Passover Over, Prep for Travel - Day 684 (Yr 2, Day 319)

Asheville,  NC

It's hard to believe that this is the last entry I will be making (at least for now) that says Asheville.  I'm looking forward to typing something different!

Yesterday was the last day of Passover.  It is also considered a major holiday requiring synagogue services.  It was Shabbat anyway, so services were just a bit longer than normal.  We also sponsored the kiddush lunch as a good-bye and thank you to the community for being so wonderful to us (we had KP lox, gefilte fish, herring, whitefish salad, tomatoes/cukes and, of course, matza!).  It was a very bittersweet experience because we've made a number of friends whom it was hard to say goodbye to, including Ethylin and Herb & Jane.  It will also be hard to say goodbye to some of the friends we've made at the campground, especially Ed who has helped us out so many times.

After services ended, we took a little nap and then decided to end our observance early as there was still much to be done, including hitching.  Rain was supposed to start in the afternoon (which it did), so we were not looking forward to packing up and doing all the outside stuff in the rain.  We did as much as we could, then watched a little tv and went to bed by 9:30.

Although this is Sunday's post, I am actually writing it on Monday morning.  It was pouring all night and the weather commuter forecast was for rain & thunderstorms today, all the way along the route. G-d, however, heard my prayers and the sun is now shining!!!  And the route is clear!  It's 8:00.  Mitch is finishing the outdoor stuff (filling the air bags of the suspension system and unhooking the water/sewer/electric).  I will be finishing up all the indoor stuff (removing things from surfaces and taping closets closed) and making breakfast and lunch for the road (not sure where or when we'll be able to stop, or when we stop if we'll be able to open the slides to gain access to the kitchen, so better to have food in the truck if we get hungry.

Anyway, I think my plan for this blog is to write a little about the day's travels and then post it all in one post when we settle in at our next destination - Bismarck, ND!

Update on electric problem: Moving - Day 678 (Yr 2, Day 313)

Asheville, NC

This is the same problem we had a number of months ago, but much worse.  Last time, the power just kept going on and off constantly because the power going to the breaker box wasn't correct (it wasn't actually the power going off, but our surge protector doing it's job, which is not to allow power into the house when the input is faulty, otherwise everything will fry).

This time around, the power went out and stayed out.  As mentioned Friday, it was only bad power in the 50 amp leg, so we were able to run off the 30 amp circuit using our adapter.  But then yesterday, all the power went out - absolutely nada coming from 50, 30 or 110V on the box.  This affected us and the 5 RV's to the left of us.

To resolve the problem (which improved things for less than 2 months), they had to dig up trenches to find the source of the problem (recall we had to hitch up and move about 10 feet forward so they could dig, and then we had to use lots of extension cords and hoses to reach the water, sewer and power hookups).

This morning, we learned that they need to do the same thing -- again, can't even call in the electrician until they dig the trenches.  This could take several weeks and we're leaving in less than one week.  Besides my needing to work and not wanting to run the generator full time to stay charged, Mitch is going to need to run the air compressor to fill the tires and suspension system on Friday and Sunday.

The good news is that the campground has been 100% filled to capacity, until this morning.  Now there are 2 open spots, so when Mitch gets home later, we will hitch up and move to another site, probably back on the river side for a few days, if the spot is still available then.

UPDATE:  the spot was still free.  It took us almost 2 1/2 hours from start to finish, to hitch and move (1 1/2 hrs being spent trying to back in, with the help of 2 people who have a lot of experience).

Meanwhile, I'm sitting behind Cathy & Al's RV (they're in Utah and invited us to use their space by the river whenever we wanted) and mooching off their 110V to charge my devices and work a little.

Taco, Seders, Last Sunday - Day 677 (Yr 2, Day 312)

Asheville, NC

First, let me explain "Taco."  Taco is a whippet; a very ugly, skinny breed of dog, although he really is a sweetie (picture below).  My neighbor, Ed, dog sits him about once a week.  Unfortunately, there is a huge electric problem  here at the campground that started on Friday afternoon and has gotten progressively worse.  For a while, we didn't have 50 amp service but we were able to run off 30 amps.  Ed's trailer only has 30 amps.  Today, the 30 amp and 110v went out as well, affecting not only our rig, but everyone in the row to the right of us.  Ed needed to go to work (he works the night shift) and since it's about 80 degrees, he was worried that his trailer gets extremely hot and he was worried about leaving Taco alone in what he called the oven.  So we offered to take him in until Ed gets off of work at around midnight.  Taco enjoyed watching out the window (I don't think Ed has a screen door like ours).

