The first two days back in Colorado
28 July 2016 | Aurora, Colorado
Bill/Sunny and hot
I'm home or at least back in Colorado. Left the marina Saturday at 1130 and flew out at 1420. Into and out of Atlanta and into Denver at 2320. An expensive taxi ride and I'm back at our house. Now the fun begins.
I've got appointments to go to, phones to get activated, parts to order and invoices to consolidate. Add on getting used to being at 6000 feet from sea level and it may take a day or two to get used to not only the altitude but the dryness. I'm used to 80% and now I'll be at 15-20%. Same 90 degrees but lots dryer but with a 50% chance of rain again, just like Grenada.
I'll report in as the days go by. I've already ordered a bunch of stuff so it's here waiting for me but there is still more needed. It didn't help that someone snitched our credit card numbers to get a tattoo in California. Now I have new cards and have to get a phone activated so I can get them up and running.
Tracy is still on Zephyr taking care of other small projects. Still lots to be done.
Stay tuned. The fun here in Colorado is just beginning.
It's now Tuesday just before 0100. Wasn't sleeping well so I got up and started typing. I was up and out of bed on Sunday morning at 0530, which was 0730 according to my body since it is still on Grenada time. I killed some time looking around the house before taking off for McDonalds. I needed a breakfast and they offer free wifi. My first Egg McMuffin in a while. Got on line and let Tracy know all was well and then took off for King Soupers, the largest grocery store chain in Denver. As I walked in the front door, everything anyone could need or want was laid out in front of me. Having traveled around most of the world, not many countries have stores like this. South Africa, Singapore and maybe Malaysia being about the only ones. Fruits, veggies, meats of all kinds. It was all there in front of me. I wanted to get a few items so I could eat at home and not at restaurants. Cheaper and better that way. I brought what I bought back to the house and set out again. It was now after 0900 and I thought some places might be open. I'd forgotten it was Sunday and most stores don't open till at least 1100. I tried T Mobile--nope, 1100, Apple--nope, 1100. I did find Walmart open and got some more food there so my pantry will be decently stocked for a few days. I made a tour of Costco while I was in the neighborhood. My membership lapsed long ago but I wanted to see if there was anything I HAD to have. Nope, all was good so onward I went. I found West Marine open as I needed a new pelican hook for the lifeline gate. The pin that keeps the gate closed had broken and I needed a new one. Now this West Marine is geared for small lake boats and fishermen, not deep water cruisers. I was told that their "sailing" man wouldn't be in till Tuesday so that was a bust as the two people there knew nothing about what I needed. I headed down the road as it was now time for Lunch. Off for Tokyo Joes, a fast food oriental restaurant that makes a mean chicken curry meal with a drink included for a reasonable price and it tastes great. One "Manager's Special" and I was set--YUMM!
Off for Apple again. I have two "vintage" Apple MacBooks that I've had for years. "Vintage" means they don't carry parts and won't fix it if it should die. I needed a new power adapter and that at leas they did carry so one down. I'm still shooting for a new battery for it. This one is so old(made of plastic) that I can change out the battery. Price was just $79.95. It goes for $120 in Trinidad On to T Mobile for phone service and a data plan. When Tracy was home, she bought one of their phones and signed up for prepaid service. I took her phone and did the same. For $60, I get unlimited phone, text and 10 gigs of data. If I turn the phone into a mobile hot spot, I can use it with the computers I brought back. Should work out fine. I headed for home having done a bit more than I wanted to as I'm trying to adjust to the 6000 foot altitude. It was taking a bit out of me so I spent the rest of the day playing with the phone and on the computers getting a bit of rest all the while. Since it's now Monday, I'll be off again, hitting the Post Office, letting them know I'm back and to resume the mail service and then on to either Fed Ex or UPS to get the binoculars and clock returned to their parent companies since each is covered under warranty. I've got just three weeks to get these to them, fixed or replaced and back to me so I can take them back to Zephyr. It's going to be tight if I know these companies.
I do have to admit, I'm not used to the cold. It was down to just 60 last night. I haven't been in an environment that chilly for quite some time. The 90s I'm used to but not the 60s.
OK, that takes us to Monday night.