in the blue hole without labor
the solar shower is our new friend. the next level of off-grid comfort. now we can sleep without that sticky feeling.... almost.
I built a swamp cooler (evaporative cooler) using igloo coolers; as my man in the desert did with his, but we loaded the top cooler with ice blocks and water. that drains over an evaporative element in the bottom cooler, then a float switch activated bilge pump sends the water back to the top cooler to complete the cycle. three 120mm muffin fans vent the air through the element.
BUT, an evaporative cooler only works well in low humidity. it was a bit muggy this wknd so it only sorta worked so we cheated by loading it with ice.
kat has asked that I reconfigure it a bit so it is outside the cabin blowing in, instead of inside sucking air from out. the bilge pump came on once every two and a half minutes and pumped for thirty seconds. just enough to disrupt her sleep pattern.
we had spent the day swimming and lounging at the wimberley blue hole. I had read about the blue hole when yahoo listed it as one of the top swim holes in the country. we found is was very near our off-grid cabin project down there so....
the water is spring fed; cold and clear, and surprisingly deep. several rope swings were very busy along with people jumping from trees and such.
some girls played in the mud.
we have been plauged with problems associated with the swim spa ever since that unfortunate event of july third. the factory has been great with supplying us with new parts for free. but the labor has been ours to supply. I removed the whole flow head and duct work. they sent us a new liner as well (that really does not go with the style of our house.... but it was free) the pic below was the first liner they sent for free, it was the wrong size. the second free liner they sent has a faux decorative stone belt line around the top (ignoring my goal of honesty in materials and no extraneous ornamentation)
I sold my beloved 1973 bmw 2002tii. Jason (in the bon jovi shirt above) flew in from the sf bay area and drove her home. he was very excited about his new purchase and that helped ease the pain of letting her go. I'm sure he'll take good care of her, even has her own garage space. I made the tii a few cds I hope he ocasionally plays in her to remind her of all the good times we shared together.