In and out of El Paso in just over 24hrs. Passed by the spot where the Rock House Fire started...still burning - over 160,000 acres so far. Love seeing the blimp outside Marfa. Popped in to Sam's Club first stop. Got a membership, bought eight 6V golf cart batteries ($66 apiece), and Lupe helped me load them into the truck - all done in about 20 minutes.
Overnighted with my buddy Ronald "the nicest guy in Texas" after we gorged at Red Lobster. Woke up early and hit some very convenient shopping - Circle K for breakfast, Walmart for some duds, and Home Depot for a new circular saw and a chest freezer (5cu.ft. for $179). More odds'n'ends in Alpine then home by 4PM. The Mt. McKennites did some feed and watering of Benita for me while I was away. Cleaned out the old ice box and loaded up the new fridge. Will be using it just like the old icebox until I get all the parts rigged for some solar powered cold. Missed the FL weather report for the past two days....but I know it was really windy and kinda cool.
First supply run of the year. Before I even loaded up on stuff, I had another task waiting for me when I got home. My chest fridge has been long overdue for a clean out. I keep a plastic tub inside to catch any gooey stuff and the very bottom is lined with water bottles that pretty much stay frozen (cleaning goo out of the very bottom of the fridge is no fun at all). Found quite a bit of "gooey" at the bottom of the tub. Got all the good stuff off the top and just dumped the rest in a garbage bag. Gave the tub a good heavy bleach bath and I am good to go for at least 6 months - as long as nothing spills. Celebrated the fresh start with a little Fireball. 65,74,48,0,C 
