Up to a warm morning, put a pot of water on to boil and in short time I am sipping a cup of hot. Soon after, Gordon gets up and I make him a cup. Then he calls the ap-mart to see about the cost and availability of a water pump. The clerk says that he will have it in the store by four this afternoon. Soon, after that, we both leave the campground. I head into to town and stop at a ar-mart to see if the mechanic can replace the water pump. He agrees that it is the water pump that is leaking and will replace it for $225.00 if I supply the part and new anti-freeze. However, the one problem, he can not get to it until next Wednesday, but because I must need have it done, I make an appointment and then head to Grandby to get the pump.
After stopping at the ap-mart and purchasing the pump, I drive to the w-mart and get online. I renew my annual website URL service and then work on today′s journal entry. At four-thirty, I leave to pick up the pump, then return to the campsite and find Gordon under his tented truck. We sit at the table to talk about today′s events and soon it is time to get ready for the meeting. We both head to the hall at the same time and go in for the meeting, after which return to the campsite and retire to our births. I light my candle to flame the bugs and completer my journal entry.
Wake and put water on the stove and when all my cups are full put water in the radiator. Then, I start the jammer and begin the drive to Grandby, stopping to fill up all of my potable water bottles (P-bottles). On this drive, I need to stop once more to add water to the radiator and then arrive at the w-mart, go inside and purchase four bottles of spring water (S-water) and four more bottles of potable water.
Then, I sit down at the table next to the electric plug and begin pounding keys and them I am amazed how fast six o′clock rolls around. I pack out load the radiator with water and head for the campsite. Even after filling the radiator in Grandby, it is now taking two stops to make the ten miles between Grandby and the campground, once to refill the radiator and a second time to fill all of my water bottles.
Today, it is raining when I arrive in the campsite, park the jammer, get out and ask Gordon how he is doing. He does not get out of his truck but just opens the rear hatch to talk. Soon, I too have climbed back into the jammer and use my candle to flame the insects. Then, I turn on the deep cell battery to charge the batteries while I play a couple games of solitaire and then read two chapters in my Bible. Finally, I blow out the candle, turn off both the inverter and the lights and then go to sleep.
Rise, and see that Gordon has not risen yet. I open the hood, fill the radiator, then I start the jammer and head to Grandby. In a half mile, I stop to fill my water bottles and top off the radiator, then I head to Grandby. Just like yesterday, right before Windy Gap the engine light comes on so I stop to let it cool and add more water before continuing into Grandby. When I arrive in the parking lot, I refill the radiator once again before going inside to pound keys.
After I have finished drinking my first cup and just about ready to get a refill when Gordon walks in and greets me. I stand up, tell him that I am getting a refill and ask him if he wants a cup. We then both sit down with a cup of hot and talk for a bit. He then says he is going to the laundry to do a load and heads out. In the afternoon, I get a text message from Ellen, my brother Robert′s wife who ask me if I would like to house and animal sit for them during the first week of November. I answer that I will probably be still building the bridge in Spring Hill, Tennessee at that time, and will not be able to give here a yes or no until late October. I continue with my key pounding until six when I pack out and head for the camp again stopping twice to keep water in the engine.
When I arrive, Gordon who had been laying down in his truck, gets out and sit at the table to eat while I make a salad and then sit down to eat at the table. He tells me that earlier, there was a heavy rain and it shows because everything is still wet. After we clean up our dishes, we spray up with bug repellant and continue to sit at the table until about eight-forty when it becomes quite dark.
The skies are still heavily overcast when I climb into the jammer and pound keys to complete today′s journal entry. Then I get into the back and read a couple more chapters in the Bible.
Up to another overcast day, fill the radiator, drive into town to fill my bottles and drive to Grandby. Today, I keep my speed below 55 mph and the water does not overheat but I can drive all the way to the g-mart in Grandby. Previous days, I have been driving closer to the speed limit which is 65 mph. I am slowly learning how to drive the jammer with it′s current disability, the leaking water pump gasket.
I go inside and pound keys until four-thirty, when I pack out and drive to the bank to make a deposit. I then head to the campsite, park the jammer and get out my cook pot to make a pot of chili-mac. I know, both the can of chili and the macaroni and cheese have loads of salt, not to mention all the other inflammatory ingredients, but I made this one to show Gordon what chili-mac is.
He now likes chili-mac. After cleaning up the dishes, we sit out in the off and on rain for another hour before we both hit the sleeping births.
I rise, put on a pot of water to boil and soon, I am sipping on a cup of hot. Gordon rises and begins to dress for the ministry and I follow suit. We arrive at the hall for the meeting but there is not any other English going out that we can join this morning, so instead, we head to Grandby to connect to the WiFi.
After pounding keys all day, I pack out at eight and head to camp, stopping first in Hot Sulphur Springs to fill up my water bottles and finally arrive at the campsite at eight this evening.
With the light of day fading fast, I get out my cook pot, begin preparations for my Repast and when it is done, pour all the broth into my sierra cup. Sitting down at the table, I continue to talk with Gordon as I sip slowly on the steaming broth, after which I eat two servings of my supper. The remaining Repast, I put in a zip bag to store in my cooler.
Then, Gordon and I look up at the night sky to examine the celestial creation. Of course, we see first the planet Jupiter, then an untold number of stars, of which I point out several constellations. I ask, mostly rhetorically, "I wonder if we will see any satellites?" Not but a couple minutes later, Gordon points one out and we watch it sail across the sea of stars. After watching several satellites, Gordon says that he is retiring for the evening but I remain to see if I can spot more.
After he had just climbed into his truck, I see a very odd looking satellite. I know it is a satellite and not an airplane because it, (1) does not flash with green and red lights and (2) is totally silent (unlike a jet which usually is followed in the distance by subdued roar of it′s engines). However, it is not the normal pinpoint of reflected white sun light that is indicative of this type of object in the sky. Instead, it has an elongated main body and several wing like appendages emanating outward from the body and all reflecting light.
It is not long before I call out, saying "Hey Gordon, you have got to come look at this."
We both agree that seeing the international space station is really cool and then we both retire to our own sleeping birth.
After the clear sky last night, the temperature dropped quite a bit an when getting up this morning, there was need to put on my sweat shirt until the sun rose high enough to warm the day up. Gordon rises at nine this morning which by then I have already done my study for later today, caught up on my journal writing and now just need to get dressed for the meeting.
The visiting speaker provides exception insight on our hope in the resurrection, and then I drive back to the campsite. After I arrive and have parked the jammer, Gordon arrives to parks his truck and then I get out my floor jack, tools, oil, filter ad begin changing the oil in the jammer because it has reached 180,000 miles and five thousand miles since the last oil change. The oil change goes really fast and next, I install a patch on the tail pipe and re-hang the pipe with coat hanger wire, a temporary repair until I arrive in Spring Hill this fall when I can replace the exhausts system from the converter flange all the way back to the tail pipe.
With the auto maintenance and repairs complete and it still being early in the afternoon, Gordon and I just sit out the heat of the day under his umbrella trying to stay cool. After a while, the sun begins to cast shadows eastward and we take up a place in the longer shade, him under the umbrella and myself on my step stool next the the jammer and wait out the heat of the day.
(b1a11-12-06.20170723.2005) Clear Sky and Crepuscular Rays.
At sunset, the sun cast crepuscular rays out from behind the clouds.
(Day 606 TB) 46°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Pioneer Park, # 1
Up early and head right to the w-mart in Grandby where I spend the day working on my online journal. I begin by rewriting quire one, updating it to the current format. Then, I begin working on succeeding quires until I run out of day.
Leaving the w-mart and Grandby shortly after six this evening, I drive back to the campsite and begin cooking chicken-macaroni for both Gordon and myself. After Gordon says the prayer, we begin sharing the meal about which he says that he really likes this recipe. We sit and talk until dark hoping that the stars will be out and we can spot some satellites but that does not happen because the sky is nearly full of clouds. We are able to see Jupiter briefly when there is a break in the clouds but for the most part, few stars and no satellites.
(Day 607 TB) 54°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Pioneer Park, # 1
After rising, I fill the radiator, start the jammer and drive to the w-mart in Grandby for one more day of key pounding. I have been working on my online journal and have quires one, two and three nearly complete. I upload what I have completed each day.
At five-thirty this evening, I drive to the camp, don my suit and head for the meeting at the hall. Afterwards, I drive to the campground and park for the .
(Day 608 TB) 58°F. 6:50 am, overcast
Pioneer Park, # 1, Elevation 7680 feet.
Up just before seven and put a pot of water on to boil, then make coffee for both Gordon and myself. Then at fifteen minutes to eight, I drive to the ar-mart and Rich begins work on replacing the water pump. At nine-thirty, he has the pump installed and is putting coolant in the radiator. When he looks under the jammer, he says, "It is still leaking." He then lifts the jammer back up on the rack to examine it further and then says "I think that the leak is coming from the head gasket."
He fills the radiator up and then tells me "No Charge!" to which I say thank you and give him fifty dollars. I leave there and head to the ap-mart where I purchase a bottle of head gasket sealer, drive to the w-mart for coffee and to wait four hours for the engine to cool before I can pour the sealer into the engine.
