8:30am and the temps are around 75 degrees. We had more rain last night, or early this morning. So glad to see it is finally back! June 1 marks the beginning of hurricane season here...after reading the news this morning about the bad storms in the midwest, I'll take a hurricane over a tornado any day of the week. At least we have time to prepare and decide whether or not to stick around. That's one thing I don't miss about the midwest.
The rain has really made things perk up the past few days. Even the crunchy spots are coming back to life...the yard is looking shaggy from the various weeds that are almost knee high in spots. Was thinking the other night that I really want to cut the yard before we go, just in case the rains decide to hang out...don't want to have a jungle when we come home.
Had a neat nature happening yesterday in the back pasture...seems two black snakes were tangled up making babies...saw the dogs investigating and made them leave the area...how cool...a first for me. Was my day for neat things...had a rather large bullfrog inside the screen porch sitting outside the cage around my rose, Sunsprite. Still haven't figured out how he got on the porch. Opened the door and spritzed him off the step into the bushes to keep my killer dog Spike from grabbing him. Didn't think about getting a picture until he was already under the bushes...
The fresh pork shoulder ham that I had on the smoker grill yesterday came out awesome...the flavor of the oak was throughout the meat...so sweet and juicy...normally don't buy fresh pork like that...but with the prices going crazy, ninety nine cents a pound I couldn't resist...looks like I'll be getting more in the future. Only thing I notice about smoking the meat on the grill, it really looks burned long before its done...but it isn't...no crunch at all, just blackened from the smoke. Was still smelling the sweet smoke smell late into the night from the grill as it cooled down. The wood was almost ash when I pulled the meat from the grill.
Have been thinking about modifying the grill a bit...its a store bought smoker...but I'm thinking about using some of the firebrick I have to line the inside of the firebox on this grill. Figure that will help me maintain a more constant temperature, especially when I'm cooking large pieces like turkeys and hams. I don't use this grill as often as we used to...the gas grill is much quicker for little pieces. I personally like the flavor of the smoker the best, its just more work keeping the fire right. |
| Valia Posted on Monday, May 26, 2008 - 07:22 am: |   |
Mmmmmm.
You should post this down in the recipes forum. Make 'em drool. Susanq has a grilling thread going in the "WFD" subtopic. |
Grrr. That is all too familiar. Drives me up a wall. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - 08:55 am: | |
I read through the thread, and decided not to jump in at this time, thanks tho, glad it sounded good to you. It was mighty tasty Might just have to start a thread there myself when I get back. I adore my smoker grill. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - 10:53 am: | |
LOL...and DH thinks I'm the only one who finds it irritating... |
| Stormdancer Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - 02:06 pm: | |
Tuesday May 27
The morning began with cool temps in the mid 60's and dark threatening clouds. That passed by 9 am and the blazing sun is now alone in the bright blue sky...temps are currently a nice breezy 81 degrees at 3:30 pm. Has turned into a beautiful day.
Went to get new tires for the front of my Dakota since that's the one we'll be driving...not too bad on price...jeez those guys sure get almost pushy about tires tho. We have one of the back ones that has been plugged for over two years now, and still holds air and runs down the road beautiful...the little guy mounting the new tires came in to tell me that HE just wasn't comfortable with me riding around on that tire because of the plug. I just smiled sweetly and informed him that I was aware of the plug and where it is located...DH is the one who plugged it(I keep trying to pull the plug out everytime I see it)...the kid is almost insistent on replacing the tire...wrong woman to play that game dude...my last remark to him that finally got him to go away..."That tire has been plugged for over two years and I've driven it to Indiana twice since the plug was done"...guess he finally figured out he was not going to "scare" me into buying another set of tires. Did tell him that I have two more just like it from the front and it will be replaced soon. Eh, what's a plug on a rear tire anyway...this set is way better than some I've driven long distance on...had real "may pops" on my Road Runner and drove it back and forth to NC a couple of times...in the snow. Just love livin on the edge!!
Plucked three more ripe tomatoes and gave them to my GF that will be house sitting. They are really looking good right now. The Rhubarb is beginning to make its self known as well, adding several more leaves and stalks at the moment.
Gave my landlord/boss the "good news" about us leaving this morning...took it pretty fair...what's he gonna do, tell me I can't go? That would just be the icing on my cake as I'm taking the time off without pay anyway.
