Oct 3
News for DISH nerds . . .
The DISH TV for RVs section in this blog has been updated with new Hopper/VIP receiver network drawings:
Sep 29
The last time we were able to open a window in our park model was May.
Since May, it has either been triple-digit hot, or (for the last 2 months) too humid + too hot. Except for early morning or late evening, we’ve been living inside our little park model with the AC on full.
It reminds me of being stuck indoors during Wisconsin winters . . . different climates, same results.
Needless to say, it was great experiencing fresh air again. Plus, now we’re able to hang out on our porch and watch the world go by with our dogs.
IN OTHER NEWS . . .
We took our RV out of inside storage, and parked it at our campground. We’re cleaning it up for outside storage over the next several months.
Finally, here’s a video of Ellie and Flirt playing:
Sep 21
Just completed a year-long project on our National (Federal) Parks . . .
For a summary of the Federal Park data, see Federal Park Data.
Aug 4
August 3rd Storm Track
This storm lasted about 90 minutes and we received about 3/4″ of rain, but the winds were not as severe as July’s storm (Monsoon Storm #1).
However, like the last monsoon storm, we lost power again. Only 2 hours this time.
The best thing about it was that the temperature dropped to the 70s and 80s — the first time we’ve seen temps less than triple digits since May. Yahoo!
Some photos . . .
A movie . . .
Aug 3
But we’re certain it wasn’t a fish.
The End of Retirement
With that I recommend reading The End of Retirement by Jessica Bruder in the August 2014 Harper’s magazine. If you don’t have a subscription to Harper’s, you can listen to an interview with the author about this article on National Public Radio.
The End of Retirement is a slice of RV life — the darker side of RV life. It’s about those older RVers who have retired, but must still work for a living in order to get by.
Bruder tells her story through the stories of several RVers who, though not destitute, have fallen on hard times and must continue to work in their golden years. Some of the jobs these seniors take would be hard enough for someone much younger.
I thought Bruder’s portrayals were empathetic, not patronizing, but it looks like others in the RV full timing community don’t share my view.
. . . the article, written by a so-called “subculture journalist” is a twisted exploit on a small minority of work campers who are down on their luck and does nothing but portray full-time RVers as sad, broke and destitute people who have no choice but to live on the road.
I thought this was a bit harsh and visited the web site of the couple who had posted this review. Turns out their ad-laden web site is in the business of selling full-time RVers How-To-Make-Money products and services.
My take away is that they wanted to dis the article because it could interfere with their business plan.
On the other hand, there seem to be a number for RVers who don’t like the article for one reason or another. But I think some of their resentment is the fact that Bruder is a journalist and not a full-time RVer.
To me, this is just another case of where the fish won’t be the one discovering the water.
WALLY, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU
Walter, maybe it was my time in Korea during the 70s when I was in the army or the Arizona sun, but I’ve become a K-POP fan — the girl groups that is.
Well, maybe the real reason for the interest is the svelte Asian 20-somethings, eh?
rvSeniorMoments 