tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55805639961842833672024-03-12T21:01:09.384-04:00Alligator TeardropAmelia Sauterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17024701477570794644noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-13047753035072961402013-08-14T10:15:00.000-04:002013-08-14T10:15:45.209-04:00Efficient Teardrop packing Let's face it: we all have our own unique, obsessive compulsive (read: irritating) ways to pack. There is an order. Do not disturb the order. May the order be with you.<br />
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Each time we go on a trip we try to pare down a little bit as well as try to streamline the packing and unpacking process.<br />
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My traditional "staring routine" begins while packing for a trip. I do the same thing when building a piece of furniture. I stare a lot at the lumber, flip boards around, step back, stare, move another board, step back, stare, you get the idea.<br />
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I like to think I'm more efficient, but I spend so much time obsessing over efficiency that I'm not efficient anymore. (Whoa, that was as epiphany. I need to stare and ponder that last sentence a bit.)<br />
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This last trip I made a little pile of "stuff" that we haven't used. It included:<br />
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- A table cloth and the clips that hold it on a table (Never used it. Ever.)<br />
- A tupperware of bungee cords and rope (I have bungees and rope in the truck already.)<br />
- A large solar lantern (We have a small one that's brighter & we don't really use the large one.)<br />
- A giant pot lid (What the hell do I have this for?)<br />
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I also packed a bunch of items into two rectangular plastic bins with lids on this trip. The space and tidiness you create from this one little thing is amazing.<br />
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I put round items into one of the bins: two dish buckets and a compost bucket. I stuffed the buckets with two rag rugs, a folding rug, a small folding step stool and a solar lantern.<br />
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I put wood scraps* and newspaper into a tall bin with a lid. I usually use a small metal trash can for wood scraps.<br />
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Goodbye round space hogs! I said good day, Sir!!<br />
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Round is wrong. WRONG! Really, who designed round storage? We don't have round refrigerators or round cabinets, or round truck beds. We have angles. To maximize storage capacity we should have angular storage containers.<br />
<br />
-Leah<br />
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<i>*I'm not talking about logs and twigs from home. I'm talking about dimensional lumber that's been kiln dried from my wood shop. DON'T transport wood from home for your campfire. We, the Campers, must be responsible and buy firewood locally near our campsite. We, the Campers, must walk the walk. We, the Campers, must set an example. Invasive species of insects are wiping out trees because of thoughtlessness. We, the Campers, must tread lightly.</i><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-6353190862212630202013-08-07T09:00:00.000-04:002013-08-09T09:55:37.104-04:00Teardrop camping at Cranberry Lake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XptSFBwZVaU/Uf22B-8X44I/AAAAAAAABT0/teLT1blR4Es/s1600/IMG_4566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XptSFBwZVaU/Uf22B-8X44I/AAAAAAAABT0/teLT1blR4Es/s320/IMG_4566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cranberry Lake, New York: a great spot to have your morning coffee and a blueberry muffin.<br />
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The hardest thing to do on vacation is nothing. It's hard to do nothing when we're all so connected all the time, every second, every minute. A text here, check the weather, Facebook, did so-and-so email?, gotta write a note --- on my phone.</div>
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Cranberry Lake has no cell service. No outside world. The world won't end if I don't have cell service, but damn I'm as addicted as everyone else so I had a wee bit of a OMG WTH am I going to do without my little crack pipe phone??!! </div>
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Yes, the great existential question is Who are You without your crack phone? WHO are YOU?</div>
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I'm on the verge of a rant so I think I'll just zip it for now.</div>
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Cranberry Lake. Disconnect.</div>
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-Leah</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-38417988307876658942013-08-03T21:58:00.001-04:002013-08-05T13:38:53.263-04:00Wheel bearing replacement is pretty damn easy<br />
Wheel bearing replacement and re-pack ----- done and done.<br />
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This is a pretty straight forward job. Take the wheel off, tap out the outer bearing, tap out the inner bearing, inspect for any pitting or damage, grease up the bearings, tap them back in, put the wheel back on.<br />
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I'm going to put up a bunch of pics here to show the process:<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFFXxRO34WQ/Uf2cORguK_I/AAAAAAAABSM/_hh3Ef3xfDk/s1600/IMG_4166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFFXxRO34WQ/Uf2cORguK_I/AAAAAAAABSM/_hh3Ef3xfDk/s320/IMG_4166.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Jack up the trailer and take off the wheel. (It's a good idea to wear latex gloves when you do this job because it's greasy and nasty.)</span></div>
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</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RjRUG2_ms8/Uf2cPa8hOLI/AAAAAAAABSc/I3QTHzccyqY/s1600/IMG_4167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RjRUG2_ms8/Uf2cPa8hOLI/AAAAAAAABSc/I3QTHzccyqY/s320/IMG_4167.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">Take out the cotter pin. Throw it away. Don't re-use it; buy</span> <span style="font-size: small;">a new one.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lAFZMGdlJmo/Uf2cO2KPvTI/AAAAAAAABSQ/OmSqbiiLmSs/s320/IMG_4168.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">Unscrew the nut and take the wheel off.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qd8HiMRcxA/Uf2ce5Xiq-I/AAAAAAAABSw/2sVheXJ9jPE/s1600/IMG_4169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qd8HiMRcxA/Uf2ce5Xiq-I/AAAAAAAABSw/2sVheXJ9jPE/s320/IMG_4169.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">Inspect the axle for any damage.</span><br />
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</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WesADh-EnkU/Uf2cedJBRsI/AAAAAAAABSk/UpvYyStZeGs/s1600/IMG_4170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WesADh-EnkU/Uf2cedJBRsI/AAAAAAAABSk/UpvYyStZeGs/s320/IMG_4170.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Time to pop out the outside bearing! There's a grease seal that holds the bearing in. Flip the hub over and tap the lip of the seal. A large socket works great for this, or a metal punch. Be gentle, yet forceful. Tap all the way around the seal until it pops out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You can re-use the seal if you don't damage it.</span></div>