Told him I'd call him when we got back in...and I will, to tell him I quit...well, maybe not quite that harsh...I still may have to live here for a bit longer...although my rent has nothing to do with me working for him...that is TOTALLY separate. Summer is the reason I've worked doing taxes for the past ten years...I work for four months and then I'm free to travel or whatever in the summer, unless I just wanted to work. This job at the farm is really messing with my free time though. I've decided that I really just want to be able to play in the garden, work with DH, and take off whenever we have the chance. Our finances will allow it right now and he is really looking to slow down and only work when he wants to...I don't mind going back to something full time, but I'm not doing it while we are renting. If I'm working full time, then its going to be to improve our own property. I think DH is pretty ok with that, if not he needs to speak up...grin. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - 06:44 am: | |
Turned all the fans off last night including the one in the bedroom...brrr, the temps really felt cool this morning, even though at 6:30 am it was already 67 degrees. Won't be long though and the temps will jump back into the upper 80's today. Forecast is calling for mid 90's by next week...so glad we will be on the mountain!!
DH came in last night and says we might extend the time he's taking off...ok, but that doesn't necessarily mean we can stay on the mountain longer...my GF might not want to stay longer than a week...but we shall ask and see what she says...just means I'll be leaving more cash in case the feed runs out.
New Sunsprite picture!!! Can't help feeling like a proud mamma since her recovery...
At this time, she's almost a foot tall... |
Ooooh, Sunsprite is looking good these days! Whew! |
| Stormdancer Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - 08:03 am: | |
Thanks DJ...for now Spike has been given a "stay of execution"...lol...he best keep his hiney out of my Sunsprite! Otherwise, he might not see eleven! |
| Stormdancer Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 06:43 am: | |
Ok, the weather must be trying to get me psyched for the mountain...another morning with very nice, cool temps of 63 degrees at 7:30 am...the high yesterday reached about 85.
Looks like we may have our first Tropical Depression forming across from the Pacific side. Right now it is coming across Costa Rica area. Figures, about the time we get ready to head up they forecast some wild weather. June 1 marks the official beginning of hurricane season for us. Cool, maybe this system will bring us the much needed rain across the state.
Very pleasant sitting on the front porch at this time of day. Its still cool enough to want to be out here. By noon, the heat is falling through the tin roofing pans and it becomes a bit of an oven.
The little Dakota that we will be taking on our trip got new tires on the front as I mentioned the other day...WELL...yesterday when my GF was getting ready to leave I noticed the Dakota had a flat tire!! Now for the best...its NOT the tire that has the plug!!! Seems I picked up a screw in it from somewhere. It was almost as if the Dakota was telling DH, 'look, its time to get these OFF of me!'. Good thing I had another set for the back...we had to change the size for the front...my original tires and rims for this truck were wide and this just didn't work for the front...so now we have the skinny tires on the front and the wide on the back which gave us two matched sets for the back....clear as mud. After he changed them, DH was saying that the other set of tires was better than the ones he changed anyway...well isn't it a good thing I picked up a screw then... I've asked him for over a year now to change the one he plugged...its plugged in a bad spot...in the sidewall at the tread line.
I understood the kid at the tire store perfect when he was concerned about that tire. My first husband had to go through a training seminar for one job he had as a mechanic...Goodyear was the brand of tires they carried and the company did a seminar for the employees...the materials he brought home of course, were like a magnet to me....I'm a car junky...love to tinker on engines, or at least I used to love to tinker until the hands decided different...no grip strength at all now. I do minor things with DH on the vehicles now...he's the mechanic.
Got the dash put back together on the Dakota...DH has been dying for me to get the antenna wire run again so the radio will work. DS installed a Cd/Stereo in it several years ago, but at some time when they were messing with an engine before we moved out here, someone managed to snatch the antenna off. Been without a radio in her now for over two years. The sucky part is that the entire front of the dash has to be dismantled in order to do this...ROYAL PAIN!!! But now its done and the tunes are rockin the truck once more. Hmmm, seems I've cracked a speaker again...couldn't be because of the way the volume is cranked up HUH? Still sounds ok to me, just have to remember NOT to crank it to the max.
List for today:
Wash sleeping bags
Go through camp totes
finish Laundry
run into town to Radio Shack for bulbs on flashlight
go to Big Lots and check out camping gear
Just a few things to pick up, figured I'd grab a couple more of the collapsible water containers and a couple more of the solar showers...that hot water sure comes in handy. We use several of those when the family camps together.
A camping we will go...a camping we will go...hi, ho, the merry oh, a camping we will go... |
ROFL!
