Oregon To Florida

Suncrest Refrigeration Heating and Cooling Tucson

2011-03-06T09:25:00.000-08:00

This year I have wintered with my good friends the Montenegros down south in Tucson, AZ. As most of you know I build websites as Tucson Webmaster and Ralph Montenegro asked me to build a website for his heating and air conditioning business Suncrest Refrigeration Heating and Cooling in Tucson.

I am happy to say that now you can find Suncrest Refrigeration Heating and Cooling on the World Wide Web. Better known locally as Suncrest Refrigeration, they have been in business since 1987 servicing all of Arizona with expert HVAC sales, installation, service and repairs. Suncrest is a specialist in RV heating & cooling service and repair which is handy for me traveling in my 5th wheel.

So if any of you snowbirds out there following my travel blog, find yourself in need of RV heating and cooling service in Tucson, I recommend Suncrest Refrigeration Heating and Cooling in Tucson. Give them a call and they will come to you.

Labor Day Weekend is the Best Time of Year for Camping

2010-08-17T17:31:00.001-07:00

If you are looking for a Free National Forest Camping spot; USFS Sno-parks are a great candidate. Sno-parks use is free this time of year and the weather is great.

Late summer camping has other benefits:

Mosquitoes are all but gone.
Hot sunny days & cool nights.
Fall colors.
Fat fish, the fish stocked in the spring are fat and tasty.

National Forest Sno-parks are located in the Cascade Mountain Range in WA & OR and in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in CA.

Hikers and backpackers can pick up snowmobile and cross country ski trail maps at the USFS ranger station. If hiking off trails in wilderness areas, hikers should be equipped with handheld GPS units to avoid getting lost.

Selecting the Right GPS for You

2010-05-01T16:31:00.000-07:00

If you are an RV traveler, a GPS navigation system is almost a must today. Our society has become so sophisticated and high tech that GPS coordinates are replacing street addresses. This is especially true when the destination is not located near a municipality; e.g. a campground.

For example on my website about Free Summer Camping in USFS Sno-parks, I use GPS coordinates to help my readers find these off the beaten path campgrounds. I also include driving directions; however “5 mi north of Paulville on FS 1234” is not a very exact location.

If you do not have a Sat Nav GPS system or are considering and upgrade, explore the New Sat Nav GPS Systems on the market today. Whether you are looking for a portable GPS unit for your RV or a hand held GPS system for hiking or ATV use, New-GPS.com can help you with your decision.

OR_Maverick
Writing to you from Tucson, AZ

Introducing New-GPS.com

2010-04-18T11:11:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been in Tucson, Az working on different projects. I have experimented with Youtube videos and added some Sno-park videos and a Sno-parks blog to my inventory. My latest website (still in its infancy) is New-GPS.com which is about selecting the correct GPS receiver for your specific needs.

In my research on GPS navigation I stumbled upon a new RVers pastime. Geocaching is game/sport were a person hides a treasure and players use their sport GPS devices to find it. The treasure, usually in a waterproof container, is a trinket which is either left for others or is removed as a souvenir and replaced with another trinket. A log book of visitors is generally available for guests to register. I will elaborate on this in a future blog post.

OR_Maverick
Writing you from Tucson, AZ

Attaching a Home Water Heater to an RV

2010-03-08T13:14:00.001-08:00

Hot water in an RV can be an expensive luxury if your only energy source is propane. If parked in a location for an extended period of time, investing in a small home 120 volt water heater may be a solution. Here is an easy inexpensive way to connect a home water heater to your RV. Disconnecting the heater for travel s as easy as; disconnecting the garden hose and capping the inlet fitting. For a more temporary solution using an existing water heater see our post Tapping a Home Water Heater for RV Use.

Parts you will need:

1. Home water heater
2. Two ¾” pipe nipples with male hose adaptors.
3. Two washing machine hoses with female hose fittings.
4. Garden hose; Fresh water supply.
5. Rubber hose washer with a debris filter.
6. Pipe nipple ½” (½’ is standard yours may vary).
7. Hose adapter fitting to fit you pipe nipple (½” standard)
8. Garden faucet cap for travel setup. (optional)
9. Teflon pipe tape to prevent leaks.

The idea is to tap into the RV hot water OUTLET with a washing machine hose connected to a home water OUTLET. Here is how it is done.

Water Heater Connections
Using Teflon pipe tape, insert the ¾” pipe nipples into the water heater’s inlet and outlet orifices. Connect the two washing machine hoses to the pipe nipples. Connect the garden hose the water heater inlet hose and any fresh water supply.

RV Connections
RV water heaters have two readily accessed connections to the heater. These connections are usually found under the RV or in the water heater maintenance hatch. One at the bottom of the hot water heater is to drain the heater for winterization (ignore this one). The water connection exiting the top of the heater is the hot water outlet which we will connect to.

To connect the home water heater to your RV water heater, begin by turning off the water supply to the RV. Remove the ½” drain plug from the hot water outlet. Using Teflon pipe tape, insert a ½” pipe nipple into the fitting. Attach (using Teflon pipe tape) a garden hose adapter fitting to the ½” nipple. Connect the washing machine hose from the water heater outlet to your RV.

Fill the water heater with fresh water and plug the heater into an appropriate 120 volt power supply.

**WARNING: Always fill the water heater before connecting the heater to a power source to prevent damage to the water heater.

To disconnect the home water heater for travel; remove the washing machine hose and cap the connection with a garden faucet cap or remove the ½“ pipe nipple and replace the original drain plug. NOTE: DO NOT use this connection to winterize your RV; it will NOT drain your water heater.

OR_Maverick
Wintering in Tucson, AZ

Tapping a Home Water Heater for RV Use

2010-03-08T12:53:00.000-08:00

Hot water in an RV can be an expensive luxury if your only energy source is propane. If parked in a location for an extended period of time, investing in a small home 120 volt water heater may be a solution. Here is an easy inexpensive way to connect a home water heater to your RV. Disconnecting the heater for travel s as easy as; disconnecting the garden hose and capping the inlet fitting. For a more temporary solution using an existing water heater see our post Tapping a Home Water Heater for RV Use.