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</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BfLceckaBXM/Uf2cex8cP6I/AAAAAAAABSs/jRmVXB9BSRk/s1600/IMG_4175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BfLceckaBXM/Uf2cex8cP6I/AAAAAAAABSs/jRmVXB9BSRk/s320/IMG_4175.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Viola! Here's the outer bearing and eeeek! Look at that bulge on the left upper top! I must say, I LOVE finding and fixing a problem. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I guess I'm not re-packing, I'm replacing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fortunately, there's a NAPA within walking distance. I bought the set, which is two bearings and two grease seals. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MuGe-7GixM4/Uf2coWfvjCI/AAAAAAAABS8/9TE45SlXNVQ/s1600/IMG_4177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MuGe-7GixM4/Uf2coWfvjCI/AAAAAAAABS8/9TE45SlXNVQ/s320/IMG_4177.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">I used a wooden block to pop out the grease seal. I'm tapping out the inside grease seal in this pic.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBC9kHjStKk/Uf2csGNYI5I/AAAAAAAABTE/C9Hzq0gxWp4/s1600/IMG_4179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBC9kHjStKk/Uf2csGNYI5I/AAAAAAAABTE/C9Hzq0gxWp4/s320/IMG_4179.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Clean out all the old grease with a rag. Inspect the inspect the inside for any damage.</span></div>
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</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PMyS1mScTAk/Uf2ctVtJRQI/AAAAAAAABTM/JivoY8ncWBg/s1600/IMG_4192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PMyS1mScTAk/Uf2ctVtJRQI/AAAAAAAABTM/JivoY8ncWBg/s320/IMG_4192.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Reverse the steps to re-assemble. Install the inner bearing first.<br />
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Liberally grease up the bearing, making sure grease is pushed through the bearings. Set it in the hub and place the grease seal on top and tap it in. Make sure you grease up the inside of the hub.<br />
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Be careful here; if you have a socket or a piece of wood use that to tap it in. You don't want to damage the grease bearing.<br />
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It's really hard to get the inner bearing set if you don't have something roughly the same diameter (slightly smaller) than the grease bearing.<br />
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Fortunately, I have a lot of woodworking tools and I had something...<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Em6ecuN9yWY/Uf2fAyQOqeI/AAAAAAAABTc/TuNz9naaDlg/s1600/IMG_4191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Em6ecuN9yWY/Uf2fAyQOqeI/AAAAAAAABTc/TuNz9naaDlg/s320/IMG_4191.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This is a tenon cutting bit I have that fit perfectly in the hub.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A few taps and it was set in.</span></div>
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</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Em6ecuN9yWY/Uf2fAyQOqeI/AAAAAAAABTc/TuNz9naaDlg/s1600/IMG_4191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: start;"><br /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iFxCkCQtfMs/Uf2fBzNE09I/AAAAAAAABTk/NrNlrxcYS6Y/s1600/IMG_4193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iFxCkCQtfMs/Uf2fBzNE09I/AAAAAAAABTk/NrNlrxcYS6Y/s320/IMG_4193.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Slip the wheel on the axle, tighten the nut finger tight only! Put the new cotter pin end and bend the ends around the axle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Bam! Done. And it didn't fall off when we went to Cranberry Lake, so I guess I did it right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Isn't that what most of us think when we undertake something we haven't done before? The "I must have screwed this up somehow yadda yadda yadda."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Well, people, I'm here to tell you that little insecure inner voice can suck it! (I actually just sang that line, so I encourage you all sing it out as well). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You can do anything.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">-Leah</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-83666331686224472972013-06-20T17:00:00.000-04:002013-06-20T17:00:48.420-04:00I've got the hatch bluesI have to be honest: My hatch sucks. (Insert sigh and grumpy face here.)<br />
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It doesn't make a solid enough connection to the Teardrop when it's closed. It's too heavy, and I installed the hurricane hinge too short.<br />
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I've learned so much since building the Teardrop that the current hatch simply won't do. I fixed the hinge leak, but now there's a leak somewhere halfway down the hatch. Boo!! Hiss!!<br />
<br />
Now I could tinker with the hatch forever, but am I just putting off the inevitable? Shouldn't I just build a new hatch? I'm leaning strongly towards it.<br />
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Right now I'm thinking the new hatch will have aluminum tubing for the frame and every piece of wood will be primed and painted with marine grade paint on all four sides. That's as far as I've gotten in the thinking phase, probably because it's overwhelming to think about.<br />
<br />
I've got until January to get it done. Six months seems like a very reasonable timeline. Oh yeah, but there's a To-Do List for the rest of my life, like building a solar kiln, finishing a micro-house on wheels I started last year, putting a metal roof on the shed, building an end-grain butcher block cabinet...You know, little things.<br />
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It's Five o'clock - it's cocktail time!<br />
<br />
Leah<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-34130274458153523642013-06-10T21:24:00.002-04:002013-06-10T21:25:00.605-04:00Repack trailer bearingsLast year I got a little too close to a curb and popped of the dust cap on one of the trailer wheels. I didn't notice this for a long, long time. When I did notice it, I 'll admit it, I kind of ignored it. Lazy is not good, never has been, never will be. <br />
<br />
This past January while in Florida I saw a GIANT bulge on the sidewall of the trailer tire and had it changed out. The mechanic noticed a serious wobble in wheel. Turns out it was very unhappy bearings due to that dust cap being off for too long (cough, cough, cough -lazy-).<br />
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Well, the time has come to repack the bearings. Doesn't look too hard. Take the wheel off, pop off the dust cap, take out the cotter pin, remove the bearing, clean the gunk off, repack it with grease, put it back on (with a new cotter pin).<br />
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How hard can that be? I even ordered myself a bearing packer, $10 at amazon.<br />
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Let's get dirty! Woo!<br />
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-Leah<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-777223482649145632013-02-20T21:18:00.000-05:002013-02-20T21:18:54.565-05:00Five things I don’t need while camping
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In no particular order, here are the five things I don’t really need:</div>
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1. Cocktail shaker.
