I believe the dark cloud that has shadowed us has blown out to sea or at least I hope. Several positive things happened today that makes me believe it to be the case. But that dark cloud had to get in one more downpour on me this morning--first thing-- before my karma changed. I'm not going to talk about what happened this morning now but might later as I don't want to concentrate on bad things. I am a firm believer that attitude is everything when it comes to life. A positive attitude attracts positive things, and if it doesn't then somebody is going to get their butt stomped.
I fixed the motorhome this morning. It seems that the air intake collects rainwater and funnels it into the engine where it collapses the air filter and starves the engine of air. Winnebago issued a recall on the air intake assembly but forgot to tell me about it. Bless their hearts. Bless their hearts is a polite Southern saying translating into somebody needs a butt stomping. The recall places a shield over the air intake to hinder the rainwater from entering. Well the recall repair isn't going to happen until we return home. So, I now have two spare air filters in The Love Boat's basement for the next rain shower. Good times Yall.
I've noticed that the locals are nice but rather redneckish. I've seen quite a few scary looking people but none of them were wearing NASCAR paraphernalia like rednecks do at home. I would call the lack of Earnhardtedness a good sign or at least I think so. I have seen my fair share of men with a waist length, braided pigtail similar to something you would expect to see in a kung fu movie. I guess if they let their pigtail grow longer than waist length, it might get caught in the chain of their motorcycle. What was really funny was a "lady" that we saw while having lunch at a sidewalk cafe. This heavy set "lady" got out of a battered pickup truck and was dressed in a short skirt, see through style top, and high heeled, wooden clog shoes. Yep, I said wooden clogs. When she walked on the sidewalk, she sort of waddled/stumbled down the sidewalk. I am not kidding you, she clunked herself down the sidewalk like a Clydesdale horse except a Clydesdale is graceful. I'm sure she has pulled a few beer wagons herself. I guess her shoes is a bold statement of form before function. Please let her image leave my brain. UNCLE, UNCLE (if you don't know what that means you should read yesterday's blog entry then read this one again).
Yesterday, we went to Bronner's Christmas Store in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Frankenmuth is a beautiful town. Bronner's is said to be the largest Christmas goods store in the world and an icon in the Christmas lighting crazies camp. I like Christmas, and I love Christmas lights. However, I just can't seem to buy a Christmas ornament shaped like a hairdryer that we saw in Bronners. Bronner's has every kind of Christmas ornament known to man and ornaments shaped like objects from many, many occupations. Thus the hair dryer for a hair stylist (Hi Mary), wrench for an auto mechanic, wooden shoes for a hooker, or a piece of dog poo for a lawyer. Bronner's was neat but every man has a horror story of some woman dragging him into a "Christmas store" to look around. A Christmas store is always filled with stuff to hang on a Christmas tree. You know, stuff like bobbles, sparkly things, and fake dead birds. Why would anybody want to put fake dead birds on a Christmas tree? Bronner's had several species of fake dead birds. We (Deb) bought a Christmas ornament shaped like a motorhome. Nothing says Christmas like motors, fiberglass, trailer parks, and fake dead birds. If that were the case then Merry Christmas from Sault Sainte Marie.
Oh, I was going to tell you about the tow truck driver from last night. This guy was twenty years old, had been to jail twice, and had lost his license for a year for drunk driving. He had a two year old child from a woman that he had lived with for three years. Well dern, he certainly has a good start on being a democrat much earlier than expected. I was impressed. He had never towed a motorhome before but was in constant contact by cellphone with his dad who had. He was concerned with driving on "the narrow streets" of Sault Sainte Marie. The roads in Sault Sainte Marie are as large as the roads in Raleigh. Big city traffic (tiny little Sault Sainte Marie) made him nervous too. But, but, but, he did get our motorhome safe and sound to our campsite. I knew that if I lived long enough, I would find a use for a democrat. He saved Deb and myself from certain harm last night. I am truly thankful for his help even though he concerned me as much as the bears in the woods near where we broke down.