Parts you will need:

1. Home water heater currently in use.
2. Washing machine hoses with female hose fittings.
3. Garden hose; a shorter hose will deliver hot water faster.
4. Rubber hose washer with a debris filter.
5. Pipe nipple ½” (½’ is standard yours may vary).
6. Hose adapter fitting to fit you pipe nipple (½” standard)
7. Garden faucet cap for travel setup. (optional)
8. Teflon pipe tape to prevent leaks.

The idea is to tap into the RV hot water OUTLET with a washing machine hose connected to a home water OUTLET. Here is how it is done.

Home water heaters have a drain valve at the bottom of the tank with a garden hose connection. This valve is used to drain the tank for repairs or to remove sediments collected a bottom.

To connect your garden hose to your home water heater; begin by flushing any sediments from the hot water tank by opening the drain valve all the way open. When the sediments are removed, connect a garden hose with a DEBRIS SCREEN RUBBER WASHER to the water tank. The debris filter washer will prevent sediments from clogging RV faucets and shower heads. Clean or replace this rubber washer if RV hot water pressure decreases after time.

RV water heaters have two readily accessed connections to the heater. These connections are usually found under the RV or in the water heater maintenance hatch. One at the bottom of the hot water heater is to drain the heater for winterization (ignore this one). The water connection exiting the top of the heater is the hot water outlet which we will connect to.

To connect the garden hose to your RV water heater, begin by turning off the water supply to the RV. Remove the ½” drain plug from the hot water outlet. Using Teflon pipe tape, insert a ½” pipe nipple into the fitting. Attach (using Teflon pipe tape) a garden hose adapter fitting to the ½” nipple. Connect the washing machine hose to the hose adaptor fitting. Attach the garden hose to your RV via the washing machine hose.

To disconnect the home water heater for travel; remove the washing machine hose and cap the connection with a garden faucet cap or remove the ½“ pipe nipple and replace the original drain plug. NOTE: DO NOT use this connection to winterize your RV; it will NOT drain your water heater.

OR_Maverick
Wintering in Tucson, AZ

Desert Floor To Snow Play In 75 Minutes

2010-02-20T04:52:00.000-08:00

Wintering in Tucson, AZ has the unique luxury of being able to drive from downtown Tucson, AZ (elevation 2,390 ft) to Mt Lemmon (Summerhaven, AZ elevation 7,668 ft) in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. In that 38 mile trip you will travel from a warm 70° desert floor to a cold snowy mountain landscape. Mt Lemmon (elevation 9,157 ft at summit) is located in Pima County in the Coronado National Forest. Mt Lemmon offers hiking, fishing, camping, mountain climbing and winter sports.

This is another example of intrastate snowbirding were you can change your environment by moving to a higher elevation.

Snowbirds wintering near Tucson can have the best of both worlds. Play in the sun or in the snow. Or if you are in Tucson in the summer, that same pleasant short drive is a welcome escape from the summer heat.

The road to Mt Lemmon, Mt Lemmon Highway at Windy Point.

Shannon playing in the 2 feet of snow in Willow Canyon, about 30 miles from the Tucson, Az.
　
Until the next post: Remember to stay cool you have two options; think elevation not North!

OR_Maverick
Wintering in Tucson, AZ

Baker’s Measurement Conversion Cards - Magnetic

2009-12-22T09:43:00.000-08:00

For all you bakers out there I have a great Holiday gift for you. Printable cooking measurements conversion cards for your recipe box or magnetic for your refrigerator.

You can print these cards in either a 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 inch recipe card format. My printable measurements conversion cards are formatted for Avery 3 x 5 cards 5388 and Avery 4 x 6 cards 5389 or can be printed on any paper stock of your choice. If printed on magnetic inkjet sheets they can be place on and ferrous surface for quick reference.

Also included are conversion cards for US to Metric & Metric to US measurements. These handy cards are great for workshops and gardening sheds.

The printable measurements equivalence cards and the instructions to construct a magnetic version can be found at how2stickers.com Magnetic Recipes.
　
Until the next post: Happy Holidays to All!

OR_Maverick
Wintering In Arizona

Angels to Santa DIY Gift Wrap Stickers and Labels

2009-12-13T09:04:00.000-08:00

Personalize your Holiday gifts with stickers you make from Christmas wrap or Holiday gift wrap.

Parents if you are tired of your children playing with the packages under the Christmas tree; identify each package with a unique Holiday sticker for each child. Your kids can’t tell the recipient.

Do you have a special “trade mark” such as teddy bears or kittens? Personalize your gifts with teddy bear stickers or kitten labels.

Dozens of these custom personalized gift labels can be homemade in moments using cutouts from holiday wrapping paper. Simply apply double stick tape to the back of the gift wrap and cut the sticker label to shape.

For detailed How to Instructions; go to Making Custom Gift Labels at how2stickers.com.
　
Until the next post: Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

OR_Maverick
Wintering in Arizona

Intrastate Snowbird Destinations

2009-11-30T15:03:00.000-08:00

By definition Snowbirds travel to warmer climates in winter. Therefore most of us think of the seasonal southern migration. That early winter RV trek doesn’t need to be a long trip. Now that you are settled into your warm winter digs; it is time to plan for summer. Finding a cool summer RV retreat might be closer than you think! Think Elevation!

Arizona is a great example of all staying in a comfortable environment all year-around with little travel. I call it Intrastate Snowbirding.

Left is an example of cool AZ summertime retreat. On the right is great winter playground only a few hundred miles distant. In some locations the distance can be as little 50 miles from desert floor to mountain streams with elevation changes of 4,000 feet or more. An elevation change of 4,000 feet can dramatically change both temperature and rainfall.

There are several southern USA states featuring several combinations of surf, desert and mountain climates. Reverse your logic and think traveling to a cooler climate in the summer and you might find new exciting RV destinations to visit.

