Tag Archives: RV Travel

RV Travels

A Day for RV Chores – Canyon Lake, TX

12 January 2015

Today, the weather is mild and overcast; the temperature, at 17:00, is 45°F. The forecast high temperature was supposed to be 51°F, but I never saw the thermometer register more than ~47°F. The wind was blowing about 10-15 mph (estimated), which makes it feel cooler than it is.

After a long night’s sleep, I got up feeling okay, but lethargic and sore. Sore, because I started doing some new exercises this past weekend and, now, I’m experiencing DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). In particular, my glutes and hamstrings are the most sore; but, my deltoids, traps (trapezius), and lats (latissimus dorsi)–those muscles are the shoulders and upper back–are slightly sore, too.

So, my first, scheduled running session of this week will not occur; instead, I have focused on getting a couple of maintenance items completed.

STARTING THE VOLVO

We arrived at the Summit Vacation and RV Resort on 15 November 2014. We had to wait a couple of days for our site to become available; so, on 17 November 2014, we parked our Mobile Suites 5ver (5th wheel trailer, aka, home) and our Volvo (tow vehicle, aka, toter). Since that date, eight full weeks have passed and I had not started our Volvo; today (12 Jan 2015) I was, therefore, a little apprehensive that, if our Volvo has some “phantom” leakage currents which would drain the starting batteries, it wouldn’t start today.

I used the remote to unlock the Volvo‘s driver door and was rewarded that it did unlock; I inserted the key into the ignition switch, waited for the diagnostics to complete, and turned the key. I was really relieved to hear the starter motor engage and the Volvo D12 came to life without hesitation! YAY!!! So, I set the engine idle (to prevent idle shutdown), gathered some tools from the driver-side storage compartment, and headed to my next chore. I let the Volvo run, idling, for about 45-60 minutes to partially recharge the batteries. This item is complete!

LOW WATER FLOW

Last weekend, I had removed the inexpensive pressure reducer (which screws right onto the faucet and into the water hose) that we have used for the past year–I had suspected that the pressure reducer was reducing the water flow (as well as the pressure) to our Mobile Suites. Even though the Mobile Suites‘ water system is rated for 100-120 psi, this campground’s water pressure is usually 70-90 psi, which means that the applied pressure is very close to the maximum rating; I accepted that as a reasonable risk for an anticipated short period of time.

Part 1

But, this past week on Monday (05 Jan 2015), Janet and I had noticed–independently (two different times)–water accumulating on the floor of the water closet. Initially, at least for the first time for each of us, we had just used a towel to absorb the water; but, it happened again the next day. The amount of water wasn’t great so that I knew that, if we had a pipe leak, it was a small leak that I could deal with later (when I is warmer). During the week, we had determined that the water leaked only when we operated the flush valve resulting in a severe water hammer.

So. I purchased a larger, more expensive, pressure reducer with a  means to adjust the pressure (preset at the factory for 50 psi) and two screw-in fittings (one male-male, one female-male). Of course, the new pressure reducer is for a building and has screw-in pipe threads for 3/4 inch pipes–that’s where the two screw-in fittings are needed: the fittings, both, screw into the pressure reducer housing and a water hose screws onto (or into) the other side of each fitting. I applied some Teflon® tape to the threads of each fitting and screwed it into the pressure regulator. Part 1 of this item, complete!

Part 2

I had not been successful in locating a short water hose (~36 inches) to connect the campground’s water faucet to our new pressure regulator; so, I had to make one. I have an extra 5/8 inch diameter, 50 feet length water hose; and, I cut off the desired length and installed a new hose coupling (repair kit) on each of the cut ends–one on the 50 ft hose that I had, now shortened, and one on my new short hose. The hardware salesman at the hardware store from which I purchased the hose couplings gave me a tip for installing the hose couplings: In a pot of boiling water, dip the end of the hose in the water for about 15-30 seconds, wet the insertion tip of the coupling into water, and insert the coupling tip into the hot hose; when the hose cools, it will shrink and conform to the shape of the coupling’s insertion tip.

I screwed the new short hose onto the new pressure regulator. Part 2 of this item, complete!

