SeaDawg

Wow. Sounds like an amazing trip! We love St. John, and I'm sure you and KiKi will, too. Though our Oliver never sits quite that long, it does winter over in its parking pad beside the house. We do not take the wheels and tires off, but do cover them against the Florida sun. We prefer to leave some weight on the tires, some on the jacks. The Oliver is uncovered, but shaded, and treated to a good application of a quality marine paste wax at season's end. We've never winterized, as it's not likely to freeze here for more than a few hours. We drain the tanks, flush, and add a little water in the black tank plus a double packet of treatment. Periodically, I go out and "flush" the stool with a pint or two of water in a big glass, always leaving a few inches of water in to keep the flush gate valve wet. If your friends can check on the trailer periodically, it would be nice to be able to ventilate the trailer some, but you'll be storing it in the coolest Florida months. I usually leave the main hatch open an inch or so, with a rug under it, but I'm there to check it after rain storms, and to close it in big storms. Make sure to empty the refrigerator, wipe it dry, and prop open both the freezer door and refrigerator door, or you'll have mildew growth in our humid climate, difficult or impossible to remove. I just use a dish towel in each, folded. I also leave all cupboard doors open a few inches to promote air circulation throughout. I think you have the Norcold, too, and the shelves on the door slide off. Take them off, clean them, and lay them in the bottom of the refrigerator or on the counter. Even the tiniest bit of food particle promotes growth here in Florida At season's end, I take everything out of the trailer that I can, and prop the cushions up against each other to allow air movement and keep them away from the side of the hull. I've never had room to take them indoors... That would be nice, but not possible for me. I leave the bathroom vent open a bit, and open the bathroom door to promote some air circulation. I also apply paste wax to the interior once a year, after cleaning. (Not the shower floor, or tile, of course...) Again, our trailer doesn't usually sit for more than a few months, but this has worked for us so far in Florida winters. Hope you have a wonderful trip. We'll look forward to following your blog as you explore the U.S.V.I. Sherry

We were fortunate to have a clear, sunny day to tour Campobello, FDR's summer home in New Brunswick, Canada. On Canadian soil, operated and staffed jointly by Canada and the U.S., Campobello is a unique international park. The old Roosevelt home and grounds are immaculately maintained and restored to their original state. Though the home has many rooms (over thirty), the rooms are small, cozy, and homey. The park is part of an island, reached by ferry or the bridge from Lubec, Maine. We took the ferry over, and the bridge back, as we re-entered the U.S. through customs in Lubec. There is a nice campground on Campobello, some wooded sites, a few with a view of the sea. Here you are at the edge of Fundy Bay, a rugged coast with amazing tides, and an abundance of wildlife. The lighthouse on the point of the island is one of the few in the world to retain the cross symbol. The house is actually on a small island at the point, and you can walk out at low tide, though warned not to because of rip tides. If the tide comes up, you'll be stuck for hours till the tide changes, as it does drastically, every six hours and fifteen minutes. This area experiences tidal changes of 25-35 feet and more with each cycle. The friendly, homey Dutch Colonial was the summer home of Eleanor and Franklin and children for many years. FDR's parents had a different home on the island, and he spent many summers of his childhood there, as well. It was here that he learned to sail, and hiked the islands in the bay. Dinnerplate Dahlias were in full bloom This photo by Dorothea Lange is one of my daughter's favorites, and part of an exhibit on FDR and his role in ending the Depression. From the bridge, crossing into the U.S. at tiny Lubec, Maine from Campobello

A few weeks back, we found ourselves again on I 26, traveling from the Erwin, TN area to Asheville. In NC at least, a sign proclaims I 26 as a scenic byway... and oh, yes, it is, especially traveling from TN into NC. Our friend traveling with us was experiencing "check engine" light problems, so we stopped at just about every rest area along the way, consulting with the nice folks at an Asheville Dodge dealership. I didn't get any photos, but this is posted on the web, and probably better photos than I would have taken, anyway: after you scroll thru the first section of photos, click on the NC section, too. On a clear day, the views are expansive and amazing, with layered mountains and deep valleys... Sherry

