As March began, the exodus of the volunteers camping at Faith accelerated with each week. We had plans ourselves to take a break the last 2 weeks of March, and Pat and Fred would be leaving around then as well. That meant we needed to complete what we could and get ourselves and the rig ready for our time away.
Finishing Up
In the rooms being modified for Beyond 90, we were at the painting stage, having done all the construction work to build and modify walls. For several days running, we primed and painted until we had done all that we could reach. While the work is not done, the next stages will be in the hands of different workers.
In the rooms being modified for Beyond 90, we were at the painting stage, having done all the construction work to build and modify walls. For several days running, we primed and painted until we had done all that we could reach. While the work is not done, the next stages will be in the hands of different workers.
Dave broke away (ran?) from the painting to do more work on the church’s computers and internet. Having ordered a new desktop computer and monitor for the livestream of the church’s services, he configured it and worked with Nelson, Angelica and Pastor Jacob to ensure it was meeting the needs of each service.
With Cathy’s assistance, he ran another ethernet cable from the choir room (behind the front of the church) to the AV booth at the back. This required several uncomfortable and unpleasant minutes of Cathy sitting in the church attic. The only easy part was installing the connectors on each end, something Cathy is getting pretty good at. All of this seemed to go very well, despite a last minute call one Sunday morning from Pastor Ricardo before the Spanish service. A side benefit of the new set-up was the removal of a “temporary” folding table installed during the pandemic that was covered in electronics. All of the new equipment fits within the original AV booth, much to the pleasure of the church members.
With this installation, the older livestream desktop became available for the office, but that required additional changes so that it could serve the needs of the members using it there. And while we were working on the church’s internet issues, we also helped out with others in the church having issues. One was Beverly who wanted to be able to make phone calls by saying a person’s name, since her deteriorating sight made dialing difficult. We helped her set up a Google Nest mini with her contacts so she could do just that.
With their departure imminent, Fred and Pat were trying to take care of a few last minute requests as well. Pat put her sewing talents to work making some dish and silverware covers for the new kitchen and making and installing exterior shades on the kitchen windows. Cathy helped a little, but mostly by providing her sewing machine and some of her inventory of supplies. And literally on their last full day in town, Fred was replacing a broken emergency exit door handle on the bus and replacing a switch so the bus lights would work again. There is always something more to do.
Boat Stuff – still?
Yes. We’ve sold Orion Jr, but not all of the things associated with her have left to new owners. As March began, we had a handful of larger items that we couldn’t practically take with us when we leave Faith with the RV. Among these was the drifter sail, a large 20yd bolt of fabric (intended to repair the cover if the boat didn’t sell), a non-working outboard, and a 90-watt solar panel. We managed to sell 2 of these 4 items so far. And although we have a lot of interest in both of the other 2, no one seems to want to actually buy them. We’ve still got a little more time, though.
Yes. We’ve sold Orion Jr, but not all of the things associated with her have left to new owners. As March began, we had a handful of larger items that we couldn’t practically take with us when we leave Faith with the RV. Among these was the drifter sail, a large 20yd bolt of fabric (intended to repair the cover if the boat didn’t sell), a non-working outboard, and a 90-watt solar panel. We managed to sell 2 of these 4 items so far. And although we have a lot of interest in both of the other 2, no one seems to want to actually buy them. We’ve still got a little more time, though.
Staying “In-Command”
As we prepared to head out of town for a couple of weeks, we had some preparations to make to the RV to allow it to sit unattended for that time. As we’ve done in the past, we wanted to reconnect our In-Command system (digital control of many of the RV’s systems) to Wifi so that we can monitor and control the RV systems remotely. But before we had a chance to think about making this happen, we started having problems. The air conditioning would simply stop cycling, so that the RV would start to heat up. (Yes, we have been using the AC in Florida.) To fix this, we simply turn the AC off and back on and it would start working again. This problem hadn’t happened for several months, so we thought we were past it. But not only was it back, it was worse. The AC wouldn’t stay running for long after it was turned off and on.
Knowing we had to connect the In-Command to Wifi anyway and that, by doing so, it would check for software updates, we went ahead and put it on the network. Sure enough there were some software updates. One for the display module had been out since last June, which inspired confidence that it was stable. It was after the last software update that our problems started.) The other release for the BCM was less certain. The release showing on the display wasn’t even on their website. A quick call to tech support confirmed we could just apply the Display update, which we did. And.?
