I finally made it into Basecamp C at Burr Oak State Park and got to sleep in the front seat of my car at about 0530hrs this morning. Burr Oak doesn't have any sites where campers can arrive after hours, set up and camp for as long as they need. Instead, they publish a list of vacant campsites and the user has to fill out their camper registration and, well... pray that nobody else is scheduled through that time.
I did that. And 0830hrs this morning, I got a knock on my window from one of the park staff, telling me that I had to move. She's so lucky that I awoke then as I was 5hrs from my required 8hrs of sleep. I was in somewhat of a daze when I had to get up and couple the trailer. I'd say it was barely in the relm of being a safe thing to do.
She told me to move about 4 sites over and I did. But when I left, I remembered that she did not tag my new site. So, I tried to contact the campground, but the only phone number that i have is for a collective of 3 state parks. It was automated and I left a message. So far, it's been about a few hours since I did that and nobody there has returned my call. Burr Oak's west campground is popular and I know that there is a staff member there.
Today, I got some much needed shopping done. I purchased some knobby tires because the I don't trust the chubby's on some of the backcountry dirt roads that I believe I'm going to put them on. I want more traction to deal with thick, loose, pasty dirt with flood channels chiseled through them and small boulders embedded in the surface.
Days ago, I found that in the electric camps, I'll want to use the USB powered hub, which is located on the stem of the laptop mount in the front passenger's side of the car. So far, I have a conventional 7ft indoor extention cord and an DC to AC converter. But I forgot to get a universal AC adaptor for it.
- pouch for the external bike/ smartphone battery was procured. When I use the USB generator, it only makes power when I pedal. And the smartphone is so power intensive, that the best thing that I can do these days is slowly drain it, instead of keeping the power level the same, or charging more than I need.
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
2014/08/09
2013/09/07
Log 2013090701
Encounter and conversation with man on loop back from remaining North Country Independant - NWO hike noted. Details are confidential and available on closed channels only.
Today, I took a day off and did some shopping. I purchased a metal file to grind down the sharp ends on the crampers back wall hinge screws. They're starting to tear the memory foam mattress's lineing up when the folded walls get shoved under it coming from camper to transport mode.
I also went to the office supply store and had the map update printed for the Defiance Section - Buckeye Trail. Their store issued a new map and I have yet to procure it. But my old map and the updates will be able to get me through this project.
I went to bed really late this morning and I got heated out of my tent by the afternoon. The temperature diffrential was about 30°F during that time. So, I got in my car, turned it on and slept for a couple hours with the air conditioning on.
Yesterday, I completed the North Country Trail in Ohio on its independant arms at Oak Openings Metropark in Lucas County. I hiked 18 miles and probably covered 68 miles total.
Today, I took a day off and did some shopping. I purchased a metal file to grind down the sharp ends on the crampers back wall hinge screws. They're starting to tear the memory foam mattress's lineing up when the folded walls get shoved under it coming from camper to transport mode.
I also went to the office supply store and had the map update printed for the Defiance Section - Buckeye Trail. Their store issued a new map and I have yet to procure it. But my old map and the updates will be able to get me through this project.
I went to bed really late this morning and I got heated out of my tent by the afternoon. The temperature diffrential was about 30°F during that time. So, I got in my car, turned it on and slept for a couple hours with the air conditioning on.
Yesterday, I completed the North Country Trail in Ohio on its independant arms at Oak Openings Metropark in Lucas County. I hiked 18 miles and probably covered 68 miles total.
2013/09/06
Log 2013090601
Last night, I realized that my boots need new inner soles. So, I drove about 25mi from Thurston to Holland outside of Toledo and I'm having breakfast at Bob Evans now. I haven't changed campsites yet and I'm still without power. The smartphone, tablet and laptop are charging off of the car now. portable battery charger was used starting with 67% and was completely exhausted this morning.
As far as I know, both spare cellphone batteries are charged. But I'm not certain about my AA & AAA battery cells? Today, my adventure begins in the Oak Openings Metropark, about 8 miles west of my present position. I'll be hiking on the North Coast Inland/ North Country National Scenic/ Wabash Cannonball Trail from Oak Openings, through Wauseon to West Unity.
As far as I know, both spare cellphone batteries are charged. But I'm not certain about my AA & AAA battery cells? Today, my adventure begins in the Oak Openings Metropark, about 8 miles west of my present position. I'll be hiking on the North Coast Inland/ North Country National Scenic/ Wabash Cannonball Trail from Oak Openings, through Wauseon to West Unity.
