Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Emergency Forces Driveway Camping

A drunk driver hit this gas pipe in my neighborhood

Hello and welcome to the blog.  A bunch of us in this neighborhood had a scary night on Monday.  The picture above is from the trailer court where I live.  One of the residents came home drunk and she drove to the end of the street, continued on past the pavement, and smashed into this natural gas line.  We're all lucky it wasn't worse.  As it was, the pipe was damaged underground and was leaking natural gas into the air.

To prevent detonation, the electricity was shut off for blocks, including at my homebase.  Thankfully, one of the neighbors had stopped in at work and advised me of the situation.  We're lucky there was no fire or explosion.

Upon arriving home after work, I noticed a bunch of fire trucks. There was still no electricity.  Ironically, I'd recently started better organizing various things with the van including a "safety tote" which has a headlamp, first aid kit, various medication, syringes, eye and ear protection, batteries, etc.  The idea was to make it fast and safe should there ever be a need to clear out in the event of approaching severe weather.

No evacuation was needed.  I just backed the van out from under the canopy, put up the TV antenna, and spent a few hours in the easy chair watching videos and swilling a fresh batch of passion fruit sun tea.  Around 3:00 AM Tuesday morning the power came back on.

The balance of Tuesday was spent resting and building a small new bookcase for the van.  It's got some unusual features that should make things more organized and handy for camping. The next posting will show pictures.

That's about it for now.  Due to work needs, I had to delay the camping trip.  Next week I hope to do some camping and fishing as the new trout stocking schedule begins.  


Take care and thanks for visiting!  Happy and safe travels always!

Bradford, Jennifer, and Jesse James
Jones County, Iowa

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Enjoying a Bit of R-and-R

Hello and welcome to the blog today.  Earlier I received a note from a buddy and realized it's been a while since posting.  Things are getting better in general.  Like I tell my friends at the Golden Arches, "If the cup is less than half full, just add some more ice... McDonalds does!"

Click here for a 20 second self video of the author being stupid.





I was bored yesterday and decided to do a little target shooting using things such as paper targets, a Jello mold, and even a McDonalds cup.  It was fun and therapeutic.  Target practicing is relaxing - every bit as much as fishing.

The sore back is doing better.  After messing it up while working on the van, I ended up taking a week off from work and starting physical therapy.  Manual exercises as well as weight machines seem to be doing a great job rehabilitating things.  The pain is diminished, there is much more flexibility, and I'm feeling a lot better these days.

Work is going okay.  Obviously, when a person is reminded that his / her performance is not what it should be, taking a week off to recover from a medical issue is not likely to garner any hugs and kisses from the higher-ups.  Though perhaps it sounds a bit negative, I've learned one important lesson:  Take care of yourself.  Nobody else will.  Gone are the days of free insurance, sick pay (at many jobs), and free medicine.  If the body is broken, let it heal.  Most jobs do not appreciate a person as much as they used to during the best of times... They sure don't seem to when you're hurting!

Taco pizza must be eaten with a plate (or tote pan lid)


The post this evening is coming from inside the van, under the carport, next to the homebase.  Though I have an office in the third bedroom of the trailer, the cats don't like being shut out.  They howl, scratch, bang against the door, etc.  I retreated to the van to eat some taco pizza and catch up the blog a bit.  One little digression... If you've never had taco pizza, let me tell you about it.

Taco pizza, an Iowa favorite, was supposedly invented in 1972 by Happy Joe Whitty of the pizza chain "Happy Joes" located throughout the midwest.  Even in the 1990s, you'd hardly find a taco pizza anywhere else but here.  Taco pizza has a seasoned refried bean and beef sauce, onions and cheese.  After baking and cutting the pizza, you add the lettuce, diced tomatoes, chips, and more shredded cheese... then taco sauce.  Often, we also top it with sour cream.  It's delicious and guaranteed to cure a grumpy mood!

Sis paid for the pizza tonight.  She gave me a gift card for Casey's convenience stores, gas stations that honor the HyVee Fuel Saver card and have tasty pizza, too.  There are enough credits on Fuel Saver card (and more will be added soon) to take a camping trip for less than 50 cents per gallon.  This time, it's likely kitty Jesse James will go along.

The 1 quart crockpot powered by solar / battery bank.

By the way, I've added another feature to the van for the next trip... some hooks and a hand-tied web of small bungees to secure the crockpot (and the lid) for travel.  The cords store behind the shelf while not in use. We will be testing the new setup - making homemade soup (via the battery bank, inverter, and solar panel) - on the next outing... wherever the kitty and I end up.

