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Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6505
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 02:25 am: | 
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Next week we close on a camp on Indiana's Whitewater River! It is a lot 100 feet wide by about 200 deep with a shack and a picnic shelter, not to mention the outhouse. The lot is mostly level with a burm by the road that supports the shack. The shack is made from a very old trailer that has had an addition. It has a well and a septic system, sort of. We expect to mostly use our motorhome, but we intend to fix up the shack for guests and the kids(all adult).
The Whitewater does not have any major cities or much industry along its coarse. It is very clean. This past Sunday, you could see the bottom of the middle of the river from the bank. It falls about six feet per mile so it moves along.
My idea of a good time is poking a fire watching the water roll by. The sons, grandson, son-in-law and daughter's boyfriend all fish. I eat. They say catfish are most common but bass can be had too.
It is only 30 miles from home, just off an interstate - 35 minutes tops! Check out Bonnie Ln, West Harrison, Indiana on Google maps. Ours is the one right below "Bonnie Ln." with the tree off the bank. The road is actually Longnecker, but Google seems to have an error.
We are going to call it "Listermann Gardens" in honor of the saloon my great great Grandfather founded. The theme song will be "Smoke on the Water." |
Paul Hayslett
Senior Member
Username: Paulhayslett
Post Number: 2047
Registered: 02-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 03:03 am: |
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Congrats, Dan!
Now I know where to stay when I'm in Indiana. |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6506
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 03:46 am: |
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It is within two miles of the border with Ohio. |
Bob Wall
Senior Member
Username: Brewdudebob
Post Number: 2415
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 12:03 pm: |
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It looks like sparse vegetation, and a huge sand-bar before you get to the water. Any plans for more permanent structures? Or are you going to keep it primative. |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6507
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 12:09 pm: |
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Bob, you may have been looking at the wrong "Bonnie Ln." The sand bar is up river from our camp whose access is just down a six foot embankment. |
Mike Huss
Senior Member
Username: Mikhu
Post Number: 2151
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 01:24 pm: |
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Very cool Dan! Hopefully all the cars in the yard don't stay too?
Looks like MSN maps has a slightly clearer view, and at least they label the road correctly.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=39.271245~-84.865606&style= h&lvl=19&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=34649584&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1 |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6508
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 02:46 pm: |
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The cars were just visitors.
It is nice that it is along a pool section so the width is fairly constant. The main channel is on the opposite side. This could make for nice swimming.
I intend to make a dock from a 4 x 8 x 3/4 of pressure treated and (9) 15 gallon extract drums. I am afraid that 55 gallon drums would make for a high center of gravity. If a single sheet does not work out, screwing another to it should not be a problem. At that size 55 gallons make more sense.
The trailer has some trophy sized cooties, especially in the bathroom, so the first order of business will be to gut it and install new walls there. The floors of the addition don't necessarily need leveling, but it bugs me to notice a slight slope.
The walls in the addition are OSB, some painted, some not. Real class, huh? We are considering paneling or drywall. The ceiling tiles get replaced fast.
The service is only 60 amps and the heat is a wood burning stove. I will install two catalytic ventless LP heaters and replace the electric water heater with a continuous LP unit. This will free up the 20 amps.
We are looking at vinyl siding. Ultimately I would like to tear the trailer out and build something real on that side.
I need to run 50 amp wire and a water line to the shelter for the RV. It only takes 30 amps, but if I am going to buy the wire and dig the ditch, why not prepare for the future.
The current owner put off the closing until after the Super Bowl. It seems that he has made the shack a sort of community center for the neighborhood and wants to go out with a bang. Day One, change the locks. |
Denny Conn
Senior Member
Username: Denny
Post Number: 7143
Registered: 01-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 06:44 pm: |
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Sounds great, Dan! Congrats! |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6509
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 07:54 pm: |
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Thanks. It's going to be nice!
We are looking at Bloatarian and Infuser brew sessions with overnight pallet combustions. One of the first things I will bring out there is my road brewery. I need to find a pump to supply chillers from the river. I don't see why I could not make a batch from river water at least once just to say that I did.
The pigeon club races out of the southwest so training on the way to the camp and from it, will be very handy. Keeping birds there would not be a good idea as they need daily attention. Maybe a loft where they are free all the time to forage on there own?
I don't think that there is enough sun for hops unless I would do them along the bank. Maybe a pair along the property's edges.
