My summer sojourn here on the Pacific Coast Region of Puget Sound area of the Salish Basin was this year and has always been a very comfortable location for me during this otherwise continental hot season and often this very nice weather at this location will extend into the fall season for weeks on end. However, at this time, the nights are beginning to dip into the 40s, which is not bad in itself but is a good indicator of upcoming cooler nights to come soon.

I begin preparing myself and my burden for the fall journey that will come as soon as my wait on the state to deliver my licence plate has occurred. In fact, this wait is the primary reason that I am still in the rain shadow.

On Day 491 TN, last Tuesday, Richard arrived in the late afternoon after a long drive north from southern California and the two of us began a week long whirlwind effort to finish up the sorting, disposing and loading the remains of his mom′s possessions. This was the last week of a ten week travail that has held me captive here on this Rock in the located in the central Salish Sea.

He left me with a list of tasks to complete before I depart so I have slowly completing items from the list. Meanwhile, he is driving back south along the IH 5 route through Washington, then Oregon and finally, California to his home in Oceanside where he will park the truck and trailer at his mom′s home, walk around the corner to his home and then get into the bed to sleep the rest of the time before he has to be back at work on Thursday, 29 September 2022.

Meanwhile, I will continue to park here at the Oak Harbor House (OHH) and also continue to rest up from the ten weeks of work that I have been involved in and doing so while I await for my state license plate to arrive in the mail.

Too, there are a few items left on the list that Richard gave me before he left which I also plan to do during the next week.

Awake, walk into the home to retrieve my long pants and then return to the jammer to drive to the w-mart. Upon arriving, I catch up on my journal writing before I walk up to the counter and purchase a cup of coffee. Then, I return to the computer to sip coffee and check my com. At about eight this morning, I return to the OHH and begin scraping old loose paint from the front deck ramp and stairs.

This requires me to scrap for a long time and next, I the use my wire brush to ruff up the remaining paint and bare wood. Next, I sweep all the debris in to a dust pan and dump it into the garbage bin. After that, I walk back to the garage, pick up the deck stain, open the can and stir the contents. Then, I return to the front of the house to begin painting the front deck ramp and stairs. When I have completed this job, I step back to the sidewalk and take a few photos that I will send to Richard later.

After this job, I go inside, walk upstairs to take a hot shower and then come back down to the first floor and begin preparing my evening meal.

Finally, after eating, I retire to the jammer, climb into the rear and get into the horizontal for the last day of my summer sojourn here on the Rock. After today, even though I may still be on the Rock, even completing more on the task list I can no longer consider this to be summer because the temperature here have already begun to plummet.

Too, in any normal year, I would have already begun my journey on to migrate south, so as of the first of October, I will consider that my journey on has started even though my migration is being postponed.

Awake, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer during which, I upload the numerous files that I have recently updated. Then, upon returning to the OHH, I find that Tim is already hard at work weeding the flower beds in the front yard. I greet him and let him know that I will be inside most all day, then go inside and continue updating my website pages. In the warm part of the day, I prepare a bucket of warm soapy water and go out to the front deck to wash the black from the hand deck hand rails.

Later, I cut a paint patch from inside of a closet and take it to the hw-mart to purchase a quart of interior paint and a two inch brush, after which, I return to the OHH and begin my supper preparations.

Finally, I retire for the evening to the jammer.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, purchase coffee, check my com and then pound keys to update my journal entry. Then, at eight this morning, I return to the OHH, set up my computer and get ready for the weekend meeting. After I arrive at the OHH, I turn on my computer and the connect to the meeting by zoom. Immediately after the meeting Joanne calls me to ask me to go with her to Mount Vernon for her to look for a reclining chair. We go to three locations but she does not find one she likes or a person to sell her one she can take home in her pickup. We next stop for soup and salad at the Italian restaurant before returning home. I ask her to use her pressure washer and when she agrees, I take it with me back to the OHH.

I put the pressure washer in the garage and afterwards, go into the house to pound keys and complete my journal entry for today. At eight this evening, I go out to the jammer and get into the horizontal for the night.

Awake, walk inside, hot shower, drive to the w-mart, which along the way see scattered wisps of bright orange clouds can be seen throughout the sky and below along the horizon, a lower layer is in display, and to me, fall is in the air. I walk inside the w-mart, for coffee, com and computer.

At eight this morning, I pack out and return to the OHH to begin pressure washing, starting first with the front deck and front exterior, then move on to the south side exterior, next the rear deck and exterior, and finally the concrete at the garage side door, in front of the overhead door and patio area. Tim arrives and continues pulling weeds along the driveway and when I finish the pressure washing, go inside to prepare my supper and eat.

I am sore and tire from the long day of work and then send the photos I took of what I have accomplished to Richard. Later, Tim leaves and I go out into the jammer to retire for the evening.

Tonight is another long night during which I wake often due to the aches and pain. Too, I dream often during this night and awake in the morning with a distinct remembrance of the numbers Ten and Twenty-three. Immediately, I associate the number with a date, one that I have been awaiting for several weeks, that of the 23rd of October, connecting it with the event I have been looking forward to happening for some time, the arrival of my new license plates and my departure from this rock.

Awake, walk inside to use the bathroom, then back to the jammer and drive to the w-mart for coffee, com, and computer. While here, I send Richard my invoice for the work last week. Afterwards, I drive back to the OHH to continue working on the items that Richard gave me to complete.

Later, Sherry shows up to begin cleaning the house and I help here to reach and clean the ceiling lamps. I do three of the ones upstairs. Sherry brings in her vacuum cleaner and does the carpet in the upstairs bedrooms as well as cleans the window sills. Then, she leaves for her next job. Too, I text Richard to tell him that I have found about two gallons of light green exterior paint and thought that I would paint the front porch exterior wall as well as the front door white after I scrape it. He replied, You are reading my mind.

I then go outside and begin cleaning up some of the flower beds, getting them ready for spreading some of the extra gravel, which I find along the garage, and put it into a trench along the driveway. However, before I move much gravel, I stop, hose off the concrete and go inside to take a shower.

Afterwards, I sit at my computer and update today′s journal entry. Then, I drive to get some supper after which, I return for the night to the driveway at the OHH to park for the night.

Awake, dress in my summer blues, go inside to retrieve my trousers from the dryer, add the pants to complete the fall blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. At eight this morning, I return to the OHH and begin painting the front of the house. Tim arrives and says that he took a day off to and plans to finish his work today.

After I change into my work blues, I spend the entire day first scrapping the front door frame and painting it with oil base primer, after which I paint the door frame white and the front of the house green, both colors from leftover cans of the original paint. After Tim pressure washes the driveway, he says goodbye and then drives away. I continue by painting the same white on the deck rails and structure.

After I finish working for today, I text Richard with photos of the front of the house and he replies, It looks beautiful!!! Then, I go inside to put my work blues into the wash and take a hot shower, after which, I drive to the Agave for a seafood burrito with beans, rice, guacamole, chips and salsa. It was the best but there was too much on my plate. I then return to the OHH, park in the driveway and retire for the evening. Before I sleep, I read in my Bible about Elijah in 1 Kings 17 and 18.

After I am under the covers, Richard calls and we talk for a short time. Then, I close my eyes to sleep.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, step outside of the jammer and walk the trash and recycle bins to the curb for emptying. Then, I start the jammer, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. At eight this morning, I leave the cafe to resume the work on the OHH.

When I return, I do small things that need to be done, such as paint the bollard which protects the propane tank. Too, since the trash and recycle bins were emptied this morning, I reload them for the pick up next week. Finally, I work a little more on the raspberry driveway garden, making it look a little more presentable.

Then, in the afternoon, I get out my oil pan, drain the oil engine oil and remove the old filter. After that, I install a new filter and then four quarts of oil. Then, I start the engine to check for leaks and next, with the floor jack still in position raising the drivers side, I replace the fuel filter with a new one.

After that, I remove the jack stand and floor jack, move them to the rear of the jammer but before putting them back in their place, I begin a thorough inside cleaning of the jammer. However, I stop after the sweeping of the floor and do not begin my normal reorganizing but because it has become late in the afternoon, I reserve that for another day. Instead, I put the tools back their place, clean up the area and then close the garage door.

Because I have been removing much of the items from the house, I decide not to cook but go out for something to eat. When I return to the OHH, I then back into the driveway, park, connect the electric cord and climb into the rear of the jammer for the evening.

Awake, walk inside the house to take a hot shower, put on clean clothes and then back out to the jammer to drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. After I have finished my second cup, I then drive back to the OHH, put on my work blues and resume the work of putting paint on the outside. I start in the back and paint the front of the garage, first by putting drop clothes down on the concrete, then painting the green and finally the white trim.

Next, I walk to the front porch and begin painting the wood deck boards with the white trim paint. About half way through the deck painting, I run out of paint, so I drive to the hw-mart to buy another gallon, return to the OHH and continue painting the deck. Then, after a very long day, I stop, wash the brush, close the can of paint, go inside for a hot shower and put my work blues into the wash.

After coming down, I go out to the jammer and go for some food to eat. Afterwards, I drive back to the OHH, park in the driveway, plug in the electrical cord and climb into the rear of the jammer for the night. The moon is just rising above the eastern horizon waxing gibbous.

Awake before the sunrise, walk into the OHH for a hot shower and when I am done, I get into the jammer to drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. While I am at the cafe, I create a post about the Hunters Moon and post it on my Facebook page.

The Hunter′s Moon will reach peak illumination on Sunday, 09 October 2022 at 15:54 Central Time, which means that I will be below the horizon and we will have to wait until sunset to watch it rise above the horizon. Sunset tomorrow occurs at 6:57 CT (6:33 PT) and the moon will rise immediately after. So, begin your search for the full moon in October tonight, Saturday, October 8 as it will be very close to full and appear to be so.

Then, I leave the cafe and drive back to the OHH so that I can try to finish the work I am doing there. I was able to finish painting the front door frame and the rear deck, after which, I installed the trim in the bathroom. Then, I decide to take a nap and sometime into the sleep, I am awaken by my phone ringing, so I answer it and Andy tells me that he just got home from work and when he checked his mail, he found that my license plates have arrived. I tell him that I will be right over to pick them up, which I do and when I return back to the OHH, I install the plate on the jammer.

Then, I begin work on the screen door and get it hung but the day begins to loose it′s light, so I will wait for tomorrow to install the handle, latch and closer on the door. Then, I retire to the jammer, climb into the rear and get under two blankets for the night.

With my license plates having arrived yesterday, I am left here at the Oak Harbor House no longer having to wait on the state. However, I must needs await for the next trash pickup so that I can reload the bins with the remaining items left within the house and garage, much of which are the cooking utensils, cleaning chemicals and other items that I have been using during my long stay here on the Rock.

On Thursday morning, 13 October, when the garbage and recycle bins are emptied, these two bins will free again for me to fill both of them one more time and then set them on the curb for the final pick up by the city trucks.

With this being done, I will have exhausted the burden of the last of my work engagements and free to be footloose once again.

Awake, walk into the OHH for a hot shower, return to the jammer, don my fall blues and then drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. There is a noticeable coldness in the air here in Oak Harbor, one which is accompanied with daily high temperatures in the low sixties and night time lows in the mid forties.

Yes, the cold weather is upon the northwest coastal area and since my license plates arrived yesterday, I have been making plans to vacate this Rock very soon. My plan is to stay one more week, leaving next Sunday, 16 October 2022 so that I can make one more meeting here at the Oak Harbor congregation. Too, this will allow me to empty all the remaining items from both the house and garage, then put the items in the garbage and recycle bins and move the bins to the street for pickup and this transfer of the never ending stuff to the two bins will finally come to it′s end.

Upon leaving the cafe, I drive back to the OHH, go inside, set up my computer and connect to the Oak Harbor congregation for the Watchtower study. After the meeting, I begin watching the Circuit Assembly but only watch the morning session before stoping, turning off the computer. Then, I go to the front door and beginning the storm door installation which is somewhat easy but still takes me several hours. Later this evening, I chop up all the remaining vegetable and boil them in water to make a pot of soup. I have a bowl and then put the rest of the soup in the refrigerator for another day. Finally, I take a hot shower, put on clean clothes and then walk out to the jammer for the evening.

When I notice the full moon rising in the east so I get out my camera to take some close up photos, after which, I go to sleep.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. A bit later, I drive to the hc-mart for a scissor cut and afterwards back to the OHH to complete a couple last chores on my list of things to do before I can leave. Upon arriving at the OHH, I get out the deck paint and finish painting the front deck, completing about one in the afternoon. Them, I set up my computer and begin cropping photos that I have been taking for several days, after which, I upload the photos to my website.

In the afternoon, when it warms up, I step out front to put the final coat of paint on the front deck, using up nearly all of the gallon of paint that I purchased several days ago. Then, after putting away the paint, cleaning the brush and taking a hot shower, I get out the soup that I made yesterday, reheat the pot, and then sit down to have another bowl of soup for supper. After eating, I go out to the jammer for the evening.

Awake, step outside to unplug the jammer, then get into the drivers seat to start the engine and drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer.