As we prepared to head out of town for a couple of weeks, we had some preparations to make to the RV to allow it to sit unattended for that time. As we’ve done in the past, we wanted to reconnect our In-Command system (digital control of many of the RV’s systems) to Wifi so that we can monitor and control the RV systems remotely. But before we had a chance to think about making this happen, we started having problems. The air conditioning would simply stop cycling, so that the RV would start to heat up. (Yes, we have been using the AC in Florida.) To fix this, we simply turn the AC off and back on and it would start working again. This problem hadn’t happened for several months, so we thought we were past it. But not only was it back, it was worse. The AC wouldn’t stay running for long after it was turned off and on.
Knowing we had to connect the In-Command to Wifi anyway and that, by doing so, it would check for software updates, we went ahead and put it on the network. Sure enough there were some software updates. One for the display module had been out since last June, which inspired confidence that it was stable. It was after the last software update that our problems started.) The other release for the BCM was less certain. The release showing on the display wasn’t even on their website. A quick call to tech support confirmed we could just apply the Display update, which we did. And.?
Everything has been working great since.
No re-boots. No bluetooth disconnects. No problems with the AC controls. And, even better, we tested and had confidence in the alarm features that would help us detect problems while we were away. If a temperature went too high or low, a tank was too full or empty or if the battery voltage dropped, we would be notified. We tested them out and they worked great. This even gave us the confidence to leave our fridge running, since we could monitor battery levels in the event of a prolonged power interruption. (Of course, that meant Cathy had to defrost the fridge instead, but better that than emptying it.)
No re-boots. No bluetooth disconnects. No problems with the AC controls. And, even better, we tested and had confidence in the alarm features that would help us detect problems while we were away. If a temperature went too high or low, a tank was too full or empty or if the battery voltage dropped, we would be notified. We tested them out and they worked great. This even gave us the confidence to leave our fridge running, since we could monitor battery levels in the event of a prolonged power interruption. (Of course, that meant Cathy had to defrost the fridge instead, but better that than emptying it.)
More RV Stuff
We have used a battery monitor on the RV since shortly after we purchased it, but the unit we had no longer was telling us the amps used. Dave decided to replace it with a newer version that would have use an app for the display. And although we had to replace the shunt that connected to the batteries, this unit made that much easier than our current one. That being said, the shunt is located just above the batteries and getting to it is pretty awkward.
We have used a battery monitor on the RV since shortly after we purchased it, but the unit we had no longer was telling us the amps used. Dave decided to replace it with a newer version that would have use an app for the display. And although we had to replace the shunt that connected to the batteries, this unit made that much easier than our current one. That being said, the shunt is located just above the batteries and getting to it is pretty awkward.
And, as we prepared to leave, we made ready in other ways. In addition to the normal tank maintenance, we sanitized the fresh water again. It’s been doing well since we did this at Christmas and we don’t want to go back to the problems before that. Cathy also did a thorough cleaning of each sink drain, since they can start to smell if particles are left behind.
Family and Friends
It had been over 3 years since we had seen Dave’s sister Wendy and her husband Dave in person. When we learned they were headed our way, we agreed to meet for an early supper on an (unfortunately) chilly afternoon near St. Augustine. (Brother-in-law Dave was going to compete in a Barbershop competition there.) It was good to see them, and we hope our next visit will be months away not years.
It had been over 3 years since we had seen Dave’s sister Wendy and her husband Dave in person. When we learned they were headed our way, we agreed to meet for an early supper on an (unfortunately) chilly afternoon near St. Augustine. (Brother-in-law Dave was going to compete in a Barbershop competition there.) It was good to see them, and we hope our next visit will be months away not years.
Back at Faith there were a lot of goodbyes. Joe left for a hosting job in Georgia during the first week of March, followed shortly by the last of the Nomads teams for the winter. And then Pat and Fred pulled out on the morning of the 18th, just before we hopped the train that evening. We managed to get in a few campfires before their departures and some goodbye dinners. We grilled steaks one evening before Joe left. And we enjoyed what became a Lentan tradition of the Assumption Catholic Church Friday fish fry before Pat and Fred left. And on a beautiful warm evening, we were treated by Beverly to a BBQ dinner with Beverly, Pastor Barry, Susan and Frank at the Bearded Pig. It was delicious and a fun evening.