Honu’s Repair then to Douglas, WY

Aloha Everyone,

Too anxious to have our repair work get started, we arrived 15 minutes prior to our appointment at Floyd’s Truck Center.

Two long-haul truck drivers were also in the lounge. Darren, who was more talkative, told me that he has been waiting since last Saturday. His truck has a full load and having already missed his delivery deadline, he was not very pleased. Being an independent driver, Darren has to pay for all the repairs, meals and accommodations. Saving grace is that his cargo is not perishable.

Two hours of labor of $193.50, electronic fee, shop supplies and taxes totaled $266.03. We thought the charge was very reasonable.

Douglas Wyoming is a quaint little town with a 6,120 population. (Per 2010 census). It is the home of the Wyoming State Fair and the historical district of Douglas has a number of attractions.

Douglas enjoys the status as one of “The 100 Best Small Towns in America.”

Residents also boast the claim of “Home of the Jackalope”. Actually a strange imaginary creature with a body of a Jackrabbit wearing the impressive antlers of deer.

Following enthusiastic recommendation of the staff at KOA Douglas, we went out in search of the Best Pizza in Wyoming. “Friendz” is an eclectic establishment. But the rich aromas from their stone-baked oven was unmistakably Italian.

J.J. was happy with his pizza dinner. Being famished, his comment that this may be one of the best pizzas he has eaten may have been subjective :-)

Aloha -- Cathi

Introducing Our Flat Granddaughter 2019-2020

Aloha Everyone,

During her birthday month, I make an updated flat granddaughter who will accompany J.J. and me on our RV adventures interspersed with foreign travels. This tradition began when we retired nearly 6 years ago.

Her birthday card is an over-sized handmade card which serves as a pictorial summary of the year just passed. Photos of our granddaughter, family, relatives and friends plus her personal and school activities take up at least 3 sections. There are also her travels, books she is reading and her art work, etc. The end result is rather comprehensive. My intention is that every birthday card will give her some “I remember that” moments.

The cover design of the card depends on what our granddaughter was involved in that particular year. For example, last year I mounted the flat granddaughter against an sprawling meadow with colorful wild flowers. In the distance is Mount Hood. This year, I placed her in a deep green pine forest with sunlight streaming through dark branches.

Gathering photos and information require time and assistance especially from my daughter-in-law.   Our granddaughter’s big smiles and hugs are worth a thousand “thank yous” as J.J. and I are grateful to be a part of her young engaging life.

Aloha -- Cathi

Honu Requires Repairs

Aloha Everyone,

We had a busy, productive day in Rapid City. Finally completing most of the items by after lunch, J.J. and I started our drive back to Hot Spring. The distance between Rapid City and Hot Spring is approximately 50 miles. We were at least 1/2 way. Then it happened without any preamble. J.J. and I simultaneously saw the dashboard warning light flashing ESP (Electronic Stability Program) with a message that a visit to service shop is required.

We are staying the next two days in Hot Springs KOA. The earliest an authorized Sprinter repair company can take a look at Honu is Thursday at 9:00 am. That is just to determine if they would be able to make the repairs.

I suppose Hot Springs is as good place as any for us to get stuck. Hopefully our stay here will not be prolonged.

Aloha -- Cathi

Changes in Restaurant Etiquette

Aloha Everyone,

There are generally 3 categories of restaurants J.J. and I frequent.

We like family-style restaurants that have become community fixtures. They tend to be unique, personal and have characters. Especially if they can claim to be in business for 30 or more years, you know they serve great food. Some of these places have one special daily choice so when you are seated, you will be offered the day’s special.

The second category is chain restaurants such as Applebee’s, Olive Gardens and Chili's. At least we know the quality of food and service.

Occasionally, we like to try fine dining places. These unfortunately are hit and miss. Even when they have a dress code, we see people get seated in their t-shirts.

In the past, restaurants follow specific dining sequence starting with appetizer, main dish and dessert. Some would encourage their guest to take an aperitif, wine with the meal and an after dinner drink.

I eat 5 small meals a day. At Olive Garden, I ordered an appetizer of calamari as my main course and shared it with J.J. And I even had 1/2 leftover packed to take away. J.J. had chicken soup and a scampi pasta.

Tips were meant to express thanks for extraordinary service. Today tips are expected and the computer display at our table tells you what you are expected to give.

Somehow J.J. and I prefer the Old World restaurant etiquette where you pay for their gracious service and good food and feel happy to leave a generous tip because you want to and not what the computer prompts you to do.

Aloha -- Cathi

Hot Springs, SD

Aloha Everyone,

July is the warmest month in Rapid City with the average day time temperature reaching 85.5°Fahrenheit. The lowest average day time temperature is 57.5° Fahrenheit. This morning at 6:00 am it was already 70 and now at 4:30 pm, the thermometer is registering at 92 degrees Fahrenheit.

January is Rapid City’s coldest month. The average low temperature is 11.3 degrees Fahrenheit and rises to 33.6 degrees. J.J. and I have seen photographs of Rapid City under thick blankets of snow. The photo is beautiful but we are not interested to spend more than a few hours in the snow.

When fellow South Dakotan asked if J.J. and I have intentions of living in South Dakota sometime in the future, we truthfully give enthusiastic affirmative response. But it is a qualified “Yes.”  We prefer to be here in late spring and early autumn when the gentle, peaceful rolling grasslands and the Black Hills are most attractive and conducive for outdoor activities.

Aloha -- Cathi