What’s Up With That?
Apparently there is a “new” fitness trend called Rucking. Funny how age-old things are re-discovered and given new names.
Just in case you are wondering — I think Rucking is a good thing.
Rucking? The New is the Old
Is Your RV Water Faucet Sputtering Or Full Of Air?
On a recent camping trip the faucets in our trailer started spurting out air and a significant reduction in the volume of water. This was while using the water pump, because we almost never camp where there are water hook-ups. Out campsite was in the middle of the desert and not having water would be a big problem. A quick diagnosis identified the problem, but we weren’t close to a city where we could get parts. This is how I figured out was wrong, and the solution, given our remote location.
Continue reading Is Your RV Water Faucet Sputtering Or Full Of Air?
The Adventurer’s Son: A Memoir — My Book Review
“In the predawn hours of July 10, 2014, the son of legendary Alaskan explorer Roman Dial walked alone into the untracked rainforest of Costa Rica’s remote Pacific Coast. ‘I’m planning on doing 4 days in the jungle,’ he wrote his father before leaving, ‘it should be difficult to get lost forever.’
Then he vanished . . .”
This would be the last communication from Roman Dial’s son.
Continue reading The Adventurer’s Son: A Memoir — My Book Review
Been Busy After a Dumb Mistake — Time to Plan our Next Adventure
Senior Moments
Where has Nick been? I haven’t posted in a while. Been busy installing a new patio roof. And now it is time to plan our next camping adventure. Here’s an update of what I’ve been doing. What I have been doing is the consequence of a dumb decision I made four years ago.
Yeah, I had a Senior Moment four years ago when we had our home solar system installed. My “moment” was my poor decision to install the panels on our patio roof. It was a mistake. In this story I’ll relate several steps that can be applied to many decision making situations; even for backpacking or camping. It has to do with researching products.
Continue reading Been Busy After a Dumb Mistake — Time to Plan our Next Adventure
New World 45 Gallon Fold-A-Tank: 10 Year Review
Imagine. You’re at a campsite with no water available and your camper is getting low on water and you still have a week of your trip ahead of you. What can you do?
One option is to close up the camper and drive to a water source: pack up any loose items inside, retract any slide outs, roll-up your awning, disconnect any items such as a propane grill, hitch up the tow vehicle and drive to a water source. Once your campers water tank is full, you will drive back to your campsite and set up everything again.
There’s a better way.
Continue reading New World 45 Gallon Fold-A-Tank: 10 Year Review
Organizing Backpacking Gear and/or a Camper
Organizer all my backpacking, camping, boating and other gear has always been less than ideal. The biggest issue was the bins were large and it was a hassle to locate the one item I needed.
As it turns out, the solution was simple.
Continue reading Organizing Backpacking Gear and/or a Camper
I’m Done With DCF (aka Cuben Fiber)
Cuben Fiber (now called DCF) is a non-woven laminate fabric developed by the Cuben Tech Corporation in the early 90’s for the sails on racing yachts. In 1992 America3 won the America’s Cup Race using sails of Cuben Fiber.
In the mid to late 2000’s a few cottage industry backpacking gear companies started selling shelters and backpacks made from Cuben Fiber. The fabric has high tensile strength and is extremely light. But it has some important disadvantages. Most of which is my concern that it really isn’t very durable and has a short lifespan.
So the question becomes, is DCF worth the cost?
I’m not throwing away my DCF gear, but when items wear out, which they will, I will be replacing them with something else.
When & How to Replace an RV Smoke Alarm
Earlier this month I shared the story of the RV fire I witnessed. This served as a reminder that fire extinguishers, propane/CO detectors and smoke alarms need periodic inspection, maintenance and end of life replacement.
Yesterday I posted an article on When and How to Replace an RV Propane/CO Detector. As promised in that post, this is a companion article on smoke alarms.
When & How to Replace RV Propane/CO Detector
RV manufacturers have been required to install Propane/CO detectors for many years.
Our 1992 Starcraft Meteorite tent trailer did not have one. I installed one that also included a solenoid that shut off the propane near the tanks. Both our 2006 Fleetwood Niagara tent trailer and our Eclipse Milan travel trailer came with propane and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Nowadays it is rare to see a detector that includes a shut-off solenoid.
These need to be replaced periodically. Most RV manufacturers include the owner manuals for every single appliance and other equipment installed. These are separate from the RV’s owner manual. Our Milan came with over a dozen manuals. Most people don’t read them. And if they do, there’s a good chance they have become misplaced or lost over time.
So let’s go over some information about these devices and a quick documentation of a replacement unit.
Continue reading When & How to Replace RV Propane/CO Detector
How to Avoid Slipping When Hiking Downhill Trails
Senior Moments
A common fall or slip for backpackers is on downhill trails similar to the one pictured above. These kinds of trails can be difficult for anyone, especially for us older folks whose reflexes aren’t as quick as they once were.
What is probably more important than the kind of footwear we wear is our hiking technique, although footwear can play an important part. Proper technique and footwear will minimize slips and falls. Continue reading How to Avoid Slipping When Hiking Downhill Trails