Awake to a cold morning, dress in my fall blues, and then drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I then call Joanne to tell her that I am coming to drop off a box of things we had previously talked about and a gallon of laundry detergent. When I arrive, she asks me to do a couple of things and I help her. Then, I leave there and drive back to the OHH to redo my spare tire carrier with the new nylon cord and metal rings that I had purchased earlier this year.

When the carrier is completed, I then remount the spare tire atop the jammer, only it now has a quick dismount for when I have a flat. When that happens, I do not have to remove the carrier, instead, all I have to do is disconnect the cords attaching the tire to the metal rings to the change the flat tire. It should be so much more simpler that what I had previously, which was disconnecting the entire carrier and spare tire and then reinstalling it all back on top of the jammer.

After completing the new spare carrier, I then take a shower and put on clean clothes. After that, I load into the jammer the shovel, racks and other tools Richard wants to keep and then take them to the Boon road property where I hide them under an old sofa that was dumped there. I take a photo of the location and then send it to Richard with a text telling him about it. Finally, I drive back into town and park at the OHH, then sit in the jammer with my computer on and update my journal entry, Too, I call the VA clinic in Mount Vernon to ask about the letter that I received requesting a follow up appointment and was scheduled an appointment this Friday and 9 am at the clinic in Mount Vernon. I will go there tomorrow, Thursday and see if I can have my lab work done, that work that was requested by the doctor back in August.

Next, I go inside and using garbage bags, I put in them the final items in the home, those that I have been using personally and take the bags outside to the back of the house where tomorrow after the garbage pickup, the bags will then be put into the empty bins. After that, I get out a small cup of green exterior paint and do some touch up on both the house and garage. Finally, I put the brush and cup into one of the garbage bags and because it is just now turning into twilight, I stop, climb into the jammer, turn on the heater and after playing a few games of solitaire, I update my journal. Then, later, I watch a video.

This will be my last night on Whidbey Island as tomorrow, after finishing the garbage chores, I will be driving north across Deception Pass bridge and then over to the mainland so that I can make my appointment with the VA doctor in Mount Vernon.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. Then, Joanne sends me a text asking me to join her for breakfast but I tell her that I am already here at the cafe. When she arrives, she sits down at my table and I show her how to display rotating photos on her screen saver, which she had asked me about several days ago. Then we continue to talk about several topics and after the coffee line slacks down, she walks up to buy a cup of hot, after which she sits back down at my table to drink her hot drink.

After a time, she leaves to go buy some groceries and I have my second cup of coffee and continue pounding keys. Later, I too leave to drive back to the OHH and do the garbage chores. Joanne arrives to pick up a box of cookware and then heads home. I hang around to wait for both bins to be emptied, which when they have I roll each to the back of the house to refill both again. Then, I put the bins in their place and sweep the concrete one more time. Next, I check the home to make sure everything is locked and once I am satisfied that the home is buttoned up, I get into the jammer, start the engine and drive north on SH 20 out of Oak Harbor, then across the Deception Pass bridge where I slow to take a few photos. Continuing north on SH 20, drive along Pass Lake, then Campbell Lake and finally arrive at Fidalgo Bay where I take the first exit from round-about to drive west across the Skagit valley to Mount Vernon.

Once I arrive in Mount Vernon, I stop at the w-mart for com and computer and stay here for several hours. In the late afternoon, I drive to the VA Clinic to park for the night, which parking lot becomes very quite and completely empty by the time it becomes dark. While here, I connect to the zoom meeting in Oak Harbor after which, I retire for the night.

Finally, the waiting comes to the end!

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer, so that I can await or my appointment later this morning. Then, at eight this morning, I drive to the VA, park and wait on the appointment here in the parking lot. At twenty minutes until nine, I walk into the VA clinic and go to the admittance counter where I am checked in. I wait for a time and then I am directed to a room where I meet the doctor who will see me, Doctor Covey.

During the conversation, I tell the doctor about the place on my left leg where I have been fighting a fungus infection and tell her that I have been using the over-the-counter medication. She offers to prescribe a stronger one prints out a prescription telling me that I can go to my choice of several pharmacies in the area and receive a zero co-pay. While I am at the clinic, I also have some lab work done which was set up at my visit here earlier in August. When I leave the clinic, I go directly to the pharmacy for the anti fungal cream and after a long wait there, at just before noon, I finally drive out of Mount Vernon, connect to the IH 5 and turn south.

With driving during mid day traffic, I am able to make good progress all afternoon with the only things slowing me are the numerous accidents that are on the IH 5. I continue south through Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, not stopping until I arrive at exit 94, the Maytown rest stop. Due to being overly tired, I climb into the rear of the jammer, lie down and close my eyes. After I awake, I drive the forty miles to mile post 54 and then pull over in the next rest stop, the Toutle River rest stop and do the same here. Even though I feel tire and after being prone for some time, I am not able to go to sleep again. I suppose that changing from being stationary for so long at the Oak Harbor House and now trying to drive long distances again is a shock on my body. Too, I know that I am still recuperating and will be for several more weeks from the throes caused by that work on the OHH. So, I will have to slowly come into my travel rest.

Leaving the Toutle River rest stop, I drive further south on the IH 5 about another twenty miles and get of at exit 36b, the Longview and SH 432 exit. From here, I drive to the d-mart but this store has signs posted, "Authorized Parking Only" displayed throughout the parking lot. I leave out of the d-mart to search for greener pastors and locate one of the w-mart where I plan to spend the day tomorrow. Next, I drive from there into a huge residential area where I park next to a small park. It is very quite here as I look for my neck wallet, which I have misplaced somewhere. After a thorough search, I find it on the book shelf under my desk, amazingly, right where I put it. I pledge to myself to go through my things in the next few days and weeks and reorganize all of it.

After I put up my window shades, I climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal for the night. Today has been a very long and tiring day, nevertheless, the move south has definitely begun.

Awake to a somewhat warmer morning, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. Upon arriving in the Old West Side of Longview, Washington, at where I was to park last night, I was beset with a quietness that I had not heard during my entire stay in Oak Harbor, which, while I was at the OHH, was so extremely noisy during the entire twelve weeks of my stay there. In fact, the difference between the two, in my observation is monumental.

During the middle of the night, I awake and briefly experienced the Wayfarer′s perplexity. However, my awareness comes back into me and after I check the time, I resume my time in sleep. Later, upon arising, I dress in my fall blues and drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I end up spending the entire day here at the cafe and then, shortly after six, I pack out, drive to a ff-mart for something to eat.

Finally, I drive to the same park where I had overnighted last evening and set up again for another night in the quite zone. Still, it is hard for me to acquire sleep due to the throws of pain left from the previous weeks of work. I wonder just how long it will take for me to suffer through the pain again until I can climb into the horizontal and not feel this pain.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer engine and drive south out of Longview, cross the Lewis and Clark bridge over the Columbia River, connect to US 30, travel west fifty miles through Astoria, Oregon and then connect to US 101 to cross the Neal Young Bay Bridge to the south side of the land adjacent to the mouth of the Columbia river. Upon crossing the bridge and arriving onto land again, I stop at a w-mart, one that I have visited many times in past journeys.

Here,I take up my place at one of the tables near an electrical receptacle, plug in, then purchase coffee and return to begin pounding keys on my computer. Then, shortly before ten this morning, I connect to the Oak Harbor, Washington congregation with zoom and listen in on the meeting. One of the long time elders, brother Merkle gives the talk and then we study the Watchtower article, Jehovah Watches Over His People. Both are very encouraging.

Then, just before noon, I leave the cafe, stop at a grocery store to purchase some fresh fish to take with me to the campsite, where I am able to obtain site E-149 to camp for two days. Then, I drive to loop E and back into the site, get out my brown and sweep the hard surface of th leaf litter and sand. Then, I run my extension cord from the receptacle through the side door into the jammer where I plug it into my electrical system. Now, I have lights, a battery charger and a place to plug in both my computer and my heater when it gets too cold tonight. Soon, I have the computer turned on and I am updating my journal entry.

At about two, I start a charcoal fire wrap half of the salmon in foil and in another package slice some vegetable, add some of my spices, a little olive oil and wrap it all up in foil. I then put the two foil pouches on the grill and in just about one hour, it is cooked to perfection. I have another piece of fish and a lot more vegetable for tomorrow. I climb inside due to the temperature starting to drop quickly.

Like the Longview city park was the last two nights, it has been very quite here all day, well except for the occasional caw of a crow. Also, similar to the city park, I am under a dense forest canopy here but I am no way alone in this forest because there are many RVs parked within a stone′s throw. Still, it is a quiet environment in this forest near the coast of Oregon.

The night comes early this evening and I retire to the jammer to read and watch videos until I am too tire to stay awake.

After a very long night, I awake to a completely dark morning, turn on my computer and begin writing in my journal. Sunrise is still another hour away when I will step out of the jammer to begin my meal preparations. Then, when the twilight begins to bring light to the forest, I step out to begin my breakfast.

At nine this morning, after putting away my cook pot, stove and fuel, I climb back into the jammer, turn the computer back on and resume my key pounding while I have a cup of daystart, a cup of hot coffee and another cup of hot tea. I eat my meal in my normal fashion, without all the sweeteners that I have indulged in during my twelve week work servitude at the Oak Harbor House. However, I am first to acknowledge that I never need so much sweets, but because it was available and free to use while I was there working, I did help myself to it. Methinks, how long will it take for me to get back to enjoying food without the sweeteners.

In the early afternoon, I close up the jammer and take a nap, a short one, then I get my charcoal ready for cooking my supper. I wrap the second piece of salmon in foil and then put it on the hot charcoal along with some sliced vegetables, including celery, red sweet pepper, yellow onion, sweet potatoes, zucchini and some spinach leaves. When the food comes off the grill, I use my nine inch skillet as a plate, put the grilled fish in first and then determine that some of them need to be sliced smaller specifically the celery and onions, so I cook this foil pouch a little longer and just eat the salmon. When I bring in the second pouch, I find the sweet potatoes and zucchini have come out perfect, especially after I add some of my spices on top but the celery and onions still need to be smaller. It is about four in the afternoon when I finish eating my supper, one which I hope becomes a regular addition to my menu. Even so, I will have to continue purchasing the charcoal briquettes. I clean up my cook ware and utensils, put them all away and with plenty of bright sunshine in the sky, climb into the jammer for the night. I have been very tired these last two days and still suffer from back and leg pain, and there is not any question that these are from that long job I just ended in the state to the north.

Today, my alarm awakes me and I rise with it still dark outside; the Daylight Saving time change is not until the first week in November. I turn on the heat, then my computer and begin my journal entry for this day while I await for the day. I notice that there is a waxing crescent moon directly above this morning and the sky is clear. Slowly, the light begins to change the color of the sky. Then, some time after eight this morning, I grab my shower bag and walk to the shower house for a hot shower.

Upon returning, Mark from the nearby campsite, who I met yesterday, greets me and asks Are you leaving? to which I say, Yes. He then asks, Where are you going next? and I reply South. He says, Oh yeah, you told me yesterday that you were on you way to Texas. I then tell him that I am going to camp in Oregon for a while before I head further south. Lisa, his wife walks over and greets me and because both have asked me where my home is, I show them the back of my van and lift the lid from the cooking box.

Then, before I leave, I put half a bottle of Head Stop Leak into the radiator, start the engine and add fluid to top the radiator off. I hope this works as well on this Aerostar engine like it has done with one of its predecessors. I then drive out of the campsite, into Warrenton to buy some groceries and then to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. After a couple of hours pounding keys, I pack out, walk to the jammer, start the engine and turn south onto US 101. From here, I continue south for about sixty miles until I reach the w-mart in Tillamook, pull into the parking lot and stop for the evening.

At this time, I get out my DVD player and connect it to my computer so that I can watch the Princess Bride movie that Kim from Oceanside, California had found and mailed to me.

Awake first at five-thirty but decide to sleep another hour, then dress in my fall blues, walk into the w-mart, coffee, com and computer. As I sit here inside the cafe I can see even in the darkness that a thick fog cloaks the surrounding valley. As has been the case for several days now, during this time of the day, the light is slow to appear, only leisurely creeping up on the dark of night, but in no way decreasing the amount of fog prevalent in the morning air.

I continue here at the cafe for much of the morning, long after the daylight arrives and pound keys to update and complete more of the web pages. Then, at ten o′clock, I pack out of the cafe, walk out to the jammer and drive to the local g-mart to buy a salmon steak. Next, I return to the jammer, drive back to US 101 and continue south along the northern Oregon coast. It does not seem to take very long before I pass through Lincoln City, then Newport and then arrive at the campground for my next overnight stay.

Once I drive into the park, I locate the campsite, back into my spot and get out the electrical cord to plug in my power. Then, I climb into the jammer and spend some time pounding keys to upgrade more of my website pages, doing so most all day long. In the late afternoon, I begin my meal preparations which include a salmon steak and a vegetable bake, both cooked in sperate foil pouches. This meal when done is exceptional and after cleaning my cook gear, I enjoy it inside the jammer while I write in my journal.

The evening comes quickly and soon, it is dark outside so I close up the jammer for the night and turn up the heater just a little bit.

