I just installed British 220 Outlet Plate For Our London Tea Kettle

www.harry.everhart.com

Today We Bought A New John Deere Mower

New mower on left - old mower on right - already on craigslist for $1200.

I had to wait until 1998 when I was 50 years old to get my first riding mower. I was recovering from cancer surgery and Lulu was feeling sorry for me. I got a Honda 1011 Rider with a 30 inch blade. When we moved to Tallahassee in 2004 - we decided to hire a lawn service for $45 a week - and we sold the Honda. 

In 2010 we bought the brick house with the 1.4 acre lot and a bought a John Deere 48 inch wide belly mower. It has served us well. Usually I could mow the lawn in a little over an hour. In 4 years I used it for 125 hours - cutting the lawns of both of our Seminole Drive homes. 

I always envied those "bump steer" mowers - the ones that have two tillers. Since we are now "cracker rich" from selling the other house - I decided it was time to get one of those little sports car types of a lawnmower. I have been shopping quite a while. 

The official name of the type of mower is a zero turn. By pushing one handle forward and the other one back - you can turn on a dime. I remember as a kid - at the fair the farmers would do tractor square dancing. With one of these zero turn mowers you could be a ballerina. 

We Stopped in Rural Retreat VA To Visit Brother Jackie

This is Jackie and Tami's ranch home - high in the mountains of Virginia. I purchased that van in Florida for Jack. They converted it into a camper - with stove - frig - bed - toilet - AC - generator.

A propane tank helps power the house in winter. The synthetic wooden deck is really nice. We had supper there. In the tent is Jackie's childhood car - a 1980 Pontiac Fiero.

The barn has two tractors inside. The garden was in full bloom.

The white door is a private entrance to the basement. It could easily be a nice full separate apartment. the French doors into into a big hot tub spa room.

We ate breakfast at a quaint little country diner - note the sign about Rural Retreat. 

Lulu's brother Jack Cox left the Tamaqua Valley early and moved south. He ended up in a town called Rural Retreat VA. It was once the Cabbage Capital of the world. Now it is just a small Appalachian town of 1400 people. Jack is a manager at a plastic plant just down the road. 

Rural Retreat sits high in the mountains. In the winter it is a south capital - but during our visit - the weather was beautiful. It was clear and sunny and at night it dropped down to 48 degrees.

Jack has lived in this brick ranch home for 10 years. He is very handy - doing most of the work on the home himself or with the help of Tami. The main floor has real oak hardwood floors. It has a full finished basement with an exercise room and a bar room - plus two bathrooms. Out back - he built a deck of synthetic wood that is made at his plant. The deck is 3 years old and looks like brand new. No weathering - no paint - no wood rot. The house has several fireplaces and stoves for the long cold - snowy winter. 

They have a garden and grow a wealth of fruits and vegetables. They have two tractors - one for mowing their large yard - the other one for plowing the driveway. 

Rural Retreat is just a mile off Interstate 81 in Virginia. 

We Visited The Tesla Supercharger in Tifton GA

On the way home from visiting Drew - Keith - and Jackie - we stopped at the newest Tesla charging station  in Tifton GA. It is right along I-75 behind the Starbucks. There are 8 "pumps" where you can plug any electric car in to re-charge it. 

Tesla has put up 96 of these free charging stations - free to owners of Tesla autos. By this time next year they plan to have almost every one within 50 miles of one of these stations. If we had a plug-in Prius - we could charge it there too. 

It is really just a fancy thick extension cord. It can charge the car to 80% full in 20 minutes. Range is about 300 miles on a charge. 

Tifton is less than 100 miles from our home. To go from Atlanta to Orlando - one could stop here to get a charge and complete the trip. 

The Tesla starts at $70000 - although at the dealership most of them had a $90000 sticker on them. Tesla is a great car - fast - safe - quiet - luxurious - energy efficient. I would love one but cannot justify the cost - even with free "fuel."

