Keep the Hope and Carry On

I hope you all are well, mentally and physically. Do yourself a favor and clear yourself of negatives and fill your life with positives. I still feel life will return to some sort of normal and we will be able to go out and travel again. I hold onto that thought. Also, with so many people feeling the effects of isolation, reach out to someone, see how they are doing and let them know you care. It’s very powerful.

I cannot believe that the summer is over, and we are now into September. It has been awhile since I’ve checked in, so I’ll be catching up from July.

The last time I checked in Melanie and I were recovering post CoVID infection. Luckily, my case was mild, and I recovered in a couple days, with zero side effects. Melanie’s case was worse and lasted about a week, with recovery to no aftereffects within two weeks’ time. As we were camping at the water’s edge of beautiful Lake Eufaula in southeastern Alabama, it was easy to self-isolate outside while enjoying the views of the large recreational lake and soaking up some vitamin D.

My little finger remains bent, now frozen in place as I was unable to see an Ortho surgeon because of the virus. The good news is I am now able to finally reach the fourth string of my Ukulele, letting me continue the torture of anyone within earshot.

With the CoVid virus upsetting the world and creating uncertainty of what is next, we pushed our home build forward. Having set aside some money for that day all travelers fear, we decided to build a house earlier than planned. We had planned to travel until our 70’s before actually setting up a base. The lot we had planned to someday build on ended up across from a group of lots that had just become available. We had several “wants” before building.

First, we wanted to be fairly isolated, but with some people close by if needed. Mild weather and away from the coast, enough sunshine to be able to use solar, a good water source for food and filtered drinking water, if needed. Some land for a garden and a small eco-home was also on the list. We have always been intrigued by the tiny house movement but, after living in tents and ridiculously small spaces for the past 13 years, decided something a little bigger would be nice.

We settled on a metal framed building, specifically an Arched cabin. These are very energy efficient, eco friendly and unique. They are manufactured in Houston, Texas and delivered to your site. You build a platform for it, put up the frame and sides, build end caps to enclose it and the inside becomes your empty canvas.

We bought the 7 lots equaling approximately 3.5 acres. Finding a person to clear the place for a cabin, build a driveway and put in the septic tank were first up on the list.

Our home and the ideas we want to bring to it will be called Gypsy’s Retreat, named after our traveling pup, that rode many miles with us for 16 years across North and Central America. Our hope is to build a separate area for campfires and gatherings of motorcycle travelers. Once done we will post on Bunk a Biker, a very cool site run by Zee Traveler offering lodging of one kind or another throughout many countries. (Take a look at the site and sign up, your life will be enriched.) Of course, my friends throughout the world will all know where to find us and a place to stay while traveling through America.

Spending the summer working on the property while running north to Chattanooga to see our son Dallas and family, and back to Florida to see other son Rick and family kept us busy. White water rafting, swimming in chilly natural springs with manatees while exploring Alabama on the motorcycle were our pleasure. Melanie also enjoyed a go at grape stomping, Lucy style, at at great brewery/winery about an hour north of us, the Omaha Brewing Company.

The house is now ready to have construction started this week. Lumber is waiting on the lot, covered to protect it from rain. Window and doors have been purchased and the cabin will be delivered on Monday.

We have a couple moto camping trips in October with friends and are really looking forward to seeing everyone. Zoom pub nights have been essential in keeping us in touch with friends. One is a group of motorcycle travelers from the UK, a great group of mates. The other is a group of motorcycle riders from the US and also a great group of folks.

I will try to keep up with weekly photos of our build, so until next time…

“I like to walk about among the

beautiful things that adorn the world;

but private wealth I should decline,

or any sort of personal possessions,

because they would

take away my liberty.”

-George Santayana

Cheers,

2WANDRRs