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Salty Craig
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2015 08:20pm
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Gary O
Yer killin me.
Wanted to say hi!!
Love the thread.
Salty
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2015 08:50pm
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Hi Salty
.............thirsty now
(I should direct you to a site I frequent...they're goofier than even I am)
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Salty Craig
Member
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2015 08:59pm
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Sounds scary
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 7 Jul 2015 09:19pm
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creepy
the word is creepy
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Gary O
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# Posted: 9 Jul 2015 11:16am
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Well, the pump hut is done as far as this year is concerned.
Next summer I'll unscrew the walls and add utility and sauna.
Built it small enough to do the job efficiently, yet large enough to house a little buddy propane heater and store the large genny on a cart.
Moving forward, we have newly assorted piles of trees from the last storm to clear. Signs are up for chain saw regs, so can only cut from 8a to 1p...OK by me, since by 1p I'm pooped anyway.
Next month, the addition...including installation of the wood stove...never done that.
Shopping for the world's best spark arresting pipe cap now. Money is no object.
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 9 Jul 2015 01:06pm
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My grandfather heated his off grid pump house with a kerosene lantern , It had a large tank and would last a few days without refilling . It dose not take much if well insulated and air tight..
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 9 Jul 2015 06:43pm - Edited by: Gary O
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Heard this before.
Hard to believe for 40 below weather.
but
You da man on this, Just.
I'll prove it out.
Thanx ol' pard
Thinking about this hut, I better put a few ribs in the ceiling (snow load), even though I plan on keeping it swept off. OSB is OSB.
It's on hinges (in case I have to walk around in there), so not a biggie.
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Gary O
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# Posted: 9 Jul 2015 08:02pm
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Can't put my finger on it, but I'll try;
I think, some, on what I'm doin', where I'm goin'...why I'm goin' and doin'.
Prolly more than most.
Maybe it's what happens in the mid sixties.
But
We're doin' what we both dreamed of since early childhood.
Our dreams spanned thru the sixties, seventies, eighties, germinating in the late nineties and ought years, and now; culmination.
Out here, living off grid, out of contact with the general society, no insurance with the exception of liability on both rigs, generally cut off the umbilical cord, I get a feeling....of.....vulnerability, maybe.
Maybe it's an awakening after withdrawing from what's deemed the societal norm these days.
Looking back, it's like we were of a sedated tribe of The Time Machine's Eloi. The alarm goes off, scurry off to work, the shop bell goes off, slog home......all's clear.
Out here, seems one (at least me) is much more aware of one's immediate or near future susceptibility.
Watching the east and north for storm clouds, gathering wood for winter, securing tools every evening, keeping artillery close at hand for that rather large aging carnivore on an evening prowl for slow meat, the sound of a vehicle pulling up; 'whoozat?!'
The lone thread of connection is this Jet pack gizmo so my woman and I can keep contact with normal folk.....and life flight.
And if that little genny decides to suddenly cease it's magical thing, my woman and I will sit here....in the dark...blinking, fleeting thoughts of suddenly going deaf and blind, then realizing our primal living arrangement just got a bit more primal.
Every time I prep the chain saw, I think; 'am I going to sever a major artery this morning?' 'was that last cup of coffee actually my last cup of coffee?'
I s'pose its some sorta mental defense mechanism to keep my feeble mind on the speeding razor barbed chain that happens to be tearing chunks outta the log inches away from my femur....
These thoughts haunt me of late.
Like we just stepped to the edge, or we were already on the edge, but so mesmerized by the droning hum of the TV, sitting there, eating, sleeping, showering, mowing, painting, dusting, accumulating plaque in our restricted veins, we just were not aware.
All's clear now.
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turkeyhunter
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# Posted: 12 Jul 2015 07:20am - Edited by: turkeyhunter
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Quoting: Gary O We're doin' what we both dreamed of since early childhood
as a kid...we all built huts/cabins in the woods..i know me and my friends did. My 1st camp was a old school bus and a shed I built for the side off it with cedar posts and old tin. I was 21....then my next camp was a 20'x20' with full loft....and the camps got larger as I got older..lol
I love the camp/ cabin aspect. I am so glad you guys are doing well and enjoying life !!! enjoy reading of your trials and tribulations daily!!!  ...like the pump house you built. I am guessing you going to line the indside with 3 inch blue foam board or something similar?
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Gary O
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# Posted: 12 Jul 2015 08:34am - Edited by: Gary O
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Quoting: turkeyhunter I am guessing you going to line the indside with 3 inch blue foam board or something similar?
Keeeerrecto mundo
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 15 Jul 2015 07:50am - Edited by: Gary O
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Dead falls, blow downs, root balls. Oh My!
So, I'm garnering some experience with bucking up fallen trees with root balls.
