A malted and a smoothie

As we prepared to leave MI for a few days we stopped by the Beach Bucket on Red Arrow Highway before going into the Warren Dunes State Park.  I got a blueberry-yogurt smoothie at the Beach Bucket and G got a malted. Then down or up the road we went!

Summer Sunsets

No sunset is the same as the one preceding it. Here is a video of the July 22 sunset, with thunderheads over the horizon.

The weather at Latitude 41.901439

In the northern latitude where we spend about 7 months of the year, we find ourselves on the cusp of warm and cold fronts. That makes for some interesting weather during the warm weather months. One day it's 65F and the next it's 85F.

This, I have concluded, is why man invented air conditioning.

However, when those cold fronts move down from the north the skies turn clear blue, the humidity falls and the nights are very cool. On other days the fronts move northward, the humidity skyrockets to 85-90% and the thunderstorms commence as the front moves by.

A couple of days ago we were treated to a sudden shift in weather as a warm front moved northward. Rain began at about 4:00am and by 7:00 we not only had a significant downpour, but then we were treated to hail. However, a few hours later the sun dried it all out and we biked to the lakefront and discovered that the sun worshippers were at the beach. As this weather "tug of war" goes on, we also get some wonderful rainbows.

Krasl Art Fair

The Krasl Art Fair is underway. A beautiful, sunny and mild day.

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A short video:

Sunsets on the Eastern Shore of Lake Michigan

Last glow of the setting sun

A couple of sunset videos. We walk to the lakeshore to view the sunset as do many others. However as the park closes at 10:00pm and it is dark, if we decide we will stay to full dark we will drive in. Takes a season pass, which is inexpensive.

Getting entertained in Three Oaks, MI

When travelling we look for local entertainment.  There are street fairs, county fairs, concerts, art fairs, classic car nights, and so on. There are bicycle events, garden and architectural walks. All kinds of activities.

 Many communities provide free, or nearly free concerts. There may be a request for a donation and we always comply. Compared to the cost of a first run movie, these events are really inexpensive. Other things to consider are local fairs. The Gem Show in Tucson comes to mind, as does the Krasl Art Fair in St. Joseph MI and the Sandwich Fair in Sandwich, IL. In the summer many communities have lots of outdoor activities. Some are free, and some charge a modest admission. Even the Gem Show has free venues.

Here are links to a couple of almost free events. One is an Open Mike which attracts various artist, and another is an outdoor concert. Both videos were made in Three Oaks, MI.

Acorn Theater Open Mike Night:

Three Oaks Music in the Park night:

An Evening at the Acorn Theater - Open Mike Night

The joys of trekking include all of the things one can do and see.  Here's a compilation video made during open mike night at the Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, MI.

We really enjoyed the evening and we have seen several performances in the recent three years. We aren't in Three Oaks on the right nights it seems, but yesterday we were and G suggested we go. It was a lot of fun. Great artists. Wow! And, we really like the theater, too.  I've included a link to the theater's social media page.

G's performance is at 26:53.

https://www.facebook.com/AcornTheater/

Quetico Provincial Park

I put up a video about a slightly different kind of trek over at YouTube. At one time I was a youth leader and as an adult I learned to backpack and canoe. I never had the opportunity in my youth. As part of my volunteering I went with a group of boys into Quetico Provincial Park in Canada. We canoed 90 miles on that trek. But the sons and I were never able to do this together. Some years later when I was asked by the elder son what I'd like to do together, I said "Let's plan a trek to Quetico."  So we did.

Here's a short video of that trek. G did not accompany us on this one.

West Coast Trek - Videos

A few years ago we learned that Bill and Rosemary were planning a trip to Los Angeles to handle a matter. Now Bill had spoken many times about a desire to visit the Columbia River Gorge and yet he had never gotten there. We discussed this and I suggested that they consider a trip through some of the national parks to the Columbia River and then back south along the coast. I suggested that they take a train north from LA and we'd pick them up in San Francisco or Oakland. 

I began planning a route, with overnight stays, generally manageable daily distances and so on. After we decided upon the nightly budget (for this trek we were to stay in motels) I began looking at all of the possible staying points along the route. That was one of the more difficult things because for some legs there were few motels, hotels or dining spots. I decided it would be necessary to tailgate at various points so G and I planned on coolers, ice and transporting food for lunches and snacks. 

After three or more months of planning we were set. 

I've finally put together some video segments of this trek and posted it on YouTube. Enjoy. 

Part 1. Yosemite and Bodie:

Part 2.This segment includes Lassen Volcanic Park and Crater Lake:

Part 3.This segment includes the Columbia River, Vista House and numerous waterfalls:

Part 4. This segment includes the Oregon coast:

Part 5.  South on the Oregon Coast, to California.  

Part 6. This segment includes more of the coast and California to San Francisco:

Note: Updated May 27, 2017 to revise description of Part 5 and add Part 6.

Fourth of July Picnic - Part I

The Fourth of July was a success. Our contribution to the pot luck picnic was a colorful fruit salad with pound cake. Simple and refreshing.

 The weekend also included a short parade. There is always a lot of fun and we avoided the nearby State Park which was packed with visitors.

Sunset on the Lake

On the Lakefront

Add an external 120V receptacle

Every motor home or camper van may seem to be deficient a feature or two. I purchased a Roadtrek 210P and I've made a few improvements to tailor it to my personal "tiny home on wheels" lifestyle.