Awake, grab my shower bag and towel, then walk to the shower house for some hot water. After the shower, I return to the jammer and begin my morning meal preparations, which is to boil water and then make a cup of coffee, cup of tea and a cup of Daystart. After the meal is ready, I clean and put away the cookware, then climb into the jammer to eat and pound keys, which I do for the entire morning. In the early afternoon, I eat a package of cooked beats and have an almond butter sandwich. After that, I feel tired, so I turn of the computer, stretch out onto my bed and take a nap.

Upon awaking from my nap, I beg my evening meal preparations, chopping fresh vegetables and wrapping them into a foil pouch; then wrapping the remaining salmon steak into a foil pouch to which I add some spice mix and butter. Then, I make a fire with the remaining charcoal and put the pouches on top of the grill to cook. While I await for the food to cook, I update my journal entry. Then, I get out my Bible study application and begin going over the parts for the meeting tonight. It had been quite cool all day long, staying in the high 50s with the sky covered with fog. When my meal is ready, I bring my food inside the jammer so that I can eat, and continue with the meeting parts. Tonight, a prepare a large piece of salmon with butter and spice mix in one pouch. In a second pouch, I have green onions, yellow onions, yams, and zucchini, all chopped into small slices and cooked in the pouch. When this pouch is done cooking, I add olive oil and some spice mix, then put all the cooked food into my skillet from which I eat this meal. Too, I especially enjoy the taste from the blending of flavors of the salmon and vegetables.

Later, I zoom connect to the Oak Harbor congregation and listen in on the meeting.

Awake, grab my shower bag and walk to the shower house for a hot shower. Them, I return to the jammer to get out my cookpot to boil water for my morning meal, after which, I clean up my cookware and put it away. Then, I turn on my computer and begin my journal entry for today.

At about noon, I pack out and drive south on US 101, arriving in Coos Bay, Oregon in the early afternoon. I stop at a d-mart to take a nap and when I awake, it is raining and close to being dark. So, I decide to drive to a different location where I can spend the night and at one location where the roadway is not well lit, I run into a curb and take out two tires. I then pull into a parking lot and begin the process of replacing the wheels with my spare ones. This takes me about two hours during which, I keep telling myself that this is the reason that I maintain two spare tires.

At about ten this evening, I put away all of my tools and then drive into North Bend to look for a good place to overnight. Upon climbing up to the top of a hill, I find an empty lot aside which I park. It is both dark and very quite here and while I am waiting for the campsite to become available, this is most likely where I will return to stay for another night.

I climb into the rear of the jammer and go to sleep.

Awake, drive to the w-mart but the power had failed during the night and have to wait until eight-thirty this morning for the cafe to open. I go in to purchase coffee and connect to the internet. Then, I pound keys to update my journal. It is just after ten this morning when I drive to the d-mart to purchase a couple of new tires.

When I arrive at the tire store, I take down both wheels from the roof rack and the rim that is less, I begin pounding on the dented area with my hammer and punch. After very many impacts, I feel that the rim is now returned to a shape that will hold air pressure and let the technician take it to install the new tire. There are two technicians who work on my vehicle, who first raise the car on the lift and then remove the two tires on the drivers side. Next, they take the one from the front and begin installing a new tire on the rim. The spare tire from the rear right of the van is put on the ground to await replacing into the spare carrier under the vehicle in the rear end.

It seem that in no time, the two workers have my vehicle re-tired and then parked outside of the tire shop. I go inside to pay for the charges, which amount to about seventy dollars and then walk through the store and find that that the store is now stocked with the trousers that I wear, so I buy three pairs. Finally, I leave the d-mart, drive to the bay side to park and await for night to arrive.

When the night finally arrives upon this day, I drive back to the high point on Ohio street to park where I did the previous night. Once I am parked and in the rear of the jammer, rain begins, sometimes ever hard rain, and continues most of the night.

Awake, the rain seems to be done for now and the sky has changed to clear blue. I start the jammer engine and drive down from the summit along the bay ridge, then down to the back bay area and stop at the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. This cafe has had staffing problems and is closing the lobby at ten this morning and use my computer. I had hoped to stay here through the weekend meeting but now, I will have to connect using my phone somewhere elsewhere. Then, at ten, the manager arrives and the closing sign is removed. I do stay at the cafe through the meeting and I am able to use my computer. Afterwards, I disconnect from the zoom, pack out of the cafe and drive to a g-mart to buy some salmon. Too, I stop at an o-mart to purchase some fuel for my stove.

Then, I drive north out of Coos Bay, Oregon continue for about twenty miles and take the old highway 101 west to the campground. I drive into the park, find my campsite and back into the space. Too, I see on the number post that there is a paper with my name on it and showing that I have this space reserved until Saturday, 29 October 2022 at which time I will most likely go back into Coos Bay and spend Saturday night on the summit of Ohio Street.

I then, set up my camp and clean up my vehicle a little bit. Next, I pour the stove fuel into the three empty containers that I have, which leaves about twenty ounces. I hope to use up what is remaining in this gallon container this week cooking my meals. I then get inside the jammer, close the windows and doors, then turn on the heater to keep warm. At about five this afternoon, I grab my shower bag and towel, walk to the shower house and take a hot shower. That really helped me a lot in the way of keeping me warm and I do not need the heater on near as much this evening.

I update my journal entry for today, get into the horizontal and read for a while before I close my eyes.

Awake, turn up the heater, turn on my computer and pound keys while waiting for the light of day to show itself, which slowly comes on while the rain continues coming down lightly. Later, I dress in my fall blues and rain breaker, step outside and begin boiling water for my morning meal. When I am done making breakfast, I put away my cookpot, climb into the back of the jammer and sit down at my desk where I continue pounding keys while eating my morning meal.

Overcast and dreary this day abides and the temperature never rises above fifty-three degrees. Too, the entire camp is very quite as most here remain within their abode, what ever it be. Later, I do go for a walk around the camp loop and then to the shower house for some hot water. Then, in the afternoon, I step outside to cook some salmon for my supper. Still, I spend the majority of the day inside the jammer.

In the evening, I read a couple of chapters in the Bible, then watch a few videos and finally, some time after ten, I turn of the electronics and lights and get horizontal.

Awake, turn the heater up, dress in my fall blues, grab my shower bag and walk up the short hill to the shower house. When I am done, I walk back by way of campsite 46 where there are a couple of firewood logs sitting on the hard surface. The previous camper apparently could not get his fire lit, so he just left the logs in the site.

I carry the two logs back to my site and after grabbing my work gloves, I go back for two more trips to carry five more logs from the fire pit, which are in varying degrees of burnt. All the wood is wet from the prolonged rain during the last several nights. No annoyance for me as I have gained when I was a boy, the skill set of an Eagle Scout.

The day continues to dry out and I put the wood under the rear of the jammer so that I will be under cover through the night and continue at my desk most all day. I do stop, step outside and start my stove to cook the remaining salmon steaks for my supper. When it is done, I clean and put the cook pot away, climb into the rear of the jammer and eat my supper. When I am finished eating, I clean my eating utensils and put them away as well. Then, I finish my journal entry for today before getting into the horizontal for the night.

I have been thinking about driving to Coos Bay tomorrow for the day to run several errands and then return in the afternoon. but I have not decided if I will yet. Finally, I get into the horizontal and close my eyes.

Awake, walk to the shower house for some hot water on my body, and then return to the jammer to pound keys for a short time. At about nine this morning, I step out of the jammer to pack out and drive to Coos Bay.

The drive is less than one half hour and I go first to a ff-mart for coffee and a breakfast burrito. Next, I drive to the d-mart to purchase food, supplies and water. After that, I drive Then, I drive to a place dollar-mart to purchase a few more items and finally, I leave the city, drive north on US 101 and return to the campground. Upon my arrival back at my site, I back in, reconnect the electric to implement drying out any moisture and then open up the jammer to clean the inside and pack my supplies. After I couple of hours, I then begin splitting the accumulated pieces of fire wood. After that, I begin using the cardboard and paper to stack over the coals in the fire place. Next, I make a teepee with some of the small pieces of the split wood, then gradually larger pieces.

When the wood is ready to light, I use some of the leftover charcoal lighter, squirt it on both the cardboard and wood, then I use a light to start my fire. Next, I stack all of the wet firewood around the teepee so that it can dry out and warm up. As the fire grows, I continue to add more of the split wood until I have quite a large fire and this is when I begin to stack the previously wet fire log wood onto the top of the teepee. Soon, there is a large bed of coals under the log wood which is now all fully burning in the fire. After a while, I adjust the three largest logs to contain all of the burning embers which also helps these logs to continue to burn.

Methinks, despite using what we as Scouts called fire water, that is the charcoal lighter, I was able to build a very hot bed of coals with mostly only previously wet firewood, and most of it just wood rounds split in two. Previously, I have attributed that ability to my learning to be an outdoorsman while I was in the Boy Scouts, but in reality, I have nothing of my own that was not provided to me by my heavenly Father. Yes, in fact, in the last few decades of my life here on this mountain, I have come to fully appreciate how most all of what I have to sustain myself, has come directly from Him, even the abilities that I have acquired through my early life.

I walk back over to the fire pit and drop in two foil wrapped apples so that they may bake in the hot coals. A bit later, after rotating them several times, I put them out, unwrap them and have them as desert after my evening meal. Then, after eating my meal, I grab some clean clothes, my towel and shower bag, walk to the shower house to scrub all of the soot and smoke smell from my body. Methinks, I have yet learned how to prevent the smoke from attaching to my clothes and my body. Maybe one day, I will be blessed with that knowledge.

Upon returning to the jammer, I put away my gear, climb into the rear and pound keys while adding to my journal page.

Awake, grab my towel and shower bag, then walk to the shower house and enjoy another hot shower here at this campground. Upon returning to the jammer, I put away my gear, get out my cookpot and begin boiling water for my morning meal. Again, I have hot coffee, hot tea and a cup of hot Daystart.

Once my breakfast is finished, I then get caught up on my journal writing, after which I unplug the electrical and pack everything in it′s place. The at about one this afternoon, I drive out of the campground down past Lake Marie and around the curve to the lighthouse and find a parking space. I then walk into the gift shop to purchase my second cup of coffee and see that there is clam chowder on the menu so I purchase a bread bowl. The meal quite big so instead of eating all of the bread, I break off pieces and toss to the awaiting crowd of crow and jays in the trees about.

After eating, I go back inside the gift shop to purchase a ticket for the Umpqua River Lighthouse tour and then sit outside to await for the tour guide to arrive. When Stu walks up, he says, Hello Thom to which I reply hello to him in return. He then begins his discourse and for the next hour, I am truly amazed by the amount of information he provides on the tour. We walk out front of the Coast Guard station, down the road to the lighthouse and go in through the front gate. All along, Stu is telling the three guests about lighthouses, the Umpqua river and jetties, other lighthouses north and south, and many other topics that keep coming out of his mouth.

Once inside the light, we slowly climb to the top stopping at each landing to learn more about the several displays that are there. Once we arrive at the top landing, each of the three quests take turns climbing to the third step and sticking their heads into the huge Fresnel lens. After the tour is over, we all walk down, out of the lighthouse, out of the front gate and begin the walk back to the gift shop. I thank Stu for the tour and then walk through the museum briefly before I leave there, walk to the jammer and drive back to the campsite

Awake, dress in my fall blues, grab my shower bag, walk to the shower house for another run of hot water. Then, I return to the jammer to prepare my morning food and drink. After boiling water, I put the cookpot away and climb back into the jammer for my coffee, com and computer.

I spend this entire day in side the rear of the jammer pounding keys at first, then when my legs become weary, I take a nap after which, I return to pounding keys. Later, I have something to eat from the stash of cans in my pantry.

Finally, I turn off the electronics, get into the horizontal and close my eyes.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, turn on my computer and start my journal entry. Soon after, I walk to the shower house for one more hot shower here at this campground, then back to the jammer to unplug and pack out. Leaving the campsite, I drive to the lighthouse, park in front of the gift shop, go inside and purchase a cup of coffee and a grilled chicken sandwich. I talk with the workers for a time and then I walk back to the jammer and drive back down Lighthouse Road to the highway.

Upon arriving at US 101, I turn south, drive through Coos Bay, Oregon, continue south and when I arrive at SH 42, I exit left and drive east through Coquille, Oregon and along the Coquille river. This highway, one that I have traversed before, winds first through the Coastal Ranges, next through the Klamath Mountains and then the Cascade Range. I continue, only stopping for fuel all the way to Klamath Falls, and travel the last third of the drive after dark. I do take some photos of the mountains and forest but for the most part, I mostly drive.

Upon arriving in Klamath Falls, I look at a few places before I decide where to overnight, choosing the back lot of the w-mart and once in the rear of the jammer, it does not take long for me to acquire sleep. I do check the weather app and find that the nighttime temperatures here are at and below freezing, so I do not believe that I will stay here very long, most likely until after I have my second cup of hot in the morning.

I check the internet map and find that Reno, Nevada is about four hours, some 250 miles. I will top off the fuel tank before I leave here and drive that southeast diagonal through northeast California later today and overnight Sunday night somewhere south of Reno which will have the night time in the low 40s. I do not believe that I want to stay long there either but continue south another 250 miles to Lone Pine, California and overnight Monday night there, which will also have night time in the low 40s. The next leg of this Journey On will be south to Barstow, then east on on IH 40 to Arizona SH 95 where I will drive south 7.5 miles to Lone Tree BLM dispersed campground, where the nighttime temperatures will be in the low 50.

