Wed - 11 Mar/15

Another scorcher today - 90 F w/high humidity!

I drove Charlotte to the Craft Room a bit before 8:30 a.m.

I then headed for Wally's Garage (that's Wally). It was so nice to have the A/C working - Wally did a great job! The reason I was returning was for a special request.

After 20 years the glue dried out on the Driver's Signal Light (front) and the lens cover just fell off. No idea where or when - probably on the way home to Canada. Honda had none in Canada. Honda in the USA didn't either.

It is an "Obsolete Part" and no longer available from Honda - anywhere! I located an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) unit on the internet; however I could not order it. Like many USA sites it would not accept a Canadian Billing Address.

Canada has a 6 digit Postal Code that is made up of alternating letters and numbers (e.g. K3M 6T3). Our postal code is so accurate that it tells what block and what side of the street the address is located on in the city. The USA Zip is only 5 numbers! It refers only to a city post office location.

I went to see if Wally would order the signal light and install it when it arrived. No problem - yet!

I returned to the Craft Room to leave the car for Charlotte so she could return to the RV at anytime and not have to walk her sewing machine all the way back (it has a roller case and extension handle similar to a suitcase). I stayed to help Charlotte place her Quilt Squares in the proper order - easier job for two as it was a complicated pattern).

Just before noon we returned to the RV then headed out for dinner (lunch in the USA). OMS gives long term RVers a discount card. We used it to save 10% at Golden Corral. Less then $18 for the both of us for a great buffet. We usually don't do buffets at most places because we can't eat our money's worth; however, Golden Corral is so reasonable we come about once a month for lunch. We can then "pick and choose" what we like and eat at our own pace. (The Pot Roast is a tasty favourite).

We were going to go food shopping to re-supply the refrigerator that we emptied before returning home. It was so hot and humid and we were still getting "in sync" after our long trip and DST (time change - "Spring Forward/Fall Back" - lost an hour of sleep) that we decided to return to the RV and rest before going to the Jimmy Smith "Remembering the Legends" show in the Main Clubhouse at 7 p.m.

Problem! I then received an e-mail from Wally. The OEM company apologized - the part was no longer available, they just failed to remove it from their site (Right! - more like they wanted you to order a suggested non-OEM replacement part).

I went on-line and order a pair of replacement signal lights from another site (Amazon) that are made to fit as OE. I ordered a pair for two reasons. They are probably not a perfect match (cover details) to the original (copyright?) I will install both so I have a matching set. I will keep the original for a spare. I can always re-install (originals) if I come across a used OEM.

We then headed for the "Legends" show. This was a Rule #24 Event: "At an RV Park Major Event; being there an hour early means you are already a half hour late." We arrived 45 minutes early and ended up sitting at the very rear of the hall. The show was sold out and folks were probably in line when the doors opened at 6 p.m.

Jimmy Smith is a "Regular" performer in Pigeon Forge, TN (home of Dollywood). Like Branson, MO - Pigeon Forge "shuts down" after the Christmas Shows until the spring. During this time many of the performers "go on the road" and perform at RV parks for the "Snowbirds" who have come south for the winter. They often do 2 or 3 shows a week on the "Winter RV Park Circuit". In Arizona it was similar except the performers usually came from Las Vegas. This means we get to see great performers without having to go to Pigeon Forge, Branson or Nashville (and pay more, too!).

Jimmy actually sat at our table for a few minutes before the show. Can you guess who? (grin).

Jimmy Smith's "Legends" show was excellent. He opened with an "Elvis Tribute" covering his early years (at Sun Records). Years ago we were at the Sun Studio Cafe for Deep-Fried Banana Cream Pie - Wow! Even the President (Reagan) ordered from them. The Cafe is located in one half of an old converted two bay garage which, of course, also housed the legendary Sun Record Studio.

the Sun Record Studio was closed at that time. U2 had booked it for recording an album. They wanted the unique "era" recording equipment sound available only there. We were talking about how disappointed we were (coming all the way from Canada, Eh!) while enjoying the DFBC Pie. We didn't realize we were talking to the owner (owned both the Cafe and Studio). U2 had finished for the day and he graciously opened it up for a "Quick Studio Tour". Sometimes you just "Luck Out"!

It was like stepping back into 1956. The vintage "Reel-to-Reel" Tape Recorder, the big Chrome Microphones and the era drum set and guitars were all there. The "Spit Shield" for the microphone was a wire coat hanger with a nylon stretched over it. Hi-Tech, Eh!

Founded in 1952 by Sam Phillips, it originally recorded the likes of Roscoe Gordon and Rufus Thomas because Sam loved "Rhythm and Blues". He wanted to bring black music to a white audience. The walls had huge posters of Elvis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. Charlie Rich and Conway Twitty (who recorded under his real name, Harold Jenkins) were also among the early stars. All were discovered and first recorded there. But, I digress. (I do that a lot - grin).

Jimmy, after the Elvis opening, performed classics by Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis Johnny Cash and Conway Twitty. He mentioned Harold Jenkins first - then identified him as Conway Twitty (We knew that! - grin).

After the break Jimmy returned as the "Las Vegas" Elvis and finished the show with songs of that era. He came onto the hall floor several times to do the "Elvis Scarf Thing". This had many of the ladies in the crowd excited. They were standing and waving for his attention. They all wanted an "Elvis Scarf".

Before the show we talked to Tom and Chris. Their RV is a few sites down on our street. Like all RVers' they are great folks. This reminded me about "Fruit Cake". On our arrival back at the park they were returning to their site and stopped to chat. I mentioned we had returned through Claxton, GA so we could pick-up Claxton Bakery Fruit Cake. Tom mentioned he wasn't a big fan of fruit cake but a family member was "Nuts" (grin) for it.

Remembering this, after the show, I picked up a 1 lb fruit cake bar from the RV freezer and brought it to their trailer. They were just returning (from the show) as I arrived. I gave it to Tom saying; "I know you don't like this; but you can earn "Brownie Points" with your relative." They laughed.

It turned out Gerry and Lil (on the left) had returned with Tom and Chris (you guessed it - on the right) from the show. Their RV sites are back-to-back. Tom called them over. It was really nice to meet them (G and L). We had a nice; but short, conversation as it was beginning to rain and we all headed for the shelter of our RVs.

Bonus: Tom gave Charlotte and I a jar of Sanders (Fine Chocolates) Milk Chocolate Hot Fudge Dessert Topping. Tom brought a good supply from home. This is a "Michigan Treat". The original, award winning "Hot Fudge" is perfect for topping just about anything. Tom said most folks just eat it from the jar. He wasn't kidding - that's exactly what Charlotte and I did! Super Good! Thanks, Tom.

Charlotte and I watched TV and a bit of the nightly news before nodding off to sleep.

The internet was slow (again) so I got up a 5:30 a.m. (still out of sleep sync) to do the blog before it got busy again. Good thing - by 8:30 a.m. the net was slow as molasses.