San Francisco Forager

"
Iso Rabins has always done a delicate tango around environmental and food regulations. Rabins pioneered the Bay Area's burgeoning wild-foods movement when he founded ForageSF in 2009, but city health inspectors, noting the potential hazards of eating products gathered in the wild -- the best-known of which come in the form of poisonous mushrooms -- were never thrilled with his organization or its various commercial offshoots."
Read more:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/27/iso-rabins-san-francisco-forage_n_1170654.html

Million miles on a vehicle

I have driven almost every vehicle I have owned over 300,000 miles.
This person has me beat by a longshot.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/10/million-mile-car/

That's a goal, I would like to reach!

Mobile Living Job-- Running a Fireworks stand

Heading out to run a fireworks stand for two weeks! Free electric for RV and excellent pay.

Mobile living healthy for me

I had full lab tests done last week. In the year and a half that I have been back on the road, I have lost 30 pounds and lowered my cholesterol from 270 to 214 with no medication, just diet and exercise. My exercise consists of a little running and lots more walking and situps. I have gone from not being able to do any to doing 30 situps.

Austin, TX

Back in Austin TX. The weather is glorious; high 60s  a few sprinkles of rain.

I Pray You Enough

"
I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

TAKE TIME TO LIVE....

I PRAY YOU ENOUGH......"

Hand Powered Expresso Maker

Click here for Hand powered Expresso Maker  It's great for when you have no electricity.

Battle Hymn

http://www.greatdanepro.com/Battle%20Hymn/index.htm

Rum Diary

I went to the Alamo Drafthouse in downtown Austin, TX
There is also one in Houston, San Antonio, Westchester VA and Denver CO
It's a movie theater that has every other row of seating taken out. There is a long table in front of each row of seating and you can order dinner and drinks. It's awesome!
I went to this one:
http://drafthouse.com/austin/the_ritz

The Ritz

320 E 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-1320

I saw the Rum Diary. Hunter Thompson wrote the book The Rum Diary
http://astore.amazon.com/roadwowander-20?node=1&page=15
and the movie was based on that book.
I thought it was excellent. It takes place in Puerto Rico and stars Johnny Depp

Healthy Soup Tips

We, who live mobile, sometimes have to use canned food. Here are some

Healthy Canned Soup Tips

Sisters on the Fly

Sisters on the Fly book: Sisters on the Fly: Caravans, Campfires, and Tales from the Road [Paperback]

http://astore.amazon.com/roadwowander-20?node=1&page=15

"The Sisters on the Fly know they're having more fun than anyone! Now you're invited to join them on their cross-country road trips as author Irene Rawlings takes you inside the Sisters' decorated vintage trailers. Each trailer reflects its owner's personality, and the Sisters share their individual stories behind their loving restorations--and a few of the wilder outdoor adventures they've experienced along the way.

The Sisters also share tips for buying and restoring vintage trailers because they know that once you see all the fun they're having fly-fishing, riding horses, camping, eating, laughing, and loving, you just might want to join their cowgirl caravan when it heads out for the next adventure."

Stealth Air Conditioning

Posted on vandwellers :

"You can make your own portable AC by taking a window unit and boxing it, with a
fresh air input and an exaust house.   Run the 2 hoses to a window, or better
yet, to breather holes cut into the floor, etc.  A duct booster or two can be
used on the vent hoses to move the air...

This will allow you to build a little 5,000 BTU unit that will not blow people's
breakers when plugged into their houses, etc.   Being 5,000BTU will also allow
you to run off of generators much smaller than what is required to run roof-top
units, etc.

best of all, you can make the entire setup for under $200...   Try getting any
professional RV A/C solution for that...

Vaughn"

Laptop keyboard cover

When living mobile, I noticed my laptop keyboard gets dirtier faster.
I saw these thin skin laptop keyboard covers on TV-- I'm going to try it.

http://astore.amazon.com/roadwowander-20?node=1&page=14

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Living Mobile by Hitch Hiking : Benjamin Jenks

Ever had the urge to quit your job and go travelling across America with nothing but a smile, your backpack and a camera?
Well one man had more than just the urge, he actually got up and did it and had so much fun he is about to embark on a round-the-world trip.
Benjamin Jenks, from Michigan, resigned from his position as the programme director of a therapeutic school for at-risk teens in March 2009 to hitch-hike across America


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2044280/Hitchhiking-Across-The-USA-blog-Benjamin-Jenks-14-000-mile-stop-motion-video-trip.html#ixzz1eUAUQXFt

Texarkana, TX

I was in Texarkana, TX a couple of weeks ago. Went to a great Mexican food restaurant:
http://www.tamollys.com/

When I left the restaurant parking lot in my vehicle, I was following a friend. We were both mixed up with the road construction etc on how to head out of town. I inadvertantly ran a red light. A police car's lights lit up and pulled me over. When the police officer came up to my window, I explained my confusion. He gave me some superb directions, told me he was glad that was all it was (being lost) and told me to drive safely. He didn't even ask for my license nor insurance, nor registration.

WHEW!