Woohoo!!!!!!! Wheeeee!!!!!!!!  |
| Stormdancer Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 02:16 pm: | |
Camping update:
The truck is packed, fueled and ready to hit the road. We had planned to take off around 5 am this morning. At 6 am, I decided to relax...its a vacation afterall. DH who will be driving (I'm the navigator) was sleeping pretty good when I got up to let the dogs out and open the chicken coop. I've just got a huge case of pre-trip adrenalin that makes me zoom...I'll probably crash and burn sometime Monday night...be ready to roll out before the sun breaks light across the mountain tho on Tuesday morning...just something I tend to do when we camp. DH went ahead and slept in til almost 10 am and while we would have still had plenty of daylight left (we would have arrived around 6 pm) the temperatures here at 10 am were already close to 90 degrees. Kicked the A/C on and decided to wait until after dark to head out...this will put us on the property about daybreak...5-6 am... no biggee. This gives us all day to clear whatever has to be cleared for the campsite and once we have a clearing, we can set the tent and crash for a bit if we want. Trying to make this as relaxing a trip as possible.
In one sense, this trip is almost bittersweet... the last time we were on the mountain was July 4, 2003...we came home and I left the next day with my sister to go to Indiana to be with mom...by the end of August, mom was gone. This is going to be a healing trip in a sense.
So for now, unless they have WiFi at the campground down the road, I won't be online for at least seven days...got the camera charged, the discs packed and the laptop available to download if I get the discs filled up...I think I'm set. Yes, I have remembered to pack a power source for the laptop...we don't have anything on the mountain except cool breezes and trees...really looking forward to that after cooking my brains out here today...even with the A/C, this tincan is still 85 inside today and both fans are running as well...good bye $70 light bill, I'm sure this month will see to that...oh well, its only money. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Saturday, June 07, 2008 - 03:41 pm: | |
WARNING...Long and Winding post...Enjoy at your own risk!!
Mountain journal
Sunday June 2
We left out Saturday night about 8:30 pm. After six hours of driving, both of us were pretty tired, we pulled off the road around Macon, GA around 2:30 am and got a few hours of sleep at the rest area. The Dakota is not real comfortable when there are two people trying to curl up on the front seat. Back on the road around 6:30 am, we pulled off to eat just outside of Atlanta. By 11:30 am we were pulling up the road to the property.
WOW...it looks like a jungle...we knew it would be overgrown, its been five years since we have been up here. But WOW...
Started to head up to the second clearing where we normally camp...the Dakota said absolutely not and we backed down the hill to the first clearing. Decided to go ahead and walk up to the rest of the property...good thing the Dakota said no...across the driveway about a third of the way up is a huge fallen tree... a second one laid across just a few feet higher...the storms of 2004 were not kind to this area...Ivan came through and really tore things up just down the road from us here. As we continued to explore the property, we are amazed at just how much things have grown. The driveway to the upper lot was once able to be driven (with a four wheel drive) but now the little pines and poplars are growing everywhere. We will have to clear that or else it will need the dozer to make it passable in just a few years....so much to do so little time. DH has decided he’s only staying a week at this time.
Wandered back down the hill and began setting up camp...that is, after we broke out the brush cutter and weedeater. Didn’t take long and the first clearing was suitable for the tent. After setting camp, we decided to wander on down and see if our neighbors just below us were still here. They have been wanting to sell their place here and move closer to Atlanta. We were very happy to discover that they were still here and actually were home. They live in Florida part of the year while their daughter is in school and come up during the summer months. As luck would have it, they have been here just two weeks. So glad to see them once more. This was our first day on the property...Sunday.
June 3 Monday...We headed up the mountain towards Highlands...jeeeezzzz, I’ve been living in low country way too long. I have forgotten what that road is like with the hairpin turns and sheer drops below....was a bit spooky to be sure. Drove around there for a bit and then headed back towards Franklin...again the hairpin turns....its really beautiful though...great shots of the mountains with the valley below, the water falls, the river....but I was too busy hanging on to take many pictures...I did get a few and then ran out of space on my camera.(that’s what happens when I get crazy taking pictures.) Finally got all of the discs downloaded onto my laptop and cleared off so I can take more pictures.
June 4 Tuesday...Fixed DH some breakfast and the day began with more brush cutting on the second clearing. Wow does it look different. Another big huge tree down across the area where we usually put the camp. Good thing we brought the chainsaw. After spending most of the day running the weedeater and brush cutter, we got cleaned up and headed into town for some food. We were supposed to go shopping for groceries once we got here, but so far, DH has just been running us in for meals.
