs. Maybe if the dogs were playing "Wordle", then maybe it would have been interesting. So I thought to myself, can I really do worse?</p><p>We can't believe that it has only been over a month since we closed up our food trailer. It seems like it was a lifetime ago we were slinging soup and Cheesey Sasquatch's to the populace of Ottertail county. But that is the beauty of having a seasonal business. We can pack it away and then concentrate on other aspects of life. Such as our next big endeavor.</p><p>Well as many times it happens, we were enjoying a fire with libations. We find that libations really get the creative juices flowing. Decisions were decided on and plans were planned. It was time to start working on our new addition to the house. Once done it will nearly double the living space keep in mind that our cabin is small to begin with. 768 square feet. The new addition will be 576 square feet for a grand total of 1,344 square feet. We will be expanding into the barn with our cabin. Not needing such a large space because we have decided to sell our fifthwheel next spring. So if anybody is looking for a great camper, let us know.</p><p>So with our plans decided on it was time to get things in motion. First off we had the side overhead door removed.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmV1kMP2NXLWtLd_fOsy4CWO7YAC4hXkJ26z7gEkgosADx3Xu_NJ4243F41zkdk5ZRyKFIes0kEtm64CCbjeFr4FaPJF_E4SsX9zIAUEy9sopbW2REh8xg1loJJ9iCNlTD6nPApKvLChQ_DspHt_aVZ8hjVx2adeaYlTZvFTz-lCx5JhmRMtls3fLAyrJ/s2000/394739156_288654580742990_6098915845592328920_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmV1kMP2NXLWtLd_fOsy4CWO7YAC4hXkJ26z7gEkgosADx3Xu_NJ4243F41zkdk5ZRyKFIes0kEtm64CCbjeFr4FaPJF_E4SsX9zIAUEy9sopbW2REh8xg1loJJ9iCNlTD6nPApKvLChQ_DspHt_aVZ8hjVx2adeaYlTZvFTz-lCx5JhmRMtls3fLAyrJ/s320/394739156_288654580742990_6098915845592328920_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside of door.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDmRIFhStF2vOCEcGEtJ_7_y8d4qxMgHncz2O3Yj8fs2mGG4usW9_Glwz9ChC-bSOHFt_uh4yu7Kt_BhaylDDaV-CH65A8FbC3FOMFCEf0wi2TE2pNALr7EojTSKEb61UvmrSDe5rQiIQYEARnz0y-sFSfHsaCzyhgngGyBGPqxSfitYL8wMHBrJs0v5x/s2000/377228736_1870605516667040_6977009967306308577_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDmRIFhStF2vOCEcGEtJ_7_y8d4qxMgHncz2O3Yj8fs2mGG4usW9_Glwz9ChC-bSOHFt_uh4yu7Kt_BhaylDDaV-CH65A8FbC3FOMFCEf0wi2TE2pNALr7EojTSKEb61UvmrSDe5rQiIQYEARnz0y-sFSfHsaCzyhgngGyBGPqxSfitYL8wMHBrJs0v5x/s320/377228736_1870605516667040_6977009967306308577_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside of door.</td></tr></tbody></table>Once the door was removed. It was time to frame it and install the new walk in door.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagm_mAQTIeuVNGkn6leEJXRmKLK3coBlxoWVRZ6MuDGDbwhkte6BA1UK0nR5KZZzUGUuNGozkaRdeRC_E-K6GGOpSSCaI-EZbwNjaWl7z_LCT5V4dHvRIxYzvBKCawnWZVPAwWe7Y-w_YbT-_VexzkIuBI9TaEV5_bdy6bN5Q7uAGbWdf2lMpwKThRPhk/s2000/395311672_3521603371440413_6915553135992087974_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagm_mAQTIeuVNGkn6leEJXRmKLK3coBlxoWVRZ6MuDGDbwhkte6BA1UK0nR5KZZzUGUuNGozkaRdeRC_E-K6GGOpSSCaI-EZbwNjaWl7z_LCT5V4dHvRIxYzvBKCawnWZVPAwWe7Y-w_YbT-_VexzkIuBI9TaEV5_bdy6bN5Q7uAGbWdf2lMpwKThRPhk/s320/395311672_3521603371440413_6915553135992087974_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Door gone.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDh8vuJ5Yu8w87FsGSSRvN3okF8vLk-OeXga4GEXeOaehuSXU6GOR7vSXGABxb8jSva-yf5zIJcWDJn-RljKDhdFPqSNKoN-LgHj1I4lC3bJSidJP-3Waf8AJsHbRWA_HOoemk3x1hIstkqOqhDJHAPRaBJf8HrPeVYsPMM3_7E4A0S-i1lfo8HGOsfJx/s2000/393836715_6782730368487371_4424313774507126179_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDh8vuJ5Yu8w87FsGSSRvN3okF8vLk-OeXga4GEXeOaehuSXU6GOR7vSXGABxb8jSva-yf5zIJcWDJn-RljKDhdFPqSNKoN-LgHj1I4lC3bJSidJP-3Waf8AJsHbRWA_HOoemk3x1hIstkqOqhDJHAPRaBJf8HrPeVYsPMM3_7E4A0S-i1lfo8HGOsfJx/s320/393836715_6782730368487371_4424313774507126179_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Framed and new door installed.</td></tr></tbody></table>Then came the time to add the OSB sheeting, Insulating and add the steal to the outside.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qMSfKOGiXjvemeWigbUgImeGP596uMRRjJJzcgh9iPH6QeoGkAy4fqW8APlWCD0rt4_ZslNwKdMEUYE0TqkBNJK6S80fCHCX6Fuj04Ttk7BTVHPpomSuo0K1rRmnkFtH-ERwBSXqGhJdy0FmelskVNtrkfxhcA6iHiG4DUuwR5twlok_bQC6gweEL1hh/s2000/395243381_782997070261729_4894827620831918615_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qMSfKOGiXjvemeWigbUgImeGP596uMRRjJJzcgh9iPH6QeoGkAy4fqW8APlWCD0rt4_ZslNwKdMEUYE0TqkBNJK6S80fCHCX6Fuj04Ttk7BTVHPpomSuo0K1rRmnkFtH-ERwBSXqGhJdy0FmelskVNtrkfxhcA6iHiG4DUuwR5twlok_bQC6gweEL1hh/s320/395243381_782997070261729_4894827620831918615_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OSB installed.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n9vU04XHVAD1Yo-TWROLhInVz8FjPCkj5kXMlruqdGyV6PAC9uQs-_J7Rn2g3FlDwwMXcbU54N1zkmVen0jRRorvTbnGlsB9b12nRLf8HCeT0Ozfl0vpY8NfLyr4sN56j7dEG73x3C3CQa1Wt0sgRmv8fn_4FB7wNPzbpv9-LLf8fcICm5K7GrgLxgY5/s2000/370291439_3555203438065151_6607465393444817806_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n9vU04XHVAD1Yo-TWROLhInVz8FjPCkj5kXMlruqdGyV6PAC9uQs-_J7Rn2g3FlDwwMXcbU54N1zkmVen0jRRorvTbnGlsB9b12nRLf8HCeT0Ozfl0vpY8NfLyr4sN56j7dEG73x3C3CQa1Wt0sgRmv8fn_4FB7wNPzbpv9-LLf8fcICm5K7GrgLxgY5/s320/370291439_3555203438065151_6607465393444817806_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insulated.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTQZ7aM8vWpBVBl8JlaAoIJukwV7Jt2rE7Oj8HP9tlhBaWighNiWvGZOou-tnkIeA0qkl-Md7sypVkXzFOtEAgUu_JrrdffW5RlRQTdTiH-9Ae2SSEXF7BzuKZu47LFycKv9qeHBeCbv9-TvWqW14r0FpMIuT29uHjeMmZWAbJLp5l86i2cViq5vJOwcw/s2000/398411029_1483214949139994_3819779790316428446_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTQZ7aM8vWpBVBl8JlaAoIJukwV7Jt2rE7Oj8HP9tlhBaWighNiWvGZOou-tnkIeA0qkl-Md7sypVkXzFOtEAgUu_JrrdffW5RlRQTdTiH-9Ae2SSEXF7BzuKZu47LFycKv9qeHBeCbv9-TvWqW14r0FpMIuT29uHjeMmZWAbJLp5l86i2cViq5vJOwcw/s320/398411029_1483214949139994_3819779790316428446_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outside view.</td></tr></tbody></table>I think it came out pretty good. Just for the record. I have not had any formal training in the construction arts. Although I did attend "Josef's School of Construction" as I grew up as a child. My father was a DIY'er long before it was cool and I was always around to help him out and to carry on his knowledge. Don't get "Josef's School of Construction" mixed up with "Josef's School of Hair Design". Two different things and I went to both. Confidence was high so I started the next phase. Framing the rooms. We are adding a family room, a walk in closet and a primary suite which used to be called a Master suite until everybody got hyper sensitive.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwcr57KKxDxp9JBudOaSZqV8LteWtetPqP29-i5M_GZe-tJc8KP67FERTTRZRGGaqbhYj4R2kPWzbrVKUdtQoxUWvoqQVo1DoEoQF7VUapSqq0bKe-5QC0fHE7ymji86d-H-KQ8_w1Nti0-0UVx-ZgHG1cZGkXJfZuGBUNByr9zvIrw2Wd44w3xRdhX_n/s2000/396618923_319852227452965_7781430035495671212_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwcr57KKxDxp9JBudOaSZqV8LteWtetPqP29-i5M_GZe-tJc8KP67FERTTRZRGGaqbhYj4R2kPWzbrVKUdtQoxUWvoqQVo1DoEoQF7VUapSqq0bKe-5QC0fHE7ymji86d-H-KQ8_w1Nti0-0UVx-ZgHG1cZGkXJfZuGBUNByr9zvIrw2Wd44w3xRdhX_n/s320/396618923_319852227452965_7781430035495671212_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeOYHRlTGNNhtSRhlud7o6BNQJjHWmnrfTOdQEaouUiYjmCAsGM2joRwmuYpAGTsjQCGjwg5uSkMAniIGMlU0G2CINIqvcre9NF66KODmqQOFqrFWlgkz02GGPRntP-6gXFJerbTM1w3Ik31uF2eWFKxAKzXQYL_2TPpoJWBartNojx0Nm4cciK1uvnq8/s2000/394495710_860907355532455_6202935766564702761_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeOYHRlTGNNhtSRhlud7o6BNQJjHWmnrfTOdQEaouUiYjmCAsGM2joRwmuYpAGTsjQCGjwg5uSkMAniIGMlU0G2CINIqvcre9NF66KODmqQOFqrFWlgkz02GGPRntP-6gXFJerbTM1w3Ik31uF2eWFKxAKzXQYL_2TPpoJWBartNojx0Nm4cciK1uvnq8/s320/394495710_860907355532455_6202935766564702761_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTqf13EFYrH4cRWn8DLaAWltlxkOxkqEkdsFcEwKTigxxDiliKOiRpHVtUmvJYBo0kBniJvw9mJFs8k5gCFfs7VRq0kPcwfzsorkxVARSzm8wTIwvsQ0TLp7FCDBvo3SYuY7om8jvuarLELOIk3tjNLhlKeU8-DvEkU9cnb9Pc4j3Lqem6N0wXNfEes79/s2000/386864030_357424050275096_3244678976198612318_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTqf13EFYrH4cRWn8DLaAWltlxkOxkqEkdsFcEwKTigxxDiliKOiRpHVtUmvJYBo0kBniJvw9mJFs8k5gCFfs7VRq0kPcwfzsorkxVARSzm8wTIwvsQ0TLp7FCDBvo3SYuY7om8jvuarLELOIk3tjNLhlKeU8-DvEkU9cnb9Pc4j3Lqem6N0wXNfEes79/s320/386864030_357424050275096_3244678976198612318_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mJCfvZ1HiEI78IL964YrXs0J8lLExVD7MTT92yMM8ZjuV-FbgTs7s2NlelDT0yHTXvORNOhqCQtlzUU1MBsZbDX84ZUQbFPmgtWuyn5uCAgf5xb_DaVOIVZbKJvO9eLS9xkw6kofBy0TveN9mCGUbEZtR4tlNZfNlKOlncHRbVID0u20L5uQiTr3v9-o/s2000/386848727_1297444004328316_3727723294765932558_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mJCfvZ1HiEI78IL964YrXs0J8lLExVD7MTT92yMM8ZjuV-FbgTs7s2NlelDT0yHTXvORNOhqCQtlzUU1MBsZbDX84ZUQbFPmgtWuyn5uCAgf5xb_DaVOIVZbKJvO9eLS9xkw6kofBy0TveN9mCGUbEZtR4tlNZfNlKOlncHRbVID0u20L5uQiTr3v9-o/s320/386848727_1297444004328316_3727723294765932558_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Again things were going much better than anticipated. So much so that I decided to start my own construction company. It is going to be named, "Cripple Guy Construction". My motto will be "When you simply can't afford anyone else". Well after the framing it was time to put the floor joists up. I had to hire my son to help me get those 16 ft. long 2X10's up there. It took us an hour and a half. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zoRRcCts-DmoQ3in_gWXLJ_uBlY3QOAt7ZRn45twvg7tRHyJZHHUqMqb6l34xZmJ7u9cP-lOEalNGQizT2bkMoZO2Fwwf9wNmygBV3VO6A45oFDy0X_nnn3M3YJ7CsRNpDFVrTaisPFOjNtgvHRypvyGnMTFeWCb40HMy8P0bvq3p6slVEkPtZXnBYUm/s2000/387502274_1037820280863136_6676227511178690478_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zoRRcCts-DmoQ3in_gWXLJ_uBlY3QOAt7ZRn45twvg7tRHyJZHHUqMqb6l34xZmJ7u9cP-lOEalNGQizT2bkMoZO2Fwwf9wNmygBV3VO6A45oFDy0X_nnn3M3YJ7CsRNpDFVrTaisPFOjNtgvHRypvyGnMTFeWCb40HMy8P0bvq3p6slVEkPtZXnBYUm/s320/387502274_1037820280863136_6676227511178690478_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP__xtwLepjX0eBfkCC-Ej-7kn2cuQDANX9wrz1wwmcPLaAv5uWhcWC686e4SCHP3zj5kyVjGCFE9xKDMlanBlbMx_U7FShbqgpHFdim34NNDzqTQVM6fBYfNgpQ2HctZeq8CSe_ZPhDRn3Zf03qxg1lOniQZ2mn_CHb8mlsxCAc7WJuM4WwCmso6ICDpW/s2000/386868776_753540330124484_3702294482714625416_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP__xtwLepjX0eBfkCC-Ej-7kn2cuQDANX9wrz1wwmcPLaAv5uWhcWC686e4SCHP3zj5kyVjGCFE9xKDMlanBlbMx_U7FShbqgpHFdim34NNDzqTQVM6fBYfNgpQ2HctZeq8CSe_ZPhDRn3Zf03qxg1lOniQZ2mn_CHb8mlsxCAc7WJuM4WwCmso6ICDpW/s320/386868776_753540330124484_3702294482714625416_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Up top we hope to use for storage of our many treasures that people start gathering when they live in a house. In other words, a place to store junk as Lisa would say. When we lived in our RV for those 6 years, everything we owned was inside the RV. Now we are buying it all back. So the next phase is to build stairs. Never have I ever done that. Here goes nothing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhm34AnRN30UWVylftMvVm1Pml-KkFWq_o67UyHxx80wLtqH5YIxzaN2tSgqhDV94yvVSCG0ylnioyHLn6fi7Ec39E42vK85Ou8DrkXYvZFfPiwG6zexvTAQxX33_KYJbeUsrVyFV5otG3K2Cxy7bkIyo5tEuqs26ug9sG9NkholBZNro-9qSqZIiE-Y21/s2000/370037931_997115488019722_7137410389222345524_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhm34AnRN30UWVylftMvVm1Pml-KkFWq_o67UyHxx80wLtqH5YIxzaN2tSgqhDV94yvVSCG0ylnioyHLn6fi7Ec39E42vK85Ou8DrkXYvZFfPiwG6zexvTAQxX33_KYJbeUsrVyFV5otG3K2Cxy7bkIyo5tEuqs26ug9sG9NkholBZNro-9qSqZIiE-Y21/s320/370037931_997115488019722_7137410389222345524_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I looked at the local lumber yards to see if they had them pre-made. They didn't. It was a special order. So I watched a ten minute video on Youtube. After that I was 50% sure I could do it. 16 ft. 2X12's are only $35. So I laid it out, marked it and began cutting. We brought it into the barn and held it up there. Perfect! Took it back outside and traced it over the other board and cut that one also. Nailed them in place and then put the stairs on them and Presto! Steps!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHG9bwSUzuiqDoiszosEFkIlTgeJ4m1wV-hnlw_sjgMRGvuErAeV74Y-TePKhtsBU92Sq4SxcG1E8pZMUe4ed_TY-eRyfKWIfiU7iGlr4pRssRDBlXP_4eNeh5gTnEzI9AfZL3KoPj_3WTwbkIrUziwskzoFdVFs0eJJWLgoEKGk467dijFgHCvP2jQETN/s2000/371129229_1043722206677615_7472473100383901199_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHG9bwSUzuiqDoiszosEFkIlTgeJ4m1wV-hnlw_sjgMRGvuErAeV74Y-TePKhtsBU92Sq4SxcG1E8pZMUe4ed_TY-eRyfKWIfiU7iGlr4pRssRDBlXP_4eNeh5gTnEzI9AfZL3KoPj_3WTwbkIrUziwskzoFdVFs0eJJWLgoEKGk467dijFgHCvP2jQETN/s320/371129229_1043722206677615_7472473100383901199_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That is where we are now. 4 weeks it took us to get to this point because at "Cripple Guy Construction" we work 2-6 hours a day, depending on if our arthritis, gout, hips, knees and all other joints, IBS, and ED aren't acting up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all a good night!</div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /><br /><br />MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-6296188049086300542023-10-15T08:15:00.001-07:002023-10-15T08:15:39.726-07:00Summer 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQzp0c789n3d91kV1fmf5a7cycBjPqWjLES9MyzmhLq_SwDe4EoCkyp3MEYfieoTf3hqK289kder7g32HuLNLCz4GdwJDw3qYj94y-NmhZuanR0SNSupFSJGents6LXExsOFp9WDOU2szD7nJfFBjnGLKvjqwXneeGB9RvTMjJH76gWMaapI6tyXaVuQZ/s2048/379559971_1981647758867142_5564107041882609735_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQzp0c789n3d91kV1fmf5a7cycBjPqWjLES9MyzmhLq_SwDe4EoCkyp3MEYfieoTf3hqK289kder7g32HuLNLCz4GdwJDw3qYj94y-NmhZuanR0SNSupFSJGents6LXExsOFp9WDOU2szD7nJfFBjnGLKvjqwXneeGB9RvTMjJH76gWMaapI6tyXaVuQZ/s320/379559971_1981647758867142_5564107041882609735_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Ahhhhhh........ What a grand and glorious morning. As I sit here at our table sipping my morning coffee, I pause and look up at the calendar. To my shock and bewilderment, I see that it is October 15th.<p></p><p>"Lisa! Lisa!" I yell. I look over at her and she looks like she was just run over by a truck.</p><p>"What happened to me? Was I in a coma for the last 5 months? Tell me woman! And what happened to you? Did you fall off a horse and get dragged for a mile?" I asked. So many questions racing through my head.</p><p>"What happened to September? August? July? June? May?!" My mind reeling out of control.</p><p>All she could muster was a faint whisper that said, "You had this bright idea of owning a food trailer, dumbass."</p><p>Well she never really said dumbass, but I could see it in her eyes.</p><p>So, here we are. Our last and final event for the summer is in the books now. After the dust has settled we ended up doing 92 events this summer. Not bad considering that this was our first year owning and operating a food trailer. For those that need to catch up about our food trailer they can do so by clicking this link here. <a href="http://mndrifters.blogspot.com/2023/06/thelearning-curve.html" target="_blank">The Learning Curve</a></p><p>This past summer went by so fast. Moving from one event to the next. It all is such a blur. As I said in our last blog, we have learned a ton of what to do and what not to do. Like one of my life's motto says. "Work smarter, not harder". Next year we will definitely put that to work for us. Another one of my motto's is to "Adapt, improvise and overcome". From the way we started this season to the way we ended proves that we have done that.</p><p>It doesn't really sound that bad until you really delve into the numbers. Like working 92 days out of around 150. But those numbers really don't take into consideration the amount of prep work before the events. The number of days when we didn't work but we ended up driving to Fargo (an hour each way) to get supplies. Also the amount of time it took to clean up after the events. Pots and pans don't clean themselves you know. Never in our wildest dreams had we ever thought that owning a food trailer would be so much work. Don't get me wrong. It has its pros and cons, like anything.</p><p>We have met many new people in our little food trailer community here that we never would have before. Simply because we ended up working so many of the same events together. We don't consider ourselves competition like so many other types of businesses do. But rather the more there are the better the business for each of us. Except on a few occasions where we went to an event thinking that there would be other trailers there and there weren't. Then we get all of the business and sell out and then pass out. </p><p>We really enjoyed the positive feedback on our food. So many people have said that they are surprised that that came out of a food trailer and just how much they loved what we were serving. That really makes up for some of the hard work that is involved in doing it all. I am proud to say that I think our quality of food always remained on the same level as from when we started, all the way up until our final day.