A Living Bridge

The Living Bridge
http://www.snotr.com/video/7331/The_Living_Bridge

Two Wheeled Tango Ann Arbor Michigan

I wanted to give a shout out for Two Wheeled Tango in Ann Arbor Michigan.

http://twowheeltango.com/

I highly recommend this shop. I brought a bike in for adjustments. The tech person went above and beyound and charged me very little. I bought a wireless speedometer and it was installed with precesion.

Then I accidently backed into a post and wrecked the the bike. The part wheel that needed replacing didn't get in before I had to leave. So they took one off a parts bike in the back and installed, fixed brake cables--no charge.

Super people.

Another Walmart Parking Article

"
They are usually known as a welcoming sight for RVers in need of a place to stop for the night or a few days before continuing on with their journey.

SmartCentres, which owns the Kamloops, British Columbia shopping centre, installed large new signs on the lot reminding customers there is no overnight parking for RVs or trucks. (Credit: bcnews.ca)

Besides being a big-box retail store, Walmart parking lots across North America have generally been hospitable to the traveling camper.
But, anyone hoping to stay in the Kamloops, British Columbia, Walmart parking lot for an extended period of time can expect to be turned away, reports Kamloops This Week.
This past summer the company SmartCentres, which owns the shopping center, installed large new signs on the lot reminding customers that overnight parking for RVs or trucks is not permitted.
Sandra Kaiser, vice-president of corporate affairs for SmartCentres, told KTW the no-overnight rules were always in place, but not enforced stringently until recently."

Read More:

http://blog.woodalls.com/2011/10/b-c-walmart-says-no-to-rvs/?utm_source=cheetah&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WDC011293_11082011

Monitoring Battery Bank

"The TriMetric is used to monitor battery systems used in remote homes, RV’s or boats that have batteries that store solar, wind, or possibly generator powered chargers. They will help you maintain your batteries. The cost is under $200, including a “shunt”, which is required, and which in some systems is already installed.
All models are designed to monitor the following:

• “Percent Full” (“State of charge”) of your batteries, so you can see if you need to charge them more, or check that overall usage is less than your charging resources.
• Volts of the batteries, for example to check that they are being charged at proper voltage.
• Energy going in, or out of your batteries, measured in Amps or Watts, so you can see that your charging sources are charging properly, or how much current your loads are using..
• How many days since the batteries were fully charged: to remind you to not wait too long between fully charging your batteries to maximize their life."

Read more by clicking the link below




http://www.bogartengineering.com/products/TriMetric

UEV 490 Conqueror Australia off road trailer

The ultimate off road trailer-- a bit pricey but NICE!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpauUSmtJmA&feature=share&mid=51

State by State Towing Laws

State By State Towing Laws

http://www.woodalls.com/articledetails.aspx?articleID=1195129#TN

Surviving the winter in your RV

"
Most RVs simply weren't designed to be used in the winter. They were built for family outings and weekend getaways during the warm months and were intended to be stored away when the weather got too chilly for outdoor picnics. Fulltimers are faced with living in their traveling home, whether it is well designed for cold weather or not. Luckily, there are lots of things that you can do to make your RV more comfortable during the colder months. "

Read more by clicking link below


http://www.marxrv.com/skp/survive.htm

Also: "Your RV Series: Full Time & Cold Weather RV Living"
"This is an important topic for those that, for one reason or another, live in an RV year-around. Reasons are varied but, there is a growing number of people that are living in Recreational Vehicles 24/7. Perhaps you are a full time, Club Affiliated RV er who travels from one vacation spot to the next, a laborer where your job requires you have the ability to move from one job site to the next in little time. Perhaps you have chosen to live the remainder of your life in an RV upon retirement in an RV Retirement Community or perhaps you are just thinking about the possibility."



http://reviews.ebay.com/Your-RV-Series-Full-Time-amp-Cold-Weather-RV-Living_W0QQugidZ10000000009139563

Men who live in structures, attached to vehicle relish freedom, not paying rent

"
Michael Tanner, 52, has spent years trying to live rent-free in Lawrence, and he seems to have finally found the answer.
Tanner lives in a 16-by-8-foot wooden structure — built on a trailer attached to a van — that he moves around the downtown area just often enough to avoid violating any city parking ordinances."

Read more:

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/nov/06/men-who-live-structures-attached-vehicles-relish-f/

Tebowing

Tebowing:
To get down on a knee and start praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different.

30 days of Grateful Dead

http://www.dead.net/30DaysOfDead/november-5

Risk

"And the day came
when the risk to remain tight in a bud
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
Anais Nin

Anais Nin

Boondocking place in Florida

Are you wanting to spend the winter in Florida, and are needing a low
> cost, safe place to boondock?

> I have a few spots on my private property located 40 miles NW of Tampa

> Florida. It is a quiet country setting, close to shopping, medical,
> beach, fishing, entertainment. You can stay a day, or a week, or all
> winter. I have one fellow who has been here 2 years. If you have a dog
> he/she is welcome also.
> I am an active retired lady, dental assistant/horse person, originally
> from Ohio, moved to Florida in 1977. I have been living on this

> property since 1986. If interested email Carol please include phone number
carols1place@yahoo.com

Icy Vehicle Windows

I got caught with icy vehicle windows this morning and no ice scraper.
A credit card did the trick. My hands got cold. My gloves were not where I could get them easily so I wrapped my right "scraping hand" in a hand towel.
No problem.
The credit card really did the trick without damaging the card.

click here for Ice Scraper

Christopher McCandless (Into the Wild)

Christopher McCandless ended up living mobile without a vehicle.
His story was told in the book and movie: Click Here  Into The Wild

Now:
http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail6162.cfm?Id=0,122172
"A production crew from Animal Planet is in South Dakota this week. They are retracing the steps of Christopher McCandless.

