Living Our Dream

Park Model Project: Add a Fireplace Part II

Wauchula, FL - Events of Friday, October 19 to Monday, October 22, 2018

After building the framework for the new fireplace enclosure and covering it with drywall, Paul applied and sanded the last coat of joint compound early on Friday (October 12). He then applied a coat of primer.

The walls of the park model have a spatter texture so after the primer dried, Paul applied texture to the new drywall of the fireplace enclosure. The pros apply texture compound using a special spray gun, but home improvement stores sell texture in a can so DIYers can do small jobs and repairs without having to have a special spray gun and a compressor. The spray can has an adjustable nozzle so you can get a heavy, coarse texture or a fine spatter.

Paul applying wall texture from a spray can

The spray texture in a can worked well - almost. Paul was able to match the original wall texture fairly well, but as he was going back over some areas just to even things out a bit the spray can clogged and quit working. Paul could see one or two small spots where the texture was a little light, but the overall result looked pretty good once the texture dried so Paul went ahead and applied a finish coat of the wall color using touch-up paint that was shipped with the park model. After the wall paint dried, the new fireplace enclosure blends perfectly with the surrounding walls, and even Paul can no longer find the spots that he originally thought were light in texture.

Paul applying the final wall color to the fireplace enclosure

Paul cut and fit pieces for the trim surrounding the fireplace insert over the weekend. After applying a coat of primer and a coat of white, semi-gloss paint on Monday (October 15), he did the final fitting of the trim and fastened it in place on Tuesday.

Trim installed

The next step of the project was the mantle for the top of the enclosure. After completing the trim on Tuesday, Paul got cleaned up and headed to Ace Hardware in Wauchula to get stain for the mantle. Margery needed a couple of items from Walmart so she went along. Afterwards, we stopped at Giovanni's Main Street Kitchen in Wauchula for pizza.

Giovanni's Main Street Kitchen

It's been a long time since we ate at Giovanni's. We had side salads ($2.99) with garlic bread and a 12" pizza ($7.99 plus $.50 for each topping). Everything was yummy!

Margery at Giovanni's

Paul started working on the mantle last Wednesday. After gluing up boards to obtain the required width, he began the time-consuming process of fitting the top. The top is made up of two pieces - one piece in the front that is fixed and another in back that is removable to get at the plugs, cable connections, and wiring for the satellite receiver and DVD player. Not only did the top have to fit the wall at the correct angle, the two pieces had to fit with each other. It took numerous trips outside to the table saw then back inside to check the fit each time he shaved off a little bit here or a little bit there.

After Paul finally got the two pieces of the mantle fitting the way he wanted them, he started sanding. The sanding, routing of a decorative edge on the mantle, and more sanding took the rest of the week. Over the weekend Paul stained the mantle and applied two coats of polyurethane finish.

Paul fastened the mantle and top trim into place on Monday, installed the fireplace insert, and made and installed pieces of black trim around the insert. He cut several small pieces of the baseboard from the pieces he removed from behind the fireplace and fit them to the bottom of the new fireplace wall. The fireplace installation was finally complete. The next two photos show before and after.

Before - original cabinet without fireplace

After - fireplace installation complete

The fireplace project took two full weeks, which is about twice as long as Paul expected; but it was completed just in time for the arrival of crisp, cool fall weather here in Florida. The long-range forecast shows the highs will struggle to get out of the 80s for the next 10 days. In fact, it looks like we might have a couple of days with highs only in the 70s and lows all the way down to the 50s - brrrr!

Seriously, the really cool weather probably won't arrive here in central Florida until late December or January when overnight lows can dip down into the 40s and even into the 30s. That may not seem very cold to all you Yankees out there, but when you're used to summer temperatures in the 90s every day, it will feel cold to us. The good news is, our new fireplace will be ready be ready when we need it.

Park Model Project: Add a Fireplace Part I

Wauchula, FL - Events of Tuesday, October 2 to Thursday, October 4, 2018

Even here in central Florida, we can get a few cool days in winter. We had an electric fireplace in our 5th wheel that we liked a lot. Not only did it do a good job of taking the chill off cool mornings and evenings without having to run the heat pump or furnace, but it also created a cozy atmosphere. Therefore, we decided we wanted a fireplace in the park model, too.

We could have ordered a fireplace with the park model, but we decided a custom-built enclosure would look better because Paul chose a TV that is a little too big for the space available so it has to sit at an angle instead of flat against the wall. We decided if the TV sits at an angle, it would look better if the fireplace did the same, and the only way to achieve that was for Paul to install the fireplace himself.

Back in September, Paul found the same fireplace we had in the 5th wheel at etrailer.com at a good price so he ordered it. The first fireplace arrived damaged, but etrailer was very responsive in replacing it. They even delayed shipping out the replacement at our request because we were going to be gone for a week when we met Lora, J. Michael, and Lydia in Lower Alabama. The replacement fireplace came in the day after we got back, and we stored it in the shed while Paul finalized the design for the enclosure and started gathering materials.

