It must be summah. Peggy and I just got back from a Saturday afternoon drive through the backroads of western Maine, and it was a beautiful drive, but the tourists have definitely arrived. We drove the Maine Turnpike back north to Topsham and it was really busy with most license plates being from out of state. I suppose that's a good thing ... Maine could sure use the revenue left behind by its "summer people."
One of those "tourist" vehicles today will be our son Brian, DIL Nicky and grand daughters Alyssa, and Emily as they drive to Maine from New Jersey to spend the week visiting all us Maine relatives. Actually -- I would think they would be happy just to get out of Jerzee ... but that's just me! Regardless ... we are anxious to see them, get hugs, and visit a few times before they have to head south again.
We had a fun but short visit with our RV buddies Darrell and Judy Patterson as they traveled through Topsham a few days ago. We had a chance to share a Maine scallop dinner on Wednesday night in Brunswick, a shrimp scampi pizza at "The Cabin" in Bath, ME on Thursday, a bit of visiting on both days, and all that mixed in around some repair efforts on their RV before they moved on to Belfast yesterday. We look forward to a longer visit when they travel back through on their way back south in a few weeks. Who knows -- we may even make a day trip up to Belfast before they leave there?
First Impressions
Our First Smartphones
We have had our new Samsung Galaxy S4 "smartphones" for about two weeks now -- so what do we think?
1) We had to have Verizon replace Peggy's phone after one week because the camera feature wouldn't work. Everything else seemed to function OK but the camera App just wouldn't work. Once the phone was replaced everything, including the camera, worked fine. Even though this is a bit disconcerting - I was pretty happy with the way Verizon stepped up and made the swap with no hassles.
2) The battery life is no where near as good as our old "stupid" phones. I could go a week - easy - without charging my old phone. The new phone can make it about two days ... and that's while spending most of its time here at home using the home cable based Wifi to access the internet. I suspect battery life will decrease when we are on the road and using the cellular system more to access the internet.
3) It's bigger and takes up more room in my pocket!
4) I think the sound quality through the phone when making calls is better.
5) Typing a message on the screen keyboard takes some concentration and practice. But it's still easier (for me) than trying to send a text on the old phone's 12 button keypad!
6) The phone's capabilities through all the various Apps are simultaneously amazingly cool and scary at the same time. It knows where you are, it knows what you like, it knows who your friends are, and much more.
For you folks who are really scared about what the NSA might know about you .... I have no doubt that Google and Apple know a whole lot more. Guess where the NSA gets a good deal of its info?
So overall I rate the new experience as a positive. But I still have my concerns about Big Brother!
Tankless - On Demand Hot Water
The heating guys and the propane supply guys showed up yesterday and did what they needed to do to get our new propane fired, tankless, on demand - Hot Water Heater in operation. We have only used it about a day but here are my initial impressions:
1) The installation was a bit complicated since we had to dig that trench and install the underground supply line -- but is was worth it. You would never know we had a 120 gallon propane tank on the property unless you walked behind our shed.
2) The new heater installation was relatively straight forward and only took a few hours. Since the new heater is mounted on a wall we gained some basement floor space which is always nice.
3) We won't know for sure how much $$ we will save on energy costs for some time yet. But it's pretty obvious that we will use less since this unit uses very little electricity and will only be heating water when we want to use it rather than all-the-time just in case we want to use it!
4) The only down side I see at the moment is that there is a noticeable delay when opening the hot water spigot before you get really hot water. The delay is noticeable but not really long. We experience a similar delay in the motorhome shower since the hot water heater is located relatively far from the bathroom. I'm sure we will get used to the delay and in a few months we won't even notice it.
So that's how things are here in late June in the State of Maine -- 73 degrees and sunny at the moment -- but more thunderstorms in the forecast.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Busy Start to Summer
Tuesday was New Water Heater Installation Day. The heating guys showed up around 9:00 AM and went right to work installing our new Rinnai Tankless Hot Water Heater on the west wall of our basement.
The new heater is gas fired, will vent through the basement wall,
and will be fed from a 120 Gallon bottle of propane to be located behind our new shed.
Unfortunately the propane supply company will not be setting up the new tank until this Friday. So we wait until Friday for the final hookup, testing, and operation.
"They" claim that with this heater we will NEVER run out of hot water. Obviously "they" have never met my wife .... perhaps I should have the propane supply company bring a bigger bottle!
Today was Exercise Winne Day so I traveled over to Winne's storage location to start up her generator, exercise the A/C units, and run the hydraulic leveling system jacks up and down. But before that work could happen I had to hack my way through some really tall weeds (grass, hay, Whatever!).
There!! Much Better:
Motorhome storage in the winter has it's own issues - but summer storage requires a bit of maintenance as well!
Upon returning home from that chore Peggy informed me that our RVing buddies, Darrell and Judy Patterson would be arriving here in Topsham this afternoon - rather that tomorrow afternoon! Apparently they must have felt like one really long travel day today with a rest day tomorrow before moving on north to Belfast on Friday was a better idea than traveling for three days in a row. Regardless of their logic - it will be great to see them again. I believe an arrival day Maine seafood dinner will be in order this evening!
(Pictures brought to you using my new Samsung Galaxy S4 Smartphone!)
The new heater is gas fired, will vent through the basement wall,
and will be fed from a 120 Gallon bottle of propane to be located behind our new shed.
Unfortunately the propane supply company will not be setting up the new tank until this Friday. So we wait until Friday for the final hookup, testing, and operation.
"They" claim that with this heater we will NEVER run out of hot water. Obviously "they" have never met my wife .... perhaps I should have the propane supply company bring a bigger bottle!
Today was Exercise Winne Day so I traveled over to Winne's storage location to start up her generator, exercise the A/C units, and run the hydraulic leveling system jacks up and down. But before that work could happen I had to hack my way through some really tall weeds (grass, hay, Whatever!).
There!! Much Better:
Motorhome storage in the winter has it's own issues - but summer storage requires a bit of maintenance as well!
Upon returning home from that chore Peggy informed me that our RVing buddies, Darrell and Judy Patterson would be arriving here in Topsham this afternoon - rather that tomorrow afternoon! Apparently they must have felt like one really long travel day today with a rest day tomorrow before moving on north to Belfast on Friday was a better idea than traveling for three days in a row. Regardless of their logic - it will be great to see them again. I believe an arrival day Maine seafood dinner will be in order this evening!
(Pictures brought to you using my new Samsung Galaxy S4 Smartphone!)
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
On Being Comfortable
Just about the time I get comfortable in my surroundings - stuff changes. In some cases change is good. Like the arrival of Sophie Ann on Saturday! In some cases change is not so good. Like dealing with the change in daylight savings time twice per year! In the two examples above I did nothing to bring the changes to happen. I just have to deal with them. But in many cases I bring these changes upon myself.
Yesterday was a good example.
Back in the olden days (6 years ago) when I worked for a living I carried a Blackberry "Smartphone" with me wherever I went. Those phones were only sorta smart. They could present you with your email, allow access to some stuff on the internet, and even make phone calls! When I gave up working full time I also gave up my Blackberry - a device I really have not missed. Ever since those days Peggy and I have both had "basic" cell phones. They could make calls, send a text message or two if you could figure out how, and even take a low resolution digital picture (usually of the inside of my trouser pocket). Life was "comfortable."
But then we thought we needed Aps. You know ... "Aps" ... those pieces of software that you can carry around with you on your handheld device that will greatly improve your everyday life. At first we thought "tablets" would fill the Aps void in our life. Last year we purchased our new gadgets - I went with the iPad and Peggy opted for the Nexus 7. Both machines work well. One requires you to learn all things Apple and the other requires a devotion to the Google Android world. In both cases - the machines were relatively easy to use and although neither of us used anywhere near the full capabilities of the gadget - we both enjoyed our new - somewhat non-tethered capabilities. I say "somewhat non-tethered" because both machines we purchased require a Wi-Fi connection to the internet to access much of their capability. Once we learned how to do what we wanted to do on these new gadgets - life was once again "comfortable."
That brings me back to yesterday when I decided (but Peggy was a willing co-conspirator) to purchase a couple of new smartphones for us to carry around. The young fella at the Verizon store must have thought he was in retail heaven when we walked in, fondled the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S4 for a few minutes, and then told him we wanted two new Samsung Galaxy S4's - complete with the accessory bundles (covers and car chargers) and new "Share Everything" plan with unlimited talk, unlimited text, and several gigabytes of shared data. About an hour and a fist full of cash later (much of it earned while working on that '40 Ford last month) we walked out with our new gadgets. We weren't sure how to make or answer a phone call -- but we had joined the Smartphone crowd!
So now we are no longer comfortable ... but we will be as soon as we figure out how to make and answer a call. Then we'll have to start playing with our new "Aps."
Yesterday was a good example.
Back in the olden days (6 years ago) when I worked for a living I carried a Blackberry "Smartphone" with me wherever I went. Those phones were only sorta smart. They could present you with your email, allow access to some stuff on the internet, and even make phone calls! When I gave up working full time I also gave up my Blackberry - a device I really have not missed. Ever since those days Peggy and I have both had "basic" cell phones. They could make calls, send a text message or two if you could figure out how, and even take a low resolution digital picture (usually of the inside of my trouser pocket). Life was "comfortable."
But then we thought we needed Aps. You know ... "Aps" ... those pieces of software that you can carry around with you on your handheld device that will greatly improve your everyday life. At first we thought "tablets" would fill the Aps void in our life. Last year we purchased our new gadgets - I went with the iPad and Peggy opted for the Nexus 7. Both machines work well. One requires you to learn all things Apple and the other requires a devotion to the Google Android world. In both cases - the machines were relatively easy to use and although neither of us used anywhere near the full capabilities of the gadget - we both enjoyed our new - somewhat non-tethered capabilities. I say "somewhat non-tethered" because both machines we purchased require a Wi-Fi connection to the internet to access much of their capability. Once we learned how to do what we wanted to do on these new gadgets - life was once again "comfortable."