He's the young man who hiked into the Alaskan wilderness in1992 with little food or equipment, hoping to live in isolation.

McCandless' journey has been well documented. A movie was made about his travels called 'Into the Wild.' But now Animal Planet is producing a one-hour long documentary about the man who died a lonely death. "

Wet Boots/Shoes

This time of year, lots of areas are getting snow or rain.
If you have wet boots or shoes, trying filling them with sand. They will usually dry overnight this way.

How to Cold Weather Camp in Your RV

Click here for website about How to Cold Weather Camp in Your RV
excert
"

Things You'll Need

• Automatic (thermostatically-controlled) heat tape
• Foam pipe insulation
• Electrical tape
• Holding tank heating pads
• Holding tank elbow/dump valve heater
• Heated fresh water hose
• Heated sewer hose
• Window insulator kit
• Foam ceiling vent plugs
• Insulating windshield privacy curtain (for motorhomes)
• Foam tape or weather stripping
• Dehumidifier
• Catalytic heater"

Vanabode

The book Vanabode can be purchased on my Amazon Mobile Living Store Vanabode

It tells how to travel and live for $20 a day.

Link to website that has excerts from the book:  http://www.vanabode.com/book-excerpts.htm

Another Product For Heat=Coleman Sportcat Catalytic Heater

Another product for heat that I just ordered (want to try) is Coleman Sportcat PerfecTemp Catalytic Heater . I like that it is smaller than my Mr Buddy heater so might be easier to use in the back of the truck when that candle, I posted about below, isn't quite enough.
I will try it out and let you all know!

Heat for Cold Nights

I bought the (click here)> Coghlan's Camp Heat Candles , which I used last night to warm up before I went to sleep and when I woke up.
It was cold cold last night.
It comes in a little round tin. I set it on a flat surface and let it burn for two hours while I watched a DVD (Sling Blade). Since it is an open flame, you have to really watch it and don't fall asleep with it burning.


Then when I woke up in the morning, before I crawled out of the sleeping bag, I let it burn for about a half an hour. It worked great in the back of the truck with camper shell. I used about a $1's worth. Screwed the cap back on, to use another time.


Kathleen

Heater

I have been needing heat at night, sleeping in the back of my truck.
I have a propane mr buddy heater but was looking for something smaller.
I actually found an electric heater that I can plug into my power pack that doesn't take too much power. Most heaters can not be run on a power pack.
This is the heater--only draws 200 watts
Lasko MyHeat Personal Ceramic Heater

and this is my power pack that I use to run it
Energizer all in one
Kathleen

Fall Reading and Fall Cooking

Fall Reading, the most anticipated books for adults and young readers,

click here Fall Reading

Fall into Cooking, the most popular, most exciting or best cookbooks of the year,

click here Fall Cooking

Socks: Acrylic Versus Cotton

The California College of Podiatric Medical Study showed that runners that wore acrylic socks got less blisters than those wearing cotton socks.
Here is one of the studies:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2304016


"

Cotton Up to Acrylic Socks

There's a major debate raging in the sock world that could have far-reaching consequences for millions of blister-footed Americans—weekend walkers and Olympic marathoners alike. The cause of the current "friction" among foot care specialists is a study showing that acrylic socks may actually be better at preventing blisters than socks made of cotton or other natural fibers.

For years, natural fibers and natural materials (think cotton socks and leather shoes) have been the main recommendation of most podiatrists. The recent findings about man-made acrylic offering superior protection fly in the face of conventional wisdom and go firmly against the advice of most coaches, sports physicians, and athletes alike.

But research now shows that cotton socks produce twice as many blisters in runners as acrylic socks, and that the blisters formed by cotton socks are usually three times as big as those produced by their acrylic counterparts.

"As a veteran ling-distance runner and someone who treats runners for blisters every day," says Seal Beach, California, sports podiatrist and study author Douglas Richie, Jr., D.P.M., "the results don't surprise me in the least. I'm well aware that cotton fiber becomes abrasive with repeated use, and that it also loses its shape when wet. The shape of a sock is critical when it's inside a shoe.

"Many people equate acrylic with a silky, nylonlike fiber," says Dr. Richie, "yet spun acrylic feels exactly like cotton and maintains its soft, bouncy feeling even when wet."

Dr. Richie says the nonblistering property of acrylic socks holds true for any type of sporting activity, be it walking, running, tennis, etc. It could be worth a try."

Read more about treating and preventing blisters:
Blisters

To purchase acrylic socks
Acrylic Socks

Road Wanderer's Mobile Living Store

Collection of items that might make mobile living easier.
Click here:

Road Wanderer's Mobile Living Store

Amazon Prime

I have some remote property in southwest texas that I use as a home base. Most people that live out there have their items shipped to them by Amazon. It's less expensive than driving miles and miles to seach for items. It also saves time.

