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