That brings me back to yesterday when I decided (but Peggy was a willing co-conspirator) to purchase a couple of new smartphones for us to carry around. The young fella at the Verizon store must have thought he was in retail heaven when we walked in, fondled the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S4 for a few minutes, and then told him we wanted two new Samsung Galaxy S4's - complete with the accessory bundles (covers and car chargers) and new "Share Everything" plan with unlimited talk, unlimited text, and several gigabytes of shared data. About an hour and a fist full of cash later (much of it earned while working on that '40 Ford last month) we walked out with our new gadgets. We weren't sure how to make or answer a phone call -- but we had joined the Smartphone crowd!
So now we are no longer comfortable ... but we will be as soon as we figure out how to make and answer a call. Then we'll have to start playing with our new "Aps."
Sunday, June 16, 2013
The Best Father's Day!
Our son Eric and his wife Jen welcomed their first child yesterday when Sophie Ann Evringham was born at 8:09 AM!
It certainly was a great day and a great gift. I know grandma and grandpa were pretty darn excited.
And so was Aunt Stacy ...
Even Taylor Ann was glad to see her new cousin!
Becoming parents is a big step you two!
But Sophie is fortunate to have you both!
Happy Fathers Day Eric!
And so was Aunt Stacy ...
Even Taylor Ann was glad to see her new cousin!
Becoming parents is a big step you two!
But Sophie is fortunate to have you both!
Happy Fathers Day Eric!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Waiting On Sophie
Eric and Jen showed up on Saturday morning to pick up their car from the MIM Auto Care Center. Since Jen has been pretty cooped up on her Doctor ordered bed rest routine - she was glad to get out of the house for a while and see what was happening in the world! Since not much was happening at our house we decided that Jen needed a trip to Fat Boy Drive-In to perk up her spirits. She seemed pretty cheery after a Fat Boy Whoper Burger Basket and a Root Beer! I think both she and Baby E (A.K.A "Sophie") enjoyed the trip. As for Peggy and I ... I think we both enjoyed our first trip to Fat Boy this summer!
Yesterday was a relatively nice day with rain forecast for today -- so Peggy and I decided to take the Chevelle out for an early afternoon cruise. We headed north on Route 1 to Wiscasset and stopped at the town dock for a bite to eat before continuing on. We thought about walking across the street to "Red's Eats" for one of their world famous lobster rolls, but we opted to try some of the fare at Spragues on the dock instead. Frank and Linda Sprague used to be the on-site food service providers at Maine Yankee during the decommissioning process, have catered traditional lobster bakes around the area for many years, and have been operating a snack shack on the Wiscasset dock now for several years. Peggy opted for the fish and chips while I had a bowl of Frank's clam chowder and a crabmeat roll. Eating seafood outdoors on the dock on a nice afternoon in Maine during a cruise up Route 1 in '65 Chevelle .... hard to beat that!
After our yummy lunch we continued our trip up Route 1, across the bridge to Edgecomb, and then turned off and headed to Boothbay Harbor. We made the loop, cruising through town and then started our return trip back home. The traffic in downtown Boothbay can get pretty bad in the summer months but it wasn't bad at all during our quick trip through town. I guess the tourists were still sleeping in!
That was yesterday. Today it has been raining all day so we are staying inside and doing inside stuff.
Staying inside today is OK with me. I have been pretty busy with "projects" these past several weeks and I suspect this next week may be pretty wild as well. So today we kick back and relax.
Come on Sophie ... Hurry Up .... Grandpa wants to play!
Yesterday was a relatively nice day with rain forecast for today -- so Peggy and I decided to take the Chevelle out for an early afternoon cruise. We headed north on Route 1 to Wiscasset and stopped at the town dock for a bite to eat before continuing on. We thought about walking across the street to "Red's Eats" for one of their world famous lobster rolls, but we opted to try some of the fare at Spragues on the dock instead. Frank and Linda Sprague used to be the on-site food service providers at Maine Yankee during the decommissioning process, have catered traditional lobster bakes around the area for many years, and have been operating a snack shack on the Wiscasset dock now for several years. Peggy opted for the fish and chips while I had a bowl of Frank's clam chowder and a crabmeat roll. Eating seafood outdoors on the dock on a nice afternoon in Maine during a cruise up Route 1 in '65 Chevelle .... hard to beat that!
After our yummy lunch we continued our trip up Route 1, across the bridge to Edgecomb, and then turned off and headed to Boothbay Harbor. We made the loop, cruising through town and then started our return trip back home. The traffic in downtown Boothbay can get pretty bad in the summer months but it wasn't bad at all during our quick trip through town. I guess the tourists were still sleeping in!
That was yesterday. Today it has been raining all day so we are staying inside and doing inside stuff.
Staying inside today is OK with me. I have been pretty busy with "projects" these past several weeks and I suspect this next week may be pretty wild as well. So today we kick back and relax.
Come on Sophie ... Hurry Up .... Grandpa wants to play!
Friday, June 7, 2013
On Father's Day
Good News! The heating guy showed up on Wednesday and we got the gas line installed, pressure tested, and the trench backfilled. I even managed to get some grass seed spread over the trench scar yesterday so the rains forecast over the next several days can get busy watering the new seed. My portion of that project is mostly complete so now we wait for a week or so before the heating guy returns to install the new water heater. Time to shift gears and move on to Something Else.
Something Else showed up this morning in the form of Eric's car which needs a new stabilizer bar link installed. That ought to keep me busy for a little while and may give me the incentive to replace the same links on the Vue. Those links tend to wear out and create noises in the front suspension over time and I believe ours have needed replacement for some time. And then there are the shock absorbers that need replacing on the truck. Never a dull moment here at the Maineiacs In Motion RV, Home Improvement, and Auto Center.
Now we find out that our government has been collecting information on our phone calls and internet usage in order to help keep us safe from terrorists. Part of me wants to be outraged over more loss of personal liberty. Another part of me is thankful that these actions are being taken to protect us. At least "providing for the common defense" is actually a constitutional duty of the federal government! I just wish I had more confidence in the folks that were running these programs. Will they do the right things with the info they gather or will they use the defense against terrorism to justify more politically based dirty tricks against political foes? I'd like to have more confidence ... but recent events sure don't justify it!
I see where Sunday next (June 16th) is Father's Day. I am very fortunate to have 3 great kids who are able to make good decisions and generally do what is best for them and their families. I don't want to take a lot of credit for them turning out that way as I'm sure their mother had a much greater influence than I. But I sure do notice that fatherhood has taken a beating these last many years. The women's "liberation" movement(s) have done a great deal to further the standing of women in the US and elsewhere for the past 40 or so years. But at what cost? Many (men and women) seem to believe that fathers are only necessary for conception and science is working to minimize this need. Need examples? Just watch TV. Ever notice how many commercials tend to show the bumbling Dad who knows almost nothing and needs mom or the kids to help him survive? I find this trend disturbing. I read recently that in about 40% of all American households with children - the mom is the primary "breadwinner." And in 40% of those households - the mom is a single parent. There are many reasons for this but in my humble opinion - it needs to stop and be reversed! So - with Father's Day rapidly approaching I say find a father (I mean a real father ... one committed to caring for his kids) and congratulate him. We apparently are a vanishing breed and must need encouraging to keep on doing "the right things."
Something Else showed up this morning in the form of Eric's car which needs a new stabilizer bar link installed. That ought to keep me busy for a little while and may give me the incentive to replace the same links on the Vue. Those links tend to wear out and create noises in the front suspension over time and I believe ours have needed replacement for some time. And then there are the shock absorbers that need replacing on the truck. Never a dull moment here at the Maineiacs In Motion RV, Home Improvement, and Auto Center.
Now we find out that our government has been collecting information on our phone calls and internet usage in order to help keep us safe from terrorists. Part of me wants to be outraged over more loss of personal liberty. Another part of me is thankful that these actions are being taken to protect us. At least "providing for the common defense" is actually a constitutional duty of the federal government! I just wish I had more confidence in the folks that were running these programs. Will they do the right things with the info they gather or will they use the defense against terrorism to justify more politically based dirty tricks against political foes? I'd like to have more confidence ... but recent events sure don't justify it!
I see where Sunday next (June 16th) is Father's Day. I am very fortunate to have 3 great kids who are able to make good decisions and generally do what is best for them and their families. I don't want to take a lot of credit for them turning out that way as I'm sure their mother had a much greater influence than I. But I sure do notice that fatherhood has taken a beating these last many years. The women's "liberation" movement(s) have done a great deal to further the standing of women in the US and elsewhere for the past 40 or so years. But at what cost? Many (men and women) seem to believe that fathers are only necessary for conception and science is working to minimize this need. Need examples? Just watch TV. Ever notice how many commercials tend to show the bumbling Dad who knows almost nothing and needs mom or the kids to help him survive? I find this trend disturbing. I read recently that in about 40% of all American households with children - the mom is the primary "breadwinner." And in 40% of those households - the mom is a single parent. There are many reasons for this but in my humble opinion - it needs to stop and be reversed! So - with Father's Day rapidly approaching I say find a father (I mean a real father ... one committed to caring for his kids) and congratulate him. We apparently are a vanishing breed and must need encouraging to keep on doing "the right things."
