Friday, April 29, 2016. So we can be more independent and depending on how we make out in our attempts at financial reorganization a portable generator is definitely in our future as is a new house battery as we mentioned previously. A portable generator along with a good house battery will allow us to stay almost anywhere we wish to throughout this wondrous and vast continent we get to call home.
So far we've visited quite a few communities in Washington State and we'd like to go back visit them again as well as visit more throughout Washington as well as rest of the US. We are in the midst of planning how best to do this.
But first we need to complete the recommended repairs to Serenity and perhaps visit my own backyard first, the province of BC.
We found another portable generator to add to our list of possibilities, a Hyundai HY2000si and a more specific solar option from PowerFilm Solar, RV Solar Panels, 42 of 60 Watts. The Keln RV Solar Kit is too large for the small roof of Serenity.
Once we have the upper and lower ball joints replaced and brakes lines flushed and refilled on Serenity we'll save up to get a new house battery and generator so we will always have a source of power with us should we need it. And if we are serious about doing some real boondocking we'll need to make sure the fresh water tank has been sterilized, refreshed and filled with water and that both waste tanks have also been cleaned and emptied so we are one hundred and ten percent prepared for a few days without hookups.
Exciting!
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Camping Folks!
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Friday, April 29, 2016
Trip to the Olympic Peninsula and Our Stay at the Elwha Dam RV Park & Campground
Monday, April 25, 2016:
After a relaxing morning we were underway cruising along in Serenity. After about a five minute wait, and a minute of questions we were through the border and cruising down the I-5.
We stopped at a Fred Meyer near Bellingham for groceries and then Jack In The Box in Oak Harbor for a quick lunch. And we are now aboard the "Kennewick" crossing Admirality Inlet from Coupeville (Whidbey Island) to Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula. After a 25 minute float on the water the ferry is docking.
It's now 6:15pm and we're sitting comfortably in Serenity simply relaxing and "being".
We love the natural landscape that surrounds us, that we also drove through...tree lined and canopied two lane blacktop...stunning and beautiful...
...we absolutely enjoying the Elwha Dam RV Park & Campground. Birds are singing in between a stunning and awesome silence that is ever so faintly interrupted by traffic noise...
...life on the road suits us and we most certainly suit life on the road.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016:
As dusk overtook the day last evening those elusive and legendary frogs of the "Frog Pond" next to us came to life in a big way. With Serenity parked below the shore of the pond we had front row seats to the sounds of the "Frog Orchestra". And what a treat and delight it is to hear the hundreds of frogs croaking to their hearts content.
After breakfast and a relaxing morning we hiked down to the former site of the Elwha Dam, completed in 1911 and removed in 2014. The Elwha River is another example of the magnificent gifts of nature however her mighty energy was harnessed to create hydroelectric power that was used to spur man's growth and development of the peninsula. I could sense the nature's energy and rejoicing now that the two man-made dams are no more and she reclaims the rightful passage of the Elwha River and return of all the life that disappeared when the dam was built. Nature is in its glory and the trees are rejoicing!
Thank You Nature!
After lunch we unhooked and took Serenity out for a drive so we could visit Joyce, The Joyce General Store and the former Joyce Railroad Station one of the last remaining log built train stations in existence, if I remember correctly. Once we returned to our temporary home, Site 39, we reconnected Serenity to all the available amenities and headed over the Elwha RV Park Community Center and laundry room around 4:45 pm to catch the results in the latest round of primaries.
When we first stepped in the community center here at Elwha after our arrival the 'ESCAPEES, Sharing the RV Lifestyle' magazine caught my eye. And in particular the article on page 34, "Advice from a Full-time RVer, Working from the Road". So Edith and I threw the magazine over to David so he could read it.
He loves, as we do, living and experiencing life in and from Serenity so we hope he is well on his way to "Working From the Road" and joining the author of this article, Brittany Highland, on the road. We'd love nothing more than to continue driving down US Highway 101 tomorrow to see the rest of the Olympic Peninsula as well as the rest of small town USA rather than heading back home...
