RV Water Heater. Safe Shore Power. RV Awning. "Ant Farm". EternaBond R & R. Classic Diners. Robertson Screws. Korea. Route 66.

 

For “tRaVersing Thursday”, or RV Day:

How to adjust the flame on your water heater so it works most efficiently

“Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor, shows you how to adjust the flame on your RV water heater so that it runs with maximum efficiency. This is easy to do and can make a big difference in the performance of your heater.”

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Test your shore power outlet for safety

“One quick way to ruin an RV trip is a heavy electrical shock. Shore power systems in campgrounds can be dangerous if not maintained or if mis-wired. Protecting yourself isn't difficult or expensive.

On arriving at a campground, don't just assume the power supply is safe. First, make sure the breaker is turned off to the power outlet, then plug in the RV power cord. If you have an exterior power outlet on your rig, plug in an electrical circuit analyzer that indicates circuit problems. If you don't have an outside outlet, plug the analyzer into an outlet inside, and have a helper look at it.

Now turn on the breaker to your RV circuit. If the circuit analyzer indicates all is well, well and good. If not, DON'T touch the side of your coach or attempt to go inside. Switch off the breaker immediately, especially if you should get an indication that the hot and ground wires are reversed. If they are, you have a potentially dangerous situation. Don't touch the electrical box or the side of your rig. Unplug the shore power cord without touching anything else.

If the tester indicates a reversed hot and neutral wire you are physically safe, but you could see damage to sensitive electronics. If your analyzer shows an "open ground" situation, there is still a level of danger to your physical safety if an electrical short took place.

In any case, if your tester shows a problem, disconnect and ask for a new site.”     By Russ and Tiña De Maris

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Five quick tips about your RV awning

“A patio awning extends the living area of our outdoor world. Similar to the front porch of your home, the patio awning provides us with shade and cover from a light rain when we want to be outdoors without getting drenched.

Here are five RV awning quick tips to help protect and extend the life of your RV awning:

1) Never leave it out for any extended time you're away from the campsite. A quick wind or thunderstorm can result in expensive repair costs to the awning and the RV. If the wind begins to pick up at the campground, retract your awning to its stored position. Better safe than sorry.

2) If it begins to rain on an extended awning, lower one end to allow the water to run off. If not, it can quickly pool in the center of the awning fabric and the weight can damage the awning itself and/or the awning fabric.

3) Use a commercial RV awning cleaner to clean it. Spray the cleaner thoroughly on the awning fabric, roll it up and let it sit for several minutes. This helps to distribute the cleaner over the entire surface of the awning fabric and allows the cleaner time to work. Open the awning and thoroughly rinse both sides of the fabric.

4) For the most part, there are two types of awning fabric, acrylic or vinyl. Acrylic fabric is a woven cloth. Avoid scrubbing acrylic awning fabric. Scrubbing can remove the water-retardant finish. For stubborn stains blot the cleaner on the fabric with a sponge or soft cloth.

5) Use awning tie-downs to help protect your patio awning from wind gust damage.”    By Mark Polk

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Don't let your RV become an "Ant Farm"

“Did you know that ants can tunnel into some RVs' walls just like in the Uncle Milton Ant Farms that many of us had as children?

Here's a tip from RV technician Chris Dougherty about how to keep these pests from tunneling into your RV and causing structural damage.”

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EternaBond How to remove and replace

 

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RV Tips:

“It's a good idea to inspect your RV roof every quarter. Look to see if cleaning is needed, and verify the seals around any openings like plumbing vents, air conditioner, and roof vents. Water is a damaging enemy that must be kept out.”

“Water pressure in your RV seem low? When was the last time you flushed out your water heater? A buildup of crud can actually impact water flow.”

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Classic Diners, Retro Diners, and Old Diners Locations Locator Map and Directory

“Do you love lumpy mashed potatoes? Then you need to find a classic diner. Here's the place to start your search.”  Diner Locator.

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Robertson screws save time and frustration

“Reader Fred Campbell of New Mexico recently wrote in concerning his fondness for Robertson screws, which some of us airheads refer to as "square drive." As Fred aptly points out, "Robertson screws are those with the square hole in the head as opposed to a cross or a slot."

You'll find many RV manufacturers have used Robertson screws to varying degrees. What's the advantage? The Robertson is square – to a point. Below the top level of the screw head the socket has a taper, which makes getting the bit in the socket easier and can keep the screw on the bit without fussing. Try that with a straight slot or Phillips.

You can thank Canadian P.L. Robertson for the invention, way back in 1908. He had licensed the design to a British party, but they deliberately drove the company into bankruptcy, thereafter buying the rights to the design from the bankruptcy court. Yes, you might say Robertson got screwed in the deal, as he then spent big money buying the rights to his own design back from the crooked character.