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Yes, I love my cocktails. But, if I have a ball jar with a
lid, then I have a cocktail shaker. Really, what <b><i>can’t</i></b> you use the almighty
Ball jar for? </div>
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My name is Leah, and I have a Ball jar addiction.</div>
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2. Grill top for the Camp Chef stove</div>
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I’ve found that this is unnecessary and bulky. Besides, I
have my new bestie, the Coleman Oven, what more could I need? Other than a Ball
jar.</div>
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3. Plastic cups, not the disposable kind, more like the
picnic kind</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No thanks, I like drinking out of glass. Gee, how about a Ball jar? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What’s that? Did I hear “wah, wah, wah, they might break,
wah, wah, wah.” Wrap them up,
Dopey. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I feel a tangent coming on about using disposable
kitchenware, or disposable anything, but I’ll hold myself back. I just think disposables are wasteful and unnecessary. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Any form of
radio, cd player, stereo</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t go camping to force everyone to listen my music. Many other
people do, and I judge you. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is one of those things that I should just accept while
camping. Someone will be playing loud music, chugging
cheap beer and hoo-haaing all night long at some point during any camping trip. If I’m really lucky some drunken fool
will light off fireworks, “woooo-hoooo!!! aint that fun?!” Um, no, it’s not, and I hope you blow off a
finger.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The silver lining is that most people don't have the endurance to
do this for more than one night. It takes training, commitment, and dedication to abuse
your liver two consecutive nights in a row. Most people simply don’t have the gumption.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Darn it, I don’t have a Ball jar reference to insert here!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. Onion, garlic and black pepper (terrifying, isn’t it?)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amelia has allergies, a LOT of allergies. They’re the
hive-inducing, facial-swelling kind of allergies. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I enjoy a good challenge so I've adjusted, and I must admit, it’s been a great lesson in cooking. Learning how to season simply is wonderful. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dry mustard is my new friend. I used to say, “black pepper is the unsung hero of the spice
world”. Understated, yet
crucial to so many dishes. Well, dry mustard has now taken over the unsung hero
role in our kitchen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Amelia lists off her allergies people's eyes glaze
over, some freak out a bit. I just think, really? Freak out about the real shit, like cancer and bird-eating
squirrels. Adaptation is part of
evolution. Adapt, or go extinct. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No Ball jar reference here either. Dang!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Leah</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-10449960176284128062013-02-09T19:01:00.003-05:002013-02-09T19:01:55.131-05:00Teardrop Trailer vs. House
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After living in forty square feet for a month,
walking into our eight hundred square foot home felt downright overwhelming. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We walked into every room and took a visual inventory
of the "stuff" that made up our home. Why did we choose this or
that? How many plates do we really need? Whose stuff <b><i>is</i></b> this? Things
felt foreign and unnecessary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I saw an extraneous clutter of stuff everywhere.
Stashed away in drawers, shelves, and closets. Stuff, stuff, and more stuff.
I had the same feeling last year
when we came back, but this time it was much more extreme. It was time to clear the clutter out,
give it away, sell it and not replace it. Ever.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we begin trimming the fat, paring down, purging, culling the herd of possession, and assessing the importance of our material possessions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's amazing how little I truly need, and what I've
gotten used to carrying with me and clinging onto for years, decades even. This
"stuff" just accumulates over time: "I need this, have to have
that, this thing will change my life!” We all have a tendency to hoard even on the smallest scale.
How many spoons do <b><i>you</i></b> have? We have sixteen eating spoons and five serving
spoons. Twenty-one spoons, two people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The truth is, if you have halfway decent stuff, someone
else will own it someday. You are not permanent; you’re going to die someday. Other people will own this house, the
Teardrop, my books, my banjo, my clothes, my tools, my truck. Because none of this is really <b><i>mine</i></b>. These items are temporarily in my
possession. I just happen to be
the current lien holder of these things.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before we left on our January trip I started
putting aside clothes I hadn’t worn in a while. It quickly went from a few things to a heaping pile of
textiles. I had easily removed one
third of my wardrobe, and I haven’t missed a single thread of it. Will this stop me from buying shoes?
Don’t be silly. I will always buy shoes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Leah</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-487600690844579252013-02-04T17:39:00.001-05:002013-02-04T17:43:45.463-05:00My Five Teardrop Galley Essentials<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
These are some of my favorite Teardrop galley essentials. They're in no particular order.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m combining two items into one because they belong together. A happy little morning couple:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-SE-RJo2yg/URAuen_pGqI/AAAAAAAAAcs/VcgdSUycauQ/s1600/1543-01US.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-SE-RJo2yg/URAuen_pGqI/AAAAAAAAAcs/VcgdSUycauQ/s200/1543-01US.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1a. Bodum French Press.<br />
<br />
I don’t need to say much about this item.<br />
We use it at
home.<br />
We use it camping.<br />
Quick, quiet, easy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1rKI4MbtMDE/URAveDWjOTI/AAAAAAAAAc0/az1zXGKMiRM/s1600/IMG_3226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1rKI4MbtMDE/URAveDWjOTI/AAAAAAAAAc0/az1zXGKMiRM/s320/IMG_3226.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
1b. Hario MSS-1B Mini Mill Slim Coffee Grinder. <br />
<br />
I love this grinder. It’s small, durable, and it breaks down into
three pieces for easy packing.
It’s a no brainer. Put the
beans in and turn the handle to grind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Yes, you have to work; it’s powered by you. But, if you’re a
camper, you already know that camping is a lot of work. It takes about 3 minutes to grind up ½
cup of beans. Two minutes if you’re a speed freak.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not a true coffee geek. But, there are a few geek-worthy
things to note about this grinder: you can adjust the grind from coarse to fine
with a turn of a nut, it has ceramic burrs, and hand cranking creates minimal
frictional heat, which can affect the taste of your coffee.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Note from Amelia: A lot of Amazon reviews complain that the
Hario hand grinder is “too hard to use.” For comparison purposes, it’s as
difficult as mixing Toll House chocolate chip cookie dough with a wooden spoon.
