voss adventures

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Mt. Washington, NH


We had a fun time while in New Hampshire.  Not only working, but exploring on our time off.  We were slowing down after going almost non-stop for the past three months, but still on our list to see in New Hampshire was the  Mt. Washington Road.  So one of the last site-seeing trips was to drive THE road.  It is privately owned, takes you to the summit of the Northeast’s highest peak. It ascends 4,000 feet in eight miles.  The landscape varies as you drive.
The beginning  of the road was tree lined with beautiful color
 Then the evergreens

which became smaller and less as we climbed,



then disappeared above the tree line.



At the very top,  the Mt. Washingnton State Park 



with fabulous views!  The Cog Railway was another choice to get to the top, but we wanted to be able to stop and take in the views on the way.



The Presidential Range, Mt. Clay, Mt. Jefferson, and  Mt Adams, Mt. Madison


The Tip Top House is the only original building, built in 1854, that has survived.  It was used as a hotel.






The Summit Stage Office (on the left) is chained down to prevent it from being blown away!
This is where the highest winds observed by man was recorded, during a storm on April 12, 1934, measuring a wind velocity of 231 miles per hour.




A weather station and observatory are still in use.



Ten days after we were there, this picture was taken up at the top, covered with Rime Ice!  Glad we went when we did!



On the way, we drove through the White Mountains, where we stopped to view some of the color, especially near water~







On the way back, going through North Conway, we couldn’t help but notice that the pumpkin people were back;






We still have more to see up in the NE... it is a beautiful, historic area. We will have to return again!  On the way south, we stopped in Chattanooga area to get the mirror, and a couple of things finished up and fixed on the coach.  

Aaron, Nate, Chris, DJ and Dottie came to visit us on Monday afternoon.  It was a treat to see them and hug on them all!  When we think about  all we have done, it seems like a long time since we left home. We don’t realize how tired we get after working several projects (and of course doing all the rubbernecking I can get in) until we start to relax and then it hits us hard.....So today, after Paul did some maintenance and cleaning in the RV bins, we are relaxing before heading to Telladega, Alabama, in the morning to start our November project.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

MMAP, Oct. 2013, Maranatha Ministries, New Durham, NH


This has been a different project.  It was hard to differentiate between each, because we were at Maranatha Ministries for all three months.  And this was the last month of a great three months.

Paul had a variety of projects.  He and Art ran the PEX for the floor heating, then they installed the manifold, and ran the inch size PEX back to the boiler room.


Then they were assigned a project at the Ski Shed, completing the ceiling, installing the lights and  insulation,


V-mac (beautiful wood walls),


and finishing the molding on the exterior with Art.


In the basement, Bill and Harry installed silver insulation as part of the heating system,


 and put bracing up for the drop ceiling, then installed the lights and panels of the ceiling during the last day!

While the rest of the team were in the basement working on the heating system, Paul spent several days power washing SEVEN decks.  It was cold, though, especially when he got wet.  Since he is an outside person, he enjoyed being outdoors, enjoying the weather and the color!



The color was just absolutely beautiful.  All of the above were taken at the camp.

Although there were several electrical jobs the camp wanted done, Paul was only assigned to one, removing a large telephone/light pole (he got to play with the jeep) and setting up a new sub-panel which included ditch-digging (causing headaches!) and extending wires.   He was glad to get rid of the pole before we left, since it was a hazard for any bigger vehicles coming into and out of the campsites. 

I think the ladies really worked hard this month!  We ladies followed up at the Ski Shed and finished painting the interior and the exterior, including doors,


and then organized the boots, hung the poles up again and replaced the skis!


We also painted the bathroom in the basement, including the toilet room behind the door, and the cabinet itself.  The guys came behind us and installed the ceiling and the backboard on the sink.

We also painted the sound booth upstairs,


sanded and painted windows, doors, and railings at the main lodge!  Dee took over grinding responsibility, while Tamara and I did the sanding and painting.



Lois updated a telephone and address directory for the camp as well.

Can you believe, I thought I got a completed picture of both the basement and the shed, but did not.  Both turned out beautiful~

We got to celebrate Bill and Joyce again, since this month was their 50th project.  They are a sepcial couple.  They were on our buddy trip and were our coordinators on our first official project.


On Columbus Day, the ladies helped with their annual Fall Fair.  This is a free outreach to the community. We helped out two years ago when we were there.  This time I was assigned to the popcorn machine, until it broke down; then I helped out at the cotton candy machine.  They also offered the opportunity for everyone to make their own fresh fried donuts, and have freshly pressed cider.



There were so many activities, I didn’t get a chance to get around to get pictures of them.  There were also arts and crafts, face painting, puppet show, and a chalk talk.


A chainsaw wood carver carved this bear during the day from a piece of pine, stopping to answer questions as he did. 





Besides all of the painting and other work the ladies did, we still took a day out to visit Antique Alley, several antique stores along Highway 9.  I had to take Paul back to this one.... the name was The Betty House Antiques, a little way off the highway on a side road.  It consisted of these four buildings, and had lots of tools and spinning wheels (he finally found one!).





And we even had time for a couple of afternoons of sewing.... resulting in a new pink purse for me, and a start of Christmas gifts for Lois.  These ladies have inspired me to begin sewing again.


Like a family, we work, play, worship, and occasionally eat together.  We will miss each one.  And we will also miss:
Daily Devotions, which were always a special time.  Thanks to Lois and her piano playing ability.


One morning I had to take this picture of the sunrise from the Lighthouse Room.

Our hosts, the Edmund family treated us to a pancake supper almost every Sunday night during our three month stay, at their home, and dinner at the end of each month at their ‘off the grid’ Log “Castle”, a special time of reflection, singing and getting to know one another.  We are going to miss the Edmunds.... little Nathaniel has grown so much this last three months... we watched him as he went from crawling to walking to running, and turned one year old while we have been here.  I got my baby hugs from him while here!  They feel like family.


We will also miss  the wild turkeys,


Hey Girl, the curious pony, 

and the goats.

and the occasional deer which were too fast for the camera!

Merrymeeting River runs beside the road to the camp;  we will miss the beautiful reflections on the water, especially this month.





We could not resist buying this mat, which totally describes Paul!  This is the end of the project; Paul has worked hard, now he has a little bit of time to nap hard before the next project in November ~