Interestingly, Henry Ford gave Robertson screws a shot on Model T Fords, liked them, and tried to buy the license for use. When Robertson refused, Ford would only use the screws on Canadian-built Model Ts, and the Robertson screw never took off in the U.S.

Got any Robertsons in your RV? Fred Campbell warns, "I have seen more people try, and fail, to remove a Robertson screw with a Philips head screwdriver than I care to mention." The frustration is real, and the Phillips head suffers. But a genuine Robertson driver or bit?  We can personally attest that we've lost more Robertson bits than we've ever worn out.

Fred has a similar story: "I had to purchase a Robertson out of necessity when I couldn't remove a screw near a water tank in the old (1970) Layton. It had rusted due to condensation on the tank. I purchased the driver at a Sears tool outlet in 1975, and I still have it to this day. I purchased a second one within the past few years and modified it to fit in my portable 3/8" drill. I use these all the time in my RV."

You can find Robertson screws, and the bits to fit your portable drill at hardware outlets and some hardware stores. They're great for putting in stuff you'll want to take back out later, without the hassle of torn screw heads. We've found they help clean up a fellow's language, too.  Many thanks to Fred for sharing his thoughts with us.”  By Russ De Maris

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On This Day:

Truman orders U.S. forces to Korea, Jun 27, 1950:

“On June 27, 1950, President Harry S. Truman announces that he is ordering U.S. air and naval forces to South Korea to aid the democratic nation in repulsing an invasion by communist North Korea.

The original figure of American troops lost--54,246 killed--became controversial when the Pentagon acknowledged in 2000 that all U.S. troops killed around the world during the period of the Korean War were incorporated into that number. For example, any American soldier killed in a car accident anywhere in the world from June 1950 to July 1953 was considered a casualty of the Korean War. If these deaths are subtracted from the 54,000 total, leaving just the Americans who died (from whatever cause) in the Korean theater of operations, the total U.S. dead in the Korean War numbers 36,516.”

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Route 66 decertified, Jun 27, 1985:

“After 59 years, the iconic Route 66 enters the realm of history on this day in 1985, when the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials decertifies the road and votes to remove all its highway signs.

Route 66 was the scene of a mass westward migration during the 1930s, when more than 200,000 people traveled from the poverty-stricken Dust Bowl to California. John Steinbeck immortalized the highway, which he called the "Mother Road," in his classic 1939 novel "The Grapes of Wrath."

Beginning in the 1950s, the building of a massive system of interstate highways made older roads increasingly obsolete, and by 1970, modern four-lane highways had bypassed nearly all sections of Route 66.  Drivers can still use 85 percent of the road, and Route 66 has become a destination for tourists from all over the world.”

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Yesterday:

Nila, my shy foster cat, is getting used to being fed in my bathroom, and as her three-storey kitty condo is in there now, she is more relaxed.  That kitty condo was always her favorite place to be.  When her litter brother Simba, was adopted, it was a forgone conclusion that it would go with her, not him, to their ‘furever’ homes.  Shy animals feel better with their own ‘stuff’.   I think that her problem with being up at the window seat stems from a loud truck going by, the first time she was up there.  Usually, she has the run of the house, but there will be times when she has to be locked up in my bathroom, instead of the grooming room.

With this excess of tomatoes, I was going to throw them all in a pot with some seasonings, until I saw a recipe for Roasted Tomatoes.  I made two trays of them in my convection oven.  They are scrumptious.

As Jay was having ‘thrift shop withdrawal’, he wanted to go with me when I went into the next town.  Misty and I went to get him, and he was actually ready, so we had just a short walk.

We were early for my chiropractor appointment, so I was seen early.  I think this young chiropractor is wary of putting too much pressure on my old back, so it is still out.

From there, we went to Angelic thrift shop and I bought a stretchy slim black skirt.  Usually, I look terrible in skirts, but I think this one will be alright with a flared blouse over it. 

Next door at the Dollar General, I bought some paper goods, and Jay got some ‘Motor Honey’ for his ATV.  At Lowes, I bought a toilet fill valve, and hinges for the new gates.  We unloaded the paper recycling at St. Marks thrift shop, and there I found a red silk blouse with faint black lines on it, to go with my new skirt.

As my hurt toe was bothering me, just a quick walk around Krogers to look for bargains, and that was enough for the day.

Joplin, MO. Petfinder Vote. Old San Francisco. Isle Royale Park, MI. Gulf Coast. CO River Basin. Cargo Trailer.

Our hearts and prayers go out to all the people devastated by these recent weather events around the country.  
Now there is another one:
"Joplin, named for the founder of the area's first Methodist congregation, is the hometown of poet Langston Hughes and "Gunsmoke" actor Dennis Weaver.
It flourished though World War II because of its rich lead and zinc mines. It also gained fame as a stop along Route 66, the storied highway stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, Calif., before freeways diminished its importance."