Then after reading the instruction on the bottle one more time, I pour the head gasket sealer into the radiator, top of the radiator with antifreeze, replace the cap and let the engine idle for fifteen minutes. Then, I look under the engine and see that the pavement is dry. Methinks that this is working, but I wonder is it will hold up for the drive ahead of me. So, I close the hood, climb into the jammer and drive west on US 40 slowly through Grandby, turn north on SR 125 and head up to Willow Creek pass keeping a constant eye on the temperature gauge. When I summit the pass, I look down again at the gauge and see that it is still pointing to the O in Normal.
The drive continues along a now very familiar route, SR 125 to Wyoming, then SR 230 through Saratoga. I had planned to stop here for a hot shower but having to wait so long for the engine to cool off prior to adding the head sealer, put me behind my schedule for arriving in Oak Harbor this Friday. So, I drive right through town, and when I arrive at IH 80, turn west to drive to Rock Springs.
I arrive in Rock Springs after nine pm, pull into the d-mart and park, go inside to buy a couple of groceries and the come back out to the jammer to get ready to sleep.
(Day 609 TB) 50°F. 6:00 am, partly cloudy
Overnighting in a parking lot, Elevation 6388 feet.
Red Sky in the Morning
Up at the first bell, dress, check the water level which is still holding, start the jammer and drive across the street for a cup of hot. I check my com, respond to a couple of messages and then catch up on my journal writing.
Then at seven this morning, I pack out, start the jammer and begin what will be a very long day driving interstate highways hoping to arrive at an Oregon campground near the Washington state line. I start on IH 80 west into Utah, then IH 84 northwest past Ogden, Utah and then north into Idaho where I stop at a road side park to open the tailgate to grab something for lunch. Then, I continue north on IH 84 to where IH 86 heads east, but I turn west on IH 84 thru the Snake river valley past and the large cities. Finally, IH 84 takes me into Oregon and then north to La Grange, Oregon where I stop at a w-mart so that I can reload my phone with more minutes.
Then I pack out and head for Emigrant Springs Campground to see if I can get a space to park for the night. So far, I have driven well over 600 miles since leaving Hot Sulphur Springs and the temperature gauge is still pointing to the O in Normal.
I arrive at the campground at six this evening and when driving into the park see a sign that reads Vacancy, so I drive in and find a tent site right across from the shower house. There was one more electric site but it was a long walk from the shower and opted for the one close by the shower. After I park, I grab my shower bag, towel and some clean clothes, then walk across the street for a steamy hot shower.
This is the first time that I have arrived this early and I notice that there is a lot of noise coming from the interstate highway, but I know from previous visits, it gets really quite after dark. While waiting for the sun to set, I begin working on my journal but since I was only able to get six hours last night, tonight, I get horizontal before nine this evening.
(Day 610 TB) 58°F. 5:40 am, sunny
Emigrant Springs State Park, # A-16, CRS; 7.0
Elevation 3806 feet.
I slept very well last night and wake up before the alarm, rise, grab my shower bag and towel, then walk back to the shower house for my second hot shower. As soon as I get back to the jammer, I start the engine and let it idle while I put away my shower items and unplug the electricity.
Then, at about six-twenty this morning, I drive out of the campground and continue west on IH 84 to Pendleton, Oregon where I pull off the highway at an Oregon mountain top view point.
Methinks that I will be able to catch the sunglow from atop this viewpoint. However, I realize this sunglow is not the same
sunglow I am accustom to seeing but entirely different from all of those I have seen before.
In fact, just below the sunglow is the
earth shadow, which is just one more of the dayspring phenomena. An from this mountain view point, I can see how the shadow of the earth rises from the shape of the mountain. Such an amazing earth we live on.
Leaving the view stop, I next stop at a ff-mart for a large cup of coffee and meet meet Dave who arrives right after me on a Indian motorcycle and I ask him what year his bike is. He replies, "A fifteen." which I understood to be a 2015 motorcycle. We then begin talking and I notice a military insignia on the rear of his side card and I tell him "I recognize that badge, it is the badge for serving in the Viet Nam war. I know it well because I have that badge as well." He smiles and asks me where I served, to which I reply "I was stationed in the states at El Toro in southern California." He then says, "So you were in the Marines?" We continue to talk and I learn he is driving up from Tucson, Arizona and on his way to the Seattle area for a business meeting. We then exchange business cards.
After wards, I resume my drive to Oak Harbor which I arrive in town before two in the afternoon, head first to the hair salon that I often frequent when here, walk it and the beautician takes me right to her chair. When that is done, I walk around the corner and go into the w-mart to get online and check my com.
While I am sitting here sipping on a cold brew, methinks that drive was a true test for the head gasket repair that I put in just prior to starting the 1350 mile journey. The trip consisted of three driving legs, the first on on Wednesday from Hot Sulphur Springs to Rock Springs, Wyoming was as distance of 275 miles. Then from Rock Springs, I drove 675 miles to Emigrant Springs campground, Oregon. The last leg from Emigrant Springs to Oak Harbor was 400 miles.
The entire journey took me just over twenty hours of driving with two overnight stops and I was able to get in two hot showers. The odd thing about this trip is that I am not tired out from it at all and I plan to go out in the ministry tomorrow morning.
While it is still in the afternoon, I contact Joanne and ask if I can come by to get the vending product that I am storing there, to which she says yes. Some of it will go with the vending machine sale as will all of my extra machine parts, but a couple other boxes of product will still need to be sold to eliminate them. However, if the buyer shows up this weekend, I will be rid of a large part of what I have left. I have told him that he can come Saturday or Sunday in the afternoon or evening and I hope that he can be here during these times because. He had requested Monday afternoon but I told him that I hope to be back on the road again by then.
Leaving Joanne′s house, I head back into town and park in the g-mart parking lot for the night.
(Day 611 TB) 54°F. 5:35 am, sunny
Overnighting in a parking lot
The seagull noise here it so loud, and there is gull poop everywhere making it hard to park and not find poop on the jammer in the morning. I rise early today, drive to the w-mart, go in for coffee and connect to the internet. Then, at eight this morning, I drive to the city park to take a shower and get dressed for the ministry, during which I work with Larry, Roger and David.
After the ministry, I drive to where my vending machine is and collect the quarter from within, thirty-seven dollars worth. Then, with the quarters I drive to the car wash, insert two dollars and remove the gull poop from the jammer.
I am able to contact the person who is buying the vending machine but he is not available to come until Monday morning, so I return to the w-mart and pound keys to use up my time while waiting for the sale of this last vending machine.
At eight pm, I retire to the jammer, drive to a location away for where the gulls congregate, put up my shades and climb into the back and get horizontal.
(Day 612 TB) 59°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Overnighting in a parking lot
I rise immediately when the alarm goes off, move the jammer into the space next to the w-mart and then go in for a cup of coffee and to prepare for the Bible study today. At nine-fifteen, I walk out to the jammer, dress for the meeting and then drive to the hall. Afterwards, I return to the w-mart, change into my blues and walk back into my air conditioned office. It has been getting a little too hot for me during the midday. However, when I leave he office, I find that it is quite cool this evening.
I park in the g-mart parking lot for my third night while here on the island. It is still early, so I play some solitaire to kill the extra time that seems to my possession during my wait. Then at nine, after the sunset, I climb into the back of the jammer and get horizontal for the evening.
(Day 613 TB) 56°F. 5:30 am, sunny
Overnighting in a parking lot
It has been excellent weather during my stay here, dry, clear and in the fifties during the night. After rising, I drive to the w-mart on SH 20 near where my vending machine and wait for my appointment. Then at ten-thirty, I get a text, I am on my way, and at eleven a man walks up to me and asks me by name. We both drive to the restaurant where the machine is located, take it outside next to his car and I give him a run down on how to service it. He then hands me the remaining two hundred dollars and then we shake hands and I drive north on SR 20 out of town.
I do stop at Joanne′s home and say good bye to her; she asks, "Are you ever coming back to Oak Harbor?" to which I answer, "I do not have any business here to tend to but I do have a lot of friends, so , yes but probably not near as often."
Then, I drive away from her home, continue east on SR 20, cross the IH 5 and drive right through the North Cascades National park over, across Rainy Pass, over Washington pass and down the other side through Winthrop and Twisp where I stop for a block of ice and a half gallon of cold almond milk to drink while I pound keys to catch up on my journal writing. It is now seven in the evening at an elevation of 1600 feet and about one hundred degrees. At least the jammer is in the shade where I am sitting in it. Another truck pulls up next to mine, three people get out, one goes inside while another climbs up into the pickup bed and uncovers a large bin.
I greet him and he tells me that they have been commercial fishing in Alaska for cod and have to buy some more ice to put on it. I watch as he pulls off the top ice and puts it on the canvas, then pulls out the large fish. About this time the other man has returned with ten bags of ice and they both load the bagged ice in the bottom of the bin, then put the fish on top of the ice and put the previous top ice back on top to cover the fish. Finally, Steve puts the tarp back on top to cover the bin and straps it down with rope.
After he has finished tying the tarp down, I grab one of my bottles of potable water and pour some on his hands to wash the fish smell off. He gladly accepts and thanks me, I too need to wash my hands because I helped move some of the top ice which had a smell in it too. They then head east on SR 20 to Republic, Washington and I also head east but only to Omak, Washington and stop at the d-mart for the night. It is really hot here in eastern Washington and I look forward to getting back into the mountains soon. Methinks about when I was in Oak Harbor, how it was cool in the afternoon and even cooler at night; I did not know how good I had it when I was there, well, until crossing over the Cascade mountains into eastern Washington. I will be up late tonight just waiting for it to cool off.
