Volunteering at Saylorville was very rewarding this year. Many of the older rangers are retiring and the younger ones are ambitious and hard working. I could see a lot of progress there this year and enjoyed being a part of it.
We had some new friends in the site next to us in volunteer village. Champ and Britt. I met them online last winter and looked forward to meeting in person. They were volunteering in the visitor's center, but it looks like Champ will be joining me in natural resources next year.They have family in the area also and with our busy schedules, we didn't get to spend much time together but it's always nice to have someone next door to chat with coming and going. We did finally manage to go out to eat together one night the last week we were there.
I was able to help one of my daughter's families with some projects before we left. We built a chicken pen, leveled the kitchen and living room floor and raised the garage roof 4 ft. The last one of these was a very interesting project involving separating the roof from the walls and raising it with a frame built on his two post car hoist in the garage. I had my doubts about the feasibility of this. but my son in law had done his homework, did it right and it came out well. Here are a few pictures.
The roof was raised with the hoist a little over 4 feet.
Then premade sections of framing were put into the gap.
The framework built onto the hoist used to lift the roof.
After the framework was in place we covered it with plywood and lowered the roof onto it.
And the final product after the siding was installed.
We have been busy since we got back to Sioux City Doctor appointments, catching up on home and lawn upkeep, motorhome and Jeep maintenance, and playing games with the grandkids. Yesterday afternoon we went up to Lemars and saw a play at the community theater. Our time here always seems very busy but I enjoy the quiet evenings here on the hill.
