tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934117382186278602024-03-06T12:03:07.695-08:00Living in a Van down by the River!!!Advice & stories on living full-time in a small RV, completely off-grid, in Alaska... and all the adventures & shenanigans that come with it.AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-71275123839631909982021-04-04T22:30:00.003-07:002021-04-04T22:50:44.355-07:00The Custom Flatbed is almost complete! Ford F350 Powerstroke Diesel Truck House...<p> A few quick photos...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aueHch8Ieynsvw_b524lnXd5cBsb6gvr-XTdLXM8k6eFwXnRTdVFh85MF954Ql79c0Z6n484-GfAs-n3l4GeXk69Jq3PyeL5JDT8Ve3hCHExwEILNBF7eBKmqLhWGojjVBJ5b5mgOvwS/s1985/camperflatbed.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="1985" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aueHch8Ieynsvw_b524lnXd5cBsb6gvr-XTdLXM8k6eFwXnRTdVFh85MF954Ql79c0Z6n484-GfAs-n3l4GeXk69Jq3PyeL5JDT8Ve3hCHExwEILNBF7eBKmqLhWGojjVBJ5b5mgOvwS/w640-h640/camperflatbed.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YsQrwp6JxnM6eqqaR3_RL0DdE051FOFzAIfDcBgE7sxOZb7_zb3tFjxOD2s466z35lv5dOJ2P218Eqaf-OrLz5GPJgacn77iQtU19WfJuFVcfhM9GVTLr7PbH7bZrQ_mv2Zgkqj3Zfa5/s2016/frontflatbedcamper.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YsQrwp6JxnM6eqqaR3_RL0DdE051FOFzAIfDcBgE7sxOZb7_zb3tFjxOD2s466z35lv5dOJ2P218Eqaf-OrLz5GPJgacn77iQtU19WfJuFVcfhM9GVTLr7PbH7bZrQ_mv2Zgkqj3Zfa5/w640-h360/frontflatbedcamper.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVoWsADwoPmdpVjLBzhvg6rmtgacjPW8lqx4HWzOhv3uoQLw0CWr0YZgXW_PZMtANDz1mF3JGNWHjfXUrDJFrQxH9R9HZ4u_Jr0pCyNejdumGpDyjzUpyQabl1TNoU0bfr57DHLHgkJMq/s960/truckinteiorfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVoWsADwoPmdpVjLBzhvg6rmtgacjPW8lqx4HWzOhv3uoQLw0CWr0YZgXW_PZMtANDz1mF3JGNWHjfXUrDJFrQxH9R9HZ4u_Jr0pCyNejdumGpDyjzUpyQabl1TNoU0bfr57DHLHgkJMq/w480-h640/truckinteiorfront.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhe2gFQxOZZkDooIg8r_pf4Eb6X4eO9umu9ySjyk9CTst1Fo-ERCC1LhBwXzk_5M75tgE5tashrnqVHqKre0vTHE1v8AsrKhtjEjdLd-uylu5WjxMLA6EX9vpQOQj_UH1AN915-IbG8g6/s1280/truccamperoceanview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhe2gFQxOZZkDooIg8r_pf4Eb6X4eO9umu9ySjyk9CTst1Fo-ERCC1LhBwXzk_5M75tgE5tashrnqVHqKre0vTHE1v8AsrKhtjEjdLd-uylu5WjxMLA6EX9vpQOQj_UH1AN915-IbG8g6/w640-h360/truccamperoceanview.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-37740135935391246082017-04-25T12:15:00.003-07:002017-04-25T14:39:18.900-07:00Life on the road: Battle of the Dream<style>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Nelly somewhere at the foothills of the Chugach Mtns (home base), Anchorage, Alaska</b></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I</span></b>’m sure van-life / camper-life people blog for all kinds of
reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally, I like to share my
experiences because it may spark inspiration in those around me to get up and
do what is meaningful to them in their life, and it makes me happy to see
people living true to themselves.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The reality of living in a 105 sq ft space... storage.</b></td></tr>
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Living in your car or living in your house… what difference
does it make?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what it all comes down to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What makes you happy?</div>
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Freedom? Security? Mystery? Comfort?</div>
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Chances are, if you feel like I do, you want it all… in
fact, I’m pretty sure you do want it all… after all, the one guarantee in life
is not death and taxes, it is “need.”</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The night you & a buddy were incidentally wearing the same thing...</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></td></tr>
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Now, you can attempt your best at following the ways of
Buddha, making your highest purpose the lack of “need.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or… you can just live your own truth, do what
makes you feel good in your life and immerse yourself in the passions that
drive you and feed your soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IF you
grow old, you won’t regret your path if you have listened to your heart and
filled your life with meaningful experiences that matter to you and those
around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man once said “the
greatest currency we have is the effect we have on others.”</div>
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What makes me happy is sharing meaningful experiences,
adventures and passions with others. I have found living full-time on the road
has lead to more opportunities to fulfill my happiness, and in turn, that
happiness has passed on to those around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To those that are considering life on the road, whether living full-time
in a van, car or camper, I encourage you to ask yourself… will this help you
live your dream?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so, then go for it!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6em_cdrKfa-XNGpFhBIH4QHMCHxUChc8BoK1YKnAQQdbhc0g4GBrOi3xwlRh9j25WLvmudLt0E7SK6VjXFftVQDnzebcHw7BrzBXWV-3SFqmUV-uDv7z4E6P6v5z4eGRaIoh0P9gcJv0K/s1600/IMG_2605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6em_cdrKfa-XNGpFhBIH4QHMCHxUChc8BoK1YKnAQQdbhc0g4GBrOi3xwlRh9j25WLvmudLt0E7SK6VjXFftVQDnzebcHw7BrzBXWV-3SFqmUV-uDv7z4E6P6v5z4eGRaIoh0P9gcJv0K/s640/IMG_2605.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>High in the Talkeetna Mtns, sled-skiing a new zone.</b></td></tr>
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You all have seen the "tiny home/living in a van/life on the road" blogs all over the internet, especially the
last few years, that are saturated with posts glorifying life on the road… it’s
not all glory, it’s not always clean or easy, there’s no guarantees and it's not for everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might even feel a bit discouraged when
the police knock on your door and ask you to move on (which has only happened
to me 4 times the last 5 years of full-timing)… but it’s not all that bad and
the benefits far outweigh any moments of uncertainty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, you do wind up in amazing locations
with awesome people.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS7KaYip974M7zoj0E0_b04p84pOah7c7uFgzTFRqnd51ESkEuWWVb9Yu8wMN1B8g5kG8zMTONGm59kbrs9_PV1ZzoKiFGrQrg2G_tlutz47nm1kYFvOZuPa-_6SOu36oxbYwZJ4JD2Ik/s1600/IMG_2355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS7KaYip974M7zoj0E0_b04p84pOah7c7uFgzTFRqnd51ESkEuWWVb9Yu8wMN1B8g5kG8zMTONGm59kbrs9_PV1ZzoKiFGrQrg2G_tlutz47nm1kYFvOZuPa-_6SOu36oxbYwZJ4JD2Ik/s640/IMG_2355.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Once a week all summer... a spin jam on the downtown Anchorage park strip, great place meet and practice.</b></td></tr>
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As much as I want property and want to build a small cabin,
I want the open road and the freedom of debt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The cabin would represent security and comfort, but also comes with a
hefty price… a debt that could prevent you from following your dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, life on the road allows
you the freedom from debt to follow your dreams, but won’t provide the same
level of security and comfort as owning your own property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question is… How can you live on the road
and also have security and comfort?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
answer to that question… No one knows, it’s all about the mystery of happiness!</div>
AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-47066795124289205772016-11-07T13:55:00.002-08:002016-11-07T14:07:21.474-08:00The 5th Alaskan winter full-timing off-grid and on the road … a few tips for successfully pulling it of.<style>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> T</span></b>his past fall, I had full intentions of building a small
log cabin up on Flattop, right at the edge of Chugach State Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The property was a total steal and the view
was worth a million bucks, but after surveying the land, shooting grades
and elevations with my old man, and meeting up several times with the
excavator, I realized the land was just too steep to be accessible by vehicles
in the winter, which is a no go for me. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz6_6EL_rHA4b8KVlhUpvEZCswEiX-ysVIFWQQrF0KZqYUKXZqGAFk5DLNb_n0sIfaxu66NeoU-QrAlMGmntsWvYGoZFszi7yTNKbWkLBz6ItTpqRwhrxtWXEYXTMPhymiiqiLV9kcwhg/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz6_6EL_rHA4b8KVlhUpvEZCswEiX-ysVIFWQQrF0KZqYUKXZqGAFk5DLNb_n0sIfaxu66NeoU-QrAlMGmntsWvYGoZFszi7yTNKbWkLBz6ItTpqRwhrxtWXEYXTMPhymiiqiLV9kcwhg/s640/IMG_1271.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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So… here’s to a 5<sup>th</sup> winter
living full-time in the little Toyota motorhome in Alaska!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBmkBJtNXV9vruqCqiDN5RZYnJu8nu86buub24ziAEezxWYLrdtHrTTT_Z2CG4VIW5_JXdroB49T7CXugO56j-DQkJnSeIz-UploR6r3js6nmbGLBBisFlcNcCuw0oLEsL9JEk_7zPuK8/s1600/IMG_1520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBmkBJtNXV9vruqCqiDN5RZYnJu8nu86buub24ziAEezxWYLrdtHrTTT_Z2CG4VIW5_JXdroB49T7CXugO56j-DQkJnSeIz-UploR6r3js6nmbGLBBisFlcNcCuw0oLEsL9JEk_7zPuK8/s640/IMG_1520.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have been lucky over the years to have an exorbitant amount of friends offer couches to sleep on or driveways to park in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I think one of the most rewarding parts to full-timing without a dedicated parking space is the creativity and
technique involved with finding places to spend the night without using
friend’s resources.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a cool feeling
to survive without depending on the use of anyone’s offered space… doing so truly makes
me feel like I have a “home everywhere” despite others’ perception that perhaps
I’m lost on wheels with no place to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, I’d like to thank everyone (you know who you are) in the past that have offered/shared their space with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 5 years I have
not paid for parking or “camping” a single night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like I will do nearly anything to not
pay a dime to sleep on this earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
astonishes me how many people pay 40+ dollars to park their motorhome somewhere for a
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many places to not
spend a cent if you just do some research.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWFj5Nj8fD1-5AhghN-flTDkghmCFELda5U_QJ33TgF74WwKQH72TU73FxOqAgIm2NexdN9KX0Um3zYfzaftT3TrbQUcnWOixKUebPPCAcfGV5UqiaPV021_xmh1r-9QqL3sPO4VVhSMs/s1600/IMG_1197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWFj5Nj8fD1-5AhghN-flTDkghmCFELda5U_QJ33TgF74WwKQH72TU73FxOqAgIm2NexdN9KX0Um3zYfzaftT3TrbQUcnWOixKUebPPCAcfGV5UqiaPV021_xmh1r-9QqL3sPO4VVhSMs/s400/IMG_1197.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Here are some of my personal tips to successfully
full-timing without a dedicated parking space: </u></b></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b>NEVER
sleep in the same spot 2 nights in a row.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I always move on early the next morning.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b>DON’T ARRIVE at your “spot” until late in the evening/night.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you get there at 4:00pm in the afternoon
and sit around all day, everyone will see your camper sitting there all day and
you have a much higher chance of getting “called-in.” Go watch some live music, have some coffee/tea in a coffee shop, read in the book store, dinner with friends, just don't park too early in your "spot."</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5P8cH4Tt1noNHkIE9mtQsltFZ4tXc3PqMaWaA-HdjEbgR6dybfORfajsiV0g1sEaobCJjUeYgLPaEeSBBPAUDiKNso-xg13U1GgmpwN7PkJM9TxzdKWrOwuwf0J34n9URh9ncumjVUsj/s1600/IMG_1207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5P8cH4Tt1noNHkIE9mtQsltFZ4tXc3PqMaWaA-HdjEbgR6dybfORfajsiV0g1sEaobCJjUeYgLPaEeSBBPAUDiKNso-xg13U1GgmpwN7PkJM9TxzdKWrOwuwf0J34n9URh9ncumjVUsj/s640/IMG_1207.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhY1dXyW1GWe5I_FmzCOmxVYZRwpR-nszGZBr4-FKzoKP1BVA39aEjhfM367cRaxhfK5bOZlxmYTFXKEG9DTyCELJQiv5HHNDB76q4bt6Xh_Qh7of8AwyzqLn5p8JCiWJH70A_qVnQtYtk/s1600/IMG_1870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhY1dXyW1GWe5I_FmzCOmxVYZRwpR-nszGZBr4-FKzoKP1BVA39aEjhfM367cRaxhfK5bOZlxmYTFXKEG9DTyCELJQiv5HHNDB76q4bt6Xh_Qh7of8AwyzqLn5p8JCiWJH70A_qVnQtYtk/s400/IMG_1870.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b>When
you move in the morning… STAY in your camper when you leave.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t open the door and walk around to your
driver’s side door to drive away… this increases the odds that you will run
into conflict since there are no longer walls between you and the outside
world.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b>Sit
down, pull out a map of your city, and make a LIST of the places you can stay
and ROTATE these places.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b> </span>When I open my
closet door, I have a list of 70+ places I can stay written down on a paper
taped up to the inside of the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
means I don’t have to think about where to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I simply check out my list and find the
closest “spot” to where I’m currently located and there you have it, good to
go! Also, make sure to adhere to rule #1 and never stay in the same spot 2
nights in a row… in fact, I never stay in the same spot within a 2 week period
as a rule of thumb, it’s worked really well.</div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b>Get
a porta-potty! </b>You can go to Cabelas, Sportsman’s Warehouse, and several other
places and buy yourself a sweet, flushing, mini-portapotty for $80.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you literally have a bathroom in the
winter that doesn’t need plumbing and there are free places to legally and
sanitarily “dump” all around town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s nothing that will get overnight camping spots shut down quicker
than someone using the parking lot or camping spot as a bathroom and leaving it
there.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxnKsEVh2IwQjy32Fawn2BabexC8spv2fsH3ecgx5_5Hrnc7qRgE1mjCuDnjRQaTtQdCFHjgCcEa-PgRM36emQJ3gI4svUYbu8bXpNkGbmw78dWtg7bhsicDQtepPkGX0UdrYhsGXXySe/s1600/IMG_1819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxnKsEVh2IwQjy32Fawn2BabexC8spv2fsH3ecgx5_5Hrnc7qRgE1mjCuDnjRQaTtQdCFHjgCcEa-PgRM36emQJ3gI4svUYbu8bXpNkGbmw78dWtg7bhsicDQtepPkGX0UdrYhsGXXySe/s640/IMG_1819.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b>Keep
your camper looking good!</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have
black garbage bags and foil all over your windows, NEWS-FLASH… you probably look
sketchy to most people, so clean that stuff up and make your camper look
respectable, you won’t have half the issues.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b>Go
do things OUT-OF-TOWN on the weekends.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you’re moving around to other towns on the weekends or recreating in the woods,
that’s a few days a week where no one in the city is seeing your RV.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcdN2KN7-LdZSpJJHHoaps-zwsSZ0CWtsSNotdbKkBq0GQEfxNY-ub0ZmFX5GAb3Dzk_smaDoV9DV5mKBTN5fZZS4fWKaoE4C_GDtTaYUp6fhr8KJS8_JmXtuOjIyBrv_n6OiPsHQTDir/s1600/IMG_2654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcdN2KN7-LdZSpJJHHoaps-zwsSZ0CWtsSNotdbKkBq0GQEfxNY-ub0ZmFX5GAb3Dzk_smaDoV9DV5mKBTN5fZZS4fWKaoE4C_GDtTaYUp6fhr8KJS8_JmXtuOjIyBrv_n6OiPsHQTDir/s640/IMG_2654.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><b>DON’T use a generator.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have a generator running, EVERYONE
knows you are home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of generators, one bit of advice for other
full-timers out there… trade in your generator for some solar panels and a wood
stove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Generators are annoying and they
aren’t necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have one, single
deep cycle battery that powers all of my lights, TV, fridge, and can charge
appliances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This single deep cycle
battery is charged by only 60 watts of solar panels (two 30 watt panels) and
the engine’s alternator since I drive around every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The primary battery draining feature in any
RV is the propane furnace, so if you can eliminate using the propane furnace,
you can eliminate your overall need for on-grid electricity.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKe9LI-z9YQ1inEltKDXE4hA2V7riL8YUnc1TSWNhlzScWiZOZWutuor5AdfOrFubpcND5yS2Uj-B0u8rPO1f3s4QPd9x5i-6to90dQvK_ef_l5hT06CQ5H0p-_iIIbCXO84_UbJtQhnI/s1600/IMG_1840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKe9LI-z9YQ1inEltKDXE4hA2V7riL8YUnc1TSWNhlzScWiZOZWutuor5AdfOrFubpcND5yS2Uj-B0u8rPO1f3s4QPd9x5i-6to90dQvK_ef_l5hT06CQ5H0p-_iIIbCXO84_UbJtQhnI/s640/IMG_1840.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's about it folks, see you on the road!</div>
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-Timmy </div>
AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-44692393392074460902016-06-27T12:44:00.000-07:002016-06-27T12:44:04.213-07:00Six Mile Creek Whitewater & Bluegrass Festival (9th annual!) on Saturday, August 13th, 2016!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5MPA-1wvd4K0Y5Ohk7VRfre1Zsj_QOGCBmfWdRnyd9ytfxLH7CsQnlF3D_APa4ux08hvUki8pIlcreVUItUlcKgx0qhUHvuxEBGrdK7vIafF606ZQ7PN7V5ICp8MUJ0oyVsr1sVWw960/s1600/FINALcoloredsixmile%2528F%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5MPA-1wvd4K0Y5Ohk7VRfre1Zsj_QOGCBmfWdRnyd9ytfxLH7CsQnlF3D_APa4ux08hvUki8pIlcreVUItUlcKgx0qhUHvuxEBGrdK7vIafF606ZQ7PN7V5ICp8MUJ0oyVsr1sVWw960/s640/FINALcoloredsixmile%2528F%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="_4n-j fsl"><u><b>Six Mile Creek Whitewater & Bluegrass Festival (9th annual!) on Saturday, August 13th, 2016!</b></u><br /> <br /> The
purpose of the Six Mile Creek Whitewater & Bluegrass Festival is to
bring the whitewater paddling community, the music & arts community,
and the general public together to share a unique weekend of athletics,
entertainment, the human connection and nature on the beautiful shores
of Six Mile Creek.<br /> <br /> Come experience the hardcore CHAOS of
paddlers mass-start sprint racing through a narrow, whitewater canyon...