</p><p>So out of the entire summer I would have to say that we had maybe 10 days off that we didn't have to do anything at all for an event or what we refer to as doing trailer stuff. </p><p>Some more numbers for you. We had 2,596 transactions. It seemed like a million. 1520 sandwiches. Again, it seemed like a million. 919 bowls of soup. That's 11,028 ounces of soup or 86 gallons of soup. When you add in the 8 oz. cups of soup, the numbers go even higher. 321 cups of soup for 2,568 ounces or another 20 gallons. I only include those soup numbers because Harry and Jim would text me daily wondering how much soup we sold. I never get a break from them.</p><p>That is pretty much our summer in as nutshell. Now we can put that trailer away until spring and concentrate on other things. We still have a house to finish and we want to start an addition on to it. Maybe i can talk Lisa into a vacation also. Maybe there is a soup seminar in Vegas or something. Then we could write it off. </p><p>I want to thank all of our family and friends who helped and supported us on this crazy ride.</p><p>Until next time.</p><p><br /></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-18595704803668653342023-06-28T08:01:00.001-07:002023-06-28T08:01:23.677-07:00The Learning Curve<p>This is unedited because my editor is too busy to edit it. So I take all responsibility for mis-spelled word and grammatical errors.</p><p> Flashback if you will.</p><p>1978</p><p>A dusty little farm town named "Harwood" in eastern North Dakota. Population, maybe 100 on a good day. A town like so many in North Dakota. It consisted of a grain elevator, post office, a gas station for interstate travelers and a bar. As time started to abandon this little town, an entrepreneur from the nearby mega-tropolis of Fargo eyed a business venture he couldn't pass up. The 'bar". It was quite large for a small town and in his eyes it had possibilities. This entrepreneur was my father, Joseph. He was no stranger to the bar business having owned a few before. So he bought it. It was called "The Harwood Hideout". </p><p>Ahead of his time, he breathed new life back into that bar. He brought entertainment out to that dusty little farm town on weekends. He created amateur shows highlighting area talent. Comedy shows to make people laugh. Word started to spread in the mega-tropolis of Fargo about a little bar in a dusty little farm town. People started to show up, weekend after weekend, bringing much needed life back into this dusty little farm town. </p><p>How does this affect me you might ask? I mean I was probably 14 at the time. Let me tell you how. My father, the entrepreneur, decided to put a little food trailer in the parking lot of that little bar in the middle of the summer. It was a hot, dusty summer. So hot and so dusty. His idea was to have his three children work the stand selling hotdogs, popcorn, snow cones and cotton candy. Something for the younger people in town to enjoy. It started with three. Soon my brother bailed out, then my sister bailed out. All that was left was me. Sitting in a little food trailer in the middle of a little dusty farm town, sweating profusely all day long. Eating hotdogs, popcorn, snow cones and cotton candy. There were no profits for my father because if I was lucky and I mean really lucky, I would get one or two town kids to come over and spend a buck or two.</p><p>Why do I relate this all to you, you are probably wondering? Well I, or should I say we, to include my beautiful wife Lisa, find ourselves sitting in a little food trailer in the middle of summer, sweating our "you know whats off" in a small little town in western Minnesota. It really went full circle on that one.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoPJg9uyJpHveq2EgEPtZ7jJ-N3v2ngBHyWjxKgrYCAhaawkgfcP3X7Qvm0NpSoINhl3-ytz3UD5PBdasTMoEFqr3eDWY_RTCaQ1ckjq38o0EK8caD25DivnsXqgvqOr_DYzlJIrqxi3RjbLEZKXqVPLl5Dmev9QhS98YFvfgqC1rFCVExCFfhc-ysNx4/s2048/355966973_803211921181060_6804475088522347154_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoPJg9uyJpHveq2EgEPtZ7jJ-N3v2ngBHyWjxKgrYCAhaawkgfcP3X7Qvm0NpSoINhl3-ytz3UD5PBdasTMoEFqr3eDWY_RTCaQ1ckjq38o0EK8caD25DivnsXqgvqOr_DYzlJIrqxi3RjbLEZKXqVPLl5Dmev9QhS98YFvfgqC1rFCVExCFfhc-ysNx4/s320/355966973_803211921181060_6804475088522347154_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the Kirkbride for a concert.</div><p></p><p>Could I say that owning a food trailer of my own has been a childhood dream of mine? I don't think so. I never really thought about it until we found ourselves sitting for hours waiting and waiting for a customer to show up, and we had nothing on our hands but time to sort through old memories. Then "WHAM"! An old memory slaps you in the side of the face like Will Smith and then you realize that you have done this before.</p><p>We are smack dab into the middle of summer here now. Our food trailer has been up and running now for two months and we are definitely muddling our way through this. We have a ton of events scheduled and it is getting busy for sure. We are learning valuable lessons every single day and learning a lot from them also. One such lesson would be not to leave a container of soup on the counter when you load up the trailer and head home. All you are going to find is a floor full of soup when you get home. Lesson duly noted.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyN8tbkE9pt6z9aXVpyuCacF8WCDmj_q6kJRkV-LaCNTygWpQt7kzYZOMALjll_5dLrrlneTmOntZ5KJkW3jubAUSQ6NxWITSbsPLUGZg0_bubbID9aUfHr85RkfHi4JMFXkHRBWik9C6Ijn_UkRDOm37tt5CEQnvf9zwHZbBs83Onpb0lryCa4dYx_v6r/s2048/355796925_1387480845165244_2962605593749047236_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyN8tbkE9pt6z9aXVpyuCacF8WCDmj_q6kJRkV-LaCNTygWpQt7kzYZOMALjll_5dLrrlneTmOntZ5KJkW3jubAUSQ6NxWITSbsPLUGZg0_bubbID9aUfHr85RkfHi4JMFXkHRBWik9C6Ijn_UkRDOm37tt5CEQnvf9zwHZbBs83Onpb0lryCa4dYx_v6r/s320/355796925_1387480845165244_2962605593749047236_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Disgruntled Brewing.</div><p></p><p>Another lesson would be after a long day of slinging soup. You are tired and may forget things. Such as this example. When we are done and we have unsold soup in the warmers, we have to get them home to get them cooled down and refrigerated so that they can be re-used. Now it is very important not to forget about them until morning. Because at that point they are wasted and have to be thrown out. Another lesson learned.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRquvclse3F2UrZGB1_5qCEr193eFvvWTBRH9lcmn87MvmDe9NSAjErjzkxlJsP3z3DXGo8e09jluEkmvyfUYNPRj_IsvESQb4UqRrQL_Sd1rp51NsscT6QlirJ2tFRvBhtDYnvM9uL-VngCDvXBrI0QZflJ0VvPAQdSa0Dmxm8bPwAolEKbiYXDVdHpX/s2048/356158162_784285839862139_8121148223307321768_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRquvclse3F2UrZGB1_5qCEr193eFvvWTBRH9lcmn87MvmDe9NSAjErjzkxlJsP3z3DXGo8e09jluEkmvyfUYNPRj_IsvESQb4UqRrQL_Sd1rp51NsscT6QlirJ2tFRvBhtDYnvM9uL-VngCDvXBrI0QZflJ0VvPAQdSa0Dmxm8bPwAolEKbiYXDVdHpX/s320/356158162_784285839862139_8121148223307321768_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At Fergus Brewing Co.</div><p></p><p>I think we are on lesson 387 right now. I will give just one more example because I could go on and on. We use a food service for many things. Our problem is that we have to order a certain amount from them in order for them to make a delivery. In our case, it is 16 cases of merchandise. So we placed an order. We picked it up and put it away in our trailer. We have two refrigerators and one freezer. They were stuffed full. As fate would have it, we had a power outage while we slept. We knew that because in the morning our clocks were flashing. Well the power came on so we didn't think anything of it until later on in the morning Lisa went out to the barn and the trailer was off. The outage tripped the circuit breaker to the trailer unbeknownst to us. We figured that the power was out for at least 8 hours and our refrigerator temps got into the 50's wrecking the food in there. The freezer was still okay. We figured we lost about a thousand dollars worth of food. What did we learn. One, not to order so much food. We have found a different food service that will let us pick up small orders. Number two, always check the circuit breaker after any power outage. Just because the power comes on doesn't mean the trailer comes back on.</p><p>One of our biggest problems is figuring out the food situation. Every event is different. We don't serve the same food at every event. We are not a corn dog stand and serve corn dogs every time. Our menu changes daily and from event to event. As we go to some places repeatedly we are getting that under control. Also we are learning which events are keepers and which ones we will have to let go next year, and which events we will try harder and earlier to get into. Like the title of the blog. The learning curve.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaikoNh0BLdOPHENjr4YBDdc5GKmZbWH4CxVqjWmSRt55G3inQ4IKTrwWY06govZrzEujkMKLDeAkcgn2VWZ8YOoeif3214vEG_a7ht1VYKCgx2FwMupepAEPGV_CbdWB5tnVotWl71b8OylG2ZWFaqEfZykSpOnoXw45FibulWhWQd1PGUeiN_vD6zOOZ/s2048/355832957_1321228588800444_7027853895132648899_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaikoNh0BLdOPHENjr4YBDdc5GKmZbWH4CxVqjWmSRt55G3inQ4IKTrwWY06govZrzEujkMKLDeAkcgn2VWZ8YOoeif3214vEG_a7ht1VYKCgx2FwMupepAEPGV_CbdWB5tnVotWl71b8OylG2ZWFaqEfZykSpOnoXw45FibulWhWQd1PGUeiN_vD6zOOZ/s320/355832957_1321228588800444_7027853895132648899_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The 1910 Sip House.</div><p></p><p>One of our best sellers is a sandwich we created. We do a lot of breweries and as we talked to them they thought that "men" wouldn't want soups or pasta salads. So we developed our own Research and Development lab of The Lone Pine Soup Co. There we look for new food concepts and then we test them out on friends and family. Our Guinea pigs as we lovingly call them behind their backs. I wanted to serve a creative hot dog. What we came up with is what we call the "Cheesy Sasquatch". Now I can't go into the specifics because of trademark laws, but it has become one of our biggest sellers. I will just say that it is a hot dog wrapped in cheese, ham, onion on Italian bread and then grilled on a Panini machine. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2diTj2qZCWe0GjG6tvPAyO5uIARV9Uwec-4JD1FE4YjtgWwwt13uysIq2vDzS3YaQRk96HVG5ol-s1dffMPGEYaEbh33FapGK565ftU_xgpCvWA1mULzKfLWH0xOqFvMPf624RRFFka4TchuSfAeNH5sywF40hqstwFB75kcmfpIZO8h20VhQtXfv1Ys/s2048/355781589_1448484319320249_468356757964679153_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2diTj2qZCWe0GjG6tvPAyO5uIARV9Uwec-4JD1FE4YjtgWwwt13uysIq2vDzS3YaQRk96HVG5ol-s1dffMPGEYaEbh33FapGK565ftU_xgpCvWA1mULzKfLWH0xOqFvMPf624RRFFka4TchuSfAeNH5sywF40hqstwFB75kcmfpIZO8h20VhQtXfv1Ys/s320/355781589_1448484319320249_468356757964679153_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our location downtown Fergus Falls.</div><p></p><p>Lisa is the CEO of the Lone Pine Soup Co. She is the head of this world wide conglomerate. She is the problem solver and the main person that books all events across the country. Other hats she wears are Chief Chef, Cook and Over Thinker. My titles are CFO, Delivery Driver and one that I didn't know about when I signed onto this company and that one is, drum roll please.........Head Dishwasher. As a bonus, I get my own sinks and all of the dish soap I need. </p><p>Like I said before we are so busy now. Summer will be gone before we know it and in the winter we may have a turn key business for sale. JK. </p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-6763109245662365902023-05-31T16:42:00.000-07:002023-05-31T16:42:35.158-07:00Jethro and Bambi, Need I say More??"Tango! Did I tell you that Jethro and Bambi are coming to visit?" Glady's said.<div>"What! We just saw them! Wasn't it just last year? Well call the beer store and tell them I'm coming".</div><div><br /></div><div>Sure enough, our trail camera that is hidden near our driveway caught this image.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTqTyEZG-vhQbnrEVnHituM8MBaaezO-I2L8jh-nkUgkVtOWhlDBm0iicVACEEP6LYb3hOd_s2JEB6fdYLp7i7dTdN-FjWR_jY43sdLQ5dg9OD3OAbaT9xAj0yVVzPYttnkfOfiCM1F2B2uVMceesbLrUh6Qt24vIoYb0jjcxcewmZTeWCOAwl6gGaQ/s640/345088448_579057077693778_3085255732254661641_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTqTyEZG-vhQbnrEVnHituM8MBaaezO-I2L8jh-nkUgkVtOWhlDBm0iicVACEEP6LYb3hOd_s2JEB6fdYLp7i7dTdN-FjWR_jY43sdLQ5dg9OD3OAbaT9xAj0yVVzPYttnkfOfiCM1F2B2uVMceesbLrUh6Qt24vIoYb0jjcxcewmZTeWCOAwl6gGaQ/s320/345088448_579057077693778_3085255732254661641_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Please pay close attention to his mirrors. Jethro swings their rig into our yard and I jump out of my chair to show him where to park. I'm standing there waving my arms frantically in the air as he nearly takes out the side of my daughters new car. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Stop!" I yell. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He says "I can't see you in my mirrors!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Don't they flip up?" I said.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"No".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well we got him parked and then hugs and handshakes all around. Jim has the handshake of a used car salesman and then he wraps his other arm around you. Instinctively a grab for my wallet. Now Bambi on the other hand. When Bambi hugs you, you know you've been hugged. She just kind of melts into you. It really gets your juices flowing if you know what I mean. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They got settled in and we immediately started to get caught up. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgYZDXCP5-XJUkNeWJcgfvjZRvybbxMEeugavT-V2_ZPJ30IVX1gzaGmtOF4RMNg21b2B7CXa8UCCzgfjAl5NpwjWfmbYurpk4rlzaMSA-SRgwn0w6tdXQaddTjBbVYr9mfPnzNCcIGZ_NU4uzwkVk4IFr7-eDgSFVmhYjbB0lT680u2GrUoPjgaLbQ/s989/344792108_816007486614751_7902018870939097981_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="989" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgYZDXCP5-XJUkNeWJcgfvjZRvybbxMEeugavT-V2_ZPJ30IVX1gzaGmtOF4RMNg21b2B7CXa8UCCzgfjAl5NpwjWfmbYurpk4rlzaMSA-SRgwn0w6tdXQaddTjBbVYr9mfPnzNCcIGZ_NU4uzwkVk4IFr7-eDgSFVmhYjbB0lT680u2GrUoPjgaLbQ/s320/344792108_816007486614751_7902018870939097981_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jethro was showing us his bottle of Fireball. He was so proud of it. You would have thought that that was his first born or something. He said "Yuck, this here there bottle was full when I left the farm this morning. I'm glad the drive wasn't any longer cuz then I would have had to open another while driving which is dog gone dangerous. Yes sirree Bob."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They brought the dogs with, of course.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtfdrlgqM1rk1B3q8FlEmM1nNgoN9iyGbOvfOSzgvQjryVw5zkaTIX8eCe9c91UL_poBkWm7YJkAr_0uGJ5nZZ_0hqVB7qv_W8DcO5mGvDU6vTbXe3hM6SYJRtGFVTPXuNtq7JL6vPcPZROS1gZSX6Dbwo2QvC1s15giqUMX7nqeyaImp_Y7PE4oeVg/s2048/343460165_2509587259193545_1553521111888117912_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtfdrlgqM1rk1B3q8FlEmM1nNgoN9iyGbOvfOSzgvQjryVw5zkaTIX8eCe9c91UL_poBkWm7YJkAr_0uGJ5nZZ_0hqVB7qv_W8DcO5mGvDU6vTbXe3hM6SYJRtGFVTPXuNtq7JL6vPcPZROS1gZSX6Dbwo2QvC1s15giqUMX7nqeyaImp_Y7PE4oeVg/s320/343460165_2509587259193545_1553521111888117912_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dakota was not all that impressed. I think she was just thankful to be out of the truck.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtqHlhRVraOssFsa5NUDqeCnLTSqFpgiHyGWzGZlIQs4eqfCz8kTPr3kCgNWOyXCts5ysR9Gu9FOwj0CJIh6-H4eA1fD0qAwAt0Dh-ZY2abCqlU1v-us6jBQDNqlqg1BQgGgsXVDng0q5mArkXcrJAgmreM2zQj0ijuEy-Pgn7md2Q31EHhgAuWp1ew/s2048/343547842_924559848836650_4632757649805109399_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtqHlhRVraOssFsa5NUDqeCnLTSqFpgiHyGWzGZlIQs4eqfCz8kTPr3kCgNWOyXCts5ysR9Gu9FOwj0CJIh6-H4eA1fD0qAwAt0Dh-ZY2abCqlU1v-us6jBQDNqlqg1BQgGgsXVDng0q5mArkXcrJAgmreM2zQj0ijuEy-Pgn7md2Q31EHhgAuWp1ew/s320/343547842_924559848836650_4632757649805109399_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Zoey, I said to Jethro she is starting to look like him more and more each day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bambi was all bubbly with excitement. "Glady's! Tango! I went 'on-the-line' and bought a fancy picture taking device. They said that if I hold it up to my face like this<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZSCf1vxp5EbzVsKYDU4kupepwPVIHlEoZerxyF97w0nwHdar-gM89caNEIp1ctNvztlqcqnOWt8O6bjVY8fRYkWG_q-nCWU8omxzfS0NKs2qk3UsaAUtCYUYAk5hqAL-Ih8TgOMwl3t0t-ftsHax1JEU3QzsGAALEpbqTarlnThV5ewfLcC4Nustdw/s2048/343718001_216530251150273_3632550444065127312_n%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZSCf1vxp5EbzVsKYDU4kupepwPVIHlEoZerxyF97w0nwHdar-gM89caNEIp1ctNvztlqcqnOWt8O6bjVY8fRYkWG_q-nCWU8omxzfS0NKs2qk3UsaAUtCYUYAk5hqAL-Ih8TgOMwl3t0t-ftsHax1JEU3QzsGAALEpbqTarlnThV5ewfLcC4Nustdw/s320/343718001_216530251150273_3632550444065127312_n%20(1).