Football All Ready


Yesterday Sebastian rattled my cage a bit with some football talk. He had emailed me for my grilled wing recipe, so I decided to call him instead of writing.

The talk was NFL…our Carolina Panthers, and food.

Our team will be better next year depending on holes the can fill on the roster in the draft and free agency.

We should have a prime time game or two, which means a full day of tailgating, if it is a Sunday night Game. A few 4 PM games would be ideal. Monday night is not so good.

We took our tailgate food standard to a new high last year, and this year it will only be better. 

© 2012 wReggie’s I’m Always Mentally on Vacation. These Terms and Conditions of Use apply to you when you view, access or otherwise use the blog located at www.wreggie.com (the “blog”). Terms and Conditions can be found at http://reghunnicutt.com/terms.html.

Good Old Abby



Abby has cancer and it is not practical to treat. She is old and tired. Gigi and Abby spent the day together and Abby was appreciative. We will make her comfortable and love her for her limited time.  


© 2012 wReggie’s I’m Always Mentally on Vacation. These Terms and Conditions of Use apply to you when you view, access or otherwise use the blog located at www.wreggie.com (the “blog”). Terms and Conditions can be found at http://reghunnicutt.com/terms.html.

Squirrel


Do all squirrels have osteoporosis?   



© 2012 wReggie’s I’m Always Mentally on Vacation. These Terms and Conditions of Use apply to you when you view, access or otherwise use the blog located at www.wreggie.com (the “blog”). Terms and Conditions can be found at http://reghunnicutt.com/terms.html.

Join Me for a Drive to The East End


At 3:31 you'll see the turn off to my villa. She did a good job driving and recording. 


© 2012 wReggie’s I’m Always Mentally on Vacation. These Terms and Conditions of Use apply to you when you view, access or otherwise use the blog located at www.wreggie.com (the “blog”). Terms and Conditions can be found at http://reghunnicutt.com/terms.html.

Join me for A Dive Trip with SCUBA



There is not typical dive trip because they are all so different. I am comfortable with St Croix Ultimate Blue Water Adventures (SCUBA) and know and trust their staff. The staff is very safe, and I watch for that in a dive crew. I can't say the same about some of the crews I have used here off shore in the Atlantic. 

I made this video to give you a feel for a morning of diving. This is actually a composite from three dives all with SCUBA. 

We have to be at the dock early around 8:15 to gear up and board the boat Reliance. 

Breakfast is imperative.

Once aboard the crew gives us safety instructions and we begin to gear up for the short ride. 10 minutes to a dive site is a long boat ride on St Croix. In North Carolina a typical boat ride to a wreck is 2 hours each way.

Before we go in the dive master will tell us the planned dive profile and limits we should observe like depth and time under.  He will give us a general outline about where we are going and who we should buddy up with. 

I usually hang tight with the dive master because he/she knows these areas. They are trained in safety and emergencies and they know the wildlife and can spot it almost by instinct. 

We jump off the back of the boat and wait until everyone is in the water and comfortable with their equipment. Then the dive master give the signal to descend. You would think this is when the fun begins but I have been having fun the whole time. 

We all gradually drift to our desired depth equalizing our ears all the way down. We are weightless now and begin to slowly move along our planned area.

There are underwater signals for sharks, turtles, lobsters, lion fish, and the the dive master will bang on his tank to get everyone's attention when he/she see something interesting. Heck, I can understand Simeon and Lauren underwater if they yell instructions to me.     

Before I know it, fellow divers start signaling that they are halfway with their air. The dive master acknowledges this and we begin to head back to the boat. The dive master may signal with cradled hands that it is time to head back to the boat.  

Like magic the moor line appears  and we start assuming our slow trip up to 15 feet for a 3 minute safety stop. Our dive computers have the countdown. 

I swear I don't know how they find the boat every time. 

Once we surface we hand off fins and spear guns to the dive master and then board the boat. Now we are going into a world with pounds of tanks and equipment on our back to a rocking boat. The captain will hand us a knotted line to pull ourselves on board.  It is a struggle to pull my body out of the water. 

We sit down and lock down our tanks, take off our masks and smile at the adventure we just experienced. It is typically 45 minutes underwater.

Now we change out gear for the next dive, and drink water and eat pineapple prepared by the captain. Everyone exchanges stories about what they experienced.

After the correct time on top, it is time to gear up and do it again.

When we are done we arrive at the dock about lunch time. All I have to do is rinse my equipment and tip the crew. They handle almost everything and work very hard, before, during and after the dives. 

While I eat lunch, they unload and load gear for the afternoon dives. Usually two morning dives is it for me if Gigi is with me. And a beer tastes mighty good about now.

Enjoy the video. 


© 2012 wReggie’s I’m Always Mentally on Vacation. These Terms and Conditions of Use apply to you when you view, access or otherwise use the blog located at www.wreggie.com (the “blog”). Terms and Conditions can be found at http://reghunnicutt.com/terms.html.

A wReggie wRecipe


Yesterday I visited the rotten meat section of the grocery store to see if there were any bargains. Its not really rotten meat there, but the meat about to expire, and the price is marked down considerably.

$3.61 for three boneless chicken breasts looked like a bargain.

I am not particularly fond of dried up grilled chicken so I devised a way to impart some flavor and moisture to my chicken.

First, I marinated the chicken a few hours in Allegro marinade. Then, I coated both side in voodoo chicken powder….you may know it as McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Chicken Seasoning.  I always use this on wings and they are a hit.

Then I wrap the breast in bacon. Layers of flavor and moisture….oh my.

I cooked this indirect at around 350 with some hickory….more flavor.  

After about 35 minutes, I began basting the chicken in my favorite Stubbs BBQ sauce….more flavor.  

