Simple Stress Free Lifestyle

Brother Ken,

Yeah, chili and onions, man, that sure would have made it the ultimate!!! I use to keep small plastic disposable plastic bowls of things just like that, but I normally don't bother trying to keep up with all that while I am trucking.

Let us all know how you like your cooker when it arrives.

 

Here are some free Wi-Fi tips to help you while you are out on the road. To help me find open Wi-Fi Hot Spots I use a little hand held Wi-Fi detector. I have had this jewel for many years. It is a $60 investment or so, but I think it is well worth it if you are an Internet Junkie.





Sorry the pic is not real clear, but it is made by "Canary Wireless." I got it from CyberGuys.com. Go there and type in Wi-Fi Detector in the search bar and you will see a couple different ones that they offer.


So how do you use it? Simply push the little button and it goes to work. So simple even I can use it . Once a W-Fi hot spot shows up, it will show you the signal strength, if it is open or secure and some other items not always of use. To find another Wi-Fi Hot Spot, just push the button again. The next available hot spot shows up, or it just returns to the same one. Also note that just because it says it is open, you may still have to enter a user name and password. Some of the motels in Vegas require you to enter your last name and room number for access.


To find a Wi-Fi Hot Spot, all you have to do with this little guy is cruise by the big Hotel/Motel chains, as most are open. I have got access to Best Western, Holiday Inns, Super 8 and some other small chain motels. Always check the local library, apartment buildings, bed and breakfast, and some states like Texas and Iowa have Free Wi-Fi at the rest areas. Barnes N Nobles is another good one to get you out of the heat, but I could not find a plug in. Many RV Parks offer Free Wi-Fi to their guests. Always ask when you go to your favorite restaurant, as Taco Bell had some locations with Hot Spots, as well as Burger King and Krystal Hamburger stands.

With this detector, you will be amazed at the number of open connections you can get from homes. I have never connected in that situation, but I am willing to bet that people just don't know the dangers of having an open connection, or that they just simply don't know that it is open.


My favorite Free Wi-Fi Hot Spot is Panera Bread, which cruises along at about 150kbs or better. I can get out of the heat or cold, and have a comfy seat. I also get refills on my drinks all day long. Of course, I get hungry and spend way to much for a cold cut sandwich, but they really are good.


McDonalds is always easy to find, and most of them have Free Wi-Fi, but the top speed is about 40 kbs on most. Fast enough to cruise the web and check E-mail. Some McDonalds have some comfy chairs. However, that is not to often, and most are not plentiful with plug ins for power.


When I am in Vegas, some casinos have free Wi-Fi. I was at the Orleans one night sitting in what looked like it was going to be a comfy chair. Well, it was a little bit better than sitting on a board, and it did get me out of the extreme heat.

Speaking of getting out of the extreme heat, I really like Williams, AZ. Williams is known as "The Gate Way To The Grand Canyon." There is always something going on there, and the BBQ cook off competition weekend is one of the best! You can enjoy Free Wi-Fi from Safeway, American Flyer Coffee Shop, which has a large screen TV and comfy chairs, JD's Expresso and several other places. There are several motels there that would probably work as well but I did not check them out.


Most truck stops have Wi-Fi hot spots, but they are not free. Also, you have to be careful if you go that route, as some have a limit of what you can do as far as transfer. Once you hit your limit, you are shut off. The Flying J truck stop for a while did have "Happy Hour" from like 9 am to 10 am where you could come in and connect free for that hour. Nice deal to check on the E-mail and your favorite blogs. Not sure if that deal is still going on.

Happy Surfing,

Bernie

PS Here are some URL's to help you find Free Wi-Fi Hot Spots around the world! There is so many places popping up all the time offering this service to attract guest into their place of business. Like Pizza? Peter Piper Pizza is getting in on the Wi-Fi gold rush.

http://www.wififreespot.com

http://www.openwifispots.com

http://v4.jiwire.com/search-hotspot-locations.htm

http://www.wi-fihotspotlist.com

 

Hey fellow travelers,

Want to stay in your rig while you travel the world on your computer? Get this handy dandy little USB antenna that gives you up to an extra 1700' range.

Instead of posting here and on my blog, I think I will just post once on my blog, and then connect to my blog with a link.

To read about this, it is titled "Wi-Fi Booster" under "Money Matters" at my blog.

 

Here is my 96 Dodge b2500 with the added bed and I swapped the passenger seat the other way.