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can take pictures of people and flowers and bugs and save them forever. Wait, it's not working." Bambi said.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Tarnation's woman, let me see that gosh darn contraption. Your not doing it right."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRNx_a18nD9WNBIUzjDKs_6JrDritm3vCe3AM1jugoUNmkcgjSLPFVlViZDrn0jcAvzokfIr3t2K40tssXcFq3oYKpW7hy5XXmtjfRhe07KMRbAmfDN9rSQVtd-3mbyd9gLKhUBUrxD7PRjLHHaXnJot3OTozXvOAj8FoeEMvhJlBWoOwhU8lNncPOg/s2048/343765103_272116978704673_8642748846356106565_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRNx_a18nD9WNBIUzjDKs_6JrDritm3vCe3AM1jugoUNmkcgjSLPFVlViZDrn0jcAvzokfIr3t2K40tssXcFq3oYKpW7hy5XXmtjfRhe07KMRbAmfDN9rSQVtd-3mbyd9gLKhUBUrxD7PRjLHHaXnJot3OTozXvOAj8FoeEMvhJlBWoOwhU8lNncPOg/s320/343765103_272116978704673_8642748846356106565_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Hey! I can't see anything!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SQw2XU87swHbn4Jsn2QhZbXXaBh4kpNQ3HPhNkc2Xu7WBm_v4e5RrRTNShSSU_5Cyfx1cGfC4IB6PWzCWAJVtqltIZ1Ozd_ZzYfaP3qYeBy0liwgNwJaDT-g7nokGkH2em0UUTU-hIIpynTWELMxP2YOUUGmHO_DX9e98dbDJvnc0kWj3M4lsax4dg/s2048/345011238_221316500678133_1283984900169272034_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SQw2XU87swHbn4Jsn2QhZbXXaBh4kpNQ3HPhNkc2Xu7WBm_v4e5RrRTNShSSU_5Cyfx1cGfC4IB6PWzCWAJVtqltIZ1Ozd_ZzYfaP3qYeBy0liwgNwJaDT-g7nokGkH2em0UUTU-hIIpynTWELMxP2YOUUGmHO_DX9e98dbDJvnc0kWj3M4lsax4dg/s320/345011238_221316500678133_1283984900169272034_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"I'm going to take a picture of my foot. People like feet."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Jethro! Let me see it." I said.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGKeVR4E-rWRu2XbrGWVt2kCtQrFLWNwklVeg6oQ1-N1t3G6NELE9NuhCMt5dCGNrkqW_hPeLO9laA1GJucKKRYbY55dwYiN802hNMet3L3O3qJxkP58OodTP885C1slQ0M_twjqxm8Vd4mQCgIemzzfuyUOjYenFmWWbX9HI1PzwwwUGeSdjw4im9w/s2048/344711213_754652829688945_5505044225442216538_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGKeVR4E-rWRu2XbrGWVt2kCtQrFLWNwklVeg6oQ1-N1t3G6NELE9NuhCMt5dCGNrkqW_hPeLO9laA1GJucKKRYbY55dwYiN802hNMet3L3O3qJxkP58OodTP885C1slQ0M_twjqxm8Vd4mQCgIemzzfuyUOjYenFmWWbX9HI1PzwwwUGeSdjw4im9w/s320/344711213_754652829688945_5505044225442216538_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Works fine."</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"So Jethro, that's a Ram 3500 truck, right?"</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Yep."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Did you know the mirrors swing up?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Nope."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"How long have you owned it?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"A year or so I reckon."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Follow me."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vC4F4vi2DHIrTO8eC3boUA6FD1TLJEHrtKTkt53vQZtxISndmP0UOasrnhHDczZyble86u3b2kej0HudZyi2gKBw7pM-Sd6u9zpZRuPGSUUXPrMPnt9_bMxzTMxb7infy1OYJjub-LCEt3QqgoVKh-k0Oyr-ikVAoEnpZS90gOg3nk71ZwNZvN2s1w/s2048/343399059_777618230758441_4168149919449374466_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vC4F4vi2DHIrTO8eC3boUA6FD1TLJEHrtKTkt53vQZtxISndmP0UOasrnhHDczZyble86u3b2kej0HudZyi2gKBw7pM-Sd6u9zpZRuPGSUUXPrMPnt9_bMxzTMxb7infy1OYJjub-LCEt3QqgoVKh-k0Oyr-ikVAoEnpZS90gOg3nk71ZwNZvN2s1w/s320/343399059_777618230758441_4168149919449374466_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Down.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPYR6sR2BM-orXfvexn5-emRypbiD0ip5z2x46uxJubzMVvPpsl-CtvmO6tFJDFeF919L60Wj3iXE7SYU_sbKUoHstb359v5O3KzbQkWnUNmYnHjTW690zlp_VSPG8Q_7mXR_rvqCuRv458LXx-UoBmwr7qU-i8SZAiy6dTllZyMqc-RP0kvu9APbqw/s2048/343735729_763913341875427_8955846364880231956_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPYR6sR2BM-orXfvexn5-emRypbiD0ip5z2x46uxJubzMVvPpsl-CtvmO6tFJDFeF919L60Wj3iXE7SYU_sbKUoHstb359v5O3KzbQkWnUNmYnHjTW690zlp_VSPG8Q_7mXR_rvqCuRv458LXx-UoBmwr7qU-i8SZAiy6dTllZyMqc-RP0kvu9APbqw/s320/343735729_763913341875427_8955846364880231956_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Up.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"So you have been driving around for over a year on many excursions and never knew your mirror extended?" I said.</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Nope."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well I looked back through last year's blog posts and sure enough.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEW2hyXkFQkgjvRbXYlF4dHmwtNaZxDaAQ7jcQkcoZPoqgqJ1IQtP3fK-mnQA0N2ndm8-lWfJ0FhMed_ndJgK-7XfIcEXf5IVX7RLhUaPtyrF6K6pjPa4Pw7FwijoguJEmXAQRCzYTbaBIGWguScvYOoi-nxyy3bARUTnXmEnV6i4osLs18hYHGhnpUw/s1448/20220720_161746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="1448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEW2hyXkFQkgjvRbXYlF4dHmwtNaZxDaAQ7jcQkcoZPoqgqJ1IQtP3fK-mnQA0N2ndm8-lWfJ0FhMed_ndJgK-7XfIcEXf5IVX7RLhUaPtyrF6K6pjPa4Pw7FwijoguJEmXAQRCzYTbaBIGWguScvYOoi-nxyy3bARUTnXmEnV6i4osLs18hYHGhnpUw/s320/20220720_161746.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHQ6o2QejaaJH5O829qKn_FlOMEF0HkqBI5JadkQM6RBLegamWx4JOElmHiAFu5l5AUsu4I2U1h0o1M2nQ9wC3AW8cwR_kOiMfx53J9I2dJN7yvHgHG6U89949wAuPi9jcmboC_Q7on6kPeWfABymzffGVQ7T1ZKkeJVP4-luZVHMyGD9wNH2ZNTNnQ/s4624/20220620_154352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="4624" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHQ6o2QejaaJH5O829qKn_FlOMEF0HkqBI5JadkQM6RBLegamWx4JOElmHiAFu5l5AUsu4I2U1h0o1M2nQ9wC3AW8cwR_kOiMfx53J9I2dJN7yvHgHG6U89949wAuPi9jcmboC_Q7on6kPeWfABymzffGVQ7T1ZKkeJVP4-luZVHMyGD9wNH2ZNTNnQ/s320/20220620_154352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMAfnc99S3ECWltiD07qY9SlStoPR1deqMHn6P95vLq4cvBxbRY7oWsqrrL3kIkNQIeQZH2J_oJTQVa1udYDFCwKaRLQGmgMFums_b2RzNGu2sI8tt58a_f9lH2DK3mxj7zkekXLERcEvmraxViLPHFmo4aiO49sFvHKLeDvwYNkY8Q4W-1Bfuwi8ug/s1448/20220719_142411%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="1448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMAfnc99S3ECWltiD07qY9SlStoPR1deqMHn6P95vLq4cvBxbRY7oWsqrrL3kIkNQIeQZH2J_oJTQVa1udYDFCwKaRLQGmgMFums_b2RzNGu2sI8tt58a_f9lH2DK3mxj7zkekXLERcEvmraxViLPHFmo4aiO49sFvHKLeDvwYNkY8Q4W-1Bfuwi8ug/s320/20220719_142411%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jethro got quite a lot of Fireball in him and started to serenade us with one of his quaint little folk songs.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxBOhHC5Xj2mni9erVcc8HccRTm7t2mVscFVYtSnf6Ra_IQtsrvpNF-lyFJaiKjIE-1MR-sX38VFWDwpNRzAA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not that familiar with Appalachian folk songs but that really didn't sound like one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I said to Jethro, no more beer? He said he now prefers the Fireball. I guess that fridge full of beer is mine then. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And just as the Fireball was all gone, Jethro and Bambi were all gone. I asked him how far he had to travel that day? "Just a half bottles worth" he said. I guess that is his unit of time and distance now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was fun seeing them and as always sad when they go. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeU5fYEQWIYHmYkqprKBg2nHuzQPoi83tJSFVSfC9KKrZim5cTJWM5AaHieU7q2IQbLNVQl3jryBd3a4aizEW3E3iljuaa6S_GlhuvxRmNvVq5wV3b7nFy2V1ew5MtHRYzB1CmBqKN0vIn7b3bBHhy9fkUFwySVlC-nDZ7h1V8lZW8eQ7h6WvMRybKQ/s2048/343559606_1860039454376320_5768535385625409254_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeU5fYEQWIYHmYkqprKBg2nHuzQPoi83tJSFVSfC9KKrZim5cTJWM5AaHieU7q2IQbLNVQl3jryBd3a4aizEW3E3iljuaa6S_GlhuvxRmNvVq5wV3b7nFy2V1ew5MtHRYzB1CmBqKN0vIn7b3bBHhy9fkUFwySVlC-nDZ7h1V8lZW8eQ7h6WvMRybKQ/s320/343559606_1860039454376320_5768535385625409254_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One more thing. See those little black bags on his bumper. They have dog poops in them. I was impressed that they were picking them up, until after they left and I found them all along our driveway and on the road into town. I can just hear him giggling now.</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-12552463995064276642023-04-15T12:33:00.003-07:002023-04-16T07:56:50.733-07:00So Close We can Taste it<p> The SS Soup Trailer has left dry dock and is sailing full steam ahead to a port near you. (I don't know why I am talking all nautical because I have never been in the Navy). Anyways, we have passed our final inspection. We are legal and are getting anxious to get out there and start slinging soup. In fact we received our first food order from the food distributor just the other day. We also got our POS system up and running so that we will be able to take most forms of payment. However, and this is for the South Dakotans, we will not accept goats as payment, nor chickens.</p><p>Our first official gig will be April 29th at the 1910 Sip House in Battle Lake, Minnesota. There will be live music, awesome ciders to drink and of course our yummy foods. We are looking forward to this as we have been working for months to make this happen. So like the title says, "So close we can taste it."</p><p>We launched our Facebook page recently. Lone Pine Soup Co. if you want to follow us. We got a huge response from that in just days. The local paper saw it and wanted to interview us. Nothing wrong with free publicity.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuz5Z-9bCSK0SiYHEx6FscAvLef4izi6l4QVXsmCn_UF0ifHt9SUtHmFprMeiEFQmBKXuO8fV5mEaruSsZArljkunKGbAoJeDKILvhr6OCTaVMtmHV_IHFw-wT8OXo_FjojMuu6zsGh04WSJo1JCvmc-d1lOolzEWHWUGxd03ehLx7orWLpkONainaQ/s2048/339163520_1870408146685347_7164663317140970166_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuz5Z-9bCSK0SiYHEx6FscAvLef4izi6l4QVXsmCn_UF0ifHt9SUtHmFprMeiEFQmBKXuO8fV5mEaruSsZArljkunKGbAoJeDKILvhr6OCTaVMtmHV_IHFw-wT8OXo_FjojMuu6zsGh04WSJo1JCvmc-d1lOolzEWHWUGxd03ehLx7orWLpkONainaQ/s320/339163520_1870408146685347_7164663317140970166_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Lisa has been working hard at perfecting her recipes and booking gigs for us. As of this blog post we have over 55 gigs booked. Plus more opportunities to do pop up events. So I think we will be busy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaZQ3OuBBKK3t81yEmIDEJQjC1FraDg23yPFNfeE05Df65uBNFmBPvf1fyb5t12VIu22xa_i2X2nJYW3gaeJRtbmXSsUQSNJcj4ivZA5duIlGeARwkd4L2Zhlxz8n66L0bhFX6Qie4-Hm0ivBWpUspvf67XVD6WQKPbwPABguSuz1UZZ9yj4btkUtQw/s2048/339939688_518776263591703_960981141194057599_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="2048" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaZQ3OuBBKK3t81yEmIDEJQjC1FraDg23yPFNfeE05Df65uBNFmBPvf1fyb5t12VIu22xa_i2X2nJYW3gaeJRtbmXSsUQSNJcj4ivZA5duIlGeARwkd4L2Zhlxz8n66L0bhFX6Qie4-Hm0ivBWpUspvf67XVD6WQKPbwPABguSuz1UZZ9yj4btkUtQw/s320/339939688_518776263591703_960981141194057599_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lisa in Soup Central taking care of business.</div><br /><p></p><p>I would like to also share something else that was "So close you could taste it". I am not making this up either. We went to Sam's club in Fargo to join. Feeling like there are things there that we could use. So we are standing in line behind a woman leaning against her shopping cart. Lisa and I are talking amongst ourselves waiting our turn when I think I hear a fart. Very faint. So faint that Lisa didn't hear it because she just kept talking. Then right after that the lady let out another one. She was not holding back for the second one. It was loud and lasted about 10 seconds. (Count to 10, that's a long time for a fart. Gross.) It was like OMG! Lady, do you not see us standing behind you? WTH? She just carried on as if it was perfectly normal to crap your pants in line at Sam's club. We both looked at each other, took 10 steps back and just shook our heads. Honestly.</p><p>Something else on a more personal note. I have not worn pants for months. I know that may shock some people and to some others it doesn't. To be more specific, I have not worn my jeans since before my hip surgery. Until today. It's like some of those unexplainable things that happen in the universe. Like why does one sock disappear in the dryer? Or why do they keep making Fast and Furious movies? Why do your jeans shrink after you have been wearing sweatpants for months? Some things we will never be able to explain.</p><p>Next post will be after an event so stay tuned.</p><p><br /></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-89866339741610670132023-03-27T07:29:00.000-07:002023-03-27T07:29:02.249-07:00Full Steam Ahead<p> Our new venture is going full steam ahead. We are busy purchasing equipment and supplies having inspections and just the many other things that are involved with the starting of a business in "The Peoples Republic of Minnesota". Hush money has been paid, palms have been greased. (I am just kidding. That last statement was put in for comedic value, even though I think it is a home run, others may be offended.)</p><p>Deliveries are many. I have a secret game camera set up on our driveway to take pictures of trespassers here at the SSUVFL. It then sends me pictures over the cellular airwaves so that i know who is coming and going. One day Lisa came home to this.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8FYkbQ1ohQI_4AOgpfS24nO53euSftvJx0i5J993b8d2oYC7VdO0Rj0-VPEQWBP8ra3H70Y2RBqDgsFB6Xa16Te_lnfsRuypGpxXhv9zp0rW96TNNQDUOMQTrpT6WgSUhbeCyddrZlOBo8wJbvrpCHXlSPAuis1JmSqKPQyn9bNiDOFpCOHro2_YgA/s2048/337067468_518382970467933_7455492726313172468_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8FYkbQ1ohQI_4AOgpfS24nO53euSftvJx0i5J993b8d2oYC7VdO0Rj0-VPEQWBP8ra3H70Y2RBqDgsFB6Xa16Te_lnfsRuypGpxXhv9zp0rW96TNNQDUOMQTrpT6WgSUhbeCyddrZlOBo8wJbvrpCHXlSPAuis1JmSqKPQyn9bNiDOFpCOHro2_YgA/s320/337067468_518382970467933_7455492726313172468_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After checking the images sent by the camera we had Amazon, UPS and FedEx all delivered in one day. It's great that the service is so good but things are starting to melt here and those trucks are making a mess of our gravel driveway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have gotten the graphics put on the trailer and it sure came out nice. The black really pops on that orange trailer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjU8NtVrvPUNkEyZL8t-5whEZgq8ygySQnd1sk4X2ZIV2gDlJ3z3Ow5HiQi3r8hOwBL8pZFsZLBNgYCIToeVDxpxPVuWjl_yRSfiP0PCWnWP4TVh9kP3v7yx37lYu8UZOHSDolBAosRIkuY1oJ59oBqLNfUWJNNMjcJtYdEWzc6XxJ7KZQtISy-xs6aw/s2048/334261711_600516132127460_4298231916584190923_n%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjU8NtVrvPUNkEyZL8t-5whEZgq8ygySQnd1sk4X2ZIV2gDlJ3z3Ow5HiQi3r8hOwBL8pZFsZLBNgYCIToeVDxpxPVuWjl_yRSfiP0PCWnWP4TVh9kP3v7yx37lYu8UZOHSDolBAosRIkuY1oJ59oBqLNfUWJNNMjcJtYdEWzc6XxJ7KZQtISy-xs6aw/s320/334261711_600516132127460_4298231916584190923_n%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That picture was taken March 26th and as you can see we have a lot of snow still on the ground. They predict that the snow will be around well into the later part of April. Any other year we wouldn't think much of it but we are booking gigs starting in April and we are hoping that it isn't a big muddy mess.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other day when I went into town, I crossed the bridge near our house and there was a dead raccoon that somebody ran over. The reason I mention that is that we have a raccoon that visits our bird feeders quite regularly. It is fun to watch as he works to clean it out. Wearing the mask makes him look even more diabolical. I often see him on the game camera.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiB8tFpCc1ck0QCLYblISd9Q5tVRvuEGtQXNHIsLrt2hXqHnd0exaNmjBNAqqMCuGj0achHr_ktkReJSPyOj0pD1E__mLNzDWUYmyq-SJeIdg8mH0igIGhp5c15-ts2uQPPFnM4DS4EsyYiEu_ZotcZS5s6dKv5t0ssEulxYgLXhtMOJVj9fZN7CHfA/s638/334570892_604586334868527_281381380581324752_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="638" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiB8tFpCc1ck0QCLYblISd9Q5tVRvuEGtQXNHIsLrt2hXqHnd0exaNmjBNAqqMCuGj0achHr_ktkReJSPyOj0pD1E__mLNzDWUYmyq-SJeIdg8mH0igIGhp5c15-ts2uQPPFnM4DS4EsyYiEu_ZotcZS5s6dKv5t0ssEulxYgLXhtMOJVj9fZN7CHfA/s320/334570892_604586334868527_281381380581324752_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here he is going out for the evening.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIqm3_LcRN2hY1W_kQN_EhDsxN5MoERQNo90NV6kyU5-6OQQvCDEiy5fXIGxBQmI3adprVKRmv5rQ9H6yj27Orb7LiKO336gvWmDCaNoaEiaO8ZrMtr13dwEnGQa03xkodi6y0BMF-vvwWo0mZm5dtthIoUVODsxzYt-qXlOBkn1rzcQEF4ThTGCiuA/s640/337312690_739212651247224_7474010315694913234_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIqm3_LcRN2hY1W_kQN_EhDsxN5MoERQNo90NV6kyU5-6OQQvCDEiy5fXIGxBQmI3adprVKRmv5rQ9H6yj27Orb7LiKO336gvWmDCaNoaEiaO8ZrMtr13dwEnGQa03xkodi6y0BMF-vvwWo0mZm5dtthIoUVODsxzYt-qXlOBkn1rzcQEF4ThTGCiuA/s320/337312690_739212651247224_7474010315694913234_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then later on he will wander home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So after we saw the dead one, we were thinking that it was our raccoon. He then showed up to our feeders that night and we let out a big cheer for him. "Hip, Hip Hooray!" was heard throughout the SSUVFL. You can tell we don't get out much when that is the highlight of the week. We had 15 deer in the yard this morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the medical front. My hip is getting better thanks to the weekly visits to the physical therapist. I am still having complications with my thigh and knee. My IT band muscle is still very sore and hyper sensitive to touch. Below the knee is numb which my Orthopedic Surgeon thinks it may be a new problem which he hopes to address in November. He also says that I am just one of the few people that take longer to heal. So frustration levels remain high. