Morning Cup Of Coffee And Weather

Sweeney said:
Did you have one of the 'dragon' heaters --- I don't know who made them, but they fit in a closet size opening and just were RIPPING hot. Mobile homes are completely different than RV's in so many ways....but freezing pipes, and bad heaters are common to both :) Have several family members who lived in mobile homes...they are an adventure to be sure!
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No dragon heater, it just had a wall furnace in the hallway, so we kept all the doors to the bedrooms and bath open to keep the air circulating, and the lower kitchen cupboard doors open on the coldest nights and let the faucets drip to help keep the pipes from freezing. It was an adventure, but we had good neighbors, didn't feel deprived, and knew it was for a limited period of time.

Been pruning some of our firestick plants and transplanting the cuttings.
 

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Tour 931 said:
Clear skies before the storm.

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  • Media owner Tour 931
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WOW!!!



dustinp said:
No dragon heater, it just had a wall furnace in the hallway, so we kept all the doors to the bedrooms and bath open to keep the air circulating, and the lower kitchen cupboard doors open on the coldest nights and let the faucets drip to help keep the pipes from freezing. It was an adventure, but we had good neighbors, didn't feel deprived, and knew it was for a limited period of time.

Been pruning some of our firestick plants and transplanting the cuttings.
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Know those well! And that is the 'dragon' furnace that I asked about :) Personally I never lived in a wobblybox, but my family did. My uncle was a master technician for Chrysler back in the 70's and he moved around quite a bit -- mobile homes were cheap then - and that was his way of economizing. After he passed away, my aunt never had to work a day in her life - so it was definately a financial decision. My aunt met him since her brother (also my uncle) was his neighbor.

This was in 1978-1984 time frame -- Tim, a neighbor, and I became friends -- and to this day, when Tim seem my aunt he always stops. I think things are different today -- much more "my name is Earl"
 
I've already gotten spoiled! We've had about 5 good days, and yesterday was downright balmy! It was a great day to take care of honeydo's. Including one that my bride said "Until that is fixed - I can not go camping!" That was suddenly high on my list. Of course, that 'fix' unlocked a few side quests - one is to figure out how to cost effectvily replace a door with side-lights! I made a trip to the homeless despot, where I about fell over when the door I liked, which was pretty basic, sold for $15,000!! Apparently yet again our house is "different" and a custom door will be required. with that discussion, I'll be framing out a new entry door. Hope I don't find myself on a side quest once I start that one!

Our Hoosier tearjerkers had an impromptu Shiveree - I really wish I knew they were thinking about this Friday, I would have shuffled my schedule accordingly - but as it was, I didn't find out until Saturday afternoon and by then it was too late to consider. I wouldn't have gotten there until just before suppertime, and would have been 'racing' around...so I decided to pass.

On the big picture, the weather is improving here like it is in most places I assume. We've got nights in the 20's buy the daytime will at least be in the 40's. Much more seasonable. This last cold snap was almost cruel! I really felt for a few customers that showed up. They are never easy in cold weather. Especailly when it is tank-less water heaters that malfunctioned and froze up (exploding the heat exchanges), and Furnaces that wouldn't work...which cascaded into frozen underbelly plumbing. But, at least there is light at the end of the tunnel.
 
I broke out the shorts and t-shirt yesterday and was warm if I stayed in the full sunshine.

$15K for a door! No wonder people can’t afford homes.
 
Tour 931 said:
I broke out the shorts and t-shirt yesterday and was warm if I stayed in the full sunshine.

$15K for a door! No wonder people can’t afford homes.
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That was what I was thinking --- my home was apparently built very strangely - nothing is 'standard' --- Even the spacing of the door-locks is 1/2 inch off so I can't just buy a door lock and install it --- so no thing fits quite right. Ever. 1978. The 'off the shelf' that sell for $2000-$3000 (which still seems high for something that common and mass produced) won't fit.

I'm anticipating framing up a solution. The door I'm replacing has an side-light glass. I don't like it except for the light it brings in. I may install a legitimate skylight to brighten the hallway. Those aren't terribly expensive and not hard to install assuming a rafters lines up in the right way. They won't. LOL
 
Carl U said:
For skylights look into solatubes. I’ve seen them in a home and boy they can throw the light.

solatube.com

History | Daylighting Systems & LED Lighting Systems | Solatube

Learn about the history of Solatube International, global leader in daylighting solutions. Manufacturer of Solatube Daylighting Systems and Smart LED lighting systems.
solatube.com solatube.com
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We have put solar tubes in our kitchen and very happy with the results. We choose the upgraded ones (flat/rectangular with upgraded glass) over the dome ones. Highly recommend getting solid tubes over the flexible duct ones. The solid tubes put out much more light. Another recommendation is get get heat diffusers in warmer climates.
 
