October/November '24 Canlife Correspondence - Connection, CORE Battery, Constellations, & Caverns!
Just a few days ago, in a Walmart parking lot, a young man approached, "Hey, aren't you the folks with Freedom in a Can?" Now, this doesn't happen to us very often, and if you think I'm sharing this to sound famous...think again. This young man came to our seminars at the Raleigh RV Show in North Carolina earlier this year and left inspired to give life on the road a try in the small truck camper rig that he had, rather than buy something bigger and less affordable. We made a connection at that seminar, and he approached us 9 months later when we happened to bump into each other in Idaho, just to say thank you! Actually, my friend, thank YOU!
Connection -- that's really what this whole rolling shindig is about for us! It's the reason we left our home to color in the blank spaces on our map in person, the reason we started sharing our journey through pictures and stories, the reason we became speakers at RV Shows and on college campuses, and the reason we started this "almost monthly" newsletter. They are all ways to keep in touch with the many people we meet, from all walks of life across this small, spinning blue marble that we call home. Connection is a powerful drug and we could all use more of it.
We relish the opportunity to share our world with you, and it's a real compliment when we see so many of you reading and interacting with our newsletter (clicking a link, watching a video, etc.)...and it's even better when we get a reply to it. We always know when Aunt Martha or my god father "Uncle Bob" reads our newsletter, because they nearly always respond. So, here's the formal invitation to be like them -- we welcome your responses, questions, comments, and suggestions.
We try to keep our Canlife Correspondence to once a month. Sometimes life gets in the way, and this October was difficult, not only for us, but for a lot of people across our country. Things hit pretty close to home when Appalachia, our "home " in western North Carolina, got hit by Hurricane Helene. We were in Michigan with family and our Hamlet was in Oregon, and we strongly felt the need to be "home" digging in and helping out.
The national news may have already turned the page after the flood waters receded and the election news soaked up all the oxygen. Meanwhile, the people in the mountains are quietly getting on with it, demonstrating their incredible resilience and cooperation to work hard to get 'er done. Community interconnection and self-reliance are bred here with equal ferocity. According to our friends on the ground, the helicopters are flying daily and FEMA is helping people get back on their feet, but there's still so much more to do. So, let's get on with it. For a very moving story, listen to the second story in this episode of Snap Judgment (starts at 44 minutes). We stumbled upon this yesterday while driving -- Dr. Ray Christian is literally talking about the exact area we used to live and call home!
We're on our way back east to assist with that effort, as neither one of us could really imagine keeping our plans to travel to Baja California when our home town is suffering. Another reason we almost never make reservations! While we wanted to just click our heels and get there, we knew that we would actually be in the way until things stabilized and roads into the mountains were (mostly) repaired.
As full-time RVers, we sometimes lose the perspective of those who might only have a few weeks to travel, and pull the long hours on the interstate to get where they're going. That's how we travelled when we had the commitments of regular jobs and a house.
But we simply hate pulling the longer driving hours that we did in the past -- it's just too exhausting while trying to run a mobile business -- and we miss so much beauty along the way. So we're taking a bit of a hybrid approach somewhere between intentional wandering and putting the hammer down. We've stopped to explore beautiful places, hike the canyons of the west that we hadn't yet seen, visit old friends along the way, and dip a paddle into the waters we encounter between here and our Appalachian home.
Connection - The energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship. ~ Bene Brown
This week we stopped for a couple days at Lee's Ferry in Grand Canyon National Park. While Hutch launched from this beach on July 5th for his multi-week trip down the Colorado River, Shari had never been to the launch before. We hired a back-haul service called Kayak the Colorado that will taxi you and your kayaks up to just below the Glen Canyon Dam so that you can paddle the 16 miles back to the launch. This was an un-paddled section for us, and it helps color in a blank space on the map for Hutch's lifetime project to string together paddle-able sections of the mighty Colorado River from its source to where it finally dries up into an agricultural irrigation ditch. If you wonder where the water in the river goes, just look at your vegetables and see where they come from -- chances are you're consuming some of it.
Connection, whether to people, place, or a new part of the natural world, is a strong tonic to feelings of frustration anger, anxiety and uncertainty. So too is helping each other out, and we'll keep you informed about what we see, and where people might need some additional help.
We're so grateful that you've chosen to tag along on this ride with us, and to even open this email; we know that there's so many demands on your time. So thank you, and let's keep the connections going, call your mom, text an old buddy, hug your friends, and let them know what they mean to you.
State Mottos: Oregon
"Alis Volat Propriis - She Flies With Her Own Wings"
Ok...who is she...why is she flying...should I be flying...and how can I land this sucker safely? While not the most esoteric of state mottos, this one is a little out there, and has an interesting history. This motto required a little dive, albeit a shallow one. This motto appeared on the territorial seal in the 1859, and is attributed to Judge Jesse Quinn Thornton. In 1957, thinking that they needed something clearer, and arguably more boring, the state formerly adopted "The Union." Then, 30 years later, the state legislature reached back to the past to return to the original motto -- something that reflects the rugged independence and pioneering spirit of the state's founding...and now she flies! What an interesting push / pull between an emphasis on independence and connection? Like a lot of western states, and many around the country, fierce individualism and collective cooperation collide in its cultural make-up.
Harvest Host Holiday Sale - Not Just an Overnight Stay Anymore & Save 30%!
