The Postman
Ranger
Look forward to it, hearing more.
I believe you will do well, and I hope you'll do some youtubes...Cosmo style?
Morning Cup Of Coffee And Weather
- Thread starter Tour 931
- Start date
I believe you will do well, and I hope you'll do some youtubes...Cosmo style?
Sweeney
Administrator
Ironically, listening to Merle Haggard as I write this...
I appreciate the vote of confidence!
My adventure probably won't be in front of cameras, at least in how Cosmo did it, and if I do it will be spring or summer at the earliest. I did consider this rather heavily after playing with sticks. But then I realized I have a content problem - Or lack of it. I tend to be a campfire and chill camper more than one who gets out and adventures, and the though of Gear Reviews requires buying a lot of gear --- or --- becoming a shill. Since I am currently income impaired gear acquisition is a problem. Though, I suppose I could review what I already have..."Extreme long term reviews"
GlampingOn, you know this, but I am making some big changes in my life -- the youtube channel I see coming out of it is more like "Hillbilly RV Repair" than Cosmo style. This is part of my marketing plan actually.
I've just given up on corporate life. I realized that every job I looked at in my former field of endeavor was suffering from the same sickness as the jobs I just left. I quit my job a little over a month ago and started executing my plan "C" or maybe its "D" I rally can't tell any more. The last 16 months have been crazy.
I'm starting an RV inspection and repair business. During my time here, I've expressed my opinion openly about everything from poor manufacturer quality to disreputable repair shops -- even dealers who refused to work on my rig because I didn't buy it from them. Can one person make a difference --- no, except to the customers he (or she) services. So, I'm giving it a try.
I am super stoked -- All I can say is that I can NOT get past the next few weeks fast enough where I'll be in Texas getting some training and setting myself up for what I hope is a busy spring
During this time, I likely will go stir crazy, hook up, and start driving. Probably through Arizona on the way to Texas. There, I want to understand the mobile technician business better --- at least in the unique snow-bird areas. I don't have any place to be nor a job (except Uber - which is a hustle at best) --- so why not?We'll see...I still have to get a few things done at basecamp.
EDIT: Yup -- scared shirtless. But I've got good mentors, and friends. My one desire more than just to feed my family, is I want to find a person -- young person -- who I can teach the business and give it to him (or her) someday. I wouldn't have ever gotten as far in my life as I have had it not been for some good people. I need to pass it forward.
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Welcome to the upper midwest where the weather frequently turns on a dime...although you've been here long enough that it really shouldn't be too much of a surprise anymore.
It is also an indication that it may be time to think about making the annual trek to the southwest.
Sweeney, I think this could be a really great business! Best of luck, and I'll say a prayer for your success. Keep us posted!Ironically, listening to Merle Haggard as I write this...
I appreciate the vote of confidence!
My adventure probably won't be in front of cameras, at least in how Cosmo did it, and if I do it will be spring or summer at the earliest. I did consider this rather heavily after playing with sticks. But then I realized I have a content problem - Or lack of it. I tend to be a campfire and chill camper more than one who gets out and adventures, and the though of Gear Reviews requires buying a lot of gear --- or --- becoming a shill. Since I am currently income impaired gear acquisition is a problem. Though, I suppose I could review what I already have..."Extreme long term reviews"
GlampingOn, you know this, but I am making some big changes in my life -- the youtube channel I see coming out of it is more like "Hillbilly RV Repair" than Cosmo style. This is part of my marketing plan actually.
I've just given up on corporate life. I realized that every job I looked at in my former field of endeavor was suffering from the same sickness as the jobs I just left. I quit my job a little over a month ago and started executing my plan "C" or maybe its "D" I rally can't tell any more. The last 16 months have been crazy.
I'm starting an RV inspection and repair business. During my time here, I've expressed my opinion openly about everything from poor manufacturer quality to disreputable repair shops -- even dealers who refused to work on my rig because I didn't buy it from them. Can one person make a difference --- no, except to the customers he (or she) services. So, I'm giving it a try.