guaranteed ear-to-ear grins! While you’re at it, come boogie on the
shores of the river on Saturday night to some incredible, boot-stompin’
live music! EVERYTHING (live music, competition entry, festival entry,
camping, parking) is FREE!!!!! As always, there will be a raffle<span class="text_exposed_show"> for some sweet prizes, an awards ceremony for the races, live music, and a fire show once the sun goes down!<br /> <br /> MUSIC Schedule:<br /> <br /> SATURDAY, AUGUST 13th, 2016 at the main festival grounds:<br /> <br /> - 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Squeeze Mama<br /> - 7:15 pm - 8:15 pm : The Goddamn Ranch Hand Band<br /> - 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm : Quela Narguela & the Rowdy Rutabagas<br /> - 9:45 pm - 11:30 pm : The Shoot Dangs<br /> - 11:45 pm - 1-ish am : Orion Donict (prepare to dance your faces off)</span></span><br />
<span class="_4n-j fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVh3TwcONLpqJVclJd8KBUkM_YjxK8k3KPgYhCK9Q9Db6NHB985r4HdVfuVHQBWi8gv83WVlzXG4oBUGHpNn8CB68QhSvo3F5z5tOI2OXLBNiO0MMddaZoFbFpQfIjrOU8oEaNCykCZey/s1600/shootdangSIXmile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVh3TwcONLpqJVclJd8KBUkM_YjxK8k3KPgYhCK9Q9Db6NHB985r4HdVfuVHQBWi8gv83WVlzXG4oBUGHpNn8CB68QhSvo3F5z5tOI2OXLBNiO0MMddaZoFbFpQfIjrOU8oEaNCykCZey/s400/shootdangSIXmile.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="_4n-j fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> <br />
*** THERE WILL NOT be any food vendors this year or beer garden! Bring
food/beer for yourself so you don't get hungry/thirsty! This is a
completely self-reliant festival ***<br /> <br /> BIG NOTE... I really need
everyone to donate cash this year, as I've always lost money or barely
broke even (never made a dime) out of my own pocket to put this event on
free for everyone... and I really want to be able to pay the bands this
year... a $15 - $20 donation is really needed to help pay the set-up
costs, permit fees, portapotty rental, event insurance, misc expenses,
bands and keep this festival going year after year! **** There will be a
cash donation box up front near the main stage, please put what you can
in there to help make it possible to continue bringing everyone
together every year at this festival**** Or even better, donate to the
KICKSTARTER which you will see on this webpage soon!<br /> <br />
DIRECTIONS: Drive 1 hour south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway
towards the town of Hope. Main festival grounds are located at mile 3.4
of Hope Road. Look for festival signs.<br /> <br /> PARKING: You can park
off the shoulder of the road, but DO NOT park over the white lines or
you will be towed. Don't block anyone in and make sure sure sure your
car is completely off the road. They are very serious about towing, so
please spread the word!!! Please be respectful and don't park on
anyone's private property! Be creative and use your common sense.<br />
*** there is a good chance that you might have to drop camping gear off
at the festival area, and go drive your car down the road a ways and
find a shoulder big enough to pull off over the white line. There is
another large camping area around mile marker 1.<br /> <br /> CAMPING: *
Free camping! around the main festival grounds, no room for RV's at the
main festival area though, tent camping only. There are plenty of free
camping areas along the road to Hope, just be creative. There's a large
field, so just find a spot to nestle into, it's a beautiful camping
area! There is also an official campground about 10 miles down the road
past the town of Hope. Once again, be creative and use your common
sense.<br /> <br /> <br /> * PLEASE PACK OUT YOUR OWN TRASH!!!! It would be
awesome to have everyone's help on Sunday morning cleaning up the
area... the Chugach National Forest rangers will be assessing the area
after the festival and it needs to be BETTER than it was before the
festival to have the festival next year... I need everyone's
participation to do this (pick up any trash/paper, fluff up the grass
where your tent was, pick up any left-over food on the ground, etc)<br /> <br />
** If you get to the main festival grounds at 1:00pm on Saturday and
wonder where folks are at... YOU'RE MISSING THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE
FESTIVAL!!!!... the extreme, mass-start sprint races 5 minutes back up
the road!! (look for lots of parked cars off the Seward Hwy about a mile
north of the Hope Road junction).<br /> <br /> DIRECTIONS to the extreme
race area mentioned above: *Competitors & spectators will leave the
main festival grounds & drive up the road to the 1st canyon race
area just off the Seward Highway about 1 mile north of the Canyon Creek
bridge overpass on Saturday at 1:00p.m. sharp...*** you'll notice people
leaving the main festival area, just use your intuition and follow
them***<br /> <br /> <br /> * If you want to volunteer, all you have to do is contribute somehow. I need volunteers to<br /> - make a fire pit/collect firewood<br /> - pick up trash and bring it to town/the Hope dump on Sunday morning<br /> - help break down the main stage on Sunday morning<br /> - help pack up Sunday morning<br /> - help direct people towards parking<br /> - river safety/rescue racers by boat/throwbag<br /> -etc etc etc<br /> <br />
IF YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER, please contact me at kayaker35@hotmail.com or
just help at the festival when it looks like help is needed.<br /> <br />
*Competitors* If you want to compete in the river races, you must have a
proper life jacket and helmet... a drysuit is highly recommended
because there's usually swimmers involved;^) See schedule below for
sign-up info...<br /> </span></span><br />
<span class="_4n-j fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Yz5YUjt-M1zvbxByRxeHFqnvcQmls1JYSB2doSJ-2Pk3GJ5b9YLCDAsyvLLOha8SzpyIBWfTJAtJ9Jirk6QQHb5yYeHc5vAFuPXVYkOJl0R4IKc1-xx4bU7nSXl2gjZFNb0vC8EswCHp/s1600/raceBEST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Yz5YUjt-M1zvbxByRxeHFqnvcQmls1JYSB2doSJ-2Pk3GJ5b9YLCDAsyvLLOha8SzpyIBWfTJAtJ9Jirk6QQHb5yYeHc5vAFuPXVYkOJl0R4IKc1-xx4bU7nSXl2gjZFNb0vC8EswCHp/s640/raceBEST.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="_4n-j fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> <b>EVENT SCHEDULE:</b><br /> <br /> SATURDAY, AUGUST 13th, 2016:<br /> <br />
11:00 am : all competitors/racers need to walk down to the main
festival tent/dome on the shore of the river, grab a racing bib and sign
your name, Bib number, and phone number on the sign up sheet. PLEASE
return bibs to the main stage tent immediately after the races!<br /> <br />
12:30 pm: racers and spectators leave main festival grounds at Boston
Bar area and carpool/drive back north to the 1st canyon extreme race
series site (5 minutes back towards Anchorage from the main festival
site, about 1 mile north of the Seward Highway bridge over Canyon Creek,
just before the Hope cut-off road... look for lots of parked cars off
the side of the highway at 1:00pm.<br /> <br /> 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm :
Downriver mass-start extreme race through the 3 biggest rapids of the
1st canyon (KAYAK, canoe, inflatable kayak)<br /> <br /> 2:00 pm: PACK RAFT mass-start extreme race through the 3 biggest rapids of the 1st canyon (pack rafts only)<br /> <br />
2:30 pm: INFLATABLE POOL-TOY extreme mass-start race (inflatable
pool-toy race...ride an alligator, shark, couch, whatever you want!...
(normal whitewater gear is required (aka: drysuit, life jacket,
helmet))... pack rafts don't count as an inflatable pool-toy:^<br /> <br />
4:00 pm: everyone drives back to main festival area, awards ceremony,
bonfire party, & live music begins. AWARDS will be around 7:00pm!<br /> <br /> <br /> Here's a write-up from a few years back:<br /> <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgirdwoodsummer.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F26%2Fsix-mile-whitewater-festi&h=7AQGMb_9d&enc=AZOJkLBCZ0tnG9veWf5Viy_3IFgc36Dhm9zRzcqpGUGTNwQDfHiweQqYMr_Ifn8gW8w&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span>http://</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>girdwoodsummer.wordpress.co</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>m/2011/08/26/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>six-mile-whitewater-festi</a>...<br /> <br /> and a quick racing video:<br /> <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Da3p-qKFn4I4&h=KAQEZBubn&enc=AZP1YgUC_w8E7dMViEGtzeRVq_XLaxZNg2jStmZftzmMpWWsMJbaBRQrDomHuIb0ODw&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span>http://www.youtube.com/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>watch?v=a3p-qKFn4I4</a><br /> <br /> and a video of some of the live music that will be happenin!:<br /> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWrFECx0IyF0&h=WAQEGPgm2&enc=AZP6pvfBkl98l6s78ucJO8dls2BO7_d7c87zBijnlwNBtPp_eo716gJMPngM9vvMewI&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span>https://www.youtube.com/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>watch?v=WrFECx0IyF0</a><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DlGJIjvT0AB8&h=KAQEZBubn&enc=AZPt-UeJX1fEfLzlYAvMaxiGneG2Dxa2rtq1ifZHs2S_i3mqWkkQaAZTA7uwjnDCkI4&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span>https://www.youtube.com/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>watch?v=lGJIjvT0AB8</a><br /> <br /> <br /> Sponsors:<br /> * Cook Inlet Keepers<br /> * Mooses Tooth Brewing Company<br /> * Susitna Sled & Kayak<br /> * Alaska Raft & Kayak<br /> * Chugach Outdoor Center<br /> * NOVA<br /> * American Whitewater<br /> * Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking<br /> * Bills Distributing<br /> * Knik Canoe & Kayak Club<br /> * Great Harvest Bread Company<br /> <br />
******* Any questions please email or if you want to volunteer help
please Timmy @ kayaker35@hotmail.com or sign up at the festival
grounds*******</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDAyabR0Qy8NBiLD6AgMSzd0tAeuT7gMa5ZT2ji0X4f-fbp9GghPaOMgDbj2ASA_TY54iFB6X1oCGwM7rSw-wX9lzRkBkCfQliozxOFARJDDeupEC5xgkDATYnmW5jJOholv-HDN8ArjQ/s1600/sixmilefEST.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDAyabR0Qy8NBiLD6AgMSzd0tAeuT7gMa5ZT2ji0X4f-fbp9GghPaOMgDbj2ASA_TY54iFB6X1oCGwM7rSw-wX9lzRkBkCfQliozxOFARJDDeupEC5xgkDATYnmW5jJOholv-HDN8ArjQ/s640/sixmilefEST.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-15893748947125804702016-01-06T16:19:00.002-08:002016-02-04T13:04:24.958-08:00Alaskan winter RV livin' update!<u><b>In this update:</b></u><br />
<b>* Toyota motorhome 3.0 V6 to 3.4 V6 engine swap & review</b><br />
<b>* A few new tips & advice</b><br />
<b>* Golden Eagle Bike Engine Kit</b><br />
<b>* The Shoot Dangs! 2nd national tour trip report & upcoming shows</b><br />
<b>* 1st annual SNOW-JOB Winter Festival</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>W</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">ell, it’s been since August now that the 1989 Toyota
Odyssey 4x4 motorhome had an engine upgrade.
I took out the Toyota 3.0 V6 engine w/ blown headgasket and rusted block
and swapped a 1999 Toyota 3.4 V6 engine in its place. If you search the internet for reviews of
this swap, you’ll find all kinds of advice, but the general consensus is that
the power increase is noticeable and the gas mileage is improved<b>...</b></span><b><br /></b><br />
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixil5jJE8BaG9zAktFYNikYhpG2PKoD7sG3hYcHHXxh4WIio1xnXhqB4WinPvbNUF8S2HCRYuQOAq31Juk-AEFUuXuCR4FGMHkFSn4b7uXzelFL0wtkSVP7znGy86IwK7JIlqIzcEv2w_-/s1600/IMG_1597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixil5jJE8BaG9zAktFYNikYhpG2PKoD7sG3hYcHHXxh4WIio1xnXhqB4WinPvbNUF8S2HCRYuQOAq31Juk-AEFUuXuCR4FGMHkFSn4b7uXzelFL0wtkSVP7znGy86IwK7JIlqIzcEv2w_-/s640/IMG_1597.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>1989 Toyota Odyssey 4x4 motorhome on an 8,000 mile road-trip in early-September, 2015</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>N</b></span>ow that I’ve had this engine in my Toyota motorhome (I
couldn’t find anyone that did the 3.0 to 3.4 swap in a Toyota motorhome yet),
here’s the honest truth to what I’ve found:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>There
is a noticeable increase in power, but not a very significant increase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The horsepower was boosted from the 3.0’s 145
hp to the 3.4’s 190 hp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the old 3.0
engine, I could never get into 5<sup>th</sup> gear, my average highway speed
was about 45-50mph, and the motorhome severely slowed down on long uphills,
sometimes needing 1<sup>st</sup> or 2<sup>nd</sup> gear on main roads and
highways.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> The new 3.4 engine gave me an
slight increase in top end speed (average speed is about 55 mph now), I can use
5<sup>th</sup> gear occasionally on flat ground or downhills, I rarely ever
shift below 3<sup>rd</sup> gear on main roads/highways, and I have much more
torque to climb long hills (the 3.4 almost feels like a diesel as it just pulls
through the hills with its torque).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
really nice being able to almost keep up with Alaskan highway speeds now,
occasionally I’ll hit 60 mph.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuiQPWvS5zB50lXZ9KHPelypVmC5cv6nR87CMxM0_ylAE7XkWcGGOG18rt3d9y5WlviCF0yqKizMzNo-chOt2vzIe_GpBAACXiCI7-SvSnhooHV2AMITZprC0Cu1AEqUS4GylnJpiRmXK/s1600/3.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuiQPWvS5zB50lXZ9KHPelypVmC5cv6nR87CMxM0_ylAE7XkWcGGOG18rt3d9y5WlviCF0yqKizMzNo-chOt2vzIe_GpBAACXiCI7-SvSnhooHV2AMITZprC0Cu1AEqUS4GylnJpiRmXK/s640/3.4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>This was about half-way through the swap, before all the wiring and vacuum hoses began...</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Most
people say you get a boost in miles per gallon (people claim 15-17mpg), <b>but</b> my oxygen sensors aren't hooked up yet (long story), which is giving me a significant <b>decrease</b> in miles per gallon (I went from
getting an average of 12.5 mpg with the old 3.0 engine to getting an average of about
9 mpg with the new 3.4 engine). I'll be hooking those up in the next few weeks, still sorting some wiring harness issues out.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>You
will have a boost of confidence on long road trips knowing you have one of the
best engines (3.4) that Toyota has ever manufactured, much more reliable than
the 3.0.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>While
I would definitely recommend this 3.0 to 3.4 engine swap, if I would have known
the gas mileage was going to drop 4 mpg instead of increase 4 mpg, I might have
just swapped a V8 engine in its place instead of the 3.4 V6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still feel like there is not enough power
as I would like, so the next upgrade I will make is adding a Toyota
Supercharger to the 3.4 to give a significant horsepower increase and truly get me up to highway speeds (65 mph).</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>You should probably order
the 3.0 to 3.4 adapter kit from Offroad Solutions (ORS).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ordered their 3.0 to 3.4 wiring harness
adapter (which made the wiring much easier) and their exhaust manifold adapter
(which switches the side the exhaust is on to fit your old Toyota 3.0
exhaust).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will also have to custom
make engine mounts unless you order them from ORS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ORS is a great company and they can really help walk you through the engine swap on any complicated questions when all seems lost. To save a little bit of headache, I put on a
K&N Cold Air Intake so I could leave my battery on the same side of the
engine as the 3.0 and not have to move the air filter box to the other side either.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnaeasdbbG-6ueRe73jmT2u6Zam7dp4HGgke7tId3tesH04sDLAhR9da4nABeFU7UOu5S63akad_67eoGW_JQID-xts_6Np5L6XgMntgC6becrvKpKIXq901dZ8ZAvAAYf1MIfObG-5rW/s1600/IMG_1593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnaeasdbbG-6ueRe73jmT2u6Zam7dp4HGgke7tId3tesH04sDLAhR9da4nABeFU7UOu5S63akad_67eoGW_JQID-xts_6Np5L6XgMntgC6becrvKpKIXq901dZ8ZAvAAYf1MIfObG-5rW/s640/IMG_1593.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Trying to find a swimming hole, turns out the California drought was pretty bad.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>OFF-GRID RV LIVIN' TIPS & ADVICE:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BGAzpjiMDLGBdVzoit2143L5o2PcTn8LQjrtrP3QEZ9u7QKNjnRgU53V1HMA2iFdvhMy4ygtYELYZJm8I9uT0JFgN-lrQHfs9ISDpWFaCl_gUYLLNEkMk0HW0wkYcCunlQxfu0hPD_ly/s1600/IMG_0481.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BGAzpjiMDLGBdVzoit2143L5o2PcTn8LQjrtrP3QEZ9u7QKNjnRgU53V1HMA2iFdvhMy4ygtYELYZJm8I9uT0JFgN-lrQHfs9ISDpWFaCl_gUYLLNEkMk0HW0wkYcCunlQxfu0hPD_ly/s320/IMG_0481.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Kage removed the passenger seat...</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
1) <b>RV refrigerators don’t last forever</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your fridge has a strong smell of ammonia,
it’s time to get a new fridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
fridge in my Toy home died just 2 days before we left on our 8,000 mile road
trip/band tour to Burning Man and back to Alaska.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Once your fridge is dead, it’s cheaper to buy
a new fridge than actually repair the contained cooling system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a good chance your fridge won’t fit
through your RV house door, but it’s very easy to remove the passenger seat of
the Toyota motorhome and just fit the fridge through the passenger door.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-ALSFXvXhLcKswQO6vrEBCFplcOfY0pHRECDCLkQ0bTiDkze5tnCEpvcKefvTuZwXktG6BPUiqhZnFzzWy4q_0Da_q9PytKg966HYdJBP_mO8c8O4o_4k0z_1WaD50ayleNFNLm6mrKw/s1600/IMG_0483.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-ALSFXvXhLcKswQO6vrEBCFplcOfY0pHRECDCLkQ0bTiDkze5tnCEpvcKefvTuZwXktG6BPUiqhZnFzzWy4q_0Da_q9PytKg966HYdJBP_mO8c8O4o_4k0z_1WaD50ayleNFNLm6mrKw/s320/IMG_0483.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Old fridge out, new fridge in.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
