Now that we have some better weather I have been getting a few things done but there’s still too much I need to get done.

I still need to move some stuff out of the way so I can take a rear stabilizer jack off the trailer and do some repair work on it. If I don’t move the stuff I’ll have to hitch the trailer and move it. I also bent a piece of metal trim on the side when it happened but I won’t take this part off as it has been sealed to the trailer and I am not breaking the seal. I got it somewhat straightened out but it needs more “love” with a rubber mallet and wood block. These things were bent as a result of backing into the woodpile last year after my first trip out. Another good reason I have a rear camera on the trailer.

It’s not a critical fix but it’s going to get fixed. The stabilizer jacks are to keep the trailer stable, and that’s how they got their clever name. It still works fine but I need to straighten out a few parts to tighten it up.

I did get the cabinet doors tightened back down, but a few need a more robust repair so I have to look into what would be the best fix. I will glue some wood pieces in the screw holes and that’ll fix it. Even though the trailer rides smoothly, all the twisting movement, bumps, jolts, etc. during towing loosens things up so you have to go through and tighten a few things down every so often. It happens more on the less expensive ones than a good-quality one.

Now the trailer is ready to go whenever I am.

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I got a renewal offer from the Roadtrippers app people offering me a pretty decent 30% discount to sign back up. Even with the discount I have to think about it – it would still be around $39. That’s better than $60, but I have to think right now how often I would use it. I still think they need to lower the subscription prices, but it does have some really nice features, like filtering out the noise and showing you only points of interest on the map and things like info on city parks. Perhaps if you are interested in it, check it out and create a free account. They might think you’re fresh meat and send you a deal.

I can get most of the info on Apple Maps or Google Maps for free, but I would have to look a little harder to get only the travel info I want or need. I think with the amount of information they have it’s definitely something they need to charge for with the amount of work involved. If I can make good use of an app I will buy or subscribe to support the developers.

Speaking of Maps and Google Maps, I have decided to give Google Maps another go. Again, I am not a Google fan because of privacy issues but I want more and better info for travel than what Apple Maps gives me. I used Google Maps for the first trip to Europe in 2018 and it was handy, but switched to Apple Maps and just kinda stayed due to the focus on privacy despite Apple Maps being a cluster for a long time.

I tried to give Google Maps another go a couple of years ago but the Apple Watch complication was junk, and I rely on the Watch for directions while driving. It’s now more usable so I will give it another try.

I came across another app/website I had forgotten about called Roadside America. It is all about the quirky stuff you just HAVE to see – largest rocking chair, gravesites of the killers from the movie “In Cold Blood”…you get the idea. The app was $3 and with that you get one free region, and it’s a great deal if you stay local in your region. If you want the rest they are $2/each, or $7 for all of the U.S. and Canada. I decided this app and upgrades is worth $10 to me for finding odd things to see while traveling the U.S. and Canada.

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With regards to this blog ending, it’s a little tough for me given what I have put into it and gotten out of it on a personal level.

If you want to go back and read any of my old posts you might want to do that before July – that’s when the next bill is due. A few (to me) highlights: moving from Colorado to Washington in September 2012 via Banff NP in Canada, Europe trip in January 2018 and again February 2020. Hawaii in January 2014, Crater Lake and California around September 2018, in March 2014 I lived on a Wildlife Refuge island alone for six months…and many more adventures.

Damn…thinking back about all the things I’ve gotten to do and experience a lot of living – not just during the “blog years” but even in the years before 2012. I’ve been very fortunate.

Anyhoo, you should read any posts you might be interested in.

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That’s it for now. Thanks for looking!

Shawn