Abandoned - Boatman's Rest - Story 24 NWS

[Abandoned]

Chapter 15

  We were surprised at how many visitors we had in fall.  They wanted to visit their boatmen and get home before the weather got bad.  Our first group that arrived that fall consisted of 14 adults with 4 children and was soon followed by a 2nd group of 9 adults and 1 child.  Many of the summer visitor were still here so Boatman's Rest was a busy place; the stagecoach was busy taking visitors sightseeing from one area to another.

  We had to make sure we had enough warm coats for everyone as the weather got cooler, the workplace in the south area switched from making cooler linen clothes to making warm coats from leather and wool for the time being.  We also needed to make more tools for the workers in the new area.  An anvil was set up by the south stockpile where wood and iron were more plentiful than it was in town.  Several branch carts were also being emptied by the stockpiles.
 


  We also wanted to increase our food supply and add even more variety; we hobbits love to eat.  We built a sausage maker behind the Green Dragon tavern, and next to the stew pot we built ovens for baking meat pies.  We soon had sausages and pies made with beef; both were well liked by residents and visitors alike.

[Abandoned]

Chapter 16



  Our hobbit farmers were glad that their newly married adult children wanted to continue the farming tradition.  There was plenty of room in the developing fall area for 2 sizeable farms along the hillsides in the main area. 





  The 1st farmer built a farmyard with a turkey roost for the birds the hunter found up in the northwest area.  The couple planted an apple tree, Brussels sprouts, and pumpkins.  They planted separate patches of pumpkins and long-keeping winter squash.  Some of those vegetables grew quite large probably because of the compost they were made to feed the plants.  They built a cleaning workspace for collecting plant debris to compost, and another workspace for keeping their tools and storing the compost.  They shared the compost with their neighbors.



  The 2nd young couple just had a baby girl, so they only planted patches of squash and pumpkins, and like their friends and neighbors some grew quite large thanks to the compost.  The 2 couples each hoped they would grow the largest.  About the only thing we hobbits like almost as much as eating is competing.

[Abandoned]

Chapter 17




  Fall harvest time was a good time to show off our prize vegetables, pies, and jams.  Tables and an exhibit tent were set up by the general store in the west area.  A fall snack stand was built across from the rooming house and fresh picked corn was roasting.  A brewing barrel was making apple cider.  Tables, chairs, and benches were scattered around the area and folks could visit and enjoy the beautiful fall days.  Many of the residents and visitors walked over to the 2 nearby farms to get a closer look at the giant squashes and pumpkins; some of them even were carved out and had doors and windows.  The farmers got the idea from visiting elves.  The homegrown houses were something to see.



  The children really had fun trying to find their way through the haunted corn maze that the 2 farming couples built for them later in the season.  There were ghosts and a small cemetery along the way.  There was a play area in the center with a witch and a cauldron.  Sorry, if it brings back bad memories of The Coven for you, eager explorer.  Adults and children enjoyed the corn maze and those that got to the middle could have a treat at the candy stand.  The few children that didn't find the way to it on their own were guided there by other children or an adult.





  All too soon the fun ended for the season as the snow began to fall and another winter drew near.

[Abandoned]

Chapter 18


  We don't get many visitors here after Christmas, eager explorer.  We've had a few disappointed boatman who arrived only to find that their loved ones hadn't.  The weather is usually bad for travel, and there is not much to do while waiting.



  The winter area usually has a few Christmas decorations still up, and there may be a bit of mulled wine left at the Christmas Spirits Tavern.  The Holiday Inn is warm and welcoming.  The general store is still stocked and the stew pot is still bubbling.  The snack stands have cocoa and roasted nuts as long as there are still folks skating on the frozen pond.
 


  The spring area only has a few permanent residents caring for the rabbits and chickens.  The bait shop is closed; the fishermen wait for spring.  The fish and food market is well stocked for those residents.



  The summer area also is all but deserted.  The sailboats are moored at the dock.   The playground and pond have no children playing or adults enjoying the sun.  The festival area has no music or puppet shows.  The deer herds roam freely around the area.



  The fall area still has fields to clear, but the fall decorations and the display tables have been stored in the exhibit tent.  The corn roaster will not be used again until the next fall harvest.  Boatman's Rest's areas are at rest; only a few visitors and 2 boatmen remain but the town itself is busy as usual.  The stew pot is bubbling, meat pies are baking, and the Green Dragon Tavern is serving ale.  The Stagecoach Inn is warm and inviting and convenient especially for a short visit.  Wherever you decide to stay, eager explorer, you can always take the stagecoach to see the other areas.

[Abandoned]

Chapter 19




  There's not much more I can tell you, eager explorer.  After 12 years Boatman's Rest has 194 happy and healthy permanent citizens, 138 adults and 56 children.  There are 56 homes and 5 rooming houses. 





  We have everything we need; our pantries, markets, and storage units are well stocked although some items are only seasonal.  We never built a trading post so the only experiences we've had with river boatmen other than the visitors are with the ones who brought us and our animals here on the cargo ships.  They were good workers and very nice. 

  As far as the visiting boatmen who come here to meet with friends and family, they have all been friendly and helpful; they pitch right in when anything needs to be done and still have plenty of time for fun. The fathers especially like seeing their children and seeing them have fun.  The post offices here, in Riverboat Depot, and in many hometowns do a good job of getting folks together.  The boatmen take over each other's routes so they each get a break to come here in winter, spring, summer, or fall; they all seem to be very good friend with each other and with their loved ones.  It's good to have a friend.

  If there's anything you need, eager explorer, just let us know.  I'll let you go get settled and wish you a good night.


The End

[Abandoned]

Just so you know, this was the last story, at least for a while.  Storyteller is taking a rest. 

[Glenn]

Yes, you deserve time off for something different.
Playing games are good for the soul, but from time to time we all need to get our hands dirty and do something creative, something positive.

[katbarf]

Thank you for all the content you provide. I love reading through your stories as soon as I see them. Have a nice break!

[Abandoned]

Thanks @Glenn and @katbarf

@kid1293 and I did our best to keep the site active and alive with new mods and stories after the site crash; the site lost a lot of regulars.  There were a lot of stories; thanks for being fans.