Saturday, July 31, 2010

Ford F150 and Big Brother

If you follow my blog, you know that bought a 2010 Ford F 150 truck in mid May. I have now driven it up and down the coast three times in a short period. In mid July we were once again heading North. I was eastbound on I-10 and could see for quite a distance. I had the radar detector on and was running with a loose pack at 90 mph. I have always driven every vehicle over 100 mph at least once except for a 1996 Sonoma that had a speed limiter set at 95 mph. So I decided to go for my one time over a 100 mph in my new F 150 with the V8 engine. You can imagine how upset I was when the engine semi quit at some where between 95 and 97 MPH. My GPS always read 2 mph below the speedometer. I did not swear but tried a second time. Same thing. You don't lose power steering, but I am sure the break lights do not come on and the speed drops suddenly. In my mind this is not acceptable.

I called the service manager at Cook - Whitehead Ford where I purchased the truck. He called Ford Engineering and after three days, I called again. I'm sure he was counting on me not pushing it. The very next day, I received a call. Ford does not publish the speed limiters on any of their vehicles, but every one has it, and if you hit that limit a code is put in the computer on your vehicle. They did say that the limit was between 92 and 98 mph for the truck. Why bother having a speedometer that goes up to 120 mph?

Not happy, I told him I was thinking of having a sign made for the back window that says:

NOT FORD TOUGH - BUT A FORD WIMP

I doubt I will do it, but hell even the Honda Ody van let me do 110. Apparently I am the first truck buyer to inquire as the service manager had to ask Ford. The bottom line is, I still love the truck and love driving it.

I would be even more upset if I bought a new Mustang with 400 hp and could not drive well over 120 mph.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Grilled Salmon

This morning as we lay in bed, I asked Carol what would you like for supper. After some thinking, she said "grilled salmon'. OK, I replied we will go to the local fish market and buy salmon. On the way there she said she might like to try halibut. Once at the counter, I asked about halibut. There was none and when the Boston Fish Market has it, it is at least $15.00 a pound. He explained about the over fishing and the fact that it is so good there is a big demand. I asked about Chilean sea bass and was told it sometimes runs over $20.00 a pound when he can get it. We decided we would buy the salmon.

I at one time was a charcoal only guy. For years I did the grilling on charcoal. A few years ago when I needed to cook quickly and I could not find a replacement grill, I bought a gas grill. At the time I was having my lower level redone from scratch. I had all of the craftsmen here and I decided to have a natural gas line installed on my deck. This eliminated the need for bottles. So for the last four years I have been using a gas grill. I bought Bobby Flays book among several others and used the Internet for tips.

I think I have the grilling pretty well down now. Occasionally I will mess something up. Grilled sweet potatoes comes to mind. They were like lumps of charcoal and so hard they were immediately discarded. The next time was much better.

Tonight the grilled salmon was served with grilled summer squash along with a side salad and buttered steamed carrots. Salmon is a delicate fish so I don't mess with it, turning it over just once. Hence only one set of grill marks. Carol said the plate was picture perfect.

Here was our main course.


Saturday, July 24, 2010

Birthdays

This weekend I will celebrate another birthday. This will be the last one beginning with a 6. I have been thinking about birthdays for a few days now. I am not dismayed that I will soon begin my 70th year of life. In fact I am quite pleased. There was a time that I did not believe I would live past 30. I worked the night shift on the flight deck of a Navy Carrier. Hell, there were a few nights on the flight deck that I did not think I would make it to dawn. I did lose a close friend up there one night and I think of Don often and the others that I did not know well who also died on the deck that night.

There are some birthdays that stand out for differing reasons. Sixteen, how I wanted to be 16 and get my drivers license. I remember how badly I wanted my own car. I had to wait almost a year before my Dad told me to get a car. I think he was tired of me beating on his car. This could be why my children all got something to drive at 16. Twenty one was not that big a deal. I was in the Navy and spent at least 6 months of the year in the Med where anyone with the price could drink. In the states I had a false ID.

Thirty was traumatic for me. In fact I went into a funk. The hippies were demonstrating against the Viet Nam war and the establishment. I remember that they were saying that no one over 30 could be trusted. As a veteran, I believed in my country, but I was beginning to doubt the need for that war. I was depressed and not very happy to be 30! I could no longer be trusted. To me this was very definitely middle age and back then I thought half my life was over.

Forty was a different story. The company that I was working for was slated to be sold by the conglomerate that owned us. I had opted not to accept the job offer by the new owners and took the package and joined the unemployed. I was confident that I would be hired as soon as I looked for a job. The family was looking forward to a summer off with dad. The first item was for me to ride my motorcycle to Georgia to visit my Navy buddy. I was riding back to Rhode Island and celebrated my 40th on the road. We all spent the month of August touring everything that was worth seeing in Washington D C. That was a good summer.