In parting I have a wish for you. May your days be filled with dry air intakes, your tow truck driver be a republican, and your woman's shoes be pressure treated wood.
Al
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Uncle, PTBSD, and Whining --Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. June 25, 2010
Danger whining ahead. Proceed with caution at your own risk.
Uncle, uncle, uncle, UNCLE, UNCLE. There I called it. UNCLE. Please Lord make it stop. What a day we had. I troubleshot the stabilizer problem that I mention in yesterday's blog entry to a controller module. We took it to a dealership today and their service guys confirmed it is a controller module that they don't have in stock and will take a while to get. Uncle.. No problem, I studied the module and after a trip to Home Depot, bought the stuff to make a manual bypass. It will take a few minutes and will require crawling under the motorhome each time we camp, but it will work. McGuyer learned his stuff at University of Al. Uncle. No I don't have Turret's Syndrome. I just want to make sure that whatever is causing this meltdown of my karma understands that I give. You understand what I mean about the term uncle. It is when your older brother pushed your head in a mudpuddle until you yelled Uncle. Uncle.
After the morning spent dealing with the stabilizer problem, uncle, we left Detroit (pronounced DeeTroit in the South) and started the remaining 400 miles to Sault Sainte Marie where we are now. Uncle. The only problem is that the last 43 miles was by tow truck. Yep, we ran into rain and it made the motor stop. It was not rain but a torrential downpour and it made The Love Boat stop on the northern side of the Mackinac Bridge to which I will talk about tomorrow when I quit whining. Uncle. Anyway, the breakdown occurred in an incredibly isolated part of Michigan. The nearest tow truck was an hour drive away. UNCLE, UNCLE. I bought Good Sams Emergency Road Service last year. The tow today and tomorrow is paid by the road service to a tune of $275 today and $125 tomorrow. A young guy towed us to our campground. The tow truck driver and I talked about some bizarre stuff, again, to which I will talk about tomorrow. Deb and I are fine for the night and tomorrow we are being towed to a repair shop if they can find one. We may be here a couple extra days. Uncle. However, when we were on the side of the road I called my friend Walter who has helped me work on The Love Boat for almost a year. He knows The Love Boat as good or better than me. Walter suggested that I try the air filter for water since his truck has a similar design that routinely strands him in heavy rain. I removed the air filter and a lot of water came out. The repair to the motorhome may be as simple as an air filter. We shall see tomorrow. Uncle, uncle, uncle.
The puppies (Monty and Riley) are acclimating to the drive and may be fine if Monty's hair doesn't fallout due to PTBSD which is similar to PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). You know the disorder which soldiers sometimes acquire from combat. Many Vietnam veterans suffer from it. Anyway, PTBSD is Pupply Tramatic Brrrruuup Stress Disorder. It is caused by The Love Boat's tires crossing the rumble strip on the edge of the road--you know the grooves ground into the asphalt on interstates next to the white line. Each time the wind forced me over a little, and I drove to the side of the road, The Love Boat would make a loud BBBRRRRUUUUUUPPPPPP. That sound makes Monty lose his mind. He jumps up and dives for cover under somebody's feet or under a chair then acts demonized. It looks like he is having some of flashback from Vietnam and taking cover from artillery or something. We have found large quantities of dog hair in the front of The Love Boat which we believe to be Monty's hair falling out due to PTBSD. At this rate Monty will look like a Chinese Crested ( a bald dog) by the time we get home. BRRRRUUUPPP duck and cover Monty. Incoming. Monty said to tell you that he has declared uncle too. Uncle.
I have a gazillion funny things to talk about that have happened in the last couple of days, but I will save them until tomorrow when my composure returns. Uncle. We are on schedule but may need to modify our travel plans to accommodate some recent events. Uncle, uncle, uncle, and finally uncle.
