Hike, Kayak, Campfire...Repeat

I have been asked a few times what I like about RV adventures.  After much thought, I would say I like our RV adventures because each adventure is different and yet the same.  The differences are the places we go and the sights we see.  And the same is the comfort of our own tiny home, travelling with Lizzie (our cat), campfires and kayaking.  I wake up each day in our own home, then open the door to a new fun place.

Brian and I started our RV travelling adventure last year in our first travel trailer with trips to several Florida parks and a longer trip up to Ohio.  The first travel trailer was nice, but Brian and I both admitted we need just a little more room.  In January we bought a new 2018 Shadow Cruiser travel trailer at the Tampa RV show.  It wasn't an impulse purchase, we researched the different layouts and went to the show to check our options.  We bought a 30' Shadow Cruiser.  Not only a little longer, but the slide gives extra width.  The trailer has a comfortable small sofa...big enough for Brian and I with room for Lizzie.

We took a couple trips in the new trailer to shake out any problems.  Our first trip was to Rodman State Park...a couple hours from home, at the north end of the Ocala National Forest.  Brian does the driving and is the project manager for the RV setup.  The campsite at Rodman was not level and with the new trailer, I am sure we put on a good show for the neighbors...with me trying to direct Brian into the campsite.  We made it after several attempts.

The Rodman State Park is on the Rodman Reservoir (aka Lake Ocklawaha), created by the Rodman Dam (aka Kirkpatrick Dam).  Not only are the names controversial, but the dam and reservoir have been a hot topic from the beginning.  The dam was erected in 1968 as part of the Cross-Florida Barge Canal.  The canal project was never completed and the controversy continues today.  The environmentalists want the dam taken down because it serves no purpose (hydropower or water control) and the dam supporters want it to stay because the area has the best bass fishing in the state.

We packed a lot into our short 3-day trip.  We visited the Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka, Florida.  The park has a nice hike up and down the ravine (not common topography in Florida).  The azaleas were in bloom...very scenic.

In the afternoon, we launched our kayaks at the boat launch in the state park.  The best part of the trip was the half mile inlet from the boat ramp to the reservoir.  There were lots of birds and wildlife in that short area...and the water was very calm.

On the second day of our adventure we went to the Marjorie Kinnan Rawling's State Park.  Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings' was the Pulitzer-prize winning author of The Yearling and the park is her homestead.  She was a northerner who enjoyed the Old Florida lifestyle which inspired her books.  Our tour guide of the homestead was a big Rawling's fan.  He had great insight into her life, her writings and how she was inspired by the Old Florida.

Even though this was our first trip in the new trailer, it felt like home from the start.  I like to start the day drinking my morning coffee sitting outside, watching and listening to the birds.  And I end the day with a campfire, while the sun sets.  This beautiful tree and catbird made being outdoors fun.

Our second trip was to the Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park in White Springs, Florida.  Just as the name has a lot going on...so does the park.  There is a carillon tower, museum, craft square with a gift shop, a bat house...and the Suwannee River.

On this trip we avoided the "Trailer Backup Show" because we had a pull-thru site...nice and easy.  We will save the encore show for another trip.  We checked out all the attractions in the park.  The carillon tower is being repaired, so we didn't  hear the bells.  There are a couple places to visit outside the park.  One is the remains of the White Sulpher Springs bath house.  A once popular health resort built in 1908 around the spring.

Another place we explored was the Big Shoals State Park.  I hiked a couple miles to see the Big Shoals rapids on the Suwannee River.  Brian and I have paddled several times on the Suwannee River...at Juniper Springs and Manatee Springs...each time in very calm water.  Most of the 250 mile river is a slow moving, black water river.   At Big Shoals, when the water levels are high, the rapids earn a Class III White Water designation and are recommended for expert kayakers (not me!).  When I was there the water level was too low for rapids, but I saw some beautiful rocky outcrops and sand bars.

