We have arrived in Mobile, Alabama, where we anticipate settling in for a while.

Sweet Home Alabama

Ok, not my home, nor Linda’s.  However, it is the adopted home state of Linda’s parents for the last 35 years, so we are spending the holiday months (October, November and December) in Mobile, AL.  If you are going to spend time in South Alabama, that may be the best time to do so.  The temperatures have been moderate, and the humidity generally pretty tolerable (I was going to use another word, but I couldn’t remember if it was bearable or bareable.) The weather in Mobile, Alabama is lovely, if you pick the right season.  After many years of periodically visiting Linda’s parents here, we know when to come, and when to not do so.  We have been enjoying temps in the 70’s and 80’s, with moderate humidity.  Our camping area is quiet and shaded nicely. 

First, I collected my new-to-me bicycle, bought on Ebay. It is a Bacchetta Aero, from 2003.  Why buy a 20 year old bike?  Well, it is a recumbent bike of very high quality.  The frame is titanium, and the components are top notch.  It was lightly used.  If you are familiar with bikes, you know that quality components, if serviced reasonably well, will last a very long time.  And of course, a titanium frame could out-last me.

The Bacchetta is very leaned back, with the crank at the front.  The reason I wanted a bike of this configuration is that it is a recumbent that will fit in a standard bike rack, which makes it easy to transport.  Once it is moving, it is light, fast, and very comfortable.  However, it does take some “getting used to” to start moving.  I have flopped over several times in the course of starting.  Fortunately, it isn’t very far to fall.  I routinely take 20 mile rides, and have done 25 and 32 mile rides since getting here.  Recumbents (Bents) dramatically reduce the strain on your neck, arms, and butt, improving the pleasure of riding (in my opinion).  I like mine.  I’ve been riding another bent for some 17 years, but it is a different configuration.  That one is now staying in Colorado, as it is very long and doesn’t transport as easily.

I’ve kayaked several times on the Dog River.  No Alligators seen yet.  Other kayakers tell me that sightings are rare, and the gators don’t bother with you unless they feel you are threatening their nest.  It is best to stay out of the reeds and in the middle of the waterway.  I’ve also done some paddleboarding, including my first night paddleboard trip.  That is a very different feel, when the horizon is not terribly obvious.

We are settling into the RV and making it our own.  I removed one of the three couches and built a storage unit/drop leaf table to replace it.  That has worked out well. 

Space with couch removed

Cabinet installed

Cabinet open

Cabinet with table deployed

We have a dining area in the back, but when it is cold or Linda is in the midst of one of her projects, this serves us for comfortable dining.  I also removed the bedroom TV (we never had one in any of our homes).  That wall space, above an existing counter and between two wardrobes, is now a set of shelves/cubbies.  By using flexible bins, we now have very adequate storage for our clothing. 

The project that scared me the most was replacing our power converter/charger.  This takes household current, when we are plugged in or using the generator, and converts it to 12V for charging the batteries and for running the many things (like the lights and refrigerator) that are designed to run on 12V.  I upgraded our batteries to Lithium, but they take a different charger to work at their best.  The work was very simple, I was just daunted by the potentially catastrophic results if I messed it up, as in, no power for anything.  Thankfully, that went well.  Go figure.

In November I went to Tybee Island, GA to update my Kayaking Instructor Certification.  This is required every 4 years.  It was a really top notch group of kayakers, most of whom were also high level instructors, plus the two Instructor Trainers, whom I’ve worked with previously and highly respect.  There you have it, experienced kayakers in a top notch kayaking destination.  Much fun was had by all, even if we did need to break it up with all those classroom lessons.  Also, I now have contacts for Kayaking in Orlando, Florida and Anchorage, Alaska.  At least one of those is on our itinerary for this spring!

From Tybee I went up to Pennsylvania to go hunting with my brothers.  This is an annual event.  My older brother comes in from California, and my younger brother owns the 11 Acres in Chester Springs upon which we hunt.  I saw several deer, with a few in range of my crossbow, but none that I wanted to take home.  Maybe next year, eh?