Aaaahhhhhh....broke my glasses right where the bridge connects the lenses...great. Good thing they are wire frames...at least they will sit on my nose somewhat as long as I don’t move....looks like we will be heading to Wal-Mart sometime Wednesday to see about replacement frames....I am way too nearsighted to do without them.
Found a really nice place to eat in town...Cody’s Roadhouse...was a very interesting place and the food was excellent.
Came back to camp stuffed to the eyes. Lit the campfire (all that downfall wood is good for something after all) and hung out just enjoying the sounds on the mountain. So far, the weather has been pretty great. Daytime temps are in the low 80’s and at night its high 50’s. No rain to speak of since Sunday and most of that hit before we got here. We drove through a bit once we got past Atlanta, but was clear by the time we got here.
June 5 Wednesday...Spent most of the morning trying to find someplace where I could get my glasses replaced...the local Wal-Mart doesn’t have a Vision center...joy...the first place we went was just across the parking lot...very friendly gal tried, but had no luck locating a frame that would fit my lenses. She gave us directions to a regular Eyewear chain....finding it however, was a real challenge. I have forgotten how people in this area give directions...they all assume that you are familiar with the area. Fortunately DH managed to find it without my help...I’m way to near-sighted to try and run around without the glasses. The guy at Optical Illusions was great....found a frame and got us out of there in good time. The frames are similar to the old ones, will just take some getting used to as to the way they fit my face...sigh...one of the reasons I despise changing frames.
Once we finally made it back to the property, DH grabbed the chainsaw and headed up the mountain to the second clearing...he got the huge trees cut that were laying across the driveway and I dragged and rolled them to the side as a border to the ravine side. Figure we will burn them at some future time. That wood was really tough even though it has been down for at least four years...once those were cut, we moved on to the clearing its self...a huge tree had fallen across the clearing from the ravine all the way to the slope behind the clearing. Took a bit of time getting that one cut...not sure of the species, but could be a black walnut...the grain on that wood is very tight and exceptionally smooth. Again, I dragged the cut pieces to the edge of the ravine as a border. We burned several pieces in the campfire.
Once everything was cleared away, we began breaking down the campsite on the bottom level and loaded the truck to drag it to the second clearing. The tent and shower tent we waited to drop until last. As we brought the gear to the second level, we went ahead and set them up...the tent went back up real easy, but the shower tent managed to snap one of the rods that forms the top. On to plan B...on this lot, because we are tucked way back, we decided that the shower tent wasn’t really necessary. We hung the shower bag from its pole next to the fire pit and used the remainder of the log as a shower chair...drug the heavy rubber mat next to the log and presto, heated shower area...the fire made it very nice. My main objection to camping on the lower lot has always been the lack of privacy...the site is wide open and next to the road that goes up the mountain...everyone who passes is looking right into the camp. Fortunately there aren’t many who live up there year round, but our neighbor on the next peak was home and that gave us no privacy as he drove up and down...not to mention that his place has a bird’s eye view of the lot. We’ve always tried to use the second clearing for this reason. Can you tell, I’m tickled to be on the second clearing?
June 5 Thursday...Was a wonderful evening spent around the campfire last night. Finally the tent is on more level ground and the air mattress didn’t feel as if we were sliding down hill all night. We left the outer flaps pulled back on the tent last night and this morning the brilliant sun woke me. Won’t be long until the clearing is full of sunshine. The campfire is still smoking a bit from last night, about half a log remains, smoldering, drifting smoke across the campsite. The birds are chirping and calling close by...sounds of someone running equipment drifts up the mountain as well. For now, just enjoying the sounds and smells of the mountain. That was something I almost forgot to mention...the things that are blooming right now are combining to send a very intoxicating perfume into the air...everywhere is the heavy sweet smell. I haven’t identified the one bush, but I believe it is Mountain Laurel...if so....oh, my God is it heavenly...we have these everywhere on the property. I have pictures to help me identify them when I get home. The downside of this trip so far has only been the lack of signal for our cell phones...no matter where we are we have no signal at all, not even in town. I will be calling Sprint to complain...a week of no service is unacceptable as I do have a nationwide plan and Sprint is in this area also. The last time we were here, it was Nextel and I did have service on the property in spots and I could get a signal in town. Not on a contract with anyone at the moment and while I do like my phone, won’t hurt my feelings to change service right now, both of us are really fed up with not being able to use the phones inside when we are home, and the signal is always being dropped. This has been an issue ever since Sprint took over.
