The 2013 Wrap-Up....

Oh wow, two posts in one day.  We just wanted to take a minute to look at our 2013 camping statistics.....

States Camped In:   North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia.  

Total Nights Camped:  45 nights.  

Closest trip:  35 miles (one way)

Longest Trip: 650 miles (one way)

Number of Camping Days with Rain:  Censored!  (we sorta think the rain was wished on us by a certain person belonging to moosepod!)  

Rob even made a collage of some of our favorite pictures from this past season.

We are already looking forward to the 2014 camping season.  In fact, if you click on the 2014 trips page, you can see we already have some camping trips scheduled!!

Here's wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2014!!

Until next time, stay safe out there.....-R,T,&J.

Looking Behind to Look Ahead.....

Happy December 31st everyone!  The date makes this the last day of 2013.  This is the time of the year when we look back at the old year, so we can look ahead to the new year!!

This picture, taken Sunday afternoon from the marsh boardwalk at HBSP, with it's long afternoon shadows, in a way speaks to the ending of 2013.

We got home safe and sound Monday afternoon.  Nearly everything is washed and put away.  Thursday it's back to school with all the kidlets!!  

Now like everyone else, we have New Years Resolutions, but we won't tell you what they are.  Why you ask?  Because we don't want you to remember and ask us how we're doing with them in February!!

In just a little while, we're off to Lexington to eat a New Year's/Birthday celebration lunch with cousins Sharon and Becky and some other camping friends.  What a great day to end 2013.

Here are a few more pictures from out recent trip for you to enjoy.

We want to wish everyone a very happy New Year's.  We also want to think all of our readers who make doing this blog fun.

See you next year!!  

Until next time, stay safe out there.....-R,T,&J.

A Beautiful Day at the Beach......

Happy Saturday evening everyone.  We had a beautiful day today.  But first let me tell you about our Friday!

We left camp in search of a few items.  We wound up at Belks and did some after Christmas shopping (Trisha forgot to pack any socks!).  Then it was on to Camping World to get a new 20 gal. propane tank and get it filled.  Rob's been wanting another tank for sometime, and this weekend we had the perfect reason.  You see, our Little Red Campfire will work with the 1 lb. propane cylinders, but not very well.  We are glad to report it works great with the larger tank.  Our next stop was Hamburger Joes for lunch. 

And yes it was delicious.  Then we worked our way back to camp where we checked out t-shirts and hoodies at the camp store.  Then it was back to the camp site to relax the afternoon away.  Dinner was grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, followed by a movie by our "campfire."  Just try to tell us the Pod living isn't grand!  HAHA

That pretty much sums up our Friday here at Huntington Beach State Park.  We hope your day was good.  Be sure to check back tomorrow to hear all about our Saturday.

Until next time, stay safe out there.....-R,T,but no J.

Hello from Huntington Beach State Park.....

Happy Friday everyone!! As you can see above, it still here, the Sun, Sand, and Surf!  Greeting from Huntington Beach State Park in Murrels Inlet, SC.  

We got here Thursday afternoon, and in just a little while had camp all set up.  Then we drove into Murrels Inlet to eat supper at the Inlet Crab House, followed by a little shopping at the Lazy Gator.  

Then it was back to the camper for a nice evening spent in the dome by the Little Red Campfire.  

Here's a picture of our campsite, #74.

Friday morning dawned clear and cold.  We got into some fun adventures, but you'll have to check back tomorrow to hear about them.  

Until next time, stay safe out there.....-R, T, but no J (Grandma sitting again!)

Holiday Wishes.......

Wow!  It has been almost a month since our last post.  We sure hope everyone is doing good.  Our house has been sorta like a three ring circus!

Just today alone we have one family member in the hospital hoping to be able to come home today (Ann), one family member at the hospital hoping they don't have to stay (Roy), and we just found out about passing of another family member after a long, courageous struggle with cancer (Barbara).  

We wish to each of them and their families all the Joy, Happiness, and Peace this Holiday Season can bring to each of us.  

We hope to be off December 26th to Murrell's Inlet, SC for the last camping trip of the season.  Here's hoping Santa is good to each and every one of you....

Until next time, stay safe out there.....-R,T,&J.

Giving Thanks......

As we begin the craziness of the year's Holiday Season, we just wanted to pause to give THANKS for all our family, friends, and adventures from this past year.

While we still have one more Podding trip scheduled, 2013 is slipping away fast.  No matter where today finds you, with family, friends, or neither, but far away.  We are thankful for each and everyone of you.  

Until next time, stay safe out there.....-R,T,&J.

We Be Camping Y'all.....

Happy Weekend everyone!  We be camping and we be so happy!!  (Please excuse the grammar, but we just couldn't resist!)  It seems like forever since our last camping trip the end of September. 

We've both been busy with school, and looking after our parents.  On top of all that, Rob managed to work in a Root Canal and Crown during the last few weeks.  

But all is good now.  We're at the season ending (for some) Tanglewood Toast Un-Rally  here at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC.

