I think these are the dog days of summer and we can feel it. The low tonight is only 73 and the dew point is 77. That means it is very humid out. I don't recall what the temperature was here in Iowa today, but it had to be something over 90 again.
This afternoon Sandy decided that she'd like to go to the library in town and down load some files with their high speed internet connection. Since the last time she tried it and failed, I decided to go along, taking three of our other computers. (If one doesn't succeed, try try again.)
We went into the library and the librarian told us right away that they had a new router. So we were expecting great things. But alas, Sandy could not get her machine (Vista) to link up with their unsecured wifi. Of course, my XP was linked in no time, so after she tried 2 or 3 times, I suggested that she download her stuff onto my machine and let me see if I could resolve her problem (Vista).
I really don't know anything about Vista, don't like Vista and really can't stand Vista, but we went through the routine 2 or 3 times and presto, my magic fingers had her machine linked up. Doing that might give one the impresson that I'd be the "hero for the day", but it was not to be. When I gave the machine back to her, she asked what did I do? My answer that I didn't know didn't go over well at all. So I guess you can win the battle, but you still loose the war!
So with that success (or failure) in the bag, I left the library and visited the local TV shop on the square. I'm looking for a used digital TV Converter unit. As expected, they didn't have any and suggested that I need to search the local garage sales. She claimed that she's seen them often for 10 bucks. At that price, I'll take two (identical ones). She didn't understand why I wanted one since our TV has a built in digital tuner. So we explained to her that all new TVs do not have a built in channel strength readout and it is a very desireable feature when traveling in an RV. (RV users, note this. You need an old digital converter unit to help you point your RV antenna.)
So back to the library and Sandy was finished. It doesn't take long to download anything on a 1.5 megabit DSL line. Open office had given her some fits, but she finally got the newest version installed and when it opened, it told her what version it was.
As we left the library, the librarian asked how it worked? I indicated that Sandy did have a problem, but we had resolved it. She then said, "Oh yes, it has a problem with Vista. Just ignore it and it will work!"
All is quiet tonight on the weather front, but the prediction is that we get more showers late tonight. However, a quick look at the weather map shows "NO showers" anywhere in Iowa. Maybe we can get a full nights sleep (minus the nature call interruptions.)
Tomorrow is another day.
Gene
Monday, August 9, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
The Second weekend in August
We've been on the farm for a week and we have been busy. At least it seems that way, although I can't really remember how much we have accomplished. For starters, we finally got the forms submitted to get the title and registration for our new Honda CR-V. The dealership claimed that they knew how to do it and didn't. But their only communication to us was to say that this is a refund on the SD taxes. We finally put two and two together and realized that they didn't know what they were doing. We ended up paying a $12 penalty for late registration plus putting on some extra miles. I guess that is part of the pain for being a full timer.
For starters this week, we checked the second air conditioner compressor and decided it was not running again. Later we realized that it was a tripped breaker That lead us to check out our 50 amp pole connection and we realized that it had a very bad contact. Perhaps there is a reason for the popped breaker. So we're now back on a 30 amp circuit until I can get a new 50 amp socket at Menards.
We then dug into the automatic transfer switch in the RV that let us down last week. Removing it was straight forward, just some very stiff wires. With the switch on the work bench (picnic table), we proceeded to carefully look at it. At first glance, one would expect that it ought to do the job. However, after careful examination, we concluded that one contact of the 50 amp relay just barely made the connection. There was no extra pressure or wiping action on the flipper So we applied a little country boy solution with our trusty screw driver. Not much bending, but hopefully enough to eliminate future problems.
Re-installing the ATS was the real challenge. Working with number 6 and #4 wires is not fun and even less fun when it is in a restricted area. Eventually, we got it all together and it works.
Wednesday found us making a quick trip to Amana to see my mother. She is only 99 and slowly failing. The biggest problem visiting with her is that she can't hear very well (or at all). She refuses to use a hearing aid, so we tolerate it.
In between the other stuff, we did a lot of grass mowing here on the farm. With the excessive amount of rain this summer, the grass is taking advantage of it. We're probably mowing more than we need to, but it does improve the looks. Of course there is no prize for that other than one's own personal satisfaction.