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Groundhog Day
Today was Groundhog Day. No, not the one where we wonder if Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow, but rather, the one where we head off to Home Depot at oh-barely light-thirty and rent the gadget advertised as a "walk behind trencher" to dig a trench. First off - the "walk behind" part is a lie. The gadget I rented, the T-4 "Groundhog", is more of a "pull and dig" model. You set the depth for the digging chain, lower the chain into the ground, it digs down to the depth you set (max depth of 18" in my case), you push down on the handle and then pull the gadget toward you a little ways and lower the digging bar again to dig some more. It works pretty well when you are digging through relatively "clean" soil - but starts to buck and jump when you try cutting some of the monster tree roots located in my backyard!
So - the first 40 feet or so went relatively fast. The digger dug and deposited the spoils off to the side just as advertised. Then we started to hit the tree roots left behind by all those trees I cut down a few years ago. the digger chopped through the finger sized roots with little complaint. It had to work harder and bucked pretty hard when I hit the 1" diameter roots, and it gave up the ghost when I hit the arm sized monsters. All-in-all it took about an hour and a half to do the 60 feet or so that I had to do. Then it was time to dig out the tree pruner and the chain saw to cut through the big roots that the Groundhog couldn't handle and then supplement the last 20 feet or so with a hefty amount of hand digging.
The good news -- I was able to return the rental unit in less than 4 hours to keep the cost down and I think I'm done and ready for the heating guy to lay the gas piping. The bad news -- I still have a bunch of sore muscles in spite of renting the Groundhog. I know it was a lot easier than hand digging the whole 60 feet .... but it was not necessarily "easy." Sorry - no pictures of the Groundhog in action. I was busy digging and Peggy was busy planting flowers.
So now I wait. Hopefully the heating guy can get over here soon to lay and pressure test the underground piping so I can backfill the trench and get some grass growing in the scar.
Other than that -- not much exciting happening around here. The weather has turned nice again as the highs now are only in the 70s and the humidity is much lower.
Time to put away the tools and start enjoying the summah.
But I sure hope the heating guy gets over here pretty soon so I can get back to work!
So - the first 40 feet or so went relatively fast. The digger dug and deposited the spoils off to the side just as advertised. Then we started to hit the tree roots left behind by all those trees I cut down a few years ago. the digger chopped through the finger sized roots with little complaint. It had to work harder and bucked pretty hard when I hit the 1" diameter roots, and it gave up the ghost when I hit the arm sized monsters. All-in-all it took about an hour and a half to do the 60 feet or so that I had to do. Then it was time to dig out the tree pruner and the chain saw to cut through the big roots that the Groundhog couldn't handle and then supplement the last 20 feet or so with a hefty amount of hand digging.
The good news -- I was able to return the rental unit in less than 4 hours to keep the cost down and I think I'm done and ready for the heating guy to lay the gas piping. The bad news -- I still have a bunch of sore muscles in spite of renting the Groundhog. I know it was a lot easier than hand digging the whole 60 feet .... but it was not necessarily "easy." Sorry - no pictures of the Groundhog in action. I was busy digging and Peggy was busy planting flowers.
So now I wait. Hopefully the heating guy can get over here soon to lay and pressure test the underground piping so I can backfill the trench and get some grass growing in the scar.
Other than that -- not much exciting happening around here. The weather has turned nice again as the highs now are only in the 70s and the humidity is much lower.
Time to put away the tools and start enjoying the summah.
But I sure hope the heating guy gets over here pretty soon so I can get back to work!
Saturday, June 1, 2013
It must be Summah!
What the heck happened? Only a few days ago we were complaining about the cool weather and rain. Then the heat wave arrived a couple of days ago and it has been in the high 80s to maybe a little over 90 degrees with really high humidity. We have swapped over to summer shirts, shorts, and sandals around here! I even installed the living room air conditioner yesterday and it has been running since about 11 AM. We are supposed to be getting some thunderstorms tonight and maybe tomorrow. After that front moves through it looks like we will get back to more seasonal temps with highs in the 70s.
The garage improvement project is essentially done now that I have moved the "stuff" I wanted from the garage to the Back Room and installed a couple of shelves. I still need to add a couple of electrical outlets and perhaps a new light into the Back Room. That project must be done since I spent this morning hauling all the left over construction debris to the local Solid Waste Facility (A.K.A. The Dump).
We got a start on Peggy's next project today with yet another trip to Home Depot. Not for lumber or hardware this time ... but we hit up the flower and garden center pretty hard. Now all she has to do is plant all those annuals and feed and water. We even picked up a few tomato plants to spend the next few months nurturing. A few summers ago we did pretty well growing tomatoes in our Topsy Turvey upside down tomato planter. But this year I think we will go with the right side up method.
I also got a start on my next project. We decided to go ahead with our hot water heater replacement by installing a Rennai Tankless On-Demand Water Heater. Actually, a local heating contractor will be doing the installation but I have some prep work to accomplish first. Yesterday I reorganized some stuff in the basement to clear up the wall space where the heater will be mounted and I ran some wiring over to that area for the heater controls. The new heater will be fueled by propane (until somebody decides to run natural gas down my street!) but needs a few amps of power for the controls and gas ignitor. Since we really didn't want an ugly propane tank sitting next to the house I've decided to place the tank behind the new shed. This will require placing the gas supply line underground - a distance of about 60 feet. To save a few bucks I will be digging the trench for the gas line sometime next week when it cools off a bit. Actually, I sorta lied again. I should have said that I will be renting a portable trenching machine that I will guide along for those 60 feet. I'm sure there will be some sweat involved but it has to be better than using a shovel. Doesn't it?
All of this project work will be accomplished while awaiting our new grand daughter. Eric and Jen just finished up week 37 and everything is still looking good. It won't be long now!
I'm reading where all our RVing buddies are on-the-move. D&J are just about ready to roll out of 'Bama for points north, Randy and Terry Guiler are heading north from Florida, several folks we know are heading for the big Escapees organization rally (The "Escapade") in Wyoming, and I suspect the Curps are getting ready to head west to Colorado soon. Safe Travels everybody!
The garage improvement project is essentially done now that I have moved the "stuff" I wanted from the garage to the Back Room and installed a couple of shelves. I still need to add a couple of electrical outlets and perhaps a new light into the Back Room. That project must be done since I spent this morning hauling all the left over construction debris to the local Solid Waste Facility (A.K.A. The Dump).
We got a start on Peggy's next project today with yet another trip to Home Depot. Not for lumber or hardware this time ... but we hit up the flower and garden center pretty hard. Now all she has to do is plant all those annuals and feed and water. We even picked up a few tomato plants to spend the next few months nurturing. A few summers ago we did pretty well growing tomatoes in our Topsy Turvey upside down tomato planter. But this year I think we will go with the right side up method.
I also got a start on my next project. We decided to go ahead with our hot water heater replacement by installing a Rennai Tankless On-Demand Water Heater. Actually, a local heating contractor will be doing the installation but I have some prep work to accomplish first. Yesterday I reorganized some stuff in the basement to clear up the wall space where the heater will be mounted and I ran some wiring over to that area for the heater controls. The new heater will be fueled by propane (until somebody decides to run natural gas down my street!) but needs a few amps of power for the controls and gas ignitor. Since we really didn't want an ugly propane tank sitting next to the house I've decided to place the tank behind the new shed. This will require placing the gas supply line underground - a distance of about 60 feet. To save a few bucks I will be digging the trench for the gas line sometime next week when it cools off a bit. Actually, I sorta lied again. I should have said that I will be renting a portable trenching machine that I will guide along for those 60 feet. I'm sure there will be some sweat involved but it has to be better than using a shovel. Doesn't it?
All of this project work will be accomplished while awaiting our new grand daughter. Eric and Jen just finished up week 37 and everything is still looking good. It won't be long now!
I'm reading where all our RVing buddies are on-the-move. D&J are just about ready to roll out of 'Bama for points north, Randy and Terry Guiler are heading north from Florida, several folks we know are heading for the big Escapees organization rally (The "Escapade") in Wyoming, and I suspect the Curps are getting ready to head west to Colorado soon. Safe Travels everybody!
Monday, May 27, 2013
Blue Sky and Travel Thoughts
We awoke to blue sky this morning. Yep, that's right ... blue sky and sunshine -- two things we haven't seen around here for about a week. It has been raining off-and-on for the past week. The good news -- my lawn shot up about a foot. The bad news -- it needed mowing before the rains came so today that job was number two on the list.
Job number one was to gather up Peggy bright and early and walk over to Main Street to watch the annual Memorial Day Parade. We joined Stacy, Kaj, and Taylor to watch the school bands, color guards, vintage vehicles, boy & girl scouts, fire trucks, and even a few politicians. It was your typical small town parade on a sunny (but windy) morning. Hopefully most folks in attendance remembered why they had a parade today. I know I did. A lot of folks sacrificed an awful lot so we could have that parade today.
I did manage to accomplish some more work on my garage improvement project last week in spite of the rainy weather. I removed the old wooden floor from the "back room," constructed and installed a new pressure treated wood frame (installation was with the help of Kaj and Bailey), and then cut and placed the new 3/4" plywood floor. Since that part got accomplished - I also cut the doorway that now allows access to that room from the garage area. I also took advantage of the rainy weather and went ahead and completed the electrical work inside the shed. We now have two electrical outlets and a switched light! I still have more to do on that project - but so far - so good. I'm actually starting to see some space being freed up in the garage!