...so David has decided that since he wants to RV fulltime badly enough he's willing to plan and sacrifice to make it happen and make it happen within the next twelve months or less.
He as we do need to give into and feed our wanderlust!
David hears the road calling so he's taking the risk to make it happen.
Serenity likely needs a new "house" battery and the cupboard door in the bathroom needs to be repainted. The house battery was disconnected after our last trip in October but does not appear to be holding any charge. Or perhaps the connections need to be cleaned. Either way it's something that needs to be looked at.
Another area we were thinking of tackling is the TV as in removing it but then we discovered that it's just a monitor but with DVD player, USB, and Memory Card Reader so we'll keep it, at least for now. But the antenna will go. We want to install a solar panel or two on Serenity's roof so we can keep the batteries charged without relying on an electrical hookup. We really like the ease and simplicity of the peel n stick solar panels and they look to be about the right size to fit in the space available on Serenity's roof. More research is required and will be done.
Then of course to really create an independent lifestyle we're also researching portable generators of which there are many in the market to choose from so again...research, research and more research. And heck, it's fun to do!
Oh, and we still have a 1988 GMC Vandura 3500 Class C Motorhome available "AS IS" to the first person who requests her. She's had some modifications done inside and out and has not been started in well over a year and likely has a few leaks to deal with but if you're a good do-it-yourself-er she might be a fun project for you to work on. And we're not kidding, she's "FREE"! This is photo of her when she was clean:
Something else we are looking at is bringing ART into Serenity by finding things that will fit into each door panel...we'll see how it goes...18 panels in all from our count.
And we have to change the bathroom tap--it's appalling! It does not stick far enough into the sink for us to get our hands under so it's pretty much impossible to wash your hands in the bathroom. As I was thinking about doing this an idea came to mind on how to reconfigure the location of the shower head and perhaps giving it a separate hot and cold water tap.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016:
On our way back home we stopped and had a quick peek of Ediz Hook before making a stop at Pacific Rim Hobby and going onto to do a walk about of Port Angeles before heading off to lunch.
Port Angeles is a beautiful city. We love the old architecture that survives in small places such as Port Angeles. And to top it off many of these old buildings house unique and funky shops that are fun to browse or simply do a little bit of window shopping. We did not see everything as our stomachs were growling, it was time for lunch...with a friend's recommendation we made our way to Toga's Soup House Deli and Gourmet for the Dungeness Crab Melt--delicious.
Then we were on the road again heading to Port Townsend and the ferry back to Whidbey Island and the road home. We missed the 2:00pm ferry so with a ninety minute wait for the next we grabbed a coffee and a piece of blackberry pie. Our choice for coffee was "Better Living Through Coffee" and we sure did feel better after our latte, Americano and piece of pie...what a great coffee experience!
And again Port Townsend is filled with old buildings and brilliant architecture and dozens of unique and funky stores...a return visit to this area is definitely in the cards.
Then we made the quick drive over to the ferry terminal where we once again boarded the "Kennewick" and enjoyed the 30 minute or so ride before once returning to land and another piece of blacktop.
And as the 7pm hour was near we were crossing the border after a twenty minute wait and a minute or so of the usual questions...7:21pm and we're parking Serenity...home once again...and itching to hit the road again!
Happy Camping Folks!
After a relaxing morning we were underway cruising along in Serenity. After about a five minute wait, and a minute of questions we were through the border and cruising down the I-5.
We stopped at a Fred Meyer near Bellingham for groceries and then Jack In The Box in Oak Harbor for a quick lunch. And we are now aboard the "Kennewick" crossing Admirality Inlet from Coupeville (Whidbey Island) to Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula. After a 25 minute float on the water the ferry is docking.
It's now 6:15pm and we're sitting comfortably in Serenity simply relaxing and "being".
We love the natural landscape that surrounds us, that we also drove through...tree lined and canopied two lane blacktop...stunning and beautiful...
