A couple of weeks of news.

The Garmin 492 GPS is back up and running aboard Inspiration.  The replacement unit acquired the satellites in seconds and came alive with the exact position.  The DSC radio did not recognize the GPS of after a moments thought I remembered that the default buss was the Garmin buss so I changed it to the NMEA in/out and bingo the DSC radio was talking with the GPS and reporting position.

SAM & I did not go to the boat this weekend.  Instead we drove to Grand Rapids and picked up my new Honda Civic.  The first gas mileage checks resulted in 37 mpg and I drove back at 70 MPH.  I am happy with this but wish it were higher.  My first feedback is that it is more cramped than the truck and I have to put my right foot at an odd angle while using the cruise control.  I have not had a chance to test the air-conditioner but I’ll bet it is marginal.  The rear window heater is anemic too.  I was simply amazed at the size of the battery – it is the size of the one in my lawn mower.

Saturday we kayaked Fox Lake and then on Sunday we just toured around our little llake a couple of times while a thunderstorm just missed us and we remained for the most part in the sunshine.  It must have been turtle day as I came within a few inches of a large snapping turtle about 12″ in diameter.  Earlier I had seen the largest turtle I have ever seen – it was a leatherback and was easily 24+” in diameter.  Wow. 

Sunday afternoon, SAM’s sister from Wyoming was here with Tim and a friend from England.  We had a reunion at KD’s house and there was lots of food for all.  I left around 1800 hrs and  drove the new car to the boat, unloaded it and then went for a shower.  I read the Valerie Roosa’s novel for a few pages and hit the hay.