This is our Trek in our Roadtrek 210P. Hint: Scroll to a list of "Topics and Destinations" on the right. Our RT is a portal to a much larger world and we have established "lily pads" from which we travel and we'll post about those, too. Life is a Journey of discovery in our Motorized Alpaca, a "tiny cabins on wheels". It has been said that "Life Begins at the end of our Comfort Zone." Content and photos are original unless noted. Click photos to enlarge.
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G has a "swell" time kayaking
G has a "swell" time on Lake Michigan in an inflatable canoe
Originally posted on July 23, 2018
For more than 25 years, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, at the end of each day, "Taps" has been played live and in-person on bugle or trumpet at Weko Beach in Bridgman, MI.
We were able to visit at sunset and I videotaped the sunset and the playing of taps tonight.
The edited video; Hans Zimmer's score "Da Vinci Code", wind, waves and taps:
We trek in locations which have water and I've wanted a kayak or canoe for the two of us. I didn't want to leave G on the shore. Trekking with a rigid such thing attached to our 210P didn't strike me as a good idea. I did investigate a two-piece rigid kayak and discussed it with the owner of one at the lake. But I decided it was too costly and that transport, even in sections would be an issue in the Roadtrek.
Why a kayak or canoe? It's consistent with the very basis of trekking in our 210P. We chose a 210P to be unfettered. Yes, we can't go where there aren't roads, but otherwise we are free to trek as far as our gasoline leash will allow, and on road suitable for automobiles. However, upon arrival at the water, we had to stop. I wanted to go farther. I've owned and sailed several boats up to 25 ft, canoed 90 miles in a single trek in the Canadian wilderness and I was not to be stopped. However, I was delayed. It's taken four years to get here, but in the meantime I've set up two "lily pads" and trekked 30,000 miles in the 210P. This was while working. I also volunteer up to 1,000 hours per year. I'm a patient man with a vision and a goal.
The water is beckoning
I decided to investigate inflatables and I like the SE370 inflatable kayak sold by Sea Eagle. I like the dimensions, the weight capacity of 650 lbs and the inflatable, removable seats. These work well as beach seats, too. I'd guess the kayak hull weight less oars and seats is about 30 lbs. I did a fair amount of research and decided to purchase one. Folded it will fit beneath the bench seat of the 210P. It comes with a durable carry bag.
It went together easily, although attaching the retainers for the valves can take a while, but that's a chore that only has to be done once. I inflated it with the foot pump supplied. That took about 15 minutes and let it rest overnight to see if it had any leaks. One chamber deflated overnight (it has three main and two additional across the bow and stern). I tightened the valve where it attaches to the hull, inflated it again and it was leak proof.
The weather patterns the past month weren't conducive to kayaking on Lake Michigan with storms, E-Coli issues at the State Park beach and crowds on weekends. So we waited for an opportunity.
This weekend we beat the crowds and tried it out. It was a lot of fun and the inflatable seats are removable and work well as beach chairs.
Removed from the box
Assembled and ready for the water
We picked a day in which it was very calm, the water cool and the air temperature about 80F. I wanted to see how it handled with only boat wakes to worry about. The kayak is stable, handles well and is sufficiently light that I carried it inflated from the RT to the water. The two skegs help the trakking and I'm please by that. From the RT to the water took two trips. One with the kayak over my head and the second was with the paddles, seats and suntan lotion, etc.
G was a bit apprehensive and didn't know what to expect. But she had a good time and is looking forward to the next opportunity.
There are a variety of ways to keep cool when trekking in summer. Fresh water lakes are fun to swim in, but unless we can find shade, we'll have that RV cooking in the sun. I've created a variety of solar shades to help. This morning I finished the one for the lily pad (our cabin) next to the pond.
How I make these
I prefer Coolaroo Sun Shade. These are made of High Density Knitted Polyethylene. It is breathable and blocks 85% or more of the sun's UV rays. I sometimes paint to to give a little interest.
I may use vinyl cord for the edge.
Here's the sketched outline on the shade I painted today. I adjusted the brightness and contrast so the outline would stand out for this photo. I painted it while on the ground, and then hung it to complete the drying process. I use enamel:
Contrast adjusted to show sketch on fabric
Partially painted
Paint complete, hung to dry.
At times I get creative for the hanging method. This one is 15 ft. tall and has two pipe supports from above:
A few years ago I had a leak at the fresh water fitting of the toilet in the Roadtrek. That was primarily a nuisance because it is a wet bath and any water is contained within (unless it overwhelms the volume of the bath area and gray tank).
I solved that problem with a little TFE paste which is suitable for use on nylon fittings. I posted a video at the time about this.
Recently we had a slightly different and much more serious problem with a Thetford toilet. The fresh water valve failed to close. As is often true with "Murphy's Law" the problem occured at night, at the "most inopportune time". Gradually the toilet bowl filled and overflowed. We didn't hear it. In the middle of the night we discovered water was flowing out of the bathroom.
[Note: this post is not about the pluses or minuses of a Thetford. We like our "made in USA" Thetfords and wouldn't change them for anything. We have three rigs (two are Lily Pads and in all there are four Thetford toilets). In fact when we decided to change a toilet recently we went with a Thetford Aqua-Magic II. A contractor recommended another brand and we said "No". So I purchased and installed the toilet myself. $153.12, delivered price. ]
Now, unlike the toilet in a sticks n' bricks abode, RVs generally don't have a shutoff for the fresh water inlet to the toilet. So when we discovered we had a toilet fresh water issue I had to run outside and turn off all water to the rig. The water had to stay off until I could resolve the issue with the toilet. Of course, we could have turned on the fresh water pump when water was necessary but that too is risky. (Note: We did turn off the hot water heater "better safe than sorry" if the level in the heater fell.).
I decided that we needed a shutoff valve for the toilet. But that's easier said than done with such tight quarters. Not only is there limited space for a valve, there is also limited space to operate it.
I wanted something that would not require modification of the PEX piping.
I did find a very small valve with an easy slide "off-on" feature and decided to try it. I decided it would be easy to operate in the blind, by touch and without the ability to observe the valve, and it is! Cost? $8.60. It is a "KES Shower Head Shut-Off Valve Ball Valve 1/2-Inch NPT BRASS Polished Chrome, KUS1140B"
Here are a few photos:
Toilet fresh water inlet - no valve.
Photo of the valve, to give an idea of the size
Suppliers photo of the valve.
Photo with valve installed. Fits well and works "wonderfully" and I don't have to see it to operate it.
Here's a link to the earlier video about a dripping fresh water inlet to the toilet in the Roadtrek; this was solved with a little TFE paste applied to the threads:
