Photography trips of all things interesting...more to follow...
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Hope this post finds you enjoying Christmas with Family and friends...We had part of the family over Christmas Eve, a wonderful and relaxing time. Went to Kansas City today to visit Brides father(97 years young) also one of her sisters and BIL.....Wished we could of had or been with daughter , SIL and Gkids from Charleston...
Will do an update soon...time to run and eat leftovers from yesterday evening...Mmm, Mmmm good!
Wishing Family, Friends and a the Blogging Community a Wonderful and Relaxing Christmas and may the coming year be filled with Love, Happiness and Good health!! Horst sends
It's been three months since my last post, but feels like yesterday! A busy time. We are in our new home in Ozark, Missouri area. The movement of house hold goods went very smoothly..no major damage and very little scrapes and scratches...and all items accounted for. The moving company is one of the best I have ever had ...and I moved 16 times or so during my career to include five over of the ocean moves....these folks out performed those moves! We're just finished unpacking our last box....I'm guessing we should have had some more garage sales BEFORE we moved😏.....got a lot of stuff going to various organizations and churches.
25 minutes from our home
Our Texas home is pending a sale. The folks that are buying it(hopefully) had a hiccup with their house sale and asked if they could rent while continuing their own sale process, they wanted to get their teenager in school before classes started. So we still have some lose ends...I've already taken a trip back to Texas.
In the middle of the move I got my Alu-Cab Canopy Camper. I'm very happy with it...I'm still taking it back to folks to have some stuff "tweaked" and other stuff added. I have not done any building it out on the inside. I'm still am trying to decide what will fit my needs and what I need/want to carry with me on trips. I have decided on my electrical set up. Based on the type/length of my trips I went the simple route. I am going to get a 200 watt solar panel, fuse panel for wiring and a Bluetti EB240 Portable Power Station 240WH solar generator. Based on what I calculated my electrical needs will be, I think this will unit will meet, even exceed my requirements. Its a all in one unit, lithium battery, mppt solar controller, sinewave inverter, etc..and the cost is less than if I bought individual components.
I've camped in it a total of 4 nights on my trip back from San Antonio, and it worked well. No major issues and I got an idea of things I'll need and don't need that I had in the Casita. Hope to start building it in the next month or so, but if not I can still go camping off grid by some lake or mountain stream....and put a smile on my face.
Hope those folks that are still stopping by and reading the blog are doing well have stayed healthy, and are able go out on some adventures. Until next time...Horst sends
PS..Alan Jackson song I identify with....
(c) Horst Kelly...my wake-up call one morning in 2014, Colorado
I'll try to keep this short....First, we will be moving to South Central Missouri. Now the back story....condensed version .On one of my recent camping trips, `sitting and sipping a whiskey watching the Sun disappear below the horizon I starting thinking about the future and how this past year has highlighted how fragile life is and that We're not "bullet proof" . My thoughts drifted as to where my Bride would want to live if she were alone. When I returned back home I posed the question to her.... if anything were to happen to me(I am 10 years older than her) where would you like to spend the rest of your years....anywhere was open for discussion.( was hoping she would say New Zealand).😏 she really didn't want to discuss "negative stuff"...Finally got passed that and the short version was she liked the area around Big Cedar Lodge, in Southern Missouri.. We went house hunting on line and found a home we liked, put in an offer and bingo, we close this month.. The new home is close to Janet's Sisters and the Kids.
I will miss Texas, its culture, values, people and most of all, the many friends I have made. I'll be returning for many visits to friends and to continue to explore its magnificent and diverse landscape!
Close to where we will live
Second. I forgot to mention in previous blogs that I got a new truck. Nothing wrong with the Ram that I had.....except one minor detail. I asked Janet to drive one day as an old ankle injury was acting up... Bottom line , she could barely touch the gas and brake pedals...no way could she drive it safely. I always kid her about having 12 inch legs. :)) I still wanted a truck, I went for a mid size. Ended up buying a GMC Canyon All Terrain 4x4. Got it last November, it towed the Casita with no problem. Need to remove the cabover and place the Alu-Cab Canopy on it, hopefully in the near future.