Part 3

I took the new pressure regulator and short hose to the campground’s water faucet serving our Mobile Suites. I turned off the campground water to our Mobile Suites and went back inside to open a faucet to reduce the water system’s pressure. I returned outside to the Mobile Suites‘ water connection compartment to disconnect the heat tape that we use to keep the water line from freezing. At the campground’s water faucet, I unwrapped the heat tape that I had wrapped around it and disconnected the Mobile Suites‘ water hose. I connected the new short hose to the campground’s faucet, then, connected the Mobile Suites‘ water hose to the pressure regulator, and verified the connections were tight. I wrapped the heat tape around the pressure regulator, the short hose, and the campground’s faucet; then, I plugged in the heat tape at the Mobile Suites‘ water connection box. Finally, I turned on the campground water–No leaks! Part 3 of this item and the entire item is complete!!!

We will be keeping our eyes peeled for water accumulation on the water closet floor; but, really, I don’t expect to find any.

End of another hard day of retirement.

 Safe Travels!!!

Endurance Running

Running – Base Training Week 8, Day 4

10 January 2015

This morning was cool and rainy with hardly any breeze at all; icicles (they were small) hung from the overhead utility lines. Today’s high temperature was 38°F and, by 14:00 (2 PM), the temperature had already dropped to 37°F, but the rain had stopped. Clouds hung fairly low–I estimated they were only about 200-250 feet above the elevation of the RV campground where we are currently living–and, my estimate was confirmed before I arrived at the top of the steep hill. I was running in a mist and the temperature was definitely lower at the top of the hill.

Endurance Running – Week 8 of 13 Weeks, Day 4 of 4 Days

While running today, I made a decision to run all of today’s training miles within the one neighborhood community along the ridge line of the one steep hill–I was being wimpy and didn’t want to have to try to run up the second steep hill, as I had done for last week’s Long Run. The good news is that I wasn’t tired; but, my legs certainly weren’t as fresh as last week’s Long Run. However, toward the end of today’s training session, my legs–and most other muscles in my body–were complaining; i.e., they, all, were tired and I was exhausted.

After I got home and went inside, my legs began to ache; so, I lay on the floor with my feet elevated–one minute per mile of running. After lying there for ~16 minutes, the aching had subsided; but, when I started to get up, my hip adductor muscles (thigh muscles of both legs, which stabilize the hips and pull the legs toward the midline) started to cramp. I managed to stand up and stretch, which relaxed my adductors. I walked to the refrigerator and poured a glass of kefir (actually, a kefir smoothie) [to supply carbohydrates and protein to my system] and dug into a container of Fage non-fat, plain, Greek yogurt [to supply more protein and some carbs]. About 30 min later, I felt recovered enough to wash my Garmin FR620 and associated HRM/chest strap and go take a bath.

One unusual incident did happen during my training session today:

Somewhere between Mile 13.5 and Mile 13.6, a beautiful malamute bitch (female dog) came bolting toward me; she circled me and began jumping–it was obvious that she was friendly and just wanted to play; so, I put my hand down at my side and she came up sniffed my gloved hand and started licking it before bolting down the road ahead of me. I’ve been running through that particular neighborhood community for nearly two months and this is only the second time anyone’s dog has run loose…at least, when I’ve been on the roadways.

She was really well cared for and had a lavender collar; so, I thought she must live very close to where I was currently running and that she would return home…but NO, she ran along with me (mostly about 100 yards [~100 meters] ahead) veering into neighbors’ yards, into the brush, and into the woods; but, each time, she would always run back to see where I was running and would run past me, then take up her typical “point” position ahead of me. She seemed to be enjoying the sport of running with someone that was not so fast that she couldn’t take side trips to investigate the neighborhood.

As I was running down the steep hill (~Mile 14.4), a young couple in a pickup truck were heading up the hill and spotted the dog–at that time, she was about 100 ft (~30.5 m) ahead of me. I successfully attracted their attention and saw that they were stopping; so, I, too, stopped. I explained that the dog had been running with me for about a mile and wouldn’t go home–by that time the dog had moved about 100 yds ahead of me and waited. The young man wasn’t too interested in chasing the dog and I was too tired to run any faster than I was, which certainly wasn’t fast enough to catch her. However, before the couple departed, the young man did say that he would post a notice on the community website.

