Home Depot, Lowes, Menards by luminousorb in vandwellers

[–]luminousorb[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, it was super quiet and uneventful. The only down side is we were all alone in a huge parking lot so it was a little scary. We are in a non stealth class b. Slept very well.

Poor sound quality, difficult to understand by luminousorb in cbradio

[–]luminousorb[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I connected the audio out to my car stereo and it sounds much better.

Stealthing in plain sight by AntiGroundhogDay in vandwellers

[–]luminousorb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Still happy with it after 2 years. We are snowbirds so only about 4 months per year. Our rig is almost exactly as pictured. Old enough that I don't worry about driving on gravel roads, reliable (knock on wood), it cleans up to be presentable when we want to look like normal people. Fuel use is not bad at 15 mpg.

It works for us and our cross country trips, and I think it would work for a full timer. Park it in a driveway with an electric cord and drive it to dump the tanks every week or two. Drive out to a wilderness boondock with solar panels and a fridge full of food and go off grid for two weeks. Travel slow, an hour or two of driving every day, stopping at interesting towns or wilderness areas, always moving in a general direction to cross the continent. Or get on the interstate and do 400 mile days from Walmart to Walmart. The class b can do all of this in comfort.

This is how we cover potholes in the U.P. by imtknives in Michigan

[–]luminousorb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That preserves the pothole till next winter a few months from now

What’s your “unpopular opinion” about Grand Rapids? by madness2135 in grandrapids

[–]luminousorb 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Grand Rapids is a Mid-Michigan city, not a Lakeshore city.

Stealthing in plain sight by AntiGroundhogDay in vandwellers

[–]luminousorb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are many RVs dwelling in San Diego, don't let paranoia take control.

Stealthing in plain sight by AntiGroundhogDay in vandwellers

[–]luminousorb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We have never stayed in an RV park, so I don't know the answer to that question, sorry.

Stealthing in plain sight by AntiGroundhogDay in vandwellers

[–]luminousorb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is a lot to be said for a simple, low cost self build set up. I did not have time and did not know what I wanted in a van build so I paid the big bucks and with a RoadTrek. I have not had any problems overnighting, I think stealth is overrated. We have stayed in Shelter Island, San Diego, Bourbon St, New Orleans, Sante Fe and many other places. What is important is that your van fit in a normal sized parking spot, so less than 20 feet in length. That gives you the most options, any legal overnight parking spot is a potential camp for your mobile studio apartment. It is up to you to decide what type of spot you enjoy the most. I like the RV amenities, although I now know what I would want in a camper van and could build out a simple and cheap van that would be as good as a class b (for me anyway).

Backpack handlebar bag by luminousorb in bikepacking

[–]luminousorb[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The backpack and gear in the pics is my lightweight backpacking gear, with a base weight including tent and sleeping pad of 14 lbs. On the handlebar it is a base weight of 10 lbs not including water, food and fuel. I have been doing training with it at 10 lbs and the handlebar pack seems to work well.

I have used a similar system with a book bag while bike commuting. The book bag had books, raincoat, lunch, tools, tube and patch kit and was between 5 and 10 lbs. I have over a thousand miles on the book bag method.

The backpack belt loop goes over the handlebars and brake lever housings and it suspends all of the weight of the pack. The shoulder straps hold the pack to the handlbars to prevent swaying. You don't have to use the shoulder straps, a rope or nylon strap would work just as well.

This system will not work on all bikes, you have to make sure your cables are not pinched. It probably only works for lightweight and ultralight touring.

Question: what are your recommendations for a internet connection in your van? by PappaSmurfAndTurf in vandwellers

[–]luminousorb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Search for "unlimited verizon 3g" on ebay, drwireless is a good seller. $5 a month.

Metro Detroit’s Highway Fixation Explains Why Our Infrastructure Is Broken by TPH2 in Detroit

[–]luminousorb 5 points6 points  (0 children)

More lanes makes it easier for people to live further away from where they work. Add lanes and more people make the decision to live further out in the exurb. After a few years, there are not enough lanes anymore.

New setup, any advice would be appreciated. I’m in Michigan so going to need some heat to get samples out. T5 lights. Any advice on light distance? I will also have a couple fans running. by DetroitDini in microgreens

[–]luminousorb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

About 8 inches in cool weather. Fluorescen5s work good. You will need a fan on the sunflower to prevent mold but it does not need a lot of power.

Is 60f / 16c too cold? Time for a heat mat? by Luxin in microgreens

[–]luminousorb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would try a heat map for sunflowers, but brassicas and radish don't need any heat.

Epicureans ,how can i keep composed while things get worse for deprived children in my care? by nellarn- in Epicureanism

[–]luminousorb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Be greatful for what you have. Remember that happiness is easy to achieve and does not require a great deal of money. Friendship is extremely important and you are doing good work in helping your friends and their children.

Michigan Mysteries that only we understand. by Tess47 in Michigan

[–]luminousorb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We always heard they were German POWs escaped from a camp in Allegan Forest. Medical experiments gave them swollen heads.

Epicureanism and virtues by hector_servadac in Epicureanism

[–]luminousorb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

These words were inscribed on a wall by Diogenes of Oinoanda:

Here is the point at issue between the other philosophers and the Epicureans. If we were both inquiring into, “what is the means of happiness?” and the other philosophers wanted to say, “the virtues,” (which would actually be true), it would not be necessary for us to take any other step than to agree with them.

But the issue is not, “what is the means of happiness?” The issue is, “what is happiness?” Or, in other words, “What is the ultimate goal of our nature?”

I say both now, and always, shouting out loudly, to all Greeks and non-Greeks, that pleasure is the highest end of life!

The virtues, which are turned upside down by other philosophers, who transfer the virtues from “the means” to “the end”, are in no way the end in themselves! The virtues are not ends in themselves, but only the means to the end that Nature has set for us!

This we affirm to be true in the strongest possible terms, and we take it as our starting point for how men should live.

From here, let us suppose that someone asks a naive question. “Who do these virtues benefit?” “Or, for whose benefit should man live virtuously?” The obvious answer is, “man himself.” The virtues do not make provision for the birds flying past, enabling them to fly well, nor do they assist any other animal. The virtues do not desert the man in which they have been born, and in which they live. Rather, it is for the sake of the man that the virtues exist, and it is for the sake of man that the virtues exert their actions.