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's it for now. Next time I hope to be blogging about our first experiences of running a food trailer. It could be a very funny post or one filled with horror. We will just have to wait and see.</div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-86228232484200570782023-02-09T13:23:00.000-08:002023-02-09T13:23:43.842-08:00The Big News<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9VVbxaG5YHPn--qLECbAjX_ZhF84xDNijg08d-KVYrv31kuwjgZB0y3mJERDNEFMzt9QdYl0EKJ1u3n5Bbr74GbllfpU1qRYqiPppck2vvVVtd8kuuo5C-isLLmN2ktVg5BVmpe9bH07F9ah6C4ZkdR3C-u1nqZGjoC6L0T6QQn_LGTfowa1i2zWmg/s640/326172771_1423199205198694_2815673631045877323_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9VVbxaG5YHPn--qLECbAjX_ZhF84xDNijg08d-KVYrv31kuwjgZB0y3mJERDNEFMzt9QdYl0EKJ1u3n5Bbr74GbllfpU1qRYqiPppck2vvVVtd8kuuo5C-isLLmN2ktVg5BVmpe9bH07F9ah6C4ZkdR3C-u1nqZGjoC6L0T6QQn_LGTfowa1i2zWmg/s320/326172771_1423199205198694_2815673631045877323_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunset at the SSUVFL.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is the big news that we have been promising for a little while. We did it! We bought a trailer!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguX8Kat_Ax-0_q9Qt_hFq-w1jzgbpsWEUdANkfMHB8D_jdat0feSoWm4dIaNnhMktd15EdlxajyHpmyCzbSzNi6Xwg7LgS28cC_Q5BmF_DIyoNu8ZAMOGDiFLrWlzGeRniggAVwrXbP6YIf7qgDssFVnFqObeoISqmP-oZldPXQhsB88irxW93VjilDw/s2048/325673167_1880047675697994_3888724927901867098_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguX8Kat_Ax-0_q9Qt_hFq-w1jzgbpsWEUdANkfMHB8D_jdat0feSoWm4dIaNnhMktd15EdlxajyHpmyCzbSzNi6Xwg7LgS28cC_Q5BmF_DIyoNu8ZAMOGDiFLrWlzGeRniggAVwrXbP6YIf7qgDssFVnFqObeoISqmP-oZldPXQhsB88irxW93VjilDw/s320/325673167_1880047675697994_3888724927901867098_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know what you are thinking. I can just hear your thoughts now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"I bet Dino needs that to haul around all of the training equipment that he requires to be the next American Ninja and Parkour world champion" said Jim and Barb N.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"That makes sense. With as active as those two are, they need space to haul around their kayaks, ATV's, side-by-sides and mountain bikes" said Steve and Deb M.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"It's Harley Davidson Orange, I bet they got themselves some new Harley's to go in it" said Kip T.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"I bet they got a huge trailer to haul more stuff to Quartzsite" said Steve and Dianne C.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well we hate to disappoint everyone but none of the above. Let me show you a picture of the other side to see if that helps you figure out what we are going to do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHe_PyTmEp4utiRIiP5ksMxBJmYh-zYE_rSZPEKK4XKcDvGKFXxWvypoyZv-UeDKwkOvrtozoCjG2yMnO4_yB8nM0llCVPqgEjyOGn0mA3d19qMN9r-W5ZR5U6DXtY1aeKPhCkPVKKl6uwmkbb1otSSmMVYZ0z8RNd0XIUFQ2ThymS48_T9w979PXafw/s2048/325049245_910629449971809_6283344604477307311_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHe_PyTmEp4utiRIiP5ksMxBJmYh-zYE_rSZPEKK4XKcDvGKFXxWvypoyZv-UeDKwkOvrtozoCjG2yMnO4_yB8nM0llCVPqgEjyOGn0mA3d19qMN9r-W5ZR5U6DXtY1aeKPhCkPVKKl6uwmkbb1otSSmMVYZ0z8RNd0XIUFQ2ThymS48_T9w979PXafw/s320/325049245_910629449971809_6283344604477307311_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Can you tell what it is now?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZ_aMLNmgZ-fQmEIVx4_lno9F6_zvtt15aeziR_6XEGNZJCjNRzLb57g86jDPPYdyHkkZIM5O5gOrE8QN-qPSRd-VCoaGkJcyvIn0RIBpjzK4kGfbKm55nCD9jphlrdw0C5GQfQpkp0Cb1oBWzPPPJo5Hsk7tkIpd--Z9Tg5jMWeDPajiKvJYD8RHTg/s1077/326304995_720061156391888_8026281544776394021_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1077" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZ_aMLNmgZ-fQmEIVx4_lno9F6_zvtt15aeziR_6XEGNZJCjNRzLb57g86jDPPYdyHkkZIM5O5gOrE8QN-qPSRd-VCoaGkJcyvIn0RIBpjzK4kGfbKm55nCD9jphlrdw0C5GQfQpkp0Cb1oBWzPPPJo5Hsk7tkIpd--Z9Tg5jMWeDPajiKvJYD8RHTg/s320/326304995_720061156391888_8026281544776394021_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How about now? We bought ourselves a food trailer! Actually we had it custom built for our new business venture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last summer we were sitting around our campfire brainstorming. We learned that when you drink more, the ideas are so much better. Lisa and I both had jobs working for other companies at the time and we decided that we wanted to work for ourselves again. That's when it hit me. Food trailer. Genius! But we didn't want to buy a dirty, greasy used one. We wanted new. So we started researching and found a company in Minneapolis that builds custom food trucks, trailers and carts. If you bring them a vehicle or trailer of any type, they can turn it into a food truck/trailer. They really do amazing work. Chameleon Concessions in case you would like to get your own trailer. Here are some examples of the trucks and trailers they have done. I pulled these from their website. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLopSeEdXEO81yXWm5kfP7zurIzX_IXoAJiXLZXQaPJnqGAZ79b0HjZboYnvks_3DPqCst4J4OS3h_KtUAk0S_7OpjRes7m8tB7CrAzN1K7fj1SmgIEGOdCjjbmzR4F9S8NTn0ZvwRa54-bb-u6Zqj3Z_Z5aRuBkFVRMKNLE1Mc62c2O84uQ2ja855w/s1366/Screenshot%202023-02-09%2012.48.13%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1366" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLopSeEdXEO81yXWm5kfP7zurIzX_IXoAJiXLZXQaPJnqGAZ79b0HjZboYnvks_3DPqCst4J4OS3h_KtUAk0S_7OpjRes7m8tB7CrAzN1K7fj1SmgIEGOdCjjbmzR4F9S8NTn0ZvwRa54-bb-u6Zqj3Z_Z5aRuBkFVRMKNLE1Mc62c2O84uQ2ja855w/s320/Screenshot%202023-02-09%2012.48.13%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-w_TGXpkL06WPFzZ3fZMaYwg50ZzLda-LUVvdn8-FfN98KGGmn6eehy5xB32tuwfFh-2S6UeBvgrddFqhYOUeXi_C4BjfN3-h1fXpDT_-3QKin9jeboIE3vT2D3tnGTdrM8tmH4ICXmYTYv5OYOsZIlMF6PlFcswZWZphNmZZZhQRa068f40WjgXcmw/s1365/Screenshot%202023-02-09%2012.49.36%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1365" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-w_TGXpkL06WPFzZ3fZMaYwg50ZzLda-LUVvdn8-FfN98KGGmn6eehy5xB32tuwfFh-2S6UeBvgrddFqhYOUeXi_C4BjfN3-h1fXpDT_-3QKin9jeboIE3vT2D3tnGTdrM8tmH4ICXmYTYv5OYOsZIlMF6PlFcswZWZphNmZZZhQRa068f40WjgXcmw/s320/Screenshot%202023-02-09%2012.49.36%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ours was an easier build because they started with an empty trailer. They remove all the wood on the inside except for the floor. They epoxy the floor and install fiberglass panels, run electricity and gas lines and then install your equipment depending on your needs. It is quite the operation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeAndPfQ6D0QQ4X-36YrELzfb2znL-Vh__uM3vAFhZiTgi93lVBJLRxjW11OIk5AG3pPpNVLIJMNW1RgJG_mGFIT7cS-mXaz8Th4EJhMVWT9xyeJ1QjBvOamP8DYFO3a40HK1Ay4SKdCX5lZFgh9xrIgd_ReiWyKZfB_aYHP-cVvZMwiCOpoaAVtMAg/s640/324070396_1608585446260701_2287274798319144515_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeAndPfQ6D0QQ4X-36YrELzfb2znL-Vh__uM3vAFhZiTgi93lVBJLRxjW11OIk5AG3pPpNVLIJMNW1RgJG_mGFIT7cS-mXaz8Th4EJhMVWT9xyeJ1QjBvOamP8DYFO3a40HK1Ay4SKdCX5lZFgh9xrIgd_ReiWyKZfB_aYHP-cVvZMwiCOpoaAVtMAg/s320/324070396_1608585446260701_2287274798319144515_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2XyM_9U44QOR5t47k1HPtxG9-hPs-bmOakEM856q4V-PZnd6CdzL3TkmATqV_bu0AsH-TpbwBYB1uO3H7UHLHCUSemfKzX3OblzuPXApSbTBteadeu8an7MymwS5e1z2fFUKUcZavoqWqjsyFc73MueFv00YqSh_2-lEHA8dvcYWIHXWOQB0RAKpag/s640/323201799_566647418380905_691000260331749975_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2XyM_9U44QOR5t47k1HPtxG9-hPs-bmOakEM856q4V-PZnd6CdzL3TkmATqV_bu0AsH-TpbwBYB1uO3H7UHLHCUSemfKzX3OblzuPXApSbTBteadeu8an7MymwS5e1z2fFUKUcZavoqWqjsyFc73MueFv00YqSh_2-lEHA8dvcYWIHXWOQB0RAKpag/s320/323201799_566647418380905_691000260331749975_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh62iSDBwKwNhxJQh7MZXZnUQfbilFNY7OHWwOEXM275ilXLQn8mVa8MWiBkmMKU2YvKJ6GCz9qTd1t578T4VL9RwYgAoPqY4WL0CV20Mk01Kjni-s13EF_28ZqtRuRcSTwAaE_v4Ujn6wxi2kc5A0tobEWkgf9KCHqIt5JzCF_k5iz1N0vTshy4VYkA/s640/325274364_844128113359950_3264825931964563843_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh62iSDBwKwNhxJQh7MZXZnUQfbilFNY7OHWwOEXM275ilXLQn8mVa8MWiBkmMKU2YvKJ6GCz9qTd1t578T4VL9RwYgAoPqY4WL0CV20Mk01Kjni-s13EF_28ZqtRuRcSTwAaE_v4Ujn6wxi2kc5A0tobEWkgf9KCHqIt5JzCF_k5iz1N0vTshy4VYkA/s320/325274364_844128113359950_3264825931964563843_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-_Naby94SWSz4rsZkqC_ul8tnGXRrogLQgD-64c5_iwEAiWhGBhikfGO2zHXcIr1vHciQ4_AcLSjpibdKsor6432ORrX-Qf7q1655hRkUkGhuaZNHN6oKQmaDXZ7vo6mRWyjfHvIPQogb9KDPnjlu0sctKz8ogZ8jp4z7BALmyyu6hWex_KY-QaGBA/s640/325044890_680897997105819_1167331151026767843_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-_Naby94SWSz4rsZkqC_ul8tnGXRrogLQgD-64c5_iwEAiWhGBhikfGO2zHXcIr1vHciQ4_AcLSjpibdKsor6432ORrX-Qf7q1655hRkUkGhuaZNHN6oKQmaDXZ7vo6mRWyjfHvIPQogb9KDPnjlu0sctKz8ogZ8jp4z7BALmyyu6hWex_KY-QaGBA/s320/325044890_680897997105819_1167331151026767843_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Everything in the trailer is new except for the beverage cooler. He gave us a deal on a used one that he had.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So that is our big news. Now we are busy jumping through all the hoops that are required in "The People's Republic of Minnesota". We are looking at several festivals already and other venues for the summer. We are excited to try this and looking forward to being out there having fun.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-10532259905490554082023-01-26T13:29:00.000-08:002023-01-26T13:29:25.560-08:00January Update<p> Well January did not start out the best for us. Lisa ended up getting Covid and then a few days later, I ended up getting Covid. Our first time getting Covid. It is funny that just 2 short years ago, if that would have happened, we would have thought we had a death sentence. We would have been quarantined, locked away from loved ones as they planned for our inevitable deaths. We did recover and to be honest, it was no worse than having a head cold. So my words of wisdom would be "Que sera, sera".</p><p>I have still been recovering from my total hip replacement. Recovery has been slow due to being diagnosed with I T Band Syndrome with nerve entrapment. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgML9cUD5hTlbK9OvS0hQqWKyQU0LUuz_DW30WsqFVvlvwl_QP0ol_6WPo5EVIuJ75Jcwz_f1VvetENPllqFL-JWvsP2Hn3np_qMHb9EEUnKBALPwA0wtyK_A6KxSbuLqW-WWutSLK3Gs3h7X7f0pm4xv1WsQLhvsCYVLWeEltJeewE2Pg1iAFofp4yrw/s379/itbs1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="379" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgML9cUD5hTlbK9OvS0hQqWKyQU0LUuz_DW30WsqFVvlvwl_QP0ol_6WPo5EVIuJ75Jcwz_f1VvetENPllqFL-JWvsP2Hn3np_qMHb9EEUnKBALPwA0wtyK_A6KxSbuLqW-WWutSLK3Gs3h7X7f0pm4xv1WsQLhvsCYVLWeEltJeewE2Pg1iAFofp4yrw/s320/itbs1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The symptoms I am having is that there is skin sensitivity on my thigh. I think that means there is a nerve damaged around my hip for that. Also below the knee it is completely numb. The hip itself is much better. I have ditched the walker and the cane. Still limp around though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Surprisingly our January weather has been very mild. Much like December's should have been, which is great, because December's weather was like January's. Our local deer herd has been coming around more and they are acting more normal. We have not had any wolf sign for a long time so that makes them calmer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXW25DhmExedT0Hr9F45D9pRKQDVhTGhfk4e9mxzkXFrZwpCSsTFB8U9Oy99Vy6egc1dovgA1H-8IReK8bygnkwql5ARFEKU8L_GQV8_7eBtmsfkN2YVIlivaCGAJmy7CjUxc9qaF9rD-IJwD29FSDatlZ1bMRTkR7DG_T1PrAyGQl502BfG4qJEoWFA/s2048/325358766_734801541542882_1119723709562669928_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXW25DhmExedT0Hr9F45D9pRKQDVhTGhfk4e9mxzkXFrZwpCSsTFB8U9Oy99Vy6egc1dovgA1H-8IReK8bygnkwql5ARFEKU8L_GQV8_7eBtmsfkN2YVIlivaCGAJmy7CjUxc9qaF9rD-IJwD29FSDatlZ1bMRTkR7DG_T1PrAyGQl502BfG4qJEoWFA/s320/325358766_734801541542882_1119723709562669928_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They sure like to raid the bird feeders. We were not able to get them alfalfa this year due to my hip but they are looking fat enough without it. My son and his wife gave us a new trail camera. We have been getting lots of pictures of the critters. Here are a few of them.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2fVS3eoar-INp9fv4MohX2EspJbDAPFdd7dcyZUyEDh-jxLrj7fCXz89H4eCcqmCUUcKmGzY7ysSu-p7GCavRZJDKmEMxQOvIWrRS8nM1uatcT3EJh_1lJDZqz6HtEug0tAqVvHM5CAn3pjvAxTrfpevlU0mWU-wNJRlWkNgC91JNqg4ECbhrIgx0g/s640/326884869_3235845546668474_4810475307128645190_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2fVS3eoar-INp9fv4MohX2EspJbDAPFdd7dcyZUyEDh-jxLrj7fCXz89H4eCcqmCUUcKmGzY7ysSu-p7GCavRZJDKmEMxQOvIWrRS8nM1uatcT3EJh_1lJDZqz6HtEug0tAqVvHM5CAn3pjvAxTrfpevlU0mWU-wNJRlWkNgC91JNqg4ECbhrIgx0g/s320/326884869_3235845546668474_4810475307128645190_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NZf3-U5gP2v53ktoyHBNdWWjPT20IAACsE7mAJpyN9dBHJdD3ifpsYM86YxX9CnBgulaVUeZEjwwuwQO4Mxu3kJQaQcINUoeZZkC29tLk-MrkHr2oK1iPPzeZ-Ll-k9_-AoEA0cnwcmaoGz4dLnHoY8mKMQircWf2myW92Ab2pSHnbotW6B71E-NVg/s640/325690461_493877662824669_4086203752487887040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NZf3-U5gP2v53ktoyHBNdWWjPT20IAACsE7mAJpyN9dBHJdD3ifpsYM86YxX9CnBgulaVUeZEjwwuwQO4Mxu3kJQaQcINUoeZZkC29tLk-MrkHr2oK1iPPzeZ-Ll-k9_-AoEA0cnwcmaoGz4dLnHoY8mKMQircWf2myW92Ab2pSHnbotW6B71E-NVg/s320/325690461_493877662824669_4086203752487887040_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFalm3W3eN95i6EhCx2ekDjRQCu5rr4RCkP3q-bgLTKA-rOda0f8JPeJebpD7gwDOWsaUI2qL8IKXUeaGQL9dge2vgANFA5Gn6mrgo6XgjxW7PN_X9Nf6Zg4ezfXtKmknqORv1zcaTHlAqq6li_v99k8h4r6FMVQCPO94jSD-a9VM9rmheg3jVIdU6w/s640/325236517_5170367229732496_4129654779480685166_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFalm3W3eN95i6EhCx2ekDjRQCu5rr4RCkP3q-bgLTKA-rOda0f8JPeJebpD7gwDOWsaUI2qL8IKXUeaGQL9dge2vgANFA5Gn6mrgo6XgjxW7PN_X9Nf6Zg4ezfXtKmknqORv1zcaTHlAqq6li_v99k8h4r6FMVQCPO94jSD-a9VM9rmheg3jVIdU6w/s320/325236517_5170367229732496_4129654779480685166_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZKhjXGP6p-cALxYH4_m_MmdWArxnvXNkzjuRwe0-YxMZx-z1N4dmbgVYglUhGtxZI7_toIG2yQF14-0IFf5-NqX3k6NLSrtBhL4DrTPzzH-3QAAQbnRsKlczYnP-9WKHjWzRqBSnFNykZFnBYx3KiGxQD60sdd_AZyE_vs3hYaTTfPYjY5HamILb9Q/s640/324947874_732927461658631_3358986465841349405_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZKhjXGP6p-cALxYH4_m_MmdWArxnvXNkzjuRwe0-YxMZx-z1N4dmbgVYglUhGtxZI7_toIG2yQF14-0IFf5-NqX3k6NLSrtBhL4DrTPzzH-3QAAQbnRsKlczYnP-9WKHjWzRqBSnFNykZFnBYx3KiGxQD60sdd_AZyE_vs3hYaTTfPYjY5HamILb9Q/s320/324947874_732927461658631_3358986465841349405_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Other than that, life goes on. One more thing, we winterized our fifthwheel and put it outside.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBpvRaMT-fZGuZLAfNUF1dORC4Q_qlunBjUOMjtuCC9MWqS3B-ZHG7AHMBs9Z31UigWcs4MSVxs5_cgO8OFTwDK4i3dEUGPqhKGbXzCnCKoHfPdyh6mEWXr2GNonuIUxpKQTeFlPHARbg3IbIWCobWpNYdNNeuB9EqhcYZWMiT3VccP4j7SnvTrDRGw/s2048/323683175_2752977144832356_2785372302537057005_n%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBpvRaMT-fZGuZLAfNUF1dORC4Q_qlunBjUOMjtuCC9MWqS3B-ZHG7AHMBs9Z31UigWcs4MSVxs5_cgO8OFTwDK4i3dEUGPqhKGbXzCnCKoHfPdyh6mEWXr2GNonuIUxpKQTeFlPHARbg3IbIWCobWpNYdNNeuB9EqhcYZWMiT3VccP4j7SnvTrDRGw/s320/323683175_2752977144832356_2785372302537057005_n%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now why would we do that? Tune in to the next installment.</div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-50388736817651140882023-01-01T11:32:00.001-08:002023-01-01T11:32:34.973-08:002022 Wrap<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAu4WCjicJ1kZ491VIPSF3w4hZDKWFUApE2CGihhJ1n29gfOcmDoW7SeLdAcTFYR4RPbIDBBoLfwhpzgq9qe1laVbon02NUp6JFpK_FiyWekWDBVl3sIZ1TG2bAc8NYj4lrecuThjym3b8QUxNWUPeNhnJrlbmZAM9j4AChRfV8x2j59Ea0_jA9o3dyA/s2048/319136823_2118697815184987_2489537870177779791_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAu4WCjicJ1kZ491VIPSF3w4hZDKWFUApE2CGihhJ1n29gfOcmDoW7SeLdAcTFYR4RPbIDBBoLfwhpzgq9qe1laVbon02NUp6JFpK_FiyWekWDBVl3sIZ1TG2bAc8NYj4lrecuThjym3b8QUxNWUPeNhnJrlbmZAM9j4AChRfV8x2j59Ea0_jA9o3dyA/s320/319136823_2118697815184987_2489537870177779791_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> First of all we would like to wish everyone a happy new year. 2022 was a weird year to say the least and I hope that 2023 isn't a repeat. It goes by so fast and I am glad that we have this blog to look back upon and review all that has transpired over the year.