2) <b>KNOW the exact height of your motorhome!</b> – it’ll take you 3
minutes… just get a tape measure out and do it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know the height of mine (12 feet 2 inches to the top of the
wind-directional chimney cap)… but I never measured the height when the bikes
were on the roof rack… BIG mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
miscalculated how tall the RV was with the bikes on top and hit an old, stone
arch bridge in Ashland, OR and broke the bike fork in half, ripped the roof
rack off the RV, and spent the next day fixing everything in a parking lot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every time I approach a bridge now I treat my motorhome like
an 18 wheeler and look ahead to see the bridge height maximum clearance label
before I pass under the bridge, this has saved me a ridiculous amount of times
(the bikes on top bump me up to a 13 foot 2 inch clearance).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something to think about.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignGwq6c7-P2nC0lu6QRzsq3J5_wEDYOrzvt03q2PzyPCalMvYIxT0psrI9ysxpc4bTUXbqfZ_xcBNqBIoGapbCxocOuZAzfoiL9raHjitLvgSwjHpRf9RklyyZGvRSR1my2xxGRqHej1Y/s1600/IMG_1928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignGwq6c7-P2nC0lu6QRzsq3J5_wEDYOrzvt03q2PzyPCalMvYIxT0psrI9ysxpc4bTUXbqfZ_xcBNqBIoGapbCxocOuZAzfoiL9raHjitLvgSwjHpRf9RklyyZGvRSR1my2xxGRqHej1Y/s640/IMG_1928.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Toy home is toasty: cooking some moose that Kage hunted this year on the Kimberly wood stove.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3) <b>Free internet!</b> If you’re living off-grid in your
motorhome, you’ll find coffee shops your best friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spend a couple bucks on a coffee and then you
have a place to hang out for hours with free internet and free heat to stay
warm in the winter… some coffee shops even give you free refills the same day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b>4) Park late and wake up early to avoid trouble!</b>
This is one of the easiest tricks in the book of off-grid motorhome
living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, make yourself a list to
hang up in your RV of all the “free” places you can think of to park overnight
(public streets, neighborhoods, non-municipal parks, retail stores, abandoned
side roads, mountain road or highway pull-outs, etc)… this helps you make an
easy decision every night of where to stay.<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>5) Never</b> stay in the same spot 2 nights in-a-row,
<b>this is how you get busted and ruin it for everybody else</b> that is trying to
live unconventionally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t tell you
how many times I’ve seen people living on the streets in RV’s that just sit in
one spot for several days, sometimes up to a week… and sure enough a “<i><u>NO
OVERNIGHT PARKING</u></i>” sign pops up and that once-awesome camping spot disappears forever.<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
How do you avoid this situation? Get to your
camping spot LATE at night (after 10:00 pm at the earliest) and LEAVE by 7:00
am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people are home by 10 pm and
won’t leave for work until after 7 am, which means you won’t have a bunch of
passer-bys calling your RV in to the local police department.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOR-qORSUCqRFZlRGtN1Mo8LtYRcEz-J4_su6CAISb8NGMmhFet7fZeguu4hcZfAx7RaEbu5as6tQKL5H45prco267pIODDIVw4HqpDsiHigITtekoxXY3JzHkdXSguBkzb2POxrX32zG/s1600/IMG_1628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOR-qORSUCqRFZlRGtN1Mo8LtYRcEz-J4_su6CAISb8NGMmhFet7fZeguu4hcZfAx7RaEbu5as6tQKL5H45prco267pIODDIVw4HqpDsiHigITtekoxXY3JzHkdXSguBkzb2POxrX32zG/s640/IMG_1628.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
6) <b>PREPARE for winter! </b> If you have a wood stove in your motorhome and no where to plug into electricity, make sure you have enough wood to last you the entire season... you can't count on your propane furnace to keep you warm once your RV house battery dies. On a cloudy week, my solar panels can't quite keep up with using the propane furnace too much, so the Kimberly wood stove is literally a life saver.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b>Engines on Bikes...</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2oEx6Nqah6g90IAPep2mZ21s9oEoqXv3Bl8T3R4iN_HBEruC7y8VlmVtH3T3oS-frKlktJ1MzxduKL_qVC2Di7UZYxRmPOv0MPmHG0_5p4DLOoJOH7k3-r5sbcO5ZioS-X1orwW4Z60x/s1600/IMG_2071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2oEx6Nqah6g90IAPep2mZ21s9oEoqXv3Bl8T3R4iN_HBEruC7y8VlmVtH3T3oS-frKlktJ1MzxduKL_qVC2Di7UZYxRmPOv0MPmHG0_5p4DLOoJOH7k3-r5sbcO5ZioS-X1orwW4Z60x/s640/IMG_2071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.bikeengines.com/" target="_blank"><b>Golden Eagle Bike Engine kit</b></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> I</b> </span>recently realized I may or may be a motorhead at heart,
cause I just love engines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whitewater
kayaking in the summer involves driving to the put-in on the river, then
kayaking downstream… but how do you get back to your car after paddling the river if you carpooled with friends in one car?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hitch-hiking isn’t an option for half of the remote
whitewater streams we paddle, so I sold some stuff I didn’t need anymore in my
storage and bought myself a Golden Eagle Bike Engine kit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should make kayaking shuttles (and runnin' errands around Anchorage) cheap and fun. These kits are made in Minnesota and are the
only belt-drive, rear engine mount kit available for bikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After doing a lot of research, this kit
seemed the best way to go for several reasons:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Easy
to install and remove.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>The
clutch can be disengaged and the belt can quickly be removed in a few seconds,
allowing for a completely friction free system (compared to a chain drive
system which can’t be disconnected and creates drag when pedaling).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The belt drive system is also much quieter to
ride around the city/sidewalks than a noisy chain drive system.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>The
Honda GX35 4-stroke engine is super reliable, requires no mixing of gas &
oil (so you can easily fill up at any gas station while riding around, and
provides plenty of power.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp593YbvO7XVMj2oMOhmN1EDW82iq0-dh422t8lOgn2_YOUZ3Gr3LuBv7APb6zy3GhC_SErZEcdhtM3bjMwTvFSK4UFFTnE6X2fJqfFkXahWk12PDPiqkCnxlVk1R6EbblajsihWmL3SkK/s1600/IMG_2069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp593YbvO7XVMj2oMOhmN1EDW82iq0-dh422t8lOgn2_YOUZ3Gr3LuBv7APb6zy3GhC_SErZEcdhtM3bjMwTvFSK4UFFTnE6X2fJqfFkXahWk12PDPiqkCnxlVk1R6EbblajsihWmL3SkK/s640/IMG_2069.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Golden Eagle Bike Engine kit took about 30 minutes to
install and was very straight forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The only real modification I had was having to drill a hole in the frame of my
bike to attach the front engine mount bracket.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCqxE52_MXekHWv47OWEGbkI8M4M6PsQbsrpcOvYEPHC38qgYKd8mp93Y-2nSLhRrBpevaUz6mJP_um6m_ALRYwblqjo8eVbbxron-QQbRPtWwleJteyvzDprb4ajLs_Vb1rtgjIi82Vi/s1600/IMG_2032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCqxE52_MXekHWv47OWEGbkI8M4M6PsQbsrpcOvYEPHC38qgYKd8mp93Y-2nSLhRrBpevaUz6mJP_um6m_ALRYwblqjo8eVbbxron-QQbRPtWwleJteyvzDprb4ajLs_Vb1rtgjIi82Vi/s400/IMG_2032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>REVIEW:</b> I have had the Golden Eagle Bike Engine kit since
early December and kit has proven to be very reliable and super fun to drive
around town (I’ve put about 450 miles on the kit so far).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to invest in some studded winter tires
for my bike (26”x2.1”) because of the ice and snow from our Alaskan
winters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gas reservoir holds about
1/3 a liter of high octane (91) gasoline, which means it only cost about 18
cents to fill up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll make it around
15-ish miles on that tiny tank, which means I get about 180 miles per gallon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Top crusing speed seems to be around 25-30mph
and it’s pretty easy to keep up with traffic in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The engine mounts seem to be pretty solid
jumping curbs and heading off-road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pedaling at start up for a few pedals helps take a big load of the
engines little clutch and helps keep down the wear & tear on the engine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The belt seems to be holding up just fine,
but I ordered a spare belt just in case.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_AxLDGnzoLbGItWwW3-pPZUbNitWNyohanvnBPfXRUglkL-prrPNOFRaEyxqvIioEg1eGU1yRlcvNeeC7toiEYVWWMgocUFbrXT89IV_bnP8bIM3BdFNNq-T-TrtQ7uDHI3E0mSYFoKU/s1600/IMG_2051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_AxLDGnzoLbGItWwW3-pPZUbNitWNyohanvnBPfXRUglkL-prrPNOFRaEyxqvIioEg1eGU1yRlcvNeeC7toiEYVWWMgocUFbrXT89IV_bnP8bIM3BdFNNq-T-TrtQ7uDHI3E0mSYFoKU/s640/IMG_2051.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Rallying through the snow, works pretty awesome!</b></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I carry a 1 liter MSR fuel canister in my bike’s water
bottle holder just incase I run out driving around somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Honda engine starts within the first 2
pulls every time, it’s really nice being able to rely on an engine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My next project is ordering a long drive belt
and fabricating a wider drive ring for the wheel so I can install this kit on
my fat bike (which was my original plan, but the fat bike has 5” wide tires so
the stock Golden Eagle Bike Engine kit won’t fit).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall, the engine kit is pretty awesome & I would recommend if if you're looking for a cheap shuttle/transportation solution. I figured it will pay for itself in gas money saved since us kayakers can just hop in one car and take the bike for the shuttle.</div>
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<b>BAND TOUR</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfh7PcxTU-u6z5anioz4fVf04l5TZEAEmO2ReB-UpVvQee-tYYMDvVBiGobUEtHUnC0HjWBqqopaTWmUtzgb5baKZMXqw6k7_Xz0Rs3RHpw2ns7W-LWh8FJ8KyPg7jWx1B7_HyK1DtZJk5/s1600/IMG_1438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfh7PcxTU-u6z5anioz4fVf04l5TZEAEmO2ReB-UpVvQee-tYYMDvVBiGobUEtHUnC0HjWBqqopaTWmUtzgb5baKZMXqw6k7_Xz0Rs3RHpw2ns7W-LWh8FJ8KyPg7jWx1B7_HyK1DtZJk5/s640/IMG_1438.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This past fall our band, The Shoot Dangs!, did our 2<sup>nd</sup>
national tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loaded up in my Toyota
RV and left Anchorage, Alaska on an 8,000 mile round-trip, taking the ferry on
the Inside Passage of Alaska to play shows in Haines, Skagway, and Juneau then
shows throughout Washington, Oregon, California, & Nevada, with Burning Man
being the furthest stop of the trip.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2IF5BrIMpud9BO4yERQFpXodJxSydPSMcWZN7xfrRK9Sb-7lALaRlWOjwqFvvDmbKhrOg7HlbdBIOSJ07aLDSh50jdIE9CoJq5isYkof9ZbfKw6l6NXPkv8H-_BhAzMhkg9CKyVmEIHm/s1600/bmanFRONTporch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2IF5BrIMpud9BO4yERQFpXodJxSydPSMcWZN7xfrRK9Sb-7lALaRlWOjwqFvvDmbKhrOg7HlbdBIOSJ07aLDSh50jdIE9CoJq5isYkof9ZbfKw6l6NXPkv8H-_BhAzMhkg9CKyVmEIHm/s640/bmanFRONTporch.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Kage, Jerry, stranger & myself pickin on the porch.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhZPtfNu0vzBw2JmyeqXWdw9SMPwlSswNDWk7Zee9HbyUA6dVZeX7INhmqDoT8EHtt6v3849X_2d9H6a2MHwKUFWPIWNgsUUpCqkfs14RRfjC70dcOdv6SwS4ZyAnpWb7QcwI1pz9_8kl/s1600/IMG_1581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhZPtfNu0vzBw2JmyeqXWdw9SMPwlSswNDWk7Zee9HbyUA6dVZeX7INhmqDoT8EHtt6v3849X_2d9H6a2MHwKUFWPIWNgsUUpCqkfs14RRfjC70dcOdv6SwS4ZyAnpWb7QcwI1pz9_8kl/s640/IMG_1581.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Driving Nelly around & found this big shoe, Burning Man 2015. </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78ndYiDVBhTPzzjWleYZnb6FCTxPK7wldl0Jw4zyIV2dQYKYsaZQtGBDId7vdreEXFpe3HPXwm8lFVnTiYeQNz9Beqlqq0_WPC1KXLnME9Fr3TtVyrcON-WySkfaL4NaOr0rsnJvGU0ki/s1600/IMG_1622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78ndYiDVBhTPzzjWleYZnb6FCTxPK7wldl0Jw4zyIV2dQYKYsaZQtGBDId7vdreEXFpe3HPXwm8lFVnTiYeQNz9Beqlqq0_WPC1KXLnME9Fr3TtVyrcON-WySkfaL4NaOr0rsnJvGU0ki/s640/IMG_1622.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Front Porch crew, Burning Man 2015.</b></td></tr>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
had an incredible time, made a lot of new friends and connections, and finally
got to see all the small Alaskan coastal times, super cool to see if you haven’t
seen them yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our band has been on a
little bit of a break while band members are out of state, but our first shows
of the New Year are this February 11<sup>th</sup>, 12<sup>th</sup>, & 13<sup>th</sup>
here in Alaska (Chair 5 Pizza Pub on 11th, Taproot on the 12th, Moose Pass Winter Festival on the 13th).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looks like we’ve picked
up a pretty wicked fiddle playin’ gal from Kentucky, so we’re looking forward
to filling in our sound!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> You can check out our live show schedule/music samples at www.reverbnation.com/theshootdangs . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRWjBqXPbiEdDuWTACMOMs9lst69WzLWDKnm33ERqdamwuDAkYMOIbTq8jIOlDUai6D3zf6N2Is0icJAmWp9VL6_ugMnRswFLMNmNbjQ3BM1XiqHkr6k-KQWcO5Wwfp12bQfV-dP3zr_r/s1600/tobiasSLED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRWjBqXPbiEdDuWTACMOMs9lst69WzLWDKnm33ERqdamwuDAkYMOIbTq8jIOlDUai6D3zf6N2Is0icJAmWp9VL6_ugMnRswFLMNmNbjQ3BM1XiqHkr6k-KQWcO5Wwfp12bQfV-dP3zr_r/s400/tobiasSLED.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Tobias the wolf dog was tired... yup.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This has been the first decent winter in Alaska we've had in a while. The snowmachine skiing has been off the hook! Been trying to get out as much as possible, here' s a few random pictures of the shenanigans. A few of us are in the process of creating a new freeride, film & music festival in Thompson Pass this April 14-17th (called Snowjob), which will be free to the public. For more information, go to the event page:</span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/1692276744322428/1692278930988876"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">www.facebook.com/events/1692276744322428/1692278930988876</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">That's about it for now...</span><br />
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVvwgB-ADqUTe2FK6nXcmNZnceJsPVy5v6PE1uJsoNHQE-xLotde8dx8zrHuKQLt-lsRoSuN_lNHIdj8P1pjVW527o5-Ki7TrvTWxSIb6O3_YTRjpUF9gsIMN60YjVCSdCgVvwOzjosMX/s1600/kageSKI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVvwgB-ADqUTe2FK6nXcmNZnceJsPVy5v6PE1uJsoNHQE-xLotde8dx8zrHuKQLt-lsRoSuN_lNHIdj8P1pjVW527o5-Ki7TrvTWxSIb6O3_YTRjpUF9gsIMN60YjVCSdCgVvwOzjosMX/s640/kageSKI.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Kage skiing a line in the Hoodoo Mountains, Eastern Alaska Range</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkUNVvsQiWX1ClrFkiT5QK3fDiKxy7G4z-O4lBlf71QzDtvKGTMM7vWEZ4ToF4kiQWS5QyMhBqhJU9SlgeSgisDy-yTupk7DsG8YkkoV5oOdKAg2oHB_cfzyBj7Y5UYzVwSUAUdqt41qn/s1600/madmaxSLED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkUNVvsQiWX1ClrFkiT5QK3fDiKxy7G4z-O4lBlf71QzDtvKGTMM7vWEZ4ToF4kiQWS5QyMhBqhJU9SlgeSgisDy-yTupk7DsG8YkkoV5oOdKAg2oHB_cfzyBj7Y5UYzVwSUAUdqt41qn/s640/madmaxSLED.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Mad Maxin' the sled... Jeff & Rene's wedding in Hatchers Pass.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-59153544712881474162015-03-26T00:02:00.000-07:002015-03-26T00:02:44.040-07:00Our band "The Shoot Dangs!" is planning our tour in the Toyota RV from Alaska to the lower 48... we need your help!We started a kickstarter project to help fund our band's tour:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1064978423/the-shoot-dangs-represent-true-alaskan-music-big-t?ref=discovery">www.kickstarter.com/projects/1064978423/the-shoot-dangs-represent-true-alaskan-music-big-t?ref=discovery</a><br />
<br />
Please check it out and help us spread our energy and music from Alaska to the lower 48 and back up again this August!AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-7454196187992621122015-03-23T20:24:00.000-07:002015-03-25T16:46:52.812-07:003 years of Toyota motorhome living - how goes it???<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioktn3NftrFjS1GTOU0FVxdqyQ8Vo2en79hOt3Cmi_giSC8UnaioKsRuwKVUhZpDOShr-2uRcMMWfdjvgRnlx2MRivVYes1mpxc-pefNGDB1DJdhvMIT61X4L8H_x3C19bYfK21jsaDl7j/s1600/IMG_0377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioktn3NftrFjS1GTOU0FVxdqyQ8Vo2en79hOt3Cmi_giSC8UnaioKsRuwKVUhZpDOShr-2uRcMMWfdjvgRnlx2MRivVYes1mpxc-pefNGDB1DJdhvMIT61X4L8H_x3C19bYfK21jsaDl7j/s1600/IMG_0377.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>1989 Toyota Odyssey 4x4 (1 of only 6 ever made - I was lucky to come across it!)</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b> I</b>t's been a while and I've had several folks ask what's up, so here's an update. First, the Toyota 4x4 motorhome lives on! Although the V6 3.0 liter engine has a blown head gasket and is limping around, I'm currently in the process of installing a larger, custom V6 3.4 liter engine. It should boost my horsepower from 145 hp to 190 hp. 55 hp will make a huge difference driving "Nelly" all around Alaska.<br />
<br />
I've done quite a bit of research, and Toyota's 3.4 L is a significant improvement in reliability, power, and fuel economy, so I should literally be a happy camper once the engine swap is complete by mid-April. It will also<br />
