Not hooked up yet, but with the help of Bob Dawson and Dave Secor I got the water tank moved over beside the trailer. I still need to get the pump rigged up to send water in to the trailer and also need to get the tank refilled. I guess it still had 30 or 40 gallons of water in it when we moved it and it was a hand full for the three of us even using the two wheeled dolly, but we managed. It will be nice having running water in here. I'll chlorinate it as usual when I get it filled and the filter on the kitchen faucet will turn it in to drinkable water. Only discharge will be gray water to some type container for distribution to a garden at some point I guess. The facilities will remain outdoors. At some point I'll probably get one of the portable sewer tanks to use to haul the waste to the BBMI and dump it there. Or may borrow my neighbors) Not sure what the fee is, but it is legal and done by quiet a few people down here. Of course then the indoor facilities will only be for the Soft Company (as Scavenger calls women.) and of course Kids. The men folk will have to use bushes and the It'll Du. ;)
Weather here?
It was pretty darned cool here last night and a blanket felt good even with the windows and vents closed . This is (I think) the third cloudy day and the solar has only been doing some good. I've had to run the charger for the last two days since I've been using the desktop a lot because connecting to the internet with the laptop still ain't happening most of the time. :( BTW we've also had some rain for the past three days, but not a lot any of the times. Looks like it could happen again today. Fortunately the forecast says it will only be partly cloudy for the next two days and sunny for the three after that. There hasn't been enough wind except for short spells to keep the battery banks topped off because of the lack of direct sunlight.
And a few more pictures of sunrise over 9 Points Mesa
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GOT WATER PIPED IN NOW!
GOT WATER PIPED IN NOW!
Lots of good info , in that post thanks. glad to see you getting water inside.
ReplyDeleteWhen you gonna set up some water catchment to fill that tank? Can you describe what all you're using to get water from the tank into the RV systems?
ReplyDeleteNick, hope someone can use the info.
ReplyDeleteAbby, water catchment will be somewhere down the road. No real good way to take it off of this RV. I'm thinking my next project will be to build a small pyramid using the pipe I got from the legion and if I do then it will serve as catchment, a secure place for the battery bank and to mount most of the solar panels on. That and to free up some of the $ going out for storage. Every desert needs a pyramid don't you think? Who knows? Maybe I'll build three of them. ;)
I like the pyramid idea. Be sure to align it to true north for all the benefits it has to offer. Glad to see you're doing well, bunked in the RV. Can you get all your stuff that's in storage and put it into that container?
ReplyDeleteAllen, I plan to start on that next week. First I have to make room in the dungeon.
ReplyDeleteTffnguy
ReplyDeleteFor water catchment, you could build a large covered shade porch next to your RV and collect water at the same time. The collection tank will also be next to your RV. For the solar, borrow John Well's idea of a moveable solar array with all those panels you have.
I envy the playground you have.
Hey Allen, Which north do you align it to, true north or magnetic north?
ReplyDeleteDavid, I think that will make life easier for you.
Yippee! Running water! How do you get your tank filled?
ReplyDeleteCaptain, I need an equipment room for the batteries and inverter to keep them out of the weather. Also need storage and just want to build a pyramid so... ;)
ReplyDeleteIt sure will DD.
Rose, one of the legion members delivers it for me. $42 for 300 gallons. Not bad considering I don't have a way of hauling over two 55 gallon drums at a time and I'd still have to pay for the water.
That's not a bad deal at all for not having to haul the water yourself. As others have said, you've got to get a shade/catchment structure up and get some free water.
ReplyDeleteThe pyramid sounds cool. I want one!
All in good time Rose. I've got other fish to fry first.
ReplyDeleteKnow the feeling of not having water on hand - congrats! What pressure are you getting with your pump? And source of power - solar?
ReplyDeleteWould love to see the pyramid - can't wait for the pics / info... Also want one LOL
Why not get yourself some hose and send your grey water to a veggie patch? You may just start a new craze in the desert.
Hello all,
ReplyDeleteDavid had asked that I send out an update as I get them, well, here's the newest.
I just received the call we've been waiting for, I see the new Dr., Dr. Robert Collins, a week from this Thursday, 7 Oct at 1pm at UT Southwestern. I spoke with Debbie, the new patient coordinator and she said for me to expect to be there for at least 2 hrs, minimum, probably longer. They have reviewed all of my records and their pathology lab has looked and redone some of the slides, all of the t's have been crossed and the i's have been dotted and a plan has been formed, I hope. She said I have a small mountain of records and a whole slew of pathology reports and a lot of time has already been spent on my case, so all of my waiting time they have been busy. I didn't really think so, but it was so nice to hear her say that after going through all my stuff she felt like she knew me. I guess this limbo we've been in was just us, everyone else had been doing their job to get us heading in the right direction. I had been telling everyone I had just been concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other and doing my best not to think about it all. It all came crashing down now, knowing the feet will have direction, I can't hardly breathe. Again, we would like to thank all of you for walking this path with us, your words, thoughts and prayers have been immense, please add these new doctors and staff with your kind regards that they can navigate us through to a happy conclusion. I will certainly let yall know what is decided as soon as I know it, I thank God, again, for all of you.
I'm HOMESICK! Am happy the weather has cooled, it was in the 50's here in Austin last night.
ReplyDeleteDale, sure hope they can get a handle on it and get you fixed quick!
ReplyDeleteFrann, too bad you can't be home. All in good time I guess. As for the cool it was 65 in here this morning and is 93 in here now. I just turned on the evap.
Looking good Mr Smith! Also look forward to see your pyramid.
ReplyDeleteDale: Stay positive - god always has a plan
Scavenger, could you email me at tffnguy AT gmail.com of course the AT would be replaced with an @. I still need a drive for this laptop.
ReplyDeleteHi Dale - been praying daily, diligently and dutifully since your first news. We're all here for you so keep us posted and keep your chin up!
ReplyDeletet- when you gonna make some T-shirts for us (with pockets)? You need a dog? I gotta neighbor got one barks day and nite - would keep you good company! Ha!
No more dogs for me Andy! No T-s either. Who do you think I am? John Wells??? ;)
ReplyDeleteHomesteading can be quite a challenge for sure. Good to see you are making some progress. As for the facilities, have you heard of the humanure system? We started using it a year ago as a test and love it. I have abandoned my fully functional septic system in favor of humanure. The humanure book by Joseph Jenkins is free online. At first my wife and I were skeptical but the science and research checks out. (my wife is a microbiologist) I only wish everything was as simple, cheap and effective as the humanure system.
ReplyDelete