At the Park – Days 34 – 37

Figured I’d do an update tonight rather than making you wait will Sunday evening.

That said, I really don’t have a lot to report on.

Tuesday evening I spent revisiting the required length of roof overhang on the south side of the house.  If I make it too long, it will block too much sun in the spring and fall potentially requiring me to depend upon alternative heat sources.  If I make it too short, then the house will be more apt to overheat in the spring and fall.  To cold, I burn a fire in the heater.  To warm I add shading to reduce the amount of sun penetration into the house.  My analysis involved reviewing average temperatures in the area for the spring and fall months as well as the elevation of the sun at various parts of the day for those months.  On this particular detail, for far too long I’ve been stuck in that analysis paralysis mode I mentioned in a previous blog.  Right or wrong, I’ve settled on a 6′ overhang which will result in a total span of 33′.  I have no concern about that length of cantilever.  What I need to sort out now is the best way to achieve that 33′ span.  Using a low slope truss is a no-brainer but really doesn’t align with what I envisioned.  Timber would be really cool I think but I haven’t found much in how-to on that and to appreciate the look I would have to rethink how I was going to do the ceiling.  Based on the table I just reviewed while writing this, I think I will go with 33′ 6″ 2×12 of selected structural lumber spaced 16″ on center.  My application of walls about 26′ apart would be well within specifications.  Ok.  That is settled.

Back to Tuesday.  Hmm… Guess that is it for Tuesday.  It was a very late night Tuesday pondering and planning the overhang.

Wednesday I reached out to the county assessor’s office on my request for a plat map as I could not remember if I had included a mailing address or other contact info in the hand written letter I sent (I have opted not to invest in a printer – trying to see if we can live without one).  She was kind enough to email me a copy of it.  It did not have much more info on it than I already had, but having it was a requirement for the building permit application.  I forwarded the map and other requested information to the septic system specialist so that he can document what is needed for applying for the septic system permit.  Talked on the phone for quite a while with family.  I then started work on a drawing for the building permit application.  That effort took me much later into the evening than I had planned on.

Thursday, as is becoming a routine I somewhat look forward I to, I drove to Douglas.  I enjoyed the light show put on by the thunderstorms in the mountains while driving.  Once there, it was dinner at La Fiesta Cafe.  Guacamole and chips, then enchiladas sonorenses this time (I’ve been trying a different entree every visit thus far).  I must say my first visit with the tamales was the best of the three thus far.  Then onto Walmart.  While in Walmart I realized I forgot to stop at TSC first (I like to do Walmart last because of the refrigerated and frozen groceries I buy there).  Oh well.  I remembered to bring a cooler with me this time because I planned to make another stop on the way home anyway so it shouldn’t be a big deal.  Got what I needed (remembered to put on my list) at Walmart and TSC then headed home.  As my mouth was watering for a tasty margarita after that nice Mexican meal, I was disappointed when I realized the tavern in Rodeo was closed.  Must be losing my mind.  Thought it should still be open.

After taking Sasha for her evening walk to the dog run I put away the groceries and retired early to bed.  Just as well the tavern was closed.  I was beat from the last two late nights and appreciated turning in at a reasonable hour.

Friday my afternoon work calendar was clear of meetings and for the first time in weeks there were no pressing late Friday afternoon issues that I had to deal with.  As such, I opted to take advantage of work’s summer hours and called it a day around 1 PM eastern.

I took that time to show Rusty (the RV park’s owner) how to access the software that controls the park’s wireless network.  Ran to the post office to check to see if there were packages for me.  Got an order of BBQ sauce and helicopter insurance welcome packets.

Prepared rice and veggies with peanut sauce again.  After the potluck was over, I was still in the mood to be social so I headed to the tavern.  Closed.  This time there was a sign on the door.  The business and liquor license is in the process of being transferred to the new owners.  I guess that explains why it was closed Thursday night too.  Oh well.  Didn’t need to poison my body anyway.

Back at the trailer I sat outside for a while practicing playing Texas Holdem on the iPad while petting the very demanding miss Sasha.  I sure hope it was Texas Holdem that Tom told me they play on poker night around here.  As it was cool and windy from the nearby thunderstorm, I decided to retire to the trailer.  Before heading in for the evening, I took Sasha for her evening walk to the dog run while enjoying the light show being presented by the thunderstorm in the distance.  While at the dog run while waiting for Sasha, it occurred to me to take out my phone and get some video of the lightning.  Of the two minutes of footage of multiple strikes, it was the strikes in the last few seconds that captured the best on the phone’s video.  Someday I will edit the video down or maybe just pull out some still photos and post them.

And now you are once again up to date.  Can’t wait to get onto the property when I can start writing and posting about less mundane activities.

That reminds me of a conversation I had with Bob the parks maintenance man this week.  I shared with him my Sunday night adventure of having to get into the two electrical panels to work on the wireless network.  He then shared with me that black widows and scorpions love hiding in those panels and he won’t reach into them without gloves on.  Geeze…  Not only was I reaching in without gloves, but I was doing it in the dark.  How lucky was I once again?  Someone must really be looking out for me.  For that I am thankful!

Heard tonight that the snakes like to come out at night.  Again, thankful I didn’t run across any in the dark that night although I was watching for those.

That is it for me.  Hope to have a productive weekend.

Night all!