 

Thanks for the pics Brother Ken,

Hum, it is a shame that your seats don't swivel. Think you will get some add on swivel options or just leave it as is? My van is an 87, so I guess that the swivel option was still "legal" from the manufacture back then, or perhaps the newer models have just been downgraded on that option to save the manufacture some bucks. I bet JC Whitney would have something if you wanted to make them swivel.

Also looks like you have plenty of room for storage and "Stuff" to take along on your adventures.

Oh, speaking of JC Whitney, my helper springs came in yesterday, but I am spending this weekend in Las Vegas, so I am looking forward to getting them installed next weekend so I can get those monster batteries and getting the power plant installed and working!

Keep us updated on your project, and hope to meet up with you in the near future. Hum, any plans for heading out to the AZ area?

 

hey Bernie

Send me a email, lets talk about your batteries. I'm a bit of an expert as I've been working with batteries and inverters for over 10 years. kenwilkes at yahoo Let's talk bro

 

Hey everyone,

Staying clean and in good physical shape is important. It can be a bit of a challenge getting showers on a daily basis, so here is a tip that may help you out.

As a truck driver, I have access to the showers in the truck stop. As long as you buy 50 gallons of diesel, you get a free shower. Not a bad deal, but for van dwellers, 50 gallons of anything is a huge undertaking.

Anyone can get a shower at the truck stops, but they will set you back $10. Ouch!!! Hey, that is a lot of dough.
.
When I get out of the truck, I plan on getting a gym membership. For less than $40 per month, or roughly 4 showers at the truck stop, I can get all the showers I want, as well as shave and exercise anytime I want.

There are many different gyms to look at and consider, but the one I have really looked at and think is the overall best if you are moving around is anytimefitness.

You can look at their website and look at the state you are looking to travel or visit, and make the cities with the gym locations a point to keep close.

Anytime fitness has gyms in all 50 states, and around the world. There may only be one in Alaska and one in Maine, but at least there is one!

24 hour fitness is pretty good out in the west, with just a few on the east coast and midwest. They are expanding and growing, so they are worth keeping an eye on for a future possibility. Looks like they offer more for amenities for less money, but you are giving up a lot of availability.

Keep cool, and clean!:2thumbsup:

 

Good info Bernie and good talking to you too. I found those tin pans for the 12v oven today 3 for a buck at Kroeger. I'll mostly use tin foil but a few of the pans will be nice.

Off to look at your helper springs

 

Good find there Brother Ken, I will keep that in mind. I have only used those a couple of times. I am thinking that since I have some larger cans of soup that will not stand up when heating in that cute little warmer, I may put it in one of those tins. Probably not a good idea while moving down the road though.

These new cans have the easy pull lid with no can opener required, and when I heated them in the past, I had to use a can opener. I am not sure if the lid may pop open enough to lose the goodies inside once the steam starts to develop. If you do have the can opener style can, be prepared for some steam to come out. Sure don't wanna get a burn!

 

OK, this is a continuance about the showers at Pilot.

I want to add that your shower credits are only good for 5 days. If you don't use them, they just fall off and are gone.

Also, when you fill up with diesel, you get 1 cent per gallon that is added to your card, which can be use in the restaurant or in the store to buy items. However, it does not buy gas, diesel, cigs, lotto tickets and some other items. I call them "Food Stamps" because I spend them in the restaurants.

Also, they do have a "RV Card." You need to get one as well if you ever get to Pilot. When you get gas, I think you have to get 25 gallons minimum, but you get a discount on a drink purchase, but you also get a half (1/2) shower credit that does not expire. This is great. There is other perks as well, like discounted dumps and not sure what all.

Once you get 2 half shower credits, it is converted to a free shower and you have 5 days to use it, or it is gone. By the way, one shower credit will get you 2 showers, just go to the register and tell them that you want a shower and your co-driver or kids would like to have their own separate shower. Hum, I wonder how many you can get if you have a large family?

So, if you are traveling, why not go to the Pilot, get fuel, get a half shower credit, drink credit, get free ice while you are there, and of course they always have free overnight parking.:2thumbsup:

The RV card is FREE, so if you don't see it, just ask.

 

Glad to know that Bernie. I read a great article about how RV's should be aware of parking too close to the truckers. I understand the truckers don't like it because they are there because they have to be there and feel that the working man should have priority in getting a spot when often the lots are full.

