Samara Saves Fester

Odometer at 234,567.8 - couldn't resist taking the picture.

But first, the crew meeting was fun tonight. We got to practice starting IV's (which is clearly beyond the scope of our training), but they gave us some quick training and let us practice finding veins on each other and inserting the needles into a dummy.

On the way home, Samara not only noticed the check engine light flashing on and off, but had the presence of mind to say "Dad, why is the ...." The engine temp gauge was pegged on "H". We were able to pull over at a gas station / mini-mart, let the car cool down and add a gallon of water to the radiator. So far I've noticed that the radiator cap is toast - worn, cracked gasket, not suitable for use. We'll see if there's a hose also leaking.

Hopefully I can get the car back together so that I can drive to and from Scout Camp tomorrow.

For tonight: mileage: 42 miles; July to Date=618.

Not worth reading....

Really....

Miles Sunday: 27;
July to date 576.
Going back off the grid on Tuesday.

Off the power grid

I just spent a week at Young Women's Camp at a "remote" Forest Service group campground, that was nonetheless part of the metro area address scheme (go figure). Running water (cold), two hole outhouse (his and hers, or in our case hers and hers and knock before you enter if you're male), and no cell phone service (except for Verizon on a couple of odd hills here & there).

I was able to power my CPAP machine for the week using one of the Festiva batteries with no problem, so I guess I'm back in the camping business - no need for an extension cord. I think winter camping may be a bit of a problem, though. My nose was a bit cold on a couple of the summer mornings with the cold fresh mountain air blowing on it. I was also able to charge my cell phone a couple of times; even with no service, there were times when I wanted to know what time it was or to play an MP3.

So, what does a Bishop do at YW Camp all week? YW leaders have things pretty well planned (and then some - nothing like when the boy's go camping). Monday was camp setup: a GP-Medium for a rain shelter, a second GP-Medium for the first year girls to sleep in, help set up shelter and stoves for the cooking area. Friday morning was break down. Other than that, it was mostly hang out, make a nuisance of myself, and have fun. Watch the girls work on various projects, help the cooks when needed, pass out plates in the food line, pour water for hot chocolate - all the high skilled tasks. My "specialty" was stomping on the trash in the dumpster (one dumpster is not enough for 150 girls for a whole week). Others in the Priesthood support team (there were usually three of us around at all times) went out with various groups on 5 mile hikes, but somebody had to stay behind and watch the grass grow. Other duties included instigating water fights and encouraging girls to drink to keep from becoming dehydrated (it was fairly hot in camp - likely in the 90's in the day). But after the second day, most of them figured out that drinking water was preferable to getting sick and barfing. I only went through two pair of gloves on the one cleanup that I was involved in. I also got to burn charcoal and start fires...

Wednesday night was Bishop's night - I had surveyed the youth for their top 5 favorite songs - any genre. The results were used as material for our own version of the Swedish TV game show "Så ska' det låta". It was a blast - the game was fairly evenly matched and was decided by a one point margin. The one strategic error that I made was having our girls in the GP-Medium tent. I'd picked the spot so that we could stay out of the rain, but as the rain had stopped, it served instead to keep the noise in. I think I was close to deaf by the end of the evening. Our Young Women's leaders were super and brought up ice cream treats.

Mileage from Sunday to Church to return from camp:187

I don't have an accent

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The West
Boston
North Central
The Inland North
The South
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

And add 12 miles for 7/16 - Church + detour on way home

Clothes make the man...

... naked people have little or not influence in society - Mark Twain

So, we dressed up in our first responder clothes and went off to the mountains to provide medical support for a 120 mile bike ride with 3000+ riders. Samara & I ended up at different points on the course, so she'll have to tell her own story. In addition to the station that I worked, I also got to make a run to one of the other stations to deliver equipment & also help out with KP. (I am somewhat prone to not being prone, but to be doing something).

The first aid duties at our station were slow - a little road rash here & there being the chief complaint; providing sunscreen being the major activity of the First Aid Station. Our youth run team started off a bit rocky, but became quite proficient before the day was out.