June 6 Friday...The neighbor below us came up last night and invited us to come down for breakfast this morning...and a hot running water shower if we wished. We declined the showers as the camp shower has worked wonderful...even managed to get our hair washed last night. The neighbor lives in the Tampa Florida area for part of the year while the daughter is in college...she’s a senior in college this year and has just turned 18!! What an accomplishment for anyone in my book. Enjoyed the company of old acquaintances for several hours and then headed back up the mountain...while we were there, we did get a phone number for a local logger...got several very desirable species on the property and with the size and positioning of several, if we are to build, they need to come down. Its also a way to help finance the building of our future house there.
We scoped out several areas that looked like a natural path and began hacking our way down the mountain with the machete...finally reaching the lower lot. How cool...the area we cut the path on is a huge rock ledge...ideas a spinning wildly about the building possibilities there. Went on up the drive to the upper level and trimmed back both sides where the saplings are getting out of control.
Did I forget to mention...DH has decided we should head back to Florida tonight so we can have a day to rest and regroup before he heads back to work on Monday...BUT, BUT, BUT...I’m NOT ready to go home yet....Can’t I stay just one more week now that everything is all cleared back again???? We began breaking the campsite down around 3:30 pm...figured we’d leave around sundown. Took our time repacking all the gear, got the truck packed up and headed down to the bottom site...the campsite sure looks empty. On the bottom site we cleaned up the store of firewood and made sure everything was tidy...it is right on the road going up the mountain after all. Got lots of pictures of before and after the clearing that I will be posting after I go through all of them and get them sorted out...
I have some really neat road shots going up the mountain to Highland, NC which is a very narrow, twisty two lane, sheer drops off the roadside and mountain rock on the other...been living flatland waaaayyy tooo long....I’ve been down that road before with no problems, but this time .... well let’s just say I had to keep reminding myself to BREATHE...beautiful scenery though and I’ve got some fair shots.
June 7 Saturday...OK...so the rest of the trip was the most peaceful, restful, healing week I’ve felt in a very long time... the ride home was doing very well until we were about three hours away from home. Blew the right rear tire, running about 70 mph, in a construction zone with concrete barriers and no real place to pull off. Oh, and did I mention...its 1:30 AM. DH did an excellent job of getting us off the roadway safely, without ruining my rim. So, NOW WHAT?...the spare that’s in the rack under the truck is TWENTY ONE years old...my Dakota is a 1987... DH gets the truck jacked up (we are FULLY loaded in the eight foot bed with tools and camping gear), gets the spare off the rack (he was amazed at that, we’ve never had it down). Gets the old tire off and realizes the spare needs a bit of air...great...ok, don’t panic, I have the boost box with the emergency air compressor (my power supply for battery stuff)...JEEEZZZ...this thing is a pain, I’ve only been using it ALL WEEK, so of course it is needing CHARGED...no sweat, got the power cord for the lighter...get it charged and the tire somewhat aired...everything back in the truck and the tarp restrapped. Traffic was very light so we were just pulling back on the roadway and the spare blows out...tough...that’s a crappy donut rim so we are getting off the highway, tire or not...but where the hell are we??? I spot the mile marker...42...ok, but now where is the next exit??? It is pitch black dark along 75 S once you get between Tifton, GA and Valdosta, GA...finally spot an exit sign...ok, but there is NOTHING out here once you get off the interstate...hmmm, ok, let’s go down the hill to the lit parking lot of the community Christian school. I get a signal on my phone thankfully and get AAA on...the gal is trying to be helpful I realize, but she was really beginning to get under my skin at this point. First I tell her my location and the direction we are heading on 75...then she starts hunting for someplace to tow the truck so I can get a tire...ok at 1:30 am I don’t expect much to be open...I say any truckstop south will be fine. Now she’s talking about hauling us about 60 miles NORTH of where we are...NOOOO, SOUTH...towards VALDOSTA...she names a spot I say fine, she sends the driver...sweet kid. The truckstop he hauled us to was only a few miles from the state line of Florida, that’s how close we were. We had to sleep in the truck ...DH was having severe pain in his lower back that created major pain in his right leg...he opted to stretch out on top of the stuff (totes mostly) that we had packed in the bed...I took the front seat....the tire place was across the street from the truckstop, but we had to wait until they opened at 8 am...was a pretty long night for DH...me, I took full advantage of the opportunity to close my eyes for a few hours...it was 2:30 am when the driver left us.
