Adjustable Height Stool - Now Part Of My Travel Gear

I like buying things that seem to fit my travel needs and last year I bought this adjustable height stool, but forgot to put it in my travel pile this past winter.  It is so useful around the house and camper.

What is great about the stool is that it’s height adjustment can be set to any of the segments of the collapsing circles.

There are two finger holes on the top and two on the bottom.  So it’s a two hand operation to open and collapse.  Pull apart and twist to lock a desired height and pull and twist in opposite direction and collapse for storage or travel.

Here is mine.  I can set the height to what I’m doing so I am eye level.  I can use it to step on but it’s not specifically designed for that, but it works to reach something.  You would want this to be in a place where you could hold onto something with the other hand.  

It will work as a mini table with or next to your camp chair.

Light weight but strong and stores well.  It is now part of my travel gear.

I am not affiliated with or get any compensation for my review.  It is totally an independent assessment for a product that I paid for. 

Brent

macaloney@hotmail.com

Upgrading FWC Solar - 170W to 210W

As you may remember during 2021 I did go on my travels but did not report my travels as usual because I was concerned about how people felt about me traveling during COVID.  Well, I did upgrade my solar on my Four Wheel Camper from 170 Watts to 210 watts.

I had gotten an email from NewPowa, who produced my 170 Watt panel that they had an upgraded panel with the same width as 170 Watts panel on a new 210 Watt panel.  See picture above.

This meant I could just unbolt the old panel and transfer Z brackets to the same spacing and put higher wattage in my camper.  Above is the finished look and the weight difference was negligible.

The panel comes with MC4 connectors and FWC uses SAE connectors so I did need to change the connection on the solar panel prior to installing on roof of the camper.  Above shows the MC4 connectors to the left and SAE pigtail connected to the right. 

Above are the labels from the two solar panels.  This change resulted in a 20% increase in wattage for my travels.

Of course I checked and had a 30 amp charge controller installed in a previous post so there was no issue with the change.

For those with FWC campers I used rubber expanding inserts drilled through the roof skin into the 1”x1” aluminum supports and sealed them with 3M marine sealant.  As stated above I reused these same mounting locations.

I have a previous post on my original 160 Watt panel install and how I did it.

As a refresher I have 3 ways to charge.  Solar, DC to DC direct to engine, and 120 v charger.  I have a Renogy charge controller that does what is needed to use both solar and DC to charge my lithium battery.

The new solar worked great during my 2022 travels.

Brent

macaloney@hotmail.com

Learning Spanish - One Year Later

My goal of learning Spanish continues after 1 year of using the Duolingo application, although it’s a love hat relationship at times.

There are things I like about how the Spanish language works.  For example dropping double letters in words or combining words into one word.  

On the other hand keeping track of word gender to change supporting words on either side of the gender word, can be frustrating.  Then add in if the word is plural changing the word in front and after to plural too, gets me mumbling.

Overall Duolingo is a good tool to learn Spanish.  I have nieces and granddaughter learning languages on Duolingo as well.  I do not pay for Duolingo, choosing to watch ads and earning points to move forward.

Recently, I was in Budapest, Hungry on travel and in a small underground shop I met a young lady who did well with English, and I knew nothing of Hungarian.  I shared I was learning Spanish using an app on my phone and she was too.  Yes we were both using Duolingo.  Small world.

This strategy has worked for me as I need the practice before moving on to ensure I have the logic right and recognize what right way of answering the questions.

Duolingo has tips that may not specifically address your mistake but tips are not often enough for me.  I needed rules early on and Duolingo doesn’t focus on rules.  For example when do you put El in front of Senor Perez.  Or when you use Usted.  This information in adavace of the lessons that use these examples would have saved me a lot of work.

The key for me in learning is practicing the lessons over and over again before moving on to the next lesson.  

What I like about Duolingo a lot is that I learn how to read, write, grammar, and listed to Spanish from the ground up and not just canned phrases.

As you can see I got the badge for my one years work.  Although I am not further along with completing lessons, what I’ve learned is securely in my brain.

Happy language learning.