I attacked the first set of trees, four all together on one root ball, a bit scientifically.
Started with the tops and worked my way down, saving the biggest and lowest for last.
With about fifteen feet left, the last tree got springy.
One more cut of round and up it came...aaand back into the hole.
This next one, I was more prepared.
When it got springy, I set the chainsaw down and cradled it with my arms around the end, giving it an encouraging lift.
Could'a used just one hand.
It gently rose up and plopped back into the hole.
Would'a loved to have a video of that.
This week, I'm bucking up a set of two (three sorta) that blew over in the storm a couple/three weeks ago.
Nice root ball.
I'm gonna be cognizant of when it gets springy.
Cabi will have the video camera ready.
I may wear a cape or something.
Maybe she'll knit me a superman costume.....
If it don't quite work out...well, I never crapped myself in a superman costume before.
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turkeyhunter
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# Posted: 15 Jul 2015 08:10am
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looks like you guys have been busy!!!
lots of firewood for the winter!!!
you could make you a chainsaw carving totem pole with the piece of tree trunk left on the root ball...
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 15 Jul 2015 10:33am
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Gar, you look like an old mountain man, the environment fits you perfectly now.
Get that spruce seasoned for winter in the woodshed. That should keep ya all nice and snuggy through the winter. Hey, if you decide to soil in your superman costume Cabi knit ya, lets u know how it turns out. 
I enjoy reading your post/humor.
Wish'n I was retired and living at my place you lucky dog!
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 15 Jul 2015 09:17pm - Edited by: Gary O
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech you lucky dog!
Woof!
I'll tell ya pard, it's been around 80 days and I'm still not over it.
Y'know how it is when you go on vacation.
There's always that checkout date, looming...and time...seems 11am most places.
Or even dashing to the cabin...there's that coming Monday, so Sunday is pack up, secure things, and drive that long stretch home, so you can be somewhat civil to the nincompoops yer saddled with most waking weekday hours.
Heh, I'm home.
Just today, we finished up bucking logs and piling limbs at around 2pm, did a couple things like change the oil on lil' genny and headed to the meadow for a bit o' sun.
Cabi may be tired of my asking her to pinch me.
I get up super early most days just to soak in as much as possible, hoping nobody takes it away.
It's like when I was a kid, gobbling dinner.
Dad would say, 'Hey, son, slow down, nobody's going to take it from you.'
But
There was that one time, eating dessert, white cake with chocolate icing.
I was around 8 or 9.
I carefully ate all the dry white cake away from the icing, leaving just the cake framework...of pure chocolate icing.
Mom reached over with her fork, saying, 'what, don't you like icing?' and ate it all.
Guess my look was incredulous 'cause she left the table laughing.
I've again left the icing for last, but I'm eating it fast.
Got up before dawn this morn.
Always special
https://youtu.be/OeX7uR74uxk
https://youtu.be/7-T2qiCN7Jw
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Salty Craig
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# Posted: 15 Jul 2015 11:35pm
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Sounds like the life. I guess I will need to keep marching to the beat of a corporate drum for another 15 years. 
Then Salty will rest. Lazy as crap now but must continue onward. I want to establish a lifetime flow of cash that I won't be able to spend. Otherwise, I could quit now.
Oh the nest egg needed to live like a homeless person.
Craig
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 18 Jul 2015 10:45pm - Edited by: Gary O
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Attended a memorial today
May have mentioned an ol' guy a time or two, our neighbor across the way
Mel...'Old Shorty' to his military buds
His wife had his many medals and honors on display in his den
Right alongside his box of ashes.....didn't immediately recognize him in that black box...seemed shorter somehow...
He knew how to live
Continuous fire and simultaneous twinkle in his old eyes
A dozen projects started, never to complete
An itch, a need to move forward, build, plan, enjoy
Now...now undone
He was 88
Mind of a thirty year old
Stood around 5 foot 4
Hands the size of a much larger man
Built like Yogi Berra
Always a quick, witty reply
We liked each other right off the bat
Seemed like an old Uncle...a really cool old uncle
Five years ago he pled for us to 'hurry up and move out here before I die'
We finally got to be his neighbor...for almost 80 days
almost
Fin
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turkeyhunter
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# Posted: 18 Jul 2015 11:34pm - Edited by: turkeyhunter
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Quoting: Gary O Five years ago he pled for us to 'hurry up and move out here before I die' We finally got to be his neighbor...for almost 80 daysalmost
RIP Old Shorty....
glad ya got to spend almost 80 days with him in the woods...
life is TOO short for sure!!
retire when you can Salty....I am so glad I did!!! almost 6 years!!!
I got a job offer the other day...I asked could I wear short pants...he said why?? I said I don't wear long pants till we had a good FROST FALL>>LOL told him thanks /but no thanks!!!...I told him i don't have time to work..
