11/5/13 - Another Travel Day

11/5/13

Happy 19th Birthday Amanda!

Isn't she "Love-A-Bull"?

We were out of the Camping World parking lot by 7:30 (who says you get to sleep in when you're retired?) and drove about 220 miles to Marshall, Texas.

The friendly and fast way - the speed limit is 75 and
I know when we get to the Hill Country it will be 85!

Too bad we use diesel

I love this sign, it makes me laugh every time I see it.  

Easy drive and early pull-in to a Lowe's parking lot.  We had heard that Lowe's was one of the stores that allowed overnight parking and they have free WIFI!    We went in the store and asked if it was ok, the guy we asked said no one had ever asked that before but he saw no reason why we couldn't.   We went back to the lot and put out one slide (against a pole, out of the way).  Then we walked down the road a bit to Wendy's for lunch and WalMart for browsing.   I highly recommend buying some Walmart stock, we seem to be in there every day.   When we got back to the rig we both got out our laptops and enjoyed the free wifi.   You have to re-sign in every two hours but that's a small price to pay for free wifi.  :)    Whenever we've stayed overnight in a parking lot we've always gone into the store and purchased something.  Yes Zach you will be getting yet another tool for Christmas.

11/4/13 - Travel Day

Monday, 11/4/13

Happy Third Birthday to our great-nephew, Kayden.

Alleluia!

Today is a travel day with a final destination of Livingston, Texas on Wednesday.   We drove from Hurricane Mills, TN to Little Rock, AR a total of about 290 miles.

Heading West over the Mississippi

You don't see this at gas stations in Chicago!

We had heard you could overnight in Camping World's parking lot so we decided to check it out.  They not only let you park overnight but they will allow you to plug in to their 50 amp electric and if you need water they provide that too.  We shopped for a while and waited for the parking lot to clear out.  Once the employees were gone, we moved over to the side of the building, plugged in,  heated up our last Lou Malnotti's pizza (I'm really going to miss Chicago pizza) and watched TV.  We didn't have ESPN so we didn't get to watch the Bears beat the Packers but we did get to watch Dancing with the Stars.

When knowing the day of the week is more important than knowing what time it is.
(I didn't buy it - yet)

11/1 & 11/2 - Kentucky, Tennessee & Lessons Learned

11/1/13
Our last day working on the build - it went so fast!   It has been a wonderful experience and I'm sure we will do more builds in the future (possibly the near future).    We met so many amazing people and have made friends that we will hopefully share further adventures with.   This was a great way to start our travels.   One last happy hour and then we were back to the rig to pack up, we need to get an early start in order to reach our next stop in the daylight.

11/2/13
Ok, we thought we would be out of here fast but being a newbie means you have to really take time and check all your lists so you don't forget to do something silly like hook up the electric from the truck to the rig for the brake lights (not that we would forget something important like that, well almost - but it won't happen again).

After goodbye hugs to our fellow care-a-canners, we were off by 9:30 with a destination of Hurricane Mills, TN, a distance of 377 miles which is a whole lot of miles.   We originally planned to never go more than 300 miles in a day but poor planning on my part (sorry, Marty) made this day a long one.

The Loretta Lynn ranch is in Hurricane Mills and there is a campground on the property.  It seemed a fitting place to stay since we had already visited her birthplace of Butcher Hollow.   We also wanted to visit Mary Jo, Marty's cousin who lives in Franklin, TN.  

Once we got out of the West Liberty area we were on interstates for the majority of the day.  Everything was going smoothly until the fuel tank got low and my bladder got full.   We pulled off the highway looking for a gas station but there were none close by.  There was a big empty lot which we pulled into so I could use our bathroom in the rig, how convenient!   And now we come to  "Lesson Learned #3 - Always make sure your stairs are put back up while traveling!    We pulled out of the lot and heard a "grinding" noise, the stairs were dragging along the curb - luckily for us there was no damage and we hurried up and put them back up.    If we had gone one more block we would have been in big trouble -the sidewalk was about 2 feet off the ground, that could have been ugly!      Ironically, one of our fellow campers, Ricky, had just told us that morning of the same thing happening to her and her husband in Seattle.  

