Trailerlove - The Solar Edition

One of the problems we've encountered while dry camping, is running out of power.  We don't require a lot of power, but the basic functions of the trailer (the clock, the monitors) in addition to a few luxuries (charging cell phones, watching the occasional movie on the iPad) were really running our battery dry.  We had to cut our Gualala trip short because we'd drained our battery almost completely.

First, we bought a generator.  It works great, but it's inconvenient.  It's loud (which bothers our neighbors) and it requires gas (which is inconvenient because gas is not shelf stable so you either use it or lose it)

So Brian started researching solar options.  He is far braver than I am, so he even suggested that we instal it ourselves.  I was nervous, but we did it!  It involved drilling holes, wiring, and mounting a panel onto the top of the trailer, but we did it.

And, to be honest, it was fun...

Wander 006 - Yosemite (Hallelujah!)

May 24-27, 2013

My brother and his family camp at Yosemite every year.  They meet up with several other families and have a big 'ol kid-loaded beautiful vacation in paradise.  This is the first time they made the trip in their new trailer (did I mention that my brother bought a trailer too?  He did!  A week before we bought our trailer he bought the exact same trailer in the 24"box), and this year they invited us to join them!

The view from the front window:

Very few words required... I'll mostly let the photos speak for themselves:

Quick happy selfie:

Kiddos playing in the river...

Rock tower building:

Half dome:

Fun back at camp:

Notice my brother's trailer in the background.  Same company and series as ours, just a longer/larger layout:

Roasting marshmallows in the New Orleans souvenirs from Aunt Carrie:

Ahwahnee Hotel (and chocolates!):

Some quiet time to relax by the cold cold cold river:

Enjoying the amazing trails:

Yosemite falls:

Quick lunch break before driving home:

A summary of my favorite memories from this trip:

* Playing Ladder Ball with the Olivia, Theo and Natalie.  Natalie and I were on the same team and she threw an EPIC winning shot right at the end.  

* Ridding my bike with Brian on trails in the midst of some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever EVER seen.

*Enjoying cinnamon apples cooked in the fire.  It's a dessert my mother used to make at our Thanksgiving dessert camp outs and it was a great memory to re-live.

*Laying on a hammock next to Olivia and chatting about boys.

*Walking up to Yosemite falls with my mom.