On Tuesday, October 2, we went to pick up some maple lumber for the fireplace mantle at Hardwood Lumber and Millwork near Lakeland. Afterward, we headed to Brandon to pick up a few things at Sam's Club then stopped at Mission BBQ for a late lunch. We first found out about Mission when we went with family when we were in Pittsburgh in July, and we loved it. We were happy to learn there are several in Florida not too far from the Co-op.

Mission BBQ

Margery had an NC-style pulled pork sandwich (NC-style is served with slaw on top of the sandwich) with fries, and Paul had a pulled pork platter with slaw and fries.

Paul with his pulled pork platter

We both like slaw with our barbecue, but on this last stop we decided we're not that fond of the slaw at Mission. The slaw is okay on the NC-style sandwich, but when eaten as a separate side dish the chunks of cabbage are too big in our opinion, and the dressing doesn't have much flavor. Fortunately, however, the pulled pork and fries are excellent so we'll just order a different side in the future.

On Friday (October 5), we went to Sebring to stop at both Lowe's and Home Depot to pick up the majority of the rest of the materials Paul would need for the fireplace. Afterward, we stopped for a late lunch at Jimmy's. We had gone there for the first time the previous week, and we loved their gyros.

Margery did a repeat performance and ordered another gyro, but Paul decided to try the grouper fingers. The gyro was as good as it was the first time, but the grouper fingers were terrible. The first one Paul tried was extremely dry and had an off flavor. The second was a little more flaky inside, but was still pretty dry. We surmised they were probably freezer-burned.

When we mentioned the problem to the server, she immediately offered to bring Paul something else. He decided on a cheese steak hoagie, and it came out in just a few minutes. It was much better than the grouper fingers, but didn't have quite as much flavor as the cheese steaks at Dee's Place. Even with Paul's disappointment, however, Jimmy's still has the absolute best gyros so we'll definitely go back.

With the majority of the materials purchased, Paul started working on the fireplace on Monday (October 8). The photo below shows the TV and the original cabinet below that came with the park model.

Before

The first thing we had to do was find other places for the items that were stored in the cabinet. Then after removing the cabinet, Paul took out the baseboard from that corner then started building the framework for the fireplace enclosure.

Framework for the fireplace enclosure

On Tuesday, Paul finished adding a support for the shelf for our satellite receiver and DVD player to the framework and then covered the enclosure with drywall. At the end of the day he was was able to tape the joints and apply the first coat of joint compound.

Paul joint compound to the drywall

Paul sanded and and applied several additional coats of joint compound on Wednesday and Thursday. Between coats of drywall compound, he cut and fit pieces for the shelf for our satellite receiver and some of the trim that would go around the fireplace. We'll tell you more about how the fireplace project progressed in our next post. 

Orange Beach, AL Part III

Orange Beach, AL - Events of Wednesday, September 19 to Sunday, September 23, 2018

After going to Pensacola to watch the Blue Angels practice on Tuesday, we decided to relax on the beach for a while on Wednesday. The weather in Lower Alabama was hotter than usual the whole time we were there so we went to the beach mid-morning before the sun got too high.

When we got there, there were numerous schools of 2-inch long fish swimming close to shore. If you walked into the school, they wouldn't panic and swim away. They would just separate to get out of your way then rejoin after you passed through and continue circling counterclockwise.

Lora, Lydia, Margery, and J. Micheal watching a school of thousands of tiny fish

Closer view of one of the schools of fish

Lydia watched the fish for a short time, but she was a little wary of them and preferred to be out a bit farther from shore away from the fish.

Lora, Lydia, and Margery enjoying the water

Selfie on the beach

The villa we rented had sand toys available so we took a few with us. Lydia decided she wanted to build a sand castle, and Poppy was happy to help.

Poppy and Lydia starting to build a sand castle

The sand castle idea only lasted a few minutes until Lydia decided burying her legs in the sand would be more fun. Again, Poppy joined in.

Poppy helping bury Lydia's legs in the sand

Going to the beach is fun, but  leaving the beach - not so much. You're hot and tired, and you have to trudge back up the beach for what seems to be a mile while toting wet towels, a cooler, chairs, beach toys, and whatever else you took along. On top of all that, there is sand sticking everywhere...and we do mean everywhere.

After a stop at the villa to change, we all piled back into the car and headed to a late lunch at Big Daddy's Grill in Fairhope. We took along a cooler so we could stop on the way for a couple of pounds of shrimp from Aquila Seafood in Bon Secour for dinner the following evening. We always like to check out the fishing boats docked adjacent to Aquila.

One of the fishing boats docked adjacent to Aquila Seafood

We decided to sit out on the deck at Big Daddy's even though it was pretty hot and there wasn't much breeze because we like the view overlooking the Fish River. We both had Philly cheese steaks, Lora had catfish, J. Michael had fried fish, and Lydia had her usual toasted cheese.

