On the road again........not yet!

Good morning virtual truckers!

Here we sit and sit and sit......waiting on Jeff.  I am just too organized for my own good, having packed all my gear last night, up and showered by 7 AM and waiting at the door at 8:45 for my 9 AM pick up.  And the time now is 10:10!  Jeff did call stating that we hadn't received a load notice as of yet so he was taking his wife to McDonalds for breakfast.  The staff here was kind enough to put my cold goods in their cooler while I wait.  I could have had a good run and an hour to lay at the pool........augh!

Just a little reminder to self, remember what time zone you are in when calling friends.  I called Jim this morning as he is on the road tomorrow as an official truck driver and he sure did sound sleepy when he answered!  Ummmm, I am in Florida and he is in California........and it was 5 AM his time!  But being the trooper he is, he woke up quickly and we talked for over a half hour.  He is a little apprehensive about what is ahead of him, what is around him and what is expected of him. 

JIM, my dear trucking buddy, as long as you woke up smiling; it is the best we could ask for!  And as we discussed, there is a new era of truck drivers that are sitting behind that 20” wheel.  We have educated professionals and recession casualties entering the trucking industry that are going to raise the bar and change the stereotype of the ole and gruff trucker.  We are a part of that and butt cracks are not allowed ;)

See you all on the road and (looking out those double doors) hopefully soon!

Last call! Time to pack those bag..........

In less than 20 hours, we will again find ourselves locked 24/7 with the sweetest man on earth!  OMG….I do believe the sun not only gave my skin a golden brown hue but wiped away some memory cells from the past month ;)  Yes my virtual truckers, our vacation is near the end but the hours of nothingness has me prepared for only (please, oh please) three weeks of …… ummmmm, let us not think of it and enjoy this moment!

I have to mention a couple of things first!  First and foremost, my dear sister Rhonda, reminded me of the fact that there are these ancient contraptions in the hotel room that connect to the wall that actually connect to other people who are beyond yelling distance…..the old fashioned telephone!  Secondly, I must mention the sweet hours of video Skyping with my most awesome sister, Lorene!  Ok! Everyone feel better?  Good!  Now……..back to ME!

I did nothing today but lay around the pool, was hit on by a young Cuban man (he could have been the pool boy), was hit on by the hotel maintenance man (I wish he was the pool boy), and watched an awesome movie, “I am Dina”.  It is an excellent film!  Now if I could of had the pool boy washing my laundry while I was watching the movie, that would have been the end a perfect week ;)

I will be heading to Wally World for supplies later this afternoon and then enjoying my last night of silence and a big bed.  That being said……..get your bags ready as Jeff will be picking us up at 9 AM.  I can honestly say I am ready…it is dang hot in Florida!

Let’s see if we all remember how to downshift!

Just for you Pix!

Boredom makes for an awesome tan!

Are we bored yet?  I got this three mile radius around the hotel so covered that I am amazed when I see something new!  I found out that a rental car is $56 per day, the bus system bites, and the beach is 12 miles away.  On the sunny side, I am getting a nice tan and should look like I belong here by the time Jeff picks me up on Saturday!

It was a great day for a morning run and the pool as that storm yesterday brought in cool temperatures.  We will be back to the stand outside, don’t move and just sweat heat tomorrow when it hits the 80’s again.  Running at 7 AM is a must!

Here are your pictures for today!

It almost looks like he wants to dance!

A very big crane!

This is Tommy.  I met him on my walk today.  He is currently taking a semester at Brevard Community College.  He would like to be a writer and join the techology field.  He wants to be the next Bill Gates!  Good luck Tommy!

Tuesday morning and the boredom is starting to kick in............

Good morning virtual truckers!  We got to sleep in 45 minutes as my 6:30 AM wakeup call never happened.  This of course shortened our morning run and had us so backwards from routine that we ate TWO pieces of toast!  I should have told the front desk that it is their fault for the extra 100 calories consumed for the 100 calories I did not burn!  After spending three weeks with Jeff, that “blame others” syndrome might have rubbed a little on me ;)

Jonathan Nice at NP Wireless (the manager that brought me the charger for my cell) helped me to get a brand new phone from T-Mobile.  My cell is still under warranty and the replacement should be here no later than Thursday.  I have limited juice on the current phone and only turn it on to check messages. So no, I am not ignoring you.........yet!