It is important to match wheel and tire. Unfortunately, most of that info is stamped on the inside of the wheel, and not apparent unless you look or specify. It's also important to remember that a certain portion of the weight of the trailer is transferred to the tongue. 1900x2 is 3800 on the axle. Our tongue weight is about 400 lbs., our trailer, loaded, is around 3900 pounds. Leaves us a 10% or so margin of safety. I'm ok with that. If we routinely carried 5000 pounds, (taking the rock collection along...), we'd upgrade the wheels. The 5200 pound axle, for us, is overkill, but provides, I guess, another margin of safety. Our duro tires now have over 27,000 miles on them. I'd like to replace them with the same, as we've had good experience. By the time we get home and have time to wait for a special order, we're likely in the 30,000 mile range on these tires. No complaints so far. Sherry .

Wow. Driving Highway 200 must have felt like driving through a beautiful painting! Beautiful. Thanks for sharing that one! Sherry

We camped three nights near Campobello, Roosevelt's summer home in New Brunswick. We seemed to get up earlier and go to bed later each day as there was so much to see... whales, seals, the amazing tides of Fundy Bay, eagles, and, on our last morning, this amazing sunrise: What a splendid way to start the day! Sherry

We've stopped at some really nice rest areas in our travels. Our recent trip through southern Quebec, from Montreal area around the Gaspe Peninsula and into New Brunswick, topped the list for me. Labeled "Halte" in French-speaking Quebec, each rest stop was better than the next, especially the ones run by the various towns, labeled "Halte Municipale". In towns large and small, some had little "restos" with cafe menus and good, quick food for the weary traveler, but most had nice parking lots, lovely buildings, and a nice view to enjoy. Here's one example: Plenty of parking for our rigs, a cute little building with typically spotless bathrooms, a picnic area with some tables with a roof for protection on a rainy day, and around back, a lovely view of the water. In front, a map of the town to help you find a grocery store or gas station, a little history of the town, and a hearty welcome from the community. By the restroom doors, a sign (in French, of course), asking you to notify the manager of any problems. A little sign by the big chairs invited you to sit, relax, and enjoy the view of the sea. The bathroom, extremely clean, had an outlet for shaving, an adjustable mirror, paper cups, and an air freshener with a lovely orange scent. The town of Paspebiac outdid themselves on this one, but we enjoyed our stops everywhere at haltes in Quebec. Sherry

Welcome to the Forums, RjCasita!

Long ago, a friend told me to not miss a trip to Quebec City if I ever got the chance. Old buildings, young energy, beautiful and vibrant! And he was so right. We camped east of the city, and drove back to Levis one day. Took the short ferry ride ($6 per person), parked the truck for $5 for day in the ferry lot, and rode the funicular up to the top of the city walls ($2 one way). We walked our way around the city and back down to the landing in the lovely fall sunshine. This is what we saw from the ferry on our approach to Quebec City from Levis: It is indeed a vibrant city, with amazing old buildings and young energy. Great food, music everywhere, art galleries around every corner. So much history. A visit here is like going to Europe without the flight. The people of Quebec are rightfully proud of their beautiful city, and their province, and should be. We have been warmly welcomed here. Sherry

Thanks to a great wifi signal at our current campground, I could upload a few more shots: Here's Suite Sixty Nine, camaro tug and Boler. Isn't it sweet? The owners spoke little English, and I speak very little French, but OOH and Wow are universal! Tres beaux! We also met a nice couple from Connecticut, who had a family reunion within the rally--three Bolers, Dad and two sons and spouses. Another young couple from Quebec City (Guy and Elise) is planning a year-long trip in their Boler with their three large dogs who share the front bunks, and provide additional heat in the cabin on cold nights. They've already towed their Boler as far south as North Carolina, and even further within Canada. Sherry

