Musical Segway

When I am creating a blog post I often lay out the photos ahead of knowing exactly what I am going to say. I mean this isn't rocket science, it's not like I'm creating a  novel. This is nothing more than a pictorial recount of  a day in the life of Fillmore and the adventures of the silly humans associated with him...alas I digress... The muse for the writing comes to me as I type, often with a musical soundtrack in the background....yes I mean it's all in my head(which I will agree is somewhat scary) Sometimes the message of the music is deep and profound, and other times it's slap stick literal. So you'll understand why I had a hard time titling this post "You light up my life"

But now that we are on the topic of lights...I decided to go with a bank of LED lights. I was leery because in the gargantuan home reno box store, I'll be honest...I wasn't convinced these were going to be bright enough

But I was wrong...yes I said it, it happens...the four LED lights throw PLENTY of work light.

Now that the workshop roof is complete, I have started to 'store' some things up on the top of the work shop. You know extra bus parts, parts that I have purchased in prep of executing my final vision for the bus, you know that kind of stuff. But while I was up there, the song....."Rain Drops Keep Fallin' on my head" was on a continious loop.... yes literal. yes corny....get over it. It will take some time for the moisture in the shelter to dissipate, the gravel was wet,. it rained prior to installation of the quonset... there is moisture in the air. Sooooooo....

I have to actively move it out...

A simple but seemingly effective solution.

Now that we are  talking about getting moisture out...

I have to start thinking about, blowing out the water lines in Fillmore before the heavy frost comes.

Putting a roof over our head

As Mr Dickens so eloquently put it..."It was the best of times it was the worst of times." I was very happy with myself for finally installing the workshop door. And I have to tell you it was a B#@CH. I now have a new appreciation for guys who make this look easy. It took me over two hours and about 4 attempts. I would think I'm getting there and have things close to looking hung plumb and true and then "pow" it would sucker punch me like a insecure bully at a party. The "best of times part of this came after I had to walk away to make supper. I came back and as seemingly violent the implosion was when I left, things just magically fell into place as softly as a snowflake landing on a snowman in the yard.

Part two of the dichotomy of the moment  came on the Monday. Jeff, who is still 14 and in grade 10, tried out for and made the senior boys volleyball team...yay!.....and then at the first practice went up for a block and came down on a kids who came through the net and ended up busting his left ankle.

The let down was dramatic for him, and went on for a few days when he came to the realization of the true impact of his injury and despite his insistence that he would be back in a couple weeks, he is out for the season.

Work on the shop continued, I finally got around to laying the roof insulation.

I ran into a little snag with laying down the plywood roofing, I had only hefted 3 sheets up there prior to laying in the insulation. That was great as I was able to move sheets around and finish the job. But I ran into a wee problem getting the rest of the sheets up there. Jeff was out of commission, Michelle was in the city, and Anna.....

Well you NEVER interrupt a teenager when they willingly pull out a vacuum  and use it for doing good in the world!

So I created a full sheet step ladder, and I have to say it worked quite well!

The last hurrah

 Michelle has always had this thing that summer isn't summer until you get to a lake, all together, as a family. And I have to say I agree, there is something about water that simply soothes the soul. I prefer fresh water, but I'm not picky.

 This year, as we all know, was a hot one. Hot and dry. I was so thankful that we went through the trouble(and expense) for a good A/C unit. Although she was hot going through Saskatchewan (32C) we were comfy in the bus as we started to head west from the wedding towards the Deloraine Resort and Spa(Michelle's home town).

 What is this you ask?

This is a picture of peace of mind.

WTF?? Ok, OK. Up until now the "security" for Fillmore has been the spring latch for the main door. Which is a bit of a trick to engage from the outside, and then as easy as pulling a release ring from the outside to 'unlock' the door and gain access. Needless to say it has always left a little trepidation when we lock up and leave the bus unattended, especially now that we are using it as a home base with all our accoutrements. The passenger door to the bus has always had a deadbolt installed, but I never had a key. So one morning as I sat having coffee I emailed a query to a small locksmith outfit in Brandon MB called Sargent Lock and Safe. They said bring it down and we'll see what we can do! Within 20 min I was done and pulling up to a Timmies for some driver fuel for the drive back to Deloraine. These boys were awesome!.....Aaannd now I can throw the dead bolt and feel a little better about leaving my 8 track collection of Disco Dance tunes unattended, and speaking of the golden years...

There is never a dull moment in Deloraine, intended or otherwise. We decided a swim day up at  Lake William. And Grandma, being the loving kind soul she is brought wet suits for the kids.....from the 80's and that was a fun time to see the kids squeeze into them and have a swim in vintage wet wear!
After busting the hot water tank in Deloraine, it was time we continued our trek and head west towards home. With no set plan we made it up on the way and ecided the last hurrah should be a family camping trip with Fillmore in south western Alberta

 With as number of highway transport trips under our belt in Fillmore, we quickly came to the realization that this would be the maiden camping trip, and would complete the circle of it's intended design purpose. Exciting!! We lucked out and snagged a beautiful camp spot very close to the water, peace, serenity,AND running water!

 Mornings were cool in the mountains, but staying close and cuddling were the mantra!

 A little walk around in Waterton was lovely....smokey...but lovely




















Michelle was happy to be on the water and have sunrise and sunset paddles, while Jeff and Carson managed to "squeeze out the last little bit of summer"

 After 4 wonderful days we decided to head home and put Fillmore to bed for a much needed rest, after traveling a few thousand kilometers (over 3400 this trip) he deserved to have a little down time.

Where did it go.....

To quote the ever talented Steve Pineo, "Summertime is fleeting on these cold alberta plains" Here we are Sept 8, and I sit back and wonder where the time went. It seems only yesterday that I was doing the last blog....and sadly, that was in JULY!

Although I may not have had the where with all to sit down and blog, I did manage to capture a little bit of summer with respect to Fillmore and the associated work.

The end of July brought Ron and Verna out for a visit, which helped me tremendously with progress on the shop within the bus shelter.

In just a few days it went from a bunch of sticks of wood to an insulated and vapor barriered  shop. Not without a little blood shed, my finger, Ron's forehead...but that's another story.

But all good times must come to an end, and with every door that closes another opens.....I'm desperately trying to think of another cliche to put here but I'm out....
Seriously, our time together in Alberta came to an end but we all piled into Fillmore and tracked across the prairies. I was glad top have a willing participant in the driving department, and Ron got a chance to enjoy the fruits of his labors, he's put in many man hours on Fillmore!

Six of us fit nicely in the bus this time and had a nice trip. Tyus, my 7 year old nephew from Ontario was estatic that by 10 in the morning he was watching TV eating chips and drinking a juice box, now this is traveling!

Westward we went to LA Salle to the wedding of my beautiful niece Jessica, and her handsome and talented hubby Tyler. A beautiful wedding outside on the farm. Casual and perfect in my mind.

Anna, freshly back from her trip to Africa was so happy to see her family.

After many years of waiting Mike finally got a chance to get behind the wheel, a fun little trip after a great get together at his place after the wedding!

The trip did not go without casualties.....my drivers window took a hit from a passing truck. Nothing puts fear into your heart like the thought of tryng to replace a 67 year old windshield....
luckily we found a place in Winnipeg that did a crack repair. Not perfect, but will buy me time until I can source a new one if the crack propagates.