Yours unclely,
Al
Uncle, uncle, uncle, UNCLE, UNCLE. There I called it. UNCLE. Please Lord make it stop. What a day we had. I troubleshot the stabilizer problem that I mention in yesterday's blog entry to a controller module. We took it to a dealership today and their service guys confirmed it is a controller module that they don't have in stock and will take a while to get. Uncle.. No problem, I studied the module and after a trip to Home Depot, bought the stuff to make a manual bypass. It will take a few minutes and will require crawling under the motorhome each time we camp, but it will work. McGuyer learned his stuff at University of Al. Uncle. No I don't have Turret's Syndrome. I just want to make sure that whatever is causing this meltdown of my karma understands that I give. You understand what I mean about the term uncle. It is when your older brother pushed your head in a mudpuddle until you yelled Uncle. Uncle.
After the morning spent dealing with the stabilizer problem, uncle, we left Detroit (pronounced DeeTroit in the South) and started the remaining 400 miles to Sault Sainte Marie where we are now. Uncle. The only problem is that the last 43 miles was by tow truck. Yep, we ran into rain and it made the motor stop. It was not rain but a torrential downpour and it made The Love Boat stop on the northern side of the Mackinac Bridge to which I will talk about tomorrow when I quit whining. Uncle. Anyway, the breakdown occurred in an incredibly isolated part of Michigan. The nearest tow truck was an hour drive away. UNCLE, UNCLE. I bought Good Sams Emergency Road Service last year. The tow today and tomorrow is paid by the road service to a tune of $275 today and $125 tomorrow. A young guy towed us to our campground. The tow truck driver and I talked about some bizarre stuff, again, to which I will talk about tomorrow. Deb and I are fine for the night and tomorrow we are being towed to a repair shop if they can find one. We may be here a couple extra days. Uncle. However, when we were on the side of the road I called my friend Walter who has helped me work on The Love Boat for almost a year. He knows The Love Boat as good or better than me. Walter suggested that I try the air filter for water since his truck has a similar design that routinely strands him in heavy rain. I removed the air filter and a lot of water came out. The repair to the motorhome may be as simple as an air filter. We shall see tomorrow. Uncle, uncle, uncle.
The puppies (Monty and Riley) are acclimating to the drive and may be fine if Monty's hair doesn't fallout due to PTBSD which is similar to PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). You know the disorder which soldiers sometimes acquire from combat. Many Vietnam veterans suffer from it. Anyway, PTBSD is Pupply Tramatic Brrrruuup Stress Disorder. It is caused by The Love Boat's tires crossing the rumble strip on the edge of the road--you know the grooves ground into the asphalt on interstates next to the white line. Each time the wind forced me over a little, and I drove to the side of the road, The Love Boat would make a loud BBBRRRRUUUUUUPPPPPP. That sound makes Monty lose his mind. He jumps up and dives for cover under somebody's feet or under a chair then acts demonized. It looks like he is having some of flashback from Vietnam and taking cover from artillery or something. We have found large quantities of dog hair in the front of The Love Boat which we believe to be Monty's hair falling out due to PTBSD. At this rate Monty will look like a Chinese Crested ( a bald dog) by the time we get home. BRRRRUUUPPP duck and cover Monty. Incoming. Monty said to tell you that he has declared uncle too. Uncle.
I have a gazillion funny things to talk about that have happened in the last couple of days, but I will save them until tomorrow when my composure returns. Uncle. We are on schedule but may need to modify our travel plans to accommodate some recent events. Uncle, uncle, uncle, and finally uncle.
Yours unclely,
Al
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Day One ,Amish Rush Hour--Perrysburg, OH June 24, 2010
Well, we finally left on the trip. We drove almost 615 miles today. I can't remember seeing so many traffic cones in my life from the construction zones. The campground we are staying in thinks it's The Ritz but they are mistaken. It is a KOA campground which we rarely ever use because KOAs are too expensive and not any different than the others. But it is a campground and we're done driving, for the day. I am thankful.