The rest of the trip was uneventful and we reached Huricane Mills around 5:15 without too much difficulty.   Unfortunately while consulting the road atlas during our drive we discovered that Nashville is not really that close to Hurricane Mills or Franklin Tennessee so we aren't going to see Mary Jo.  "Lesson Learned #4 -  Always check your gps and maps to determine distances before making plans, I just assumed that Hurricane Mills was right outside of Nashville and it was actually about 1 1/2 hours away.   We will definitely be visiting Nashville next time we're in Tennessee.

When we checked in at the camp office we were assigned to site #15 but could take anything that was empty.  When we saw #15 we knew we wouldn't fit so we went on to #30 which looked easy to get into (and it was).   "Lesson Learned" #5 -  Always check the electrical posts before pulling into a site to make sure the electricity works!    We pulled in, got set up and then plugged in only to discover that there was NO power at our site.   It was just like staying in the Walmart parking lot - COLD!   I am really glad that we brought our down comforter.   We went down to the office in the morning to let them know and to see what we could do.  Our choices were find a site with the 50 amp we paid for or plug in to the site next to us which only had 20 amp.    Since we were leaving the next day it seemed silly to pack up and move so we just plugged in to the 20 amp and made do.

The Milky Way over Tennessee

Despite the problems with the electricity, this is a really pretty park.   Across the road from our site is a valley and the trees here still have lots of color.  In the morning the fog covered the valley, I loved it - the foggy morning reminded me of scenes from the movie "Coal Miner's daughter".

It turned out to be a beautiful day.   In the morning Marty worked on computer stuff and I did laundry.   The only place to get the free wifi was near the store and since the laundry was right next to the store I plugged in and took advantage of it.   There was a big porch area overlooking the valley so I sat out there enjoying the scenery.   There was a man doing laundry who kindly showed me how to start the washing machines (you have to push start).  We started talking and it was a flashback to my Cub fan days of the 70's.  This man sounded just like Randy Hundley, deep voice and all.   I couldn't understand about a quarter of what he said but it was fun hearing that deep Georgia drawl.  

After we got our chores done, we hopped on our bikes and rode down to the Loretta Lynn Ranch and Museum area.    It was only a 2 mile ride although there was a huge hill at the end so maybe this could count as our Tennessee bike ride.    When we got there it was mostly gift shops.  There was a "Coal Miner's Daughter" museum but I was too cheap to spend $12.50 each to see it.  

The rest of the day was very lazy - we had network tv for the first time in two weeks so we just stayed in and pigged out on television.  

October 31, 2013

Thursday, October 31, 2013

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Some people have asked how Maddie is liking this adventure.   We thought she was doing well but we found out recently that she's barking and/or howling during the day while we're gone - not good.   Here was our solution: 

Where's the remote?

We left the TV on so she'd have some company while we're gone.   What good dog owners we are - right?   Unfortunately that didn't work out and our next step was to bring her to the job site where she stays in the truck hiding under the seat and is as happy as a dog can be.   Silly Dog! 

Now that the painting and priming is done (finally!), I have been working with Marlene on staining trim.  I've really enjoyed working and getting to know all my fellow care-a-vanners but Marlene is my hero.    She is a retired 1st grade teacher and once she retired she planned to travel in a RV with her husband.   Unfortunately, God had other plans.  Her husband passed away a few months before she retired.  Rather than give up on their plans she decided to follow their dream of traveling the U.S.   She also became a RV Care-A-Vanner and has worked on over 30 Habitat builds.    She even had the privilege of working on one with Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter.    She travelled from California to Kentucky for our build and then will continue on to a few others in the south.   She told me that she's home in California for about 3 months and spends the rest of the time traveling.    She worked tirelessly at any job and was always looking for something to do, I was worn out just watching her!        She's very modest and unassuming and would probably be mortified that I have included her in my blog.   I want to be just like her when I grow up!

Today our team leader, took Marlene and I over to a house that was completed about 4 months ago.   Marlene had worked on the project when she was here last year so she was thrilled to get to see it finished and reconnect with the homeowners who had put their own sweat equity into it.   The homeowner, Judy, is a quilter and it was interesting to see her quilting machine (long arm).   Not only is she a quilter but she also makes rag rugs.  She was so sweet and appreciative of everything HFH had done for her and her family.     I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet Judy and Ben and see their completed house.