I am super stoked -- All I can say is that I can NOT get past the next few weeks fast enough where I'll be in Texas getting some training and setting myself up for what I hope is a busy spring
We'll see...I still have to get a few things done at basecamp.
EDIT: Yup -- scared shirtless. But I've got good mentors, and friends. My one desire more than just to feed my family, is I want to find a person -- young person -- who I can teach the business and give it to him (or her) someday. I wouldn't have ever gotten as far in my life as I have had it not been for some good people. I need to pass it forward.
Sweeney
Administrator
I like to say Mother Natures is just off her meds --- I've been a midwesterner my whole life (so far) and am finding out as I age...the furnace set point is goin gup higher and higher...what is worse, is that summer temperatures also are unreasonable. I think I need a winning lottery ticket, a private plane and a home in northern Michigan, and one in Vero beach Florida. I think if I had $100,000,000 I could pull that off.
Thanks Casey -- I sincerely hope so. I'm in a position where failure isn't an option so I'm well motivated. The part that is funny is that the I plan on getting some additional training at a school --- and most of their students are mid to late 50's, and starting a second career...sounds like I'll fit right in
Tour 931
Ranger
It’s currently 14F and heading down. By sunset it will be zero and the low tonight will be -8F. All the ice fishers will love it. Personally i want snow.
With the cold wind temperatures i turned my radiant floor heat up to 72F. If i loose power I’ll at least start with a warm house.
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Sweeney
Administrator
I'll not complain then. We were around 17 this morning...I see from your posts, it could be a lot worse. Tour -- how, are you getting the photos to show-up inline and not as attachments? I remember this discussion before, but am failing miserably...
I need to get my gumption together and try to get Serenity washed up with a fresh couple coats of wax. I did wash her after my last trip. But it was a surface wash not a deep clean and wax that she needs. I'd like to go over her with Brake Cleaner and really strip everything off. Big Brother just banned the active ingredient. Which makes me ask what are they going to use going forward?
Just to refresh, I plan on again using Collinite 885 Fleetwax. It did a really fantastic job. I need to get that done before Feburary --- since I have to go through salt ridden roads to get to Texas, which I hope is salt-free. I won't need it there, but I expect a little free time on weekends and maybe a trip to San Antonio or Nogales is in order. I need new glasses, and I hear Nogales is the place to do that. But of course, I need a passport....too much to do.
Then of course, there is the needed brake adjustment, clean, and bearing check. I'm at about 7000 miles -- I've gone farther, but I'd like to inspect them just in case. If I take her to Texas, I may do that there. Certainly a lot warmer.
I need to get my gumption together and try to get Serenity washed up with a fresh couple coats of wax. I did wash her after my last trip. But it was a surface wash not a deep clean and wax that she needs. I'd like to go over her with Brake Cleaner and really strip everything off. Big Brother just banned the active ingredient. Which makes me ask what are they going to use going forward?
Just to refresh, I plan on again using Collinite 885 Fleetwax. It did a really fantastic job. I need to get that done before Feburary --- since I have to go through salt ridden roads to get to Texas, which I hope is salt-free. I won't need it there, but I expect a little free time on weekends and maybe a trip to San Antonio or Nogales is in order. I need new glasses, and I hear Nogales is the place to do that. But of course, I need a passport....too much to do.
Then of course, there is the needed brake adjustment, clean, and bearing check. I'm at about 7000 miles -- I've gone farther, but I'd like to inspect them just in case. If I take her to Texas, I may do that there. Certainly a lot warmer.
Tour 931
Ranger
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Sweeney
Administrator
I just download them and then copy and paste a ling and they show up as linked.
Huh...curious why the gallery doesn't show up in the gallery itself in the 'links' section...may have to dig deeper when I have a few minutes. I found though i you have an image the URL in the address bar as a number...just substitute that.
This photo has a funny story -- we were in Florida where my wife says "Hog, there's a hog!" Or at least that is how I heard what she said. I'm unarmed and looking for anything I can find...the ka-bar being my last and only hope. Thinking I'm going to die if this goes wrong. I survived the encounter. Leave it to say, this hog was a pet of the neighbor. A few minutes after this, she stood up, urinated, and left through the brush.
