On the Farm

First trip out to the farm. After having to wait a few days for the weather and wind to cooperate we were able to take the boat ride out to the farm.

New rock ready for "planting".

Safety First:  iPhone life jacket.

LifeProof Black Waterproof iPhone 4 / 4S Case - LPIPH4CS02BL (Google Affiliate Ad)

The Farm Below.

Four miles out to Sea.

Man of War floating by.

We took a load of new rock out and dropped them on site.

Farmer checking the crop.

A local resident of the farm.

Touring the area in 50' of water.

Happy Diver.

Rock transport vehicle.

Built from Scratch: How a Couple of Regular Guys Grew the Home Depot f (Google Affiliate Ad)

Stack of rock with coral growth.

The first day was a little rough on me.  The seas were 3-5 feet and when we were moored the boat rocked and rolled a lot.  It's better being under the water but when I came topside and started lifting buckets over the edge mal-de-mar got the better of me.  I finished the work and once underway life was better.  I've gone back out again and this time all was well.  Good to get my sea legs again.  We've been land locked again due to high seas for a few days but still three weeks to go and enjoying my time.

Asheville to Key Largo

It's back on the road again. This time heading south again back to the Florida Keys. The plan for this trip was started back in October. While in Missouri my friends brothers girlfriend said you need to meet my brother he has a live rock business in the Keys. Turns out he lives in Ohio but also has a house in Asheville. A few phone call, some emails later here I am. More details about the farm to follow in future posts.

I ended up helping him out by hauling a boat he bought and brought from Ohio. I took it from Asheville to Key Largo. It was all highway driving and except for the increased breaking distance the RV did well towing (not much difference from the trailer I took from Seattle to Missouri). The first day went well. 650 plus miles. We stopped for raw oysters at Bunky's in Sebastian FL with some of his friends and parked in front of their house for the night.

After a good breakfast near the beach we took off. Stopped at a gas station for fuel and I had trouble getting started. Seemed like a weak battery but it's always been slow to turn over. Sat for a few minutes to let things cool down and it started. About half hour down the freeway I heard a noise in the engine like something stuck in the fan. Thump. Thump. Thump. Squeal. Squeal. Thump. Thump. Gone.

Decided to head for the next exit instead of stopping on the side of the turnpike. Made it to a shopping lot parking area. Quick inspection and the serpentine belt was MISSING. All of the pulleys were spinning so seamed like just the belt failed.

When I purchased the RV it had a bunch of spare parts and I remembered seeing some belts. I never checked to see if there were the rights ones. I found them and luckily one was the one I needed. I found a few strands of what was left of the old wrapped around the fan. Cleared it away and was able to slide the belt on place without removing any parts. I did notice the alternator had been adjusted all the way out which leeds me to think the belt was old and stretched out. Within a hour I had the new one on and we were back on the road. Everything seemed to be working fine and made it the rest of the way. Thanks to George Ice ( the original owner) for the spare parts. I plan on getting a new one to keep with me.

So I'm parked in Key Largo for three weeks. 75° and sunny. Mission accomplished.

Looks like the boat belongs there.

On the road again.

Caravan.

Oysters!

Not a bad place to park the RV.

View from the dock.

First morning paddle.

Found a submerged boat.

Five Fingers and two fins.

December by the Numbers

Ironic with a new year that often brings a renewed outlook on the future that I get a new windshield to look through.  Symbolic. December also brought a new look at an old place (Seattle) as well as a trip around North Carolina. I've been making use of my time in Asheville and got some needed work done on the RV.  The propane oven has never worked (and appeared to never have been used) and replacing a few parts has got it functioning (Thanks to Internet parts shopping.).  Overall things are going well and I'll soon be heading south back to Florida and Key Largo for a few weeks.

Miles Driven: 1,519

Gallons of gas: 203

Cost of Gas: $693

Camping Fees: $315

Food: $1,228

New toys purchased: 0

Trip to Date ( May - Dec)

Miles driven: 15,810

Gallons of gas: 2138

Cost of gas: $7,819

Camping fees: $2,869

States

Overnighted: 24

Driven through: 28

Days worked: 6

Days missing work: 0

RV Repairs and updates: (some items completed in January)

Repair oil sender leak.

Adjust generator carb and fix broken muffler bracket.

Replace door weather stripping.

New windshield installed.

New Velcro for windshield interior shades.

Replaced broken bolt on steering stabilizer.

Tighten transmission pan.

Patch exhaust pipe hole.

Replace oven thermostat and safety valve.

Added one inch lift to rear suspension.

Oil change and lube.

Rotate tires.

Nina with out a windshield!

"Plumbing" repair on oil sensor.

Flames in the newly fixed oven!

Homemade pizza.  First item baked! (Not Paleo but yummy!)

Different Coast New Year

I spent New Years 2012 on the Pacific Ocean at Kalaloch Beach, Washington coast. It seemed only fitting to end it and start 2013 on the Atlantic coast.  The pictures are from a tour of the North Carolina coast for the holidays.

Some years come and go without much change except for getting another year older. For me this past year has been like no other.  It will interesting to see what 2013 has in store for me.

This just happens to be blog post number 101.

RV holiday lights.

Merchant Millpond State Park, NC

Trailside Pay phone.

Dismal Swamp State Park, NC

Sand dunes northern Outer Banks.

Flying kites at Kitty Hawk beach Christmas Day.

A reproduction model of the original "First Flight" Wright brothers plane.

Winter wind storm and full moon sunset makes for good waves.

Cape Hatteras Light House.

Botany Bay, SC

Taking the ferry across to the southern Outer Banks.

Sunset Dec 31, 2012
Edisto Beach, SC

Sunrise Jan 1, 2013
Atlantic Ocean.