"Triage centers and shelters around Joplin rapidly filled to capacity. At a Lowe's home-improvement store, wooden planks served as cots."

"You see pictures of World War II, the devastation and all that with the bombing, that's really what it looks like."

"Joplin-area historical tornado activity is above Missouri state average. It is 161% greater than the overall U.S. average."
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Voting ends at midnight on Wednesday, May 25.      Please Vote.

"Dear Petfinder.com members,
I need your vote!  The Petfinder.com Foundation is only 200 votes behind 1st place for the $500,000 (Facebook) Chase Community Giving program.  We are so close.  As you know, the Foundation provides grants for Hide, Perch and Go boxes for your adoptable cats, vaccinations for homeless pets, and disaster relief.  In the last year, we have given over $7 million dollars to support Petfinder.  This could help us do even more (plus if we win, the press for homeless pets will be fantastic). 
Here is how to vote for us:
1. Go to:     facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving and LIKE that page
2. Go to:      http://bit.ly/jBwkql and vote for the Petfinder.com Foundation
3. LIKE the Petfinder.com Foundation charity page to post it on your wall
Also, please pass this along to your adopters, supporters, staff, volunteers and friends. Thanks!"
 Betsy Banks Saul   Co-Founder, Petfinder.com      Chairman of the Board, Petfinder.com Foundation
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Now let's get on with Travel Tuesday:

How about a visit to San Francisco…. 100 years ago!   BEFORE The Quake of 1906.
"Scenes from a video shot from a streetcar traveling down Market Street in San Francisco in 1905, before the earthquake/fire of 1906 destroyed the area.       Remarkable footage of the turn of the century lifestyles"

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Isle Royale National Park, Michigan


"Accessible only by ferry, personal boat, or float-plane service, Isle Royale National Park--perched in the northwest corner of Lake Superior--is worth the extra effort to get there. Fewer than 20,000 people a year visit the park, but the island has a loyal following.

The average visit to Isle Royale is four days, compared to a few hours at the Grand Canyon. Though closed in the winter months, summer at the park is warm and fall foliage provides a colorful backdrop for potential sightings of rutting moose.
Not for the faint of heart, park visitors should prepare for rugged canoe portages and primitive-backcountry hiking and camping.
If you go,  free backcountry permits are required for the island's 36 campgrounds."
Read more about Isle Royale in National Parks > >           View the slideshow > >

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Gulf Coast Parks One Year after the Spill


"A year after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico, national park staff are still working hard to help ensure that the plants, animals, and landscapes that anchor our communities and draw people outdoors are restored for future generations. Park scientists and researchers at both Gulf Islands and Padre Island National Seashores are paying special attention to this year's nesting seasons for both shorebirds and sea turtles; nesting can run from March through the summer months.


Given the unknown impacts of the oil remaining in the Gulf, this season could be a significant indicator of what the future holds. Still, researchers and park staff warn that much like the long road back seen after the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska, only time will tell the full impact of last year's disastrous spill."       Read More > >
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National Parks of the Colorado River Basin


"OUR LATEST REPORT:   The Colorado River and its tributaries are a major water source for western states with increasing water demands, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Dams along these waterways are used to generate hydropower and regulate usage.

National Parks of the Colorado River Basin: Water Management, Resource Threats, and Economics identifies the effects that these large dams have on natural and cultural resources in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Grand Canyon National Park.

The report considers the economic value of our national parks, as well as the economic value of hydropower generated by large dams along the route."     Read More > >
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 Yesterday:

Jay and I have just about finished the dinette benches in the cargo trailer.  First, we had to install a junction box for the GFI outlet wires which will also feed the outlet on the outside of the trailer.  That inside GFI outlet will go on the side of the dinette next to the front door.
 
There is just enough sturdy plywood left to make the bases for the bed in the rear.  We have both bench seat tops and sides cut, but didn't get it all screwed together yet, as it was already past lunch time.

We were ready to quit on such a humid, warm day.

Save the Serengeti. Pine Needles!

"The government of Tanzania has announced a major commercial route across the Serengeti National Park, in the direct path of the greatest land migration on earth.

Such a highway would destroy the integrity of a priceless World Heritage that has been protected by the people of Tanzania since the birth of their country."

"The people of Tanzania have protected the Serengeti for the role it plays in their culture since the birth of their country. Now their government plans to sever it with a 31-mile, two-lane highway.
For those of us who are used to the six-lane highways stretching thousands of miles across the U.S., one little road might not seem like a big deal.

However, this project has been mapped out right across the migration path of over a million wildebeest and other animals.

Wildebeest numbers will plummet if they can't reach the Mara River in Kenya, impacting the food chain from the top down.