As I mentioned in my last post, now that we have been home for almost two months we have started thinking about when and where we might head next. We certainly aren't ready to head out yet - we still have a new grandbaby to spoil and a summer full of stuff to do here in Maine ... but sometime in early September we think we might head west to at least Nevada. As always -- we want to try and enjoy some of the trip while heading both ways but still have enough time at our destination to get in some quality visiting time. As of now - I am thinking about a westward route through southern NY, through northern Ohio and Indiana, and then swinging north a bit to head west mostly along I-90 through Iowa, South Dakota, and Wyoming to around Yellowstone National Park. From there I'm contemplating heading south into Utah for a while before heading west to the Carson City area along Highway 50 A.K.A. "The loneliest road in America."
Right before we have overstayed our welcome in Nevada - I think we will head home by traveling south and then east along I-40 / Route 66 to around Oklahoma City and then into southern Missouri where we may spend a few days in Branson before continuing our trip east. From there - the best plan would be to skeedaddle back to Maine before the snow flies - heading generally northeast.
If this potential trip goes like most of the previous ones - we would be gone about 10 weeks - which would get us back around mid November. That being the case - we may just sit out the winter here in Maine. Our past mid-winter escapes from Maine have not necessarily been without "issues" and probably aren't the wisest travel plan. Besides - I have to see how the new shed holds up!
So them's the travel thoughts for now. All subject to change at any time and without much notice. There is lots of time between now and September!
Job number one was to gather up Peggy bright and early and walk over to Main Street to watch the annual Memorial Day Parade. We joined Stacy, Kaj, and Taylor to watch the school bands, color guards, vintage vehicles, boy & girl scouts, fire trucks, and even a few politicians. It was your typical small town parade on a sunny (but windy) morning. Hopefully most folks in attendance remembered why they had a parade today. I know I did. A lot of folks sacrificed an awful lot so we could have that parade today.
I did manage to accomplish some more work on my garage improvement project last week in spite of the rainy weather. I removed the old wooden floor from the "back room," constructed and installed a new pressure treated wood frame (installation was with the help of Kaj and Bailey), and then cut and placed the new 3/4" plywood floor. Since that part got accomplished - I also cut the doorway that now allows access to that room from the garage area. I also took advantage of the rainy weather and went ahead and completed the electrical work inside the shed. We now have two electrical outlets and a switched light! I still have more to do on that project - but so far - so good. I'm actually starting to see some space being freed up in the garage!
As I mentioned in my last post, now that we have been home for almost two months we have started thinking about when and where we might head next. We certainly aren't ready to head out yet - we still have a new grandbaby to spoil and a summer full of stuff to do here in Maine ... but sometime in early September we think we might head west to at least Nevada. As always -- we want to try and enjoy some of the trip while heading both ways but still have enough time at our destination to get in some quality visiting time. As of now - I am thinking about a westward route through southern NY, through northern Ohio and Indiana, and then swinging north a bit to head west mostly along I-90 through Iowa, South Dakota, and Wyoming to around Yellowstone National Park. From there I'm contemplating heading south into Utah for a while before heading west to the Carson City area along Highway 50 A.K.A. "The loneliest road in America."
Right before we have overstayed our welcome in Nevada - I think we will head home by traveling south and then east along I-40 / Route 66 to around Oklahoma City and then into southern Missouri where we may spend a few days in Branson before continuing our trip east. From there - the best plan would be to skeedaddle back to Maine before the snow flies - heading generally northeast.
If this potential trip goes like most of the previous ones - we would be gone about 10 weeks - which would get us back around mid November. That being the case - we may just sit out the winter here in Maine. Our past mid-winter escapes from Maine have not necessarily been without "issues" and probably aren't the wisest travel plan. Besides - I have to see how the new shed holds up!
So them's the travel thoughts for now. All subject to change at any time and without much notice. There is lots of time between now and September!
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
In Motion - Towards Summer
It appears our run of gorgeous sunny spring days is over as the weather has turned more typical for spring in Maine with some amount of shower activity almost daily. I'm not complaining though ... that 2 weeks of pretty nice weather was helpful for letting me get that shed project done without having to cover things up and then uncover them during construction. Yes indeed - the shed project is done, except for painting/staining or whatever I decide to do. The trim is on, the floor is painted, a couple of shelves have been installed, and "stuff" has been moved inside. It even has a working electrical outlet! I'll install a light and switch sometime later this summer.
In retrospect, that project was a bit more involved than I originally imagined. Or maybe it was my 20 year old mind that was imaging what my 60 something body needed to execute! Regardless, it's done, I like the way it came out, and I like having it's "stuff" stored with easier access and organization. Now its time to attack the area where all that "stuff" came from .... the "back room" of the garage. Step One ... remove the rotted wooden floor that I installed back in the early 80s. If I knew back then that I would still be living here some 30 years later I would have used pressure treated wood when I built that floor! I have no idea why that room on the back of the garage was left with a dirt floor when it was built in the early 60s - but the new floor should last at least 50 more years!
The remainder of my "Garage Improvement Project" will go forward at a slower pace than the shed construction. The rest of the work can be done inside, is not so weather dependent, and will hopefully be easier on my body!
We are still waiting for our newest grandchild. Jen and Eric just finished their 36th week of pregnancy and everything is looking positive. It won't be long now and we'll be wearing out the road to Auburn to get a newborn grandbaby fix. Grandkids are fun at all ages. Pretty soon we'll have them from 13 to newborn - from Justin Beiber to Baby's 'R Us. Life Is Good.
SO our summer plans are pretty well known. Work on projects around the house, visit with kids and grandkids, do a little cruising in the Chevelle, and maybe even get in a meal or two with our RVing friends Darrell and Judy on their way through Maine.
What about after that? Any plans to get these Maineiacs in Motion once again? Plans have been discussed - but are not quite to the Jello stage yet.
Ya'll will just have to stay tuned and find out right after we do!
In retrospect, that project was a bit more involved than I originally imagined. Or maybe it was my 20 year old mind that was imaging what my 60 something body needed to execute! Regardless, it's done, I like the way it came out, and I like having it's "stuff" stored with easier access and organization. Now its time to attack the area where all that "stuff" came from .... the "back room" of the garage. Step One ... remove the rotted wooden floor that I installed back in the early 80s. If I knew back then that I would still be living here some 30 years later I would have used pressure treated wood when I built that floor! I have no idea why that room on the back of the garage was left with a dirt floor when it was built in the early 60s - but the new floor should last at least 50 more years!
The remainder of my "Garage Improvement Project" will go forward at a slower pace than the shed construction. The rest of the work can be done inside, is not so weather dependent, and will hopefully be easier on my body!
We are still waiting for our newest grandchild. Jen and Eric just finished their 36th week of pregnancy and everything is looking positive. It won't be long now and we'll be wearing out the road to Auburn to get a newborn grandbaby fix. Grandkids are fun at all ages. Pretty soon we'll have them from 13 to newborn - from Justin Beiber to Baby's 'R Us. Life Is Good.
SO our summer plans are pretty well known. Work on projects around the house, visit with kids and grandkids, do a little cruising in the Chevelle, and maybe even get in a meal or two with our RVing friends Darrell and Judy on their way through Maine.
What about after that? Any plans to get these Maineiacs in Motion once again? Plans have been discussed - but are not quite to the Jello stage yet.
Ya'll will just have to stay tuned and find out right after we do!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
My - How Things Can Change Quickly
Well I got my day of rest on Saturday and then was back to the shed project on Sunday when I built the door frames in the garage since it was still showering from time-to-time. The weather was much drier, although colder, on Monday so it was back to work on the doors. It took me pretty much all day but finally the shed can be closed up!
Tuesday was spent catching up on a few chores that had been put on hold while I was busy getting the shed "weather" proof. So the lawn finally got mowed and the Chevelle finally made it home - but not before having a new battery installed! I guess 10 years is asking too much from a battery these days.
Today it was back to the shed project. Today's task was to engineer and build an entry ramp. Let's see now ... I need to rise up about a foot and want the ramp to meet the ground about 34 inches from the edge of the shed. If I use some of that trigonometry I learned back in high school that means the ramp joists need to be about 36 inches long and will require 19 degree cuts at the edge of the shed and where the joists will hit the ground. I knew that Trig stuff would come in handy someday!
So ... what's left? I still have some trim to install on the exterior corners and along the sides where the the wall siding meets the roof siding ... and since the shed will be used to store the snowblower in the winter I want to waterproof the floor with some good marine paint. The trim can wait awhile but the floor sealing needs to get accomplished before I start moving stuff in. So I guess that's next!
I have been so busy the last several weeks that I guess I haven't been paying enough attention to what's been going on in the country. When I started building the shed our President was demanding that Congress pass his agenda or suffer his wrath and was telling new college graduates to pay no attention to those that warn of tyranny from an overreaching government. Based on what I saw on TV this afternoon apparently the President has significantly changed his agenda ... and apparently tyranny was (is) closer than we knew but always suspected!
I wonder what revelations this week will bring!
Tuesday was spent catching up on a few chores that had been put on hold while I was busy getting the shed "weather" proof. So the lawn finally got mowed and the Chevelle finally made it home - but not before having a new battery installed! I guess 10 years is asking too much from a battery these days.
Today it was back to the shed project. Today's task was to engineer and build an entry ramp. Let's see now ... I need to rise up about a foot and want the ramp to meet the ground about 34 inches from the edge of the shed. If I use some of that trigonometry I learned back in high school that means the ramp joists need to be about 36 inches long and will require 19 degree cuts at the edge of the shed and where the joists will hit the ground. I knew that Trig stuff would come in handy someday!
So ... what's left? I still have some trim to install on the exterior corners and along the sides where the the wall siding meets the roof siding ... and since the shed will be used to store the snowblower in the winter I want to waterproof the floor with some good marine paint. The trim can wait awhile but the floor sealing needs to get accomplished before I start moving stuff in. So I guess that's next!