Wild hogs are a huge problem in Florida, Texas and other states --- traveling along rivers and then gettin' bizzy. I was told Texas will pay you for each tail you bring to the wildlife management agency --- they are over-run
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Warren Mary Ellen
Ranger
Wild hogs are problem n the Carolinas too. When my wife was in grad school at Clemson getting a Forestry. They would go to the coast do research at this place near Georgetown, SC (close to Myrtle Beach). She tells people they carried guns into the forest. People always say, “For the gators, right?” They look surprised when she says, “No, for the boars, they’ll chase you.”
Huh...curious why the gallery doesn't show up in the gallery itself in the 'links' section...may have to dig deeper when I have a few minutes. I found though i you have an image the URL in the address bar as a number...just substitute that.
This photo has a funny story -- we were in Florida where my wife says "Hog, there's a hog!" Or at least that is how I heard what she said. I'm unarmed and looking for anything I can find...the ka-bar being my last and only hope. Thinking I'm going to die if this goes wrong. I survived the encounter. Leave it to say, this hog was a pet of the neighbor. A few minutes after this, she stood up, urinated, and left through the brush.
Wild hogs are a huge problem in Florida, Texas and other states --- traveling along rivers and then gettin' bizzy. I was told Texas will pay you for each tail you bring to the wildlife management agency --- they are over-run
Sweeney
Administrator
They are truly vicious animals; I'm more worried about them than I am about bears, snakes, and, the worst... raccoons. They are heading north along the white river, which runs directly through downtown Indianapolis. Though that is probably a decade before it happens. I just looked at some maps, and we're still a long way from it being an issue here.
I have a friend though that makes at least an annual pilgrimage to Texas --- apparently there are locations where they are harvested and he does his best to bring a couple home --- the meat is processed and donated to charities here.
In Germany, if you go to restaurants there, there is a high probability you'll find hog on the menu - I've had it, and it was really good. I expected it to be gamy or somewhat off-tasting, but I found it to be quite good, though a little tougher than commercially raised. I'm feeling a little jealous right now however, we bought some ham around Thanksgiving time, and it was the most dried out nasty tasting ham I've ever had --- it probably was imported. Which is sad because central Indiana is a huge hog farming area, north of us can be particularly aromatic if the wind is just right. I have extended family is in that business.
Why am I suddenly craving bacon?
Weather here is definitely on the icky side - the worse kind. Just barely warm enough, but too wet to do much. The ground is probably slightly frozen just below the surface, but the surface is saturated -- so everything is muddy. Definately not conducive to hiking or getting out and about.
Definitely not going to be a white Christmas, which I have mixed feelings about --- Generaly I find the whole romantic image of snow for the holiday. But then I'm done with it. Of course, I'll be in Texas in the worst months...February and March. Those are DREARY here. I found a 'tiny house' for rent for my stay. I'll get to see if I go stir crazy in that tiny space
Probably. My 'cabin fever' is pretty bad right now.
Warren Mary Ellen
Ranger
They are truly vicious animals; I'm more worried about them than I am about bears, snakes, and, the worst... raccoons. They are heading north along the white river, which runs directly through downtown Indianapolis. Though that is probably a decade before it happens. I just looked at some maps, and we're still a long way from it being an issue here.
I have a friend though that makes at least an annual pilgrimage to Texas --- apparently there are locations where they are harvested and he does his best to bring a couple home --- the meat is processed and donated to charities here.
In Germany, if you go to restaurants there, there is a high probability you'll find hog on the menu - I've had it, and it was really good. I expected it to be gamy or somewhat off-tasting, but I found it to be quite good, though a little tougher than commercially raised. I'm feeling a little jealous right now however, we bought some ham around Thanksgiving time, and it was the most dried out nasty tasting ham I've ever had --- it probably was imported. Which is sad because central Indiana is a huge hog farming area, north of us can be particularly aromatic if the wind is just right. I have extended family is in that business.
