February 21, 2013

02/11/2013

We have been connecting to the internet through a Verizon Pantech UN175 air card, plugged into a Cradlepoint router and amplified with a Cyfre amplifier.   This system has served us well for over four years but lately we have been talking about going to something else.

Our Verizon cell plan allows us to use unlimited data on the air card which is really great, especially since I am doing a lot of genealogy research on Ancestry.com.  Some of the census files and photos can be very large and we use an average of 11.5 gigabytes which includes the air card and our smartphones.

Yesterday we decided to make an upgrade to the Verizon MiFi system.  The new router/modem is 4g capable and we hope will be faster.  The main disadvantage to this router is we can't hookup an external antenna and send it through our Cyfre amp.  However, we are rarely in an area where we can't get cell service anyway so we feel that this is a better internet solution for us.

When we made this change, we lost our unlimited data plan so we opted for getting 10 gigs for now.  We'll have to watch our usage and change our plan as necessary.

Joyce also upgrade her phone to the new Galaxy IIIS.  I won't go into details here but be advised, check your phones when making any changes to your plan before leaving the store!

02/14/2013

On Tuesday we welcomed Ron and Katie Cutler to St. Augustine for a short visit.  You might remember we went to Orlando to visit last month.  We always have a great time with Ron and Katie who we hope to visit at their home in Payson, UT in the future.

Yesterday after saying goodbye to Ron and Katie, we drove up to Jacksonville to have the latest and greatest MAC OS, Mountain Lion installed on my MAC Book Pro.  I have been contemplating making the upgrade for some time now, having waited due to software issues with out air card.  Now that we have solved that little problem it was time to get my MAC up-to-speed.

02/15/2013

I have been using our new MiFi system for a few days now and am generally pleased with it's operation.  We are getting three bars of solid 4G service here at Anastasia State Park and so far we haven't experienced any dropped calls.  With the old air card we had several drop outs that sometimes lasted for five minutes or more.  Of course, the park in right in the town of St. Augustine so the we won't know really how it works until we're out on the road or in places like Terrebonne, OR.  Then we'll see how it works on 3G service.

02/17/2013

Joyce and I are grand baby sitting while Harold and Michelle are in Orlando.  Last night Grandma made a delicious meat turnover supper and I gave Skyler a bath.  He really likes the water!  After putting him to bed we watched "The Princess and the Pop Star" with Abigail.  Weather permitting we plan to take the kids our for a few hours today.  Might even hit Micky 'D's.

We did Taco Bell instead.  Skyler loves Cinnamon Twists!

Reading his Valentine card from Grandma Steffen.  I wish I had this on video.

Several of my squadron mates from the old 7th Military Airlift Squadron are planning a reunion for May 18th at the Pippo Ranch in Vacaville.  Joyce and I will be arriving at Travis AFB on the 17th for a weeks stay before heading up to Oregon for the summer.  We hope to get a couple of days of Reno time while we are there as well.  Anyone up for a Bozo's night?

02/19/2013

The yesterday was all about computer's, phone's, printer's and Verizon MiFi.  Grrr…..!!!!  'Nuff said.

02/20/2013

Yesterday afternoon Joyce and I made a visit to Fort Matanzas National Monument.  Completed by the Spanish in 1745, this small fort guarded the south river entrance to St. Augustine.

Until next time.

Barry & Joyce

Feburary 11, 2013

01/30/2013

As most of you know, one of my hobbies is doing genealogy research.  Recently, Ancestry.com has linked up with Find A Grave which is really helps those of us who study old dead folks.  I found these stones the other day:

Myrtle was a sixth cousin of mine.

In our last posting I showed you a picture of Barry's Bird Attack Repelling Device.  It worked for a day or so but one of them just won't go away:

Courtesy of John and Carolyn Staples.

02/02/2013

Joyce and I can't believe that we have been in Florida for almost four months.  Seems like only yesterday that we were backing into our parking site here at Anastasia State Park.  Just twenty-six more days and we'll be hooking up the rig and heading up to the NAS Jacksonville RV Park for a twenty day stay there before heading west.

If you shop at Toys R Us, the next is for you.  If not, skip over the next few paragraphs.

This Christmas we bought Skyler a kiddy trampoline at Toys R Us.  The darned thing fell apart after just a couple of days so yesterday Joyce and I took it up to Jacksonville with the goal of exchanging it for a better one or to get store credit.

The young gal at the customer service desk said that she could only exchange it for the same item because we didn't have the original packaging.  What?  Who the heck saves the original boxes of stuff you get for kids at Christmas?

So, after a couple of minutes of "discussing" the situation, I asked to see a manager.  The manager came over and proceeded to give me a long drawn out dissertation about the company's policy for returning items to Toys R Us, including the reasoning behind the necessity to have the original packaging.  After a few minutes of listening to him blabber, I told him in no uncertain terms that I didn't give a darn if the store got their money back, I only cared bout my money being refunded.  I then asked to talk to his boss who of course, wasn't in the store.

After leaving with the broken toy in hand we called American Express.  The immediately took the charge off of our card and started a dispute with Toys R Us.  We may or may not win this dispute but I think it's going to cost the company more money than just refunding our's.  And, I hope it does!

Last night we invited out neighbors, John and Carolyn Staples who hale from Virginia to join us at the Elks Lodge for supper.  We had a great time visiting with them over plates of delicious B-B-Q.

02/04/2013

Last night we went to Harold and Michelle house for their Super Bowl Party.  Several friends and neighbors came over to join us.  They all brought food and beverages. Sorry that the 49'ers couldn't pull it out for a win but who really cares anyway?  I would much rather watch the college National Championship game than endure a bunch of over-paid spoiled adults acting like five year olds.  Just sayin'.

Abigail has new glasses!

02/05/2013

Joyce left this morning to visit Sue Ziher at Cody's RV Park in Weeki Wachee today.  She had planned to visit her grandmother in Fort Myers but she called this morning to let Joyce know she was sick.  So, with a rental car already paid for she decided to visit Sue.

During our travels, we have had the unfortunate experience of being behind sand and gravel trucks a few time.  Out windshield has become very pitted causing poor visibility and wiper hopping.  So, I called our insurance company and they authorized replacement.  It only cost $246 here in St. Augustine and since we have zero deductible on glass, the insurance picked up the tab.

02/07/2013

Yesterday Joyce and I volunteered to drive a shuttle tram for the Flight to Freedom event at Fort Mose Historic State Park here in St. Augustine.  Fort Mose was the first free black settlement in what is now the United States and played a significant roll as a sanctuary for run-away slaves from the Carolina's in the late 1600's and into the early 1700's.

Re-enactors in period clothing told the story of the founding of Fort Mose. In addition, Florida Living History Inc. performed Colonial Spanish military drills and provided demonstrations of musket and cannon firing throughout the day. The event also included a cooking demonstration, an exhibit on Native Indians and various exhibits, performances and food vendors.

That's enough for now!

Barry & Joyce