Tag: cleaning

Can We Do It Differently?

Day One

We had a beautiful morning and it was not too cold.  The sky clear and the sun shinning.  Took doggies for a nice walk.

Our one and only neighbor had already left.  Appeared to be a retired couple one small dog and they came quietly and left the same.  It was so nice to have so much quiet and have space.  A nice beginning to day two

Day Two

There are not too many big trucks or RV rigs on the road at 7 am.  We drove through the little town of  Hawthorne, Nevada.  It is an old ammunition storage site and Army base from WW II.  The town itself is clean, quiet appearing with alot of pride for its history.

The road that brings us here ends here.  We take a left turn through town and end up on I-395 -via I-95 passing Mono Lake!  Wow.

We have stopped for a potty stop at Mono Lake before going to California before.  This time we drove farther in and looked for the old cemetery and gave up.  It was quiet and nice and the dogs loved walking about.  Nice lunch break and taking a deep breath instead of racing for time.  We also could not see how to get  to the lake from this entry road.

We did notice that going through a small town after the turn south on I-395 was an entrance to Mono Lake! Felt like duh! We felt foolish but we had a nice stop and we noticed that the temperature was dropping.

We drove through Tuttle Town, cute, next time we will stop and have lunch.  We know that we have to go through Yosemite to get to our destination.  Not a really fast trek.

As we approached the entrance to Yosemite, we say signs stating no entrance without a camp reservation!!! COVID and winter rules.  We had to wait 2 hours for our turn to at least see if we can drive through and not stop to sight see or camp.  When we hit the ranger station they asked if we were active duty military and I still had my ID that said I was.  They gave us a no fee permit to drive through the park.  Wow, what an ordeal.  It did show how much work they had been doing to clean up fire and snow damage.  It was nice to see reasonable numbers of people walking, hiking and enjoying the frozen sierra vistas.

The roads are two lanes, the Yosemite Valley shops are closed, at the entrances they are  checking for your reservation and ID status when you are stopped.  Kinda creepy.  After many switch backs, slow going and beautiful scenery we were in the dry low lands and the temp was increasing.

Our destination for the night was a Harvest Hose Winery that we had made reservations with.  We needed to check in before 5:00 pm when they closed.  We put the address into the NavAid on our tow vehicle and off we went.  As we neared the back end of the Modesto area.  We were directed to a lonely, desolate combination road of asphalt, gravel and back ranch roads.  I had lived in the Central Coast and San Francisco Bay area all my life and skied the areas near by the winery.  I could not recognize any of the roads.  It took us away from Hwy 49 which is wine, hiking, historical and ski areas around Angels Camp.  We kept going, tried not to argue and keep cool.  After 3 hours (should have taken 1.5hrs) we found the back way into the Twisted Oak Winery! It was a silly, crazy road.  The entire one lane road into the winery had rubber chickens hanging from the trees with funny sayings also either posted on a tree or in the ground.  Even had chickens with prison stripped suits painted on them.  I couldn’t believe it.  We laughed so much after such a challenging way in.  A good way to start the evening.  But was close to 100 degrees outside!  You will have to try the red blend  “Chum Bucket” too or “Chicken Bubbles”.

After checking in and trying their wines we retreated to the now empty parking lot in the middle of the vineyard.  We did walk the dogs about the grounds and they loved it.  It was so good to be outside the “Phantom” and all the windows were open.  The great thing about our Airstream is the great ventilation.  Cross winds from the hills made it so comfortable.  We had our home made version of charcuterie and a bottle of white wine.

As the sun set we settled in and slept in the warm quiet.

Day two complete!  Now it will be back into the traffic of the San Francisco Bay Area!  Hmm.  In the morning we found Hwy 49 a quarter mile away from the winery.  Oh  boy!

Ready, Set . . . .. . . . . GO?

a start
a start

Oh boy!  We are getting in one more adventure before we stop for the vacation season.  Yep we are going back to Pinnacles for one more look. Usually we are cleaning and repairing our silver castle for a little rest time while we wait and prepare for fall adventures.  We like to travel when the weather is cooler, less crowded and a different vacation perspective.