It is already cold here this evening and I prepare for the night′s sleep by spreading my wool army blanket atop of my regular blanket.

Awake, dress in my winter blues, start the jammer engine, wipe the moisture from the inside of the front windshield, ¹ drive around to the front of the w-mart to park and go inside for coffee, com and computer.

I leave the cafe at about ten this morning to begin the first leg of the next section of my ongoing migration south. I stop first to fill up my fuel so that I do not have to stop to fuel up in California. Then, I drive east out of Klamath Falls on SH 140 for just a few miles, then right on SH 39 and continue south to right before the California state line where I turn south on SH 139, cross into California, continue south on SH 139 through Tulelake, California for fifty-six miles, then right at Canby for twenty-one miles to Adin, then left and continue on SH 139 to Susanville, California. Here, I connect to US 395 and continue southeast towards the Nevada state line.

All along SH 139 in California, I pass by many large lakes, long dried up from the current drought and I see sign after sign advertising property for sale. I have driven this route for many years and most all of the times have never seen water in these lakes.

Then, in the middle of the afternoon, I drive into Nevada, see the completely dried up White Lake in Bordertown, Nevada, which also has been dried up for many years. I continue on US 395 through Reno, then Carson City, Minden, and then Gardnerville, Nevada and stop at a location to fill my fuel tank. Then, I stop at a w-mart and I see one guy sitting in front of three computers with all three connected. Methinks, this looks like someone who is hacking accounts, so I turn off my phone and do not connect to the WiFi with my computer hear at the w-mart but instead, just work on my journal entry.

Later, I drive to the d-mart two miles south on US 395 and park for the night. Once I leave the w-mart, I turn my phone back on and continue as I would normally do.

Awake early, dress in my winter blues, walk inside the w-mart, purchase a large coffee, then return to the jammer and start the engine. Since it is so cold outside, I don a pair of socks, my gloves and my sweater cap to stay warm. I do this because the jammer, for some reason unknown to me lost the ability to blow hot air when the heater is on; it only blows cold air now.

I leave out of the parking lot, turn left on US 395 and continue my journey south for another twenty miles before I reach the California state line and take a few photos of Topaz lake. Then, I continue into this state with a nearly full take of fuel, hoping not to have to pay the much higher prices within. (While here, I see prices over seven dollars per gallon; I have been paying just over five dollars in Oregon and less than five dollars in Washington.) I continue on US 395 along the Walker river and then to Sonora Juction where I turn east to Bridgeport, California and continue south while skirting the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I travel along the border of the Central Basin, which expands eastward; the valley that I am traversing southward is along a couple several forks of the Walker river. The Central Basin ecoregion in California is also part of the Great Basin Desert.

I continue south on US 395 past Mono Lake and through Lee Vining, California, where I had hopped to stop at the Mobile station for fish tacos but it is way to early for lunch. Then, I climb up towards the Mammoth Lakes summit and Crestview, California where I enter the Owens river valley. Then, I drive down toward Crowley Lake which like most of the lakes in northern California is dry. Too, this lake feeds the Owens river south of here. At Bishop, California, I turn south again, continue through Big Pine, Independence, past Manzanar, to Lone Pine where I drive up the Whitney Portal road to photograph the Sierra Nevada. Continuing south, I stop at the Eastern Sierra visitor center for a couple of stickers and photos of the summit of Mount Whitney.

A little further south, I drive by Owens Lake, which is also mostly dry, and when the highway forks at SH 14, I talk the eastern fork to continue on US 395 at which time, I leave both the Sierra Nevada and the Central Basin and enter the Mojave Basin ecoregion. Here, I drive in a southeast direction until I arrive at Kramer Junction, California where I decide that I do not have enough fuel to reach Arizona, so, I stop at the Pilot fuel station to purchase ten gallons of fuel, which cost nearly sixty dollars. From this junction, I continue east on SH 58, which soon should become IH 40, which it is east of Barstow, California.

After arriving in Barstow, now with enough fuel to drive to Arizona, I drive east on IH 40 through past the Mojave National Preserve, past Needles, California, and across the bridge over the Colorado River where I stop to take photos of the several crossings of the river.

I then drive into Arizona, still in the Mojave Basin and get off of the interstate at exit nine, SH 95, tune south and then drive the seven and a half miles to the BLM campground, which is a dispersed camping location with no amenities, except for the gravel roadway into the camp. Well, there are also some great sunset as I am to find soon after my arrival in the campground.

I find a space to park for the night, step out of the jammer to say hello to a couple of the other campers and then return to make ready for the night′s sleep.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer and drive south on SH 95 about ten miles to reach the w-mart where I pull in, park, grab my computer bag and walk in for coffee, com and computer. I take a seat at one table, plug in and begin cropping photos to upload to my website. I continue here all morning and in the middle of the afternoon, I pack out to explore this lakeside city.

I drive further south on SH 95 and stop near the London bridge, stopping first at two parking lots where I can take photos of the bridge over the water. Next, I drive to a hotel which is next to the bridge, park the jammer and walk to the upper street level for a few photos. I then drive back up SH 95, stopping for a meal to go and next drive back to the campground.

Arrive an hour before the sunset, I back in to the same location, set up my computer and begin cropping and organizing my photos. When the sun drops to the horizon, I step out for more photos.

Then, I climb back into the jammer to get ready for the evening.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the engine, drive out of the campground onto SH 95 and drive north to the interstate. Once at IH 40, I turn east to continue my migration to the warmer areas of this continent. I drive east all the way across the state of Arizona, stopping only for fuel when I see it below four dollars a gallon.

My route today was going to be to leave the IH 40 at exit 126 and drive SH 6 south and then east to Los Lunas where I will stop at the w-mart and overnight at the d-mart in town. However, just after driving thought Grants, New Mexico, there is an accident on the IH 40 with a backup for as far as I can see, one that is not moving at all. So, I decide to take exit 89, gas up at the 66 station which fuel is $3.159 per gallon. Then, when I leave the fuel stop, I cross over IH 40 and continue south on SH 117 which enters the El Malpais National Conservation area and National Monument a park that I have visited on previous journeys, but not along this specific highway.

So, I do take photos and even stop several times for closer photographs. Once I leave the area of the bluffs, I continue south on SH 117 into the plains in more of an westerly direction until I arrive at SH 36 and here turn south for more than twenty miles before I arrive at US 60. Here, I turn left and drive east through Pie Town, New Mexico but the sun has already set and the cafe is already closed.

I continue east on US 60 until I arrive in Socorro where I stop at a d-mart, park and set up for my evenings rest.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, and drive to IH 25 where I turn north and drive to Los Lunas, New Mexico. Here, I drive to the w-mart, park the jammer, grab my computer bag and walk inside for coffee, com and computer.

I stay here most all day and when the sun sets, I drive to the Wienerschnitzel for my supper. Then, I drive to a hw-mart not far from the w-mart, to park for the night. I find a dark spot to pull in to, put up my window shades and climb into the rear to get horizontal.

Awake, dress in my winter blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. However, after checking the weather here decide to leave and move further east across New Mexico. I pack out, drive

Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer and drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. Once inside with a cup of hot in hand, I begin updating my journal entries for the last few days. Since the nighttime temperature here in Roswell, New Mexico is a little more bearable, I plan to stay here for a couple of days. Too, the sunrise here is at seven-twenty, which in Oak Harbor this morning is not until after eight o′clock. Yes, as I drive further into the southern latitudes, the days become longer.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, step outside to don my trousers and notice the bright orange foliage in the trees along the edge of the parking lot. I climb back into the jammer, start the engine and drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. In the early morning, I work on cropping photos, organizing them into folders and uploading them to the website.

Later, after pre-studying for the meeting, I join, using zoom, the Oak Harbor meeting already in progress. Methinks that this daylight saving time change together with the time zone change has confused me once more; still, I stay until the end of the meeting.

Afterwards, I resume to the key pounding until shortly after the sun sets, when I pack out and drive to the Wienerschnitzel for my supper and then to the parking lot to eat and make ready for the evening.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, coffee, com, computer. At about eight-thirty this morning, I pack out of the w-mart and walk to the jammer. I have chosen a route that I have done several times in my travels, that of driving to the panhandle of Texas so that I can go to the Palo Duro State Park for a hot shower.

So, I drive north on US 285 a short way out of town where I turn right and travel northeast through Portales, then to Clovis, New Mexico where I turn east on US 60. I drive through town, then to Texico and right before the state line, I take a left on North State Street and continue northeast on US 60 into Texas.

The drive is somewhat of a short one for me, about three and a half hours and when I arrive in Amarillo, I drive to the w-mart, park in the parking lot and just stay in the jammer to rest. Just after sunset, I drive to Ventura Drive where there is roadside parking next to a large open field. When I park the jammer, I begin looking for the moon and in moments, I see it just above the horizon in the tree tops. I get out my camera and take a couple of photos of the orange full moon. Soon after, the sky clouds up and the moon disappears behind them, but appears again later when I take more photos.

I then get into the horizontal early so that I may awake to see the lunar eclipse.

I awake at about four-thirty and find that it is raining and the moon is not visible, so I return to sleep for a couple more hours. When I do arise, I drive to the w-mart and spend the entire day inside pounding keys.

Then, after dark, I leave drive to the Wienerschnitzel for my normal meal of two Polish sandwiches. I leave there, drive back to the same location on Ventura Drive and park behind a large truck. Then, I put up my window shades, climb into the back and get into the horizontal for the night. I have decided not to stay here another night and will drive to central Texas, most likely to Abilene tomorrow.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, then I drive to a ff-mart for some hot coffee and an egg burrito. After that, I drive to IH 27, turn south and drive to the Palo Duro Canyon state park exit, then drive to the entrance and obtain a day pass. After that, I drive to the hackberry shower house for a hot shower and while there, I talk to a few people and to each I give my business card. Afterwards, I drive back up out of the canyon, back west to IH 27 and then turn south to try to keep ahead of the winter storm that has been chasing me for the last week. I decide that I will go to Abilene to winter this arctic storm and find that the night temperatures this weekend are going to drop as lot as freezing but only for one day. Next Monday, I should be able to get a campsite for a few days so that I can better deal with the cold nights. Methinks, the arctic fronts are already dropping into the top of Texas, so I may decide to drive to east Texas so I can better deal with the cold nights.

I arrive in Abilene a little after three today and go inside to pound keys and catch up on my journal writing. To, while I am here, I check for a campsite at Abilene State Park campground and find one for $72.00 for a seven day stay, which is a little over ten dollars per night. (The site is normally $12.00 a night but for seven days, it is discounted to $72.00 per week.) This is one of the better locations here in Texas because it includes an electric connection, which will be very good for when the arctic front is in full swing. However, I still have to deal with the next four nights here in Abilene, Texas, but I will just get out my extra blankets. Too, before I drive to the state park for my week camping there, I will buy a bag of charcoal, some lighter fluid and load up on sweet potatoes, and other vegetables which I will be able to bake. I might even purchase a couple of fish steaks.

After the sun sets, I leave the w-mart, drive to find a place to park for the night and climb into the back of the jammer for the night.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I stay in the w-mart most all day pounding keys on a computer that is close to the end of its life and one that is replete with problems. I will put up with the computer until I can find a replacement for it.

After it becomes dark, I pack out, drive north on US 84 about one mile to the parking lot of a restaurant that I will be going to first up tomorrow morning, find a dark spot and park for the night. I then climb into the back of the jammer, get into the horizontal and under the blankets.

Awake, walk inside the restaurant and ask for a meal for veterans and receive a free full breakfast. Yes, ever year on this national holiday, all veterans are able to obtain free food. After my breakfast, I then drive to the w-mart to pound keys while I await until I become hungry again.

Then, at four this afternoon, I pack out and drive to the restaurant where I will be eating my free veterans supper, an all you can eat salad and soup meal. After eating, I drive back to the w-mart and park here until it becomes dark. Then, I drive back north on US 84 and stop at the same dark parking lot near the breakfast restaurant. I climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal.

Awake to a cold morning, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer and drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I am awaiting for Sunday morning when I can drive to the campground, plug in and warm up the inside of the jammer. Ever since the jammer′s heater quite working, I miss turning on the engine to warm up the inside. Still, I will make do, I always seem to, well, only with help from my heavenly Father.

Yes, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going" is what I use to say, but now, it is "When the going gets tough, I get going with my prayers to Jehovah." I am so amazed how my prayers are always answered by Jehovah. What really baffles me is how those people who do not have a relationship with Jehovah can make it through all the turmoil of these last days. It must be really tough for them.

Later, in the late afternoon, I pack out of the w-mart to go shopping for some groceries, as well as charcoal and lighter fluid so that I will be able to cook at the campsite during this next week. Afterwards, I drive to my dark spot, park, climb into the rear of the jammer and do the horizontal thing.