To shorten this already long story, the dog followed me back to my home, but stayed a couple of hundred feet from me–she just wanted to keep running; but, I was too fatigued to do anything but go inside to rest. I did look though the windows for her and would have gone out to try to hold her for authorities, but could not see where she had gone…hopefully, she has found her way to her home. [I know that, if she were my dog that had gone missing, I would be grieved for the loss, even if the loss were temporary.]

Happy Running!!!

Endurance Running

Running – Base Training Week 8, Day 4

10 January 2015

This morning was cool and rainy with hardly any breeze at all; icicles (they were small) hung from the overhead utility lines. Today’s high temperature was 38°F and, by 14:00 (2 PM), the temperature had already dropped to 37°F, but the rain had stopped. Clouds hung fairly low–I estimated they were only about 200-250 feet above the elevation of the RV campground where we are currently living–and, my estimate was confirmed before I arrived at the top of the steep hill. I was running in a mist and the temperature was definitely lower at the top of the hill.

Endurance Running – Week 8 of 13 Weeks, Day 4 of 4 Days

While running today, I made a decision to run all of today’s training miles within the one neighborhood community along the ridge line of the one steep hill–I was being wimpy and didn’t want to have to try to run up the second steep hill, as I had done for last week’s Long Run. The good news is that I wasn’t tired; but, my legs certainly weren’t as fresh as last week’s Long Run. However, toward the end of today’s training session, my legs–and most other muscles in my body–were complaining; i.e., they, all, were tired and I was exhausted.

After I got home and went inside, my legs began to ache; so, I lay on the floor with my feet elevated–one minute per mile of running. After lying there for ~16 minutes, the aching had subsided; but, when I started to get up, my hip adductor muscles (thigh muscles of both legs, which stabilize the hips and pull the legs toward the midline) started to cramp. I managed to stand up and stretch, which relaxed my adductors. I walked to the refrigerator and poured a glass of kefir (actually, a kefir smoothie) [to supply carbohydrates and protein to my system] and dug into a container of Fage non-fat, plain, Greek yogurt [to supply more protein and some carbs]. About 30 min later, I felt recovered enough to wash my Garmin FR620 and associated HRM/chest strap and go take a bath.

One unusual incident did happen during my training session today:

Somewhere between Mile 13.5 and Mile 13.6, a beautiful malamute bitch (female dog) came bolting toward me; she circled me and began jumping–it was obvious that she was friendly and just wanted to play; so, I put my hand down at my side and she came up sniffed my gloved hand and started licking it before bolting down the road ahead of me. I’ve been running through that particular neighborhood community for nearly two months and this is only the second time anyone’s dog has run loose…at least, when I’ve been on the roadways.

She was really well cared for and had a lavender collar; so, I thought she must live very close to where I was currently running and that she would return home…but NO, she ran along with me (mostly about 100 yards [~100 meters] ahead) veering into neighbors’ yards, into the brush, and into the woods; but, each time, she would always run back to see where I was running and would run past me, then take up her typical “point” position ahead of me. She seemed to be enjoying the sport of running with someone that was not so fast that she couldn’t take side trips to investigate the neighborhood.

As I was running down the steep hill (~Mile 14.4), a young couple in a pickup truck were heading up the hill and spotted the dog–at that time, she was about 100 ft (~30.5 m) ahead of me. I successfully attracted their attention and saw that they were stopping; so, I, too, stopped. I explained that the dog had been running with me for about a mile and wouldn’t go home–by that time the dog had moved about 100 yds ahead of me and waited. The young man wasn’t too interested in chasing the dog and I was too tired to run any faster than I was, which certainly wasn’t fast enough to catch her. However, before the couple departed, the young man did say that he would post a notice on the community website.

To shorten this already long story, the dog followed me back to my home, but stayed a couple of hundred feet from me–she just wanted to keep running; but, I was too fatigued to do anything but go inside to rest. I did look though the windows for her and would have gone out to try to hold her for authorities, but could not see where she had gone…hopefully, she has found her way to her home. [I know that, if she were my dog that had gone missing, I would be grieved for the loss, even if the loss were temporary.]

Happy Running!!!