Carl U said:
For skylights look into solatubes. I’ve seen them in a home and boy they can throw the light.

solatube.com

History | Daylighting Systems & LED Lighting Systems | Solatube

Learn about the history of Solatube International, global leader in daylighting solutions. Manufacturer of Solatube Daylighting Systems and Smart LED lighting systems.
solatube.com solatube.com
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Actually that is what I was thinking but I couldn't pull the name from my head :) I've actually got a couple places that would benefit -- including a bathroom which has no windows whatsoever -- its always dark and a little natural light would surely make a big difference.

I've never talked to anyone who has actaully used them, they seem like a sound idea. Coming from you, I take this as a big endorsement :)

I have 2 large skylights in my living room, and while they let in a lot of light, and when open exhaust a lot of heat they are dreadfully difficult to keep clean, and worse, leaves and debris out of the area between the glass and the screen.
 
Tour 931 said:
Two inches of what looks like slush outside. I’ll know in a half hour as I drive into town.
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We're coming off of a false spring --- it was around 70 yesterday. Pretty amazing. But next week we'll be down into the 20s at night again, so not the deep freeze but still winter flexing its muscles.

I've current got wanderlabs trying to find a camp site in Florida at Rainbow Springs & Silver Springs --- both are absolutely beautiful parks. I just need a couple days to 'reset' We're only about 5 weeks away from the only 'great reset' that I can say anything good about. But we have to make it that far!

I got a phone call yesterday - the caller said they were preparing for the 2026 season and wanted their brakes/bearings checked. When I heard CampInn 560 Ultra I was taken aback. Never thought that would happen --- turns out they knew me from the forum -- which is fine!!! But I never thought that would happen. I was 'thrown off my game' for a few minutes :)

The good news is, I've got 6 bearings and about a dozen tangs, and a couple sets of grease seals - I'm ready to do it. It reminds me of course that mine is due as well. Normally, I refer trailers to axle shops - the 7000 axles are really not much different than the campInn, but I just do not like working in/around/under something that large. I had a trailer slip off a stand once - that was enough. Plus, in most cases the palces are gravel which makes the job horrid.

I hesitate to send any lightweight trailer like ours to the trailer shops though. For some reason they don't seem to know how to do them. I had my 2012 done in 2014 by a respected dealer, and by the time I got it home the brakes were completely trashed and the hubs so hot you couldn't touch them. I've heard this from a couple tearjerkers using different shops. I'm glad to help out a new friend.
 
Sweeney said:
We're coming off of a false spring --- it was around 70 yesterday. Pretty amazing. But next week we'll be down into the 20s at night again, so not the deep freeze but still winter flexing its muscles.

I've current got wanderlabs trying to find a camp site in Florida at Rainbow Springs & Silver Springs --- both are absolutely beautiful parks. I just need a couple days to 'reset' We're only about 5 weeks away from the only 'great reset' that I can say anything good about. But we have to make it that far!

I got a phone call yesterday - the caller said they were preparing for the 2026 season and wanted their brakes/bearings checked. When I heard CampInn 560 Ultra I was taken aback. Never thought that would happen --- turns out they knew me from the forum -- which is fine!!! But I never thought that would happen. I was 'thrown off my game' for a few minutes :)

The good news is, I've got 6 bearings and about a dozen tangs, and a couple sets of grease seals - I'm ready to do it. It reminds me of course that mine is due as well. Normally, I refer trailers to axle shops - the 7000 axles are really not much different than the campInn, but I just do not like working in/around/under something that large. I had a trailer slip off a stand once - that was enough. Plus, in most cases the palces are gravel which makes the job horrid.

I hesitate to send any lightweight trailer like ours to the trailer shops though. For some reason they don't seem to know how to do them. I had my 2012 done in 2014 by a respected dealer, and by the time I got it home the brakes were completely trashed and the hubs so hot you couldn't touch them. I've heard this from a couple tearjerkers using different shops. I'm glad to help out a new friend.
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Checkout Salt Springs for a camping site too. It’s in the Ocala National Forrest. Other alternates for camping are Alexander Springs and Jupiter Springs. Both are federal parks like Salt Springs; but neither of the latter two have electrical hookups.
 
Van_and_Terri said:
Checkout Salt Springs for a camping site too. It’s in the Ocala National Forrest. Other alternates for camping are Alexander Springs and Jupiter Springs. Both are federal parks like Salt Springs; but neither of the latter two have electrical hookups.
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I'm surprised at how many available nights there are at Salt Springs --- its a little expensive but I may make the trip - there's a site that meets my needs. Hows ATT service there? One more reason to look at starlink I suppose.

