We spent part of last night researching a new refrigerator for the bus. Possibilities included models from 13.5 cubic feet to 17 cubic feet from various manufacturers. We found one that was a close match to the dimensions of our current unit, but we are thinking about downsizing to create space for a slide out pantry.
One huge disappointment is that all of the SunFrost models, including their 16 cubic foot unit, are 34.5″ wide. Our refrigerator cubby is only 33-3/4″ wide and there is no easy/practical way to modify it to make it wider. Although very expensive, the SunFrost units are super insulated and use 1/5th the energy of comparable capacity energy efficient refrigerators. They are also available with 12 VDC or 24 VDC compressors, thus avoiding the inefficiencies associated with using the inverter when boondocking.
I spent some time measuring the floor and wall surfaces in the bus that are currently tiled or carpeted but did not calculate the area. I need to do a drawing and put together an Excel spreadsheet as the bus has a lot of odd shaped spaces.
We drove to ABC Supply Co. in New Hudson to pick up samples of Certainteed Landmark Pro shingles. We had narrowed down the possibilities to three choices but needed to see them next to our brick, siding, and trim.
On the way home we stopped at Lynch Carpet in Howell to return the Armstrong tile samples and determine delivery time, which was 2-3 weeks worst case. We did not get a quote since I did not have the square footage figured out yet, but Clint made a note of the tile and vinyl grout we like.
We left the house around 4:15 PM and drove across M-59 to Rochester. The Rochester Mills Beer Company restaurant was in downtown, about five miles east of the Oakland University campus and the theatre. It was after 5:30 PM when we got to the parking lot. We did not expect Kate before 6:30 PM so we ordered a hummus appetizer plate and two beers. The hummus platter featured three different flavored hummus that were very good. Linda had a chocolate coffee tasting dark brew and I had a Framboise. Framboise is a raspberry beer that originated in Holland and tastes more like raspberries than beer. Perfect!
Kate left work at 5 PM. The drive from that part of town to this part of town is one of the worst in the Detroit area, and that is a terrible time of day to do it, but that is what she did because she did not have a choice. She stopped for flowers and a card but made it to the Rochester Mills Beer Company in time to enjoy a pizza and some beer. We had a no cheese veggie pizza with a whole wheat crust that was pretty good. Linda had a different but still dark beer for her second serving while Kate and I both had the Wit’s Belgian style beer with orange and coriander. Although much more beer-like than the Framboise, it was agreeable. Except for some “guest beers” everything at the Rochester Mills Beer Company is brewed by them. It is very local, very fresh, and very good as far as beer goes. They also feature Michigan wines, which we always appreciate seeing in a Michigan restaurant, but we were not having wine this evening.
We made it to the theatre with only a few minutes to spare. Kate got the tickets from will call as they were under her cousin’s name. We had great seats in row D just left of center. Meadow Book is not a large theatre and sitting this close to the stage made for a very intimate experience. The playbill was the musical “Meshuggah Nuns.” We were not familiar with this musical but it was delightful. The 5-member cast were all professionals, including Cindy Williams (Shirley from the Laverne and Shirley TV show) and Eddie Mekka (Carmine Ragusa from the same TV program). They all gave excellent performances but Jeanne Tinker, who played Sister Amnesia, was our favorite. When dressed in a habit one really has to act with their face and hers was very expressive. She also had the “comic” part in the cast and was very funny.
The show ended at 10 PM after which we visited briefly with Kate’s cousin, Mikeala, who is part of the theatre crew working with costuming. We chatted with Kate a while longer in the parking lot and did not get home until close to midnight.