Endurance Running, RV Travels

Running – Base Training Week 8, Day 3

08 January 2015

Today was mostly overcast with few (very few) openings of blue sky and cool (high temperature: 38°F). I finally convinced myself that it wasn’t getting any warmer when the temperature dropped to 37°F; so, I changed into my running clothes and bolted out the door. [Okay, truth in advertising, I exited through the door, same as usual; I didn’t bolt! <a little poetic license> ]

Endurance Running – Week 8 of 13 Weeks, Day 3 of 4 Days

I was so jubilant that, from the very beginning of the WU, my legs were not tired today (no, my whole body). Also, it was obvious that, during my WU, my pace was much quicker than the two runs earlier this week and easier to maintain. The steep hill at the first training mile was not any easier and my pace was on par with a slow walk.

After the second or third training mile, I believe that I had overcome the effects of the steep hill and I began to enjoy the run. However, I noticed, about that time, that my HR (heart rate) seemed higher than I wanted; and, the Garmin FR620 confirmed it. So, I slowed my pace but had to continue focusing upon slowing my pace. I have to confess that slowing my pace is easier when going up hill, even slight grades. <big grin>

My next scheduled run is supposed to be a 14-miler, Long Run, on Saturday (10 Jan 2015); however, the whole area of the Texas Hill Country is forecast to receive freezing rain and below freezing temperatures (<32°F, 0°C). I’ve never had the pleasure (?) of running in such temperatures, NOR in freezing rain and icy roadways; so, we’ll have to see whether I get out the door to run on Saturday for my last run this week–it may be that my last run this week actually will be run on the first day of next week. Each week’s Long Run is the most important run; i.e., any other training day’s run can be omitted without loss of fitness/endurance, but, the Long Run is too important to omit–that’s my understanding of my base building training.

Happy Running!!!

RV Travels, Travels

С Новым Годом! (Happy New Year…in Russian)

01 January 2015

Well, the year 2014 has passed; today begins a whole new year for us to do well in all that we shall attempt…or not!

So, last Monday’s run was my last run for 2014! I had planned to run again last Tuesday and Wednesday, not today or tomorrow; but, I needed to complete some continuing education requirements before year’s end and I spent nearly 20 hours, working feverishly, online, to get that done (unsuccessfully). <sigh>

Currently, the weather here, near New Braunfels, TX, is overcast, misting rain, and 39°F; and, if I can force myself to be less wimpy, I shall go for a Long Run (scheduled: 12 miles), since today (maybe tomorrow, too) is the only day available this week and, for which, my wife and I don’t have plans scheduled.

I have made no resolutions for the new year. Currently, my only plan is for Janet and I to continue wandering around the USA and, maybe, Eastern Canada…at least, until November 2015, when we plan to return to our home base, Citrus Acres, in Oak Hill, Florida, where we plan to stay through the winter of 2015-2016.

Happy New Year to all!!! Safe Travels!! and Happy Running!

Alaska Adventure, RV Travels, Travels

Alaska Trip Wrap-up…After My Absense of Many Months

Okay, I admit that I’ve been negligent in updating my Alaska Adventure posts…sorry.

A clear view of Mount McKinley (aka, Mount Denali)
A Clear View of Mount McKinley (aka, Mount Denali) — Only about 30% of the visitors get to see the mountain due to cloud cover. The mountain is so large and tall that it creates its own weather patterns.

With this posting, I’m adding three PDF files (…Pt 1.pdf, …Pt 2.pdf, and …Pt 3.pdf) of a presentation that I made to the 2014 National HDT Rally in Hutchinson, KS.

The first part contains a summary of the entire trip followed by the first few legs of our Adventure; the other two PDF files, follow, in sequence, the remaining legs of our journey. The photos are actual photos that we took along the way and are indicative of our Adventure.

 

[Note that these files are 18+ to 22+ MB, in size.]

ALASKA ADVENTURE – 2014_Pt 1
ALASKA ADVENTURE – 2014_Pt 2
ALASKA ADVENTURE – 2014_Pt 3

Hopefully, you’ll find the presentation informative, especially if you’re planning a journey to Alaska yourself. Don’t hesitate to post questions.

RV Travels

Living in Yukon, FL – December 2013

Janet and I had planned to move to Yukon, FL, from Oak Hill, FL, during December 2013; well, it happened in November…we arrived on 30 November, about 14:30! We left sunny, but partly cloudy, Oak Hill and arrived to an overcast, foggy Yukon/Jacksonville. The temperature change was, probably, only about -10ºF, but a significantly higher humidity.