We have now been home from our December & January trip for almost 6 weeks and it seems like 6 hours. It seems that we keep so busy that the days simply melt away and a new day is here. We have completed some work on the coach, some cosmetic to repair scratches and dings, and some upgrades. The body/fiberglass work included a couple of scratches from "operator error," an original crack in the fiberglass, an area where I removed the paint by applying solvent to remove a spot, and a storage compartment rebuilt that melted during our exhaust problem on our last trip.
We also did an upgrade to HD TV in the coach which required a new 32" HD TV for the front of the coach, larger than the original 27" model, and a new 5LNB Dish for the roof to receive the HD signal. Oh, and also a new HD DVR so we can record programs in the coach. In the technology area I have purchased a new IMac computer and ditched the old PC. The IMac has a 24" screen and is all self contained. I mounted it on a wall mount so it seems to float on my desk. I think it is really cool and it works so much better than my PC and the graphics are truly incredible!
We had part of our bulkhead, separation of land and water, come apart while we were gone so we have also repaired that and added a "pony wall," a short wall in front of the original bulkhead, to provide further protection. This wall is about 18" away from the bulkhead and about two feet lower. The contractor drove 8' metal panels, the same type as the original bulkhead, about 5 feet into the bottom, as far as they could pound them, and capped them off with angle iron welded across the top. The space between the two walls is filled with concrete and should protect the bulkhead from any further damage.
I have also been working on my wood turning skills and completed a project, a small vase, last week. My skills are improving and I have purchased some exotic wood to do some projects when I feel comfortable that I won't waste the wood. I have "blown up" a few boxes by taking too much wood or cutting too far into the wood but, as I said, I am learning.
We have also been working on plans for our summer trip to Idaho and points in between and also a trip to the Florida Keys for next winter, probably December & January. We did take a short weekend trip to Tyler to do some shopping at Sam's Club and some eating out at a couple of our favorite spots. We are getting ready for our grandson Cole's birthday party on April 5th and then we will head to Montgomery, Texas for the National Alfa Rally. Our club, The Lonestars, is the host club so we all have lots of assignments and responsibilities. Because of this rally we will miss our niece's wedding in Las Vegas but, unfortunately, the rally was scheduled first and we have made a commitment.
I will try to do better in the future with keeping current so keep coming back. When we start our travels it seems easier to keep up. The pictures above are from our friend Jim Ward's wonderful ranch outside of Wickenburg, Arizona. Jim invited us to spend a couple of days with them as we made our way back home in January. His ranch is incredible as you can see and yet there is so much more that you can't see. Anyhow, enjoy the photos and be safe.