I have a bar built by my father-in-law back in the 60s and it looks that way, all knotty pine and Formica. It would look good on the back porch with a tapped fridge. I will need another fridge at the shelter.
(Message edited by listermann on January 28, 2009) |
Chumley
Senior Member
Username: Chumley
Post Number: 5755
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 10:17 pm: |
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Is it just me, or does that green brown puddle in that map in the link Mike posted being called "the Whitewater River" seem terribly wrong? |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6511
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 11:47 pm: |
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Indiana, well you know, things are different there.
The Whitewater is a damn nice float. Nothing to get your adrenaline up, but highly relaxing. There is an old canal along its western fork that is still maintained. The eastern fork is damned to form Brookville Lake.
The river is really too shallow for prop motors. I am toying with the idea of using a riding lawn mower's engine and transmission to power a paddle boat made from a jon boat. |
davidwaite
Senior Member
Username: Davidw
Post Number: 1934
Registered: 03-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 12:19 am: |
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The water would have been considerably clearer when the area was first surveyed more than two hundred years ago. Landmarks were established, roads and rivers named. If you zoom out you'll notice that ~80-90% of the area of this rivers floodplain is being farmed. Thus, the colour, due to increased sediment load and lower oxygen levels.
And by all means get a water sample tested, (Ward Labs is a great business), prior to eating any fish caught from there. Particularly catfish which are bottom feeders and tend to show traces of atrazine and/or herbicides sooner than fish that live in the higher levels of the water column. |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6512
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 12:24 am: |
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Anybody have any experience with "mud motors.? |
Jeff Preston
Intermediate Member
Username: Jeffpreston
Post Number: 367
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 01:50 am: |
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Time for a still. |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6513
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 02:45 am: |
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Last Saturday, the water was so clear that you could see the bottom of the middle of the river while standing on the bank. The satellite pictures were taken when the river was up, hence the mud. As I said, it is a very clean river. |
Kevin Kowalczyk
Intermediate Member
Username: Itsfunbrewingbeer
Post Number: 426
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 04:53 pm: |
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Cue "Dueling Banjos" |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6514
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 06:20 pm: |
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"Dueling Banjos" came to mind when I saw the "gentlemen" playing cards in the shack Saturday. As I said, first thing, change the locks. |
Kevin Kowalczyk
Intermediate Member
Username: Itsfunbrewingbeer
Post Number: 427
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 06:59 pm: |
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Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 9895
Registered: 01-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 07:14 pm: |
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I've been in that general area, Dan. Years ago I had a friend whose family had a fishing cabin on the Ohio downstream from Cincinnati. It was just next to Rabbit Hash, KY, and you could see Rising Sun, IN across the river. I've lost touch with my friend; for all I know, today the property might be the site of a riverfront "McMansion."
When the price of gas goes back up to $3.00 a gallon (and it will eventually), you may be glad you have a getaway so close to home. |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6516
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 10:03 pm: |
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When I was a child, my father's cousin had a camp on the Little Miami. I have some really great memories of partying there.
I might have wanted a spot on the Ohio to watch the traffic, but the Whitewater holds more promise for fishing and swimming. Also, getting to this spot is easier than most available places on the Ohio. We had looked at two spots on the Great Miami, but they were high up on a steep hill. I would have had to build a staircase to make them work. They were a little closer but the Great Miami is not very clean.
At every bit of 7 mpg, this place could pay for itself considering the motorhome. $30 a month for storage comes right off the top! It also dovetails into my tinkering urges. The motorhome is about maxed out. |
Bob Wall
Senior Member
Username: Brewdudebob
Post Number: 2421
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 10:22 pm: |
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When I was a child my family would travel
Down to Western Kentucky where my parents were born
And there's a backwards old town that's often remembered
So many times that my memories are worn.
And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County
Down by the Green River where Paradise lay
Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking
Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away
Well, sometimes we'd travel right down the Green River
To the abandoned old prison down by Adrie Hill
Where the air smelled like snakes and we'd shoot with our pistols
But empty pop bottles was all we would kill.
And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County
Down by the Green River where Paradise lay
Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking
Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away
Then the coal company came with the world's largest shovel
And they tortured the timber and stripped all the land
Well, they dug for their coal till the land was forsaken
Then they wrote it all down as the progress of man.