In the evening our group went out to a local restaurant, The Lemon Tree for our final group meal.  One care-a-vanner left Thursday morning and the rest of us will be on our way Saturday.    We received Halloween treat bags from our retired 1st grade teacher (such a teacher thing to do).   Marty and I gave out our candy bars and a copy of the group photo.  Mike's kids gave each couple a handmade pot holder.  Then our Team Leader, Jeff,  made a speech and gave the newbies (there were 5 of us) each a hammer pin representing our first build with Habitat for Humanity.     He also passed out carpenter pencils to everyone from the local lumberyard and from Habitat.   My first official tool!  :)

H4H Group Photo

10/28/13 - Photos from the build

These floors have to be perfectly clean so they can be sealed

We are still working to get these five houses as far along as possible before our group leaves on Saturday.   The weekend weather was so nice but now we're back to cold and rainy.    Here are some pictures of the work being done.

Protecting the floors before drywall can be added

Teamwork

We need more paint!

This girl has a definite "edge" to her

Are we going to have enough paint?

10/26 and 10/27 - Our Weekend in Kentucky

Saturday, October 26, 2013

What a beautiful day!  We drove to Paintsville (about 25 southeast of West Liberty) to shop at Walmart for groceries and a much needed small electric heater and to try to find a "black water gate" (don't ask).     Then it was off to explore.  First stop, The U.S.  23 Country Highway Museum.   U.S. 23 is a designated National Scenic Byway honoring country music entertainers who were born or lived along it.   The Judds, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tom T. Hall,  Ricky Skaggs, Hylo Brown, Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gale, Dwight Yaokam and Patty Loveless are some of the musicians who called that area their home.

At the museum we ran into Art and Ricky and Sue and Rodger, some of our  fellow campers.  We had already planned to meet them for lunch so we all decided to visit  Butcher Holler, birthplace of Loretta Lynne and Crystal Gayle and then grab some lunch.  I loved the movie "Coal Miner's Daughter" so I was excited to see the original cabin where Loretta Lynn was born.

We followed our fellow campers up some very narrow roads in the hills, I wouldn't want to meet any big logging trucks coming down those hills!   In order to get directions to the cabin you have to stop at the general store which is owned by Loretta's brother and ask (more than likely you will also purchase something).   It was a pretty cool store (wood floors, lots of photos, antique tools and accessories on the walls).   I bought a few postcards to send to my fellow Coal Miner's Daughter fans and then it was on to the cabin.

The cabin was just as I remembered from the movie except for all the graffitti on the walls.  They made the mistake of allowing fans to write on the walls in one room and then it got out of hand - too bad, it detracts from the experience.

Loretta's niece, Connie showed us around the cabin and gave us the family history.  Then we got to wander around and take pictures.

Marty picked up a guitar that very possibly was the first guitar Loretta Lynne ever played.  It belonged to her father.

I am so glad that we were able to visit Butcher Hollow, I just wish I could get that darn song out of my head!!

Letter from Loretta Lynn thanking her fans for stopping by.

After lunch, Marty and I drove to Ashland, KY which is extremely close to Ohio and West Virginia.  We were still on the hunt for  a"black water gate" and we were headed to Summit RV to find one.  We didn't find one there either and actually made it out without buying anything - first time in an RV store without a purchase, how did that happen?    Since we still needed to do laundry, we checked the GPS to find a laundromat and even though we were at the right address there was no laundromat or so we thought.   When we went into the tanning salon which was the address the GPS sent us to we found out that it was a combo tanning salon/laundromat.  What a great concept, tan and laundry at the same time! No tanning for me, I was just very happy to use their free WiFi (and get four loads of laundry done in an hour and a half!).  

The drive back to West Liberty was through the usual dark and winding hills of Eastern Kentucky.


Sunday, October 27, 2013

Another beautiful Kentucky morning, a little chilly but the sun is shining and it's a great day for a bike ride.   We discoverd that the Dawkins Bike Trail, a Rails-to-Trails trail, is only about a 1/2 hour away from West Liberty.   After doing some chores around the trailer (yes family, I do cook), we got in the car and headed southeast to Hagerhill for our bike ride.

