Fun on the Run!

Holy crap!  I arrived at Paragon Casino RV which has 250+ RV spaces--Very Nice RV spaces--and it was sold out to a Rally!  Oh well, most casinos have blacktop boondock sections for truckers and RV'ers so I used their dumpstation and found me a spot (center of photo)!

Since I am now back in action with my inverted power, I plugged in everything to my inverter outlets and gave my electronics a nice long drink of electricity!

It was early afternoon and I knew the casino would be almost empty and it would be easy to find a Video Poker machine.  It was and I played for about 2 hours on my $20.  I finally cashed out with $20.05---Hooray I'm a winner!  Headed to the Buffet "All You Can Eat Crawfish" and spent another 2 hours beheading crawfish (which resemble dwarf lobsters).  My mouth had been waterin' for crawfish all day...

One must have a lot of patience to labor over pulling out the small amounts of tail meat, but the reward is so sweet and succulent!  They give you a 3 gallon bucket and sprinkle cajun seasoning over the critters; if you have any cuts on your fingers, you will immediately be writhing in pain after coming in contact with the seasoning.  Instinctively, I nosedive my finger into my glass of water.  Ahhhh....

Then, after the first taste, there is a delayed action of the seasoning on your taste buds which lulls you into a false sense of security.  Suddenly ...Yeeooowwwwl---you are airborne!  The scorching burn hits your oral mucosa with a venegance and you desperately gulp down half a glass of water, eyes running all the while knowing that your upper body will soon become numb.  Your lips feel like all the nerve endings are exposed and they have doubled in size.  However, the shock soon wears off and you suck it up and continue your quest for sweet crawfish meat.  It was a bit 'o heaven!

Next stop, Denton TX where there is a Camping World.  I need them to test my batteries because, although my inverter system is working, it is not giving me the time it should.  They tested good and they found that my inverter settings were not optimal to getting the kind of performance I wanted, so they changed them.  Really haven't had a chance to test things out...just hopin' that does the trick.  Perhaps I have out-teched myself this time around...

Spent the night in a nice Passport Campground (I'm in the middle of the photo) that not only had free wifi--it had FREE LAUNDRY!  Since I had not done laundry since leaving Florida, I had 3 large loads.  That amenity alone was worth $9 as I find it is usually $1.50 per wash or dry load.  They also had FREE Wifi and FREE showers.  I love that word---FREE.  Sweet!  I only paid $12 for the night so I got my money's worth big time.

Next stop--the AOK in Amarillo TX.  This place is a major dive, but I always stay here.  

No real office--no DOOR on the office.  You just put your dollars in an envelope and slide it under the door.  Handwritten price list.  Pool is filled in now (file photo) Not a soul in sight!

However, while settling in, there was a knock on the door.  I peeked out my window and saw a nice gent and asked "Who's there?"  He said his name was "Frank" and he was my neighbor and an Escapee.  Well, of course I HAD to open the door for a guy named Frank!  

Turns out he and his wife wanted to chat and wondered if me 'n Cassie wanted to join them on their nightly walk.  Of course, I said yes and it was a very pleasant meeting.  

Next day, I planned to have a Mother's Day Brunch at the Big Texan Steak Ranch.   This is a pretty famous destination in Amarillo and one sees billboards for 100 miles advertising a FREE 72oz steak if you can eat it in an hour.

Parked the rig in the shade under the billboard.  They didn't require proof of motherhood so I was seated and got my ticket for unlimited prime rib, roast beef and ham.  Boy did I get my fill of animal meat and hot food!  And you were served a dessert of cheesecake with choice of several toppings.  All for $7.50 special Mother's Day pricing!

Shortly after leaving the brunch as I was headed for Albuquerque NM, the infamous New Mexico wind started up with some fierce crosswinds.  I appreciated the truckers who maneuvered defensively when approaching the lil ole lady in the moho weaving all over her lane.  

Several supergusts slapped my RV to the side of the road and suddenly, I heard a disturbing bang over my head.  I pulled into a Rest Stop (rig right center of photo) to rest and look at my roof.  Up the ladder I went and crawled across the roof in the punishing winds toward the location of the thwaump.  Hmmmm..it appeared my omnidirectional TV antenna, a saucerlike device which sets on elevated support legs, was flapping in the wind when the gusts hit 60mph.  However, it did not appear to be in imminent danger of flying off into space, so I had no choice but to "let it be" and hope for the best.   