The years sped by living life and when I celebrated my 62 nd, the company was downsizing and the packages were very favorable. So 6 days after, I retired. Its been a bitter sweet seven years since I retired. Life is good.
Looking forward, I believe that next year will be a nice milestone (Lord willing). Seventy has a nice ring to it, don't you agree?

Thursday, July 22, 2010

July trip North

Carol and I talked about our route back to Rhode Island. We have done the I 10 - I 95 trip so often that we wanted a different view so to speak. I had been to Gettysburg a few weeks ago with my son and I had told Carol about the new visitor center. I started looking for a good route there from Panama City Beach. We were committed to an evening in the Savannah area as we were going to have dinner with my Navy buddy and his wife. That became our jumping off point. I mapped out the trip and decided to include the Shenandoah National Park. As it turned out, our friends were sick and we ate at an Applebee's and sat at the bar. The bar tender / waitress was funny and we had great conversation and good food.

The morning of the second day we headed up I 95 until we picked up I 26 inland. We drove through South Carolina, North Carolina and into Virginia. That night we stayed in Waynesboro, Virginia. The desk clerk recommended the River Grill a locally owned eatery. The meals were good, but the desert was to die for. They had their own version of bananas foster. We split one and not quite finished it. Waynesboro is the jumping off point for North bound Shenandoah National Park. 105 miles of twisty roads traversing the Blue Ridge Mountains. The ranger at the entrance told us to allow 3 1/2 hours. It took us 4 hours. We stopped often for "photo ops".

Below are a small sampling of the pictures I took in the park. We also saw several deer along the road side. Carol managed a couple of pictures of them while I was driving. They all had such beautiful coats. The mountain scenery was awesome!


Gizmo liked the view also. Mostly he stayed in the truck. Every time I took him on the leash he wanted to run after whatever he saw or smelled.



After we left the park, we drove into Gettysburg and checked into the motel. We unloaded, walked the dogs, fed them and we went to the Battlefield Museum Visitor Center. Carol took a moment (my request) to sit by Abe for a photo. We had to wait our turn as there was a line ahead of us.

If you purchase the ticket after 4 PM it is valid for the following day. We did this and went immediately into the theater for a short movie which gave a short overview of the battle and history leading up to the succession of the states that formed the Confederate States of America. After the movie we were directed up an escalator to the area where the cyclorama is located. 373 feet in circumference and 43 feet high. It is hung in a manner that provides a 3 dimensional illusion. The room darkens, the sun rises, cannons erupt. The use of sound and lighting on the painting gives one the feeling that you are there. The show lasts several minutes and depicts "Picket's Charge" during the third day of the battle.



The next morning we were at the center at 8 AM and we did the portion of the museum that takes you from the day before the battle begins through the actual three days of the battle. There are short videos, written panels, maps, pictures. The tour book said to allow an hour. We took two hours. Carol and I were totally immersed in the museum. We saw every video, read all the panels and looked at all the static displays. After we left, I drove out to just a small portion of the battlefield for Carol to see a few of the monuments. There are over 400 monuments to states, divisions, generals and soldiers from both sides.


Below is the monument to the soldiers from Pennsylvania who fought at Gettysburg. Each one has his name listed on one of the many plaques mounted on the side of the base.


We quickly rushed back to the motel as we had to check out. We then headed to our Rhode Island home. First let me say how much I dislike I 95 in Connecticut, especially the New Haven area heading north bound. Lately I have avoided the Connecticut thing. Instead of that route I turn north towards Albany and pick up the Mass Pike. Yeah, I know, it adds 120 miles to the trip. It is a pretty ride and usually uneventful. But not yesterday. As we heading upstate through the Catskills, we were treated to a stunning lightning display. As the sky darkened and the rumbling got louder, I thought of Washington Irving and his tales of the area, especially Rip Van Winkle. Then it hit, a blast of wind which I think had to be wind shear hit the drivers side of the truck. I thought for a split second that the truck was going to roll. Both Carol and I still think that the drivers side wheels were lifted off the pavement for the briefest part of a second when a blast of wind hit the passenger side of the truck. The downpour was blinding, the truck was being hit by hail and tree branches. Fortunately a state trooper had passed me a couple of minutes before. He put his blue lights on. Through the heavy downpour I could see those flashing lights and that was my beacon to follow. At the time when hail and junk was hitting the truck, I said to Carol that the tonneau cover was fiberglass and would not dent, I also said I did not care about the roof as I was not tall enough to see the roof, but I damn sure don't want the hood dented. We drove like this with flashers on for several miles until we drove out of the worse of the storm. I guess this storm spun off a tornado that landed in Maine and about 50,000 folks in Connecticut lost power when trees were toppled by wind and lightning strikes. We and the truck are no worse for wear. It was dicey for a while. We are here for now.
I have begun planning our next adventure. Hmmm, is the best way to Florida, via Michigan???

