At least we made it home safely.

I suppose it is always better to start at the beginning. The lead sentence, " at least we made it home safely," makes it sound a bit more dramatic than it really was. But, I suppose, for a couple of "aging" travelers it was a trip that did not have to have quite as many "moments" to make us wonder if we had made the right decision to make our trip to visit Roxanne in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

So, let's back up a bit. Roxanne was a bit surprised that when I suggested I would help her install a router to give her wireless access for her laptop, I would be doing it in person.

After a bit of discussion, Joyce and I decided the Buick was the car of choice for the trip. It can hold more stuff and it is more comfortable than the pickup would have been.

In the end we did need space and we did need the slumber comfort since it turns out 800 miles seems longer than it used to in the past.

Our trip west was quite uneventful. Our original plan was to drive about eight hours and find a place for the night.

It turns out that Rosebud, South Dakota was the place to stay over night. It just happens to have a casino with a motel attached.

Our room was quite comfortable and Gary's luck in the casino garnered a $45 profit.

Our next stop was Fort Collins, Colorado. I know, you may be thinking, "I thought you were only going to Cheyenne." Yes, that was the plan. There were no good reviews for the motels in Cheyenne. As it turned out, it was a blessing in disguise (more on that later). We booked the Cambria Suites for our stay. It had the best reviews and was relatively affordable.

Our first day visiting Roxanne went well. We visited with her church group and from there went to her house.

 I was able to install her router without too many issues. Mission accomplished and knowing Roxanne had to get to bed for her work shift, we headed out for the rest of the afternoon.

We decided to visit was the flower displays at The Gardens at Spring Park.

It was alive with innovative displays. 

And here our adventure really begins. As we were taking our self guided tour the person in charge approached and informed us that we were almost locked in for the evening. They had done the security check moments before we arrived and thought that the area we were in was empty of visitors. She was very nice about it and we were invited to return the next day for a more complete tour.

Well, as it turned out that was not going to happen. In an empty parking lot, our car would not start. "No problem," I thought. In the past it was just a case of a vapor lock in the fuel line. 45 minutes later, I was guessing a bad fuel pump. 

1 1/2 hours later we were being towed to Houska Automotive where the car would rest until the next day. Oh, by the way, did I mention this occurred on a Sunday evening when no garages were open? Our tow truck driver was very helpful and even went out of his way to take us back to our motel. And that was it for our "adventure" of the day.

Monday started out a bit iffy. I called the garage to see if they had looked at our car and was told there were already 25 cars that already had appointments to be looked at, but they would see if they could free up a mechanic to see what was wrong with it. Yes, it was a fuel pump. The good news was that they would be able to work on it. The discouraging news was that it would not be ready for at least 8 hours. So, what does a couple do stranded in an unfamiliar town waiting? Of course the answer is always go shopping.

We were also able to catch up on our reading, take a nap, watch television, read the newspaper, take a two mile hike.........

The other good news is that the Buick did get fixed. 

I highly recommend Houska Automotive if you are ever in need of service in Fort Collins.

We altered our schedule a bit and made the decision that after our 2nd visit with Roxanne, from there we would head home. during our visit we had a nice time chatting. I was able to get her new printer up and running as well. And when it was time to head out Joyce and I agreed that we might just try to drive straight through and only stop if both of us were too tired to drive.

Our luck ran positive in Rosebud again. We pulled in there to get gas and we were informed that they were celebrating their 20 year anniversary. Gas was being discounted to $3 a gallon. Did I mention that we were going to try to drive straight through? That means, of course, that there would be some night driving. Of course that means that we were relying on our car to have headlights that stay on in the dark. I am sure you get the drift of where I am going here. 3:30 am is not a good time to lose the lights.

Luckily, Clara City has a cozy little rest area where one can park and sleep until daylight.

I am of the opinion that the trip was very successful. First and foremost, we were able to visit with Roxanne. We were able to get her technologically updated a bit. We met some wonderful, helpful people. We saw a lot of beautiful scenery. I got to drive a lot. The Buick averaged 30 mpg throughout the trip. We discovered that Fort Collins is a very friendly place to visit with many things to do.

