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Monday, January 15, 2018

Campground Moving Day



Sunday, our week was up at Juniper Springs. We've moved just 19 miles down the road to Alexander Springs. These Federal parks are nice, but you have to like primitive and minimal facilities.

So far my solar electric set up is mostly working. I've two separate systems. There's the 105 watt panel on the van roof, connected to a deep discharge battery. The campsites limit where the van can be parked so the panel is often partially shaded. My 12 volt cooler is connected to that system, but it kills the battery. I knew it would as it's a cheap cooler, not the more efficient compressor type. With that in mind the cooler just has condiments, eggs, butter and cheese. If they don't get super cold, it's no big deal.

The second system consists of a 50 watt panel, charge controller and 12 volt deep discharge battery I borrowed from my boat shed. I also have a second trolling motor battery. The batteries, charge controller and a 400 watt inverter fit into a wooden box. Since that can be placed where there's more sun, it's doing fairly well. My computer, phone, hotspot, and c-pap run off that system.

We tried our first dehydrated meal pack. It was a from the Wise Company: a cheese lasagna concoction. Of course, you don't get layered pan lasagna from a bag. It's more a sauce and noodles sort of thing. Preparation was straight forward: 4 cups boiling water, stir in mixture, turn off heat, then stir a few times while it rehydrates. To avoid crunchy noodles, go the full recommended soaking time.

So how was it? Edible. There was plenty for two hungry adults. The sauce and noodles tasted fine. There was just enough spice to give it a little bit of kick -acceptable to New Englanders but barely noticeable to Cajuns. The “meat” appeared to be a textured soy product. My wife later complained about a bit of indigestion, but I was fine. However, generally I've little problem with anything I can wrestle down my throat, so I'm not the best judge.

Looking forward to the other meals to see how they sort out.

-Sixbears

14 comments:

  1. LOL - Better watch that soy! I've begun seeing articles that say it increases female hormones or decreases male hormones in men, I forget which.

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    1. I don't expect any soy problems from the small levels I've been consuming. It's not part of my regular diet, so that's good.

      Besides, as a big snorty male, I've got got hormones to spare. :)

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  2. I know it isn't healthy, but ramen is one of my favorite off grid meals. I only use half of the packet to reduce sodium (though in summer, the extra salt is appreciated when working outdoors) and in the cold, hot liquid is awesome.

    MREs for me are just so-so in flavor, but like you, if I can get it down, rarely have any issues with the stomach. Not finicky at all in fact.

    Hope you and wife and enjoying the trip so far.

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    1. The MSG in ramen is a no go for my lovely wife. I used to eat a lot of it back in the day.

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  3. I have no problem eating those type meals, of course I will eat anything except coconut and licorice.

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    1. I'll eat those too, so there's not much out there that escapes.

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  4. I admire the way you build your own solar gear. I had to buy mine.

    I've had mixed luck with long term storage pre-packaged meals. Haven't tried Wise, but I have heard good things about them.

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    1. I figured I might as well see how these packages go before stocking up on more.

      Solar is pretty straight forward now. Not like in the old days when the info was written for engineers.

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