Amazon purchasing and shipping is also an ideal way for someone that lives mobile to receive items they need/want. When you are living mobile, sometimes you don't have a week to wait for an item. Amazon Prime is a great way to get your item quickly so you can be on your way.

Amazon has a shipping choice called Amazon Prime. It cost $79 a year. You get a free one month trial of it. If you like it, then you don't cancel and you are charged the $79. If you don't like it then cancel anytime in that month.

I tried it a couple of years ago to ship some heavy items and it worked perfectly. I canceled it after I shipped them because I didn't plan on ordering anything else for a few months. When I got on the road, I immediately joined and have been using it frequently now. Click here to read more about:
Amazon Prime

This is what Amazon Prime includes:

#1 Unlimited two day free shipping
#2 No minimum order
#3 One day shipping for $3.99 an order item
#4 Unlimited streaming of thousands of instant movies and tv shows

Better Barbecue

Those of us that live mobile sometimes have more oppurtunity to barbecue than we did before we hit the road.
Runner's World has some Healthy alternatives to the usual barbecue fare.

For ideas click here:
Better Barbecue Healthy Tasty Alternatives

Couple of Jobs People can do while living mobile

National Association of Retail Marketing Services
http://www.narms.com/

Mystery Shopping
http://www.volition.com/mystery.html

The Ascent of Alex Honnold

See article that Sixty Minutes Profiled Climber Alex Honnold--who also lives mobile in his van.


Read More About Alex:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/02/60minutes/main20114487.shtml

Blog I follow: Charlene Swankie

Charlene Swankie - http://swankiewheels.blogspot.com/

She says:
"P.S. If you would like me to do a sketch as a Christmas gift, get your order
in now... see samples at:

http://swankiewheels.blogspot.com/2011/09/recent-art-work-sketches-for-gasoline.html  "

The Swiss Army Van

 

Read about this space age electric camper : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2046042/Ecco-campervan-flip-roof-make-double-decker.html#ixzz1aWpi1rmv

SAK = Swiss Army Knife

"Once, on a trek through Afghanistan, we lost our corkscrew...and were forced to
live on food and water for several days!"

W.C. Fields

A swiss army knife is a nice multipurpose tool when living mobile.

Here is the online swiss army knife encyclopedia
http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Tool+List

For good deal on purchasing a swiss army knife:
Swiss Army Knives

Terlingua Green Scene

here is the website  http://www.terlinguagreenscene.com/

Campfire and Chipmunk

Campfire last night

In the morning, I had a little visitor that seemed to be posing for me the closer I got to him/her

Livin At Walmart Song

Click here for youtube song
Living at Walmart By Pat Pipen

Power Washing Inside of My Truck Bed

I took everything out of the inside of my truck bed AGAIN !
I was at a state park campground. I put everything on the picnic bench and tarps.
Then I drove to car wash.
I ended up taking out the bed rug out of the bed. I left the piece that is on the tailgate.
I still have the plastic bed liner.
Lucas fuel treatment had spilled on that other part of the rug and just could not seem to get it clean. So out it went.

Then I power washed the whole inside of truck bed.

It wasn't quite dry enough that night. So I just threw my air mattress in the back and slept.

Then the next day, I let truck sit out in the sun and everything got nice and dry. I put everything back in, put air mattress on top of all and now all set again.

RIP Steve Jobs

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life.
Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other
people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out
your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow
your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want
to become. Everything else is secondary.

--Steve Jobs, Apple co-Founder and CEO, 1955-2011

Do you need to Downsize to get on the road ?

Here are some great ideas on how to get rid of some of your "stuff" so you can hit the road -- and maybe go with some extra cash in your pocket. 
"Gazelle.com



Read more:
How to get money from your clutter

Terlingua, TX

Don't forget the 45th annual chili cookoff in Terlingua in November.
Here is a schedule of events:
http://www.abowlofred.com/events.htm

And here is a fun youtube video of Terlingua
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rCp2DZQElo

Lowered Bed in My pickup again

I lowered the bed in my pickup again. It's much better now, not so close to the ceiling.
I have a complete view out the window now.

And I purchased another drawer box. This really makes things more handy!

Sun Ovens A Different Approach

Sun ovens just require the power of the sun

Read more at this link:
http://www.green-trust.org/wordpress/2011/10/01/sun-ovens-a-different-approach/

Relax Shacks

The blog post below about Sage and his home made Travel Trailer came from this website. There are some cool little houses on it.

http://www.relaxshacks.blogspot.com/

Gypsyliving

Sage built his own travel trailer:


Here is a song he wrote about it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC5Swpro3qs&feature=player_embedded

Read more here:
http://www.gypsyliving.org/

Travel Store Pocket Dryer Travel Clothesline

Braded rubber clothesline
It weighs only a few ounces. Stretch it between two secure knobs or hooks. Clinches without clips or stains.
Rick Steve's Travel Store

Plastic Storage Box

I bought this plastic storage box from Walmart this week. It is so handy. I put it under my air mattress at the very end by the tailgate. It is a drawer that opens sliding forward, instead of opening from the top like most plastic storage boxes. So now I can get into it without taking it out of the truck. I liked it so much, I went and bought another one yesterday.
They are a bit pricey $17 plus but worth it with the time they save me.

