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