We've checked this text more than once so hopefully our chief critic (and proof reader) won't find too many errors. (She only gets to read it after it is published!) Even when I proof read something, I obviously am skimming it, either seeing words that aren't there or using my dad's German English and reversing parts of the sentence. I think you get the idea most of the time. Thanks to spell checker, most of the spelling errors are out, but a few glaring word errors do slip in.
Have a great day.
Gene
For starters this week, we checked the second air conditioner compressor and decided it was not running again. Later we realized that it was a tripped breaker That lead us to check out our 50 amp pole connection and we realized that it had a very bad contact. Perhaps there is a reason for the popped breaker. So we're now back on a 30 amp circuit until I can get a new 50 amp socket at Menards.
We then dug into the automatic transfer switch in the RV that let us down last week. Removing it was straight forward, just some very stiff wires. With the switch on the work bench (picnic table), we proceeded to carefully look at it. At first glance, one would expect that it ought to do the job. However, after careful examination, we concluded that one contact of the 50 amp relay just barely made the connection. There was no extra pressure or wiping action on the flipper So we applied a little country boy solution with our trusty screw driver. Not much bending, but hopefully enough to eliminate future problems.
Re-installing the ATS was the real challenge. Working with number 6 and #4 wires is not fun and even less fun when it is in a restricted area. Eventually, we got it all together and it works.
Wednesday found us making a quick trip to Amana to see my mother. She is only 99 and slowly failing. The biggest problem visiting with her is that she can't hear very well (or at all). She refuses to use a hearing aid, so we tolerate it.
In between the other stuff, we did a lot of grass mowing here on the farm. With the excessive amount of rain this summer, the grass is taking advantage of it. We're probably mowing more than we need to, but it does improve the looks. Of course there is no prize for that other than one's own personal satisfaction.
We've checked this text more than once so hopefully our chief critic (and proof reader) won't find too many errors. (She only gets to read it after it is published!) Even when I proof read something, I obviously am skimming it, either seeing words that aren't there or using my dad's German English and reversing parts of the sentence. I think you get the idea most of the time. Thanks to spell checker, most of the spelling errors are out, but a few glaring word errors do slip in.
Have a great day.
Gene
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Back on the Farm
We're back on the farm and I feel great. I know that it is hot, but at least it is peaceful and quiet. No extraneous generators, no high speed cars going by or nor gravel dust flying about. In short, I like it here, even if it is only for a short time. With our long list of "to do" items, I'm not sure we'll get it all done before we head off for the season. Our first stop is the Gypsy Journal Rally in Elkhart, IN on the 30th of August, and that isn't far off.
We pulled out of the EAA show a bit early for various reasons. For one, I didn't want to be around on Sunday when I understand it gets to be a real crowd. I'm not sure what you'd call it mid week, but there were plenty of people.
The EAA Show is a very interesting gathering, especially if you're interested in airplanes, flying and WW2 air history. The last subject is going to be history soon, as all of the speakers were only in their mid 80s or older. Some of them still have trouble speaking about some of it, but they also want us to know what happened from their perspective.
We listened to a very interesting speaker on the Wright Brothers and how they were able to come up with the first flyable heavier than air craft. For having a very modest education, they really were a remarkable team. They wrote a brief spec for the engine they needed and after no one could provide something close, they designed and built one in about 3 weeks. They drew up the plans and had a very talented technician in the shop that could turn drawings into hardware.
Time to turn it in tonight.
Gene
We pulled out of the EAA show a bit early for various reasons. For one, I didn't want to be around on Sunday when I understand it gets to be a real crowd. I'm not sure what you'd call it mid week, but there were plenty of people.
The EAA Show is a very interesting gathering, especially if you're interested in airplanes, flying and WW2 air history. The last subject is going to be history soon, as all of the speakers were only in their mid 80s or older. Some of them still have trouble speaking about some of it, but they also want us to know what happened from their perspective.
We listened to a very interesting speaker on the Wright Brothers and how they were able to come up with the first flyable heavier than air craft. For having a very modest education, they really were a remarkable team. They wrote a brief spec for the engine they needed and after no one could provide something close, they designed and built one in about 3 weeks. They drew up the plans and had a very talented technician in the shop that could turn drawings into hardware.
Time to turn it in tonight.