2013/08/31
Log 2013083003
I've been shopping for a new smartphone lately, but the only one's available at retail at Sprint and Samsung with a pullout keyboard are the 3 year old D-700 that I already have, or a Motorola Photon that doesn't have any more memory that I already have. It might be time to break down and purchase a new unit that only has an onscreen keyboard.
The downside to that is that is it might become more susceptible to the cold when temperatures drop below 34°F. The pros are that I'd have a lot more smartphones to choose from with better CPU's, RAM memory and international storage. There's a couple things that I insist on and that is it must do everything I'm already doing on it and having a USB Hub that can plug in external hard disk drives. Also, It must fit the new external microSD High Capacity (HC) disks. I could care less about the 4G LTE as long as still has the standard 3G.
Regardless, the device is running out of RAM, onboard and external storage. There's not much more that can be added to it. I might have to reset the unit back to its factory state to get rid of unnecessary application updates.
Both data and voice coverage areas for Verizion look surpurb in more remote areas. But with the new lower powered cellular signal repeater that I still plan on installing, I could probably still beat it on Sprint. And anyways, Verizion's coverage area isn't perfect and I'd still need the repeater. Considering that the repeater runs on CDMA for voice and EVDO for data, which both companies use those protocols, switching to Verizon is still an option. In fact, for what I'm paying now, it looks like they're about $20 cheaper per month.
I spent the afternoon and evening shopping today shopping for items, mostly other than ones that pertain to The Cramper. I did purchase a new windshield mounting cell phone holder. I can't go with a vent mount because my smartphone has a tenancy to overheat and my cup holders are near the parking brake and are too low to make much use of them. In theory, if I could rig up a mount that clamps to my laptop mount like an extendable desktop lamp, I might be able to maneuver it into places that are more convenient for me to use it from.
The downside to that is that is it might become more susceptible to the cold when temperatures drop below 34°F. The pros are that I'd have a lot more smartphones to choose from with better CPU's, RAM memory and international storage. There's a couple things that I insist on and that is it must do everything I'm already doing on it and having a USB Hub that can plug in external hard disk drives. Also, It must fit the new external microSD High Capacity (HC) disks. I could care less about the 4G LTE as long as still has the standard 3G.
Regardless, the device is running out of RAM, onboard and external storage. There's not much more that can be added to it. I might have to reset the unit back to its factory state to get rid of unnecessary application updates.
Both data and voice coverage areas for Verizion look surpurb in more remote areas. But with the new lower powered cellular signal repeater that I still plan on installing, I could probably still beat it on Sprint. And anyways, Verizion's coverage area isn't perfect and I'd still need the repeater. Considering that the repeater runs on CDMA for voice and EVDO for data, which both companies use those protocols, switching to Verizon is still an option. In fact, for what I'm paying now, it looks like they're about $20 cheaper per month.
I spent the afternoon and evening shopping today shopping for items, mostly other than ones that pertain to The Cramper. I did purchase a new windshield mounting cell phone holder. I can't go with a vent mount because my smartphone has a tenancy to overheat and my cup holders are near the parking brake and are too low to make much use of them. In theory, if I could rig up a mount that clamps to my laptop mount like an extendable desktop lamp, I might be able to maneuver it into places that are more convenient for me to use it from.
2013/08/27
Log 2013082701
I've been getting to bed late these past two nights. Today the toilet in the camper I'm staying at was leaking. It appears that it likes to run a little longer. Lucky for me, there was a towel in the closet. And there was only a slight trickle of water anyways, but I had to put two rugs outside on the deck. Yesterday, I got $6 in quarters for the laundry. I also went grocery shopping and got some TV dinners and oven pizzas. The driver's side tail light finally blew, so I stopped by the auto parts store and picked up a replacement, while pricing a new power inverter. If I get it by the first, I can have 2000 watts for about $170. Whether the DC to AC inverter will convert into a AC to DC converter with the use a double male outdoor extension cord (male on both ends) and not blow up my car or catch fire is still a question. The thing it does have is leads to my battery, which my deep cycle batteries on the trailer will be hooked to with bullets that separate the line when it's unhitched. It ought to charge the whole system?
I checked the rear wheel of my mountain bike into the shop again. This time it's being serviced at A & B Hobbies & Cycles in Sandusky of Erie County. I'm having every spoke replaced with stainless steel. Apparently, mine were already steel, but their quality might be in question. They say that the spokes were probably going to cost about $36 to replace. And the technician there was telling me that the true on that wheel should last for many months on road. At present, I'm lucky to get 70 miles, which I can put on in a single week. This bike is going back to Southern Ohio in 19 days.
