Keep Me Cool

Since we moved into our new HOME (2002 Itasca Sunova) last winter, we really didn't think about the window coverings, but when the temperatures started to rise we realized that we needed to do something to help keep out the HEAT!


Since we'd done our own window tinting job of our sticks&bricks home in Omaha back in the day, I figured we could tackle this one as well.


So....off to the Big Box store we headed to find a solution we could live with. Gila offered several solutions with DIY Window Tints and after looking at them all, we chose the Privacy Control Window Film which was the static vs the sticky kind. It goes on the same way, but is a lot easier to handle as you are applying it to the windows.


While we chose the BLACK OUT type to help make it harder for the neighbors (fellow RVers) from seeing into our coach at night when the lights are on, you have various options including: Frosted, Control Black, Privacy Mirror, Rice Paper, Crackled Glass and Mosaic.


We didn't really care about the energy savings (since we are normally plugged into a RV park power), but we were HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY with the reduced HEAT entering the coach...just check out the numbers:


- Annual cooling savings: $ 241
- Annual kilowatt-hour savings: 2,415 (this is BIG since we are planning on going Boondocking a little more this year)
- Annual cooling energy savings: 40.4% (and you know RVs aren't known for their insulation...so this helps in cooling the rig down on those HOT summer days)
- Ultraviolet (UV) ray reduction: 99.9%

• Annual carbon emissions reduction of: 3,718 lb CO₂

  (equivalent to removing 22 60-watt light bulbs)
  

Check out the options for keeping cool with the various products from Gila Films.

Tuesday's Travel Take

“People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home.”  Dagobert D. Runes

#travel

Off Time…what to do?

What does one do in their “off time” when they are camping (RVing)? Do you just sit around and watch TV or do you find something “more productive”! 

Now, I have been known to be one of those people who LIKE to watch a little (okay...a LOT) of TV! In fact, I think I was one of those first and undiagnosed “latch key kids” who their parents let the TV do the babysitting when growing up! Even to this day, I still turn on the TV, even if I'm not watching it. I think it's the sound...or I just need to have MANY things going on at one time.


Also, I'm NOT one of those people who LIKE to read! I'm not sure, but I think the first book I ever read (cover to cover) was when I was 20 years old! (say it isn't so that our public school system is teaching kids) However, nowadays, I do enjoy a good read, but it has to be something that really catches my attention (I am a little ADD!)


But here I am!!!! READING!!!!!

It's nice that every campground we have stayed in has some sort of book swap program! We've picked up quite a few books and we take them along with us to the beach!



So...let's read on!!!!

Thursday's Town – Merritt Island Florida

This week we are STILL in Central Florida so I picked on of the town's close by to our location...Merritt Island. The town is named after the King of Spain...yes, royalty, because it was part of a land grant given by him.

Located between the coast and mainland, Merritt Island is a peninsula island that stretches from Kennedy Space Center to the north and Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway to the south with the Indian River Lagoon on the west and the Banana River Lagoon on the east.

The island is home of the Tropical Trail and has some of the most beautiful houses along the intracoastal waterways with some awesome views. Heading south from the Pineda Causeway, you'll drive by some exquisite homes only separated from the water by a small two land road (with many speed bumps to slow down the traffic).

The road is well worth the drive which ends up at the south onto the Banana River Drive where you can watch Manatee and Dolphins.

BTW: For those runners out there, it's a great LONG run making the loop from Patrick AFB across the Causeway south on South Tropical Trail and back up South Patrick Drive. It's well shaded so it's good for all times of the day!

Tuesday's Travel Take

“He who does not travel does not know the value of men.”  Morrish Proverb 

#travel

#Valueofmen

#proverb

Under the cover of Darkness with a Blue Tote DIY (Not Recommended)

Have you ever thought that the cost of the "blue totes" is just TOO expensive?  We have and are insistent on NOT buying one!  I can't see paying in excess of $100 (almost $200) for a plastic bucket on wheels!  Who ever thought up these Blue Totes, I thought, must be crazy!  However, after the other night's escapade, in a attempt to dump our Black Tank, I think whoever invented the Blue Tote is a GENUIS!!!

