Today didn’t start out too pretty. We both slept well last night in the rest area parking lot. Yes, there were truck running and generators running but inside FRED it was a dull constant roar that was easy to sleep through. It started raining about 3:00 this morning and it rained until about 1 1/2 hour after we left Hayti.
It was a relief when we finally drove into the sunshine.
We did not leave as early as we had planned because it was still so dark and raining hard. We had wind most of the day until shortly before we arrived in Amana. It was not an easy driving day.
Shortly before arriving in Amana we drove through a little town named Tiffin. We thought that was rather funny since we just left Tiffin Motor Homes yesterday.
After we arrived at Amana RV park, our dear friends Mike and Ruth pulled in behind us. It’s been over a year since we have seen them and it was such a joy. Later we went out to dinner with them as well. The food was great! We have lots to see and do as well as lots to do to get ready. It’s going o be a great week. Now we are going to bed. It was a long driving day – more miles than we usually do in a day. Night, Night.
First, we have to start the day remembering September 11, 2001 and the horrible loss of life on that day. The terrorists attacks changed our country forever. We must never forget all those that lost their lives and their families. We must never become complacent.
This day started very early for us, again. (We are in need of a few sleep in, quiet mornings.) Anne was up at 4:30 and left at 5:30 for Tuscaloosa. Mama Ruby had an appointment at 8:45 with the orthopedic surgeon. He did not dismiss her as we had hoped. He said it had been 4 months and there was definite healing but it will take 6 months “at her age.” He did agree to continue the home therapy. Mama Ruby really likes her therapist and he has really helped her a lot. So, we will return in one month for another x-ray and recheck.
While Anne was in Tuscaloosa, Max was also up early preparing Fred to go back in for more repairs. This time it was to bay 25 – the cabinet guys. When we were returning from Lumberton we noticed that the backsplash behind the sink was no longer attached to the wall. That was one of the problems we took to our dealer. Big mistake!! The dealer did glue the backsplash into place. However, there was sealant/glue every where, all over the wall above the backsplash and the trim around the backsplash and the counter top. We were very disappointed. Not only did it look terrible, but it remained tacky to the touch and would have been nothing but a dust and grease magnet. That was one of the main reasons we went to Tiffin this time. When the cabinet tech first looked at it he really wasn’t sure what to do. He agreed with us that it had to be repaired but said we could not remove the glue from the wall. Anything we might use would damage the wall and make the situation worse. Anne was pretty upset over it all while trying to remain calm. Supervisors became involved and quickly let us know that it would be repaired but it was going to take some custom work. In the end, they removed the backsplash, got all the glue off of that, reinstalled with lots of the proper adhesive, polished everything and then made an addition to the backsplash that covers the wall where the glue couldn’t be removed. It’s different that it was before. We think it is fine but are still looking at it to decide if we want anything additional done. Right now we still have two additional support pieces holding everything in place for 24 hours. We will decide after we take those down.
Backsplash removed
Backsplash being reinstalled with plenty of adhesive
Repairs finished
Of course, this was also the day that the remnants of Hurricane Irma arrived in Alabama. We new this was coming and really wanted to head north and west as soon as possible. We really try to avoid driving Fred in high winds. When Anne left Tuscaloosa, the wind and rain had already started there. However she drove out of it shortly before arriving back in Red Bay. We were able to hook up the truck, say good bye to our new friends, and pull out of Red Bay about 12:30, just ahead of the winds. We did have some gusts but nothing that made us feel unsafe. We left Alabama, drove through Mississippi and Tennessee and tonight we are at the Hayti, Missouri, Welcome Center on I-55. Missouri allows you to spend the night at their rest areas so we decided to give it a try. A new experience for us. Hopefully it won’t be too noisy. We are really glad to be “On The Road Again”, but are very tired from all the running we have done the past few weeks. We will try to get some rest tonight because tomorrow we hope to drive on into Amana Colony, Iowa. We hear and read of many interesting things to do there and we want to get some sightseeing done before the meetings start.