be pretty sweet to have the capability to drive faster than 40 mph down the highway. Thanks all you patient people out there, I'm sure I've pissed you off at some point, but just remember... I'm not in a hurry cause' I'm already home.<br />
<br />
<br />
We haven't had much of a winter in Alaska this year. It's been one of the warmest and least snowiest winters on record (warm ocean currents have not shifted much from last year, causing oddly warm weather patterns), and you can really see it in the mountains. Snowmachines are still not allowed in most of the public use areas due to lack of snow. People are still skiing, but it's pretty sad this year... even my interior RV garden (pictured below) was growing into mid-October this year, unbelievable!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIjZyfW7pcgHbSuqjSw2Z1_D58XuBXiCpZliELHVKCcz1LLVBqkTNYExo2bE4i2nPFpKOTpuG2F0tjLBLKCM5Ah_1L_CeXudC6XESKXKd8TIAXNT39JUWMRVHgA694KdujjMUACwZ7SMN/s1600/interiorBEST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIjZyfW7pcgHbSuqjSw2Z1_D58XuBXiCpZliELHVKCcz1LLVBqkTNYExo2bE4i2nPFpKOTpuG2F0tjLBLKCM5Ah_1L_CeXudC6XESKXKd8TIAXNT39JUWMRVHgA694KdujjMUACwZ7SMN/s1600/interiorBEST.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgde9iZ3UcJb4AIBlGt-gqIEGgR9_5L9fLepAYlrhfjFB7qIU_AEOwp2-Uodmpb1gZrMgi9_3fc6DwexysTUEO0uqo9qZbp_z35AmuprwxZRvecwM4yG-s8GxOBZUH5HwxFL2DSK9WAKA16/s1600/IMG_0501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgde9iZ3UcJb4AIBlGt-gqIEGgR9_5L9fLepAYlrhfjFB7qIU_AEOwp2-Uodmpb1gZrMgi9_3fc6DwexysTUEO0uqo9qZbp_z35AmuprwxZRvecwM4yG-s8GxOBZUH5HwxFL2DSK9WAKA16/s1600/IMG_0501.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Crow Creek Road, Girdwood, AK</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I just realized this coming April will make 3 years of living in the Toy home. It's been a crazy adventure and I've met a lot of incredible people along the way. 2 more years to go and I'll have the Toy home paid off!<br />
<br />
I've found Alaska to be an awesome place to live in a camper off-grid, however I have also noticed a lot of potential camping areas and public parking areas have been closing down the last 3 years, and I feel like I need to do my part by speaking up. There are a few other people out there living in vehicles and some people have been ruining the free camping spots, primarily by staying in one spot too long and then the spot is permanently blocked off or "No Camping/No Overnight Parking" signs are put in place.<br />
<br />
One example of prime spots to stay the evening, but have closed do to excessive, multi-day camping:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFbvk7fwE2dYpDuVK6r5iEijPB1w8fh6xzqqKh0VjAZRgpCFTgJfE-2GMMQv103GtrsyQ2ftoAMWMgKBhQgdSeXdUl9t6UkD8K5mSBPB9myFgmcgMQeNGHWqIdQMwTQAp5WrIsKbtXhIZ/s1600/IMG_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFbvk7fwE2dYpDuVK6r5iEijPB1w8fh6xzqqKh0VjAZRgpCFTgJfE-2GMMQv103GtrsyQ2ftoAMWMgKBhQgdSeXdUl9t6UkD8K5mSBPB9myFgmcgMQeNGHWqIdQMwTQAp5WrIsKbtXhIZ/s1600/IMG_0490.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Home for the night at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood - skiing and live music, yup! </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Seward Highway pull-offs. There used to be a dozen different pull-outs to park and stay overnight in (provided you are low-key and move along in the early morning). Unfortunately, people camped too long, and now there are 3 ft. ditches and large boulders blocking the pull-outs, rendering them completely unusable... even if passerbys simply want to rest for a moment. It is sad to see these spots permanently erased from the list of places to potentially camp for a night. To everyone out there staying overnight in their vehicles... please be responsible, leave your spot early the next morning, take your trash with you, and be respectful about using the bathroom (if you don't have a bathroom or porta-potty in your camper, then make sure to dig a hole and bury your waste/burn your toilet paper). If you ever go to New Zealand, the free camping has literally been ruined by tourists and locals that use the bathroom and leave their waste and toilet paper exposed everywhere. We don't want Alaska to begin closing our free camping areas down, so do your part!<br />
<br />
That is all. If we can all educate ourselves on being more responsible campers and stewards of the environment, then we will continue to enjoy free camping and no hassles in Anchorage and all around Alaska. <br />
<br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBQnQs1hexUuCvQktN-GuoV-ksWV0EtTNERH7KxupU9dN7PtSTbS2P1GYtpXHeo5sKj9tHpzb_vpLas_akh7_kqsXcCMQZddM-DTAbpGjGEiiH8l33hV7439JEYlVpJDRT0vpkRylMORO/s1600/IMG_0430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBQnQs1hexUuCvQktN-GuoV-ksWV0EtTNERH7KxupU9dN7PtSTbS2P1GYtpXHeo5sKj9tHpzb_vpLas_akh7_kqsXcCMQZddM-DTAbpGjGEiiH8l33hV7439JEYlVpJDRT0vpkRylMORO/s1600/IMG_0430.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b> Another free overnight camping spot... I make sure to camp responsibly and move early the next morning so there are no issues.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_O16NimtxpsmCk8BKRPvbvUh6zZGEwMG_FYoGsehJQGbWAI-soF4AFVyCSnfNMa1QQcRc6jJBpFv4SYYwd_CnWvQH0RKAKhP-rKtb5ytQOUF5nLxxF76O8nxpOo3TKA6_wDI1zpvUZ1e/s1600/IMG_0419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_O16NimtxpsmCk8BKRPvbvUh6zZGEwMG_FYoGsehJQGbWAI-soF4AFVyCSnfNMa1QQcRc6jJBpFv4SYYwd_CnWvQH0RKAKhP-rKtb5ytQOUF5nLxxF76O8nxpOo3TKA6_wDI1zpvUZ1e/s1600/IMG_0419.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Kage & I at an abandoned gold mine in the Talkeetna Mountains.</b></td></tr>
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Kage and I recently returned from a trip to New Zealand and Fiji. We had an incredible time overseas and all I recall is a blur of incredible experiences: scuba diving, whitewater pack rafting, speed flying, paragliding, canyoning, hiking, caving, busking and played a few shows with our instruments, fire spinning, stopped by the Lord of the Rings "Shire/Hobbiton," oh... and consumed a healthy amount of lamb pies with an occasional salad. We bought a van (1992 Toyota HiAce diesel cow), converted the van into a fully self-contained camper (installed a toilet, sink, and fresh/grey water tanks) and toured both islands of New Zealand.<br />
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Below is a quick video of one of the adventures: <br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BiVVWgP1JFs/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BiVVWgP1JFs?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7utIkDi9mpOh9aLvVvjpUv7WqVhIwuf1QpsG-qHoWXtZP-8tBXkzDRD2Gdbz8SUManHo4N4Xc_PfdNeB5ZR-1ABl95JHsKgh7OGjylhZDdg8QDIbPUrcMZWUhhNeDHmR_ZuNTyBrWAaxc/s1600/IMG_1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7utIkDi9mpOh9aLvVvjpUv7WqVhIwuf1QpsG-qHoWXtZP-8tBXkzDRD2Gdbz8SUManHo4N4Xc_PfdNeB5ZR-1ABl95JHsKgh7OGjylhZDdg8QDIbPUrcMZWUhhNeDHmR_ZuNTyBrWAaxc/s1600/IMG_1016.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A Hobbit home in The Shire</b>, <b>Lord of the Rings movie set, New Zealand</b>.</td></tr>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmpEgp9MAwzM87r7Cas7zn53DpCEhO4S_jll7l6la5dtfpU6_M6Rf9NlqKFcSVb88jIbvkIQFcM4GjiglBJxI1V0GPAGKTeMSEQDDfUZkatmE-LgX02s1lROcJwMaLn8QoChCbVBQAE1Z/s1600/IMG_1032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></b><br />
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As I mentioned above, free camping in New Zealand has become next to impossible. Tourist and locals alike have absolutely trashed the land. Almost every scenic pull-out we came to or trail-head has toilet paper literally everywhere, and plenty of trash found nearby. It's actually really sad, as this was my 5th time visiting New Zealand, and now there are "No Freedom Camping" signs everywhere.<br />
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Unfortunately, campervans have become the target for irresponsibility, as locals and police assume that campervans staying overnight without an onboard bathroom or porta-potty are leaving the toilet paper behind, when the reality is that day-hikers or sight-see'ers just passing by also leave behind trash and toilet paper.<br />
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The only way to camp for free in New Zealand these days is by obtaining a "Self-Contained" sticker from local auditors who inspect your van after you have installed a plumbed sink, sealed fresh water and waste water tanks, and a sealed porta-potty system (see pictures below).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEBNUdLIxCAZNmneh7R1cX-pedT3vuzEXTiYfBi5oHT_cH96qX9v4Ey3LErH6oir7qJ04weAzvIXMxMZw4W0YBJLoSbI1JDjmChf2HpniO3tGZ6zaPgtbxwmVaDnel9LFCcROvcX_AEe5/s1600/IMG_0979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEBNUdLIxCAZNmneh7R1cX-pedT3vuzEXTiYfBi5oHT_cH96qX9v4Ey3LErH6oir7qJ04weAzvIXMxMZw4W0YBJLoSbI1JDjmChf2HpniO3tGZ6zaPgtbxwmVaDnel9LFCcROvcX_AEe5/s1600/IMG_0979.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Our fully-converted Toyota Hiace diesel van: plumbed a sink and freshwater/wastewater tanks, added a toilet behind the drivers seat.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The required "Self-Contained" sticker you need to camp for free in New Zealand</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpDERgPpy5rhwEYfpKGKX7J8WYRoaIg23AJV19enrYjECeZla_c-A2vgtPqVHOruiDgjjWtfRgAnjLyf3T8k_9uXYRui2K1t0wRAkVnDqt_zzdWnCLyoyKrw5dJBr3Z5OF6tk_-0NEewL/s1600/IMG_0961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpDERgPpy5rhwEYfpKGKX7J8WYRoaIg23AJV19enrYjECeZla_c-A2vgtPqVHOruiDgjjWtfRgAnjLyf3T8k_9uXYRui2K1t0wRAkVnDqt_zzdWnCLyoyKrw5dJBr3Z5OF6tk_-0NEewL/s1600/IMG_0961.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Kage with a celebration float after running the whitewater upstream on the Kawaru River, South Island, NZ.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKuQm_E6uNnTs4iaeRWUJezZwIq9TRS8o99WW1mGL-x9MkonJGzyW2WrCwSExYQeTV1rAVEHDPAvThB719e204K2zHQ58kXWUHeaP2cXdOXvf9Ix9R3PzJAJvmBecsX2z-B2AY652kOa3/s1600/IMG_0789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKuQm_E6uNnTs4iaeRWUJezZwIq9TRS8o99WW1mGL-x9MkonJGzyW2WrCwSExYQeTV1rAVEHDPAvThB719e204K2zHQ58kXWUHeaP2cXdOXvf9Ix9R3PzJAJvmBecsX2z-B2AY652kOa3/s1600/IMG_0789.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The "Embrace" sculpture burning at sunrise completely surrounded by over 50,000 people. Small-scale tornados were created from the intense heat produced by the fire! Unreal! Another beatiful moment at B.M.</b></td></tr>
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<b> A</b>nother highlight of the year was getting to experience and participate in the Burning Man festival this past August/September, held in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. If you are open-minded and want a mind-blowing experience that you can't experience (to this magnitude) anywhere else in the world, then you absolutely have to go to Burning Man at some point in your life.<br />
Over 50,000 people of all ages, all walks of life, all personalities and oddities, come together for a week in the Nevada desert to create Black Rock City. I read and heard how large and overwhelming this city becomes, and man did it live up to all the hype! I think I'm still residualy dancing over half a year later... and we're definitely going back this year!<br />
What do you do at Burning Man? Well, I remember: riding on pirate ships across sand, climbing into a box of mirrors and losing all direction, chasing a flaming mechanical octopus, riding a bike through a tornado, camping with the owner of a pro baseball team, wandering from live show to live show with fire-blasting canons and stacks of speakers taller than a hotel - so much sound the hairs on your arms would stand up... and I made many great friends I'll know or remember for a long, long time. Incredible!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfWPGn8tP4REzNzOLBqvli78rQAPBxgdmZK8EbRDs6y1dzJKwTPJjKCIEBnl0AEipHvwxjL8ASyb-2VN5jbgbdoMM1LiG62u8ty_N_IjCnxFklypaVl0whV3qbSiqbCBqXFkOXx4JWcN_/s1600/IMG_0754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfWPGn8tP4REzNzOLBqvli78rQAPBxgdmZK8EbRDs6y1dzJKwTPJjKCIEBnl0AEipHvwxjL8ASyb-2VN5jbgbdoMM1LiG62u8ty_N_IjCnxFklypaVl0whV3qbSiqbCBqXFkOXx4JWcN_/s1600/IMG_0754.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Taking a break somewhere in Black Rock City. It's hard to get lost when you can make anywhere your home.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Kage and I playing pickin' some grindage' for passerbys.</b></td></tr>
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<b> The Shoot Dangs!</b> have had another awesome year of shows in ridiculously awesome places. Arctic Man, Tailgate Alaska, Salmonstock, Forest Fair, SnowFest, Trapper Creek Bluegrass Festival, Six Mile Creek Whitewater and Bluegrass Festival, I can't even remember them all! We had the opportunity to play shows at bars and music venues in Valdez, Homer, Denali, Talkeetna, Seward, Girdwood, Hope, Fairbanks, and Anchorage, and we'll be doing it again this summer! Thanks so much to the fans, friends, and strangers that encourage us to keep keepin' on!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyFQW0NHNmmc70w4chp3-UTXoWhwneX_VBl3zQeOQXjzfkGCtJIFtey8tQ4-icZzLNZFxUWt0fGV_HxHvrj5yY_k-WOo3jG7uHAdsqu1gnzLSyZcM9P4S5_mXQzTnI7k1Mw56FEg60Bfu/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyFQW0NHNmmc70w4chp3-UTXoWhwneX_VBl3zQeOQXjzfkGCtJIFtey8tQ4-icZzLNZFxUWt0fGV_HxHvrj5yY_k-WOo3jG7uHAdsqu1gnzLSyZcM9P4S5_mXQzTnI7k1Mw56FEg60Bfu/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
We're currently in the process of recording a new album, which should hopefully be ready for release at the Trapper Creek Bluegrass Festival on May 22nd, 2015. A lot of new, original songs inspired by outlaws, freedom and times long gone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcy-VgEEwvIxsQb4Y-uT5fKCNBLT8LAWc30PR6DEoBWzQkDCVfUkb4eup_gcN_8B_e1qKaCls0J4NYkWb2v1Eo-00MfW7RQMny0L-VDr6Rp0x3XGLuJnzOEOwDQaPAEKC4WeOcg0YVmr6f/s1600/shootdangBESTpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcy-VgEEwvIxsQb4Y-uT5fKCNBLT8LAWc30PR6DEoBWzQkDCVfUkb4eup_gcN_8B_e1qKaCls0J4NYkWb2v1Eo-00MfW7RQMny0L-VDr6Rp0x3XGLuJnzOEOwDQaPAEKC4WeOcg0YVmr6f/s1600/shootdangBESTpic.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Thanks to our friend Katxia for drawing (a tiny version) of our banner!! We love it!</b></td></tr>
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The band is also planning a fall tour from Alaska down to Burning Man 2015. We are hoping to take the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system and play shows along the southeast Alaska coastal towns (like Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Wrangell, etc) the last week of August. We'll be taking the Toyota motorhome down. Can't wait! Well, until next time... oh, and for a list of show dates, booking information or music samples, go to <b><a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/theshootdangs">www.reverbnation.com/theshootdangs</a></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A show at Down East Saloon, Homer, AK.</b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUej31daYYytl0IHF4YIyO4N5w4nwQ66LhP_Kpyj2TTYQ_MTj4KBYncqY01Ede3ZiULn3-qpiF5linYS_NA_6UTu5lozEBJ5I4GCx5ugZeGUGS3DO8JKbxS7zDM0UNGf4-ou11_a2oZbo/s1600/IMG_0703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUej31daYYytl0IHF4YIyO4N5w4nwQ66LhP_Kpyj2TTYQ_MTj4KBYncqY01Ede3ZiULn3-qpiF5linYS_NA_6UTu5lozEBJ5I4GCx5ugZeGUGS3DO8JKbxS7zDM0UNGf4-ou11_a2oZbo/s1600/IMG_0703.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.nest-mag.com/index.php/nests/tim-johnson">http://www.nest-mag.com/index.php/nests/tim-johnson</a><br />
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<b>I hope this article helps or inspires someone, somehow. It'd be a lot easier to go about my own business and not spend any time writing or answering questions from people, but I think it's important to send back the positive energy and inspiration that so many people send out to me, so here's my odd way of doing it. Kage throws some great tips out there for women that are considering a similar lifestyle on the road. Thanks Inga for the interview:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.nest-mag.com/index.php/nests/tim-johnson">
Living in a van down by the river </a>
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The first step to living small, but big: move into something smaller!</h3>
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<b>Tim is from the warm south of the U.S. and
moved to the ice-cold north to realize his dream of living off-grid in a
motorhome. Together with his girlfriend Kage he travels on Alaska's
roads, showering in the gym, growing salad in the indoor garden, and
keeping warm with the help of a wood stove. True to the motto: "The 1st
step to living small, but BIG: move into something smaller!" In the
following interview Tim and Kage tell us about the life on the road and
in the cold.</b></div>
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<img alt="NEST MAG - Tim Johnson - Living in a van down by the river - www.nest-mag.com" height="426" src="http://www.nest-mag.com/images/2014/tim-johnson/tim-johnson08.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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<b>Could you give me some information about your personal background?
Who are you, what is your profession, where are you from, what are your
hobbies, what do you wish for your life?</b><br />
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My name is Tim Johnson, friends call me Timmy. My
profession? Metaphorically “living out of the box”… while literally
“living in a box.” I guess my main income is based off of teaching
driving. I try to save every scary, hard-earned penny I make teaching driving and invest in life's many adventures & a sporadic life on the road. I’m nearly finished with a Masters degree in Environmental
Science/Isotope Hydrology, so I might not have to continue risking my
life with new driving students. There’s something sketchy about driving
down an icy Alaskan highway in January, with a brand new driver that
speaks no English and has horrible reflexes… but I supposed somebody’s
gotta do it.</div>
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I grew up in North Georgia’s Smokey Mountains.
Maybe you’ve seen the movie Deliverance? Them are my stompin’ grounds.
