Harold Gets His Money's Worth

My cousin Steve and his family can be found at Silver Lake Sand Dunes just about any major summer holiday. We joined them for a second time over Memorial Day weekend. Harold and I actually stayed a week, arriving on the Monday prior to Memorial Day. We so loved the couple of days prior to the busy weekend. 

We got the Jeep Grand Cherokee stickered and flagged and off we went. Harold said that he finally got his four-wheel drive money's worth, despite my giving him the stink-eye any time he mentioned Test Hill. He was convinced the Jeep would make it over the top. I was just as convinced that it could do it without me in it! We had a great time and will probably go again some day. We love spending time with friends and family.

Oh yeah...

Oh no...contemplating Test Hill

We flew sport kites for the first time in forever

The flag banners took a beating in the wind atop Test Hill

Test Hill - Someone gets a tug

Watching the guys jump

RZR Ride

Different location

Little Sable Point Lighthouse

Where Are We Going Next?

Embrace the Pace

Embrace the pace-that is Nappanee, Indiana's slogan. We were in Nappanee for two months. So it's hard to believe that we didn't see all the stuff there is to see. But, I guess you could say we did embrace the pace. 

We helped Steve at the lot a bit, especially Harold. In addition to running a few errands and acting as a transporter, Harold spent some time helping demolish a building to make way for lot expansion. I think he's planning a separate article on that.

I was able to visit my friend Doris. Doris and I have been friends since 5th grade. We got together and had a fun day catching up and making some whoopie pies.  A couple of days later I went with her to a blanket knotting. The evening is spent knotting comforters and quilting and ends with a carry-in meal with lots of pizza. A large number of church members, including the men and children, show up to support the effort.

Whoopie Pies!

Tying knots

We did take a bike ride on the Pumpkinvine Trail. We parked in Middlebury and biked to Shipshewana. The Shipshe area is rather busy and touristy. This is our third year for staying in Indiana, and the first time we went to the Shipshewana Flea Market. Looking at all the plants and outdoor decor, I almost wished I had a yard to decorate!

Pumpkinvine

Not quite a cement pond - but there is a boat and a diving board

Baby turtle on the trail 

At the flea market

Amish fry pie fundraiser

Being in Nappanee, home to Newmar, you never know what sights you you might see. A certain London Aire came in to Showalter RV for service and we had to get a photo. 

You can see Andrew Steele's first of two videos on this coach here 

We stalked the Newmar lot looking for our new coach. Finally, we caught a glimpse of it behind one of the buildings. It was delivered to Steinbring shortly thereafter. After a Memorial Day excursion to Silver Lake State Park, we said good-bye to the Essex and hello to our new coach. 

We found it! We found it!

Camp Showalter

Where Are We Going Next?

Haze Grey and Underway or Solitary Confinement part two.

 I am STILL currently a part-time, on-call employee trying to retire fully.....

After I returned from solitary confinement round one of having to quarantine, the part was repaired and they rescheduled testing. Elizabeth was diligently going to the US Government's Vaccine Finder website. She was able to get us fully vaccinated against Covid-19. So, when the testing date approached I was able to participate without having to quarantine!!!!!!!!

Once again I packed my bags to go to Everett, Washington.  I have never been to Everett, so I was looking forward to going someplace new.

While onboard the ship in Everett, I saw someone I thought I recognized. With the facemask requirements, I could not be sure.

It was Brent!!!!  We served together in USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55).

We made arrangements to meet up the next day for lunch and then go to his house to see his family and to see his motorhome.

After a wonderful bowl of Ramen, note similar haircuts.

Brent showed me his nearly complete Atari 2600 game collection! He also showed me his GMC Motor Coach with the optional factory installed blender.  One nice rig.  I had a great time catching up with Brent.

The ship got underway, and I completed my job. Then we pulled into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Due to the State of Hawaii's Covid restrictions I was unable to spend the night. So, as soon as I departed the ship I was transported to the airport where I awaited my flight.  Due to the low number of tourists using the airport, the only restaurant that was open was the B.K. Steak House. One Whopper with Cheese, please.  MMMMMM.

Leaving Honolulu I was ticketed to fly on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.  This is the second time I have had the pleasure to fly on one of these carbon fiber bodied airliners.  The advantage over aluminum aircraft is they can keep the air inside at a higher pressure and humidity level so you feel better after the trip.  Also of note is the 787s are built in Everett, Washington.

Big Carbon Bird

I am so glad that this work is completed and I am back home again.

Where Are We Going Next?

RV Kitchen

I think the biggest challenge I had in moving from the house to the RV had to do with the kitchen. Limited storage and pantry space required some decision making as to what was really important. Then there was the issue of counter space, or lack thereof.

I quickly moved from cooking on the two burner electric cooktop to cooking on the portable induction burner. Not only did things cook faster, I didn't have to wait for the cooktop to cool before I could regain my counter space. All I had to do is move the portable burner to the side or even to the table and I was ready to set up my dish drying space. 

I liked the drying mats as opposed to the space hogging dish drainers. We really don't miss a dishwasher too much. We were glad to have the storage space as opposed to the dishwasher option in our rv.

Most of the newer coaches have induction cooktops. So when we saw the Magma induction cookware 7 piece set on sale at the Hershey RV show, we snapped it up. We love how it stacks for storage. The handle comes off and transfers to either of the two pans.  This set easily handles most of our cooking. 

All those Tupperware parties paid off. I love the Modular Mates for storage. 

 That lattice basket contains almost all of our spices. I have a drawer with measuring utensils and a hand mixer. 

We tend to keep things simple when cooking, especially on travel days. For those days we often resort to pizzas or those all-in-one skillet meals. Quick and easy is what we're after. 

We've gotten used to our kitchen. We will have to go through the familiarization process again soon. Our new home is coming!

Where Are We Going Next?