Why am I suddenly craving bacon?
Weather here is definitely on the icky side - the worse kind. Just barely warm enough, but too wet to do much. The ground is probably slightly frozen just below the surface, but the surface is saturated -- so everything is muddy. Definately not conducive to hiking or getting out and about.
Definitely not going to be a white Christmas, which I have mixed feelings about --- Generaly I find the whole romantic image of snow for the holiday. But then I'm done with it. Of course, I'll be in Texas in the worst months...February and March. Those are DREARY here. I found a 'tiny house' for rent for my stay. I'll get to see if I go stir crazy in that tiny space
I like wild boar especially as sausage. I’m pretty picky about pork I eat. Get it from some local farms a lot of the time. For Christmas, I bake a ham and I drive out of the way to get what I want. Know some guys that go out and hunt with nothing but machetes and knives .
We are in the part of the year where it can in the 40s, damp & cold or it can be 70 on back to back days.
Two more days and the 2 weeks of vacation. We are headed to the beach for the week on Sunday. Going to Harbor Island near Beaufort, SC.Should be a quiet week. Not camping this time, we have a house. The place is 5 minutes from Hunting Island where we’ll hike some & check the lagoon. The park is where the Vietnam War scenes of the Forrest Gump movie were filmed. One day we’ll grab some shrimp and fish from the Gay Fishing Company whose boats were the ones in the movie. Usually get Mahi and blacken it, same with the shrimp.
Sweeney
Administrator
Picky? I wrote the book on that. I am not a fan of gamy tasting anything, and my mom was terrified of trichinosis. Which with wild boar, I would certainly be --- anything wild for that matter. Well done, please.
Throw in a trip to Savannah and you'll officially have a themed vacation -- it sounds like a good time. I've never spent much time in that part of the country but I'd like too. Visiting the birthplace of aviation certainly has a strong appeal. Up until recently though, any time we were heading that direction it was usually on its way to Florida to spend time with family. However, all but my brother on the gulf coast, and my wife aunt on the east have moved back north, or gone to their eternal reward.
The only appreciable time I spent there it was under far less 'fun' circumstances and I remember it being quite cold this time of year. Slackin' Jaxon' -- Ft. Jackson -- about 2 1/2 hours inland, and way too far to go when I was there as a trainee. You don't get to leave the base anyway during those weeks. I was training at about this time of year ... Got there just before Thanksgiving and was allowed to come home for Christmas. What I remember most was that morning PT was frosty cold, but after a few minutes
--- And, the marches to the ranges were miserably muddy with that famous red clay. Your trip sounds more fun.
That is not to say my time there was bad. I most especially remember "Victory Tower" and, of course, basic marksmanship training.
The tower is a training exercise, teaching technical skills of use of 1, 2 and 3 rope bridges followed by a climb to the top of a 40 foot tower where you rope-swing over a hold in the floor, then repel down the side. 40 foot doesn't sound like much but it looks a lot higher when you're on the top. I wasn't bothered by it much, but there was a few in my platoon that had serious fear of heights.
This was also an interesting day because when you start the repel, you drop your feet down the side of the tower and catch a 2x4 ledge (narrow side) with your toes then 'lean back' on the rope before you repel. The DI's who have been screaming at you for 2 weeks or so suddenly just for a brief moment turn human, gently but firmly giving you instructions in a speaking voice. Until you dally, then it gets progressively louder.
I remember most when your boots hit the ground, a feeling of euphoria that I've only ever felt one of the time in my life, and that was the touchdown on my first solo flight in a Cessna 172. Both times got a 'yahoo' yell that came from my toes! Unfortunately, the army only lets you do it once --- I would have loved to go for a second trip. The afternoon was not as exciting -- it was radio procedure day. Being a HAM radio operator already, it was terribly boring in comparison.
