1930 first run on the banks...2019 1st ever run on toilet paper...Mmmmmm Correlation ?

I've received some emails asking if I've started on my Western trip yet so I thought I'd do a short update...

(c)2015HorstKelly Photographer...Supersitions Mtns from camper

Until a week and a half or so I was still working towards a departure to Alabama Hills and Death Valley  NLT the end of March....Ms Casita had all her work done and only needed a wash and wax....Provisions had all been bought and the final countdown was proceeding....Then the consequences of the virus stated getting ugly here...in fact our local HEB(Texas main grocery store) now had 3 deputies posted inside. in addition to the local  hoarding of "stuff", it appears out of town people folks were raiding our local stores and it was getting difficult to manage. Rumor had it that people from as far away as Houston (about 200 miles away) were driving here to get stuff. Life was getting crazy.

(c)2014HorstKelly Photography..National Sand Dunes, Colorado

Based on the situation I decided that there was no way I was going to leave Janet by herself to deal with the craziness of what was happening. In my own mind getting in a camper and boondocking would probably be the best thing we could do, but I knew she wouldn't go for that.

(c)2014HorstKelly Photographer..somewhere in Canyonlands

So here we are,  social distancing ourselves from the world....weather permitting we try and walk each day, do stuff around the house, daily calls to friends and family and hope this all ends soon. Though I had been really looking forward to this trip for a long while, the decision to stay home was the only rational one I could have made..for both Janet and myself...and with age, health issues, etc, I don't need to be a social butterfly! The virus is a serious concern, especially for folks our age.

I also have been reading that Death Valley basically closed....and the trend is continuing with State Parks and some National Parks as well as some BLM camp sites. A good source of info in that regard is:  campedium

(2015)HorstKelly Photorapher...in a Hidden Gem in the Tetons

That's about all folks...hope all is well with you and that life will get back to normal sooner than later....the probing question still remains...What are people doing with ALL that toilet paper! Horst sends

(c)2019HorstKelly Photographer....Texas Lake sunset

Casita modifications

Just a short post to to say I'm still kicking  and give you a report on a little trip I just returned from.

I went to Haslet, Texas to get some "mods" done on the Casita. First, let me tell you the crew, which includes Lynn, Warren, Terry, Josh and Dan are top self. They have taken on the task that Larry Gamble began many years ago and this organization hasn't missed a beat! It was a pleasure to meet and spend some time with them. I had a great time chatting about Casita road trips, modifications and how watching a sunrise or sunset in a Casita is about as good as it gets. It was another one of those occasions that validated the "Casita is Family" philosophy. If you're interested in the scope of there operation, here is their link: Little Home on the Road

In addition,before I went up there I did some modifications on my own. First I changed the  12 volt battery and went  with two 6 volt (golf cart) batteries. Placed them on my rear rack(where my genny used to sit) and ran the cables under the camper(frame) to the what use to

 house the 12 volt battery...the old battery compartment now has my solar controller mounted in it. I used the 2 vent holes to take the new cables, and the door vent to be used for my wire to the solar panels, no new holes required.....here are some pics" Also 2 pics from the camper...new table from Ikea, cut legs to 13 inches and put them on the benches...A lot lighter and more secure than the Birch table I had fabricated. Other just shows entrance and single bed.

Things are falling into place for my tentative trip to Alabama Hills and Death Valley...though the date keeps moving a little later in the month...But I'm not going to whine. As they say... "Ladies/Gentlemen start your engines " With that, I will close and provide another update soon! Horst sends