I have been so busy the last several weeks that I guess I haven't been paying enough attention to what's been going on in the country. When I started building the shed our President was demanding that Congress pass his agenda or suffer his wrath and was telling new college graduates to pay no attention to those that warn of tyranny from an overreaching government. Based on what I saw on TV this afternoon apparently the President has significantly changed his agenda ... and apparently tyranny was (is) closer than we knew but always suspected!
I wonder what revelations this week will bring!
Saturday, May 11, 2013
A Day of Rest
Thank goodness for some rain. Finally - a day of rest. Fortunately I managed to complete the roof part of the shed project before the rains came. It may still have a plastic door - but the roof is done!
Yesterday Stacy scored a couple of tickets to a Red Sox game so G'ma and I were blessed to have a sleepover night with Miss Taylor. Taylor and G'ma blew bubbles, G'Pa and Miss Taylor read stories and played with toys, and G'ma helped Taylor dress for Mardi Gras. Once Stacy and Kaj find out what goes on over at G'Ma's house - this may be the last time we get to have her for awhile!
Since it looks like rain on-and-off all weekend I guess I get some time off my construction job. Next week we have doors to build and a ramp to engineer and build. At least the ladder climbing will be minimal.
Here we are - May of 2013. Do ya'll realize that I "retired" for the first time 8 years ago this month! A year earlier we bought Winne - 9 years ago this month. Wow how time flies. My goodness -- I was in my 50s back then! Young - Foolish - and Fancy Free!! Now here I am in my 50-Tens - A Bit Older - still foolish from time-to-time - and fancying being free.
Jen and Eric are entering the final stretch of their race to parenthood. Only a few weeks to go and their lives will be forever changed .... all for the better. Jen has been on a prescribed "modified" bed rest routine these past few weeks and they both seem to be ready to move on to the next phase. The nursery is ready, mom and dad are ready ... just waiting on Baby E!
So ... spring is here and the busy times are about to get busier. A shed project to complete, lawn to mow, grandchildren to spoil, summah in Maine to enjoy ....
Yup --- need to rest up today.
Yesterday Stacy scored a couple of tickets to a Red Sox game so G'ma and I were blessed to have a sleepover night with Miss Taylor. Taylor and G'ma blew bubbles, G'Pa and Miss Taylor read stories and played with toys, and G'ma helped Taylor dress for Mardi Gras. Once Stacy and Kaj find out what goes on over at G'Ma's house - this may be the last time we get to have her for awhile!
Since it looks like rain on-and-off all weekend I guess I get some time off my construction job. Next week we have doors to build and a ramp to engineer and build. At least the ladder climbing will be minimal.
Here we are - May of 2013. Do ya'll realize that I "retired" for the first time 8 years ago this month! A year earlier we bought Winne - 9 years ago this month. Wow how time flies. My goodness -- I was in my 50s back then! Young - Foolish - and Fancy Free!! Now here I am in my 50-Tens - A Bit Older - still foolish from time-to-time - and fancying being free.
Jen and Eric are entering the final stretch of their race to parenthood. Only a few weeks to go and their lives will be forever changed .... all for the better. Jen has been on a prescribed "modified" bed rest routine these past few weeks and they both seem to be ready to move on to the next phase. The nursery is ready, mom and dad are ready ... just waiting on Baby E!
So ... spring is here and the busy times are about to get busier. A shed project to complete, lawn to mow, grandchildren to spoil, summah in Maine to enjoy ....
Yup --- need to rest up today.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Spring Has Definitely Sprung
This past week has pretty much been more of the same. I have continued to slowly get the shed project ready for shingles while continuing to try and get that '40 Ford project done as well. Peggy has been doing a bit of yard raking in and around all her other interests (Bible Study, Feeding Me, Sunday School Teaching, making sure I don't fall off a ladder, etc.).
It took me all week -- but I got the fascia boards cut and installed;
Painted the fascia and installed the plywood roof sheathing;
and installed some drip edge flashing and roofing paper.
Today I hope to finish up the flashing and some other minor stuff before moving on to shingling tomorrow. I may not get a lot done on any one day -- but I try and get a little done everyday. Actually the shed project is only the beginning of my overall Garage Reorganization Plan. Once the shed gets done I plan on moving a bunch of "stuff" presently stored in the garage/garage "back room" into that space. Then I plan on rebuilding the wooden floor in the "back room," opening up the garage area into the "back room," and then moving my automotive related tools into that area - freeing up some room in the garage. If I keep this up I think I can make this project last all summer!
It is really starting to look springlike here in southern Maine. The hardwood trees are starting to bud and leaf out, folks are getting their gardens ready for planting, and I've even seen one fellow mow his lawn already. Our lawn is starting to come back to life so it won't be long before I'll need to break out that lawnmower myself. Maybe the shed will be finished by then and the mower can go into it's new home - right alongside the snowblower, generator, and other assorted yard care stuff.
Oh yeah -- and I hope to get the Chevelle home today! Hopefully Peggy and I can find some time for some nice weather drives around the area in between all the other stuff we have going on.
Yep ... all the signs of spring are here. Buds on the trees, outdoor projects in full swing, and ready for cruising in the sunshine.
Ain't Life Grand.
It took me all week -- but I got the fascia boards cut and installed;
Painted the fascia and installed the plywood roof sheathing;
and installed some drip edge flashing and roofing paper.
Today I hope to finish up the flashing and some other minor stuff before moving on to shingling tomorrow. I may not get a lot done on any one day -- but I try and get a little done everyday. Actually the shed project is only the beginning of my overall Garage Reorganization Plan. Once the shed gets done I plan on moving a bunch of "stuff" presently stored in the garage/garage "back room" into that space. Then I plan on rebuilding the wooden floor in the "back room," opening up the garage area into the "back room," and then moving my automotive related tools into that area - freeing up some room in the garage. If I keep this up I think I can make this project last all summer!
It is really starting to look springlike here in southern Maine. The hardwood trees are starting to bud and leaf out, folks are getting their gardens ready for planting, and I've even seen one fellow mow his lawn already. Our lawn is starting to come back to life so it won't be long before I'll need to break out that lawnmower myself. Maybe the shed will be finished by then and the mower can go into it's new home - right alongside the snowblower, generator, and other assorted yard care stuff.
Oh yeah -- and I hope to get the Chevelle home today! Hopefully Peggy and I can find some time for some nice weather drives around the area in between all the other stuff we have going on.
Yep ... all the signs of spring are here. Buds on the trees, outdoor projects in full swing, and ready for cruising in the sunshine.
Ain't Life Grand.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Spring Projects
Springtime in Maine can be an iffy proposition. Some years we get a very wet Spring and then sometimes we get a more dry weather pattern. These last 4 days or so have been really nice with temps getting into the low to mid 60s and mostly sunny. Even better ... the long range forecast shows more of the same! But then again ... sometimes we get a lovely May only to be followed by a wet and grey June. Isn't life just like a box of chocolates?
With all this nice weather I have been really busy working on the shed project and trying to get that '40 Ford safely back on the road. I have been splitting my time on both those projects which means both are getting done ... but slowly.
Peggy has continued to be the official shed project photographer. Here are a few more progress photos ...
Finishing framing the walls (it was pretty cold that morning!) ...
Notice the interesting ladder installation for my temporary roof peak as rain was forecast for that evening.
Then it was on to siding ...
Then roof framing ...
I still have a few days work to complete before the roofing material starts to be installed ... but we're getting there!
I'll try and get a few pics of the Ford for the Blog before she heads down the road for a summer of fun cruising. Speaking of such things -- it is time to get the Chevelle out of storage and do a little cruising ourselves.
So much to do -- so little time -- and only so much energy!
With all this nice weather I have been really busy working on the shed project and trying to get that '40 Ford safely back on the road. I have been splitting my time on both those projects which means both are getting done ... but slowly.
Peggy has continued to be the official shed project photographer. Here are a few more progress photos ...
Finishing framing the walls (it was pretty cold that morning!) ...
Notice the interesting ladder installation for my temporary roof peak as rain was forecast for that evening.
Then it was on to siding ...
Then roof framing ...
I still have a few days work to complete before the roofing material starts to be installed ... but we're getting there!
I'll try and get a few pics of the Ford for the Blog before she heads down the road for a summer of fun cruising. Speaking of such things -- it is time to get the Chevelle out of storage and do a little cruising ourselves.
So much to do -- so little time -- and only so much energy!
Monday, April 22, 2013
Cut and Nail
Cut and Nail .... Take a Break .... Cut and Nail some more.
Since Peggy just had to take some pictures of me performing manual labor ... I thought I would go ahead and post proof of my efforts.
I finished the platform and floor a few days ago and got started on the walls today. First there was one wall ...then there were two ...
and then there were three ...
which is where I stopped for today.
Thanks to my son Eric for the loan of his chop saw and to Peggy for holding the walls in place until I got them braced!
Tomorrow I will try and get the front wall up and tie them all together with the top plate before the threatened rain arrives.
Since Peggy just had to take some pictures of me performing manual labor ... I thought I would go ahead and post proof of my efforts.
I finished the platform and floor a few days ago and got started on the walls today. First there was one wall ...then there were two ...
and then there were three ...
which is where I stopped for today.
Thanks to my son Eric for the loan of his chop saw and to Peggy for holding the walls in place until I got them braced!
Tomorrow I will try and get the front wall up and tie them all together with the top plate before the threatened rain arrives.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Levels of Tragedy
Another week gone by. Spring is starting to arrive here in Maine ... but ever so slowly. The high temps are still in the 50s with an occasional rise into the 60s and a bit of rain every few days. The trees are starting to bud out and the grass is beginning to green up a bit but we still have a ways to go before short pants weather.
