Magnolia Beach

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Two Months of Ground Oyster Shells

WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fighting the dust on the beach was a losing battle. I gave up, satisfying myself with a daily cursory sweep of the broom and passing of a Swiffer cloth over surfaces.

Since I’ll be getting a shower tonight, it seemed such a shame to go to bed in a dirty rig. So as soon as the laundry was done, I set to work with the shop vac, a bucket of sudsy water, and Pledge Future.

The rig was otherwise spotless, so there was a minimum amount of moving stuff out of the way needed to vacuum and wash the rig from the ceiling down to the floors and then add the Future to make them shiny.

Soon as I finish my deliciously icy cold beer, I am heading for the shower. I don’t plan to get out of it until I look like a prune!

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Port Lavaca to Von Ormy

OMG IT’S ABOUT 100 DEGREES IN SAN ANTONIO!!!!!!!!!!!!

With that out of the way, it’s been a good day so far. I went out shortly after my last post to hook up the truck. I’m getting better at gauging the distance I need to park it from the RV, but I always manage to not be quite straight and have the passenger side at the right distance to hook up while the driver’s side is a bit short.

Once I was hooked up, I discovered I have three minor Miranda repairs to make.

The first is with the windshield wipers. The pump is working fine, but the fluid is just shooting out from under the dash. I’m hoping I’ll find the hole or bad connection in the hose easily.

The second is to check the fuses for the turn signals. I put on the four way flashers to make sure the truck blinkers were working, and nothing. I tried the turn signal, nothing. I jiggled both and eventually got the left blinker working and the four way flashers, with the right blinker coming after several more jiggle. I really hope that this is just a fuse issue!

Like when I left Campbell River, my house stairs refused to budge. All I had on hand to lubricate them was was WD-40, so I’ll make sure to get some white grease next time I’m out shopping. Or maybe I can find some of that Move-It Croft had…

First stop was gas, which was painless since I could circle around the building to get out. Even better, the pump handle had a catch that meant I could wash my windows while the gas was pumping.

It was a smooth drive into Port Lavaca, where I got propane. Another easy in and out except for the bad driveway. Surely they know someone with a grader? Propane was CHEAP, $42 to fill the on board tank!

The first part of the drive was familiar since I had to drive through Goliad (which is still under construction). Traffic got moderately heavier from Kenedy (not a typo) onward, but it was nothing too bad and most drivers were courteous.

From the 410 bypass, it was an easy drive to Von Ormy and the Hidden Valley RV Park, where I was greeted by the wonderful Teri.

Hidden Valley is the best deal in San Antonio for boondockers wanting to stay more than just a night or two since they offer dry camping for just $5 a night! I found the campground through freecampsites.net. My FHU spot tonight is costing me $30.

Even though I was 15 minutes early for check in, Teri greeted me warmly. She had a packet of information for me and spent time showing me around downtown on a map, highlighting the best places to park and where to catch public transportation. I was told by L to avoid driving into San Antonio, but with Teri’s instructions, I know I can get to cheap parking easily, so I don’t see any reason not to go in with the truck.

It is SUPER hot today, so I have the AC blasting, but it’s supposed to go right back down tomorrow. Talk about perfect planning!

I have to move around noon tomorrow. Teri showed me the two possibilities and the setup will be just fine. I’ll post pics at some point after I’ve moved.

Now, I need to start on my rather ambitious list for the day. The laundry is a trek and a half, so until that’s done (about half an hour left), I don’t want to get started on anything else. After that, the vacuum cleaner is coming out! 🙂

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Misty Last Morning On the Beach

It’s a damp last morning here on the beach. I was happy to get one last glimpse of the pelicans coming in for a landing. What droll creatures, so prehistoric!

I’ll be ready to pull out in a half our or so, by about 8:30. I need to finish my coffee, put a few things away in the kitchen, load the propane tank in the truck, and the pull Miranda ahead so I can hook up. Since I’m not washing the rig today, unless the perfect wash place materializes, that’ll give me plenty of time to get gas and propane and meander my way to Van Ormy to arrive close enough to check in time to have a productive afternoon.

I’m not too sure of my route yet. Google Maps has me going San Antonio on the 410 bypass. Midday on a Monday, I think that will be okay and better than trying to route myself on smaller roads with a map. I haven’t yet checked what route the GPS wants me to take.

It’s time to go. I’ve had such a wonderful stay here and met great friends. This place has been good for me, a real reward the end of a long journey. But the road is calling my name, reminding me that all good things in this life are ephemeral. It has been a privilege to be here and I am hopeful that my next stop will be as sweet.

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Photos From My Last Day At the Beach

What a busy day it’s been on the beach as it’s the last day of March break. It’s been overcast (I didn’t get a full charge today) but very muggy, so all the windows and roof hatches have been open.

Late afternoon, I decided to walk the two miles (four miles round trip) to the saloon for a beer and a burger, forgetting that today is St Patrick’s Day. The saloon was full to bursting so I instead got my burger to go and ate it on a windy bench on the beach, about halfway to home so the food was still at an acceptable temperature. I just wish I could have had one last ice cold Dos Equis, ‘dressed’ with salt and lime (damn you L for introducing them to me, LOL).

It was a really nice walk except for the fact that there is no way to get to the Saloon but along the main road and it was very busy tonight with folks heading back to civilization.