Awake, drive to the w-mart, walk inside to set up my computer and then check my com, after which I get ready for the meeting today. After the meeting, I drive to the campground and once there go directly to the shower house for some hot water on my body. Afterwards, I drive to the Wagon Circle campground, back into space 11, plug into the electrical receptacle and then begin cleaning up the campsite.

Later, I walk to the restroom to check it out and find that it does not have a shower. Then, I return to the jammer and continue pounding keys until dark.

Awake, dress in my fall blues with my raincoat on and get out my stove and tea pot to boil water. When the water boils, I make a cup of coffee, cup of tea and a cup of Daystart, carry all the cups into the jammer office and then return to the rear tail gate to put the cookpot away for now. Next, I step back to the slide door and climb inside to pound keys while I eat my breakfast. Some time later, I get a call from a brother that I met in Oak Harbor who now lives in Harlingen. He says that a mutual friend John from Oak Harbor gave him my number and we talk for long time before we say good bye.

About mid day, the temperature rises to a very comfortable warmth and I step out of the jammer, get out my brush, bucket and hose and begin washing the outside of the jammer. I stop just short of cleaning the windows with glass cleaner and will leave that for another day.

With the warm air outside, I start a charcoal fire in the fire pit so that I can cook a meal. I choose to prepare a vegetable omelet with cheese on top. I begin by chopping celery, bell pepper, yellow onion and zucchini to grill in the skillet with butter. Once the vegetables are sautéed, I pour the whipped eggs over the top, cover and let cook. Next, I sprinkle some Monterey Jack cheese over the top and recover for another five minutes. Finally, I bring the skillet into the jammer and set it on the desk and enjoy the omelet while pounding on the computer keys.

Later, I decide that my cooking with the charcoal infused too much smoke into my clothes and person, so I need to take a shower. I step outside, unplug the electric cord, roll it up in front of the electric pedestal, and drive to the shower house for some hot water on my body. I also drive through the state park and say hello to Roland, a camper who walked by my campsite earlier today. Lastly, I drive back to the Wagon Circle, park in my space, reconnect the electric and climb back into the jammer for the night.

With it being still quite early and not near time to get horizontal, I use my phone and watch several videos from my WTLibrary app before I finally do get horizontal.

Awake, turn on my computer and begin pounding keys to update my journal entry for yesterday and the begin my entry for today. For the two days that I have been here, I have heard, but not seen quite a bit of jet sound coming from the north and west of the campground, which, when I check the road map find that there is a Dyess Air Force base located in that direction. Then, this morning, upon looking across the road, I see a family of deer grazing on the patches of grass there. A little later, I step outside to begin boiling water for my morning hot drinks and I am back inside out of the freezing wind before eight-thirty.

I continue inside until the cold gives way to the mid day warmth, at which time, I step back outside so that I can start a charcoal fire. Too, I chop and wrap in foil several vegetables, add butter, spices and then put the wrap on the firs. Then, I also get out my skillet to grill a salmon steak which is done long before the vegetables, so I take the salmon inside the jammer to eat while waiting for the vegetables to bake. Just after I finish the steak, I go outside to the fire pit to check the vegetables and find then to be done cooking. So, I put the vegetables into the skillet, step back inside and eat the baked vegetables. Finally, I clean up and put away the kitchen.

After the sunset, I take a nap and do not wake up until nearly nine this evening. I decide that this will really mess with my sleep schedule but I then stay up and work on my computer pounding keys until the early morning, methinks, it is sometime near one-thirty before I am tired again and then get into the horizontal, cover up and close my eyes.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, unplug the jammer and then drive to the Oak Grove shower house for a hot shower. Along the way, I see the Elm Creek Nature Trail but pass it by for now. After my shower, I drive back toward my site, stop at the Elm Creek Trailhead and take some photos. Then, I drive back to the Wagon Circle Campground, park and begin working on my morning meal. Since the temperature is now well above freezing, I have decided to not only make hot drinks like I have been doing for the last two days, but to cook my skillet cheese omelet with chopped vegetables as well.

So, I begin by setting out some charcoal in the fire pit, covering them with starter fluid then lighting the fluid to ignite the charcoal. While the charcoal fire burns, I begin preparing the vegetables and after chopping the yellow onion, I put it with some butter in the skillet to sauté. While the chopped onion is grilling, I then work on chopping the remaining vegetables: celery, red bell pepper and zucchini squash. When all of these are chopped, I put them in the stainless steel cookpot lid and place it atop the fire pit grill on the charcoal. However, the charcoal is not hot, which I could tell because the food would be sizzling in the skillet but is does not.

At this point, I still have my cookpot and stove sitting on the picnic table, having use them to boil water for my hot drinks, so I pump up the fuel canister and then restart the stove. Once it is burning blue, I put the skillet of vegetable and immediately I hear the sizzle of cooking food. I a short time, the vegetables are cooked and I put in the mixed eggs, milk and spices and put the lid atop the skillet. Soon after that, I sprinkle about two ounces of Monterey Jack cheese on top, return the cover and let back for another five minutes. When the omelet is done cooking, I climb inside to eat the omelet and pound keys until about six this evening when I again feel really tired. I figure that it worked last night, so why not try again for tonight.

So, I turn up the heater, get into the horizontal and try to take a short nap to no avail. Instead, I watch several more videos before turning in for the night.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, step outside to begin boiling water for my hot drinks and breakfast and once it is ready, I clean and put away the cookpot, climb inside out of the still freezing temperature to warm back up and have my meal.

Then, at about eleven, when the temperature is in the 40s, I step outside, grab my camera and walk across the parking lot to the Eagle Trail and go for a hike. The entire trail is only 1/4 mile long, round trip is a half mile and the guide book stays that there are several benches along the way. My kind of hike. I even take a side trail to the Buffalo Wallow and find that there are picnic table along the shore of a small spring fed lake, which make for a picturesque scene. I meet a few other along the hike and talk to each before I begin my return hike to the campsite.

Once I am back in camp, I then take out my cook stove to prepare a salmon steak and even light some charcoal briquettes to bake a sweet potato. The charcoal is very slow and I have to eat my meal in shifts, first the salmon and later the baked potato. Still, it is both good and filling. I finish the remainder of the day working on my computer updating more of the web pages. I have tried but both the phone service and the state park WiFi service is not strong enough to make a difference so I will have to wait until I get back into town before I can upload the updated files and photos.

In the evening, I text with Gordon who is in Colorado and he tells me that the night time temperatures are in the single digits. I am so glad that I am not there. Long after it becomes dark, I finally get into the horizontal.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, unplug the jammer and drive to the shower house for a hot shower. Afterwards, when I get back into the jammer, methinks, that since the van has had a coolant leak and I have not been able to determine its cause, I have instead been buying coolant fluid and keeping the radiator filled. On my way down here to the campground I ran out of coolant. Thus, I will drive to town and purchase two gallons of the coolant just to be save. Too, while I am in Abilene, this will be a good time to buy a cup of hot at my favorite cafe and at the same time, upload all the files that I have been working on.

After stopping at the d-mart to purchase the coolant, I also purchase some vegetables, coconut milk, and a bag of popcorn. Then, I drive to the w-mart, grab my computer bag, walk inside to set up my computer, buy a cup of hot and then begin working on uploading the pages and photos to the website. At noon, I pack out and begin my drive back to the campsite, arriving in about half and hour, back into my campsite, plug in and then begin preparations for my evening meal.

I light a charcoal fire and while it is heating up, I wrap a sweet potato in foil and when the flame stops burning put the potato onto the coals. I also chop an onion and put them into my skillet. Then, I start my cook stove and grill the onions after which, I grill the last of my salmon steak. When all the food is finish cooking I bring it into the jammer, turn the heater back on and enjoy the meal whilst I continue pounding keys.

A lot of what I have been doing this week is to work o updating the Mountain Passage, Section Four: The Modern Man Gallery "The Quest for Simplicity" and have found this task quite extensive. Still, I keep at the task with all this free time.

Late this evening, I turn off the electronics, turn down the heater and get under the covers and close my eyes.

Awake, turn up the heater, dress in my winter blues, step outside to begin my morning water boiling chore. When I have a cup of hot coffee, cup of hot tea and a cup of Daystart, I put them inside by my desk, then put away the cook pot and finally climb back into the rear of the jammer to begin sipping the hot liquid, eating my meal all the whilst continuing to pound keys to update The Quest for Simplicity.

Later in the day, shortly after noon, I step out of the jammer to prepare my second meal for today. Earlier, I did reconnaissance of my food stores to find that what is left from the last grocery run is the ingredients for a vegetable omelet, and so, that I what I will prepare. After chopping the onions, I put them in the skillet with a little butter and let them sizzle. I continue chopping the rest of the red bell pepper, a zucchini, and celery, adding them to the skillet as they are chopped. Then, I get out a box of coconut milk and after cracking and stirring the eggs add a quarter cup of the milk. Then after pouring the egg mixture into the skillet, I add some of my spice mix and a little kelp seaweed into the skillet. When the omelet is done, I add two ounces of cheese and then put the lid on the skillet to let is bake. Finally, I move the skillet inside the jammer, return to the rear tail gate and put away the kitchen and then climb in for my meal. This mid day has warmed up very nicely and I can hear kids outside playing. In all this is a very nice fall day.

When I have finished eating and putting everything away, I unplug the jammer, climb into the drivers seat and start the engine. I notice that there is smoke coming from the exhaust. I have been having some difficulties with the engine and yesterday when I checked the oil, I noticed a little water on the dip stick, not a good sign. Today, with the smoke coming from the tail pipe, I step outside to look at it and determine that it is steam. There is a place in the engine where the water is leaking into the oil and I do believe that this engine will not last much longer, and I have a choice, replace the engine or buy another Aerostar. This is not good news for me and I must needs pray more and harder about the vehicle that I will continue to drive in the upcoming months.

Despite this occurrence, I still enjoy my meal, after which I drive to the south bird trail and walk the 150 yards distance to the bird blind and take some photos but there are not very many birds here, so I leave here and drive to the shower house for a hot shower. Then, I return to my space here in the state park for one more night before I must needs continue to move south. As the sun begins to set in the west the temperature drops quite rapidly.

Awake, turn up the heat and get back under the covers until the inside of the van warms up just a little. Soon, I sit up, point the heater directly at myself and then turn on my computer and begin pounding keys. In just a short while, at about seven this morning, the sky begins to illume with color and at seven twenty-three, the sun peaks above the horizon. I wait for the day to warm up somewhat more before I venture out into the cold. Instead, I just pound keys and work on some of my web pages. Later, after checking fluids in the engine, I find that there is a little water foam on the dip stick. Although that is quite disconcerting to me, I decide to continue with my drive back to Abilene and so, I pack out and get ready to leave the park.

I start the jammer engine, get out to walk around the area and notice that there was a lot of steam coming out of the exhaust, more so that seen before. I knew that I was having a slow leak of coolant but this indicated that the leak had grown considerably. Still, I get back into the drivers seat and drive out of the campground to head for town. In about one mile, the temperature gauge goes to Hot and so, I pull over to let the engine cool off. Then, I get out the bottle of Block-Head Gasket Stop Leak that I had purchased some time earlier and add it to the radiator. After that, I top off the radiator with coolant, climb back into the drivers seat and start the engine. The temperature gauge goes up to the R in Normal and holds there as I begin driving into town.

Keeping a close eye on the gauge as I continue driving the fourteen miles to Abilene, it never goes any higher than the R, which informs me that the stop leak fluid has worked. Well, still skeptical about it being fixed, I decide to keep a close eye on the temperature gauge for a while just to be sure. I make it to Abilene, drive under the US 84 overpass and turn into the parking lot of the w-mart and back into a parking space.

Here, I grab my computer bag and go inside for coffee, com and pounding keys. I call my friend Joe to talk about the water leak and he confirms what I already know that, one, it most too expensive to replace the engine and, two, it is time to begin searching for a replacement Aerostar. I spend the day doing mostly just this and find several vans that may be available, but I will have to follow up tomorrow because most locations are closed today..

I stay in the cafe until it is time for me to eat, at which time, I drive the jammer across the street to the Taco cafe for a couple of burritos after which I sit in the cafe to watch some videos on my phone until it is time for me to drive to the place where I will be overnighting tonight.

It is not as cold as it has been during the past week when I awake and I am so glad for the warming trend. Nevertheless, it did drop to near freezing during the early morning just before sunrise. I dress in my winter blues, then I drive the short distance to the w-mart, park in the lot and go inside with my computer bag. After setting up my computer, I purchase a cup of hot and while sipping on the hot liquid, pound the keys and continue for another day. Too, I follow up on the several leads but I still have not been able to find an available Aerostar van. I will continue to look in the next few days to come.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, and then I spend a little time wiping the condensation from the inside window which are completely fogged over. Too, I have to turn on my windshield wipers to clear the outside. I then drive to the w-mart where I park, step outside only to notice that the sky is completely clear with only some mist or fog along the horizon. I grab my computer bag and walk inside for a cup of hot. I then sit down, check my com after which I begin another day of pounding keys.