Until the next post: Remember you can’t change the weather. However your RV is on wheels; you can change the climate!

OR_Maverick
Lake Pleasant, AZ N 33° 51.357 W 122° 17.214 1,330 ft

Stealth Wildlife Photography Not Just for Hunters

2009-11-30T10:48:00.001-08:00

When the lights go out do you know what your wildlife neighbors are doing?
If you are an outdoor traveler interested in photography, digital stealth cameras (aka camo camera, deer camera) are a neat way to catch the wildlife after dark. Setup your camo-cam on any tree and see who your night visitors are. Working with a motion detector shutter release, these stealth cameras take photos automatically day and night without your participation.

These night spy photos were taken in AZ and digitally edited in my RV using a laptop. This is a good example of why Photography and Laptop computers combine to make one of the best RV hobbies.

Digital wildlife spy cameras are relatively cheap, need no film, operate automatically with ease, weather resistant and most importantly FUN. View your catch on a monitor or download the images to your travel laptop and digitally edit your photos for a perfect photo trophy.

If you are an RVer documenting your travels these digital stealth photos will make a great addition to your RV travel log or scrapbook. For greater success with your camo camera, bait your subjects with water (the all species universal bait). Do not use food as bait as the wildlife will become dependant on humans for food.

Until the next post: Don’t be afraid of the things that go bump in the night; take their portrait!

OR_Maverick
Happy Jack, AZ

Introducing Sno-Parks.com

2009-11-11T17:58:00.000-08:00

My newest website, Sno-Parks.com is up and running. Most top Sno-Parks in California, Oregon and Washington are listed and many are rated for summertime camping.

Snowmobilers, cross country skiers, and others using the National Forests for winter sports may benefit from the information compiled at Sno-Parks.com.

Information for listed Sno-Parks includes available facilities, activities, USFS ranger district contact links and location.

Rated Sno-Parks also include photos, GPS co-ordinates and personal notes.

At Sno-Parks.com, Sno-Parks can be searched by county or ranger district, within National Forest, within each west coast state.

Until the next post: Don’t leave home without your Sno-Park parking permit. Permits are required in winter months to park your Sno!

OR_Maverick

How Many World Series Go To 7 Games?

2009-11-02T13:22:00.000-08:00

I was talking with friends about how many World Series Championships go the entire 7 games. I was curious so I went web surfing and found some interesting facts.
With a little research I found the World Series has gone to 7 games 34 times since 1903. I thought I would pass this on to my loyal readers.

The Percent of World Series Championships that go the entire 7 games is:

4 Game series, 19 Games - 18%
5 Game series, 24 Games - 23%
6 Game series, 23 Games - 22%
7 Game series, 34 Games - 33%
8 Game series, 4 Games - 4%

59% of all World Series Championships played go more than 5 games.

Percentages based on 104 World Series Championship games played from 1903 to 2009.

OR_Maverick
Visiting with friends in Fallon, NV.

Cheesy Pumpkin Soup Cooked In Pumpkin

2009-10-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

I was treated to a wonderful creamy, cheesy, baked in the pumpkin; Pumpkin Soup.
My friend Debbie made this delicious soup for a group of 12, kids and adults ages 2 to me (I am not telling). We all loved it. It is not your Martha Stewart chicken vegetable soup served in a Hollywood picture perfect pumpkin; but a rich cheesy vegetarian soup actually baked in a locally grown pumpkin.

The basic recipe is simple and easy and leaves plenty of room to add your own favorite spices and garnishments. Trust me; all we added was a bigger spoons.

Ingredient amounts vary with the size of the pumpkin so adjust accordingly. Be sure it fits in your oven before you start! Add ingredients until almost full (about 80% full or 2 inches remaining). Leave room in the pumpkin for the liquid to expand and the pumpkin to sag. Don’t forget the deep baking pan to catch the spills and move the cooked pumpkin.

Cheesy Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Soup Recipe.

Ingredients
Pumpkin 1 medium
Cottage cheese 24 oz (680 g)
Grated cheese (Jack, cheddar) 2 lbs
Sour cream 24 oz (680 g)
Half & Half (or cream) 32 oz (.95 L)
Cream cheese softened 8 oz (227 g)
Solid pack pumpkin 29 oz can (822 g)
Onion 2 small sautéed
Ground white pepper & salt to taste.
Your favorite croutons for garnish.

Cooking
Remove the top of the pumpkin and save for a lid.
Clean the interior of the pumpkin taking care not to puncture the pumpkin wall.
Mix all ingredients (except croutons) in the pumpkin.
Replace the pumpkin lid and place on deep baking pan.
The cooking time varies with the size of the pumpkin. Cook 45 - 90 min in 375 degree oven. Cook until soup is hot and cheese is melted. Do not overcook or pumpkin will disintegrate. Check frequently.

To serve
Ladle soup into bowls “scrapping” the sides of the pumpkin to add pumpkin flesh. This additional pumpkin adds texture and flavor to the soup. Garnish with croutons and serve hot.

Until the next post: You may be tempted to share this gourmet treat with trick-or-treaters. Don’t, it just makes a mess in the bag and candy ruins the soup.
　
OR_Maverick
Visiting with friends in Fallon, NV.

Frost on the Pumpkin - Time to Winterize

2009-10-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

I have already encountered several frosty nights in my trek to Florida so I thought I should remind all you Rvers that it’s time to think about winterizing your rigs. If you’re done trekking for the year than don’t put it off. Winterizing is a fact of RV life you might as well do it while the weather is still good.

Beside the obvious precautions to prevent damage to your RV, (draining ALL the tanks and flushing water lines, your owners manual will walk you through that) there are other considerations.

Exterior:

The proper location for your RV is very important. If possible find a dry location preferably indoors. If it is to remain outdoors follow these tips.

