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| Sunset at Myrtle Beach* |
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| A new build*
After getting our RV serviced in Elkhart IN, we returned to
MD and stayed at a campground in Woodbine, MD for a month. This gave us a
chance to catch up on doctor’s visits and visit friends. In December we
traveled to Myrtle Beach for two weeks to work with Habitat for Humanity.
Another RVer, Diane from MN, joined us for the build. Habitat had arranged for
discounted camping rates right on the beach. We worked for 11 days - first we
were installing siding on a new build. We had to stop that work because the
window delivery was delayed. We also worked on a house that was being painted
after the first owner moved out, and another house that had to be gutted down
to the frame and rebuild because of gross owner neglect. This was a rare occurrence,
since the owners have to work at least 200 hours for Habitat before they are eligible
for a house. They get an interest free mortgage that covers the cost of the
materials, and Habitat holds the mortgage.
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| Breakfast for One* |
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| Rebuild
Our construction supervisor was Rod, who did an excellent
job with the volunteers. All tools,
safety gear and training were provided. In addition, there was a hard-core
group of volunteers that worked three days a week and was very experienced.
Some days, other groups would show up and sometimes it was a challenge to keep
everyone busy. Of course, you could work at your own pace and take breaks as
needed. Everyone was friendly and helpful.
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| Don and Pat at Myrtle Beach* |
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A completed house
In addition to our time in the field, we received an
orientation about Habitat, attended a Christmas party, met many of the people
running the program and the people working their way toward home ownership. We
even attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony on a house which we did some last-minute
prep work on. It was a very rewarding experience, but it was also physically
demanding, especially for someone not used to that kind of work. (OK, not used
to any work!)
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| Diane, Rod and Don |
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| Brookgreen Gardens
Habitat also gave us free tickets to the Christmas Show at
the Alabama Theater, which was great. We also drove down to Brookgreen Gardens
to see their Nights of a Thousand Candles. While we were working for Habitat,
my Aunt Catherine’s husband, Hal passed away. He had been sick for months.
Early in his career he was a Royal Canadian Mounted Police and later he was an
elected public official. He also loved to sail. He was well respected in St
John’s NL. The flags were flown at half-mast in his honor.
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| Aunt Catherine and Uncle Hal |
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| The only way to Fly
Somehow, we managed to catch Myrtle Beach during a very wet
period. It must have rained at least 6 inches during the time we were there.
There was no incentive to stick around, so we got a timeshare in
Chancellorsville, VA. From here we were able to tour some of the Civil War
battle sites in the area. We returned to MD just before Christmas, and moved in
with Tom and Julie. We had a Christmas Eve dinner with my family in Baltimore
and spent Christmas day in York with Pat’s family. Pat’s brother Phil and wife
Connie came back to visit, so a big gathering of the relatives took place in a restaurant
in Thurmont, MD. We celebrated New Years at the bowling alley in York, like we
had done in the past.
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| New Years Eve Party at the Bowling Alley
In January, we worked on getting our vehicles serviced in
preparation for our RV trip to British Columbia, and we got ready for our trip
to England, Egypt, Israel, and Jordan.
* Photos by Diane Johnson
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