I also looked at CDMA cell phone repeaters "for the car." That's one thing that I did not check into when I purchased my cell phone repeater that is for a 1,000 sq meter building. Apparently, my repeater can boost the cell phone signal over a luxurious house. Oh well, it will be on eBay soon.
I checked the rear wheel of my mountain bike into the shop again. This time it's being serviced at A & B Hobbies & Cycles in Sandusky of Erie County. I'm having every spoke replaced with stainless steel. Apparently, mine were already steel, but their quality might be in question. They say that the spokes were probably going to cost about $36 to replace. And the technician there was telling me that the true on that wheel should last for many months on road. At present, I'm lucky to get 70 miles, which I can put on in a single week. This bike is going back to Southern Ohio in 19 days.
I also looked at CDMA cell phone repeaters "for the car." That's one thing that I did not check into when I purchased my cell phone repeater that is for a 1,000 sq meter building. Apparently, my repeater can boost the cell phone signal over a luxurious house. Oh well, it will be on eBay soon.
2013/07/26
Log 2013072501
Today, I took The Cramper down so I could drive to Walmart and get some supplies in Mentor and drop off a few unnecessary items. After that, I still forgot to drop off some items, such as a towel from my former apartment back into storage. But I might still use it (come to think of it) because I'm using a small, 15" square, super absorbant towel that I use tent during times when multi-day hiking when The Cramper isn't available. I'm still set up to hikes like I use to. There may come a day when it is more efficent in time, money and fuel to do a hike like this.
The typical strategy for The Cramper is to dissemble it, drive to route's Point B and park the bicycle. Then drive back to Point A, hike to Point B and ride the bicycle back. Because the bike's drive train distributes force better than just my muscular system, it is more efficent. On flat land, physical exertion (in miles) of my muscles to hiking to riding the bike is about 1:4. County roads are more improved than township roads. And state roads are usually more improved than county roads. Even though the direct course may be shorter, sometimes it's worth a extra few miles to parallel the trail back on a state highway.
But on an extended trip, the bike would be parked about 60 miles from the car for a 3 day hike. The 4th day after would be comitted to riding back to the car all day. But because off road trail is more "undomesticated," it usually turns more. So, if I were to bike from pt. B, it might only be a 35, or 40mi ride back on easier terrain.
Today, I picked up a 96" sheet of 3/8" plywood out of storage for the redesign of the heating and air conditioning unit. I also picked up some dry sacks there to help me organize my storage bins. At the store, I picked up more roof straps, dry sacks and a compass to help me draw angles on wood.
I was looking for a method to quickly connect and disconnect the deep cycle battery that I'm mounting to my trailer for boon docking to and from the car's battery, located in the rear. The problem is that the deep cycle can produce up to 850 amps if the car was started on it. But typical AC connections at Lowe's only handle 50 amps.
The associate told me that I could get electrical bullets that could do the trick, but they didn't have them for 6 guage wire, which is just about like a battery cable. The idea is to charge both batteries from the alternator when the car is hitched. Another thing is that the deep cycle batter might come in handy if the temeratures get real fridgid this winter.
Today, I started working on a luxury item. I had a 3 port USB hub that was not power assisted. So, when I plugged my bluetooth headset and my smartphone, the phone would loose and regain power every 15 seconds. So, I got my AC conversion to DC powered unit with 6 USB ports and it's working great.
In The Cramper, my ceiling is only as high as the interior my tailgate. And still, I can't sit all the way up in it. Anyways, the door frame is lower, the car's ceiling isn't much higher. So, crawling around to change my Star Trek epidsode can be a bit of a hassel. So, months ago, I purchased a small keyboard and attached trackball. It's like my remote control. And I had to get the hub to power it because my laptop's USB ports are all occupied and I needed something more reliable.
Well, the computer recognized the new hardware quickly. But the keyboard fails to respond. I switched it's stock alkaline batteries with some NiMH rechargable batteries that I charged about 60 days ago. The batteries in my bicycle rear illumination units still work and they were charged then. I do have spare AAA alkaline batteries on board, I might check to see if they work.
Otherwise, I found some of the USB transceivers on the floorboad as they pulled must have away from the old hub. It may be possible that one is floating around down there? Otherwise, I did cram this little keyboard in a bag with my laptop and tablet. Maybe it took too much abuse in there? Before the roof bag was weatherproofed, every bag took on some water. Maybe that did it. I remember the manufacturer having some troubleshooing tip, if I get the booster up, I might try them.