Our pit stop was moved rather last minute (thanks to the nameless local big city closing down access to the road that ran along one of their dams - "security"). The locals were not too happy with big city closing down one of three major roads in their county. Our station was relocated to a small parking lot just outside of a marina instead of large school parking lot because of adjustments needed to keep the ride at 120 miles.

There was a bike path / road crossing that was a bit of a nuisance - recreational traffic had the right of way (no stop sign), but there were 3000+ bikers that wanted to cross, and a number of which were blowing through their stop sign. For a 4 hour shift, we had a representative of the local Sheriff's dept directing traffic. For breaks & a couple of hours after his shift, I put on my yellow web vest (hence - clothes make the man) and played traffic cop. Most drivers cooperated with my directions (better than the pedestrians and cyclists) although one driver gave me a what appeared to be a subtle but courteous one finger wave.

Many bikers thanked us for being there; we in turn thanked them for not needing our services. Some other stations saw a bit more activity than we did.

Afterwords we all met in a big park for a VERY nice catered picnic. The poultry had a very nice crusted herb seasoning, and the lemonade was all you can drink (which was needed).

Mileage Trivia:
7/8: Church - 8.6
7/9: Park & Church 10 mi
7/11-7/13: Odometer: 233793-234094:Triple Bypass/Support & Church/Interviews=301 mi
July to date: 350.5 miles

Duct Tape, Dishwasher Drain Hoses, and Gummi Snake Wrappers

What do these all have in common? They are implements that can be used to improvise missing parts for a CPAP machine. I packed everything I needed for the trip to the small town - except for my CPAP mask, head gear, and hose. The first night I didn't sleep as well - something about snoring. For the 4th and 5th, my brother-in-law had a spare dishwasher drain hose, which coincidently was 3/4 in inside diameter - the perfect size to hook up to a CPAP machine. I had a spare CPAP mask in my first aid soft pack - useful for body-substance-isolation in providing the mouth-to-mouth portion of rescue breathing in CPR. I also had duct tape in my pack, so I was able to make head gear to hold the mask in place.

As the dishwasher hose is somewhat stiff, I returned it on our way out of town. While shopping for snacks, I saw a three foot long green apple gummi snake, which I couldn't resist. While devouring the snake, I realized that the wrapper was the right size for a CPAP hose. More duct tape to hold everything in place, and another good night's sleep was the result.

Tonight, it's home with all the "correct" parts.

July 4th - Fun in a small town

Where else does the fire department show up, hook up the hoses and take aim. First it's a bit of a game with the kids trying to cool down (I went out for a chance to cool off). Jack-Jack got hit by some over spray and was not pleased. Then it gets "serious" with those who are trying to pick up money thrown in the street. Kind of like an Easter Egg Hunt - different age groups each had a turn from 0-3, on up to adult. I guess the similarity ends there - there's money instead of candy, and a good soaking for the effort. Chaelomen received something like $11 for his efforts and quite a soaking.

I saw all the action from the front of a bake sale waiting for the fry bread to be cooked for our Navajo Tacos. They were planning on selling only 100 Tacos; we had to wait about 2 hours a the front of the line while more dough was made.

The day ended with a fireworks show in the main town park. This year, the hill outside of town was not set on fire.

A good time was had (mostly) by all.

Mileage Update

On the eve of a long weekend of driving in a car without air conditioning....

First catchup on miles: 320+6/25:Mutual&Welfare 9mi+6/29:Church 9mi=JUNE 338 MILES
July: 7/1:Welfare 10 mi;7/2:Sam's+Church 21 mi (+$120 for food) = 31 mi

Next: I've given the Festiva a look over; we'll be delayed getting out of Dodge: the muffler needs to be replaced. Tell mom to expect us about 7 or 8 pm local time. I've fixed the battery mount so that it doesn't bounce on the transmission (the battery mount tray is long gone). The wind shield wiper repair will likely require a body shop to do the welding. I might be able to improvise something, but I doubt it. Otherwise, as previously stated, the car runs well and gets about 47 mpg. About the same as the Insight, but with more power!!! I'm off to look for a CHEAP radio.