Lower Slower Delaware at a Snail's Pace

January is almost over and, hopefully, so is the freezing weather that puts a halt to digging foundations for new homes. We've run the gamut here, from rain to freezing temperatures, to snow to rain again.







It seems that I have temporarily lost the war with FEMA, at least for the present. I will need to comply with rules governing flood zones until the foundation is complete. Then the surveyor will produce an official elevation certificate which will show that my house will be above any flood plain. However, to be on the safe side, I'll probably opt for insurance anyway. With the planet warming as we speak, I'd be wise to provide myself some insurance for future water level rise. Things could be worse - I could be building on the beach. No one believes there will ever be standing water on the property, let alone in my home, but better safe than sorry.

The builder managed to get the building footers in prior to the extreme weather of earlier this week. With a little bit of luck, the foundation will be in by early next week. Then there won't be any delay due to frozen ground. I expect there will be many more delays before this is over. I can say that I'm enjoying the process anyway. I'm happily choosing things like siding, roof shingles, cabinets, appliances. And I'm learning that everything is more than my builder's allowances. I'm doing my best to be as energy efficient as possible, given the funds available: fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, water heater and heat pump will be "Energy Star".

So, although there isn't a lot going on to show or take photos of, a lot of things are happening behind the scenes. I even have a real street address, a mailbox that will go up in the next couple of days, and a local bank account. So maybe I'm just about an official resident of DE. Please note my new address: 604 Evergreen Lane, Milford, DE 19963.

Today I saw these wonderful Tundra swans grazing (and lazing)on the open fields west of Milford. It seems these, Canada geese and snow geese are in abundance here in the winter months.  

Winter on Evergreen Lane

Below are a few snaps of my lot, looking front to back and back to front. Trees and underbrush have been removed to make way for the gravel driveway, the house and the septic system drain field. As in all Winter scenes, other homes aren't obscured by the many trees and bushes as they are in Spring and Summer. The rear border of the lot is a small creek that flows into Haven lake. (The photo of the creek, taken in May, is included.) I guess the creek, along with the shelter of trees, shrubs and ground cover, makes the property almost a bona fide backyard habitat for birds. Now I just need to supply a food source. No problem - I received a bird feeder for Christmas!




The foundation for the house will be started tomorrow, weather permitting. There has been a small delay due to FEMA and me. Their maps say I'm in a flood zone. But with help from a local insurance agent, I now have solid information from FEMA that I am in an 'x' zone and won't have to buy flood insurance. That's a big help, as it might save unnecessary spending for special flood vents too, if the county can agree with FEMA. Hmmm What are the chances?

Yesterday I chased the Obama-Biden pre-Inaugural train from Claymont to Wilmington, Delaware. I missed the best, closest view of the Veep and vice-Veep elect by a minute, thanks to the security checkpoint along the Amtrak line at a pedestrian overpass on I-495 in Claymont. Drat. But I did see him in Indianapolis prior to the election. I'll be glued to the tv on Tuesday, to watch, from afar, the inaguration.

I'll be posting regularly as the house progresses. I might even take a short RV trip along the way. Stay tuned.  

Homeless to Hopeful

After a long hiatus, SCargo is out of mothballs and purring along the nation's highways once again. At 10:01, January 4, 2009, Bubba and I pulled out of the driveway of Ed and Sandy's Homeless Shelter, heading for Delaware via North Carolina. Even though the day was overcast, misting and winter like, day one of the trip was lots of fun. I'm not driving the V hard, so I have time to take in all of the sights along the way. So far 62 has been the top mph, with 55-60 the norm.

I don't have a firm day to return, as only the preliminary tasks are being done on my lot. The contract is signed; the construction loan approved. The builder has already had trees removed for placement of the house and driveway. Next should be the foundation. I'll be updating with photos as interesting things take place on the lot.

Sunday night I made it to Asheville, NC. Day 2 took me to Black Mountain, about 10 miles east of Asheville. There are some shops there with handmade, unique items to see. The weather was more fall-like than winter, so I meandered the streets for some time. I was thinking of some furniture pieces I'll be needing for the new house, so I stopped into a furniture mart in the same town,just to look around . After an afternoon of wandering showrooms, going from building to building, up and down stairs to each different manufacturer's showroom, I walked out having bought new bedroom furniture. I'll be picking it up on the way from Memphis to Delaware and sling it onto the truck. Can't wait.

Last night I drove as far as Johnson City, TN on I-26. I'd like to see that stretch of road in the daytime. It was extremely spooky in the dark: absolutely no light unless a car came up, 6% grades with many truck runoff areas and no highway signs except for an occasional 'Future West I-26' sign. All communication devices failed too.

Today it was on to I-81 through Virginia. The plan is to go east on I-66, circle around the north side of D.C. and on to US 50 East across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge into Maryland and Delaware. It was getting a bit dark and foggy this afternoon when I decided that, what the hay, I'll gas up and just drive on past D.C. and find a place to stay on the East side. When I pulled into the gas station near Staunton, VA, I noticed icicles hanging on the road signs and fences. Holy cow. I'm not driving the V in that! So I went 7 more miles north and planted myself here at the Microtel. What a nice place, almost new, very clean and a bit European in room design. The room is small, but has everything one needs for an overnight stay; down to fresh baked cookies at 8PM (which I purposely missed)

So that's what's happening these days. Tomorrow I'll be off to Delaware, weather permitting. It's nice being retired.