Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Hello from ADK Trail Inn, Upper Jay, New York.

After we returned home to Camp Hill on April 13, 2013, from our trip to Texas, we worked on getting ready to move our stuff to Springfield, MO.  After a week we loaded a 26 foot Penske moving truck, with our car on a trailer, and drove 1000 miles to Springfield, MO where we unloaded into self storage units.  After unloading in Springfield, we parked our car at a friends house, near Mountain Home, Arkansas, whom we met in Soldotna, Alaska.  Then we drove back to Camp Hill, PA with a rental car.

When we returned to Camp Hill there were many things to get ready for settlement on May 10.  After settlement, we paid a deposit and construction was started on our duplex at Maranatha Village.  Attached is a photo of our duplex at Maranatha Village, taken by the builder.  Construction should be completed by October 4.  After our home sold we spent a few weeks in campgrounds in central PA before driving to Valley Forge Christian College (VFCC), Phoenixville, PA on June 2 for our second RV MAPS project. 
 
We worked 2 months at VFCC on a number of projects.  Barb did a lot of painting including painting 2 sets of emergency exit steps from the second floor of the VFCC library, after many rain delays.  Following is a photo of the library steps.  We worked with several RV Volunteers and a lead couple who have a home at Maranatha Village.  Other projects we worked on were refinishing the main library circulation desk and computer help desks; helping refinish a dining room table; helping move a wall in a dorm to make a small lounge area; and helping build 9 cabinets for lockable storage of students musical instruments in the college music room.  Following is a photo of some of the cabinets.  A retired carpenter did most of the work on the first 5 cabinets, taught me some carpentry skills, and I did almost all of the cutting and assembly work on 4 cabinets.  We camped in a college parking lot with full hook-ups. When there was a group on campus and the college dining hall prepared meals, we were invited for free meals.  The college was a nice place to walk and ride our bikes. We enjoyed time with other RV volunteers and college staff.  We found a chiropractor near VFCC who was a great help to Barb.

August 1 we arrived at the ADK Trail Inn, a bed and breakfast on Route 9N near Upper Jay, New York for about 3 weeks (+?).  Barb decided to help a friend run the Inn.  So we are camped in the back yard of a beautiful Inn next to the East Branch Ausable River.  Barb is happy helping with breakfast and room service.  And, I’m happy relaxing, enjoying the beautiful location, and exploring the Adirondack Mountains.  This morning I spent about an hour in an Adirondack chair, with Teddy (dog) on my lap, on a sandy bank of the beautiful Ausable River.  With the temperature in the mid-60’s, the gurgling river, a slight breeze, it’s a peaceful place to relax and watch nature, or read.  I was watching a hawk fly in circles, first clockwise, then counterclockwise, and move in a northerly direction over the white pine trees against a background of blue sky and puffy white clouds.  There’s also a hammock along the river bank to relax in.  I’ll do a little handyman work for a change.  There are trail guides in the bed and breakfast lounge area to help plan adventures.  Yesterday, I hiked Cascade Mountain (elevation 4098 feet) with beautiful blue sky, ideal temperature and a beautiful view of the Adirondack Mountains.    

               Our Duplex on the west side of the RV Parking area at Maranatha Village.


                 Emergency exit steps from VFCC Library painted by Barb. 


                                Instrument Storage Cabinets in VFCC Music Room.


                                   Our rig at ADK Trail Inn.


 
 
               View of Adirondack Mountains High Peaks from Cascade Mountain.