Our first Christmas in over 12 years with all my children together (and grand children). Top: Kevin Jr., Kevin, Robin, Pam, Chris and me. Bottom: Brittany, Randy and Karen. Stanley (left) and Jada (right) too.
Having grown up and spending most of my life in California, there are a few things I enjoy coming back to (besides family). Maybe on top of the list is In-N-Out burgers. If there was a company that has the fast food burger down pat it is this company. I can remember enjoying these back in the 60's living in the Pomona area when their were probably no more than a few outlets. Family owned and operated they grow slowly and never franchise. As successful as they are there are no plans to take their company public. They don't have to.
They had three things on the menu (besides drinks): Burger, Cheese Burger and French Fries. Today, they have the same three things (OK, add a double burger). Their establishments are always sanitary clean and the staff is dressed in white uniforms; always presenting themselves in a professional manner.
Now the food: the burgers are made fresh on the grill and the fries are always fresh. In fact, if an order of fries sits more than two minutes, they are tossed and a fresh order is delivered to the customer. The burgers are by far the best. No soggy buns; always fresh toasted. The other ingredients are always fresh including onions, lettuce and tomatoes. This is a company that perfected a product and never deviates from what they do best.
Check out their website at http://www.in-n-out.com. Take a look at their menu and history. They haven't changed their success factors for over 60 years. Simply the best!!
If you are mobile like we are, chances are you have some sort of technology allowing you access to one of the major carriers Mobile Broadband. We have been using Verizon Mobile Broadband for over 15 months through their USB Mini Air-Card. Works 98% of the time and have been very satisfied with it. The only downside, it is for one computer. Pam and I only share it physically; I have it or she does.
I just learned about a relatively new technology offered by Verizon called MiFi™. It is about the size of 5 or so credit cards pressed together. The best part:
- It is a Mobile Broadband Access Point (up to 3G speeds) and
- It is a wireless router for up to 5 devices!!
That means we can be on the internet simultaneously and have access to our HP Wireless inkjet printer. No more competing for the AirCard. I found it very easy to set up. It can run on its battery (4 hours) and is active plugged in and charging. In fact, we leave ours plugged in all the time since we always have electric power into the Providence.
Remaining to see:
- How it does in low signal power areas and
- Connectivity speed in non 3G enabled areas (usually get something called Extended Network at slower connection speeds)
I am amazed at the capability in such a small package.
We are having dinner tonight with friends at the Hog's Breath restaurant in La Quinta, CA. You know ... Clint Eastwood's restaurant. We will have one of my cellar wines corked: 1996 Dominus. It is drinking like silk. Simply stunning! Here's an excerpt from the vintner:
Dominus, produced by the Dominus Estate Corporation, is made solely from grapes grown on the historic Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, California.
The 1996 growing season was nearly perfect, one where everything seems easy. Of course, the team at Dominus was leery about this, and concentrated on their work in the vineyard even more than usual, in order to get the best quality grapes. Their efforts were rewarded; the wine is beautifully complex and well balanced.
Well balanced and complex is an understatement!
Our business Website is now up and running at BIG (MT). No, it is not BIG Mountain! It is all about using Movable Type (MT) for presenting your business to the world. Included categories are News, Potfolio, MT Tips, Technology, Services and more.
We also have a Facebook group at BIG (MT) Group. We invite you to join.
Visiting Arizona can take you through winding scenic roads to observe native wildlife or to a relaxing luxury golf and spa getaway. From the deserts, barren mountains, rock formations and cactus in the south, the beautiful Sedona red mountains and forested high country to the north and the splendor of the Grand Canyon. Here are just a few photos of our journey through the state: Sedona and rock formations near Tucson. Not a bad place to winter (and many do).
Just transferred my vehicle insurance from Virginia to Texas. The motor home went up 17.5%. The Vue went up 52%. Yuk. Explanation:
Texas has one of the highest rates of uninsured motorists in the nation.
Go figure. I'll check out South Dakota some time in the future. Same low personal tax structure as Texas and I am sure lower insurance rates.
I did get my Texas driver's license today: Class B Commercial (because of the motor home). I was required to pass a CDL test and do a behind the wheel driver test. I passed both.
When we sold our house I sold about 3/4 of my wine collection but stashed away some favorites for myself including Silver Oak, Dominus, some Italian Brunellos, StoneStreet Legacy and many more.
I just opened a 1996 Legacy, a Bordeaux-style varietal blend, from my collection and what a wonderful experience. It is drinking very silky. Not one characteristic that is over powering. Nice tannins, fruit and very balanced acidity.
All I can say is WOW!
This is a letter currently circulating on the internet. It is long but worth reading. If you have the same sentiments, pass it on:
I am a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. Instead, we are burdened with Congressional Dukes and Duchesses who think they know better than the citizens they are supposed to represent.
There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now.