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWDRCKURmvtQi59or0lPcpQdDhcfSbBVziKcwi5fwgtTMmvmsW8g4v608ozeXZ62diijhFRmcnXvqlXbQINV35fGNRnL9rdSf7V5QVx8F_n3bgb0-lVk02VBqwj1qOwpT-4zGs7OcX7nSLIqXlNIW3aXHFlJkBUcV83UUrRgJuEs5Rhw7CgtH3dv1vg/s2048/318947560_1555694438190283_8732459844961953957_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWDRCKURmvtQi59or0lPcpQdDhcfSbBVziKcwi5fwgtTMmvmsW8g4v608ozeXZ62diijhFRmcnXvqlXbQINV35fGNRnL9rdSf7V5QVx8F_n3bgb0-lVk02VBqwj1qOwpT-4zGs7OcX7nSLIqXlNIW3aXHFlJkBUcV83UUrRgJuEs5Rhw7CgtH3dv1vg/s320/318947560_1555694438190283_8732459844961953957_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>We started the year off with arctic cold temperatures. Making it perfect for working on the inside of our cabin. I was able to get the bedroom about 95% done and our laundry room is about 70% done. But all in all the whole cabin is about 87.63% finished. Now when or if I am fully recovered from my hip surgery I hope to finish it all in the next few months or so. I got confirmation from Jim that he was going to help me with this project so it should be done in no time. Wait. I guess Jim is going to Quartzsite for the winter and told me I was on my own as usual. Oh well.</p><p>In April we took a month off and headed to the Gulf Coast. Enjoying the warmth and the surf along the Mississippi coast. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKVLoqAnJlj-17p0PFEI06WXe_TkhNMj3dRiFIRvc-miGKedT-KF8ZGXJ5GVro0InwDFWFYnwNbYqjXz9Cj6me-EVFVgQkNPQclgFcPvbSnRwgWQMi3PFKA980L9mSWhXTfKUAklVa9knGPKklygY6yFZREIXxuGLEEEm6LBoaFwpfkO9QBC4IQh4BQ/s2048/278947914_2042610282793939_1668443107370658138_n%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKVLoqAnJlj-17p0PFEI06WXe_TkhNMj3dRiFIRvc-miGKedT-KF8ZGXJ5GVro0InwDFWFYnwNbYqjXz9Cj6me-EVFVgQkNPQclgFcPvbSnRwgWQMi3PFKA980L9mSWhXTfKUAklVa9knGPKklygY6yFZREIXxuGLEEEm6LBoaFwpfkO9QBC4IQh4BQ/s320/278947914_2042610282793939_1668443107370658138_n%20(1).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />When we got back to the SSUVFL it was getting warmer. So we put inside projects on hold and decided to tackle many outside projects. During the summer we decided to get some part time jobs to help suplement our incomes. We enjoyed many weekends with the grandkids. It is so fun watching them grow.<p></p><p>Fall soon arrived which means the outside projects have to end. Unfortunately for me It was also discovered that I needed a new hip. Mine wearing out from countless death marches and the over active lifestyle I lead. Upon learning that, I had to give up my career at Tool-R-Us while Lisa's grounds keeping job ended. The nursing home really liked her so she became a "homemaker, aka a cook" working inside the nursing home now. She hopes to become a grounds keeper again in the spring.</p><p>I had my surgery and have been recovering now for 6 weeks. Recovery has been slow and frustrating but I think I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.</p><p>We have some big things coming up for 2023. We can't share any details just yet but we hope to share some of the news in the next coming months.</p><p>One thing I hope to do is finish the work on the cabin so that we can start an expansion project for this summer. Yay!</p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-65270506191039732842022-12-06T18:19:00.002-08:002022-12-07T10:51:04.935-08:00Lessons Learned<p>Some images may not be suitable for young children or Jim.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinR01qnItKQPuKxVmLlA2ch2rw1fjE6Oeu6cGR57c99jUka3LUedgUoWecfx5EYqNybspMTc9SkjDR2_hCsxbk4-QXJb9yG6kfHIkVk_qOi8hv03Yx_ttV6j1X5LsapsfDxjev721XyFfJQDBy7q0N9UfZE44A0EY6dPplN_7_-lu-_aEtKyZ1kP4kA/s206/318441682_1893760627628090_8362876890357960964_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="155" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinR01qnItKQPuKxVmLlA2ch2rw1fjE6Oeu6cGR57c99jUka3LUedgUoWecfx5EYqNybspMTc9SkjDR2_hCsxbk4-QXJb9yG6kfHIkVk_qOi8hv03Yx_ttV6j1X5LsapsfDxjev721XyFfJQDBy7q0N9UfZE44A0EY6dPplN_7_-lu-_aEtKyZ1kP4kA/s1600/318441682_1893760627628090_8362876890357960964_n.jpg" width="155" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Surgery is over and things are going as well as can be expected. I have spent the last 3 weeks sitting in my recliner, watching a lot of TV. I had always thought that that would be a great way to spend your days, but now that I don't have a choice, I am getting tired of it. Like they say, "Be careful what you wish for". </p><p>Before going into this operation, it seemed like so many people would tell us that they knew someone who went through it. A cousin, a neighbor or a co-worker. And every time they would tell us that there was an immediate relief of pain after surgery versus before surgery. Although I do believe them when they say that, but it makes me wonder if things have been left out of the equation. </p><p>For instance, let's call the time before surgery "A". Then let's call the time after surgery where you are fully healed "C". I can see where there would be a noticeable improvement from point A to point C. So what's missing is the time in between that nobody talks about. "B". That is where I am currently floundering in and from a first hand perspective, it sucks. </p><p>When you think about that type of operation and what they have done to your body, it should not be a shock to how much pain you are feeling. If you Google "hip replacement surgery" you can see what they are doing to your body. It is very traumatic to say the least.</p><p>My thigh for instance. I am/was black and blue from my hip to my knee.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGoeP5LehqJDHX9YEhWqlltSYauNO2Lvrr08x92vPhtaaIH3V5LvpHFGDHwNzyvtfvSL5VWxksjoVCYWrXhV4rQzNw_i9129MeJLye4-_xj_pz_jtUlAAcL2xLiPyXlW58qL_kUTEZ529mTOR8yK_T3sehHEOVRWLydtaVjW8cwPEJOwsL8fvZhZFlg/s2048/316212035_832686657996600_795927826982156890_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGoeP5LehqJDHX9YEhWqlltSYauNO2Lvrr08x92vPhtaaIH3V5LvpHFGDHwNzyvtfvSL5VWxksjoVCYWrXhV4rQzNw_i9129MeJLye4-_xj_pz_jtUlAAcL2xLiPyXlW58qL_kUTEZ529mTOR8yK_T3sehHEOVRWLydtaVjW8cwPEJOwsL8fvZhZFlg/s320/316212035_832686657996600_795927826982156890_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Along with the bruising, the skin on my thigh is hyper sensitive to touch. Just putting a finger on my thigh feels like you are trying to push a knife through it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Swelling is another issue and now after 3 weeks it is finally subsiding some. Right after surgery it was about twice the size of my other leg.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAbacDz1aHblOUvDIuP-PXp2PrGLEsN6CLBUEtc2K3HpiUI7P59SAkPsUnLKVYgMqLajyhu4I10ftoTZyLmTQzrkjZvSGAdcmc02MV7ZK--6Bt3CKmo_2dKmDeYuXf8MR4VOQGh6L5knrRt7_Lw1kLoSfdtagF1XGuNq51AkuTMjVauxOidLs8a8S2Q/s2048/316451350_439984678284854_2681942981018692856_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAbacDz1aHblOUvDIuP-PXp2PrGLEsN6CLBUEtc2K3HpiUI7P59SAkPsUnLKVYgMqLajyhu4I10ftoTZyLmTQzrkjZvSGAdcmc02MV7ZK--6Bt3CKmo_2dKmDeYuXf8MR4VOQGh6L5knrRt7_Lw1kLoSfdtagF1XGuNq51AkuTMjVauxOidLs8a8S2Q/s320/316451350_439984678284854_2681942981018692856_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They told us to get a walker. I don't go a step without hanging onto that for dear life. I just hobble around everywhere with it. Walking has been difficult but it is getting easier. I am sore from my hip down to my knee. I have knee pain because for them to work on my femur, they had to dislocate it from my knee joint. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are two different ways that they can do a hip replacement and I am unsure of the differences. One way is to go through the side of the hip to do it. The other is to go through the front of the hip. That is how they did mine. They make a 4 inch incision to do it. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFa9ibaQSAs9YkBYXjBcibLLVFxbqRqdIZvcrDqFr4b6Fe3w1yvngnwDi9O7xhKAN4ieGzjO26dhWFq8tmGuoO-D9A6AdGjIxzPYriBmojOKPma99-RaoMuyY2-DhDDiO0oQB7n2A2qQiScWWTN2YyUz9mpC13SX1acuhs7ZLoiR4BIytWN_JKslLnQ/s2048/316577596_1084554695557992_4677757918536754683_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFa9ibaQSAs9YkBYXjBcibLLVFxbqRqdIZvcrDqFr4b6Fe3w1yvngnwDi9O7xhKAN4ieGzjO26dhWFq8tmGuoO-D9A6AdGjIxzPYriBmojOKPma99-RaoMuyY2-DhDDiO0oQB7n2A2qQiScWWTN2YyUz9mpC13SX1acuhs7ZLoiR4BIytWN_JKslLnQ/s320/316577596_1084554695557992_4677757918536754683_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No stitches. Just some kind of mesh covering the incision. I still don't know how they could pull that femur through that, cut the head off, insert a titanium ball joint and socket through there. It was probably a good thing I was knocked out. Speaking of being knocked out. Remember how I said that it took them 14 tries to do my spinal block. Lisa took a picture of my back when we got home.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuesy9WpWtF0uiu_S5bOdelzGYWYl-U5yGmMqozOJBExrEyE2G4hsOzzTWx8qJf_DbpRMcYlsXJ-Xba1-CBMKFLbhRhu8xGHnzDTBV5w1nNL8Md-9s-OmzXw3BS-xOOe52NvBS6IetOt56eaXgye2F1GsgMJ8ATWme0vxzcfpwq3tEjatwGtSsvTeWw/s2048/316460488_458281989657532_71532874326891961_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuesy9WpWtF0uiu_S5bOdelzGYWYl-U5yGmMqozOJBExrEyE2G4hsOzzTWx8qJf_DbpRMcYlsXJ-Xba1-CBMKFLbhRhu8xGHnzDTBV5w1nNL8Md-9s-OmzXw3BS-xOOe52NvBS6IetOt56eaXgye2F1GsgMJ8ATWme0vxzcfpwq3tEjatwGtSsvTeWw/s320/316460488_458281989657532_71532874326891961_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each little dot is an attempt with a needle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So what have I learned from all of this. Well I have learned to live with non-stop pain. Once the Oxycodone that they send you home with is gone, the only other thing you can take for pain is Tylenol, which really doesn't do a thing for it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I learned that if you want a peaceful night of sleep, that is just not going to happen. I can't have the sheets or blankets touching my thigh and if you try to roll over to find a more comfortable position, the pain wakes you up. To be honest, there really are no comfortable positions. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have learned that doing anything for yourself is difficult to say the least. From going to the bathroom, sitting at the dinner table or just getting up out of your chair. It is a struggle that causes pain and discomfort.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have learned that at Physical Therapy, they try to see how much pain you can take. I know in the future that if I ever have to do the other one, the pain would have to be unbearable before I go through this again. Maybe I will just get a scooter and say "To hell with it" and just scoot around everywhere.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last night was a milestone for me. After more than three weeks, I had my first beer. That may be a new world record for me. It was good, so good. It was like drinking the nectar from the gods. I only had one if you can believe that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Christmas is fast approaching so we would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-62555778199445311942022-11-20T07:38:00.001-08:002022-11-20T07:38:18.639-08:00First Time Being Abducted by Aliens<p> There I was, a young man living deep in the woods of the SSUVFL. Some might say that I was the ultimate specimen of manhood. A perfect mix of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Zac Efron. That's why it was not unusual for me to take a nightly 10 mile hike in any kind of weather. If you know me, you know that I am the epitome of health and fitness. What was unusual that particular starry night was that way off in the distance I saw a shimmering light. As I watched the light, it began to get closer and brighter. Could it be an Unidentified Flying Object? Otherwise known as a UFO.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3J_DKeDY4LsT1nWEqqgsLjBasUcRsW4LAmADhR1VzhJosiZqHG2miz4b1Q1aize_ypsubDTweyePBsGxHIsmplWvMscjKKxzThY3byk7PpM9D4H_iUp-ovNHIANTQuhMENSAbdvqLZQyI2qmm8QQJlSL9ed1RyOobY2SaqyM7cV_nhzPO1p8O379vA/s632/316389179_719620005689288_1652405053667131529_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="632" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3J_DKeDY4LsT1nWEqqgsLjBasUcRsW4LAmADhR1VzhJosiZqHG2miz4b1Q1aize_ypsubDTweyePBsGxHIsmplWvMscjKKxzThY3byk7PpM9D4H_iUp-ovNHIANTQuhMENSAbdvqLZQyI2qmm8QQJlSL9ed1RyOobY2SaqyM7cV_nhzPO1p8O379vA/s320/316389179_719620005689288_1652405053667131529_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Preposterous I know, but bear with me. Before I knew it the light was directly overhead. They say that most people facing a life or death situation such as that, a fight or flight response will kick in for self preservation. I would like to add that there is also a third type of response. That is stupid dumbfoundness. As I stood there looking up at the light I could feel a certain warmth running down my leg. I had a sensation of being whisked away. Things after that are kind of a blur but I can relate to you a few of the details of my abduction.</p><p>I recall looking up at a white ceiling with some sort of apparatus up there. I could feel my body being tilted at an odd angle while something grabbed my left leg. Putting some kind of boot on it and then being tied down. Then the same happened to my right leg. My arms were grabbed and tied down also. It was kind of scary being aware of what is going on but having no control of anything. I closed my eyes hoping that when I opened them again it would all be over, but when I opened them I was still there. Again I closed them and this time when I opened them it was over. A blink in time. </p><p>I relate that story to you because once I got into the operating room, that was the closest thing that came to mind about what happened. It was surreal to say the least. </p><p>I am ahead of myself so let me start from the beginning of that grand and glorious day. We got the call the day before to let us know when to show up for surgery. 6 AM. Alarms were set and we were as prepared as possible. </p><p>Winters in Minnesota can be challenging at times and of course when it comes to something like this Mother Nature just had to make it more interesting for us. Maybe it humors her? I don't know. The drive from the SSUVFL to Fargo promised to be snowy with blowing snow, dropping temps and ice covered roads. So we awoke at 3 AM and hit the road at 4. Top speed for our journey was a whopping 50-55 mph. 80-88 kph for our Canadian friends. It was a white knuckle drive for sure as in several areas we started to slip and slide. </p><p>We eventually made it. Got checked in and waited. They hustled us to the pre-op rooms where they wanted me to strip down to nothing. Okay. Lisa, cue the music! After the show was over I was glad to have made a few bucks. I received another Covid test because having one 6 days away was too far in advance. It had to be within 5 days of the procedure. Oh well. I am not responsible for what they find up there.</p><p>It came back negative so I was cleared for surgery. We said our goodbyes and I wondered to myself if Lisa was going to visit Dr. Hot Bod. He is one of the orthopedic Dr.'s I've seen and works downstairs. It's okay. I've seen Lisa's dermatologist who I call Dr. Soft Hands so I guess we are even.</p><p>In the operating room I was propped up so that they could do a spinal block on me. As I was sitting there, there was a table full of all kinds of torture instruments. I made a comment to the nurse standing in front of me so that I would not fall off the table, "Oh look, there's the hammer, I've heard about the hammer."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX641BrOSXYpOMQ4xnS_Qlg11bDuvw_-VH6V1MsP_M8G9LaJH8vKlYEb7z1O4v7u6R1ojsZtnOYP42bL_c1pXAB8CgpSaZMNknVgTB6DDG5zYSGo5uUcTq0YAkMeRk8D4NTtLkTAhs7ubPlB1yA7wS-PTOA-aTHc4fBZGK7xSm90aNk-T01Jifq_jjng/s500/315930077_677768440547855_7943468282911352612_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX641BrOSXYpOMQ4xnS_Qlg11bDuvw_-VH6V1MsP_M8G9LaJH8vKlYEb7z1O4v7u6R1ojsZtnOYP42bL_c1pXAB8CgpSaZMNknVgTB6DDG5zYSGo5uUcTq0YAkMeRk8D4NTtLkTAhs7ubPlB1yA7wS-PTOA-aTHc4fBZGK7xSm90aNk-T01Jifq_jjng/s320/315930077_677768440547855_7943468282911352612_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> She said to me "Don't look at that stuff." We both looked longingly into each other's eyes as we shared a moment. I think some of the meds have already started working.<p></p><p>A spinal block is where they inject a spinal anesthesia into the spinal fluid. Never having one before I assumed it was one injection and that was it. Stab after stab I felt in my back. Over and over it went. Name, rank and serial number started going through my mind. Finally the main anesthesiologist came over and she tried another 4 times until she got the needle in. Worst experience of my life. Apparently they kept hitting bone, cartilage and nerves. Lisa later on counted 14 needle marks. Fourteen. When they hit the nerves I nearly passed out. After that, that is when I felt like the aliens took over.