We decided to drive (The Love Boat pulling The Crapper) through a country section of Ohio called Route 250 (pronounced ROOT 2 fitty) that was interesting as well as 45 miles shorter. We took this route a time or two before but had forgotten how the Amish drive their horse drawn buggies on the side of the road. On prior trips through Root 2 Fitty, we saw a couple buggies at most. It was fun to see them the first couple of times, then it got old trying to not squish them as we passed them with The Love Boat. However, on this trip, we were traveling through at about 5pm and saw tons a buggies scooting around. It was an Amish rush hour. So, I got to thinking, where are they going so hurriedly? Happy hour at Billy Bob's Fine Beer,Wine,and Ammo Emporium? Nope. Maybe they were driving around trying to get a cell phone signal? Nope. I decided they were heading to Amish Gras which is similar to Mardi Gras but the guys drive buggies instead of parade floats and throw beaded necklaces to the Amish girls if the Amish girls show them their boobs. Now that I think about it, the last idea is kind of crazy. The Amish would never buy commercialized, beaded necklaces. The Amish and their ways remain a mystery.
Tomorrow we leave for Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. It is 400 miles from our present location of the Perrysburg KOA. The Love Boat's stabilizers decided to quit working today, and I troubleshot the problem to the control panel. The stabilizers are hydraulic jacks mounted on the bottom of the motorhome that extend and keep the motorhome from bouncing when parked. We plan to get a new control panel in Michigan along the way--if we get lucky. We can use the RV without the stabilizers, but The Love Boat would certainly feel like the Captain Stubing version of The Love Boat.
I've got more information to tell you about but no more time. We drove too far today. If the motorhome is a rocking, don't come knocking cause the dern stabilizers ain't down.
Al
We decided to drive (The Love Boat pulling The Crapper) through a country section of Ohio called Route 250 (pronounced ROOT 2 fitty) that was interesting as well as 45 miles shorter. We took this route a time or two before but had forgotten how the Amish drive their horse drawn buggies on the side of the road. On prior trips through Root 2 Fitty, we saw a couple buggies at most. It was fun to see them the first couple of times, then it got old trying to not squish them as we passed them with The Love Boat. However, on this trip, we were traveling through at about 5pm and saw tons a buggies scooting around. It was an Amish rush hour. So, I got to thinking, where are they going so hurriedly? Happy hour at Billy Bob's Fine Beer,Wine,and Ammo Emporium? Nope. Maybe they were driving around trying to get a cell phone signal? Nope. I decided they were heading to Amish Gras which is similar to Mardi Gras but the guys drive buggies instead of parade floats and throw beaded necklaces to the Amish girls if the Amish girls show them their boobs. Now that I think about it, the last idea is kind of crazy. The Amish would never buy commercialized, beaded necklaces. The Amish and their ways remain a mystery.
Tomorrow we leave for Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. It is 400 miles from our present location of the Perrysburg KOA. The Love Boat's stabilizers decided to quit working today, and I troubleshot the problem to the control panel. The stabilizers are hydraulic jacks mounted on the bottom of the motorhome that extend and keep the motorhome from bouncing when parked. We plan to get a new control panel in Michigan along the way--if we get lucky. We can use the RV without the stabilizers, but The Love Boat would certainly feel like the Captain Stubing version of The Love Boat.
I've got more information to tell you about but no more time. We drove too far today. If the motorhome is a rocking, don't come knocking cause the dern stabilizers ain't down.
Al
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
One week left until we leave--June 15, 2010 Raleigh NC
In just one week we begin our trip to Canada. The last few weeks have flown by, and we are in the final preparations for the trip. Planning a trip that will last five weeks and cover almost 6000 miles can be kind of tough. We are not new at this having experienced three round trips of this magnitude. Two of the trips have been cross country and the other was to the same place we are going-- Naicam, Saskatchewan. And when I say we, I mean we to include The Puppies. Those dogs are better traveled than most humans.
Speaking of The Puppies (Monty and Riley), The Puppies understand many words; I would estimate a couple hundred. We use those words in sentences, and they seem to understand the sentences. One of their new sentences is "Do the puppies want to go for a house ride?" That would mean going for a ride in The Love Boat (our motorhome for you newbies). The Wieners (another name for The Puppies) aren't fond of going for rides in the motorhome, because up until last year when we got The Love Boat, their house didn't move or at least with them in it. We owned a travel trailer and The Wieners only occupied it while it was stationary. You should have seen their faces when the house started moving for the first time--too funny. But they do love an adventure like running around in the desert or playing in water or at least Monty does as Riley doesn't like getting his wittle toes wet.