Lions and other predators would face a food shortage.

Without wildebeest grazing to maintain the grasslands, leading biologists warn that grass fires could destroy the region and turn it into a source of carbon emissions."

Save the Serengeti : Fund an Alternate Route & Development Programs

Excerpts from Petition Text:
"I urge your organization to help save the Serengeti:
Building a commercial highway through the Serengeti National Park will put this priceless World Heritage in grave danger. The stakes are high – the Serengeti, once gone, will be gone forever.

Help build a coalition of international support to fund an alternate route:
The government of Tanzania has a responsibility to work for development and welfare of its people. But with your support, it does not have to sacrifice its most precious wilderness, its income from tourism, or its heritage of conservation.

Ultimately, this issue is a test case for the 21st Century: Do we have the wisdom and the will to create development programs that benefit people while still protecting our world’s great natural treasures?
If we can't save the Serengeti, what can we save? "

More and petition at: http://www.change.org/petitions/view/find_fund_an_alternative_to_the_serengeti_highway

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Apparently there is more at stake according to:  http://www.birdlife.org/community/2010/08/save-the-serengeti-%E2%80%93-road-proposal-must-be-stopped/
"The Serengeti is an Important Bird Area and a World Heritage Site under siege– and the World Heritage Committee is meeting and this proposal is on their agenda. The Serengeti is in the spotlight again."

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Today:

Well, I doubt if you will find any pine needles in the Serengeti, as most of them are here.

Jay got up on the conjoined roofs of the house, RVport, guest house, and screen porch.   He took the 'bucket on a rope' up the ladder too, so we could send anything he needed 'topside'.
 
Ray and I knotted sturdy electric cords together, plugged in one end, and sent them up attached to the electric blower.  Jay blew the pine needles off all the roofs, and gutters.   Ray and I were steadily raking and hauling pine needles to the lit burn pile.
 
Ray had never been here when Jay and I done this before, and he had no idea what big a mess comes down off all these roofs.

After I had taken Jay home, Ray and I cleaned up the walkways, my front porch and RVport with the blower.  It still took us a long time to get it all picked up.    But it looks so much better.

It was a beautiful day to be working outside, not hot or humid.   I even did some weeding out front.

The windows and doors are open, airing out the house. 
All three cats spent their day on the screen porch.
The patio door to their screen porch from the living room is open so they can come in the house if they wish.

My brother Nigel called last night, they have 'done' most of the east side of Route 66.   Now they are making their way here from a lovely campground they found between Tulsa and OKC, at I think he said Bristow, OK.  He said it is so special that they were going to spend a second night there.

So great not to have to run the AC again, today

Free Days Tomorrow. Visiting National Parks Without a Campground Reservation.P & N.

By Bob Difley
"The slowly fading recession seems to have energized campers this season as campground usage is up and reservations become harder to nail down.

This becomes a particular problem with those of us who procrastinate, make last-minute travel decisions, or find ourselves wherever our RVs lead us–and most of the time without campground reservations.

But don’t let that discourage you from visiting the national parks, you just need to practice some tricks and tips for increasing your odds of securing a campsite.

Many of our national parks (NP) are adjacent to or surrounded by national forests (NF) that will have alternative camping options, ranging from improved campgrounds to boondocking in un-designated campsites. You can use these options for first night camping followed by a strategy of obtaining a NP campsite the next day, or as your main campsite from which you can visit the NP by tow or toad, returning each night to you NF campsite.

It would be all but impossible to obtain a campsite in the NP after a day’s travel, arriving in mid-afternoon or later, since most NP fill well before noon, even on week days. A NF campsite will probably be your best bet, since most private campgrounds or RV resorts will lie outside the forest on private land and well away from the NP. They are also often filled by reservations for the summer months and have few–if any–first-come spots.

Follow these tips for your best chances of getting a campsite when you have no reservation and with minimal hassle and stress.

• Research the adjacent NF for campgrounds, identifying those that will fit your rig, and the location of the area office. "

More at: http://blog.rv.net/2010/06/visiting-popular-national-parks-without-a-campground-reservation/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RvnetBlog+%28RV.net+Blog+Daily+Updates+Feed%29
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More free days slated for national parks, federal lands

"The Interior Department has announced more free admission days to round out the balance of the year. Here’s the schedule:
September 25 (Public Lands Day)
November 11 (Veterans Day)"
 
Free at Smithsonian, too.    Saturday 25th. Sept.

"To receive your free Museum Day Ticket please enter your information into the fields below. Your Ticket will be emailed to you after you submit your information. Please remember to print and bring your ticket to your selected participating museum."
http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/admission.html?2010
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Today:

Ray arrived to work and I left him trying to clean the gasket that goes under the luggage carrier on Pugsy, while I drove down the road to pick up Jay.  We haven't been up on the roof of Pugsy, the vintage motor home, to re-install it yet.  The gasket had old caulk and junk stuck on it.   Even though it has been soaking in soapy water for days, it is still difficult to get it all scraped off.

