My body was accustomed to mostly raw foods...or so I thought. When we were camping in parks with full hookups, not much had changed from living in a home-without-wheels. We were just living in a significantly smaller space, that's all. Now that we are out, remote, everything is different. First, who wants to wash dishes when you have to pack in all your water? Hint: not me. I'd rather use it to drink or rinse off our bodies. I've given in to paper plates and plastic flatware...only because trees can be planted and plastic can be recycled easier than creating new sources of water. Plus, I can cut out the middle man and just burn the dang stuff AND create heat energy for my family. So our daily water consumption has plummetted to around 5 gallons per day for the entire family. That includes teeth-brushing and hand-washing. In this area, we rock. Our energy consumption is more difficult to measure. If we use the generator, we burn through 2-3 gallons per day. At around $2.70 per gallon, that's $8.10 per day. Yikes. Relying on 12v means letting the diesel truck idle for several hours. As of this writing, "Daisy" (our truck) has been running for about 5 hrs and does not seem to have consumed even one gallon. Diesel here runs around $2.80 per gallon, maybe $2.90. Either way, that's a HUGE savings over using the generator.
Running the truck has other benefits, as well. The deep cycle battery inside the camper is connected to the truck's battery and is constantly being recharged. That means, when we turn off the truck, we have stored energy in the deep cycle to power lights and the 12v outlet inside the camper. One caveat: the outlet does not seem to be capable of handling the power load of one, much less two, laptops. So while we work, at least for now, both computers will need to be connected via extension cord to the power source outlets (also 12v) inside the cab of the truck. And until we replace our laptop batteries (they are fried from using the generator as their power source...at least we think that's the problem...) the truck will also need to be running. The laptop batteries will charge but will not HOLD the charge.
We could rely on solar energy but have not yet settled on the brand or configuration that best suits our needs.
So our diet has changed due to our limited access to energy. The first couple of days we made smoothies by connecting to the generator. Power surges concerned us and we decided to explore raw foods that require little to no preparation. Avocadoes, bananas, tomatoes and more are excellent sources of portable nutrition. But we overestimated our rate of consumption, and we found ourselves eating to the point of discomfort to avoid wasting produce. My next grocery shopping trip will be Monday. I am paring down our list again...here is our list for one 3-day block. There will be approximately three variations to this list to avoid monotony and spoilage. Other non-raw items might fall into my buggy...:)
1 large watermelon -- that will be our only food for an entire day.
6 small avocadoes -- two per person for one day.
1 pint grape tomatoes -- to be shared among three people in one day, preferably with avocadoes.
6 bananas -- one per person for two days. Breakfast on "avocado/tomato day", and the next.
2 cucumbers -- to be shared among three people in one day, preferably the day after avocado/tomato day.
2 red bell peppers -- to be shared among three people in one day, preferably with cucumbers.
1 lb. raw cashews -- snack between meals.
My body was adjusting slowly (and clumsily) the first few days here on the beach. I spent a lot of time "in the dunes." Today my digestive system seems to have adapted and is functioning normally again.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Sweet, smart, silly...and strong
About a week ago I started teaching Sage what I call the "winning combination." To be truly successful in life, I explained, you must feel good about yourself and the way you conduct your life. Money and beauty will only get you so far, I continued. In most cases, you can not take credit for those "attributes" anyway. Focus on character and integrity, knowledge and intelligence, and developing a good sense of humor. These characteristics evolve over a lifetime and will carry you much farther.
A couple of days ago Sage went with me to an auto parts store here in Corpus Christi. I'll save you all the details, but I had killed our F250 Diesel's main battery and needed a jump box to start it up again. I explained what had happened to the salesperson, and that we are camping in a primitive, remote area. He recommended a product and I bought it. David took it out of the box when I returned to camp and discovered (much to my disappointment) that I had bought a battery charger, not a jump box. Two totally different animals. The battery charger PLUGS IN to electricity. The jump box is a stand-alone 12v battery. The next day I returned the charger to the auto parts store...and Sage was with me again. The same salesperson was there, too. He was rude -- beyond the normal snarkiness I have come to expect from auto parts stores. I explained why this product was not useful to us but he cut me off with "did you take this out and use it?????" Well, I answered, we did in fact take it out of the box but we could not use it. You can't plug it into A SAND DUNE. Within moments, the product was returned, I had a new battery and heavy-duty jumper cables, and Mr. Snarky had loaded it into my truck for me. It was not over for me, though.