The PT Crapper (our PT Cruiser towed vehicle or commonly referred to as "toad") is almost ready to go. It has been in the repair shop for some semi-expensive repairs. But, The Crapper is fit and raring to go.
My humor will return as my workload diminishes, and I have more time to write. See Yall in a few days. BTW, if you join the blog as a "Follower", I'm told that the system will send you an email when I update the blog. Besides, it makes me feel like I have groupies.
Al
Speaking of The Puppies (Monty and Riley), The Puppies understand many words; I would estimate a couple hundred. We use those words in sentences, and they seem to understand the sentences. One of their new sentences is "Do the puppies want to go for a house ride?" That would mean going for a ride in The Love Boat (our motorhome for you newbies). The Wieners (another name for The Puppies) aren't fond of going for rides in the motorhome, because up until last year when we got The Love Boat, their house didn't move or at least with them in it. We owned a travel trailer and The Wieners only occupied it while it was stationary. You should have seen their faces when the house started moving for the first time--too funny. But they do love an adventure like running around in the desert or playing in water or at least Monty does as Riley doesn't like getting his wittle toes wet.
The PT Crapper (our PT Cruiser towed vehicle or commonly referred to as "toad") is almost ready to go. It has been in the repair shop for some semi-expensive repairs. But, The Crapper is fit and raring to go.
My humor will return as my workload diminishes, and I have more time to write. See Yall in a few days. BTW, if you join the blog as a "Follower", I'm told that the system will send you an email when I update the blog. Besides, it makes me feel like I have groupies.
Al
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Trailer Trash Jello and My Wife -- Raleigh, NC June 1, 2010
I've noticed a new habit for my wife. I'm not sure how to accept it. In addition, I have noticed how Monty and Deb are very similar. In case you haven't kept up with my stupid blog, Monty and Riley are our 8 year old puppies. Monty will learn something new and retain it before you realize what happens, and so does my wife. Just so you don't have to read through all of my God awful prior posts, we were in Las Cruces, New Mexico earlier this year when Deb discovered Trailer Trash Jello. Yes that is the place with the pig heads in the Walmart cooler. Maybe you should go read that post, because it was quite funny. The puppies really enjoyed playing with the pigheads. Where was I? While we were perusing the pigheads in Las Cruces, NM, Deb discovered parfait Jello. Southerners know that mess as Jello with whipped cream swirled into it. We call it Trailer Trash Jello or at least that is what the heathens that used to call me a friend would say. So I put on my Dr. Phil glasses to exam this situation a month or so ago as Trailer Trash Jello consistently showed up in The Love Boat refrigerator each time we left port. Having lived with my lovely wife for nearly fifteen years, I know she is a creature of habit much as myself and more recognizably, Monty. Deb goes shopping for food for our trip, and she brings it back to the truck where Monty and Riley are waiting. Deb puts the groceries into the truck and Monty surely says to Deb, "Did you get Trailer Trash Jello?" since Monty never forgets anything. If you want to know where you left your car keys ask Monty.
Now Trailer Trash Jello isn't available in our local hoity toity groceries. No sir. It ain't available in this county. We have to go to Durham county to get Trailer Trash Jello. Monty and Riley would far prefer the pig heads to Trailer Trash Jello but beggars can't be choosers unless they are democrats (yes I didn't capitalize democrats). To make matters more complicated, it has to be sugar free Trailer Trash Jello. Do Yall know how hard it is to find Sugar Free Trailer Trash Jello? Well just ask Deb because it consistently shows up in the Love Boat's refrigerator. Now enquiring minds (no I didn't misspell it references a 80's era commercial) want to know does it show up in the Super Duper, Doubled Door, NASA, Energy Star rated, refrigerator that the democrats gave us a tax break to buy using debt which will likely be paid by our grandchildren ? Not hardly. Is your head spinning around like Linda Blair on Michael J. Fox's lap? I'll slow down the pace a little. Yes we bought this behemoth refrigerator for our house that has a control panel with buttons that does all kinds of stuff that we don't have time to read to try to understand what they mean. It has little picture things that makes sounds and cool lights and buzzers and stuff. But does it squirt out cold water? No, it surely has prostate problems as the water trickles out. But, more importantly, does it have Trailer Trash Jello? Nope. That delicacy is reserved for the mobile refrigerator. When in Rome do as the Roman do.