There are T@B's, T@DA's, a vintage DeVille, and of course Pod.  Rob and Pod rolled in around 10:30 Friday morning.  Trisha got here about 4:30 Friday afternoon.  This campground and park is less than 40 miles from home, so it's like camping in our backyard.  This is a huge park containing a great campground, aquatic center, golf course, par-3 golf, the Manor House B&B, picnic shelters, fishing lakes, an Aboretum, and much more to see and do.

We rode around this morning to do some exploring in the park.  Once back at the campground, Trisha went "junking" with a group, while Rob got beef stew going for supper and just planned on relaxing the day away.

Here are a few pictures of our weekend so far to enjoy......

  

As always, thanks for checking by today.  Enjoy your weekend!  

Until next time, stay safe out there.....-R,T, but no J!  (Grandma sitting again!)

Pod's New Tool Box.....

Happy Sunday afternoon everyone.  Here in my part of North Carolina it's a sunny, beautiful, 70 degree kinda day.  It's Pod here, and I am taking over the blogging duties today.  

I had noticed it had been awhile since Rob and Trisha had made a blog post.  I guess with school, looking after their parents, and the house, they have been real busy.  But that's OK, because this coming Friday, we're off to the Tanglewood Toast Un-Rally!  YIPEE!!

For a long while now, I have been trying to tell Rob he needed to get me a tool box for my trailer tongue to give me some more storage.  I told him he could also store my battery inside such a box and keep it locked away out of sight.

This morning, here came Rob with a tape measure and I just knew good things were going to happen.  Pretty soon, I saw Rob and Trisha hop in Truck and take off.  About an hour later, Truck backs up in my driveway and well, just read all about it.....

First thing Rob did was to unplug my power cord since he was going to be disconnecting the battery.

Here's what I looked like before Rob started the install.

Here you can see my battery and battery box removed.  Rob also had to remove the old propane tank cover.  But he says he is going to put a snap on it later one so he can reuse it.

Here's what Rob and Trisha bought for me at Lowes to use for the install.  The tool box, a mat for the bottom of the inside of the box, three hole grommets, two vent covers, and a back of one inch self taping screws.

After test fitting the tool box.  Rob marked where the positive and negative battery wires needed to enter the box.  He also marked where the power wire for the tongue jack needed to go also.  He then drilled these holes and put rubber grommets in them to protect the wires from chafing.

Rob also drilled several  holes on each of the tool box sides.  These are to allow air flow for the gasses from the battery.

Rob then covered the holes on the outside with simple air louvers to keep out rain, etc.

Next, Rob then put the tool box back into place, and worked the wires through each of their holes he had added to the box.  

Here are the wires on the inside of the box.  Rob uses some "zip-ties" as strain reliefs for the wires. 

Then it was time to attach the tool box to the frame with self-tapping bolts.  Next, Rob put the battery box in place, attached it to the tool box, and drilled a few drain holes.  Rob then installed and hooked up the battery.  

Finally, Rob put all the items in the tool box he normally needed when he first gets to the campground to unhook and set me up.

Below, you can see me enjoying this warm sunny day with my shiny new tool box.  Don't I look grand!!  

I am so excited about getting to go camping this coming weekend.  I am looking forward to spending time next to my cousin Splash T@B and catching up on all of our comings and goings.

This is Pod wishing everyone a great week.  

Until next time, stay safe out there.....-Just Pod today!

Winterizing 101.....

Happy Tuesday afternoon everyone.  We hope everyone's week is sailing along smoothly.  Our week has been good so far, but tomorrow afternoon Rob is going to an Oral Surgeon for a consultation, so keep your fingers crossed everything will be OK.

Right now it's 68 degrees, humid, and cloudy outside.  Those conditions are supposed to change rapidly over the next 24 to 48 hours.  It's going to finally get cold around these parts.  So this afternoon after school, Rob winterized the Pod.

Since our freezing temps are not super, super low, and generally last only a few hours during the early morning hours, Rob doesn't have to take some of the extra precautions those of you in other parts of the country have too.

He did take his camera with him and took a few pictures to document the steps taken.

#1.  Find the left over RV antifreeze from last winter.

#2.  Open the taps on the sink and shower. 

#3.  Pour about a cup of pink stuff down the drains.

Now our holding tanks are empty, so this is basically to protect the p-traps on the sink drain, and any liquid in the tank drain pipe extensions themselves.

#4.  Remove the "low-point" drain caps on the outside of Pod.

  
Now on our 175 model, these are located directly over the axle on the "street-side" of Pod.

 Here's a picture of the drain caps and the 7/8's wrench you may need if the fitting just turns in your hand.  The first time Rob took the caps off, they were on Gorilla tight.  Now he only tightens them hand tight.

Here's what your water heater looks like with the access panel removed.  

Now if you've opened the low point drains, and opened all the water taps in the Pod, there should be no pressure in the WH.  It's still a good idea to not to skip step #5.

#5.  Open the pressure release valve at the top of the WH access, to release any pressure left in the WH tank.

Rob keeps a dedicated socket and ratchet in Pod just for this next step.

#6.  Remove the anode rod from the WH to drain the WH tank.

STAND BACK.....or you will get wet!

The socket size is 1-1/16th's.