</p><p>Up in the recovery room I really had to go #1 and I was not going to do it in a bed pan. I have way too much pride for that. So I had the nurses come in and get me out of bed to get to the bathroom. Once there, performance anxiety set in as they were outside the door along with Lisa and what sounded like half of the hospital staff. Mission aborted. After everyone left for a while, I swallowed my pride and did the deed in bed. After a few times I was getting pretty good at it so to challenge myself, I started to add a distance factor into play. Note to self. Don't do that. That was going to be the alternate title of the blog. "First time peeing in bed."</p><p>I was up in recovery until the next day. We were waiting to get released and also watching the weather as more snow and wind was going to move through. Mother Nature just toying with us some more. But this time Lisa had to drive us home. Another perilous drive and we were back safe and sound in the SSUVFL.</p><p>Lisa is taking great care of me. We have developed a rhythm to get in and out of bed. It is a two person job for sure. Moose likes to sit with me all of the time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay8GMwN8Z8EYmNI1MebCCIOyYf0dL8cwliIk4PDygbffns7C_DiI0P0J19RJauehrF0lQ11_YjdohQQGuZ6alIrpRfrW6y29OtEvDN5JBS46WwSHb-exn0VrLzF87LTWGQE3fPyig9Hl_bQOfSiOpzTYehqqiMzOgvrP6yYYB23NX_wOmUSxp4VeUNw/s2048/315996232_928644991680017_8532134236207616286_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay8GMwN8Z8EYmNI1MebCCIOyYf0dL8cwliIk4PDygbffns7C_DiI0P0J19RJauehrF0lQ11_YjdohQQGuZ6alIrpRfrW6y29OtEvDN5JBS46WwSHb-exn0VrLzF87LTWGQE3fPyig9Hl_bQOfSiOpzTYehqqiMzOgvrP6yYYB23NX_wOmUSxp4VeUNw/s320/315996232_928644991680017_8532134236207616286_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lisa is also outside doing the snow blowing. After all these years she kept telling me she didn't know how to use a snow blower. I sure fell for that one.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBCWiO4y7TrQkxrbFcK3UsuaafSosRZJ-Una_HjpZQ4lX91jAZkmnASCimcOH1ooFWkupHb_3Z88wDux2pn85EBbdd0hQ2IPemnaFBqt4FGPoMTZ5K8ziZAj4pDGyijKvkDrMCC2kifkKDOg8yrDqzCSDpwhQEgMzhYpTTW08xInQ5PqyQY-vbLXkUw/s2048/315535126_656682809527627_3226728130067989152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBCWiO4y7TrQkxrbFcK3UsuaafSosRZJ-Una_HjpZQ4lX91jAZkmnASCimcOH1ooFWkupHb_3Z88wDux2pn85EBbdd0hQ2IPemnaFBqt4FGPoMTZ5K8ziZAj4pDGyijKvkDrMCC2kifkKDOg8yrDqzCSDpwhQEgMzhYpTTW08xInQ5PqyQY-vbLXkUw/s320/315535126_656682809527627_3226728130067989152_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> What a woman. Thanks so much to our neighbor Chuck ,who also came over and plowed the long stretch of our driveway with his ATV.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzVTceb2X5FYaBZ2N42rSCZ2b2FtlO2L6UaRmBdghPbs8xwrbqeWRcYcCDeakCYtiGcf1HFeyNHwL0JDbB_xQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So until next time.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-91544054187257815512022-11-18T14:34:00.000-08:002022-11-18T14:34:06.208-08:00Preparations<p> My hip replacement surgery is only a few days away and we are making preparations for a six week recovery. We have been given pamphlets, that's plural, about what to expect and tips to help you recover. We were required to watch an hour and a half video on the same subjects that the pamphlets cover. We have purchased and received many items to help me get around and to just help make recovery easier.</p><p>Items like a walker. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71I-oM1ONrHwsR8uZuCJyWw1b6I88LpAFf0k6XXu2i3-1LjkqlGyN0Yq6Z5n9hwmntSPMHSfYfK_lHuQzSV1rjtWq0XrlwMNPRIzgwVC27ZRwhktPOqZLh-D3Lz5u5To964EjSpXg_YplScYDy-obXjsAnVThz3z6clxyORzMNF6_m3nZ6y12ygiF4A/s2048/315529127_575530764332973_2976774553181027852_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71I-oM1ONrHwsR8uZuCJyWw1b6I88LpAFf0k6XXu2i3-1LjkqlGyN0Yq6Z5n9hwmntSPMHSfYfK_lHuQzSV1rjtWq0XrlwMNPRIzgwVC27ZRwhktPOqZLh-D3Lz5u5To964EjSpXg_YplScYDy-obXjsAnVThz3z6clxyORzMNF6_m3nZ6y12ygiF4A/s320/315529127_575530764332973_2976774553181027852_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />It even has wheels on the front. That will help me get around and to prevent falls. A fall would be very bad I assume. I'm guessing that if I fell, I would be like a turtle on my back. A sad little turtle bawling like a little baby from the pain.<p></p><p>I got a super long shoe horn to help me get my shoes on.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCUorDQ_ekXxWZKMXmpphL3xNiq3f3JUxXtN44L3T_DdbXLN3q4JfvyoS0sFB17PP_UdMvdWWpsgzMdOFrmpphIXKi9iUz4XOVUwK9bdQmWS6JCN7i0Mzhy7AgDNk16A-R00l6gEsbuUlt81_Ado7AwPCa_pLBGJTF7zzxcFwUndhzIL2yEZkepoWrA/s2048/316010629_1179156346142404_6518956267266746175_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCUorDQ_ekXxWZKMXmpphL3xNiq3f3JUxXtN44L3T_DdbXLN3q4JfvyoS0sFB17PP_UdMvdWWpsgzMdOFrmpphIXKi9iUz4XOVUwK9bdQmWS6JCN7i0Mzhy7AgDNk16A-R00l6gEsbuUlt81_Ado7AwPCa_pLBGJTF7zzxcFwUndhzIL2yEZkepoWrA/s320/316010629_1179156346142404_6518956267266746175_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> A device that will help me get my socks on without having to bend over. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhm5VAxxu5rKWTe0Ti89wofo9UbGOj1dvn76tCsO7SebdpPiO14Mph9HUrnMZSdQhhKHzA_NLpgsxPta2iX9siJgJHEEretGyizr8zmu-O0z6jHIv_c8vAk8t1f2TI1as1NfJoj6RtdXbH41qHH5keoKgsZgFkDdGFTfgGx4kr8vUTy3lseeLXegG7Q/s2048/315235760_685539459652629_2778872412688814192_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhm5VAxxu5rKWTe0Ti89wofo9UbGOj1dvn76tCsO7SebdpPiO14Mph9HUrnMZSdQhhKHzA_NLpgsxPta2iX9siJgJHEEretGyizr8zmu-O0z6jHIv_c8vAk8t1f2TI1as1NfJoj6RtdXbH41qHH5keoKgsZgFkDdGFTfgGx4kr8vUTy3lseeLXegG7Q/s320/315235760_685539459652629_2778872412688814192_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Who knew there was such a thing? I have a reacher/grabber thingy to pick things up. Just an FYI, it will grab a beer can out of the fridge. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIrTx0UCWD0A8YfLkXlqyD2umDcbSc-95af2nPTRKMfqx-f_IdvDVlXsKn0EreFJbOP-HBOCYGtcI8-way5agA-okU99vlupctuHqT0BQCXfkHggklZvqEf83Z-3E2pQB1c0Dsj3EgBdVW1usmkxic3AB9tsRoTWRMCnhJ7kMghjEGzZYL16YIdXzJA/s2048/316040890_507653604744042_6377558168946083587_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIrTx0UCWD0A8YfLkXlqyD2umDcbSc-95af2nPTRKMfqx-f_IdvDVlXsKn0EreFJbOP-HBOCYGtcI8-way5agA-okU99vlupctuHqT0BQCXfkHggklZvqEf83Z-3E2pQB1c0Dsj3EgBdVW1usmkxic3AB9tsRoTWRMCnhJ7kMghjEGzZYL16YIdXzJA/s320/316040890_507653604744042_6377558168946083587_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />We have grab bars in the shower so I can hang onto them as I seductively bathe myself. That's because Lisa won't sponge bathe me. We have a toilet seat riser to help me do you know what. But you really didn't need to know that and I will not demonstrate it for you. We also have grab bars to assist in getting up.<p></p><p>I was hoping to get a scooter but my nurse said that I need to walk to get stronger, not ride. Even though I would look awesome on a scooter. I was planning on wearing my motorcycle jacket when I was driving it. One of the best things we did get is an electric lift chair. How did I ever live without one? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TxamZXYE6-ueZPArTubo5jKX05C_61ha0IbKJ6z355qvpAmvR0718mK6otOe40tu1mRfSQKtvhoJoVTXNCnKhmK0sOrFtp9ouW7spWeqvfJPuhQnmU-cosYsBm59G62N4TaCvC1BTYYe0cCddB5qqfW2vBeWdDMsYG1GzNffS5wTTgEMQah07GjiiA/s2048/315533037_1102342583816424_6957195357502149346_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TxamZXYE6-ueZPArTubo5jKX05C_61ha0IbKJ6z355qvpAmvR0718mK6otOe40tu1mRfSQKtvhoJoVTXNCnKhmK0sOrFtp9ouW7spWeqvfJPuhQnmU-cosYsBm59G62N4TaCvC1BTYYe0cCddB5qqfW2vBeWdDMsYG1GzNffS5wTTgEMQah07GjiiA/s320/315533037_1102342583816424_6957195357502149346_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />I also found an APP for my phone that makes bell sounds so that I can ring my nurse every time I need something.<p></p><p>I have been DVRing lots of movies to watch. Weekends will be taken up with football. A good friend of mine Jim said that he loves the Hallmark channel so I have been watching lots of Christmas movies. We are so in the mood for Christmas now. My daughter even brought over some gaming systems to keep me entertained. So bring on the surgery.</p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-29313719834528978822022-10-27T13:01:00.003-07:002022-10-27T13:01:50.650-07:00Struggles<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5jd-AWD3We0KFBB6JobzIK9RHv7JU7YZXJ3Jo4tflrMNY9ScneseaRvJ9cGVNcdhNqbSqaIh1JbPKoAHeVhJLch2E9Aoen9U4uQhohnz4iZJZIfKyIuA96Z1MMITPH4uvnnafZ26WzFePFQM2iPBfXc9_AUaUF1aijVlRNBvQtT5rJpUaxZiZNUKyw/s2048/312994899_508104357642243_6458100246060097703_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="2048" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5jd-AWD3We0KFBB6JobzIK9RHv7JU7YZXJ3Jo4tflrMNY9ScneseaRvJ9cGVNcdhNqbSqaIh1JbPKoAHeVhJLch2E9Aoen9U4uQhohnz4iZJZIfKyIuA96Z1MMITPH4uvnnafZ26WzFePFQM2iPBfXc9_AUaUF1aijVlRNBvQtT5rJpUaxZiZNUKyw/s320/312994899_508104357642243_6458100246060097703_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />In this episode of many ramblings, I would like to share with you some of the struggles I have been dealing with. These struggles are real, very real.</span></div><p></p><p>The first being this blog. I know I have mentioned it a time or two before but I am going to mention it again. It started out as a journal of our journeys and experiences that we could share with friends and family. After all, not everybody sells all of their belongings and travels the country in an RV. It was fun for us as we explored new places, met new friends and discovered new sights. </p><p>Then Covid hit and that kind of sidelined us. We built our barn and cabin. We settled down vowing that one day we would hit the road again. But as we live this new life off the road, we have decided that we do like it here in our Super Secret Undisclosed Virus Free Location. We love the solitude around us as we sit out by a fire. Not having to listen to barking dogs or radios from the campsite next door. No kids running through your campsite. Thinking about that makes me believe that that is better than any campground we have stayed in.</p><p>And to be very honest, the magic of traveling has worn off for us. Cudos to the people we have met on the road that are still traveling now. We still follow their blogs and adventures. We said that if traveling is no longer fun, that it was time to quit. That is what happened. Finding places to stay became a hassle and we found ourselves going to places we already have been to because of familiarity. </p><p>So since this is no longer a travel blog, posts are going to be few and far between. Unless inspiration hits me. We have a big surprise for next year but you will have to wait to find out about it.</p><p>Another struggle that has reared its ugly head lately is warranties. Buying a warranty for anything is always a gamble. Makes me wonder if products these days are just not built that well and the company selling the product knows it. The tool company I worked for sold replacement plans on nearly everything it sold. Do you buy a 5 dollar warranty on a 20 dollar tool now making the 20 dollar tool cost 25 dollars. Then do you hope that it breaks so that you can get a new one?</p><p>Don't even get me started on car warranties. This past week I have had two things break. One with a warranty and one without. Both ended up costing me money out of my pocket. The first one was my new eyeglasses. The bow broke and I have not had these for very long. So I bring them to the store and show them to them. They look at them and then tell me that I may have to buy a new frame for $80 because I didn't purchase the $40 warranty when I bought them. Lets see now. Do I spend $120 on an $80 frame? What a scam!</p><p>Next item I did buy a warranty for and that is tires. I got the road hazard warranty in case we ran over something and a tire needed to be replaced. Well as luck would have it Lisa ran over a nail and where it was in the tire I new it couldn't be repaired. I took it to the dealer and he looks up and sees that we have a road hazard on the tires. Yes! Finally a warranty is going to pay off. They order the tire and a few days later I go back for installation. "That will be $200 sir". "What?! I have a warranty". Upon further explanation he said that under Biden's economy, the price of the tire has doubled and the warranty only covers the original cost of the tire. Plus it doesn't cover labor, balancing, disposal and other things. But I did save $139 because of the warranty. Bend me over Gladys and get out the vaseline. </p><p>Finally the last struggle we have been dealing with is pain. I say "we" because Lisa feels my pain with me. I know everyone knows about my hand fiasco which still continues to this day with no relief so I will not delve into that any more. My newest pain though is in my left hip which also spreads to my right hip. I had x-rays taken and it was confirmed that a total hip replacement was in my future. Surgery was originally scheduled for October 16th but before that could happen I needed a pre-op physical. </p><p>During the physical they do an EKG which came back abnormal. Great! The DR. could not sign off on the surgery until they had a heart stress test done. So that was scheduled and completed last week which was interesting. Since I have hip issues, they did the test differently than having me run on a treadmill. It went like this. </p><p>They first put in an IV which they injected a syringe of some kind of radio active dye that would show up in a CT scanner. They had me sit for an hour to let that circulate through my body.Once that had time to circulate through my body, I was put into a CT scanner for 15 minutes to get pictures of my heart. Next I was taken to another room where instead of a treadmill, they would inject a drug into me that would simulate the same effect. Soon as I was injected, it was immediate when I started feeling the effects. My breathing became labored, my heart started racing and it really gave me a sense of panic. They had me on a heart monitor to keep tabs on me and the nurse was there to coach me through it. After about 5 minutes it was over. Back to the CT scanner I went. 15 minutes later I was done.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnK8vSL_fYq2Rp5gGNDjrmzzp23QhoPV4_90Mxok6ND62ZzEDhwqYmAqtwdg0L5P9jfRHChx9Mo9b1OJJ7sxcIZjwBUf4qOc5OqRsPovGcohIb2I_C4ohe4wt5WaAQ4G8N4def6o7JMLcDwQRHanUZx3qJpfdRJCtKYhl8EUkkKRaLNRIMc8uhXzOazg/s828/310243597_5859704514080099_6530404963523561467_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="828" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnK8vSL_fYq2Rp5gGNDjrmzzp23QhoPV4_90Mxok6ND62ZzEDhwqYmAqtwdg0L5P9jfRHChx9Mo9b1OJJ7sxcIZjwBUf4qOc5OqRsPovGcohIb2I_C4ohe4wt5WaAQ4G8N4def6o7JMLcDwQRHanUZx3qJpfdRJCtKYhl8EUkkKRaLNRIMc8uhXzOazg/s320/310243597_5859704514080099_6530404963523561467_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Walking out with Lisa I said nonchalantly "As I was laying there I was thinking, I hope they don't find something else wrong with me". Lisa looked at me like my teeth had just fallen out of my mouth and said "You're just thinking of this now? I've been worried for 2 weeks". My bad. Oops.</p><p>Well the test came back normal and the surgery has been re-scheduled for November now. So fingers crossed my dream of becoming more like a terminator will be getting closer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja47usmQxl6sZhn9rxaWL4to5_v5B75V5pTHbVYjgkTibwwG78cA7tFO57k4jF18gvtQb862Zn3ocsUuAdRVnGUV6zmSQJ3sViRxdnqc14G0aiBVSeRDLvQtef1bVV7bxw2oIdXcO6egYpFHY0DDAj0Vor36_X565W-W2mNRgC70y-kb4f0hNxjGh4iA/s2558/anton-mirosh-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2558" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja47usmQxl6sZhn9rxaWL4to5_v5B75V5pTHbVYjgkTibwwG78cA7tFO57k4jF18gvtQb862Zn3ocsUuAdRVnGUV6zmSQJ3sViRxdnqc14G0aiBVSeRDLvQtef1bVV7bxw2oIdXcO6egYpFHY0DDAj0Vor36_X565W-W2mNRgC70y-kb4f0hNxjGh4iA/s320/anton-mirosh-2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See, my hip will look like his.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until the next installment. Stay frosty my friends.</div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-42459333191127439282022-09-21T12:33:00.000-07:002022-09-21T12:33:43.130-07:00Inside the SSUVFL<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNB1RW3sJ7ym7A0DTx8oz6INa2BcRy8HS5kfLUCO-cnWjkvOpcVncCqAUcHpFeHtaqsK6Zx-Myvhpqovnlwr5KHg0Jh2ZEVGH30D--raTd09Trm-bTowk1EmBMZBUK5Wl1FvH7Bg45jUa47_C6ZoncjDPRBNFIpXMVb8l0v7z9pY2x1Qjnxo1x06Extg/s2048/307049609_397796349200139_8317528863932421481_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNB1RW3sJ7ym7A0DTx8oz6INa2BcRy8HS5kfLUCO-cnWjkvOpcVncCqAUcHpFeHtaqsK6Zx-Myvhpqovnlwr5KHg0Jh2ZEVGH30D--raTd09Trm-bTowk1EmBMZBUK5Wl1FvH7Bg45jUa47_C6ZoncjDPRBNFIpXMVb8l0v7z9pY2x1Qjnxo1x06Extg/s320/307049609_397796349200139_8317528863932421481_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />There are areas on this planet that we know very little about. Such as the bottom of the ocean, the Amazon rain forest, Area 51 and the SSUVFL. The SSUVFL? "I've never heard of it before" you say. Exactly! There are rumors all over the interweb about its existence. So I would like to share some of the declassified information that I can. First of all, what does SSUVFL stand for?