Funk legend Sly Stone living in a van in LA

The article calls him "homeless" but it doesn't sound like he is homeless to me. It sounds like he is living exactly where and how he likes.

"Inside his van, the former mastermind of Sly & the Family Stone, now 68,
continues to record music with the help of a laptop computer.

"I like my small camper," he says, his voice raspy with age and years of hard
living. "I just do not want to return to a fixed home. I cannot stand being in
one place. I must keep moving."

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/the_rise_and_fall_of_sly_stone_qijyKoYzmAqer1PA0YogSJ#ixzz1ZDi4rX21

Interview with God -- short little movie

Click the link for the short little inspirational movie

http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/popup-frame.html

Flying with Birds in California

Click the link for flying with birds in CA. It's called Parahawking

http://www.parahawkusa.com/Home.html

Wood Burning Stove and Collapsable Home

Wood Burning Stove in van

Collapsable Home Carried on Roof of Automobile-- 1938

Air Mattress Bed too High in Back of Pickup

The bed was too high. Even though I have the highest camper shell that snugtop makes, I was just too close to the ceiling for comfort. AND I was above the top of the tailgate which made it difficult to get in and out.
So today, I will rearrange stuff so the height is lower and see how it works tonight.

There was no problem sleeping on air mattress without wood frame because the air mattress distributes weight so nothing smushes underneath.
BUT it will be nice to have build out so things can be taken in and out from underneath without taking the whole air mattress out.

Here is an
Enclosed sleeping platform and storage
just click the link above
The above presents the same problem--too difficult to get things out from underneath.
Here are two more ways to build a platform that allows easier access to stuff
truck camping platforms

Sleeping in back of pickup Camper Shell

I took everything out of the back of my pickup this morning. I have a camper shell, plastic bed liner and bed rug on it. Then I blew up air mattress to see how it fits in back. It fit neatly between wheel wells. This is the double/standard size by coleman--the roll mattress.
Picture #1
Then I took air mattress out and put my stuff in so it was about all one height.
Picture #2
Then I took and put the mattress on top of stuff which is
Picture #3
Then I got in to see how far my head was from top when sitting up
Picture #4
Then I put bedding on air mattress
Picture #5

I will sleep on it like that tonight before I do any kind of build out to see how the height is.

Picture #1

Picture #2

Picture #3

picture #4

Picture #5

Sandals

Having roamed for 17 years in California, I wear sandals quite a bit.
For the last few years I have been wearing flojos
http://store.flojos.com/pgcart.pga?product=207
I like the eggcrate memory foam. But much to my dismay, they start shrinking and kind of curling up and even separating with real high temparatures.

I have kept a pink and dark brown pair to wear infrequently.

However, last week I bought a couple of pairs of hiking type sandals. I bought some Keenes, which I haven't tried yet. I will later this week and report.

And then I also bought these:
Cabela's Destination Thongs
They didn't get a good reviews. But the price was right. I have done two long power walks with them and they were very comfortable. I will see how they hold up. Cabela's has a three month guarantee and two of the write ups said the thong part by the toe came out at two months.

here are pics of them on me and the soles of them.

Yesterday Gas Prices and Rolling Vehicles with No Drivers

Yesterday I bought gas for $3.40 a gallon-- ouch --still way too high.

Then last night, I was parked at a lake to take a walk. When I got back, the truck behind me had slid out from its parking place into the driveway part of the lot, right behind me. I went into a business to ask if it belonged to anyone. There was no takers but a kind soul did come out and direct me cautiously out of my spot around this truck. Lesson: Make sure and use your emergency parking brake when parked on even a small incline. Truck could have ended up in the lake!

Netflix DVD "The Road"

I watched the netflix DVD "The Road" last night on my computer, here at the campground.
It was an excellent mobile living DVD. The movie is not for the faint of heart, but it is very very touching. The write up sounds a little hokey but it turned out to be excellent. I have read reviews that the movie stayed pretty loyal to the book that it was based on.

Write up from Netflix site:

 

The Road

2009R111 minutes

From the ash-covered, post-apocalyptic remains of Appalachia, the Father (Viggo Mortensen) and Son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) take to the road in search of a better life. But the Father's health is failing, lending urgency to a journey impeded by nomadic bands of cannibals. Charlize Theron co-stars in this adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, set in a fictional near future in which the world has been virtually destroyed.

Cast:

Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce, Garret Dillahunt, Michael K. Williams, Molly Parker, Bob Jennings, Agnes Herrmann

Leak in Camper shell -- Rope Caulk

I bought this rope caulking on the advise of a friend:

I first went to Walmart and they seemed to have every type of caulking except this one. I finally found it at ACE hardware. I got the $3.29 size.

rope caulk

The place the camper shell was leaking was in the corners next to the cab. So I wouldn't have been able to get a caulk gun in there. With this stuff, I could just squish it in as far as my fingers could reach.

It's raining lightly now. The campershell is not leaking where it hits the truck bed anymore. BUT now I find it is leaking around the window that leads to the truck cab window. Now I need to fix that.

Addendum:

It has been suggested that I use the rope caulk to seal around the window and see if that works. I have only brought that window down 3 times in the six years I have owned the campershell. So no problem sealing it up. I was told that if I want to ever take the window down, just remove rope caulk and reinstall when I bring window back up. I can handle that. I will try it and report back how it worked.

