Winter on Full Circle Family Farm NC

Beside the out-door kitchen there is a flowering fruit tree called the Japanese Plum (ume) Tree. On warmer sunny days the Russian bees from Full Circle Family Farm are heard buzzing around the tiny pink flowers. They love it! The Une tree is very popular in Japan, where is can also been seen in winter with pink flowers covered with frost and iscles. Ume is a species of fruit-bearing tree in the genus Prunus, which is often called a ume but is actually more closely related to the apricot. When the friut is ripened the plums are made into Umeboshi a type of tsukemono, or traditional Japanese pickled food. Umeboshi is literally "dried ume" are pickled ume fruits.

Cover crops on the vegetable beds are of rye, clover and peas. Freezing temperatures can occure as low as -4C will kill these crops so they can be dug back into the beds in the spring before transplanting the plants that have been started in the green house. The garlic was planted in the fall and are already growing in the straw-covered beds. The garlic has been in the ground since fall and have been covered up with straw.


In the green house there are lettuse, cabbages, leeks and brussel spouts, collards.






The tea plant does not lose it's leaves and remains green all winter.

The red and white corn fields are bedded down with straw and green cover crops. The harvested corn was milled into grits and corn meal.

A lemon tree is growing in the living-quarters green house. These organic lemons take a year to develop and ripen. It can flower anytime of year and is now in full bloom.

The remaining summer vegetables are still in the plastic cover. In the new green house that is built on the south side of the barn is full of healthy lettuse, collards and leeks. They will be ready for harvest in the spring.


The ginger was dug up, stored in pails of soil and brought into the green house that is in the family home. Their tops will die off and the ginger roots will then be taken out of the soil and washed off to be used.

Even if the leaves have fallen from the trees, the hemlock, rhododendron and bamboo are still green. It is so nice to see green all winter,. The snow has not come yet this winter, but when it does it will not last long.

January 1, 2012 New Years Day

Woke up this morning to 9C in the RV and 1C outside, clear skies and a colourful sunrise. Randal & I have been here since November 15^th on Full Circle Trail Family Farm near Black Mountain, North Carolina. We have been enjoying our first time living in the Open Range Travel Trailer in warmer climates and helping out on the farm. It was a high of 14C in the afternoon. I wore light shirt and jacket.

It was dark when we wake up in the morning at 6:00am. Randal is always out of bed first to dress and go outside to start the generator to re-change the RV battery and so we can get on the computers. It is much lighter outside than we can see, as the windows are tinted, making it seem darker outside. He turns up the thermostat to 68F to started the propane furnace to make it fell comfortable.

At 7:300am we see Leon walk by swinging a pail in his hand. He has been to feed the chickens. He has already milked the goats and is back at 10 to 7 to ring the Zen bells for mediation. The Zendo is just a few feet from our RV so it is easy for me to get there. We meditate for 40 minutes every day. There are five participants every morning who partakes in meditation.

During my meditation I am learning to focus on the present. I mentally think of the an affirmation from Louise Hay Book "You Can heal Your Life", In the infinity of life where I am, all is prefect, whole and complete. I recognize my body as a good friend. Each cell in my body has Divine Intelligence. I listen to what it tells me, and know that its advice is valid. I am always safe, and Divinely protected and guided. I choose to be healthy and free. All is well in my whole" . Forty minutes of meditation seams to have flown by when Leon rings the chimes to end the mornings session.
Geni wanted some pictures taken of her and I meditating in the Zendo, so Randal took them. She is going to sent them to her teacher in Japan.

Randal & I walked with Geni and Kayla on "Hidden Valley Trail" from Leon and Geni's property to Earthaven passed by the pig yard , along leave-covered trails, crossing over Taylor Creek bridges,and over a few fallen trees. Randal has captured some awesome picture of the area. The dogs, Soxs and Leila, follow us, going at their own pace. Today Sox reached her nose into the pig yard, through an electric fence and received a shock. That sent her quickly back to house. She was not going to finish this walk. It will interesting to see if she will come with us again along this path!

Today at 12:30pm we walked over a tall ridge to Sally and Randy's place for a New Years get-together of games, drinks and food, (black-eyed peas and collards); a tradition of the USA News Year celebrations. There were at least 60 adults and children there enjoying renewing acquaintances and conversation. I met more people who live in the neighbourhood of Eearthaven and Rosie Branch. We were there for 2 hours and than walked back home going along the Rosie Branch Creek into Earthaven arriving back at the RV at 4:30pm Kayla walked in bare feet. Her feet most be very tough!

Geni accompanied Carol, a former resident of Earthaven back with us and then she walked back with there to Sally and Randy's, making her walk of the day double. She did not get back until 10 to 7pm, just in time to meditate with me until 7:45pm.

Kayla came to the RV to watch a movie. She enjoys that and is now feeling comfortable to join us in movie watching.

Before going to bed at 8:30pm I played my usual game of Spider Solitaire.

