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#Post#: 454--------------------------------------------------
On ice
By: Tom Date: February 9, 2024, 2:36 pm
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A month ago, our valley was hit by a massive ice storm: road
access closed 4 days, power out 11 days, down trees everywhere.
County declared disaster area.
It hit on Saturday of a multi event weekend: we're fully booked,
everywhere in town booked. When the power went out early in the
day, I texted my guests to warn them. When the road out to the
west closed from falling trees at 3:00, I told them to see if
they could stay in town or with others at their events, one
couple could, the others had nowhere else to go, and the whole
valley is caving in under the ice. I got everyone back by 8:30,
leading them around down trees on the road east which itself
became impassable around midnight.
So, we're stuck: 4-month-old baby, his parents and grandmom;
solo music teacher; mom/teen daughter. Only power is generator,
only heat is fireplace, water is from well which I got connected
to the generator, but without pump house heater, pressure switch
froze "on" so well pumped over limit and burst a connection (the
grandmom worked outside in ice to help me fix it).
I kept them fed (gas oven) baking pizza, grilled cheese, chili
-- comfort foods. Pretty mellow all-in-all, but I was sure glad
when neighbors chain-sawed a hole in the down wood so guests
could escape.
Now clean up.
#Post#: 455--------------------------------------------------
Re: On ice
By: Arks Date: February 9, 2024, 3:36 pm
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What a nightmare! So sorry. Back in the 90's ice storms killed
the power to our house twice. We were off 14 days both times.
We're at the end of a branch power line, so lowest priority to
get us back on.
After the first time, I put in a whole house generator running
on natural gas. When the second one hit, that thing kicked on
and ran 2 straight weeks, except when I stopped it half way
through and changed the oil. It sure was wonderful, especially
having unlimited fuel with no need to keep refilling a gas tank.
While our whole town was dark, we had lights, heat, all the
comforts.
Our 1000 foot driveway was completely blocked when the tall
trees lining the driveway bent over the road from the weight of
the ice. It took me half a day of chainsaw work to clear the
road and drive off the property.
Surviving it all, twice, gives a sense of accomplishment and
survival skills, but I sure don't want to repeat it. When the
power's off, you're instantly living back in the 1800's, or the
stone age, and the cold sure wears you down. You can stand it a
while, and it's fun to light the candles, for a while. But it
gets old fast!
#Post#: 456--------------------------------------------------
Re: On ice
By: gillumhouse Date: February 9, 2024, 5:27 pm
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In December we had TWO PLANNED by Mon Power power outages here.
Took me back to my childhood in the 50s except I still had
running water unlike back then.
There are parts of my area that were without power for 3 weeks
or more in 2012 when the Derecheo (sp?) went through. I had
power (and A/C) and took people in. Last month a gas line
feeding our Capitol City's County blew and the force ruptured a
water line allowing water to enter the gas line. Appliances were
ruined and people were without water - totally without water OR
heat - for several weeks and it was COLD (frigid some days).
Having grown up with no running water (we had an oil stove), I
understand the situation. You gave the guests an experience they
will talk about forever! Kudus to you! (and your understanding
guests)
#Post#: 457--------------------------------------------------
Re: On ice
By: Thebeachhouse Date: February 10, 2024, 7:42 am
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What a story! You did what you had to do and did your part to
give innkeepers a good name. Your guests will never forget how
you kept them safe and fed.
#Post#: 470--------------------------------------------------
Re: On ice
By: Arks Date: March 6, 2024, 5:25 pm
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Speaking of Ice, are Gillum and I the only ones who remember our
dear innkeeper friend Ice? She was from Missouri, and a load of
fun! I got to meet her when she passed through my town on an
innkeeper road trip with Gillum, Ice, Joey Bloggs, and Innkeep.
Wonderful memories from about 10 years ago!
I still remember the loud "wow" that came from Ice while
visiting her apartment bathroom, when she tried out my heated
water bidet! ;D
#Post#: 471--------------------------------------------------
Re: On ice
By: gillumhouse Date: March 6, 2024, 8:40 pm
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She has retired and she and her husband are enjoying traveling
and grandchildren. I see her and Innkeep on FB once in a while.
Joey has dropped off the ends of the Earth. I have not heard
from her in years not. That was the Road Trip of December 2013!
We had a wonderful time and visited Boone, MO for a lunch and
tour of the inn, Branson at Crystal Cove, Innkeep treated us to
the Peabody in Memphis to see the ducks walk across the lobby
(and them we went up to see their "house" on the roof), our
visit with Arks, then to visit New Orleans guided by Copperhead
& her husband. Then we stopped to visit another of our members
in Blue Ridge, GA - she arranged for Joey, Innkeep & Ice to
drive a tank! (I stayed to video it - I was having leg problems
& climbing up into a tank did not seem a smart thing to do.)
From three we took Joey home, visited another member near
Charlottesville, and went to my place. the remaining 2 proceeded
the next day back to Indiana where Ice's hubby came to retrieve
her.
When we heard nothing from Arks the day after leaving his
gorgeous lodgings, we became concerned and sent the now famous
message - Always look UP!
#Post#: 472--------------------------------------------------
Re: On ice
By: Arks Date: March 7, 2024, 7:53 am
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[quote author=gillumhouse link=topic=72.msg471#msg471
date=1709779255]
Joey has dropped off the ends of the Earth. I have not heard
from her in years.
[/quote]
Joey popped up about 18 months ago, with one post on the old
forum, then was never heard from again. Same with Breakfast
Diva. She made one post a couple of years after retiring, then
never heard from again. Last I heard she had moved from Oregon
to Arizona, but she wasn't really loving the heat!
Old innkeepers never die, they just fade away.
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