Brent

macaloney@hotmail.com

Prius Headlight Lenses Need Polishing Again

Yes, I still have and travel in my 2011 Prius from time to time.  I was coming home the other night and I had to put the high beams on to see the road better.

The next day I checked and the headlight lenses had fogged over again.

I pulled out the the headlight lens restorer that I still had from last time and decide to restore again.

Above I polished the passenger side and if you zoom in you will see the difference with the drivers side.  What I did different this time was to polished with a polishing pad I got from Amazon that goes in my cordless drill.  I put the compound on the pad and swirled it around with the drill.

With the kit in hand it took about a half hour to get clear lenses again.  Even without using the drill it doesn’t take long to see the results.

In the past I had thought of replacing the lenses but it is involved and basically a lot of work.  This is fast and easy and much less costly.

Above is the finished results and I can see the road so much better again.  Ready now for some sometime travels.

Brent

MacAloney@hotmail.com

FWC Trim Screws Replacement

The above picture shows the finished work of replacing the rear bottom trim screws on my 2011 Four Wheel Camper (FWC)

The problem was I was seeing the screws starting to rust,  so I ordered up some replacement #8 xx 3/4” white head screws.

Then I took the existing screws out and this is what o found.

I could see that they were rusted to the point that in sone cases the threads were missing.  I tried the new #8 screws and found that the corrosion had decayed the hole opening to the point the threads on the new screws would not grab.  So I then ordered up #10 x 3/4” white head screws and they grabbed.  

I put a dab of my go to 3M white marine adhesive so the screw heads would seal and keep our future moisture.

Above is the original screw and the new screw I used to replace them.  

If you see rust I would not put fixing as I did.  In fact I should have done this a couple years ago.  I have not found this problem anywhere else on the camper and don’t know if my winter travels to the southwest contributed to the problem from salted roads.  

Both screws sizes are available on Amazon 

Safe travels,

Brent

MacAloney@hotmail.com

Staying At ACOE - Army Corp Of Engineers

After leaving the National Forest in Eastern Tennessee I decided that based on my driving and overnight stops I would stay at Army Corp Of Engineers Campgrounds before I arrive at my oldest son’s in Maryland

My first night was in Pendleton, SC at the Twin Lakes Army Corp Of Engineers as seen below.

Here is my camping spot for the night.

For all my ACOE camping I paid $14/night as I pay half with my Senior National Park Pass.of regular $28/night.

The next moring I drove east to a friend I had not seen in over 23 years.  We talked and went out to lunch.  It was great seeing him as we used to commute to work for years

. After lunch I drove to Bandits Roost ACOE in Wilksboro, North Carolina.  Picture above 

Above is my campsite at Bandits Roost ACOE where I spent 2 nights.  There I met a woman camping in her plug-in RAV4.  I enjoyed the conversation we had both days.  It’s always fun to meet other like minded people..

On my 2 night stay at Bandits Roost, I looked for a disc golf course to get some disc throwing in.and to my surprise on the opposite side of the lake is Fort Hambly ACOE Park with disc golf.  I couldn’t ask for anything more convienient.

It turned out that this 18 hole course would be one of the most difficult I have ever played.  There are severe elevation changes.  My disc got sone bad rolls down hills.  Sone baskets were on the edge of steep drop offs.  

The above picture shows my second throw lay with the top of the basket dead center over the the crest

 My next throw went in the basket for a pat 3😁

Above in the picture is the tee off location where you throw the disk off the Topo DCS wooded hill with a basket near the lake at the bottom.  I guess I was lucky to hit a tree to stop my disk possibly hitting sone fishermen before taking a swim.

This was the steepest grade to hike on the course and the leaves were dry and slippery.  I could have used spikes.

My next night stay before heading to son’s house in Md was Salthouse Beach ACOE in Henry, Virginia, above.  This wasn’t the most convenient to stay as it left me with a six hour drive the next day.  It turned out ok

As seen out my back door I was close to other campers.  I spend most of my travels with significant distance to others in the desert, but campgrounds such as this brings me closer to others and it’s ok but not my preference.

