Steve Morris

Our first day in a week without being sub-freezing overnight. 52 and sunny. Despite being chilly, this Florida sun is hot when sitting in it! Wide brimmed hat and sunblock required for my pale complexion. Fort Pickens Campground on Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Home in northern Ohio. That mailbox is about 30” off the ground, and you can’t even see the road our daughter says 12-14” reported. Here on Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida’s panhandle. Lunch

For those camping in chilly conditions, here’s what we did to avoid bumping a bare leg, butt, or shoulder against the trailer wall. I got a 30”x84” yoga mat, cut it in half lengthways, and tuck it between the mattress and wall. This is more comfortable, and has the added benefit of allowing any moisture from condensation on the window to run between the wall and the mat, and then under the Hypervent, keeping the mattress dry. The 84” length doesn’t quite cover the entire side and end of the wall, coming up short by about a foot. We have that gap next to the nightstand. https://a.co/d/eJCYCXD

It’s an old Emerson basic WiFi thermostat with the Sensi app.

Here’s the usage chart this week. Orange is heating and red is emergency/auxillary electric heat strips. Temp has been single digits to the 20s, with wind chill as low as -10. The thermostat is set at 63 degrees. It’s a comfortable 71 degrees here in the Florida panhandle. 😁

Actually, thinking back to when we had the heat pump installed, it could not be under any structure. The original heat pump was installed on the edge of a patio, and then some time later the owners added an aluminum awning. When we replaced the heat pump, we couldn’t put in in the original location because code said it couldn’t be under the awning several feet overhead, even though it was right at the edge of the awning. So we had to pour a pad to the side for installation.

We have a 15 year old heat pump in northern Ohio w/5000W heat strip auxiliary. I don’t remember the SEER number, but it was an average unit when installed, not a high efficiency model. We’ve had snow piled on and around it, coated with freezing rain, ice, etc., and have never had an issue. Ours has a reversing valve that sends heated coolant back through the heat exchanger to help with ice buildup, but it’s not a complete solution. Very rarely do I need to go out and break ice off, more for my own satisfaction than a real need. It just keeps on chugging.

You said that last year! 🤣 Will we see you next week in Live Oak? We'll be on site 10 again.

🤣 "Golden" is one of those earworm songs you can't get rid of. And then, when I finally eradicate it from my brain, I hear a snippet somewhere and it takes up residence for another week. Same with 4 Non Blondes' "What's Up". I don't particularly like either, but I know all the words. 😜 It takes a couple of sessions of Tool played loudly to clean things out. (But that's definitely not jazz or blues!) I've listened to and enjoy Ken Mo! Don't know why its not on the list. But now it is.

But based on my play list, mostly older jazz and blues.

I have a 7 year old granddaughter....

As well as this battery mounted voltage/temperature sensor that works with the Victron app. My Lithonics batteries have their own internal temperature readout, but I like having something to compare. https://a.co/d/2hewDTR

Oddly enough, this thread is linked in a travel video on YouTube that I stumbled across today. 🤪 Jump to 9:38

@Colin Rafferty I thought that you couldn't do these at Eggs and S'mores? If you can and have a day available, we can do it there instead of your place in February. We arrive January 14, and depart on the 19th. Whichever works best for you guys, as we're flexible.

Be careful with inexpensive tire repair kits. Over the years I have read several reports of the plastic handles failing, impaling the drill in the operators hand. If you've never done a repair, I would suggest practicing on a junk tire. It is a lot harder than it looks to push the drill through an E-rated tire! A battery drill makes it much easier. I've had this set from ARB for about 10 years, and fortunately have only had to use it once: https://ok4wd.com/arb-speedy-seal-tire-repair-kit-arb10000011/