The Adventures!

Trains. Slides. Animals. Oh My!

September 14, 2020 by Caitlyn

Hello all!

Things have been pretty laid back here since our last adventure. Tyler gave you an update about him building his new company that has kept him busy. I have started back up with school, my last semester. In addition to school starting up, I have been working more. Jackson is an expensive purchase. I have also started to make the schedule for the cashiers at work.

With all these things going on, we haven’t been able to have much of a family day recently. So Friday when I got home from work, I told Tyler this weekend we needed to go do something fun together. We agreed that Saturday needed to be a chore day, lame. Sunday though we would go do something together. Originally we thought we would go to Spring Mill or McCormick’s Creek. Then Saturday, my sister posted on Facebook about her and her band, Hey Hey, performing at Apple Works on Sunday. To Apple Works we went!

Apple Works

Apples Works is an apple orchard in Trafalgar Indiana that has all kinds of family activity things. They have a petting zoo, a maze, a playground, a big enclosed slide, and lots of beautiful scenery to take pictures of. This is where I got my senior year pictures taken actually. I thought this would be a better option for us. Also because I have been wanting to see Briana and the band play for awhile but before COVID it never seemed to work out. Either too far away, playing too late, or somewhere I couldn’t take Grant like a bar.

We got there after their set had begun and Grant did not want to sit. Grant had fallen asleep on the way there so of course he was ready to go by the time we got there. So away we went to explore and play.

Play time

First thing we had to do was ride the train. Of course. When I say had to, I mean HAD to! The train was $3 per person which seemed like a lot to me but we all piled into the train car and away we went. The train took us all the way around the orchard and back. Grant was in heaven! Waving, saying hi to everyone we saw go by. I also managed to get my new favorite picture of the two of them. See below, I mean seriously! My heart!

Grant sticking his head out the window. Tyler looking very annoyed.

Grant then proceed to play in the mounds of hay they had. This is just what he needed. To be able to play outside that wasn’t at home or at daycare. Run all the energy off little one!

Here are some pictures that I got of Grant exploring the grounds. I really do tend to overload the pictures. Sorry!

We did get to sit and watch the last 15 minutes of the set though thankfully. They did great! If you ever see that the band Hey Hey will be playing close to you, highly recommend you go check them out.

New Game

Once that was all done, including a stop at the gift shop for apple cider, we headed for the car. That is when we saw this little guy on Jackson’s door. On the bottom it said duck duck Jeep. So I googled duck duck Jeep to see what it was. I thought maybe it was a blog like ours. It is actually a game that Jeep owners play. You find a Jeep and stick a rubber duck where they will see it and make sure to put #duckduckjeep on the rubber duck. Tyler and I love this idea! Tyler has already ordered a bunch of them. You bet they will become a part of our adventures. We plan on not only adding the #duckduckjeep but to also put A Man, A Jeep, No Real Plan on them.

Keep your eye out this coming week! We are planning a night away without Grant.

-Caitlyn aka Pretty Lady

Time to Let the Cat Out of the Bag

September 7, 2020 by Tyler

It has been noticed by more than one person that I have been quiet since getting back from Colorado… Well, I have embarked on a new adventure and the time has finally come to make it public knowledge. I have registered the LLC, filed D.B.A paperwork, went through several drafts for boiler plate contracts, done market research, created a business plan, got drunk with my father while discussing the business plan, started a business bank account, secured the correct types of insurance, had a website built by SaltGlow Media, secured all of the social media handles, all while working as a third party contractor for another company…

So, without further ado, I am pleased to announce that DeLong Rigging Solutions (DRS) is a thing. We are offering both on-site and off-site consulting, rigging inspections, training, designing/problem solving, and third party crew supervision.

What the hell does all of that mean? I have spent most of the last 2 months figuring out exactly what DRS is. The entire premise is that there is a lack of qualified riggers out there answering questions and doing inspections without trying to sell you something. The priority at DRS is making sure our clients understand exactly what is going on with their systems. It doesn’t matter if you are just trying to figure out what the new sound is you hear when you’re bringing in your LX baton, or if you are doing an entire renovation of a theatre and rigging is Greek to you, we are here to help you.