I continue here in the cafe until well after dark, which in this season at this latitude is early in the evening at five-thirty pm. Too, I wish to test the repair that I have implemented on the cooling system and decide to drive about two miles by going to one of my well liked restaurants. So, I walk out to the jammer, start the engine, and proceed to drive north on US 84 to the next overpass, take the turn around and drive back south to the turnout for my stop. I was watching the temperature gauge the entire time and the pointer needle never rises above the "O" in NORMAL, which means that the engine coolant is at the optimal temperature. I go inside and enjoy my meal, after which, I drive back to the place where I have been overnighting, park the jammer, turn off the engine and climb into the rear for the night.

Before I get into the horizontal, I call Richard in southern California and tell him about what has been happening here in Abilene, that I am now looking to buy a replacement Aerostar van to which he replied that he will keep a look out. We talk for quite some time and he tells me that his mother′s house in Oak Harbor has sold, and that he is so glad this obstacle is now in the past. When we said good night, I got into the horizontal and under the blanket.

Awake to a comfortable morning, dress in my fall blues, pull the hood release latch, step outside to open the hood and check the coolant fluid. What I find amazes me enough to make me believe that the problem with the coolant leak is now remedied, even if only temporary. This is because, much like the previous Aerostar, the blue 1989, to which I had also had to applied the Head Gasket and Block Sealant, that repair allowed the 1989 to continue for another fifty thousand miles before I choose to replace it.

As I removed the radiator cap, there was an immediate release of pressure, and this despite the engine having been turned off overnight for more than ten hours. So, apparently, what ever leak that existed in the cooling system is now completely corrected. This is both a relief to me as well as an answer to many prayers.

I then drive to the w-mart, park, walk inside with my computer bag, purchase a cup of hot, check my com and resume my daily task of key pounding.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart and walk inside to get out of the damp, rainy morning. I stay inside all morning, doing so just to keep warm and dry because this day remains wet and cold the entire day.

In the afternoon, I pack out, drive to the e-mart and purchase a new computer, one that I have been looking at online. When I go into the store, I ask a sales person if he has any stock on the model that I show him. He leaves and then comes back with the computer box, asks me how I want to pay for it and I hand him my debit card. After he hands me the receipt, he tells me that I will have to walk around the the checkout line, which stretches from the front nearly all the way to the rear of the store. Once I encircle the line, I walk out of the store after only about ten minutes inside. Wow, this is then only way to shop.

I return to the w-mart to begin setting up the new computer which occupies the remainder of the day. Long after dark, I pack out, get something to eat and then drive to the spot where I have been overnighting while here in Abilene.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, pack my computer back inside and resume the work of transferring files and installing programs to my computer. I spent the entire day with the task at hand and then much later, I believe that I have accomplished the bulk of the work.

With this computer now loaded with my work tools, I then resume the upgrading of the web pages, of which I still have so much to do. Nevertheless, I continue trudging on.

Another really cold morning but this one does not have the wet to go with it. Too, the skies are clear for a welcome change. I drive to the w-mart, go inside and begin preparing for the meeting later this morning. Shortly before ten this morning, I connect to the Harlingen congregation for the weekend meeting. After the meeting, I say good bye and disconnect from the congregation and return to work at hand.

Then, after another day sitting in the cafe pounding keys, I call it done, pack out, get something to eat and then return to my place to overnight.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, grab my computer bag and walk into the cafe for coffee, com and computer. First, I must update my journal entries for the last couple of days before I can resume the web page updating.

Then, after one more day of staying inside to keep warm, when it becomes dark outside, I pack out, drive across the street to the Taco cafe for my two buritos and sit inside to eat and watch a few videos. After that, I pack out and drive to my regular place to overnight.

At six this morning, I wake to the noise of some construction workers on the property but go back to sleep until after the sun rises. I then rise, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart to park and go inside for coffee, com and computer. Today, I work on finishing the fort gallery index and the Fort gallery pages and then just before I stop for the evening, I upload all the files to the website.

Awake to to a below freezing morning, rise, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer and drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I spend another day in the cafe just keeping warm. Too, I notice that during the next week, the low temperatures will not drop into the freezing zone but stay mostly in the mid to high forties. Finally, it will stay comfortable for me. Too, I recall when I was a youth that during this time of the year, there would be what we called back then, an Indian Summer and it appears the we have come upon that once again.

After another day inside and it becomes dark outside, I drive across the street to the taco cafe for my two bean burritos chips and salsa. I stay until about nine, then pack out and drive to the place that I overnight where I turn off the jammer and climb into the rear.

Awake to another cold morning, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer.

One of my e-mail communications informed me that my social security benefits is going up about nine percent next month and will be over nine hundred dollars each month thereafter. Wow, I am astonished.

I work on my website pages most all day, except for when I stop in the afternoon to study for the meeting tonight. Some time after seven this evening, I connect to the Harlingen congregation with zoom and join the meeting when it begins.

Later, after saying good bye to the friends, I shut down my electronics, pack out to the jammer, drive to the parking space and climb into the rear of the jammer for the night.

Awake to a much warming morning, which as I have understood, could very well be the start of that Indian summer I was thinking could occur and which might last for up to one week before the night time temperatures here begin dropping back into the 30s and below.

Methinks that this is a good time to try to drive the jammer further south but I will first need to stock up on coolant so that during the drive, I will be able to keep the radiator topped off. So, I must needs drive to the d-mart to purchase a good supply which I hope to do tomorrow.

But, until tomorrow, I continue with the work on upgrading my website. Later, after it is past dark, I retire for another night to my overnight parking space.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, and go inside for coffee, com and computer. I continue here until about three this afternoon when I pack out, drive to the d-mart and purchase the equivalent of four gallons of coolant fluid. Next, I drive to the hg-mart and purchase sprouted oats and cooked beets.

Finally, I return to the w-mart for a short time before I retire to the overnight parking spot. I read for a while in my Bible and literature before I get horizontal for the night

Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer and drive to the w-mart, where I go inside for coffee, com and code. However, I stop after a while and begin my study for the meeting later this morning. Then, at nine-fifty this morning, I use my zoom app and connect to the Harlingen congregation for the meeting. When the meeting is over, I say good bye and resume the work on my computer.

At about four-thirty, I upload all the newly upgraded files and photos to the web server, after which, I go across the street for a couple of bean burritos, chips and salsa. Finally, I drive to the parking lot where I been for the last three weeks. I have stayed here this long simply because I have not wanted to try to drive the jammer to far, afraid of it overheating the engine causing it to die. Well during the last few days with all the praying that I have done and also the talks and Bible study that I have been listening to at the meeting, all of the above have caused me to make the determination to finally drive out of Abilene in the morning.

After climbing into the rear of the jammer, I get into the horizontal and continue with my prayers until I fall asleep.

Awake, check the radiator and top off the coolant, then drive to the w-mart for a cup of hot and pound keys while I drink two cups, but do not stay for anything to eat. Then, I pack out to the jammer, start the engine and drive south on US 84 to Tuscola, then southeast on US 83 to Ballinger and continue southeast on US 67 to San Angelo all the while watching the temperature gauge remain in the normal range on the entire drive. Too, I continue to thank Jehovah throughout the entire drive. In fact, I put my phone on the window mount and press the voice activated texting to share with a couple of my close friends that the drive is going well.

When I arrive in San Angelo, I drive through town, then out the east side to the state park where I get a day pass, drive into the park and stop at the Red Arroyo shower house for some hot water on my body. I linger under the water for some time before I don clean clothes and then pack out of the state park. Next, I drive back into town and directly to the w-mart where I connect to the internet and begin adding places to the Google maps, about a dozen from the state park map that I received from the ranger. I do so enjoy adding the map locations.

At six, I give my sister Susan and call to tell here about the success in driving to San Angelo. I ask her if the second envelope with the debit card arrived and she said, No, not yet. I tell her that is should be coming soon and that if every thing continues as good as today went, I should be there in about one week.

Then shortly before seven this evening, I pack out of the w-mart, drive to the burger place called What and get a double. After eating, I drive to the large shopping center next to the w-mart and find a good place to park for the night.

Awake, the temperature is just right, rise and dress in my fall blues, drive through the parking lot to the w-mart, park and then go inside for my coffee, com and key pounding on the computer.

When I pack out at four this afternoon, I drive west on the south loop 306, then west out of town on US 87 to Brady, Texas where US 87 turns south. I then continue on US 87 to Fredericksburg where I stop at the w-mart parking lot for the night. It is very quite here and I sleep comfortable but it is quite warm here at this latitude.

Awake, drive to the w-mart for coffee but do not stay and instead, continue my drive east on US 290 through Stonewall, Texas, then Johnson City and finally Dripping Springs, Texas where I pull into the parking lot for the w-mart. Here, I carry my computer bag inside and have a glass of water while I pound keys and check my com. I update my location with several of my texting friends and then have a text conversation with a couple. Susan invites me to her home and tells me that she will text me when she gets off work.

When I arrive at her home, Susan tells me that she and Juan are going to going out to eat, and that I should get the key from under the rock and let myself in. I take Sophie (a yellow Labrador) outside for her to pee and then walk next door to meet JC and Chris who are sitting by a fire in a fire pit. We talk for a while and I find out that JC was in the military at the same time I was, the Viet Nam conflict. After a time, I return with Sophie into Susan′s home and wait there for her. I also start a load of wash in her machines.

Soon, Susan arrives with her boyfriend and Susan and I hug. We then proceed to catch up on the past many years apart while I sit at the kitchen board. Susan also tells me that she will be going to work in the morning, so I tell her that I will be leaving as well, that I will probably head towards east Texas. When I ask, Susan tells me that she has been in this mobile home for just a few months but she seams to like it so I suspect that she will stay here for some time. However, from several indicators, I believe that her boyfriend does not live here full time even though she does welcome him to sleep here from time to time. I do not even bring up the subject of how such a life is totally out of harmony of the laws and principals of Jehovah God, nor do I tell Susan how I personally feel about her having a live-in boyfriend, not even one who she sleeps with only once in a while. In fact, there has been many occasion when I have shown Susan the Bible to inform her how Jehovah requires his people to live their life so that these people of God may receive the many promises he has made to them.

So, after my laundry is done and when it has become late, I tell her that I am leaving to go out to my van to get into my bed. We hug again, and methinks, upon leaving tomorrow morning, that this will in all likelihood be the last time that I come to visit her.

Awake early and lie in bed waiting for Susan to walk out of t.he mobile. She approaches me with my mail in her hand, gives it to me and then we hug goodbye one more time. She leaves first and then drives down off of the mountains. I too start the jammer and follow her as she drives towards Wimberley, Texas where she works. I don′t stop but drive through town on my way back to Dripping Springs where I stop at the w-mart and go inside for coffee, a cup of Daystart, com and computer.

It is here where I spend most of this day, mostly just waiting for the jammer engine to thoroughly cool down. So, then, when it does, I pack out and drive to the next location where I will be overnighting, that is in Bee Cave, Texas. Once in the parking lot near the w-mart, I go into the sandwich shop for a tuna fish on wheat and eat the sandwich in the cafe. Afterwards, I return to the jammer and sit outside in the van waiting for the midweek meeting to begin.

Then, at six-fifty, I connect and begin conversing with the friends who are also connected using the zoom app. Then, the meeting begins and the prepared parts take place for the next couple of hours. Afterwards, I turn off the electronics and move into a good place where I can overnight.

Awake, walk into the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I stay here until the mid afternoon when I pack out to drive to a state park for a hot shower. I leave out east on SH 71 and drive towards the bottom of Austin where I continue on US 290, cross the IH 35, return to SH 71 which generally follows the south bank of the Colorado River until I arrive near Bastrop where the SH crosses the river, then into the state park, acquire a day pass, drive to the shower house and go inside for a long hot shower.

Upon leaving the state park, I exit onto SH 21 and begin driving northeast, first through Caldwell, Bryan, Madisonville after which I crossed over IH 45, next Crockett, where I took the SH loop 304 around to avoid the traffic through town then stopped at the burger place named What at the SH 7 exit for a sandwich. After eating, I resumed my drive eastward on SH 7 until I cross the Neches River where I take a right onto SH 103 and continue east until I arrive at the John Reddit loop (SH 287) south around Lufkin and take the US 59 exit south to the first exit and get off a a very familiar location.

Since it is already long after dark, I pull into the d-mart parking lot, find a good place to park for the night and get into the rear of the jammer.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I spent the entire day here so as to stay out of the warm humid weather. Then, at about six this evening, I drive to the Cracker Barrel for a fish supper and choose to have two greens dishes rather than that loaded sweet potato so that I will not have too many calories. However, I ruin that good meal by afterward having a chocolate shake from the burger place called What.

Then, at about eight this evening, I park in my space at which time it begins to rain and continues all night long.

Awake to a very overcast and humid morning due to it having rained all night long. However, this morning, all of the rain clouds have moved out of east Texas into Louisiana. I dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart and prepare for the weekend meeting later this morning. Then, when the meeting is about to begin, I connect and join in.

Afterwards, I continue here in Lufkin for just a while longer before I pack out and drive further around the SH 287 loop to US 69, then southeast on US 69 to Zavalla, Texas, then southeast on SH 63 and then exit on FR 313 and drive to Boykin Springs Recreation Area where I park, grab my shower bag and walk across the wooden bridge to the shower house for some hot water. Afterwards, I take a few photos of the shower house, group pavilion and other features of this campground. Then, I walk back across the bridge over the creek, get into the jammer and drive out of the park.