The tire guy had a problem locating a tire for my rims, of course...that’s what I get for having different stuff...my rims are wide on the back...finally located one, got it mounted...its bad...forgot to mention, we were just getting a used tire to get home on...back to looking for one that will fit...finally located one that was pretty nice and got it back on the truck...on our way at last....
The next stop was for fuel...only about an hour from the house, but we are starting to run very low...when we stopped and DH went to get out of the truck the pain was too intense...the nerve must have been aggravated by the long drive and his entire leg was shooting pain to the point he could barely straighten his body, let alone walk...got him to the other side, I pumped the gas, got him some Advil and took over the driving...I had asked once we got past Atlanta if he wanted to swap and see if he could ease the pain by sitting different, he said no...
Got home around 11:30 am...DH could barely make it from the truck to the house, the pain was so intense...brings tears, then it must be hurting pretty bad...got him inside and gave him his muscle relaxer...he’s stretched out on our bed watching or should I say listening to tv...the muscle relaxers really let him rest and usually he will go to sleep.
He got up for a few minutes and has been stretched out for the past couple of hours now...he’s had a full week of work on the mountain and then what amounts to a full week of aggravation driving home...poor guy...
Ending...while being home is nice and my dogs were glad to see me, I miss the mountain already. The light cool air, even though the temps were in the mid to upper 80’s the entire week....the fragrance of everything that is blooming, mingling together creating a very intoxicating perfume...the peaceful setting deep in the wooded mountain terrain... it was a week of work, but I feel refreshed, relaxed and ready to......go right back and spend much more time there. We are planning to try and head up again in July...we shall see what happens......
Note: I’ll be posting some of the pictures soon...way too many to post them all here, so I shall see if I can find a spot to link to where I can post all of them. |
Hi, there, and welcome back!
Thanks to your last journal entry, I finally got to go camping for the first time in many years. LOL!
Even though you sawed and hauled your brains out, I think it sounds like you had a fantastic time. I can't believe how hot it was there already and that you still managed to do all of that work. I bet you slept like a rock every night!
It sounds like you live on the edge of the world up there... no cell phone coverage, trees down, the forest taking over... People pay big money for that kind of seclusion. LOL!
Mmmmm, yum, I think Cody's is what they put in near us when we lived in St. Pete. Cody's Roadhouse Grill or something like that. They made one of the best enormo salads on the planet.
Pfft, I can't believe your glasses broke. I'd be up a creek, too. LOL! Glad you found someone to get you back in order. I hope there is a hospital near there, what with all the dangerous work you two will be doing up there once you move, and your DH's lovely back problem. Eek.
Oh, my gosh, your trip home... What a nightmare! That almost defeated the purpose of spending a pleasant week on the mountain. HAHA! Well, if it weren't for things like that, some parts of life would not be memorable. Thank goodness you didn't have an accident during the blowout. That's one reason I can't stand travelling in the middle of nowhere, at night, on a Sunday. Might as well be the only person on the planet. Been there, done that. LOL!
I think you're going to have withdrawal this week, if you haven't already started. HAHA!! Can't wait to see your pics. I hope your husband is feeling better. I also hope he enjoyed the trip as much as you did.  |
| Stormdancer Posted on Sunday, June 08, 2008 - 11:17 am: | |
Probably right DJ, according to the "info" on the menu, the person is from the Clearwater FL area...and you are soooo right about the salad...yummmmmmyyy!! We both had the chicken fried steak and a baked potato loaded with sour cream and lots of butter...and the rolls were delicious with the cinnamon butter. It was such large portions that we carried it back to camp and had it the next night for supper as well. I carry my cast iron dutch oven when we camp and my cast iron skillet as well. This time though I picked up some of the parchment liners for the dutch oven and used them in the skillet when I re-heated the leftovers...it came out real nice, although since I'm not used to cooking on gas any longer I did almost scorch the bottom of the bread. It was still very much edible and the liner kept everything very moist as it re-heated (I had the lid on the skillet while heating so it acted more like an oven).
DH is much better this morning, although the nerve spasm is still making it difficult to sit for very long.