And, in the end, the dysfunctional Buick is being set aside for a newer ride. While it has served us well, Joyce is okay with finding it a new owner.

Oh, did I mention we discovered that the rear wheel wells had rusted through and now we know how the pool of water was able to form in the trunk when we drove in the rain?

Mother Nature Mourns

Well, I will be darned. Look what time of the year it is already. Where has the time gone? One moment I am peacefully hibernating in the igloo here at Peaceful Pines, the next moment, poof, spring arrives.

I hope no one missed all that sarcasm. Here we are at the end of April and the last vestiges of snow are melting away.

I think Mother Nature is having a difficult time letting go of her winter child and letting it become the spring toddler it wants to be. So far we are ranging about 20 degrees below normal for temperatures and a few inches above for rainfall. Her sadness is pervasive.

On the brighter side, Joyce and I have accomplished quite a bit in anticipation of warmer weather. We have piles and piles and piles of branches stacked as evidence of Joyce's pruning adventure. 

 

I was able to boil off some sap for maple syrup. We decided to add two more trees to the collection process. It turned out to be a good decision. The sap only ran for about ten days. It was slow to start but quick to end. I have mentioned in another post the process. I really do enjoy the time outside.

The fact that I can use the gifts of the land to produce our year's supply of syrup is very satisfying.

I also decided that this was the year that I would try to design an implement to smooth the dirt area of the driveway. And, while my initial drawing looked hopeful,

 

it was not until my brother-in-law, John, with his welding expertise, brought my vision to reality. 

Thank you, John.

Remember the bricks? You know, the auction bricks. It seems not all of them were as sturdy as when they were first manufactured. We had plenty of broken pieces. Leave it to Joyce and her creative mind to make lemonade from broken bricks.

 

She can now proudly announce the names of all her growing plants on the reused broken bits.

So, we will continue to let Mother Nature wallow in her sorrow.

 

 In the meantime, there will be projects to finish in anticipation of the the fury of the temperature tantrums of her summer child. At which point, Joyce will be praising the wonders of the air source heat pump. Ah, the circle of life.

Okay, now we are done...

a short stay at Izaty's, 

followed by a longer stay camping near Isabella, brings our summer/fall adventures to an end. 

It was really quite pleasant. We were able to stay in the site we had scouted last year. It is at the end of the cul de sac and not visited by many.

behind our site ran the Little Isabella River.

It is a river that a friend of mine and I walked up, in the water, to fish for bass. It is also the area where my first, and last, bear hunting experience took place.

Now, it is all about seeing the changing of the colors 

 

and listening to the crackle of a warm fire.

There is just something liberating about being able to start, maintain, and cook over a fire in the "wilderness."

Next year already beckons us north. Or it could be Betty's Pies. Sometimes my beckoning signals get mixed up.

On the Road, er Rrail, Again

Have I mentioned that we, Joyce and I are “R”etired? I hate to rub it in, but we are.

So, what does a couple of “R”etired people do with their time when they are not tending gardens or building projects to check off the “to do” list? Perhaps check an item off Gary’s want to do list? Yes, that’s it. Check an item off Gary’s want to do list.

A train trip across half the US seems reasonable, I’d say. Combine that with a Schnoor family reunion, An Oregon Ducks football game, a trip to the ocean and a test drive of the newer electric car models, I’d say that is a way to spend time enjoying the fruits of the labors past.

Taking the train means one should not rely on an iron clad schedule. By the time we arrived in Minot, ND, we were a bit more than an hour behind the posted schedule. Since Joyce and I were not expecting to be met by anyone, it did not matter to us.

We were a bit wary of the choice of train to get us to the coast. When we last took a train, Joyce had an issue with the swaying of the train. Our seats were in the upper level and the movement seemed amplified up there. This time we purchased lower level reserve seats and we could tell a marked difference. It felt more like being at road level.

Yes, North Dakota is flat, even from the view of a train window.

But, once the flat gives way to the rolling hills and eventually the majestic mountains, I always remember the reason this train trip is high on my repeat adventure list.

Of course, it is nice when the train passes through the majestic landscape when it is light enough to appreciate nature in all its glory.