And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County
Down by the Green River where Paradise lay
Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking
Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away
When I die let my ashes float down the Green River
Let my soul roll on up to the Rochester dam
I'll be halfway to Heaven with Paradise waitin'
Just five miles away from wherever I am. |
davidwaite
Senior Member
Username: Davidw
Post Number: 1938
Registered: 03-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2009 - 04:03 am: |
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Sweet! |
Steve Pierson
Intermediate Member
Username: Stevepierson
Post Number: 422
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2009 - 09:24 pm: |
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Love me some John Prine! Thanks for posting that, Bob. |
Bob Wall
Senior Member
Username: Brewdudebob
Post Number: 2422
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2009 - 09:27 pm: |
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This thread is about good times on the river and when Dan said "When I was a child.." that's all I could think of. |
Brewzz
Advanced Member
Username: Brewzz
Post Number: 586
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 12:30 am: |
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I miss John Prine...
Cheers,Brewzz...and Cheers to John Prine |
Bob Wall
Senior Member
Username: Brewdudebob
Post Number: 2423
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 03:04 am: |
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???
He's still touring you know.
I saw him last year at Chastain in ATL.
http://www.johnprine.net/tour.html |
Kevin Kowalczyk
Intermediate Member
Username: Itsfunbrewingbeer
Post Number: 429
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 07:36 am: |
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He hails from Maywood, Illinois. About 5 miles from where I was born and raised. |
davidwaite
Senior Member
Username: Davidw
Post Number: 1940
Registered: 03-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 09:25 am: |
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Cool. Cool . . . |
Brewzz
Advanced Member
Username: Brewzz
Post Number: 587
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 02:40 pm: |
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Oh Jeez,for some reason,I thought I heard he died???
Must be a brain fart...
Cheers,Brewzz |
Bob Wall
Senior Member
Username: Brewdudebob
Post Number: 2425
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 06:03 pm: |
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Happens to the best of us. For years I thought Gordon Lightfoot was dead. I was in utter disbelief when I recently found out otherwise. |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6523
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 03:39 am: |
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We spent the weekend at the camp cleaning the shack, gutting the bathroom and replacing the ceiling tiles.
The wiring is only 60 amps. I want to go from an electric water heater to LP to free up some juice. Any experience with doing a new vent in existing construction?
The dead muskrat under the shack was removed with a shovel but I now have to deal with a live cat that likes to urinate there. Deadly weapons obviously come to mind, but I was hoping for a more subtle method.
I think that I want to upgrade the riverside outhouse from painted OSB to a board and batten. It would easier to start from scratch than to figure out how to fix the current "structure."
Anyone have any thoughts regarding erosion prevention on rivers? |
Chumley
Senior Member
Username: Chumley
Post Number: 5761
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 04:27 pm: |
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Anyone have any thoughts regarding erosion prevention on rivers?
Riprap...gabions....willows... |
Ron Siddall
Advanced Member
Username: El_cid
Post Number: 744
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 12:34 am: |
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Dan, sprinkle ground chili power where the cat enters or pees. See if you can watch his reaction to the sniff...should be hilarious. |
aleman
Member
Username: Aleman
Post Number: 184
Registered: 04-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 02:42 am: |
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Anyone have any thoughts regarding erosion prevention on rivers?
Most streambank erosion problems in these situations are a result of the landowner insisting on having a lawn right up to the edge of the stream. If you have native grass trees and shrubs along the riparian fringe of the stream then allow them to remain there untouched.} |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6528
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 03:58 am: |
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About the cat, interesting!
The vegetation on the bank is somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico by now.
Can bamboo grow on a steep bank? It slants southward steeply. |
Mike Huss
Senior Member
Username: Mikhu
Post Number: 2155
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 01:14 pm: |
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Any experience with doing a new vent in existing construction?
Sounds like a power vent is in your future, much easier to install in existing construction. |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6529
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 04:23 pm: |
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Yea Mike, I found one. The water heater and vent for $600. I think this is the way to go. |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6530
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 04:42 pm: |
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I found a ventless one that might be big enough. The biggest need is a shower. If I want to fill the tub, it just takes longer.
http://www.excelamerica.com/calentadores_eng.htm |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 9942
Registered: 01-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 04:46 pm: |
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Or use a tankless, on-demand water heater. |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6531
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 04:00 am: |
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That is what we are talking about Bill. I bought the $600 one with the power vent. |
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