Make sure your RV is water tight.
Your RV should be off the ground with plenty of ventilation under it. Tires should not be standing in mud.
Do not allow and vegetation to come in contact with it.
Do not park close to any structures.
Dry rot, mold and mildew are the enemy. Air should be allowed to flow freely around your RV at all times.
A sunny location is best.
Roll out the awning and air it out before storing. This should be done after each outing but to be sure you should do it now.
Check the water levels in your batteries and give them a charge. Mark your calendar to remind you to recharge your batteries in 3 months time.

Interior:

Any liquid can freeze and burst its container. Go through all storage areas and remove ALL liquids including can goods, cleaning supplies and bottled water.
Some items may not make a mess if frozen but will no longer be effective or work properly. Check labels for “Keep From Freezing” warnings. When in doubt remove it.
Use several small boxes (one for each storage area) properly labeled to make restocking faster and easier.
Rodent proof your RV. Your RV served you well; it kept you warm and dry on cold nights. Rodents look at it in the same manner. If you do store eatable dry goods in your RV keep them tightly sealed and hard to get at. Any and all possible entrance points should be sealed.
To prevent sun damage close blinds or cover exposed areas with discarded sheets.
Again ventilation is key to preventing mold, mildew and dry rot. The roof vent should remain open at all times. If you do not have a vent cap on it; now would be a great time to purchase one. Throughout my 38 years RVing I have always had a vent cap on the roof vent and my roof vent is never closed no matter what the weather. To provide cross ventilation at least one window should be cracked open.
If possible prop up mattresses and cushions to expose to fresh air.
Open your cabinet doors and interior storage areas to let them breath.
OPEN THE REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER DOORS AND LEAVE THEM OPEN!

Here are a few hints:
As you’re unloading your freezable items start a shopping list of missing items. Place the list in the box and next spring; restock your stores from the list.
Now that you RV is empty…clean it! If you take the time to do a through cleaning now you will be ready to go when spring fever hits and you would rather be on the road than in rubber gloves.

Until the next post: Recycle that jack-o-lantern and make a pumpkin pie. That flame charred pumpkin meat was grandma’s secret spice.

OR_Maverick
Skillman Horse Camp, Ca N 39° 19.160 W 120° 47.730 4,400 ft

Photography a Perfect RV Hobby

2009-10-05T15:11:00.001-07:00

Most travelers take snapshots for mementos of their travels.
Digital photography is perfect for the RV life. You take your photos when enjoying the great weather and edit the images when the weather forces you indoors. Space requirements are minimal; a digital camera, laptop and optional printer. No shoe boxes full of negatives necessary. Rvers traveling with a printer can share their memories with friends before moving on to the stop or copy the images to a CD. Scrapbooks, photo albums and travel logs can be kept on computer or printed for hard copy.

Now look what you can do in your PC Darkroom.

Standard software on today’s computers includes Darkroom Capabilities. These easy to use photo editing tools are all you need to turn an ordinary, once in a life time snapshot, in to a work of art. I call Windows Photo Gallery a PC Darkroom.

The 3 basic photo editing tools you need to know are:

Cropping the Image
Adjusting the Exposure
Adjusting the Color

Although this photo editing process is very simple and easy to understand it requires more space than allotted here. I have written a webpage; Digital Photo Editing Basics that details the photo editing process using Windows Photo Gallery.

Until the next post: Shoot first and edit later! The film’s FREE!

OR_Maverick
Gold Country, Oroville, Ca N 39° 30.145’ W 121° 30.354 630 ft

I Didn’t Blink & There Was Chester

2009-09-29T14:48:00.001-07:00

California that is.

I spent a wonderful afternoon in the little town Chester, Ca. It started at a quaint little bookstore/local art gallery B & B Booksellers. There I used their WiFi and drank their gourmet coffee. Lee filled me in on some of the local history and pointed me to the Knotbumber eatery for some more interesting facts. The menu items are named for logging terms which are defined on the back. I bummed a menu from the Knotbumber so I could pass on my newly acquired knowledge. Here’s what’s on the menu.

It’s Knot News

Historically Chester is a logging Town. The logging profession has is own jargon for job titles. The “Knotbumber” is also a job in the woods.

Whistle Punk; he no longer sounds the whistle, it’s a radio now.
Steam Donkey; a winch used to move logs
Timber Beast; any logger.
White Hats; the folk representing the company.
High Climber; tops the tall trees.
Faller; the fella that falls the trees.
Bucker; trims branches and cuts the felled trees to length.
Chocker Setter; places cables around the logs.
Skidder; grabs the cable and skids the logs to the…
Landing; where logs are stacked in the…
Deck; a pile of logs.
Knotbumber; removes any remaining branches and knots
Peeler; debarks large trees.
Hook Tender; hooks the hauling cable to the chocker.
River Pig; keeps the logs moving on waterways.
Greasers; lubricate skid trails.
Sniper; chamfers leading edges to keep the logs moving down the skid trails.
Skinners & Bull Punchers: handled the work animals.

I had the Chock Setter and it was great.

So if you’re cruising through Chester Ca., stop at B & B Booksellers. The second Friday is artists’ night when you can meet the local artists. There are some exquisite carvings (I thought they were porcelain), paintings and more. Then head on down to the Knotbumber for a River Pig sandwich with the local Timber Beasts.

Until the next post: Remember Knotbumbers are people too!

OR_Maverick
4 Trees Sno-Park, Ca N 39° 48.85’ W 121° 19.29’ Elevation - 5,190 ft
Sierra Nevada Mountains

Coming Soon - Sno-Parks.com

2009-09-23T19:13:00.001-07:00

I have really enjoyed camping at USFS Sno-Parks this summer so I decided to author a website Sno-Parks.com. Snowmobile parks as they are known in CA (Sno-Parks in OR) are not used during the summer so are great places to camp. They are clean, well maintained, quiet and free during the summer.

On my trek to FL I will stop at as many Sno-Parks as I can, photograph them, inventory their facilities and services before moving on. Each Sno-Park will have its own webpage and a rating of how it measures up to other Sno-parks.

The grand opening will not be for a few months. I’ll keep you all informed.

Until the next post: Remember to park your sno in designated areas only!