This was an opportunity to teach Sage about another component of our "winning combination" -- strength. At some point in your life, someone will try to make you feel bad about yourself. Whether it is because you are pretty, intelligent, enthusiastic, creative, adventurous, shy -- whatever -- someone somewhere will pounce on your vulnerabilities. Don't let them, I told her. Be proud of all that you are, Sage. Be nice even when others treat you badly. Be smart when others do stupid things. Be silly, even if you look like a spaz. And above all, be strong. Stand up for yourself, NO MATTER WHAT. Do not be anyone's doormat...
You might be bristling at the way I talk to my little girl. I know, she's only 2. That is not too young to start directing a child's moral compass. I want her to be respectful as well as respectable; wise and yet seeking deeper and higher levels of wisdom; carefree but not careless; and confident without conceit. I'll let you know how she turns out...
A couple of days ago Sage went with me to an auto parts store here in Corpus Christi. I'll save you all the details, but I had killed our F250 Diesel's main battery and needed a jump box to start it up again. I explained what had happened to the salesperson, and that we are camping in a primitive, remote area. He recommended a product and I bought it. David took it out of the box when I returned to camp and discovered (much to my disappointment) that I had bought a battery charger, not a jump box. Two totally different animals. The battery charger PLUGS IN to electricity. The jump box is a stand-alone 12v battery. The next day I returned the charger to the auto parts store...and Sage was with me again. The same salesperson was there, too. He was rude -- beyond the normal snarkiness I have come to expect from auto parts stores. I explained why this product was not useful to us but he cut me off with "did you take this out and use it?????" Well, I answered, we did in fact take it out of the box but we could not use it. You can't plug it into A SAND DUNE. Within moments, the product was returned, I had a new battery and heavy-duty jumper cables, and Mr. Snarky had loaded it into my truck for me. It was not over for me, though.
This was an opportunity to teach Sage about another component of our "winning combination" -- strength. At some point in your life, someone will try to make you feel bad about yourself. Whether it is because you are pretty, intelligent, enthusiastic, creative, adventurous, shy -- whatever -- someone somewhere will pounce on your vulnerabilities. Don't let them, I told her. Be proud of all that you are, Sage. Be nice even when others treat you badly. Be smart when others do stupid things. Be silly, even if you look like a spaz. And above all, be strong. Stand up for yourself, NO MATTER WHAT. Do not be anyone's doormat...
You might be bristling at the way I talk to my little girl. I know, she's only 2. That is not too young to start directing a child's moral compass. I want her to be respectful as well as respectable; wise and yet seeking deeper and higher levels of wisdom; carefree but not careless; and confident without conceit. I'll let you know how she turns out...
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Boo-boos
The first night we were in Cedar Hill State Park I did not douse Sage with Off! The next day, her skin was covered in polka dots. When we went to Lockhart State Park, she was elated there was a playground. As we skipped and ran and laughed our way toward the swings, my little girl's foot caught on the pavement and she fell. And kept falling...until finally her face stopped the forward momentum. From her right eye down to her mouth were scrapes and scratches. We checked into Nueces County Park and, because she was thrilled to be back at the beach, she jumped around on her bed, giddy. Then she fell onto the floor because her foot missed the edge of the bed. Her legs had a couple of small bruises on them. Out here on the beach, she ran in her aqua socks/water shoes so much she had blisters on her ankles. Her hair is kinked up with salty water.
The mosquito bites are all but disappeared. Surprisingly, the scrapes on her face have healed rapidly. No more bruises, just a tiny spot on the back of her leg. The blisters are already gone and all is well, if you ask her. Tomorrow I will wash her hair (and my own!)
David or I, or both, have been inches from her side when all of these mishaps happened. No way we could have prevented them. Still, I feel badly...and responsible...or irresponsible, depending on your perspective.