Driving was extremely tiring and nerve-wracking so I decided to get off the road and stayed the night in Tucumcari at Cactus RV.   Tucumcari resembles an Olde West ghost town and its business is almost entirely tourism as Old Route 66 travels through it.  Mom 'n Pop restaurants, RV parks and cheap motels.  Not a blade of grass in sight.  Every other building is shuttered up, falling down or deserted.  The RV park office also appeared deserted except for several handwritten signs which advised "No Entry" and "Bell #1 and Bell #2" or "Other Door".  I chose Bell #2 and soon, I heard locks turning and was admitted to the inner sanctum of the Registration Office, where I ponied up the night's fee and hunkered down as 50 mph wind gusts slammed my RV and threatened to rip my slide canopies to shreds. 

Next morning, I was happy that slide canopies survived!  Weather forecasts were worse for wind advisories and I had visions of tractor trailers turned over belly up along I-40.  Instead, to my surprise, this is what I saw.  Guess it's a sign of the times.

I decided to get on the road at daybreak in order to travel during the relatively calm part of the day.   I will be making landfall at my friend's home in Edgewood, NM which is 30 miles east of Albuquerque.

Power Pimp my RV!

I didn't anticipate a week stopover to Pimp my RV and treat Cassie to the joys of living in a shopping cart...but here I be in Hammond LA!  Actually, the good news is that I am leaving this morning--my 6th day!

My new best RV Guru, Big Bill, (regrettably, Sam has been replaced) approached me in the Customer Lounge with a long, unhappy face.  He was trailing my Service Advisor, who looked like he would prefer to be anywhere but leading the Big Bill to me.  I knew the minute I saw them together headed in my direction that this was not gonna be good.

And, it wasn't.


After assuring me he could pimp my RV to provide me power, he described several issues (tekkies like the term "issues" rather than "problem").  All non-factory installed wiring was left "exposed" to road hazards.  Wiring was too small for current and not shielded.  No Fuse on the 100W inverter.  The wiring was fed into the converter from the inverter.  (If you only knew how ridiculous that is--it creates a mega energy loop that can fry anything in the circuit, overheat it and spontaneously cause a fire.)

They would not let me leave unless I got it fixed or signed a Waiver of Liability.  They said they couldn't be liable nor could they expose the manufacturer to the botched aftermarket wiring job, which could result in fire.   They won't even let me stay in the RV overnight.

So obviously this is not going to be covered by a Manufacturer's Warranty.

I called the RV dealer that I bought the unit from and reported the situation to the Service Dept believing that it is better to involve them in the drama while I have the experts "on hand".  No surprises down the road and I can shortcut the usual self-righteous pout "Why didn't you call us?".  By this time, with my "luck" with RV's, I know the routine and always call early in the disaster process. 

Turns out my Service Advisor had worked for Dixie RV for over 10 years.  Despite setting a pleasant and neutral tone, she soon became defensive.  I reassured her that the technicians would be emailing all the photos of the wiring before they fixed it and would be glad to speak with her.  

During all this, the weather started turning foul and Cassie sensed nearby thunder and started acting like an idiot.  So I had to go get some Doggie Downers from my rig which was in the shop.  She "went postal" and jumped out of the shopping cart and started running around in a panic because I was out of sight.  I finally rounded her up and drugged her ass.  Sleeping peacefully now...aahhhh.

So, I am staying at the only dive within 5 miles that will take a pet.  At least they have Cable TV (Wow-reruns of Sex & The City!) and free Wifi.  My Service Advisor here, a nice guy named CJ, drove me to the motel and picked me back up!  What a relief that was!   Note the heavy-lidded look on Cassie, who is still under the influence of the calming medicinals I gave. 

Note to Self:  Next time-pack a Wood's light...  

All of which brings me to the final footnotes in this misadventure.  I am now confident that my RV electrical situation is safe and I ran it last night and everything works great!  Big Bill, Master Power Pimp of my RV,  took over 20 photos and wrote a significant narrative describing the condition of the wiring job.  I am told that it will be very sufficient documentation to justify my claim of almost $2200.  That amount does not include the $5 Footlong from Subway.


At my next stop, Paragon Casino in Marksville, LA, I will prepare the money part of my claim and send it along to my Baaaaad Dealer.  I have to make changes in my itinerary since I have lost 5 1/2 travel days.   I have laundry to do.  I have a small donation to make to the casino.  Cassie needs a bath.  I am past due for some fun!

Got Fun?

Anyone?

