However, I did manage to keep busy.
I had emptied the grey water holding tank. We have been parked up here for eight days and if we had another shower it was likely to be full. We know that we're usually good for a week and a half with the black tank, so we'll only empty it tomorrow morning before we leave.
Yes, we've got full hookups here, but we're not hooked up to any of them. We simply refill the fresh water tank as needed, and get out the sewer hose as needed, and we don't need electricity at all with our solar panels and batteries.
I can't figure out why people at campgrounds leave their sewer hose hooked up. It deteriorates quicker in the sun, and your neighbor is stuck staring at your unsightly sewer hose. And yet, that's the first thing 99% of campers do when they pull into a campsite.
We only get the sewer hose out when we need to. I know. We're not normal.
Sorry, I got a little off track there. Back to yesterday.
While I was out puttering around with the tanks, I happened to notice through the wheel well that something didn't look quite right.
That black hose is supposed to be attached to that valve.
Something to do with the fuel tank venting system. The hose with the clamp on it is supposed to be attached to the other side of that valve. And the valve itself is a little off kilter. No idea what could have caused it to come off.
I crawled underneath. While it's really easy to photograph, it's not very easy to reach with your hands! I tried from underneath on both sides, and there is simply not enugh room without putting the back end up in the air a little bit.
So before we leave tomorrow morning, I'll drive up on some blocks to give myself a little more room under there. I'm a skinny guy with long arms, but I still need more room!
Company arrived around 4:00pm and we had happy hour. Unfortunately Barb had a bad stomach and couldn't make it, but Doug had stopped by and as happy to take her place at the dinner table. We forgot to take pictures of dinner! It was delicious...a pasta dish and salad, and Sal had brought flan for dessert. Nice!
After dinner. Doug, with his dog Angie, Sal, Kevin, Ulli, and Heinz.
Sliver of a moon.
Angie is such a good girl.
And then we had a campfire!
Today is market day this morning, and dentist day this afternoon.
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Every now and then, a good pair of binoculars comes on sale at a great price. Today is that day...
And in Canada...
So nice to see photos of Ulli and Heinz.....they are looking well. Looks like a good time with good friends.
ReplyDeleteThey are doing very well and really enjoying life in their apartment here in Valle. We had a wonderful evening, it's a shame that Barb wasn't able to enjoy it with us though.
DeleteI love reading your adventures! And, yes, you are NOT normal to think about your neighbors and if they want to see your sewer hose! Thank you from those of us that really hate seeing unsightly things while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors. Although, that sewer hose is sort of okay. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathleen! I guess that is another reason why we love boondocking so much, we can just sit back and enjoy the nature. :-)
DeleteOf course you are normal since you are just like us about the sewer hose. ;-) I don't get it either since you sure don't want to leave the black tank open all the time so why hook it up until you are ready to use it. Good luck with the repair.
ReplyDeleteWhen we have full hookups we leave our GRAY tank open, NOT the black. That way we can take nice reviving showers and wash dishes to our hearts' content without filling up the gray tank prematurely. When the black tank gets to 3/4 tank (flashing, so just there), we close the gray valve and continue with our showers and dish washing until we have enough water in the gray to help flush out the sewer hose after dumping the black tank. Works for us! But I do see Kevin's point in that the sewer hose will degrade faster this way in a sunny locale.
DeleteSherry we are definitely in the minority, just walk around the campground and see how many hoses are out but it is nice to know that we aren't the only ones that think this way. :-)
DeleteEmily we understand why you and others do it this way but with us we are always in the boondocking state of mind and are always trying to conserve our resources even in a campground. We will always be a little different that most and we are fine with that! :-)
you manage to get a dog fix wherever you go...to me it looked like the moon was smiling down on your little group
ReplyDeleteYes, we always manage to find dogs on our travels, one of the reasons that we don't need another one at this time in our lives, and Angie is such a sweet thing.
DeleteI believe you are right Donna, it was shinning down on us for sure! :-)
Another great day in paradise. Hope you manage to get that repair done.
ReplyDeleteKevin is pretty confident that he can fix it, we will know very shortly as he will soon be out there working on it.
DeleteI must be abnormal too:) I only hook up the hoses when I am actually going to use them. I once left them on when we were staying a few weeks in one place, and the campground weed guy came by and weed waked the weeds and sliced the heck out of my brand new hose. Never again, Like you we only empty the tanks when they are nearly full. Saves effort and a lot better for keeping the tanks clean.
ReplyDeleteAnother very good reason why you shouldn't leave them out, especially when they aren't cheap to replace.
DeleteWe are not normal either. We use something called a Sewer Solution and did away with the stinky slinky hose about 10 years ago. Some don't like the SS as it uses water to macerate solids. But I have tested and it doesn't use that much water. Probably not great for boondockers though - even though we do boondock at times. Our hose is 10 years old and still as strong as ever. It is only three quarters of an inch so most neighbors have no idea what it is. But enough of sewage.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you never went for tacos and Valle de Juarez. Next to the Pemex? With pina slices? They are the best. I forget what we paid there. We get them in Jocotepec for 10 pesos and I found a place in San Miguel de Allende (neighborhoods - not centro) for 8 pesos. But I think Valle may have the best. The pina just makes the whole thing a test bud festival. Jerry would go there daily if Paula let him - I think he may sneak over there when no one is looking anyway.
Nope, we have never had tacos at that stand in Valle before, we always meant to but just never did! We did have them with Barb and Sal at the stand along the highway just before you make the lefthand turn to go to Mazamitla, near where the Chinese food restaurant is. Sal said this was another great taco place and he is totally right, they were delicious! We have seen the tacos in Jocotepec before but haven't had them there either, we have always had the birria instead.
DeleteWe don't always hook up our sewer hose. Is now 6 years old and still in good shape, quality Rhino flex does last.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the repair.
We have the same type of hose and it is about the same age too and still in great shape. Guess there are other like minded people out there, good to know that we aren't the only ones that think this way!
DeleteI'm interested in the hose?
ReplyDeleteWhich hose? The sewer hose? It's a Rhinoflex...
DeleteRhinoflex Sewer Hose
http://amzn.to/1USIZ7C