Has it really been since the 11th of Sept that I was last in here? I can't believe that. But yes, it's true. Where in the hell did the month of Sept. go? The calendar says Oct but that can't be! Nooooooo!!!!
So much time has passed that I don't even know what topics to cover. Ms K and I were quite busy helping a friend build a big brick oven. We learned to pour concrete. Just one of those handy little things it's nice to know living out here in the woods like we do. You never know when you might have to pour a slab or two somewhere. With the help we've given him over the summer I think we're set with pizzas and bread for life.
We helped on a Habitat for Humanity House and working there I learned to hang siding. I even got to use my very own electric drill. I didn't just have to hold it or hand it to someone...I got to use it on my own. Nails in and out, all by myself. I learned the hard way that the siding has to be locked in or things get all out of whack and then you have to take down all the siding you've put up and lock in that which you've missed and proceed up from there. I'm glad I learned that early on in the project. The young lady who is going to be living in the house with her husband and son was very nice. She was up on the ladder and scaffolding with me. She proceeded to tell me about the 3 jobs she is working and how she coordinates them all. I didn't complain about anything, all day.
Last week Ms K and I went camping at Whitewater SP. We got in very late on Sunday night. Set the tent up and went to bed. Next morning I had to call and check to see that I didn't have jury duty. I had to drive to where I could get phone reception. Car dead as a door-nail, panic. Can you go to jail for skipping your duty???  I rode my bike to the ranger station and carried back a charger to get it started. Success on the car and no jury duty. It proceeded to rain the whole day...we slept the afternoon away as the night's sleep had been shitty to say the least. Woke to pouring rain and wetness in the tent. Waited for the rains to cease and then got things dried out and put together right. It seems that if you set your tent up in the dark...some things aren't put on right. Darn! But we were now going to stay dry. BP showed up. Can't keep him from a tent site if he knows where there is one to park himself. I knew he'd come so I brought out the steaks and we had a great meal. I had one cooler full of nothing but beer.Oh, there was some Amaretto in there as well as some Baileys. We slept great and stayed dry.
Next day I had to take my Mom to the clinic in the AM and was going to meet her at ten. She lives on the family farm which is about 12 mi. from the park. Car dead as a door-nail, panic! Can you go to jail for parental neglect??? Rode my bike to the Ranger station with the "second verse, same as the first". Charger in hand back to car. Oh, called my mother from the ranger station. She came and picked me up. Car started. Well, we can't keep doing this so Ms K decided to take the car and go home, get the battery receipt and get a replacement. Long story short, it took her 2 tries to get a battery that worked. The store dude gave her one that didn't fit the first time. Although she told him it was not going to work, hell what does a woman know anyways. Oh that reminds me on the first day I asked the lady at the ranger station about the charger and she said she didn't know how to use it but ,"Don't you have a man with you? He'll know." I left with no comment. Car battery charged up and Ms K returned to the camp but not until about 5:30 pm. The whole day was shot with those damn batteries. More Amaretto and Baileys...a good night's sleep.
Wed. arrived and was absolutely drop dead gorgeous. The valley was beautiful. We had hauled the bikes with us so we took them off and went on a ride. At about the 7 mi mark, here comes mom with a lunch she had made. We told her that we'd meet her at the site. We rode about 2 mi more and then headed back. Back at the site were not only mom but BP and his lady Ms A. Mom rolled out this warm, scrumptious quiche, warm squash and then apple brownies with warm, rich, sinfully delicious caramel sauce. OMG it was soooo good. Ms K and BP went fishing for the afternoon. I, my mom and Ms A sat by the fire and either read or slept. They eventually left and I just read and waited for the fisherman to get back. When they returned it was time for brats. Yummy!
Thursday started with me waking in a panic to the sound of raindrops. Shit, I did not want things in the screen tent to get wet. Up and out to shut all sides of the screen. Back to sleep for 2 more hours and then the weather was much nicer.....for a while. But alas, the WINDS picked up and if it was not staked down, it would have been bad. Pack out day and we did, JUST as the heavens opened again. Rain, not sun. Before we left to take a shower, we decided by golly since we have these bikes, we're going to ride them again. We did, in a steady rain just to say we did and then, finally home!! Camping is never just set up the tent and laze around. It is always an adventure of some sort! It was so very beautiful. I love this time of year. I love the colors, I love the smells. I love the cool crisp mornings and nights. Good sleeping weather.
Oh my, just to catch up has taken a lot of time. I'd better get to bed and maybe continue tomorrow. So far the car has continued to start. I still have the tent to open up and clean but the dishes are clean and put away. Man I have to get to bed, but dang it, Faye Ray just threw up so gotta clean that up. And on that note I bid adieu. WL