First night out--found a nice friendly Cracker Barrel and settled down for a rerun of House.  Tripped my inverter with the TV after 5 minutes.    Reset it.  Tripped again.  Uh oh.  All I'm running is a TV which is a very tiny load.   Got out the Manual and read the Troubleshooting section.   Looks like it is a Load problem.  Decided to troubleshoot with the manufacturer, TrippLite, when I got in at the campground I was staying at in Long Beach MS.

(Anyone curious about what an inverter does; short version, it converts battery power into AC electric so I can charge my cell, laptop, TV etc.)

Until then, I simply used my generator when I needed power to charge my stuff, heat my oatmeal and pop my popcorn.   I had a lovely drive and great weather.  

Took my rebounder out for a romp in a gorgeous Rest Stop with a picnic loop and got a little exercise.  It is very portable and folds into a quarter and rides in my hitch.  I don't want to get clots in my legs from too much sitting like they warn you about on airplanes!


Did I know I would be surrounded by the most insane storms in 100 years...and that the campground's elevation was 1 ft above the river?  No I did not!  Fortunately, I was on the MS coast and all the storm action was north so no problem.  But, I was advised on arrival that evacuation would be sudden and absolute!

The campground, Magic River, was beautiful--like a forest campground with amenities.   More photos >>
 Magic River Long Beach MS pictures by MovinSue - Photobucket

It also wins the prize for the most adorable Dump Station I have ever seen in 8 years of traveling!   A covered station with a stainless steel sink and running water for washing up and the hose hung up instead of lying in the funkified drain area.  Flowers planted around it and a cute sign completed the look and won it my "Best of Class".

The Passport America gang had someone pick me up and I spent a few hours touring their office and meeting people that I had worked with.   Very young, laid back crew; they brought in pizzas for everyone to share.   

HQ in the middle of nowhere; everyone seems to have at least an hour commute to work with no traffic.

My main contact is Tiffany who is moving to downtown New Orleans next week and will be working remotely from her apartment.


While there, I spent the better part of a day on the phone with the inverter manufacturer, TrippLite and also with the dealer's installer, Sam.  Sam and I go back 2 rigs and he also helped me fix something while I was on the road.  I think of him as my personal RV Wizard.   Very capable fella.  I went through the tedious troubleshooting with each of them and, after crawling around the floor where the circuit breakers are (on the base of the bed) and bending over double to access the electric compartment outside, TrippLite finally agreed to replace the inverter under warranty.  This is an $800 part so even though my body ached from contorting into unspeakable positions, I was very happy.  

However, something told me that it wasn't the inverter.  These things have no moving parts to fail and mine was only 18 months old.  Warranty on them is generous.  Even over the phone, I sensed "body language" from Sam...

Next began the daunting task of finding a service repair shop ahead of me that could do the installation "quickly".  That brought me to Camping World in Hammond LA--a truly lovely place.  In fact, I stop here to rest frequently during my travels.  

I had the manufacturer ship the replacement equipment to Camping World (a miracle of coordination and patience!).  

While they had my rig, Cassie & I hung out in the Customer Lounge where they had coffee and wifi.  They also had a Big Screen TV but it could only be tuned to one station--the Travel Channel.  That was fine until that weird bald guy came on and starting eating his exotic critter food--some of it alive and moving!  

Cassie had to hang out in the shopping cart but I put her pillow in there and she was comfy.   

They dutifully installed the inverter-$263-and gave me the bum's rush.  I asked to see the Manager and requested him to keep my ticket open until I ran the rig on inverter, since the Technician did not test it.  Whaddayaknow!  Problem still exists! 

Called the Manager again and tersely communicated with him to have someone "take ownership of the problem!" and test it thoroughly before molesting my credit card and sending me off with the same problem I came in about.  

Technician supervisor assigned to my issue and they did a moderate diagnostic and found my batteries were FRIED!   Today, they replaced the fried batteries $241.  Problem still exists.

They finally cried "Uncle" and took me over to the adjacent Dixie RV Dealer, an authorized dealer for Forest River for a comprehensive diagnostic under warranty.  (All my costs are recoverable under warranty).

Today is Saturday; I booked an appointment for Monday and they said I could use one of their "orientation" hookups for the weekend so I could have a little TV (which I hadn't had since last Weds.)  They will get manufacturer authorization for warranty work as the problem obviously is not the inverter or the batteries and may be (shudder) faulty wiring.


So that is a report on the fun I have been having with my new RV.


