Taking care of business

We left Fernandina Beach after lunch today, probably the last time we'll be in the low country for awhile.    Last night we enjoyed another great dinner and another pleasant evening walk along the docks.

Beluga was finished and waiting for us at the RVRoof.com facility in Green Cove Springs.    She is now sporting a new, sparkling white Flexarmor rubber roof, guaranteed for life.

Dave checks out the new roof

We were very impressed with David and his crew.   They welcomed us with open arms (think 50 amp and water hook ups) and they kept Beluga plugged in the whole time, so as to not ruin our jammed full refrig./freezer.   This is a very professional company with a great product and they even took RVDreams coupon, so we saved $200!   Thanks guys!  (today turned out to be way too busy to get any pictures of the roof, look for a couple in the next few days).

Next, we drove through a rather iffy part of Jacksonville to the TCI shop to buy Beluga two new sneakers for the long journey west.  (OK, new front tires).    We used the FMCA Advantage program so we saved a few bucks in the process.   The dogs and I stayed in the jeep with the engine running all the while, it was 90 degrees today!

It was after 5 p.m. when the tire guys were finished with Beluga so we just drove a few miles to our first Elks Lodge.   They have four 50 amp. full hook-ups for members only at a price that is embarrassing.     We're the only ones here and its so quiet.   Just what we all needed, especially dear Lewis.  Tonight he has a huge side yard all to himself!

We'll keep an eye to the weather and make our western travel plans accordingly, but we're anxious to get on the road again.

Spring Break - when does it end?

What a difference a few months make.     We were last here in December and it was a quiet, sleepy little town with wide and empty beaches.   The Residence Inn wasn't full and the beautiful trails starting out behind its parking lot were ours alone.

Spring Break!    Ugly words for those of us of a certain age (not still in college) and without any children in tow.   Really ugly words for a stranger-phobic Standard Poodle.     There are no parking spots anywhere near the beach and even if we could score one, its not the beach scene any of us enjoy.   The hotel is full, the parking lot is full, the nature trails are teeming....

As I mentioned, Lewis isn't enjoying the Spring Break crowds.   Last evening Dave was taking him for his nightly constitution and they came upon 2 nice people airing up their bicycle tires inside the entryway.    Lew froze, Dave couldn't get him to move an inch, dead weight at the end of his leash.   Well, not exactly dead weight, as he was shaking violently.   As soon as Dave let a little slack in the leash he raced off in the other direction with his usually erect tail pinned tightly between his legs.  Problem was, passing those fire breathing monsters was the only way back to the safety of his room.
Finally Dave just scooped him up and carried him the necessary 50 feet to room 104.  The next time I tried to take him out, he slunk along behind me, trying to get into every room he passed.   Poor baby, what to do, what to do.    

  The only good things are that the dogs are happy and content when they are in the room and we're leaving tomorrow morning.    Beluga should be done, then we'll take her for her new tires.   After that the weather will be our decision maker.   It sounds like some nasty storms are coming across the mid west later this week and they are right in our path.

We had a lovely dinner last night and afterward we walked along the docks at sunset.   It was pleasant and warm.....  most everybody else was somewhere else, at least for a little while.   Ah....

Easter Sunday

We reluctantly left our beautiful Hilton Head site this morning and drove just south of Jacksonville to Green Cove Springs.    Tonight we are in settled into the parking lot of RVRoof, watching the Ten Commandments on TV.  

Tomorrow morning we'll leave Beluga here so she can enjoy a few days at the "spa" and get a new sprayed on roof.    While she is busy the four of us will stay in Fernandina Beach at the Marriott Residence Inn.   Then, after she gets fitted with two new front tires,  we'll turn her nose West and go, go, go!

Hope you all had a pleasant Easter Sunday.

Scary Saturday

It was a scary Saturday for Lewis.   A family pulled in across from us.   They had children    They had bikes.   One of their children rode her pink bike around and around in front of Beluga.

The teen aged son was compromised in some way and he spent much time standing at the end of their site (directly in front of Beluga's windshield) , chewing his fingers, pacing and talking loudly to himself.    It caused Lewis to feel his life was in imminent danger.

As a result, he spent most of his day in the bedroom, hiding from the stranger danger outside.    I finally closed the windshield curtain and he relaxed and joined us for the afternoon.    Poor guy.

Good Friday

 It was a pretty good Friday here in Hilton Head.    Slept in, second cup outside in the sun, afternoon at the beach, dinner at Michael Anthony's, just 2 minutes from us......I'm so glad we came here before our trip west.   We really needed this down time.

Our thoughts, however, are in Colorado......

Thursday

Yesterday was a long day of driving on the heels of a windy, tough Tuesday's drive.    We started the morning dressed in winter jackets and ended it at a warm and pleasant "old friend".  Note to self:  Two days of driving in a row are more than enough.

poodle exercise at Ft. Chiswell

I really enjoy spending time here in Hilton Head.   We've passed through often during the years and always find it welcoming and beautiful.

Beluga loves site 356

 We all had a good, sound night's sleep and awoke to sunny skies, bird song and warm temperatures.   Ahhhhh. that's better.   I stayed in bed until I felt like getting up, enjoyed a leisurely second cup, no pressure, nothing we have to do, sigh......  

Dave was able to take his time and diagnose the house water pump problem, locate the water pump control module and order a new one.

Yep, he's wearing shorts and a t shirt!   We thought it would never happen.    Sasha is relaxing in front of her fan, she loves her fan.

We can't use our ex pen here so the dogs shared happy hour with us on leash.   They don't mind, neither do we, usually.    Did I mention the wonderful variety of birds here?    Our nearest neighbor has a birdfeeder outside and it is always busy.   Mostly cardinals, titmouses (titmice?) carolina wrens, chickadee dee dee's, and the requisite squirrel.    Lewis + squirrels + leash = rope burns on my leg.
He's a real hunter at heart that Lewis.

We're heading out to have a long awaited dinner at Charlie's L'etoile Verte.    Life is good.

Wednesday

We're in Hilton Head, its nice and warm, my credit card was hacked, good night......