The August 2015 Trip (Part 1)

I couldn't wait to get to my little plot of dirt to see how it looked after having gone through spring and summer. Last time we were there was February. We bought it on the 14th, left Tennessee on the 15th and on the 16th there was the worse snow and ice they had had in a while. Needless to say, it was brown then. But to me, I could see it in all of its splendor.

We planned our trip to be both fun and scoping out the land. I wanted to get to know our little town some more. We arrived on Thursday August 27 around 3pm. Plenty of time to get to the rental cabin, unload the van, and head to the land before dark! Yes! Waking up at 4am paid off. 

Driving over the Tennessee River

We all jumped into the van excited to see the Ridge Road property. The drive, all 6 minutes of it, was electric. Kids were on pins and needles. Talking among themselves about their own dreams for the move and the land. Mamie still focusing on the proximity to Nashville, Bubba wanting to put his own cabin, Alicia and Liz discussing what animals they would own, John talking about what he is going to build, and sweet Caroline telling me she wants a garden to grow peas. We passed over the Tennessee river, saw the huge lumber mill, and finally pulled onto our road. 

Some of the damage

The excitement soon faded when our eyes met with the site of our little old house. Kids had demolished parts of it. Some parts needed a sledgehammer, but that was for us to decide and to do! A brick wall and part of the fireplace under carport gone. Walls completely ripped out. Door ways made in the middle of walls. The kitchen bar was in the front yard in pieces. Holes stomped into the floor. I know the house wasn't much. I know if we were to fix it, a lot would have to be done. But this was such a let down. That people would even allow their children to play in an abandoned house and much less let them destroy it. 

One positive thing did come from finding the house in this condition. That is what the next step will be. Having the house busted open like that let us see how much work would go into fixing it up. So, new plan in progress. (This plan will be in an upcoming post)

Some of the old wood

Newspapers from 1937 cover a wall

Very old wallpaper

This old ugly house will not go to waste. Once the trash and rotten parts are disposed of, the rough cut lumber that is in great shape will be used to build out buildings on the property or raised beds in the garden. I won't let a brick go unused if possible.

2x12 in the ceiling