Leaderboard

We just got back from four weeks in almost paradise. Fifteen years ago, there was zero trash in our path. This time, I was picking up a lot. Iceland is overrun with tourists, and people who rent campervans who have never actually camped before . The same crap I find in campsites in the US, sadly, I found in previously pristine Iceland . Bits of plastic, breadties, an occasional shoe. Plastic shopping bags. Cigarette butts. How do we control this? This applies to us, too. First of all, control your own. Don't throw just a bit in a dumpster. Put everything in a ( preferably) paper bag, and make some weight, so the dump truck doesn't spew your well intentioned trash into the wind. Recycle everything you can, even if it means carrying those bottles and cans another 200 miles... Pick up your own bits, and those of others. Be a good scout. And, don't put bits in your warming pocket. They'll fly out in a tiny bit of wind when you reach into that pocket. Ditto on using the side pocket of the vehicle door. In a good wind, will trash fly? Here, I know I'm preaching to the choir. This is a group of careful people. I'm just so saddened every time I camp, and find trash in my campsite and campground. Sherry

We are camping where the mountains meet the sea. We have arranged with two other camping friends to meet here, which is pretty central for all of us. As we prepare for a 'pot luck' type supper a thunder/lightning storm appears over the mountain. We decide to move inside. (Just in time). The Oliver provided plenty of dining space for six, and nobody seemed to be in a hurry to leave. By the way, the view over the cliff into town was amazing. (You can drive up to the top of Mt. Batte {which is small compared to other mountains}.).The little yacht tied up at the pier turned out to be 140' long when we went into town to look. The sailing yachts motoring through the crowded harbor of Camden was also something to see. We are sure there is/were other things going on that we couldn't see, as this is where they filmed Peyton Place for you older folks...

Betty and I are boondocking at the primitive campground, big fir campground, out on Housley point in Lake Ouachita, Arkansas. Located about 48 miles west of Hot Springs Arkansas, lake Ouachita is about 34 miles long with over 700 miles of shoreline and over one hundred islands. We will be here boondocking and jug fishing using all natural bait, ect.. Our plan is to spend the month enjoying the sounds of Loons across the lake as we sit by the campfire, and as many fish fry's as we can stand. So if it sounds like something you might be interested in, come on by we would enjoy the visit ! Here is a map that shows where we are. Point A is Mount Ida, Arkansas located west of Hot Springs Arkansas on US Hwy. 270. Point B is where we are. Also our phone number should you need more or just want to chat about it. 479.243.5450 harm & bett

Beautiful work

With Bill's lead, I used a piece of 3/4" flat steel and bend it into "Z" shape. Drilled a 3/8" hole to use the existing front jack bolt. Powder coated the hook and lined it with Velcro as a wear guard. Used stainless steel lock nut with rubber washer between nut and steel. Holds the Anderson wing and chains off the ground.

Sherry, good advice. As a Boy Scout we were told to leave the campsite in better shape than you found it. We continue that today. Sadly, others are not as considerate. Mike

HMD - most of had that dream and most of us can attest that dreams do come true. Keep on dreaming until they come true for you. Bill

Over two years ago when the decision was being made to swap from the Blue Sky system to the is the Zamp system, I questioned Tommy Staggs as to the reason. He told me that "...the settings on the Blue Sky equipment is too complicated for our customers..." (and that) "...it provides information that our customers don't need and they are being confused by it all..." It was my personal believe then (and is still today) that the problem did not lie with the intelligence of the people buying Oliver's nor the (admittedly) complicated menu system of the Blue Sky IPN but rather Tommy's inability to answer the numerous questions from potential and existing owners of the Blues Sky system. I base this belief, in no small part, on the number of customers Tommy referred to me to answer their questions concerning the set up and operation of their Blue Sky equipment.

Yvonne & Doug, I agree with Brad's assessment. Our's is showing the same light pattern, we are totally disconnected now, at the end of the McCarthy Rd in Wrangell-St Elias National Park. Have been on shore power for the three previous days,and left this morning fully charged. For a short period, after we set up this afternoon, it showed a blue light on the left, indicating a charging status. When it fully recovered, it moved to the mode you are showing. We have been on the road in Canada, and Alaska, for the past two months, and this is the normal pattern. After a few days in the shade (clouds/rain) it may charge, and never show the green on the left side, but once we have a sunny day, or use shore power, the pattern you are seeing begins. The green on the right hand side just shows that the battery condition is fully charged. Dennis

The only insight that I have is that it looks like you're plugged in to shore power... If you want to test it and it is plugged in to shore power, then unplug it and let it sit for a day or 2 and then take a pic... If you're planning on boondocking a lot, then take a generator and don't worry about the solar at all. No solar is not a reason to put off a trip :)

https://cityofchelan.us/departments/parks-recreation/rv-park/ The pic is looking west toward the lake, which is a couple of hundred yards away. This is very nice but it's $50 per day for full hookup sites, that is rather steep by local standards. It's run by the City of Chelan and is right downtown, close to pretty much any tourist stuff you could imagine: boat rentals, beach, go carts, shops, ranger station, parks etc. It is _insanely_ busy on weekends, not so much mid-week. The pads are short and you can't spill over onto the grass or they will mow it to pieces .... Dogs are forbidden after July 1 though the summer. Our two Labradoodles are OK for this visit. Area info: ... http://www.lakechelan.com ... it's a heck of a nice lake but the accessible southern portions are horribly over developed and getting worse. Escaping uplake in a boat or up into the high and remote mountains in a 4x4 is one way to escape the summer crowds. [attachment file=IMG_2261.JPG] This sort of camping is not my cup of tea - we are staying three nights while my wife attends a business conference in town... the venue is only 0.4 miles away so she walks it easily. John Davies Spokane WA

Hi Doug and Yvonne, Your display looks good to me even though it doesn't match the chart in the manual. I'm willing to bet the chart is wrong. First the digital display: It looks as if you're set up for AGM batteries, your voltage is 13.7 volts and it's showing 100% charge. The left hand 3 LED's from left to right show's On - Off - On. That translates to a fully charged battery on float charge. I'm guessing the right hand 3 LED's are causing the confusion. The left hand LED show On - Off - Off which indicates over 12.5 volts. The chart in the manual for float shows all three LEDs off. I'm guessing that isn't accurate. Hopefully Jason can confirm that with ZAMP. I think the display is correct and the chart in the manual is wrong. Worse case, I'm sure Jason has another controller available so I'd plan on continuing on the trip. I'm appreciate feedback after your visit. (Beverly and I will be at the plant on the 6th to pick up our new trailer.) Brad