I have managed to kick whatever sickness I had and just in time. Miss Taylor Anne has been feeling pretty miserable these last few days so G'Ma and G'Pa have been helping to take care of her to allow Stacy and Kaj to get back to work. She was pretty miserable on Thursday but was feeling much better yesterday. Nothing more pathetic than a sick little one ... except maybe a sick G'Pa!
I did get Winne cleaned up and over to her storage spot this past week. She can rest up now for a month or so before I bring her home for a wax job and a few more maintenance items. Now I can move on to other projects.
I got a start on my shed construction project over the past few days. I completed the foundation framing and installed the flooring material yesterday -- just in time to get a tarp over it before last evening's showers. Hopefully the weather will cooperate enough this week so I can frame up the walls. So far -- so good. I haven't had to change the design to accommodate something I forgot to figure in ... which is usually the case!
I'll shift gears today and move on to playing hot rod mechanic. You may recall that I did some work on a fellow's '68 Mustang and '34 Ford Streetrod a couple of years ago. Well it seems he recently purchased a '40 Ford this past winter and wants some engine "dress-up" work done and perhaps a swap-over to a dual carburetor setup. Since it's going to rain a good part of today anyway thus keeping me from my shed project ... I guess I'll spend a few hours playing mechanic on a hot rod! Not only do I get to play with a 'cool' car using parts purchased by somebody else - I may earn some cash to help defray the cost of the new shed -- or maybe buy some new go-fast goody for the Chevelle!
One of my biggest problems being "retired" is choosing among my many "projects." As long as nobody is in a real big hurry - it will all get done -- eventually.
Anybody out there not heard of the goings on in Boston this past week? Probably not. It has been pretty unavoidable. If you weren't seeing it happen pretty much live on TV and via the internet ... then you were probably hearing about it from everybody else who was. All the descriptors have been used and abused. "Tragedy" has certainly been used a lot. But these same words have been used to describe other things this week as well. It was "tragic" to some that the Senate refused to take another bite out of our freedoms relating to purchasing a weapon. It was "tragic" to others when the President angrily and publicly attacked Senators for disagreeing with his position on gun control. It certainly borders on "tragic" that our President and his Democrat cohorts believe that their deficit spending is not yet a problem.
But the senseless murder of 4 people and the maiming of hundreds more ... now that is indeed tragic. The rest is just something less.
I have managed to kick whatever sickness I had and just in time. Miss Taylor Anne has been feeling pretty miserable these last few days so G'Ma and G'Pa have been helping to take care of her to allow Stacy and Kaj to get back to work. She was pretty miserable on Thursday but was feeling much better yesterday. Nothing more pathetic than a sick little one ... except maybe a sick G'Pa!
I did get Winne cleaned up and over to her storage spot this past week. She can rest up now for a month or so before I bring her home for a wax job and a few more maintenance items. Now I can move on to other projects.
I got a start on my shed construction project over the past few days. I completed the foundation framing and installed the flooring material yesterday -- just in time to get a tarp over it before last evening's showers. Hopefully the weather will cooperate enough this week so I can frame up the walls. So far -- so good. I haven't had to change the design to accommodate something I forgot to figure in ... which is usually the case!
I'll shift gears today and move on to playing hot rod mechanic. You may recall that I did some work on a fellow's '68 Mustang and '34 Ford Streetrod a couple of years ago. Well it seems he recently purchased a '40 Ford this past winter and wants some engine "dress-up" work done and perhaps a swap-over to a dual carburetor setup. Since it's going to rain a good part of today anyway thus keeping me from my shed project ... I guess I'll spend a few hours playing mechanic on a hot rod! Not only do I get to play with a 'cool' car using parts purchased by somebody else - I may earn some cash to help defray the cost of the new shed -- or maybe buy some new go-fast goody for the Chevelle!
One of my biggest problems being "retired" is choosing among my many "projects." As long as nobody is in a real big hurry - it will all get done -- eventually.
Anybody out there not heard of the goings on in Boston this past week? Probably not. It has been pretty unavoidable. If you weren't seeing it happen pretty much live on TV and via the internet ... then you were probably hearing about it from everybody else who was. All the descriptors have been used and abused. "Tragedy" has certainly been used a lot. But these same words have been used to describe other things this week as well. It was "tragic" to some that the Senate refused to take another bite out of our freedoms relating to purchasing a weapon. It was "tragic" to others when the President angrily and publicly attacked Senators for disagreeing with his position on gun control. It certainly borders on "tragic" that our President and his Democrat cohorts believe that their deficit spending is not yet a problem.
But the senseless murder of 4 people and the maiming of hundreds more ... now that is indeed tragic. The rest is just something less.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Life Off The Road
My - oh - My ... another week gone by. I recon it's time to update this blog on what's been happening to us and what's on my weak little mind this AM.
First off - we are both fine. Well - Peggy is fine and I am still trying to rid myself of whatever virus I picked up down in Gettysburg. The sore throat and waves of low grade fever just won't go away! Do you suppose I should break down and see a Doc to get the antibiotics? Nah ...
In spite of all that ... I have spent my non-napping time slowly getting Winne ready to store for a few months. The inside cleaning is done ... leaving the outside cleaning and engine oil changing on the list before Winne travels over to her storage spot for awhile. I'll wait for a little warmer weather before attempting the wax job and transmission fluid change.
Peggy has kept herself busy by attempting (with minimal success) to nurse me back to health, and finish her preparations for the big Baby E. baby shower this weekend. The gals ought to have a fun time doing whatever it is they do at those things. All I know is that Baby E. should be well outfitted as she enters this world!
I have managed to get my income taxes for 2012 paid. I'm so happy to have paid "my fair share." And I should feel fortunate to have only paid as little as I did for it looks like "my fair share" will be continuing to increase next year. The present federal administration is always looking for ways to get me to increase my "share" ... and the State of Maine certainly needs more $$ to keep up its standing as one of the most "progressive" states around. Did you know that over 25% of all Mainers have their healthcare paid for through "MaineCare" - the Maine version of Medicaid? And that's with the Maine Governor not yet agreeing to accept even more folks on these roles under the "Affordable" Care Act (AKA Obamacare)! If we expand coverage -- MaineCare will be covering over 1/3 of all Mainers. "What a wonderful thing" you might say! Well it might be - if we could afford it! The State of Maine is already billions in debt to Maine Hospitals having not paid them for past MaineCare coverage, and can't meet its obligations for funding schools and government employee pensions -- but we can pick up more folks' healthcare costs - yessiree!
I also got my property taxes paid the other day. That's another subject for another day ... suffice it to say ... that is heading higher as well!
I doubt that the increase in taxes (all of 'em - sales, income, property, ...) is fully taken into account under the present calculation of CPI -- or under the proposed new concept of "chained" CPI, so it looks like I better find a source other than my Social Security benefit for those cost increases!
I have also been planning one of my spring/summer projects ... a new storage shed for our outdoor equipment (like the lawnmower, snowblower, generator, garden tools, etc.). I have pretty much decided on where I want it, how big I want it, and how much it's going to cost. Now I have to draw it all up and venture over to the Town Hall to get a permit. That's right! I must ask the Town for permission to build a 8' by 10' storage shed on my own property! Don'tcha think we have given "Government" just a little bit too much authority over our lives? I wonder if I must ask what color schemes are acceptable?
Next week I start my spring round of doctor appointments. First it will be off to the eye doc for an exam and a new pair of glasses -- then I will be off to the dentist for a cleaning and lecture on how I should be a better flosser. I sure hope I get feeling better before those appointments - I would sure hate to pass along whatever I have to those guys!
In and around all that stuff I've been looking into a replacement hot water heater for the house. Our present HWH is a 30 gallon oil fired unit that we had installed in 1995. It has worked very well all these years but we were told by the fellow performing the annual furnace/HWH inspections last December that the HWH burner section is in bad shape and the heater needs replacement. I found the receipt for the 1995 replacement the other day and it cost around a thousand dollars back then. I got a lesson in inflation these last few days as two independent estimates for replacing the heater with the same exact model came in at over double the 1995 price! We're still looking at options. I like the idea of installing a tankless gas fired unit. Unfortunately we don't have natural gas lines running down our street yet - which means we would have to have a propane bottle sitting outside - an idea that Peggy dislikes - a lot!
SO that's what we're doing. How about you?
First off - we are both fine. Well - Peggy is fine and I am still trying to rid myself of whatever virus I picked up down in Gettysburg. The sore throat and waves of low grade fever just won't go away! Do you suppose I should break down and see a Doc to get the antibiotics? Nah ...
In spite of all that ... I have spent my non-napping time slowly getting Winne ready to store for a few months. The inside cleaning is done ... leaving the outside cleaning and engine oil changing on the list before Winne travels over to her storage spot for awhile. I'll wait for a little warmer weather before attempting the wax job and transmission fluid change.
Peggy has kept herself busy by attempting (with minimal success) to nurse me back to health, and finish her preparations for the big Baby E. baby shower this weekend. The gals ought to have a fun time doing whatever it is they do at those things. All I know is that Baby E. should be well outfitted as she enters this world!
I have managed to get my income taxes for 2012 paid. I'm so happy to have paid "my fair share." And I should feel fortunate to have only paid as little as I did for it looks like "my fair share" will be continuing to increase next year. The present federal administration is always looking for ways to get me to increase my "share" ... and the State of Maine certainly needs more $$ to keep up its standing as one of the most "progressive" states around. Did you know that over 25% of all Mainers have their healthcare paid for through "MaineCare" - the Maine version of Medicaid? And that's with the Maine Governor not yet agreeing to accept even more folks on these roles under the "Affordable" Care Act (AKA Obamacare)! If we expand coverage -- MaineCare will be covering over 1/3 of all Mainers. "What a wonderful thing" you might say! Well it might be - if we could afford it! The State of Maine is already billions in debt to Maine Hospitals having not paid them for past MaineCare coverage, and can't meet its obligations for funding schools and government employee pensions -- but we can pick up more folks' healthcare costs - yessiree!
