Crystal River - AirBnB

 

Friday - We walked to the Crystal River Preserve and Archaeological State Park in the morning. It was sunny when we left the AirBnB but we got rained on during the walk back. This is the view from the top of Mound A (51 stair steps) looking southwest over Crystal River. 

This is the mound. It is smaller than it started out as locals took from the mound to fill in low spots. This is before it was managed by the state. 

Later in the day, we drove around the area and noticed that many houses along the canals were closed due to water damage from the storm last August. Even today, the water level seemed really high.

Crystal River, FL - AirBnB

Saturday - We arrived around 5:30 due to a couple of accidents just a little north of the town of Crystal River. The WiFi at the AirBnB is pretty decent as is the house itself. It has a pool, hot tub, dock, kayaks, bicycles, and a huge kitchen. 

Saturday - It is supposed to be raining today and tomorrow but nice for the rest of the week. There has been a lot of planning going on with too many activities to do in only one week. This afternoons priority was to find a good cup of coffee. We did at Cattle Dog Coffee in downtown Crystal Springs. 

We wandered around town checking out all of the little shops. Nice town. 

The hot tub at the AirBnB is pretty nice. It’s under a canopy so no problem using it in the rain. 

Manatees are the big attraction here. 

San Antonio, TX - Airbnb

Sunday - I made a quick trip to REI to pick up a box of Aeropress coffee filters. A package lasts almost a year and I should've picked them up when we were at REI over a month ago. Anyway, it was something to do. Afterward, I walked down to the 2M Smokehouse to pick up some Texas BBQ. The line went out the door and down the sidewalk. And this was 40 min after they opened. 

After around 20min in line, a storm came through and poured, making me question my walking choice. Fortunately, I was inside the door by the time the rain started, still in line but undercover. By the time I got to the front of the line, they were already sold out of a few items including the chicharrones mac and cheese, which sounded interesting. I picked up brisket, beef sausage, and pinto beans. The total wait time was an hour. I had some for lunch after getting back to the Airbnb and it was all delicious and worth the wait. I have enough leftovers for several more meals.

Monday - We are getting a bit of rain again. I hear that precipitation in this part of TX is less than half of normal. And “normal” really isn’t that much rain, to begin with. The news report said only 5+” so far this year compared to 12+”. It’s pretty dry. 

The Caterpillar shop is installing the hydraulic fan motor today so there is hope that I might be able to pick it up on Wednesday, the day I need to leave the Airbnb.

Tuesday - I still haven't gotten an update from the shop so I made a one-night reservation at a motel a short distance away from here. Their cancelation policy is no-charge until 6pm tonight so if I do hear something, I can cancel if needed.

Later - The boost level from the turbo is 33 psi which is good. But the shop is looking into why it's throwing a code. I guess I'll be moving to the motel tomorrow. Unfortunately, the check-in time isn't until 4pm. Kind of a pain...

Wednesday - I left the AirBnB this morning and stopped at the Cat shop. The computer was still connected to the engine but the service writer thought they may be done this afternoon. I went to the hotel and they let me check in three hours early. Cheap hotel, but it has a good A/C and the TV has the DABL channel, which has turned into a favorite. No WiFi.

Around 2:30, the shop called and declared the engine fixed. I headed over and needed to be on the phone with the credit union when the debit card was run. I then started up the refrigerator on propane (took quite a while as the lines needed to be purged) and got the tow bar reinstalled. I’ll need to wash it as it’s still kind of oily but the washroom at the shop had gallon bottles of hand cleaner. I also started the inverter and I should’ve brought the AT&T hotspot to get things back online. 

I’ll pick the RV up tomorrow morning and plan to head north to Lake Whitney TT for several days. It’ll feel kind of nice to be back in the RV again after 30 days. The TT cabin was fine and the AirBnB was nice but it’ll be good to be back in our home on wheels. Across the street from the motel at the Petro truck stop, is the Iron Skillet restaurant. American comfort food.

San Antonio, TX - AirBnB

Thursday - I participated in three test sessions and led one where a dad and two daughters took their tests sequentially. They all passed but it was a long session. The desk is also the nightstand so things are all over. Including the AT&T router (which I'm only using for the DMR hotspot). The house has pretty fast WiFi so I've been using that for the test Zoom sessions. 

Friday - Yesterday evening, San Antonio finally got some rain. It was pretty heavy for about an hour with lots of water flowing down the street. Almost curb height. It didn't last very long but it did make for some lower temperature but much higher humidity. 

This morning, I picked up some more groceries at HEB which is only a couple of miles away. Walmart is closer but it's on the other side of the highway with a lot of construction in the area. I finally have to start cooking again. I cleaned out the freezer of the cabin and made a meatloaf which has been my dinner for days. 

Saturday - Participated in the early, east coast test session. It's always disappointing when someone doesn't pass but hopefully, they'll be back to try again. By the afternoon, it's is pretty hot. 

I have some chicken cooking in the sous vide. Enough for a couple of meals though I'm not quite sure what to make yet. I also have some beef for beef and broccoli. Maybe I'll make that this afternoon after the next test session.