DRS also does both level 1 and level 2 inspections in accordance with ANSI Standard E1.47-20. There are literally thousands of small theatres out there that either don’t know, or do know and think they can’t afford to have the required yearly level 1 inspection. We are going to reach out to these venues and not only offer our services, but educate them on the ANSI/ESTA standards so they are empowered to keep everyone in their facility safe.

As part of this commitment we offer custom training sessions at DRS. That’s right, we aren’t going to just give you a cut and paste training. We are going to train people on their systems in their venues. it doesn’t matter if they just need a refresher or if they have had a complete turn over and trained from scratch, DRS is ready to facilitate.

DRS is also ready for your hard to solve problems. Are conventional rigging methods failing you? Let us put our vast knowledge, collective 50+ years of experience on 5 continents, and love of “out of the box” thinking to work on it. Solutions is in our name because we are committed to collaboratively finding one with you.

Speaking of collaboration, DRS also offers third party supervision. Do you need oversight of and coordination for an install contractor, coordination/scheduling between a general contractor and a theatrical rigging subcontractor and/or direct supervision of local labor during either of these scenarios. We have you covered. Have you ever had a moment when you realized that your team needed some outside support. It doesn’t matter if it’s a complex load in for a road show or a permanent installation that is more than it first seemed… We are more than happy to bring our experience running crews all over the world to your project and collaboratively guide your team to a successful completion of the project.

And now that you have all suffered through my informal sales pitch, here is the other reason I am so excited about this. I have partner in this endeavor. John DeLong, the man, the myth, the legend. The man who downplays his resume, and just happens to be my father, has agreed to come onboard. So now the company is run by not one, but two dual certified ETCP Riggers.

So, what are my next steps with this venture? Well the first thing is asking that all of you click at least one of the links above and check out the site. The more people who look at the site the easier it’ll be for search engines to find it. Once you’ve done that, go search for DeLong Rigging Solutions on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The final thing I’m asking people to do is make an introductions! I am about to hit the ground running on building up a client list, so if you know someone who runs a facility that has a theatre, send them my way. I am looking at schools, colleges, community theatres, regional theatres, road houses, if its a stage with some form of rigging, introduce them to me. I am also reaching out the various production companies in the region and making sure they know about our services. So I guess one could say my next step is to peddle my services and see where this goes.

We went adventuring again. Without Tyler!

August 5, 2020 by Caitlyn

That’s right ladies and gentlemen, me and Grant left early Wednesday heading for the Smoky Mountains for a long weekend. We didn’t go alone though, thankfully. My aunt, Danita, my older sister, Briana, and her three kids all piled into a big SUV. It was hard to leave my Jeep, Jackson, behind but this was one adventure where he would have to get left behind. Tyler also got left behind.

For a couple reasons. 1. He has been home way to much. Hahahaha, I doubt you guys would buy that. I enjoy having him around, he is my best friend and the one person I get a long with all the time. So, 1. He did start a new job that he needed to stay at home to complete. 2. We had original planned to do this trip on spring break while he was still touring, therefore it was just going to be a girls plus kids week, but we ended up having to cancel because of COVID.

Danita was able to get the trip rescheduled though for this past week and away we went! Unfortunately, in my mad rush to leave I completely forgot not only my phone charger but also my camera. The pictures I got were with my phone and are very lacking! My deepest apologies to anyone who loves the pictures!

Wednesday

We left super early Wednesday morning that way we could do something before heading to our cabin, we agreed to go to Wonder Works. Or as we all refer to it, the upside house. It is really cool! See pictures below for the outside view and of the lobby. The rest of it is kind of a mix between an arcade, fun zone, and a museum. It is kind of hard to explain to anyone who has never been before.