OR_Maverick
Pilgrim Creek Sno-Park, Ca N 41° 20.20’ W 121° 59.75’ 3,170 ft

Look What I Found Treasure Hunting!

2009-09-23T16:37:00.000-07:00

I told you in my last Treasure Hunting post that you would be amazed at what you will find with your metal detector. I walked across a dry lake bed (Lake Shastina, Ca) to see what I would find. Here’s the result:

$.45
6 golf balls
Assorted rusted fishing lures and weights
1 horseshoe
1 abandon sluice box!

Notice not everything on the list is metallic. Treasure hunting gets you out of the RV and exploring your surroundings. I would never have found a great photo opportunity like this one without my Tesoro metal detector. (I’ll bet there’s a great story behind a sluice box in a reservoir lake bed.)

The next day I tried my luck around a fire ring at Pilgrim Creek Sno-park. I found 16 coins ($1.47) in 45 min. Two other fire rings only netted me 1 penny.

To get you geared-up and out treasure hunting check out Treasure Hunting Tips.

Until the next post: Remember Ben Franklin’s famous words; “a penny found is a penny earned”.

OR_Maverick
Pilgrim Creek Sno-Park, Ca N 41° 20.20’ W 121° 59.75’ 3,170 ft

Need a Hobby? Try Treasure Hunting!

2009-09-18T19:05:00.000-07:00

Okay so you have been to every antique store on your usually route. You have seen all the usual old stuff. You have read all your favorite books twice. Now what?

You Need A Hobby. Be a modern day Treasure Hunter; get a Metal Detector! It’s easily transported in your RV, simple to use and cheap (once you find a metal detector) just a battery every once in awhile. Go find your own old stuff and pick-up some laundry money as a bonus. You get sun, fresh air, exercise, some spare change and its fun. The fun part is you never know what you will find.

Being an RVer you have a new source of treasure at each campsite. Just take out your metal detector and poke around fire rings, picnic tables and beaches. Or turn it in to a serious hobby. Pack a picnic lunch and go in search of old homesteads, mines, logging camps, etc.

To get you started I put together some Treasure Hunting Tips. (Mom click the link.)

Until the next post: Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers. Or is it One Mans Treasure…?

OR_Maverick
Lake Shastina, Ca N 41° 30.33’ W 122° 23.56’ 2,720 ft

Save RV Power - Check Refrigerator Settings

2009-09-14T18:06:00.000-07:00

I was unhappy with the battery life I was getting after each recharge so I went in search of the culprit. One of the RV deep cycle batteries was new and possibly defective.

I started by checking the voltage level on my RV deep cycle batteries each night before bed. In the morning I found a significant drop in voltage. That narroed it down to the 5th wheel’s accessories or a bad battery. Switching the voltmeter to the ammeter setting I determined a .72 amp draw on the RV batteries. This was too high a power draw so I discounted the bad battery option and focused on the appliances.

The refrigerator should be the only appliance or accessory running at all times so that was the logical place to start. Pulling a fuse labeled “power Vents” the power drain when down to .02 amps (obviously the clock on the stereo) and the refrigerator went off (obviously the “power vent” circuit).

A propane powered refrigerator should not use that much electric power; I went the Dometic RV refrigerator owner’s manual. After searching I found a minor reference to switch “C”.

Switch “C” (a rocker switch cleverly hidden above the freezer door and under the control panel) is the climate control switch. This little switch heats up the refrigerator door frame to prevent moisture accumulation. Who needs it?

Turning off switch “C” (climate control) lowered my power consumption by .5 amps. Now that may not sound like much but I did the math and found:
a) In a 24 hour period that would run my laptop for 2 hours.
b) In a 24 hour period I would need 4 hours of direct sunlight on my solar battery charger to replace that power.
c) A 100 amp/hr deep cycle RV battery would be depleted in 200 hours or 8 days just to heat a door frame.

So friends if you are living on battery power and want to extend your time between recharges, turn off switch “C”.

Until the next post; Hey! Make power while the sun shines!
OR_M
Deer Mountain Sno-Park, Ca: N 41° 34.255’ W 122° 07.857’ 5,825 ft

A Bear & A Walking Stick

2009-09-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

For my post about the Multi-purpose Walking Stick in needed some photos so I took my walking stick for a walk. I took a few photos but was unhappy with the lighting so I decided to return on a cloudy day. When mentally composing the walking stick post I kept reminding myself to add a comment about adorning your stick with a bear bell while in bear country. I even had a written reminder.

The next day was cloudy so I returned to take more shots. As I walked the logging road I didn’t see my footsteps from the day before. It had sprinkled rain that morning but not enough to remove my footprints. Then I noticed large bare footprints…no they were large BEAR tracks going in my direction.

Now I was curious to see which came first; the bear tracks or my old footprints? So I continued on thinking to myself; I should take my own advice and put my bear bell on my walking stick. That’s right…the bear bell I gave to a bell collector about 25 years ago. Talk about afterthought!

With my mind wandering, I proceeded until I noticed I was on the wrong logging road. That’s why I couldn’t find yesterday’s footprints. Then I remembered that the day before I chose a different trail at the last minute. The footprint mystery solved.

I eventually found a suitable low branch for my photo but I never did find that bear.

Until the next post: When in bear country do as the bears do; put a bell on your walking stick!

OR_Maverick
Deer Mountain Sno-Park, Ca: n 41 34.255 w 122 07.857 5,825 ft

A little Town Called Weed, Ca

2009-09-03T09:18:00.000-07:00

I stopped in Weed, Ca to charge-up and stock-up before the Labor Day weekend. The Deer Mountain Sno-park is a clean, cool, quiet high mountain (5,825’) campsite so I’ll hide there for the weekend. It’s about 20 miles from Weed.

I spent one afternoon in the lounge at the Cedar Lanes bowling alley using their free WiFi. Of the 3 hotspots in Weed that I have found, it is the only reliable one. It is a wonderful little alley on Main St with good food and great people. The hostess Gwen is terrific. I received excellent service and was treated to some interesting Weed history.

