Well, not a lot happened this week.... since Jeanette's "visit" to the hospital happened last week, which delayed my Florida trip one week. So on Monday, I did a 13-hour drive to Panama City, Florida. I stayed there until Thursday morning and then I did another 13-hour drive home! Unfortunately, I couldn't take the motorcycle. Florida was nice (although Springfield weather was about 80 degrees here while I was there.) The photo below was taken at Schooners, which was a great place (I went there about 4 pm on Wednesday afternoon.) I sat at a table that looked directly out onto the beach. I ordered the blackened grouper sandwich - which was excellent. I didn't stay too long - since I wanted to get up early the next morning and get on the road.
It is hard to see me in the photo - it was so sunny out - that and the fact that I haven't figured out how to change the exposure of the camera - but you get the idea.
One of the interesting things about Panama City - I was talking to some of the "locals" and they said that from President's Day until Easter is pretty much "Spring Break Week" - as most of the northern schools (universities) have their spring break sometime during that time. The locals just expect everything to be busy and crowded for that whole time period.
While I was there, I also stopped for donuts at "Leon's Donuts" - this place is a little "dive" near Tyndall Air Force Base. I stopped by and talked with the owner. Leon's has been in business for 70 years (the original Leon just passed away a year or so ago after a nice long life....) - and the present owner is the third owner of Leon's (his name is not Leon.) He worked at the base for many years before he retired and bought the donut shop. I asked if I could stick my camera in and take some photos to show what all of you are missing... here ya go.
I did see a lot of motorcycles down in Panama City - and several times, I wish I would have had my motorcycle. But I also saw how everyone drove down there (reminds me too much of how people drive in Atlanta - they are the most wonderful people when you talk to them - but then, they get behind the wheel of a car and become CRAZY!!) I did see several "almost" accidents - especially people just turning left in front of oncoming cars. Although I am sure I could have found some nice backroads - and there were many beautiful sights - I would have to think twice before driving the motorcycle too much around there.
A couple of other things happened after I got back from Florida.....one - I got a call from the Clark County Sheriff's Department - and my concealed handgun license was ready for me to pick up! They originally said it would take almost a month - but mine cleared (and was totally processed) in a little less than a week! When I went to Iraq, the government does several background checks on me - so I am wondering if that contributed to the fast turn-around time.... I'll never know. But now that means I will be "on the hunt" for a small handgun to take with us on our trip.
I have also spent more time with my "Galaxy Note" - the tablet/phone hybrid that I bought to take with us on the trip. I really like the bigger screen (it has a 5.3" screen size) - which is MUCH easier for me to type on - and easier for me to read.
Jeanette took a photo of me holding the Note and her iPhone - I like both phones - they each have their good and bad - but for me - I have such bad eyes and such fat fingers, that the big screen is very important to me. Here you can see the relative sizes of each.
I have been working with the Note a bit more to find good applications that will assist us on our trip. They do have a GPS app - but it costs $10 a month - and I am not sure I want to pay that (see "cheap okie" from a previous post.) We did find some other interesting apps (YELP?!? - is an app that shows a lot of stores or businesses that are real close to wherever you are currently at. So, if we are out in the boonies - and I want to find the closest coffee shop....I get on YP Mobile - and just hit "coffee" - and it will quickly map the closest coffee shops - give directions and sometimes operational hours as well! I can find the closest gas stations - and even the prices at each station. So we can shop around for the best price....pretty cool.
Another thing that Jeanette and I have been discussing (and we will start practicing) is that she has a really nice digital camera (not just her iPhone.) As we start doing more riding around our local area, she is going to start taking some pictures and practicing with the camera when we're on the move. Hopefully, that will add to our trip - and to our sharing the trip with you all.
If the weather cooperates, there is a possibility I will get to make some modifications to the Voyager (I am still hoping to put on a trunk rack and the lower shocks.) But between our crazy schedule and the weather - we haven't had a chance to do either of those modifications. Maybe those will be happening soon.
Again, this is another short post - but now "the PTSD trip" is LESS than 9 weeks away....we will continue to write and update you as we make plans to see as much of this great country as we can.
Wade and Jeanette and "the Starship Voyager"
One of the interesting things about Panama City - I was talking to some of the "locals" and they said that from President's Day until Easter is pretty much "Spring Break Week" - as most of the northern schools (universities) have their spring break sometime during that time. The locals just expect everything to be busy and crowded for that whole time period.
While I was there, I also stopped for donuts at "Leon's Donuts" - this place is a little "dive" near Tyndall Air Force Base. I stopped by and talked with the owner. Leon's has been in business for 70 years (the original Leon just passed away a year or so ago after a nice long life....) - and the present owner is the third owner of Leon's (his name is not Leon.) He worked at the base for many years before he retired and bought the donut shop. I asked if I could stick my camera in and take some photos to show what all of you are missing... here ya go.
A couple of other things happened after I got back from Florida.....one - I got a call from the Clark County Sheriff's Department - and my concealed handgun license was ready for me to pick up! They originally said it would take almost a month - but mine cleared (and was totally processed) in a little less than a week! When I went to Iraq, the government does several background checks on me - so I am wondering if that contributed to the fast turn-around time.... I'll never know. But now that means I will be "on the hunt" for a small handgun to take with us on our trip.
I have also spent more time with my "Galaxy Note" - the tablet/phone hybrid that I bought to take with us on the trip. I really like the bigger screen (it has a 5.3" screen size) - which is MUCH easier for me to type on - and easier for me to read.
I have been working with the Note a bit more to find good applications that will assist us on our trip. They do have a GPS app - but it costs $10 a month - and I am not sure I want to pay that (see "cheap okie" from a previous post.) We did find some other interesting apps (YELP?!? - is an app that shows a lot of stores or businesses that are real close to wherever you are currently at. So, if we are out in the boonies - and I want to find the closest coffee shop....I get on YP Mobile - and just hit "coffee" - and it will quickly map the closest coffee shops - give directions and sometimes operational hours as well! I can find the closest gas stations - and even the prices at each station. So we can shop around for the best price....pretty cool.
Another thing that Jeanette and I have been discussing (and we will start practicing) is that she has a really nice digital camera (not just her iPhone.) As we start doing more riding around our local area, she is going to start taking some pictures and practicing with the camera when we're on the move. Hopefully, that will add to our trip - and to our sharing the trip with you all.
If the weather cooperates, there is a possibility I will get to make some modifications to the Voyager (I am still hoping to put on a trunk rack and the lower shocks.) But between our crazy schedule and the weather - we haven't had a chance to do either of those modifications. Maybe those will be happening soon.
Again, this is another short post - but now "the PTSD trip" is LESS than 9 weeks away....we will continue to write and update you as we make plans to see as much of this great country as we can.
Wade and Jeanette and "the Starship Voyager"
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