Marksman ship training was also fun as you'd expect. I'll just say on day 1 I shot 0 for 10 -- I couldn't hit the side of a barn. Day 5 I shot 38/40. I scored points when the Captain asked "Private, Your first day was horrible - how did you do so well today?" -- I said "Sir, I simply did what the Drill Instructor told me to do. Sir." An answer that proved to be wise beyond my years, though accurate. I had never even held a gun before that time.
Fun times. Thanks for the memories.
Warren Mary Ellen
Ranger
Picky? I wrote the book on that. I am not a fan of gamy tasting anything, and my mom was terrified of trichinosis. Which with wild boar, I would certainly be --- anything wild for that matter. Well done, please.
Throw in a trip to Savannah and you'll officially have a themed vacation -- it sounds like a good time. I've never spent much time in that part of the country but I'd like too. Visiting the birthplace of aviation certainly has a strong appeal. Up until recently though, any time we were heading that direction it was usually on its way to Florida to spend time with family. However, all but my brother on the gulf coast, and my wife aunt on the east have moved back north, or gone to their eternal reward.
The only appreciable time I spent there it was under far less 'fun' circumstances and I remember it being quite cold this time of year. Slackin' Jaxon' -- Ft. Jackson -- about 2 1/2 hours inland, and way too far to go when I was there as a trainee. You don't get to leave the base anyway during those weeks. I was training at about this time of year ... Got there just before Thanksgiving and was allowed to come home for Christmas. What I remember most was that morning PT was frosty cold, but after a few minutes
Your trip sounds more fun.
That is not to say my time there was bad. I most especially remember "Victory Tower" and, of course, basic marksmanship training.
The tower is a training exercise, teaching technical skills of use of 1, 2 and 3 rope bridges followed by a climb to the top of a 40 foot tower where you rope-swing over a hold in the floor, then repel down the side. 40 foot doesn't sound like much but it looks a lot higher when you're on the top. I wasn't bothered by it much, but there was a few in my platoon that had serious fear of heights.
This was also an interesting day because when you start the repel, you drop your feet down the side of the tower and catch a 2x4 ledge (narrow side) with your toes then 'lean back' on the rope before you repel. The DI's who have been screaming at you for 2 weeks or so suddenly just for a brief moment turn human, gently but firmly giving you instructions in a speaking voice. Until you dally, then it gets progressively louder.
I remember most when your boots hit the ground, a feeling of euphoria that I've only ever felt one of the time in my life, and that was the touchdown on my first solo flight in a Cessna 172. Both times got a 'yahoo' yell that came from my toes! Unfortunately, the army only lets you do it once --- I would have loved to go for a second trip. The afternoon was not as exciting -- it was radio procedure day. Being a HAM radio operator already, it was terribly boring in comparison.
Marksman ship training was also fun as you'd expect. I'll just say on day 1 I shot 0 for 10 -- I couldn't hit the side of a barn. Day 5 I shot 38/40. I scored points when the Captain asked "Private, Your first day was horrible - how did you do so well today?" -- I said "Sir, I simply did what the Drill Instructor told me to do. Sir." An answer that proved to be wise beyond my years, though accurate. I had never even held a gun before that time.
Fun times. Thanks for the memories.
In college I took the 2 freshman ROTC classes. They were trying to get you to sign up and you could take those classes without having to drill. You had a lab each semester. One semester you had to go to the range. You learned how to take the M-16 apart and reassemble it, then you fired it a target. You had 5 bullets each. When Capt Serrato looked at mine he said, “Son, if you go in the Army, don’t do a job where you have to shoot.” Second semester, we had to repel off a 30 foot tower and I’m scared of heights. You had to do it twice. First one, I was sweating bullets, but the second one was fun.
I was at Fort Jackson a few weeks ago. Our State Qualifying race in Cross Country was there at Hilton Field where the viewing stands are.
View attachment 1734743124776.jpeg
Tour 931
Ranger
I took basic training at Fort Lewis in the winter. It snowed on us in our jungle fatigues. We trained on the M14 and for the first few months of my tour we had the M14. Then one day they took the 14 and issued us M16s without any training. The first time I ever shot an M16 was in Vietnam.