I also got my property taxes paid the other day. That's another subject for another day ... suffice it to say ... that is heading higher as well!
I doubt that the increase in taxes (all of 'em - sales, income, property, ...) is fully taken into account under the present calculation of CPI -- or under the proposed new concept of "chained" CPI, so it looks like I better find a source other than my Social Security benefit for those cost increases!
I have also been planning one of my spring/summer projects ... a new storage shed for our outdoor equipment (like the lawnmower, snowblower, generator, garden tools, etc.). I have pretty much decided on where I want it, how big I want it, and how much it's going to cost. Now I have to draw it all up and venture over to the Town Hall to get a permit. That's right! I must ask the Town for permission to build a 8' by 10' storage shed on my own property! Don'tcha think we have given "Government" just a little bit too much authority over our lives? I wonder if I must ask what color schemes are acceptable?
Next week I start my spring round of doctor appointments. First it will be off to the eye doc for an exam and a new pair of glasses -- then I will be off to the dentist for a cleaning and lecture on how I should be a better flosser. I sure hope I get feeling better before those appointments - I would sure hate to pass along whatever I have to those guys!
In and around all that stuff I've been looking into a replacement hot water heater for the house. Our present HWH is a 30 gallon oil fired unit that we had installed in 1995. It has worked very well all these years but we were told by the fellow performing the annual furnace/HWH inspections last December that the HWH burner section is in bad shape and the heater needs replacement. I found the receipt for the 1995 replacement the other day and it cost around a thousand dollars back then. I got a lesson in inflation these last few days as two independent estimates for replacing the heater with the same exact model came in at over double the 1995 price! We're still looking at options. I like the idea of installing a tankless gas fired unit. Unfortunately we don't have natural gas lines running down our street yet - which means we would have to have a propane bottle sitting outside - an idea that Peggy dislikes - a lot!
SO that's what we're doing. How about you?
Friday, April 5, 2013
Stats and Other Stuff
I know ... 2 blog posts in 2 days ... pretty amazing huh!
Stats
Now that we are home it's time for the traditional post-trip statistics. These stats are not always good things ... but they are what they are!
Number of nights on-the-road ... 69 (a pretty average amount for us).
We stayed overnight in 16 different places including 2 freebees (Camping World in Calera, AL and the CT Welcome Center) and "our spot" at the Patterson Gulf Shores RV Resort @ the Rainbow Plantation. We now have stayed overnight in 222 different RV parks, 4 friends/relatives driveways, 1 casino parking lot, and 1 rest area in our 9 year RVing career. That's a lot of different scenery to wake up to!
Winne traveled 4,316 incident free miles. She now has over 99,000 miles and has never stranded us! We have had a few "issues" over those years and miles ... but she has always gotten us where we were headed in the morning. Now that we are home I will need to get busy and perform all the necessary maintenance chores to keep her running for another 99,000 miles. Mostly just the standard stuff but I think it's time for another transmission fluid change as well. That job can get a bit pricey at $10 a quart but we need to keep that Allison Tranny happy!
In all those 99,000 miles - I figure Winne has been towing a vehicle behind her for right about 96,000 miles. The Vue has been towed around 85,000 miles and we pulled Stacy's Saturn SL-1 for about 10,000 miles before we bought the Vue. Winne hasn't towed my truck much - but we could add about another 1,000 miles of towing my Silverado 4X4. Winne's Chevy 8.1 Liter engine has worked pretty hard over the years!
Then there is the trip costs. On the good side ... my workkamping stint at the Patterson RV Resort, combined with the 2 freebee nights kept our average nightly parking costs pretty low (for us) at around $18 per night! Also relatively good news - our average per gallon gasoline price was $3.45 -- and I budgeted $3.50. On the not so good side ... Winne only averaged around 7 mpg instead of the normal 7.2. I'm pretty sure I traveled into the wind on many more days than with a tail wind!
The winner for the most expensive gas was Bushnell, Florida at $3.83 and for the least expensive - a tie between Wytheville, VA and Montgomery, AL at $3.16.
Additional Stuff
I really liked using our new Rand McNally RVND 7200 GPS gadget. I like the bigger screen, I like the info on what lane I need to be in when exiting, I like the RV specific POI (Points of Interest), and I even got used to the "Speed Warning" feature! I especially liked the suction cup mounting feature. In order to mount the rather big gadget on the dash I first had to install a circular plastic disc to the dash using its adhesive tape. I then used the GPS's suction cup device to attach to the plastic disc. I mounted the disc in 0 degree weather in January and then suction cupped the GPS device ... it stayed right where I placed it through 4316 miles and lots of bumps in the road. I really like it when stuff works the way it's supposed to!
I noticed that in all our travels this winter that we got 4G internet coverage from our Verizon Wireless gadget more times than 3G coverage. I'm really glad to see the 4G coverage expanding. Unfortunately we still don't have it here in Topsham, Maine! 4G is available north of us a few miles and south of us a few miles ... but not here! Now that the 2 year contract on our 4G modem has expired and therefore we can cancel this service without penalty, we decided to go back to getting our internet via cable modem while at home. We still plan on using the wireless gadget while on the road ... but it will be nice not having a 5 gigabyte download limit each month as well as faster speeds while we are home. Even better news ... it's cheaper!!
When we leave to travel for several months we cancel our cable service and have to turn in all the "leased" cable system equipment. This is kind of a pain but it has its advantages. Each time we come home and restart our service - we are new customers - so we get the new customer deals. Like discounted service fees for 6 months and 3 free months of HBO. This really makes no sense to me ... but if they are silly enough to do it ... I'm just silly enough to take advantage of their insanity!
Have a great day everybody!
Stats
Now that we are home it's time for the traditional post-trip statistics. These stats are not always good things ... but they are what they are!
Number of nights on-the-road ... 69 (a pretty average amount for us).
We stayed overnight in 16 different places including 2 freebees (Camping World in Calera, AL and the CT Welcome Center) and "our spot" at the Patterson Gulf Shores RV Resort @ the Rainbow Plantation. We now have stayed overnight in 222 different RV parks, 4 friends/relatives driveways, 1 casino parking lot, and 1 rest area in our 9 year RVing career. That's a lot of different scenery to wake up to!
Winne traveled 4,316 incident free miles. She now has over 99,000 miles and has never stranded us! We have had a few "issues" over those years and miles ... but she has always gotten us where we were headed in the morning. Now that we are home I will need to get busy and perform all the necessary maintenance chores to keep her running for another 99,000 miles. Mostly just the standard stuff but I think it's time for another transmission fluid change as well. That job can get a bit pricey at $10 a quart but we need to keep that Allison Tranny happy!
In all those 99,000 miles - I figure Winne has been towing a vehicle behind her for right about 96,000 miles. The Vue has been towed around 85,000 miles and we pulled Stacy's Saturn SL-1 for about 10,000 miles before we bought the Vue. Winne hasn't towed my truck much - but we could add about another 1,000 miles of towing my Silverado 4X4. Winne's Chevy 8.1 Liter engine has worked pretty hard over the years!
Then there is the trip costs. On the good side ... my workkamping stint at the Patterson RV Resort, combined with the 2 freebee nights kept our average nightly parking costs pretty low (for us) at around $18 per night! Also relatively good news - our average per gallon gasoline price was $3.45 -- and I budgeted $3.50. On the not so good side ... Winne only averaged around 7 mpg instead of the normal 7.2. I'm pretty sure I traveled into the wind on many more days than with a tail wind!
The winner for the most expensive gas was Bushnell, Florida at $3.83 and for the least expensive - a tie between Wytheville, VA and Montgomery, AL at $3.16.
Additional Stuff
I really liked using our new Rand McNally RVND 7200 GPS gadget. I like the bigger screen, I like the info on what lane I need to be in when exiting, I like the RV specific POI (Points of Interest), and I even got used to the "Speed Warning" feature! I especially liked the suction cup mounting feature. In order to mount the rather big gadget on the dash I first had to install a circular plastic disc to the dash using its adhesive tape. I then used the GPS's suction cup device to attach to the plastic disc. I mounted the disc in 0 degree weather in January and then suction cupped the GPS device ... it stayed right where I placed it through 4316 miles and lots of bumps in the road. I really like it when stuff works the way it's supposed to!
I noticed that in all our travels this winter that we got 4G internet coverage from our Verizon Wireless gadget more times than 3G coverage. I'm really glad to see the 4G coverage expanding. Unfortunately we still don't have it here in Topsham, Maine! 4G is available north of us a few miles and south of us a few miles ... but not here! Now that the 2 year contract on our 4G modem has expired and therefore we can cancel this service without penalty, we decided to go back to getting our internet via cable modem while at home. We still plan on using the wireless gadget while on the road ... but it will be nice not having a 5 gigabyte download limit each month as well as faster speeds while we are home. Even better news ... it's cheaper!!
When we leave to travel for several months we cancel our cable service and have to turn in all the "leased" cable system equipment. This is kind of a pain but it has its advantages. Each time we come home and restart our service - we are new customers - so we get the new customer deals. Like discounted service fees for 6 months and 3 free months of HBO. This really makes no sense to me ... but if they are silly enough to do it ... I'm just silly enough to take advantage of their insanity!
Have a great day everybody!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Home Again
Home Again!
