Finally back to normal.

[markiver54]

Life has been quite different for us over the last month as a result of hurricane Helene. That storm destroyed much of our region. Landmarks around here will never look the same again. The good news is that our cottage was spared. Went up Sunday and again Monday to check on it. Getting there required a bit of off roading experience that I'm glad to have some experience at. (many bridges washed away resulting in water crossings).

Anyway...back at the homestead, I just got my internet restored today. Been burning DATA by using my phone for the little time I've allowed myself to be online for news and various information.

I'm happy to be able to more easily frequent the forum now...times ARE improving. Possibly more on the storm and some pics to follow.

Mark

[North Country Gal]

Good to hear, Mark. Keep us posted.

[BigAl52]

Good to hear Mark. Those people in Asheville area have a big recovery. They deserve more help than the are getting

[HenryFan]

My wife owns a cabin in Transylvania County and she rode out the storm by herself (I was unable to go with her) and she was unable to travel for several days after the storm passed. She had a tree fall near the house but not on the house.

When I look at the damage some folks in Western North Carolina and parts of South Carolina experienced, we consider ourselves very lucky. God's Grace was with her.

I'm glad markiver came out well also.

[BrokenolMarine]

Good news my friend. Glad to hear your cabin survived. Many were not so lucky.
I have friends in the Tampa area and they too came out clean.

[markiver54]

I'm going back up late week or on the weekend. I have to go retrieve my 4-Wheeler and its trailer. Gonna be tricky as far as the trailer goes. Will probably pull it down with the 4-Wheeler, then go back up for my 4-Runner. Will have to catch a ride back up the mountain from a local...hopefully! . I don't want Carol to try and navigate the crossings going down. I actually think Sunday is the best day to navigate what are now dusty/rocky roads. It's the only day the heavy equipment operators and Linesmen are not working. Don't want to be in their way...power is not expected to be restored until Christmas and possibly March/April.

[Redthies]

Wow. Glad y’all are ok down there!

[HenryFan]

markiver -

Good luck on your recovery efforts. Tell us how it worked out.

James

[daytime dave]

Mark, I'm glad you are well, the properties are well and things are getting better.

[Hatchdog]

Great news in a not so great time. Welcome back to internet availability. So happy your cottage survived and your telling of the effort to get in and out is very interesting. Best to you and all the folks who suffered with the hurricane.

[Vaquero]

Good news buddy all around. Bad about the power up there but y'all don't use it as much in the winter, so hopefully by Spring when you want to.
Hopefully you'll report in saying you have retrieved the 4-wheeler and are home safely.

RP

[HenryFan]

markiver -

Did you have success in your recovery efforts over the weekend? I hope you have good news to report.

James

[markiver54]

markiver -

Did you have success in your recovery efforts over the weekend? I hope you have good news to report.

James

I actually did not go up this weekend. That's because I've been getting reports of great progress on road repairs up there. I'm hoping that if I wait till next weekend, they may have the roads repaired enough to avoid having to go through the water crossings with my trailer.
Thanks for asking James.

[HenryFan]

It is goods to hear that progress is being made on road repairs in western North Carolina. Folks in that area can use all the good news they can hear.

[markiver54]

Going back up on Sunday. Word has it that there are now gravel roads in place of the water crossings. Might be able to pull my trailer down with my 4-Wheeler on board.

Still need to drain the hot tub and winterize it. Still no power though so might have to rent or buy a generator to run the shop vac. A generator might be a good idea at this point anyway. Don't want to go through darkness and lost food again. Trying to keep the right perspective given what we've just been through and be prepared for the future without going overboard on prep.

My post said back to normal, however...maybe not entirely just yet. Much to do still.

[JEBar]

we are happy to hear about your progress and that everyone is safe.... one of my sister's has a home in west Asheville .... their water still cannot be used for cooking or drinking and she says they have no idea how long it will be before they get good water

[HenryFan]

At least closer back to normal

[HenryFan]

markiver -

Any progress yesterday? We hope you can send us good news.

James

[markiver54]

markiver -

Any progress yesterday? We hope you can send us good news.

James

We ended up going back up on Saturday. The weather forecast was better than Sunday. It was busy up there but we managed to stay out of the worker's way. The progress they have made is incredible. There were gravel roads in place of the water crossings. Still MUCH to be done though. Still no power but they appear to be getting close. I think it will come sooner than originally predicted.

Right before we went up, a very good friend of ours messaged us to let us know he had gone and winterized the hot tub for us! YAAAY! what a guy.
I was also able to trailer my 4-Wheeler and bring it back home. The only thing left that I want to do is go back up and get my 4-Wheeler off-road trailer. It will not fit on the larger utility trailer when the 4-Wheeler is on it. It is an expensive trailer, so I don't like leaving it up there all winter.

For the most part, we have been very lucky through all of this. Much better off than MANY others. May their lives return to some semblance of normal very soon!

I AM still in the market for a generator though.

Mark

[HenryFan]

Progress! That's good.