It has a smaller window within that larger window so I can always open the smaller one.

AND it has two side windows with screens and of course the large back window.

#2 Addendum:

I used the rope caulk to seal the bottom of the window that goes from bed of pickup to cab last night. I put everything out in the sun to dry at campground. Slept in back of pickup last night, high and dry though... it didn't rain last night. ;-) All this makes me want to get a little cabover camper for the back of the pickup. It might be easier. I am going to look into it.

New 7 inch TV

I bought a little 7 inch TV from Walmart yesterday. It can be plugged in. Or it does have an internal rechargable battery that it can run on also. It has a little antenna that worked great.
I went into the menu and selected antenna. It had been on cable. Then I did the search for channels. I was in a little town with no large town nearby. I was able to bring up two channels crystal clear-- High Definition. I was amazed.
Here are two pictures of the TV on and the picture on it.

I sat in the back of my pickup with tailgate down and back window up. No problem with watching it in full sunlight.
It's by RCA and was $79
Unfortunately it is out of stock online for the great price of $59 that Walmart was selling them for.
Here is a link you can click for walmart's website to see the specs on it.
RCA Portable TV

Bike Carrier

I use this folding three bike carrier from camping world.

I like it because when I backed into this pole :

When I backed into the pole, the rubber straps gave and the bikes were pushed back instead of the frames being smashed. Only the one wheel was bent.

Cabela's Sale

I went to the end of season sale at Cabelas yesterday. I was in there for FOUR hours!
I bought the truck tent, click on this link to see:
Truck Tent
I got their last one. Another guy wanted it and was having them hold it at the desk in the camping section. I waited him out. He ended up buying a different one so I got it.

I had bought this air bed at camping world in queen size. I like the bed but it was too wide for my truck. So I returned it. It's difficult to find air beds in the double/standard size. They are usually queen, king or twin. It has battery operated pump, which I really like. It was so easy to use.
But Cabela's had one in the double size. Click link to see:
Easy Roll up Air Bed

I also bought some Keene's sandals and some hiking boots and a few warmer clothing items.

I bought a little collapsable two sided flexible plastic sink for washing and rinsing dishes. I don't see it on their website. But the price was right at $12

Hammocks

If anyone is interested in learning more about hammocks for camping or mobile living here is an interesting forum
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16592&page=3

Bicycle Carrier

I crashed my bicycle carrier last night. I backed up, in the dark, in the rain, and hit a short, large, very sturdy metal pole. I didn't damage the pole but the carrier was bent bad and the wheel to one of the bikes was bent.
I bought a new bike carrier this morning and transfered the bikes over. I got the same kind as before.
The last one was on sale for $99. This one (same kind) was $79.
Whew!
Now I need to get a new wheel for the bike.

Addendum to this post:
I took bike in for new wheel--it will be $53 including tax. They had to order it and it will take 10 to 12 days before it comes in.
Thankfully the frame and fork of bike were not damaged--all very straight still.

Returned Quick Set up Tent Today

It is still raining like crazy here. The tent started leaking. When there was about 3 inches of water in the tent, I gave up, packed everything up and left the state park.  I went back to Camping World today and returned the tent. They gave me a full refund, no problem.

Right now, I'm at a motel to clean everything up and get warm and dry and recover a bit!
I used my Wyndham Rewards account to get the motel. I get a 20% discount on the motel from making the reservation through the link on my Worldmark Timeshare account. $36.99 a night.

This looks like something interesting that I might try

Mobile Ebay Income

Check out this lady's blog. She makes money on ebay while she lives mobile.http://ebayrv.blogspot.com/

This is one of her posts on the vandwellers yahoo group:

"Date: Tue Sep 6, 2011 8:25 pm ((PDT))

Selling ephemera on eBay while traveling would work great. I've sold vintage
ladies' designer silk scarves while traveling full-time, and it's a great fit
with mobile living.  Like ephemera, scarves can be tucked into an envelope and
mailed. 

I'm looking at hitting the road again this winter, and will definitely do eBay
along the way.  If you can find a niche selling something very small, it works!
I can store several thousand dollars worth of inventory in a single Rubbermaid
tote.  My packing supplies, computer, portable printer, etc., take up another
tote.  I had a big work counter built into my small rig for ironing and taking
pics of my scarves, with storage space underneath for the totes.

I have to tweak my business practices a little bit to work on the road, but not
much. For instance, when I'm in one place all the time, I can print out my
postage online, but when I'm traveling, I go to Post Offices to mail stuff.  But
that's part of the fun of traveling--going to small town post offices also means
finding small town coffee shops, thrift stores, etc.   

It is really fun to shop for eBay fodder while traveling!  I'm planning to set
up my own version of the "Silk Road" throughout the Southwest...keeping a home
base in New Mexico and another one in Arizona, and hitting some of the ritzier
towns such as Prescott and Palm Springs to pick up inventory.  Then going back
to one of my home bases to sell for a while between trips. 

You hit one of the keys for making this work, Kay--don't spend too much for your
inventory!  If you keep the risk low, selling on eBay is a blast. 