Spending time in an Alaskan bush cabin as a kid, I always found myself
dreaming of calling Alaska “home”. I finally moved to Alaska in 2002,
and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.</div>
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<img alt="NEST MAG - Tim Johnson - Living in a van down by the river - www.nest-mag.com" height="426" src="http://www.nest-mag.com/images/2014/tim-johnson/tim-johnson09.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img alt="NEST MAG - Tim Johnson - Living in a van down by the river - www.nest-mag.com" height="426" src="http://www.nest-mag.com/images/2014/tim-johnson/tim-johnson10.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Some folks have a drinking problem. I have a “water
problem”, otherwise known as whitewater kayaking. Kayaking is the
backbone of my adventures in Alaska and around the globe. The summer in
Alaska is incredible for kayaking, where I can lose myself in deep,
remote, and unforgiving whitewater canyons. In the winter-time, I either
travel out of the USA to paddle (usually to New Zealand, my second
home) or I’ll hang around Alaska and ski, speed-fly, or snow machine. I
also enjoy picking the banjo in my free time, and try to do a show every
now and then with our band. My girlfriend, Kage, is also a banjo player
(she helped teach me a few new banjo skills), so we share the passion
for playing and creating music.</div>
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What do I wish for my life? Honestly, I wish to
learn everything I can from everything around me, and I hope to make a
positive impact in the people’s lives I interact with. I also aim to
create an environment that inspires adventure (within myself and
others), morphs dreams to reality, and leaves a positive footprint and a
bit of inspiration behind. I’m always grateful for the inspiration
other people give me, so I’m just attempting to return that energy.</div>
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<b>What happened that you've decided to move from the warm south to the
cold north of the U.S.? From where came the idea to live off-grid all
year in your camper?</b><br />
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After spending time as a kid in the remote
wilderness of Lake Clark National Park, I just always knew I wanted to
call Alaska home… so I simply acted on my dreams. I never did like moving into new homes. It seemed I
had to move into a new apartment or home at least every year for 10
years straight, throughout Anchorage and Girdwood. Roommates would move
in or move out, and I would basically be forced to find a new home. I
had enough belongings to outfit an entire house, so every time I moved
it was a serious undertaking. I finally grew tired of moving all my
belongings around, so I decided to sell everything that was unnecessary,
and move into a small motorhome year-round. I was really concerned at
first, because I knew I would not have a designated place to park, and I
didn’t know how comfortable I would be throughout the cold winter
months.</div>
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As it turns out… if you think “out of the box”, life on the road
will more than accommodate you.</div>
In an article about you, I've read that the reason you've moved to
Alaska was the dream of living in the wildest place on Earth. What is
the most fascinating thing about this rough nature?<br />
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The most fascinating aspect of Alaska is the raw
experience of untouched wilderness. I haven’t been anywhere else on
earth that feels so remote and wild, even within a short distance of the
city.</div>
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<img alt="NEST MAG - Tim Johnson - Living in a van down by the river - www.nest-mag.com" height="426" src="http://www.nest-mag.com/images/2014/tim-johnson/tim-johnson01.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img alt="NEST MAG - Tim Johnson - Living in a van down by the river - www.nest-mag.com" height="426" src="http://www.nest-mag.com/images/2014/tim-johnson/tim-johnson04.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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<b>Could you tell me something about your camper? Where have you found it? What add-ons have you added since you owned it?</b><br />
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After the decision to live in a motorhome
full-time, my old man (Bob) & I were searching the internet for a
Toyota 4x4 motorhome, and my old man came across an ad for an extremely
rare (only 6 ever made) Toyota Odyssey 4-wheel drive motorhome in Los
Angeles, California. We both were looking for a 4x4 motorhome at the
time, and since I lived in Alaska (he lives in Georgia) and I was
planning on living full-time in the motorhome, I decided to buy the 4x4
motorhome… and he opted for a very rare Toyota Sunrader diesel 2-wheel
drive motorhome for his travels.</div>
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The Toyota Odyssey 4x4 has come a really long way
from its stock chassis. I have installed a wood stove & chimney,
along with solar panels, which allow me to live “off-grid” and not be
plugged into a power source for heat or electricity. If it’s cold, I
simply throw wood in the fire instead of relying on propane or a
generator. If I want to watch a movie or charge my phone, the solar
panels power the LED TV and recharge my phone. Pretty cool.</div>
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I also had to custom-build a kayak rack on the roof
to hold the kayaks, and added a couple of rocket boxes to store skis
& gear on the roof. I also added an 8-inch lift, 33” off-road
tires/rims, and a bull-bar/brush guard to protect the motorhome from a
wreck (since the brakes are stock Toyota 4-Runner brakes and are
severely underpowered). In the spring, summer, and fall, I have an
interior garden where I grow lettuce, green onions, and spices for an
off-grid food source.</div>
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My girlfriend quickly pointed out that my camper
looked like a sporty man-mobile, and even though I thought it looked
pretty sexy, she has definitely helped make the inside look a little
classier. I grew up in log cabins and always wanted a rustic, but
modern-twist cabin-look to my motorhome. Kage has helped envision
several interior designs and projects. The latest little project was
making ceiling beams using 100+ year old, grey-weathered wood from old
Alaskan gold mines. Looks pretty awesome! I sewed some custom,
super-thick winter curtains made of oven-mit fabric, which keeps the
heat trapped inside the single-pane windows in the winter time. Kage
sewed some faux-leather curtains for a little extra attitude in the
summer time.</div>
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<b>You've named your camper "Pittsburgh Nelly". Where did this name came from?</b><br />
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Ah, I just couldn’t think of a better name. Nelly
just rolls of the tongue easily. Watch Chris Farley’s movie “Almost
Heros” and wait for the punch-line if you really want to find out…</div>
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<b>I'm really enthusiastic about the fitting-out of your nest. What
impressed me most is the little in-house garden. How did the first
motorhome-grown salad taste?</b><br />
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The motorhome’s in-house garden is one of my
favorite features also. There is something about having living plants
and edible food growing in your car just makes it truly feel homey. The
salad is ain’t that bad either. We’ve had a couple of aphid problems
eating the lettuce, but whenever that’s under control it’s nice having
free, healthy meals and spices for cooking.</div>
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<img alt="NEST MAG - Tim Johnson - Living in a van down by the river - www.nest-mag.com" height="426" src="http://www.nest-mag.com/images/2014/tim-johnson/tim-johnson17.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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<b>I suppose the winter temperatures in Alaska are really cold and most
of us aren't used to bear those. How do you get through the ice-cold
nights in your motorhome? Any special tactics? Or probably longing for a
warm shower?</b><br />
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The Kimberly wood stove is the only reason we are
able to comfortably survive the winter in my motorhome. I keep the fire
stoked on the majority of the winter. Keeping the fire going cuts down
the condensation from cooking and breathing in such a small 110 square
foot living space. Even though the motorhome is not well-insulated at
all, the wood stove puts out enough heat to keep the home cozy. I do
have a built-in, 16,000 BTU propane furnace which we occasionally use to
quickly warm things up, but RV propane furnaces are not truly designed
to be used 24 hours a day, and have a tendency to fail.</div>
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Kage and I use each other for heat (which helps a
lot), but replacing cotton sheets with fleece blankets is my best advice
to staying toasty warm. We throw a big down comforter on top of those
fleece blankets on really cold nights, and although ice forms around
your face and pillow, you stay nice and warm. We typically just take
showers at the gym (a gym membership is a great thing!) or at friend’s
homes.</div>
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<img alt="NEST MAG - Tim Johnson - Living in a van down by the river - www.nest-mag.com" height="426" src="http://www.nest-mag.com/images/2014/tim-johnson/tim-johnson15.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img alt="NEST MAG - Tim Johnson - Living in a van down by the river - www.nest-mag.com" height="426" src="http://www.nest-mag.com/images/2014/tim-johnson/tim-johnson12.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img alt="NEST MAG - Tim Johnson - Living in a van down by the river - www.nest-mag.com" height="426" src="http://www.nest-mag.com/images/2014/tim-johnson/tim-johnson16.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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<b>I could imagine that many people that you meet while traveling are
fascinated by your vehicle. What was the most beautiful or unexpected
reaction to your motorhome and your unusual lifestyle?</b><br />
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We get all kinds of great reactions to the
motorhome. Usually it’s an ear-to-ear grin, or someone beeps their horn
and gives a thumbs up. Sometimes people and businesses leave gifts of
food on the hood. In the winter, I run the wood stove basically all day,
so the motorhome drives around with a fire burning. I always get funny
reactions from people at red lights, because of the smoking chimney.</div>
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<img alt="NEST MAG - Tim Johnson - Living in a van down by the river - www.nest-mag.com" height="426" src="http://www.nest-mag.com/images/2014/tim-johnson/tim-johnson11.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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The craziest single reaction I had to the home was
this past November. It was about -20 degrees F outside and I had the
wood stove going. I went in to get some groceries for dinner, and while
shopping the grocery store intercom came on. The person speaking on the
intercom said “Attention! License plate “Y-RENT”… your RV is on
fire!!!!!!” I finished shopping (knowing everything was fine, as the
wood stove is air-tight), checked out at the register, and walked out of
the grocery store to see about 70 people pointing at my RV and it’s
smoking chimney (from the wood stove). Bystanders and fire fighters were
surrounding the motorhome, planning out what to do next. I walked up to
them and told them I just had a wood stove, and they all laughed and
went their own ways.</div>
<br />
<b>I don't want to keep the new music video of your band "The Shoot
Dangs" from our readers. I for one, am already a big fan. How do you
combine the tour life with your life in the camper? Are you all living
in your camper together while touring through Alaska?</b><br />
<br />
<div class="quotation">
“The Shoot Dangs!” aren’t touring full-time in the
camper, but one of our band members is from Fairbanks, so when he comes
down to Anchorage for our shows, he usually sleeps in the RV’s guest
bed.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<img alt="NEST MAG - Tim Johnson - Living in a van down by the river - www.nest-mag.com" height="640" src="http://www.nest-mag.com/images/2014/tim-johnson/tim-johnson14.jpg" width="426" /></div>
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<img alt="NEST MAG - Tim Johnson - Living in a van down by the river - www.nest-mag.com" height="640" src="http://www.nest-mag.com/images/2014/tim-johnson/tim-johnson13.jpg" width="426" /></div>
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We just completed a Southeastern USA tour from
Georgia to Texas, but we didn’t bring my motorhome, just a tiny 1989
Toyota Corolla 4wd station wagon. We’re all close friends now, but next
time, we’re bringing the motorhome. This is the first real band I have
ever been in, and it’s been a lot of fun. We are planning a future tour
to play at Octoberfest in Germany (and all over Europe), then head over
to Tokyo, Japan next fall to play some shows. We’ll also be playing
around Alaska all winter/spring/summer long. Honestly, it’s a lot of fun
creating music and sharing it with people, there’s no other feeling
like it. Listening and playing music has always been a core part of my
life, and it’s awesome to contribute and give back to the music scene.</div>
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<a data-lightbox="on" href="http://youtu.be/lGJIjvT0AB8"><img alt="NEST MAG - Tim Johnson - Living in a van down by the river - www.nest-mag.com" height="389" src="http://www.nest-mag.com/images/2014/tim-johnson/youtube-shoot-dangs.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<h3 class="header">
Kage's camping tricks for girls</h3>
<div class="quotation">
Some girls are hesitant to live a life off the grid
that may cause your hygiene and beauty to be on the rocks. I try to
keep things really simple for myself. Having a fire going all night
sometimes leaves my face dry. To resolve this, I heat a pot of water to
steam over the stove, which warms my face. This water can also be used
to make coffee. I use a mist of rose water to wash my face. I have
apricot oil for my skin and hair, with a dash of concealer, and mascara -
if the day calls for it. I like to keep antibacterial oils for
remedies. Lemon, peppermint, and water mixed in a spritz is great for
car sickness on long trips or headaches. Try Rose, cypress, or
eucalyptus mixed with grape seed oil to deodorize armpits instead of a
deodorant. If I get smelly I use rose water to rinse, pat dry, and a
cotton ball application of rose oil over it. Rosemary mixed with a
lighter oil is great for a finish on your hair ends.</div>
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<br /></div>
<img alt="Tim Johnson" height="640" src="http://www.nest-mag.com/images/2014/tim-johnson/tim-johnson05.jpg" width="426" /><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="quotation">
If the weather gets really cold it is good to have a
bag that insulates your shampoo and conditioner so that they do not
freeze. Some of you hair and skin care products can freeze or blow up!
This can be troublesome because when some products freeze, the water and
oil separate in the product and sometimes do not mix back together
again. A thick fabric or insulated bag keeps this from happening. It’s
nice to have it in a fabric that can be washed if you have product spill
out of the containers. I spoil myself and use a big towel when I shower
because I like having it for my whole body and long hair. The small
camping towels just don’t cut it for me.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="quotation">
If your hair looks too oily, I have a couple of
favorite hats I like to wear as often as I can or use a dry shampoo. You
can also use a huge makeup brush and use powder on your hair roots.
This works great for me because I’m a natural blonde. I have also
learned a nifty little hair duo where you part your hair on one side and
do a French braid with the front hair to the other side; leaving the
rest of your hair free.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="quotation">
Fashion clothes, outdoor gear, work clothes, and
play clothes. Getting your entire wardrobe in a small space is not easy
when you start out. You have to down size slowly. Eventually you learn
that having too much will bring you down. I like to keep in mind the
type of fabric I have and for what activity. Will it dry quickly and is
it warm? What I have found out to be most essential is: jacket, black
spandex leggings, spandex tank tops, fun dress, comfy long top, vest,
fashion scarfs, leg warmers, long johns, corduroys, favorite tee, wool
sweater, polypropylene hiking ‘zippy’ top, yoga pants, sweatshirt,
Carrhartt overalls, wool soxs, hats, running/hiking shoe, crocs, leather
boots, rubber boots, and a chicken costume with a tutu.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="quotation">
I pretty much have one of everything and make it
work for everything we do. I can fit all of this in a 2ft by 1.5ft space
and a small closet only 4 feet tall x 2 feet wide, except the chicken
costume; that goes in the Rocket Box on top of the camper. Tim built a
little wooden separator in the 2 ft x 1.5 ft. bin so it is easier for me
to stay organized and see what I have to work with. He also put in a
long body mirror on the inside of the bathroom door so that I can see
all of myself! In the winter we drain the water out of the camper pipes
and stop taking showers in the camper. This gives us extra space to
store large winter clothes, mukluks, and things in the shower that we
don’t typically use in the summer. We also have a little vertical shoe
compartment hanging up and that helps us keep gloves, hats, scarfs, snow
beacons, goggles, and cross country ski boots organized.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="quotation">
I clean with Windex, vinegar water, lemon, and
vodka. I try to stay away from chemicals as much as possible. Vodka
mixed with water cleans wonderfully in the winter because it doesn’t
freeze. I like to use a straw wicker broom when I can to keep dirt and
dog hair out. We also have a little vacuum that we will charge once in a
while with the solar panels. It’s nice to get everything vacuumed out
even when it’s cold. Maintaining a clean house on wheels is necessary if
you want to be able to actually drive around. We could use the free car
wash vacuums but we tend to be out of town often and I get a kick out
of vacuuming in the wilderness with no power lines around.</div>
<br />
<b>How many miles have you driven with Pittsburgh Nelly on Alaska's roads?</b><br />
<br />
<div class="quotation">
I’ve put about 30,000 miles on the Alaskan roads
and about 2,000 miles off-road so far, and hopefully those miles will
keep accumulating (as long as the little V6 3.0 engine keeps chugging
along). I don’t have a real winch yet, but I’ve had to use a come-along
hand winch to pull myself out of a couple mud holes and bogs (there are a
few crazy roads and trails to navigate up here if you’re playing in the
woods or camping).</div>
<div class="quotation">
<br /></div>
<b>What are you planning for the future? Still living in a van down by the river and sleep each night at a different place?</b><br />
<br />
<div class="quotation">
The future? I guess a good plan today is better
than a perfect plan tomorrow. So today, I’m going to enjoy myself and
hopefully do the same tomorrow.</div>
<div class="quotation">
<br /></div>
<b>And finally, what does a nest (home) mean to you?</b><br />
<br />
<div class="quotation">
A nest, home, spread, or whatever you want to call
it is, more than anything, is an environment to call your own, where
comfort and familiarity are status quo. It provides a space to recharge
your being, refuel your body, and rest your mind. Everyone should
experience the privilege of their own NEST!</div>
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<div class="itemBody">
Thanks again Inga, see ya'll out there on the road, er river, er where ever...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="itemBody">
- Timmy J.</div>
<br />
<br />AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-12894760845771567262014-02-17T14:26:00.000-08:002014-02-19T21:26:50.026-08:00Winter RV living in Alaska update...<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Well, it’s been close to 2 years
now, living in my little motorhome, on the road nearly every night in a new
place, doing my best to live comfortably, healthy, and happily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are moments that are very trying, like
coming home from a winter trip to find the couch and bed soaked with water and
frozen solid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, it’s very
difficult to dry out a waterlogged bed and couch inside a 95 square foot
motorhome in the Alaskan winter… but it’s possible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNaA-8qfS_f073WsIWDNNpbkCeixyDlbPvlqBsdIUE4fo0aeXeSB1iXisj_Rgn8ZeShMrxmFfCSsV7jrKTCbIoCIygbZ553UO97ElrDORXiEVCBpoFlYU3h8EPld6e1rj6_PuNmG57IHM/s1600/IMG_0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNaA-8qfS_f073WsIWDNNpbkCeixyDlbPvlqBsdIUE4fo0aeXeSB1iXisj_Rgn8ZeShMrxmFfCSsV7jrKTCbIoCIygbZ553UO97ElrDORXiEVCBpoFlYU3h8EPld6e1rj6_PuNmG57IHM/s1600/IMG_0069.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Tobias the wolf & "Nelly" - my 1989 Toyota Odyssey 4x4 motorhome... I wouldn't have it any other way</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Living in your vehicle can actually be quite comfortable. Instead of paying rent for an apartment every month, I decided to take out a small loan and pay the loan off over 3 years. This allowed me to actually buy my home, just like someone purchasing a normal house (except I have no property taxes & it's a much more affordable "mortgage" to pay by myself). And unless you have a large bank account, a trust fund, or want to work your life away every day for 30+ years (Despite what some folks might think, I have none of those, lol) this seemed the best way for me to live happily.<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’ve got to
give props to my girlfriend Kage, who has also been living along with me on the
road (and her husky Tobias).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a
man, the camper life isn’t too difficult, but for a woman, it’s an entirely
different challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Kage,
it is definitely more difficult to live in a camper full-time as a woman (where
society expects you to still look good, as well as having to take care of
feminine things), but she really does make it work somehow</div>
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqI7kRKja4E378KQkedoyRuY9maDeSCJ-okRgbyUFlZhXWcM1Be_csgNK359eZgFyJu4S1xsWrJ-nsG1fYMATyhSUzL92bprCYKaOAcJbD6IOjnuU3-xaMaVQvQ9Rv9HZWSOwieTYvZf4/s1600/IMG_0836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqI7kRKja4E378KQkedoyRuY9maDeSCJ-okRgbyUFlZhXWcM1Be_csgNK359eZgFyJu4S1xsWrJ-nsG1fYMATyhSUzL92bprCYKaOAcJbD6IOjnuU3-xaMaVQvQ9Rv9HZWSOwieTYvZf4/s1600/IMG_0836.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The lovely Kage (and yours truly) taking a break from playing music at a good friends house party in Girdwood</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The time
living on the road has been a lot of fun, and a big learning experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve met countless people that have
influenced my life and heard stories that have rearranged my perspectives on
life’s shenanigans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most encounters have
been very positive and the RV has helped open windows of connections with
people that I would not have had otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As for the other end of the spectrum, I’ve only had a couple of run-ins
with people telling me to move on to another camping spot (literally only 2
times the last couple years).