The reunion? It is always a treat to visit with Joyce’s family. Good food, fun conversation and visiting with relatives who haven’t been seen in a long time, is always special.

The game? I must say, the ducks do know how to throw a football party. The duck mascot was being "moshed" UP the section across from us. Can you see it in the vid?

I love the ocean. It doesn’t matter which one it is. I love the expanse. I love the power of the crashing surf. I love the sand under my feet. I love the smell of the salt spray.

And then there was the test drive. Well, actually, there was no test drive. We had plenty of things to do, so that remains something for a later date. But, a drive up into the Cascades is a wonderful alternative. Where else in the U.S. can one find lush forest and a treeless lava field all within about 60 miles?

And, yes, a great adventure also brings me to the realization that Peaceful Pines, emphasis on Peaceful, is the place to hang my hat at the end of the day.

Hmmmm, Wait a minute, is that Puerto Rico calling?

Done, done and done

Replace the lean to beside the shed, check.

Add to and redo the retaining wall down the driveway, check.

Finish the fire ring area, which was started before the others, check, finally check.

While the other two were satisfying and look nice, the fire pit area really is the favorite finished project of the three.

It started out, more or less, as a blank canvas. I kind of had an idea of what I would like to have the finished area look. But, at times I was not sure I was going to be able to realize the vision.

The brick pattern needed to be adjusted a few times. The number of bricks from the auction, I talked about those in a different blog, were not enough to complete the project without adding a few of the type that had been used in the lean to area.

First there was the bringing in of the fill,

then the laying of the brick,
















 and finally the building of the rear step exit area. 

What actually brought it to life, so to speak, was Joyce’s designer touch. When she added the geraniums in the planters I had constructed, I knew it was a finished project.

So, I spent the Labor Day holiday just tending the fire.

And tomorrow the preparation for our whirlwind three-week adventure begins.  There are clothes to pack, campfire wood to load, golfing gear to put in place and camping gear to get into the back of the pickup.

And that does not even count the trip we are going to take before we use all that other stuff!

Progress has been sighted at PeacefulPines

My to do list turned out a bit more than I had originally planned for this summer. With the  shed leanto collapsing this winter there has been quite a bit of building going on.

 

 And, since I was upgrading that side of the shed, I thought I'd go ahead and upgrade the wall that leads down the driveway. Sometimes I am surprised that what my mind sees actually makes it out of my head and looks the same in real life as it did through my mind's eye.

The down side of the block installation is that each block weighs 70 pounds. And, yes, Gary laid each block himself. Did I mention I smashed my thumb? And, yes, Gary's back is really sore. And, yes, Gary was not the smartest person making that decision.

But, it is done and we are off to the next project. 

That would be the fire ring. I am using the bricks that I got last year at an auction. We planned a long time ago that I would eventually level the area. Actually, when my sister, Linda, did a back flip while trying to eat breakfast one morning, and after we stopped laughing, we thought it should be leveled out. So there is that. 

And then, perhaps, if my body holds out I will tackle the canoe landing area.

But, for now, it is time to get ready for our tee time. After all, all work and no play.......

FORE........

I know it's in the trees somewhere, hmmm, is that poison ivy?

The Phoenix Leanto

When a leanto goes bad the results can be ruinous, heartbreaking, disastrous, overwhelming, or any of a number of other emotion inducing adjectives. Luckily, insurance helps calm choppy waters. And when the proverbial dust settles, it helps one realize that property is only property. No one was harmed. Nothing that couldn't be replaced was destroyed.

The winter was not kind to our leanto beside the shed. Even after removing a large amount of snow during the winter, Mother Nature decided to show us who was in charge. It turns out it was not us.

Our house insurance covered our leanto. Our car insurance covered our trailer. So, all we had to do was wait for winter to end, which it did in May. Deconstruction started when enough of the snow melted. Construction started when the weather was warm. Gary does not build well in cold weather. Actually, there is nothing Gary does well in cold weather.

Extra reinforcement was the order of the day for the inside of the shed.

The outside is getting bulked up as well. I had replicated the shed specs for the original leanto, but this one will be quite a bit heftier.