TRADIN’

I guess that we all trade tow vehicles from time to time. As our towing needs change because of various factors, such as the highway types we travel, elevations that we spend a lot of time at, fuel costs and so  on and so forth, we may need to trade. When high mileage begins to rear it's ugly head, or, we are just simply doing things differently, or, maybe, we just might see a tow vehicle that we really like.
A tow vehicle that suits me just fine right now, may not be as suitable next year. We recently found ourselves in that position. Luckily, a Recently retired State Trooper friend decided to trade in his farm truck, that had been some what depreciated, in on a lighter truck that met his current needs.
His old truck was one that just simply struck a responsive chord in our hearts. Though it was the same year, an 08', as our Jeep, it had only a little less than 1/4 of the miles on it, that the Jeep had. A Ford dealer friend called me to say, "harm, ya' gotta' take a look at this one !". We did, and he was right, we fell for it instantly. He had been after us to trade in our Jeep, he also has the Jeep dealership, because he had his eye on it for deer hunting, ect..
It just seemed right for all of us, so we put a pencil to it, made a few adjustments, decided that it was good for all, and did it.
The dealer has a Jeep he has been wanting. The Trooper has the new pickup he was wanting. And, we now are pulling our Ollie with a 6.4 liter, twin turbo, diesel Ford pickup. White of course, to match our Ollie !
It is dark outside and sleet is spazmodicly falling, so photos will have to wait till later.
We are about to learn what it is like to climb those Rocky Mountain Passes with ample horsepower this Summer !

YES !

The U.S. Corps of Engineers has decided not to cut the value of our Senior pass ! It is still good for a 50% discount !  Huuh Raah !

 

Never been to Jugfest before ? Want a quick ( 28 second ) look at last year's campsites ? Here is a link to a YouTube video that was taken on March 14th of this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7e5Xty69kw
The lake level had risen about a foot since Al & Fran had been over there looking at it a couple of weeks earlier. Rising lake levels generally mean better fishing. Dropping lake levels generally mean poor fishing.

In the Spring of the year, quickly passing thunder storms can bring brief periods of high winds. Because of that we camp beside a well sheltered small inlet, just off of the Bear Creek inlet, that leads out into the main body of the Lake. Because the boats are shore tied, they need the shelter. The short Spring time thunder boomers usually pass through quickly and the sunshine comes back out. Many times they pass through during the night leaving behind a fresh, mild, Spring morning for us to pick up the jugs.  AAAhhh, yes, easing down the inlet at an idle, coffee cup on the dashboard, honey bun in one hand, good friends chatting and joking, while seated around the boat. The excitement and anticipation of a good catch as we pick up the jugs, then suddenly, a dazzling flash as the first rays of sunshine zip past us down the Lake ahead, illuminating the islands in the distance. You can hear the instant hush of the crowd and their collective sudden intake of breath as they take in the magnificence of the moment.
That's when you know that it was well worth the pre dawn wake up.

PLUG

AUBREY'S PLUG
I had heard Aubrey talk about his plug that he had designed. However, I hadn’t had a chance to actually see it, or try one out, until we met up at Jugfest2009. Knowing that this was the perfect accessory and useful tool to go with the newly designed power cord cover, I sweet talked Aubrey out of one of them. This is a very cool plug that eliminates cold air and insect intrusion into the area between our trailer’s inner and outer fiberglass hulls. Most of us don’t have the knowledge, tools, imagination, or the skill, to design and build such a useful device.

But as Paul Harvey used to say, “Now for the rest of the story”. The plug is light, waterproof and impervious to insect attacks ( no termites can penetrate this one !)

Then there is the Green aspect of this cool plug. It is made from recycled materials ! Enough, you say ? He, he, but, there is more yet ! This plug is machined from a 4x4 plastic post that is commonly available from most building supply chain stores, and it matches the color of our trailer’s exterior finish !

Here is a look at Aubrey’s Plug.

No plug in power port.

Plug installed in port left view.

Plug installed in port right view.

Plug pulled part way out and turned to show the perfect fitting cord slot.

The cord in the center of the plug is military specification parachute cord that passes all of the way through the plug, to assist in removal.

