Jurassic World?

     Well I saw the movie a while ago and honestly wasn't that impressed.  It was good enough to watch once but the plot didn't inspire me much and the dinosaurs seemed to look really poorly done. It's probably just me.  Either way it doesn't matter because were off to....

Dinosaur Valley!

     Yep, its the last camping trip of the summer and we are headed out to try a new location.  Its only about a two hour drive to the campground as long as you don't try it during heavy traffic.  In our case it was mid day Saturday and I had figured it should be easy traveling.  Boy was I wrong.  The main freeway that I needed to take has construction going on and it seemed that every other person in the state of Texas wanted to go through this roadway section at the same time as I did.  It took 45 min to go south 5 miles on the I-35 west.  I took the first possible alternative route that I could find.
 
     The bus is still running hot but with much more consistant behavior.  I think I will have to replace that radiator and while I have the coolant drained I might as well replace the water pump too.  Then the hole system will be taken care of.

     Two hours into the drive the kids were hot and hungry. Time for a dairy queen stop.

     After a long lunch at the DQ we made the rest of the trek to the campground.  I didn't tell the kids where we were going so as they started seeing different signs of dinosaur life I was giving them hints to get there mind peaked about the possibilities of where we could be headed.  Finally when they saw us turn down the road with the sign for dinosaur valley they got really excited.

     We pulled in and parked next to the ranger station at the entrance.  I paid for our stay and got our campsite number while the kids were looking at all the displays of dinosaur stuff found around the area.

     I had called in earlier that week and made a reservation for a site at the campground and he said I was lucky because there was only one left that would be large enough for the bus. I told him great well take it, and while he did a few things to pull up my state parks account I thanked God for saving a spot for the kids this weekend.  When he had finished getting the spot reserved for us he said to me those are usually all taken up weeks ahead of time.  I replied "Well, thank God, he saved one for us."

      We got site #24 and when I pulled up next to the parking pad I was in awe.  It was 100% covered with trees the was a perfect arch for us to back in under the branches and park.

    We grabbed our new hammocks and walked around the site to find places to get all hung up.  The camp site was a large some what isolated space compared to most others and the tree coverage was very impressive.  With a ton of places available I hung up our hammocks and we started getting things set for the evening.

     A little while after we had most of our stuff set up a pair of curious little girls from the neighboring camp appeared at the edge of our camp where my kids where swinging in there hammocks. I said hello and welcomed them. I asked a few questions and encouraged my daughter that she could be social with our guests. Once they became acquainted they quickly turned into a set of giggly little girls and were having fun together in the hammocks.  Not too long after the parents of on of the girls came over and  said hello.  Naturally the school bus at the campground became a conversation focal point for awhile and we talked about the many possibilities.  They were really nice folks and apparently lived just a few miles down the road from us.  As it was time to get dinner started our visitors head out and we got our dinner cooking.  It had been a long week for me and I was ready for some rest so after dinner we simply hung out in the hammocks for a while then headed for bed.






  ** The fiberglass models were on display at the 1964-65 New York’s World’s Fair. The Atlantic Richfield Company donated them to the park in 1970.

Prep for the last summer trip.

     Summer's end is fast approaching and the kids will be back in school too soon.  Its not that I have anything against school in general it just means that camping and getting away from the metroplex will now be limited.

     With only one weekend left to go camping there were a few things to finish getting ready.


     First we needed to replace the hammocks that were previously taken.  So we looked around town for some lightweight, breathable and reasonably priced hammocks. Unfortunately as hammocks have been growing in popularity and the quality brands have come to the forefront of the market the materials have been changing and so has the feel.  I have always preferred the feel of polyester over nylon and most of the companies are now using what they call nylon silk to make there hammocks.  While they definitely have a nice appearance I don't think they breathe as well and and feel that great.  In need of an alternative and being a crafty kinda guy I ran down to the fabric store and bought some polyester taffeta lining material.  It comes 60" wide which is perfect for a single hammock and the edges wont fray.  Then I picked up some climbing runners for each end and with a quick knot each of us had a new hammock.



    I picked up an extra hammock from Walmart, the Equip travel hammock, that is a heavier nylon but it has a smooth feel and would be a good spare just in case.


     I couldn't help getting one more while I was looking at Academy Sports.  It was a double and currently I don't have access to wider fabric.  I like to have a larger hammock for napping in personally and it's obviously more comfortable when sharing.  It is made by Byer of Maine and called the Traveller double hammock XXL.  It is also a really good price comparatively.

Byer of Maine, XXL 

     As a final measure to add to the over all comfort until the interior of the bus conversion is completed I found a good deal on these Coleman Converta cots so I ordered two.

 

   With the little solar panel incident I decided to make a way to charge the auxiliary battery off the buses charging system so that we could still use it as needed.  It was a simple task really, all I had to do was build an extension from the main power supply and add a breaker. When I want the bus power to charge the auxilary battery I just have to connect the line and flip the breaker.

     One other thing that I have wanted to do was get better lighting and I have been looking around for LED replacements for the interior cab lights in the bus with out much luck.  While we were shopping for a few groceries I found just what I wanted at Walmart in the automotive section.  I didn't even think to look there. They are so much brighter and draw much less power.  I will be converting all the lighting over to LED lights eventually.  There much better and last longer too.