Sunday, November 18, 2007

A trip to visit my cousin

Although it was only forty-five degrees when we left the house, we put on layers of clothing plus our leathers and went for a motorcycle ride.  I tossed sardines, crackers, an apple, and some 100-calorie snacks (along with some animal crackers, which Cliff loves) in a lunch container; I put boiling water into the smaller of our two new Thermos-brand vacuum bottles, the one with a wide mouth, and two individual packets of sugar-free Swiss Miss cocoa mix.  We were set!

So why didn't I take the bigger Thermos, which is reputed to keep liquids hot almost forever?  Because at 4 P.M. Friday night, I had filled it up with boiling water to see how long it would stay hot, and I wanted to continue my experiment.  I already knew that after twelve hours, the water was so hot that it almost burned the finger of the stupid person who put her finger into the small stream she was pouring from it (that would be me).  But just how long could that Thermos really keep coffee drinkable?

Anyhow:  We went by way of back roads to Cameron, Missouri, where a cousin of mine lives.  His hobby is restoring old cars, making them look like new; and Cliff wanted to see how he was coming along on his current projects.  (To read about his creation, the Mercharo, click HERE.)

Before we got to my cousin's place, we stopped at Wallace State Park and had lunch.  The hot chocolate really hit the spot.  We'll be hauling Thermos bottles with us more often, especially on cooler days.  Gerald always tries to tell us Cliff is too old to be messing around with motorcycles.  Cliff listened to him once.  Not any more, though. 

Oh, about the big Thermos?  After twenty-four hours, it was hot enough that it was still uncomfortable to hold a finger under the stream of water as it was being poured.

We've found our vacuum bottle!  In case you need a good Thermos, THIS is the one to buy.


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am glad your thermos bottles are working good. Gerald is a talented man. Sounds as if two had a good day. Helen

Anonymous said...

I love my Thermos brand too.  It is ancient, but still works.  You both are brave to go out in the cold.  I just can't take the cold and spend way to much time inside from now until Spring.  'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that you found the right thermos.  I know you both enjoyed your ride.  Have a good day.

Hollie

P.S.  Loved the cars!

Anonymous said...

Seems to me you have some fun adventures.  I dropped by the other journal to see his Merchero .... quite something!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a fun day.  You and Cliff have such interesting relatives.  The vintage cars bring back memories.  Vicki

Anonymous said...

If we have more trips to Mexico (and I assume we will), I'll be looking into that thermos.  I need my coffee on those long stretches of road...

~Amy

Anonymous said...

P.S. Ryan says she's comin' to visit your cousin.  She's been wanting a classic car for a while now.  (me, too, actually....I've wanted a Comet with the fins in the back for years....)

~Amy

Anonymous said...

thanks for the info on the thermos
You'll have to excuse me, but I'm catching up on journals and I have a sick 30lb. baby in my arms so I'm typing one handed so comments are very short today.
Take care, Chrissie

Anonymous said...

Those old cars are really neat. He does have a lot of them! I didnt know he was the one that got Cliff to feeling like he couldnt handle motorcycling anymore. I am glad that y'all followed your hearts and got right back on the saddle so to speak. He looks a bit older than Cliff and you...maybe he just thinks about himself on a motorcycle and it worries him, so he worried about you two. Good intentions anyway.

Anonymous said...

You found the best Thermos around! Glad you are enjoying your motorcycle and no, you aren't too old!

xoxo