Author Archives: Sparky
TN9 Hop 2: North Charleston SC to Goldsboro NC
242 miles via I-26, US 17, US 701, NC 403 and US 117 with a refueling stop in Whiteville NC. Miles since the end of Hop 1: 261. Cumulative route miles: 772. Total TN9 miles: 791. The extra 19 miles were due to a trip into Charleston. This hop was entirely on small highways, except … Continue reading
TN9 Hop 1: Lehigh Acres FL to North Charleston SC
530 miles via FL 80, FL 29, US 27, I-4, I-95, US 17 and I-526 with refueling stops in LaBelle FL and Kingsland GA and lunch in Sanford FL. Cumulative miles: 530. My previous trips all originated in Ft Myers FL, my home. But this time I closed up the RV on Tuesday and stayed … Continue reading
Ninth trip north (TN9) preview
I leave in 4 days for my 9th trip north (TN9), to Massachusetts to see family and friends. It will be different that most previous trips north in that (1) it will be an auto trip rather than an RV trip and (2) it will be less rigidly planned. The use of the auto is … Continue reading
A bitch of a switch
After Jett’s death almost 3 years ago I kept her phone on my T-Mobile account. It was used to communicate with my printer (silly), as a backup hotspot (occasionally useful) and (mainly) because I was on a 55+ discount plan that required 2 lines. But Marlene needed to change her plan and it made sense … Continue reading
Fiber optic!
The fiber optic upgrade in the resort – a project which has caused nothing but construction annoyances to date – is now beginning to pay off. As one of the few summer residents, I am one of the first to actually experience the new service. I have to say that it was worth the annoyances. … Continue reading
“The Lost Symbol” by Dan Brown
Copyright 2009 by Dan Brown. Published by Anchor Books, a division of Random House, New York. I hadn’t thought of this as one of a series, but it is. It is #3 of 5, according to Amazon.com. The series features world-renowned symbologist Robert Langdon. The second in the series was the wildly popular The Da … Continue reading
Pure Country
If you have been following this blog, you know that I have been spending a LOT of time this year attending concerts. This is entirely due to my relationship with Marlene who continues to amaze me. She is not a musician but she knows music and appreciates good dancing music. One of her favorite groups … Continue reading
“Witness to the Crucifixion” by David Benjamin
Copyright 2022 by David Benjamin. Published by Last Kid Books, Madison WI. The usual disclaimer: David Benjamin is a lifelong friend. I started reading Witness to the Crucifixion with the expectation that it would be written with the same whimsy that characterizes Benjamin’s other books. I expected a fun read. But a quarter of the … Continue reading
RIP Rusty
Rusty, my sweet companion for the past 11 years and my only RV companion since Jett’s passing, crossed that “rainbow bridge” on May 30. He had been slowly declining for years. He was unable to hop onto the bed and exhibited little interest in the stuffed toys that he would have ripped apart in 5 … Continue reading
Suicide knob
When I drive the golf cart for my weekly volunteer gig at the regional cancer center, I like to use the knob that attaches to the steering wheel. It makes turning easier. But recently, when starting my shift, I was asked if I wanted the “suicide knob.” Huh? I had no clue why this helpful … Continue reading »