Sheldon's alarm sounded before 8, a prompt to call and secure a spot in the queue for a campsite, which was soon accompanied by a bark. Cooper was outside, with Dave out to the feed. I sent Harley to join them and proceeded to brew some coffee. We received a callback confirming two adjacent sites at Rolling Hills. The coffee was savored in bed, a comfort on this cool, smoky, and cloudy 16-degree day.
I managed to get a blog post published and did some marketing while S browsed the internet. I tried to store my paint sprayer, but why don't things ever fit back into the case as they originally did? Now, it's time to pack the trailer in the usual rush. S attached it and moved it out front, then picked a box of apples to bring with us. They're ripe now—Dave took some yesterday to make apple desserts. I'm eager to do some taste testing. :)
I prepared a potato salad using the cooked potatoes from last night and fresh herbs. Harley was ready at the door each time I stepped out, in case she missed the truck. It's time to tend to the garden, trimming the leaves on the massive tomato plants, hoping it will help the harvest ripen sooner. Meanwhile, I watered the other beds and ran the soaker hose in both gardens.
S stocked the new cooler with beverages and loaded wood. The small fridge was taken back to the barn. He settled in to watch the news and eat the leftover lunch, finishing the entire block of head cheese he had received from his parents in short order. Harley received a much-needed bath.
The skid steer, rented out for the day, encountered issues later on, which required assessment. Meanwhile, I returned to the garden to bury compost, savor some fresh peas, and pick another zucchini. With the sun out and the temperature a heavenly 19 degrees, it was delightful. Next year, I'll definitely reconsider the planting locations for the zucchini.
Harley has to say goodbye to her buddies
Returning from the skid steer, S filled the truck with fuel, we loaded up and headed east before 3 PM. I wrote today's blog while on the road. The journey was uneventful until we turned onto Highway 36. A convoy of windmill blades was crossing Highway 1, and we ended up behind it. Traveling at about 80 KPH, a truck overtook us, the driver frantically waving and looking angry. At first, we thought they were annoyed at us for slowing down traffic. However, glancing in the side mirror, I noticed the trailer's wheel well fender flapping wildly. S pulled over, and when I jumped out, I was met with the sight of a severely flat tire.
My task was to remove the now broken fender ... with this bit. "where is the handle?" "Oh I don't have it with us" - says the guy with a shop full of tools :)
We made our way slowly to the nearest approach, which led to a grassy pasture over a cattle gate. I persuaded S that we needed to avoid the bustling Highway 36, so he skillfully backed the rig up and over the gate into the pasture. Our plan involved unhitching the truck and propping the trailer up on its jacks. After accomplishing this, the next hurdle was locating the tire wrench. We had to remove Harley from the back seat, and although we found the truck's wrench, it was incompatible with the trailer's lug nuts.
I suggested buying a new one since we had the truck unhooked, but S thought we should visit the nearest house. Fortunately, a couple there was trimming trees and they offered us a socket set and an old-fashioned wheel wrench. After we hooked up the trailer to the truck power supply and I pressed the brakes to stop the tire turning while he wrenched the nuts off, everything worked perfectly. S put on the spare tire. The fellow who borrowed the tools came to see if we needed help and picked up his tools saving us dropping off in the cul-de-sac he lived. What a nice guy!
WOW, this Chinese made tire is destroyed with the steel wrapped around the axle good
The trailer was reattached to the truck, and we set off. Twenty minutes later, we arrived at the campground. S filled the water tank while I went to register and pay for both our site and the Paetz's. I also picked up a drumstick ice cream for us, as the temperature had risen to 24 degrees, and S was still sweating from his tire changing exertion.
This time we're in B16 with the Paetz's right next door. We set up camp like pros and soon had a cold drink in hand. I made a potato pack and seasoned the steak while S put the corn on the cob on the BBQ. He started a fire, remembering to bring plenty of wood this time. Dinner was especially tasty since it was enjoyed outdoors.
I walked Harley while S dozed by the fire. The Paetz family texted after 8, waiting to fill up with water, arriving at their site to park just past 8:30. After setting up, they joined us at the fire to cook hot dogs for their late supper. The kids played an axe-throwing game in the dark and later went crayfish hunting along the shore. We stayed up to just after midnight, celebrated Amanda's birthday then they headed to bed, leaving the boys by the fire. I also went inside to read for a bit.
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