Thu - 18 Dec/14

This morning we slept in - sort of? We woke up at 8 am which is later than the 6 or 7 am when we are on the road. We lazed in bed watching the local morning news until 9 am before getting up.

The hot water was working for the shower which means the gas was still flowing. The gas turned on and off to keep the water hot. I guess that problem is solved.

I checked the water line and there was no leak. Wow! That's 2 for 2.

A few more items were arranged between watching TV programs. It usually takes about a week to get everything stored optimally in an RV. Space utilization is the key to living in an RV that is a fraction of the size of a normal residence. We are still working on it.

Now that things are basically set it was time to go grocery shopping. We decided on the Walmart Supercenter in Mt. Dora rather than the closer Publix because we wanted a variety of items, not just groceries. Besides - it meant more time to enjoy driving with the top off in the 70F sunshine.

According to rule #37: Having a substantial meal before grocery shopping lessens the temptation to buy too much (especially junk food).

Now for the scary part! Most of the time I can predict where Charlotte would like to eat. I often get it right on the first guess, I rarely need a second try and I usually get it correct at least by the third. Unfortunately, this is the only clairvoyant ability I have.

I asked Charlotte to think of where she would like to go for dinner. (We're Canadian - Americans would say lunch. We also have supper when they would be having dinner.)

Without giving her time to reply I said; "I know you want to go to Golden Corral."

Charlotte's response; "I was trying to think of the name, but it just wouldn't come." (Understandable, since we don't have Golden Corral back home. She hadn't seen the sign since last April).

The closest Golden Corral is about 10 minutes from OMS (Olde Mill Stream RV Resort). Just part of what makes OMS a great RV Resort is that they give long term residents a complete resort package (more on that in later blogs) which includes a card with local discounts. Like Pizza Hut, there is a 10% discount at Golden Corral with the card.

Soon we pulled in to the almost full parking lot - understandable since it was during the noon hour.

For those who do not know about Golden Corral - this is simply the best buffet value anywhere, There service is excellent and the prices more than reasonable.

Charlotte enjoys the wide selection and the quality of the choices. Today the Pot Roast and Fried Chicken were outstanding. It would take 2 pages just to describe the items available. To paraphrase the Alka-Seltzer ad from the '70's - "Try it - you'll like it!" -  and you won't need the Alka-Seltzer unless you overeat!

We didn't take the top off in the Del Sol for the trip to Walmart which was only a few miles away. This gave me a chance to run the A/C. I run the air conditioner at least 10 minutes per week throughout the year. This keeps the seals lubricated and adds to the unit's longevity.

Unfortunately, I had to leave the top on the car for the return trip. This is what three 24 packs of Dr. Pepper, a 28 pack of water and 27 bags if groceries looks like when packed in a Del Sol. Thankfully, unlike most sports cars, it has a huge trunk!

 

By the time we unloaded and packed away the items requiring refrigeration it was dusk. The picture doesn't do justice to the colours. Bonus: being 1500 miles closer to the equator compared to home means we have nearly an extra hour of sunlight at both ends of the day at this time of the year ... and
the days will soon start to lengthen.

The other grocery items will be packed away tomorrow as a complete storage compartment reorganization will be needed.

Time to watch TV which usually starts with Jeopardy.

Our "Second Summer" has begun.