If you ask Sage, she is having a great time! This is her adventure! Each day she swims, plays with fish and butterflies, chases birds, runs and sings and laughs, reads, sketches about her experiences, learns to take photos, meets new people, and so much more. She goes to sleep and wakes up to the swooshing of waves, and loves every moment of every day. She pats me on the back and says "You're a good mommy" just before she falls asleep. She tells David he's "the best" and thanks us for all the fun, every day. Sage has the sweetest of deals, I think. And at this point she seems grateful. So are we, Sage, so are we.
The mosquito bites are all but disappeared. Surprisingly, the scrapes on her face have healed rapidly. No more bruises, just a tiny spot on the back of her leg. The blisters are already gone and all is well, if you ask her. Tomorrow I will wash her hair (and my own!)
David or I, or both, have been inches from her side when all of these mishaps happened. No way we could have prevented them. Still, I feel badly...and responsible...or irresponsible, depending on your perspective.
If you ask Sage, she is having a great time! This is her adventure! Each day she swims, plays with fish and butterflies, chases birds, runs and sings and laughs, reads, sketches about her experiences, learns to take photos, meets new people, and so much more. She goes to sleep and wakes up to the swooshing of waves, and loves every moment of every day. She pats me on the back and says "You're a good mommy" just before she falls asleep. She tells David he's "the best" and thanks us for all the fun, every day. Sage has the sweetest of deals, I think. And at this point she seems grateful. So are we, Sage, so are we.
More raw on the road
When we left Nueces County Park a few days ago, we hauled a bin full of dirty dishes out onto the beach. Each day I wash a few, many more are dirtied. I have resisted David's suggestions to buy paper plates and plastic forks. That's not green! Instead we have decided to phase out more of our cooked meals in lieu of more raw meals. We made a list of foods that do not need to be cooked, are nutritious, and may be easily transported and stored without refrigeration up to 3 days. So far, our list includes: bananas, avocadoes, cucumbers, red bell peppers, oranges, limes (for flavoring), grape tomatoes, apples and a variety of raw nuts. We also bought a giant watermelon which we will consume completely in one day. Without refrigeration, it will go rancid. Other processed, non-raw foods included in our diet (for the moment, anyway) are bread, crackers, fig bars and Laughing Cow cheese that must be refrigerated after opening. Like watermelon, we will need to consume the entire package of cheese in one day to avoid spoiling.
Streamlining our diet further means less waste, less manufactured food in our bodies, and lower cost overall. It also means more efficiency, more nutritious meals and more value for the foods we buy. Smoothies and juices -- previously the foundation of our diet -- will need to be reserved for camping in parks. While in primitive spots, like the beaches of Corpus Christi, we need portable and nutritious foods. I think my body knows I'm up to something, because somehow I've eaten most of the processed food we bought yesterday.
Today I have eaten 1/2 banana, about a cup of raw cashews, 1 avocado, 1/2 pint of grape tomatoes, 1/4 Sage's peanut butter and jelly sandwich, 1/4 cup raisins, and more Pringle's chips than I care to count. One cup of coffee (not raw.)
Streamlining our diet further means less waste, less manufactured food in our bodies, and lower cost overall. It also means more efficiency, more nutritious meals and more value for the foods we buy. Smoothies and juices -- previously the foundation of our diet -- will need to be reserved for camping in parks. While in primitive spots, like the beaches of Corpus Christi, we need portable and nutritious foods. I think my body knows I'm up to something, because somehow I've eaten most of the processed food we bought yesterday.
Today I have eaten 1/2 banana, about a cup of raw cashews, 1 avocado, 1/2 pint of grape tomatoes, 1/4 Sage's peanut butter and jelly sandwich, 1/4 cup raisins, and more Pringle's chips than I care to count. One cup of coffee (not raw.)
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
A brief visit to Central Texas
The past few nights we stayed in Lockhart State Park. There are only about 20 camping sites, half with electricity/water/sewer, the other half with electricity/water only. The sites with sewer access sit higher than the park road and on open prairie. The rest of the sites sit below the elevation of the road and are nestled among trees along the banks of Clear Fork Creek. Whether out in the open or tucked into seclusion, none of the sites receive reliable access to cell phone or mobile internet access. That's perfectly fine if your goal is to escape into nature and away from modern technology. But when your business is mostly online, it's a real pain. Fortunately, our stay there was short and we were still able to check on our project located on the premises of Golden Age Home.
