Mama said we'd have days like this ...

Oh yes … it’s been quite a day. Actual physical exertion too. Well not much, but some.

You see my new older, newly adopted brother Jim had a little battery problem so I fooled him into thinking I actually knew something about those sparking little boxes and volunteered to help replace them. (see before poto) His Winnebago batteries were shot so after a couple of days researching on the net, and a little advice from my old friend Corky in Michigan, he settled on three new Optima AGM’s (see after photo when I get around to taking it). First class units but do have a first class price to match. Anyway Jim and I got out our tools, thinking caps, and finished a normal 1 hour job in about two days. We again re-discovered a well known fact that any job worth doing will require at least 7 trips to various hardware and auto supply stores to really do the job right and get all the parts. We could have thought the installation out thoroughly and made only one trip, but we really like kicking around tools and stuff. At least the story we’re sticking to. Success was soon at hand as the engine fired and all the little gizmo lights lit up around his coach and … we could not smell any smoke. Always a good sign.

But all work and no play makes for loose trousers so to stop from buying all new clothes; we accepted an invitation to dinner at the clubhouse tonight. A small group had planned to gather and was kind enough to ask Jim and Carol and Sharon and I to join them. I was expecting steamed shrimp but they added in prime rib, potatoes, salad … the works. Bubba and Mary hosted (and cooked) the affair and several others kicked in side dishes. Carol (Dave’s wife) made a Tiramisu dessert that any restaurant would be proud to serve. No shortage of good cooks at this camp.

So as we wind down our stay at Bella Terra, we’re a little sad about leaving. With so many great people in one spot it has set the bar pretty high in our winter travels. Yes the resort is first class but it’s still the caliber of people we’ve met that made the difference.

We’ll depart this coming weekend headed east then south into Florida. Hopefully finding a little warmer, dryer, and calmer climate to finish out the winter.

But still livin’ the dream in Alabama.

Phil