Here you can see water calmly pouring out of the WH.  

IF you forget to release all pressure on the WH before performing step #6, this release of water will NOT be so calm!

You have been warned!!

Here's a picture of the anode rod and the socket/ratchet used.

Rob just stores the anode rod and low point drain caps in the back of the water heater.  

All that's left is......

#7.  Hold the flush valve open on the toilet for at least 15 seconds to let any water in that line back-flow out of the system

#8.  Run the pump for about 15-20 seconds to make sure all water is out of the system.

Now the lines won't be perfectly dry, but in our climate, the moisture left won't cause any issues.

Also, since we have trips planed in November, December, and you never know possibly January and February, it's easy to reverse the above procedure and be able to use our water system.

Thanks for checking in today.  

Until next time, stay safe out there.....-R,T,&J.

A Small Repair.....

Welcome on a Wednesday afternoon.  We hope everyone is having a great week so far.  If you recall, on our last camping trip we had a switch to fail on the the power tongue jack.  We were still able to raise and lower it manually so all was good.

Rob did contact Forest River for a replacement switch.  We are still waiting on that switch to arrive.  In the mean time, Rob did some searching for this switch online.  From the manufacturer of the tongue jack the switch was $65.00 plus shipping.  WOW!  From etrailer the same switch was a bit cheaper at $55.00 plus shipping.  Oh my!  But Rob finally crossed-referenced the same switch (minus the pretty lettering) for $14.99 plus shipping from Northern Tools.  Bet you can guess where he ordered a new switch from!!

So with the delivery of this afternoon's mail, the new switch was here.  So after getting supper started, Rob installed the new switch.

Here are a few pictures detailing the repair.....

Here you can see the broken switch.

ANYTIME you work with any electrical components, disconnect the electricity.  So the FIRST thing Rob did was remove the fuse for the power jack.

Here are the tools used for this repair.

Here's the new switch as we received it in the mail.

Here you can see the top cover of the jack removed.  Rob said to be sure to note which wires were connected where on the old switch.

Here's the wiring diagram that came with the new switch.  Rob said that thankfully the new switch hooked-up identically to the old switch.

And finally, here the new switch is all installed and tested.  Like we said above, it doesn't have the lettering, but to save $40 to $50 dollars, we don't mind one bit!








Thanks for checking by today.  Have a great rest of the week.

Until next time, stay safe out there.....-R,T,&J.

Two More......

Howdy on this beautiful North Carolina Wednesday afternoon.  We sure hope you've had a great week so far.  We though maybe we should make a little post today.  Since school has started back our days have been sleep, eat, school, eat, sleep, lather, rinse, repeat.  

Kinda boring huh?  Well don't worry, we do have a couple of more camping trips planned for this year.  You can read all about them on our 2013 trips page.  

Today's post is about our States Camped Map.  We picked up one of these maps this summer at Camping World.  Rob installed it on the acrylic glass on the lower half of the screen door.

This map shows all the states where we have camped in either the long trailer, the pop-up, or the Pod.  After this summer's adventures, we were able to add two more, and Rob did just that this afternoon.

See if you can figure out what states they may be.  Here's two clues:

1.  One stop was at the Brown Family Driveway Campground.

2.  One stop was at the County Fair Grounds.

Here's a before picture.....

And here's the after picture.....

That's all for today.  Thanks for checking by and have a great rest of the week.

Until next time, stay safe out there.....-R,T,&J.

Lucky Number 13......

Happy Saturday afternoon everyone.  We're camping at the New River State Park once again.  We hope everyone is having a great weekend.  Give us a minute and we'll explain more about the title to this Post.

You see Rob's niece Jessa flew in from her home in Seattle to visit for the week.  Jessa's other grandmother and some other family members live in the Jefferson, NC area.  So a plan was hatched to bring Jessa up to visit them, along with a short weekend camping trip.  

Our trip up Friday afternoon was uneventful until dropping Jessa off at her aunt's house.  Then about a mile from the campground we were run off the side of the road by an on-coming 18-wheeler.  Once arriving at the campground the power switch on the tongue jack self-destructed, and the only sandwich fixings we had packed were a loaf of bread and a bottle of Honey Mustard dressing.

What did we do? Well we fixed scrambled eggs, fried some bacon, and baked some WHOP biscuits for supper.  It sure was yummy.  

This morning we headed out to Shatley Springs for breakfast but wound up at Bojangles instead (too many people at Shatley Springs!)  Went by mountain outfitters in West Jefferson for a t-shirt for Trisha and stickers for Rob.  Then by Lowes for a few items and a special screwdriver so Rob can fix the power jack.

The weather is just perfect, Trisha is doing progress reports, and Rob will soon be reading.  

Here's a picture of our campsite....

Here's Trisha hard at work on Progress Reports.....

And finally, here's a close up picture of the Power Jack....

Thanks for checking by today.  This is going to be a lazy weekend for us.  The campsite next door does  have a Cub Scout Pack so it's been fun watching all their activities.  We hope they have a great time!!!

Until next time, stay safe out there......-R,T, but no J.

Oh yeah, the number 13??  Why that's our site number.  :-)