February 2023 Canlife Correspondence, Our Almost Monthly Newsletter
“You see, this is why we don’t make reservations!” Shari said, shaking her head as we tried to put some distance between us and the incoming blizzard. We’d made plans to cross back over the Sierra Mountains and explore more of the California coast, even booked a night with a Boondockers Welcome host; but, the 2 inches of snow we woke up to at 5,000 feet in Reno, NV made us worry about how much was dumping at the 10,000-foot Donner Pass over which we'd have to cross.
We chose Plan B, stayed on the east side of the mountains, and drove straight to the lowest elevation on the continent in Death Valley National Park. Even at this altitude, the recent storms that rocked California, impacted the park taking out the power and forcing several road closures. Fortunately for us at the generator free zone of Texas Springs Campground, we’re safe and sound and happily running on solar power.
In the words of Paul Petzhold, the founder of the National Outdoor Leadership School, “plans are great, and plans are crap.” This remains a travel mantra for us, it keeps our planning loose and free. It’s not always without stress, disappointment, or difficulty, but we’ve never regretted choosing to hunker down or drive out of our way to avoid a big storm, especially in winter. If you’re going to travel, avoid putting yourself in a “have to make it there” mindset – because that’s when accidents happen. We can’t always prevent something unfortunate from happening, but we can choose to stack the deck in our favor. Luck favors the prepared, after all!
It's rare that we are actually IN the place featured in the New York Times, when they actually publish the piece. Watching rain fall in one of the driest places on earth is surreal. It’s like witnessing a minor miracle even though water has done more to shape the landscape of Death Valley (Tüpippüh ~ Timbisha Shoshone) in the last few millennium than any other single geological force – it just does so one infrequent drop of water at a time. Were this landscape wetter most of the soft mud and sandstone would have already been washed into the valley, and with nowhere for the debris to go, the claim as the hemisphere’s lowest elevation would be someplace else. Instead what is revealed in the slow drip of water is an artist’s palette of color and texture that simply have to be seen to be believed.
“Looking closely at the natural world is a never-ending reward,
given the diverse beings, and the dazzling textures, colors,
and patterns you find.” ~Unknown
Video of the Month – Maximizing Boondocking Power – Stay out longer with a 12V refrigerator!
Our video from nearly 2 years ago, provides a step-by-step installation of our 12V ICECO fridge / freezer in the back of our truck. Without the room for a conventional RV fridge inside Hamlet, we kept fresh food in a cooler for more years than we care to admit. One of these 12V fridges would be ideal for anyone seeking some extra fridge or freezer space in their rig. We run ours off of a small 50Ah LiFeP04 battery which is charged from the starting battery through a Renogy Dual Input 30A DC to DC charger. When we are boondocking, and not driving, we can put our 100W Solar Suitcase out to charge up the small battery. This has the added benefit of trickle charging our truck’s starting battery, so we are never left needing a jump start. Save 10% off Renogy (promo code CANLIFE) and 12% off ICECO by using our links!
Article of the Month – Choosing & Installing an Inverter
Many brand new RV’s don’t come with a way to run the Alternating Current (AC) appliances when you aren’t plugged to shore power. To do that you simply need an inverter. It takes the power stored in your battery and makes it work with appliances that plug into the wall at home -- like laptops, lamps, and hairdryers. Learn how to size and install this essential boondocking component that many RV manufactures don't include in their build.
Just a week ago we were wrapping up two great shows in the Midwest -- the Lacrosse & Duluth Sports Shows. Okay, February might not be the best time of year to visit either of these destinations, but we always love returning to discuss topics related to living full-time, part-time, or anytime in an RV. If you joined us for one of those conversations, thanks so much for your energy and coming out!
Next up...it’s back to the Midwest, this time North Dakota for the Minot Sports Show, March 10-12! If you’re in the area, come on and see us. We’ll be discussing Vintage Camper Restoration and Gourmet Camp Cooking & Baking. Check out our Seminar Schedule here.
Speaking of camp cooking, the spring thaw is right around the corner, and with it, the urge to build a fire and grill something comes out of hibernation. As two vegetarian foodies, we’ve long treated our Portobello mushroom caps like the fine fillet mignon they rival, but we’ve fallen in love with a new way to grill. Any fan of this newsletter will recognize the OTZI Adventure Grill that we’ve discussed before, but we want to emphasize how this little grill has reinvigorated our love of outdoor cooking. Grab yours before your first spring cookout and save 10% with our link and promo code “CANLIFE”!
Good News for the Environment – Sea Otter & California Elephant Seals on the Rebound!
Fur Fashions, Fat, and Fishing Rivals: By the beginning of the 20th century, the populations of Sea Otters and Northern Elephant Seals along the California coast were mere shadows of their former selves. These two gregarious species approached extirpation (localized extinction from a traditional habitat). The reasons were simple. Humanity thought that these animals were better suited in fur hats, rendered down for use in oil lamps, or taken out as competitors for domestic fish harvesting.
Fun Fact: Sea Otters have the densest fur of any mammal on the planet, so they were particularly prized in northern climates for hats - but let's be honest it was all about fashion. What’s amazing about their return is how they have improved the environments they inhabit. In particular, the Sea Otter plays a vital role in keeping sea urchin population in check, which in turn helps keep the giant kelp forests healthy, which is a crucial habitat for so many marine species in the coastal Pacific. See how their numbers have rebounded! In 1910 the Elephant Seal population of California was down to less than 100 members. Their return is one of the key wildlife restoration success stories of the last century. Last month, we enjoyed some time out on the California coast and headed down to Point Reyes National Seashore to see one of California's megafaunas, the Northern Elephant Seals. In this video clip we witnessed how bullying isn't just a human trait. The aggressor here had just been chased off the beach by the local alpha male only to climb up the into the ice plant where this fellow was just chillin'.
We’re excited to announce our partnership with the Escapees RV Club. This is one of the original groups who started it all. Membership includes monthly newsletters, resources, discounts on stays in RV parks and campgrounds, as well as invitations to meet ups, rallies, and bashes! Their website is chock full of information about how to receive your mail while traveling, volunteering with your RV, finding a new domicile if you go full-time, and working while traveling. The subgroup of Escapees (Xscapers) appeals to a younger crowd who are still working and traveling. For the low cost of $49.95, you get all of these resources and more!
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