The back canvas and awning went up better than before today. It was the sequence in which I did the side folds. The back cooking area was really stubborn and it needs to be plained out. It rocked the bottom beam out of position and had to get jacked up again. There's been problems with the securing foot pins. Apparently, the foot and the main floor aren't matching up like they use to and need to be bored out. Right now, one will insert and the other will go half way with some coaxing. I prefer to do this back home in port if I can. In Star Trek, they like to go back to starbase for structural things... so do I.
For the first time, I put the sheets on the mattress. They're light blue. I sure wish that it came with two pillow cases. Oh well, it's a twin mattress. I have one pillow with a sheet, and one without. If I have time, I might introduce The Cramper over video to the Buckeye Trail's Facebook group.
The typical strategy for The Cramper is to dissemble it, drive to route's Point B and park the bicycle. Then drive back to Point A, hike to Point B and ride the bicycle back. Because the bike's drive train distributes force better than just my muscular system, it is more efficent. On flat land, physical exertion (in miles) of my muscles to hiking to riding the bike is about 1:4. County roads are more improved than township roads. And state roads are usually more improved than county roads. Even though the direct course may be shorter, sometimes it's worth a extra few miles to parallel the trail back on a state highway.
But on an extended trip, the bike would be parked about 60 miles from the car for a 3 day hike. The 4th day after would be comitted to riding back to the car all day. But because off road trail is more "undomesticated," it usually turns more. So, if I were to bike from pt. B, it might only be a 35, or 40mi ride back on easier terrain.
Today, I picked up a 96" sheet of 3/8" plywood out of storage for the redesign of the heating and air conditioning unit. I also picked up some dry sacks there to help me organize my storage bins. At the store, I picked up more roof straps, dry sacks and a compass to help me draw angles on wood.
I was looking for a method to quickly connect and disconnect the deep cycle battery that I'm mounting to my trailer for boon docking to and from the car's battery, located in the rear. The problem is that the deep cycle can produce up to 850 amps if the car was started on it. But typical AC connections at Lowe's only handle 50 amps.
The associate told me that I could get electrical bullets that could do the trick, but they didn't have them for 6 guage wire, which is just about like a battery cable. The idea is to charge both batteries from the alternator when the car is hitched. Another thing is that the deep cycle batter might come in handy if the temeratures get real fridgid this winter.
Today, I started working on a luxury item. I had a 3 port USB hub that was not power assisted. So, when I plugged my bluetooth headset and my smartphone, the phone would loose and regain power every 15 seconds. So, I got my AC conversion to DC powered unit with 6 USB ports and it's working great.
In The Cramper, my ceiling is only as high as the interior my tailgate. And still, I can't sit all the way up in it. Anyways, the door frame is lower, the car's ceiling isn't much higher. So, crawling around to change my Star Trek epidsode can be a bit of a hassel. So, months ago, I purchased a small keyboard and attached trackball. It's like my remote control. And I had to get the hub to power it because my laptop's USB ports are all occupied and I needed something more reliable.
Well, the computer recognized the new hardware quickly. But the keyboard fails to respond. I switched it's stock alkaline batteries with some NiMH rechargable batteries that I charged about 60 days ago. The batteries in my bicycle rear illumination units still work and they were charged then. I do have spare AAA alkaline batteries on board, I might check to see if they work.
Otherwise, I found some of the USB transceivers on the floorboad as they pulled must have away from the old hub. It may be possible that one is floating around down there? Otherwise, I did cram this little keyboard in a bag with my laptop and tablet. Maybe it took too much abuse in there? Before the roof bag was weatherproofed, every bag took on some water. Maybe that did it. I remember the manufacturer having some troubleshooing tip, if I get the booster up, I might try them.
The back canvas and awning went up better than before today. It was the sequence in which I did the side folds. The back cooking area was really stubborn and it needs to be plained out. It rocked the bottom beam out of position and had to get jacked up again. There's been problems with the securing foot pins. Apparently, the foot and the main floor aren't matching up like they use to and need to be bored out. Right now, one will insert and the other will go half way with some coaxing. I prefer to do this back home in port if I can. In Star Trek, they like to go back to starbase for structural things... so do I.
For the first time, I put the sheets on the mattress. They're light blue. I sure wish that it came with two pillow cases. Oh well, it's a twin mattress. I have one pillow with a sheet, and one without. If I have time, I might introduce The Cramper over video to the Buckeye Trail's Facebook group.
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