Last weekend, we were able to camp in the same park with the initial Quebec Bolerama. The hosts chose a beautiful campground, Camping Aulnaies, between St. Jean Port Joli and St. Roche des Aulnaies about an hour and a half east of Quebec City. For a first ever rally, it was an enormous success. We walked around the rally grounds, viewing Bolers customized in every way, Trilliums old and new, and a number of Scamps. We camped just outside the rally loop, in H, and I think we were the only Casita and Oliver in the huge campground. There were definitely a few standout rigs. Betty Boop Diner was one, all in hot pink and teal, with a pair of vintage Schwinns mounted in the back of the truck. Another was Suite 69, a 69 Camaro and Boler painted with matching deep blue bodies, and wide white racing stripes (remember when???). All the folks at the rally made us feel very welcome, with varying levels of English familiarity. As a matter of fact, everywhere we've been in Quebec, we've been warmly welcomed. A beautiful, varied province, filled with avid campers braving the temps and weather this past week. (We have had some sun, but not a lot. Nights in the low 40's, drizzle, and wind are more the norm... ) Basically, no matter what the language, campers are friendly, and find a way to communicate. Anyway, almost everyone speaks better English than I speak French!

We left Letchworth State Park (western NY--Grand Canyon of the East) a few days ago, just passed through Oneida on our way to the Adirondacks, then on to Quebec. From there, we'll visit New Brunswick, and head south into the US. We'll be In Tennessee and North Carolina for most of October. Hope you're enjoying your travels out west! Your photos on the blog are beautiful, Geri. Sherry

We've seen so many odd, funny, unusual things along the road. Created to draw attention, some more spectacular than others. The giant lawnchair in Galesburg IL, the enormous walleye in Garrison MN, the double-ender car in tiny Preston MN. This week, driving thru Kingsport TN, we spotted this delightful example of attention-grabbing design and road art: The french fries and hotdog, though huge, were quite appealing, actually, in a retro, fifties kind of way.... Any favorites of your own to share?

That's a beautiful installation, Eric. Thanks for all the info and photos. Sherry

Yes, Chuck, I sure do. My map is sadly out of date. Thanks for the reminder! Sherry OK, I made a new one, but still can't find a "states visited" source that combines US states and Canadian provinces. Anyone know of one? Sher

I'm going to have to add another map case to the travel kit soon. We've found the state welcome centers to be a great place to stop off and pick up the official state map to supplement the atlas and gps, and get a quick overview of a state we're visiting. Mostly we've found the big centers on the interstate, just after crossing the state line. This summer, however, we happened to stop in Galesburg, Illinois, at the visitor center, and I was really surprised at not only the friendliness of the lady at the desk, but the wealth of materials she had on the racks. Along with great info on the local community (birthplace of Carl Sandburg, home of the "big blue chair".... etc.), there was an entire rack of official state maps for other midwest states--from Ohio to North Dakota, and some nice booklets on many of them, as well. If you're ever in the neighborhood, stop by and visit. Nice folks, and very nice center. Sherry

Congrats on your new Oliver, and welcome to the forum! Sherry

That's a great idea... no more knives rattling around in the drawer. Looks wonderful, too. Nice work! I use the tall drawer for my saucepan and skillet, cooking utensils, and tall items like rolls of aluminum foil. Placing a knife block in there as you did would put all the cooking gear together nicely. Sherry

Though we didn't get to see the live chat last night, I got to watch the recorded version today. Great interview. So, thinking about sailing? Sherry

With a few notable exceptions, the interstate is not always the most scenic way to get from "here" to "there". As many of us prefer to take the more scenic, often less traveled, often slower route when we can, I thought I'd share this website which can help you locate a more memorable drive: http://www.byways.org/ This summer, we've driven at least parts of several scenic roads. Iowa's Scenic Byway along the Iowa River takes you through part of the historic Amana Colonies. The Great River Road, following the Mississippi River through Minnesota, Wisconsin, and northern Illinois provided some amazing views of the river, bluffs, valleys, and rich green farmland. The Ohio River Byway (we drove 52 from Cincinnati to South Point, OH), is undoubtedly one of the nicest river view roads we've ever followed, and the Kentucky Country Music Highway takes you through coal country, farmland, and small towns...making the drive through the area a pleasure instead of a chore. Sure, it takes a little longer, but a bonus is a wealth of small towns, beautiful views, COE campgrounds along the rivers, and a more relaxed driver at the end of the day. Do you have local favorites you'd like to share? Sherry