Pamala, my sister-in-law, and my brother Nigel, are now on the last leg of their "Trip of a Lifetime".

It was May 30th. that Pamala and Nigel flew into Houston from England.

They bought the Dodge 3500 5.7 diesel dually in Houston, and the Lance cabover camper near Oklahoma City.

They flew over the Grand Canyon in a chopper.

They have been on Route 66 from OKC to California.

They saw where our mother was born in San Francisco.

Then they crossed Canada, up to Alaska, crossed the Arctic Circle.

They have seen lots of National Parks, National Forests (and Walmart parking lots) all along the trip.

Then they went to Guelph, Canada to visit relatives. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guelph

On to a speed boat ride at Niagara Falls, and now they have left Chicago to do the other part of Route 66 from there southwest to Oklahoma City.

Then they will drive south back to here, the full circle.

They have been to rodeos in OK and Calgary.

They went 'muddin'' at Delta Junction Fair.

They should be here within a week.


Ray washed the Puddle Jumper (little station wagon) as it never did rain here.  Jay and I attacked my two rooms of carpet.   I did a thorough vacuuming, and he wielded the carpet steam cleaner.  There are always chairs, coffee table, etc. to be picked up and moved out of the way.  That was my job, too.  He also cleaned the couch with the upholstery tool.  So it should be all spick and span, ready for my guests.

Paco, the foster Chihuahua, and old Misty, the rescued poodle, didn't know where to put themselves out of the way of the noisy machinery today.

Food Expiration Dates. Ah, Back To My Own Bed

What do they really mean?

(Photo: Getty Images)

"Are you one of those people who pour the milk down the drain on the expiration date?

Expiration dates on food products can protect consumer health, but those dates are really more about quality than safety, and if not properly understood, they can also encourage consumers to discard food that is perfectly safe to eat.

A recent poll of more than 2,000 adults showed that most of us discard food we believe is unsafe to eat, which is a good thing, of course, but it is important that we understand what food expiration dates mean before we dump our food -- and our money -- down the drain or into the garbage. On average, in the U.S. we waste about 14% of the food we buy each year. The average American family of four throws out around $600 worth of groceries every year. 

 

Which five foods are most often feared as being unsafe after the printed date? According to ShelfLifeAdvice.com, we are most wary of milk, cottage cheese, mayonnaise, yogurt, and eggs, and the site offers these helpful explanations:

• Milk: If properly refrigerated, milk will remain safe, nutritious, and tasty for about a week after the sell-by date and will probably be safe to drink longer than that, though there’s a decline in nutritional value and taste.

• Cottage cheese: Pasteurized cottage cheese lasts for 10-14 days after the date on the carton.

• Mayonnaise: Unopened, refrigerated Kraft mayonnaise can be kept for 30 days after its expiration date or 3-4 months after opening, the company told ShelfLifeAdvice.

• Yogurt: Yogurt will remain good 7-10 days after its sell-by date.

• Eggs: Properly refrigerated eggs should last at least 3-5 weeks after the sell-by date, according to Professor Joe Regenstein, a food scientist at Cornell University. Note: Use of either a sell-by or expiration (EXP) date is not federally required, but may be state required, as defined by the egg laws in the state where the eggs are marketed.

The “Use-By” Date

The “use-by” or “best if used-by” date indicates the last day that the item is at its best quality as far as taste, texture, appearance, odor, and nutritional value. The decline after that is gradual. The use-by date refers to product that has not yet been opened.

The “Sell By” Date

The “sell by” date is not really a matter of food safety, but a notice to stores that the product should be taken off the shelf because it will begin to decline in quality after that date."

More at: http://green.yahoo.com/blog/care2/54/food-expiration-dates-what-do-they-really-mean.html

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Today:

Ah!  Bliss!  Back to my own bed, all made up and comfy again, so I got a good night's sleep.   We all love our own beds, hence so many RVers!

 

Ray and I did quite a few jobs today.   He finished mowing and weed eating, and he put another coat of paint on the back door, but we have decided that there is something wrong with the paint.  So I have to buy more.

 

The wireless doorbell wouldn't work, again.  Yesterday when I put new 'D' batteries in the base unit, it worked for a while.    We put another new little battery in the push button part, even though the one in there tested good, and have it working again, but I don't know for how long.  I could buy a new bell, but it took such a long time to find one that didn't interact with the two-way radios going by on the busy road behind me.