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Panama City Beach - Additions

Carol and I left Panama City Beach the third week in May for our Rhode Island home. The following two projects were still in the process of construction. The below "Wonder Works" upside down building houses another attraction aimed at the tourists dollar. It is across the street from "Ripley's Museum" housed in a replica of the sinking Titanic, a totally obnoxious building.

I found the on going construction of this building fascinating. The crews worked 7 days a week in order to complete the building prior to the summer season. We drove by the site almost every day this past winter. We had seen a picture of what the front would look like. I have to admit that the finish product is quite striking and I find it attractive to the eye. Judging by the parking lot, business is good. I am curious, but I will wait until our return in the fall to visit there.


The second building is our new Panama City Beach library. The library was almost complete when we left. In fact they had started moving the book collection as we were leaving. We have visited the library and updated our library cards. The inside is very nice and well laid out. There is about a dozen PC's with Internet connections. The day we visited the stations were all in use by young adults looking for job openings. Carol has decided to learn quilting and she borrowed two books on the subject. I donated a hard cove mystery novel that I purchased new and read. It was an OK story but not one that I would want to reread. We have since returned a second time to borrow two movies. It was not worth activating our cable TV or Internet for two weeks.
Following is our new library.

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Panama City Beach

Carol and I had heard differing accounts as to the status of the beach where we spend most of our time. The twins that we take care of on Fridays during the summer were going to be otherwise occupied on July 9Th and 16Th. We decided to take a trip down to see for ourselves. It would also give us an opportunity to check on our home there and to carry some furniture and my collection of crackle glass. It also might be the last time to swim in the water for some time.



We originally had planned to leave on Tuesday the 6Th, but my son pointed out that the traffic would be much lighter on the Monday. So we left early Monday morning. I always prefer to cross the Hudson on the George Washington Bridge. Traffic was light and we approached the bridge at a steady 50 miles per hour. The previous week my son and I traveled this same area at a stop and go pace, happy when we could go 20 mph. The outside temperature was hot. At one point my external temperature display registered 102. Carol and I travel with her chihuahua, Tiny and my Yorkie, Gizmo so we needed to be aware of their needs. At roadside rests we tried for a shady parking spot and while one went to the restroom the other stayed in the truck with the A/C blasting. The first night we stayed in Exmore, VA a favorite spot just 30 miles north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. A new restaurant (much needed in this area) opened recently and we were able to walk across the parking lot to it. It was very good. Carol enjoyed the stuffed peppers and I had the prime rib special.



We were up early and on the road by 7:30 AM. Crossing the bridge is always a highlight and a
U S Navy Destroyer was heading out to sea. We watched it sail over the tunnel that we had just driven through. In a way I envied the sailors as I always liked the crossing of the Atlantic when my aircraft carrier left for the Mediterranean. Compared to the ship I was on, this ship looked so small. I have always been glad I was on a carrier. We spent the second night near Savannah, GA at the intersection of I 95 and state road 204. After dinner, Carol and I went out to Pembroke and visited with BJ a navy buddy and dear friend and his wife. BJ is just about two weeks with his new knee. He is moving with a cane and will start rehab soon. It is always good to see him and Marsha. The conversation flows freely between two old and good friends who shared a few years in the Navy. We made plans to have dinner with them when Carol and I head North . We also talked about a planned gathering of the old line crew in Alabama at the Gulf Shores. in Late September.


We were once again on the road before 7:30 AM. Its not that we are early risers and well organized, its that television is so bad that we were in bed by 10:15 PM each night. Our third day on the road would be broken into two parts. We were stopping in Tallahassee at Carol's daughters home for lunch. Hugh, Carol's son in law came home from work to join us for lunch. It was a good visit and for desert, Joylene made a cake for me as my birthday is later in the month. They all sang "Happy Birthday" to me. I was touched. The children all call me grandpa. Conner who is not yet one year old, let me hold him. Mostly as I am the only person he sees with a beard and he likes to pull it. Hugh went back to work, I went to the recliner and napped while Carol and Joylene enjoyed mom and daughter time together. A short drive later and we were back in Panama City Beach. Its good to be here for a few days. I want to swim in the Gulf.

Yesterday we went to the beach. When I started coming here as a winter "snow bird" I rented at the Dunes of Panama. The good folks in the rental office became friends over the years. I am always welcome to visit and park my vehicle in the gated parking lot and walk down to the water or use the pools on the grounds. I like to do so as there is plenty of parking, and I always stop in the office to see them. Right now the building is full. August does not look so good, but folks call to check on the water oil situation and have been coming at the last moment. So they continue to hope for the best. As we were leaving to go swim, Annette cautioned me that the sting rays were many as they have migrated here ahead of the oil and to be careful. I never did see any and I swam out fairly far as I was hoping the deeper water would be cooler. The gulf water is warm.

We will head North on Sunday the 18Th. I have decided to cut inland and pick up the Skyline Drive in Waynesboro, VA and continue North to Gettysburg and then home to Rhode Island.