If that hurts you, then don’t buy this grinder.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Note from Leah about Amelia’s note: People who complain that
a hand crank is “too hard to use” are wussies. Those same people probably complain that walking up three flights of stairs is harder than taking the elevator. Stop whining, and start cranking (and take the stairs).<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-loMBbpHbBE4/URAy2uNeyoI/AAAAAAAAAdE/hU5uTcFsqXo/s1600/IMG_3225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-loMBbpHbBE4/URAy2uNeyoI/AAAAAAAAAdE/hU5uTcFsqXo/s320/IMG_3225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
2. OXO wooden reamer<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Holy crap, this thing is fantastic! This could get more juice out than a
mechanical juicer. In fact, when I
get home I’m going to test that theory out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whether you’re juicing oranges for mimosas, lemons and limes
for a marinade, or grapefruits for a cocktail, this is what you want to use. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ream that citrus!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C8E-lW4gGt0/URAz8vPFmeI/AAAAAAAAAdU/Kk53SgNXU_0/s1600/Camp-Chef-DB60D-rw-43174-49119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C8E-lW4gGt0/URAz8vPFmeI/AAAAAAAAAdU/Kk53SgNXU_0/s320/Camp-Chef-DB60D-rw-43174-49119.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Camp Chef Stove</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We decided long ago that if we were going to camp, then we
were going to be eating well. There would be no crappy food while camping.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This thing is powerful. Each burner is 30,000 btu’s. This is
more btu’s than in most of your kitchens.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I highly recommend buying the side shelves for this
stove. Extra counter space is
always welcomed when camping.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H8dEYoVa34g/URAy4D6yGNI/AAAAAAAAAdM/UDn4dEmAOjw/s1600/IMG_3227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H8dEYoVa34g/URAy4D6yGNI/AAAAAAAAAdM/UDn4dEmAOjw/s320/IMG_3227.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Coleman oven</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How I have gone this long without a camp oven is beyond
me. Baking bread, and muffins,
roasting vegetables, and making meatloaf while camping? Yes, please.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The oven collapses into itself. It packs flat and weighs around 7 pounds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Controlling the heat is what you have to keep an eye on. At
home your oven goes on and off to maintain a consistent temperature. <b>You</b>
are the thermostat control while baking with the Coleman oven, so adjust the
temperature as needed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I found that 350 degrees is what I need for a loaf of
bread. I would bet that the
thermometer it came with isn’t the most accurate, so don’t rely too much on it.
Baking is more of a feel anyhow, isn’t it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nYQYujii4HY/URAydx7tXfI/AAAAAAAAAc8/CsSmg-FVrmM/s1600/P1110871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nYQYujii4HY/URAydx7tXfI/AAAAAAAAAc8/CsSmg-FVrmM/s320/P1110871.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. LL Bean nylon tarp 8'x10'</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most awesomest tarp ever.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What makes this tarp great is that it’s ripstop nylon, not
that crinkly stuff you get at a department store. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It took me a few times to figure out how and where to set
this up, but I’ve got it down now.
The tarp goes over the hatch. It has an overhang about a foot and a half on each side, and overhangs the back by about five feet. It’s an excellent sitting
area to get out of the sun, rain, or away from the neighbors view, which is
always my favorite. It’s our own
little lanai.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There's so many more things, but these are my current top five favorites. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Leah</div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-51861976792786422482013-02-02T15:00:00.000-05:002013-02-02T15:00:01.469-05:00Backing up a trailer
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Backing up a tiny trailer like ours is hard. Tiny movements
will ruin you and your relationship with whoever your co-pilot may be. I can
back the trailer up into any small space.
Bring it on. Once I figured out how the trailer reacts to the truck, it
was a breeze. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Maine a Grandpa across from our campsite pulled up a
chair to watch me back into a ridiculously tiny space between two trees, and up
a hill. Watching someone backup is a spectator sport for the veterans. Well, I backed it in on the first try
in one complete motion. Good
night, Gramps! He actually didn’t
speak to us the entire week we were there, grumpy old fart. But, he did have a dog name PETE, PETEY,
PETER!! I think I may have mentioned that in a previous post.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Backing up a trailer seems to be a rite of passage for most
couples. It usually goes like this: Mom gets out to direct Dad. Mom proceeds to shout, “LEFT, LEFT!! NO,
STOP, NOW GO RIGHT, YUP, YUP, A LITTLE MORE, A LITTLE MORE, NO, NO, NO, STOP!”
Dad gets mad and a mini argument erupts. This goes on until finally you here
those magical words, “STOP, THAT’S GOOD. I SAID STOP!!” Dad needs a beer, or four.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, listen up Dads: Mom just needs to stay in the truck. You can back this damn
thing up - ALONE. If not, learn. My favorite couples are the ones who do
this in complete silence. It’s an amazing thing to see, like a Zen practice. I
love you people. Love you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And Moms, you need to learn how to back these things up,
too. Don’t pull the helpless woman card. You pushed a baby out of that tiny
porthole? Then you sure the hell
can back up a trailer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Leah</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
PS Amelia still hasn’t backed up the trailer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Editor’s note: Yes I have!! Kind of. And poorly. But still. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-12179912086437001282013-02-01T09:25:00.000-05:002013-02-01T09:25:00.530-05:00Kissimmee Prairie Preserve<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wow, this is place was amazing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTomH6BJL8I/UQsncf7AaZI/AAAAAAAAAcY/K-kWa4MsuP8/s1600/P1120278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTomH6BJL8I/UQsncf7AaZI/AAAAAAAAAcY/K-kWa4MsuP8/s400/P1120278.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coming from the hustle and bustle of St. Augustine to
stillness and silence was perfection. It was surreal. We drove thirty miles down small roads into nothingness,
through a place called Yeehaw Junction. I admit it, we were a little nervous about our destination. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good signs kept popping up though: A mature Bald Eagle perched on a tree, a Red Shouldered
Hawk, a Prairie Falcon, and flat, lush green prairie on all four sides dotted
with cattle ranches. Where the
hell were we going?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The campground was six miles down a shell packed road. We
pulled in and were immediately greeted by the campground host. Another good sign, a host that’s
actually a real host, and greets you.
The campground was small, only twenty sites and fifteen equestrian
sites. Oh, the good signs just kept piling up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once again, we were the youngest people in the campground. <b><i>These</i></b>
were my people. I don’t care what age you are, or your background. If you’re birding, or staring up at the
night sky, you are most definitely part of my tribe: the Geeks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were the loudest people in the campground. And by loud, I
mean shaking a martini. Yeah, it was that quiet. The people were serious about
where they were. They were out birding, or sitting quietly, or reading a book.