Finally 3 large RVs moved out and my WiFi signal is back. Now I can post this.

Until the next post: In honor of our laboring troops, fly your American Flag on Labor Day.

OR_Maverick
Weed, Ca: n 41 25.852 w 122 25.803 3,152 ft

Multi-purpose Walking Stick

2009-09-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

Your walking stick could save you money on costly RV repairs!

When hiking I like to carry a walking stick. As a walking stick it has many obvious uses of which you are aware. I modified my favorite saguaro cactus rib walking stick (insert 1) to help me select suitable RV camping sites. A mark on the stick (a green stone) will tell me if there are any obstacles in my path. This allows me to avoid minor dents and major costly RV repairs.

As I walk the path to a potential site I check for branches too low or too narrow, ruts too deep and stumps too tall. At the site I can determine if there is enough room to set-up the awning or not. I can determine all this with one outstretched arm and my walking stick.

Each of us differs in height so no 2 walking sticks will be marked alike. Here is how to mark your walking stick.
Stand behind your RV shoulder to one side. Extend your arm and walking stick adjusting your grip until your stick is aligned with the side other of your RV (insert 2). Using a piece of tape or other means mark your thumb’s location on your walking stick. Do the same for your RV’s height and awning.
Find the area on your RV that is the closest to the ground. Set your walking stick next to the area and mark its location. I turned my walking stick upside down.

When all the marks where tallied on my walking stick they were within inches of each other. Since I am not interested in splitting hairs when backing my RV into tight spots, I chose the longest dimension and called it good. As my walking stick is short, that mark also works for ground clearance as well.

To use your walking stick hold it by your mark and extend your arm or place it on the ground next to raised obstacles to check for ground clearance (inserts 3 & 4).

Now pace off the length of your RV and you have all the dimensions you need. If you have difficulty remembering the number of paces, write it on your walking stick.

Until the next post: Remember; when your RV meets an immovable object…it always looses.

OR_Maverick
Deer Mountain Sno-Park, Ca: n 41 34.255 w 122 07.857 5825 ft

Honeymooners; Harold & Maude

2009-08-23T13:47:00.000-07:00

Date line: 8-18-09 at Walt Haring Sno-park in the OR Cascade Mountains.

I met this wonderful honeymoon couple on their way to Crater Lake National Park from the Willamette Valley. I asked if I could take their picture using my solar laptop setup to use in my blog and they eagerly agreed. As we prepared for the pictures we talked about how pickup truck campers have evolved over the years and how I missed mine. I took the pictures and they were off on their honeymoon. Harold & Maude (aliases they selected) are great folks and I wish I could have spent more time with them.

For close-ups of the solar laptop setup (and honeymoon couple Harold & Maude) go to
Solar Laptop.

Until the next post: Can’t find Crater Lake National Park? Look on the Oregon State Quarter!

Walt Haring Sno-park, Or: n 43 13.624’ w 121 47.772’ 4,332 ft
OR_M

Hondas DO NOT Float

2009-08-23T13:31:00.000-07:00

One evening, camped at an abandoned gravel pit, a Honda whizzed by me and drove out on to a little peninsula in the pond. This little peninsula formed by a utility road into the pit is just wide enough for a vehicle and is partially submerged. Having gone as far as he dare, the driver decided to turn around. The picture tells the story.

After a few hours of hard work in the dark a pickup truck was able to drag the poor car out of the pond. After a day in the sun to dry out, the car was running again.

Until the next post: Read and understand all the directions that come with your vehicle before you see for yourself if it will float.

To test float your car set your Garmin or TomTom for: n 43 48.707’ w 121 48.736’ 4,340 ft
OR_M

Solar Powered Laptops

2009-08-14T19:24:00.000-07:00

It is some what of an oxymoron to take your laptop camping but you can enjoy both. To take your laptop to the beach to play games is a bit foolish but if you need to get some computing work done after sundown, than why not. Of coarse living on the road everyday is like a day at the beach.

So you are enjoying your time in the shade of a tall pine knowing you have only 2 hours of battery life. How do you extend your time in the cool breeze? Two options come to mind.

Carry a spare laptop battery. This is an easy but costly way to extend your computing time. You are limited to one type of laptop and it has no other functions.
Carry a small rechargeable battery pack that can be recharged using a solar battery charger.

What I have done is purchased a Slime rechargeable tire inflator and a Die Hard 140 watt power inverter. For more tech info see Solar Powered Laptop.

This second option works for me because unlike a backup laptop battery, the tire inflator battery can be charged from any AC outlet, any automotive cigarette lighter outlet or my solar charger. The combination extends my computing time longer than an additional laptop battery. Most importantly all components serve dual purposes.

I use the tire inflator to keep up the air pressure in my tires and as a portable 12 volt DC power source for multiple 12v accessories. Adding the power inverter to the battery pack I have a portable 110 volt AC power source for small tools or appliances. Also the inverter can be plugged into any cigarette lighter in any vehicle or RV.

The only change I would make is the Die Hard power inverter. The fan is noisy and runs constantly even when nothing is plugged into it.

If you are a gadget person try this setup.

Plug a cigarette lighter 2 way adapter into your portable 12v DC power supply.
Plug a solar charger into one receptacle to charge the battery.
Plug a 140 watt power inverter into the other receptacle to run a laptop.

For all the details on using solar battery chargers to power laptops and more go to
Info Share Solar Laptop at Search-Hints.com

Until the next post: A wise man say “’tis better to let the fly live than to dump your laptop in the dirt.”
OR_M

RV Crashes Hard Drive! Details Here!

2009-08-14T19:10:00.000-07:00

Warning! Your RV Can Crash Your Laptop Hard Drive!

Most computer users know that the data stored on hard drives, CDs and DVDs is of a magnetic medium much like a cassette tape. This data can be altered by outside magnetic fields. This will make the hard drive or disk unreadable to a computer.