While on our walkabout, I did a little shopping.  I know, I don’t make much so I shouldn’t spend much and really, I didn’t!  I found some running shorts for $4, new running shoes for $12 (Reebok), some snack food for less than $3, then I got a haircut for $23 and finally, a traditional Jamaican meal of jerk chicken and curry pork for $6 (with leftovers for dinner tonight). Don’t let me forget the $3 in tips, ooops, well, ok, there went my daily pay!  I need a raise  :( 

I am considering renting a car and heading to the beach but if I can figure out their bus system (pretty limited) it is another (cheaper) option.  I am thinking about tomorrow as we are expecting rain storms today. So I am heading to the pool to burn some skin that I haven’t burned yet.  Later!

This is Dawn, the owner of Jerky's Authentic Jamaican Food.  Born and raised in Jamaica, she moved to the US as a young adult, got married, divorced, retired from the Department of Corrections, lost a son and has no desire to return home.  Her heart is here and she can COOK!

My first Jamaican meal.......

This boy was either looking for a mate or trying to tell me to back off!

Pool side didn't last long this morning!

Return of the Walkabout!

Good Monday morning my virtual vacationing truckers! Hope you are enjoying the change to the complementary breakfast from scrambled eggs/sausage to cheese omelets and BACON!  It is all premade and nuked on site but eatable none the less.  And did I mention…….free!  Remember, we only get $50 per day so FREE is a very valuable word in my book.

Well, I survived my gator adventure yesterday to only hit the streets today for a seven mile concrete walkabout.  My cell phone charger is still with Marie and I have been using Jeff’s.  I have tried Wal-Mart, a local Samsung supplier, and a charger from T-Mobile (Personally delivered by the manager!) and none work!  I am down to two bars (hence why no one has heard from me).  I am going to head out shortly to the T-Mobile store to either get a new battery or a new phone (still under warranty).  The temperature is going to hit 84 degrees by mid afternoon so we need to hit the streets early.  No run for us is required today…..after that hot fudge sundae last night, the long walk is!

I will take the camera as we never know what suburbanite we might encounter and considering our location, pretty much guess it will be the white hair type ;)  Grab your water bottles and walking shoes!

Pictures for today!

Now tell me Mom, did I get deep fried gator tail or..............
And I almost forgot.....I am going to be a GRANDPARENT!

Any morning is a lovely morning when it involves a Bloody Mary!

Good morning virtual truckers!  Are you all enjoying your down time?  You know you are on vacation when breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast and sausage includes a spicy Bloody Mary.  And since I am one that lives for the moment, this moment is excellent!

I haven’t done too much since arriving.  My first day was shopping and laundry, yesterday morning I went for my morning run (noticed a side saddle that wasn’t there before I got into that truck), spent a few hours at the pool and took myself out to dinner at the Texas Roadhouse.  Now talk about an excellent cut of steak and great service.  I would strongly suggest you head out there Monday - Thursday for their nightly dinner specials……would have saved me a buck or two if it wasn’t for that martini! 

Speaking of my martini!  I was just sitting there telling the bartender how I like my martini made and this gentleman sitting across the bar from me gave me that “what in the heck did you just order” look, and then he asked, “What in the heck did you just order?”  I stated, “Grey Goose martini, heavy shaken, lightly dirty and no produce.”  And he is like……..heck, just order a beer!  I just smiled and said, “I am from Seattle; you should listen to how I order a latte.”

Well, I ran my two miles, my breakfast is inhaled and my drink, slowly being enjoyed.  I will be sunbathing again here shortly and have nothing else planned for the day.  It is actually nice not doing nothing….which is very unlike me.  But that could change tomorrow!

Let's see what pictures I can add today that you haven't seen!

Nope, don't know the city!

Look at what your taxes are paying for!

The lagoon outside my hotel.