After the late night last night, we slept in a little this morning. It was another beautiful morning and we decided to go to church at Red Bay First UMC. It’s located just right down the road from the campground. The pastor is deployed with the same Guard unit with Bryson that we asked you to pray for Friday. The “fill-in” appointment is Yohan Hong. We never really know what to expect when we visit a church on our travels and today was the same. We really enjoyed today’s service. Pastor used the scripture about Jesus turning the water into wine at the wedding feast. He reminded us that Jesus was an invited guest at the wedding, but that Jesus doesn’t want to be our guest but rather our Lord and Master. Very good service and very welcoming congregation. Will definitely go here again next time we are here. Other RVer’s from our campground visited today as well. We were all impressed with the church.
The motorhome business is very important to this community.
Wonderful service with good music and good preaching
The first hymn even had shaped notes in the hymnal
After church I was back to the campground and lunch. We did some cleaning and straightening in preparation for hopefully departing tomorrow. We shall see. The rest of the day was spent walking, and visiting with others in the campground. There are some really nice people here. We have made several more good contacts for NOMADS.
Sounds like we may have some bad weather headed this way so everyone be careful!
The sky began to lighten about 40 minutes into the trip
We knew today was going to be a long, hard day but all in all it went well. The day began at 4:30 am (YUCK!). We hit the road a little before 5:30 headed to Tuscaloosa. It was another cool morning with a pretty start to the day. We arrived in Tuscaloosa a little before 8:00 and started getting furniture ready to move from Anne’s mom’s home to the assisted living. Jim, Anne’s brother arrived from Atlanta about 8:30 with the trailer and his two sweet dogs. We had the trailer loaded by about 9:15 and headed over to the assisted living facility which is only about 2 miles away. Mom, of course, was glad to see the three of us and we began the unloading process. We were really blessed with 4 young men who were there moving their grandfather into the Memory Care unit. They saw us unloading and just jumped in and grabbed the mattress and box springs and took them right to Mom’s room and kept returning to the trailer for another load until everything was upstairs. We spent the next several hours moving furniture around in the apartment. We eventually had things arranged in a way that made Mom happy. We did have to return to Mom’s with one chair that was just too large for the space and returned with a smaller chair that looked much better in her bedroom. Mom will be happy tonight to sleep in her bed with her quilt and pillows. She was already enjoying resting on her couch. We hope having more of her things will make her feel more at home. We will have to work on some pictures and decorator items over the next few visits. Mom really doesn’t care much for the facility’s hair dresser so she had asked us to get her an appointment with her usual stylist, Brenda, so at 12:30 Anne took her to see Brenda. Mom had a good day – her stuff moved in and a day with her hairdresser. Anne also got a haircut. After another trip back to the house for a few more things, it was time for us to head to Birmingham before the ballgame was over.
Can you believe these grocery prices?
We stopped in Trussville to get some groceries and see Aunt Jean at her assisted living. After a trip to the store for her supplies, paying her bills, and cleaning Noodle the Turtle’s terrarium we finally made it to Blount County. A visit with Max’s mom and Aunt Helen and preparing their weekly pill minders completed our round of visits to the LOLs. We then went home and loaded the pickup with our bikes, food, tools and other items we will need in Iowa and Mississippi. Shortly after 8:30 we headed back to Red Bay. As we prepare this post the GPS says we will arrive back to Fred in about 1.5 hours or about 11:00. We will then take the refrigerated items inside and leave the rest for tomorrow and go to bed. Good night.
Today didn’t start out too pretty. We both slept well last night in the rest area parking lot. Yes, there were truck running and generators running but inside FRED it was a dull constant roar that was easy to sleep through. It started raining about 3:00 this morning and it rained until about 1 1/2 hour after we left Hayti. 
Shortly before arriving in Amana we drove through a little town named Tiffin. We thought that was rather funny since we just left Tiffin Motor Homes yesterday. 
After we arrived at Amana RV park, our dear friends Mike and Ruth pulled in behind us. It’s been over a year since we have seen them and it was such a joy. Later we went out to dinner with them as well. The food was great! We have lots to see and do as well as lots to do to get ready. It’s going o be a great week. Now we are going to bed. It was a long driving day – more miles than we usually do in a day. Night, Night.
RVing With a Purpose 