The jammer is holding up so far but I still carry about ten gallon bottles of water just in case something leaks. I am sitting in the jammer with the sliding door open at ten this evening and it does not seem to be cooling off at all. My only thought is that people here all use air conditioners to cool down to sleep. I hope to get to somewhere much higher in elevation for tomorrow night, maybe Yellowstone which is at about eight thousand feet and cools off nicely at night. After a night or two there, I will drive into Rocks Springs.
(Day 614 TB) 67°F. 8:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot, Elevation 843 feet.
After sleeping late, I check the radiator and need to add two or three cups to top it off, which indicates to me that there is still a leak, however a very small one. I leave Omak on SR 155, a scenic route along the Omak river and takes me to the Grand Coulee Dam which I drive past and take SR 174 which is a short cut to US 2. Once on US 2, I head east to Spokane where I connect with IH 90 and continue west into Idaho, then Montana and finish my drive today by pulling off the interstate at Bozeman, Montana. During the entire drive in Montana the sky was heavy with smoke and when I did see the sun, it was red, indicating the state is on fire, or at least has some big fires burning somewhere.
Then, I to go inside for two tomatoes, an avocado, a bottle of olive oil and a flame lighter, after which, I walk back to the jammer and make a salad using the veggies that Joanna gave me when I was in Oak Harbor. This is the second night that I have used her veggies and have enough for two more before I will run out. I will just have to buy another avocado tomorrow. I see the moon, red with smoke from the fire and take a couple of photos and finally I am in the sack by ten this evening.
(Day 615 TB) 60°F. 6:20 am, sunny with smoke
Overnighting in a parking lot, Elevation 4820 feet.
The sun rises red again this morning, I dress in my blues and drive to the w-mart for coffee and WiFi. Then at noon, I pack out and drive south along the Galatian river and into Yellowstone through the west entrance, along the Madison river and finally up the Firehole to the
Old Faithful Inn. I park the jammer, walk into inn and sit next to the piano while Sarah, new pianist plays classical pieces. After listening for a short time, I return to the jammer, grab my cmera and walk out to the seating area for watching the geyser.
I arrive before most everyone else and greet the visitors as they arrive and ask them where they are from. One man tells me he is from Oak Harbor and we talk for a time. Another tells me that he is from the coast of South Carolina and I ask him if he lives in the path of the totality. He says "Yes, but I will not be there when it happens, I have to work."
The geyser goes off just before eight this evening and there is no rainbow but I just keep sitting and talking with those who remain and then we watch the next geyser in the moonlight. After this geyser, everyone leaves and I too return to the jammer for the evening. Upon arriving, I get out the computer to finish today′s journal entry and then get horizontal for the night.
(Day 616 TB) 45°F. 7:00 am, sunny
Overnighting in a parking lot
Elevation: 7349 feet
Up after the alarm, get out of the jammer and go inside to clean up. Afterwards, I purchase a cup of coffee, return to the jammer and drive out of the Old Faithful Inn parking lot south on US 191 out of Yellowstone and stop at Headwaters lodge on the JD Rockerfeller memorial parkway for a refill of coffee and a sticker for the side window. Continuing south on US 191, I drive through the Grand Teton national park and through the Gros Ventre Wilderness.
When I arrive at
Warren Bridge campground, I pull off the highway and stop at the vault toilet where I take some photos of the bridge. I was going to overnight here tonight but because it is to early to stop, I leave and continue south on US 191.
Later, when I arrive in Pinedale, I stop at the hw-mart for a mini stretch cord to hold my windshield wiper down until I can pull off the cowl and see why it is messed up. Leaving Pinedale, I continue south on US 191 across a long stretch of hot desert like wasteland and at three in the afternoon, pull into the w-mart in Rock Springs. While I am here, my sister Summer sends me a text and we set up a time to meet tomorrow morning to work on her and Wayne′s home.
(Day 617 TB) 55°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot, Elevation 6388 feet.
Up at the first bell, put on my blues and drive across the street to the w-mart for coffee. Soon, Tom, the man I met here last evening here in and we talk until he leaves for places west. Then at seven-thirty, I pack out and head to the Bitter Creek home, park the jammer on the font curb and walk inside the house. Soon, Summer arrives and then her dad Larry with his tools. I go downstairs with Larry and ask him to use the hole saw to cut a wire race through the first level joists. He has to leave, return to his home to get the big drill and his set of hole saws. He also gets a step ladder to reach the joists from the basement floor, arrives back at the job site an gets right to work. Summer begins installing switch and receptacle boxes on the walls and makes note of what each are fore. I begin drilling holes for running the wire between the boxes.
Summer′s mom, Leuanna comes by around noon and does the lunch run for everyone but when Summer asks me what I would like, I tell here that I am having my stomach problem and that I need to just have water and my MRP to clear up the problem. I do sit with the whole family and when Summer and Larry say that they do not want their beet and raw onions, I volunteer to have them.
After the meal, Larry finishes up the wire race and then I can begin to show Summer how to run a home run, which is a length of wire from the breaker box to the first switch or receptacle box that the wire enters in the group or room where the breaker provides power to. In other terminology, it is called the line, whereas every thing attached to that line and uses power is call the load. We do the first home run, running the wire through the wire chase, then up through the flooring and sill plate into the wall cavity area under where the line enters the first box. That is what I call the home run, methinks that it got this name because from the first box, the wire runs home to the circuit breaker box. After we have enough wire to connect to both to the boxes at both ends, we cut the wire from the spool at the circuit breaker box. Next, we use wire staples on the wire at any place where the wire travels along the joist but not through a joist in the wire chase. We have these staple areas at both ends of the chase where the wire exits and turns either up or down. The ends are marked using a marker pen with the circuit number. We repeat this process with the next home run, completing the second circuit and a third one before the day runs out of light.
After we pick up our tools, sweep the floors and clear out the trash, we close up the house and walk out to the car. Then I see Jonah, Wayne and Summer′s youngest of their two boys is holding his leg and saying "Ouch, Ouch, Ouch!" I look at his shin and see blood, turn to Summer and Wayne and say "I have first aid training and all the bandages and stuff, can I fix his Ohwie?" After I get the "Sure, go ahead." I walk to my van, get out my first aid ditty bag and go right to work. I tell Jonah, "Nothing that I have will sting." and then first use water to clean his leg. Next, I use an essential oil to cleanse the wound of any germs, then apply a antibacterial ointment and after that put a large adhesive bandage over the entire area. Jonah, age seven then stands up and gives me a hug, full compensation for everything I did to clean and bandage the wound.
Then both Wayne and Summer get into their separate vehicles with the two boys and leave for their campsite. It is now right after sunset, so I drive the jammer around to the back alley, pull into the rear driveway, and park for the night. I get out my bucket, soap, wash cloth and water, set up and proceed to take a bucket bath. The I wash some under clothes, hang them up on the fence, get into the jammer for the evening and pound keys until after eleven to complete my journal entry.
(Day 618 TB) 58°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Back Driveway at the Bitter Creek Home
Upon rising, I put on my blues, get out my cook pot and stove to boil water for a cup of hot. After drinking my tea, I make a cup of hot MRP and add some coconut oil, which, although does not taste too bad, is not my favorite. Then, I pack up my kitchen, put away the food and dress in my work blues to begin my day of work. At two in the afternoon, I stop again and make a salad from what remains of the veggies that Joanne in Oak Harbor gave me last week. Amazingly, they are all still good and I chop up a tomato and avocado that I also have.
Returning to work, I resume installing wire and marking which are the load and which are the line, getting much done today. Summer helps with installing more home runs while I occasionally check on her progress and the correctness of the wire she is installing. She has learned quite a bit in the couple of days she has been helping me and tells me that she would like to sign up for the LDC volunteer construction work but does not have a trade. I tell her that I do not mind training her in this electrical trade.
At eight this evening, we stop work, pack away the tools and clean up the work site. Soon, Wayne, Summer and Caleb leave to go to grandmother′s home to pick up Jonah and head to their campsite. I take a bucket bath and then leave to go the d-mart for the night.
(Day 619 TB) 55°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Overnighting in a parking lot
After putting on my blues, I drive across the street, gram my computer, Yeti cup and walk inside for coffee and WiFi. Something has changed with the WiFi service at this coffee shop which causes my web hosting service to not allow me to have access. I encountered this same blockage at one of the w-marts in Oak Harbor. I just hope this is not indicative of an upcoming change for all these hot spots.
At nine this morning, I pack out, put on my suit and head to the hall for the meeting. I meet many of the friends and also make arrangements for working with Larry in the ministry next Saturday. Then, I drive to the w-mart but I am too sleepy to do any of the web site work that I had wanted to do so I drive to he Bitter Creek home and park in the back. I go inside and work on a couple of small things when Wayne, Summer, the boys and both dogs show up. I help Wayne remover the old fence in the middle of the back yard and then it is nearing supper time so Summer asks me if I would like to join them for supper at a local restaurant.
While waiting for everyone to get ready, I get out the box of toys and offer the boys their pick. Jonah loves getting the toys but Caleb seems just a little too old for most of the quarter capsuled toys. Then we drive to the restaurant where I have a chicken salad. Afterwards, they drive me back to the Bitter Creek home to drop me off and then head to their campsite. After I organize the jammer a little, I climb in, pound keys until ten and then get horizontal, but my body is sore from the long day of work and need to take two aspirin to help me to sleep.