We leave for Canada in a couple weeks.
Now Trailer Trash Jello isn't available in our local hoity toity groceries. No sir. It ain't available in this county. We have to go to Durham county to get Trailer Trash Jello. Monty and Riley would far prefer the pig heads to Trailer Trash Jello but beggars can't be choosers unless they are democrats (yes I didn't capitalize democrats). To make matters more complicated, it has to be sugar free Trailer Trash Jello. Do Yall know how hard it is to find Sugar Free Trailer Trash Jello? Well just ask Deb because it consistently shows up in the Love Boat's refrigerator. Now enquiring minds (no I didn't misspell it references a 80's era commercial) want to know does it show up in the Super Duper, Doubled Door, NASA, Energy Star rated, refrigerator that the democrats gave us a tax break to buy using debt which will likely be paid by our grandchildren ? Not hardly. Is your head spinning around like Linda Blair on Michael J. Fox's lap? I'll slow down the pace a little. Yes we bought this behemoth refrigerator for our house that has a control panel with buttons that does all kinds of stuff that we don't have time to read to try to understand what they mean. It has little picture things that makes sounds and cool lights and buzzers and stuff. But does it squirt out cold water? No, it surely has prostate problems as the water trickles out. But, more importantly, does it have Trailer Trash Jello? Nope. That delicacy is reserved for the mobile refrigerator. When in Rome do as the Roman do.
We leave for Canada in a couple weeks.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The Time Tunnel--Raleigh May 25, 2010
Hiddy Ho Campers.
I feel like I'm in The Time Tunnel. Explaining The Time Tunnel TV series is kind of like riding The Zipper Whirl at the State Fair. You know, just as you are about to get onto the Zipper Whirl there is a huge black line on the wall that says, "You must be this tall to ride". Well to talk intelligently about The Time Tunnel you must be this "________" old, because the last last episode was aired in 1967. Please don't tell me you have underwear that old--that is really gross. I was 8 years old when The Time Tunnel was state of the art. Anyhoo, The Time Tunnel was a worm hole of sorts that allowed these guys with tight fitting pants (girls with big boobs too) to travel to another time and whoop up on the locals, then get the heck out of Dodge before the tunnel closed and left their tight fitting butts in WhereEverVille. Of course, the TV heroes miraculously got back into the tunnel to arrive at home safe and sound before the end of each episode. If you want more information just google The Time Tunnel. Where was I? Oh yeah, I'm feeling like I'm in The Time Tunnel.
This morning I got up and had two critical things that needed completing before the end of my day. You guessed it, whirl, whirl, whirl goes The Time Tunnel and abracadabra these people landed in my path. Just like on TV, these people whooped up on me (because I am a local) and jumped back into The Time Tunnel and got home safe and sound. These "Time Stealers" kind of stole my entire day. I achieved only one of my critical tasks for the day. GRRRR. Tomorrow brings a new day, new critical things, and new Time Stealers.
A few days ago I took The Love Boat to Raleigh Autocare for the required preventive maintenance stuff for our upcoming Canada trip. I left it for a few days and went to pick it up and was blindsided by the bill. The owner and the mechanic (who works on the stuff the size of The Love Boat) decided to not do what I asked them to do. Normally I would have been perturbed at them, but they carefully explained to me their reasoning. The mechanic and owner decided that I would be wasting money to have the services done. It seems The Love Boat is made more like a big truck than a car and has a different maintenance schedule. They could have charged me big bucks for something I didn't need. What was their motivation you may ask? Because it was the right thing to do. Raleigh Autocare is an exceptional business, and I am lucky to have found them. Raleigh seems to have many people of the same mindset. I am fortunate to live in a place with people of the caliber found here. Raleigh is a wonderful place to live and grow old.
