What's New With Us : Earthquake!
Brief Article: Cleaning Off Bugs
Vicki's Recipes: Hot Crab Spread
RVing Tip: Water Hose Connection
What's New With Us
We had an earthquake a couple of days ago. The news people made it sound like a big deal - but then, that's their job. If they didn't sensationalize everything, it wouldn't seem important, and there would not be any reason to pay attention to their news program.
The epicenter (or ground zero) was 25 miles east of our house and seven miles below the surface (considered shallow for an earthquake). It registered 5.4 on the Richter scale and was felt as far as Las Vegas, Nevada - 300 miles away. 5.4 is considered a mild shaker. It caused a few incidents of minor structural damage , some broken windows and, of course, a lot of stuff fell off store shelves throughout the quake zone. Fortunately, nobody was hurt.
I was upstairs when it hit. The house shook and swayed for about 15 to 20 seconds and then it was over. Enough to be exciting and knock our pictures askew, but not enough to cause serious damage.
We are told to seek shelter under a table or desk when an earthquake hits. The danger is from falling objects like light fixtures or ceiling tiles. I was at my desk when the earth started to move but by the time I realized it was an earthquake and thought about getting under my desk, it was over. That's been my experience with most of our earthquakes.
In our travels, people have asked how we can live in a place that has earthquakes.
California is earthquake country. It experiences a multiple of earthquakes every day. We just don't feel most of them. They have to get as high as 3.5 on the Richter scale before anybody really notices them. A 4 on the scale does little if any damage and gives us something to talk about. But it has to get to a 5 before any damage (usually mild) occurs. And it has been a number of years since the Los Angeles area experienced an earthquake of that magnitude. Earthquakes don't terrorize you before they strike and when they occur, they are over quickly. Compared to the devastation caused by tornadoes and hurricanes, I'll take earthquakes.
By the way, one time we were camped in our motorhome when a 5-plus shaker hit the campground. The motorhome's suspension absorbed most of the shockwaves; just like it does when we are driving on a highwy. We rocked and rolled a little bit - it wasn't even exciting.
===========================================
Cleaning Off Bugs
Dear Joe and Vicki: Nobody told me about the millions of suicidal bugs that would attack the front of my RV. Do you have any tips for dealing with this nuisance? And how do RVers wash their motorhomes and trailers when they are on the road for long periods of time? The campgrounds I have stayed in have rules against washing RVs in the campsites.
Joe: At the end of each driving day I use a boat brush on a telescoping handle and half a bucket of plain cold water to wipe (notice, I didn't say wash) the bug remains off the windshield and front wall of our motorhome. The carcasses seem to come off easier when they are removed on the day of impact.
Most campgrounds, citing environmental regulations, drainage concerns, or water shortages, prohibit washing RVs in their campgrounds. There are some, however, that do allow their patrons to wash their rigs, either in individual campsites or a "wash rack" area. A few even provide a vacuum cleaner. We make a note of these RV parks and return to them whenever we are in the area.
Sometimes, the operators of the campgrounds that prohibit washing of RVs may be able to direct you to a local do-it-yourself car wash that can accommodate an RV. Wouldn't it be nice if they included that information along with the printed rule prohibiting washing of rigs in their campgrounds. Occasionally, you'll see these car washes advertised in the campground's site map.
Vicki: Before taking our RV to one of these car washes we use our car to check it out. We want to be sure our rig can maneuver into and out of the wash bay. The RV usually gets washed the next morning after we check out of the campground and before we resume our travels. It's not unusual for us to end up paying for two car washes in order to completely wash our motorhome.
Speaking of the campground site maps … we have seen ads in them by professional RV wash crews who will come to your campsite. Typically, they use a high-pressure water hose that does a long-lasting job. Interestingly, some of the campgrounds that prohibit their patrons from washing RVs in their campsites will allow a professional wash crew to do the job. Go figure. The wash crews have charged us between $1.00 and $1.50 a foot and, so far, have always done an excellent job.
Commercial truck washes can be found along the interstates, frequently in the neighborhood of a truck stop (or travel plaza as they are now called). Most, if not all, will wash RVs. We make a habit of asking before getting into line. Typically, they use high pressure hoses along with mops, brushes and detergents. We've paid anywhere from $1.00 to $1.75 per foot to have a commercial truck wash do our motorhome.
Joe is a tightwad. He prefers to wash our motorhome himself (he lets me help). But, every now and then he treats himself and lets the professionals do the job.
============================================
Vicki's Recipes (from My RV Kitchen and Favorite Recipes)
Hot Crab Spread
(Quick and Easy)
Our friend, Jodie, fixed this appetizer while we were in Alaska together. It was so good that I ended up making it my entire meal.
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated, divided
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1 pkg. (12 oz.) imitation crab
Crackers of your choice
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
3. Add onion and crab to the cream cheese mixture.
4. Top with remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
5. Bake 30-45 minutes or until heated through.
6. Spread on crackers (I prefer Ritz).
Makes about 2 cups.
=================================================
RVing Tip:
Attaching a water hose to a campground faucet will be easier if you put a quick-connect fitting on the outlet end of your water-pressure regulator. Screw the easier-to-handle, water regulator onto the campground faucet, then quick-connect your hose to the regulator.
==============================================
Next Issue (August 15): Toilet Tissue Test
Return To RV Know How
================================================
