Thursday, January 19, 2012

Why Winters Are No Fun (For Me.)

Aero Cruiser Left Side
    Here in the Northeastern United States we have this thing called Winter. For you folks in regions that don't have it, it's the time when RV enthusiasts dream of being back on the road. Unless, of course, they are die-hard winter campers that enjoy the "roughing it" aspect of camping without. Personally, I LIKE a hot shower now and again. To each his own! There are RVs available that can be used in winter, are well insulated and set up well. I don't have one of those. Ah well, maybe there's a way to retrofit the one I have.....

For me, Winter is more about planning and researching improvements for the RV and plotting trips to far away (OK not THAT far) places in my RV. If you've read my Introduction:

  http://wandermanblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/welcome-to-my-little-corner-of-internet.html

you'll know I wanted my motorhome to have the ability to let me escape on a moments notice. I keep the RV stocked with most everything I'll need for a week or two away.The freedom from reservations and the increased spontaneity really are great. I couldn't tell you any other mode of travel would allow for this kind of flexibility. Besides, I can rarely stitch a few days together from my wacko schedule.

Aero Cruiser In The Distance
I sit here today, looking out the window at the light snow flurries slowly wafting down, my RV covered and nicely framed in the window. It's pretty, but a bit depressing. I'd rather be working on it or driving it someplace or setting up camp...or any number of things rather than looking at it covered, shivering in the cold. OK, I KNOW it doesn't actually shiver, but you get the idea. So here I sit, researching, writing, and plotting. I'm very glad I was given the opportunity to have an audience for my rather convoluted thought processes.

EPDM Solar Water Heater Roll
I'm looking forward to a beautiful Spring season so I can start putting some of the cabin fever fueled, R&D to good use. Over the Winter you'll see articles on everything ranging from better battery technology to electric fireplaces. From Solar water heating to the latest and greatest gadgets to make RV'ing better. I'm researching a particularly cool technology to use LCD to eliminate shades, drapes and tint!

My free time and nervous energy turned into useful information, not a bad thing. Most of the time!

If anyone wants to suggest a topic for an article, please don't hesitate to post a comment. I have the time, and I'm willing to use it! It truly makes the time go by faster, at least subjectively. And I learn a great deal in the process.

Sounds like a great deal to me!

Be seeing you...down the road,

Rich "The Wanderman"
http://www.thewanderman.com

8 comments:

  1. Hi Wanderman, Move to Sunny FL. You won't get bored looking out the window at any snow.
    you can fish, sight see or what ever you want to do. If you get bored here, Then you aren't
    living right!It is great to be living in Paradise!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anon,
      Went to college in Florida, it was mostly pretty great, but my life is based here in New York....perhaps when I can finally retire. Right now I'm just a bit jealous!

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  2. Would love to see an article or two on solar water heating - awesome idea. Also the "technology to use LCD to eliminate shades, drapes and tint!" sounds very interesting - remember hearing about that a while back for commercial building windows.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anon,
      Absolutely! I've been toying with a way to use solar thermal as a "header tank" for my 6 Gallon Atwood. I've already started on the article and ordered some EPDM samples. The commercial window LCD technology is the same as the stuff I am trying out, except it isn't big, heavy and GLASS!

      Stay tuned!

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  3. I camp all year around and we have winter here too :), and I still use all my onboard systems.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Matt,
      To Paraphrase Kipling, "You're a better man than I, Big Matt!"

      Rich "The Wandeman"

      Delete
  4. Wanderman, are you still alive? I just bought a 1989 Aero Cruiser project and am looking for someone with experience on this vehicles, starting with what rims and tires to put on it.
    Looking for anyone with Aero Cruiser experience and knowledge on what looks like a great vehicle, especially for an old Dodge truck guy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YES! I am still here. Since the RV publication randomly stopped publishing my work, I've really had no outlet...Take a look at the Aero Cruiser Club web site... all the info you are asking for is there.

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete

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