Margery, Lora, Lydia, and J. Michael at Big Daddy's

The prices were the same as the last time we were there in the fall of 2016, but we thought the portions were a little smaller. Nevertheless, the food was delish, and we still got enough to eat.

We made our way back to the villa by way of the Walmart in Fairhope. Paul's water shoes disintegrated when we went to the beach that morning and he was hoping to find a new pair. The selection was sparse since it was so late in the season, but Paul and Lydia did have fun trying on elephant Halloween costumes.

Paul and Lydia trying on elephant costumes

We booked a dolphin cruise for 11:00 Thursday morning. We left a little early to stop for breakfast at Cafe Beignet in Orange Beach.

Cafe Beignet

Cafe Beignet is open daily from 6:30 am until noonish. They serve plain beignets, beignets filled with vanilla pudding topped with chocolate syrup, and they also have a few assorted muffins and pastries. There is also a selection of various types of coffee, tea, milk and orange juice. We started off with an order of 12 plain beignets ($10.95). They were so good we added another order of 3 ($3.75). We all made it through breakfast without getting an excessive amount of powdered sugar on our clothes.

Lora, Lydia, J. Michael, and Margery at Cafe Beignet

After breakfast, we headed a couple of miles to the east to the Alabama side of the Florida-Alabama line where the dock for the dolphin cruise is located. There are a number of boats that do cruises; but we chose Blue Dolphin Cruises because their prices are reasonable, their boat has an air conditioned cabin with rest room (at least one cruise we saw was on a pontoon boat with a completely open deck so you would have to bake in the sun the entire time), and Blue Dolphin had a departure time that suited our preferences.

Boat for Blue Dolphin Cruises

The cruise started off heading west around Ono Island. Ono Island is an exclusive, gated community, and there are a number of celebrities who own homes there. They told us the home in the next photo belongs to retired NASCAR driver, Jeff Gordon.

A home on Ono Island belonging to Jeff Gordon

There are a number of bays and inlets in the area, and there are lots of dolphins in those bays and inlets because food is abundant. The boat captains use their radios to help one another with dolphin sightings so it wasn't long after we got to the western end of Ono Island until we spotted a pod of several dolphins. They are naturally curious and frequently come right up to the boat to check it out. We saw quite a few dolphins, but it was hard to get good photos because they only surface briefly to breathe. It was also hard get the camera aimed in time with everyone crowded up the the railing.

Dolphin surfacing to breathe

Lydia watching for dolphins

We caught up to a small boat operated by the Fish and Wildlife Commission that was using a net to document the number, size, and species of aquatic life that was in the bay. The boat was being followed by several dolphins. They like to follow fishing boats to feed on fish and shrimp that spill out from the top and sides of the net.

Dolphins following a net being towed by a small boat

Dolphins weren't the only thing we saw on the cruise. There were lots of seagulls, and lots of pelicans like the two sitting on the channel marker in the next photo.

Pelicans

The cruise lasted about 90 minutes, which was just long enough because we were all getting hungry. The Ole River Grill is located right by the dock so we walked over for a late lunch.

Ole River Grill

Because the Ole River Grill has a waterfront location, the prices are maybe a dollar or two higher than we would otherwise expect. Even though we got there well after the lunch rush, the service wasn't great; but at least the food was good.

We headed back to the villa for a swim in the pool, after which Margery prepared a delicious dinner using the shrimp we got the day before at Aquila Seafood. She sauteed it with butter, a little garlic, some Old Bay seasoning, and white wine. The shrimp were yummy dipped in melted butter.

On Friday, we went out after breakfast to stop at a couple of souvenir shops along the beach then headed back Fairhope for lunch at Panini Pete's. Back at the villa, Lora and J. Michael did a little packing and organizing in preparation for their departure the next morning. We snacked our way through dinner.

We booked an extra day at the beginning of our week so we could be at the villa when Lora. J. Michael, and Lydia arrived; and we also booked an extra day at the end so all of us wouldn't be scrambling to depart at the same time. After seeing Lora, J. Michael, and Lydia off on Saturday morning, we relaxed for a while then headed back to The Gulf for a late lunch.

The Gulf

This time, we both had burgers ($8), and we shared an order of fries ($4). Everything was yummy! After we ate, we sat around and nursed our Cokes so we could enjoy the atmosphere and the Gulf breezes.

We did a little packing when we got back to the villa then relaxed with some TV in the evening. We were on the road around 6:00 on Sunday morning. Traffic was light most of the way across I-10, but was building by the time we got to I-75. It wasn't anywhere near as heavy as it is when heading south after Christmas, and we made good time. We stopped at Sonic for some boneless chicken wings for dinner on our way through Wauchula.

We really enjoyed our time with Lora, J. Michael, and Lydia. It was great being back in Lower Alabama again and being able to share one of our favorite locations with them. And the rental villa was fantastic! The villa was very clean and comfortable, and the owner was very helpful and accommodating.

We'll be relaxing and getting back into our usual routines at the Co-op so it may be a while before we have another update. Stay tuned.