Actually, life could be much worse than sitting in a beautiful RV campus with electric, a pond and fountain outside my window, security guards at night and nice neighbors all excited and happy to be "trading out" their old rigs.  I will be 5 days behind my driving schedule if they can get me back out on the road on Tuesday. 

And, I found another Reality Show to get addicted to--The Voice--watched the audition episode on Hulu.com and I am hooked already.  

90 degrees in April and...

...fuel fast approaching $4/gal!  Time to Hit the Road and try my luck crossing the country dodging  floods, wildfires, landslides, earthquakes, tornadoes and radioactive clouds.

Unfortunately, one cannot avoid the Gas Bandit.  In preparation for my trip, I got a Murphy Gas credit card which gives you 3 cents off at all Murphy's at the Walmarts.  I get 10 mpg and will fill every other day for about $100.

For me, it still beats any other way to go!

I am in turbo-mode packing the house up in preparation for my absence for 3 months.  It's payback time for several months of home maintenance carelessness and procrastination as work now becomes a 1-month crush of chores.  Additionally, I must completely set up a parallel household in my new RV but that part is mostly done already.

OK here is a shortlist of some precautions I am taking for traveling the country alone with a poofy white princess pooch:

1. I have a gun, ammo and a permit  

2. NRA sticker prominently displayed

3. A poofy white princess guardog warning sticker displayed on the entry door

4. When checking into campgrounds, I carry small amount of cash in Frank's wallet, with the Police Benevolent Assn wallet card easily visible.

5. When speaking to people casually on the road, I refer to "we" and "us".

6. When leaving the RV to go somewhere, I will bang on the window and yell "See ya later!" or reopen the entry door and yell "Whaaaat?"

7. An inflatable man will be propped up in the passenger seat (just kiddin')

8. When parking, I always keep an exit path and never allow a vehicle or other structure to prevent me from pulling forward and away.

I posted some pics of my RV on Photobucket:    Hit Slideshow--suggest when it starts select "Slow" on lower left if you want to read descriptions. 
The NEW SueMobile pictures by MovinSue - Photobucket and it will give you some idea of how I'll live for the next few months.

I have to say that I am deliriously happy with this vehicle.  It is quiet inside, 

has a great cabin entertainment center with surround sound (my privacy curtain is up in this pic), 

a cozy bedroom with a TV and dimmer lights (see the headboard I built which completely obliterates the annoying window behind your head!)

and a secure place for Cassie's crate so she can ride next to me.  She has 4 inches of memory foam under the crate and her pillow!

And, only one rattle!  That is amazing--one little rattle that I cannot find (but I suspect it is the entry screen door).  

Here is my attempted fix; the gasket was partially dislodged and I am reglueing it.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, I have (with the help of our resident handyman, Brian) completely Eternabonded the roof, slides and windows.  Took 4 hours.  Easy.  Not expensive.  And, I don't need to climb up on the roof or  recaulk again...ever.

My first destination stop is Gulfport MS where I plan to meet my friends/colleagues at Passport America's headquarters.  After many years of my whining at them about the inaccuracies in their geolocations (GPS coordinates), they finally decided they might as well work with me.  It has been a very pleasant business association and we have all decided to meet and say hello in person.  They are hosting me with a nearby campsite and it will be my first "serviced" stop after leaving Florida.

My second stop will be to visit friends near Albuquerque, NM--friends from way back when "Tuna" was a Conk in Key West and we were all hippies.  He is all grown up now and began a brand new family a few years ago who I enjoy immensely.  He is an accomplished interpretative artist of Native American culture.  If you are on Facebook, check it out. Richard Rohe's Albums (1)

My next major destination is a scenic stroll in south central Utah through tiny rural mountain towns like Big Water, Kanab, Bryce Canyon City, and Escalante on Route 12.  I plan to take a REAL photo of my feet here (yup-photoshopped!)

I promise not to go off hiking by myself and get stuck in a rock ravine and have to knaw my arm off.  

I am planning to take a half-day whitewater trip out of Marysvale.  I have always wanted to do that (and skydive too).  The rapids have enticing names like:  Rock of Shock, Satan's Gut, Room of Doom, Hell-to-Pay and Sock-it-to-Me.

After I've dried off and had my fill of odd-shaped red rock formations called "hoodoos", breathtaking canyons and lake vistas, I'll continue north around the Wasatch Mountains toward Grand Tetons and Yellowstone NP.  