When you plug your RV in to an external 110 volt AC power source the RV converts that power into 12 volt DC power to charge your batteries and run your lights, heater fans, etc. This power converter does so using magnetic fields. These magnetic fields will crash your hard drive. I have known 2 RVers that have had their HP laptop hard drives crash. One stored her HP about 2 feet from her power converter.

Do not assume that the converter is located with the rest of your electrical equipment. I have CDs that I was unable to format that I had in a drawer too close to my power converter; found under the couch behind the water tank 4 feet from the power panel.

This magnetic field can destroy data even when the laptop is not in use, so keep your digital data/media storage equipment away form your power converters.

Until the next post; Refrigerator magnets are cute and fun. Computer magnets are dangerous and costly!
OR_M

RV + TV + WiFi = Camper’s TV Guide

2009-08-14T19:01:00.000-07:00

Going from one RV Park to another you will connect to different cable TV providers. Each one will have a different menu of channels and of course different channel numbers. If you have internet access here is how to get the current listings for the cable TV provider you are connected to.

Yahoo’s home page (yahoo.com) has a TV option on it and that option has a TV listings option. Enter the proper required information and you have an instant TV guide. The information you will need is the RV Park’s zip code and the name of the cable provider if there is more than one in the area. That information can be obtained at the RV Park when you register.

If you do not know the cable provider simply turn your set to any channel, note the station ID and change the provider option on the Yahoo TV listings page until the TV listing matches the channel you are watching.

Until the next post; Remember Reality TV is not Real. Real RVing is Reality
OR_M

Truck Stop WiFi Hotspot Reviewed

2009-08-14T18:51:00.000-07:00

As you may know, this blog is all about hopping from one hotspot to another. Here is my first truck stop hotspot experience and my observations.

I saw a sign at a truck stop in central OR that read WiFi high speed internet. So I thought I would try it out. Many years ago before the internet I would occasionally crash for the night in truck stops so I knew the drill. Get as far away from the trucks as possible to avoid exhaust fumes and noise. But I wanted to be close enough to the router antenna.

I got out my Gigaware WiFi hotspot finder I purchased at Radio Shack for about $6. I discovered a good signal at the end of the lot so I parked there. I fired up the o laptop and indeed the signal was good. However; the speed was far from high. My guess is that 20 truckers had the same idea. I realized right away that this was not going to be a preferred WiFi source. As I checked my email, a truck parked next to me. A good signal turned to no signal.

After a restless night I took my laptop to breakfast at the truck stop restaurant. There I could plug in and charge the battery, the signal was good (it came from the truck stop across the way), and the speed good. I spent 2 hours there eating and surfing the web.

Conclusion; if using the truck stop lot, park close to the hotspot antenna and deal with the exhaust and noise. My choice; enjoy a nice meal, get a good stable signal and recharge your battery at the diner.

On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being excellent) I would rate the truck stop parking lot a 1 and the truck stop restaurant a 5.

Until the next post: if you are not a trucker and not in desperate need of WiFi or a good meal, keep on trucking.
OR_M

Which Way is North? A Direction Reminder

2009-08-05T22:37:00.000-07:00

RVers; when moving from one camp to another do you sometimes loose your direction? I do! Usually when you pull into a site you know which way you’re pointed. Next morning it is easy to forget or confuse it with the previous camp. Now you don’t need to get out your GPS unit to remind you.

Here is a nifty, cheap idea for making a magnet direction reminder to place on your range hood or oven door. When setting up at your new destination just turn it in the correct direction.

Find and old refrigerator calendar magnet and using double stick tape; attach an image of a compass or just an arrow. You can make it simple or fancy, large or small. I chose a simple 4 point compass.

For a printable copy of this image and more detailed DIY instructions click: Make a Magnetic Compass Directional Reminder.

Until the next post; remember you are more likely to find moss on the north side of a tree than on a rolling stone.
OR_M

Tips on Laptop Screen Glare

2009-08-05T21:20:00.000-07:00

One of the first things I noticed when taking the laptop outside was the eye strain from the glare. It made my computer time much less enjoyable. Here are a few tips I have learned.

Wear dark clothing. If you take a moment and look at your glare problem you will see it is YOU! That’s right; the computer screen is acting just like a mirror. That bright white shirt you are wearing might as will be a clear blue sky. The same is true for your background, try to keep your background as dark as possible.
Do not sit in direct sun. No matter which way you point yourself the sun will either hit the screen (bleaching out the content) or hit you (reflecting your image regardless of your clothing).
Keep your screen clean. Finger prints and that pesky dust are magnified by harsh sunlight. You will find yourself straining to look through or past the dirt.
Brightening the screen will make you computing more enjoyable but will shorten battery life.
Change the screen angle. By raising the back of the laptop you will be pointing the screen toward the ground without obstructing the keyboard. This will reduce the amount of sky reflected on the screen. If computing on your lap raise your feet. If using a picnic table place an object under the back of the laptop. In either case remember not to block the air flow necessary to cool the laptop.

Until the next post: Be cool and take a dark shady approach to on the go computing.

OR_M

Starry Night

2009-08-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

The first night out, away from the city I realized how long it has been since I had a chance to enjoy nature. Here in the Oregon Cascade Mountains the stars are so bright and the Milky Way so clear. There is an overwhelming feeling of peace and tranquility.

I have stopped at a sno-park near the town of Crescent Lake Jct. to get organize after the last minute rush to vacate my Eugene based trailer space. I chose this location because of a little tavern here that serves the best broasted chicken. Each time I cross the Cascades, I make it a point to stop at Manley‘s.

There is a heat wave down in the low lands so I will take my time up here in the highlands. It is a great feeling when you have NO place to go and ALL the time to get there!

I got out my old GPS I bought back in 1995. Back then a GPS didn’t have roads but it can tell you where you’re standing. If you know the GPS co-ordinates of your destination it will get you there as the crow flies. From now on I’ll include my GPS co-ordinates at the end of my posts so you GPS hounds can follow my exhaust.