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I only had one fire truck called on me… I was shopping in
the grocery store and the intercom came on with a man saying, “License plate
Y-RENT, your vehicle is on fire.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
finished shopping, checked out, and walked outside to see about 70 people
pointing at my RV and a fire truck with firefighters pulling up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told the firefighters that I just had a
wood stove going inside the camper and everything was fine (I thought the
chimney would make it pretty obvious, but I guess some of the bystanders didn’t
know any better).</div>
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprDqsEnpDtGx6OpFLOOJkzobJ6AAJXc-ZbEZHTExR_mJ0ZmArKL8prWcKvKxD-DF3ajQ7K8SIlw4DjOcYKUDYmVGsPcMIozJadDELP6FvrDydEVNzIgioFGauG6BhRLXJogN6Q6rjtvKe/s1600/IMG_0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprDqsEnpDtGx6OpFLOOJkzobJ6AAJXc-ZbEZHTExR_mJ0ZmArKL8prWcKvKxD-DF3ajQ7K8SIlw4DjOcYKUDYmVGsPcMIozJadDELP6FvrDydEVNzIgioFGauG6BhRLXJogN6Q6rjtvKe/s1600/IMG_0343.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fire truck & "house of fire" situation at the grocery store</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life has been busy, but awesome. Our band, " The Shoot Dangs! ", has been one of the more fun projects I've been involved with the last few years. We just recently finished a tour throughout the Southeastern United States, and it was an incredible (and ridiculous) time. I had the pleasure of touring with Kage, Josie, & Johnny Lungs. We actually just had a phone call this week from the founder of Arctic Man (a big 10,000+ person snowmachine/ski festival up in Alaska), and they are having us headline the festival Friday & Saturday, April 11th & 12th. We are STOKED!!!! Here's a few clips of band videos we put together quickly:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xGm8tYLHwvA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Shoot Dangs! "Turbo"</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/lGJIjvT0AB8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>The Shoot Dangs! "Cluster ####"</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
So, I figured I’d throw some
pointers for those that have decided or are considering a life full-time on the
road, because that is essentially the point of this whole blog thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My biggest piece of advice… if you are
thinking about living full-time and think you can commit to it, GO FOR IT!!!!
You (probably, lol) won’t regret it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
I first began searching the Internet, I couldn’t find hardly anything on advice
or tips for living in a camper in the winter full-time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when I did find an article, the people
living in the camper had a permanent space to park with electricity, enabling
them to plug their RV in to an outlet every night to keep their electric space
heaters running, which I don’t have the option of doing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
So, here are some pointers to make
life more comfortable if you want to survive the winter in really cold climates
(also great advice for ski bums with campers):</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Have
a backup heat plan!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prefer a wood
stove and propane furnace combination.</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahSF-RlVZyHB1F2K-lNqf8cvLufMAoMMe1liNuvY4Ggm6ppUP1aGBcgKJGnGtvz4_BAo_qnF4eorbeUsESQh04QjYP-frOKEpNNX7vtvnwjUCtoGqHpVk9hVwuaQMEXkbGq7mNz3M-vY2/s1600/IMG_0248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahSF-RlVZyHB1F2K-lNqf8cvLufMAoMMe1liNuvY4Ggm6ppUP1aGBcgKJGnGtvz4_BAo_qnF4eorbeUsESQh04QjYP-frOKEpNNX7vtvnwjUCtoGqHpVk9hVwuaQMEXkbGq7mNz3M-vY2/s1600/IMG_0248.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Kimberly wood stove (give me a shout if you want one, I can hook you up!)</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
Having a wood stove allows you to heat and cook without
propane, oil, or electricity, which means you truly have an off-grid
setup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A wood stove will keep you warm,
the wood heat will dry the air out in the RV, which will help get rid of
condensation from breathing and cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are not many wood stoves out there that will work in an RV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I personally chose a Kimberly wood stove,
because it only weighs 56 lbs. and it’s extremely efficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a few other companies out there
(such as Marine wood stoves, which are a little cheaper, but you get what you
pay for).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
Propane heaters are awesome and most RVs come standard with
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the fan that runs the propane
furnace is extremely draining on your battery (most normal deep cycle 12v
batteries will only last about 8 hours).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once you kill your battery, you lose your lights and heat, and you’ll
have to find a source of electricity to get a full charge again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Propane furnaces also fail often, and if your
only heater fails, you’re in big trouble.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Get a
small, flushable porta-potty AND carry your water in.</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
Winterize your pipes, water heater, and water
pump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drain your fresh water and waste
water tanks and kiss them goodbye for the winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe me, it’s not worth trying to keep
them flowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pipes will crack, tanks
will break, and you will have a very expensive and time-consuming problem when
spring rolls around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me, heat pads
and heat tape are not going to cut it, so don’t even try (they take way too
much electricity to keep things thawed, so they are useless in off-grid or
low-electricity situations).</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
Instead, buy a 5-gallon water container and carry all your
drinking and cooking water in by hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Set up your RV sink to drain directly into a 5 gallon bucket, then you
can just dump your dishwater at any gas/RV dump station. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get a gym membership or take showers at a friend’s
house. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get a small 5-gallon porta-potty
with a hand-pump flush system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fill the
flush reservoir with RV antifreeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Believe me, you will definitely want a bathroom when it is cold outside,
not to mention, you can't just “go” anywhere when you’re in a city or neighborhood…
or else you risk making a bad reputation for yourself and start pissing people
off.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Use
your shower as a closet</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4WuR72Cizmj-etbEXXOMFYzTm9s8q87xd_mPjmnNGBG8-XaafFvilCSOIUjnyADD9Agy6nyYzs9RieehvqgyGopu8mvUtKQhMh3a4hWZ0VqkemwnvEadiiHzNKnJZtdAOG3lxZwf7dx_/s1600/DSC_0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4WuR72Cizmj-etbEXXOMFYzTm9s8q87xd_mPjmnNGBG8-XaafFvilCSOIUjnyADD9Agy6nyYzs9RieehvqgyGopu8mvUtKQhMh3a4hWZ0VqkemwnvEadiiHzNKnJZtdAOG3lxZwf7dx_/s1600/DSC_0196.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>In the winter, the shower becomes a closet for space-consuming winter clothes</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>. </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
Since you won’t be taking showers in your camper throughout the winter,
you might as well utilize that space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
put a strong shower bar across the shower to hang up heavy winter jackets and
pants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also put a small set of drawers
to store winter items such as boots, gloves, hats, etc.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Turn
your refrigerator/freezer off</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
Because of living in cold temperatures and often waking
up in cold temperatures, items in your refrigerator will freeze solid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things will stay plenty cold enough without
having to use your propane refrigerator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes I’ll keep ice cream or other frozen items in a storage box
outside of the camper.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leave
your cabinets cracked open at night</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
I’ve found that everything in your cabinets will freeze
unless the cabinets are left open, and able to absorb heat from the RV’s living
space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always leave the bathroom door
open so it keeps shower/bathroom items from freezing solid.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Put Reflectix
bubble foil and a rug down on your floor & have a good, warm pair of house
slippers or shoes.</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8kQklKBEkIqBD_oqTBd1e2QW5VnSyGn8Xg58zxneG9picDTUNXUM6R-_Boqwis55f3SjsXEq2ld4fGnfuZBpoVTYCMGwaPS7TMR9mqp7fteuUo8jcTBy35fUr8X-AUNPP_kvDC5hBNde/s1600/DSC_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8kQklKBEkIqBD_oqTBd1e2QW5VnSyGn8Xg58zxneG9picDTUNXUM6R-_Boqwis55f3SjsXEq2ld4fGnfuZBpoVTYCMGwaPS7TMR9mqp7fteuUo8jcTBy35fUr8X-AUNPP_kvDC5hBNde/s1600/DSC_0150.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The rug and Reflectix bubble foil under the rug make a HUGE difference in the winter.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
The floors of the RV are the coldest part, brutally
cold sometimes (because the floors or motorhomes are typically not
insulated).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Placing Reflectix foil down
on the floor and putting a warm, shaggy rug over the foil will give your camper
a cozy feel and it will make the floor bearable to keep your feet on.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sew
custom curtains made of oven-mit material</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
The most inefficient part of RVs are the windows, which are
usually thin, single-pane windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go to
a fabric shop and get several yards of really thick, oven-mit fabric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Measure out your windows and cut and sew up some
custom curtains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I did not have
really good, thick curtains on my windows, even with the wood stove, I would be
really cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drafts you feel from
the windows alone are pretty impressive, and curtains will help mollify that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSTf1C8CVP4S8PQ4-WEaGTc-akUv3m_fT_atn1NHcBoDBt1VM3yPHPfGFSTQipmvCT9T73NOwi5ib2YuTkH6OIV_dNJvj1cu4FasbVxjXGqXH0S0CCwSJOjdQY7PVQ_qVXGmVb5v7yv7O/s1600/DSC_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSTf1C8CVP4S8PQ4-WEaGTc-akUv3m_fT_atn1NHcBoDBt1VM3yPHPfGFSTQipmvCT9T73NOwi5ib2YuTkH6OIV_dNJvj1cu4FasbVxjXGqXH0S0CCwSJOjdQY7PVQ_qVXGmVb5v7yv7O/s1600/DSC_0195.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>I used oven-mitt (thick waffle-like) fabric to sew custom winter curtains... these curtains help retain heat & the only cold drafts I get now are from beer.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Use
matches instead of lighters</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
Matches are the way to go for lighting the wood stove
and cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it is really cold,
lights don’t work that great at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
if you don’t have any matches around, you’re going to be in trouble if you
can’t get that flint warm enough to get a stable flame going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, matches are much cheaper.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Open
vents while cooking and after you cook, immediately wash dishes!</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
Truth be told, cooking is the most difficult part (to
me) of living in a camper in the winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you don’t crack open a vent so the condensation can escape, your
camper will quickly begin to accumulate ice and mold, although the wood stove
helps bake most of that condensation out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also, make sure to wash dishes the second you finish your meal, because
it gets much more difficult once they freeze… and you don’t want to carry any
more water into the camper than you have to.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Invest in solar panels</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw6aYXsLP4Mot5-oYmL_hpLBlkp9UD3i-ObDI2lWdAroNSvVW14eZ9_Nimu7E1VPuK51DNMiqi2N0oPOsUnL0MJjjifB84qVmTLJpPbJvZ1T8F76CReIIGET3BZ4lq_EojpyNhlM8iyuN/s1600/DSC_0155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw6aYXsLP4Mot5-oYmL_hpLBlkp9UD3i-ObDI2lWdAroNSvVW14eZ9_Nimu7E1VPuK51DNMiqi2N0oPOsUnL0MJjjifB84qVmTLJpPbJvZ1T8F76CReIIGET3BZ4lq_EojpyNhlM8iyuN/s1600/DSC_0155.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The solar panels ( two 30 watt panels for a total of 60 watts)</b>. <b> You gain more electricity by mounting the panels at an angle similar to what I've done above (instead of flat on the roof).</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
You are going to need a set of solar panels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forget a generator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know why almost every RV I ever come
across is running a generator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m here
to tell you that a gas-powered generator is almost completely unnecessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A good set of solar panels placed properly on
your roof (you want at least 60 watts, I’d like to have more one day) will give
you enough power every day (even cloudy days) to charge your cellphones, power
your lights all night, power the propane furnace for increments when the wood
stove isn’t running, and watch movies.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Treat yourself and install a LED flat
screen TV with built-in DVD player</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
Winters are long and dark in Alaska.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a TV lovin’ person, but it is pretty
nice to get a nice fire going, make a cup of hot tea, and watch a movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new mini-flat screens are pretty nice and
they’re actually reasonably priced (I bought my for a little under $100 w/ the
shipping from the lower 48).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure
to get an L.E.D. and not an L.C.D.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
LCD (Liquid Crystal) will freeze in cold temperatures and you might ruin the
TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The LED TVs are made of LED lights,
so there is nothing to really freeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The 19” screen seems to be about perfect for my small home.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Talk another person into keeping you warm!</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_frBbcX1koZOCa4tIsnm6xUM7mjPzmWLddR0llGGqFDZDjKSXQ5RoM1YIotE2D6RvNWTb8EN4UlPjUMW-baOwxa-W-WKUz4dH8KPJNsOOZOHqz0fZuCZl1ZxNuCfNBJP0X3P3zuKlqRFu/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_frBbcX1koZOCa4tIsnm6xUM7mjPzmWLddR0llGGqFDZDjKSXQ5RoM1YIotE2D6RvNWTb8EN4UlPjUMW-baOwxa-W-WKUz4dH8KPJNsOOZOHqz0fZuCZl1ZxNuCfNBJP0X3P3zuKlqRFu/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Tobias is a little overkill for keeping us warm</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
While living by yourself in a camper allows more space
and freedom, it sure is nice having another warm body around, ha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But seriously, it does keep you a lot warmer
at night if you’ve got your lady or your man by your side, so if they are up
for having an experience they’ll remember the rest of their lives, have them
move on board with you for a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
believe me, you really get to know someone when you share a 10 ft. long living
space with them!</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">STAY ACTIVE!</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzehioBkX7BkS_bO_K0YO0JFjDSl_Q4qs4SS-hdZon5vNl4GyJMOgo6tVOUDv0Ua6SXG43xCh2RfdPDxCJWpaZy4smpsIzsO6M-ZcG7cjdzMtteNHLaYOGjc0H7YuSIb-UoE8fXTsxyBmI/s1600/hukafalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzehioBkX7BkS_bO_K0YO0JFjDSl_Q4qs4SS-hdZon5vNl4GyJMOgo6tVOUDv0Ua6SXG43xCh2RfdPDxCJWpaZy4smpsIzsO6M-ZcG7cjdzMtteNHLaYOGjc0H7YuSIb-UoE8fXTsxyBmI/s1600/hukafalls.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Matt Peters about to finish the big ride down Huka Falls (I'm following shortly behind). He had his skirt ripped off and I had my paddle ripped outta my hand & shoes sucked off, that's one powerful hole!</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/HycAYx1xZrA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>A little speed wing flight in Thompson Pass, AK</b></span></div>
When it comes down to it, this is the reason I chose to
live the way I do… because living on the road naturally leads to an active life
style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are always doing something,
going somewhere, or meeting somebody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When you’re not working in the winter, it’s especially nice to get out
and recreate in the day or meet up with friends in the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This keeps you out of the camper and keeps
your environment fresh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel I
appreciate my home much more when I’ve been active all day or all night.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .25in;">
Well, that’s about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone stay warm out there and I’ll get another report in sooner than
later,</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
Timmy </div>
AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-30528062350073086602013-12-18T12:50:00.002-08:002013-12-18T12:51:25.010-08:00The Shoot Dangs! Our music video is finished!Well, here it is, our band's first music video!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/lGJIjvT0AB8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGJIjvT0AB8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGJIjvT0AB8</a><br />
<br />
We're about to head out on a short tour, you can check out the bandpage for tour dates and locations. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/theshootdangs">www.facebook.com/theshootdangs</a><br />
<br />
Hope to see some of ya'll out there!<br />
<br />
TimmyAlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-5969049323269913182013-09-26T00:36:00.001-07:002013-09-26T00:39:34.331-07:00http://49faces.thinkfarbeyond.com/people/tim-johnson/<a href="http://49faces.thinkfarbeyond.com/people/tim-johnson/" target="_blank">http://49faces.thinkfarbeyond.com/people/tim-johnson/</a>AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-70438500052333548382013-05-13T09:30:00.001-07:002013-05-13T09:30:18.205-07:00An interview with Alaska Dispatch news... cool!Laurel Andrews of Alaska Dispatch news recently sent me an email asking for an interview on living off-grid on wheels, so I figured why not? The article talks a little bit about what it's been like so far and what a few plans are to come. Not everything is entirely accurate, but it will give you an idea of how this lifestyle works (if you don't know already). Enjoy & here's the link!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://alaskadispatch.com/article/20130417/tricked-out-mobile-home-offers-new-twist-grid-living-alaska">http://alaskadispatch.com/article/20130417/tricked-out-mobile-home-offers-new-twist-grid-living-alaska</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsF19EjO3gt_4Fliu8eYdgS90es9y9loF1fm6CIjDN5ET7ZILvMzNkE92oQVQJjN3cYFH2jR21V_fK1B2gxAyI-MYLkTDd1_SBP7SLwF331duNfH3deqnjg6FoOCAz9joyacgVaF2piX4/s1600/living-in-a-van-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsF19EjO3gt_4Fliu8eYdgS90es9y9loF1fm6CIjDN5ET7ZILvMzNkE92oQVQJjN3cYFH2jR21V_fK1B2gxAyI-MYLkTDd1_SBP7SLwF331duNfH3deqnjg6FoOCAz9joyacgVaF2piX4/s640/living-in-a-van-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7_mVBSWQvNBZaPaXBXKmw7uYLoRULQBmVnVbv2-iKvOUe7zyhQC7YsRuMrtKPOdt5OWdXWm7i6dbJWEOtHuuRXzpLYzn3A_C6nXmDmqFkcJFDlLeXXHdF338Um_c-_ndK46bQCj0bFLQ/s1600/living-in-a-van-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7_mVBSWQvNBZaPaXBXKmw7uYLoRULQBmVnVbv2-iKvOUe7zyhQC7YsRuMrtKPOdt5OWdXWm7i6dbJWEOtHuuRXzpLYzn3A_C6nXmDmqFkcJFDlLeXXHdF338Um_c-_ndK46bQCj0bFLQ/s640/living-in-a-van-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-34920888852200025252013-02-26T15:31:00.002-08:002013-02-26T15:31:45.617-08:00New Zealand Whitewater Kayaking: 4 Alaskan's head south...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, I'm on my way home. It's been an incredible journey across the world to some of the best whitewater kayaking on the planet. The floods sure keep changing the rivers down here, every time I come down here it's like doing a first descent on each river. Here's a short video compilation of our trip. More blog updates soon!!!<br />