 

My phone had been acting up for a couple of days.  If someone called, it would just sound like repetitive little chirps.  The answering machine wouldn't come on, so I thought it must have gone bad.  No, it hadn't, I disconnected that, and it still chirped.  We went to the outside box and sprayed all the connections with contact cleaner.  No, that's not it.  We came inside, sprayed and checked each phone in the house.  We used Ray's cell to check them, as he has more minutes than I do on my $20 a month Senior plan.  

Finally, I took my printer/fax off that phone line, and that fixed it.  I used to have two phone lines coming in here, but the fax hasn't worked since I disconnected the second line.  It was handy to use dial-up when the unstable cable went out, and still have my house phone working.   The cable company says they have all the glitches repaired now, so I had it disconnected.

 

Now that Jim, the mechanic/welder has been so slow working on the cargo/stealth trailer, due to his bad knee, it can't be returned to the side lot for now. 

 

Pamala and Nigel, my sister-in-law and brother from England, have already left the Niagara Falls area.  Here is Pamala in the cabover camper they bought for this "Trip of a Lifetime". 

They should be heading to Chicago to pick up the east end of Rte 66, and arriving here in about a week. 

They will have to park at my other Full Hook-Up beside the workshop, as their rig is too tall to go in my RVport.  Probably just as well, it will be next to the tools and Nigel wants to work on his rig here, before they ship it to England.

We had marked with blocks where Jim was supposed to put the trailer on the side lot where it would be away from the power lines, so we can get up on the roof and check out the AC.

 

Now, the trailer will have to be parked in front of the workshop, so we put the blocks away today.

How to understand RV weight terms. P & N in AK!! New AC.

"Overloading an RV, whether a motorhome, travel trailer, fifth wheel trailer or other recreational vehicle, can spell big trouble. Here is advice from RV expert Mark Polk about how to understand basic RV weight terms. Make sure you understand these terms before buying an RV.
Everyone should have a basic understanding of RV weight terms. Do your research to avoid becoming a statistic in relationship to overloaded recreational vehicle, whether it's a motorhome, travel trailer or other RV."
See the article at: http://www.rvbuyingtips.com/rvweight.html
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AK Trip:

Pamala and Nigel, my sister in law and brother, have made it to Alaska in their Dodge 3500 and Lance cabover camper.
Often internet is not available or not very good, but they managed to send some pictures.  Mouse-over for descriptions.  They were in Delta Junction, AK, last I heard, yesterday. Then heading to the Arctic Circle.













Other famous places they visited:













They saw several bears on the highways:


























And this lovely blue water.



This was someone Walmarting at Calgary, rodeo folks they think:

Now that isn't WM etiquette, taking your camper off your truck!!
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Today:
I went to Lowes early this morning to buy an air conditioner, and then picked up Jay.

We took the old AC out of the window, and installed the new one.   The old one was too large for the area, and so it wasn't dehumidifying right.  It was still working, but just didn't feel right.
This new one should use a lot less electricity, as it has an EER of 10.7.  It has digital readout, and a remote!

I read my electric meter, and will look at the new bill, to get an idea of the difference that made today.

Whaling Ban Upheld. P & N in Canada! Cargo trailer home.

 

"Thanks to all of you who signed our recent petition telling President Obama to reverse his administration's decision to remove a ban on whaling: a decision that would have allowed Japan, Norway, and Iceland to begin hunting these majestic creatures. We are happy to report that the International Whaling Commission has halted negotiations that could have potentially put an end to the 25 year embargo!

Again, thank you for being part of our community that cares and for taking action!"

More at: http://greatergood.com/emails/2010/pet-070810-animal-w.html

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The Dodge 3500 and Lance truck camper that they bought for this trip.

"Our new 'home'. Just arrived at Lake Tahoe.":

 

 

Pamala and Nigel in the the Route 66 Museum at Victorville. 

'Pinning' Cambridge, England:

 

Will Roger's plaque marking the end of Rte. 66:

 

 

Their first view of the Grand Canyon from the chopper.  WOW!

 

Today:

They just Skyped me, and wrote on Facebook, that they just crossed the border near Cardston, south of Calgary, but the internet connection was terrible.

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This morning, my son Kevin, arrived with his big pick up truck.  So a convoy of Ray in the Puddle Jumper, Kevin in his truck, and me in the van, all wound our way around the curvy streets over the bridge, to Section Two of this subdivision, to get the cargo trailer. 

We had the compressor, cords, jacks and shovel, etc. in the Puddle Jumper.  I took the van in case it was needed, and it was.  Kevin had a great big floor jack with him, so he jacked up the trailer and unblocked it. 

Our biggest problem was that the trailer has an electric jack which didn't work.  So we had to turn the drop ball mount over and move the ball to the upside, to tow the trailer.  Yes, I had a pipe wrench with me.

Ray was trying to get the curb side tire to hold air, but it was leaking out as fast as he put it in, so we had to move it with a flat, and take a chance on ruining the rim.  Kevin took it very slowly. 

