Oufitting Pearl for the Adventure

I work in the mornings before the heat of the day. I find it enjoyable work, making my little Helio into a home on wheels. I’m happy I gave myself five days to do this because I find, as the days pass, adjustments need to be made.

Tuesday:  I finally get to pick her up. Drive half an hour to meet Allen, then do a walk around with him, familiarize myself with all systems. He helps me attach my trailer mirror system to the Rav only we discover they don’t actually fit, despite being reassured they would. I write the check to Allen (yes, people still do checks), head out. Find a nearby RV dealer, purchase mirror extenders that seem like they might work.

Drive her to the Myakka River Cottage, pull her into the front parking space.  Unhook from Durga. Park Durga across the lane in an empty lot I’ve sought approval from  in advance with the property management people.

Wednesday: Dig pretty Tuscan stick-on tiles out from storage boxes. Spend two hours carefully matching the pattern while affixing to Pearls’ wall. I create a small backsplash and put a bit of color into the walls of beige.

Dig out the roll of contact Velcro from my packed supply boxes. Cut and attach strips to mounting plates of two lightweight black wall spice racks. Attach racks- one to kitchen area, one to wall next to bed as a nighttime ledge for glasses, small flashlight, pepper spray, and the books I’m reading at bedtime.

Unscrew the table and legs from the floor. Place one table down between bench to create double bed. Store both legs in under carriage, or “basement,” as I discovered it’s called. Puzzle over what to do with the second table top. I finally wrap it in the spare fitted sheet I’ve brought along, then slide it at an angle under the bed. It barely fits.

I bring the memory foam mattress topper out of its box, lay it across bed. While it’s expanding, I pull the down mattress topper out of its box, shake the hell out of it, then lay it on top of the mattress topper.  Take a short break to drink water. Reflect.

Returning to work, I take the linen sheets out of storage, make up the bed. This becomes a bit of an operation, with me needing to lay down across the mattress to pull the sheets into place. The mattress fits right up against the wall on three sides so its tight. I located the Guatemalan woven cotton blanket inherited from Doug, which I washed, brought along for Pearl. Place it on the bed. Study it. After some adjustment to straighten the pattern, I’m satisfied. It’s pretty. Unlikely to be too hot or too cold, it leaves me room to add the down blanket I’ve brought as back up should I need it.

I put the pieces of a stainless-steel tension spring shower curtain rod together. Mount it above the bed area, hand cute little cloth storage bags for use for various things as needed.

Bring out the three bins of supplies for kitchen and maintenance from the cottage, fit them into the cupboards in the sink area. I attempt to create a system. The far left becomes the cookware and assorted supplies cupboard, which includes the water filter and portable water carrying bucket. The middle cupboard becomes dishware and utensils storage on the top shelf, small broom and dustpan to the side, first aid kit in the middle.  On the floor goes the electric skillet, which just fits. The right storage area is where I place a woven basket holding my linens: towels, washcloths, spare pillow case, and the personal hygiene biodegradable wipes for when I’m boondocking.  Underneath that shelf goes the porta potty with the biodegradable bags which go inside it.

Before

after

(you can see the backsplash no longer exists)

The last thing I do for the day is bring out the pale blue, non-slip rug I’d brought for the floor. It turns out it’s about four inches too wide, about six inches too long. I don’t want to cut this rug because it’s a good one with seamed edges.  I decide I’ll take it, and the mirrors (which cost too much and don’t fit) to a thrift store—someone should get use of them.

Thursday: I come out all happy in the morning at the amount I’ve accomplished to discover that the stick-on tiles have fallen off due to a combination of the marbled fiberglass walls and Florida’s humidity. Ditto the mounted spice shelves. Frustrated, I place them on top of the counter to take stock of the situation. I’ll figure something out.

The woman in the cottage just down from mine comes outside.  “You’ve certainly been a busy bee, working all day yesterday.”

She’s friendly, curious.  We chat awhile.  She owns her cottage, comes from Canada every year for the winter. Works as a consultant. I don’t ask ‘consultant in what’ because from the looks of her cottage, her clothing, and just general aura, I’m thinking she’s maybe just getting by.

I have a brainstorm. Ask if she’d like a pretty new rug. “It’s the first day of Spring,” I say, “consider it a spring gift from the Goddess.”  She laughs. Wonders if she might see the rug.

I bring it out to show her.

She is delighted.

“Oh, wow!  It’s so soft, so pretty,” she exclaims, “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. It doesn’t fit.  I had the floor plan but I didn’t take into account the wheel wells. I’m glad you like it.”  I hand it to her.

“Oh, my gosh. This is so nice. I’ll replace that ratty one in front of my electric fireplace.”

Happy to have created a bit of equinox joy, I head out to run errands.  It takes forty minutes to drive 11 miles. Oh, how I hate Florida traffic.  And I take Highway 41, which is supposedly better than the freeway.

I’d researched online, discovered a cat rescue thrift store, so in memory of my beloved Rodney, I donate the mirror system. “It’s brand new,” I tell the woman who takes it from me, “Everything’s there. It just didn’t fit. It cost $149 new, if that helps.” I add.

I then hunt out the Sarasota Trader Joe’s.

I’ve decided to stock up on camping type foods and staples while in the area. Another 40 minutes of driving. I’m glad I’m not pulling the trailer for this excursion.

