The Rig

    I never got around to posting the pictures of the RV remodel before we set out so here they are.  They don't really tell the best story but the gist is we have a 1983 Holiday Rambler.  It's a 30ft Class A motorhome with a Chevy 454 big block engine (haven't done the math but guessing maybe 8-10 mpg, ouch!).  We had to replace the transmission before we left but that was pretty much the only major engine work done, beside a good tune up.  Inside we did a lot of work.  My dad and I tore up the circa 80's brown carpet and replaced it with vinyl tile, put up new trim and laid rubber flooring under the Capitan's chairs.  Candice hand sewed new insulating curtains (which have been awesome!), Rug Dr.ed the seats and made the place overall pretty and comfortable.  We also had to replace all the appliances.  Since all the propane appliances are now gone something I'll do while I'm here is pull the 200 lbs. propane tank.
    I redid all the battery charging stuff and got solar panels and a new generator with the good intentions of being able to do a lot of boondocking; on day two however we realized this rig was way too big to get anywhere but dedicated lots.  When we get to CT and won't have to live in the camper we'll put this one on the market along with the car dolly and Neon we are pulling and try to get a smaller pull behind camper and pickup with the hopes of having more flexibility.
    There was a ton more that we did during the month we were at my folks, and more we have done since we left (the breaker box melted two weeks ago so I had to replace all that) but it would be boring to read about unless you were involved.  Suffice to say, if you're getting a camper you can buy cheap but be ready for some work.  It was all a lot of fun though and the transformation has been crazy.  If you're into any of this stuff and want to know more just shoot me an email.

Going to Connecticut

A couple weeks ago Cas and I secured our next gig.  We will be stationed on Outer Island of the Stewart B. McKinney wildlife refuge.  Our boss here in Santee, Park Ranger Susie, knows the refuge manager up there and got us the job.  We will be stationed on a five acre island from mid-May to at least the end of August, living in a two bedroom house with solar power and the Atlantic Ocean for our tub.  As the manager explained it, part of our time will be spent taking care the island, the rest will be spent in hammocks with fishing polls and good books.  Should be fun!

Long Overdue

    Santee National Wildlife Refuge is broken up into four units: Bluff, Dingle Pond, Pine Island, and Cuddo.  The visitor center is at the Bluff unit off I-95 and the RV pad is just through some trees.  On the Bluff is the Santee Indian burial mound, site of the British Fort Watson, some hiking trails, and places for critters to hang out (called refuge).  At the Bluff, Cas and I have done trash detail and trail maintenance, I've been GPSing different things (trails, roads, structures) to make digital maps.  Cas is painting a mural in the visitor center and we'll post pics when it's done.
    Next up is Dingle Pond.  One of the first days here we were at Dingle putting up split rail fence.  That was fun!  Dingle doesn't have a whole lot, a strait trail a little less then a mile one way but they're working on putting an observation platform so you can actually see the pond.
    Keep on down the road and you get to Pine Island.  The ownership of the drive into Pine is dubious.  The land on either side is private and the owners let you know it.  Once you get there though it is a very nice hiking and biking road making almost a four mile loop.  We haven't really done anything at Pine yet though there is a canoe trail out there that needs to be mapped!
    The crown jewel of the refuge is the newly remodeled Cuddo Unit.  They just finished construction on the Wildlife Drive building roads, habitat, and observation areas.  This is where we've spent most of our time clearing hiking trails, mapping high water lines (which are at record highs), putting up and fixing signs and more.  There is another canoe trail out there that needs to be mapped as well!
    The people here have been unreal.  They have taken us in like family and have worked hard to help us realize our dreams and goals.  The volunteer coordinator Suzie even got us our next assignment on a five acre island a mile and a half off the coast of Connecticut!  But more on that later....

Merry Christmas

I know it's been a month but we just got internet the other day.  We're working on an update with pictures and all that so we'll let you know.  Thanks for being patient.

Santee National Wildlife Refuge

    We made it to South Carolina last Sunday night.  Our position is as resident volunteers putting in 24 hours a piece a week in exchange for full hook ups (water, electric, sewer).  The people are great and the place is beautiful.  We are right in between Columbia and Charleston on Lake Marion.  We will be doing maintenance and some work in the visitor center and whatever else needs to be done.  We'll be spending this weekend getting to know the area better.  Our internet access is pretty limited at this point so the updates might be a bit lagging and we are working on putting pictures together.  We'll let you know when we have done/know more.  Thanks for all your prayers!

Quick Update

We're moving to South Carolina tomorrow.  Let you know when we get there.

Good Times In MO

So we left you at IHOP, the International House of Prayer that is. As Nate was feeling spiritually moved to wait and listen, I was having a different experience. Since we left, I have been wondering about that verse in Proverbs about not leaning on your own understanding and letting God guide you. At IHOP I was asking God to show us something. What we needed to do, where we needed to go,  how we could have this adventure and still be of some use to him. I felt moved to open to Proverbs to look up that verse. And what  I saw first was the title of a chapter called “ Start with God” the first step in learning is bowing down to God. I went on to find my good verse and found an amazing chapter instead. Please read Proverbs 3:5-12. My favorite part is “Trust God from the bottom of your heart, don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track”. We went to IHOP to spend time with God and ask him our questions, but I think God lead us there because he just wanted to spend time with us. Wanted us to make a single act of selflessness; to start with Him.  No questions, just worship.

Marty and Randy's

From IHOP we went south to stay with my cousins Marty and Randy. They own a farm/ranch with 5 dogs, 3 cats, 9 horses, and a few other things walking around. And we are sure glad that we did! Not only are they some of the most welcoming and friendliest folk you’d ever meet, they know how to show you a good time! Randy works for Garmin, makers of GPS units. We had an amazing tour of the company where we visited the labs and offices and observed some of the inner workings of their amazing products. Randy then treated us to an amazing lunch, made fresh by Garmin chefs, and then a tour of a sunken steam boat museum where we enjoyed viewing thousands of amazingly preserved artifacts as well as an incredible story. We saw where Marty and her son Donnie work in Kansas City, very nice offices, and went to my cousin Trevor’s, 15 yrs old, football game. That was day one!!! We stayed 5 days, Randy kept bribing us with fun things to do. Marty showed us how to play the video game ROCK BAND! Which is similar to guitar hero except there are several different instruments. Nate tried everything and sang which was great! I myself rocked out on the drums. Woohoo! Nathan bought a ukulele and then I broke an unbreakable string tuning it for him last night! I am trying to learn guitar. I have officially learned C major. What?! Oh, that’s right, look out! Randy helped us fix the vibrating in our car, it was a tie rod! We are so thankful to him for helping us solve that mystery. Then they treated us to Jackson’s “This is It” movie, which was great!! Then on Sunday we had amazing motorcycle rides. At one moment Randy and Marty had us going at 95 mph and I didn’t pee my pants!! They made us breakfast and dinner almost every day, while having a farm, kids, and FT jobs in the city. Wow!!! That visit is going to be hard to beat!

Fern's

We are in Vanzant, MO now, very close to Arkansas, where Marty and Randy own about 220 acres. Her mother and brother live there, Fern and Ray and Ray’s wife Kathy and their 2 daughters Katie and Maggie and Katie’s baby. Went on our first hike today, had lunch over a fire and I am typing this in a hammock while dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. It is lovely down here. Lord, thank you for the amazing weather, safe trip, full bellies, and incredible family and friends. Love!