Sue Soaring Sun
The Guppy ~ 1982 Toyota Dolphin
http://eBayRV.blogspot.com/
http://stores.eBay.com/Fun-Frugal-Finds "

Tent Continued

It rained like crazy last night and the tent, I posed about yesterday,  held up. I didn't put any tarp over it, just the little rain fly that came with it. There was no leak at all.

I craweled in the tent about 8pm last night when it started raining. I used my Sprint 3G mobile wifi to get online for a little while. Powered it with the power pack when the battery in my laptop started running low. Finished watching two netflix movies: Cadillac Records-- Very Good
had a glass of red wine and some trail mix then off to a good night's sleep.

I'm thinking about getting a Vizio tv for my travel trailer when I am back living in it. These TVs have built in wifi and can stream netflix videos with no other attachment.

Quick Set Tent

I am trying out the quick set tent by Maccabee Sports. I bought it at Camping World. It seems to be the only tent they sell in their stores. They sell others online. The store representative said it is the first year they have had these tents. No one has returned one yet. There are no reviews on the website yet either. Here is the link to it:
 Quick Set Tent

It comes in a round backpacking friendly bag. It was REAL easy to set up. However, I put up a queen size air mattress inside it and it just about took up the whole amount of floor space. But if you put in a double size or single size, you have plenty or room for your "stuff".

I'm camping at a little lake, in it, for a week.

I slept in the tent for the first time last night, and it was too warm, no breeze. I didn't put on the rain fly, so there was some ventilation on top and one window--the entrance door. There are no other windows. I just put the rain fly on now, because it might rain, and I can imagine it will be even warmer in there tonight. I have my power pack and DC fan for tonight, if it gets too hot. I will let you know tomorrow if it rained and how it held up, if it did rain. It's thundering now.

Burning Man

This couple took an airstream and refurbished it. They are taking it to the burning man festival this week.


Airstream with Moorish touches

Here is a link to the website which sells tickets and explains what it is all about.
http://www.burningman.com/

Burning Man Festival seen from space
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/06/burning-man-photo-space_n_950711.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl11%7Csec3_lnk2%7C93123

Solar power

I use a couple of little solar panels to charge my power packs, also. I use them for the two batteries on my travel trailer sometimes too.
I bought the two pack 5 watt Sunforce trickle chargers. With these small little ones you don't have to have any kind of controller. In addition, they are good for keeping the battery charged up if you are storing your RV or vehicle.

Power Needs: Power Packs

I always have a power pack, with me, for power needs, even if I am living mobile in my RV. Right now, I am using two. I keep one on the floorboard, in front of the passenger seat. And I keep one in the backseat, on the floor, or in the back of the truck. I use them to keep my laptop, cell phone, etc charged up. I keep the power packs, themselves, charged up by plugging them into the DC power receptacle when I am driving.
I would highly recommend these two power packs. They are my current ones:

#1  xanrex xpower 600
Xantrex 852-2000 XPower 600 HD Powerpack
I bought this one through Amazon two years ago. It jump starts another battery and has outlets for AC and DC, and has a light and radio.  It's totally quiet.

#2 Energizer 84020 12V All-in-one I just ordered and received this one from Amazon. This one has large colorful dials and buttons, all real well labeled. In addition to jump starting another battery, it has an inverter which powers the air compressor. It can air up tires and air mattresses etc. It does make a noise when turning that part on. This battery has a light that pivots on a rod that bends. It does not have the radio.

Stone foot/leg massage and pedicure

I went to a nail salon and purchased a hot stone massage for my feet/legs and a pedicure this afternoon. I highly recommend it. It's smart to take care of one's legs/feet, it can affect your entire body. Plus, if you are like me, hiking and biking, power walking, running, can take a toll on those areas. So, I suggest taking time out and pampering and being good to your body now and then.
Feet First: A Guide to Foot Reflexology
below is first a picture of technician doing the hot stone massage. Then, the results after the massage and pedicure.

Running in the Piney Woods of East Tx

dRunning or power walking is a great way to keep in shape while living mobile. The main reason is that the equipment needed to do it, running shoes, take up very little room in your rig AND you can do it almost anywhere.

 I ran this morning in these pine woods. It is still so hot here in East Texas. 100+ every day. I would have to run real early in the morning or late in the evening to make it bearable. But... I was able to run on the trails, through these pines, in the later part of the morning today because they provided such nice shade. Also, the ground is sandy, which gives when running, thus is easier on the joints and feet. It's less jarring.

Runner's World Run Less, Run Faster: Become a Faster, Stronger Runner with the Revolutionary FIRST Training Program

Bike Rack

 I purchased a new bike rack for my truck. It goes into the hitch receiver. It also can fold down for access to the tailgate. Another nice thing is that it sets far enough away from the back of the truck that I can lift the glass part up all the way without hitting the bikes. It's sure nice to have more room in the bed of the pickup!

Fiasco of Camper Shell Seal and Getting Organized

Fiasco of Camper Shell Getting Sealed:
Yesterday, Friday, I went to Infinity in Round Rock, to get my camper shell resealed. The rubber never arrived, neither did anything else they said they ordered for me. So, I got my money back and onward I went to the piney woods of East TX.
I will just order the rubber and parts myself from the midwest office of snugtop and have it sent to a friend's house in Michigan and he will help me take camper shell off and seal it. Should be interesting.