Fwd: The Tifton, GA Supercharger is Now Open

Tesla Superchargers are now just a road trip away. Visit teslamotors.com to learn more about Tesla Supercharging and Model S. The Tifton, GA Supercharger is Now Open Tifton Supercharger 1204 U.S. 82 Tifton, GA 31794 Located at Starbucks 24 hrs/day Charging Stalls - 8 The planet's fastest charging station is now just a road trip away! We are excited to announce our third Supercharger in Georgia. The Tifton Supercharger enables direct trips between Atlanta and the Florida Panhandle using only Superchargers. It is also part of a growing series of Superchargers that will support travel along Interstate 75 throughout Florida and Georgia for free, for life. Incredibly Fast, Always Free Superchargers can recharge half the capacity of Model S in as little as 20 minutes and are strategically placed to allow owners the ability to drive from station to station while minimizing stops. Superchargers are conveniently located off major highways near cafes, shopping centers and travel plazas. Ready for a Test Drive? Visit one of our local stores, or request a test drive online today. Tesla Motors | 3500 Deer Creek Road | Palo Alto, CA 94304 Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe

Lulu Is 60 Today

Picture Taken on our June cruise.

The eternal teenager has admitted she is a little elder than she looks. Lulu turned 60 today. I say that with pride because of how good she looks - and how funny she acts. She had led a very full life and it has only started. 

Now that she is 60 and I am 66 - the age difference does not see too bad. When we eloped in 1971 - it was a scandal. I had just finished my first full year of teacher - and Lulu had a year of high school left. 

Meadow Farm Park. Richmond

www.harry.everhart.com

Testing The Emissions On Your Car

In Florida - we do not have to have the pollution equipment checked on our cars. We also do not have any inspection stickers at all. Before you start whining about safety - etc - accidents in Florida are like everywhere else. Accidents are caused by the nut behind the wheel. 

If you are a backyard mechanic - you can alter your car almost anyway you want. If you draw the ire of a state cop you may be cited for something like windows tinted too darkly. 

I took this picture of Jiffy Smog in Las Vegas. You drive up - they test your car - give you a sticker. There are all sorts of things you can do to trick the test. So it turns out being another waste of money. In my opinion - when someone says they are doing something to protect you - cover your wallet. 

I guess those orange cones make it look more official. 

Charleston and Fort Sumter

This statue is in Battery Park - Charleston. It honors those that defended the city against the Yankees.

Charleston is a beautiful southern city with so much history. People do not realize how important it was to have forts around the perimeter of the USA. If you held the fort at the mouth of the harbor - no ships could pass - in or out. 

In 1861 - the federal government manned all the forts around country. The rebels of South Carolina sought to control their harbor and attacked Fort Sumter. The war had commenced. South Carolina left the union mainly because Abraham Lincoln was elected. Lincoln believed that slavery was wrong. But Lincoln claimed he wanted to keep the union together - even if some states had slaves. 

Watching The Grandkids In Richmond

Drew running the 5 kilometer race

Monday we drove from Charles SC to Richmond VA. We will be staying here the next 6 days - we are watching the grandkids.

Drew and Robin are celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary. They are going to Turks and Caicos for a few days and also for a night on Miami South Beach where they lived for 5 years and where Drew proposed getting married.

I just took them to the airport. they will fly to Miami - spend a night - and then catch a plane to Turks and Caicos. The islands are east of Cuba. It is hot but relatively dry there.

We got into Richmond just in time to see Drew complete in a neighborhood 5 kilometer race (3 miles). We were surprised to see him average 7 minutes and 40 seconds per mile. I have always said I want to run and 8 minute mile before I die.

Drew and Robin look exactly the same as they did 10 years ago at their wedding. Considering they are busy raising a 6 year old and a 3 year old - that is pretty good.


It was 97 degrees and the kids cooled him off with water guns.

The honeymoon will be spent in Turks and Caicos

The race was held at the local elementary school just down the street from their home.

Monday Morning At The Citadel in Charleston

You know what they say about guys with Corvettes - we saw 4 parked on campus.

This ring played a big part in the TV show House of Cards

For discipline you walk the quad - touching every square.

Charleston is a beautiful city. It is also the home of the writer Pat Conroy and The Military College of South Carolina - The Citadel.

If you judge a school by its campus - The Citadel is one of the best colleges in America. Some would argue that it is the heart of the Confederacy. The Civil War started here when the rebels fired on Fort Sumter. This once was the state capital and 40% of the slaves came in through this gateway. Many states have had military colleges similar to West Point - this one seems to be the one to hold onto those old values the most.