The hike was fun.  I think I have Nature ADD.  I stop to take a picture of every plant, lichen, fungus, sign and misshapen tree.  A hike takes me twice as long as it should.  This hike was the same until I saw this guy...a pine snake.

I like nature, but I don't like snakes (or spiders or bugs).  The only time I like them is when they are moving away from me.  This guy would not move!  I waited...and waited..then took a deep breath and stepped over him.  When I looked back he finally started to slowly slither into the woods.  After that experience, I spent more time looking where I was walking.  It didn't help that every root looked like a snake.  I survived and so did the snake...and the tree roots.

The second day, Brian and I kayaked on the Suwannee, far up stream from the rapids.  We headed up against the current first...so we could relax and float downstream.  The world is different sitting on top of the water.  We paddled past the White Spring bath house that we visited the day before and under US 41 bridge.

We started a new tradition on this trip...campfire cooking.  I brought a cast iron pan and cooked a couple meals on the campfire.

This park has a bat house.  I have been to the world's largest occupied bat houses at the University of Florida in Gainesville.  The UF bat houses have an estimated 400,000 bat population.  At Stephen Foster State Park, the bat house was much smaller but just as fun to watch.

The new trailer gets two thumbs up from Brian and I.  Also very important, Lizzie likes it.

Instant Pot, Fun Under Pressure

I love my Instant Pot!

A while ago I got caught up in the Instant Pot craze on the Internet.  It is a big seller on Amazon and has a few Facebook Groups.  When my crockpot stopped working, I took it as a sign to get an Instant Pot.  In addition to being an electric pressure cooker and slow cooker, it is also a yogurt maker and steamer.

I have had so much fun with my Instant Pot that I gave one to each of my daughters and my daughter-in-law.  I figure it may come in handy with their growing families.

I have had some hits and some misses...I am still trying to get rice just the way I like it.  Then I found a recipe for Starbucks Egg Bites.  Not only are the egg bites yummy, they can be healthy.  Here is my recipe:

    4 eggs
    1/2 cup cottage cheese
    1/2 cup shredded cheese
    1/2 cup greek yogurt
    salt and pepper to taste

Blend all the ingredients for 30 seconds in a blender.

Fill silicone cups 3/4 full and cover with foil.

Add 2 cups of water in the bottom of the Instant Pot pan.  Set the silicone mold on a rack in the pan.  Attach the lid and seal the vent.  Select the "STEAM" setting for 8 minutes.  After 8 minutes, let the Instant Pot set for 10 minutes and release the vent.

The recipe makes 12 egg bites, each bit is about 50 calories.  Yum!  They are just as good reheated 30 second in the microwave.

The egg bites are a blank canvas when it comes to taste.  The seasonings, cheese and condiments are what makes this dish.  I like to eat mine with tomatoes, avocados and bacon.

I stopped by Starbucks to try out the inspiration egg bites.

The Starbucks egg bites were good.  They were reheated in an oven so they had a browned finish.  Also the Gruyere cheese added a nice flavor.   And of course, pairing the egg bites with a Starbuck's coffee is a perfect combination.

This is an Instant Pot success!   They taste great, store easily, works well with different toppings.  It was an added bonus that I got to use my Instant Pot Greek yogurt and another kitchen appliance  favorite...my Ninja blender.

The Best Camera Is The One You Have With You

And that camera is my iPhone 7 Plus.  I am a casual photographer who enjoys taking pictures of my adventures.  Recently I started looking into how to take better pictures.  I have spent hours ...days...okay maybe a week or so, browsing the Internet.  I have read Instructable posts, watched YouTube videos, browsed hundreds of webpages and even took an online course from iPhone Photography School.    Here are some tips that I found helpful...

1.  CLEAN YOUR LENS

Just look at how dirty the front glass on your phone is.  Or your eyeglasses.  It is a good habit to * clean your lens.  Either with a microfiber cloth or your shirt...whatever is handy.

2.  USE THE GRID LINES

*Grid lines help with getting the horizon level.  It is not hard to understand that a level picture is more pleasing.

