So … Wild Thing is about 1/2 cleaned up on the outside.

AND, I called in reinforcements…

I took Tuesday off from cleaning. Wednesday, I really felt the ladder climb muscles and did not get much done. Hence, called Malloy Auto Detailing …

I am so pleased and happy! Dan Malloy’s customer service is excellent! And it has been a tough year for his small business. Last round, as a “high end” auto and rv detailing business, he was a bit hesitant about working on Wild Thing, but showed up and did EXCELLENT and above and beyond service at a reasonable price.

This round is so much easier as we had a small established work relationship … and he remembered “working on the RV in the forrest” :) … yep!

So, I moved Wild Thing and put her back on jacks and leveled and am mostly working inside. I would like to do a bit more outside pre-Malloy but that is a bit weather/schedule (mine) dependent.

Weather … we had a mini heat wave last week … mid 80’s forecast but, it was not too bad heat wise. The “bad” was smoke. The smoke came down with a vengeance on Thursday afternoon. Thursday night on our last outs in the dark … the amount of particulate (ash?) that showed in the flashlight was horrendous. Friday was socked in as thick and low as I have ever seen it. Emmett and I were out for only brief times for “business” and a little play.

Meanwhile … I thoroughly enjoyed a sourdough how to with my friend and neighbor! The loaf above was in progress when she came over for some info. I shaped the dough while she was with me and it was a great opportunity to show how to handle a high hydration dough.

And the end result was beautiful as well as delicious.

Saturday (yesterday), the weather changed: some rain, smoke cleared and we are to slide into Autumn-like weather with slight chance of rain, sun, partly sunny and no smoke conditions … my FAVORITES!!

Emmett and I are so happy to see the smoke gone and even if overcast, we breath easier.

Good stuff!!

In September 2019, I paid $380 to have Malloy’s Mobile Detailing wash Wild Thing. It was SO worth it!

Day 3 of my own wash experience and I am half way done.

And I am tired and a little sore. Up and down the ladder, being careful on the ladder, being careful with the power/water/wand of the power washer, directing the power washer, scrubbing with a long handled brush … back and forth to water supply. GAH! In hindsight, I wish I had called Malloy’s again.

But, I am half done and will finish the job.

This morning, I gave the back driver side section another round … and the back end its first go. AND, I emptied all of the basement storage, sorted what could be kept and what was throw away AND washed out all of the compartments.

Thankfully, it is warm but not HOT (70F when I was working) and low humidity so everything is drying nicely.

The rear (one pass so far) and the untouched passenger side. It might not look bad in the photo, but above the rear slide and the awning and any “grooves” … lots of dirt, mold, mildew.

I think 2-3 more morning sessions for the outside/passenger side basement compartments and then she can return to her normal spot for the interior. Heads up… the interior looks a bit like The Addams Family: spider webs, dead flies … probably mouse droppings when I get all opened up. It will be a 3-4 day steam clean and vacuum extravaganza :)

I thought I was cleaning up to sell, but I’m now not sure. We’ll see. I contacted local dealers re consignment sale … I don’t need this size RV … but she has been a good ship and I don’t know…

Meanwhile…

Morning scratch and snuggle.

The wind shifted, the smoke lifted and it has been a beautiful Labor Day Monday!

Lovely light.

Happy Emmett!!

The front porch continues to look beautiful with all plants thriving!

Tomatoes are slowly ripening … I’ve had a small, consistent supply of the Husky Cherry tomatoes. The Manitoba … 1 so far has ripened. But so much fun even if not exactly an economical venture.

And inside … the change in light angle … Autumn light which is my favorite.

It has been a glorious Labor Day weekend. I have enjoyed all of it: motorhome cleanup, time with Emmett, some cooking and baking and some downtime reading and catching up on my YouTube favorites.

Cheers!!

Day 2 started smoky…

Shadow mountains. Lovely clouds.

Sky and clouds as Emmett and I took our sunrise walk.

Maybe my morning favorite …

Nearing the end of the morning walk.

We breakfasted.

We spent another morning on the motorhome interspersed with walks and play.

At the end of Day 2 work time: Front and driver side clean-ish.

Back and passenger side to do … and garage … and interior :)

End of Labor Day Weekend Day 2.

Labor Day U.S.: celebrated on the first Monday in September in honor of the American Labor Movement. I am fairly sure that most of the current U.S. population do not have a clue what that is. Labor Day is the “end of Summer” holiday for most … including me.

Almost always, at least as a property owner in Northwest Montana, Labor Day weekend has been a time of thinking about and starting property prep for Winter.

This year, my Labor Day list includes: prepping Wild Thing for sale (yes … I plan on selling Wild Thing), prelim house and window cleanup.

So.

Day 1.

This week’s cherry tomato haul … background is…

Wild Thing! I moved her out to allow access to water and power for wash and cleanup.

There were some issues with retracting leveling jacks. But WD-40 and a lift from a shovel resolved those. Pedal to the metal and out she came!

And then the power washer.

My current weekend task M.O. (modus operandi) is to work on my task list, with breaks, until noon-1:00 p.m. ish.

Today, Day 1, I did the off and on bit until 2:30 p.m.

I managed to get all set up and cleaned the front and 1/3 of one side in that time.

In my defense, this was all along with “outings with Emmett”! Walks, playing fetch, playing in the hose.

I feel the same!!!

Labor Day Weekend: Day 1.

***For the record … temps were a very pleasant 70ish … high was 73F late afternoon (my house)

Yes, I know … September follows my birthday in just two weeks, but the suddenly … it was hot and dry and kind of miserable up until the day after my birthday … and then…

It cleared (smoke) and cooled (by 20F degrees) and suddenly felt very Autumn-like.

I was afraid to believe!

But, it has stayed cool-warmish, i.e. NOT hot and mostly not smoky.

Every morning, I look at the weather expecting some return to heat and smoke …

So far, we seem to be firmly entrenched in normal: low to mid-70’s F daytime and lovely cool nights (40F).

And suddenly, it is September 1 with Labor Day weekend approaching!

The weekend is forecast to be warm-slightly hot at 80F for Friday-Saturday-Sunday! There is some chance of return of smoke…

No problem here.

Emmett and I will be home, enjoying the woods and the yard and the hose …

I have some indoor video projects to keep me busy!

And we will take naps :)

Suddenly September and lovely weather and much to enjoy at home.

There is a weather phenomenon called a singularity. It is “a characteristic meteorological condition that tends to occur on or near a specific date more frequently than chance would indicate”. Here, in Northwest Montana, we have or did have an August Singularity for August 24-26: a very cool, cold event. Locals and particularly local fire fighters are on the alert for the singularity as it has often given an opportunity to get a leg up on wildfires.

In the 27 years that I have lived in this part of Montana, I have experienced and enjoyed this weather phenomenon many times.

This year … after a 6 day heat wave that was forecast to end on my birthday: August 16, we have experienced a dramatic cool down AND rain!

I look each morning at the forecast to see when we will return to heat and smoke … shuush!!! so far, nothing more than 76F is forecast for the forecast future.

It feels like early Autumn.

As I told a friend, I am enjoying and ignoring the future.

So cool outside, that I brought in two trays of microgreens!

The first non-cherry tomato … Manitoba Tomato … is ripening!

Front Porch gardening: 2 Fuchsia are doing well, kale has been harvested from the rolling planter with remaining herbs and flowers all good, microgreens, impatiens, “rock garden” and other herbs are all flourishing!

Afternoon sun …

Morning mist.

32 days until official Autumn, but we are having respite from summer and a preview of autumn.