Jam49, Asking good questions will never wear out your welcome here. And I'm sure you're not the only one who is benefiting from the answers from the guys here who have spent a lot of time on research for their setups. I know I've learned a lot from them. Sherry

By the way, I appreciate you starting a new thread. A note on our original request for information in the solar thread: After testing our batteries that had, indeed, bounced around again for 650 miles or so, loose, we found the batteries to still be in fair to good condition. Our real problem was caused by a loose connection in a wire to our solar controller. The vibrations of bouncing around for 25,000 miles had wiggled a connection loose. Paul found it, repaired it, and we're back in business. We had originally thought our original equipment batteries were finally failing. They're not, and we're keeping the same old batteries till we need to replace them. Sherry

Jam49, The logistics (and expense) of moving your batteries (and running new wires) would not be (in my opinion) worth it. My friend has a Casita with only one battery, and does fine. She keeps up with us, drycamping for days on end, with little dependence on the generator or shore power. (However, she's a converted tent camper, and used to surviving on little or zero electrical power.) We have two 12volt deep cycle batteries...probably the same type of batteries that you have. We installed solar and are still using the same batteries. We could run (in a very careful and miserly fashion) for three to five days, before solar, on two batteries. The Oliver battery case is actually much larger than most trailers in its class. A couple of questions: Do you run an inverter to power a lot of 110 appliances (hair dryer, coffee pot, etc. ?) Do you plan to, or do you currently dry camp for more than four days at a time? In your usual camping climate, do you need to use the furnace a lot? (That was, and still is, the biggest power gobbler in our trailer... camping in the mountains in spring or fall, with temps falling below freezing at night... the furnace fan robs a lot of amps.) Have you had problems with your batteries running low on voltage? With normal batteries, it's really important to monitor water in the cells, and to keep them charged. Keep an eye on them, and recharge before they're deeply discharged. (We try to check our water level every 3 months...) Also, it's important to check your battery clamps each trip to make sure that your batteries are secure before traveling. We know this because twice, we've neglected to do this, and wound up with batteries bouncing around, and losing fluid in the process. Another thing... adding two to three batteries to the tongue of an Oliver would significantly increase the tongue weight, possibly to the point of affecting your towing experience. Our tongue weight is currently about 375#... adding 2-3 batteries that close to the tongue could potentially exceed the limit of your safe tongue weight and affect the towing capabilities of your vehicle. The trailer is designed for the weight of the batteries to be in the compartment, not the tongue. AGM batteries are more expensive, and are also great for the folks who use their trailers a lot, or full time. We're not yet convinced that we need to spend a lot of money on replacement batteries, since we got two and a half years service on relatively inexpensive (walmart) batteries. We use our trailer three to five months a year, but not usually continuously. Deep cycle batteries (ordinary or AGM) for trailers are not like car starting batteries. They will not (usually) quit on you all of a sudden... You're not trying to start a vehicle, just run some small loads. You don't need cranking ability, you need amp hours. If they did fail... there is normally a Walmart always nearby or some other source for batteries... It's probably a good investment to purchase a battery tester (8 to 15 dollars) so that you can check how the cells of your battery are actually working. Dry cells, or dead cells, can cause shorts that will leave your system dead in the water. In our experience, the most common cause of premature battery failure is lack of fluid, both in the Oliver and in the boat. I'm sure people with more knowledge and experience will chime in here. We hope this helps, at least a little. Sherry

Andrew, Our original 12 volt batteries have finally called it a day, and it's time to replace them with batteries that will afford us more storage and better utilization of our pv panels. Chris mentioned that you modified the battery box and used a larger type of battery. Would you mind sharing what you did, what type of batteries you installed, and how they've been working for you? Thanks Sherry

That looks really slick.Love the idea... But, where would I put the gallon of water, and the box of wine, and the trash can that normally occupy that space? Still, I think I'd look for another site for those items... Well done! We never put our feet on the outbboard side of the post, either. Sher