I'll arrive there just in time to watch the spring birthing of bison, elk, pronghorn, moose and if I'm lucky--some bear and wolf cubs. The bison calves are cute and very entertaining; they interact with Mom and each other much like young puppies except they practice butting heads and kicking.

I will rent a car for a day or two to roam around the park and oogle cowboys whilst drinking Moose Drool beer at my favorite Bullwinkles Saloon in West Yellowstone. 

While I am there, I will visit Frank's place and am actually looking forward to that.  I didn't think I would ever want to go back.

On my way north out of Yellowstone, I will meander with my RV and do some serious grizzly bear/wolf watching on road pullouts in Lamar Valley with the other wildlife photog fanatics.  This is very serious business in YNP and is a great chance to meet other folks who love the same things I do.

Next destination depends entirely on the weather--Glacier NP.  One of the most drop-dead beautiful places in the US and steeped in history of the Blackfoot Indians.  There are many things to do here as their season is short and ramps up full steam June 1.  

The park trolley bus system is a carefree way to enjoy this area, as the Going to the Sun Road is tortuous to drive.  It is plowed out weeks in advance in anticipation of a normal weather pattern, but if it snows and a new avalanche shuts down the road, I'll have to make another plan.

This takes me to the second week in June.  My next stopovers include friends in Washington state near Crescent Bar, relatives in Portland OR and possibly a girl gaggle with my sister and her friends somewhere along the Oregon coast.  

Eventually, I'll park my rig in my sister's backyard under a 100 year old Redwood tree.  I'll have to peek my head out every morning to make sure there are no bear visitations before I take Cassie out... I look forward to fresh ground coffee in the mornings (the northwestern folks take their coffee very seriously) with my sis and enjoy a long visit with her.  It is her busy season--she owns an RV park and I told her I would earn my keep and help her out.

Some of you wonder about all the "alone" time and how do I manage?  There are days when it seems like my only constant companions are Cassie and the Gas Pump.  I worry if I start talking to the pump, so if you should get a surprise phone call from me, it might be because the pump talked back and I need a reality check!  

One of my strategies is to stop frequently and pick places I'm likely to run into other travelers and not be shy about starting casual conversations.  I also walk Cassie a lot when I want company--and I usually meet another soul walking their dog and end up sipping wine and telling tall tales at their rig.   

I also am active on RV-related forums and have online buds to compare notes with--for me--internet is essential to feeling connected. 

Generally, people on the road have a mind set that welcomes transient encounters.  You never know when these "on the fly" associations become a pleasant memory or a lasting friendship (it has happened!).   In all honesty, it sometimes requires effort to magnify experiences when traveling alone and pleasure is measured as "a good day because my rig didn't break down or I didn't get mugged!"   But other days the "highs" really soar!

Things I will miss:  the serenity of my community during the summer season (population:  130) and the family-sized potluck suppers with friends, pedicure in the massage chair by my non-english speaking "guy" (lotsa smiling, nodding, no conversation Yeah!), the gangs of noisy sandhill cranes taking over the park and... my red power sofa-recliner. 

Things I will not miss:  hearing the meaningless pop culture phrases "at the end of the day" and "that having been said" during business meetings, sweeping/blowing tree crap off my car/golfcart/driveway/entry steps and the heart-stoppingly hot and humid summer air.

I plan to return in August for the peak of hurricane season; I know it's an odd time to want to return to Florida but I would rather be nearby if there is a problem.  

I will have almost uninterrupted internet service except when blocked by mountain terrain and will keep up my blog at  MovinSue's RV Travel Blog

My cell is (239) 247-1655 

My MagicJack phone is "always on" and taking messages which it drops in my email at 772-882-6859.

OoVoo is http://webvideocall.oovoo.com/callme/movinsue/257

Blue Skies Ahead!

I found this pic on another blog I follow and it tickled my imagination so I decided to make it my first photo of 2011!   The "vision" is full of hope for a good future filled with blue skies while reminding me that part of every future is "stormy"-- but that should not dominate the view.  It's my good thought for a New Year!

My community, Saddlebag Lake, is in full swing now--swelling from around 200 residents in the summer to 1500 with the snowbirds here.  With over a third of the seasonal residents calling Canada home, weekly KaffeKlatch meetings are abuzz with exclamations of "eh?"  Everyone has now stored their Christmas decorations away and are going about the business of repairing and preparing their homes.  This place is also abuzz with chain saws and pressure washers--and fragrant with the aroma of the orange grove harvests going on now.   

