Sunday, April 21, 2013

Star Date: 04202013 Saturday


Getting better at loading the coach in preparation for hitting the road.  After a court appearance at 10 am, got home about 11:00.  The two of us got coach loaded in about an hour.  Then drained the water tank of some old water and began to fill with new water.  Since it was noon went inside house to eat lunch thinking I will check the water level in about 10 minutes to see if tank is about 1/3 full which is the level I prefer to travel with when we are going to a campground.  No need to carry the weight of a full water tank since the campground has water hookup.  Whoops, finished lunch and realized forgot to check water level.  Discovered where the water overflow port is located.  Turned water off and decided to go with a full tank.

Arrived Thursday after about a 90 minute drive to the Roll ‘N Rebels rally in Kissimmee.  Met the Rebels for happy hour and reminisced about St. Augustine and the adverse weather on the drive home.  The Wilsons hit some severe rain which leaked slightly through the front windshield but no others incurred damages except for our cracked windshield.  Lucky us.  Fortunately, we now have a brand new windshield and with no deductible.  I observed the windshield install and the fact that there was no glue holding the old windshield in place.  Nothing but the gasket.  The installers did a great job and it is now appropriately glued in.  The group split into two parties for dinner and we ended up at Joe’s Crab Shack for blackened redfish, mahi mahi and dirty rice.

Friday was a quick stop at Publix for groceries and then lunch in downtown Orlando with our friends Don & Sandy.  Although I knew we had not seen them in awhile, I was surprised that Don said he had not seen my goatee which came in December 2006.  They both looked great and it was great to get caught up.  Afterward, we headed to Winter Park (about 15 minutes north) and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum.  What a gem!  A wonderful exhibit of Louis C. Tiffany glass, jewelry, lamps and windows among other art.  The museum founders acquired the surviving works of Louis Tiffany when Tiffany’s opulent Long Island 84 room home, Laurelton Hall, overlooking Cold Spring Harbor, burned down.  The museum actually recreates several of the rooms from the home with the artwork from the home.  We spent two hours but could have spent more.  A great bargain too at $5 ($4 for seniors 60 and older of which one of us qualifies - hint: it’s not me).  Back to the coach but stuck in rush hour traffic in Orlando so we missed happy hour.  Dinner with the Rebels at Capone’s dinner theater was worth some laughs and the booze was flowing, included with the fixed price.  Although the temperature hit 90, we were not outside much and the museum was very cold, probably due to a very successful attempt to overcome the heat of all the lights behind the stained glass.

Overnight it rained as a cold front came through.  Saturday was a bit cloudy but temps in the 70's was perfect.  Morning trip to Camping World only 5 minutes away.  Bought a part to hold the  showerhead which I will install about a foot below the existing holder as Rosemary claims is too tall for her.  The afternoon was spent at an art show in downtown Celebration, again only 5 minutes away.  Potluck dinner included Laurie’s chili which was quite good once one added chipotle powder.  Mexican train dominos dominated by the men’s team then back to the coach and at Rosemary’s insistence, the heater.  Geesh, women.

Enjoying a great time and only downer is the campground wifi stinks and cannot get online so will have to post this when I get home.  Need to get my own hotspot soon.