As campgrounds close for the winter, we try to mix things up with a different kind of overnight parking option. While boondocking on public land is often an option, Harvest Hosts offer a place for self-contained RVers to park at their business and enjoy what they, and the surrounding area, has to offer. We've enjoyed nights at wineries, breweries, farms, and distilleries. But it's not just for one night anymore! Now, many Hosts allow you to book additional nights and reserve a space with water and electrical hookups right through the app. Check out our video which discusses all the deets; and if you're NEW to Harvest Hosts, sign-up before January 1, 2025 and save 30% off your FIRST year membership with promo code HOLIDAYHH. Makes a fun gift for the new RVers on your holiday list too!
In Front of the Mic: Grand Rapids Camper, Travel, & RV Show, January 16-19, 2025
In January, we're heading back to the RV show that started it all for us, Grand Rapids Camper, Travel & RV show at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. We'll be offering several different seminar topics during the 4 day show.
We've been coming to this show since 2015 and we always love the crowd and the great connections we make with folks. Hope to see you there!
100Ah Mini CORE Battery -- Big Power, Small Footprint, & Inexpensive!
How can you get excited about a battery? Well, it's easy really when this one will power our ICECO 12V fridge for up to 10 days on single charge and takes up just a little bit more space than our older 50Ah LiFePO4. That's twice the power, y'all, at just a little bit more of a footprint. We've tested this battery over the past several weeks while we've traveled through some western states, and we're already impressed. It's small, it's powerful, it's long lasting, and it has protections like low-temp cut off and BMS stability -- which is crucial for us since this lil' guy lives in the back of our truck! Check out our review here.
Recipes of the Month: Easy Thanksgiving Recipes for the Modern Pilgrim
RVers by the millions roll into campgrounds across the United States for Thanksgiving Week. Those folks who have full RV kitchens and love to cook often go to the effort to make the whole shabang, while others simplify the process, cook over a fire, and employ fun and delicious recipes which involve the whole family. No matter which way you choose to roll, cooking some or all of the big meal outside will be memorable. This month we offer several recipes which are specifically tailored to make use of a smaller RV kitchen and cooking outside!
Black Friday Savings on Solar -- It's That Time of Year!
November is the month that most people start thinking about holiday gift giving. It's also the month that many start diving into some winter project planning. Well, you don't have to wait until Black Friday to start saving with Renogy's solar gear. All month long they're featuring some of the best savings of the year, and you can get an additional 6% off these amazing prices with our promo code "CANLIFE." And remember if you need help with solar, we got you. Just check out the myriad of solar resources on our website; and, as always, reach out to us directly with any questions.
National Park Blog Series: Carlsbad Caverns
Y'all know that we're proud National Park Nerds! We're now sharing our special affinity, knowledge, and experience with a wider audience. In RV Trader Magazine's online blog, we're offering a whole series on America's National Parks, with this month focused on Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico! See more of our RV Trader Blogs on our author landing page.
Winter RVing Tips & Strategies
It's getting colder y'all! Even here in the four corners area of the country (Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico), we've experienced some cold nights well below freezing and quite a bit of snow. While Hamlet doesn't exactly have a lot of insulation, we've found a couple hacks that keep us toasty.
1.Low Wattage Heated Mattress Cover. We just added this new product to our life and we aren't sure how we've survived winter without it. Instead of heating from the top down, it's from the bottom up. Using only about 8% of our 200Ah battery bank, we can sleep more comfortably in the winter -- without the need for sleeping hoodies and down booties, or burning through a bunch of propane. While it doesn't make it easier to get outta bed on a chilly morning, it was well worth the $70 we spent!
2. Down Booties. These toasty slippers have their place and our camper is one of them. When that camper floor gets chilly, our feet are warm and happy. Happy feet, happy life!
3. AirSkirts RV Insulation. We've discussed these ingenious tubes before, and featured them many times. They just released a new 18" tube diameter which fits lower clearance rigs like our Hamlet. These tubes provide just as much insulation, weigh less, take up less space when deflated, and just look nicer overall. Get $100 off a custom kit for your RV with this link and promo code CANLIFE. Then get out there and turn your RV into a cozy winter cabin!
Naturalist App of the Month: Star Walk 2 -- Identify Constellations & Comets
While we've been in the west, we tend to take the big, scenic panoramas for granted. We also can't get enough of the dark nighttime skies. Seeing the Milky Way in these conditions is simply spectacular, but how do you know what is what up there? Star Walk 2 is a great companion to learning about the night sky. You can simply open the app, scan the sky, and immediately start to identify celestial bodies, planets, constellations, and more. The app recently helped us find the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet which was visible with a good pair of binoculars. I doubt we would have been able to find it in the sky without the app pointing the way. Check it out this fun resource that you can use no matter where you happen to be!
Speaking of dark skies, we recently saw this information board in a very remote campground in Utah, and loved the description of how RV outdoor lighting could cause light pollution -- negatively affecting both wildlife and night sky viewing. Please consider your own RV lighting when you are camping in Dark Sky places.
Parting Shot -- A Moment in Time
Sometimes a striking image will tie you to a place forever. While driving south on Hwy 50 (known as The Loneliest Road in America) in eastern Nevada, we captured this brooding weather image. Shari always has the camera ready and this was taken at about 60 mph through the window. We woke up to about 4 inches of snow the next morning near Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park, which made these historic structures even more interesting.
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