I hope you get to try ACOE campgrounds, especially if you are like me and get them half price.  It was very nice having cold nights and using my electric heater to keep it warm inside.  You can’t beat the hot shower and electricity for $14/night

Brent

macaloney@hotmail.com

Yearly Visit to Unclaimed Baggage - I Score Again!

The SE- GTG got waved off this year in Northern Alabama, but my plan to get my Tacoma serviced at the dealer in Scottsboro, AL was on, and this is where the Unclaimed Baggage store is that I like going to.

I stopped at the dealer to make an appointment and it was set for the next day.  I had time so I went to the Unclaimed Baggage store but was disappointed I didn’t find anything interesting and for the right price. 

After my Tacoma was serviced the next day, I went back to the Unclaimed  Baggage Store for one last look, as I would be moving on in the morning.  

I was happy to find a couple items.

First was the above Aukey Bluetooth earbuds.

They work perfectly for $9.99👍

I looked them up online and although that model is now discontinued, originall they sold for $60.

They work fine and have a good rating for the price.



I also found this Bluetooth speaker that pares nicely and I’ll put it in the garage when I work.  There was a white dot sticker on the speaker, so I asked the price $1.99 and it was coming home with me.

What turned out dashing my hopes for my visit to Unclaimed Baggage the first day, was turned to a positive the next.

As you can see it is a hit or miss in finding something you my want or need, but I usually find something each year.

Brent

macaloney@hotmail.com

Gulf Shores, AL - A Family Meetup

My oldest son and family had planed a spring vacation at Gulf Shores, AL and it was on my itinerary for sone time as it fit in before the Southeast GTG gathering.  Timing was perfect to head across the southern states this year and visit family before heading north to northern Alabama.

Photo - campground Msp 

The question was where was I going to stay while in Gulf Shores.  There were options for free overnight stays in the area but I didn’t have time to risk showing up and not finding a place close, so I chose the Gulf State Park.  It was $40 a night for 2 nights with the senior discount.  It turned out ok as one day the condo pool where son and family were staying was under construction and the tip currents on the gulf beaches were too bad so they came to the state park to visit and use the pool for $5 for a carload!  Such a deal 

Photo - stadium scoreboard 

My son loves baseball and keeps his family going.  We went to the baseball game in Pensacola where we had beautiful weather. 

Photo - mini golf - ball stuck

We played mini golf and here I am with my ball being stuck in the drain crack.  My granddaughters liked that I got hung up.

Photo - Lambert’s Cafe 

We went to eat at “World Famous” Lambert’s Cafe, where they toss or even throw large hot buns st you.  The Shane is in dropping yours.

Well I did get my bun stopped but it dropped in my lap and didn’t feel the shame from having it get yo the floor.  I also ate too much🙄

Photo - UDisc App screen shot of disc golf course layout

What would be a visit with my Son without playing Disc Golf.

What a fun time with the visit.  I will be seeing them again on my way up the east coast before I reach home.

Brent

macaloney@hotmail.com

Prada In Mafa

Along the lonesome highway US90 west of Mafa, TX I see cars stopped and doing U-turns.  People were running across the road.  I slowed for the Artistic Prada Store sitting all by itself.  I’ve been by this before so I stopped for my own photo.

My photo

Wikipedia offers the following;

“ Prada Marfa is a permanent sculptural art installation by artists Elmgreen and Dragset, located along U.S. Route 90 in Jeff Davis County, Texas, United States, 1.4 miles (2.3 km) northwest of Valentine, and about 26 miles (42 km) northwest of Marfa (its namesake city).^[1] The installation, in the form of a freestanding building—specifically a Prada storefront—was inaugurated on October 1, 2005. The artists described the work as a "pop architectural land artproject."^[2]”

Google map capture above

Even now Google offers caution on slowed traffic

The fence around the building have love locks.

Although it says Mafa, this is Valentine, TX a few miles from more popular Mafo, where Mafa Lights is that I have written about before.  People came to see strainer lights in the sky.  I stayed there one night but didn’t see any strange lights.