I find many good things: prepared dal, veggie tikka masala, cans of beans, unsweetened fruit cups, small cans of unsweetened pineapple juice and cans of seltzer water to make mocktails, prepared cilantro rice, cans of white tuna packed in water, dried wild blueberries, oats, a decent looking freeze dried powdered cream, small cartons of oat milk, bags of raw cashews and pepitas, a bag of dark chocolate/almond/raisin trail mix, box of mixed grain crackers, Swedish nut and whole grain flatbread, peanut butter filled pretzels, a carton of chicken broth. I’m going to eat like a queen.  I’ll buy fresh fruit and veggies, plus refrigerated things, in small quantities, local, each time I head into my longer stayover locations.

I notice a Target on my way back, remember that I need another basket for storage, a small wall mirror to mount with the contact strips (which seem to hold the hooks up successfully), a full- length broom, some trailer hitch grease, and as it turns out, a can of Slime, which is an emergency tire fix. I also go big and get myself a pair of cotton shorts, something I do not normally wear. I’m making peace with my body as I age and this heat is showing me that comfort is where it’s at.

I offer up deep thanks for being able to do this.  Then, I spot a sushi restaurant across the street.  Oh yes, please!  I’ve been eating salads, fruit, and today a tomato and cheese omelet, in my cottage. A blast of fish protein is just the thing.

J-Pan Sushi turns out to be a really nice place, with very fresh fish. They have a house salad dressing of tamari/sesame/ginger that I love. I sit at the sushi bar, watch the chefs slice, think how much Janice would enjoy this place. She’s the one who first turned me onto sushi; in Tampa, at her favorite neighborhood sushi bar, so much like this one.

Back at the cottage, I unload everything into the house. Climb back into Pearl, study the situation.  I decide to hang this rustic little watercolor of the Myakka River purchased from the artist today in support of a Grange  fundraiser. Since I collected Pearl, then outfitted her while staying along its shores, it seems a fitting reminder for the road.

It’s almost six so I decide to go for a walk, read, and call it a day.

Friday:  I had a brainstorm in my sleep. I’m going to use the contact strips which hold the hooks up (they’re supposed to hold up to five pounds) to remount those spice racks on the walls. I’ll use three of them per rack. I’ll also use some of the Velcro strips which weren’t strong enough for the racks to mount a red basket to the counter. This should stop it from sliding around while driving.  I’ll then use the rest of yesterday’s discarded Velcro strips to create a non-slip base for my plastic clothing dresser, which fits in the little space between bench and counter, right against the wall.

I hate plastic but load weight is a real concern. I have to make sure not to overload Pearl. One of those three drawer plastic dressers became my clothing storage solution. Actually, lighter than my suitcases.

The dresser  is under the salmon drape next to the counter. The new rugs work. The smaller one between the seats covers up the table post fitting, which left uncovered, was going to bite my toe eventually, I just knew it.

Feeling inspired by my successes, I use the Velcro tape for what I actually purchased it for, which is to hang my lightweight black privacy curtains. The strips just fit across the top of the window frames, creating a nice seal. The black ribbons sewed onto the curtains for tie ups work well, too. I’m happy with the way they look.

The windows are tinted but I realized that when I’m inside at night, with the lights on, anyone could peek inside. Now, with black out curtains unrolled, I can leave my windows open for ventilation but still have some privacy.

I place the bucket I picked up at Target into the spot under the front battery/propane storage cover where a propane tank would go. I’ve decided against propane, hoping my solar system will provide enough back-up electricity to run the few appliances I’m going to need.

Inside the bucket, I place the four tire chocks, my larger, easier to read tire gauge, a 50-to-30 amp electrical adapter for those times I may have hook up, the Slime tire repair, and the hitch grease. Space in the basement area is tight so this adaptation helps a lot.

Here’s the front with the cover closed.

Into the actual basement area, I now fit the utility strength extension cord, the tire jack, my axe, the trailer leveler’s crank rod, the case of ground levels, that full-length broom.

I move the food storage and water storage bins out of the cottage and into the back of Durga. I shift things around a bit, aiming for the best fit with the most accessibility. Weight is sthe primary factor in all of these decisions. I need to stay mindful of how I allocate and place things.

The Rav is rated for towing up to 2500 pounds but I prefer to keep it under 2000.  Pearl weighs 1150, her axle and battery another 200.  I figure I’ve put 3-400 max inside her and I want to keep it that way.  The heavier stuff, my 2000w solar battery, the 200w suitcase solar panels, my electric/battery powered cooler, my bins of food and my bin of water, the tool kit, will stay in the back of Durga.

I think this distribution system should work. It will be interesting to see how it affects both Rav performance and mileage when I’m towing.  I was averaging 36 mpg on the drive here, fully loaded. I have no idea what to expect, but I’ll be happy if I average 20-22 towing, with everything factored in.

After I finish up with today’s work, I make my lunch, put it and some water, along with my binoculars, into my day pack and head out for an afternoon tour of the Myakka River State Park. I’ve read about it and its natural beauty and want to experience it. Kind of a reward for being so productive and focused.

I have a wonderful afternoon which I will write about in a separate post.

When I get home, I charge up my 2000w battery for the road, make my dinner, write my blog entries, chat with a friendly neighbor who lives down the lane, go for a walk in the cooling evening. Tomorrow I’ll do laundry, go gas up Durga, check her tire pressure, do final loading, then pack everything except the refrigerated things, which I’ll put in the cooler Sunday morning before heading off.