(Day 620 TB) 56°F. 9:00 am, sun
Back Driveway at the Bitter Creek Home
Green Corn Moon
When I awake and look at the clock, I am amazed at how late it is. Methinks that my body was totally wore out after working all day on the electrical. I make a cup of coffee to drink and a cup of tea to put in my water bottle to drinking. Then I go right inside and begin work. Later, Summer and he two boys arrive and shortly after, Leuanna arrives to take the boys for the day. Summer then puts on her white suite and goes up into the attic to help me run wires to the ceiling lamps. I go up at first to help lay down a planks to walk on and then head back down to feed wires to her; we get both bedrooms and the front porch ceiling lamps wired.
Then we return to our regular work of roping the walls and running the home runs. Then Wayne arrives to work on the cracks in the (half) basement walls while the wires ar being run on the upstairs rooms. Then at six in the evening, Summer reminds me that we all have an appointment for supper, so we stop work, pack out the tools and head over to Larry and Lauanna&pirme;s home.
I must say that Lauanna has prepared a wonderful meal for all of us and then after, we sit at the TV to watch the August JW broadcast. It is after dark when we leave and I look for the moon when we leave but do not see it.
Then as we are approaching Bitter Creek home, I see it just above the horizon, still red from the fires that are burning in Montana. It seems that the smoke has now spread to Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and possibly other states.
The moon looks to be reddened by the smoke from the Montana fires.
(Day 621 TB) 57°F. 6:00 am, sun, then rain
Overnighting in a parking lot
Rise, drive to the w-mart for coffee, then drive to the Bitter Creek home, begin work and soon, Summer, Wayne and the boys arrive. I work on the wires all morning and in the afternoon, help Wayne to demo the downstairs bathroom. It begins to rain at four and lasts until six.
At five, we stop work to get ready for the meeting tonight. I take a shower (in the rain) put on my blues and drive to the w-mart for something to eat and check my com. Then, I dress in my suit and drive to the hall for the meeting.
Afterwards, I see the near full moon, low on the horizon and red from the smoke, take a photo, then drive to the d-mart to sleep.
(Day 622 TB) 46°F. 6:00 am, overcast and thundershowers
Overnighting in a parking lot
Rise, drive to the w-mart for coffee, then drive to the Bitter Creek home and begin work. Wayne arrives and sets up the WiFi service so that I can get online. Then he leaves because he is not feeling to good. Then Summer arrives and begins wiring home runs. I continue roping the walls on the second floor.
We finish at eight pm, pack up the tools, clean up and then Summer leaves for home while I take a bucket bath. Then, i get in the jammer and drive to the g-mart to use the digital scale and blood pressure tester. I now weight 223 pounds, over 100 pound less than my weight in March 2013. I will have to post a life event about this. Finally, I drive back to the Bitter Creek home and park in the front driveway for the night.
(Day 623 TB) 55°F. 6:00 am, cloudy and rain
Driveway at the Bitter Creek Home
Rise, dress, get out my cookpot to make coffee and then sit in the drivers seat to drink the hot liquid and begin my journal entry. The front windshield still leaks after having put tape over the area of leak, so when it dries out, I will try again with a different tape.
I begin work at eight this morning and rope quite a few walls, then both Wayne and Summer show up, but Wayne does not stay because he has a stomach problem. He leaves and takes both boys back to the campsite. Summer, however, stays and almost finishes running the home runs, there are only two more left for the second floor.
By seven this evening, we are both done working and finish the spot we are working on, pack away the tools, and clean up. Then Summer leaves for the campsite and I return to the jammer, take a shower, cut up veggies for a salad and sit in the jammer with the sliding door open, eating and pounding keys. I finish eating by nine, finish pounding by nine-twenty and shut down and get horizontal.
(Day 624 TB) 46°F. 5:40 am, sunny and cool
Driveway at the Bitter Creek Home
Up before the alarm, rise, dress and start my morning by boiling water. Then I sip on a cup of hot after which I do my daily wash. Finally, I put on my work blues, walk inside and at seven this morning begin my day at the Bitter Creek Home. Both Wayne and Summer also work today, but Wayne still has his stomach problem so I offer to give him one of my MRPs and he drinks the entire glass.
Today is the day that Summer and I choose to work on the ceiling lights on the first floor which requires cutting holes into the attic and then running wires to each of the can lights. From the beginning, Summer has insisted on doing all the work in the attic, even purchased a white coverall suit to wear and today she is a trouper in her work, hanging in there all day right to the end. We not only finish all the can lights in the living room, but also finish several more miscellaneous lights in other rooms.
At the end of the work day, Summer comes down from the attic, removes the now off-white suit, changes out of her work shoes and then Wayne and Summer leave to get the boys. I take a shower using the water I had placed in the sun to warm and it is a nice change to have the water sun-warmed for my shower. Afterwards, I drive to a Mexican restaurant for supper and then back to the Bitter Creek home for the evening.
It has been a long day working at the Bitter Creek home.
(Day 625 TB) 59°F. 6:50 am
Driveway at the Bitter Creek Home
Upon rising, I dress in my blues, wet my hair to brush it and then drive to the w-mart for coffee. Then at eight-thirty, I drive to meet for the ministry and go with Larry and Leuanna. Afterwards, I go to the Coal Train station for a cup of coffee and try to access the internet with my computer but I am still having a problem. I will try once more at the w-mart tomorrow before I will try another way to gain internet access.
Next, I drive to the Bitter Creek home, park the van and go inside to find Wayne and Summer here working on the basement wall construction. I go upstairs to the first floor and continue making an accounting of the electrical installation, recording it in one of my paper journals. At six, Wayne and Summer order pizza and ask if I would like a salad, which I say yes. When the delivery driver arrives, I stop and eat supper with Wayne, Summer and Caleb; after which I return to the electrical record. Then a brother and his wife from the Caribbean arrive and go downstairs. I finish my record at eight-thirty this evening, carry some chairs downstairs and sit with the friend until Wayne finishes the wall he is working. Then we all pack out and everyone leaves for places otherwise while I climb into the jammer, write my journal entry and then hit the horizontal by ten-thirty.
(Day 626 TB) 49°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Driveway at the Bitter Creek Home
Up at the alarm, dress in my summer blues and then drive to the w-mart for coffee and find that the WiFi here works just fine. I am still puzzled about why I am having problems logging on the internet at the Bitter Creek home, especially since it is a home service. At nine-thirty, I pack out and head to the hall and afterwards, go to a l-mart to wash my clothes, then back to the Bitter Creek home, where Wayne and the boys are working in the basement, building the new walls. A short time later, it begins to downpour.
I begin pounding nails out of the large stack of two by three boards which Wayne had to remove from the ceiling because the sheet rock man said that they would not hold with the weight of the sheet rock. We continue to work until seven, pack out and retire for the day. Soon, Larry and Leuanna arrive and another family all toting food; Summer had been in the back yard cooking several meats on the grill. We all go inside, site around the table and enjoy a nice meal. Afterwards, I continue to remove nails until nearly completing the stack.
After every one leaves, I use the water in the gallon jugs, which has been warmed by the sun to take a shower. The water feels so good rather than the normal cold water I normally use. Then, I retire to the jammer and sleep.
(Day 627 TB) 46°F. 6:40 am, cloudy, some rain
Driveway at the Bitter Creek Home
The alarm only annoys me and after turning it off, go back to sleep. When I do get up, I dress and then eat leftover bean dip and chips from the barbecue last evening. Next, I grab some tools and begin work at seven-thirty. Wayne, Summer, Caleb and Jonah arrive about an hour later and soon, Summer is suited up and back in the attic running wire, while I continue roping the walls on the first floor.
Later in the day, several other contractors arrive, first the plumber, then the furnace and venting, and finally the sheet rock man with several of his friends who Wayne hires to do the framing that still needs to do. Then, at seven-thirty, as the sun light is fading, Summer and I decide to stop the electric work and pack out. It is not long before the house is empty.
Wayne and his family leave for home while I take a cold shower, then prepare a salad for supper and finally pound keys until my eyes hurt too much and I have to rinse the with cold water. Then, before nine-thirty, I go to bed.
(Day 628 TB) 53°F. 6:45 am, sunny, some clouds
Driveway at the Bitter Creek Home
Awake, rise, put on my summer blues, and put on a pot of water to boil. Then with a cup of hot in hand, I go inside and update my record of the electrical box installation. When that is finished, I return to the jammer, pack up the kitchen and get out my computer to begin the journal entry for today and upload files to the web site.
Another long day at the Bitter Creek home. Summer and Wayne are both here so that we can be ready for the rough-in inspection coming this Monday. Several of the contractors show up, the plumber Julio, the concrete mason Armando and even Ivan who brings some of his friends who are carpenters to finish what the previous carpenter botched. I continue with the electric on the first floor.
At four this afternoon, I pack out and head to the civic center where I go in to sit in the hot tub, dive from the board into the pool three times and finally take a hot shower. Afterwards, and because the carpenters are returning to work during the evening, I drive to the d-mart for the night, getting horizontal by nine.
(Day 629 TB) 49°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up, drive to the ff-mart for coffee and then head to the Bitter Creek home to begin work by eight, and go through the first floor looking for all that needs to be completed. In the afternoon, Summer and the boys arrive at which time Summer and I go downstairs to the basement to install the electrical boxes in the walls. Summer prepares supper, barbecued chicken, dirty rice and Brussels sprouts and we sit in the living room on the patio furniture to eat.