I won’t miss the wind, but I will otherwise miss everything about this truly magical place. I am so blessed to have been able to spend time here. I have about 14 hours left before I pull out.

 

Portrait of contentment, Neelix version.

Portrait of contentment, Neelix version.

Until these folks with a Fleetwood Flair pulled in, I was sure my deadbolt was added on a by a previous owner. This is the first time I have seen an entrance door exactly like mine.

Until these folks with a Fleetwood Flair pulled in, I was sure my deadbolt was added on a by a previous owner. This is the first time I have seen an entrance door exactly like mine.

My neighbours' dog is SOOOOOOO cute. She's about half the size of Tabitha!!! Her name is Daisy and she is 8 years old.

My neighbours’ dog is SOOOOOOO cute. She’s about half the size of Tabitha!!! Her name is Daisy and she is 8 years old.

Portrait of contentment, Tabitha version.

Portrait of contentment, Tabitha version.

The beach was PACKED and this is only a small part of it!

The beach was PACKED and this is only a small part of it!

This school bus was selling hot food tonight to my surprise.

This school bus was selling hot food tonight to my surprise.

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The beach is on one side of the road and this lagoon is on the other side.

The beach is on one side of the road and this lagoon is on the other side.

I love these taller palms with the orange bits.

I love these taller palms with the orange bits.

See the orange bit?

See the orange bit?

The volunteer fire department.

The volunteer fire department.

Cute VW bug for sale, but I've been told that such a car would be much too light to tow.

Cute VW bug for sale, but I’ve been told that such a car would be much too light to tow.

I love how the bold colour makes this otherwise utilitarian home a real jewel.

I love how the bold colour makes this otherwise utilitarian home a real jewel.

Octagonal house.

Octagonal house.

JT One Stop has gas, groceries, fishing supplies, cold beer, a grill, coffee, and more.

JT One Stop has gas, groceries, fishing supplies, cold beer, a grill, coffee, and more.

Entrance to the Saltwater Saloon.

Entrance to the Saltwater Saloon.

The rickety crabbing bridge.

The rickety crabbing bridge.

At the vehicular entrance to the beach.

At the vehicular entrance to the beach.

Spot Miranda!

Spot Miranda!

AT LAST, a snake! I think it was dead, though. :(

AT LAST, a snake! I think it was dead, though. 🙁

Folks here wrap their slides to prevent the awning from flapping.

Folks here wrap their slides to prevent the awning from flapping.

About halfway home from the last picture.

About halfway home from the last picture.

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You can just see Miranda's overhang.

You can just see Miranda’s overhang.

Gulls frolicking in a tide pool.

Gulls frolicking in a tide pool.

We can see one of the big yellow buoys that recently washed up on the beach.

We can see one of the big yellow buoys that recently washed up on the beach.

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54 Days of Boondocking

I am just under a week shy of completing one solid month of boondocking! I’m doing one night on FHU and then it’s back off the grid I go.

Boondocking for so long didn’t seem realistic when I first started as I had so many troubles with my electrical setup. But I persevered in my troubleshooting and have been rewarded with a 12V system I now only need to monitor as it is adequate and functioning well for my needs.

That said, I’m not sure I would still be here on the beach had I not been able to borrow that generator at the beginning of February or if L and B hadn’t installed a new continuous duty solenoid in the motorhome engine compartment. It really does take the proverbial village…

I’ve got my power usage down to a routine now. I charge my computer in the morning and leave it plugged in for the entire afternoon. It still consumes a few amps at full charge, but it’s a fraction of what it needs to charge, so I’m able to charge the house batteries fully by dinner time, and I have a fully charged computer for the evening.

I don’t leave the computer plugged in in the evening because of the enormous voltage drop due to undersized wiring that I still need to correct. If I leave it plugged in, I don’t have enough voltage to even run an LED light without it flickering.

Now that I know that the wiring is undersized, I can manage my 12V use so that the system doesn’t get over loaded and the DC charger doesn’t get hot, so there are no fire concerns. I am eager to beef up the wiring, but it’s going to be a costly job and there are other upgrades in line first.

If it’s sunny out, I can use 120V items, like the printer and vacuum cleaner without a second thought. If like yesterday, it is overcast, then I need to shut some things down (usually unplugging the computer is enough) or run the engine to get the added voltage boost.

As for plumbing, the holding tanks haven’t been a problem. I could likely go a couple more weeks.

I am sorely missing having water in my on board tank, but have conceded that my 10-gallon water heater means that having instant hot water while boondocking is a wasteful luxury. Having a navy shower is no better than bathing in a basin. So, really, hauling and heating water is always going to be in my boondocking future when I am not somewhere that I can fill up regularly.

I do so desperately miss my long hot evening showers as they were my transition time to bedtime. I need to find access to showers the next time I’m off the grid this long. When I had my house and the plumbing was off in the dead of winter, I’d just go to the gym. I need to find an equally suitable setup on the road. The RV park where I am going does have showers, but I’d have to pay an extra $5 per day to access them. Much as I love my showers, they are not worth that much!

When I started reading about RVing back in 2008, I thought of all the things I would have to give up, and the first that came to mind was my daily shower. I can’t even remember the rest, but the showers hold true. That’s really the only concession I make when off the grid. Otherwise, I am living a more electrically-mindful version of my normal routine and I don’t feel deprived in the least.

Finally, boondocking is infinitely superior to staying in an RV park with all its restrictions!