The Puddle Jumper and the van were needed to carry all the blocks, and other stuff that went with the trailer.

There it is, only ten feet long!

Kevin is used to backing up mobile homes and big trailers, so he slicked it into position outside the side door of the workshop, in my side lot driveway.    Then he blocked up the trailer and took the bad wheel off,  fortunately it hadn't ruined the rim.

We couldn't have done it without Kevin, on this really hot, sticky day.

Kicks on Route 66. P & N Now in California.

"Life doesn't happen along the interstates. It's against the law."
-- William Least Heat Moon, Blue Highways
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While I was on RV-Dreams chat last night, the little Skype icon came up that Pamala and Nigel were wanting to talk to me.   They are my brother and sister-in-law visiting from England, on their way to Alaska and back.  This monitor doesn't have a microphone or webcam, so I have a Skype phone.  I didn't even take the time to plug it into the back of my computer, I was so anxious to hear from them.  So we just started typing.

These are excerpts from our conversation:

[6/30/2010 10:05:51 PM] Nigel & Pamala: "We have just crossed into California and parked at RV park at Needles.

[6/30/2010 10:06:45 PM] Nigel & Pamala: We are having a brilliant time and yes we are taking lots of pics - it's so good with the digital camera as we can delete what we don't want, who ever thought up that idea should receive a gold medal.

[6/30/2010 10:07:57 PM] Nigel & Pamala: We are downloading them onto the computer and then saving them on a usb stick just in case the something happens to the computer.

[6/30/2010 10:09:02 PM] Nigel & Pamala:  We had a glorious few days on a beautiful campsite at Kaw Lake, Ponca City cleaning it and enjoying putting things to right.  ***

[6/30/2010 10:10:06 PM] Nigel & Pamala:  Last two days we have camped in National Parks, so no electric.

[6/30/2010 10:17:19 PM] Nigel & Pamala: The camp site at Kaw Lake was Corp. Eng. and was $12.00 per night - national park ones range from $12 to $18.00 but no electric.   It's OK to go a couple of nights without electric but the cameras need charging - which we are just doing now and the computer just conked out because of low battery, but all OK now.

[6/30/2010 10:18:52 PM] Nigel & Pamala: The air conditioning is working perfectly.  We were surprised that the last two nights we have not needed the aircon.  When we were near and at G. Canyon the temp. during the day was around 85-90 and during the night it went down to 52-55 - so a pleasure, something we were not expecting.

[6/30/2010 10:20:36 PM] Nigel & Pamala: Our friends in California are going to Lake Tahoe as they have a cabin there, they wanted to know if we would be there with them, but a couple of days ago, we thought not as we didn't think we would get this far by now.  We still wanted to get to Monterey to check on mother's birth, but I think it will not be possible as it will probably be Sat. before we can get there, so you never know, we might make it up to Lake Tahoe.

[6/30/2010 10:21:42 PM] Penny: You are going to be stuck if you can't get somewhere by this w/e, the 4th. July!

[6/30/2010 10:23:21 PM] Nigel & Pamala: We camped at Desert View last night which is the furthest easterly point of the Canyon and sat outside for a lecture yesterday evening by one of the rangers giving us the history of the Canyon.   This morning up early and got to the more touristy bit and asked about a flight.  We were on the plane by 10.45 and other than having the children and getting married, I think that was one of the best things we have done in our lives, much, much better than walking to every viewpoint, especially for me.  It cost $191.00 each - we had given our selves a limit of $200.00 - we felt it was a once in a lifetime chance and went for it - no regrets.

[6/30/2010 10:27:10 PM] Nigel & Pamala: Santa Fe was not on our route.  When we hit Route 66, didn't realize it would be so difficult to find parts of it, but soon realized it would not be possible to do it all in the time we had...  It would take a year to do it!

[6/30/2010 10:28:50 PM] Nigel & Pamala: We have pulled off the I-40 to lots of towns mentioned in our books and seen a lot of the old Route 66 interesting bygones.

[6/30/2010 10:29:32 PM] Nigel & Pamala: We also visited the painted desert and the petrified forest - nearly didn't go all the way to the petrified forest, but glad we did now.

[6/30/2010 10:32:48 PM] Nigel & Pamala: We had just come over the border into Arizona and the Tourist Information office said the next RV park was at Holbrook about 70 miles away and it was getting late - so we asked someone in a gift shop and she mentioned one at Sanders which was only a little way down the road, it was brilliant.   As we spoke to some locals and found there was a diner left over from the Route 66 days and was still in operation, so we went and had breakfast in there the next day - they were really nice people and it was the type of thing we were looking for, so it was meant to be."

I guess if Pamala and Nigel won't blog, I guess I will!!