LOL...and this is exactly why I belong to AAA...just thankful that I was able to get a signal on the cell so I could call...they are programmed into my phone due to my Nissan being such a pain...the reason I got AAA in the first place. Hateful truck that Nissan (but I loved it still)...couldn't drive it any further than I was willing to walk...hahahahaha...we had originally got it running with the expectation that it would make a great mountain truck since it was a 4x4. SIGH...but it was such a money sucker and never could get it to run well enough to take out on the highway. Finally sold it to one of the kids so they could get around town...they sold it to their cousin who wanted a toy for the woods....the truck finally got the rest it needed when they broke it....much as I liked the truck, I was ready for it to be out of my life after watching DH beat his head against a wall trying to get the thing right. Way too many hours into that truck for it to not be right.
As for going through withdrawal...you hit the nail on the head there girl...I'm missing the sweet fragrance of the mountain air and the cool air, in spite of the higher temps...its 85 here today and because of the humidity, it feels like 93...after being out among the trees and nature for the past week, I'm stuck inside now because the heat is making me queasy. The air is on and the fans are running, but I'm feeling the heat today.
On a different note: All of the clearing we did was very thick with poison ivy and virginia creeper...and while the second morning I did notice two small blisters on my left ankle I was thinking I would actually skate by and not break out since I was trying to be very careful around the stuff. Socks, jeans and gloves were part of my basic wardrobe while we were clearing, as well as boots...but the last two days I was running about in sneakers with my socks turned down to my ankles and shorts. Needless to say, until we left on Friday, I was still doing good...but before we left the mountain, we decided to explore a bit of the rock shelf that is below the camp site. I had pulled my socks up at that time thinking I would protect my legs a bit more since I was in shorts and sneakers when we began exploring. Well, DUH...I had been running around the property all morning, brushing against who knows what while the socks were turned down. Pulling the socks up apparently gave me the contact to the stuff...I'm broke out with the little blisters where my socks were, my wrist and crease in the right elbow, and one of my fingers...lol...ok, the hands and wrists were stupidity on my part...we had a super hot bed of coals in the fire pit and a nice log that needed a bit more small stuff...I began finger raking the yard where we were chopping some of the smaller stuff...well...DDDUUUUHHH...there was creeper and pi in that stuff originally when DH cleared the site...I began with the Technu soap the minute we got back and I also have some Calagel which works well for the itch...its beginning to dry some and the blisters are shrinking already. Now, I'm hoping that it doesn't spread much more...like...my FACE...seems I have one or two spots that might be blisters...ah well, it was fun. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Sunday, June 08, 2008 - 12:32 pm: | |
A few of the pictures of the mountain...this is the bottom campsite before...
and after
from above on the road
from below on the road
 |
Oh, yum, I had forgotten about those!
LOL! Cooking with fire... you'd think that'd be ingrained in us. LOL!
That is good to hear. 
Pfft, hahaha!!!
LOL!
Oh, boy, I feel for you. It has been hot and sticky here for two days now. I do not miss this kind of weather from the days when we lived down south. I can't get anything done in it. LOL!
OMG! I didn't even think about that.
Oh, no, I'm not sure I want to read what comes next... LOL!
OMG, ick, ugh!
Eeek! Well, at least you had the Technu and realized what you had done. I shudder to think what could have happened. Rubbing your eyes, brushing the hair or bugs off your face, uugghhh!! Now you're making me itch! LOL!
Oh, oops! HAHAHA!!! Just don't forget to carefully handle the laundry and your shoes. I bet this isn't one of the things you're looking forward to on your next trip. HAHA!
Oh, my word... you did a great job on cleaning up that bottom campsite in such short order. And look how treesy it is! That looks like so much fun. Well, not the hard work and PI and creeper, but the part about being out in the woods for a week. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, June 09, 2008 - 05:40 am: | |
Sunday Evening June 8...The heat of the day sure made me miserable...I am missing the cool air of the mountain sorely. Tomorrow is supposed to be 90...sigh...looks like another yuck day even with the A/C...finally got to kick it off around 9 pm as it was beginning to have a nice cool breeze out and the humidity dropped once the sun went down.
Finally got the truck unloaded and most of the gear stowed. Pulled the sleeping bags to wash...don’t want to get poison ivy the next time we use them. Now there will be a mountain of laundry to start tomorrow morning...looks like my day will be starting early so I can get it all dry before the day turns miserable. Forecast is saying it will be hot and is advising people to stay indoors to avoid the high temperatures...joy, makes me miss the mountain that much more.