They picked up after their dogs, which were well-trained dogs. They were in bed
by eight. They were sitting by campfires talking in near whispers. They weren’t listening to radios. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every night we heard choruses of coyotes and bard owls. During the day we saw alligator, egret,
anhinga, heron (all kinds), red-shouldered hawks, crested caracara, ibis, palm
warbler, wood stork, bobcat, harriers, meadowlark, turkeys.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is place is so far away from anything that it really weeds
out the - how shall I say? The
inconsiderate jerks? You’re forty
minutes away from any store, so you better pack in what you need. But, quite
frankly, why would you <b><i>want</i></b> to leave?</div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
-Leah</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-36262485988829551712013-01-31T20:51:00.000-05:002013-01-31T20:51:35.961-05:00St. Augustine Farmer’s Markets
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve said it before: just because you’re camping doesn’t
mean you should eat poorly. If
you’re going to camp, you should be eating well. What else is there to do?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are two weekly Farmers Markets in St. Augustine that have a wide variety of local foods. For us, grocery
stores are for things like sugar, salt, pasta and beer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both of these markets have a healthy dose of touristy items
like carved coconuts, shell trinkets, and shark tooth necklaces. I must
guiltily admit, I like the shark tooth necklaces.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Old City Farmers Market is every Saturday in the Amphitheatre
parking lot. It’s a five-minute
walk from the campground, two-minutes by bike. I highly recommend the seafood truck. Ask some seafood questions while you’re
there because these people know their stuff and are a wealth of knowledge. We bought scallops, citrus, and vegetables both times we
went. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The St. Augustine Beach Farmers Market is every Wednesday at, you guessed it, St. Augustine Beach. Don’t try to park
there; it will irritate you. Do yourself a favor and park behind the motel in the beach
parking lot and walk across the volleyball fields. You’ll thank me. Trying to navigate through a bunch of
lemmings in an overly full lot is just not conducive to vacation fun. Avoid it. Better yet, avoid the parking lunacy, and ride your bicycles like we
did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s an excellent produce stand there. You can’t miss it. It’s the largest
stand with the most people, for good reason: there’s great selection and prices there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Afterward, take your dog for a walk on the beach and watch
the pelicans nose-dive into the ocean.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Leah</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-34086670431642145782013-01-20T10:30:00.000-05:002013-01-20T10:30:01.228-05:00Surfing at St. Augustine Beach
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Surfing has been on my to-do list for a long, long time. Well, I finally got to do it, and it was
awesome.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We took a lesson at The Surf Station, two hours for $60
each. Money very, very well spent.
Surfing isn’t something you try to do on your own. Getting a few lesson
sets you up on a solid foundation. And Alex, our instructor, was fantastic. He
was patient, encouraging, thorough, and had great passion for the sport.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paddling into the ocean gave me the first sign that I’d love
it. Sounds disappeared. It’s just you and the ocean. Silence is hard to come by, something I
seek out regularly, and here it was thirty yards from the shore, a place I’d
been hundreds of times.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Standing on a surfboard and giving in to where a wave takes
you is simply exhilarating. For a
few moments, time just stops. I’m
floating, and weightless, and riding a wave. The whole time there was a part of
me saying, “How the hell is this happening?!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t really know how, but I stood up on the very first
wave and many waves after. I think
the reason I was so comfortable on the board was that I wanted very badly to
stay the hell <b><i>out</i></b> of the water. I needed to stay far, far away from any
giant-toothed creature that was waiting to devour me. Motivation coupled with
paranoia, two of my favorite states of mind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amelia, on the other hand felt like she was tethered to a
torpedo so she wasn’t so good at making friends with her surfboard. But she’s the girl who wants to be “in”
the ocean so it makes sense. She’s comfortable wrapping the ocean around her
like a poncho and floating there.
I broke out into a mini-sweat just typing that. She’s <b><i>in</i></b> the ocean, I’m <b><i>on</i></b>
the ocean.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The waves beat the living hell out of us most of the time,
but in a good way. You really have to work to get back out to take another wave
which makes riding the wave all the more satisfying. My arms ached after two hours of paddling myself after the
waves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once thing is for sure, I’ll be doing this again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Leah</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-9735557589205289182013-01-19T13:00:00.000-05:002013-01-19T13:00:07.482-05:00Feather on the Teardrop
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
A man on a bicycle stopped by the campsite today. He was enamored with the simplicity of
the Teardrop. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the hour he spent visiting, he told many stories about
his life: from being pierced through the neck with bamboo, to navigating a 55’
boat during a storm while the Captain retreated to the cabin to sob, to how to
trap a rabbit or bird with no tools.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He came to the campground searching for someone he met
recently, but found us. He had a
bag of fresh Red Cedar shavings that smelled amazing. We didn’t have to ask a lot of questions.
Put the cedar under your pillow, he told us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If you’re sleeping on the ground here, you want something
between you and our ancestors who were killed here.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He told stories about his daughter, his grandson, war,
travels to China, and trying to become invisible. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Man’s world is over; it needs to be a woman’s world now.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was adorned with shiny silver cuffs and rings, things he
made and carved himself. His
bicycle had a rear rack that was made out of cedar branches that was perfect: light
weight and held together with strips of copper and rope.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This man has been around. He referred to his bicycle as his
horse. He is a true nomad, a true
American, the original American. He was a Marine who received a Purple
Heart. He went to war for a
country that stole from him and every Native American.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He thought his grandson would love a Teardrop and asked
about the thickness of the aluminum skin. He said he would want to etch the
entire Teardrop if he had one. He pulled a small knife from his wrist cuff and
as he carved a feather onto the side of our Teardrop, he told the story of each
stroke. I don’t remember the exact words, but what I got out of it was: the
whole, the part, the journey, the heart, the soul, the struggle. The outline of the feather was the line
representing our life and death. And when he finished he said, “You realize it
is one feather you have lost, but you have many, many more feathers.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now if someone came up to the Teardrop and starting carving
it, we would normally read them the riot act. But this was a moment to shut up and listen and be. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am tactile, and I immediately touched the feather when he has
done. He smiled and said, “Thank you, that is what you should do.” He also told
me to rub the red fruit of a cactus onto the etching to make it pop out. “Eat the cactus fruit and seeds, too,” he said and then
“deposit the seeds the next day in the woods so that a new cactus grows.” When I asked what do you call that kind
of cactus, he said, “you don’t call it, let it call you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The sky is about to open”, he said as a rain cloud
approached. He gave us the bag of
cedar shavings, hopped on his bike and rode off.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Leah</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-45114973471399402522013-01-18T20:02:00.000-05:002013-01-18T20:02:00.613-05:00Nalu's Tropical Takeout
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nalu’s Tropical Take Out</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple of New York transplants started this great taco
truck business, and goddamn, it’s good. Nothing is over ten bucks, portions are
the perfect size, they’re charming as hell, and they make everything themselves.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Located right at the entrance of Anastasia State Park in a
cute, little trailer. Awesomeness 9000.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Highly addictive, and highly delicious. Do not miss out.