Here is a short video showing how easy it goes in place and the snug insect and wind barrier it provides.

Ain’t it just the best thing since sliced bread !Aubrey, my Cajun Buddy, I don’t think you have any idea, just how clever you are ! It just comes naturally to you ! See you at Jugfest2010.

OUT

Out with the old and in with the new.

Our old power cord door left a lot to be desired. They say that Jim Oliver never did like it. It comes up short in so many areas, but mostly it looked somewhat flimsy. And, indeed the small trap door that the cord passes through, comes off, and gets lost so often, that we just finally quit looking for it.

Ollies that were made after ours, had a new and vastly improved design that we liked, so we called Robert and the guys in the shop prepared one for us to install.  Jason the parts guy shipped it right on out to us. We have been carrying it around with us for awhile now. My only excuse is that we have been so busy chasing sunshine down on Padre Island, that we didn’t take the time to install it.

Today however, was install day. Here is a look.

The finished job.

The old door.

The old cord fairlead. The foam sleeve was used to wrap the power cord, filling the gap around the missing trap door.

Here is a short video of the old and new together.

ROCK

This one is a bit harder to get into, but has it’s own rewards for the effort. Here is the link to a video and photos along with a description:

Waymarking.com write up and photos link

At this point we have looked at three options. So, I guess my next question to my fellow Jugfesters is, “ what is your pleasure ?

A. Stay at our old Kirby Landing site and pay the higher prices and 14 day limit.

B. Move to Big Fir (4+ miles of dirt road) and share solar and Generator times, so we can stay longer for less cost.

C. Move to Rock Creek (6+ miles of dirt road) and share solar and Generator time, so we can stay longer for less cost.

KIRBY

This short video starts off right at the campsite where our cook shack, kitchen and camp fire were last year. There is no construction here. The construction is over on the West camp ground side.

The construction may cause overflow from the new side, into this side. The total number of campsites is reduced by maybe as much as 40% at Kirby Landing.

Here is the new sign at the entrance, with the cost increase and “refreshed” stay limits. There is no definite word as of yet about the value of the senior pass.

The new senior pass rate should be $9.00 per day if the card isn’t devalued by the Corps of Engineers.

If the pass is honored at it’s stated value then the 14 day stay would be $126.00 . However you would have to move out for a day or two before returning, possibly loosing your campsite to someone else.

There is another FREE, No STAY LIMIT camp ground at Lake Greeson. It is Rock creek CG, and it is about six  miles of dirt road into it. I’ll post a link to photos and narrative of it on the next blog entry.

HOUSLEY

Because of rising campsite rates and the possibility that our Senior Pass may be devalued by the Corps of Engineers, at the Lake Greeson, Kirby Landing Camp Ground. Along with construction type growing pains, we took a look at other options should the majority of the Jugfesters deem a move necessary. This blog entry is somewhat of a report to our fellow jugfesters

The one that Betty and I have always liked the best is the Big Fir Campground. It is FREE and there is NO apparent STAY LIMIT. Which would be cool for those that want more lake time. It has recently been refurbished with some new grills, lantern poles, picnic tables replaced on some sites and the outhouses redone. It looks better than I can remember it ever looking in the last fifteen years. They have ran electricity out there, but haven’t installed it.

There is no water or electricity. It would require some jugfesters to share solar or generator time with a neighbor. However, our trailers are small enough that we can double up on a space and readily share, if that is the way the majority  decides to go.

Lake Ouachita, Housley Point, Big Fir Camp Ground. A quick video look:

Here are a few still photos of the Big Fir CG:

The entrance sign.

Campsite #2, looking West towards Mountain Harbor Marina. The closest place for Ice.

The vault type toilets have new screens Paint and shingles.

The old hand pump well house has new shingles and paint.

This campsite is right out on the point and is looking right at four of the over 100 islands in the 34 mile long lake. The closest two are called Hot Dog and Hamburger because of their shape.

 

A look across a campsite to the boat launch .

Many of the areas old time fishermen camp here faithfully and you won’t believe the tales that they tell about the good old days.

We also videoed the Kirby landing CG where we stayed last year. That report follows in the next blog entry.