On a long and lonesome highway....: Bolivar Hardware

Our Location: Big Buck Resort, Hornsby, Tennessee

(205 Sparks Road)

I have to tell you we've been sleeping late here in Big Buck. Due to the fact, at least in my case, that I cover my bed room window as there is a street light just outside my window. So in the morning it's often after 7 before I open my peepers. This morning it was right about 7:15 am. However we have nothing much on the agenda so it doesn't really matter when we get up.

The Bank of Bolivar was once attached to other buildings as you can see by the picture.

A bit of tidying up and our hot drinks brought us to the late hour of 9:30 am before we were on our way out the door heading into the little town of Bolivar to get a few parts and pieces for the Weboost. On the way we stopped at the office to check on the mail delivery as we are still expecting ONE package, Riley's charge cords for her Tablet. Bonus, the package arrived and was waiting for us. Since Riley has been waiting for these cords for some time, we came back to the Igloo to check it out, make sure it fit and all that good stuff. At first she couldn't get it to fit, and was in the process of getting upset. I asked if I might try and sure enough with a little effort it fit perfectly. Riley is now a happy camper. We left it charging and headed off to town.

A nice little hardware store, well stocked with knowledgeable people....

Bolivar is a cute little town with a number of businesses and some very helpful people. Our first stop was the Bolivar Hardware Store, I wanted some clips to run some cables and keep them in place (as I won't be fishing them through the walls, I'm not that talented), and I wanted an extension of the antenna cord. The nice fellow there had the clips, a bit bigger than I wanted but the ones he had will work fine. One down, he had no cable of the size I wanted, and he didn't carry any metal plates which also might solve one of the problems. He didn't know anyone that would have the cable but suggested McKnights Welding shop on the edge of town to get the metal plate. He gave me directions and after paying for our purchase we were on our way back toward the east and turned down Highway 18 toward the welding shop.

Brooks Automotive, some nice folks here too...

Just a couple of miles away from the hardware store we turned into a yard that was definitely a welding shop even though no name was visible. I explained what I wanted the plate for to the two nice fellows in the shop, and we walked around looking for something to fit the bill. For $5 I picked up a piece of metal plate about 6" X 8" to see if it would improve the signal by bouncing it back to the aerial (as mentioned in a number of videos I've watched). I may paint it a silver colour to help with the reflection. I asked them about the coax cable and they suggested the auto parts store, Brooks Automotive. Back past the hardware store, toward the Walmart, turn right at Joe's restaurant before the big hill and Brooks Auto Parts is right there on the right. I kid you not, those were the instructions. Being a country girl I followed them quite easily.

Hwy 18 toward McKnight's Welding.....

We found Brooks Auto Parts, right where the nice fella at McKnight's Welding said it would be. They didn't have any cable either, nor did they have any idea where I could get any of that size. I also asked about clips to attach the cables (thinking they may have a better idea than the hardware store) but they didn't have anything that was acceptable for the job. They apologized for not being able to help. How kind is that?

We haven't reached McKnight's yet....

Back in the Dogsled we headed home once again. It's amazing what the sunshine will do for a person. The clouds had been breaking up all morning and sure enough by the time we were heading back home the sun had made an appearance. The wind was still cold but the sun made it nicer. Arriving home we were once again greeted by Axel the Husky. He settled himself under the Igloo while we were inside and if we stepped out he was right there to see if we were going to fed him, pet him or talk to him.

Cute little house in Bolivar....

A quick trip up on the roof to set the metal plate there and the antenna in the middle to check it out for increased reception before heading down and using the wire holders to get all these cables out of the way securely.

Driving down US64 East in Bolivar......

I can't say the receptions any better, but it isn't any worse either. So I'm not sure if the metal plate should be bigger, a different kind, or if the antenna just needs to be upgraded to something more substantial. We also need to order more coax cable from Amazon so we can move the inside antenna further from the outside antenna. We have one light that keeps flashing red and we can't seem to stop that. I'm hoping that the extra cable will allow us to put the inside antenna further from the windows and the outside antenna.

Heading back to Big Buck....

After that we tried to sit outside for a while but the wind is too cold, and I moved back inside before too long. We had a nice pasta lunch and I headed upstairs to have a bit of a nap. It was a quick one, about an hour and I was finished. After that I finished my book, and started this post. Edited the pictures first of course.Then to write the post and get it ready for publishing. Always loading the pictures is the longest part. I will admit I've been very lax about reading blogs the last couple of days, I've just not had the energy. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get caught up.

The little Bistro here at the park....

As I was writing this post someone stopped with a side by side to pick up Axel, I think it may have been his family. He made a bit of noise in the way of talking back but eventually climbed into the vehicle and off they went. I"m sure he'll be back tomorrow.