<p></p><p>S - Super. As in super cool.</p><p>S - Secret. As in none of your business.</p><p>U - Undisclosed. As in we don't want to tell you where it is.</p><p>V - Virus. As in Covid and now the ever scary Monkey Pox.</p><p>F - Free. As in no trace of.</p><p>L - Location. As in where it may or may not be.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here is a Skynet satellite photo from outer space of the SSUVFL. As you can see the photo has been redacted and we have successfully camouflaged everything from prying eyes.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELqWLJb5sZAMSDYlcfDUasv5WFPVbRIoW0YPxn-S6KUCWclHkPN4H6yVoBc-RMuoIcgjXtbQtbCS8GjtzErMOrDgzBIb0luOGEdZkQ2xNTai1oDyWFymjL6zDxVyZSuh9lPOwOcMUGJCDCqRm2SQ-c1tLTJBBofovovRl2MUhtY7YnBLCZMg4W0SzaQ/s1207/Screenshot%202022-08-08%207.06.13%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="1207" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELqWLJb5sZAMSDYlcfDUasv5WFPVbRIoW0YPxn-S6KUCWclHkPN4H6yVoBc-RMuoIcgjXtbQtbCS8GjtzErMOrDgzBIb0luOGEdZkQ2xNTai1oDyWFymjL6zDxVyZSuh9lPOwOcMUGJCDCqRm2SQ-c1tLTJBBofovovRl2MUhtY7YnBLCZMg4W0SzaQ/s320/Screenshot%202022-08-08%207.06.13%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next photo I can show you is from a Google spy car that drove by our entrance. I can show you the photo because it is several years old now and the entrance doesn't look like that anymore. It is much less conspicuous now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWdndx6he4VjxRHpKghI-CdAKVRaGR-n-KaPt21w1VvHiZPz8RZi-Yc11AZb_q6OZ2GYopOMevHrKr0eBzgHSUZ_vlaI_-K0Z5u-MW_FLWW58ml4uQa_b6Nj4bFRl9u8MQpsoKuIb1FVNkzrXPjLB6T3y9di_T3LbTiO9eFwFnK8ui41I_pDx3y0AAQ/s1062/Screenshot%202022-08-08%207.19.58%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1062" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWdndx6he4VjxRHpKghI-CdAKVRaGR-n-KaPt21w1VvHiZPz8RZi-Yc11AZb_q6OZ2GYopOMevHrKr0eBzgHSUZ_vlaI_-K0Z5u-MW_FLWW58ml4uQa_b6Nj4bFRl9u8MQpsoKuIb1FVNkzrXPjLB6T3y9di_T3LbTiO9eFwFnK8ui41I_pDx3y0AAQ/s320/Screenshot%202022-08-08%207.19.58%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you drive up the gentle incline, you will crest a small hill. The hill has been strategically placed there to stop prying eyes from just peering in. Here you will come to two warning signs. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnAuTausUDnc6nfaKZiicxvnI5_e23LOPmOnKZ4msStg1qW9gHipFmE1pwa7ZeCUG0N8ZLpfYmBLz00WW9ek9eYlM3s0v2xpMcxsk16eZa7W1X7Ych9ePB4LGfp6hblOVzGa6VbWLs7FCmw8BZm_4oIgT_zGtB0cqarg1o-U1Iwx1C59A0QFcknfoSQ/s2048/298187552_1019615942039097_7292400250196716294_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnAuTausUDnc6nfaKZiicxvnI5_e23LOPmOnKZ4msStg1qW9gHipFmE1pwa7ZeCUG0N8ZLpfYmBLz00WW9ek9eYlM3s0v2xpMcxsk16eZa7W1X7Ych9ePB4LGfp6hblOVzGa6VbWLs7FCmw8BZm_4oIgT_zGtB0cqarg1o-U1Iwx1C59A0QFcknfoSQ/s320/298187552_1019615942039097_7292400250196716294_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />These are the only warnings you will get. So if you happen to stumble upon the SSUVFL by accident, it is best to turn around at that point. The top sign says Private Property, no trespassing. The bottom sign is the one that you really need to be worried about. Turtle crossing. What it really means is "Beware of attack turtles." I searched the interweb and could not find a sign that said "beware of attack turtles" so I went with something that was very close to it. It means that I have trained the local snapping turtle population to become ravenous blood thirsty attack turtles.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQzYeinz6xW7JNBaX9cPcclMWebg7crz3g2GeG4joWl9sCokLW3lpm34lz1KDIZ82x_jOv1WUbZ1PHY_aiJG3JVnS0evWIo9Cr7pX8nN6A6PQkRAcV_eqYhVqReLOJI6emoEBFk3wnrzPWGzMbX14C-ev0WBQLY2OEajLFetxEc_4RpXvdw6McPpdCQ/s2048/297582199_2230591500458921_7468774044144219003_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQzYeinz6xW7JNBaX9cPcclMWebg7crz3g2GeG4joWl9sCokLW3lpm34lz1KDIZ82x_jOv1WUbZ1PHY_aiJG3JVnS0evWIo9Cr7pX8nN6A6PQkRAcV_eqYhVqReLOJI6emoEBFk3wnrzPWGzMbX14C-ev0WBQLY2OEajLFetxEc_4RpXvdw6McPpdCQ/s320/297582199_2230591500458921_7468774044144219003_n%20(1).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKvQNcXPq1ThOStPCgIu2FHVztTwH2V7kLx5n6O_EGcQokQskmxG1ul1lO79eAChuBd3mYm89oMO2CU6w9EHn8Id5zSJ5vlKY-PvuaQccEAyYBnlp2tPuNLfHO61beQw3_Xy4FtJhdnygsQT-xVnz21BLtXXyXl5BlZtg45ky-7IcKSrZch8i5mLKFA/s2048/297612375_731697931463336_6609913766982765367_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKvQNcXPq1ThOStPCgIu2FHVztTwH2V7kLx5n6O_EGcQokQskmxG1ul1lO79eAChuBd3mYm89oMO2CU6w9EHn8Id5zSJ5vlKY-PvuaQccEAyYBnlp2tPuNLfHO61beQw3_Xy4FtJhdnygsQT-xVnz21BLtXXyXl5BlZtg45ky-7IcKSrZch8i5mLKFA/s320/297612375_731697931463336_6609913766982765367_n%20(1).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one is Brewtis. He patrols the grounds of the SSUVFL nonstop.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPQebn5O1WoZ711ZHhPAsVDaJTvEmzofWbmEDk17CULHb7mPXfo2u4RszY_Hd232AvVKEy7DuYgEH4IaibRqW1pvnlTE6rG4ajA59grRNPXcr_5peqmFlFq637iZNpdYrJ61kaXynrn1PDzgHy75UNZl9ZG2dvYrvB5XoLUorDkLRjdL4in08n9Au4A/s2048/297797190_2439995586143176_7028495764123115143_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPQebn5O1WoZ711ZHhPAsVDaJTvEmzofWbmEDk17CULHb7mPXfo2u4RszY_Hd232AvVKEy7DuYgEH4IaibRqW1pvnlTE6rG4ajA59grRNPXcr_5peqmFlFq637iZNpdYrJ61kaXynrn1PDzgHy75UNZl9ZG2dvYrvB5XoLUorDkLRjdL4in08n9Au4A/s320/297797190_2439995586143176_7028495764123115143_n%20(1).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brewtis checks the doors to make sure they are secured.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Brewtis is a medium size snapper. We have larger ones that are about the size of Komodo Dragons lurking around. So trespassers beware. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking "why don't I just sneak into the SSUVFL in the winter when the attack turtles are hibernating?" I have thought of that also so that is why I am training the Pileated Woodpeckers to swoop in and peck your brains and eyes out.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ90OnPAk-kboHOkhU64jbfS2ZFj2Q0yVTWxkSL60TqXA3-vlSWwDKCCy8nEYd3osrEjl_s3oD9NTiIj4iqK0RFHxXubYDmR0QpQF4qbmHVXtD7CyiN8IGW1GgvxhMFhViUl_cwQOn0dXldZZJlV6YvG4BRQGNnHvllQpC61DZPHQ4AZ_WqMHpLyMicA/s1401/297373372_442181101166880_4185665735677386560_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ90OnPAk-kboHOkhU64jbfS2ZFj2Q0yVTWxkSL60TqXA3-vlSWwDKCCy8nEYd3osrEjl_s3oD9NTiIj4iqK0RFHxXubYDmR0QpQF4qbmHVXtD7CyiN8IGW1GgvxhMFhViUl_cwQOn0dXldZZJlV6YvG4BRQGNnHvllQpC61DZPHQ4AZ_WqMHpLyMicA/s320/297373372_442181101166880_4185665735677386560_n.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a picture of one attacking a simulated head. If that doesn't deter people from finding us I always have the hidden machine gun nests, mortar pits, tiger pits and the local tribe of pygmy cannibals to take care of unwanted visitors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What have we really been up to? Well when we are not working for the "man" we are doing an endless list of improvements here at the SSUVFL. Along with lots and lots of family time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHqIz0QtzNtEvbmm_s_epMXuiMZdWHuzA1WILgvofzFdbYtpqtJYhICXQJ8ukg9OpMPFu6EIcHzsmXX2fxhRb04xbm0P4bh1Ivo15icFGjGcjSej6lYL1cjHLtUhttWkiK4aZfzsUUqxILnS0defuBr5lYQySuC4GUgXDrl4L-M66_OBR5cTt7KgM2Q/s2048/298113766_543154614219530_6739522948596922904_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHqIz0QtzNtEvbmm_s_epMXuiMZdWHuzA1WILgvofzFdbYtpqtJYhICXQJ8ukg9OpMPFu6EIcHzsmXX2fxhRb04xbm0P4bh1Ivo15icFGjGcjSej6lYL1cjHLtUhttWkiK4aZfzsUUqxILnS0defuBr5lYQySuC4GUgXDrl4L-M66_OBR5cTt7KgM2Q/s320/298113766_543154614219530_6739522948596922904_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lolli and the little ones on movie night.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRHqzUaUcrj_CcFTqRLfifEHOq6-1Md9-365QWYemeFXbTzB5dAA4GeZKKMn_961RAO7QRa-xLanegolQI8EcAWFkLvplgUYf4OhxvUCqkgYMLqTj_ZfM389eRhrQ1SKmwo2qiwbePViq5-y-fgh-tRMo2v4I4oN_ZYOq4im4XWtX5udzOGP1Gm9YWw/s2048/295055106_1733754346820167_6625977606778667597_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRHqzUaUcrj_CcFTqRLfifEHOq6-1Md9-365QWYemeFXbTzB5dAA4GeZKKMn_961RAO7QRa-xLanegolQI8EcAWFkLvplgUYf4OhxvUCqkgYMLqTj_ZfM389eRhrQ1SKmwo2qiwbePViq5-y-fgh-tRMo2v4I4oN_ZYOq4im4XWtX5udzOGP1Gm9YWw/s320/295055106_1733754346820167_6625977606778667597_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lisa and my sister Gio enjoying a car show.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CACWrPpC08u03sHRiRtYO0dSxTFyNLi1Ui4uVuHmfMjx_Kklg6sZ7GZCUDWU9uCyP6flsi6D9jgtSDNPhekhshttX7lmMwk2l1XA9N8CrxjQrwTzK2hV8UUDNRVjrzipLab4t52NgApS-zPawDLje01r7dNHrEeADMUTPTENTtPHP4C8mOmHShpoVg/s2048/297256776_811860126651391_4957483179653968178_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CACWrPpC08u03sHRiRtYO0dSxTFyNLi1Ui4uVuHmfMjx_Kklg6sZ7GZCUDWU9uCyP6flsi6D9jgtSDNPhekhshttX7lmMwk2l1XA9N8CrxjQrwTzK2hV8UUDNRVjrzipLab4t52NgApS-zPawDLje01r7dNHrEeADMUTPTENTtPHP4C8mOmHShpoVg/s320/297256776_811860126651391_4957483179653968178_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our maiden voyage of our pontoon.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQj-hh0LmC_tUtgwItFjBBr6OVdXXTIlfAFW2xuS0m6E_tUV-OxlO1heFWGYJFXY8Jqe3VyTcB7h0BiIerX0RfiKAe4uFeiidNYqZsgRMTO5bPHkB2g6ttHZUMhC7EQannTdb80VHSL-vJudZ1Uq44i77GsJt0M_sE0npw9d9soMz4wDLuMTyyir6EA/s2048/295510181_403222135208029_8434294929382895064_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQj-hh0LmC_tUtgwItFjBBr6OVdXXTIlfAFW2xuS0m6E_tUV-OxlO1heFWGYJFXY8Jqe3VyTcB7h0BiIerX0RfiKAe4uFeiidNYqZsgRMTO5bPHkB2g6ttHZUMhC7EQannTdb80VHSL-vJudZ1Uq44i77GsJt0M_sE0npw9d9soMz4wDLuMTyyir6EA/s320/295510181_403222135208029_8434294929382895064_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoying some brewski's. l-r. Me, Lisa Brother-in-law Jeff and my sister Gio.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtyWvpB1ZRyygax6zAyAhaCKgROXAN8qV9w8WC-kn8-cdpqvMyKKEsiF3JiYF9lsh1-KOOtkEyCzZcn9CM492ps1pip1yXsp_q8p8jhqVkEjfaKmslzd3tYHsyIRUwf2wz9dJG0ZksxQFszJ2w954UtC7FgaiAZZ9c60Am88dIAeUCDFw8vQJKbtbyQ/s2048/298104947_1023286978343964_6444470918349318159_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtyWvpB1ZRyygax6zAyAhaCKgROXAN8qV9w8WC-kn8-cdpqvMyKKEsiF3JiYF9lsh1-KOOtkEyCzZcn9CM492ps1pip1yXsp_q8p8jhqVkEjfaKmslzd3tYHsyIRUwf2wz9dJG0ZksxQFszJ2w954UtC7FgaiAZZ9c60Am88dIAeUCDFw8vQJKbtbyQ/s320/298104947_1023286978343964_6444470918349318159_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lolli making memories with the kids.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2cwQUd0ynENz0PDkxJ-M_5X4ew6dGE3bZC8Vh1rKbdrlUxIq2xAUG3N-l6ws3sLyZfK8fdI3RggZ0nn8u8g5ZptRqIhu7USOxi5x-2a7n7OuCWeEypeQEA_jh4AnS6BI5plBfNsrfKgVQ6amYF9djPFdJeCZjuiuQWunWgsc242IFY5qajQNQTOrbQ/s2048/297899006_3134558773521769_59275597265229719_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2cwQUd0ynENz0PDkxJ-M_5X4ew6dGE3bZC8Vh1rKbdrlUxIq2xAUG3N-l6ws3sLyZfK8fdI3RggZ0nn8u8g5ZptRqIhu7USOxi5x-2a7n7OuCWeEypeQEA_jh4AnS6BI5plBfNsrfKgVQ6amYF9djPFdJeCZjuiuQWunWgsc242IFY5qajQNQTOrbQ/s320/297899006_3134558773521769_59275597265229719_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BBQ with the fam.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH3-Rad_yktw34PQAJD-sv3cVtF58Fbklw8vOUymLXlyK07k0YQYK8Q2Z5o-W25S3E1S0Lazb5EfM_baIF_DPz-v0NWrPni2IdtAkR9DPwAB1TU9MvH7qsLS0-v03DGCGNgToJkzQM8ZxuKMo4VO_rvQj4llaBw343B3ugdhTeoRn_Cosh7rJe-S6EQ/s2048/307184717_461732055975643_7915825268926511357_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH3-Rad_yktw34PQAJD-sv3cVtF58Fbklw8vOUymLXlyK07k0YQYK8Q2Z5o-W25S3E1S0Lazb5EfM_baIF_DPz-v0NWrPni2IdtAkR9DPwAB1TU9MvH7qsLS0-v03DGCGNgToJkzQM8ZxuKMo4VO_rvQj4llaBw343B3ugdhTeoRn_Cosh7rJe-S6EQ/s320/307184717_461732055975643_7915825268926511357_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lolli getting sticky with the grandkids.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Most of our summer projects have come to an end. Lisa continues to clear brush around the SSUVFL giving us great fields of fire now. We rented a log splitter one day to help us get prepared for a long cold winter.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeif9OF8R3klgOdIitmnNj7cGEXslhiljdvVhlGMrw2dP6jwFDRCLLZqnxfEpFVCY0RjjSRciDcezmBdp-LjP5PnHFNvbOhNtzMZiq_Qugx-WG4eMPk0jyf8sRk2PYoiJvpFRGwkez32DEvW1tNgaNLNIz4yCvjzJagIf3jKgusjMu8bb1HVYA1jzrg/s2048/300586446_464052708938536_8320964339004526558_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeif9OF8R3klgOdIitmnNj7cGEXslhiljdvVhlGMrw2dP6jwFDRCLLZqnxfEpFVCY0RjjSRciDcezmBdp-LjP5PnHFNvbOhNtzMZiq_Qugx-WG4eMPk0jyf8sRk2PYoiJvpFRGwkez32DEvW1tNgaNLNIz4yCvjzJagIf3jKgusjMu8bb1HVYA1jzrg/s320/300586446_464052708938536_8320964339004526558_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even while busy working, Lisa will always have time to stop and pose for a photo shoot by the paparazzi. One of the jobs I was putting off was sealing the front part of our driveway. I did the section in front of the barn earlier in the summer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0rgcFmJWVObCCf9ixPAxeQiH2Zq4UX5JKdwdxWmEcfajfg2pBa0QLa-enL7uzoG65_EKXR9RQamaXm1amHtJ3m0BrZkNwzwykrPcH-Oka0FYBzA5x42HAcUV-mQnPa3JC_GO3UtGzBHNE1w5ZFk4wg2FIUV91jfwS9K112XNcLw9hM62VXHfCfjZug/s2048/307086203_1031787094151742_3110944707558237083_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0rgcFmJWVObCCf9ixPAxeQiH2Zq4UX5JKdwdxWmEcfajfg2pBa0QLa-enL7uzoG65_EKXR9RQamaXm1amHtJ3m0BrZkNwzwykrPcH-Oka0FYBzA5x42HAcUV-mQnPa3JC_GO3UtGzBHNE1w5ZFk4wg2FIUV91jfwS9K112XNcLw9hM62VXHfCfjZug/s320/307086203_1031787094151742_3110944707558237083_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOR2DEuMO_Y_Y5N15_d_qjqz18MIxIwulpYnd15S8-YBVsxVBYCdmefXBiUJiFuVnVdEvZ7QyEOKEGePJK3mMALjmZnb-IiebtRIPpzjdyNZCW-KM5geF3CtwMUZINCuie9J-VvPKp8n08MiD_pJgh6QfNPtDItkKSGDdGkHQnv4BOwbUHITuaU5c2g/s2048/307216785_398522125764468_4748338031497468810_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOR2DEuMO_Y_Y5N15_d_qjqz18MIxIwulpYnd15S8-YBVsxVBYCdmefXBiUJiFuVnVdEvZ7QyEOKEGePJK3mMALjmZnb-IiebtRIPpzjdyNZCW-KM5geF3CtwMUZINCuie9J-VvPKp8n08MiD_pJgh6QfNPtDItkKSGDdGkHQnv4BOwbUHITuaU5c2g/s320/307216785_398522125764468_4748338031497468810_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did it in three days and it took about 13 buckets of sealer. It looks great and one lady driving by asked if I hired out. To which I quickly told her "No".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now the news I am sure you all have been waiting for. How is my health? I am glad you asked. I have been back to the Mayo Clinic several times this last summer. My last visit was with the hand surgeon. He basically said that opening up my hand again was not an option and that I must learn to live with the annoyance that it is. It is what it is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I went in for my regular check up a couple of weeks ago. I told my DR. about how much my hips hurt and that I limp all of the time. X-rays were taken and confirmed by Orthopedics and they all came to the same conclusion. Exercise and death marches are bad for me and I need hip replacement surgery. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSSuhZlWZGHUg3Om1WsqtSIh8j97uA_hhe9boJ7BNm9xmJ1ZfEaWEUbxBAieOwiEJDClIFBcL9trs_lO2vsK1T_D1Lk6oq5urcJ-DGfjulcDwzSSi8H3PAt-Q-NBbWDxUdqM_bLNqZj-J_ZdSyGCSUBPOZxQDHhFE5NG9l_NpurIwsvdCcGRna4Fwgw/s350/306999884_1300626627141317_6706439847231858514_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="350" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSSuhZlWZGHUg3Om1WsqtSIh8j97uA_hhe9boJ7BNm9xmJ1ZfEaWEUbxBAieOwiEJDClIFBcL9trs_lO2vsK1T_D1Lk6oq5urcJ-DGfjulcDwzSSi8H3PAt-Q-NBbWDxUdqM_bLNqZj-J_ZdSyGCSUBPOZxQDHhFE5NG9l_NpurIwsvdCcGRna4Fwgw/s320/306999884_1300626627141317_6706439847231858514_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I went home and told Lisa the results I thought I might get something like this. "Oh honey, you must be in so much pain. You should take it easy and stop working." But what I actually got was "Well, you have a lot of projects to get done before your surgery."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I continue to hobble around here to get things done so that Lisa will let me get my surgery and find some relief from pain. Poor me.</div><br /><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-40681883383331818502022-09-02T12:43:00.000-07:002022-09-02T12:43:12.250-07:00A Day in My Sad Life<p> Story by Tango Allejandro</p><p>Illustrations by Tango Allejandro</p><p><br /></p><p>The events that I am about to share with you are mostly true. Some names have been changed for legal reasons and to protect the innocent.</p><p>As I have said before, I have taken a part time job with a tool company that is a national company. Lets just call it Tools-R-Us. I have nothing against the company. I like working there. It is fun and interesting and best of all, it puts money in the bank.