After another 10 minutes or so I took off the chicken to rest and finished preparing rice and garlic pan seared brussel sprouts.

There was so much good going on with that chicken that the meat was just a delivery system for the flavor. 

© 2012 wReggie’s I’m Always Mentally on Vacation. These Terms and Conditions of Use apply to you when you view, access or otherwise use the blog located at www.wreggie.com (the “blog”). Terms and Conditions can be found at http://reghunnicutt.com/terms.html.

Not Sure of this.....





© 2012 wReggie’s I’m Always Mentally on Vacation. These Terms and Conditions of Use apply to you when you view, access or otherwise use the blog located at www.wreggie.com (the “blog”). Terms and Conditions can be found at http://reghunnicutt.com/terms.html.

wReggie Lite


I am 27 pounds lighter since October 1.

I rarely eat carbohydrates….potatoes, bread, rice, corn but do indulge in a serving every  day.

I eat, and have learned to love a lot of fruit.

I eat lean meat….mostly pork and chicken and fish.

Fortunately, I love salads and veggies.

I never eat sweets so that was not an issue. I get most sugar from alcohol in wine.

I feel better. My blood pressure is normal. This is good.

There are a lot of clothes in my closet that fit once again. 


© 2012 wReggie’s I’m Always Mentally on Vacation. These Terms and Conditions of Use apply to you when you view, access or otherwise use the blog located at www.wreggie.com (the “blog”). Terms and Conditions can be found at http://reghunnicutt.com/terms.html.

Today Was a Nice Day


Galaxy kissing Tanner....


One lane open for a 10 zillion square foot store.


A bomb next to the Moose.


Cool roots.


Time to unwind.





© 2012 wReggie’s I’m Always Mentally on Vacation. These Terms and Conditions of Use apply to you when you view, access or otherwise use the blog located at www.wreggie.com (the “blog”). Terms and Conditions can be found at http://reghunnicutt.com/terms.html.

Today on 22212

Abby had a biopsy today. We/she are/is concerned. 

Tanner is digging the deck.


Getting my grilling on again.


The new sound system.





© 2012 wReggie’s I’m Always Mentally on Vacation. These Terms and Conditions of Use apply to you when you view, access or otherwise use the blog located at www.wreggie.com (the “blog”). Terms and Conditions can be found at http://reghunnicutt.com/terms.html.

Things are Getting Back to Normal


Even my GPS thought it was back on the island.


Stopped by for drinks after work with my pals.


Made a pizza loaded with fresh mushrooms.


My deck is coming together.


The railing is in place.



© 2012 wReggie’s I’m Always Mentally on Vacation. These Terms and Conditions of Use apply to you when you view, access or otherwise use the blog located at www.wreggie.com (the “blog”). Terms and Conditions can be found at http://reghunnicutt.com/terms.html.

Lent


I am preparing for Lent and have given thought to what I will give up during this season as a personal sacrifice.

Rooster from Sweet Home St Croix
It needs to be something that I depend on daily….almost a second nature in order to be meaningful.

It needs to be something that will make me pause and reflect when the urges come as I know they will.

I have decided to give up the song, Sweet Home Alabama, for the 40 days of Lent, so that on Easter Morning, I can rejoice and appreciate a song of love for ones homeland even more. 

© 2012 wReggie’s I’m Always Mentally on Vacation. These Terms and Conditions of Use apply to you when you view, access or otherwise use the blog located at www.wreggie.com (the “blog”). Terms and Conditions can be found at http://reghunnicutt.com/terms.html.

The Outdoor Living Area



While I was away.......

 My deck was getting a complete makeover and expansion.
 It has a dining area and flows into the newly created patio.
 New and improved stairs in a better location.
It ties in with the kitchen window for serving. See me shooting the picture in my jammies?
This is going to be a fun place this summer. All I need is a great outdoor sound system. I love how this is coming together. It looks so good.

And now for something completely different. A brilliant way to split wood. 




© 2012 wReggie’s I’m Always Mentally on Vacation. These Terms and Conditions of Use apply to you when you view, access or otherwise use the blog located at www.wreggie.com (the “blog”). Terms and Conditions can be found at http://reghunnicutt.com/terms.html.

Final Day

Yesterday was my final day and as tradition holds we go into town and do a little last minute visiting, shopping, and might even have a beer or two.

My buddy at The Pickled Greek has his place looking good. A nice visit with an old friend almost two years sober. He is no longer pickled.



A walk through the park on the edge of town.



One of my favorite bars, The Comanche Mill Yacht-less Club.



They have semi fresh pizza by the slice.



And a colorful dining area.



Located on the boardwalk.



The view through the deck bar.



The chickens and peepers walking around.



Gigi having a Coke and laugh.



Gigi bidding adieu.


Home Safe

Our villa. I have stayed here four times now.


Our private beach overlooking Buck Island.


I love coconut trees.


The tunnel through the bush to access the beach. So cool.


I love the flowers, they are everywhere.


Gigi enjoys a bowl of goat water. Yes, she loved it.



My local friend Westin (right) who made us goat water.



Friday


More diving.


My dive master.


A road less traveled.


Sea glass.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Rescue Diver

Last night I obtained my Rescue Diver certification, and by default I qualify as a Master Scuba Diver. This is to top of the recreational Padi food chain.

From here if I continue to study, I would either be working towards an instructor certification, or go down the path of a Tech Diver.

For now I plan to gain more experience and let the training soak in.

We have two last boat dives this morning and Gigi is riding along. Whales were seen yesterday and I hope they are still there.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Ms Bea Rd,,US Virgin Islands

A Good Thursday

Plus a night dive!




Lunch view.