Speaking of the Alu-Cab Canopy Camper, it has arrived on the East Coast and should be in transit to the folks that will install it. The first order of business is get the electric (12 volt) system set up. I'm still debating about getting a all in one solar generator system such as Jackery or Bluetti, or going with the norm type of system 12 volt set up,( 200 amp hour lithium battery, solar panels, mppt controller fuse box, inverter, charger, etc) still doing some research.
Now you know what's happening Deep in the Heart of Texas...and the future in the Land of Oz....well near it. Until Next time...... Let's go out and make a Memory or three!! Horst sends
Can't close without a sunset.😊
(c)2021Horstkelly photographer
Bellamy Brothers and John Anderson.... applies to more than just Country Music....just saying!
Better late than never...Did get side tracked as the Bride and I went to Kansas City last month do to FIL breaking his hip/femur. He's 96 years old, so it's not a "walk in the park" for him. He's currently in Rehab and not out of the woods, but his attitude is positive. One day at a time!!
Monument Valley with Casita
While we were up there did a side trip to Springfield Mo. to see one of the Twins and while there ordered my Alu-Cab Canopy camper. The down side is there is now a 3+ month wait. Oh well, that will give me more time to buy overlanding/dispersed camping toys before the unit gets here.
Selling the Casita was quite an event. It happened in less than 24 hours...I posted it on the Fiberglass and Casita Forums at 7:30 pm and by 10 pm I had 7 potential buys. In fact one person said why don't you have all of us put in bids. That I wouldn't do. Didn't want this turning into a bidding war. I told them all if the first person bowed out I would go the the second person ....But a nice young couple from Colorado bought it. In Fact his parents that live on the Coast drove the 3 hours to come up the next morning(Saturday) and look at it and put down earnest money to hold it until Monday and they were up here early Monday with a wheelbarrow full of cash.😊
Early dawn with the Armadillo
Its been almost 2 months since I sold the Albino Armadillo and I do miss her ....there's been days were I think I've made a huge mistake. and feel like I've won the title of Village Idiot.😀 I'm sure once I get the new platform, start building it out and take that first trip all will be "right with the World" again!
I've already got 3 pages of "stuff" I want to buy and drew up a wiring diagram on how to set up my 12 volt electric system etc. I plan on powering the system with a two hundred amp hour lithium battery, two hundred watts of solar, will not tie in to my truck battery/alternator. Use my generator as back up power. Will have a charger of some sort, couple 3/4 options on various types of chargers. I have narrowed the build out using either 8020 aluminum extraction or PVC form board. The form board appears to bond very well and is extremely strong, water-resistant and light weight.
New adventure platform Alu-Cab canopy camper shell
In closing I want to acknowledge Eggrolling that details the adventures of Jerry, Wanda and Sally. They have decided to stand down their Blog. I will miss reading about the latest awesome Journey they are on. More important, a close Bond formed between us, even though we have never met. Hopefully one of these days we will share a campfire at some dispersed campsite in the middle of no where. All the best to you Jerry...and of course Wanda and Sally!
I suppose I'll stop rambling and do some needed work around the house. Hope everyone is doing alright, are safe and have had an opportunity to venture outdoors to camp and explore at some favorite/secret spot of yours! I'll post again when I have some new and interesting stuff. Happy Trails...Horst sends
It's been a couple months and there has been "stuff " going on in our small corner of the World. The storm of 2021 was a major event to say the least. We faired pretty well compared to other folks. We did have rolling outages for a week or so, no water for about two weeks and temperatures that dropped into the 20's.......But at the end of the day we made it without any "scars" It did postpone numerous things I had planned...Kicked that can down the road a bit. We did get our second Covid Vaccine the day before the storm and outages hit. ...Felt very lucky as it was iffy if we would be able to get vaccinated that day due to the cold temps. and the folks having to administer that outside(Drive thru setup).
