Settled in

We've been back about 2-1/2 weeks now. I went to the Mac Depot to get a new battery for the PowerBook, and of course took Emo with me. Driving back, I saw a sign outside the shelter that said, "Dog Wash." We got to meet other dogs and we got cleaned up, without having to suffer through the cold hose rinse in the back yard.

There is a lot of work, but some people have none, so I guess I shouldn't complain. The Reds look to be out of the pennant race after the yearly West Coast diasaster, chores are starting to get done, it's good to see my friends. We got to Possum Creek last weekend for a day hike, but it's rainy this weekend. Such is life in Dayton.

Back Home

We are back home safe and sound, the RV is back in the storage lot, and we have chores to take care of. It was a great 2 months. I hope to post more as I get to do more hiking, etc.

Big Storm

A big storm blew through here last night, with straight line winds up to 70 MPH. It was a bit scary, the RV actually was swaying just a little. Emo, of course, was terrified. The power went out, and didn't come back on until about noon today. I saw a lot of people taking refuge in the concrete bathroom/showerhouse. I watched the radar on the Blackberry. This morning, I looked everything over, and saw no damage to the RV or the Subaru. We came close, however!

A tree broke and almost came down on the car, it is still hanging on, as you can see in the first picture. The second picture is a tree that fell across the roadway right below our campsite, temporarily trapping a pop-up camper. A contractor came with a chain saw and got the tree out of the road so the camper could leave. I moved the Subaru, talking with the tree guy we don't think the "widow-maker" tree will come down on the RV. I'll be gone Wednesday morning.

It's pouring rain right now, we did get out for a drive earlier, and didn't see a whole lot of damage. The campground host said no one was hurt, and the tree fellow said this was his only call. My satellite TV went out, I had it back for a little while last night, but now it is out again. The VuQube works great, unless there are overcast skies.

The last picture shows Emo as I was looking things over and taking pictures, he wasn't sure if it was safe to come out yet. He didn't come out until we went for our drive, I stopped at the first dirt road and he peed about a quart. These storms with thunder are really more than a dog should have to put up with. He was able to work through his fears enough last night to eat dinner.

Relaxing, driving, hiking, cleaning

Well, it has been slow, which is good. Emo and I have driven all over LBL, in search of the good boondocking sites, and there are a lot of them. We get to drive the back roads, sometimes covering the Subaru with mud. When I get to a site, I let him out to swim, and take a break. There are about 10 or so places here that are easily RV accessible, where I can set up with the $14/yr. backcountry permit, that have a fire ring, table, nice gravel parking site, some shade, southern sky exposure for sat. TV, wonderful view, and lake access for swimming. If it wasn't 90 degrees in the middle of the day, these sites would be perfect. 

We have walked this entire campground several times, and yesterday we hiked the 5 mile Honker Trail in the heat. It's a great trail, mostly shaded, and halfway around is the ol' swimmin' hole, so Emo got a drink and a cool-off while I ate my apple. I plan to hike the entire Energy Lake loop tomorrow, 5-1/4 miles, and the 2.2 mile loop around Hemitite Lake before we go. Maybe some more hiking, I don't know, there are trails of every length available here.

Chores today, I checked the new last year Interstate deep cycle batteries, the water is well over the plates. I've started using water from the spigot here for Emo and for my coffee, and after doing dishes today, I still have over 1/3 a tank of fresh water, and the black and grey are fine, so I think we will make the entire 3 weeks without needing to run to the dump station! I also just finished cooking a pressure cooker full of navy beans with a big onion cut up in them, and I need to burn some stuff (why do they put so much paperwork with every prescription?).

AA tonight, my favorite step, step two. I plan to have everything packed up and even the car hooked up before next Wednesday morning, we will probably drive straight through. See ya'll late next week, then it's back to work. Maybe I'll get to blog some day hikes or long weekend trips, maybe even a motorcycle trip, who knows? Life is good.