***  Howard and Linda stayed there:
RV-Dreams.com    Journal Site 46.

Dates: October 8, 2006 - October 15, 2006
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Today:

Ray and I had to put some screws on the handle/armrest on the Aerostar passenger door.  The screws had fallen out while Jay and I were in the next town, yesterday.

One thing led to another, and we found that some screws had been 'mis-filed' in their little bins. So we sorted that out.

Then Ray removed some more of the contractor's caulk that was yellowy, and re-caulked around my ivory tub/shower in the master bathroom.  We had re-done the small bathroom years ago.  My area of the house is always the last part to be done!  While he was doing that, I was going through a pile of darned junk snail mail, tearing my name and address off, and shredding it.  And I am on the DO NOT SEND LIST!!

Cooler and overcast again.  We have had some rain, and our high here was 86.6 with 75% humidity, today.

Don't Fall for These Tricks. Santa Rosa, Rte. 66

Don't Fall For These Labeling tricks:

"The benefits of 100% whole grains are piling up faster than endorsement offers in Michael Phelps's inbox. And so are the number of products touting whole grains on their labels. The trouble?
Labels don't always present an accurate picture of what's inside, and the product that appears to be good for you on the label may have all the nutritional goodness of a gum wrapper.

 Why do you want whole grains? They contain the bran and the germ of the grain, which have more nutrients than the endosperm (those are the real names -- we didn't make them up) that you get with refined or enriched grains.

Whole grains are absorbed more slowly than foods made from enriched or bleached flour, so they raise glucose and insulin levels less and keep YOU feeling fuller longer.

A diet rich in whole grains may also help steer you around cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, even gum disease -- not to mention the pain of having to buy bigger pants.

But not all foods that tout whole grain or whole wheat provide it in the healthiest form. You want the grain to have all of its original components. Here are a few fake-out label words to watch for:

Made with whole grains: It may have a pinch of whole grains, but unless it's 100%, you won't reap most of the potential benefits.

Multigrain: This tells you nothing about whether the grains are whole or refined. Even if you're getting 38 different grains, that isn't much good if they are all refined.

Whole grain: If the label doesn't say "100% whole grain," it may have many grain blends. Bad words to see paired with "flour": enriched, bleached, unbleached, semolina, durum, and rice.


What it should say: "100% whole grain" or "100% whole wheat." "

From: http://www.realage.com/blogs/doctor-oz-roizen/dont-fall-for-these-label-tricks?click=p4link1

RealAge Benefit:
Choosing whole grains rather than processed grains can make your RealAge 1.2 years younger if you are a man and 2.3 years younger if you are a woman.
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Today:

Not a lot going on, mostly tending to my doggies after their surgeries, and just getting a few jobs done, like washing the bathroom rugs, and some cooking.

I heard from Pamala and Nigel.  They are on Route 66 going westward:  http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-main.html

They have gone through TX on Route 66:
"Almost immediately after leaving the rolling hills of Oklahoma, you feel different as you enter the vast plains of the Texas Panhandle. It is easy to imagine how it might have once been to be a lone-rider in the midst of what was a wild and primitive country just a little more than a century ago. It is here that old Route 66 stretched across the Llano Estacado (the Staked Plains) and where the romance of cattle-driving days still drifts through the many small towns of the Texas Prairie.
As for the Mother Road, when you glance at a map, Route 66 looks as if it is easy to follow. Though more than 150 miles of the original 178 miles that crossed Texas still remain, you will actually need to keep your eyes wide open in order to not miss the vintage architecture and many landmarks that dot the landscape." 
More at: http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-texasroad.html


Now, they are in New Mexico, and tonight they are staying at the US Army Corps of Engineers
Santa Rosa Lake Recreation Area: http://www.spa.usace.army.mil/recreation/sr/index.htm

"When Route 66 was completed through Santa Rosa in 1930, transportation services again increased in the city. During the days of early Route 66, after travelers had tired of the long, hot, dusty miles, Santa Rosa became known as a welcome and well-known oasis in the desert. Travelers arrived in Santa Rosa to eat, rest, and perform car repairs, if necessary, at the many motels, cafes and service stations that lined the highway.
The old road ran into town past the 81-foot-deep Blue Hole and Park Lake, a motorist campground and source of water during the Depression. Scenes in Rudolfo Anaya's award-winning novel, Bless Me, and John Steinbeck's, Grapes of Wrath, took place on Route 66 at the Pecos River Bridge."
More at:  http://www.legendsofamerica.com/nm-santarosa.html
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"The numerical designation 66 was official assigned to the Chicago-to-Los Angeles route in the summer of 1926.
Route 66 starts in Chicago, Illinois and ends in Santa Monica, California.
The Corvette has become a Route 66 icon.
91% of the original Route 66 is still in use in Texas."
More at: http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-facts.html
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I sure wish I was on that trip, today.