Yep - once again we have successfully navigated America's highways and have made it home safely. Since I'm really behind on this blog I'll write this entry backwards - in time ...
We both awoke around 4:00 AM on Wednesday after a pretty decent nights sleep (having gone to bed around 9:00 PM). As you will find out in the paragraph below ... we spent the night at the I-84 Exit 2 Welcome Center in Connecticut.
This was a new experience for us. We spent the night in the parking lot of the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut back in 2005 - but other than that we have always stayed in facilities made for RV camping or at a friends/relatives home. I must say it worked out pretty well. This Rest Area / Welcome Center has separate parking areas for RVs and commercial trucks so the noise from trucks coming and going was pretty minimal. In fact -- it was pretty darn quiet last night! When I ventured outside in the AM (it was around 27 degrees I might add) there were a total of 6 RVs here ... so we weren't alone. Except for not putting our leveling/stabilizing jacks down and not extending our slides -- we had all the comforts we normally enjoy. Plenty of heat, satellite TV, and pretty fast internet speeds ... what else could you need?
Peggy even got to see the sunrise!
The Rest Area also had a RV dump station so we were able to dump and flush our waste tanks before heading out in the morning - joining all the 6:30 AM commuter and truck traffic to navigate our way around Hartford and then continuing on to Maine. I don't think the temp got much above 35 yesterday - but it was otherwise a nice sunny day and we finished our 300 mile trip just like the previous 4,300 miles ... without incident ... just the way we like it!
Tuesday morning we said our goodbyes to the NJ Evringhams and left the Gettysburg Campground right around 9:00 AM and right around 29 degrees. Brrr. There may not be snow here - but it certainly could! We traveled over to I-81 and then north to Scranton before turning East on I-84 towards NY. At this point we had a decision to make. Do we spend $50-$60 for a one night stay at an average RV Park in NY ... or do we continue on to Connecticut where there are no RV parks (well - there are a few but they are far between and typically not open this time of year!). The "go to Connecticut option" included an overnight stay at the I-84 Exit 2 Welcome Center near Danbury, CT where they allow overnight stays. I had heard from other Rvers that this was a decent place to stay, and the price was certainly right ... so it was off to CT we went - pulling in around 4:30 PM. We had plenty of water in our fresh water tank, a full tank of propane, fully charged batteries, a working inverter, and a generator to charge the batteries if they got depleted - what more could you need. We were all set for the night.
Since this Blog entry needs to cover several days I'll cover our stay in Gettysburg as one big event. We arrived in Gettysburg on Friday having driven some 250 or so miles north and west from Williamsburg, VA. Now 250 miles doesn't sound that bad except for the fact that we had to navigate our way around Washington, DC! Not even Congress can do that without injury! But we made it without incident.
Shortly after we arrived the NJ Evringhams (Brian, Nicky, Alyssa, and Emily) also arrived and moved in to their 3 room cottage next door. The log "cottage" was pretty darn nice with a large main room (queen size bed, easy chair, TV, dining room table, and mini kitchen), a second bedroom with 2 sets of bunk beds, and a full bathroom. Our kids know how to camp!
Saturday was a pretty nice day with a high around 60 degrees and we spent most of the day at the campground as the kids participated in several Easter activities including an egg decorating contest, Easter egg hunt, crafts for kids, bingo ... you name it ... they had it!
Sunday was rainy so we didn't get to do much outside but we did spend several hours at the Gettysburg National Battlefield Visitors Center and Museum. We watched the half hour video narrated by Morgan Freeman and then went up the escalators to see the Cyclorama. Wow! The Cyclorama is a painting - painted in the 1880s - that is around 30 feet tall and over 350 feet in circumference - depicting the battle of Gettysburg in a 360 degree cylinder. Peggy and I visited this new visitors center back in 2006 shortly after it opened but the Cyclorama was still being restored and we didn't get to see it. Viewing the Cyclorama is worth the price of admission all by itself!
We finished our visit with a walkthrough of the Battlefield Museum which is pretty impressive on it's own!
As can happen sometimes - Brian needed help with directions when his smartphone failed.
Monday was Gettysburg Battlefield Day. We had purchased the self guided auto tour CD on Sunday so off we went to tour stop #1 (Peggy and I had one from our previous visit but as it always seems - we left it at home since we had no intention of visiting Gettysburg when we left!). After several windy and chilly hours later and several stops along the way -
including a trip to Little Round Top and the site of the stand of the 20th Maine ...
who were holding off the 15th Alabama ...
we completed our battlefield tour.
I wonder what stories this tree could tell?
All-in-All I think we had a successful time in Gettyburg. We all got to visit, the kids had a fun early spring vacation, and we all learned a bit about the sacrifices made here by many in the summer of 1863.
So that brings the 2013 Winter Escape Trip to a close. Well almost ... I still have the trip statistics to publish and I know you all are waiting to see those!
Next time ... First I need some rest.
Yep - once again we have successfully navigated America's highways and have made it home safely. Since I'm really behind on this blog I'll write this entry backwards - in time ...
We both awoke around 4:00 AM on Wednesday after a pretty decent nights sleep (having gone to bed around 9:00 PM). As you will find out in the paragraph below ... we spent the night at the I-84 Exit 2 Welcome Center in Connecticut.
This was a new experience for us. We spent the night in the parking lot of the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut back in 2005 - but other than that we have always stayed in facilities made for RV camping or at a friends/relatives home. I must say it worked out pretty well. This Rest Area / Welcome Center has separate parking areas for RVs and commercial trucks so the noise from trucks coming and going was pretty minimal. In fact -- it was pretty darn quiet last night! When I ventured outside in the AM (it was around 27 degrees I might add) there were a total of 6 RVs here ... so we weren't alone. Except for not putting our leveling/stabilizing jacks down and not extending our slides -- we had all the comforts we normally enjoy. Plenty of heat, satellite TV, and pretty fast internet speeds ... what else could you need?
Peggy even got to see the sunrise!
The Rest Area also had a RV dump station so we were able to dump and flush our waste tanks before heading out in the morning - joining all the 6:30 AM commuter and truck traffic to navigate our way around Hartford and then continuing on to Maine. I don't think the temp got much above 35 yesterday - but it was otherwise a nice sunny day and we finished our 300 mile trip just like the previous 4,300 miles ... without incident ... just the way we like it!
Tuesday morning we said our goodbyes to the NJ Evringhams and left the Gettysburg Campground right around 9:00 AM and right around 29 degrees. Brrr. There may not be snow here - but it certainly could! We traveled over to I-81 and then north to Scranton before turning East on I-84 towards NY. At this point we had a decision to make. Do we spend $50-$60 for a one night stay at an average RV Park in NY ... or do we continue on to Connecticut where there are no RV parks (well - there are a few but they are far between and typically not open this time of year!). The "go to Connecticut option" included an overnight stay at the I-84 Exit 2 Welcome Center near Danbury, CT where they allow overnight stays. I had heard from other Rvers that this was a decent place to stay, and the price was certainly right ... so it was off to CT we went - pulling in around 4:30 PM. We had plenty of water in our fresh water tank, a full tank of propane, fully charged batteries, a working inverter, and a generator to charge the batteries if they got depleted - what more could you need. We were all set for the night.
Since this Blog entry needs to cover several days I'll cover our stay in Gettysburg as one big event. We arrived in Gettysburg on Friday having driven some 250 or so miles north and west from Williamsburg, VA. Now 250 miles doesn't sound that bad except for the fact that we had to navigate our way around Washington, DC! Not even Congress can do that without injury! But we made it without incident.
Shortly after we arrived the NJ Evringhams (Brian, Nicky, Alyssa, and Emily) also arrived and moved in to their 3 room cottage next door. The log "cottage" was pretty darn nice with a large main room (queen size bed, easy chair, TV, dining room table, and mini kitchen), a second bedroom with 2 sets of bunk beds, and a full bathroom. Our kids know how to camp!
Saturday was a pretty nice day with a high around 60 degrees and we spent most of the day at the campground as the kids participated in several Easter activities including an egg decorating contest, Easter egg hunt, crafts for kids, bingo ... you name it ... they had it!
Sunday was rainy so we didn't get to do much outside but we did spend several hours at the Gettysburg National Battlefield Visitors Center and Museum. We watched the half hour video narrated by Morgan Freeman and then went up the escalators to see the Cyclorama. Wow! The Cyclorama is a painting - painted in the 1880s - that is around 30 feet tall and over 350 feet in circumference - depicting the battle of Gettysburg in a 360 degree cylinder. Peggy and I visited this new visitors center back in 2006 shortly after it opened but the Cyclorama was still being restored and we didn't get to see it. Viewing the Cyclorama is worth the price of admission all by itself!
We finished our visit with a walkthrough of the Battlefield Museum which is pretty impressive on it's own!
As can happen sometimes - Brian needed help with directions when his smartphone failed.
Monday was Gettysburg Battlefield Day. We had purchased the self guided auto tour CD on Sunday so off we went to tour stop #1 (Peggy and I had one from our previous visit but as it always seems - we left it at home since we had no intention of visiting Gettysburg when we left!). After several windy and chilly hours later and several stops along the way -
including a trip to Little Round Top and the site of the stand of the 20th Maine ...
who were holding off the 15th Alabama ...
we completed our battlefield tour.
I wonder what stories this tree could tell?
All-in-All I think we had a successful time in Gettyburg. We all got to visit, the kids had a fun early spring vacation, and we all learned a bit about the sacrifices made here by many in the summer of 1863.
So that brings the 2013 Winter Escape Trip to a close. Well almost ... I still have the trip statistics to publish and I know you all are waiting to see those!
Next time ... First I need some rest.
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