COOOOOLD!

Each 100 miles we have moved northward the temperature has dropped about 5 degrees.  Then there is just plain cold weather that drops the temp further.  Saturday the high was around 59 degrees...when we awoke Saturday morning it was under 42.....Sunday morning promises to be even colder.....can anyone spell "frost warning"?

We had no big plans for Saturday except to hang out at the coach doing chores.  I went up on the roof and tilted the solar panels to catch the sun's rays more effectively.  Since we are completely off the grid we have to maximize our charging capabilities again, and since the sun is lower in the horizon this time of year it is necessary to tilt the panels.  It has been a long time since we have dry camped for 4 days in a row, but it's about time.  Usually first thing in the morning before the sun is high enough to hit the panels I turn on the big genset (Kohler propane 7.5 kw) to maximize the charge going into the batteries for the first hour, or so.  Once the sun get up high enough I turn off the Kohler, and then turn on the small Honda 1000 watt generator for another hour, then shut it off and let the sun do it's work.  Usually near the end of the day I'll turn the Honda back on for an hour, so to help top the batteries off.  Saturday we actually got back to 100%....we started at 84%.  Not too bad.

Tilting!

It was time to replenish our black tank deodorizer, and I noticed there was a CampingWorld about 8 miles up I-95.  Additionally, the toilet was not holding water for more than a few minutes, and it is important that it hold water, as that means the seal is tight, and no odors will enter the bathroom from the black tank.  While we were at CampingWorld we found a product called "Toilet Seal".....you pour a few ounces in the toilet and let it sit for about 8 hours so it can revitalize the rubber seal......AND it works!

A few days ago I had received a message through Facebook from Sam and Tracy Morrow, whom we met at Cedar Key back in December.  They are now just north of Daytona for a few months.  Sam is in his late 40's and still works as a programer.....he is doing some long term work for his biggest client.  He and Tracy wanted to get together Saturday evening and hang out in St. Augustine for a few hours.  We love hooking again up with people we met in Cedar Key, so we agreed immediately.  Sam and Tracy came by to pick us up around 5 pm, and we headed into St. Augustine for dinner at Gas Full Service Restaurant......do you sense a little irony here?  They even have a "Diesel Burger"....:D We met Tracy's brother, Ray, and Sam's friends from work, Tony and Marie.  Yelp gives it a 4.5, TripAdvisor a 4.5, and Urban Spoon a 5, and I would give it a solid 5......great selection of craft beer, and the food is absolutely to die for.  It is located just over the bridge to the island on the right.  Sam and I had the Chicken Fried Steak special with mashed potatoes.....YUM! 

From there we retired back to town for "dessert" at JP Henley's...a sports bar with a ginormous draft beer selection.  Tony and Marie suggested we try the Chocolate Covered Raspberry Stout.  Their beer and wine list can be seen here.

Chocolate covered Raspberry Stout

We had a great evening with good friends, and made some new friends to boot.

Thanks for stopping by!