Grid lines also help compose your picture using the "Rule of Thirds" guideline.  Sometimes it is nice to have the subject in the center of the picture.  However, putting your subject off center can add interest.  There are lots of websites on the use of the "Rule of Thirds".   Here is a simple explanation...

An image should be divided into 9 equal parts 

by 2 equally spaced horizontal and vertical lines.  

The important elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.

This is an example using the "Rule of Thirds".  Using the grid lines, I move the subject to line up with the lower left intersection.

*On an iPhone you can turn on the grid lines in SETTINGS --> CAMERA --> GRID.   

3.  AVOID THE ZOOM

The zoom feature on an iPhone is an digital zoom.  That means that when you zoom in it is "cropping" the picture...and if you zoom too much the picture will be grainy.  This is one area that a iPhone camera is weaker than a DSLR camera with optical zoom.

The work around is to * get closer to your subject.  Most pictures are taken at eye level... *try moving around your subject as well as up and down.

Sometimes that is easier said than done.

4.  DO NOT USE FLASH

The iPhone flash is only good for a short distanct.  It will not work for the majority of pictures.  Instead of using the flash try setting the focus and exposure (see tip #6 below).  Have you ever been to a big outdoor event and you see flashes constantly?  The only thing they are lighting up is the person in front of them.

*Set the flash OFF (not AUTO).

5.  KEEP YOUR CELL PHONE STEADY

There are a few suggestions to keeping your cell phone steady. 

* Try using a tripod.  I got this tripod from Amazon for $20.  It can be used as a selfie stick (if only I could master that skill!) and it has a Bluetooth shutter.

* Hold your camera with two hands.  Also, try bracing your hands or camera on a solid surface.

* Even if you use a tripod or have strong hold on your phone, just the act of touching the shutter button on the screen can move it.   A couple alternate methods of releasing the camera shutter is using the volume buttons on the phone or the volume buttons on the iPhone headphones.

6.  SET FOCUS AND EXPOSURE

This feature changed my iPhone photography experience completely.  *You can set the focus on your picture by tapping on the object you want to focus on.  If you hold for a few seconds the focus will "lock" and you will see "AE/AF LOCK" highlighted on the top.  Try changing the focus from a close object, then a far object.  It can make a BIG difference.  To release the AE/AF LOCK, tap outside the focus area.

Once you have the focus set, you can *lighten or darken the picture by moving the slider on the right up and down.

 7.  HDR

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range.  It means that your camera will capture greater detail from bright and dark areas in your photo. It works good for outdoor and landscape scenes.   It doesn't work so good with moving objects.  

*I leave HDR off.  I am still working with this feature to make sure I know when to use it.  

8.  LIVE Feature

The LIVE feature drives me crazy.  Actually I find it kinda creepy to take a picture and when I view it, it moves!  So I turn this feature OFF.

Now that I said I don't like it, I will admit that it has some fun features.   *You can make a LIVE picture bounce, loop and combine all the pictures into a long exposure.  You get to these special features by swiping up on a LIVE photo.   You can use a LIVE photo as your phones wallpaper...hold down your finger to animate it.

AND FINALLY...

*EDITING.  Lots of pictures can be improved with editing...either by making corrections or enhancing the photo.

You can do some basic edits using the iPhone Photo app.  You can rotate, crop, alter saturation, contrast and convert to a black and white photo.  There is a lot of power already available on your phone.

If you want to bump up your skills, you can download and play with apps.  The free app, Snapseed, does everything I need for now.

Here are some examples of editing.  In the first example, I used the iPhone editor to crop the picture and convert to black and white.  I also altered the brilliance, exposure, shadows and contrast.

In the second picture, I used Snapseed to crop, straighten, change the exposure, etc.  I also added a "vintage" effect where the photo is darker around the borders.  