Rails-to Trails are our favorite kind of trail.  They are abandoned train lines which have been converted into biking-hiking-horseback riding trails.   They usually are flat or have a very easy incline so it's relatively easy riding.    Wisconsin has the best of these trails, the Elroy-Sparta Trail.   It's 32 miles long with three train tunnels, one of which is more than 1/2 mile long!  

The Dawkins Bike Trail is 16 miles long so far (they're still working on it).  It wasn't as scenic as I thought it would be, we mostly rode behind houses and small farms.  We stopped for a picnic lunch in a church parking lot before heading back.

 Our total ride was 20 miles which means we can cross off Kentucky on our 50 states bike riding list and we get to go to DQ for a Kentucky blizzard - Life is Good!

10/21/13 thru 10/25/13

 10/21/13 thru 10/25/13

Working for Habitat for Humanity in West Liberty, Kentucky

10/21/13

We arrived at the job site at 8:00.   Before we start work every day someone in our group does a devotion.  Then everyone joins hand and we say "Habitat is not a hand out but a hand up".  It's a nice way to begin each day and reminds us why we're here.

  We have five houses to work on in varying stages of completion.  The local affiliate hopes to have all the houses done by the end of the year - there is a lot of work that needs to be done in order for that to happen!  Four of the houses are 800 square feet and one is 1800 square feet.  

There is another group here, they are from a Presbyterian Church in Alabama and they are staying in a local church here in West Liberty.  

 Marty and I took down some "unsafe" scaffolding and worked on concrete footing for a porch staircase.  Doug taught me how to use a screw gun and I got to attach some railing - it's harder than it looks!   

 
After lunch, Marty went to a different location to help pour a sidewalk and patio for an earlier project and I went to the "shed" and stained moldings with Marlene for the rest of the day.  I was sure happy to see 3:00 come so we could clean up and head back to the campground.

 

Tuesday, October 22nd

We woke up to the sound of rain and when we got to the job site it was a muddy mess, it looked like nobody was going to be working outside today.      Then the rain stopped, the sun came out and Marty and I went to work on the porch stairs - YAY!

 People say the weather in Chicago is crazy but I have to say it seems   crazier here, everyone seems to have a weather app on their phone and every one of them says something different.  

After work today, we all gathered back at the campsite for "happy hour".  This is definitely a social group and Marty and I are getting lots of information about full time RVing.  

Wednesday, October 23rd

It is so cold and wet today.  Marty worked with Doug finishing up the stair rails on the porch and I put insulation (the pink, itchy stuff) in between window casings and walls.  

The Presbyterian group invited us to the church where they're staying for a  chili lunch.  It was nice to eat inside where it's dry and warm!  

Thursday, October 24th

Since the weather has been cold and rainy and all projects are being done outside or inside unheated houses it was decided that we would start at 9 instead of 8 in hopes that it would be a little warmer. Wrong! Marty worked on roofing and I primed walls and we both froze but next week is looking better. 

Having the "Prime" of her life

After work our group decided to drive into the big city - Morehead, where we ate at a Mexican restaurant. It was good but not as good as what we could get in Chicago.   When we left Morehead we somehow got turned around and drove way out of our way. To get back we had to drive thru the Daniel Boone National Forest, lots of winding roads in the dark and it's rainy - yikes! 

Friday, October 25th

Late start again due to the cold weather, temps were in the 30's last night.  We are very grateful to have a furnace in our rig but It is noisy and eats up our propane so we may buy a small electric heater and not use the furnace anymore.   The electric fireplace gives off heat also so we should be fine except for really cold nights and we don't plan to be anywhere near places that go below 30 (hopefully)      

We primed the walls in the largest house, used 10 gallons of primer and still ran out with 1/2 wall left to do in one of the bathrooms.  That wall will just have to get two coats of paint.  

To repay the Alabamans for their treat of lunch on Wednesday and since it was their last day, we treated them to pizza.  Once again, it was nice to eat inside where it was dry and warm.   Those Alabamans sure worked hard, they put all the flooring in at one of the houses.  

Alabama Boys (and Doug)

On Friday nights during football season, the local bank puts on a bbq for the team.   To show the town's appreciation for what Habitat is doing they invite all volunteers to join them - Yum!

Our first week of work completed.  Exhausting but so worth it, we've made new friends and learned a lot about building houses (at least I have, Marty knows what he's doing).