I wouldn’t drive out of your way for Prada in Mafe but if your going by you can do the tourist thing like me.

Brent

macaloney@hotmail.com

Natchez, MS - A Private Tour

As shown in the picture below Natchez, Mississippi sits on the Mississippi River.  It’s an old city with a history that I only knew some of from school.

So, when I got an invitation by a friend who grew up in Natchez to get a tour of the area, I was all in.  I find the Mississippi River intriguing and I usually stop in Hannibal, MO on my way home from the west.  This year was different as I was trying to save sone gas due to the higher prices and find new things to see and do.  I’ve had a great time mixing up my adventures this year. 

I didn’t know that Spain had once occupied this land from the natives as well as the French, that I did know, or at least remember.

A friend of my friend provided access to their land overlooking the Mississippi for a view during my stay that could not be beat.

Above is the view from my camping spot.  The paddle boats and barges travel up and down the river.  I think of the movies with the steam paddle boats and their whistle when they were making or leaving.

It wouldn’t be spring if it wasn’t for the threat of severe weather and a tornado watch one night.  Just a bit of small hail from the radar capture in the picture above.

While I was in town there were two paddle boats in Natchez port on the river.  The bridge over the Mississippi replaced the ferry that once connected Mississippi to Louisiana.

The friend of my friend let it be know to the neighbors that I was getting a tour and it resulted in an evening get together with very friendly neighbors for a gathering on a porch overlooking the Mississippi.

The 3 families provided excellent hospitality and lively conversation making the visit to Natchez more than I could have imagined.

This sunset picture above was just wonderful to have caught it at the right moment.  Thanks to all who made that evening exceptional for this northerner.  

But the fun wasn’t over with tours of antebellum homes dotted all around town. And add the spring colors at every turn.

Disc golf in Duncan Parj with ancient trees.



Lunch at the Pig Out Inn for lunch

And the list goes on;

- A tour of a segment of the Natchez Trace Parkway

- More tastes from local eateries 

- Historic walk downtown

- Natchez Visitor Reception Center to view all the history panels

- Natchez National Historic Park and tour of the Melrose House

- Grand Village of the Natchez Indians

In other words you can’t get a good appreciation for Natchez without spending a few days.  

It was a great time and filled my long desire to see Natchez.  April was a perfect time to visit as it’s not hot and muggy and the flowers are beautiful.

I hope you get to visit one day and meet the friendly people in town that often like to chat about where you are from.

Brent

macaloney@hotmail.com

Texas And Louisiana Coastal Ferries

If you have been following my blog about free beach camping along the Texas and Louisiana coast I wanted to share the free ferry systems in both states making this trip even more economical.

From south to north and east, first is Port Aransas Ferry.

From the northern part of the island chain where the Padre Island National Seashore back to the mainland this ferry saves driving south then west and then north to achieve what the Texas Highway system provides a ferry for free.

It is easily accessed on the island and is efficient with ferries running in both directions.

Above is a Google Maps screen capture of the Port Aransas ferry terminal on the island back to the mainland

And now a photo through my windshield of my ferry ride from Port Aransas 

Above is a Google Maps screen capture of the ferry terminal in Galveston  to the next island where Bolivar Beach camping is.

Here is the corresponding photo through my windshield of my ferry ride to Bolivar Beach.  It’s about twice the time across here as it was at Port Aransas, but neither was a long wait or a long trip on the ferry.

Now on to Louisiana’s Cameron-Holly Beach Ferry.  This ferry is only free from west to east.  I approached this ferry from Beaumont, TX south through Port Arthur, TX and on to the ferry.  This is a highway I have not taken before and I found it interesting.  The ferry at Cameron l, although small in size and distance traveled, serving both directions, runs often enough there is not much of a wait.

Above is the Google map image I captured of the Cameron Ferry.

They balanced this ferry like the others by putting this grouping of small vehicles on one side and a big dump truck on the other.

Well, there you have it free ferries heading north and east from southern Texas to Louisiana to go with the free beach camping in my other blog posts.

Brent

macaloney@hotmail.com