Once, I am back on SH 63, I continue southeast to Jasper where I pull into the d-mart parking for the night, climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive into town and stop as a cafe for coffee, com and computer. It is a small town coffee house and does not have much except for coffee. I only stay until late morning before I drive east out of town on US 190 until I reach the Neches river at which is located the Martin Dies Jr state park. Once arriving at the state park, I go inside the headquarters and purchase three days of camping. Then, I drive to the campsite, sweep the amassed leaves from the asphalt space and then set up my electrical.

Next, I grab my shower bag, walk to the shower house and get into the hot water.

After putting on the clean, I then return to the jammer, set up my computer and begin pounding keys until it is long after dark, when I turn off my electronics and get horizontal.

Awake, walk to the shower house for my morning shower in the hot water, then walk back to the jammer to get out my cookpot to boil water for my cup of hot and Daystart. Then, I climb into the back of the jammer to begin my day of key pounding while I have my morning meal.

The darkness comes very early at this time of the year, because the time has approached the winter solstice and being so far from all the large cities, the darkness here is near total. Later, I get into the horizontal for the night and it begins to rain.

Awake after it raining all night and the campsite driveway has several inches of water over it which does not appear to be receding. Methinks, I must needs move out of this site to a dry one. Instead, I get into the drivers seat, start the engine and drive forward ten feet onto higher ground where I get out to observe the newly formed lake. I first check the electrical cord to make sure it is out of the water. Then, I go back inside the jammer to plug my electrical items back in. Finally, I grab my shower back, walk to the shower house and get into the hot water.

After the time in the hot water, I then get out my cook pot to boil water and make my regular morning meal. Then I then climb into the rear of the jammer to eat my breakfast while continuing on the work of updating my website pages, one at a time. Before the night encroaches upon the campsite, I get out my cook pot to make a pot of

Awake to the sun shining and a clear blue sky, but with the clearing skies has arrived a Northerner, which brought much colder temperatures although not sub-freezing. I step out of the jammer, retrieve my shower bag from where it hangs on the drying cord inside the rear lift gate, walk to the shower house for a lengthy time under the hot water.

Upon returning to the jammer, I open the rear lift door, replace my shower bag and then get out my step stool on which I begin setting up my cook stove to boil a pot of water, which when boils, use to make a cup of coffee, cup of tea and a cup of Daystart. Next, I clean the cookpot and put it away, climb into the jammer with my breakfast and begin to sip first on the coffee and eat the food while I begin my journal entry for today.

Later this morning, Marshal, who I met yesterday, comes by to start cleaning the restroom building and I walk over there to say hello. He is talking with a lady who is waiting for him to finish cleaning and I listen into the discussion which is on the subject of spiritual matters. After only a short time, I recognize that this woman is one of Jehovah′s Witnesses; this from the truth that she is speaking about from the Bible. After a while, I say to her, We are a part of the same religion. to which she asks, You are one of Jehovah′s Witnesses? I tell her, Yes, I am, and have been for over forty years. Then, she goes inside for her shower leaving Marshal and myself talking for a short time longer before I say goodbye and return to the jammer.

Then, at about noon, after packing out, I leave the campground and when I arrive at the entrance to the park, I turn left on US 190, drive across the bridge over the Neches River and soon after turn left and drive south on SR 93 through Fred, Texas, then Silsbe where I connect to US 96 and head south to Lumberton, then Beaumont where continue through town on IH 10 and then southeast on US 96 only a short distance to Nederland, Texas.

Once I arrive in Nederland, I stop at the w-mart just off of US 96 on SR FM 365 were I pull into the parking lot, park, and go inside for some coffee, com and computer. After several hours inside, I go back out to the jammer and just put up my window shades right there in the w-mart parking lot.

Awake, walk into the w-mart, purchase a cup of coffee and a breakfast wrap and then sit down to eat while I check my com and pound keys. I continue here all day during which I do coffee, com and computer.

After it becomes dark, I drive north on the feeder road next to US 96 to Nederland Road, turn east and drive to the burger place called What for my supper. After eating, I drive back to FM 365 drive west to the opposite side of US 96 where I drive to the d-mart and park for the night.

Awake, dress in my fall blues and drive out of town, first north through the parking lot and then left on SH FM 365 to Jade Road where I turn south and drive to SH 73. Here, I turn west and drive across Taylor Bayou, then Mayhaw Bayou until I arrive in Winnie, Texas. At this point, I connect to IH 10 and continue west, cross the Trinity River, then the Old and Lost Rivers, and finally arrive in Baytown, Texas.

Once in Baytown, I take the Garth Road exit and soon after arrive at the W-mart where I pull in, park, and go inside for coffee, com and computer. I spend the day here and when it is long after dark, I pack out and drive to the location only a short distance from the w-mart where I will over night.

When, I park, I put up my blinds, climb into the rear of the jammer and read for a short time before I get into the horizontal and close my eyes.

Awake, walk inside the Cracker Barrel for a breakfast of eggs, bacon, hash brown potatoes. grits, biscuits and gravy with coffee. Wow, I do not get this kind of meal very often but once in a very long time is good to help me have a better attitude. After the meal, I drive to the w-mart and continue to work on the pages of my website.

By the time it has been dark for over an hour, I have completed another section of the Modern Man Gallery. Yes, now the Architecture Gallery is updated to the new formate. I still have two galleries left to do, the Boat Gallery and the Bridge Gallery, which I hope to do soon.

Then, I pack out of the w-mart, drive to the d-mart and search for a place to overnight.

Awake to rain coming down, rise and dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, park, grab my computer bag and walk inside for coffee, com and some key pounding.

In the middle afternoon, my brother Barry comes into the cafe, we hug and then we sit down to talk and share stories and photos. We are here for a couple of hours before Barry asks, Where are you going to be for the next few day, would you like to stay at my home? When he leaves and I stay to finish the page that I am working on which takes less than an hour. Then, I drive to his home, park, walk to the door and knock. I hear a dog barking and then Barry comes to the door and lets me in.

After he shows me his home and shop, we then go inside, sit down on the sofa and continue sharing stories until we both are hungry, so, we get into his car and go to a Mexican restaurant for supper. We both agree that the food is the best and afterwards, we get back into his car and he takes the long way around for a tour of the area

We then return to his home, go inside and continue with out visit. It remains an amazement to me how much like me my brother Barry is. We think alike, we reason alike and we understand things just alike. He have been teaching me many thinks as I him. Currently, he is working on designing and constructing wood cutting boards, which is a hobby that he has taken up some years back. Too, he continues with his life long work of taxidermy, but he says that now, he mostly only does water foul.

Finally, after a long day of trading stories, we choose to end this day and get into the horizontal. I tell him that since is to not at all cold tonight, I am going out to my van and get comfortable. So, I walk out to the jammer climb into the rear, get under the covers and close my eyes.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, walk to the back of the house, use the key combination Barry gave me to get inside and set up my computer on the kitchen table. Then, I make a cup of coffee and begin pounding keys while I awake for Barry to rise.

Then, Barry walks through the living room to the kitchen and makes a cup of coffee for himself; I have a second one and we sit at the table to continue with our exchange of story telling. About an hour later, I tell him than I am going to make us some thing to eat and ask him to give me a coffee cup for his food. Then, I walk atout to the jammer, open the rear lift gate and make two cups of my Daystart. Next, I walk back into the house and tell him that we need some hot water, so he gets out a pot, puts some water in it and then puts fire to the pot. In a few minutes, we have some boiling water and I add hot water to both cups and tell him to stir it well.

We both go to the table, begin eating and soon he says, This is really good. We finish the breakfast, then he washes the cups, and we sit there and drink coffee and continue our story telling. Later, today, I notice that as the sun begins to set, it is casting long shadows and tell Barry that this is almost the shortest day of the year. Then, at about five, we go together to meet with one of his taxidermy clients to retrieve a couple of Pintail ducks

Awake, dress, walk inside and boil some water for hot tea. Then I sit down at the table to check my com, after which, I begin pounding keys while sipping my hot tea. At eight-thirty, Barry comes into the kitchen to join me but first, takes Bella, his dog out to the back yard to go pee. Then, after we are both at the table, we continue out story telling and other discussions until about eleven this morning at which time I pack out to the jammer to continue my journey to the bottom of Texas.

Barry joins me outside and we only talk for a short time longer before I back out of the driveway drive out of the housing subdivision and find my way to SH 146 where I turn south towards the Fred Hartman bridge. With my phone in a holder attached to the windshield, I am able to to use one hand to push the camera snap button and acquire a couple of photos of the bridge even though they are not the best quality. This will be my first photos of a cable-stayed bridge that I have taken and will have to create a new location for this bridge on my web site.

After crossing the ship channel to the LaPorte, Texas side, I continue south on SH 146 through Seabrook and then Kemah until I arrive at SH 96 and here turn west and drive to IH 45. I then take the interstate south until I arrive at the Dickinson exit and turn west on SH FM 517 to Alvin, Texas and here turn southeast on SH 35. Since I had filled my fuel in Baytown, I will not have to stop to refuel today and continue southeast through Angelton, West Columbia, Bay City, across Lavaca Bay causeway, through Port Lavaca and down to Lamar, Texas where I turn left on Main Street and drive east just over a mile to the Goose Island State Park.

Since it was almost five in the afternoon, the rangers were already off duty, so it was necessary for me to fill in an after hours fee envelope. I took the envelope with me to the campsite, filled it in and put it on top of my dash. The, I plugged my electric cord into the receptacle, climbed into the back of the jammer and set up my heater. After that, I walked across the street to the shower house and got into the hot water.

Finally, I climbed into the rear of the jammer, set up my computer and resume the work that I have been doing on my website. Long after it becomes dark, I put the computer away and get into the horizontal for the night.

Awake, dress in my winter blues, step out of the jammer and disconnect the electrical cord and stow it behind the passenger seat on the floor just in front of the storage box. I then start the jammer engine and drive out of the state park, stopping only at the headquarters building to drop off my fee envelope in the fee drop box.

Leaving the state park, I turn left on SH 35 and drive south across the Lyndon B. Johnson Memorial Bridge, a 2.1 mile concrete beam bridge over the Copano Bay from Lamar, Texas to Rockport, Texas. Then, I drive through Rockport, stopping at the burger place called What to go in for my breakfast and coffee. After eating, I stop again to fill up my gasoline tank before I resume the south bound drive to the bottom of Texas.

Soon, I cross the Nueces Bay causeway, next, over the Harbor Bridge which in alongside the New Harbor Bridge not completed yet and then drive through Corpus Christi on north IH 37. I take exit 4A onto SH 358 and wonder if this state highway is a spur off of SH 35. In just over a mile, I take the SH 44 exit and drive west until I arrive at IH 69E and US 77 and turn left to drive south on the interstate highway.

Once I have begun this drive south, I do not stop again until I arrive in Harlingen, where I get off at exit 26c, the Downtown HarlingenHav exit for Harrison Ave and Taylor Street. Then, I drive to the w-mart to hang out until it is time to go to the meeting. The friends here in the Harlingen congregation are loving to the max, more so than any other congregation I have ever visited.

After the meeting, I drive back to town, then to the parking lot for a very cold night.

Awake, start the jammer and drive out of the parking lot, connect onto IH 2 and drive west for a few exits when I pull off and into an af-mart to purchase gasoline. Then, I drive a little further to a restaurant and stop for my breakfast. Too, I have learned that the jammer engine runs hot for the first so many miles but after I stop and let it cool of, such as when I stop for a meal, it will then run warm, just right, for the rest of the trip.

After my breakfast, I get back into the jammer to continue my drive west on IH 2 to Penitas, Texas where the interstate highway ends and I continue west on US 87. Then, in the early afternoon, I arrive at Falcon State Park, drive up to the headquarter building and go inside to inquire if there are any electric campsites available. She tells me that she has one right next to the shower house, so I pay for four days. I then drive into the park, drive to the campsite, plug in my electric cord and connect the electric heater. While the inside of the jammer is warming up, I walk to the restroom to check the facilities and find it to be a heated building. When I return, I climb in and adjust the heater to a comfortable temperature.

Since it is still early in the day, I get out my computer and begin pounding away on the keys, continuing my work on the page updates. I do not stop until long after dark, have a couple of tins of fish and some nuts. It is late before I retire for the night.

Awake, dress in my winter blues, grab my shower bag and walk to the shower house for my first time here under the hot water, and yes, it is steamy hot! Upon returning to the jammer, I get out my cook pot and stove with which, I boil a pot of water and make hot coffee, hot tea and a cup of Daystart ©. Then, I put away the cookpot, climb back into the jammer, turn on the computer and begin enjoying my morning meal.

After putting some nuts on the picnic table, and in the afternoon when the temperature rises up to about 41°, many of the resident birds come out and begin feeding on the forest mast. Too, I begin taking photos of several species but most of the birds that I see are in the forest and do not come out to the campsite so it is hard if not impossible to get many good photos of the numerous birds. Then, at about four this afternoon, the sun begins to show signs of setting by casting long shadows. Then, in no time, the dark envelopes the campground, the birds have all gone to their nests and I watch as the sunglow on the western horizon fades, when suddenly, I notice a sliver of light in the sky about one hand above the horizon. I reach for my camera and begin taking photos of a crescent moon I have never before seen as small a sliver as this one is.