I didn’t get any pictures on the inside because Grant had me on my toes. I did have him on the leash though. That leash has been a life saver for us, makes going and doing things with him so much easier. Wonder Works had something for everyone though. We even left and ate dinner at the Apple Barn and then came back for more. When you buy a ticket you can use it for that whole day, allowing you to leave and return if you want.

Thursday and Friday

Thursday we spent the day hiking, and playing in the creek. Grant loves the water! I should’ve known better and brought his swimsuit with us that day. He was soaked by the end! Every where the cousins went, he was right there with them. Made bedtime a breeze though, poor kid would be out like a light within 5 to 10 mins of good nights and I love yous.

Friday we spent the day playing mini golf. I did get two hole in ones (I’m a little proud of myself for that). We went to Ripley’s Davy Crockett Mini Golf. It had two courses that you could play. Lots of different levels, water included, some holes had a challenge wheel you had to spin, and even a fort that you played through. It was really cool course. We all had a really good time, lots of laughs. At ourselves and at each other.

Grant also did surprisingly well. He didn’t try to throw the club or the hit the ball as hard as he possible could. He was trying very hard to hit it right and would play through till the ball went in the hole. Also stayed with us for the most part, a few times he would get excited and go to next hole. I told my aunt that the next time me and Tyler wanted to do a day thing with Grant I would need to keep mini golf in mind.

Saturday

Saturday morning Briana and her kids decided to make the hike up to Rainbow Falls. As a refresher for some, Rainbow Falls is the trail/falls that me and Tyler did a few months back when we went to the Smoky Mountains. Remember how that almost killed me and I swore I would never go back…WELP!

I most definitely did NOT go back up! No, thank you! When they told me that, I laughed and said have fun and no Grant is not going with. Danita decided that she would also not make the hike. So while they (The Crazies!) hiked, the three of us enjoyed the hot tub at the cabin, having the whole cabin to ourselves, and did some hiking around the cabin. Briana and the kids made it back early afternoon, she claims it only took them an hour and a half to get up the mountain…. I don’t know…. probably actually. They are all in pretty good shape and jog for fun (like I said The Crazies!). In all seriousness, when she told me that, that was my okay I probably should get more serious about mine and Tyler’s health. We’ll keep you updated on that.

After lunch was had, we headed to Cades Cove to do some last ditch attempt at bear hunting. I am proud to say that we did manage to see two bears! They were also little ones. It probably could have been three bears but then someone in the front of the line, honked and scared it away. At least that is what we are thinking happened since the line started moving again once the honk happened.

Time to Journey Home

Sunday morning, we all got up and started the packing to head home. I was getting out of the shower when there was a knock at my door, it was Danita. “Cat, there is a bear outside.” “A what?” “A bear!” I grabbed my towel came out into the kitchen, let out a yelp and went right back into the bathroom to get my phone. There was a bear sitting outside our cabin. I didn’t get out fast enough with my phone to get his face, but here is him getting up walking away.

Therefore, our grand total of bear sightings for the week was three! It just doesn’t feel like a successful Smoky visit if you don’t see a bear. Once the bear finally decided to leave we finished packing up the SUV and homeward we went. I was so glad to be home and be back with Tyler. Having him home for the last 5 months have spoiled both of us. We have gotten used to each other always being there. I’m not sure what I am going to do if he ever gets the chance to go back on the road touring.

What’s next?

We don’t have any adventures planned for August because this introvert told Tyler that I need to hermit for the month. I just want to go to work and then come home and only interact with people I have to. Knowing him though, I won’t be able to get away with that. So stay tuned for more adventures! Together or apart!

xoxo

-Pretty Lady

Lots of exciting things on the horizon!

July 21, 2020 by Tyler

Hello All!

So there are a lot of things changing in the coming weeks with A Man, A Jeep, No Real Plan. There will be a brief break in content while we get everything squared away.

The website is getting an overhaul courtesy of SALTGROW MEDIA. It’ll still have the same great content you are accustomed to, but it’s getting a new layout and all around facelift. I’ll make sure to let you all know when it goes online.