...we absolutely enjoying the Elwha Dam RV Park & Campground. Birds are singing in between a stunning and awesome silence that is ever so faintly interrupted by traffic noise...
Tuesday, April 26, 2016:
As dusk overtook the day last evening those elusive and legendary frogs of the "Frog Pond" next to us came to life in a big way. With Serenity parked below the shore of the pond we had front row seats to the sounds of the "Frog Orchestra". And what a treat and delight it is to hear the hundreds of frogs croaking to their hearts content.
After breakfast and a relaxing morning we hiked down to the former site of the Elwha Dam, completed in 1911 and removed in 2014. The Elwha River is another example of the magnificent gifts of nature however her mighty energy was harnessed to create hydroelectric power that was used to spur man's growth and development of the peninsula. I could sense the nature's energy and rejoicing now that the two man-made dams are no more and she reclaims the rightful passage of the Elwha River and return of all the life that disappeared when the dam was built. Nature is in its glory and the trees are rejoicing!
Thank You Nature!
When we first stepped in the community center here at Elwha after our arrival the 'ESCAPEES, Sharing the RV Lifestyle' magazine caught my eye. And in particular the article on page 34, "Advice from a Full-time RVer, Working from the Road". So Edith and I threw the magazine over to David so he could read it.
He loves, as we do, living and experiencing life in and from Serenity so we hope he is well on his way to "Working From the Road" and joining the author of this article, Brittany Highland, on the road. We'd love nothing more than to continue driving down US Highway 101 tomorrow to see the rest of the Olympic Peninsula as well as the rest of small town USA rather than heading back home...
...so David has decided that since he wants to RV fulltime badly enough he's willing to plan and sacrifice to make it happen and make it happen within the next twelve months or less.
He as we do need to give into and feed our wanderlust!
David hears the road calling so he's taking the risk to make it happen.
Serenity likely needs a new "house" battery and the cupboard door in the bathroom needs to be repainted. The house battery was disconnected after our last trip in October but does not appear to be holding any charge. Or perhaps the connections need to be cleaned. Either way it's something that needs to be looked at.
Another area we were thinking of tackling is the TV as in removing it but then we discovered that it's just a monitor but with DVD player, USB, and Memory Card Reader so we'll keep it, at least for now. But the antenna will go. We want to install a solar panel or two on Serenity's roof so we can keep the batteries charged without relying on an electrical hookup. We really like the ease and simplicity of the peel n stick solar panels and they look to be about the right size to fit in the space available on Serenity's roof. More research is required and will be done.
Then of course to really create an independent lifestyle we're also researching portable generators of which there are many in the market to choose from so again...research, research and more research. And heck, it's fun to do!
Oh, and we still have a 1988 GMC Vandura 3500 Class C Motorhome available "AS IS" to the first person who requests her. She's had some modifications done inside and out and has not been started in well over a year and likely has a few leaks to deal with but if you're a good do-it-yourself-er she might be a fun project for you to work on. And we're not kidding, she's "FREE"! This is photo of her when she was clean:
A few shots of her interior:
And we have to change the bathroom tap--it's appalling! It does not stick far enough into the sink for us to get our hands under so it's pretty much impossible to wash your hands in the bathroom. As I was thinking about doing this an idea came to mind on how to reconfigure the location of the shower head and perhaps giving it a separate hot and cold water tap.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016:
On our way back home we stopped and had a quick peek of Ediz Hook before making a stop at Pacific Rim Hobby and going onto to do a walk about of Port Angeles before heading off to lunch.
Then we made the quick drive over to the ferry terminal where we once again boarded the "Kennewick" and enjoyed the 30 minute or so ride before once returning to land and another piece of blacktop.
And as the 7pm hour was near we were crossing the border after a twenty minute wait and a minute or so of the usual questions...7:21pm and we're parking Serenity...home once again...and itching to hit the road again!
Happy Camping Folks!