Looking through the pictures today it came to mind that one of the reasons that I enjoy being on the mountain so much is that it brings out my inner child...the pictures reflect how I see the mountain...every rock, plant and tree is something to inspect and oooh and ahhh over, much like my kids and grandkids have done...the blooming things catch my eye and off I go to see what smell this wonderful looking plant may have. Sparkling, shiny rocks catch my eye in the grass or up on the hill and I must stop and pick it up to see what makes it catch the sun. The majesty of the great trees that tower all around make me feel very tiny as I look up in time to see the puffy cotton ball clouds pass close enough to almost touch. Around the campfire, tiny sparks rise as the wood pops over the hot coals...the flames dancing in shades of deep orange, yellows, and blues....I gaze into the fire and am hypnotized by the dance of the flames as they consume the wood. The trees frame the sky and the stars look like diamonds on black velvet, again so close you can almost reach out and touch them. The shadows of the nearby mountain peaks are visible through the tops of the trees if you look just right. Night birds call from just behind and up the mountain...down below, another answers and the chatter begins and continues throughout the next few hours. Its hard to want to go to bed from being so excited about being here...I want to touch, listen, see and smell everything around this beautiful spot. Exhaustion finally wins out and I head off to the tent...The next morning brings the same exhilaration as I wake to the brilliant light of the sun shining through the tent door...its barely 6:30 am, yet I am unable to remain in bed...there’s too much to see and I might miss something...where is that bird that is singing so sweet? Wow, the Mountain Laurel is sure smelling good this morning...and the hint of the Honeysuckle and blooming Yellow Poplars mingling together makes me feel like a giddy little kid...off I go to explore the mountain in the early morning sun, stopping to admire the way the light plays on the leaves of the trees and picks up the glitter of the mica and feldspar scattered all around. I stop to oooh over a group of fern growing in the middle of the upper property road and look, there’s another species...oh, so many new plants to identify!! Again I stop to admire a patch of moss growing in the road to the upper property...oh and check out the way that tree is growing on that rock outcropping...its roots are growing out and have wrapped tightly around the rock ...granddaddy longlegs are cool to watch as they hurry along the ground...back I go to the campsite and begin the day with DH who is now up and ready for food...more exploring will come as I help with the clearing of the stuff he has cut. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, June 09, 2008 - 06:14 am: | |
More of the mountain:
 These Daisy looking flowers were all over the bottom lot before DH began clearing. These are growing along the road as well.
Beginning of the driveway going to second campsite
All of the next few are before the clearing
first tree across driveway
second tree across driveway
Second campsite before clearing
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| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, June 09, 2008 - 11:40 am: | |
It's 1:15 pm and the temperatures have climbed to 88 degrees...with the humidity it feels like 95...the sky is clear with no trace of clouds or rain...I miss the mountain...even with the A/C cranking, the fans running and house closed tight, I'm still hot and sweaty. Each of the big dogs has staked out a vent and are hogging all of the cool A/C...no wonder the house is so hot!!
Got a surprise visit from my landlord/boss a bit ago...HOORAY!!!!!!!....he has finally decided to replace me with a real live bookkeeper!!! WOOOHOOOO!!! I'M FREEEEEEE!!!!!
I've been telling him for the past year that this is an area I am totally unfamiliar with as well as trying to learn the Quikbooks program...seems I've got a few things messed up and the accountant is having to straighten it out...oh, well...I told him in the beginning that I didn't have a clue as to what I was doing...my strong point is being computer literate and able to learn the various programs...all of which takes time when you are trying to learn on your own. But, now he is ready to hire a real live bookkeeper to come in...that's what happens when people try to be cheap...he only wants to pay minimum wage and expects what??? I'm truly relieved to not have to be working for him any longer. On the other hand, he did ask about our property in NC and why we didn't just move up there...had to explain that we have a ton of work up there to do before we can put any type of structure there...then turned it back on him and asked again if he had ever decided on a price for this property...my GF who works at the farm had already told me that he had brought the subject up to her while we were gone and she told him I was pretty ticked because he wouldn't give me a figure on the property...he told her that the reason he hadn't given me a figure was because HE doesn't feel like we could afford it...HA!! I can afford to pay him rent for the place, but he doesn't think I can afford a mortgage???? THAT pisses me off to no end as he has NEVER even pulled my credit record. But, I'M FREEEEEEEE!!!!! Told him I had been thinking about it all the way home and that I was actually on my way down to talk to him about finding someone else to do the job anyway as I didn't feel I needed the stress that this job brings to me. I know I tend to stress over things when I don't feel I understand what I'm doing well enough to suit me. Just glad that's over with now...I'm planning to go back to the mountain next month anyway...woohoo!!! |