In a few weeks we will be adding an online store to the website for those of you who want to purchase our photography. It’ll be small at first only carrying prints of our favorite photographs, but with time it’ll grow.

Also, obviously since you’re on here, we have set up a Patreon account for those of you who want to contribute on a regular basis. Please expect this to be updated frequently once we have everything up and running.

We may never be able to quit our day jobs to travel the world, but the more support we get, the more content everyone gets.

Enjoy the Adventures!

We climbed a mountain and lost the nuggets. Our Stumble home.

July 18, 2020 by Tyler

Hello folks! Sorry for this update taking so long, life came at us 1000 miles an hour last week and I am just now catching my breath.

Or last adventure in Mineral County was to take the 4 wheel drive trails up to the top of Mt. Bristol Head. Instead of cramming all of us into Jackson, Mom and Dad rented a friend for Jackson to play with.

The drive up was beautiful! We wove through the high meadows and the spruce groves. Granted the groves were littered with dead spruces that were killed by beetles years ago, but it was nice to be in an area untouched by the fires.

We stopped just shy of the tree-line for a picnic. Caitlyn spent most of it taking pictures. Grant spent most of the time playing in the soft, sand-like dirt. I fed my face like a fat kid. We all did exactly what we wanted.

As you can see, the top was absolutely breathtaking. Both Pretty Lady and I got some amazing photos!

I’d like to take a moment to talk about this one in particular. While Caitlyn and I were taking photos, my mom kept an eye on Grant. I absolutely love the above photo. They were standing close to the edge and they were talking about everything from birds flying to why the mountains looked so small. When we get the shop up and running I am calling this photo “Grandma Why?”

The Drive down was just as beautiful as the drive up. I drove most of it and Caitlyn kept having me stop so she could take photos. We also may have sent Grant ahead in the other jeep… There were just too many artistic opinions in the vehicle on the way up…

At the end of the trip, we stopped and took turns driving across the river. I am pretty sure this is another one that we’ll end up with in the shop. I just love the way that the water is interacting with the tires, the open sky with enticing clouds, and a very happy woman enjoying feeling like a badass who can’t be stopped. I think I’m going to call this one “Try and Stop Me”

Last weekend we finally started our stumble home. Our first stop was the Great Sand Dune National Park. It is exactly what it sounds like, they are massive piles of sand. When I say massive… I’d like you to note that the photo of the dunes above is taken from about a half mile from their base and they are blocking the mountains behind them… They are big.

Our first night was camping in Colorado Springs. We also had a lovely evening doing a socially distanced visit with my friend Hannah, her husband Zach, and their daughter Ari. It was great! We hung out in their back yard, had dinner, caught up, and watched the kids fail to social distance. That being said, it was an amazing time and Hannah has set the bar high on being a gracious host.

Next stop was in Kansas City. On our way to Kansas City, Grant could not keep ahold of his chicken nuggets to save his life. We tried twice and both times he got 1 bite, and then lost all of them on the floor. The first time I notified Caitlyn that the nuggets were down. I have to tell you, if you have never driven 1300 miles with a 3 year old, it truly turns everyone’s brain to mush and the phrase “nugget down” will make all parties involved laugh hysterically.

Once we arrived in Kansas City, We stayed at KOA (against my better judgement). We had breakfast the next morning with my friend Amanda, her Husband Jake, and their Daughter Liz. Once again it was a pleasure the Adults talked and the kids destroyed Amanda’s living room. Breakfast was great and the added bonus was that it wore Grant out so he slept a bit more on the drive than we would have expected.

Speaking of Grant sleeping in the car. How the hell does he get comfortable in some of these positions? I mean I understand that young children are more flexible than us adults, but it’s not fair that I wake up hurting if I spend too much time asleep with my arm under my head, but he can sleep slumped over with both of his feet above his head and a blanket covering his entire body. It’s just not fair.

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