Gene
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Daughter's House
We left Osh Kosh yesterday morning reasonably early. We had to drive the Honda to the campground entry first and then exit with our papers so that we could get the proper refund. (No matter how long you intend to stay, they charge you the entire amount as if you are staying until the last day. Then when you leave early, they issue a refunds for the unused days. Plus since we were not allowed to park in the real campground, they are going to give us an additional refund eventually.) They issued the normal refund to our credit card and told us that they would mail the extra refund to us later.
Any way you want to cut it, I have to admit that they are trying to be very accommodating. Had we been in the regular campground, we would still be riding the buses, just not as far. But we were not signed up for the electric sites, so the heat might have convinced us to leave early. Our solar system worked wonderfully and we were never for want of lights or computer power.
We had a pleasant drive to Dodgeville, WI and daughter's location. We settled in and relaxed. Of course, we also enjoyed mail call since she gets several items addressed to us.
Beth arrived home after 5 PM and the conversation began non-stop. A friend of hers had called from out of town and suggested eating out. So we continued the conversation until dinner time. It is hard to imagine the number of things to be discussed when we haven't seen her for 8 weeks or so. (Of course, there is the email and almost always a Saturday 30 minute phone call.) So it isn't as if we hadn't talked with her.
I really didn't look forward to the eating out, as it was the friend, her husband, kids (ages 2 and 4) and other relatives. However, we lucked out and the other relatives took the kids and decided to continue to their home in Dubuque Iowa. So we had a table with 5 and conversation was very easy. Never the less, it had been some time since Beth and Jerilyn had been together, so the table was a buzz between those two. We enjoyed listening and having a few words with her husband.
The party broke up before dark and it was back to Beth's house. We read our email and then Beth said, "Dad, do you know what time it is?" It was well after 10 and I had already had some quality sleep time under my belt. I was kind of in a stupor, as I took my shower and headed for the sack. I was tired.
We've had breakfast this morning and Beth just gave us a demonstration with her new tent and sleeping bag. She is leaving shortly for a 2 week hiking trip in Colorado and is practicing to get into shape. She has a backpack loaded with 45 pounds of weights that she has been carrying on long local hikes to get into shape. Just lifting the pack was enough to tell me that we'll let it for another day. Oh, to be young again with unlimited ambition and energy!
While she is out, Sandy and I can catch up on surfing and other stuff.
Gene
.
Any way you want to cut it, I have to admit that they are trying to be very accommodating. Had we been in the regular campground, we would still be riding the buses, just not as far. But we were not signed up for the electric sites, so the heat might have convinced us to leave early. Our solar system worked wonderfully and we were never for want of lights or computer power.
We had a pleasant drive to Dodgeville, WI and daughter's location. We settled in and relaxed. Of course, we also enjoyed mail call since she gets several items addressed to us.
Beth arrived home after 5 PM and the conversation began non-stop. A friend of hers had called from out of town and suggested eating out. So we continued the conversation until dinner time. It is hard to imagine the number of things to be discussed when we haven't seen her for 8 weeks or so. (Of course, there is the email and almost always a Saturday 30 minute phone call.) So it isn't as if we hadn't talked with her.
I really didn't look forward to the eating out, as it was the friend, her husband, kids (ages 2 and 4) and other relatives. However, we lucked out and the other relatives took the kids and decided to continue to their home in Dubuque Iowa. So we had a table with 5 and conversation was very easy. Never the less, it had been some time since Beth and Jerilyn had been together, so the table was a buzz between those two. We enjoyed listening and having a few words with her husband.
The party broke up before dark and it was back to Beth's house. We read our email and then Beth said, "Dad, do you know what time it is?" It was well after 10 and I had already had some quality sleep time under my belt. I was kind of in a stupor, as I took my shower and headed for the sack. I was tired.
We've had breakfast this morning and Beth just gave us a demonstration with her new tent and sleeping bag. She is leaving shortly for a 2 week hiking trip in Colorado and is practicing to get into shape. She has a backpack loaded with 45 pounds of weights that she has been carrying on long local hikes to get into shape. Just lifting the pack was enough to tell me that we'll let it for another day. Oh, to be young again with unlimited ambition and energy!
While she is out, Sandy and I can catch up on surfing and other stuff.