Speaking of growing older, Deb grew older than me this past weekend. She is now 51 years old and prettier than they day I found her.
I feel like I'm in The Time Tunnel. Explaining The Time Tunnel TV series is kind of like riding The Zipper Whirl at the State Fair. You know, just as you are about to get onto the Zipper Whirl there is a huge black line on the wall that says, "You must be this tall to ride". Well to talk intelligently about The Time Tunnel you must be this "________" old, because the last last episode was aired in 1967. Please don't tell me you have underwear that old--that is really gross. I was 8 years old when The Time Tunnel was state of the art. Anyhoo, The Time Tunnel was a worm hole of sorts that allowed these guys with tight fitting pants (girls with big boobs too) to travel to another time and whoop up on the locals, then get the heck out of Dodge before the tunnel closed and left their tight fitting butts in WhereEverVille. Of course, the TV heroes miraculously got back into the tunnel to arrive at home safe and sound before the end of each episode. If you want more information just google The Time Tunnel. Where was I? Oh yeah, I'm feeling like I'm in The Time Tunnel.
This morning I got up and had two critical things that needed completing before the end of my day. You guessed it, whirl, whirl, whirl goes The Time Tunnel and abracadabra these people landed in my path. Just like on TV, these people whooped up on me (because I am a local) and jumped back into The Time Tunnel and got home safe and sound. These "Time Stealers" kind of stole my entire day. I achieved only one of my critical tasks for the day. GRRRR. Tomorrow brings a new day, new critical things, and new Time Stealers.
A few days ago I took The Love Boat to Raleigh Autocare for the required preventive maintenance stuff for our upcoming Canada trip. I left it for a few days and went to pick it up and was blindsided by the bill. The owner and the mechanic (who works on the stuff the size of The Love Boat) decided to not do what I asked them to do. Normally I would have been perturbed at them, but they carefully explained to me their reasoning. The mechanic and owner decided that I would be wasting money to have the services done. It seems The Love Boat is made more like a big truck than a car and has a different maintenance schedule. They could have charged me big bucks for something I didn't need. What was their motivation you may ask? Because it was the right thing to do. Raleigh Autocare is an exceptional business, and I am lucky to have found them. Raleigh seems to have many people of the same mindset. I am fortunate to live in a place with people of the caliber found here. Raleigh is a wonderful place to live and grow old.
Speaking of growing older, Deb grew older than me this past weekend. She is now 51 years old and prettier than they day I found her.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Upcoming Trip To Naicam, SK
Well it's time to take The Love Boat out of dry dock and head to Deb's hometown in Saskatchewan. I am almost able to spell Saskatchewan correctly. The journey will begin around June 19 and will take us through Michigan's upper penisula or UP as the locals call it. We will enter Canada at Sault Sainte Marie, MI and go around the top of Lake Superior which is remote (I'm told). From there we will enter The Sunset Country of Ontario which is an area filled with lakes. The Sunset Country is left of Lake Superior on the map. From the Sunset country we will drive the remaining distance to Naicam, SK. Deb was raised in Naicam to which her parents remain today.
In mid July, our friend Walter will fly to Regina, SK where he will take Deb's place for the return journey. Deb will stay a while longer in Naicam then fly home. Walter and I will retrace the path to the Sunset Country where we will stay a couple days for fishing. We will turn south and travel through Chicago, Indianapolis, Charleston, WV and finally home. We should arrive home around July 23. This should be a fun journey.
I will post more to the blog in the upcoming weeks.
Al and Deb
In mid July, our friend Walter will fly to Regina, SK where he will take Deb's place for the return journey. Deb will stay a while longer in Naicam then fly home. Walter and I will retrace the path to the Sunset Country where we will stay a couple days for fishing. We will turn south and travel through Chicago, Indianapolis, Charleston, WV and finally home. We should arrive home around July 23. This should be a fun journey.
I will post more to the blog in the upcoming weeks.
Al and Deb
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