This morning we had 34 young ladies from a drug and alcohol rehabilitation residential program show up for a tour of the refuge. We had to use two vehicles for the crane tour, and do it twice. These young ladies are struggling to straighten out their lives, and most had no experience with being ‘out in the wild’. Honestly, to begin with, they couldn’t have cared less about the Mississippi Sandhill Cranes, but by the end of their visit they were quite animated about what they had seen. The two groups I took out didn’t get to see any cranes due to circumstances involving the biologists and interns beyond my control. I was able to take them to see the nesting bald eagles and other birds we encountered along the way, and it was rewarding to see them come out of their shells and get excited about the natural world. It became evident that their lives have not been easy.
Their visit took close to three hours to accomplish, and afterwards Diana and I manned the Visitor’s Center and had 30+ more visitors today. Lots of visitors makes the time go by quickly, so it was a good day.
When I got back to the rig, it was time to dump the tanks in preparation for my weekend visitors. I’ve been having some problems with the water pressure in the rig. It has been getting weaker and weaker. Earlier this week I read on another blog about how they change out their water pressure regulator annually. I decided to give that a try, and had ordered a new one on line on Monday. Well, it arrived today and I did the switch out. What a difference! In all my years RVing and being on the road, I’ve not had this problem before until the last few months.
Of course, no job goes without a hitch it seems. After I shut off the water, and loosened the hose to relieve the water pressure, a hole blew out in the side of the old regulator shooting a cold blast of water right into my crotch! 
The forecast for tomorrow’s tour before I pick up Robyn and Avery at the airport is for heavy rains and possible severe storms. I’m hoping it all blows through so their flight won’t be delayed. I’ll let you know how that goes.
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
It's not normal to stay dry when doing working with plumbing.
ReplyDeleteWe learned something today -- water pressure regulator...going to check it out, thanks! So excited for you about the girls coming -- hope you three girls have a GREAT time!
ReplyDeleteI hope the flights aren't delayed either. You have waited long enough for a visit from your 'girls' Have an awesome weekend.
ReplyDeleteSure hope you have a wonderful visit. Bet Avery would have gotten a good laugh watching you change out that pressure regulator.
ReplyDeleteWe soak the water pressure regulator in a water vinegar mixture and it is good as new.
ReplyDeleteI can't stop laughing, and I can just say I'm glad there is someone else out there who has things like that happen to them. Have a fun weekend.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip on the pressure regulator...thanks. Just think you could have laughed so hard that you did wet your pants and none would have been the wiser. Too funny! We gotta laugh at the comedy we call "Life"
ReplyDeleteJust BS!(Bob and Sue)
uh hu, sure it was a blow out.....excuses, excuses! Enjoy your grand and daughter!
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping the weatherman is wrong (he often is) and that it will be a beautiful travel day for them.
ReplyDeleteOK, seriously, where is it and what does it look like?
ReplyDeleteQuite the contrast between the lives of the women you took on the tour today and the lucky ones in your life coming to visit. Glad you could help them you'll "dry out" before then! :-)
ReplyDeleteOK what happened??? My comment got all messed up when it posted. Is the VERIFIER after me again.
ReplyDeleteJudy, if you are looking, delete that junk up there with my name on it.
THIS is what I meant to say.
Glad you could help those unfortunate girls see some of the beauty in life. Quite the contrast between their lives and the lucky ones in your life coming to visit you.
Funny story about Whoowee! I could just imagine you jumping back. Glad you didn't fall over. You'll dry out by the time the girls get here. :-)
Couldn't help it but I laughed outloud with the water pressure blow out...Hve fun with the girls..and I hope my comment verification crap is now shut off...let me know if you get a chance after the girls leave..
ReplyDeleteYou did a very good deed with these young ladies. You are hereby excused from not having any pictures today. ;c)
ReplyDeleteI have had a few of the regulators fail. I would guess I put a new one in every 18 months. So far I have kept my crotch dry:)
ReplyDeleteThat will all be Craig's job!
ReplyDeleteGood thing you changed it when you did or your coach and not your crotch would be wet now, Have fun with the kid's, And yes this damn neuropathy has made a difference in how much walking I can do, but the good news is that a new prescription I have been taking for a month seems to be killing some of the burning and pain so maybe there is improvement in my future.I think Rigg's is just Rigg's and will be a handfull even with a lot of walking, he minds great on the leash and when you are paying him attention. but idle minds and overnight and he will find a way to get into trouble..Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..
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ReplyDeleteFoxriverguy said:
ReplyDeleteIts probably for the better that you did not have time to take any photos. A wet crotch shot might have gotten you an R rating for your blog.
I hope the nature trip helps some of the girls find a new path in life.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with your girls this weekend and I hope the weather holds out.
Hi Judy, my husband and i used to work with Big Brothers and Big Sisters so I can relate to your experience with the group of young ladies. They will probably remember that trip for some time to come. It just takes someone to give some of their time to show a bigger new picture, then the world they have seen. Be glad you have a part in that.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got your water pressure fixed. I hope it was a warm day ;-)
You never know. Maybe one of those girls had an experience with you today that will be a turning point for her. I hope so.
ReplyDeleteWe change out our regulator pretty often ~ it gets clogged with mineral deposits. Glad it helped you out!
ReplyDeleteHave fun & Travel safe
Donna
I can identify with the troubled girls on the tour & how something as simple & as different as a nature tour took their minds off themselves for awhile. I remember early in my AA days walking past a flower bed outside of a Church basement the meeting was in & noticing for the first time in a long time....the beauty of the Spring flowers. That moment was a turning point for me just as that nature tour might be a turning point for someone in that troubled girl's group. Let's hope:))
ReplyDeleteHowdy Judy & Emma,
ReplyDeleteI ain't agonna laff 'cause itz embarrassing!!! Thank you, for making a day those girls won't ever forget, no matter how 'high' they get they WILL REMEMBER this day.. Enjoy the kidz visit and Happy Birthday to the BD girl..