If you have the time and means to spend time in Lockhart State Park, I wholeheartedly recommend it. Pick up some world famous barbecue -- Lockhart is the barbecue capital of Texas, you know -- and bop over to Schroeder Park on the grounds of Golden Age Home on 183. (That is our project.) Choose from Smitty's, Black's, Kreuz, or Chisholm Trail. All are great and each has something special to offer. While you relish in the divine Lockhart dining, let your eyes delight in the dance of the plants native to the Blackland Prairie. Full sun, brutal breeze, mostly ambient rainfall: this is one durable yet beautiful garden. Back at the park...birds and butterflies congregate on the many native plant species along the creek and hiking trails. During our stay we did not focus on documenting bird species, but we could not ignore the woodpecker tapping out a rhythm on the tree next to our site. Neither David nor I got a good enough look at it to identify which species of woodpecker. We did however observe a variety of butterflies, a couple that are new to us. Like our visit to Cedar Hill State Park, there are Pipevine Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Hackberry Emperor in Lockhart State Park. Other species include Gulf Fritillary and Southern Dogface. New sightings for us were a possible Dainty Orange Sulphur and two Bordered Patch. Another we have not properly identified yet. Its forewings look almost pink and the hindwings are mostly orange. Maybe it's a type of blue? If anyone knows, please send me a link to a pic. Help! There were probably about 50 of them following us along the hiking trail. One would expect me to snap a photo, right? These nervous-flappers kept fluttering away whenever I approached. No pics yet.
Fishing is permitted in a couple of areas inside the park. One of the "hot spots" is next to the waterfall just downstream from our site along the creek. Sage used her Barbie fishing pole for the first time! I was back at the site, working, and could hear her clearly exclaim, "Daddy, this is so much fun!" No bait, so no fish. Lots of fun memories, though, and that's really what matters most.
Although we were only in Lockhart State Park for three days, we saw abundant plant life and took some stunning photos. The photos of our project -- now almost six years old -- are lovely, too. Tonight we will select only the best and post them just before we settle in for the night. Destination, undetermined...for now.
If you have the time and means to spend time in Lockhart State Park, I wholeheartedly recommend it. Pick up some world famous barbecue -- Lockhart is the barbecue capital of Texas, you know -- and bop over to Schroeder Park on the grounds of Golden Age Home on 183. (That is our project.) Choose from Smitty's, Black's, Kreuz, or Chisholm Trail. All are great and each has something special to offer. While you relish in the divine Lockhart dining, let your eyes delight in the dance of the plants native to the Blackland Prairie. Full sun, brutal breeze, mostly ambient rainfall: this is one durable yet beautiful garden. Back at the park...birds and butterflies congregate on the many native plant species along the creek and hiking trails. During our stay we did not focus on documenting bird species, but we could not ignore the woodpecker tapping out a rhythm on the tree next to our site. Neither David nor I got a good enough look at it to identify which species of woodpecker. We did however observe a variety of butterflies, a couple that are new to us. Like our visit to Cedar Hill State Park, there are Pipevine Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Hackberry Emperor in Lockhart State Park. Other species include Gulf Fritillary and Southern Dogface. New sightings for us were a possible Dainty Orange Sulphur and two Bordered Patch. Another we have not properly identified yet. Its forewings look almost pink and the hindwings are mostly orange. Maybe it's a type of blue? If anyone knows, please send me a link to a pic. Help! There were probably about 50 of them following us along the hiking trail. One would expect me to snap a photo, right? These nervous-flappers kept fluttering away whenever I approached. No pics yet.
Fishing is permitted in a couple of areas inside the park. One of the "hot spots" is next to the waterfall just downstream from our site along the creek. Sage used her Barbie fishing pole for the first time! I was back at the site, working, and could hear her clearly exclaim, "Daddy, this is so much fun!" No bait, so no fish. Lots of fun memories, though, and that's really what matters most.