This community is quite yummy this time of year; all the Clubs hold their specialty food events and the Lady Cooks show off their best recipes.  So far, I have been to the Chili Supper, the Spaghetti Supper, the Chicken BBQ and next week is the Soup Supper.   I attended a "Minority State" Pot Luck luncheon last Sunday.  You bring your own eating utensils (and a generous dish to share if potluck) and your $5 ticket provides a delicious hot meal.  This is a Big Deal for me since I generally do not turn on oven/stove and rarely get a hot meal except for my morning instant microwaved oatmeal.

Sandwiched among all the fooding festivities this month was the Florida RV Supershow which I attended with two other couples in the community.  We all parked together and had a great time looking at the new RV's.  

Inexplicably, my TV stopped working upon arrival so, while going through the tedious process of getting Warranty service on it, my friends Pete and Basil installed a temporary Walmart TV for me to watch during our 4 nights at the Show.  Look at the rolled up magazine in the middle of the set; the screw size didn't match so they used one of the RV show brochures to add some depth--RV'ers can juryrig Anything!

We also enjoyed entertainment every evening -especially the  Rivoli Revue, well known for their recent whistle stop tour with the Tea Party Express where they performed crowd-pleasing satirical song sketches on various conservative topics. 

I'm not commenting for or against the politics of their song ditties (they write all the lyrics themselves), but I did enjoy their humor and energy in their RV-related parodies , including When I Die-Bury me at Walmart, Awning in the Wind and The Dump is Funky.  Here's a little ditty I think everyone can agree on: "Press ONE for English"  Press ONE for English

Ok--my news....I bought a new RV!  You might recall from my November blog that my moho had a transmission problem that could not be identified by Freightliner.  The primary reasons I bought this expensive chassis were because it was supposedly 1- automotively carefree and reliable--and 2-good mileage.  It got good mileage, but amazingly, has given me nothing but automotive headaches!  Time to Go.

My new moho is a gas engine Ford 450, a 27' Forest River Lexington GTS (GTS means "Get the Screws" and they put some nicer stuff in it and use screws instead of glue).  It is 3 ft longer than my diesel was and has a second slide for the separate bedroom.  Instead of a bunk bed over the cab, it has a fantastic surround sound "entertainment center". It is massively roomier and more liveable than my other one.  It is a brand new floorplan which is not even posted yet on the manufacturer's website.  

Realistically, this is a low end unit and these rigs are known far and wide for their leak problems.  Mine is being built at the factory "now" and the first thing I will do is secure the roof seams with Eternabond Miracle RV !  This is a supertape, expoxy microembedded product that claims you will never have to caulk again (you need to re-caulk RV's yearly).  

Anyway, unless this thing blows up on me, it should be my last RV.  This is my 3rd RV purchase in 1 1/2 yrs and I am getting tired of this nonsense.  I should have it delivered sometime in March and will take off for my cross-country trip as soon thereafter as I can reasonably manage.

When I got back, I went searching for the painting from my neice, Jessica, who painted me a triptych of a Sandhill Crane and shipped it to me just before I left.  It turned out that the FedEx guy took my package to the Post Office and I finally ran it down there.   It is a 3-panel painting of a sandhill crane.  I have to admit that I am enamored of sandhill cranes; they are often pests but have interesting personalities.  They hang around in gangs and are fearless.  Here is another fact:

During mating, pairs vocalize in a behavior known as "unison calling." They throw their heads back and unleash a passionate duet—an extended litany of coordinated song. Cranes also dance, run, leap high in the air and otherwise cavort around—not only during mating but all year long.

It is so cool!  I wanted something "whimsical" that captured the attitude of these birds.  (Sorry I am having trouble all of sudden getting pics to rotate on this site).  If you look at the middle and top frames, you can see into the "internal" anatomy of the bird--an interesting creation of Jessica's work that I like.   See the little alligator on the lily pad?  She made it Florida-ish for me.  Thank you Jessica!

The FedEx guy also brought me a new pair of slippers.  Cassie was thrilled---not.

BREAKING NEWS!  I just got a call from my RV Salesman at 5:15pm on Friday, Jan 28.  He said my new rig was coming "off line" (that's RV-speak for "the factory will be finished putting all the screws to you...uh... in IT) and will get it ready to deliver to the selling dealer.  My salesman is all, like, super-anxious because the financing must be finalized by the end of the month for him to get a commission bonus on unit sales, so he is overnighting the finance package tonight.