(c)2021HorstKellyPhotographer..view back window
Though my "Last Casita " trip got postponed I was able to pull out of the driveway on 3 March and head NorthEast to Sandy Creek CoE. What a great time it was. I camped on the other side of the CG, right on the
lake...Mostly empty during the week and a few folks on the weekend. I enjoyed myself to the Max. Did some touring of the area. Went to Boykin Springs Rec Area...some dispersed camping, small lake, etc.Also went to Sam Rayburn Lake, Sabine Nat'l Forest and drove into Louisiana . All in all it was a great two weeks..it was windy, a few evenings it was chilly...but all in all was very relaxing.. a lot of outdoor cooking, reading, touring and a few photo's.
(c)2021 Horst Kelly Photographer
When I returned I started on the cleaning, waxing of the camper. That's now just about done. other stuff had a higher precedent such has cutting dead trees, cleaning up all the dead vegetation due to the freeze, etc.
(c)2021HorstKellyPhotographer
I am putting ads on the Fiberglass and Casita Forums, also the local Facebook Forum. Hopefully that will bring a buyer. We'll see. Here is a link to the Fiberglass Forum in case you know of anyone interested in a Casita.
When I sell the Casita I will order the Alu-Cab Canopy camper....and a New Adventure begins! Until next time...Happy Trails and safe Journey's...Horst sends
(c)2021HorstKellyPhotographer..1st Bluebonnet photo of 2021..
Hoping that everyone had a relaxing Christmas and may 2021 bring each of you Good Health and Happiness...oh, and many terrific adventures!!
We had a very quiet, and reflective Christmas. Though we didn't have family here...we connected with all the kids and Gkids Christmas day...a lot of laughs and many walks down "memory lane" of past Christmas mornings.
(c)2011 Horst Kelly Photographer....Colorado
Between Christmas and New Year Day I had time to reflect on 12 years of camping with the Casita and the many adventures I had. Especially the annual 2 to 3 month long trips to the North and Southwest....of course my 2013 trip with the two Grandsons was the icing of adventures. I also had a terrific trip "BC", (Before Casita) with my Gson from KC..to Utah, Arizona and Colorado tent camping.
2009 Picking up Casita
The years with the Albino Armadillo have been awesome, not only for the adventures, but more importantly for all the Friends I've made...most that I have never physically met...that have become "best friends". Since 2017 I have not been on any extended Western trips, mainly do to my Brides health issues...and of course the Pandemic. This led me to do some soul searching on what the future holds. First I still want to continue camping, hiking, photography and a bit of solitude. I also want to take at least one trip each year out West though condense it to one or two specific locations for a no more than 3 weeks. Do more trips in the 7 to 10 day range. (The Bride smiled at that plan)...As they say a Happy Wife is a Happy Life.:))
(c)2014 Horst Kelly photographer..camping in the Tetons
Given This new format for my trips I decided to look at the Casita and asked myself if there is another platform that might serve me better. That took a while..I love the Casita and the comfort it provides, also the places it lets me take "Her" However at the end of the day I decided on another platform, a sort of hybrid truck camper. I felt if I was going to have to sell the Casita at some point, why not do it now while its still in good condition and not too dated.
(c)2020 Horst Kelly Photographer...Enjoying Canyonlands
Given that I enjoy dispersed camping, I looked into what the "Overland" Youngsters where using as their camping platform. A large variety to say the least. I finally settled on a Alu-Cab canopy camper. I haven't ordered it yet as I told Janet I would sell the Casita first. :))...Plus I want to take one last trip with the Armadillo ..a sort of farewell voyage. :))
The plan is that I take my last Casita trip no later than middle of Feb. and put the Casita up for sale the end of Feb or first part of March....Though "Plans" are like jello...so we'll see.
(c)2019Horst Kelly Photographer...Big Cedar, Mo.
I will do my next post on the Alu-Cab and why I chose it. Below are a couple videos that give you an idea of what the camper is and isn't....and yes I have friends/family that say I have gone off the deep end in even thinking about getting this platform...especially given my age(78) and assorted aliments. :))
Start watching this second one at 1.38 into the video, unless you want to learn about his truck mods.
I am excited about this new direction and how it will change the style/type of trips I take....Until next time, safe Journey and well wishes....Horst sends
...and a new Day begins:
(2014)Horst Kelly Photographer...Monument Valley (Mittens) sunrise
