Go West Young Man, Go West

Yeah, we were sitting around the other day having a drink and a cigar, just Jan and I, and I asked her if she missed the fishing out west like I did.  Her immediate response was oh yes, and the rest is history.  We have been working on plans to go out west again after we hit Maine.  So our plans will still have us in Maine for 10 weeks or so, then out to Montana via Buffalo.  Amazingly, and we are taking it as a sign, we have been able to make reservations where we want, when we want, even down to favorites sites here and there.  We'll spend some time there and in Colorado, stop in Taos, then on to Lubbock before coming back to NC and northern GA before our 3 months in Florida.  We really enjoyed our time in New England last year, and definitely want to go back, but the call of the west is loud:-)  Incredible what a year off does to you.  We're still working on a few other things too.

It's warming up down here, and I know that pleases many people, but it doesn't really include Jan and I.  I don't particularly like coming back from my walks dripping like I fell in a pool somewhere.  The increase in heat is bringing out the tortoises in our refuge here in the park, even the little guys like this.

We're down to 6 weeks left now, so I am finally getting some more things done.  I changed the oil and filter on the generator.

We had a big storm come through with heavy winds which made for an angry Gulf.

Unfortunately it also brought in the red tide for awhile.

Jan is still cooking up a storm, she made a delicious spicy beef and peppers stir fry with noodles.

I learned something about propane tank gauges.  We have a 30 gallon propane tank in our coach, and while we are here in Florida, we use a lot of propane, strictly for pleasure as we light up our fire pit almost every night.  Without the fire pit the only thing that burns propane is our two burner stove top.  We are able to fill up right here in the park without moving as a propane truck comes through every week, very convenient.  Our gauge and the readout inside has been terribly inaccurate, both on the top side as well as nearing empty, but in my ignorance I thought replacing the gauge was a huge deal needing to drain the tank, etc.  Turns out the gauge is actually a magnetic reader that translates the level from the inside float to the analog and electric gauge on the outside, so Amazon to the rescue.  Replaced the gauge, took maybe 3 minutes and it looks like the new one is way more accurate.

The old one right after filling the tank:-(

Jan then made a terrific fried rice.

It also was time for a new air cleaner on the motorhome.

Also in our travels we found a new Thai restaurant that we really liked.

Spicy Thai wings

Spicy delicious seafood Tom Yum

And awesome wonton noodle soup

Jan did another interesting puzzle provided by our friend Ray.

And we capped it all off with another cigar night with Harold and Debbie!

Cheers!