If your a 20 foot RV'er dont take up a 60-70 foot parking spot meant for the professional drivers who legally have to stop and are on a tight schedule.

 

Brother Ken is right. I used to be a "working man" until my last accident that has left me disabled. Back years ago, traveling from one work site to another, I would to park away from the trucks. Go into the restaurant, and some of the truckers would give me shit. For that reason. Some truckers have this idea that a) only trucklers know how to work; b) truckers are one step below God Himself; c) and some how truckers are above the law. I've met more than a few with one of those three attitudes.
I used to drive truck. It was ok. It paid the bills.

Something about driving down I-70 in a 1963 Mack truck with a two-stick tranny fully loaded with bricks, ya ain't got a jake brake installed, in mid-March.... and Eisenhower Tunnel is the halfway point. Anyone knows that stretch of interstate knows what I'm saying.

I can do it. But there are far more enjoyable things in life, especially when the boss doesn't bother paying his employees.

 

Brother Ken, and Brother Logan,

Good points. I do know that 70 is no fun anytime of year, especially in the winter. Been there and slid around on that! It is a beautiful ride, but you better be paying attention the entire time. I sure would like to take a vacation in my camper van up there and do it at a turtles pace. I sure am tired of being a hare.

Also Brother Logan, sorry to hear about a bad accident. Was you trucking when that happened? Hope things are going well for you. Hey, post a pic of your van if you are living that lifestyle. Would love to see what you are up to and doing.

As far as the working man and RV's, there is a happy medium. As long as you are towing a trailer, or a motor home with a tow vehicle or trailer, than you are more than legal to park in the rest areas where it says "Trucks or Vehicles With Trailers." Now, if you are a pin head and park there because you want to take up a 65 foot spot with a 12 foot car, then you need to have a good slap upside the head, or where ever.

Perfect point of this coming of of LA yesterday. I stopped at the rest area right outside of Redland, CA on I-10. A pickup with a nice large 5th wheel parked in there, and that was perfectly fine. I enjoy looking at other peoples "Homes On Wheels." However, there was another car with that vehicle, and it parked right next to him, next to me. There were several trucks going by because this pinhead took a full spot with a car. It was about 20' to park in the car section and then walk over to the truck with the 5th wheel. That is total disrespect and rudeness. It is those kinds of pinheads that make it hard and frustrating for the working man with a large rig.

As far as truck stops, most of them have an area for campers and cars, so there really is no need to park your RV in the truck spots, unless it is really big. Besides, it is going to be noisy around all those trucks, especially the ones with a refer trailer, so why would you want to park next to those noisy trucks anyway.

I guess I am saying just use some common courtesy and common sense, but, in today's world, I guess most of that just does not exist.

Hammer Down - Heaven Bound - Driving Into The Son

 

I live just 30 miles south of that area now, and I love it in my truck (full-size GMC).

Nope, I wasn't. I was a pedestrian and was hit by a drunk driver. And the nazi bastard pigs only wrote him up for not having a driver's license, though it was documented the 19 year old fuck was drunk and stole his mommas car. The DA dismissed all charges against the kid. The gutless cowards.

If I ever get back to RVing again, I know of far better places to go than a truck stop. Yeah they're nice. But any exit is good enough, unless the signs posted says different.

True. I usually don't.

Courtesy and respect do exist, and it's up to us to show the rest of the world that we're better than everyone else by showing the courtesy and respect. Even if no one shows it back. Screw them, we ARE better than them. :afro:

 

Brother Logan, I've run into a few of those Godly truckers who can't smell their own waste and it's not for them I park legal, considerate and smart. Your always going to find dick heads in the world. It's the others that it's worth it to be considerate.

Tip of the hat to both you fine gents !

 

I lived in Golden Co for 8 years and 1 year in Aspen. Done my share of winter driving on 70 but always in my auto. I can imagine the big rigs are a bit hairy !!

 

Hey Brother Bernie... Thanks for all the great info as always...

 

hope this works i did a lot of work on my camper truck this th cooler


Dave

 

Hey Brother Dave,

Thanks for the post and pic. Yes, it is working. I am guessing that the extra "STUFF" around the cooler is foam to keep the heat out? Does your cooler have a drain so your food does not get soaked?

Keep working on your camper, and someday it will be your "Mobile Casa!" If you got some more pics, feel free to post. Do you have your own blog or thread? :biker:

Bernie