GaryO....keep us informed on your daily reports...good readin!! I enjoy them!!
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2015 12:07am - Edited by: Gary O
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Quoting: turkeyhunter GaryO....keep us informed on your daily reports...good readin!! I enjoy them!!
I do like to pen our little events...
Not a bore... yet?
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abby
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2015 03:42pm
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I'm happy you had him for a neighbor for a time, even if brief. sounds like he was a cool guy. may we all live the long, wonderful life he did.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2015 09:45pm
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Quoting: abby I'm happy you had him for a neighbor for a time, even if brief. sounds like he was a cool guy. may we all live the long, wonderful life he did.
truth
It's a bit of a wake up call. Not that I've needed one of late, but it do take one out of their self filled sphere from time to time.
Today was back to busyness.
Our routine;
Wake (always good for this to happen)
Heat water for that morning splash (Cabi does this)
Scratch myself and wander outside while Cabi makes breakfast
Eat while commenting on each other's beauty (we're both blind as bats so that eye floater is assumed it's our mate smiling on the other side of the breakfast nook)
Go back to wandering outside and scratching while Cabi does the dishes (oh, I put the milk away on occasion)
Ponder the day's events while Cabi tends her garden and takes potshots at the squirrel sitting on the log (who seems to be of the opinion that it's his garden)
Open the tool crib
Ponder (while Cabi is off and running, picking wild currants, having already scrubbed and hung the wash)
Gas everything up, check oils, change oils, saunter over to the designated cutting area with my chainsaw and commence to ruin the peace
Slog, work, toil till 1p, then attend to the ritual of putting all things related to labor back in the tool crib and scurry to the meadow
Here is where we have a renewal, a spiritual awakening of sorts in the font of immersion by faith (kiddie pool)...faith that the water is warm today, of which it never is, thus the regular occurrence of calling on the lord when mustering the courage to plummet past the naval.
Even though splayed upon the chaise lounge, basking in the sun, the afternoon breeze (often gale force winds) tends to retard the sun's warmth...to the point of developing the skin of a freshly plucked turkey coupled with convulsive chattering
Once we have regained function of most major organs and some feeling in our upper limbs, we usually decide it's time to stroll back to the cabin for lunch/dinner
Today we had chicken salad on crackers, swilled down with juice (I assume this all didn't magically appear, and Cabi put it together)
It was remarkably delicious
At around 4p we set about tightening things up for the night and settle in to a video, and or get on our favorite sites...like right now, and or sit out by the garden, chatting about whatever comes to mind
The evening skeeters aren't too bad this year, so oftentimes we'll stroll the property and discuss the next day's events
When darkness looms, we fight the good fight of consciousness until 8:30 or 9 and ease (plop) into bed
Not everday is like this, but most
We go to town once a week, so the day before we tune the list for what we need
This Wednesday we'll purchase the materials for the beginning of our addition to the second cabin
That's when the real fun begins
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Gary O
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# Posted: 22 Jul 2015 07:14am
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Well, today we're gonna knock off the wood work and berry picking and go thru the container.
I don't know about you folks, but when we put stuff away, we tend to forget we ever had it.
And we tend to forget where we put whatever it is we do remember we had.
I'm a bit OCD when it comes to stuffing things into boxes, and Cabi is the opposite.
Most her boxes say 'FRAGILE' or 'YARN' or 'BOOKS' or 'KITCHEN', but my favorite is 'MISC'.
Apparently, we have garnered a ton of Misc over the years.
Misc is heavy.
Now, whenever I label boxes, the words are rather precise, like for instance; 'SAVE' or 'MINE' or 'REALLY COOL STUFF' or 'IMPORTANT' or 'TAX RECORDS (to be burned)' or my secret man stash box carefully labeled 'NOT PORN'....
So, today's adventure should be somewhat rewarding, like having Christmas
...a really poor Christmas.
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cabingal3
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# Posted: 23 Jul 2015 09:09am
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so much to do.quite exciting really.
we never made it to the xmas container yesterday.
we went to town instead.
got me a meat grinder.the metal manual kind.
i am thinking of taking the green tomatoes off the vine and making mincemeat and also mock raspberry jam cause i think the critters will end up eating them anyway.
so i have not been on much.its wild red currant season.every day i try to pick a quart jar full.i have some drying right now.
i have canned currant syrup for winter.
today we start to build our addition.
and i am making a big wildflower bed and also a jerusalem artichoke bed for fall time.
so many exciting things to do.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jul 2015 09:24am
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to add to that;
Yes, we decided to not go thru the container, but to move forward, and commence building the addition to our boudoir situation.
Went to town
Spent a bit o' money..not much, on the 'foundation' and floor
I'm developing some sorta hermit complex
The big city of Klamath Falls gets me tense
Even though the two streets we travel there are four lane and not busy at all, it just seems a bit much for me.