There are still walls that need to be installed so, we end up stoping before sunset and I help Wayne did out the dirt from below the basement bathroom. The carpenters then arrive and begin work while Wayne, Summer and I pack out for the day. I then take a shower with the sun warmed water, dress in my summer blues and head to the w-mart to check my com, after which, I drive across the street to the d-mart for the evening.
(Day 630 TB) 54°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up before the suntouch, dress in my blues and drive to the ff-mart for coffee and a refill. Then, I drive to the Bitter Creek home, arriving at six-thirty this morning because Summer said that she would like to start at seven. I sit in the jammer and pound keys to catch up on my journal writing until seven-thirty, then dress in my work blues and begin my day of work at the Bitter Creek home.
Summer arrives carrying a coffee maker and some large breakfast burritos, of which I avail myself. Then Summer and myself install the boxes for lights and receptacle before she leaves to be with Caleb as he has two teeth pulled. Soon, Larry arrives to help with the wiring and together we get busy installing wires. I drill holes and he installs the wire but he is fast and I have to work quickly just to stay ahead of him. We work late into the afternoon and then he leaves to go on a Bible study with one of his students. I continue drilling holes and then Summer and Caleb return, Caleb hold a small canister with his two teeth. Wayne then drives in and begins sweeping the floors. I too begin to ready the basement for the framers who will arrive to work tonight and soon, I pack out.
By the end of a long day, I have received an invitation for supper at Don and Jackie′s home. There will be nine of us there, their two children Brieanna and Derrick, together with Wayne, Summer and their two children Caleb and Jonah. (Don and Wayne are fleshly brothers.) After taking a shower with water warmed very nicely by the sun, dress in my summer blues and drive up Foothills boulevard.
(Day 631 TB) 50°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up at six, dress in my summer blues, step out of the jammer camera in hand and take a photo of the waning crescent moon, three hands up from the horizon.
(m5he-ch-crescent-2017-0818.0608) Waning Crescent Moon, 3 days before Eclipse
(b7-wy-bittercreek-17.20170818.0734) Overnighting in driveway,
Bitter Creek House
Leaving the d-mart, I drive to the ff-mart, purchase a large coffee which after walking out to the jammer, pour into my Yeti cup and then go back for a refill. Next, I drive to the Bitter Creek home and with coffee in hand, walk through the home to see the framers work. Then, I return to the jammer, put up the window sun shades and pound keys until just after seven this morning, after which, I put on my work blues and begin my task for today.
Summer soon after arrives, then Larry, and much later, Wayne arrives from his work. Several of the friends arrive at different times during the day and talk briefly with each, but soon continue my task, which is drilling holes, pulling wire and pounding staples. This task takes me right up until eight this evening when I stop, pack out my tools and take a shower with sun warmed water.
Summer asks me if I would like her to put pork chops on the grill to which I answer Yes. She turns on the grill, opens a package of chops and places them on the fire. Then she makes a foil boat to hold some mixed veggies and I tell her that I will take it from here. Then Wayne, Summer and the boys climb into there vehicles and head to the campsite, after which, I finish cooking the food, put it all on a paper plate and then go to the jammer to eat. After I eat, I pound keys to complete today′s journal entry but I do not upload it because it is nearly ten pm.
(Day 632 TB) 50°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Driveway at the Bitter Creek Home
After rising, I dress in my work blues and then begin work. I have two days left to finish the electric and plan to work long days to do so. Meals have been provided by Summer and her mom Leuanna for a couple of days and have been very tasty.
Early in the morning, two days before the eclipse, I see the waxing crescent moon on the horizon just before the sunrise.
Wayne has purchased a dual work light which allows me to work after sunset and I do not finish work today until long after it gets dark. When Wayne and Summer leave, I take a shower and then go back inside to a reconnaissance of the wire installation and chronicle it in my journal, a process which takes another two hours. Finally, I get horizontal some time after eleven pm.
(Day 633 TB) 50°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Driveway at the Bitter Creek Home
Up late after this morning because the work kept me going so long yesterday, then continue again pounding staples and stripping wire for the circuit breaker box. In the late morning, the generator runs out of gasoline and I loose my light but I make due and keep working. Then at two in the afternoon, Wayne and Summer arrive, fill the generator with gasoline and the lights come back on. I continue working on the circuit breaker box while Wayne and Summer work on the seven discrepancies I found last evening during my reconnaissance of the wire installation.
It is not until ten this evening when I finally finish with the electric work and then I pack out, after which I take a shower.
On The Road to the Path of Totality
Then, immediately, I get into the jammer and drive north on US 191 to Farson, turn right on SR 28, cross the continental divide and continue until I arrive at a roadside pullout near South Pass, where I stop and get into the back to sleep.
(Day
634 TB) 40°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Overnighting in a roadside pullout
Up early, start the jammer and continue east on SR 28 towards the path of totality. When I arrive at US 287, I turn north and drive into the path at about eight this morning. Soon after, I arrive in Lander, Wyoming where I stop at a ff-mart for coffee, breakfast burrito and check on my com. Then, at nine, I leave the mart, gas up, buy a pair of eclipse glasses and continue my drive to Burris, Wyoming which is in the middle of the path and has two minutes and twenty-two seconds of shadow. I arrive at US 26 turn east and drive thru Crowheart, and arrive in Burris at nine-forty this morning just about half an hour before the eclipse begins.
By ten o′clock, I have my camera set and I am ready for the eclipse with only minutes to spare. Then, with my eclipse glasses on, I begin looking at the sun and see the first indication of the encroaching moon in the upper right of the sun. When trying to photograph the eclipse, I immediately see the need for a filter for my camera and think to use the eclipse glasses which work fairly well. So, I begin using the glasses to both look at the eclipse and to photograph it.
However, the results are anything but what I have wished to achieve and realize that there must be an art to doing this photography correctly.
1
When the moon shadow arrives in Burris, Wyoming, it is the most unusual experience I have ever had. At the very moment of totality, when the area goes dark, I hear the collective cheers of awe and satisfaction from numerous people somewhere south of me.
Looking up from my camera, I see that the entire area has dimmed considerable. I suppose it is likened to the amount or light there is during a full moon, and the glow from the sun has colored the horizon as if it was the suntouch.
I then begin taking photos of the totality and the sunglow on the horizon but all too soon, I run out of time.
(m5pr-solar-2017-0821.1142) The Jammer in the Moon Shadow
This is the strangest phenomena I have ever seen and methinks these one hundred and forty-two seconds within the moon shadow have caused me to become an umbraphile, (literally a
shadow lover)
2 and do so wish to experience this again in the future.
I only have time to take just a few photos during the totality, and then before I realize it, the moon shadow has left Burris, Wyoming for places east of here, the sun comes back out from behind the moon into direct view and I am bludgeoned right back into the sunlight.
(m5pr-solar-2017-0821.1144) Umbraphile with 142 Seconds and Counting
With the shadow have moved east, I pack out, start the jammer and head east on US 26 to Rivertown, Wyoming where Summer, a friend of mine has told me there is a health food store. I locate the store, walk inside and begin looking for a natural supplement to help remove the yeast over-growth I have long have been troubled with. I talk with Sheryl and she suggest one product that contains prebiotics, probiotics, and enzymes that consume yeast. I have heard about all these and have used each of the ingredients separately but had not use one product containing all three ingredients.
Then, I leave Rivertown on SR 789 south towards Lander, Wyoming and enter what I now call the Great American Traffic Jam. There is bumper to bumper traffic keeping my waiting in town for about an hour just to get on the state route and drive south.
The traffic continues to be heavy and at a snail′s pace for over ten miles until after driving through Hudson where the speed increases slightly, to about twenty mile per hour.
Then the traffic slows down again before Lander, taking me almost an hour to drive through this town and south on US 287 to the junction of SR 28. Once I begin driving south west on SR 28, the pace pick up and we are running this route at the speed limit even thought the traffic is still heavy here.
Then when SR comes to with in five miles of Farson and US 191, it becomes bumper to bumper and slows to less than five miles per hour.
(m5pr-solar-2017-0821.1727) The Great American Traffic Jam
This last for over thirty minutes before I arrive at US 191 and turn south towards Rock Springs. Next, the drive south on US 191 is equally as tiresome, with heavy traffic keeping the speed well below the speed limit all the way to Rock Springs.
The Sunset in Rock Springs, Wyoming
Upon arriving in town at about six-thirty, I drive to a Mexican restaurant for supper after which I drive to the d-mart to get ready for the evening.
Just after ten this evening, the sun sets and I grab my camera for one more photo today before I go the sleep.
(Day 635 TB) 50°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
After a restful night′s sleep, I rise, put on my summer blues and head over to the w-mart for coffee and com. I began taking the dietary supplement yesterday before the drive, a drive by the way which took four and a half hours, three hours longer that it took to drive there.
Leaving the d-mart, I drive to the w-mart across the street and begin working on my journal entry for the last couple of days which takes until well after four this afternoon. Then, I head out to the jammer to ready for the meeting tonight.
After the meeting, I drive to the house on Bitter Creek, park, climb into the back and get horizontal.
(Day 636 TB) 58°F. 6:45 am, sunny
Driveway at the Bitter Creek Home
Rise, put on a pot of water to boil and soon have a cup of hot to sip on. Then, at eight this morning, I am working on the circuit breaker box. Later, several other contractors arrive and begin their work, all trying to finish before the next inspection.
