So Long, Shopping, Suds, Saw and Smoke

It was a busy day yesterday.  The sun barely up when we got up and got going.  We took Adam to the Detroit airport.  He will be in New York, Wash DC and Toronto for a few days.  He has some important work to be doing, among which is getting some input on setting up a non-profit.  So we were at the airport at 6:30 AM.

Next we came back to the Roadrunner and had breakfast, planned the day and got with it!  First we went over to the Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi to do some shopping.  (Mostly window shopping).  I haven't been to a mall in months.  We entered the mall through Macy's

 and the first thing I noticed was iPods for sale in a vending machine:

I have never seen that before!  Simple as swiping your credit card.

Pam went over to the women's clothes section and sent me on my way to the Apple store.  I am planning on buying a refurbished 3G(s) iPhone when the new iPhones come out in June (I am guessing).  I can get an older model at Best Buy for $100 that is fully warranted and as good as new.  I also looked at the iPads.

Anyone out there bought one yet?  What do you think on the iPads?  Is it handy for an RVer?

Next we went over to Gander Mountain which is one of our favorite stores.  Pam picked up some shoes and I got a 'fire start kit'.

It is not quite the same as 'flint and steel' that I used as a Cub Scout many years ago but I wanted to see if I could get a fire going with it.  I got my idea from Rod who used one last time we were at his house.

We came back to the Roadrunner and after lunch I jumped into action washing the cars.  I found out my all-purpose water bucket was not holding the suds like usual. It has a crack and will have to be retired soon.

Yet it worked long enough for me to get the mud and dirt off both vehicles.

Next I hooked up my Skil saw to the RV and proceeded to saw up the wood I have been collecting.

Those pallets were reduced to a stack of wood in no time.

I got cleaned up and we headed over to Rod and Lisa's for the evening.  After navigating through Detroit suburbs rush hour traffic on a Friday night (ugh!), we arrived in the early evening.

We got to meet their son Greg and wife Emily.  (We saw Greg last time when he was about 4 I think).  Greg and Emily have a 6 month old, Adeline, who is as sweet as she can be.

Lisa and Rod have the 'grand parent's glow'...  And who can blame them!

Rod cooked burgers and we had a huge spread that included a fresh fruit bowl topped off by birthday ice cream cake.

Emily was celebrating and we were glad to help!

Next, Rod and I got into the business of building a fire in his backyard fire pit. I got a pile of lint from the dryer and put it together with some small twigs and brush.

Rod got the camera ready and I got my fire-starter ready.   Then two quick flicks of the wrist and fingers and wha la!  Fire!  (Notice that superb camera action from Rod)
Man ~ that was cool!  Where was this handy little invention back when I was backpacking over the mountains in the New Mexico wilderness as a teenager?  This is great!  No more wet matches for me...

We got the fire going pretty good and sat around talking way into the night.  Emily came out an joined us for a bit.

And I snapped a couple of pictures.  The wind was blowing the smoke and none of my 'timed' pictures came out.  By the time I set the '10 second delay' and got back to my seat, it captured the smoke.

It looked like we were underwater or worse....  the camera really fixated on the smoke. Never the less~ we had a good time around the fire and seeing the Hamilton's again.

It was a busy day but a fun one.  We returned to the Roadrunner late and went to bed.

Thanks for joining us on the Roadrunner Chronicles!