You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would feel so horribly disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut-job am I? Well, these briefly are the views and issues for which I seek representation:
Continue reading An open letter to our government.
I've posted many photos of the Providence in many different environments. Many of my friends and followers have no idea what the interior might be like. Believe me, it's not a camper. As a matter of fact, many of you refer to us as campers. I'm here to tell you we rarely "camp." We just always need to have a place to park to live. And, we try to live in places that we want to see and enjoy.
So, here is the interior of our "camper," all 500 (approx) square feet of it. Party anyone?
2008 Fleetwood Providence (Model 39R)
Since we are on the road full time, it makes absolutely no sense to be based in Virginia and be subject to the enormous personal property taxes on our Motor Coach ($4.20/$100 of assed value). Our real property was being taxed at about $1.20/$100 of assed value. Does this make any sense at all? Not to me since we hardly use Virginia's highways. Virginia, you just lost me but not without a bit of sorrow.
So, we have become citizens of the Lone Star State. It is just a matter of establishing "domicile." No state income tax and no personal property tax.
We are still "wandering" and on our way to California for the holidays.
We extended our stay in the Pensacola area for another week because of a Motor Coach windshield replacement and some emergency dental work for Pam. We moved to this RV park to be closer to downtown Pensacola. I found it doing a Google search on "RV Parks near Pensacola, FL. This one was convenient, had a good review and very economical. New having opened only a year ago.
What a surprise. Clean, uncluttered, nicely manicured, close to Interstate 10 (but far enough away to be quiet) and extremely friendly and helpful owners. I would recommend it for anyone. Weekly rate is $211 ($28/day plus tax).
Rating: 7.5 (out of 10)
Cost: $ ($ = inexpensive, $$$$$ = pricey)
Members of Good Sam
What a surprise. Clean, uncluttered, nicely manicured, close to Interstate 10 (but far enough away to be quiet) and extremely friendly and helpful owners. I would recommend it for anyone. Weekly rate is $211 ($28/day plus tax).
Rating: 7.5 (out of 10)
Cost: $ ($ = inexpensive, $$$$$ = pricey)
Members of Good Sam
Attended the Blue Angels practice yesterday and awesome is an understatement. Here's a link to the full album of my favorite 36 out of about 160 taken:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=120862&id=568313900&l=0ca6d34e84
Departed Sherling Lake Park in Greenville, Alabama this AM and arrived at our favorite spot on the Florida panhandle. We are in exactly the same site as we had last January when we were here. About a one minute walk to the beach. It is windy and stormy today and tomorrow but forecast is nice weather for our remaining time here. We are here for a week then start our trek west on Interstate 10.
We plan to visit the National Naval Air Museum at Pensacola next week, also home to the Blue Angels. The schedule shows they practice at 8:30 am next Tuesday and Wednesday and is open to the public. Should be absolutely thrilling!! The museum is known as "one of the world's largest aviation museums."
Before leaving Atlanta I searched for an RV park about halfway to Mobile as I really don't like to drive for more than 3 to 4 hours. I found this one and had no idea what we would find. What a surprise!!
Paved roads, grassy areas between sites, full hookups with 50 amp service, concrete paved site pads, great Verizon reception with broadband, DirecTV access, very picturesque and very clean. The park belongs to the city and they maintain it beautifully. And, with Good Sam it is only $25/night!!!
Rating: 8.5
Cost: $ (one $ = cheap, five $ = pricey)
Attached are a few pictures of my good friends.
Read on to view.
Continue reading Stone Mountain, GA Highland Games Oct 17-18, 2009.
Hanging out in the Stone Mountain RV campground since last Wednesday (10/14). It has been rainy and miserably cold here for this time of year. It is Sunday and we finally have some sunshine. I thought going south this time of year meant getting out of cold weather.
Nonetheless, we are here with our good friends; the McPherson family and Bob and Marnie Campbell. I'll add a few photos in my next post.
We attended the Freightliner Camp on October 12th and 13th in Gaffney, SC. It was a high intensity detailed instruction on everything you wanted to know about the Chassis our motor home (the Providence) was built on. From Cummins engine, Allison transmission, cooling system to the high tech computer sustems that make everything work together. Well worth the time spent!
PS: We visited Gaffney and found the BofA branch that created the controversy about prohibiting American flags in front of their building to honor local soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our country.
September 6 - 10, 2009
This was our second visit to this preserve and is one of our favorites. Remote, quiet and scenic. Enjoy the photos.
On our way now to Gaffney, SC to attend the Freightliner Camp at the Custom Chassis training and service center.
Continue reading Fall Scenery at Lynchburg, VA Thousand Trails Preserve.
One of our administrative duties when in Leesburg is to sock up on wine left over from our wine cellar. What did I grab?
- 2000, 2001 Silver Oak
- 1999 Dominus
- Some Brunellos
- Opus One
I opened a 1996 Opus tonight to have with our New York steaks. 13 years old and drinking beautifully.
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