SEE YOU ON FACEBOOK

AND INSTAGRAM

DIY Lighting Project

I had a HOT MESS going on with the lighting in my kitchen and eating area.  There were two different kinds of bulbs and the bulbs on the dimmer switch weren't dimmable.   I decided I wanted a  uniform, clean look.

I would have lived with the problems, except while I was at my daughter Michelle's home in Ohio  she had recessed lighting installed in her living room and family room (including new wiring and switches).  What a difference it made.  And the all-in-one light and trim element looks great.  A BIG Thank You to Mike Turnbull for installing the lights.  Mike is my friend, Jan Turnbull's husband and he is an extraordinary electrician.  Mike made the project look easy.  He used Commercial Electric Recessed LED Trim lights from Home Depot.

When I got home to Florida, I started thinking about correcting my lighting problem.   Mike had assured me it would be an easy project...even I could do it.  So I decided to go for it.   I headed off to Home Depot for supplies.  I got lost in the lighting department.  So many bulbs, so many shapes, so many decisions.  The incandescent bulb was king for 100 years, but now there are CFL, LED, Halogen, flourescent, HID...then dimmable...and I don't even want to go into wireless.

Guess what!  Mike was right.  The whole project took less than 1 hour to switch out 9 lights.

STEP ONE.  Unpackage the two parts:  socket adapter and retrofit trim.

STEP TWO.  Unscrew the light bulb and take off the housing.

STEP THREE.  Screw the socket adapter into the ceiling socket and plug the adapter into the retrofit trim.

STEP FOUR.  Squeeze the spring arms together and insert into the slots in the can.

STEP FIVE.  Push the retrofit trim into the can.  And you are DONE!  On to the next one.

Just a few easy steps and it took less than 3 minutes per bulb.  The hardest part was the spring arm.  And that would have been easier if I had read the instructions (not my style).  The final results are great.  It is a nice seamless look and the lights over the eating area are now dimmable!

As fun as this project was, I am not sure I want to undertake the 15' ceilings in the main area.

My Three Grandbabies...Good Things Come to Those That Wait

I would be surprised if there is anyone who doesn't know I have 3 GRANDBABIES due in the next 6 months.  SO EXCITING.

When our children started getting married, I told them I was HAPPY for them.  But I made sure they knew I would be EXCITED for grandchildren.

I was giving up hope for grandchildren...then Dan and Kelly announced their pregnancy.  They got everyone together for dinner in Ohio and FaceTimed Brian and me in Florida.  They set it up saying they wanted to include us in the evening.  I told Brian I was HAPPY to spend time to see everyone, but I would be EXCITED if it was a baby announcement.  While we were catching up with everyone, Dan text both of us saying "Hello Grandma and Grandpa".  It still brings tears to my eyes.

A month later when Brian and I were in Ohio, Mallory said she noticed I pinned some grandparent tshirts on Pinterest.  She handed Brian and I each one of the shirts.  I thought it was to celebrate Dan and Kelly's baby...but then she said she made one for herself and Mike...and theirs said Baby Mama and Baby Daddy.  More tears!

I knew Keith and Michelle were talking about starting a family so I wasn't surprised when they called to say they were pregnant.  There wasn't as much ceremony with this announcement because Michelle was suffering from a bad case of morning sickness.  There were no tears, but my heart felt very full.

Zero to three grandchildren...starting in DECEMBER 2017,

then JANUARY 2018,

and April 2018.

At Kelly's shower I got a picture of the three pregnant ladies.  Kelly is nearly 8 months, Mallory is 6 months and Michelle is 3 months.

They have all announced the sex of the babies.  Drum roll please...

I made my own piece to celebrate the growing family...a calendar.  What can I say...I had some time when Hurricane Irma came to visit.  Plus it uses my love of my Silhouette machine and woodworking.

It is in a convenient place...over my computer.  It is an easy way to see birthdays and wedding anniversaries.  There are a few empty months.  Maybe Baby Danks will arrive a couple days late and fill in February...and Baby Krause will arrive early and claim November.  That still leaves May open,  maybe next time.