</p><p>Part time work is great for me because my shifts are usually 4 hour shifts. For example. We get a semi truck every week with merchandise. I have been a part of a crew of six or more to unload the truck. It is hard work but I know in a few hours I will be done with the shift and believe me, the more people you have to unload a truck the better. </p><p>On one such truck day a few weeks ago we had only 4 people to unload the truck. Two thirds of the truck was palletized while the rest is floor loaded from floor to ceiling. It ends up to be a lot of lifting of boxes but the four of us got it unloaded in my 4 hour shift.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiep3bWyXL1s56KLlCvO6PbvKlyLncYQemi9Ytb5C0-NsRS96s2p0grL223R9YBDKtWXS-hKW9meCPFQcbrp0laQN7QaSDFQNeuC0rx7GjVlESk4FDOaMb2n9x8y2Fo54asSx5M2_L3brLoTNBn2kl-BmRTmY7YHhmKux4RF2JyQDYAFyxxpYIbLqj15Q/s1600/286590025_613647553468738_1329501152432417932_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiep3bWyXL1s56KLlCvO6PbvKlyLncYQemi9Ytb5C0-NsRS96s2p0grL223R9YBDKtWXS-hKW9meCPFQcbrp0laQN7QaSDFQNeuC0rx7GjVlESk4FDOaMb2n9x8y2Fo54asSx5M2_L3brLoTNBn2kl-BmRTmY7YHhmKux4RF2JyQDYAFyxxpYIbLqj15Q/s320/286590025_613647553468738_1329501152432417932_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>So the other day I am scheduled for a real 8 hour shift, plus it is a truck day. Oh-oh. So I get to work at 4 o'clock in the morning. Yep, you read that right. 4 AM! What am I thinking? I don't know. Maybe thinking about the last truck we unloaded in 4 hours. I can do this.</p><p>I look around at the crew and see the store manager. The logistics manager. I spin around in a 360 degree circle and notice that that is it. Just little ole me. The store manager, who is a lot younger than I, jumps on the forklift.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-p0j9vCk1JIpXewtOJhF0z_qiW5ok6u0Ch7_PxPM2TFRo-MO_KJ9MctjcpLo7ePsEqntm6iEVZcTTk7QUYVj7Fige-yWKwFyMpFWO72gcr3naE4fLv0O46m1tGQp2yeRXpsbGX36oauE3XvYdi9s7CgQxmJhnqqE559J8s405elwYDOetX0vs5RSlyw/s1600/302264752_814840406339468_7938259548591402599_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-p0j9vCk1JIpXewtOJhF0z_qiW5ok6u0Ch7_PxPM2TFRo-MO_KJ9MctjcpLo7ePsEqntm6iEVZcTTk7QUYVj7Fige-yWKwFyMpFWO72gcr3naE4fLv0O46m1tGQp2yeRXpsbGX36oauE3XvYdi9s7CgQxmJhnqqE559J8s405elwYDOetX0vs5RSlyw/s320/302264752_814840406339468_7938259548591402599_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> The logistics manager, who is a lot younger than I, grabs the scanner to scan all of the boxes that come in.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiQU4P-4538CvW1sNL7JnJFiLnQ9LqACY3wyDkJgPZux2TFS2JtGH-E-AmGfgABKil7Mqb4moj9DlQCVGCD85FwMRDKUMpwvCMAB1bBTwvXGG84L37NEPrQUAZoxQvY1Z-tlUtAiD66DkRB-uuleIYdeoHFv4YP84cCK9I-Yyle1iwhszFGV2VRsQLA/s1600/305045131_610246020567721_6369767029989439470_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiQU4P-4538CvW1sNL7JnJFiLnQ9LqACY3wyDkJgPZux2TFS2JtGH-E-AmGfgABKil7Mqb4moj9DlQCVGCD85FwMRDKUMpwvCMAB1bBTwvXGG84L37NEPrQUAZoxQvY1Z-tlUtAiD66DkRB-uuleIYdeoHFv4YP84cCK9I-Yyle1iwhszFGV2VRsQLA/s320/305045131_610246020567721_6369767029989439470_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> That just left me, the old cripple guy with a laundry list of ailments, to unload each and every pallet. <p></p><p>Let's look at those ailments for a minute.</p><p>Arthritis in the neck. Check.</p><p>Bad shoulders due to old rotator cuff injuries. CHECK.</p><p>Nerve damage in the left hand. CHECK.</p><p>Lower back pain. CHECK.</p><p>Hips wearing out. CHECK.</p><p>Sore knees due to old injuries. CHECK.</p><p>Achilles tendinitis in both heels. CHECK.</p><p>In a nut shell. I am a wreck and should keel over any day now. Gladys says I walk hunched over like a 90 year old man and I'm only 58!</p><p><br /></p><p>Back to the story. The store manager unloads the pallets. They are double stacked to save room on the truck. The logistics manager breaks down the pallets and scans each box. I then take each box and move it to its location in the storeroom. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGufOzTz9qZVZKd75r0JMeuAZvSxu-XWhl4CwBgTnjJOX1l7GpquqV_f6Dj-cEgiGpb29OvjAMUe_LcUBmtwgaE0tMw7csTWz9hXzplOBnNakE2TrjFLr0AQFneIO7Mk6GFwPs5S14TYaJIM_aYMjmOPBmLJ54s69V_lgn5PIMsRv-Oar49X5JbnTLg/s1504/301606565_314222274235381_8602097536210475033_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1504" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGufOzTz9qZVZKd75r0JMeuAZvSxu-XWhl4CwBgTnjJOX1l7GpquqV_f6Dj-cEgiGpb29OvjAMUe_LcUBmtwgaE0tMw7csTWz9hXzplOBnNakE2TrjFLr0AQFneIO7Mk6GFwPs5S14TYaJIM_aYMjmOPBmLJ54s69V_lgn5PIMsRv-Oar49X5JbnTLg/s320/301606565_314222274235381_8602097536210475033_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Box after box. Pallet after pallet. We figured there were 40 pallets that "we" unloaded. It took the entire 8 hour shift to unload almost all of the pallets. I ended up leaving 3 at the end of shift. But no worries, they were still waiting for me the next day. LOL.<p></p><p>That was the longest 8 hour day I have had in a long time. But I got through it alive. I was hurting for a couple of days after that and am super excited for next week's truck.</p><p>But nothing beats an honest day's work. Except maybe day drinking. Silly me. I sound like Jethro and Bambi now.</p><p>Next episode we get an inside look at the SSUVFL.</p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4125948654363199090.post-37358828286518283522022-06-30T11:08:00.000-07:002022-06-30T11:08:52.669-07:00Musings, Confessions and Ramblings<p> Flashback to the mid 1980's. America was deep into a cold war with a major super power, the Soviet Union. A young man from the plains of North Dakota hears the calling of his country and steps up to put on the uniform and help defend against the communist threat. A little nervous and apprehensive about what is going on in the world, along with the reality of being in the military mindset of it all, a ray of hope is shown to him from, of all places, Hollywood. </p><p>1986 is when I first saw the movie "Top Gun". A movie filled with adventure and patriotism when America needed it. The effects of Vietnam were still being felt and our military was carrying the brunt of it. I first saw that movie in San Jose, California. Then again in Clovis, New Mexico. It depicted our lives in the military. The hustle and bustle of working on a flight line of an active military base. The only difference being that on an aircraft carrier it is much busier due to the size of the ship versus the size of an Air Force base. I was filled with pride to be there and wouldn't trade that time for anything. </p><p>Now come back to the present. 2022. Our country is again at a low point in time as we seem to be rotting from the inside out. Division is all around us from every aspect of life it seems. Along comes the movie "Maverick". A glimmer of patriotism that most people I believe have lost. When I heard they were coming out with a sequel to Top Gun, I was skeptical. It was 36 years ago, don't do it. I'm glad they did because it was the kick in the pants this country needed or should I say, I needed. It was as good, if not better, than the original. I highly recommend seeing it. You may just go out and buy an American flag.</p><p>Musings. Check.</p><p>With the state of the economy at the moment, we have done much soul searching. We have asked ourselves some tough questions lately. The toughest being. "What does our future look like?" It amazes me how a country can do an abrupt about face and end up where we are now. <u>Everything </u> has skyrocketed from gas to groceries. You can't turn on the news anymore without hearing all the bad news so we don't turn it on. It has gotten so bad that we had to take some drastic measures. Prepare yourself for what I am about to say. You may want to be sitting down for this.</p><p>Ready. Here goes. We have gotten...............(deep breath)............JOBS! It's not like OMG! It is OMG! I know right? Let me justify ourselves for a minute. With the economy tanking like it has we decided to supplement our bank accounts for what the future may hold. We hope to travel again but it is not as easy as it once was. Unless you have some deep pockets like others I know. God bless their little hearts. Lisa is working as a grounds keeper at a nursing home. It lets her be outside and she loves to do yard work. Our property looks like a park thanks to her hard work and diligence. </p><p>I, on the other hand have renewed my career as an Inventory Control Specialist (Look it up Jim. It's a thing!) I am working as a logistics associate for a national company that I cannot name due to confidentiality disclosures I have signed. It feels good to be a productive member of society again. Paying taxes and what not. Yessiree Bob! It feels good! In less than 2 years I can start collecting my retirement so maybe at that time we will retire again. That is if I haven't reached the top of the corporate ladder by then or have died. So for the time being, traveling is on hold. Hopefully they will make an electric one ton truck that will go farther than 50 miles on a charge so that we can hit the open road without feeling guilty by dumping thousands of metric tonnes of diesel exhaust on mother earth. But I am not holding my breath on that one.</p><p>A side note to this working thing. As I have suspected for quite some time now, I think I may be allergic to work. Ever since I started working, I have had a rash on my body that itches like crazy. Lisa thinks it may be a contact dermatitis caused by an allergic reaction to an outside stimulus. (Yeah, work!) Or she thinks that maybe when I was mowing brush with my shirt off I may have mowed over some poison ivy that then became airborne and I went through the cloud of poison. I think she has been watching too much science fiction when I am at work. Who knows?</p><p>Confessions. Check.</p><p>What in pray tell have we been up too? Well after Jethro and Bambi's visit, I hauled a truck and trailer load of aluminum cans to be recycled. I got enough money to pay for the diesel I needed to make that trip into town. LOL. </p><p>Mainly we have been keeping ourselves busy with our Super Secret Undisclosed Virus Free Location. The SSUVFL for short. On the back part of the property we could only access it by crossing a log bridge that our neighbor made for us. I did not think it would support the weight of my John Deere with the mower attached. So luck would have it that Lisa found a piece of culvert on Market place. So I removed the bridge, sunk the culvert and filled it in with dirt and gravel. Now I have been able to get to the back and start clearing brush. The brush was so thick of prickly ash and sumac that you really couldn't walk through it. Now take a look.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCCADCowNrNm__tKgK_Kcv94f23GHBVsX9Wk1S_xW4gnByCRYnqcFAv06bbhkyAB8tEqGPMGEa0rbD_Rze6q_bbAXE_WYiD3gINe33yYOTBI_TVfkBV_iuzh3paCIGEyAlDQ0SXXqY8oFk_59Kp81LxZIOqM34xWxGZoR9Gq7O4F5BFN_YPrFNoK0Ew/s2048/290359297_461055895929136_759184508459420891_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCCADCowNrNm__tKgK_Kcv94f23GHBVsX9Wk1S_xW4gnByCRYnqcFAv06bbhkyAB8tEqGPMGEa0rbD_Rze6q_bbAXE_WYiD3gINe33yYOTBI_TVfkBV_iuzh3paCIGEyAlDQ0SXXqY8oFk_59Kp81LxZIOqM34xWxGZoR9Gq7O4F5BFN_YPrFNoK0Ew/s320/290359297_461055895929136_759184508459420891_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzETc1XRso9nzYHSEb_SUUDOZ1xbR8dE5CjsBVYuv7HOypqvpadNVn8EuiUS831GQGFHqlg4HZrKKfHllFgZItgpqpGIzNbjR0LomzyL_bW604i7WiAG5-8FIMhbYjuXxShzaS1HCJNyb7iN0AFGla0Mgtz1ARkwntGgkkeFmLMjEVzkUDFkBn5Eq9A/s2048/290320135_539737174546910_3412410019953525119_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzETc1XRso9nzYHSEb_SUUDOZ1xbR8dE5CjsBVYuv7HOypqvpadNVn8EuiUS831GQGFHqlg4HZrKKfHllFgZItgpqpGIzNbjR0LomzyL_bW604i7WiAG5-8FIMhbYjuXxShzaS1HCJNyb7iN0AFGla0Mgtz1ARkwntGgkkeFmLMjEVzkUDFkBn5Eq9A/s320/290320135_539737174546910_3412410019953525119_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have mowed many areas back there and it looks great. Another tedious job we wanted to tackle was sealing our asphalt driveway. First the cracks had to be filled.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4iYkcw0W02lv5qQ_q8M815YlpFfWtMCNgmnY3Dig2tFBymfzZLOEfQRoEMCoMN-XTbLZyqVEJGN36rxxO4o5kyNBdGnliOb-tOri5e8LuDX11JW0zpSkB_QHry80TBljEwEOGhbd-ZrbZIjBYxLGl0JZfJnOlE_woTnO9-kxg2IdZ6EVVcJ1nYXveA/s2048/282685210_685839156037606_5512680362050277342_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4iYkcw0W02lv5qQ_q8M815YlpFfWtMCNgmnY3Dig2tFBymfzZLOEfQRoEMCoMN-XTbLZyqVEJGN36rxxO4o5kyNBdGnliOb-tOri5e8LuDX11JW0zpSkB_QHry80TBljEwEOGhbd-ZrbZIjBYxLGl0JZfJnOlE_woTnO9-kxg2IdZ6EVVcJ1nYXveA/s320/282685210_685839156037606_5512680362050277342_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That took a couple of back breaking days to do. Then it was time to apply the sealer. Again another several day long project.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mfGzd52xfuAi0p691QLsxQkPZx0R93YTBnMOtF51k7_S6AhG5U2RcSpEMgv3h78NFji5T3mYFls6_09bt2EmXYYhZxKX4UYYi6Ho5Dl9vHJlNZbLpX0BZF19LRUg2ESEJlCV7GR6evVgByo4qQk6BRWI868dge0Ji9QjA_rEReR0xOqa1rQwpj4hQQ/s2048/290367321_756479202449791_5415692975200391193_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mfGzd52xfuAi0p691QLsxQkPZx0R93YTBnMOtF51k7_S6AhG5U2RcSpEMgv3h78NFji5T3mYFls6_09bt2EmXYYhZxKX4UYYi6Ho5Dl9vHJlNZbLpX0BZF19LRUg2ESEJlCV7GR6evVgByo4qQk6BRWI868dge0Ji9QjA_rEReR0xOqa1rQwpj4hQQ/s320/290367321_756479202449791_5415692975200391193_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A 5 gallon bucket of sealer doesn't go as far as you think it does. I first got 5 buckets thinking that would do it. Nope. I went and got 6 more. Nope, still not enough. "I will take 6 more buckets sir." Finally I got that section done.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81Ele3yrIreQA98gcRhT2kVs_zVwyKRJpFbmCYNT1OpLIetI9f8EkUxxO8B4T2bu6K55mQJtP9coCb_X15aiBqMp2M8A-PBUYGCQOUzfPG5I7zodMpN9SfhrZIw0MqYsLDs4Uo0ifDCwFssvkVSWS6rjHZlTWPIcS7zyjUbLv9KYS4kGo8LYMaBi-ng/s2048/289965220_1054352211861895_724870582702423326_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81Ele3yrIreQA98gcRhT2kVs_zVwyKRJpFbmCYNT1OpLIetI9f8EkUxxO8B4T2bu6K55mQJtP9coCb_X15aiBqMp2M8A-PBUYGCQOUzfPG5I7zodMpN9SfhrZIw0MqYsLDs4Uo0ifDCwFssvkVSWS6rjHZlTWPIcS7zyjUbLv9KYS4kGo8LYMaBi-ng/s320/289965220_1054352211861895_724870582702423326_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It looks as good as the day they poured it. Now I just have the front driveway down by the highway to do. I think I will wait until fall to tackle that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On a funny note. We had tornado warnings here a couple of weeks back. When we built this place it does not have a basement. So to fix that problem we buried an underground storm shelter outside. So we went into the shelter with the cats, happy as little clams knowing we were going to survive, when all of a sudden it started to rain hard. No worries we thought. That is until the water started to flow into the air vents and our shelter started to flood. "Abandon ship, abandon ship!" Our options now were to die in a tornado or drown in a flood. We grabbed the cats and went back into the barn. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbCaWmxmZaQxccKGehpQCBuKte5488yPrYCW8eu01CN4PvI3wfcgh0qvoWoUkN0AQJBvAHFjHyDIHVa1ELqt6UhT0bQrB0Mst1KmAoQf9I__013hd1HMRCU87UcuNlK5ZpZwyRMT7A5ULoMTXmpD8Tl-0es4Gd4YEa6I83ayv_6bL3K9zPrR7-IPgDQ/s2048/290325821_4737765722991960_6111344967889318093_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbCaWmxmZaQxccKGehpQCBuKte5488yPrYCW8eu01CN4PvI3wfcgh0qvoWoUkN0AQJBvAHFjHyDIHVa1ELqt6UhT0bQrB0Mst1KmAoQf9I__013hd1HMRCU87UcuNlK5ZpZwyRMT7A5ULoMTXmpD8Tl-0es4Gd4YEa6I83ayv_6bL3K9zPrR7-IPgDQ/s320/290325821_4737765722991960_6111344967889318093_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's muddy rain water at the bottom. One more thing to fix. After that near death experience we really appreciate the smaller things in life. Like listening to the leaves dance in the wind.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw_vuG1tKvwwzTyfrdyybPTWyPbo6XXpl8n3R-IFaAzf-VUIHheiGlcJ60EHgwbE4HJTxzqridXqRv6u72sDQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Or like watching the end of life struggles of a June bug. It's not cruel. There is nothing I could do for this June bug to save it. Nothing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxnSVoTZ2Wa87Y3gp2jOiqLR-kXon7dv65a4R_iWBrRuo6CLxPjIWdmIpbFtNi475ScKlislDLnxyeNN3mZ2w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The June bug did die later on. So I gathered his little body up and buried him in Lisa's garden. I then gave him a 21 gun salute with my AR-15 and played taps on my kazoo. So don't think of me as heartless.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ramblings. Check.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have a happy 4th of July and please remember what this holiday is about. Not what "they" want to tell you what it's about. Also be safe out there. Although if I had a choice of what finger to blow off, I know which one it would be.</div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>MNdriftershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03867351304555957650noreply@blogger.com5