Although we were only in Lockhart State Park for three days, we saw abundant plant life and took some stunning photos. The photos of our project -- now almost six years old -- are lovely, too. Tonight we will select only the best and post them just before we settle in for the night. Destination, undetermined...for now.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Roughing it and Potty-training
Two-and-a-half weeks on the road, and still this does not seem like camping. Or weird or real. I keep waiting to feel like we're really roughing it, but I guess I have all the comforts of home just outdoors or a short walk away. For instance, showers and bathroom business take place in the bath house down the sidewalk from our site. It's so close I can walk there in the middle of the night, should the pee-pee mood strike. Teeth-brushing, hand-washing, dish- and clothes-washing, and any food-prepping requiring water are handled at the onsite water faucet. I know, you are probably wondering if the water is safe to drink. It is potable, and is cleaner than connecting to our camper and funnelling the water through a hose, first, and then through our holding tank. I still need to flush the tank...and even after I do I think I will bypass the hose-and-tank scenario whenever possible. We also have electricity onsite and have run a series of extension cords and power strips (safely, mind you) back to our private picnic area. There we have erected our canopy with mosquito-slowing mesh room, a lovely outdoor rug, and beach chairs. We have also "installed" a child-size princess table with matching chairs. Here, we eat, work, learn and spend time together as a family; it is our outdoor living and dining space.
Inside the camper is a fridge and inside the trailer (aka "truck-wagon", like chuckwagon but towed behind a truck) is a large cooler used as overflow from the fridge. So far, we have kept everything but the milk cool enough. We just have to buy in smaller packages so the milk can be stored in the fridge. We do have a stove that has been great for boiling water for coffee, making pasta or rice, and warming up leftover chili. Our air conditioner blows ice cold but I'm not sure if the furnace works. Or how it works, really. Hope we don't have to use it, anyway. We have an HD TV mounted on the side of the truckwagon and a small CD player/radio connected to the power strip. Laptops may be recharged via power strip or 12V, or connected directly to the generator. The generator is totally unnecessary when camping in a park setting, however.
In the evenings after Sage has gone to bed we light a lantern and hang it from the frame of the canopy. The lovely warm glow creates a perfectly romantic setting...I guess aside from having much privacy we have all the essentials of a home...
Potty-training has gone fairly well, considering Sage's potty turns up in a different place every break. During the day it's usually in the "tent" so she can quickly reach it during meals or playtime. At night, when we go to bed, we bring the potty into the camper. Yes, our teeny camper. Oh, and by the way, the official inside living space is 65 square feet, a whopping 15 feet larger than I initially thought. Wow, that's some high living, eh? Tomorrow we leave for Central Texas. Sage has had several "accidents" today, so she must be anxious about leaving this place that she has grown so fond of. Every day she plays with Hackberry Emperor and Tawny Emperor butterflies, and weaves them in as characters in stories she makes up. She must be feeling like she's leaving friends. That is something I need to consider carefully to help her better adapt to this journey.
Time to start packing. We have really moved into this place!
Inside the camper is a fridge and inside the trailer (aka "truck-wagon", like chuckwagon but towed behind a truck) is a large cooler used as overflow from the fridge. So far, we have kept everything but the milk cool enough. We just have to buy in smaller packages so the milk can be stored in the fridge. We do have a stove that has been great for boiling water for coffee, making pasta or rice, and warming up leftover chili. Our air conditioner blows ice cold but I'm not sure if the furnace works. Or how it works, really. Hope we don't have to use it, anyway. We have an HD TV mounted on the side of the truckwagon and a small CD player/radio connected to the power strip. Laptops may be recharged via power strip or 12V, or connected directly to the generator. The generator is totally unnecessary when camping in a park setting, however.
In the evenings after Sage has gone to bed we light a lantern and hang it from the frame of the canopy. The lovely warm glow creates a perfectly romantic setting...I guess aside from having much privacy we have all the essentials of a home...
Potty-training has gone fairly well, considering Sage's potty turns up in a different place every break. During the day it's usually in the "tent" so she can quickly reach it during meals or playtime. At night, when we go to bed, we bring the potty into the camper. Yes, our teeny camper. Oh, and by the way, the official inside living space is 65 square feet, a whopping 15 feet larger than I initially thought. Wow, that's some high living, eh? Tomorrow we leave for Central Texas. Sage has had several "accidents" today, so she must be anxious about leaving this place that she has grown so fond of. Every day she plays with Hackberry Emperor and Tawny Emperor butterflies, and weaves them in as characters in stories she makes up. She must be feeling like she's leaving friends. That is something I need to consider carefully to help her better adapt to this journey.
Time to start packing. We have really moved into this place!
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