Take and thanks a bunch for visiting.  I hope the readers have a great rest of the week.  Safe and happy travels always!

Bradford, Jesse James, and Jennifer
Jones County, Iowa


Friday, March 11, 2016

First Night Camping - A Welcome Diversion

Maquoketa Caves Campground


Hello and welcome to the blog.  Wednesday was a difficult day.  When the going gets tough, the tough go camping.  I had not planned on taking the van anywhere but it turned out to be a good idea.

Last week as I was finishing the remodel, it was necessary to lift the bed (using my back) and drag some carpeting underneath.  Something made a "CRACK!" sound in the middle back area - likely a tendon.  Even now it is causing problems.

The back made my job difficult over last weekend.  Working on pallets of freight (normally not my job) seemed to exacerbate the back issues; Wednesday afternoon the pain was excruciating.  Then came the kick in teeth (or nuts).  I got a "coaching" (aka warning) for not being productive enough.  As if I didn't feel like crap already trying to walk and work between muscle spasms...   :)

She's made herself at home and seems to like camping.


After work I grabbed a 12 pack of Diet Coke, a bag of tacos, kitty Jennifer, and then headed to the Maquoketa Caves State Park in Maquoketa, Iowa.  The stress and pain were overwhelming.  We spent the night peacefully camping and just settled back, watched TV shows, and enjoyed the fresh air.  It was helpful.

By morning my thoughts were crystal clear - no worries about work.  I do my best every day, offer to help everyone that walks by, and leave with a clear conscience.  That's all that matters to me.  Therefore, metrics, write-ups, etc. don't matter... nor should they.

Looking up at a bird, chattering, with the tail puffed out.


Unfortunately, the back issues were still there and I called the doctor's office.  They got me in on Friday and now I'm off work for most of a week.  Muscle relaxers and physical therapy were prescribed.  Sometimes a person has to take care of him or her self above everything else.

That's about all that's new.  The van is all cleaned out and ready for the next trip.  I'm delighted with the layout and how easy it is to maintain the cleanliness and readiness for a "spur of the moment" excursion  This one was most needed and enjoyed.

Take care.  Happy and safe travels!

Brad, Jesse James, and Jennifer





Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Safety... Trust Your Instincts

Hello and welcome to the blog today.  Yesterday was a fun day with a not-so-good ending.  More about that later.

Early in the morning I took the newly remodeled van to visit my buddy Johnnie who lives in Muscatine, along the Mississippi River.  Kitty Jennifer went along for the trip.  She did very well - one amazing little girl!

I'm not sure which one is scarier!  This was taken at
Tokyo Buffet in Davenport, Iowa

Sushi is one of those things you love or hate... It's all love here!


Johnnie and I spent the day visiting thrift stores.  It was relaxing and fun.  The last few days of work had been extremely intense and the body and brain were due for a rest.  Johnnie and I dined at a most amazing restaurant with many different varieties of all-you-can eat sushi.  Hanging out with my best friend was a blast.  Despite the miles of driving, Jennifer sat in the arm chair and seemed very relaxed.



As the day wound down, I was faced with the decision of where to camp.  I had contemplated a state-run facility along the Mississippi but opted instead to visit a smaller county campground.  That proved to be a less wise option.

It was about 5:00 PM when we arrived at a familiar county campground.  I set up and left the van doors open to get some 65 degree fresh air.  After registering, an older van pulled in with two disheveled looking occupants.  The young woman was acting a little strangely.  They approached and were curious to look in the van - to the point it made me more than a little uneasy.  Their disjointed conversation, prematurely rotted teeth, exaggerated emotional responses and erratic physical movements were downright suspicious.  Thankfully the couple went back to their own vehicle.

Locking the doors on the van, I settled down and was watching the 6:00 news just as the sun was setting.  I was a little concerned about the young couple because mine was the only camping vehicle in the whole park and it is in a fairly remote area.

All of a sudden I heard someone banging - not just knocking but banging - on the back windows of the van.  (The van was backed up toward the river).  It startled the heck out of me; Jennifer panicked and ran under the bed.  I didn't say a thing but reached for my pistol.  Then the person banged on the side doors.  I asked "What do you want?"  The female asked if she could have a can of pop.  I said no, there was just enough for myself.  She pleaded loudly - sounding desperate - and offering to pay a dollar for a can.  I told her to get out of here and leave me alone.  Who gets so emotional over a can of pop?  Then it occurred to me that I'd heard pop cans can be used for drug smoking activities.