November 11, 2011

Bridge over the Ohio River

A day earlier, on Thursday Nov 10, we left Granite City early in the morning and took I-255 that skirted St. Louis to get to I-64 East and then South on I-57 and then I-24 towards Nashville. We passed over the Ohio River and through the Shawnee National Forrest area and over the Tennessee River.

Nashville stop over 

Randal likes to drive only 4 to 6 hours so we selected a Good Sam Camp Ground of Two Rivers, Nashville Tennessee. It was much busier KOA with more people using it that the one of the night before. This may have been because it is the Country Music Capital of the the world.

The drive was interesting with the elevation getting to 1821 feet in some places and the forests colours gave a pleasing view. The trucking business sure keeps us alert as they passed us going 70mph. We travels somewhat slower so we can feel comfortable while pulling the Open Range.

It was a sunny cool morning with temperature of +3 C as we started out to take I-40 East towards Knoxville, Tennessee. It took us 30 minutes to drive through Knoxville on the 4-lane Interstate and 5 hours to arrive in Dolly Parton Country in the Great Smokey Mountain State Park, Tennessee.

This is where DollyWood and Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park and Ski Resort are.

Cars and people arriving for the Veterans Day

The traffic was heavy for hours coming in on Highway 66 to these areas for the Veterans Day weekend. Cars lined up all day, moving slowly through road construction, all going to the festivities in the area.

This is a great place for family entertainment from white water rafting, Nascar racing, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction, Ghost & Haunt Tours, Electric Ziplines Rides, Helicopter rides, musicals and now that it is going into the Xmas season there are lights and The Smoky Mountain Opry Christmas Spectacular show to go to. In Gatlinburg there is a Hollywood Star Car Museum where over 400 best star car collection are on display.  

Wall of places to go and see!

The Ripplin Waters Camp Grounds, Sevierville, TN is off I-40, on #66 near Little Pigeon River that flows towards Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We found the campsite not very busy and a quiet place to spend the night.

The time changed so now we are on Eastern time.

The Falls

November 8, 2011

Everything ran really smooth for our travels yesterday. We were at Schaap RV Dealership by 9:30am with the Open Range and they were able to replace the cable on the living room slide. While they were working on it we went out to see what was available to in Sioux Falls.

The first place we saw was the Vet. Memorial Park. It was very well done and we had a lot to read on the war heroes of all the wars the former residents of Sioux Fall who served.

We utilized our handy GPS to look for a restaurant and found Falls Overlook Cafe which seemed to be an interesting one, just by the name. Since we were in Sioux Falls they must have a falls.

It turned out to be just opening for the day and we were greeted with friendly smiles and conversation. It was a be of activity with city workmen cleaning fans and light fixtures on the high ceiling and putting up Xmas decorations in and outs side the building. We enjoyed the light breakfast before we went out to explore the falls that the cafe overlooked.

The history of the building was intriguing as it was over 100 year-old and in the past was the former power plant for Sioux Falls built in 1908. The quarry was formed back during the Ice Age million's of years ago, exposing the granite rocks that we saw were everywhere.

We were able to pick up the Open Range by 12:30. The repair was covered by warranty. We left Sioux Falls heading to I-29 south towards Omaha NB. Driving along the Missouri River gave us a feel of how badly the floods were the spring as there was debris of trees and silt far up on the banks.

Later in the afternoon we arrived at the Shelby Country Inn and RV park in Shelby, Iowa, just east of Omaha, Nebraska. It started to rain shortly after we arrived and rained hard all night, with strong winds that shook the trailer.

Today we were up early as usual and because we did not un-hook from the truck, we were able to get on I-80 by 8:30am. It was still raining and cool, 4C, but the wind was not as high as during the night. We contacted to I-29 South towards Kansas City.

There were more evidences of the flooding from last spring along the Interstate through Iowa and Missouri. We were told by the hosts when we arrived at the KOA at Oak Grove east of Kansas City on I-70 East that the water levels from the dam that were released could have covered all of Iowa and Missouri.

Our trailer is very comfortable and warm as we settled down for the rest of the evening.

Discover it Live it.

Oh, Those Strong Winds

We will be staying in one place now after 4 days of driving. This will give us time to catch up with our communication and blogging.

Our drive from Billings on Highway 87 to Rapid City was up and down getting to elevations as high as 1481 meters with some areas covered in snow. The Montana terrain was very unique with red soil, rocks, lots of fur and pine trees. The wind was very strong which slowed us down. We averaged 80 to 90 km/hour. The hills make the trany kick down, and of course, this used more diesel than usual.

On arrival at Rapid City in late afternoon, the sun was just setting and we were hungry. We found the Canyon Lake Park RV Campsite in a travel book and with the direction from the book and some help from the GPS we found the place. The route we had chosen took us and the 34 foot trailer through road construction with very narrow lanes. At one point we were down to one lane on the whole street. Anyway we found the place and set up. If we were to leave early in the morning we would have to fill the truck needed diesel, so we looked for a gas station to fuel up. We grabbed a pizza at restaurant near by for our supper as we were too tired to rustle up a meal. Needless to say we were in bed by 8:30pm.

