Thursday, October 30, 2014

Amazing.

It struck me this morning that the S.O. and I have now been living in this tiny fiberglass box for almost a full month -- and we're both still breathing. I believe he was less optimistic than I was; he expressed his astonishment after the first two weeks. I wasn't quite as surprised. After all, we manage to make it through long, cold winters while cohabiting in a house with less than 600 square feet of living space. We're used to tripping over each other. Of course, back up on the tundra I've got the Woman Cave and the museum to escape to occasionally and the S.O. has his shop and other places to go and things to do so it's not like we're stuck with each other 24/7.

Here at Montauk it no doubt helped that for most of the month the weather was close to perfect. When we weren't having to fulfill campground host duties, we could go exploring the local area, wander around the park, or just sit outside, people watch, and enjoy the fresh air. I'm not sure we would have done quite as well if it had rained more, especially once we realized just how damp it gets in the Guppy when conditions are wet outside. Between the condensation and various seals leaking, things got rather soggy and neither of us was in a particularly good mood -- although the S.O. was probably more irritable than I was. He slept on the side of the bed that turned into a swamp when the window above it leaked. That problem seems to have been solved, although we won't know for sure until there's another heavy rain. In any case, I think we've figured out some of the things we'd have to do to make even longer stays in the Guppy possible. The S.O. has been compiling a list of things to do; I've got a list of items to add to the basic supplies and equipment. Neither list is especially long, but we did manage to overlook some obvious things before we hit the road, like a camping ax and disposable gloves.* Live and learn.

 

*That combination does make it sound rather like a person is planning a career as a serial killer, but the ax is for firewood and the gloves are for connecting and disconnecting the hose from the black water tank.

7 comments:

  1. I have a lot of experience with campers and RV's so can tell you that you have a lot of leaks that moisture can get into that you don't know about.

    And it doesn't help that they have single pane windows. If you have a hookup keep two 110 volt incandescent bulbs burning 24/7, and keep a fan running to circulate the air.

    The Drizair things help also.

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  2. One other thing, crack a window open just a bit.

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  3. "Live and learn."

    Yeah well, as long as you keep doing that you pretty much got it whopped.

    As to your "woman Cave" - well, everyone should have a cave to retreat to.

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  4. While teaching in the bush in Alaska we spent our summers in an RV. We are very close so it worked for us.

    Reseal your entire roof (it is cheap enough,) calk your windows, keep your water tank empty, and get a small dehumidifier - crack your vent when you shower and your windows when you make tea or coffee.

    Sounds like you are having a great time.
    I envy you.
    the Ol'Buzzard

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  5. Recoating the roof is on the project list for next summer. The water tank wasn't an issue; we never filled it because as hosts we had a full hookup. A small dehumidifier would probably be a good investment, though. The biggest problem was it was cold, damp weather and a very small space so just normal breathing steamed the windows.

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  6. I'm putting truck tarp material on my roof being as I got some from at cost from Rick, that will keep it from leaking.

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