Ok, now he got settled in and made himself at home:



So, about the seders.  Just like last year, we did the same thing: community seder the first night and family home the 2nd.  Difference like night and day, but each of them very special in their own ways and equally insightful and enjoyable.  At the Chabad seder, it was the first time we went to one where dinner was served first (which was a great idea since the seder didn't start until about 8:30; meal would have been around 9:30, but they used that time for dessert instead.  Wonder why everyone doesn't do it that way)?  They also didn't "follow the book" in the traditional Orthodox way, but he paraphrased a bit, allowed for questions and offered a bit of explanations.  It was very spiritual and educational. 

The 2nd night we joined our friend Stacy (who was here for Shabbat a few weeks ago).  She actually used the Hagaddah we wrote in 2012!!!  That was a blast from the past!  That was a very casual, laid back, child-oriented seder which we also enjoyed very much.  Now we just have to get through the next 6 days of eating matzah!!!

Now, onto the last topic.  One week from today we will be pulling out of this campground, en route to North Dakota.  There is still SO MUCH  preparation that needs to be done.  One of the many things on Mitch's list was to take everything out of our "basement" and rearrange things, as it's become rather helter skelter in there.  Since a lot of pipes run in that area, it's not real good to have things piled up and not arranged properly while in transit, as something can bump into a pipe and break it (yes, this already happened!)  We didn't get home from shul until about 2:00, so he already got a pretty late start. 

Also, our next door neighbors, Matt & Laurie, are leaving today.  They arrived around the same time as we did.  They found a property about 15 miles from here and will be parking long term there.  They needed to enlist Mitch's  help with a few things as well, so things are not progressing as productively as I'd like.  Having the electric out is also not helping much.  I really hope they can fix it tomorrow, but Ed feels it may be a long term project.  Not sure what we'll do if that's the case because the campground is filled to capacity right now so we don't even have the option to move to another site where it's still working (even though Matt is leaving, his electric is also out).  Fortunately, the generator is working so we're turning it on and off as needed for electric (like finishing the laundry or when I need to use the microwave to cook).

So what does this coming week - the last week in Asheville - look like?  Mitch's last day on this assignment is Wednesday.  Thursday he brings the truck to the mechanic for a full inspection and maintenance, then to the tire shop to replace a flat he had last week (he's been running on the spare).  Thurs and Fri will be spent with Mitch tying up all loose ends outside the rig, including climbing the ladder to look under the slide toppers to see if anything has made their homes there.  This is not the kind of maintenance we had to do when we were traveling more frequently, but after being static for almost 9 months, there's a lot that could have settled (thus the reason for needing at least 4 days to get road ready).

Here's a prime example of learning to adapt:  was going to make matzo pizza tonight (which requires the convection oven).  No electric, so changed it to something I can cook on the stove such as gefilte fish pancakes.  But I need to have the vent fan on (which works off the microwave) otherwise the smoke alarm rings, so no frying on the stove.  Decided to just boil some eggs and make an egg salad and frozen veggies for dinner.  6:30 now, Mitch almost done putting things away.  Gonna go make that dinner.....

Ready for Passover - Day 675 (Yr 2, Day 310)

Asheville, NC

Finally finished preparing the house for the holiday.  Nowhere near as extensive as it was in the "sticks & bricks," but still a lot of work, as I still have to kosher the sink and microwave, line the counters (covering all surfaces that had chometz* touch it), tape up all the cabinets containing chometz, utensils, pots & pans that were used for chometz cooking and taking out all the Passover items.  Here is my kitchen, all ready (used heavy duty foil this year instead of heavy brown paper and plastic - much easier, albeit a bit more expensive).  You probably can't tell that the potholders hanging on the left side of the stove are the size, shape and look like pieces of matza!



So tonight, we will join Chabad at the community seder.  Tomorrow night we are going to a friend's home.  Hopefully I'll have a chance to tell you all about them in a few days.

* for a description of chometz, see http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1742/jewish/What-Is-Chametz.htm among other places.

Shopping for Passover - Day 672 (Yr 2, Day 307)

Asheville, NC

Last year we were in Raleigh/Cary, NC and it was relatively easy to get everything we needed for the Holiday. Ok, granted, not as easy as when we lived in NJ, but most of the bare minimum basic stuff we needed could be found in local supermarkets.  This year, in Asheville, it was a little more challenging, as the biggest selection of Kosher for Passover items was in an end-cap containing matza, jelly rings, macaroons, and gefilte fish.  Nothing one can really use during the entire 8 days that we're not supposed to eat "chametz".  Fortunately, there is a kosher store about 2 hours away, in Charlotte, NC, which delivers to our shul.  We placed an order for the basics we would need to carry us over for the week, and it was delivered yesterday (after a 3 hour wait!).  I once again appreciate how much we took living in NJ for granted, where it was so easy to go almost anywhere to find all of our kosher needs. 