My work today is to first install the ground wires and then the neutral wires, after which I install two receptacles, one on each floor and then connect the black wire for those two circuits in the breaker box. Next, I go outside, turn on the power to the house and then go back inside and check to see that the two receptacles work, which they both do.
Finally, I install a couple of wires, one wire to add a light in the closet under the stairway and two other wires, both of which combine two circuits into one. This was necessary because when running the home runs (the wire from the circuit breaker box to the first electrical box) we ran forty-two runs total because the number of spaces listed on the breaker box showed forty-two. However, there were only spaces in the breaker box for forty breakers. Thus, combining two runs into one was necessary in two locations to achieve the correct number of runs.
It is after dark today when I finally pack out my tools, grab my shower kit and talk a shower with the four bottles of sun warmed water. Then I say good night to Summer, who is still hanging insulation and drive to the d-mart to sleep because the framers are making a lot of noise here. Soon after, I arrive at the d-mart, park and climb into the back.
(Day 637 TB) 55°F. 6:47 am, sunny
Overnighting in a parking lot.
Awake, dress and step outside to notice a strange vehicle parked near the jammer, an old bus loaded with all kinds of bikes on the top rack. Methinks there are the strangest people out there, this one driving a junk collecting RV.
(b1a11-12-06.20170823.0657) The d-mart parking lot in Rock Springs, Wyoming
Next, I drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and a cookie. Then at ten this morning, I pack out and drive to the Bitter Creek home. I begin this morning just resting because Wayne, Summer and their two boys are still doing insulation. Also, the furnace contractors are still working on the ducts. If I have to speak it, these contractors have the filthiest mouth that I have heard for a long time and it is hard on me to keep doing my work and be subjected to such filthy language. In the early afternoon, I do go in and begin stripping and connecting wires in the switch boxes, particularly the ones with three way switches, and there are quite a few of them.
I continue working until ten this evening and then take stop to take a bucket shower. Summer returns from the hw-mart with a bathroom fan-light and I go in to help install it but then Wayne and I after pulling insulation back, find that there is no power wire to the fan. So, Summer comes in and begins drilling holes and soon I help her pull the wire and then she staples it to the two bys. We finish cleaning up and then stop for the evening.
Wayne and Summer then pack the kids and head home while I prepare for the evening here at the Bitter Creek home. It is not until eleven when I am able to get horizontal.
(Day 638 TB) 55°F. 6:47 am, sun
Driveway at the Bitter Creek Home
Arise, dress in my work blues and soon after, I working inside, stripping and connecting wires in the switch boxes. It is just one more long day of work at the Bitter Creek home but I finish early and will go for a soak in the hot tub at the civic center when I complete the last switch.
At four-forty, I leave and drive to the civic center, change into my swimming suit, pay the senior rate of $2.50 and sit in the hot tub until it closes for the day, about a half an hour. Then, I walk to the pool, climb up on the diving board for one dive, a three step, bounding head first leap into the water. On Day
628 TB, just ten days ago, I had proven to myself that I still could dive off a diving board when I dove three times, even though the third time was nearly a flop because I was overly tired from the first two. Today, however, I only dive once and it is not a bad dive to say so myself. Methinks I will enjoy diving again in the paradise, even learning a dive I have always wanted to learn, a gainer, (backward flip while moving forward), which was a dive that I was never able to accomplish in my youth when I did so much diving.
Then I drive back to the Bitter Creek home, park, lock up the house and return to the jammer. Then, a Volkswagen pulls up in front, two Mexicans get out and begin packing tools to the front porch. One of the two tells me that they are here to install sheet rock and asks me if the house is open and I tell them no, but I will open it for then. Seeing that the working will be here making noise, I drive to the d-mart parking lot and park for the evening.
(Day 639 TB) 53°F. 5:55 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up early, dress in my summer blues and drive across the street for coffee, com and a cookie. Then, I pound keys to alter to the pages in my journal, after which at about four this afternoon, I pack out and drive to the l-mart to wash clothes.
After that, I return to the w-mart to continue pounding key and up walks Wayne and his family. They have stopped for a drink and are heading to the Bitter Creek home to see progress on the sheet rock work. I too drive there to see for myself.
Then I show Wayne the discrepancy I found on the basement front porch light, suggest what might fix it and then he comes up with an even better way, which we then immediately implement.
Soon, Wayne and his family leave for a weekend getaway while I drive first to the g-mart for almond milk, then drive to the d-mart for the evening, arriving before eight-thirty and get horizontal.
(Day 640 TB) 49°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up immediately at the sound of my phone alarm, dress and drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and to work on the final changes to chapter 57 of my journal. At nine this morning, I pack out to the jammer, dress in my meeting suit and drive to the hall for the weekend meeting. Afterwards, I join Larry and Leuanna for lunch at a local restaurant.
Leaving the restaurant, I drive back to the w-mart and continue pounding keys until five this afternoon when I drive to the Bitter Creek home to upload all the recent changes I have been making this past week to chapter 57 of this online journal.
These changes are needed because the file for Part Five was very large causing it to be slow when loading. To correct this, I created a new Part Six and moved the last five section from Part Five to the new Park Six.
When I finish these changes, I drive to the Bitter Creek home, get online and upload all the files into the correct directories on the web server. Then, I return to the d-mart, set up for the night and climb into the back of the jammer.
(Day 641 TB) 53°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
When the alarm sounds this morning, I rise even though feeling like another hour of sleep would be beneficial, then drive to the w-mart for coffee and to check my com. I notice that the sunglow is getting less when I awake at six each morning and in a few weeks it will most likely be dark at six.
There is one more task for me to finish my part of the electrical at the Bitter Creek home and what I will do after that is not clear to me for now but will most likely include some driving and national parks. However, for now and while still in Rock Springs, I will join Larry in the ministry for a few days. Arriving at the hall before nine, I go in for the ministry meeting and work with Larry, Tye and Ron until shortly after noon.
Afterwards, I stop at the recycle center and receive ten dollars for the thirteen pounds of copper that I collected during the electrical work. (I was expecting more than a dollar a pound for the copper.) Then I stop at the bank for a short time after which I go to the three ap-marts looking for special bolts for holding my windshield wiper motor to the mounts, but I am not successful and now must needs stop at a wrecking yard.
Then at two in the afternoon, I return to the air conditioned w-mart and pound keys. Later, I retire to a shaded area in the d-mart parking area for a nap and when the sun is about to reach sun-touch, I move to my regular spot to park for the night. Today, methinks, is my day to eliminate the sleep debt that I have accumulated. After a warm evening, it finally cools off about nine o′clock and I am able to get to sleep.
(Day 642 TB) 55°F. 7:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
After sleeping in, I rise, dress in my summer blues and drive to the ff-mart for a senior coffee and to check my com. At eight, I change into a suit and then drive to the hall for the ministry meeting where I am assigned to work with Larry, Bonny and Carolyne. After the ministry, I drive to the g-mart to buy vegetable and a bag of ice; then to the w-mart for some air conditioning, however, the roof is being sealed and the smell is too much for me so I search for shade in which to take a nap. No, I do not like this kind of summer heat which could most likely cause me to travel to a higher altitude for a few days.
I drive to the Bitter Creek home to see the progress with the sheet rock and then head to the civic center for a soak in the hot tub and also swim in the cold water for a couple laps. Afterwards, I drive to the w-mart to dress for the meeting and then make my way there, arriving just before seven this evening.
However, my legs begin to bother me so much with throbbing pain that I leave early to return to the d-mart to get horizontal for the evening. Methinks that the two laps of swimming could have pushed my legs to the point of throbbing.
(Day 643 TB) 57°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake at the first bell and with my legs feeling somewhat better this morning drive to the w-mart for coffee. This pain in my legs has been showing up each time I do work like that I have been doing this month and this make me think that I should refrain from accepting any more similar jobs. I still have the job in Tennessee that I have previously committed myself to do and there is the ongoing work in California that Richard is planning. Still, methinks that I will not take on any more new projects.
The day lingers into evening and I stop just before dark, drive to the d-mart, tidy up the jammer, prepare a salad and then eat while reading from the 2017 Yearbook of Jehovah′s Witnesses. Soon, it is after nine and I turn in for the evening.
(Day 644 TB) 59°F. 6:00 am, cloudy
Overnighting in a parking lot
Arise at first bell, dress in my summer blues and then drive to the w-mart for another day of key pounding. I finish upgrading Quire Four and plan to upload to the web server soon. Also, I added a photo of the Devils slide to the June 29 2017 journal entry. (Day
582 TB) Continuing with the key pounding, I complete all of the updates on Quire Four and then continue with the next Quire.
At six this afternoon, I drive to the Bitter Creek home and upload files to the web server, after which I drive back to the d-mart for the evening, park and continue reading in the 2017 yearbook.
(Day 645 TB) 59°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake before the alarm, but lie in the sack until it does, then rise, dress in my summer blues and drive to the w-mart. Before I go inside, I put on my blue sweat shirt knowing that the temperature inside will be like a refrigerator. Going inside, I purchase my regular cup of hot, sit down in the corner office and begin pounding keys.
At five this afternoon, I get a text from Summer telling me that the barbecue is at six-thirty. At six, I pack out and drive to the Bitter Creek home for supper with Wayne and his family, his brother Ron and his family and both Larry and Leuanna. Summer cooks the food on the grill at home but we walk to the park at the end of the block and take up the two picnic tables.
Leaving the Bitter Creek home, I drive to the d-mart and set up for the evening, read for a while in the yearbook using the parking lot lights, then pull down the window curtains and then get horizontal.