Gene
.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Mid EAA Show
Here we are, sweating because our generator can't run our air conditioner right now. I thought it was the generator, but after doing some checks this afternoon, it is a problem in the transfer switch. I found a loose wire/screw on the terminal block and tightened it up. I also gave the box the calibrated hammer blow, but it didn't fix it.
The EAA AirVenture has been interesting. It would be a little more enjoyable and comfortable if it were not so HOT. Tomorrow is to be better I think..
Since we're parked off site (on EAA parking) we enjoy a 3 mile bus ride to and fro. The drivers have one mode of driving; Pedal to the metal to go and pedal to the metal to stop. They take mostly back roads and they are the roughest paved roads we have seen. Since school buses don't have the best suspension and little padding on the seats, it is a test of one's backbone.
It took a day or two, but we're getting the hang of the place. Rule number 1: plan all of your activities in a given area. While they provide bus or tram service between areas, one ends up wasting so much time, it wipes out a session. Tomorrow our plan is to only attend sessions in the museum building and area. One advantage also is that it is air conditioned.
I was getting very frustrated yesterday with our Verizon air card. It refused to log in. We finally took the Honda for a drive and found a free wi-fi at Arby's. Sandy picked up her mail okay. I tried to see if Verizon would work any better and ended up locking out my wi-fi plus no Verizon link. Back at the motorhome, we finally tried to solve the problem by calling Verizon plus while on hold, I decided to "re-activate" the card. It then started working! Frustrating!!!!!
We are living via our boondocking way of life. Thanks to a good set of batteries and solar panels, we have plenty of power to run the computers and our LED lights even without the generator. Of course, it has been very sunny the last few days also. What we are missing is some air condition to make life just a bit more comfortable.
Enough for tonight.
Gene
The EAA AirVenture has been interesting. It would be a little more enjoyable and comfortable if it were not so HOT. Tomorrow is to be better I think..
Since we're parked off site (on EAA parking) we enjoy a 3 mile bus ride to and fro. The drivers have one mode of driving; Pedal to the metal to go and pedal to the metal to stop. They take mostly back roads and they are the roughest paved roads we have seen. Since school buses don't have the best suspension and little padding on the seats, it is a test of one's backbone.
It took a day or two, but we're getting the hang of the place. Rule number 1: plan all of your activities in a given area. While they provide bus or tram service between areas, one ends up wasting so much time, it wipes out a session. Tomorrow our plan is to only attend sessions in the museum building and area. One advantage also is that it is air conditioned.
I was getting very frustrated yesterday with our Verizon air card. It refused to log in. We finally took the Honda for a drive and found a free wi-fi at Arby's. Sandy picked up her mail okay. I tried to see if Verizon would work any better and ended up locking out my wi-fi plus no Verizon link. Back at the motorhome, we finally tried to solve the problem by calling Verizon plus while on hold, I decided to "re-activate" the card. It then started working! Frustrating!!!!!
We are living via our boondocking way of life. Thanks to a good set of batteries and solar panels, we have plenty of power to run the computers and our LED lights even without the generator. Of course, it has been very sunny the last few days also. What we are missing is some air condition to make life just a bit more comfortable.
Enough for tonight.
Gene
Sunday, July 25, 2010
EAA, we're in Oshkosh
blog EAA arrival
Fantastic, we have arrived. A bummer, the grounds are too wet to be parked. So we're stuck in a gravel lot with a path on the side. We shall get our quotient of dust unless it rains some more.
We've attended a number of major rallies in our lifetime, but I have an idea that this one will take the cake. The good news is that it is not raining now, but looking at the fields as we came in gives an indication that they have had more then enough rain to last the entire week.
'One issue when we left the Walmart this morning was that we wanted to top off the propane tank. We had a quarter of a tank according to a very rough gauge, but since we're boondocking this week, we need propane to keep the refrigerator going. We stopped at 3 service stations and two communities, all with no luck. Finally, one station sent us to a nearby four-wheeler dealer (and campground owner). My immediate reaction was "here it comes". The office manager called the owner out of bed to come over and fill it. And when he presented me with the bill, I knew we'd been had. I've never paid $4.00 plus a gallon for LP, but we did this time. In the future, we shall have a reserve tank along, such that we can run a week when the main tank goes dry.. (That is one of the built in hazards with a motorhome and a built in tank.)
