Family camp was a great weekend at Mt. Gilead State Park.

Haven't had the pod out since May.  Been so busy this summer that a water leak caused a nasty bit of damage.  Been working on repairs in the last two hours of daylight that I have after work.  While I was at it, I picked up a photosensitive relay module to control a porch light on the pod.  I'll be rebuilding the eyebrow over the door and adding LED lights.  Also added a second 15W solar panel.  Batteries stay nicely charged now.  Camping weekend coming up soon!  Gotta finish up this weekend.

Windy Weekend at Maumee Bay

Saw an opening to get out for the weekend.  We packed up the pod and headed for Maumee Bay State Park.  We didn't know until Thursday where we might be headed.  The weekend was on the cool side and breezy, the fall colors were great.  We walked a tad over 4 1/2 miles around the park on Saturday.  On Sunday the wind had diminished and blue skies prevailed.  We were home early enough to mow the grass and check out the trick-or-treater's in Green Springs.

Labor Day Weekend

This year we moved our family camp out to Labor Day weekend.  Not a weekend we would normally consider but this was a group decision.  Went down to Dillon State Park near Zanesville, Ohio.  The weather was much warmer than we intended to use the SKpod for and we had two nights with temps in the 70's. I had one of these fans ready to go.  It is noisy and is a big drain on the batteries but it got us through one night.

Saturday and Sunday saw rain and Monday looked real good until we were heading out. Then more rain.  By the time we hit Granville, it was sunny and nice.  Go figure.

 Straw cures the muck.

Memorial Day Weekend Trip

Out at Wolf Creek Campground for the weekend.  What turnout!  Usually we have the place to ourselves but this weekend I'd say they were 75% full.  Fortunately we did not get the spot we preselected.  Turns out there was a group having a birthday party and out in the loop we had the "run the loud generators day and night" bunch.  So we were up front and with the 3 sites we had a lot of real estate to use for the dogs.

April is here!  We got out two weekends in a row.  East Harbor State Park is a great place to be early in the spring.  Very few campers and lots of space and beach to walk.  Even the dogs get to go on the beach this time of year.

This weekend we had my brother-in-law along with his teardrop and my son came in from Wisconsin with his tent.  Good times!

We just picked up a Universal Tablet Under Cabinet, Wall, and Desk Mount for the pod.  A tablet is great to have along for watching movies and playing games when the weather keeps you inside.  We had been opening the center cabinet door and setting the tablet in there but that requires the cabinet door to be open and that makes a head banger for the dogs.  I'll post some pictures once it mounted!  Don't forget that you can view some of our build pictures at www.skpod.com.

For the October campout this year I added an eyebrow to the pod door.  I think it looks pretty nice.  Maybe I'll make one for the window on the other side.

Memorial Day Weekend Escape

Doing a hybrid escape this weekend.  Staying 16 miles away from home so we can come in during the day and head back out to the campground in the evening.  Last night was was chilly but was way nicer than we've had during the week.  We have lots of neighbors but we have managed to get a spot that is nicely isolated from the others.  The weather promises to be wonderful all weekend!

Breakfast!  Hash Browns, Eggs and Bacon.

Maumee Bay State Park

Maumee Bay State Park was the destination this weekend. We hooked up with our camping buddies from the AEP ReCreation Lands weekend and we brought the dogs along too.

We had a cold and windy weekend with a little bit of rain and bits of sunshine. Overall not bad.

A familiar landmark up here.

We were here during America's biggest week in birding.

Spotted something in the grass.

Not very well camouflaged in the grass but there were plenty of deer around.

Got a website!

Just for fun I thought I'd see if the domain name skpod.com was available.  Yep, it was.  Now I'm putting together a landing page for those of you who took a chance and typed in skpod.com to see what you would get.

AEP Power Lands - Free Camping!

We made a 3 1/2 hour trek with the SKpod to southern Ohio this past weekend for some exploration of the AEP ReCreation Lands.  We intended to stay at Hook Lake but discovered it was closed for the Buckeye Trail work crews.  We ended up at Maple Grove campground instead.

 This is a huge area with many hidden lakes.  The reclaimed strip mined areas look very inviting and I hope to come back and just start hiking in several areas.

While you are there be sure to check out the bucket from Big Muskie at the miner's memorial.

2013... The Escapes Begin

April 5, 6, and 7 we had just returned from a week in the Hocking Hills region and found ourselves not quite ready to be home.  So we hooked up the SKpod and hit the road for East Harbor State Park.  Compared to the past week the weather was quite chilly and very breezy.

Nearly deserted East Harbor State Park.

We enjoyed a very empty beach which the dogs took full advantage of!

Early spring at the beach!

Maiden Voyage of the SKpod

For our maiden voyage we chose a location about 3 hours and 150 miles from home.  Salt Fork State Park in Ohio.  We had rain and cold and sun and wind but it was a good weekend all around.  We decorated our pod for season and discovered that the color in the gel clings are absorbed by the polyetheylene.  Next task, how to remove the color!

Not even on the road yet and it's time to re-skin.

Well the 5mm Chinese Birch plywood from Menard's did not hold up for one winter and spring.  Obviously if I want wood grain I need to go solid wood or fiberglass and epoxy over wood.

I found a product that is sold to farmers and greenhouses and is available in large sheets.  I have bought 3 sheets of HDPE (High Density PolyEthylene) to re-skin my sides.  Sure, it's white, but it's nearly bullet proof.

With the time change come new ambition and enough evening daylight that I am motivated to get the last details done.  I had to modify my fenders for better wheel access and I have discovered that my polyurethane finishes suck.  It is a new spring and I have my motorcycle out already.  It is 77 degrees here in Ohio in March.  Unbelievable!

It's a cold one tonight.  Got the first coat of stain and polyurethane on the second fender of the pod.  A regretful death of a young friend hindered progress for the week.  Tail lights are mounted and the eyebrow for above the door is nearly ready to attach. My original plans called for a maiden voyage (pre-escape) in October.  We may be doing this in January instead.

Another Year Has Slipped Away

Wow, it's November already, again!  The pod is nearly ready to go to the scales.  Cabinet doors were hung two nights ago.  One more fender has to be built.  and a hatch latch of some kind needs to be found.

We were planning on a maiden voyage in October but now I think December, which is OK, that's what the pod is for.

a peek from outside

newly hung doors

Let there be light!

Finally cut in the large window last weekend.  It is amazing what a large picture window does for the pod!  Finishing off the interior and building the fenders is next in line.

Summertime!

Looks like summer is here.  The May rain has pretty much stopped.  The SKpod has a nice finish on the sides and the roof does not leak.  Working on the kitchen area and finishing the interior.
 Bought a cool little umbrella shelter last week to use at the Warrior Dash in Logan.  It will look great with the pod.