We made it back to Jacksonville a few days before Easter, and we began tackling a few projects on the RV. Of course, we had barely finished unpacking when we got a call to help with a problem on the church campus. We’ve since tackled a few more, as we try to tie up loose ends in preparation for our trip north by the end of the month.
Dave flushes the hot water heater before we soak it with vinegar. Preparing to Move
As we were returning to Jacksonville, we started making arrangements to get work done on the RV and the truck. But one task made sense to get started shortly after our return. We wanted to de-scale the hot water heater, which is something you need to do when the hot water has cooled. Since the hot water had been off during our absence, it didn’t make sense to heat it up only to wait for it to cool later. Having purchased the necessary supplies before we left for our trip, we could get started without too much effort. Dave removed the zinc anode and drained the tank. We flushed it with our specially designed fitting for this purpose, and then filled the tank with 3 gallons each of vinegar and water. After letting it sit overnight, we flushed the tank again and then filled it. It had been almost exactly 1 year since we last did this and we were glad we did. The grit that was flushed out and the pitted anode showed us that it was time, and hopefully we are good for another year. We did decide to replace the flimsy plastic flushing attachment with one that is all metal, since ours had broken.
As we were returning to Jacksonville, we started making arrangements to get work done on the RV and the truck. But one task made sense to get started shortly after our return. We wanted to de-scale the hot water heater, which is something you need to do when the hot water has cooled. Since the hot water had been off during our absence, it didn’t make sense to heat it up only to wait for it to cool later. Having purchased the necessary supplies before we left for our trip, we could get started without too much effort. Dave removed the zinc anode and drained the tank. We flushed it with our specially designed fitting for this purpose, and then filled the tank with 3 gallons each of vinegar and water. After letting it sit overnight, we flushed the tank again and then filled it. It had been almost exactly 1 year since we last did this and we were glad we did. The grit that was flushed out and the pitted anode showed us that it was time, and hopefully we are good for another year. We did decide to replace the flimsy plastic flushing attachment with one that is all metal, since ours had broken.
Over the next few days we also washed and waxed the RV, breaking it up so that we didn’t have too much to do at once. And Dave got up on the roof to clean it as well. On a rainy day, Shane from One Sec Mobile RV Repair came to repack our RV’s wheel bearings. He did a thorough job, but as he had estimated in advance, it took several hours to complete all 4.
The truck needed some attention as well. It was time to rotate the tires and get the oil changed before putting on lots of summer miles.
The truck needed some attention as well. It was time to rotate the tires and get the oil changed before putting on lots of summer miles.
Lights, Camera, . . . Computers
It had been a long time coming. We had started livestreaming back in 2020 with a camera that was well-aged when we put it back into service. When the request came to “pan the congregation” for the online audience, Nelson had to remove it from and then return it to the tripod, which had an earthquake effect on the viewers watching. Dave had been commissioned to locate a new camera. He found one that was well-recommended for church livestreaming, which included a remote and had several preset positions that made switching between scenes much easier. And panning the congregation is much smoother. The new tech is also technically cooler, which appeals to Nelson as well.
But the more urgent concern with the livestream was solving a problem with the projection within the sanctuary. This had disrupted the Palm Sunday service, which we watched from our hotel room in Chicago. The screen was filled with static, and Nelson could find no solution. After applying recommended driver updates and spending time with support from 2 different companies, we finally had a consistent work-around, if not a permanent solution. That was a relief, since Easter was only days away. When Easter did arrive, it dawned with a misty rain that forced the sunrise service indoors for the first time in many years. That gave us an unusual opportunity to record the sunrise service and post it for others to view. And yes, the camera and the screen fix worked well for the 10am service.
It had been a long time coming. We had started livestreaming back in 2020 with a camera that was well-aged when we put it back into service. When the request came to “pan the congregation” for the online audience, Nelson had to remove it from and then return it to the tripod, which had an earthquake effect on the viewers watching. Dave had been commissioned to locate a new camera. He found one that was well-recommended for church livestreaming, which included a remote and had several preset positions that made switching between scenes much easier. And panning the congregation is much smoother. The new tech is also technically cooler, which appeals to Nelson as well.
But the more urgent concern with the livestream was solving a problem with the projection within the sanctuary. This had disrupted the Palm Sunday service, which we watched from our hotel room in Chicago. The screen was filled with static, and Nelson could find no solution. After applying recommended driver updates and spending time with support from 2 different companies, we finally had a consistent work-around, if not a permanent solution. That was a relief, since Easter was only days away. When Easter did arrive, it dawned with a misty rain that forced the sunrise service indoors for the first time in many years. That gave us an unusual opportunity to record the sunrise service and post it for others to view. And yes, the camera and the screen fix worked well for the 10am service.
Csthy monitors Zoom for Alachie's birthday While Dave continued to complete the set-up of the office computers, Cathy worked on a different computer task – preparing for an elaborate birthday celebration the Saturday after Easter. Between setting up the hymns, running the Zoom session and ensuring the sound worked both in the room and over the internet, the number of technical challenges were not monumental but kept us moving.
Besides the camera and the computers, Cathy found some time to take care of some missing light bulbs around the exterior of the classroom buildings that were making the campus particularly dark at night. On one side of B building, only 1 of 5 lights were lit. Now all the lights around the classroom buildings are lit with only a couple of exceptions that required more than just a bulb to fix
Evalyn and Cathy at Alpine Groves Park This and That
Despite our time running short, we took some time to join Evalyn and explore the Alpine Groves Park south of Mandarin along the St. John’s River. An abandoned orange grove, the park preserves the house, stables and a few outbuildings of the property which commands a wonderful view of the river. It has some trails, a couple of piers and a playground to attract visitors. We lucked into a lovely Saturday morning that made for a great excursion. And it was followed by some barbecue from Woodpecker’s Backyard BBQ that wasn’t too bad either.
Despite our time running short, we took some time to join Evalyn and explore the Alpine Groves Park south of Mandarin along the St. John’s River. An abandoned orange grove, the park preserves the house, stables and a few outbuildings of the property which commands a wonderful view of the river. It has some trails, a couple of piers and a playground to attract visitors. We lucked into a lovely Saturday morning that made for a great excursion. And it was followed by some barbecue from Woodpecker’s Backyard BBQ that wasn’t too bad either.
We also spent a nice morning visiting with Beverly to follow up on a problem she was having, but mostly just to enjoy an unhurried talk.
Barry and Dave with the Bluebird Wanderlodge Pastor Barry had purchased a new (to him) RV while we were away, and he and Dave spent several hours understanding its systems, especially its somewhat unusual electrical system.
As we get close to heading out, we are trying to ensure our remaining boating inventory is dispositioned – especially the larger items. After our return, we had 3 larger items we hoped to move on – an outboard, a solar panel and some snorkeling fins. To our surprise, the fins went a couple of days after we returned. And after weeks of failed inquiries on the solar panel, it finally went to a new home a few days later. Now, if we could just find a home for the outboard . . .
As we get close to heading out, we are trying to ensure our remaining boating inventory is dispositioned – especially the larger items. After our return, we had 3 larger items we hoped to move on – an outboard, a solar panel and some snorkeling fins. To our surprise, the fins went a couple of days after we returned. And after weeks of failed inquiries on the solar panel, it finally went to a new home a few days later. Now, if we could just find a home for the outboard . . .