Check them out when you’re here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-62199515366425873542013-01-17T14:00:00.000-05:002013-01-31T21:34:34.139-05:00Dogs and St. Augustine Beach<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dogs aren’t allowed on many beaches in Florida, but they are
allowed at St. Augustine beach. Very cool.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzHTUjRM3I4/UPNYiZ7KWdI/AAAAAAAAAcE/bPhYx7-8_bI/s1600/P1110636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzHTUjRM3I4/UPNYiZ7KWdI/AAAAAAAAAcE/bPhYx7-8_bI/s320/P1110636.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is thrilling to Eesah because he loves all forms of
water. His natural instinct is to
charge right into it no matter if it’s a swamp, a roaring river or the
ocean. No danger sign pops up in
this little walnut-sized brain; that’s our jobs. When we’re hiking and hear a river in the distance, we
immediately leash him until we assess it. The last thing you want is your dog
barreling into a class 3 rapid and going downstream. The horror.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m constantly reminded what a truly amazing dog we
have. He comes when he’s called,
has never growled, nipped, or threatened anyone, ever (and I mean ever), can be
off leash at a camp site and not wander once we show him the boundaries, hasn’t
destroyed anything other than half a book when he was a pup, doesn’t beg for
people food. Oh, the list goes on and on. He’s near perfect. Truly. Of course, his behavior is a result of
both us and him. We trained him well and consistently. And, his brain is a walnut, but ours is
a cantaloupe, so it’s really not that hard to train him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, for the bad part. I’m sorry, here comes my judgment
again:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once again, there is dog poop everywhere. These pet owners
ruin it for the rest of us once again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s a reason dogs aren’t allowed in most areas of the
beach. That reason is lazy ass dog owners who do not pick up after their dogs. This
is a beach, where people of all ages are in bare feet, and there is dog poop
all over the place. Unacceptable, especially since there are poop bags and trash
cans right at the entrances to the beach. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I just don’t get it. You make a mess, you clean it up. Don’t
be the bad apple for the rest of us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Leah</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-62650436535807944152013-01-16T18:00:00.000-05:002013-02-09T19:12:03.948-05:00A1A Cycle Works bicycle shop, St. Augustine <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went on a nice bike ride through St. Augustine Beach
today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We stopped at the Farmer’s Market which kicked ass. Lots of
fresh produce there. Then we wound
up at A1A Cycle Works in the Anastasia Publix Shopping Plaza.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What a great little shop!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve found that I frequently buy cycling gear when I’m on
vacation. Things I don’t necessarily think about when I’m at home. Or maybe
things I buy because, well, I’m on vacation. You know how that goes, vacation mindset.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We bought some lights, a bike bell (for Amelia - I just like
to yell at people), and some handlebar tape.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frog lights rock.
They’re a great price at under $20. This tiny led light packs a serious punch. It has two
settings; a constant light and a blinking light. I prefer the constant light to
the seizure-inducing blinking light.
This thing can mount to virtually anything; a seat post, handlebar, bag.
We even attach them to our kayaks
when we’re night kayaking. Handy
dandy, I say.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is one of those stores you feel right at home in. It doesn’t matter who you are, or what
your calves look like. Although,
my calves are huge. Really, really
huge. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Leah</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-58408719744050402632013-01-15T14:00:00.000-05:002013-02-09T19:09:28.003-05:00Aluminum and salt <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I need a lesson in chemistry to understand the reaction salt
has on aluminum, if it has any reaction at all. I’m not sure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s so much conflicting information out there. Is it a form of rust? Is it some
protective coating that’s being formed? Do I let it do its thing? Do I use acid
to get rid of it? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Isn’t using acid on aluminum like sanding a wood floor? You
can only do that so many times.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What to do, what to do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fred, what do you think?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Leah<br />
<br />
Editor note: Dr. Fred is a chemist, and you've probably used a thing or two that he patented. Here is his response.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">Aluminum is lucky to be here. It is an extremely reactive metal and the only reason it does not quickly disappear is that it forms a protective layer of aluminum oxide when exposed to air. Normally the coating is too thin too see. Salt catalyses the formation of the layer and allows oxygen to get deeper into the aluminum and make lots of the oxide. That's the grey crud.<br />Acid will dissolve it but also attacks aluminum very rapidly. I would not use it. Just brush, sand, scrape the crud off. Rinse well with fresh water once you get away from the salt air. Then a light sanding or steel wooling (did I invent a word?) will restore a nice look. You could go berserk and use a buffer and polishes.<br /><br /> Fred</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-7829390190508738092013-01-14T13:00:00.000-05:002013-01-31T10:20:53.785-05:00St. Augustine camping<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think I love St. Augustine. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are a lot of places where you feel like an outsider. That’s
because you ARE an outsider. You’re
invading a kind of private club, and the locals have no qualms about letting
you know that. I grew up in a
touristy area, and I gave that vibe out to many a tourist. But, here everyone feels like the
common denominator, and we’re all on the run.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a mish mash of people from all over escaping something;
winter, day to day life, jobs, family, to do lists, pressure, expectations. All
of those things fall away when you’re on vacation, when you give in to
vacation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s the key isn’t it? Giving in. It takes me a week to
give in. Now I’m here and it’s
good.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cocktail time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Leah</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-76682270004737857742013-01-13T19:48:00.000-05:002013-01-13T19:48:42.766-05:00Piles of dog doo and abandoned cats and judgment, oh my
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hi. I judge you.
Don’t worry too much, because I judge myself in ways that would destroy
most mortals.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s talk about bringing your pets on vacation, shall we?
I’m not even going to talk about hearing a goat bleating in the site next to us
last night. Not talking about it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fido and Spot are awesome, aren’t they? Yes, yes they are awesome. OWNERS are
the problem. When Fido takes a
dump and you don’t pick it up, you are the problem. When Fido barks and barks
and barks, you are the problem. I hear you barking, not Fido. I want to put you
in a crate, not Fido.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What brought about this rant is that our site in Anastasia
State Park has dog crap everywhere on the outskirts of the site. And I mean everywhere. Lazy, lazy
people do this, annnnnd I judge you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok, first of all let’s face it: There are going to be times
when we don’t pick up after our dogs.
