Spouse on-board

I get to do a lot of experimentation in my life: alternative energy, fuels, transportation, buildings, . . . etc. and so on. I could not imagine doing a quarter of these things if my lovely wife wasn't on-board with it. Not only is she fine with it, she contributes.

Today we were kicking around ideas about solar water heaters. We discussed our options. There were pros and cons to different system improvements and her input was critical. Of course, we have to have something we can both live with.

Later, the two of us were talking about putting in a second solar electric system to handle small loads. She suggested we could use the solar electric panel off the boat. During the summer, we don't really need it. The few times we run the outboard is enough to charge up our boat battery. Summer electric boat needs are very small.

The panel could provide power all winter on the boat and all summer for the house. It's already hooked up with a quick disconnect, so it's easy to move. If we do go on an extended summer trip, we can take the panel with us. The small house system can be shut down as we'll be gone and not using it anyway. The use of our existing panel drops the cost in half, or better.

35 years ago when I met my future wife we were both 20. We had a lot of all night talks about our values and dreams. We walked the land I owned and I told her that someday I wanted to build a dome there.

Well, life happens. We had three kids and never built a dome on that piece of land. We built it across the street. Close enough. In all the important ways we are still those crazy idealistic 20 year old kids.

-Sixbears