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<b> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhlQMOLGdL0</b><br />
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<br />AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-11742697413403268822012-12-17T10:23:00.001-08:002012-12-23T09:06:40.536-08:00Cold is relative!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Y</b></span>ou would not BELIEVE the ridiculous amount (and caliber) of
people that stalk me in my little Toyota motor home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had people approach me in coffee shops,
grocery stores, bathrooms (you heard it right, bathrooms), restaurants, bars, and
even park outside my rig at 1:30a.m. waiting for my return. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of them ask “Do you have a wood stove in
there???”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I say… “Oh shit! My house is on FIRE???? HELP!!!!.......................... just kidding!!!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All jokes aside, yes, I do “have a wood stove
in there” and that tiny wood stove is the primary reason I’m surviving my first
Alaskan winter in an RV. Oh, I didn't have a chance to take any good winter pictures yet, I'll get on that!</div>
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<br /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKYALw0XhMo6dSEL7-3jfJRSd_3a0ex2FnMRdJxnV974DV39-hsFloaWYlI6fgE-V0lNJmp7r0QrwRtlubRrBF6w4LwNtxxSMt5x1b4JHfV3AH6fdxoN69wF3jrQeo7TOwmB6YzoNGeui/s1600/DSC_0165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKYALw0XhMo6dSEL7-3jfJRSd_3a0ex2FnMRdJxnV974DV39-hsFloaWYlI6fgE-V0lNJmp7r0QrwRtlubRrBF6w4LwNtxxSMt5x1b4JHfV3AH6fdxoN69wF3jrQeo7TOwmB6YzoNGeui/s640/DSC_0165.jpg" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quantifying the efficiency of my Kimberly wood stove by weighing & measuring firewood.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span>’ve had a lot of requests for an update on this blog… wish
granted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many folks have emailed and
asked if I have abandoned the motor home and fled to the warmth and creature
comforts an apartment or house… and I say to them… “Nay, here I hold my mobile
ground!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The recent temperatures in
Alaska have been unseasonably cold, hovering between -10 and 0 degrees F in the
Anchorage area over the past few months. Not only have I made it this far into
the winter and been put to the test by the extremely cold temperatures, I have
actually enjoyed myself, and have become addicted to the un-conventionalism
that has become a way life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To tell the
truth, I can’t see myself renting or purchasing a house anytime soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way of life on the road is just too much
fun and has led me to unique opportunities, people, and experiences, that I otherwise
never would have known if I lived in conventional housing.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> S</b></span>o… how can I sum up my experience of living full-time,
completely off-grid in an RV the past 9 months, through the 1<sup>st</sup> half
of the Alaskan winter??? MOST EXCELLENT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sure, it’s cold as hell when I wake up in the morning (if I don’t keep
my tiny wood stove stoked with firewood all night).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I have to thaw out the ice on the INSIDE
of the windows every morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I no
longer have running water because I have no reasonable means of keeping my
pipes thawed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And sometimes I get
scared in bed and hit my head on the roof at 3:30a.m. when a shotgun randomly
goes off inside my camper… except it’s not a shotgun, it’s an exploding can of
soda because it’s SO cold that pressurized cans explode.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBow7MazES-eo8Q5kvfrTYCUEglBZW5e0BGt1O2K8LUXkOWlOBCK1lTHSB1Fry3xhcXiIt-MYGezsuJzt_D_gyIBLME139ONKtBOdKoH5L6mK49mRslXNcvVA0-U0Te3DQkaE92ZGQd2J/s1600/Tobias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBow7MazES-eo8Q5kvfrTYCUEglBZW5e0BGt1O2K8LUXkOWlOBCK1lTHSB1Fry3xhcXiIt-MYGezsuJzt_D_gyIBLME139ONKtBOdKoH5L6mK49mRslXNcvVA0-U0Te3DQkaE92ZGQd2J/s640/Tobias.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tobias the wolf dog joining his human counterparts on a backcountry ski session in Turnagain Pass, AK.</td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Here’s a quick list
of my recent (significant) challenges:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">No running water?</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How does he wash himself and not smell like a dead skunk?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Solution: Purchase a membership to a local gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I simply take showers at the gym every day
and fill my 4 gallon drinking/cooking/dish water jug there once a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I only use 4 gallons of water a
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Embarrassing? No way… I feel good
about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People don’t realize the
resources they waste when they take those resources for granted every day.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What
about a bathroom?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Solution: After my RV’s blackwater tank (toilet wastewater
holding tank) froze solid with a 15 gallon poop-sickle (despite heat tape &
a heat pad, -50F antifreeze, and rock salt in the tank), I removed the RV
toilet and purchased and installed a miniature flushing porta-potty (Camco 5.3
gallon from Sportsmans Warehouse) in the RV toilets place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It holds 5 gallons of waste, the tank won’t
freeze because it’s completely inside the RV and I flush with RV antifreeze,
and the porta-potty can be dumped very easily.<br />
<br />
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcMz-Nz1OyYZXyZZKvcFqWImA_Z3MbrZWLogBMjvi08xSydVdXaxjDAPpCQjoR7eAo_5Qu92u_UQohlf14iZljmGVxEhdefVbhhy7G6o_fNNsXi2i7JaJ4LZb5cVDcqb4Xcwf9933IouG/s1600/toilet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcMz-Nz1OyYZXyZZKvcFqWImA_Z3MbrZWLogBMjvi08xSydVdXaxjDAPpCQjoR7eAo_5Qu92u_UQohlf14iZljmGVxEhdefVbhhy7G6o_fNNsXi2i7JaJ4LZb5cVDcqb4Xcwf9933IouG/s320/toilet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new & improved winter throne.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How
do you stay warm?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Solution: My Kimberly wood stove! With these cold
temperatures, I would quite literally be dead (or preserved if you believe in
cryogenic freezing), however this little wood stove provides all of my
life-giving heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, I have to keep
the tiny firebox stoked with miniature pieces of firewood every 3 hours, but it
burns a relatively miniscule amount of wood, it eliminates the condensation
from cooking and breathing, and it provides a cozy 80 degree temperature difference
(it was -10 F outside and 70 F inside one night).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do have a propane furnace, but propane
produces too much condensation inside the camper and it is expensive, whereas I split and
collected my firewood for free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to
mention, since I am completely off-grid with no electrical plug-in, the
propane furnace would drain my 12 volt battery within 8 hours of use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Kimberly wood stove will run non-stop,
24-7, as long as I clean out the ash from the firewood every 14 hours.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 27.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 40.5pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How do you keep your batteries charged?</b>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Solution: I simply use my RV as my daily driver… driving to
and from school, work, running errands, weekend adventures with friends, and
looking for a “parking spot” for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This daily driving habit charges my battery by utilizing the Toyota engine's
alternator (it typically takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour of driving to fully
charge my battery).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also have two
30-watt solar panels (for a total of 60 watts) that provide a good bit of
charge to my batteries on days that I don’t drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, my 19” flat screen TV consumes
35 watts and my LED light bulbs consume 4 watts, so I can basically watch a movie and
run all of my lights strictly from the power provided from the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will soon have a thermo-electric generator that uses the heat from the
wood stove to create an additional 50 watts of electricity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnDVHvG6xmAt8gjMg_ckbwfg_rqpR1EOxrqa5Y9xsb4rTRLu45aUELty2_HJsjZaFj-ijVVNNWZ2Q8VGwzNg2zy9zKrRrjhwy7CMWTwm6-ZOcwxGPrbLZu_7R-Lgtp7vDhzB3SOcCKX82/s1600/DSC_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnDVHvG6xmAt8gjMg_ckbwfg_rqpR1EOxrqa5Y9xsb4rTRLu45aUELty2_HJsjZaFj-ijVVNNWZ2Q8VGwzNg2zy9zKrRrjhwy7CMWTwm6-ZOcwxGPrbLZu_7R-Lgtp7vDhzB3SOcCKX82/s640/DSC_0184.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How hot does the Kimberly stove get on "full throttle?" How about this hot...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Advice for the
curious or those wanting to live off-grid in an RV throughout a cold winter…</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Get
a Kimberly wood stove! Check out the link at the top of my webpage for more
information!</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Buy
imitation (or real if you can afford it) sheepskin blankets to use instead of
sheets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These fur blankets do not get
cold like cotton sheets and make your bed much more inviting;^)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Get
a small 12 volt fan to recirculate the warm air from the ceiling down to the
floor of your RV… if not, your floor area will cooler by 20 degrees F or more than your ceiling area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I placed my 12
volt fan directly above my wood stove and blow the hot air directly back
towards the floor to circulate heat.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Drain
your water and live in a “dry home” to avoid major tank freezing, pipe-bursting
problems…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get a gym membership to take
showers and fill your drinking water jugs there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get a flushable porta-potty to use as a
bathroom (because you <b><i>DON’T</i></b> want to go outside or try to find a bathroom at
3:00a.m. when it’s -10 F outside), and you sure as hell don’t want a 15 gallon
frozen block of piss & poo stuck inside your blackwater tank.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Purchase
solar panels to help recharge your batteries! Despite the lack of daylight
hours in the winter, my solar panels significantly contribute to keeping my
batteries charged every day.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Replace
all of your lights and appliances with extremely efficient, low-draw products!
Replace your incandescent light bulbs with 4 watt LED light bulbs and use a fan
to recirculate air that has a low amp draw (hopefully 4.0 amps per hour or
less).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, most deep cycle RV
batteries have about 80 amp hours, so if you have a fan that draws 4.0 amps per
hour, you have about 12 hours of battery time before you’ll need to recharge
(because you don’t want your battery to get much below 50% depleted to lengthen
battery life).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLp2v4HDUvcfAjB2oGT4epzRkhvhqo75SEnySF7yGUeZJ9OjdnzzCZXIcqa-hABMAUUPJCli7hR1iTtffhYq6_GiaLcX9rUqG1fc5hPSbzaGlAlPHTETi4_E0o3W3fyELfXJZTdvvNQ5u/s1600/IMG_0251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLp2v4HDUvcfAjB2oGT4epzRkhvhqo75SEnySF7yGUeZJ9OjdnzzCZXIcqa-hABMAUUPJCli7hR1iTtffhYq6_GiaLcX9rUqG1fc5hPSbzaGlAlPHTETi4_E0o3W3fyELfXJZTdvvNQ5u/s400/IMG_0251.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>B</b></span>esides the RV life, what have I been up to?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe you don’t care, but I’ll speak a bit
for those who do care or might be bored at this moment… I've been talking with an executive film producer from National Geographic and I’ll be applying to be
on a new and upcoming reality TV show where 10 contestants are placed in the
Alaska bush and have to survive with absolutely nothing for several weeks… it’s
due to be filmed this coming spring… keeping my fingers crossed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be heading to New Zealand to go
whitewater kayaking in a few months with three good Alaskan kayaking buddies, so
that will be a horribly good time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span>n attempt to serenade people with my tone-deaf voice, a
motion has been made to start up a band (of an un-defined genre of music) with
a mutual banjo-playin’ & singin' companion, this should be SO good!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My master’s thesis work (where I’m creating a
river and lake water isoscape for Southcentral Alaska) is rolling along fairly
well, and I expect to graduate this coming April. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of skiing and speed flying (with new
videos) are soon to come… and maybe, just maybe, some sleep would be nice!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone once said “There’s no one but
yourself to blame,” and this quote holds true for how busy I feel right now,
but busy ain’t bad when you're enjoyin' yo self!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rock
on and happy holidays to all you folks…<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Timmy </span></span></b></div>
AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-1960145060893411152012-11-12T15:30:00.003-08:002012-11-14T10:20:35.377-08:00End of the paddling season...The end of the paddling season was officially begun this weekend with the beginning of ski season. It was a good one! Here is one of my latest videos of a pack raft trip with Roman Dial, Luc Mehl, & myself attempting to paddle some of the more difficult rivers in the Southeastern United States. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tsrw6FYeqpk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsrw6FYeqpk&feature=youtu.be" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsrw6FYeqpk&feature=youtu.be</a></span></span></h5>
AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-73744407239538185662012-10-19T10:08:00.001-07:002012-10-23T14:28:42.549-07:00Alaskan winter is here, off-grid survival begins!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Boiling
water for coffee... only took 9 minutes to reach a rolling boil!</span></b></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt;">I</span></b><span style="font-size: small;">t's finally COLD & winter is officially here! In Anchorage, Alaska, the temperatures
are dropping into the single digits at night and the snow is beginning to
fall. In the past, I never paid too much attention to this fall-to-winter
transition... but now I am! Why? Because when you live in a traveling
motorhome with no where to "plug-in", you are forced to find off-grid
solutions to keep yourself alive in the cold.</span></div>
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outside, but 81 F inside!</span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I was forced to think
"outside-of-the-box" to keep myself alive this winter, and my
solutions are working really well right now! There is one reason I am
going to survive this winter in my little motorhome... the life-blood of my
off-grid lifestyle, otherwise known as the "Kimberly wood
stove." This little gem provides all of my heat and does an
incredible job at keeping my little home toasty warm. I have also been
doing the majority of my cooking on this Kimberly to avoid using my counter top
propane stove (which causes excessive condensation in cold climates). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2CeHBVUSyMeyIQomZ2JLCAv2Q2ru2qAakGagmckaQyNkXvYXnme0S7-Hy3mytRdl3ZxxkUfcfOG65CDOmXwW75SJcJUSoQA5WFRlxtM1o12P6lEgWJr8oUvVh4p38evsz2v8FJBpDdL-/s1600/DSC_0192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2CeHBVUSyMeyIQomZ2JLCAv2Q2ru2qAakGagmckaQyNkXvYXnme0S7-Hy3mytRdl3ZxxkUfcfOG65CDOmXwW75SJcJUSoQA5WFRlxtM1o12P6lEgWJr8oUvVh4p38evsz2v8FJBpDdL-/s200/DSC_0192.jpg" width="131" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> Pretty soon I will have
an add-on oven that will sit on top of the Kimberly, which will allow me to
bake pizza, casseroles, pies, and all kinds of goodness. I also will have
a thermo-electric generator soon, which will sit on top of the oven and produce
electricty from the fire's heat, this way I'll be able to charge my laptop/cell
phone, power my lights, a fan, a vacuum, or charge the RV battery. The
owner is also creating a hot water coil system, where I can hook my sink &
shower's plumbing directly to the little wood stove, start a fire, and take hot
showers... pretty cool!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wiring
my solar panels (I actually electrocuted myself because the solar panels were
in the sun!) </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The Kimberly stove is obviously my centerpiece, and I can't rave enough about it! To help
charge the batteries, I have two 30 watt solar panels (60 watts combined) that
work very well, even with the minimal sunlight we receive up here in
Alaska. I basically try to park facing the sun every day (they are up on
my roof and tilted towards the front of the Toyota. Since the motorhome
is my daily driver, the alternator on the engine actually charges my batteries
after a few errands around town.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">My
home for the night, overlooking Cook Inlet with the Alaska Range in the far
horizon.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The one downside to
living off-grid in a motorhome in a cold, winter climate... frozen pipes.
It just isn't feasible to keep my water "running" through the winter,
as it will cause the water pump, pipes, and tanks to expand and crack
open. To avoid that carnage, I drained my drinking water and grey water
(sink/shower) tanks completely. I flushed the pipes with RV antifreeze
(they say it's safe to drink, but I don't want to test that hypothesis) and
shut the shower & sink down for the winter. I just take showers
wherever opportunities arise.<span style="background-color: black;"></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Practical functionality ain't got nothin' on attitude.</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> For drinking/cooking water, I simply carry
a 4 gallon jug and refill it about once a week (the water won't freeze this way). I rigged my sink plumbing where my dish water in the sink falls directly into a 5 gallon bucket beneath the sink, & I can easily dump out the 5 gallon bucket as it gets full. It's shocking how much fresh water people waste every day, and how little water you truly need to survive. I connected my toilet plumbing to my waterpump, which flushes RV antifreeze
down the toilet every time you flush (instead of water). This allows me
to still have a bathroom for the winter. I also took
toilet freeze-proofing precautions by applying a 12 volt heat pad and heat tape on
my blackwater tank and piping, which I can thaw out if the RV antifreeze doesn't live up to its -50 F expectations. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Releasing thesis work stress via banjo.</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr style="color: white;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Thesis work: Collecting data & modeling Alaskan Rivers. Gulp...</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> It seems like there is no time to
get "bored" these days. I search for interesting new places to park my
home every night (usually with an awesome view), and I have yet to experience getting kicked out of my parking
spot for the night. Alaska truly is a laissez-faire state. Moving around is pretty fun, I almost feel like a modern-day nomad.
Whitewater kayaking season is wrapping up, so it's about time to stash the kayaks for the season.