At this time I was noticing something that smelled a little like weed but more like burning rubber and a sweet bathroom spray. The smell was strange and the Fan-tastic roof vent had drawn it in.  If indeed it was a from consuming a drug such as meth (consistent with the behavior), it would explain why the lady was behind my van away from view.  I turned off the fan switch and the smell dissipated.

A few mintues later I ventured outside, armed of course.  After unplugging the shore power and lowering the antenna, I departed and called the sheriff's dispatcher, also letting them know the other vehicle did not even appear to be registered to camp. This morning the conservation commission was emailed and a park ranger was kind enough to say he would return the camping fees.  Law enforcement does patrol the park but in between times things still occasionally occur.

It could have been worse.  In my county and in many other rural places in Iowa, we have a lot of drug activity.  People who engage in the manufacture and usage of meth often do desperate things including fleeing from police, killing others, etc.  As a person working in retail, I see sketchy "tweakers" who routinely shoplift supplies for their meth labs.  It's pretty scary.

If there are a few things I would urge fellow campers it would be:

1)  If possible, avoid camping alone in a rural setting if you have any concerns.  (unless it's a desert!)
2)  If going biking, ask some trustworthy campers to keep on an eye on your vehicle.
2)  If legal in your area, get a permit to carry and have a pistol handy in your camping vehicle.
3)  Above all else, get the heck out of a situation that looks dangerous.  It takes two for a person to become a crime statistic... Trust your instincts.  Law enforcement doesn't mind a concerned call.

Well, that's all for now.  I'm putting some more touches on the van and at least had a chance to take it for a little spin yesterday.  Hopefully there will be another opportunity to safely camp again one of these days with kitty Jen-Jen.

Take care! SAFE and happy travels always!

Brad, Jesse James, and Jennifer
Jones County, Iowa


Friday, March 4, 2016

Ready for Travel!

Hello and welcome to the blog.  I've been looking forward to this day for some time!  The van is ready for travel.  There are a few minor tweaks that need to happen but they can wait for a bit!  I wanted to share the latest pictures, especially with the chair next to the bedding... and then we can see what the readers think of the green vs. light blue.  Do I need to cover the chair with a beige cloth?  (That's kitty Jennifer's "Princess" bear.)

Under the desk / end table there is now a full-sized cat litter pan.
The food / water dish is in a cubby hole to the right of the microwave.

Pictured is the comfy chair, the 18" crock pot stand (now bolted down), and two lamps.  Clamped to the table is a bright LED reading light. Eventually it will be moved to a smaller stand between the bed and chair.  The lamp's main purpose is to provide extra illumination for crochet work.

By the way, did you notice the clothes hanger in the background of the photo above?  With a little gap available, I decided to hang a hook and provide a place for clothing storage.  There will eventually be a 12" x 12" (or smaller) night stand but it will be forward of the clothes hanging area... Why?  Because directly below the clothing is that pain-in-the-butt wheel well but now that space can be made useful.  :)

The "full" sized comforter on the twin bed is working out well.  In addition to the great looks and comfort, the new blanket also doubles as a bed skirt due to its extra width.  

Current news on the left and a nostalgia sign on the right...


After having been moved a few weeks ago, the TV is now in just the right location.  It is centered so that one can watch it from the bed or arm chair.  

Not shown is a little wooden box that covers the wheel well on the passenger's side (below that outlet strip in the picture)  I figured the box would work for a table but it's also a nice foot rest.  Speaking of the feet - they love the new carpeting!

So what's left?  I have to make a new stand for the CPAP machine (between the bed and chair).  I made one but somehow it came out a few inches too wide.  The new one will be smaller and maybe have multiple shelves for storage ofthings like a pill box, cellphone, and other personal effects. 

A cellphone picture of Kitty Jennifer relaxing on the new comforter in the dark van.


Tonight I tested the reactions of the cats, first putting Jesse James in the van.  He promptly hid under the bed and howled until I took him in the house.  Jennifer's behavior was entirely different.  As I sat in the chair she wouldn't let me type on the laptop, constantly strutting, purring, and rubbing against my face, and then finally relaxing on the bed.  When our TV show was over, I couldn't get her to come back in the house!  Possessing a strong personality - the famous "tortitude" of tortoise shell cats - Jennifer is going to be a fun camping buddy!

That's about all for now.  The weekend is going to be long and busy.  I've got much of next week off and plan to try the new van layout down by the Mississippi River aided by pal Jennifer.  There should be some good camping pictures.

Have a great weekend.  Safe and happy travels always!

Brad, Jennifer, and Jesse James
Jones County, Iowa