Without Google Earth or a laser range finder

It is difficult to determine exactly how far things are away.  Jon and I tried to guess how far our room was from the beach.  I thought I could get there with a driver.  Jon thought it was 400 yards.  I was right.  I admit it would take a better than average strike, with a slight draw, with a new Titleist NXT Tour ball.

All Roser transportation is named Charmed

This is as close to salt water as this means of transportation will get, but when in our wake you will be able to tell who we are!

Let's eat

Debbie has been eating Jevity 1.5 for ten days now.  Her meal and nutrition plan seems to be settled at 1775 perfect calories a day!  We should all eat so good.

Seriously

The last run to the shed, and I spied the best manager of a moving crew that I have ever seen:

Dog is part goat

Holly is a mixed breed, we learn.  Part mountain goat.  She always wants to stand or lay on top of you when you are on the floor on her level playing with her.  The problem right now is her timing.  When she comes running back after getting the toy you just threw she jumps way too early and smashes into your side.

Hot tubbing and swimming with a PEG tube

There is quite some controversy, do or don't swim with a PEG tube.  A small square of Press'n Seal may be the most economical way to keep the PEG tube somewhat dry.

These large Waterproof Pads may be the most reliable solution.

Cades Cove TN

http://www.smokymountainnavigator.com/index.asp?mid=69&mid2=193&gclid=CMTY27zj6bkCFeRj7AodXiwAtw

 

Well worth it if you have the time, says a friend.

 

90 Minute Challenge

Did you know that every 90 minutes, someone in the United States hears the words, "you have ALS"? In just minutes, you can register for the 2013 Ride to Defeat ALS and begin raising funds, so that one day, no one will need ever hear those words again.  When you register to ride, you join thousands of other supporters around the nation to drive off this horrific disease.  Why is it important that you ride?  Because The ALS Association Florida Chapter is striving to raise $250,000 through The Ride to Defeat ALS, so we can expand our local services to our patients and advance ALS research.  We need your participation to help us reach this goal. We have a "Nu" way to build your team!  Sponsored by NuMotion, our Family Fun Ride route has been improved this year! The route, which leaves from the Holiday Inn Harbourside hotel in Indian Rocks Beach, will take a one mile loop around a quiet local neighborhood and alongside distinctive Gulf Boulevard businesses of Indian Rocks Beach. You are never more than one half mile from the Holiday Inn Harbourside and event personnel. This route is perfect for children, families and patients in wheelchairs! Plus, teenagers, it's your turn to ride!  The new age limit for riding the 25 mile route and Metric Century is 13 years old upon parent/guardian approval.  So, recruit a school team and join us for the Ride to Defeat ALS! On Saturday, November 2nd, we hope you join hundreds of others Riding for a Purpose at the Holiday Inn Harbourside in Indian Rocks Beach to continue the fight against Lou Gehrig's Disease.  Each person makes a difference, and difference starts with you!
	The Ride to Defeat ALS | The ALS Association Florida Chapter 3242 Parkside Center Circle | Tampa, FL 33619 Ride@alsafl.org | 888.257.1717 x119 Click here to manage your email preferences

Don't worry be happy

This is the second time that we have cleaned house and downsized, shedding all things not necessary.  Both times have been easy and liberating without many issues.  The first time our Ford truck was an issue.  We needed it until the very end, but then we needed to sell or donate it.  Carmax had bought many of our cars over the years and that is what we thought we would do with the truck but they were not near by.  In the end an employee of the marina we were departing from finally decided it was a good deal and bought it.

This second time we need the Thule carrier and while delivery before departure was promised, we are down to the very last day!  But we take Marley's advice and don't worry.

Verbally

I have always wondered, why an iPad when laptops are now so convenient and powerful.  Battery life?  Maybe.  But here is what makes the iPad a must have for the Rosers!  Verbally.  It is a dream application for someone with speech issues.  I have only bought one app so far for either of the Android phones we have or for our iPad, PDANet to tap into the unlimited data plans we have on our phones  I can see us soon buying our second app, Verbally Premium for $99.99.  Verbally is free for the basic level.

Appalachian Trail

While we won't be hiking much of the trail, we will get to some of the vistas that are close to roads to see some of the Appalachian Trail.  Those who went before us make it so easy.  Click here for an interactive map.

Fuel economy and range

We are getting the same mileage in the Benz as we got in the six cylinder Honda Accord.  The first tank of fuel went out at 23 mpg.  Exactly what the guvment said we should get.  Not bad for a four wheel drive, turbo charged vehicle.

The fuel is more expensive than what we put in the Hondas at $3.89.  We bought cheap gas for them.

As for range, it looks to be 500+ miles.  You can be sure we will not have to test that spec.

Gotta get on of these

SmartKey Starter:  they are not yet available for 2014 model ML350s but the minute they are I will have one.  Can you imagine walking up to your car, and the cabin already being at a comfortable temperature?  That's nice.