Folks are nice, small town nice, but guess I'm gettin' old....and reclusive. Not twitchy yet, but it's prolly comin'.
The 'foundation' and floor;
Things is, in regard to what touches mother earth, I have two compulsions.
I know putting something deep enough in the dirt to alleviate frost heave is the recommended way to go here in the high desert where it's not uncommon for temps to reach -40° F and snow/ice to pile up to 14 foot drifts, along with MtnDon's words ringing in my ears (something about having yer structure last for a hundred years, etc, etc)
However
I've got other considerations.
Time, winter's coming... and knowhow.
Leaving something that's still standing for the kids, grandkids, and greatgrandkids..........why?
Having something to dwell in twenty years from now that doesn't resemble the freaking crooked crazy tippy house found at some amusement parks people try to get thru.
Hmmm
Twenty years from now...
I'll be 86
Prolly won't have enough marbles left to roll down the crooked floor anyway.
Thing is, these two cabins are built with PT 4x4s layin' on pavers.
The first cabin has been here 10 years.
No issues.
Rot?
Geez, those pressure treated beams are so freaking wet with rot retarding goo, I doubt that'll ever be an issue.
And if it is one day, my greatgrandkids will be seen on this forum inquiring if this cabin can be saved.
And MtnDon's greatgrandkids will be citing what their greatgranddad said thirty years ago...
Now, back to frost heave.
I build my own windows, doors and jambs.
My doors don't close snuggly in the jambs....they close on what I call the stopper with approx a one inch (or so) clearance.
Same with the windows.
Thus no tweaking if things move a little bit.
So, off we go
Laying the pavers
Clawing the pumice until things are level and square...ish.
Positioning the 4x4s
Laying thick sheets of Tyvek covered OSB on the 4x4s (MtnDon is developing a facial tic while reading this), and nailing on 2x6 KD spf for the floor.
...whee
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Bevis
Member
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# Posted: 26 Jul 2015 09:13pm
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Had to come get my chuckle reading your posts. You remind me of a ol fellar i know (his name is Gary too...Gary T) He builds to your somewhat squarish too. He will tell me to look away when I go to help him.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 26 Jul 2015 10:29pm
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There's more than one of us?
Hey, Beev. I miss YER posts. Don't be so scarce, K?
(We're on the road for a couple/three days, so I'm pokin' letters with cabi's crochet hook....stoopid iPhone)
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 31 Jul 2015 04:43am
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So we took a few days off and scooted up to Portland to sign my pension papers and visit folks.
Won't be doin' that again til next year, or ever.
Just too frantic.
Folks want to visit us, they can come down (as long as it ain't too often)
However, we stayed at a very fine Motel 6.
Had visions of dippin' into their pool.
Only it was 'closed for maintenance'.
In late July.
No matter, I really didn't want to swim around in someone else's filth anyway...got enough of my own.
However, that shower..was....awesome!
The shower head was the size of a full stack of pancakes, and the pressure was heaven sent.
Nice folks, too.
Left a decent review....and my Email.
Now, for some reason, I'm getting all these fantastic offers of ridiculously cheap deals in my Email...huh.
I kinda like Motel 6s for the simplicity of it all.
I mean, there's not much chance of leaving anything of yours when you check out, 'cause yours is the only stuff that's not nailed down.
Also kinda proud of myself for not goin' outside to mark my territory in the middle of the night.
But, hey, that hopper was sumpm.
A curtesy flush could easily rip off a precious appendage.
Guess they got tired of rooting out the plumbing from folks and kids flushing weird things and replaced everything with firefighting grade equipment.
I'll tell you one thing, there is still nuthin' on TV.
Another observation; all fast food tastes the same after awhile.
So glad to get back home
...at the cabin.
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 31 Jul 2015 07:27am
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As I'm reading yer post I'm listening to Captain Obvious touting Hotels.com on tv. He would have told you about those flush-all terlets.
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turkeyhunter
Member
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# Posted: 31 Jul 2015 07:28am
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Glad you guy's had a good visit to the city via the big roads...
I am loading my truck and heading the northern camp this weekend. That being said...they is no place like HOME OR my southern camp 30 min from the house.
I say I will be gone a month but get to missing home....lol and head SOUTH..lol
I understand the part about fast food ....but in Maine fast food is clam strips/lobster rolls/ seafood bisque &whoopee pies....now I luv this kind of fast food..lol
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 31 Jul 2015 11:54pm
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What th' hey is a whoopee pie?
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turkeyhunter
Member
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# Posted: 1 Aug 2015 05:50am
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Quoting: Gary O What th' hey is a whoopee pie?
http://www.wickedwhoopies.com/
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