The Lodge

I suppose I didn't realize how long it had been since I last posted but here is an update about the Lodge in Deer Run RV Resort (if I have any readers left.)  It's a cozy home for me and I love staying home.  I have some terrific neighbors and there are many activities.

Just as a reminder of what the Lodge looked like when she arrived:

My building is my lifesaver.  I now have a washer/dryer inside.  No hot water but it's all good.

I soon found out how necessary it is to have the Lodge stabilized.  It seems that every time someone walked or rolled over in another room the whole place would shake.  Hence:

Cinder blocks do the trick.

All in all there are six pillars and...

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...additional ones for the two slides.

In addition to the stability I had the toilet plumbed straight into the sewer and the black tank dropped so I don't have to fool with black/grey water emptying.

Then to the underpinning to dress it up a bit.

And to add a little protection to the top, I ordered a Carolina Carport to finish off all my work for the season.

The 12 X 41' topper arrives.

The front gets put in.

Then the rear.

A little grooming has to take place.

All the supports go up.

Good thing it wasn't windy.

The sheeting panels go on.

Getting close to finished.

Add my little sunshine and...

The finished product.

This cover should provide much need shade and protection for me next summer.  That is all I will do for the season.  Next year, I'll put in two ceiling fans and a fire pit and I should be good to go for my TN home.  Guess I forgot to mention I had 5 tons of gravel delivered before the carport could be put on.  So spreading all that gravel did not fare too well for my old body.  Ugh.

For now, I'm in FL at the Thousand Trails cg for a couple of weeks and then I'll move into Citrus Ridge at Margie & Roger's RV lot and be ready for a wonderful winter.

A Whim Update

I really have been a little busy while staying put.  Once I got the Whim back from the slide repair I began working on removing the horseshoe dinnette so I could have more space for a recliner and chest.

Before:  With dinette intact.

The wood portion removed & saved, just in case...

D is our POA president and a darn good electrician.

I removed all seat belts but one to be used for the recliner when traveling.

All finished & ready for furniture.

I am still deciding what chest to put in here.  The dinette afforded so much storage for me that I'm looking for something to replace that and add to the counter space so badly needed.  I already have my recliner and steps for Sedona to get into bed.  She always used the dinette as her step so I had to get something to help her.  Margie had originally purchased these for her dogs and they worked so well, I got a set for Sedona.

Dog steps from Camping World work great in The Lodge and The Whim.

Cart from Big Lots

Here is the cart I'm picking up today to use in the slide. The good thing about Big Lots is that they will assemble w/no cost so I'm driving the Whim over today for them to load it in.  I'm planning on a comfortable winter this year.

But that's not all I've been doing.  Next post will be an update about my lot in Crossville.  I've been working like crazy on it and it's shaping up nicely.

My knee is doing well.  I purchased a stationary bike from a friend and have been riding it to keep the knee in good shape and flexible.  My 37 yo son, Jonathan, had hip replacement surgery so I was in SE GA for about 3 weeks.  He is doing fantastic.  Youth!  My how they heal and bounce back quickly.

We had a Labor Day celebration at Deer Run and the park was full even though there was a chance of rain from Isaac.  It was overcast but not a lot of rain for the holiday.  Halloween is just around the corner and the park is booked.  It's a fun time here on the Cumberland Plateau.

Later...

July 4th Celebration on June 30 in Deer Run

July 4th came early so as to not interfere with other celebrations around the area.  There were children's games, a cake walk, a golf cart parade and fireworks.  It was an awesome celebration but everyone wilted!  The weather was just so hot even the water felt like a warm bath.

Jonathan gets in the mood w/ole Hank!

Neighbor Linda and her sister, Janey.

2nd place and friend Nancy from Knoxville

Jerry is out in the dust making a movie of the entire parade.

Taylor was the driver of the Red Solo Express.

Debbie is making use of the little bit of shade there is on such a hot day.

After the pool, Jerry plays Boppit!

Leah & her daughters play bean bag toss.

Jerry is trying out a Jello shooter.

Must be pretty good.

The cooking station

Shrimp boil is always a favorite hit.

Roy and Tina show up to enjoy the festivities.

Best Friends Forever

Red Solo Cup-my best friend!

Ooooooh

Ahhhhhhhh

Kabooom for about 29 minutes-awesome.

Deer Run RV Resort is known for their events such as Memorial Day, July 4, Halloween and the park gets booked well in advance.  It was a fun event and can't wait until next year.  What a great b'day celebration!

On the Red Solo Cup express I had made the lights and Taylor attached them and at night we turned on the battery operated lights.  Taylor downloaded (and paid for) Toby Keith's Red Solo Cup song and we played it through the radio on the golf cart.  We also played patriotic songs but alas, we didn't win as best decorated.
Later...

A General Catch-Up

Oh yes, it has been awhile and I have been busy.  I am back to my home base in Crossville TN and there has been so much to do that this post will probably be a pictorial, if I can remember where I left off.

When I returned Linda and Roger, my TN neighbors, had cleaned up my yard of all the old leaves, mowed, opened the Lodge up and had me ready to move in.  Roy and Logan brought the Whim up and unloaded that for me.

I went to Benchmark for my physical therapy for three days a week.  Linda cooked my meals and early on I slept a lot.  I have recovered quite well and am getting on with fixing up my Lodge to be the way I want it.

Linda, my neighbor, spreads wildflower seeds across from our houses.

We thought while it was raining would be a good time.

TN hubby, Roger is tinting my windows in the front that gets so much evening sun.

Looking like it's going to make a big difference.

Oh, okay, so it's a job for two people so Linda steps in to help.

This is what the window looks like tinted & yes, it made a huge difference.

Sedona is checking all the plants out.

We planted real plants across the street and everyone has asked what's buried there.

My new steps!!  OMG, they helped so much getting in and out of the Lodge.

Another view of the steps and my pretty flowers. But I didn't get yard of the month.

Here you can barely see some of our seeds coming up.  But at 101 degrees they didn't last long.

My new kaladioscope bush.

My sign but it didn't last long in this location.

I love my etching I got at the flea market in FL of hummingbirds & Calla lillies.

Linda and I work well as a team and we are trying to get something to grow in our forest across the street.  Too many rocks and roots underneath to get things planted deep enough and then our seeds didn't make it because it's been hotter than blue blazes.

Neighbor Debbie brings her push mower over to show us.

I think Linda likes it but push a little more Linda.

Ah, yes, that's it Debbie, just a little more.

Scooter, Linda's dog and Sedona's friend seems to like the fresh lawn.

Linda and I decided to go in together and buy one of these mowers and I've used it a couple of times and it just really takes me back to years and years ago.
Later...