Palm Trees in southern Florida

Thursday, December 7, 2017

This and that

These are random thoughts, things I've noticed that just won't leave my head. Plus it's a neat way to write a blog for when I really need one ...


Meatloaf cooked in a cast iron pan seems pretty random

I've been doing a blog since April of 2013,  that's 181 of them and I cannot tell you how much I admire those people who put out a blog every day.  Every Day. Wow, it's just amazing!

Hell, I wonder how those who do one once a week manage it!  
Let alone the people who make a living from blogging...

There are more people out at Yellowstone National Park  after Labor Day than I really expected. 
I didn't realize how many retired folks were out there and I can't believe they are all here at the same time we are!  :-)  


We're all waiting for Old Faithful to do it's thing 

That's a joke, as I'm sure some of them are at the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and the same Indian casinos I've been staying at :-)

I'm starting to think the economy is doing better than I thought. There are a lot of new RVs out here.  That, to me, says something. Another indicator is at a small general aviation airport a friend of mine is associated with:  you can't rent a plane to get some time unless you're a student learning how to fly, because the rental planes are all booked. All the hangers are rented out too.
Nothing says disposable income like a new RV or a small airplane... unless you're living in it  :-)

I read others blogs on traveling, RV living & VanDwelling. 
I'll admit that I'm envious of the clever saying they come up with as a way to point out that, if you want to do something, there is no time like the present. It's such a true thing and I'm just jealous! 
I think and think, but the only thing I can come up with is "I'd rather spend my money on good flip-flops than a winter coat!"
It's embarrassing, but it's the best I came up with. 
(The flip-flops I bought were the brand 'Freewaters' brand.)

Our new (to us) RV will cruise down the highway at the 70 or 75 mph limit with ease and a smooth ride, but the gas gauge doesn't really do so well at those speeds. 62 or 63 seems to be a happier compromise between getting somewhere & the gas mileage...


So far, December in Florida has been really nice. 
We went to Sanibel Island  & found real sea shells! 



It's alive but it's not tiny!

I'd been wanting to go there since I discovered the blog "I love shelling".  A nice place, for the most part. I'm sure it's great if you live there or if you're renting a place with a short walk to the beach, but if you're driving down there, the $5 an hour parking fee is a real downer... Live & Learn!

I'm hoping there are affordable beaches at other places, for we tourists who are not staying at the salt water.


The water was warm!

I never realized that Florida got fog, it just never crossed my mind! No reason for it not to get fog...



This was out our window this morning



The plan is to go to Arizona next month, Quartzsite for the RTR, the RV show & just to see friends and all the other RVers that show up. 

Plus there are palm trees ... I like palm trees!



16 comments:

  1. I spent a couple of nites on Padre Is & didn't see much in the way of "real" sea shells. I realize that finding shells or not is matter of the right place & the right time. I just didn't see any when I was there. I did see several Portagee man-o-war washed up on the beach!

    I didn't see any shell piles on Sanibel & it's famous for them, but I wasn't there long either (couldn't afford it :-)
    Next time I get down to south Texas I'll give it another go! Thanks for the heads up!

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    Replies
    1. I have had my best shell luck on north Padre in January and February in the past. I know there are frequently lots of folks toting plastic buckets at that time.

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    2. January & February, got it, thanks!

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  2. You are living the life I am envious of you guys!

    $5.00 dollar an hour parking would definatively be a downer. Have fun at Quartzsite.

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    Replies
    1. I found a beach I can't afford to go to...

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  3. Happy trails. Some of the best meatloaf I have had was cooked in foil in the coals of a campfire.
    the Ol'Buzzard

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My wife said I should have taken a picture of the meatloaf before we ate half of it :-)
      I'd never though of trying it on foil in the coals, next time we're camping I'll have to try that, thanks!

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  4. Replies
    1. It's nice but that cold front is scheduled to get here tomorrow They are saying it's be in the 60s.

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  5. That Meatloaf looks great! Can't decide if my new RV will have an oven or not. Was it cooked in an oven? If not do a posts on how to cook meatloaf...

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    Replies
    1. I cooked that meatloaf in the oven, but you can do it in a dutch oven with coals/charcoal too.

      The Ol'Buzzard (up above) talks about doing one in foil in the campfire, I'm going to have to try that!

      An oven was one of my requirements in getting an RV, I like pizza!

      The meatloaf was good but meatloaf sandwiches are the real reason for making one! :-)
      On good sourdough bread.....

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  6. What is your meatloaf recipe?..The picture has me wanting to make one.......

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    Replies
    1. I do it as I go so it's never the same...
      This time it was
      1 lb ground beef (low fat)
      1 lb pork sausage (flavored or not, it's a choice. I like Italian sausage)
      1 cup oatmeal
      2 eggs
      A packet of onion soup mix

      Mixed well, shaped and set in the pan. This one was covered with bbq sauce as my wife really likes bbq sauce.
      I've used ketchup and tomato paste but I've always covered a meatloaf with something.

      A 350 oven for 45 min to an hour, you could do this in a dutch oven too.

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  7. Oh my, you are sure making me hungry. . .

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