I need the electric hookups sadly -- Even though I'm on 'vacation' when there, 9 times out of 10 I find myself working on some task that needs to be done, for example taxes and brochures :)

Temperatures are dropping --- thankfully not as cold as it was there for a little bit. Today the news is wind. I'm watching the trees get slammed around pretty hard, hopefully nothing decides to come down, though, I do have a limb that is in a 'safe' zone if it does, and its too tall to climb, and to expensive to bring in a cherry picker - losing that woudln't be too bad as long as it does get dead hung in the canopy.
 
Sweeney said:
I'm surprised at how many available nights there are at Salt Springs --- its a little expensive but I may make the trip - there's a site that meets my needs. Hows ATT service there? One more reason to look at starlink I suppose.

I need the electric hookups sadly -- Even though I'm on 'vacation' when there, 9 times out of 10 I find myself working on some task that needs to be done, for example taxes and brochures :)

Temperatures are dropping --- thankfully not as cold as it was there for a little bit. Today the news is wind. I'm watching the trees get slammed around pretty hard, hopefully nothing decides to come down, though, I do have a limb that is in a 'safe' zone if it does, and its too tall to climb, and to expensive to bring in a cherry picker - losing that woudln't be too bad as long as it does get dead hung in the canopy.
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AT&T is our provider and we see 2 bars on our iPhones when we camp there. Lots of trails nearby. One favorite is the Yearling Trail which has a book and movie based on the people who once lived there. There is a short trail within the campground when isn’t promoted much. There is great swimming in the Spring as it’s 72 degrees year round. Lots of bears in the Ocala National Forrest. It’s not unusual to see one in the campground if someone leaves their food products out or dog food. We have kayaked out to Lake George from Salt Springs. There are some Indian Mounds visible on the paddle. Salt Springs is a favorite of ours when jeeping within the National Park.
 
Van_and_Terri said:
AT&T is our provider and we see 2 bars on our iPhones when we camp there. Lots of trails nearby. One favorite is the Yearling Trail which has a book and movie based on the people who once lived there. There is a short trail within the campground when isn’t promoted much. There is great swimming in the Spring as it’s 72 degrees year round. Lots of bears in the Ocala National Forrest. It’s not unusual to see one in the campground if someone leaves their food products out or dog food. We have kayaked out to Lake George from Salt Springs. There are some Indian Mounds visible on the paddle. Salt Springs is a favorite of ours when jeeping within the National Park.
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How rugged are the jeep trails? My little cherokee with bone-stock going to get stuck, or are they the just rugged enough to make you put it in 4wd?
 
Sweeney said:
How rugged are the jeep trails? My little cherokee with bone-stock going to get stuck, or are they the just rugged enough to make you put it in 4wd?
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There is something for everyone there. Unfortunately one may not know which trail rating their on until! My wife is the die-hard. I’m been in her Jeep with water coming over the hood in the Ocala National Forrest. The Jeeping group she belongs to is not happy until something breaks. She sent me a pic recently and I had to ask if that was my chainsaw. She was cutting her way through a trail. I list myself as the treasurer for her jeeping adventures! If you stay on the marked roads in the Ocala National Forrest, you will be okay and will enjoy it.
 
Van_and_Terri said:
There is something for everyone there. Unfortunately one may not know which trail rating their on until! My wife is the die-hard. I’m been in her Jeep with water coming over the hood in the Ocala National Forrest. The Jeeping group she belongs to is not happy until something breaks. She sent me a pic recently and I had to ask if that was my chainsaw. She was cutting her way through a trail. I list myself as the treasurer for her jeeping adventures! If you stay on the marked roads in the Ocala National Forrest, you will be okay and will enjoy it.
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Anybody try the OnX map app? Its really popular with off-roaders and can give you an idea what roads or trails are like in advance.

I'm sure your Cherokee can handle most of it in 4x4 lo.

onX Offroad

webmap.onxmaps.com webmap.onxmaps.com
View attachment IMG_7712.jpeg

This looks like some very fun CI Glamping and I'm looking forward to exploring with tow to get to any that are less developed, more quiet.
Bookmarking all of your reviews and suggestions, so thanks again.
@Van_and_Terri
 
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Van_and_Terri said:
There is something for everyone there. Unfortunately one may not know which trail rating their on until! My wife is the die-hard. I’m been in her Jeep with water coming over the hood in the Ocala National Forrest. The Jeeping group she belongs to is not happy until something breaks. She sent me a pic recently and I had to ask if that was my chainsaw. She was cutting her way through a trail. I list myself as the treasurer for her jeeping adventures! If you stay on the marked roads in the Ocala National Forrest, you will be okay and will enjoy it.
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i've done a few of those --- I don't even have skid plates, so I'm pretty calm. But it is still fun to drive a vehicle that is, from the factory, better than any other vehicle in its class --- except maybe Subaru --- our outback is reall pretty amazing :)

Its really a lot of fun climbing snow banks other fear to tread....but you guys down in Florida would never know :D
 
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