Sunday, December 25, 2011
"Day 226 - Morro de Sao Paulo to Itacare" Al_fey's photos about Itacare, Brazil (state of bahia)
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Conversion Van Camping Tips
Conversion van camping doesn't give you the luxury of life in an RV, nor the discomfort of sleeping in a tent. It can be tough to safely heat a van at night, but it's cheap compared to an RV, and you can go places they cannot. We spent more than 25 nights sleeping in our conversion van last year.
Life In A Conversion Van
Make your van into something that's useable for you, especially if it's going to be your residence for days or weeks at a time. For my wife and I, this meant having space to move around. We took out the two middle seats which, I convinced Ana, would be good armchairs for the living room. Then we had enough space for dressing or cooking. The bench-seat in back folds out into a comfortable bed, so we were all set for camping.
When traveling, you need a system of organization to keep your space inside the van livable. After our first long trip, we noticed the many things we never used. We got more efficient after that. We're also able to keep the space open, despite carrying many things, by using plastic storage tubs you can buy almost anywhere. They stack well, and if you need more room at night, you can put them on the roof. They're rainproof with the lids snapped on.
Heating A Conversion Van
Camping in a van can be cold at times, as it was for us in the deserts of Arizona last winter. We started the van and cranked up the heater once in a while, but only for brief periods. The danger of carbon monoxide poisoning is just too great to leave the car running while you are sleeping.
We also cooked to heat up the van. Our propane camp stove burned very clean. Any time it was cold, it was time to cook dinner, breakfast, or tea. This heated up the van nicely. Again, because of carbon monoxide, I wouldn't recommend ever sleeping with a propane burner going. Still, sometimes a quick warm-up is all you need before you crawl under the blankets for the night.
The secret to heating a conversion van when camping is to give up. Enjoy meal time warm-ups, but unless you have electric power, I don't know of a safe way to heat a van all night. Instead, you can heat yourselves. Wear warm clothing. Bring more blankets than you think you'll need. Prepare a thermos bottle full of hot coffee each night, so it will be waitng for you in the morning. You get to warm the van when you make it, and warm up yourselves drinking it for breakfast.
Advantages Of Conversion Van Camping
Traveling and camping in a conversion van costs less than in an RV. The initial cost is a lot less if you buy used, as we did, and the cost of driving it is substantialy less. We averaged 18 miles per gallon on our last cross-country trip. Most recreational vehicles are lucky to get half of that, and they're very expensive to maintain.
Compared with tent camping, a van is much more comfortable. Even if you backpack, you are probably going to drive some kind of car to wherever you go. With a van, you can come inside if it starts to rain. If you're backpacking a long way from home, you can save on motels on the drive to and from the trailhead.
Camping can be more comfortable in an RV, but not in all ways. It's nice, for example, to park anywhere. We've taken naps in parking lots, and nobody was the wiser, thanks to tinted windows, curtains, and the inconspicuousness of a van. At a free campground in Florida we got the best spot, on a bank overlooking Lake Talquin, because our van was small enough to fit there, unlike most of the RVs.
It's great to be able to drive anywhere. In the conversion van, camping wherever we are when it gets dark is no problem. Finally, some larger RVs drag a car around because the big rig just isn't practical for daily driving. Our coversion van is a second home AND our primary vehicle for shopping or going to work. That's flexibilty.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Gregory Z55 Backpack Review
Thursday, December 8, 2011
LeDonne Vacquetta Leather U-Zip Mini Backpack Black
!±8± LeDonne Vacquetta Leather U-Zip Mini Backpack Black
LeDonne LD-030 Vaqueta Leather U-Zip Mini Backpack--Stylish everyday leather bag that works as a backpack or a purse--Features:* Genuine full grain leather* Handcrafted* Large u-zip entry* Front zipper pocket* Right side zipper pocket* Lined interior with zipper pocket* Adjustable rear strap* Antique hardware* Size: 9.5" x 10.5" x 3.5"** At LeatherPaKs we stand by our leather bags and guarantee you'll love them as much as we do, if not the return shipping is on us!
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Thursday, December 1, 2011
Let's Play Fallout 3 [CH1][P10of78]
Monday, November 28, 2011
Let's Play Fallout 3 [CH1][P22of78]
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Let's Play Fallout 3 [CH1][P15of78]
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Potty Training Puppy Guide
Everyone is out there looking for the perfect way to potty train their puppy. Well I hate to break it to you but there isn't a perfect way.
The reason there is not a perfect way is that every puppy and every owner is so unique that you can't predict what all of them would do and how all of them would react. Instead you as a owner have to read through a few different plans and choose the one that fits you best.
Plans that usually work better, are ones that provide a little flexibility. Or plans that outline the very basic steps so you can customize to suit your needs.
I have come up with a plan. It is not fool-proof but it has worked very well for a lot of puppies and their owners.
1. Food and water given at specified times. I know a lot of owners like to leave food and water out for their puppy to eat and drink leisurely throughout the day. This isn't a bad thing, once they are potty trained. However, during the potty training process it can be disastrous. So put the bowls out of puppy's reach and bring them down for him about every two hours.
2. Take him out. Potty training puppy is easy at this point if you make sure to take him out. Do not wait to take him out once he has finished, most puppies will relieve themselves within 2-4 minutes of finishing their meal. So as soon as he walks away and seems satisfied, take him outside to do his business.
3. Praise him. The most important step in the potty training is praise. You need to let him know that he did the right thing by relieving himself outside. Puppies want to please you so if you shower him with love and praise, he will want to do it again to get that reaction.
That's it! See how easy potty training your puppy can be.
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Monday, November 21, 2011
Mini Backpack Purse - Why Every Woman Needs One
The mini backpack purse is the most versatile and practical accessory which you can buy.
I have always used the mini backpack purse. They used to be rather hard to find, so consider yourself lucky that they are now available in such a wide variety of styles. I first converted to backpacks when I was a student and cycled everywhere. However, when I got a 'proper job' on graduation I discovered that I needed proper accessories. This is when I discovered that being an adult was full of pitfalls.
My first week at work I borrowed a hand bag from my sister, but I found that it was constantly slipping off my shoulder. Most women can easily carry a shoulder bag; but the reason for this is not good. Most women will find that it is easier to carry a bag on one shoulder than the other; this is because they have developed a lopsided stance which keeps one shoulder higher. Although this makes carrying a bag easy, it is not good for your spin.
The great thing about the mini backpack purse is that you can wear it without developing a lopsided walk. In fact, by carrying a light backpack it will actually improve you posture as you will tend to hold your shoulders in the correct position. This will cause the diaphragm to lift and the lungs to be released. This will improve your breathing, and with better oxygenated blood cursing through your veins you will also experience better energy levels.
I have tried many different styles and sizes of mini backpack purses and this is how I now choose mine.
Main Compartment
This has to be large enough to fit a small toiletry bag and a paperback. Anything smaller and you will find that you have to carry your book and then you may as well not bother with the bag at all.
Front Compartment
A small external front compartment is really useful for your travel pass, building entry card, and maybe a house or car key.
Internal Zip Compartment
Every woman needs one of these; somewhere to put your loose change and anything else that you don't want to fall out or to have to rummage for.
The mini backpack purse is so practical that you will wonder how you managed before. So it really is a small price to pay, to not only organise your bag, but also to energise your body and help your spine.
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