Since I'm a cheapskate, I decided that I could "remake" the Blue Tote for a lot LESS money...thereby keeping that cash in my bank account.  I figured I could "recreate" the Blue Tote in a simple and easy way with parts from a Big Box store.  

Since we noticed that we are NEAR the FULL mark on our Black Tank, I did some basic figuring and "believed" (this is a KEY word here), BELIEVED that I could make a cheap copycat Black/Grey Tote! 

The idea I had was to take a cheap ($2.78 at Lowes) 5 gallon bucket with a lid ($1.28) and use these as my Blue Tote!   I thought that if I could release a FEW gallons into the buckets I could make a few trips to the Dump Station and with two 5 gallon buckets that would be approximate 4 trips (40 gallon black tank)!  Since a gallon of water weighs about 8 lbs, that equates to about 80 lbs per trip and I didn't need to "carry" those all the way to the dump station since I had made a two wheel cart for my SUP (Standup Paddleboard) to take it to the water vs carry it.  

I put the 2 5 gallon buckets on the 2 wheel cart and strapped them on with a bungy cord...seemed secure enough for me, so now it was time to dump the waste into the buckets.

Now, I know what you are thinking because Bettina was thinking it too...this is just CRAZINESS!  But I HAD to give this a GO or I would be thinking about it for days or weeks!  Success (or failure) was only a little ways away...so here's go!

I had Bettina come out to hold the 2 wheel cart upright as I emptied the Black Water Tank (slowly I might add).  However, I wasn't expecting the OVERPOWERING smell that hit my nose as I opened the tank!!!!  WHEW....that was some potent black water (and all we do is #1 in our Black Tank...so I can't imagine what the odor would have been with some #2 business included too)!  

After I filled the two buckets, I added a little "upchuck" of my own since I could not hold back the natural reflex to the awful smell!  Then it was off to the dump station under the cover of darkness (you see I didn't need any of those OLD MEN watching me and critiquing me as I did my business--pun intended--with the black tank).  

The trip to the dump station was non-eventful, but as I "unloaded" the buckets, one of them spilled and went EVERYWHERE!  With 3 Old Guys watching me from the bathhouse, I knew I was in for some scrutiny...but I just went about my business--pun intended--and washed it all down the drain, washed out the buckets and then headed back to the RV!  Since it didn't work as "planned", I wasn't going to make a trip #2!

On the way back to the RV with empty buckets, my 2 wheel cart began to fall apart!  I didn't engineer this cart to carry 80 lbs, so the volme of waste had taken it's toll on my cart!.  I finally DRAGGED the cart and buckets back to the RV to clean up and dispose of the unwanted/unneeded items!

I cleaned out the 5 gallon buckets, but if they still have a little smell I'll let them set overnight with some soapy water and bleach to see if I can get the smell out.  If not, I will be taking them to the dumpster...for $2.78, I think I can afford the loss!

SOOOOOO...Mister Blue Tote Inventor!!!  You are one smart cookie and I'm glad you invented these items.  While I still don't like the high cost, I think the design is one awesome engineering accomplishments.

BTW: I won't be buying a Blue Tote and I WON'T be trying my own invention either!  From now on, I'll be pulling in the slide and driving the RV to the Dump Station to let out the tanks!  It's much more sanitary and CLEAN!  Less Mess is BEST!

BTW2:  we didn't take any pictures since this was a covert operation under the cover of darkness...just in case I had a MAJOR accident with the Black Water on the way to the dump station.  I didn't need any incriminating evidence lingering around if I had created a toxic mess!

Happy Valentine's Day to myBettina!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day to myBettina!!!!

I just wanted to take a moment to say this to my BELOVED wife of 27 years! She is my Valentine and I'm so glad she is willing to take on the various (hairbrained) adventures we have...like Living the Dream Over the Road (Full Time RVing)!

Thank you for LOVING me!

Thursday's Town -- Cocoa Florida

Today, we find ourselves "still" spending some time along the Space Coast...one town that is quaint and worth a little of your time is...Cocoa, Florida in particular Cocoa Villiage!

You have to check out one particular shoppe which is owned by a family friend's mother.  It's a little eclectic shoppe that is a gem of a find for those wishes to take home a little bit of Florida.