(Day 646 TB) 56°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Upon rising, I see that on the horizon is the dayspring is just beginning; just a few more days until it will be dark here at six in the morning. Yes, the days are definitely getting shorter as we get closer to the end of summer at the equinox later this month.
After I drive to the w-mart and walk in, Ashly says, "It is odd seeing you here this morning." She is being facetious because she has seen me come in at this time almost every day for nearly all of August. After I reply in kind back to her, she asks me what I am working on and I tell her that I am working on my book. Ashley then asks what is it about to which I hand her my card and then reply, "It is a fiction based on the true story of a young man who leaves everything and goes walking in search of the meaning of life. It is available now on my website." She comments that this really interests her and will check out my website.
In the late morning, Summer and Jackie stop at the w-mart for coffee and I offer to buy their drinks, telling them that I am trying to complete the summer games challenges at the w-mart and they allow me to buy. After their break, they head back out. Later, Summer, now working on the Bitter Creek home returns for an afternoon pick up. All along, I keep pounding keys in the corner office to tweak my online photos.
It is not until after seven-thirty when I pack out, retire to the jammer and before getting horizontal, do my study for the meeting tomorrow.
(Day 647 TB) 55°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up, dress in my summer blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee, to check my com and begin today′s journal entry. At nine this morning, I pack out to the jammer where I put on my suit. Then I drive to the hall for the weekend meeting.
After the meeting, I drive back to the w-mart and spend the rest of the day pounding on keys. I have finished Quire Six but when reviewing it prior to uploading, I find that I want to include the horse training at Laughlin Mountain ranch. However, in order to not clutter up this page with the numerous photos, I decide to include the photos in the Mountain Passage and create a new page for horse training.
When I open the mammal page and scroll down to the Order that includes
horse, I realize that nothing in this order has been create as yet. So, I get busy with this new section and in the process of creating the pages for the Equidae family of animals, I learn a lot about these animals. Methinks, learning about this earth and the life on it is one of the main reasons that I am doing the Mountain Passage.
By the end of this day, I have made updates to the Mammal page, created the Odd-toed Ungulates page which has three Family sections, created one of those sections, the Equine Family page and nearly finished the three Genius pages, the Donkeys, the Horses and the Zebras. I have yet to begin the horse training section but because the w-mart just closed and I had to pack out, I intend to work on doing the horse training tomorrow.
After leaving the w-mart, I drive next door to the d-mart park the jammer and not ready to sleep yet, stay up and play solitaire until the computer battery nearly expires. Then I pack away the computer and get horizontal for the evening.
(Day 648 TB) 53°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Today′s dayspring arrives with a maroon edging on the clouds lining the eastern horizon but then these colors fade quickly to burnt orange and do not increase in glory. I dress in my summer blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee and begin right away with completing yesterdays′s journal entry. Then, I begin today′s entry, which when I get caught up, I am ready for my second cup of hot.
When I rise each morning, for the last week or two, I have been seeing Venus about a hand above the horizon. Also, right on the horizon is Mercury and I believe Mars is just below. In looking online, there is suppose to be a conjunction of planets about mid-September. I will keep my eye on this event.
At eight this morning, I leave for the ministry meeting but there is no one else going out this morning so I return to w-mart and continue pounding keys.
(Day 649 TB) 47°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Wake up, dress in my summer blues, step outside and it is still dark, just before the dayspring and see Venus now two hands high. I drive to the w-mart for coffee and com. Then at eight-fifteen drive to the hall for the ministry meeting and work with Larry, Vern and Kennedy. Afterwards, I return to the w-mart and continue to pound keys.
At seven-thirty, I retire to the d-mart for the evening.
(Day 650 TB) 46°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up at the sound of my alarm, dress in my summer blues and step outside to see the full moon setting. Last night, when the moon rose, it was red as it has been for several days nor, most likely due to a forest fire here in the mountain states.
I create several google guide and facebook posts, after which I drive to the Bitter Creek home to upload all the latest updates that I have done during the past week but before I do that, I clean the concrete, starting with hosing the dog pen, but before I can finish hosing down the back concrete patio, the water stops and I can not finish hosing the concrete patio. So,then I sweeping all the debris into piles, then into a dust pan and finally put it all in the dumpster. Methinks, this is the cleanest the driveway has been the whole time I have been here. Also, I take the grill pit apart and clean it up because it just looks too dirty for anyone to cook on again. Upon checking the hose again, the pressure is back on so I continue hosing off the rest of the concrete.
After doing this extensive cleaning, I begin to upload my files and finish by one-thirty this afternoon. Then, I wash up, change into clean clothes and return to the w-mart to continue working on the updates. Also, today, I make a backup of all my website files.
At eight this evening, I pack out and drive to the d-mart for the evening.
(Day 651 TB) 49°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up at five-twenty but lie back down only to be awaken by the alarm in what seemes like only two minutes later at six. I rise, dress in my summer blues and drive to the w-mart for a cup of coffee. The temperature in the morning has persistently been in the high forties so methinks the time has come for this wayfarer to begin my drive east which I plan to do this Monday. The suntouch is at seven this morning and the sun is red, caused again from the eleven forest fires in Washington and more in other states.
Yesterday at the Bitter Creek home, I talked with Larry and he told me that he will be going out in the ministry this morning so since I did not get to go in the ministry Tuesday, I asked if I could join him tomorrow. Of course, he said yes. So this morning, I drive to the hall for the morning meeting for the ministry and work with Larry, Austin, and Jim. Afterwards, I drive back to the w-mart and resume my work on my online journal.
(Day 652 TB) 50°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
After a red sunrise cause by the fire smoke, I begin my regular routine of first coffee, then key pounding until just after noon when I pack out and head for the Bitter Creek home. Arriving before one in the afternoon, I find Summer here finishing the insulation in the utility room.
She asks me when I am going to do the circuit breaker box wiring. I reply, that I am here now to do that. She also asks me if I would like to join them for dinner and than after that a musical but I tell her the I will most likely be still working on the wiring.
Then, I grab my tools, go to the back, set up the generator, turn off the electric power off and begin installing the red and black wires which are the power wires for each circuit. I had previously install all the ground and common wires in the box.
(b7-wy-bittercreek-17.20170910.01241) Cir. Breaker Box at Bitter Creek Home
The work goes well at the circuit breaker box, however, it does take until almost seven in the evening before I finish by sweeping the floor and packing out. I then go to a Mexican restaurant for supper after which I retire to d-mart parking lot.
(Day 653 TB) 53°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up to a clear sky as the smoke seems to have blown out of the area. I go into the w-mart and pound keys all day.
At seven, I leave and drive to the d-mart to park, go inside and purchase canned fish, and a small package of crackers. Then, I return to the jammer, eat and then retire for the evening.
(Day 654 TB) 55°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Today, there are clouds on the horizon which are much different that the last few weeks and more refreshing than the dull gray overcast that has been ever present. I drive to the w-mart, purchase a cup of coffee and sit down to compete the study for the meeting later this morning.
At nine-ten, I pack out to the jammer, put on my suit and drive to the hall. As soon as I walk in, I see Keslyn, a brother who helped one day during the work on the electric wires and we talk for a short time. He asks for my contact information and I give him one of my cards.
After the meeting, I drive to the Bitter Creek home so that I can take a photo of the circuit breaker box as when I finished it Friday, I was too tired to take any then. After that, I pack out and leave town east on the I 80 to Rawlins, Colorado where I fill my gas tank. Then, I continue east on the I 80 to the Saratoga, Colorado exit, drive south on SR 130, cross the
North Platte river, turn left on Walnut street and get into
Saratoga hot springs water.
At the hot springs, I soak in the hot water for about an hour, even getting in the small pool of 118 degrees for five seconds. Then, I take a hot shower, scrub with soap, rinse and dry off with my towel. Wow, I have not had this much hot water in a long time.
Leaving Saratoga, I drive south on SR 130 and in the west on the horizon, there is a strange pink glow, as if there was raining and then the sun began to color the mist. I could not help but taking a few photos of the colors which even had some crepuscular rays.
(m5cr-clouds-2017-0910.1810) Crepuscular Rays on the Horizon Rain Shower
(m5cr-clouds-2017-0910.1812) Crepuscular Rays on the Horizon Rain Shower
I continue south on SR 130 to where to where it turns left but I continue south on to SR 230, drive through Rivertown without stopping, cross into Colorado at six-forty and continue south on SR 125. In a short time, the sun begins to set and cast reflections on the lakes and mountains.
(m5da-sunglow-2017-0910.1853) Sunglow reflects on Cowdrey Pond
(m5da-sunglow-2017-0910.1908) Sunglow reflects on more Ponds to the south
(m5da-sunglow-2017-0910.1910) Sunglow reflects on the Mountains
Sunset is at seven-twenty three when I photograph the crepuscular rays, then continue south until I reach Willow Creek Pass ten minutes later, park the jammer at the trailhead, climb into the back and get horizontal.
(Day 655 TB) 40°F. 6:00 am, cloudy
24,145 DA, 1115 DR70 or 4768 DR80
Parkview Mountain Trailhead, Elev. 9561 feet
It is dark when I rise this morning, then I dress in my summer blues, start the jammer engine and soon, there is heat coming into the van. I did not get a chance to complete my journal entry yesterday, so I do it first this morning while waiting for the light of day.