After a good sleep and breakfast (porridge with apples), we were on way using I-90 at 8am. Today was an interesting one. We kept seeing signs along the Interstate advertizing Wall Drugs. This got our curiosity up. We looked it up in a book that we carry in the truck which gives us the history of places throughout the US. We found that Wall Drugs is in a very small place called Wall, with 300 people in 1931. As we were only a couple of mile from Wall, we thought that would be a must for us to visit.

A pharmacist Ted Hustead and his wife Dorothy bought the small store in 1931 during the depression. People would drive by Wall, so their customers were few. On one hot July day and after 5 years of struggling, Dorothy came up with the idea to offer those that drove by a free glass of ice water. Signs went up and with-in a few hours customers came and business grow.

Today the family run a 50,000 square foot tourist attraction that sells everything imaginable in a place that you could spent days, just looking and eating, AND STILL GET A FREE GLASS OF ICE WATER.

This stop took us an hour so we were back on I-90 bucking even stronger winds than before. Randal was becoming white knuckled from trying to keep the truck and trailer on the road. We stopped at rest stop just passed Oacoma, across the Missouri River, and enjoyed the view from the look out point they had there. It was so  windy the flags were flying straight out. It felt like Saskatchewan so it was nice to get back in the truck and started on our way again.

The wind was evident that anything could happen on our remaining trip to Sioux Falls. Just a few miles down the road the lower panel on the kitchen slide was blown off. The thin metal was flung across to the other lane of the Interstate. Randal quickly stopped and was able to cut the only point that was still attached and we put the damaged piece in the back of the truck. We also noticed that the cover of the water heater vent was missing.

On arrival in Sioux Falls, we booked into the Red Barn RV Park for 3 days. This will give us time to contact an Open Range Dealer to see if they will be able to do the repairs needed. It will also give us time to relax and get some walking in and be tourists.

 Discover it  Live it

South of the 49th

We are on the road again. We left Cochran in the dark at 7am and went south on 22, 22x and 2. then we took 3 and then 4 to the US boarder. After a brief delay at custom to give up two oranges, a lemon and to verify I was not the Randal Martin they had warrants for we were on our way to Great Falls.    

In Great Falls we stayed at a KOA. Our fresh water tank was almost dry. The camp manager said all the site had only power, no water so he had us pull up next to he home and we filled to 1/3 full.

 The sun was out after we parked in our site so it was time to explore just like Louis and Clark did. There was a nature walk that ran around the west and south side of the park. Along the walk were stopping stations with detailed information about the history of the area. The view to the south was impressive with mountains in the distance. 

 The morning of November 2nd as we were closing the dinning room slide we heard a snap and on investigation found a cable had snapped and only had two or three strands left. The slide still had a foot to go to be inside. We push the button and it came in to it's resting place.

With everything stored for travel, off we went on Hwy 87 east and south. Lorraine is becoming very proficient with the camera in a moving vehicle. She was able to get a shot of these prong horns grassing along the highway.       

Last night we pulled into the Yellowstone River Campground where again there was only power available at the site. All it other facilities were also closed. No showers, toilets or laundry.
 

Then while I was editing this pictures we heard a big bang, like a canon, and the power was off. This was 7:30 pm so it was dark. I grabbed Lorraine ... no I grabbed a flash light an headed outside to see what happened. I met quite a few of the other camper all with flashlights in hand. We did not find the problem but the people in charge knew we were out as was most of the neighborhood. The power was restored at 12:30am.     

This area is set up for travelers pets, but we don't have any pets. So we couldn't use this part of the camp.

 

Rolling the Wheels On the Trailer

Sunset and Open Range

Well it's time to move on. We have been here in Calgary and Cochrane for six weeks now and have really enjoyed our time at Bow RiversEdge Campgound.

 

West side of camp looking south

 
 It was situated close to the Bow River so our morning walks mostly were along the rivers edge. Just outside the camp is an off leash dog run where we would encounter many types of dogs and owners.

Bow River & Free Dog Run area

Sometimes the dog were curious about us and would come close for a smell but mostly they just ran with their noses to the ground and other dogs rear ends.

Glen Eagle Golf Coarse

The last couple of walks Lorraine and I headed up the hill and walked the trials overlooking the valley. One day we dropped into a golf coarse to see all the golfers waiting for the go ahead to tee off. The grass had frost on it and until it was warmer no one was even allowed to stand on it. They had to stay on the paved path.

Club House & Carts

First Tee

The weather here has been very good.

It's only in the last week that the over night temp has been dropping below zero. The trailer is keeping us comfortable during the cooler times of the day. We have a ceramic heater that we keep plugged in and with that and the electric fire place it stays warm enough that the gas furnace doesn't have to come on. Oh I should mention that we had to add a second plexi glass panel to our front window. All the other windows in the Open Range Trailer are double pain. So now we don't have to mop up the condensation on the front window like we did when it was only a single pain of glass.

Swans on a frozen pond north of Cochrane, AB

We are rolling the wheels on the trailer on November 1st. That will give us a full six months to be south of the really cold weather.