It happens. No one is perfect. There is no ‘always.’ Always simply does
not exist. Shit happens, literally. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, it’s careless and disgusting that people think it’s ok
to leave dog crap in public areas for someone else to step in, smell, and deal
with. There is no excuse for not cleaning it up. You shouldn’t have a dog if you can’t pick up after it. And, please don’t have the follower
mentality of, “Well, someone else left it, so I can, too.” You are not a robot. Think for yourself and take
responsibility. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now let’s talk about cats. There are abandoned cats here at
Anastasia. We’ve seen two so far, and it’s sad and infuriating. Cats should not be allowed at
campgrounds. I think it’s silly
and selfish of any owner to think otherwise. Your cat doesn’t want to vacation
with you; it probably wants a vacation from you. Get a cat sitter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jDXE8wGacJs/UPNVdlcYvvI/AAAAAAAAAbw/it83nNBV2oA/s1600/IMG_1367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jDXE8wGacJs/UPNVdlcYvvI/AAAAAAAAAbw/it83nNBV2oA/s320/IMG_1367.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We named this abandoned cat Curio. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s the scenario: Fluffy the Cat escapes. Then you pack
up and drive home?! I hope you don’t have children. Would you leave your child at the campground too? I assume you would since it’s kind of
the same thing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pets are members of our family. We all say it, but who means
it? You don’t leave your pet
behind. I don’t care what deadline
you have waiting for you at home. Responsible
people don’t abandon their family members hundreds or thousands of miles from
home. Figure it out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wait a second. Let’s negotiate. You really, really, really want to bring Fluffy, because
Fluffy IS a totally great cat.
Best. Cat. Ever. I propose the following: the campground takes a picture
of Fluffy to have on file. You pay a refundable $200 security deposit, which
you get back when the campground confirms that Fluffy leaves with you. Yes, I
like it. In fact, I’m going to
write it up and send it out to some campgrounds. Or, better yet, leave your cat at home. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey, don’t get all defensive on me, because when you do
you’re just confirming that my judgment is indeed correct. If it pushes a button, there’s some
hard truth under it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Leah</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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A note from Amelia: Even though our sunny campsite smells
like dog poop roasting in an Easy Bake Oven, Anastasia State Park is pretty
amazing overall. It’s peaceful and quiet and the bathrooms are clean, and
there’s an absence of children here. Or at least if there are children here, we
don’t hear them, so they are being pretty quiet in their crates. </div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-52472756268143568302013-01-12T17:30:00.000-05:002013-01-13T20:05:23.383-05:00Your car is on fire
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I like to ride my bike as much as possible when on vacation.
I ride it to go to the restroom, to recycle, to the beach, to wifi spots, to Nalu’s
Taco Truck. The bike is a fantastic mode of transportation. It’s even better
when you’re somewhere that’s relatively flat and destinations are within a
three mile radius. It’s triple
good when there are bike lanes, which there are plenty of here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This past summer we bought a bike trailer. My thought was
twofold: it’s great for hauling things, and gosh, won’t the dog love it? No,
the dog doesn’t love it. He turns into a little freak show when I put him in
it. Just as well, because I don’t
really want to be that person who puts Toto in a basket and cycles around. I am
much more the utility type person, so utility trailer it is.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today we made a pilgrimage via bicycle for the basics;
firewood, ice, beer. It was quite warm out, probably about 75 sticky
degrees. Hills are pretty
nonexistent here except for bridges and sand dunes. We went over a bridge, therefore a hill. Yay!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All was well until a car pulled into a parking lot in front
of us. It was on fire. Yes, the car was on fire. The guy turned off the engine,
jumped out looking completely panicked, and started running away from the car. Not good.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess the following story describes who I am in a nutshell.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I bicycled toward his car as another car pulled in. The driver had seen what was happening
and tossed him a water bottle. He frantically crawled under his car (brave man)
and doused the fire. I tossed him my water bottle. He doused some more. I ran and grabbed Amelia’s water
bottle. She cautiously stayed 100
feet away (smart woman). He doused
some more. Amelia called the Fire Department. The guy finally got the fire to
go out. Success!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, I am that person who will run towards the fire. That is
me.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the excitement we filled up my bike trailer with 20
pounds of fire wood, 20 pounds of ice and a six pack of beer. The ride back to
the site was a little bit harder.</div>
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Amelia says this was my punishment for my dangerous nature. Hrmph!</div>
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-Leah</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-90493167358343349992013-01-09T18:10:00.000-05:002013-01-17T17:51:25.931-05:00Learn Something With Leah<div class="MsoNormal">
This is what I imagine the conversation with the people who left this wood at the fire pit would be. Oh, and it was at the next site too. Wtf?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Innocent Person: Look someone left some firewood at the site. What kind of wood is this?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w86N40WU2Eo/UO30IBHNHJI/AAAAAAAAAbc/nv8QKc4GsN8/s1600/IMG_3151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w86N40WU2Eo/UO30IBHNHJI/AAAAAAAAAbc/nv8QKc4GsN8/s400/IMG_3151.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Me: It’s pressure treated lumber.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Innocent Person: So we can throw it on the campfire then?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me: Um, don’t be stupid! I just said it’s pressure treated
wood. Wood that’s chemically treated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You don’t burn pressure treated wood, you build things like decks with
it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Innocent Person : But it looks so dry, it’s not like I’m
eating it. I’m just burning it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really?
What’s wrong with you? Wait, that’s what’s wrong with you. You’ve burned one
too many pieces of pressure treated lumber.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Innocent Person: But, I don’t breathe in the smoke, I don’t
understand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, so you
didn’t inhale? One of those are you? By burning PT wood you’re releasing all
the chemicals into the air. This wood basically has been embalmed. You’re
burning a dead wooden body full of chemicals. Have fun with that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don't burn pressure treated lumber. Don't be stupid. </div>
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<br /></div>
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That is all. </div>
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-Leah</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-84416230835240147672013-01-09T17:47:00.000-05:002013-02-05T11:55:10.935-05:00Bread baking while camping<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nyILf6n_IC8/UO3uzn8IWYI/AAAAAAAAAaE/fv7e-zCPMkA/s1600/IMG_2937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nyILf6n_IC8/UO3uzn8IWYI/AAAAAAAAAaE/fv7e-zCPMkA/s320/IMG_2937.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I have wanted to try baking a loaf of bread while camping
for a while now, and how can I not with a fantastic little Coleman collapsible
oven?! <br />
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<br /></div>
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I’m a sourdough fan, so I brought my sourdough starter with me.