Getting Organized:
I bought three of these in order to better organize things in my truck

Car Wash recommendation in Austin, TX

I had the truck washed inside and out at the Genie car wash on South Lamar in Austin, TX, yesterday. They did an excellent job. They even polished the headlight covers. I had the VIP service done.
http://www.geniecw.com/services/carwash.htm

Restaurant Recommendation in Austin, TX

I ate at Mr. Natural yesterday on South Lamar, in Austin TX. Fabulous food. I had a Horchata and their pecan yogurt. I also had the vegan tortilla soup.
Here is their address, phone number and menu.
http://www.allmenus.com/tx/austin/53461-mr-natural/menu/

Resealing Snugtop Hi-Line Camper Shell

The manager at Stone's Trailers in San Marcos, TX, who is a snugtop dealer, quoted me a price of almost $500 to order more of the rubber seal strips and reseal my snugtop Hi-line camper shell. $320 of that would be labor. See previous post.

I called the main Snugtop number on Snugtop's website and talked to an employee there. The man told me that what the manager told me at Stone's was not true, that the shells were meant to be taken on and off and it doesn't affect the sealing ability. He took the name of the manager from me and gave me another dealer to call. He also told me that I could order the rubber seal and do the job myself, which I was thinking about doing. But, the new place I called is going to do it so inexpensively, that I am going to just have them reseal it for me.

The new place is Infinity Conversions. I called Infinity Conversions, another snugtop dealer, in Round Rock, TX yesterday. They quoted me $96 for them to order the rubber seal, new key for my camper shell, and new handle/lock for the crawl through window.
I paid that by credit card over the phone. To install both of those will be another $100.
Incredible, the difference!

Current Vehicles that I use for living Mobile

I have a 2004 sunline Solaris 25 foot travel trailer. I pull it with a 2001 Toyota Tundra double cab 4X4 pickup with a camper shell. I also have a 1998 Toyota Camry.
I have had the travel trailer and pickup in storage for the last month and living out of the Camry because gas is so high.

I found that storing the travel trailer with one of the vehicles is the least expensive to do at an RV park that allows storage. It only cost me $40 a month to store both.

This morning I will be switching to my pickup, and putting the Camry in storage with the travel trailer. I got a motel 6 room last night. I put everything from Camry into room. Now I am going to the RV park and switching the vehicles. I will take the pickup to the camper shell place, where I bought the camper shell, and get it taken off and resealed. They seem to all leak a bit, but going to keep that to a minimum. It's not the top of the topper that leaks but rather where the topper sits on the edges of the truck. Sometimes a little rain gets inside.

I have a black plastic bed liner in the truck and my son and I also installed the Bedrug over it. We just did the bottom and tailgate, not the sides. I bought it by the roll and we custom cut it. It is washable and sure makes a big difference. I especially like the part on the tailgate being carpeted, because I kneel on that to get in and it sure keeps the pain of the ridges of the truck away from the knees. It's very comfortable to sleep on also.


****Went to Stone's Trailers and Truck Covers in San Marcos TX this morning, (where I bought this camper shell used) to get snugtop Hi-Liner camper shell resealed. The manager refused to do reseal, like they had before for me, (I dealt with someone different before), saying that they were not made to come on and off the truck, that it could end up being worse. My son and I have taken that camper shell on and off a half dozen times before and after the other reseals. I called a snugtop dealer in Round Rock, TX and they are going to do it for me: Infinity Conversions

PS. Using these mounting clamps is nice because you don't have to drill a hole in truck:
 API AC101P6 Mounting Clamps for Truck Caps / Camper Shells (Set of 6)

Mobile Wifi

I have had Sprint mobile phone service for over 10 years. I have been satisfied with it. I have 5 phones on the account, mine plus 3 for my sons, and 1 for my best friend. We have the everything plan that has unlimited data also. Most of us have blackberrys but my oldest son just replaced his phone with the new Evo.
Sprint HTC Evo 4G Android Cell Phone (Black), Without Contract





For Wifi, I originally got the Sprint 3G/4G U6000 but connecting it to the usb port of my computer (a Gateway M-series) always blue screened my computer. So Sprint let me switch to a Sierra Wireless Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot. I do not have to connect it to my computer's USB. I connect to it wirelessly. No problems with it and if I want to let someone else connect to it at the same time, I can, which was not possible with the other one.

Since I have a "permanent address", that is not in Sprint, coverage zone, they do not require a contract with me for any of my phones or this mobile device, which is nice.

Books

Kindle 3G, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, Graphite, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl TechnologyI love to read. The best way to "take" books when living mobile is to get a Kindle. This is the one I would recommend because it has 3G and wi-fi. 
http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reader-3G-Wifi-Graphite/dp/B002FQJT3Q

If any of the links do not work for you on this website, please let me know. theroadwanderers@aol.com
Thanks!

Tioga George

We follow Tioga George, one of the all time greatest full time RVers, who lives mobile. Check him out if you don't already follow him.
http://blog.vagabonders-supreme.net/

Vehicle suggestions for living mobile lifestyle

ARB ARB3101US Rooftop Tent, Awnings and Camping Gear

You can live in or out of almost any kind of vehicle. The only limit is your imagination.

You can even live in an old sedan