March 2022 Canlife Correspondence, Our Almost Monthly Newsletter
While our friends in the southeast enjoy the purple crocuses and flavorful ramps popping up in their newly verdant yards, we travelers in the Midwest have to take whatever signs of spring come our way. The melting of snow, the arrival of blue birds and other migratory friends are a start for those patient enough to wait it out.
After spending many weeks in northern Michigan, helping Hutch’s octogenarian parents recover from a minor surgery and a fall resulting in a pelvic fracture, we found that they were strong enough to carry on without our assistance. Getting older isn’t for the faint hearted and our folks continue to be an inspiration. But, the road called! Last week, we dusted the remaining snow from Hamlet’s roof, cleared the driveway of 3 inches of solid ice…and rolled on out. Five days traveling through Michigan and a whole bunch of “I” states, landed us in South Dakota. Here the farmland of the great plains finally yields to the rugged landscapes of the Rocky Mountain plateau and foothills. Spring hasn't sprung here either, but at least it’s a change of pace and our boondocking spot near Badlands National Park is simply breathtaking.
Buying an RV for the First Time? Go to an RV Show!
As RV road warriors since 2012 and Featured Speakers at RV shows across the country, we've learned some things about how to make the most of one of these overwhelming shows. This month, we put together some helpful tips and tools to get and stay organized before and during your next regional RV show shopping experience. Be sure to download our helpful spreadsheet, and make it your own.
This quote from the original roadtripper who logged more miles than Marco Polo, has us thinking about all the stories we love to tell. As both self-proclaimed nature nerds and travel addicts, it is rare that an hour goes by without Shari pulling out the camera to capture a piece of Mother Nature’s story. The images, blogs, and videos we share always fail in capturing the complexity of the story, but try we must and try we will! The transformative power of travel turns even the most quiet and shy persons into extraverted narrators.
Meet the Beast! Our Review of Renogy’s Lycan 5000 Power Box
We spent a couple of weeks using and abusing this new 48V power box, while visiting Hutch’s parents in northern Michigan. It is a beast, delivering a whopping 3840 usable watt hours through its two 48V 50Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries! This is the perfect companion for power outages, off-grid cabins, or a seasonal off-grid RV site. Spoiler Alert: It exceeded our expectations! Check out this month’s Featured Video
New to the concept of 48V systems and why they are the future of solar power? Read this month’s Featured Blog. Most campers rely on 12V systems to run appliances inside their homes with wheels while traveling and camping off-grid. The solar power industry has moved toward 24V or 48V systems, which can be more efficient and effective at meeting the higher energy demands of heating, air conditioning, and other high wattage appliances. This blog also features our new Solar System Sizing Worksheet which can help you plan out and order everything you need for a solar powered system that works for you.
Does your camper have mushroom? Oh, Hutch, how many times…?
Recipe of the Month: Loaded Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
Love a good steak, but trying to eat more plant-based meals this year? We’ve been gourmet vegetarian foodies for over 25 years. This recipe takes mushrooms to a whole different level. We’ve traditionally cooked these over an open fire using our multi-purpose grill basket hack (also used for a colander, steamer, and salad spinner), but they could be done over a camp stove with any skillet. We can’t wait to try these out with our new OTZI flat pack grill, too! Enjoy over mashed potatoes, quinoa, or pasta!
Best Deal Going…Boondockers Welcome! (Price Increase ALERT – join before May!) As we’ve traveled this continent in our RV over the last decade, the number of resources for getting around and finding unique places to park for the night have increased tenfold. We are constantly adding new resources to our toolkit and Boondockers Welcome offers one of the most unique overnight parking experiences. With gas prices higher than normal, you can make up for some of the money you are putting into your tank by taking advantage of free and safe overnight parking. Take advantage of the generosity of nearly 3000 friendly RVers who offer parking space on their property for up to 5 nights, make new friends, and get an insider’s perspective on the places you visit. If you are familiar with Harvest Hosts, Boondockers Welcome is very similar. Use THIS LINK to purchase your $50 annual membership before May! Prices will increase to $79, but your annual membership will remain at $50 if you keep it active.
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