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Elwha Dam RV Park and the Frogs That Live There
We're making ourselves at home, at least for a couple of days, at the above mentioned RV park near Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula.
We're parked beside frog and trout ponds and boy did the frogs ever come to life when brightness of the day gave way to dusk. And what a wonderful concert they put on!
Monday, April 18, 2016
Thank You! We Simply Can't Say Thank You Enough!
Monday, April 18, 2016. A big thank you to everyone out there visiting our humble blog. We're just two simple latex puppets, Edith and Eugene trying to enjoy life on the road in a camper van along with our chauffeur, David and many of you more than browsed our blog, you also showed interest in some of the ads appearing on our site. And we all truly thank you for that...it may only be pennies but pennies add up in a big way!
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Happy Camping Folks!
You've brought tears of joy to our eyes...and we'll see you somewhere on the road...
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Happy Camping Folks!
You've brought tears of joy to our eyes...and we'll see you somewhere on the road...
Sunday, April 17, 2016
An Oil Change and an Unexpected Suggested Service and Repair
Sunday, April 17, 2016. David and Eugene brought Serenity into our local Ford dealership to get the oil changed and have a maintenance inspection completed as our usual choice cannot handle Serenity due to her size. The oil change was completed but came with a recommended service, the upper and lower ball joints are showing wear and should be replaced and the brake fluid replaced and lines flushed. Parts and labour alone are $1300.00 for the ball joints and then another $145 for the brake fluid flush. By the time all is said and done and the taxes added on the total bill is a whopping $1800.00. Luckily it's not absolutely necessary that it is completed right now so we'll wait and see how we can grow our bank account so we can handle this expensive repair.
We're also going to explore our options, one of which is to see if our usual garage can accommodate this repair in any form or fashion. If not, David knows of a place through his job that likely can handle it. What we're banking on is that either of these places can likely do the repair for less. Just how significant the difference will be is the question we can't answer for the moment.
Such is the life of a vehicle owner.
Maybe the virtual world will offer some assistance...
And we just discovered where the sani-dump station is in Coquitlam, it's just down the road from the storage lot that we have Serenity parked in, it's at the Go West RV Centre. However, they are only open Monday to Friday, 10am - 3pm with an estimated charge of $15-25 to use as listed on Don's Camping List - Non-Park Sanidumps.
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Camping Folks!
We're also going to explore our options, one of which is to see if our usual garage can accommodate this repair in any form or fashion. If not, David knows of a place through his job that likely can handle it. What we're banking on is that either of these places can likely do the repair for less. Just how significant the difference will be is the question we can't answer for the moment.
Such is the life of a vehicle owner.
Maybe the virtual world will offer some assistance...
And we just discovered where the sani-dump station is in Coquitlam, it's just down the road from the storage lot that we have Serenity parked in, it's at the Go West RV Centre. However, they are only open Monday to Friday, 10am - 3pm with an estimated charge of $15-25 to use as listed on Don's Camping List - Non-Park Sanidumps.
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Camping Folks!
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Better Ways To Dump and Clean RV Waste Water Tanks
Thursday, April 14, 2016. Better and more efficient ways to deal with emptying Serenity's dump tanks became a topic of conversation as we've been discussing ways to make our life in Serenity a little easier such as was our discussion about solar panels and generators the other day.
We're looking at quicker ways to dump and clean out the tanks and these are two options we are looking at:
Sewer Solution - Valterra SS01 - Drain & Flush System, Reg $149.99 USD,
FloJet RV Waste Pump Kit, Reg $339.00 USD
The both of them are currently on sale online at Camping World. The Sewer Solution is on for an Internet SALE of $129.99. See it here http://www.campingworld.ca/shopping/item/sewer-solution/16617
The FloJet for $237.00, what a discount, a savings of $102.00. See it here: http://www.campingworld.ca/shopping/item/flojet-rv-waste-pump-kit/26125
Good reviews for them in a variety of places along with a few dissatisfying ones so we'll continue to explore our options as we get out more and more with the van.
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Camping Folks!
