Vacation Recap, Spy High Review, and Cabin Progress – LOTS Project Morning Show Ep 845

Published: July 7, 2025
Coffee of the Day: FTO Blonde Espresso from FoodForestFarms.com

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After two weeks away from the mic, I’m back with a fresh cup of FTO Blonde Espresso and plenty of stories to share. From family reunions and road trip chaos to a creepy casket sighting in Ohio and some overdue updates on our off-grid cabin project, The LOTS Project Morning Show Ep. 845 covers a lot of ground.

Let’s jump in.

Vacation Recap: Dogs, Snails & Family Time

Over the 4th of July holiday, Kori and I packed up the dogs, a few of her favorite snails (seriously), and hit the road for a 775-mile trip to New York. It was a much-needed chance to spend time with family, including a surprise early celebration for my dad’s upcoming 80th birthday.

Yes, I said snails—Kori keeps them as pets in an aquarium inside the camper. Since we expected some serious heat while we were gone and didn’t want to risk coming home to a disaster, she picked out a few of her favorites and brought them along in a small travel tank. The snails we left behind did just fine too, but better safe than sorry.

We rented a Chrysler Pacifica to make the trip, and despite the inevitable dog-hair disaster (shoutout to Enterprise for the $75 cleaning fee), the ride was smooth and surprisingly fuel-efficient. We scored a cozy Airbnb close to the lake, and the dogs handled the drive and the new surroundings like pros.

Spending time with my young niece and nephew meant lots of craft projects and backyard science—everything from DIY bouncy balls to mini rocket launches. And yes, I may have gotten a little too competitive during our family mini-golf outing. One hole-in-one later, I was the reigning champion… among an 8-year-old crowd.

Observations From the Road

Traveling across states, it’s always interesting to spot cultural differences. In New York, hardly anyone waved on the road or acknowledged you in passing—pretty jarring compared to the friendly “Southern wave” culture in Tennessee. Friendly reminder: wave to your neighbors. It doesn’t cost a thing.

And then there was Ohio, where a sign urging you to report drug activity (“Call *677”) made us wonder what exactly the state expects you to witness at 70 mph. The real kicker? A pickup truck speeding down the highway with what looked like a used casket hanging out the back. No explanation, just a visual that will probably stick with me forever.

Cabin Build: Finally Making Progress?

While I was gone, the cabin crew finally reached out to do a site access visit. Naturally, the call came while I was 800 miles away. We’re hoping to lock in a date for them to check access to the site this week, and fingers crossed we’re still in line for one of the first non-concrete builds on the schedule. Between weather delays and rain-soaked roads, this part of the project has felt like a waiting game—but at least it’s moving again.

K&B Kustom Table Orders & Storm Surprises

Right before leaving, I squeezed in building a custom kids’ picnic table for a local order. Everything was on track—until a surprise downpour soaked through my pop-up tent, delaying the final seal coat. It all worked out in the end, and the customer was thrilled, but note to self: have a better plan for staining and sealing during Tennessee’s unpredictable storm season.

Pro tip: Always clarify pickup deadlines before the build starts. Boundaries matter.

Food Forest Overgrowth & Snail Strategy

Before the trip, I let the food forest grow out to see which native plants would emerge—turns out, quite a few useful ones! Beautyberry, wild edibles, and more are thriving. But so are the weeds. I’ve got my work cut out for me catching up on ground cover, cardboard, and hopefully some long-awaited woodchips.

And just to clarify—those snails are Kori’s aquarium pets, not some permaculture pest patrol. They live full-time in the camper, not the garden. Traveling with a half-dozen of her favorites ensured we didn’t come home to any unfortunate surprises in the tank.

What We Watched: Spy High on Amazon

Before hitting the road, Kori and I watched Spy High, a documentary miniseries on Amazon that dives into a 2009 case where a school was caught spying on students through their school-issued laptops.

The doc isn’t just about creepy surveillance—it also highlights how disturbingly normalized that behavior became among administrators and some parents. There’s commentary on race, privacy, Pride Month tie-ins, and broader reflections on how far society has slid since 2009. It’s eerie, relevant, and worth a watch—especially if you’ve got kids in school.

Prime Day Reminder (Affiliate Support)

Amazon Prime Days are this week—July 8 through 11. If you’re planning to shop, you can help support the show by using the Amazon affiliate link at TheLOTSProject.com. Just click the banner on the homepage (or scroll up in this post) before you buy—whether it’s Prime Day or not.

🛍 Pro tip: Know your prices. Don’t fall for inflated “discounts.”

Bitcoin Update + Blockstream Jade

While in New York, I had a great talk with my dad about Bitcoin—starting from zero. It was a reminder that many people still don’t understand what it is or how to use it. That conversation reinforced why I recommend securing your Bitcoin with a Blockstream Jade or Jade Plus hardware wallet.

💰 Save 10% with my affiliate link or by using the code thelotsproject at checkout. Plus, if you use Fold (check out Fold here) to buy your Blockstream gift card, you get an extra 10% back in Bitcoin. Win-win.

🔗 Find all these links and more at 7 Legit Ways to Earn Bitcoin Free in 2025.

Wrapping Up

Between cabin plans, road adventures, Amazon documentaries, and furniture building, The LOTS Project Morning Show Ep 845 was a reminder of why stepping away can fuel new ideas and stories. I’m back, refreshed, and ready to dig back into all things off-grid, DIY, and Bitcoin.

🎧 If you missed the episode, watch it on YouTube here or catch it on your favorite podcast app.

Thanks for being here—and for those of you waving from the road, I see you.

— Brian