We had an early start to the holiday as Brent did not have to work on Wednesday, so with a quick pack, we left on Tuesday evening and got to The Ridge around 9:00 pm. It rained the entire time and driving on highway 441 through the park, it was very foggy. Passing Newfound Gap, the visibility was very low but soon cleared up.
On Wednesday, we headed into Sevierville to get some materials at Lowes and/or Home Depot but we did stop by the thrift stores near downtown. We did score a 1920s to 1930s club chair at the Salvation Army with plans to have it recovered. Brent started removing the stair treads and risers on the stairs to measure the height of the riser cutout on the stringers. Needless to say that they are not the same height and we will have to height to each riser. The the nails were removed from the stair treads and replaced with screws so we could continue to use the stairs. The girls arrived from UT in the afternoon and stayed until Sunday afternoon. We celebrated their belated 22 nd birthday that night.
On Thursday, the chalet was filled with the delicious smells of the Thanksgiving meal. We used the smoker to prepare the turkey and side dishes consisted of corn bread dressing, gravy, acorn squash casserole, broccoli casserole, cranberries, rolls and a ham. Jennifer made a pumpkin pie for desert. While Lynn and the girls were preparing the meal, Brent was on the roof installing the amplified HDTV antenna. While on the roof, he also cleaned the gutters of leaves for the second time this season. After stuffing ourselves with food for lunch, the installation of the antenna was complete and we went from 12 channels to 20 channels. We did pick up an ABC channel which we had been missing. Still no Knoxville channels as all the tv stations are out of the tri-city area in Bristol, TN.
On Friday, JoLynn, Jessica and Brent headed into Sevierville around 3:00 am to participate in the black Friday mayhem. Jennifer and Cookie decided to sleep in at the chalet. After fighting the crowds and getting some bargains we were back at The Ridge by 8:30 am. Brent ran some electrical wiring and installed a new can light in the stairway which really improved the visibility of the stairs at night. As usual, during the course of installing the light, we needed to make another trip to Lowes.
On Saturday, JoLynn and the girls headed into town in the morning for some additional shopping. Brent stayed at The Ridge and installed the plastic window film over the windows in the upstairs bedrooms and did the final blowing of the leaves. He also figured on each riser height being 7-3/16" and then drew a line next to the stringer on the wall for each riser.
On Sunday, we awoke to a lot a wind as the edge of the front was near Gatlinburg. We went to Church and then returned for the final attack of the leftovers. Everyone left The Ridge by 2:30 pm. We had a great time with everyone during the week. Plans for the upcoming three (3) weekends will continue to attack the stairway. Next weekend Brent has a goal to increase the height of each riser and install the skirtboards. If time allows, some sheetrock will be installed.
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| Happy Birthday to......................................... |
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| With the dining room furniture being staged at Zelda, this year we set a mean coffee table. |
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| The space-aged amplified HDTV antenna is installed. It also rotates. |
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| Taking off the risers and stair treads, making measurements (see outline of stairs on paper) and then temporarily reinstalling treads using screws. |
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| Watch your step. But there is not step!! |
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| Running the electrical wiring for the new stairway light. |
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| After a small amount of modification, the light is installed. |
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| The club chair purchased for $20 from Salvation Army in Sevierville. |
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