One thing the 210P does not have is an exterior 120VAC receptacle. This may not be a problem if the site one rents has a meter with both 30A RV power connector and 120VAC ground fault receptacle. In such a case, all that is required is an outdoor rated extension cord and we can power up lighting, an induction heat plate or even a boom box. However, if the campsite has only a 30A RV power receptacle then we face a dilemma. The only way to get power to an exterior device or extension cord is to leave a door open and use one of the ground fault protected 120VAC receptacles.

That solution was not acceptable to me, and so I decided to add an exterior 120VAC receptacle. The following video shows how this was done without violating the integrity of the RT body and fiberglass shell.

Alaska Trek - bald eagles

On our Alaska trek we took the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour. I've provided a previous post about that tour.

This post includes a video of the bald eagles we encountered, while on the tour.

Alaska Trek - Crab Fisherman's Tour

On our Alaska trek we spent a short time in Ketchikan and we took a trek on the Aleutian Ballad. The Aleutian Ballad was featured, and became famous on the Discovery Channel’s Emmy Award winning television series, Deadliest Catch. "On season two of that program, viewers watched in amazement as a crab boat was hit by a massive rogue wave, rolling it onto its side during a treacherous storm. That boat was the Fishing Vessel Aleutian Ballad, "

When we visited Ketchikan, Alaska, we took the opportunity to step on board and into the amazing world of Alaskan crab fishing via the "Deadliest Catch Crab Fishermen's Tour."

It was wonderful and we experienced a lot of nature, including swooping bald eagles!

On our Alaska trek, this was one of several highlights. Yes, it was overcast, and yes, it did begin to drizzle. But we were under a steel canopy, the seas in the inland passage were calm, the temperatures were mild at 55F. So we had a really enjoyable time on this 3-1/2 hour "adventure."

I've made a brief video of only a small portion of this wonderful, guided tour on a fishing boat which has been voted "Best Alaska Tour."

I may prepare and post a second video, including the eagles and other scenes not included in the first video. A link to the website for the "Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour" is included in the post.

Here's the link to the official website:

http://alaskacrabtour.com/

Alaska - Tracy Arm Fjord

Sawyer Glacier - Our Destination

This is a continuation of treks and things we've done which took us away from our normal lives. I've expanded this in recent years as time and $$$$ permits. We have taken some treks with relatives who are getting older and had expressed a desire to do things they had not yet done. It's good to do these things while we are physically able and with family or friends.

One small group was an Alaska trek which included a cruise up the Tracy Arm fjord to the Sawyer Glacier. This was the second glacier I've seen in my life. I was able to walk on the first one with mountain goats. The trek up the Tracy Arm was a leisurely one on a cruise ship. No hiking required or possible. 

I'll post a video in a few days, but for now here are a few photos. .Update: The video is at the end of this post.

Maneuvering in the Fjord

Early in the morning we continued up the Tracy Arm Fjord to Sawyer Glacier. Sunrise was about 4:00am and I was outside by 5:00 to watch our progress.

As we proceeded slowly into the fjord, we passed waterfalls, floating ice and seals. The scenery gradually changed and we encountered more floating ice as we grew closer to the glacier.

First View - Sawyer Glacier

Seals in the Distance

Here's the video link, uploaded May 31:

Alaska Trek - Whale Watching

During our Alaska trek, we did some whale watching. I was amazed at how 'lush' and vibrant the waters were.

We were not disappointed, and the sea lions cavorted for us. The naturalist laughed at their behavior and said they were like large dogs and love to show off.

Warren Dunes May 2015

This year, we plan on spending some time along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. To that end, we visited the Warren Dunes last week. Of course, where we go this summer will be determined in part by the time available. Currently the schedule is busy.

The dunes is a fun spot. It's popular with hikers, bathers and youth groups. According to the Michigan DNR "The rugged dune formation rises 260 feet above the lake and offers spectacular views and excellent for hang gliding. The park has three miles of shoreline, six miles of hiking trails and is open year-round."  Entry via motor vehicle requires a "Recreation Passport" which is $9 daily and $31 annually for non-Michigan vehicles. 

In the Spring there are the swallows. During the fall, there is the migration of Monarch butterflies. Here are two videos. One was made a week ago, the other last fall. 

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Thetford Toilet Repair

Last fall we detected a problem with the Thetford toilet. The following video describes it, how it was a minor fresh water supply line leak and how it was repaired. Having TFE paste and the proper tools were a necessity.

Spring Startup - Oh, Oh, the slide has jammed

We have a long term plan. That includes shorter term components.

We took the RT out of winter storage and moved it to the location we decided upon last summer.

My experiences with a camper van includes two peak periods. One is prepping it for the winter storage and the other is taking it out of winter storage. After that, we enjoy.

Now. I admit I'm new to this. So there are always mini-adventures in taking the RT out of storage. Was anything damaged by the winter freeze? Did anything break or fail? Was my "winterizing" regimen successful?

So, when we power up the RT we check everything and look for issues or problems. As I like to tell my friends, this is like powering up one's home each spring after hibernating for the winter.

This year, we did encounter a problem which I would put in the "show stopper" category.

I check most of the major systems in the fall, make preparations for the winter and then recheck in the spring. I also took the RT to the Chevrolet dealer for the 15,000 mile service, which includes new wipers, replacing the engine oil with new Mobile One synthetic, rotating the tires and a good general check of the entire vehicle. After a clean bill of health by Haggerty Chevrolet in Wheaton, we drove to the location of the RT for the next six months.

Setup was uneventful. But on the morning after, the large slide-out would not open. This is a "show stopper" as opening this slide-out is essential for dumping the grey and black water tanks. Of course, if we can't open this slide-out we can't get to the BBQ, or the lawn chairs and firewood, either!

I was successful in solving this problem. The following video indicates how, and some other spring preparation: