Some 30 years or so ago we had a fairly long stretch of early cold but no snow, which created a walkable layer of about 4-5" of ice on the lakes clear enough that you could see through. One particularly mild early December Saturday I joined two of my uncles and a few cousins on one suburban St Paul lake for some ice fishing. It was absolutely fascinating! We were out about 30 yards from shore and could see right through the six feet of water to the bottom. All of the structure, vegetation, and fish were visible. It was like being in an enormous glass bottomed boat. You could jig your line and watch the fish take it and see it the whole time you were reeling in. I had never seen conditions like that before and haven't since.
South Central Check in!
- Thread starter Tommy2bits
- Start date
DJ Davis
Senior Member
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- Sep 21, 2019
- Posts
- 243
In a moment of foolishness, I decided to volunteer to be the Lone Star chapter director over at Tearjerkers. I proposed a gathering and got no responses. Folks read the post, but didn't comment as to whether or not they'd attend. Further reading of the "How to post events" tab suggested including a list of activities for the event. Since things had been quiet since I made the initial post, I decided to "shake things up a bit" with the following itinerary. I kept it "G" for the most part, but I hope that it gets some hits.
We might consider some of these "activities" for our future meets:
17 Sep - arrival at Lake Somerville State Park at your discretion
Lunch and/or dinner on your own or feel free to distract another camper and run off with their vittles
7:00 - 8:00 pm Mingle - meet 'n greet with whoever was brave/foolish enough to show up and decide whose campsite we're going to totally trash with all the fun(?) activities for the weekend by paper-scissors-rock elimination
8:00 - 9:00 pm Quilting Bee
9:00 - 10:00 pm Ghost stories around the campfire
10:00 - 11:00 pm Beer pong championship
11:00 pm until ? Finding your campsite
18 Sep - 8:00 - 9:30 am Chapter Group Breakfast and returning stray members to their campsite(s)
9:30 - 10:00 am Coffee break (Irish-style optional)
10:00 - 11:00 am Spearfishing in lake
11:00 am - 1:00 pm Lunch on your own
1:00 - 2:30 pm Mudwrestling
2:30 - 3:00 pm Tea and crumpets
3:00 - 5:00 pm Hopscotch, jump rope, and mumblety-peg contests
5:00 - 5:30 pm Dig out First Aid kits, Motrin as needed
5:30 - 7:30 pm Chapter Group Potluck
7:30 - 8:00 pm Digging through your camper for Pepto, Rolaids, etc.
8:00 - 9:00 pm Tequila shots (BYO
9:00 - 12:00 pm Loud boasting, bad jokes, and exaggerated tales of (mis)adventures
12:00 midnight Mystic chants and burning of a goat
19 Sep - As we all regain consciousness, search out aspirin, alka-seltzer, Bloody-Marys/Mimosas, strong coffee, etc..
9:00 am - Begin breaking camp, avoiding eye contact or mumbling apologies as appropriate, and swearing this was the best camping event EVER and planning when to do it again.
We might consider some of these "activities" for our future meets:
17 Sep - arrival at Lake Somerville State Park at your discretion
Lunch and/or dinner on your own or feel free to distract another camper and run off with their vittles
7:00 - 8:00 pm Mingle - meet 'n greet with whoever was brave/foolish enough to show up and decide whose campsite we're going to totally trash with all the fun(?) activities for the weekend by paper-scissors-rock elimination
8:00 - 9:00 pm Quilting Bee
9:00 - 10:00 pm Ghost stories around the campfire
10:00 - 11:00 pm Beer pong championship
11:00 pm until ? Finding your campsite
18 Sep - 8:00 - 9:30 am Chapter Group Breakfast and returning stray members to their campsite(s)
9:30 - 10:00 am Coffee break (Irish-style optional)
10:00 - 11:00 am Spearfishing in lake
11:00 am - 1:00 pm Lunch on your own
1:00 - 2:30 pm Mudwrestling
2:30 - 3:00 pm Tea and crumpets
3:00 - 5:00 pm Hopscotch, jump rope, and mumblety-peg contests
5:00 - 5:30 pm Dig out First Aid kits, Motrin as needed
5:30 - 7:30 pm Chapter Group Potluck
7:30 - 8:00 pm Digging through your camper for Pepto, Rolaids, etc.
8:00 - 9:00 pm Tequila shots (BYO
9:00 - 12:00 pm Loud boasting, bad jokes, and exaggerated tales of (mis)adventures
12:00 midnight Mystic chants and burning of a goat
19 Sep - As we all regain consciousness, search out aspirin, alka-seltzer, Bloody-Marys/Mimosas, strong coffee, etc..
9:00 am - Begin breaking camp, avoiding eye contact or mumbling apologies as appropriate, and swearing this was the best camping event EVER and planning when to do it again.
capnTelescope
Senior Member
DJ: What? No water balloon fight? booooring.
Tommy2bits
Lost in the Woods
capnTelescope":damloxtm said:DJ: What? No water balloon fight? booooring.
He is learning!!
DJ Davis
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2019
- Posts
- 243
capn telescope: Hey! I gotta save activities for future gatherings, don't I...? Besides, it was a close toss-up between spear fishing and hatchet throwing, anyway! I had it on my list of potential activities, but figured I'd save water balloon fighting for the winter months...with an advisory to not let the filled balloons set too long outside. Relax...that still leaves all KINDS of fun stuff like snipe hunting, setting traps for Bigfoot, parkour, submarine races, cow-tipping, etc. Just curious...how much should one tip a cow...15%...20...? 
capnTelescope
Senior Member
Yeah, but... leaving out the Main Event could be why you got so little response.DJ Davis":3jkfpzh4 said:
DJ Davis
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2019
- Posts
- 243
HEY!!! I offered multiple main events - spear fishing...mudwrestling...hopscotch/jump rope/mubblety-peg. Sounds like you're just upset because "your" favorite main event wasn't listed. Doesn't mean a water balloon fight COULDN'T happen. Just leave a big bag of balloons where everyone can see them, then lob one after a little while and it's GAME ON!!! You're dealing with an "Instigator - First Class," here. Been stirrin' up $#!* for DECADES!
capnTelescope
Senior Member
You go, Dude. I went a post too far. 
DJ Davis
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2019
- Posts
- 243
No worries, Mate! It's all fun until someone gets an eye put out.
capnTelescope
Senior Member
DJ Davis":ahl399ab said:
DJ Davis
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2019
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- 243
Yep...I'll whole-heartedly admit now that you're never finished with a teardrop.
After having a wiring issue with the roof vent fan that made me (reluctantly) turn back homeward on the way to the Home Built Teardrop Gathering at Bull Shoals, AR the second weekend of Jun, I decided I was going to remedy that and go with backup. I soldered the wires to the fan and installed a 5K BTU window shaker on top of a reconfigured tongue box. I'm now four-season capable.
I also picked up a pair of Flexiride torsion half axles, made my own cross brace, and installed those. This weekend will be the test run for the axles and see what settings to put the roof vent fan on to get the A/C to cool AND dehumidify the air in the camper before the compressor shuts off. I got pics of the A/C install and updated my I'bles page, but, no, I didn't take any pics of the axle fabrication steps. I did some drawings for that and can share those if anyone's interested.
FYI: I bought the metal I needed, invested in a mig welding set up and angle grinder after I was told the axle brace job would cost about $1400. Materials were about $150, the welding gear was $400 (HF Labor Day sale), and I learned some mig welding techniques from YouTube videos. Would I say it was easy? Yes. I took my time and "learned" how to lay a decent bead on out of sight areas, but I must say, if you're going to just jump feet first into welding, mig's th' way t' go! I thought it looked easy and IMHO, it was.
After this "major" task, the next will be making some fender mounting brackets. The new axle/cross brace and torsion half axles extend outside the edge of the cabin walls. I did that so I could upgrade to 13" rims and 24" diameter tires. The old HF fenders are too narrow, but will make do for now. Later I'll order some new ones from etrailer.
In closing, just to throw it out there, South Padre Island has their Sandcastle days competition the first weekend of Oct. We're booked at the SPI KOA. Nice place! If'n any of y'all ain't got nuthin' better t' do and feel like driving almost half way 'cross Texas, come down and see it. Oh, and call the KOA instead of using the online reservation system. The website always says "Only two sites left" when you can have a pick of quite a few. The staff are wonderful and will help you choose a good site.
Later!
DJ
After having a wiring issue with the roof vent fan that made me (reluctantly) turn back homeward on the way to the Home Built Teardrop Gathering at Bull Shoals, AR the second weekend of Jun, I decided I was going to remedy that and go with backup. I soldered the wires to the fan and installed a 5K BTU window shaker on top of a reconfigured tongue box. I'm now four-season capable.
I also picked up a pair of Flexiride torsion half axles, made my own cross brace, and installed those. This weekend will be the test run for the axles and see what settings to put the roof vent fan on to get the A/C to cool AND dehumidify the air in the camper before the compressor shuts off. I got pics of the A/C install and updated my I'bles page, but, no, I didn't take any pics of the axle fabrication steps. I did some drawings for that and can share those if anyone's interested.
FYI: I bought the metal I needed, invested in a mig welding set up and angle grinder after I was told the axle brace job would cost about $1400. Materials were about $150, the welding gear was $400 (HF Labor Day sale), and I learned some mig welding techniques from YouTube videos. Would I say it was easy? Yes. I took my time and "learned" how to lay a decent bead on out of sight areas, but I must say, if you're going to just jump feet first into welding, mig's th' way t' go! I thought it looked easy and IMHO, it was.
After this "major" task, the next will be making some fender mounting brackets. The new axle/cross brace and torsion half axles extend outside the edge of the cabin walls. I did that so I could upgrade to 13" rims and 24" diameter tires. The old HF fenders are too narrow, but will make do for now. Later I'll order some new ones from etrailer.
In closing, just to throw it out there, South Padre Island has their Sandcastle days competition the first weekend of Oct. We're booked at the SPI KOA. Nice place! If'n any of y'all ain't got nuthin' better t' do and feel like driving almost half way 'cross Texas, come down and see it. Oh, and call the KOA instead of using the online reservation system. The website always says "Only two sites left" when you can have a pick of quite a few. The staff are wonderful and will help you choose a good site.
Later!
DJ
DJ Davis
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2019
- Posts
- 243
Update to my previous post Re: A/C addition and axle upgrade.
This weekend was my first meet w/The Tearjerkers as the Lone Star Chapter Director. It was going to be a small gathering at Lake Somerville State Park anyway (only two other bookings for sites and one site visit on Sat), but everyone else had to cancel. Even the wife bailed on coming with me. But that was OK. I was able to pack light, brought a book, and just chilled out after working on the afore mentioned upgrades the previous 30 or so days.
As with most small campers, it took a while to get a balance of vent fan, window gap openings, and A/C cooling settings to get the cabin comfortable. For others that may still be fighting this battle, I noted the fan pushing air in from the top at the 2nd lowest speed, windows opened at 1/2", and on Low Cool with the temp setting at about 2/3 was just about right. Since the A/C is front mounted, I rotated my sleeping position 180 to compensate for the noise. I just had to be careful when sitting up, as the rear cabin has the galley cabinets protruding.
The axle was a complete success. If the tow vehicle felt the bump, so did the trailer. Otherwise it was as if the trailer wasn't there. Unfortunately, due to the fenders, I had to move the axle placement to the rear about a foot. That upped the tongue weight to about 195 lbs, about 20 lbs over the recommended 15% max of 165. If anything, the trailer towed better and the hitch is rated for a max tongue weight of 500 lbs, so I'm OK with it. I'm just concerned that the HF tongue jack/wheel assembly can handle it. It says it's rated for 1000 lbs, but it does seems to complain when I maneuver the trailer around on the garage floor. Hey! Another project! Make a tongue dolly to go with the car dollies I use under the main wheels!
As you can see, I've been paying attention to the site lately. Isn't it time for us to start planning a Fall gathering and Christmas Party...? Jus' sayin'....
DJ
This weekend was my first meet w/The Tearjerkers as the Lone Star Chapter Director. It was going to be a small gathering at Lake Somerville State Park anyway (only two other bookings for sites and one site visit on Sat), but everyone else had to cancel. Even the wife bailed on coming with me. But that was OK. I was able to pack light, brought a book, and just chilled out after working on the afore mentioned upgrades the previous 30 or so days.
As with most small campers, it took a while to get a balance of vent fan, window gap openings, and A/C cooling settings to get the cabin comfortable. For others that may still be fighting this battle, I noted the fan pushing air in from the top at the 2nd lowest speed, windows opened at 1/2", and on Low Cool with the temp setting at about 2/3 was just about right. Since the A/C is front mounted, I rotated my sleeping position 180 to compensate for the noise. I just had to be careful when sitting up, as the rear cabin has the galley cabinets protruding.
The axle was a complete success. If the tow vehicle felt the bump, so did the trailer. Otherwise it was as if the trailer wasn't there. Unfortunately, due to the fenders, I had to move the axle placement to the rear about a foot. That upped the tongue weight to about 195 lbs, about 20 lbs over the recommended 15% max of 165. If anything, the trailer towed better and the hitch is rated for a max tongue weight of 500 lbs, so I'm OK with it. I'm just concerned that the HF tongue jack/wheel assembly can handle it. It says it's rated for 1000 lbs, but it does seems to complain when I maneuver the trailer around on the garage floor. Hey! Another project! Make a tongue dolly to go with the car dollies I use under the main wheels!
As you can see, I've been paying attention to the site lately. Isn't it time for us to start planning a Fall gathering and Christmas Party...? Jus' sayin'....
DJ
DJ Davis
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2019
- Posts
- 243
Tony,
Likewise! I'll be glad, as will other members, to regale you with tons of helpful (or unwanted) "guidance" in your build. Let me know when you're ready for the hurricane hinge and we can meet somewhere "halfway" in town. I got back yesterday and enjoyed the rally. Not sure if I'll go back for the next one in Apr of 2022. Depends on the weather and other interests. Send me a private message and we can exchange email and phone numbers for direct contact.
DJ
Likewise! I'll be glad, as will other members, to regale you with tons of helpful (or unwanted) "guidance" in your build. Let me know when you're ready for the hurricane hinge and we can meet somewhere "halfway" in town. I got back yesterday and enjoyed the rally. Not sure if I'll go back for the next one in Apr of 2022. Depends on the weather and other interests. Send me a private message and we can exchange email and phone numbers for direct contact.
DJ
Hello! I'm still alive. Just thought I'd check in.
Like everyone, I've just been coping with Covid-19. I'm triple vaxxed, and wearing a mask at Walmart.
I haven't done any camping in the last few years, but I'm getting the itch. I've added and all-wheel drive crossover to my garage, which is better suited to camping than my MINI. I don't see myself building or buying another teardrop any time soon, because I don't have a place to put it. The garage is full.
Anyway, Happy Hollidays to everyone.
CD
Like everyone, I've just been coping with Covid-19. I'm triple vaxxed, and wearing a mask at Walmart.
I haven't done any camping in the last few years, but I'm getting the itch. I've added and all-wheel drive crossover to my garage, which is better suited to camping than my MINI. I don't see myself building or buying another teardrop any time soon, because I don't have a place to put it. The garage is full.
Anyway, Happy Hollidays to everyone.
CD
DJ Davis
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2019
- Posts
- 243
CD,
Howdy! I've been checking the South Central link for "sign of life" regularly, but it's been quiet. I reached out to two-bits, our chapter director, a while back and he said he's been busy with other things. I don't know where you're located, but if I'd known we'd have this unusually warm weather here in the San Antonio, TX area lately, I'd have kept camping for a few more weeks!
Well, maybe our exchange on the site will get a few others to pipe up.
Merry Christmas,
DJ
Howdy! I've been checking the South Central link for "sign of life" regularly, but it's been quiet. I reached out to two-bits, our chapter director, a while back and he said he's been busy with other things. I don't know where you're located, but if I'd known we'd have this unusually warm weather here in the San Antonio, TX area lately, I'd have kept camping for a few more weeks!
Well, maybe our exchange on the site will get a few others to pipe up.
Merry Christmas,
DJ
aggie79-HILO
Senior Member
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2007
- Posts
- 5,405
caseydog":29wpmg08 said:
Good to hear from you, CD!
I can't remember when - I think it was about a year ago - I drove out to see Thomas to give him our teardrop. He's got quite a nice property in East Texas.
Take care,
Tom
Chief-John
Advanced Member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2022
- Posts
- 32
After 1st outing with the 'new' cargo/camper conversion, I'm looking at changes from bedding and scooter tie-downs to trailer brakes and air bags to help with tongue weight...
capnTelescope
Senior Member
It was good meeting you, John.
Nothing like a camping trip to find out what your camper needs.Chief-John":7nj9obch said:
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