I'm really not looking forward to being in Bismarck for the next 4 months.  Not only will we be totally isolated from any Jewish community, but there isn't even a Trader Joe's around, so no hopes of finding any kosher meat (not that it's a big deal since we're mostly vegetarian anyway).  But still....  oh well (sigh).

More colors of spring - Day 672 (Yr 2, Day 307)

Asheville, NC

Some pretty colors of bushes/trees that Mitch captured along his route.

Marching orders at last - Day 670 (Yr 2, Day 305)

Asheville, NC

It's hard to believe, but in a little less than 3 weeks, the heading will change.  Mitch is finally being released from this assignment in Asheville on April 27th, and we are being relocated to..... Bismarck, ND! 

Assignment is supposed to start on May 2nd, but it will take us at least 2 days to get the rig and truck road ready (including bringing the truck to the mechanic for maintenance, inflating and torquing all 10 tires, repacking everything that's been out or thrown about, etc, etc, etc.  Since we won't travel on Friday afternoon or Saturday, the earliest we can leave is Sunday, May 1st.  It's a 1600 mile drive, so we're expecting to arrive by Thurs. May 5th.  I'm not putting together any kind of travel plan whatsoever except that we will each drive as much as we can (1.5 to 2 hrs a stretch), stop at a rest area or truck stop, take a break then switch drivers.  We may stop for the day around dinner time, or we may drive at night, all depending on the mood and the weather.  We're not going to push ourselves to do more than we can do, but we're not going to limit ourselves either.  A total PIBE (Play It By Ear) journey.  The only given is that (sadly) we won't be able to stop along the way to see any sights or visit any areas other than truck stops along the interstate, because time is of the essence.  The states we should be passing through from NC are , tiny bit of NE Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, tiny bit of NE Illinois (Chicago area, where I wanted to spend some time), Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota.  This would have been a great road trip if we could go when/where we wanted and not be limited to where we're being sent.  But alas, we still need to earn a living.  Hopefully some day we'll be able to retire and then have the luxury to travel at our own pace.  Or maybe we'll be fortunate to find another way to earn a living that allows us to be more spontaneous (i.e. if my business can carry the brunt of the finances so Mitch can go back to finding IT work as a supplement).

Passover also starts on Friday, so this week is going to be somewhat hectic in trying to get the rig koshered (the original spring cleaning!), as well as trying to start winding things down for the move.  And, of course, I predict my work schedule will be crazy busy (it's been very slow the past 2 weeks) because that's Murphy's Law (or as Mitch likes to say, "critical needs detector.")

Ordeal over - Day 666 (Yr 2, Day 301)

Asheville, NC

I hope this will not be a devil of a day!

As you know, we've been taking the time to have our annual physicals and all the related tests that go along with it.  I already had the mammogram (had to go back a 2nd time as they found something suspicious -- turned out to be nothing to worry about).

Yesterday I had that dreaded colonoscopy (Mitch had his about a month ago).  Although the procedure is only about 15-30 mins, the preparation is a real killer.  First you need to be on a clear liquid diet only, starting the day before.  Let me tell you, drinking tea and clear broth, or an occasional jello or popsicle, doesn't take away the hunger.  Then, starting about 18 hours in advance, you have to drink a gallon of this very putrid stuff which makes you feel nauseous and bloated (it's supposed to clear your colon).  When it starts to work, you need to go to the bathroom non-stop, watching your poop turn to water.  Also keeps you up all night and, like when you're sick with a stomach bug, totally wears you out.

Anyway, the ordeal is over now.  I have to do it again in 3 years.

No other news to report.

Colors of Spring- Day 657 (Yr 2, Day 292)

Asheville, NC

Hard to believe it's been 10 days since I've written, and unfortunately I don't have much to report on as it's still "a day in the life" with nothing new or exciting happening - just work and errands as usual.

Just noting that buds and blossoms are on the trees, lots of people out on the greenway and the river in shorts and sleeveless shirts, and the colors of spring are popping up all over the place.  I'm sure there's so many more that I don't see because I don't get out farther than the campground except on Sunday when I run errands with Mitch.

First photo are the purple trees that line the highway behind the campground (photo didn't come out very well); the others are just some random flowers by a storefront.  Maybe if the weather and time permit on Sunday, we can visit the NC Arboretum (I'd say the gardens at Biltmore, but not worth $100 to get in).