Dinner with work buddies - Day 614 (Yr 2, Day 249)

Asheville, NC

Mitch has been working here in Asheville with a very lovely couple (Mike and Kandi) and developed a nice camaraderie.  They've been here for about 4 months.  They also had to go to Durham back in December, so we had dinner out with them then.

A new couple (Tim and Sandy) also just arrived in town for a few weeks, so the 6 of us went out to dinner at a lovely Italian/Greek bistro.  Great service and delicious food (I had the eggplant parm and Mitch had veggie manicotti).  Most of the talk was war stories-- both Mike/Kandi and Tim/Sandy are traveling "couples" - not only married but both of them work for Southern Cross.  I was the only one at the table who did not share in their experience or adventures, so much of the conversation was above my head, but it was a lot of fun anyway.   Mike/Kandi are leaving here on March 12th, en route to an assignment in Utah.  Tim/Sandy are leaving March 14th for Gatlinburg, TN (I told Sandy about the moonshine tour).  Mitch was told he will be released in a few weeks.  We are waiting for an answer from his boss - hopefully this week - to explain the process: does he go where he's told (where the most need is), or are we given a list of opportunities and we can choose?  Fingers crossed it's the latter.

Meanwhile, some old friends - Kathy and Allen - returned to the campground.  We met them during the summer, but they left for their home in FL around the middle of Sept.  They have family in Asheville, so usually spend from April until September here.  They arrived yesterday and are leaving on a road trip to Yosemite tomorrow morning, and returning for the season on April 1st.  I have a hunch we will NOT be here when they return.  They are spending the day with their grandchildren but said they would come over and hang with us around 6:00 when they return.

The only concern I have at the moment is we noticed some water gathering near the toilet bowl when we flush.  Mitch suspects it's a problem with the seal, but it requires taking the entire assembly apart (as well as figuring out the part he needs and ordering it).  I hope this isn't going to be a major problem until we have a chance to get it done.  Next week we were planning to be away to celebrate our anniversary (just Sunday and Monday - depending on the weather).