As we began the process of emptying the coach of all foodstuffs, clothing, doggie treats and linen we received a call from my brother.  He got us our newly found favorite spots at the Pinnacles!  As we had already started the process of cleaning we decided just finish the job and be ready for the next trip.

Keeping your rolling home clean and repaired means that the surprise trip will not have major  “surprises”!  CLEAN image imageThis practice is well worth the effort as it protects your investment, your traveling dream maker!  I am always surprised how the simple little fixes prevent the big owies.

When we first ordered our Flying Cloud I read and re-read the marketing booklet and then the manufacturer’s recommendations to be prepared to give loving care to our new silver dream!

Meet the Silver Coach Cleaning package!
Meet the Silver Coach Cleaning package!         

The how of cleaning small spaces can be challenging or easy and green.  The cleansers on the market may not be compatible with the interiors of campers, trailers and RV’s.  The surfaces are not to be scrubbed to death and our aluminum walls are special.  I have used multiple sprays, antibacterial cleansers and  also learned not to use chlorine liquids.  Fragrances of cleaners are also a potential hazard for those with allergies, animals and sensitive skin.  The solution?  H20 Home!  Yep  I found it was very simple, the difficulty is in leaving old habits behind.  I did mention it in a previous blog but now I am really liking it.  The process kind of makes you question the new way and then go ahhh.

When we returned home this last trip I really got energetic and thought a study this process was needed.  This is what I did.  I analyzed storage space for a cleaning kit I could keep in the trailer and make the upkeep ongoing and minimize the pre-rest cleaning time.  All I needed was three (3) chiffonnettes, one container of clay cleaner, and water.  Yep that is what I was going to us to clean the entire inside of my coach.

I had read on another blog how a traveler used two dish pans that fit the sinks to clean dishes and then disposed of the boiled rinsing water into the blackwater tank instead of the grey water.  By doing this it helps keep the level of the greywater tank lower- more room for shower water!  This saved overuse of water and disenfectied the dishes at the same time.  Check out this blog J5MM to really see how she did this.

Back to the new process study.  I read the directions on the use of the chiffonnettes and thought it was too simple.  I wrung out the thickest one for the counter top and began to wipe down the surfaces, hmmm then did the same to the cabinet doors and was really surprised as it shinned with a wipe of the medium towel.  I rinsed out the first towel as needed with just warm water.   No cleaners, no sprays and no disinfectants.  All surfaces and mirrored surfaces gleamed.  I then used the clay cleanser product with its little sponge and worked on the sinks and stove top.  It has never looked smoother and shinier.  I proceeded with this same process to include the aluminum walls and ceilings and got the same results.  It was amazing.  I did spend a lot of time going end to end but I only utilized water and the clay cleanser.  No drip marks and no overpowering fragrance.  WOW!  Along with this thinking I decided to see what I would actually need to keep her clean on the go and when she rests.  How much space, how much effect on the environment and keeping everything easily cleanable and pretty.  I also began to think about dishwashing, clothing and towels.  I know I can over think a lot but I like to keep things pretty and clean.    I came up with a small collection that fits in a small basket under the sink!

Here is the Silver Coach Package:  I slips right under my sink and the basket was from the dollar store!  It has the three chiffonnettes, two sponges  different colors so you can use one for the bathroom, one for dishes with two sides.  Clay cleanser for the tough spots and the spots on the floor or carpet, dish cleanser to put two drops on the dish sponge( they can be cleaned and disinfected in the dishwasher at home), the Netepur bar to put on the stains on the camping clothes! Works like magic! Kids clothing actually survives to camp another day without the stains.  If you would like to learn more about the super Silver Coach Package from Monica Hein of H2O Home at 1-831-566-5324.  She really gets the Airstream dream and of course she cares about the environment.

Well enough cleaning I need to rest to get ready for our next Pinnacle Trip.  It is going to be very hot!