Until the next post: Next time you are away from the city lights, on a clear night, take a moment, relax and enjoy a Milky Way.

OR_M
N 43° 32’ W 122° 60’ altitude 4,612 ft

I am UNPLUGGED

2009-07-24T08:04:00.001-07:00

I took care of my minor concerns and finished up some loose ends. My last final online task is to post this blog. I am already dreading no internet access.

The temps here are expected to climb to 100 or more so I will head for the Cascade Mountains until it cools down before I head to NV.

In past weeks in preparation for this move I have ignored my websites. Now it is time to get back to work. I have a few web pages and some e-zine articles to write in the cool mountain air.

Until the next post, be kind to your rubber ducky; take her/him for a swim.
OR_M

No RV Generators Please

2009-07-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

I have traveled for many years in RVs and always have hated generators. Many of us escape to the out-of-doors to relax and for some peace and quiet. Generators ruin the experience for me. I am relatively high tech and can run everything I need on battery power.

Over view of running on batteries.

Most RVs today run the essentials on 12 volt battery power. Adding any 110 volt device will require a power inverter. Today’s 12 volt DC to 110 volt AC power inverters are quiet, inexpensive, about 85% efficient and easy to use.

Selecting a power inverter.

Begin at the end! How much power do I need to run all this stuff?

You will need to address two power issues.
Continuous power output (continuous watts of power).
Peak or surge power. All electronic device need an extra boost to get them stared. That boost is called peak power and lasts for mil-seconds. However that peak power must be addresses and an inverter selected that will handle that peak power.

Gather your power hungry devices and group them by task, e.g., to view a DVD you will need a DVD player and TV. Add up the total watts needed to run your devices (most devices list power requirements). If the power usage is listed in amps, multiply the amps times 110 volts (amps x volts = watts). Note the task with the largest watt usage. You will need an inverter that will output more power than the largest task.

What you have just done is to address the continuous power consumption of your devices. To find the peak power consumption you may need to go to the operator’s or owner’s manual. You will not be able to find the peak power listed for all devices. A good starting point is twice the rated watts but 4 times or more is possible.

When using more than one device at a time; turn the devices on one at a time beginning with the device with the highest PEAK power.

In my case the goal was to run a laptop (65w) and printer (20w) total 85 continuous watts.
Hey, why not watch some TV too! TV (54w) and VCR/DVD (30w) total 84 continuous watts. I like to listen to TV while using my laptop (169 w) but to prolong battery power I will do one at a time.

I could get by with a 100 watt inverter and use it to the max. I know better. So I went with a Black & Decker 400 watt 800 watt peak output inverter.

The saga begins!

I setup the inverter using the cigar lighter adapter supplied with the inverter. I plugged in a fan and it worked. I unplugged the fan and plugged in the TV. The internal circuit protection feature shutdown the unit. I did not even turn the TV on. Must be a faulty unit…right? Returned it and same thing happened with the new unit. Conclusion; this inverter is not compatible with the TV. Returned it.

Purchased a Die Hard 400 watt inverter. It was very noisy but did not shutdown…until I turned the TV on. Conclusion; my little 13” 54 watt TV peaks at more than 800 watts. I returned the Die Hard inverter.

As the Die Hard inverter was very noisy, I decided to go back to Black & Decker and I purchase a 750 watt inverter.

This 750 watt Black & Decker inverter did not come with a cigar lighter adapter but must be clamped directly to the battery. This unit was quiet and worked well; all I needed now was a table next to the battery for the TV and a lawn chair to sit on. Solution; make my own cigar lighter adapter. The inverter did not like my idea and shutdown when I tried to use it. It wanted nothing less than 8 gauge wires to feed it over the starting peak even though the continuous draw was only 54 watts. Working Solution; hard wire the 5th wheel with an 8 gauge direct battery feed to the inverter.

Moral of the story.

Get a larger inverter than you think you will need.
Use the largest wire possible for the Battery to Inverter connection.

Until the next post, don’t get your wires crossed!
OR_M

Still in Eugene

2009-07-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

Well boys and girls my planed departure date has come and gone. Originally I was hitting the road 7-15-09. I had a few technical glitches in my power configuration (tech notes if interested in details).

I took the rig out for a shake down cruise Sunday (7-19-09) and found a few flaws in my overall setup. I have traveled for many enjoyable years in a pickup camper and I had no idea a 5th wheel would be so different. I will stay in Eugene a few more days to tweak the rig. It is easier to find the right stuff in a town you know than on the road.

The weather people are talking 100 by the weekend. I hope to be in the OR Mountains by then. After that the plan is to visit Cathy’s life long best friend Debbie in Fallon, NV some time in early Aug.

After Fallon, NV I will head for Happy Jack, AZ to visit my life long best friends Tom and Leigh. Go Phoenix, AZ to see their new home. Travel down to Tucson, AZ to visit with my good friends Ralph and Cindy.

Until the next post, May your toast always land jelly side up.
OR_M

Welcome to Oregon to Florida

2009-07-20T07:35:00.000-07:00

The Goal of this blog is three fold.
1) Keep in touch with my relatives and personal friends and make some new friends.
2) Carry on an open exchange of information and ideas about life on the road with a computer.
3) Talk camp lore in general.
This first post serves as an introduction to this blog and as a navigational aid to visitors.
The posts to this blog will be divided into 3 major categories; each flagged by an icon to signify its primary content.

This compass icon will identify posts related to my journey across America. In it I will share personal experiences and provide some insight as to my future destinations.

This tools icon will identify posts related to the technical aspects of living on the road. These posts will vary in topics from traveling with your computer, RV maintenance, selecting a restaurant or what ever readers want to discuss.

This campfire icon will denote a blog post related to camping in general. Any thing goes here from selecting a camp location and pitching a tent to favorite recipes. Have a great ghost story? Share it with us.

All visitors are encouraged to leave comments as this is the only way our knowledge base can grow and we can learn from others.

I hope you enjoy this blog.

May the wind always be at your back and your journey a wondrous experience!
OR_M