Otherwise, our drive this morning was very uneventful.
this afternoon, we went to the EAA grounds, and obtained our pre-paid pass etc. We know for certain that our legs are going to get a workout. We walked a bit of the grounds, and then road the (free) tram from end to end, just to give us a perspective of what was where. the place is loaded with people, tents, RVs and airplanes. Sandy spotted some sleeping bags just laying on the ground where an airplane had been parked. Yep, they still sleep under the wing here at the show!
Back at our motorhome, I consented to starting our generator and running our air conditioner. It does cool our coach and also deadens the noise of other generators.) In some minds, a generator is a generator, irrespective of its breed or purpose. Sadly, we're parked among 2 or 3 contractor type generators that some people have brought along. (they are very noisy!)
Gene
Fantastic, we have arrived. A bummer, the grounds are too wet to be parked. So we're stuck in a gravel lot with a path on the side. We shall get our quotient of dust unless it rains some more.
We've attended a number of major rallies in our lifetime, but I have an idea that this one will take the cake. The good news is that it is not raining now, but looking at the fields as we came in gives an indication that they have had more then enough rain to last the entire week.
'One issue when we left the Walmart this morning was that we wanted to top off the propane tank. We had a quarter of a tank according to a very rough gauge, but since we're boondocking this week, we need propane to keep the refrigerator going. We stopped at 3 service stations and two communities, all with no luck. Finally, one station sent us to a nearby four-wheeler dealer (and campground owner). My immediate reaction was "here it comes". The office manager called the owner out of bed to come over and fill it. And when he presented me with the bill, I knew we'd been had. I've never paid $4.00 plus a gallon for LP, but we did this time. In the future, we shall have a reserve tank along, such that we can run a week when the main tank goes dry.. (That is one of the built in hazards with a motorhome and a built in tank.)
Otherwise, our drive this morning was very uneventful.
this afternoon, we went to the EAA grounds, and obtained our pre-paid pass etc. We know for certain that our legs are going to get a workout. We walked a bit of the grounds, and then road the (free) tram from end to end, just to give us a perspective of what was where. the place is loaded with people, tents, RVs and airplanes. Sandy spotted some sleeping bags just laying on the ground where an airplane had been parked. Yep, they still sleep under the wing here at the show!
Back at our motorhome, I consented to starting our generator and running our air conditioner. It does cool our coach and also deadens the noise of other generators.) In some minds, a generator is a generator, irrespective of its breed or purpose. Sadly, we're parked among 2 or 3 contractor type generators that some people have brought along. (they are very noisy!)
Gene
Saturday, July 24, 2010
GNR is Over
We're on our way to Oshkosh, WI for the EAA air show. For the past 10 days or so, we were in Forest City attending the Winnebago GNR (Grand National Rally) for Winnebago coach owners. We have had fun meeting so many old friends and we even learned a thing or two. Plus we had some repairs done on our coach. (These things are really a money sink.)
As so often said previously, we really don't have much of an excuse for not keeping the blog updated. I guess visiting with friends can be tiring. Plus there was the evening entertainment.
The good news for the weeks was that a "repair kit" that I ordered to fix our air conditioner compressor worked. I didn't think it did the job, but when we asked Winnebago customer service to check it out, they said it was okay. They did object to my 60 foot #10 cord that we use for as power cord. I guess it may be a bit light for two compressors. So we'll kill one compressor in the future when on 115 VAC, 30 Amp only.
Tonight here in the Walmart lot, I'm beginning to suffer the pains of "being cheap". It is hot with no air conditioning. I hope Oshkosh is a bit cooler, further north and next to a lake.
We'll keep this one short.
Gene
As so often said previously, we really don't have much of an excuse for not keeping the blog updated. I guess visiting with friends can be tiring. Plus there was the evening entertainment.
The good news for the weeks was that a "repair kit" that I ordered to fix our air conditioner compressor worked. I didn't think it did the job, but when we asked Winnebago customer service to check it out, they said it was okay. They did object to my 60 foot #10 cord that we use for as power cord. I guess it may be a bit light for two compressors. So we'll kill one compressor in the future when on 115 VAC, 30 Amp only.
Tonight here in the Walmart lot, I'm beginning to suffer the pains of "being cheap". It is hot with no air conditioning. I hope Oshkosh is a bit cooler, further north and next to a lake.
We'll keep this one short.
Gene
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