Finishing off my master's thesis (creating a hydraulic isoscape for
Southcentral Alaska) and playing the banjo currently fill my time up in the RV,
at least until ski/speed-fly/snowmachine season come knocking at my front
door. That's the update, more soon enough...</span></div>
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AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-54765721764571284072012-10-04T13:36:00.001-07:002012-10-04T14:01:02.012-07:00How to Build Over-cab Bed Supports<div style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>I</b>t's inevitable. If you own a Toyota motorhome, the over-cab bed area will begin sagging over time on the edges. Eventually, the bed's plywood will sag to a point where you will not be able to open your doors (ie: your doors will make contact with the plywood bed). This problem is prevalent in Toyota motorhomes because the truck body is narrow and the camper is much wider, making for a much wider over-cab bed overhang than other motorhomes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">There are 2 ways to fix this issue:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">1) Replace the plywood in the bed area, which is extremely time consuming and very difficult to do without tearing something apart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">2) Built custom over-cab bed support rods!!!!!! YES!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here's how to perform the latter option.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeV4R6xYKKezBCMjuYV6kw1oBJnHdzJErqdd63glN0ZPDiCGQP27h0ot5SBEe0wSjGjH7iohJMwVyTQ_HuG3CBVUYWVCJmxu6LKt2N3tjRNjJutsUxAbqNj9S0VgeT9ll8ZL9kcnJG2LwY/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeV4R6xYKKezBCMjuYV6kw1oBJnHdzJErqdd63glN0ZPDiCGQP27h0ot5SBEe0wSjGjH7iohJMwVyTQ_HuG3CBVUYWVCJmxu6LKt2N3tjRNjJutsUxAbqNj9S0VgeT9ll8ZL9kcnJG2LwY/s640/DSC_0241.jpg" width="420" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Step 1: Buy some 1 inch DOM aluminum tubing, 1/4 inch aluminum plating, and 1/4 inch aluminum angle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Step 2: Support your over-cab bed area to the desired height (make sure your doors can open... generally you want about 1/2 an inch of clearance from the door to the over-cab bed area) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefF-JirZ1jkW8V1bZcQ3xQ4FdDqv4qCqhXpl6Ez54smSHPyF0RLq_aGYQdB1dHUTOIzy8wa8wq7mvcxozlDvua-ee8cyZRHU16hTxAzkhg2JQSv5Je7MRJdKs1gUMCEqbWLAqfn43W9Ir/s1600/DSC_0206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefF-JirZ1jkW8V1bZcQ3xQ4FdDqv4qCqhXpl6Ez54smSHPyF0RLq_aGYQdB1dHUTOIzy8wa8wq7mvcxozlDvua-ee8cyZRHU16hTxAzkhg2JQSv5Je7MRJdKs1gUMCEqbWLAqfn43W9Ir/s400/DSC_0206.jpg" width="265" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Step 3: Cut a 2" x 1.5" piece the aluminum angle. Open your door and set the piece of angle over the top FENDER bolt. Mark where to drill the hole in the aluminum angle, then drill the hole! Install the aluminum angle with the stock fender bolt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCar7CBwidLq-6AgR28Bl-jCh8XOlyEfspAkAf84U7Kinp_JC4DSLXFHDm6eiiI9rjUtyfhmwSzFuRHlOlHB1cWE9TiHPxLgaKydCfOWFTKMM5zsD-PgZ9Ya6xys-db-20URh0rqMMokl7/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCar7CBwidLq-6AgR28Bl-jCh8XOlyEfspAkAf84U7Kinp_JC4DSLXFHDm6eiiI9rjUtyfhmwSzFuRHlOlHB1cWE9TiHPxLgaKydCfOWFTKMM5zsD-PgZ9Ya6xys-db-20URh0rqMMokl7/s640/DSC_0231.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Step 4: Cut your aluminum plating into a size that you feel is sufficient to support your over-cab bed area (I cut my pieces into 4"x8" rectangles). Drill 6 holes (evenly spaced throughout the aluminum plating) in the aluminum plating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aA847tSSY_1r6_q2d_ykjbHs0d6O4qDyUnrB8zFirggj7qSSObiB94-BLRCs4rYm_iRgvbRSFlETprtR60DFRTdjrmMsFg_MWd172_PoGOSlA_jssHo5Gxvd6MCjC3knmjuRYtf0q-5g/s1600/DSC_0233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aA847tSSY_1r6_q2d_ykjbHs0d6O4qDyUnrB8zFirggj7qSSObiB94-BLRCs4rYm_iRgvbRSFlETprtR60DFRTdjrmMsFg_MWd172_PoGOSlA_jssHo5Gxvd6MCjC3knmjuRYtf0q-5g/s400/DSC_0233.jpg" width="263" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Step 5: Hold your aluminum plating up to your over-cab bed area in the position you want the aluminum plating mounted. Measure the distance from the aluminum angle to the aluminum plating, and cut the aluminum DOM tubing to this measurement. Smash the angle iron side of the DOM tubing flat, so the DOM tubing can be welded to the aluminum angle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeY9147-gIkAFQEmATyMinZy1Nk5y7ksAeYxB-2yTf3Fw0yl9sSwLTxLArQddxrSIM6HQxjkqzcPj9cPYzguCVBHGMs-MiLQL6MZYAxivpfI9hOghfGgqU7Co2wkjcvxBuB0SUdROyUpp/s1600/DSC_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeY9147-gIkAFQEmATyMinZy1Nk5y7ksAeYxB-2yTf3Fw0yl9sSwLTxLArQddxrSIM6HQxjkqzcPj9cPYzguCVBHGMs-MiLQL6MZYAxivpfI9hOghfGgqU7Co2wkjcvxBuB0SUdROyUpp/s400/DSC_0239.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Step 6: Hold the DOM tubing into place, and scribe the DOM tubing with a marker, measuring how much of the DOM tubing must be cut until you get it to sit flush onto the aluminum plating. Cut the DOM tubing appropriately on the scribes until the DOM tubing sits flush on the aluminum plating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Step 7: Once the DOM tubing sits flush, hold the tubing in place and "spot" weld the DOM tubing into place on the aluminum plating and aluminum angle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Step 8: Remove the aluminum angle and plating, weld the DOM tubing strongly to each, and reinstall the one piece back into place. Use 1.5" wood screws to secure the aluminum plating to the over-cab bed area. YOU'RE DONE! Now you can open your doors again! This will also add a TON of support to your Toy home and keep the over-cab bed area from bouncing. Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFzot10vRVuvVL6gTYEKxtk-VCMtjEEmh6Aa_9GOI8bf79mBqyg_TiJMlAEFogihPTi0cpVm-sHUAGJrfrHgzwSmXOc0olopfDF321CzM8hWR5Qvph61xFBrXD5YW_We4Zx3brSt4WIo2/s1600/DSC_0242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFzot10vRVuvVL6gTYEKxtk-VCMtjEEmh6Aa_9GOI8bf79mBqyg_TiJMlAEFogihPTi0cpVm-sHUAGJrfrHgzwSmXOc0olopfDF321CzM8hWR5Qvph61xFBrXD5YW_We4Zx3brSt4WIo2/s640/DSC_0242.jpg" width="424" /></a></span></div>
<br />AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-7939669939666742362012-07-23T09:49:00.001-07:002012-09-19T23:15:24.108-07:00The Kimberly wood stove: Features & Burn Display<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span> have been getting a lot of recent email regarding the small Kimberly wood stove. It inspired me to produce a video on the stove features and capture an example of how the stove's secondary combustion burn actually works. This is the only stove in the world that can do what it does (burn 8 hours on a sawdust log OR 6 hours on 5lbs of quality, dry hardwood, provide a 1,100 degree cooking surface & oven, produce electricity, and produce hot water... all completely off-grid! If you are interested in purchasing this stove, or for more information, click <a href="http://timmystoyota.blogspot.com/p/information-on-kimberly-wood-stove.html" target="_blank"><b></b></a><b><a href="http://timmystoyota.blogspot.com/p/information-on-kimberly-wood-stove.html" target="_blank">"Information on Purchasing a Kimberly wood stove."</a></b><br />
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Cheers,<br />
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TimmyAlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-61287294237635665452012-07-16T12:36:00.002-07:002012-09-17T11:51:45.577-07:00Rock & Roll, literally... How much weight can a small RV hold?This weekend the little Toyota motor home was REALLY put to the test... The mission:<br />
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<i><b>Load 6 grown men, 6 kayaks, & a ton of gear into a 19 ft. motor home, then make a 500 mile drive to a whitewater kayaking festival in Denali National Park.</b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRVoagKDjfTBgyCMVFYXPJHJUetpvsXa054ToIkJbAkNiqwEZDlqrPlY_dQQea6CaHeubpnPnaxDxJKuLQCV9jgQuAnCIU-WqlsRi7YCv9h7U9qaan_ObEshNMd0yZIBbu9rt5Y6-I91g/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRVoagKDjfTBgyCMVFYXPJHJUetpvsXa054ToIkJbAkNiqwEZDlqrPlY_dQQea6CaHeubpnPnaxDxJKuLQCV9jgQuAnCIU-WqlsRi7YCv9h7U9qaan_ObEshNMd0yZIBbu9rt5Y6-I91g/s640/DSC_0153.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> Did we make it? </b>Yes, but almost didn't when I found a roofing nail in my near-flat rear passenger tire)! Once we loaded all the people and gear into the RV, I did a test swerve on a back road going about 45 mph. Whoa. If any animals run out in front of us, I wish them luck, cause I DEFINITELY am not going to swerve around anything. We managed to putter along at 45-55 mph all the way to & from Denali Park! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRUeEk_CQVDTEN_1kQgZjG7I9OuV73I43AjvGFYkerJn2Zp2xVCaldRn_aCPRDStSWojxeihZPUhXhnSAK2i-jyMMZLXIn1vOaADxrMXBMAjQ-AGjuv4b54HILInWsGQ9dmCVzZCu2ne6/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRUeEk_CQVDTEN_1kQgZjG7I9OuV73I43AjvGFYkerJn2Zp2xVCaldRn_aCPRDStSWojxeihZPUhXhnSAK2i-jyMMZLXIn1vOaADxrMXBMAjQ-AGjuv4b54HILInWsGQ9dmCVzZCu2ne6/s400/DSC_0156.JPG" width="400" /></a> I would estimate that we had about 1,500 lbs of gear, boats, and people added, with about 500 lbs of that on the roof made of 1 inch stick framing. Yipes... BUT, the Toyota motor home proved to be a champ and carry the weight just fine. We stopped often & used our hands to feel the tires for excessive heat, as well as the axle bearings.<br />
The kayak race on the Nenana River (the 37th annual Nenana River Race) was a great time! I still have sore muscles where I did not know muscles existed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD12dptISdbw9Th6ggCBPTbcLPrdoHo7n7kkjrmmew_RRWj9aSoOXaiyyAe3Ld2jE_f9_FSbrtyoghVpBt0HV5Nqo6nGDOB0eHHJvq0oobTBH9rgXKRGHAPObeD3MxefSrVUBAXxaSXOKW/s1600/DSC_0154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD12dptISdbw9Th6ggCBPTbcLPrdoHo7n7kkjrmmew_RRWj9aSoOXaiyyAe3Ld2jE_f9_FSbrtyoghVpBt0HV5Nqo6nGDOB0eHHJvq0oobTBH9rgXKRGHAPObeD3MxefSrVUBAXxaSXOKW/s640/DSC_0154.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
Recent updates to my "home" include a hickory hardwood floor (the floor wasn't too difficult to install, just a little time consuming) and a new garden, free of lettuce-eating aphids. It should be about time for my first motorhome-grown salad within the next week:^)<br />
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Until the next adventure...<br />
- TimmyAlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-65004978364677573052012-07-05T15:36:00.002-07:002012-07-05T17:27:30.320-07:00How to Restore your Toyota motor home...Hi everyone. I recently put together a "How-to" guide on restoring water damage in your Toyota motorhome. It would probably be helpful for any motor home water damage fix. Here's the link (the link is also on my home page at the top "link" section)...<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1160466159"><br /></a><br />
<a href="http://timmystoyota.blogspot.com/p/how-to-restore-your-over-cab-camper.html">http://timmystoyota.blogspot.com/p/how-to-restore-your-over-cab-camper.html</a><br />
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Also, here's a video:<br />
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cqfuDK9xPQAlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-45603488884320716252012-07-05T15:34:00.004-07:002012-07-09T13:28:12.515-07:001st Descent of Grant CreekSo, Matt Peters and I went in to attempt a first descent of Grant Creek, just outside of Moose Pass, Alaska. It turned out to be an EPIC! We expected to hike in 1 mile, run 2 rapids, and float out a mellow little creek. Instead, we got lost in the woods, Matt lost his helmet (and ran the creek without a helmet), there were WAY more than 2 rapids and they weren't mellow at all, amongst other shenanigans. Here's the video (it was a quick edit job, so don't expect anything too motion picture like!)<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1160466151"><br /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqrSnWm4j9w">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqrSnWm4j9w</a>AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-28053433812796179462012-06-04T11:16:00.001-07:002012-07-09T13:31:08.494-07:00Adrenaline, a Fatality, and a Mud Hole You hope to never see it, nor want to be a part of it, whether it be a complete stranger or a close friend. A gold miner drowned (less than 15 minutes after we floated by him and waved to him) on Willow Creek this past Saturday.<br />
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<a href="http://articles.ktuu.com/2012-06-03/helo1_32012015" target="_blank">A LINK TO THE TRAGEDY </a><br />
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What may seem a simple, obvious no-no to most folks turned out to be an over-looked fatal mistake for Josh Pool of Wasilla, Alaska, an experienced commercial diver. As we floated by in our kayaks, we noticed they had a floating cataraft with a dredge out in the most turbulent part of the rapid on Willow Creek (a rapid called Five Fingers). Unfortunately, Josh was apparently wearing a 50 lb. weight belt to hold him under water while looking for gold. He was wearing a black drysuit (hard to see underwater) and no life jacket, so once he slipped and fell into the river, there was no option of keeping his head above the water. James Castro, Scott Smeltz, and I teamed up with the Alaska State Troopers and rescue team to find Josh around the area where his friend watched him fall into the river... we found nothing and had to give up after 2 hours of careful searching.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: black; float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoNJ87jqdFIcUfuCJrzN54ke43PukPlBRpYtJxnnB1ln8YcH3BC5DK1ENmxfbzJ_ZF76o_LS6stBtY5GbKcF1jay154wwUo-upJ40chz3fWeMWDxTkVmHZb9EQKdfHyBJO9gmlYIqrQvl/s1600/timmy_boof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoNJ87jqdFIcUfuCJrzN54ke43PukPlBRpYtJxnnB1ln8YcH3BC5DK1ENmxfbzJ_ZF76o_LS6stBtY5GbKcF1jay154wwUo-upJ40chz3fWeMWDxTkVmHZb9EQKdfHyBJO9gmlYIqrQvl/s640/timmy_boof.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></i></td></tr>
<tr style="color: white;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Here I am a little bit nervous, making sure I hit the "line" at Triple Drop rapid, Upper Willow Creek, Alaska</b></i></td></tr>
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It was a sad moment, and his friend was obviously really upset. This river (and rapid) is a fairly easy intermediate kayaking run, and is usually plenty safe to swim (in the event of a capsize)... IF you are wearing the proper safety gear (life jacket, helmet, and drysuit). In Josh's case, the 50 lb. weight belt was a very bad decision in turbulent whitewater. I hope that gold dredge miners will hear about this case across the state, and wear the proper safety equipment on the river. It was unfortunate that Josh had to learn the lesson the hard way, and once again, the river proves that its power is not to be experienced without prior safety precautions.<br />
On a lighter note, Paul Schauer, Matt Peters, and I got to do an incredible kayaking run (leading up to this tragic event) on Upper Willow Creek, the best class V-V+ whitewater run Alaska has to offer. I'll have some pictures up soon!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWfZgRJZqRCxfhH3cU4IcCESkJtscO0QJQ4jmbT9IfZQrnyn71GK8odXwgawL3Q2doO8qGUsK9FTZFSsXQtMHQMtVA8J2wFhEDU6MQinHGHB_PBQo25rNwrgLnKexuTTpj5yUjGFt6DmI/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWfZgRJZqRCxfhH3cU4IcCESkJtscO0QJQ4jmbT9IfZQrnyn71GK8odXwgawL3Q2doO8qGUsK9FTZFSsXQtMHQMtVA8J2wFhEDU6MQinHGHB_PBQo25rNwrgLnKexuTTpj5yUjGFt6DmI/s400/DSC_0069.JPG" width="400" /></a> After the search and rescue mission for Josh ended Saturday evening, I managed to get the Toyota motorhome stuck in a mud hole pretty bad while trying to find a camping spot in Hatchers Pass.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNEC4yGiA6bCSfBmFBmQ3xQYCL8Fb0MHbZW89lzMfjrvtfEIayaqpDN3YQv17AZDnhtecUAXzWmobcwWnWsz2iX7AOI2uTpNR0fD6C8TzkiN2w_8lzRySemeLNjUzB_HtwnXM2DwCKuHY/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNEC4yGiA6bCSfBmFBmQ3xQYCL8Fb0MHbZW89lzMfjrvtfEIayaqpDN3YQv17AZDnhtecUAXzWmobcwWnWsz2iX7AOI2uTpNR0fD6C8TzkiN2w_8lzRySemeLNjUzB_HtwnXM2DwCKuHY/s400/DSC_0072.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Scott and I used the come-along winch to pull the RV free of the mud, a few inches at a time. Scott proceeded to bury his Dodge Caravan in the same hole, and once again, the come-along winch saved the day. What a weekend, adrenaline on Upper Willow Creek, an unfortunate fatality on the Guard-Rail section of Willow Creek, and a bi-epic in a mud hole!<br />
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<br />AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-11399724985541568032012-05-22T08:01:00.003-07:002012-05-22T08:01:41.889-07:00On road, off grid<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DJbU044RiXD1RLhM4Mt5zabaCCcttbLIW9d6yvoH0IC7tHsfB5fqAOlAZy2V29KNqexU6IGm0xySNt39EtXyvtAB_9wJB5echohvBp7GUUVUz40G27xsLwS8i3f-X6mHTuc8A9-JA2T4/s1600/DSC_0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DJbU044RiXD1RLhM4Mt5zabaCCcttbLIW9d6yvoH0IC7tHsfB5fqAOlAZy2V29KNqexU6IGm0xySNt39EtXyvtAB_9wJB5echohvBp7GUUVUz40G27xsLwS8i3f-X6mHTuc8A9-JA2T4/s400/DSC_0059.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I woke up to a friendly gesture on the hood of my rig.</td></tr>
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Well, I've now named the motorhome "Pittsburgh Nelly." Never mind where I picked that one up, just thought it sounded right. At this point, I've moved almost everything I own into this 19.5 ft. long area (thanks to craigslist for lightening my load).<br />
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My most recent project was planting a small garden just above the couch. This should serve as a means of veggies and herbs to counter my meat-eatin' habits, which will (after this summer) primarily come from salmon, caribou, moose, and ptarmigan (considering I have successful catches & hunts this summer & fall). I suppose that's about as off grid as it gets for food options on the road. I'm pretty psyched to have romaine & green leaf lettuce, onion chives, rosemary, basil, and dill within a few weeks. No, I'm not going to eat the flowers, just thought the rig needed a bit more lively color.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What you see when you open the door</td></tr>
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With 19.5 ft of length to work with, I don't have a lot of roof space to stash everything I own... BUT I've somehow managed to squeeze it up there. 2 cargo boxes, 3 kayaks, 1 bike, 4 racks, 2 solar panels, a chimney for the wood stove, and an air conditioner that came with. I'm half-way expecting all of this gear to fall on me when I'm kicking back on the couch one night. Gulp. You would think it would be overly top-heavy, but shockingly enough it's actually not too tippy (I have to tell myself that to justify keeping all my crap up there).<br />
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I just accepted a job with the USGS (United States Geological Survey) as a hydrologist for the spring/summer/fall, so I'm pretty excited to be working outside on the rivers again! Pretty cool have 2 kayaking buddies as a co-worker & boss too! More soon enough...<br />
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<br />AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-3904765326100236672012-05-14T11:10:00.002-07:002012-05-14T12:10:09.153-07:00Going crazy on a 4,000 mile drive by myselfI recently drove 4,000+ miles solo from Los Angeles to Alaska. Since I was by myself, I began talking to myself. Here we go...<br />
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/B9KLMLgo_UQ/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B9KLMLgo_UQ?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" />
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9KLMLgo_UQ&feature=youtu.beAlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-493411738218627860.post-71603868960640569892012-05-08T08:51:00.001-07:002012-05-09T08:56:33.028-07:00Doing things the right way... the FIRST time! So, I had this zany thought... when you build something, why not build
it the CORRECT way, the FIRST time around... so I did! I want my new home to be as "off-grid" or "self-sufficient" as possible, where I can create my own heat, electricity, hot water, and cook without power from "the man." Here is my new
& improved home:<br />
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<b>and another one: </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiukQ9bjinBQcVguwAnoJ1qBMfTbwA7-tNg5C7icYzpLWu_1D6VOYM1oLD7W0ItfJxDaPtCAhzZNdDqHWTw7WOKJsdKgbdfTc-l40pxDjsfPhHJjqmqUsQB-FepExgvlmXH2Y8Tg6vMCGN/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiukQ9bjinBQcVguwAnoJ1qBMfTbwA7-tNg5C7icYzpLWu_1D6VOYM1oLD7W0ItfJxDaPtCAhzZNdDqHWTw7WOKJsdKgbdfTc-l40pxDjsfPhHJjqmqUsQB-FepExgvlmXH2Y8Tg6vMCGN/s640/DSC_0041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>and my prized interior possession:</b></div>
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I'm on my way back towards Alaska at the moment, currently in Vancouver, BC. The last 2 weeks have been consumed with pouring all of my energy into my new home, and I think it is turning out to be pretty rad! Once I have a little more time, I'm going to be posting a "How-To" guide for all of the modifications I have made to this little Toyota motorhome. Here's a list of modifications I've performed:<br />
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* Install a <a href="http://www.unforgettablefirellc.com/" target="_blank">Kimberly wood burning stove</a>! A MOST EXCELLENT decision! If you are interested in this highly efficient and beautiful wood stove, I am a dealer... contact me <a href="mailto:kayaker35@hotmail.com" target="_blank">directly</a> or go to the Kimberly stove website and tell them that <b><a href="http://www.unforgettablefirellc.com/" style="color: red;" target="_blank">TIMMY SENT YOU</a><span style="color: red;">!</span></b>!!<br />
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* Install solar panels and a power inverter... my electricity comes from the sun!<br />
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* Install a custom made roof rack to carry whitewater kayaks and all of my gear for living "small, but big."<br />
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* Install a <a href="http://www.badlandbumpers.com/" target="_blank">Badlands Basher front bumper</a> and a good set of lights (in a potential, unfortunate scenario where my home might hit a moose, this will be a very good thing)<br />
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* Install a roof ladder, so I can actually access everything 10 ft. over my head.<br />
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There you have it, that's all the eye-candy for now. I'm currently in Whistler, British Columbia, where I plan on paddling a few steep creeks with the pack raft (or kayaking if I can find a hard-shell kayak). Stay tuned for more adventure and a "How-To" section...<br />
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Timmy J.AlaskaCreekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00862685666503855745noreply@blogger.com