My how time flies ... we're well into our 4th year as almost full-timers.  With only an occasional trip back to the old homestead, our vagabond lifestyle is certainly a departure from previous years.  Our home on wheels has kept us safe and warm and has allowed visits to places most will never dream of going.  Of course some of the places we've gone don't warrant dreaming about anyway but the good far outweigh the bad.

We've talked a bit about the weather down this way and here's a rare occurrence I caught on film (?).
A photo of an approaching warm front from the Gulf of Mexico with the setting sun about to be covered up. But we really did have a few days of warm weather.  Unfortunately those dark clouds had a bit of rain in them.  Our coach is out the picture to the left (we're on another side of the lake) and the clubhouse is on the far right.

As the holiday season is upon us,  the pace is quickening to fill old Santa's bag with presents on his trip north.  Store to store we go ... looking for just that perfect gift ... "Oh they'll just love it" I think.  "But what if it melts before it gets delivered", I wonder.  Okay okay ... so maybe frozen Gulf squid wasn't the best idea.  It's the thought that counts ...right?  So back to the drawing board ... With choices like shippable bags of pecan shells, Gulf shoreline oil balls, and returned tee-shirts from the local souvenir shops ... it's always tough to pick out that 'just right' gift to show we really care.

Just so you know we've not forsaken our desire uncover good eateries across the land, we have been dining out ... and with some regularity.  We made a pack with our Iowa friends before we arrived here that we would only eat out on Fridays.  Leaving the remaining six days for more healthy, at-home fare.  I think something occurred when we crossed over the state line or maybe sometime during the last full moon, but whatever cosmic event struck us, we somehow have messed up the commitment and have now migrated to eating at home once per week and dining out the other six.  Sure hope the budget can continue to stand the pain. I know the waistline can't.

We had a little pre-Christmas gathering at the clubhouse tonight.  Live entertainment, free food, booze and even Santa made an appearance.  A very nice holiday get-together for the park residents.

When retuning home tonight we jumped on Skype to wish our daughter a very happy birthday.  Not as good as being in there in person but it was great seeing her and the family.  We sure miss all of them.

As a Christmas present to ourselves, we're headed to Biloxi Mississippi with our friends Jim and Carol in a few hours.  We've booked a couple of rooms at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and will continue to spend our kids inheritances, much to their chagrin.  We'll fill you all in on the outcome later.

So if by chance we get delayed counting the large horde of money we're expecting to win at the casino, Sharon and I would like to wish you all you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.
And I would like to thank all of you for checking out my blog now and again and the many nice compliments.

Still livin' the dream

Phil

And the weather outside is frightful ...

Okay maybe it's not as frightful as it is up north ... but we've had quite a rain and wind storm pass through here the last 24 hours.  Though the sky is now blue, the wind continues to rock the coach around like a drunk on New Year's eve.  And did I mention how it messes up my hair?  Anyway it's cool and windy here but nothing compared to the white grief many are experiencing in the likes of Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York and even ... Iowa.

Last night before the storm, a group of about 40 of us from the Bella Terra RV http://www.bellaterrarvresort.com park gathered at Flippers http://www.flippersrestaurant.com Restaurant in Orange Beach to enjoy a nice meal and watch the annual Nautical Night of Lights Boat Christmas Parade.  Little boats and 'Oh My God' yachts alike made the trip from Lulu's http://www.lulusathomeport.com along the inter-coastal waterway past our vantage point then into Perdido Bay.  Festooned with brightly colored lights, most motored past us into the night but one nice sailboat turned into our marina to give us an up-close look.  Pretty neat!

This morning we were treated to a brunch at the clubhouse sponsored by the RV park.  Several tasty quiches, marinated fruits (I think in the good stuff), mimosa's, bloody Mary's and champagne made up this mornings delicious fare.  Now these folks know how to have a good time down here.  This afternoon a few of us are headed off to the movies to get our popcorn fix for the day.  I'll be begging for a day of rest before too long.  All play and no rest will certainly catch up with us one of these years.

Still livin' the dream and thinking we really should start doing a little Christmas shopping.

Phil

More adventures

I'm sitting here in the coach looking out at a bright blue sky and thinking is this weather going to be a repeat of last year?  It was in the mid-30's last night and thoughts of another cold winter gets us thinking about heading further south.  I wonder if this thing floats?

Speaking of weather ... our friend Susanne, who lives in Finland should get a little of our sympathy.  Weather reports for her part of the world are indicating temperatures this winter as low as they've been in 100 years. Stockholm Sweden, just west of Susanne's home in Helsinki (Finland capital) is already expecting a minus 15 C this week.  Brrrrrrrr.

We visited an old haunt the other day.  McGuire's Irish Pub in Pensacola was introduced to us by our Grand Blanc friends John and Linda in 2008 so we thought we should extend our good fortune to our Iowa friends Jim and Carol.  With ceilings and walls covered with thousands of autographed dollar bills, this unique eatery has not only visually interesting surroundings but outstanding food.  I had a combination pastrami and corn beef sandwich on rye. Large enough for two so I had half to take home. Just as good on day two I might add.  By the look on everyones face I think the food and service was more than good.  I can usually tell how good a restaurant is by the amount spilled on the front of my shirt.  I was a mess. We'll surely return ... as long as my laundry lady can get the stains out. http://www.mcguiresirishpub.com

Carol and Jim ... Iowa's finest

The oil spill in this part of the gulf has no doubt had a detrimental effect on  the local economy.  Many condos for sale .. many businesses closed.  Sad to see but I suspect they'll recover in time.  It's far too nice a destination not to. We'll continue to poke around the region absorbing the local culture for another month or so then head further west ... unless the weather is crummy there.  Then who knows?

For those out there you have not used the internet service Skype I can only say you're missing out.  The free (like in no charge) version has brought our friends and family right into our coach.  We've even tried three-way video conferencing and it's great.  All you need is the free software downloaded from the net, a laptop or  desktop computer (PC or MAC) and a net camera.  Many laptops already have them (camera) built in or you can purchase an inexpensive USB one ($30-$60).  Set up is simple and it allows face to face conversation.  Ya gotta try it!

Still livin' the dream

Phil