Back in MI

4.24.6

Arrived in MI early on Easter.

My main purpose in coming to MI is a computer project: I want to computerize a karaoke show.  I bought a new MacBook Pro laptop computer just for the project only to discover that it is too new to run the needed software!  The software developers report an updated version will be ready in another month or 2.  I didn’t bring my older laptops which would work now, but would be slow.  Didn’t know.

So I’ve borrowed a non-working laptop that needs a new logic board.  I ordered the parts via priority mail, but they were lost in transit.  They have finally arrived, but now the computer is waiting for the hands of a qualified technician.  Meanwhile, I’ve gotten absolutely nothing done on the main purpose for my visit!  However, a couple other events have taken place that have made these delays fortuitous.  Such are the fates.

Have had pleasant news. The blue grass band that I played with last summer while I was in Ypsi finishing the engine rebuild on my VW diesel, asked me to join them for a gig next weekend in Coldwater.  Claim they’re getting paid, but no one has left their day jobs yet Ç;-)

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April 24, 2006 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

OBX

4.13.6

Carol & Bob aboard the Ocracoke ferry

The Outer Banks

I completed the tear down of the log barns in Sanford, NC.  Found some interesting relics in the process, including approximately 1000 ancient hand split tobacco sticks.  I used a piece of heavy equipment to clean up the landscape, but the folks weren’t ready to reassemble the barns into a cabin— they were still considering design options.  So I then listed some big ticket items for them on eBay which worked out very well.

During that whole process, Carol Sweda eMailed me saying she was headed south on a much needed vacation.  Invited her to join me in an exploration of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.  We drove to the Outer Banks via Beaufort to do some camping. We rode the ferry north from Cedar Island to Ocracoke.

Of course, Bucky came along!

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The weather was perfect— warm and no bugs, still cool at night for some good sleeping!  I drove like a mad man to make the ferry.  We thought we were going to miss it.  When we arrived, we had to wait.

We had a fine time traveling and camping.  Both Carol and I like to cook and we only ate out twice: one a breakfast, the other a dinner; both meals were successful attempts at sampling fresh local seafoods!  We also captured some good images of sunsets on the sound and a nice picture of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

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Arriving at Ocracoke, NC

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The OXB are developing fast, but they aren’t as gentrified as the FL Keys. Being in the off-season before Easter, it wasn’t considered busy yet.  The State campground wasn’t open, but there was a nice private campground right in town for $20/night.  Still, the streets are very narrow and the traffic was congested.

Sunset behind Cape Hatteras. We found a great place to camp that was only $17/night. If you wanted to stay all season, it was $1750. Wow!

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Having a couple projects in MI I could do, I decided to catch a ride with Carol back to Ypsi in time to enjoy a second spring— especially the Lilacs.  I called ahead and had my car pulled out of storage and the front suspension repaired so it would be ready for me to use upon arrival.

Had to get a picture of the famous Cape Hatteras light!

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April 13, 2006 | Tags: , , , , , , , | No Comments »