Shakedown cruise

Gooood Morning, Campers, it’s Silver Cliche’ with you here from... where???... Louisville, Georgia. It’s still dark and early here at oh-dawn-forty-five. It’s also 47 frickin’ degrees out there, but a delightful 68 inside the Cliche’. At least the outside temp doesn’t start with a 3 like it did here yesterday morning.

 It’s 8 weeks until the start of the Mother of All Road Trips... MOART 2021. That hardly seems like enough time for me to prep... and I’ve been working a month already.

We are here in Louisville (that’s pronounced “lewis-ville” by the locals... there won’t be none of that frenchy-crap “louie-ville” here in the original capital city of Georgia) visiting Mrs, Cliche’s brother. We are also testing the first major upgrade to the Cliche’ itself made in preparation for MOART... a heart transplant of the 12 volt system that allows us to live off grid with all of the comforts of home (except air conditioning).

I know you will hound me until I provide a detailed account of the lithium battery configuration, converter voltage charge profile, DC/DC charger to power the Cliche’ from the trusty Tundra, MPPT collar charge controller and such... but that will have to wait. For now, here’s a pick of that $3,000 of new gear looks like under the bed:

Beautiful, eh? Guess what? If those 200 Amp Hours of off grid staying power prove inadequate, I’ve got a stack of Benjamins that says I can fit two more right next to them.

Anyway, in addition to visiting family here, I’ve had a chance to test every function in the new system. All I can say is WOW! the move to Lithium batteries is a huge difference.

In the coming weeks we’ll do a bunch of maintenance and repairs to the Airstream (she turns 7 this year), upgrade the mattress, replace the recliners, add a portable washing machine, etc., etc.. I’ll keep you posted on that progress right here while I try to learn to write again.

I’ll also try to post about the trip itself. We have stops booked for the whole trip now. The huge increase in popularity of RVing since COVID means campsites are going to be scarce in places. Not to worry... we have a plan.

We also have a logo for the trip. That includes cards, a decal for the back window of the Cliche’ and... yes... baseball caps (of course there will be tee shirts!). Here it is:

I’m sending a shout-out to Justin from Baker Management in Ft. Pierce, Florida. He and I were at the Cumberland Farms in Vero Beach, FL on Monday evening filling our respective pickup trucks with $2.59 gasoline at adjacent pumps when I struck up a conversation with him. One thing led to another. Turns out he wants to RV one day. He became the very first victim... er... ah... I mean “recipient” of my effort to share MOART cards. So, thanks, Justin for tolerating my effort to share. I hope you and Mrs. Justin follow us. Maybe you will pick up some ideas about seeing America together. Maybe you will say “OMG! Is that what it means to see America? I think we’ll stay home!”. Either way, we are happy to have you along.

I’m expecting the first sun anytime now. I think I’ll fire up the water heater for a shower, round up breakfast stuff for a pancake feed and get the day going. After breakfast we’ll break camp, do a three point turn in the driveway here and point the trusty Tundra south. 6 1/2 hours later we’ll slide the Cliche’ back into her spot in the driveway knowing the battery project is road-ready. Tomorrow starts the bedroom remodel... I’ve got to get the new mattress on order because I’m sure as hell not signing up for 3 1/2 months of sleep like last night! 

Later...

S.C.