We're looking at quicker ways to dump and clean out the tanks and these are two options we are looking at:
Sewer Solution - Valterra SS01 - Drain & Flush System, Reg $149.99 USD,
FloJet RV Waste Pump Kit, Reg $339.00 USD
The both of them are currently on sale online at Camping World. The Sewer Solution is on for an Internet SALE of $129.99. See it here http://www.campingworld.ca/shopping/item/sewer-solution/16617
The FloJet for $237.00, what a discount, a savings of $102.00. See it here: http://www.campingworld.ca/shopping/item/flojet-rv-waste-pump-kit/26125
Good reviews for them in a variety of places along with a few dissatisfying ones so we'll continue to explore our options as we get out more and more with the van.
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Camping Folks!
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Dealing With Electrical Needs on the Road Besides Hookups - Solar, Generator...One Over the Other or Both?
Wednesday, April 13, 2016. Hello again.
Since it looks like we'll be using Serenity more often than we thought we might be initially or at least that's the plan we're looking at ways to make her more versatile. And these are really only plans as they require money and taking on debt is not a part of our plans. We've more than enough debt to take care let alone adding more to it.
With having said that, we know that anything is also possible so here is what we're thinking about base on some quick research on the Canadian Tire website and no particular order:
Coleman 8.5 Amp, 12 Volt Solar Charge Controller, Regular$24.99
Coleman 75W Crystalline Solar Panel, Regular$399.99
NOMA 75 Watt Crystalline Solar Panel, SAVE 40%, Total $199.99 instead of $349.99
Champion 2000W Inverter Generator, Regular$799.99
We are looking at two different solar panels that appear on the surface to offer the same volts, watts, etc. charging capacity with the Noma being on sale for less than $200.00. The Noma is also smaller than the Coleman. The charge controller is needed to control the charge going to the battery. Although, we are reluctant to get a generator it'd be a nice addition to have in the van so we never have to worry about our electrical needs especially on the AC side of the equation. Operating the air conditioner would be a great bonus when we stay in a remote area or at a campground without hookups.
Just a few ideas we are working on as the camping season is just around the corner.
Thanks again for stopping by.
Happy Camping Folks!
Since it looks like we'll be using Serenity more often than we thought we might be initially or at least that's the plan we're looking at ways to make her more versatile. And these are really only plans as they require money and taking on debt is not a part of our plans. We've more than enough debt to take care let alone adding more to it.
With having said that, we know that anything is also possible so here is what we're thinking about base on some quick research on the Canadian Tire website and no particular order:
Coleman 8.5 Amp, 12 Volt Solar Charge Controller, Regular$24.99
Coleman 75W Crystalline Solar Panel, Regular$399.99
NOMA 75 Watt Crystalline Solar Panel, SAVE 40%, Total $199.99 instead of $349.99
Champion 2000W Inverter Generator, Regular$799.99
We are looking at two different solar panels that appear on the surface to offer the same volts, watts, etc. charging capacity with the Noma being on sale for less than $200.00. The Noma is also smaller than the Coleman. The charge controller is needed to control the charge going to the battery. Although, we are reluctant to get a generator it'd be a nice addition to have in the van so we never have to worry about our electrical needs especially on the AC side of the equation. Operating the air conditioner would be a great bonus when we stay in a remote area or at a campground without hookups.
Just a few ideas we are working on as the camping season is just around the corner.
Thanks again for stopping by.
Happy Camping Folks!
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
More Camping Ideas
Tuesday, April 12, 2016. Welcome back! It's nice to see you again. Not that we can see you however we certainly do notice and very much appreciate your presence as you go about reading our blog as well as perusing any advertisers that might grab or catch your attention.
Besides camping down in the Olympic Peninsula at the Elwha Dam RV Park & Campground we're making plans to do some what we might be able to call more local camping about a two or three hour drive from Vancouver. We're all keen on the two initial campgrounds we've picked. David and Edith see some good quality nature and spiritual time in and around the area and David and I noted that they are both close to and/or related to past or present railroads. Good all around, I say.
