We had a quiet night despite building winds and storm anxiety. I always try to block and limit the hysteria generated by the media. I know my risks, make my choices and get to live with them. We have had 4 DAYS of building concern and hype. This has allowed time our forefathers wouldn’t have had to actually prepare our properties or to worry ourselves sick. We have confab-ed with Olivia, talked about cat boxes on basement landings, sump pump contingencies and our own decision tree (no pun intended).
By noon today, it still hasn’t rained here yet. Sorry Baltimore, I know you are getting it now. But I have chosen a house made of Aluminum and the big bad wolf has not yet arrived here. We had time to have a relaxed outdoor cookout of fork-held hot dogs with our camper-neighbor friend. New York City is shut down like much of the Mid-Atlantic. As we cooked and ate prior to the impending days Jane and I will spend out of the rain in our little box, we heard three different trees break. One far into the woods, eight inches in diameter. Another just at the campground driveway 200 yards away snipped the power lines right off the telephone pole. J and I went down, confirmed that no wires were hot (they were sheared clear off the pole), and cleared the driveway.
Casual lunch as Sandy slams the South
I made the difficult decision to impose upon our friend to take us out of camp. This journey is temporarily inconvenienced by the absence of the truck. But I must place safety concern for Jane and I above the conveniences of camp here. I also consider the Tramper to be irreplaceable at this time.
Just a few branches to clear our egress “just in case”
We now sit in town, in the middle of the Recreation Center parking lot several hundred yards from the nearest tree. The storm is still impending, but here they expect ~2 inches of rain and 30-40 mph gusts. We are safer. the truck has been disassembled at Chilcott’s (they wouldn’t let me help). And I was right, the head gasket is blown, only one cylinder had leaked, there appears barely any rung-groove, denoting little wear on the remainder of the motor. The heads are at the machine shop with “if it aint broke, don’t fix it” instructions. In a few days we may resume. I may drive two or three small journeys nearby while under warranty to explore the repair before hitching up and leaving town.
The lonely little Tramper, far from any trees or limbs that could fall, ending the Voyage
Meanwhile we wait, read, and play a few games. “Good thing Jane and I like each other.”
Wow…As I finished writing, Ken and Karl the Highway Supervisor informed us that the Rec Center has hot coffee and bathrooms available for us. They deemed us Parking Lot Security, laughed and welcomed us heartily!
PEOPLE ARE GREAT!
– David
The Voyage of the Tramper 
Glad you’re both safe. Things are holding up well here….minimal effects albeit a bit blustery. Hope you’ll be back on the road again soon.
I was worried about you two at the campsite with the storm coming in. I wasn’t sure how close you’d be to the effects of the storm, but am so glad to know that you have been moved to safety. And I could not agree with you more about the news. Although Rick loves it, I’ve tried to keep the television off as much as possible after the initial, “the storm is going to smack into the entire region.” There’s nothing more I need to know, and there is certainly nothing I can do to prevent it from happening. Although, I am glad that I am in Nevada and not Maryland right now. All I can do is pray for my loved ones back East, and hope that nothing happens that can’t be fixed. You guys are in my thoughts and prayers. Hope your back on your way in no time with no further problems. Take Care.
you’re (lol)
Hey Sharon! Good to hear from you. We are in the parking lot right now. The clouds have parted to reveal the full moon but the wind is still strong. It’s a good thing that David and I will be sleeping in the Tramper. Our combined weight of over 350 pounds will certainly help anchor us down! Kidding aside, the threat of rolling over is very small. The Tramper gets buffeted by winds on the highway greater than they’re supposed to be tonight. I, also, pray that your daughter and relatives, along with my family, stay safe back home. We hope to be on our way again in a few more days.
– Jane
Come on sunshine. Can’t wait til Thursday.
yeah-baby! We sit and enjoy the gentle rocking here in the parking lot. Sure is nice knowing there are no limbs overhead. Miss ya man. Hope you are enjoying the blog and staying safe and dry!
– David
Rain got in my house and knocked down a small portion of plaster from the back room ceiling. Not a big deal…rain rarely is horizontal at 50mph here. Two days now that my work has been closed. TV is worthless, since it repeats over and over the same thing about the storm.
Glad you’re safe. The Tramper looks, oh so lonely, all alone there in the lot.
Lonely on a big lot. Small and vulnerable, but no trees above. We are thankful to our neighbor-camper and the Town of Rosendale. (They call it Frozendale for Winter Carnival)
if you see this trailer rockin’ don’t come a knockin’!
Glad the truck is getting close to its job again,am sure he/ she is looking forward to getting out of that garage and back on the trail. Did they do a water-pump timing belt inspection? Not sure of your model but on Honda that would be enough dis-assembly to be there.
Sorry for the guy in western MD, but Sandy was a non event in Towson.
Zach’s in for a visit and just got back from a month long cross country trip with his girlfriend doing a marathon in Oregon. Their Costa Rican beach dog, Mowgli, is now in residence and lifts a leg on your homestead almost nightly.
Wish we were there talking while Mowgli “went”. ALways a joy visiting and we haven’t seen enough of you since your Zoe passed away. Yes, the timing belt and water pump are being replaced too. (I almost did the timing belt before the trip’ glad I didn’t waste my time on that one) Yes, and up here in this little valley we got only an inch of rain, modest winds; felt almost guilty as the fury hit NY,NY and NJ. Well, Rosendale got slammed last year.