When the light does arrive it brings with it the sighting of a heavily clouded sky. Soon after dayspring, I begin my drive down from the pass along Willow Creek but do not see any moose. Then, I drive to Hot Sulphur Springs and stop at Pioneer park to see if Gordon is here but do not find him, so I drive to Grandby to stop briefly at the w-mart. When I leave here, the temperature is near seventy degrees and it begins to rain.
Soon, I am heading up to the national park stop at Timber Creek camp but since it is raining, I decide not to spend the thirteen dollars and continue driving over
Trail Ridge Road. The temperature is in the low forties at the continental divide and the rain continues all the way over to the other side.
(b1a11-12-07a.20170911.1422) Climbing west side of Rocky Mountain National Park
(b1a11-12-07a.20170911.1442) Crossing Trail Ridge above 12,100 feet
I stop in Fort Collins at the hg-mart and purchase some powdered turmeric which I will add to my MRP to help relieve the arthritis pain I have been feeling in my right arm and both legs.
Afterwards, I drive out to the interstate and stop at the w-mart for the electrical outlet to keep my computer going while I update my journal entry. I finish at eight-thirty and head out to the jammer, move it next door to the d-mart and stop for the evening.
(Day 656 TB) 53°F. 5:40 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
It is dark outside when I awake. I rise, put on my summer blues, start the jammer and drive the two hundred feet to the w-mart. Going inside, I purchase a cup of hot and sit down to pound keys until the morning evaporates. Soon, the dayspring begins as an orange glow in a cloudless sky and progresses to gold.
In the afternoon, I pack out and head, first north on I 25 to exit 269 and then drive east on SR 14 to Sterling where I connect to east US 6, cross under IH 76 and continue east on the 6 through Holyoke and into Nebraska, where after a short distance, I arrive at Imperial and stop at the Kingdom Hall for the midweek meeting.
The Imperial congregation must be the smallest congregation I have ever visited, about a dozen publishers in a hall about twenty feet by forty feet. We visit for a short time after and then I leave for the next d-mart some fifty mile east in McCook, Nebraska. I arrive just after eleven and find a place to park, climb into the back and get horizontal.
(Day 657 TB) 61°F. 6:00 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
I rise and begin driving right away, only to stop in the town of Arapahoe, Nebraska to purchase a cup of coffee and then continue driving east on US 6 until I reach US 81 where I drive north from there to York, Nebraska. Once I arrive in York, at two in the afternoon, I stop at a w-mart and begin uploading my files to the internet server. By four this afternoon, I am done with the upload and ready for a nap, however, I purchase a chocolate brownie and keep pounding keys.
Before I walk out to the jammer at eight, I have made progress on the
Lighthouses pages.
(Day 658 TB) 53°F. 7:00 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
When I rise, I look at my phone and it reads five o′clock. It is dark outside and methinks I have awaken an hour before my alarm which is set for six. I dress, start the jammer and then see that the time on my GPS reads one minute after six.
Upon looking in the settings, I find that my phone is set to Mountain time and since I am traveling, I reset my phone to automatically change with my location. Then I drive to the w-mart for a cup of hot and begin pounding keys. At seven-thirty, I drive to the d-mart to purchase ice, walk back to the jammer, remove the veggies for the cooler, drain the water for my cooler, put the ice on the bottom and replace my salad veggies in the cooler.
With that task done, I drive to a suitable location at the outskirts of the parking lot and make a salad for my supper. Then, I sit inside the jammer and read in the book of Daniel while eating my salad. Afterwards, I climb into the back and get horizontal.
(Day 659 TB) 63°F. 7:00 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up with the alarm, dress in my summer blues and drive to the w-mart. Just before I awoke, I had been dreaming that I was in a meeting with the friends when outside there was a loud racket which made us all wonder if the time had come. Strange dream but one within the realm of my thoughts during these last days.
I purchase a cup of coffee and resume working on Quire Seven again.
At seven, I stop work, drive to the d-mart, prepare a salad with the remaining ingredients and while I eat read more in the book of Daniel. The I get into the horizontal for the evening, but it is a hot one.
(Day 660 TB) 66°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
I rise, dress in my summer blues, and then drive to the ff-mart of a senior coffee and then leave south out of York on US 81, then east on US 6 and follow SR 33 to Crete, Nebraska, then SR 103 and SR 4 right past the Homestead national monument, connect to US 136 through Beatrice, Nebraska and follow the 136 right across the bottom of the state and then across the
Missouri river into the state of Missouri. I had only gone about twenty miles across the top of the state when my tires slip off the right side of the road into a deep rut and when I recovered it back on to the road, it feels that one or both tires are flat.
I pull over onto a side road,get out and see that both tires on the passenger side are flat and methinks, I am glad that I have been carrying two spares because now I can get back on the road today.
(b1a11-12-07a.20170916.1034) The road white line here has broken away
I pull out the floor jack and lift up the front tire when a truck pulls over, a man steps out and offers to help. I do not turn him down but tell him that I have most all that I need to replace both flats, because I am carrying two spares. He says, Now that is amazing, having two tires go flat as well as carrying two spares.
In a short time, the front tire is off the jammer and I see that not only is the tire ripped, but the rim is distorted beyond repair. I will have to replace both the tire and the wheel, but for now, I put the spare tire that I have been carrying atop the jammer since Washington on to the front right. Then I begin taking off the rear rim and find it to be exactly like the front one, so, both rims will have to be replaced as will the tires. I take the temporary spare out from under the back of the jammer and install it on the rear right side, tighten all the lug nuts and then begin packing up. I tell Leonard thanks for his help and then he leaves in his truck.
When I have everything put away, I tie the damaged tires on top of the jammer and continue down the road to Maryville, Missouri where I stop at a tire shop and ask for a replacement rim. The man here, Tom, then checks and when not finding any, he sends me down the highway to check at another location to ask Roy if he can find a rim but he also does not have one. Roy then sends me to a third location to see if Jake has a wheel but like the other stops, I come up empty again.
However, all three men try to help me the best they can. Thinking that I will not be able to drive too far with the temporary tire on the jammer, I decide to only drive about fifty miles to a bigger city, St. Joseph, Missouri, locate a w-mart next to a d-mart then camp out until Monday when I will have a better opportunity of locating two replacement wheels. While I am in the w-mart, I look online to find out when and where a meeting is tomorrow and write the address down.
I drive into the parking lot of a w-mart, park and walk inside with my computer, begin pounding keys and do not leave until after eight this evening. Then, I drive across the highway to the d-mart and park for the night.
(Day 661 TB) 60°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Upon arising, I go inside the d-mart to purchase a new high-lighter pen set for marking my route on my road atlas, after which, I drive to the w-mart for a cup of coffee and begin my study for the meeting today. At noon, I pack out and prepare for the meeting, then drive to the hall which is about two miles from the w-mart. I park, go inside and find a very friendly and loving group of friends. After the meeting, I talk with several who come up to greet me.
Then, I return to the w-mart to keep pounding keys until nine, after which I retire for the evening at the d-mart.
(Day 662 TB) 59°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up at six, drive to the w-mart for coffee and to check for salvage yards here in St. Joseph and also in Kansas City. At eight-thirty, I drive to the salvage yard in St. Joseph and it does not have a steel wheel. I leave this yard, drive to Kansas City, stop at the Pick n Pull and after an hour of walking in pouring rain, find a steel rim that will work. After I purchase it for ten dollars, I leave this yard, drive to a d-mart and have a new tire put on the wheel.
When they are done installing the tire, I pay fifty dollars for the tire with accessories and then put in on the right rear of the jammer. Then I put the temporary tire, the one that many people call a donut, back until the rear of the jammer and then drive out of the d-mart parking lot.
Now with rubber on all four wheels, I can continue my drive to Tennessee, but before I return to the highway, I stop at the w-mart next door and take up the key pounding and uploading to my web site. Later, I stop and drive back to the d-mart to purchase a package of red grapes and then sit in the jammer eating them.
While sitting in the jammer eating my supper, I see a car cut off another and then hear the driver in the one cut off scream obscenities at the other driver. Methinks, I do so hate coming into the city, and decide right then that I need to leave right now. I set the GPS for a d-mart thirty miles to the east, start the jammer, drive to IH 70, set the cruise control and in a half hour, take the exit and arrive at the next d-mart, this one however no where near as crowded as the one I was just parked at in Kansas City, Missouri.
I climb into the back of the jammer, turn on my computer so as to finish today′s journal entry, and right away, I see another RV pull into the parking lot.
(Day 663 TB) 58°F. 6:00 am, sun
Overnighting in a parking lot
Get right up, drive to the ff-mart for a cup of coffee and with coffee in hand drive east on IH 70 toward exit 175 where I will drive south on SR 19. During the eastward drive the rain stops and then the sun rises with a bright orange glow
(b1a11-12-07a.20170919.0607) Orange sunglow on the horizon
My road atlas has marked this highway from here to Arkansas as a scenic route, so at exit 175, I stop in New Florence to gas up and then take the SR 19 south.
However, as I drive south, all it appears to me is just a two lane highway, with lots of curves and cows. A little later, the highway begins to roll over a lot of hills and it reminds me of a roller coaster. I drive slower than the speed limit which is mostly 55 mph and at time increases to 65 mph. I drive slower because if I do the speed limit on these curves, all my stuff will be all over the back of the jammer.
The rain resumes as I continue driving south and the highway goes into the Mark Twain national forest and here, I understand why it is marked as scenic.