Our first stop will be the Othello Tunnels Campground and RV Park as it just happens to be conveniently located next to the Othello Tunnels, a part of the Trans Canada Trail network. And once providing access through the mountains for the Kettle Valley Railway, her tracks torn up long ago. Besides that, the cozy little town of Hope is down the road.
Our next outing will take us to the Emory Creek Campground near Yale. David has always wanted to stay in this campground as far back as he can remember. Emory Creek flows into the mighty Fraser River and campground is just a turn off of Highway #1, the TransCanada Highway and across the CP tracks, the Canadian Pacific Railway.
That's all we have for now.
Happy Camping Folks!
Besides camping down in the Olympic Peninsula at the Elwha Dam RV Park & Campground we're making plans to do some what we might be able to call more local camping about a two or three hour drive from Vancouver. We're all keen on the two initial campgrounds we've picked. David and Edith see some good quality nature and spiritual time in and around the area and David and I noted that they are both close to and/or related to past or present railroads. Good all around, I say.
Our first stop will be the Othello Tunnels Campground and RV Park as it just happens to be conveniently located next to the Othello Tunnels, a part of the Trans Canada Trail network. And once providing access through the mountains for the Kettle Valley Railway, her tracks torn up long ago. Besides that, the cozy little town of Hope is down the road.
Our next outing will take us to the Emory Creek Campground near Yale. David has always wanted to stay in this campground as far back as he can remember. Emory Creek flows into the mighty Fraser River and campground is just a turn off of Highway #1, the TransCanada Highway and across the CP tracks, the Canadian Pacific Railway.
That's all we have for now.
Happy Camping Folks!
Monday, April 11, 2016
Serenity is up and running again
Monday, April 11, 2016. Serenity is up and running again. We gave her battery a boost yesterday and drove her around a bit to get her battery charged up again. It sure is nice to be driving in her man o man does it feel gratifying to see blacktop passing by as we look out the windows. Edith was ready to for David to keep on driving but alas he's handcuffed to a job for the time being but soon we'll be out camping again...April 24 or so we'll be finding our way down to the Elwha Dam RV Park & Campground for a few nights stay.
David reported today that Serenity fired right on up without hesitation and speaking of driving, he said he wanted to take her out this afternoon and not look back. He was tempted to take a very long extended lunch break today...a lunch break lasting not an hour but days, month, if not years...lol.
That's all for now...happy camping folks!
David reported today that Serenity fired right on up without hesitation and speaking of driving, he said he wanted to take her out this afternoon and not look back. He was tempted to take a very long extended lunch break today...a lunch break lasting not an hour but days, month, if not years...lol.
That's all for now...happy camping folks!
Friday, April 8, 2016
Serenity and a Dead Battery
Friday, April 8, 2016. Poor Serenity. We made a quick visit to her this afternoon and discovered that she has a dead starting battery. So off to Canadian Tire we went where we picked up a "Coleman 2.5 Watt Solar 12V Battery Maintainer". Serenity's battery still has a bit of juice in it but not enough to crank over her engine. We were hoping to take Serenity out for a drive, flush her water lines and dump her tanks before giving her a good spring cleaning. We just might have to wait a while or give her a jump but our car is a puny four cylinders compared to her ten. Can the car battery handle Serenity's cranking needs?
We'll drop by tomorrow and see how twelve hours of solar charging treated Serenity's battery. We'll bring along some battery cables just in case we decide to at least try and give her a boost.
David is longing to drive her for the remainder of the year and make ever larger circles out of Metro Vancouver.
That's all we have for now.
Happy Camping Folks!
We'll drop by tomorrow and see how twelve hours of solar charging treated Serenity's battery. We'll bring along some battery cables just in case we decide to at least try and give her a boost.
David is longing to drive her for the remainder of the year and make ever larger circles out of Metro Vancouver.
That's all we have for now.
Happy Camping Folks!
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