Kayak

There are many sites that claim they will present the best deals or prices on flights, hotels, rental cars and travel in general.  Priceline is infamous for their Express Deals and Name Your Own Price.  For the absolute best deal it is probably best to ping several sites using the same parameters when you are ready to buy.  If you only want to mess with one, Kayak may be the best of all of them.  For an upcoming hotel stay all of the sites were pinged, but only Kayak offered a price for booking on the hotel's site.  It was significantly lower than any other option.

It is so very nice when things go well

Mercedes makes a roof rack basic carrier for the ML350.

A good design, well made.  It fits the roof rails nicely.  It installs without tools and clamps securely.  It locks.  Now I just need the Thule cargo carrier to be as good a product and golf clubs and piano will come along on our road trip.  Not that I am not thinking about Debbie but she just doesn't have anything that is long and awkward.

Trick that Ride!

Mr. Kerlin thought we might be interested:

Looking for chrome accessories eh?

How about strappin these on fur size pardner.

Greg Kerlin

www.eilean350.blogspot.com

KK4SUG

In case the Benz fails us . . .

. . . our Trek bicycle will save the day:

Wally built his Airstreams to "move like a stream of air."

Lap dog

The definition:

For scale, the lap is that of a 124 lb, 5' 4" woman.  The dog is 4 lbs.  The red collar is 3/8 inch wide.

As mentioned before . . .

. . . the Mercedes ML350 BlueTEC was chosen for its luxury and towing capacity.  After now having driven it for a few days and a couple hundred miles I can say it is a wonderful machine.  It is powerful, quiet, smooth.  The adaptive cruise and driver assist stuff are clever and helpful.  I used to say I hated driving and would never go on long road trips but I have changed my mind.  First, because Debbie needs a driver.  Second, the car is comfortable and cool.  I have found myself looking at chrome accents to make it even prettier!  And the diesel part, standing next to it at idle it sounds like one, and that makes it cooler.

As for the cost of the luxury, let's put that in perspective.  Two Honda Accords that cost $3000 a year each to own were traded in for the one Benz.  When the tally is complete in three, four, or five years, the Blue Benz may cost $6000 a year to own.  Operating the Benz will cost more, too, but not significantly.  Fuel will cost more but burn rate looks to be the same.

Puppy, puppy, puppy!

It seems we had it backwards at first.  We would take Holly out.  Walk.  Wait.  Watch.  Nothing.  She would whine and want to go back inside, but we waited.  After time we would go back into the house.  Immediately, she would pee, or poop!  Good that the whole house is tile!

But coupled with some serious crate time, and some serious wait time, we have it mostly right now.  Holly goes quickly now, outside, first thing in the morning, right after eating, right after coming out of the crate after naps.

YEAH!  Keep it up puppy.

Cargo box or roof container

We may put a cargo box on the roof of the Benz, just because we don't want to be limited to the cargo space inside the vehicle.  But which one.  It seems the Thule boxes are well built.  We are leaning toward a Thule 635S Sonic XL Silver:

With one of these I will carry golf clubs and the keyboard.  Without, I won't.

Yogi Bear

Seriously, there is a Jellystone Park.  Doubt we will stay there.  There are many other alternatives for lodging in the Great Smoky Mountains, and while Debbie is not eating solid food, I am, and I do not want to have to wrestle Yogi for it.

The Park Service will be a good choice if we are pulling a travel trailer when we get to the Smoky Mountains.

Chariot delivered

This is the public thank you to Brian R and team at Crown Eurocars.  With all that is going on Brian was pressed to get the Benz delivered today in an hour.  He did not quite get it done in an hour, but Crown did not need much more time than that.

Dealing with Brian and Crown was enjoyable.  Brian was knowledgeable about the Benzs that we considered.  He found an acceptable one once we decided.  Had to be a BlueTEC diesel, have a factory hitch and have Distronic adaptive speed control.  Brian was fair and forthcoming with price.  Call Brian if you are looking for a car:

Last time

The last time we went cruising we owned a house and we put our stuff there.  Now we find ourselves homeless with nothing but a storage shed for the good stuff we're keeping.

In the beginning . . .

. . . we thought we might go sailing again even though the Rosers now have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS or Lou Gehrigs disease.  See www.svcharmed.blogspot.com.  But then ALS struck a bit harder.  So we shifted the adventure from a second sailing of the ocean blue to a first land cruise, and we have, America by Benz.

The chariot is a 2014 Mercedes Benz ML350 blueTEC SUV, chosen for its luxury and towing capacity.  Hotel hopping may be supplemented by RVing in a TT (Travel Trailer).  There is a lot of controversy about how manufacturers rate towing capacity, but we are confident the Benz can easily tow a TT that has a queen size bed, which is the sole critical feature.

See our calendar for the plans, which are subject to change.

See the map for the route.  Detours are expected.

Oh, by the way, along with a new car, a new puppy came into the picture.  This is Holly, a mini red dapple Dachshund:

Hopefully Holly will soon get to meet Obie, who will teach her the joy and technique of chasing the red light.