I continue pounding keys until long after dark and then at about ten this evening, I turn the computer off and get into the horizontal.

Awake, lie in the bed for a few more minutes, then rise, dress in my winter blues and then step outside to gather my shower things. I then walk to the shower house to take a hot shower, after which, I return to the jammer an set up my stove on the picnic table to prepare my morning meal.

When I am done boiling water and put the hot liquid into the three separate cups, I then put away my kitchen, climb through the side sliding door and begin sipping on the hot drink, eating my breakfast and all the while, pounding keys.

Awake, close me eyes and go back to sleep. Then at eight, I rise, dress in my fall blues and walk to the shower house for my morning dose of hot water. After that short time of enjoyment, I walk back to the jammer, set up my stove and boil water for my morning nourishment and hot drink.

While waiting for the stove to raise the temperature of the water to boil, I notice that the grackles are as plentiful as ever here and when a fellow camper packs out of the campsite, these large birds ascend upon the site in large numbers in order to devour any small morsel of food that was dropped by the humans. When the grackles depart, the red-winged blackbirds arrive in masse.

I then climb into the jammer and pound keys while I eat my morning meal. In the late morning, I walk to the campsite to the west of me and greet the man who is sitting at his table. He says that his name is Mike and I comment that I have met him before. I find out that he is a volunteer as the park bird expert and has set up a bird feeding location in campsite # 119.

I ask him if I could go grab my camera and take some photos of the birds to which he says, Yes. Upon my return, I get several good photos of the green jay Inca doves, red-wing blackbirds, and grackle who come here. Afterward, I walk back to the jammer, climb in and return to my key pounding and page updates.

Then, some time after four this afternoon, I get out my cookpot and begin supper preparations. I intentionally make a large amount so that I will have some for tomorrow when I leave out of the park and drive south on US 87. When the food is done cooking, I climb back into the jammer, sit down at my desk to eat and resume the key pounding.

Then, by nine this evening, I am in the sack, horizontal with my eyes clothed. I know that this will require me to rise before the sun does, but that is OK with me.

Awake to a beautiful morning with the sunglow bright on the eastern horizon; it feels like it is finally warming up and in the distance, I can hear the coyotes wailing. I dress in my fall blues, grab my shower bag and walk to the shower house for my morning rinse with hot water. Upon returning, I get out my stove and teapot to boil water to make two cups of hot but since this is my last day here at the state park for this stay, I will eat from my cook pot which still has some food from my evening meal yesterday.

I climb inside and catch up on my journal writing for the last two days and when that is complete, I then work some more on the Modern Man Bridges Gallery. I will stay here until about noon and then on my way out of the park, I stop at the recreation building only to find it is closed. Then, I drive out of the park, connect to US 83 and drive south to Rio Grande City where I stop at the w-mart to upload files to the web server. This cafe is brand new and was not here one year ago when I drove through here last year.

Then, at eight-thirty, I pack out go to the burger place called What for something to eat, after which, I look for a place to overnight, but for some reason, I just am not comfortable in any of the parking lots here in Rio Grande City, so I get back on US 83 and drive south to McAllen, Texas, where I know there is a parking lot that allows overnighters.

It is after dark when I arrive here and drive directly to the d-mart where I have overnighted so many times in years past. I see that there are already a few overnighters who are here and pull into my regular spot to park. I climb into the rear of the jammer and get horizontal.

Awake to a wonderfully comfortable morning, so much so, that I forgot to close one of my side windows last night when I went horizontal and I slept through the night without needing any more than my one blanket. I step outside, open the hood and add some coolant to top off the radiator, then start the engine and leave this location next to a small forested area adjacent to the interstate highway and drive to the w-mart less than half a mile distance. I grab my computer bag, walk inside and take up my place at a familiar table. Then, I purchase a cup of coffee and sit down to sit the coffee and pound keys.

Yesterday, I purchased a new mouse which did not work but only intermittently, so I contacted the manufacturer to resolve the problem and after over an hour was given a replacement number to return it for a refund, which I hope to do later today.

In the mean time, I continue pounding keys and working on my website page update until about eight this evening when I pack out and look for some place to eat supper. Finally, I retire at my longtime overnighting location here in McAllen, Texas.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, step outside to check the coolant level, then drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I continue here the entire day and when the evening comes, I connect with zoom to the Harlingen congregation meeting with my phone and use an earphone to listen.

After the meeting, I pack out, drive across the street to the place called What for my supper and then further west to the d-mart where I park for the night. It is a comfortable 55 degrees tonight.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, park, walk inside with my computer bag, set up at the corner table and then walk to the counter to purchase a cup of coffee. I then return to the table and begin pounding keys to open a new day in my journal. Outside the temperature rises into the low 80s, but here inside, it remains cofortable.

It is not until after the sun sets, it has become dark in the sky and the temperature lowers back into the 50s that I pack out of this air conditioned refuge. I drive first to the place called What, then to the d-mart to park and wait for the next day to arrive.

One last day for this year and then a new year will begin. I wonder just how much celebration and noise will go on tonight with the last holiday of this season.

With the sun now shining into the jammer, I rise to a comfortable morning, dress in my fall blues and then drive the quarter mile to the d-mart for coffee, com, computer and the air conditioning, because today and the next three or four days, the temperature will rise as high as the mid eighties. Too, I am so thankful that I have made it the the bottom of Texas despite the failing condition of the jammer.

Most all of this morning is taken up building the templates that I need for my upcoming daily journal writing and by one this afternoon, I have completed the templates which will take me forward for two more months, by which time I will, if all goes well, moving north into east Texas. Then, in the afternoon, I return to the web page update project.

Due to the holiday, the cafe will be closing early, so I pack out drive across the street to the place called What and have my supper, after which, I drive out the rear of the restaurant and then north one block into the d-mart parking lot where I rest for the night.

New Year's celebrations are not new, rather, there are ancient inscriptions that indicate the celebrations were held in Babylon as early as the third millennium BCE.

At that time, the god Marduk decided the destiny of the country for the coming Year" says The World Book Encyclopedia.

The World Book Encyclopedia further says: The Roman ruler Julius Caesar, in 46 BCE, established January 1 as New Year's Day. The Romans dedicated this day to Janus, their god of gates, doors, and beginnings. The month of January was named after Janus, who had two faces: one looking forward and the other looking backward.

As the evening sky slowly become darker, from the distance I can hear the muffled fireworks explosions of the world in their celebration, of which unbeknownst to them is a form of worship to the pagan Roman god Janus who was the god of beginnings.

At that time, people gave themselves up to riotous excess and various kinds of heathen superstition. says McClintock and Strong′s Cyclopedia.

Many of these same modern-day superstition rituals are thought to ward off ill fortune and guarantee prosperity, which merely perpetuate the ancient belief and form of worship that the turn of the year is a time for deciding destinies. Thus, the contemporary New Year′s celebrations are deep-rooted in worship of false gods and founded upon pagan traditions.

Many today feel that they share in New Year′s festivities without over indulging. However, Christians do well to examine the origins and other practices connected to these modern celebration. We should ask ourselves: Do New Year′s festivities conflict with the Bible? And, if so, Why should we restrain from any participation.

1 Peter 4:3 admonishes all Christians, For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles (Nations), when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.

When Peter wrote these words to the Christians in the first Century, he most likely had in mind the all too familiar excesses of the Roman turn of the new year celebratory worship of their god Janus.

Likewise, when Paul wrote to the Galatian congregation, he admonished these Christians that the doing of any such pagan practices would eliminate all reward from God they were hoping to receive.

Galatians 5: 19-21 says, Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Sometime later, when Paul wrote to the Roman congregation, it was likely to encourage them to cease from participating in, specifically the Festival of Janus, but in general, any of the many Roman festivals, all of which displeased God. He wrote at Romans 13: 12-14: The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

Awake, rise and dress in my fall blues. I notice that the world is not too active this morning, likely because of their late night celebratory worship of the Roman god Janus. Then, I drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. and upload my research about the Roman god and then post in on social media.

Afterwards, I return to the work of updating my website and when it becomes dark once again, I pack out and move across the street, first to the What place, then to the d-mart for a place to park overnight.

The wind picks up and in order to cool down the inside of the jammer, I open

Awake, dress in my summer blues, then step outside and immediately, a dog comes up to me, only to be called back to his owner. I say hello and start begin a conversation to get to know my fellow overnighter and both we begin telling each other our stories. Scott is from the northeast Atlantic states, he is a disabled veteran and has retired because of his disability. He is living in his SUV with his dog and has been for some time, so I gave him one of my TWJ cards and told him that in the Appendix is a section about campground, of which I have over one hundred. I then tell Scott goodbye and drive to the hf-mart about four miles to the north where I purchase some items that I have run out of.

One thing that amazes me is how the price of food has continues to rise in price. The same two bags of groceries which, when I was a young man, would have only cost me about twenty dollars or less, are now the price of nearly one hundred and fifty dollars. Although not quite a days wage, the price for food is getting so close to that now. (Revelation 6: 6)

Next, I drive to the w-mart, park and set up my one dash solar panel, then grab my computer bag and go inside to get out of the very warm temperature that this day has already reached. After setting up at my regular table, I then walk up to the order counter and ask for a medium cup of hot coffee, which here is called by the natives, a grande pike. I return to my table to sip on the coffee, check on my com and pound on my keyboard for yet another day here in the bottom of Texas.

Awake to a relatively quite morning here in the city forest. I dress in my fall blues and then spend a little time restocking my pantry with the food purchased yesterday. After closing the rear lift door, I get into the jammer, drive to the w-mart, carry my computer bag inside and set up on my regular table again. Next, I walk up to the counter to purchase a cup of coffee and then return to the table to check my com and pound keys to continue work on my web page update.

When checking my email, I find one that informs me that I have received money from the Federal Trade Commission who settled with a business that I have previously purchased product from and the money was sent to a Paypal account that I no longer use. So, I spend most of the afternoon getting that account set back up and finally it comes down to me having to wait until the confirmation process is done, which will most likely not be until tomorrow.

After that, I return to my normal activities and stay here at the w-mart past my normal departure so that I can connect to the Airport Congregation for the mid week meeting, When I connect, Robert greets me; he says he and his wife are on Zoom because they were exposed to COVID.

I really enjoy the meeting tonight as well as the talk by the circuit overseer. Afterwards, I leave the meeting, pack out, drive across the street for a burger and then to the d-mart to park at my regular haunt under the forest.

Awake late this morning, dress in my fall blues, not because it is cool outside, but to the contrary, it is quite warm. Instead, I dress this way today due to the fact that I will be inside of the w-mart all day, a place that keeps the air conditioning quite low.

Before I start the jammer engine, I open the hood and check the coolant level, which required me to add more than a quart to top it off. I then drive further into the parking lot to a garbage receptacle and deposit my trash. Next, I drive to the w-mart, park, set up my dash solar panel to collect the sunlight, grab my computer bag and walk inside for coffee, com and computer.

Then, with the sunglow still waning in the western horizon, I pack out, drive to a restaurant, one different than my regular supper provider to have a nice meal. After eating, I drive back to the d-mart to park for another evening of rest.

The darkness has totally enveloped the sky now and the temperature has lowered to a level that proves comfortable for sleep.

Awake, dress in my fall blues, open the hood and step outside to check the coolant level and need to add several ounces. Then, after I put awake the coolant container, close the hood and get back into the drivers seat, I drive to the w-mart for a day of key pounding and air conditioning.

Then, when the daylight has faded to orange, I pack out, start the jammer, drive across the street to the place called What and have my evening meal. After that, I retire to my regular overnighting location near the city forest of hardwoods and palm trees. As I sit here this evening, I wonder how much longer before this system will come to its end, then I say a prayer to my heavenly Father asking Him to allow me to be there so that I may experience His destruction of all the wicked ones.

(Psalms 37:10, 11, 29; Isaiah 35:8; Proverbs 10:25; Psalm 37:34)

Awake, dress in my fall blues, step outside to check the coolant level and add about half a quart to fill it up. Then, I drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer and spend another day here working on my web site update.

For this evening, my hope is to take photos of the moon as it rose above the horizon but due to a low lying cloud cover at sunset, that did not happen. Upon approaching sunset, the sky is so full of clouds that I am not able to see neither the sun set nor the moon rise, so I remain in the w-mart and wait until I am ready to seek something to eat.

After the sun drops below the horizon, I repeat my meal acquisition and then return to my nightly respite location. Then, at about eight this evening the moon slowly appears above the low cloud cover and I am able to take a couple of photos of it.

Awake, drive to the w-mart, park the jammer, grab my computer bag and go inside for coffee, com, computer and to spend another warm day inside the air conditioned cafe. I continue my work on my website and also complete the card to my brother thanking him for his hospitality.

After the sun sets, I pack out, drive across the street for supper and then to the parking lot for the night. Despite being in the middle of this city and only a hundred yards from the interstate highway, being under the trees in this small forest keeps the noise level quite low all night.