barefootwalk

 It is pretty beaten up but it has been my beating companion for more than 10 years now. It came into my life when I was at a turning point. I can divide my life before having this when I was a business minded, human race, win the game person and after having this when I changed dramatically and I left many things. The second option I had planned that year, was much darker.  I took it to a long adventure. For all these years it was the only living beating gear traveling with me in every adventure. Forests, desserts, sea and mountains. From war zone in the Middle East to the Mediterranean coast in Europe and the Rocky Mountains in America. Hiking unknown places and even mapping unmapped places. Finally it has started to fail. Right now the joystick doesn't work. Interestingly I am at another turning points in my life. I should take a break and think what I am going to do next? But for now this gear needs a graceful retirement as it deserves.

 I had a difficult decision to make. Power is the most important problem in my trips and I was under impression that solar is the best option but I couldn't wrap my head around all the space I need for a decent setup. I don't think anything less than 200w is practical, considering cloudy days or shorter winter days. If you camp for a long time, solar is the best power option but I move and drive a lot. After a lot of research and up and down, I decided to go with a DC to DC charger. I know I can easily use a simple relay and don't spend a lot but I know for experience that any addition to car's electrical system should be taken more seriously. Saving extra $50 doesn't worth screwing around your car's electric system. You can easily put a lot of work load on the alternator and fry it in time. Out of many car problems, the alternator is the only one I don't hesitate to fix. Renege had a big sale so everything was a perfect match and I got my DC to DC charger. ...

 Made a short trip to the Sipsey wilderness and spend an afternoon cooking pizza in a cast iron skillet. It turned out great!

 Back in June I notice a tear in ball joint boots. Toyota doesn't put refillable ball joint and basically you replace them but they last a long time, I heard double other brands. I decided to get a press and replace the boots. Meanwhile I can check if the ball joint itself needs a replacement. In my surprise the more torn joint was OK and I just replaced the cover but the other less worn was loose. I may need to replace it in future but everything seems OK now. Easy job and I saved myself time and money going to mechanic.

 I have been walking this path for three years. It is not on my way to campus but it is a nice quiet sidewalk. Actually it is closer to my previous apartment as well, so I am sure it is about 5 years I am walking this sidewalk; but I never noticed there is a fig tree! Until yesterday. Twyla stopped in her usual manner and was checking the leaves and finally I noticed the fruits! Sweet and full bodied. Summers are dead around here. Most people have left the town and it seems no one appreciates the miracle of a fig tree! I helped myself. Small excuse for small happiness.

 I have never been a big fan of social media but I have used it first because everybody is using it and second I could socialize. More I think about it, more I realize in my case it's more harm than benefit. Few weeks ago I decided to reduce my use to once or twice a day, less than 10 minutes and I didn't feel I missed a lot, on the contrary I feel much better! So I will try to keep it very low or make I can stop using them after all.

Twyla needed a new bed. So I made a new bed for her. This one turned great and she appears to love it! This is how I made it: Everything is either from other projects or from thrift store. I got a bundle of fabrics for $1 and I made a lot of stuff with them! One of the best purchases of my life. The floor will be the orange coated ripstop nylon, it's waterproof. Top is a comfortable flowery fabric. 

May 2022  It was getting warm again. Summer vacation was about to start and we decided to take the opportunity and hit the road before it gets too hot. Although I was missing mountains and high elevations, I decided to avoid driving through Great Plains in the heat and I aimed for the north again. A slow paced ride along Appalachian and highest points of the east. We said goodbye to our backyard mockingbirds and started the trip in my upgraded camper. We made a new friend in our first camp in Mississippi. It was nice and quiet.  We explored around Mississippi and Tennessee the next day and made it to Fire creek campsite. It was a nice campsite and our spot was next to the creek. After a nice walk and enjoying the cool weather until noon we headed to another campsite. A few campsites I was planing were closed so I randomly ended at Bull creek trailhead. Nice hiking trail and cool spot in Pisgah National Forest. We arrived late so we had a rest and explored the trail the next da...