In addition to the various shopping venues, Cocoa Village is a charming little area that is transformed throughout the year.

- During the Winter Holiday season, they erect a tent to cover an outdoor ice rink!  Yes, an outdoor ice rink in Florida...so it isn't so!  The only thing I can recommend is if you decide to go ice skating, realize that the ice is "wet" and bring along some additional clothing to change into after the session.

- In November, the Space Coast Marathon begins and ends in Cocoa Village.  It's a great little out and back course that is really fun.  In 2007, I used this race as a training run in preparation for the Disney Marathon.  Be advised, the weather can still be quite "steamy" in November and the humidity will take it's toll on the body.  When I ran this race, it was warm (a little too warm) for 26.2 miles.  Also, it wasn't a great training run since the Disney Marathon the January 2008 turned out to be VERY COLD (one of the coldest in history).  But the race is a LOT of fun and I ran it with a Great Friend (RocketBoy)!!

- Finally, the park in downtown Cocoa Village bumps up against the Banana River and has a great little trail (road) adjacent to the river.  It's a great place to take a wonderful bike ride or a good run!  With the shaded road along the water, it's also very beautiful...and you'll be joined by many other locals who use the road endlessly during the weekends.  

Tuesday's Travel Take

“ Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalks again; we had longer ways to go.  But no matter, the road of life.”  Jack Kerouac 

#travel

Dump Station 101

Well, this is a stinky subject to be talking about, but some things just need to be said!  In fact, several things need to be said about this subject!

Let me remind everyone of the sanitary conditions (or should I say unsanitary conditions) which are around ALL Dump Stations?  Remember, it's your health…and no need in getting sick while you are on the road RVing.  So take a few precautions when using the Dump Station!  Here are a few tips from your Uncle Lar regarding the use of a Dump Station…

Rule #1 - DO NOT use the water hose to fill your fresh water tanks!  I've seen it too often that people are using the hose to fill their tanks when they OR the people right before them used the same hose to flush out their black water tanks and/or sewer hoses!   And believe me, I've seen them touch!   That's cross contamination between the black water and fresh water.  How gross is this…it's like putting your mouth on my sewer line and taking a drink…YUCK!

Rule #2 - Use a sewer hose EVERY TIME you dump!  This is especially important when you are dumping from the RV…don't just pull up over the "hole" and let out your tanks (black and grey) because the $#!+ goes EVERYWHERE when you do this and it stinks!  Take a few moments to hook up the hoses and keep the area clean for everyone involved…the smell does travel and linger even after you have "done your business" and left!  Also, if you use a blue tote (RV waste tank tote), put a hose on the tote to drain it as well!   It only takes a few extra minutes...

Rule #3 - Don't run your grey (or black) tanks out on the ground when you don't have sewer hookups!  Remember, someone WILL be using that campsite at a later date and they do NOT what to step in the $#!+ you have let behind on the ground!

Rule #4 - ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS, clean up after you have dumped your stuff!  Use the water hose to wash the area down and a scrub brush if it's available.  Leaving that stuff baking in the sun for ANY time, makes it smell really ripe!

Remember, we are all sharing the dump station and RV parks!  Please take your time to be courteous to the next person.  If you don't want to come up to a dirty, disgusting Dump Station, then please don't leave it that way!

Thursday's Town - Satellite Beach Florida

Today, I post from Satellite Beach Florida!   

It's a great little town that that is situated along the Atlantic Coast between, South Patrick Shores to the north and west and Indian Harbour Beach to the south!  It has one of the local High Schools for the area which caters to kids along the islands.

But watch out for the POPO (Police in their black Dodge Chargers)!  They are very good at hiding while running speed traps along A1A!  In fact, almost every time we go south, we see one of these "town's finest" running radar or they have someone stopped for speeding.  So…take it slow and easy while driving through Satellite Beach Florida or you might get to visit with the Boys in Blue!

Tuesday's Travel Take

 “All the pathos and irony of leaving one's youth behind is thus implicit in every joyous moment of travel: one knows that the first joy can never be recovered, and the wise traveler learns not to repeat successes but tries new places all the time.” Paul Fussell 

#travel

#success