</div>
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One problem I could foresee was cold weather. The temperatures
were not going above 65 degrees in the day, 54 degrees at night. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
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</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8pERDP3mctI/UO3vVw9-hsI/AAAAAAAAAac/hmahSWq8emM/s1600/IMG_3150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8pERDP3mctI/UO3vVw9-hsI/AAAAAAAAAac/hmahSWq8emM/s320/IMG_3150.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
So, the best
place to rise the starter dough would be in the cab of the truck. To increase
the temperature, I put the dough in the Coleman oven and set it on the front
seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5owF0j11S_A/UO3vUqRa-0I/AAAAAAAAAaU/tnxwHVOj5nc/s1600/IMG_3152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5owF0j11S_A/UO3vUqRa-0I/AAAAAAAAAaU/tnxwHVOj5nc/s320/IMG_3152.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
And what do you know? It
worked like a charm!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> T</span>he temperature got up to 90 degrees. I had to open the door of the
oven to cool it down slightly.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next day I made the final dough and put it back in the
truck inside the oven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather
was colder and rainy, high of 61 degrees and completely overcast with not a
spot of sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The temperature got
up to 75 degrees in the oven. Pretty good. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zvJWoMp8KQY/UO3vf0ZIBDI/AAAAAAAAAas/VIhRNl68SlI/s1600/IMG_3176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zvJWoMp8KQY/UO3vf0ZIBDI/AAAAAAAAAas/VIhRNl68SlI/s320/IMG_3176.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
After about 5 hours of rising time I set the oven on the
camp stove, and within 5 minutes it was up to 400 degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in the dough went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The top browned too quickly, in under 5
minutes. I turned the heat down to 350 degrees for the remainder of the bake
time, probably around 15 minutes.</div>
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</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0eIQSJhkcs/UO3vfx5JvhI/AAAAAAAAAaw/d1tIhVtBRBQ/s1600/IMG_3178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0eIQSJhkcs/UO3vfx5JvhI/AAAAAAAAAaw/d1tIhVtBRBQ/s320/IMG_3178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I expected, the sides and bottom got too much heat too
soon and got a bit too dark, but not burned. Next time I will bake at 325-350 degrees. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80_9qTItwxo/UO3xDia-H6I/AAAAAAAAAbI/YMUpXIHUcQA/s1600/IMG_3182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80_9qTItwxo/UO3xDia-H6I/AAAAAAAAAbI/YMUpXIHUcQA/s320/IMG_3182.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nonetheless, this is a success. Delicious, fresh bread!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t have a recipe for this. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just make it to feel. Working dough is very satisfying and
different for everyone so get yourself and camp oven and start making bread.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Leah </div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-10039494030113192862013-01-09T17:23:00.000-05:002013-01-09T17:23:11.326-05:00Pennsylvania
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<i><b>IF</b></i> I based my opinion of a state on what I see while driving
on a major Interstate, I would think that Pennsylvania doesn’t care about how
it looks. Every large tree is gone. All that is left are these pathetic-looking
tiny stick-figure trees.
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I often forget how simple-minded and short-sighted we as
humans are. We don’t seem to learn fast enough. We’ve clear cut most of the
country at one time or another, not just one time either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some places have been clear cut three
or four times. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather sad and disturbing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except that some people read that and
think that, "well, it’s ok, cuz it just grows back, so what’s the problem?" Bio-diveristy,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> my friend, </span>or lack thereof, that’s what the
problem is. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Unfortunately, utter
stupidity has been passed down through the generations, usually from fat wallet
to fat wallet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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-Leah </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-80481190038225919732012-12-29T18:42:00.001-05:002012-12-29T18:42:55.801-05:00Florida, here we come<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ecjmJSl1W34/UN9-UcfkdxI/AAAAAAAAAZo/BRK0PUfG_9s/s1600/P1080680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ecjmJSl1W34/UN9-UcfkdxI/AAAAAAAAAZo/BRK0PUfG_9s/s320/P1080680.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The Teardrop repairs are complete, the lights are all working and it's inspected. Bam.<br />
<br />
Packing it up and leaving for Florida on January first or second.<br />
<br />
Woo!<br />
<br />
-Leah<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580563996184283367.post-14153259126610331742012-12-26T18:46:00.000-05:002012-12-29T18:45:04.912-05:00Mind the gap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Alright, time to address the gap between the bottom of the galley and the hatch.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XtWXm7t9p54/UNeO_OrheLI/AAAAAAAAATo/1N6GHuSuVsw/s1600/P1110511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XtWXm7t9p54/UNeO_OrheLI/AAAAAAAAATo/1N6GHuSuVsw/s320/P1110511.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I ripped a few pieces of wood to 3/16" thick and laminated them together creating a shim to fill in the ridiculous gap at the bottom.<br />
<br />
The gap is at the last 8" of the hatch and increases from 1/2" to 1-1/2" at the bottom.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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The curve is very slight so it was quite easy to bend the wood to shape. You just attach it to the hatch itself, let the glue dry, then take it off. This is what it will look like:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ojE4z4PERMM/UNeQ5x21j4I/AAAAAAAAAUE/v8twZnkz1bs/s1600/P1110475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ojE4z4PERMM/UNeQ5x21j4I/AAAAAAAAAUE/v8twZnkz1bs/s320/P1110475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I primed and painted the shims with marine-grade paint. Did I mention it was exterior grade???<br />
<br />
There were still some gaps, so I ripped a few more pieces and glued them in. This is what it looks like:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9vZyIoMDEM/UNePE4pRZ6I/AAAAAAAAATw/qYmKIKiI2Y4/s1600/P1110515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9vZyIoMDEM/UNePE4pRZ6I/AAAAAAAAATw/qYmKIKiI2Y4/s320/P1110515.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I made graduated steps to fill in the remaining gaps, applied exterior caulk, then screwed it down with exterior grade screws. Notice the theme there: exterior grade everything.<br />
<br />
Now I need to install the weather stripping on the hatch, and I should have a pretty tight seal.<br />
<br />
I need to figure out how to keep the hatch closed now. Currently I'm using a hasp and it's not lining up anymore.<br />
<br />
Yeah, what the hell is a hasp, right? I didn't know until 5 minutes ago myself. It's that piece of hardware in the picture on the right. It swings over the other piece (which isn't there) and locks. Hasp. I learn something new and trivial every day.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, the male part can't go on the hatch where it used to, so I bought a gate hinge. Let's see if I can MacGvyer something up. I'm betting that I can.<br />
<br />
Time for a cocktail!<br />
<br />
-LeahAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06394012140116575209noreply@blogger.com0