One Night In Downtown Charleston SC - On Way To Grandkids

The US Custom House in Charleston SC

About 400 miles up the road from Tallahassee is Charleston SC. At one time 40% of all the slaves that came to America came through this port. In the harbor is Fort Sumter. In 1861 - the Civil War started here when the rebels attacked the fort being held by a skeleton crew of Yankees. It fell quickly - giving the other Southern states the bravado to rebel.

Today - Charleston is the beautiful home of the Citadel - South Carolina's military college. Downtown is one of the most charming cities in America.

We are staying at the Doubletree Hotel on Market Street next to where many slaves were brought on shore and sold in the markets. The French Quarter reminds one of a cleaner New Orleans without the loud music and boozing. At the dock you can take the ferry to Fort Sumter.

Tomorrow we will get up early - tour the Citadel - then drive 400 miles north to Richmond VA - where Drew - Robin - Jack and Kate live. We will spend a week there watching the kids - while the honeymooners celebrate their 10th anniversary.

On Our Trip North To See Kids And Grandkids

It is 1 pm. We have gone 250 miles with 150 more to Charleston. The Prius has be giving us a whopping 50 miles per gallon going 66 mph.

Lulu is driving now - traffic has been mild and weather is dry and 84.

Lulu got a 5 star Doubletree on points for tonight right on Marion Square down town. We should be there by 4 pm check in time.

We plan to walk the city - tour the Citadel - and have a nice supper.

Charleston is 400 miles from home and 400 miles from Richmond.

It is clouding up now a bit and may rain soon. Now the first drops have hit the windshield.

Yesterday I took the Prius for service. They noted a water pump that showed signs of leakage so we replaced it. I also had a new coach battery installed and changed all the filters.

I am not find of interstate highway driving but it sure gets you from place to place fast. At 66 mph you can get in the right lane and never have to pass.

I will keep you updated on our progress.

Harry

Florida State Has A Car At Daytona 500 This Weekend

Harry later note - the car finished second.

How To Spend 8 Days In Las Vegas Free - And Come Home $1000 Richer Without Gambling

Harry sprinting out of a Vegas Boeing 757 before it lifts off for Atlanta - without him.

They do not call me The Trailing Spouse for nothing. I picked up from my 55 year home in Tamaqua PA to follow Lulu to Tallahassee FL - 10 years ago. I have done absolutely nothing except - attend FSU sporting events - buy and sell homes - cars - campers - and furniture. 

Lulu travels all over the world. I go along to carry her bags. Her motto is - Have Husband Will Travel. In the 10 years - we have been to England - France - Germany - Italy - Greece - Thailand - Hong Kong - Korea - Ireland - Scotland - Belgium - Sweden - Denmark - Switzerland - Australia - New Zealand - Brazil - Mexico - Cuba - Canada - and others I have forgotten. 

Monday Morning In The Desert With A Car And A Beautiful Girl

 It was 122 degrees as I took this dam picture.

Monday started early at 8AM at the Ballagio Hotel. Lulu found a daily car rental with Avis for $24. In minutes we were driving our bright red Fiat 500L north on I-15 toward the Valley of Fire.

The Valley of Fire is the oldest state park in Nevada. It is a valley full of bazaar monadnocks of red sandstone sticking out thru the local darker topography. During certain times of the day they look like fires - thus the name Valley of Fire. We had the place to ourselves - we were able to picnic - heck - we could have run around nude. 

After the valley - we headed south to Lake Mead. It is the largest manmade lake in the USA - it is formed by Hoover Dam. It has 600 miles of shoreline. It provides - flood control - farming water- drinking water - and electricity. It made the desert bloom. 

On Our Way Home - Big Story Coming About Our Adventures In The Desert

It is 8 am. Vegas time. We are packing up and getting to the airport for our 11 am flight home. Yesterday we had a fantastic time at the Valley of Fire - Lake Mead - Hoover Dam - Henderson - Boulder City - Riviera Casino. We rented a Fiat 500L and had a blast.

We each have one carry-on bag hoping to get bumped off our flights.

Yesterday was hot. Our car thermometer read anywhere from 104 to 122. But we didn't mind with the dry air.

If all goes wrong we will be home at 8:30 tonite. If we are lucky we get home tomorrow.

We will always have Paris ....... Las Vegas

Harry