RE: 2 year old sleeping in Niagra bunk end?
We have a 2000 Bayside and when this problem came up for us I had my husband make a home made bed-rail/baby bed out of the small bench seat. We basically attached a rail that I padded and covered with flannel to a 1/2" peice of plywood with L brackets and then extended the size from the bottom with a peice of masonite. The seat cusion and backrest cusion are not the same thickness.....so the dimentions of the wood made the cusions even...We added velcro to the bottom of the masonite that matched up with the velcro that was alredy there for the seat cusion. We attached brackets on the bottom that accepted the legs...they where made of thick dowells....they screwed in and it all could be set up and taken down quickly. When in tow this sat in the floor flat with the back up against the cabinets. Then I could store the dinnette cusions right on top of it. It didnt really take up any space. We used this for the boys for about four or five years. When the youngest was about 6 he was getting too big for it. It was very sturdy and stable as I would climb over it to get into the back bed so I was right next to the boy/boys.. and Im no slouch LOL.
HOMEMADE AMARETTO
Has anyone ever tried to make homemade Amaretto? A friend of mines sister gave me this recipe. 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup dark brown sugar,3/4 water (almost boiling)and 1/2 cup Karo syrup. Combine the sugars and Karo syrup and add the water, stir together till all disolved. Let cool. Then add 1 1/2 cups vodka , 1 Tbls almond extract, and 1 tsp. vanilla. Store in an air tight bottle. This is actually a pretty good knock off of Disaronno. At first taste I could really taste the Karo syrup but I stored it for a few weeks and now have given blind taste tests to a few friends and they all pick this one over Disaronno. I used cheap vodka too.....can make 3 750ml bottles from 1 bottle of vodka!!! Give it a try and see what you think if you like Disaronno. My friends sister is putting it on pound cake and serving with whipped cream...I like her!!!
RE: Outside Showers
NPD MECHANIC Yes there are issues with the considered gray water running on the ground in alot of areas and campgrounds. We have a 7gal tote from walmart that my sink water runs into out the door side of the camper. But the shower is on the oppisite side of the camper and that inch or two of water in the bottom of the rubbermaid tote I bathe the kids in, I dont consider gray water (not full of food particles). Your 6 gal. hot water heater is probaly just feet from the shower head and when it comes from the heater it is HOT..you will use a good mix of cold water with a little hot to make a comfortable temp. Like someone else mentioned this kind of showering is not like at home. You fix temp.,get wet...and your shower head most likely has a shut off button, turn off the water and soap up then turn back on and rinse off.......At the end of the day of fishing or swimming or hiking a good soap up and rinse off makes all the difference when crawling into bed....You really dont need a 20 min. shower to feel clean...So to answer your question, that water heater is plenty big enough and you most likely will have only used a gallon or two total water when all done. We empty the sink tote when and where we empty the porta potty.... at the dump station BUT the kids bath water(flame if you must) we empty on the ground usually around a tree stump in the camp site we are in. Mind you this is usally in the midwest in the dead of summer when it is hot a blazes and the grass is usually burning up.. WE dont make a muddy mess in our camp site or anyone elses....I hope this helps
RE: Outside Showers
Without getting into the Gray Water debate. And to answer your question. Yes. and Yes. I have had and used an outside shower enclosure for years....LOVE IT!! We have kids and they get dirty!! I have used this to bathe kids in a cheap rubbermaid tub every year since we have owned the camper. I have never had to take my kids into a public shower house and hope that the spray isnt going to make the kids produce screams of horror...dont you love screaming kids...and soapy slippery kids in an enclosed CONCRETE room and your naked and there naked and somebody is out of the spray and cold and yelling..and then to add insult to injury lo and behold the toilets start flushing and that perfect water temperature goes haywire!!! I suggest you buy one and use one and make your wife and child Happy Campers!! And smile and wave at any nosey onlookers. We have a Paha Que and love it for the porta potty and shower use. Cabellas has a really nice one for about $119. It really makes the experience enjoyable when you dont have to leave your site for potty runs and showers. Mom can grab a kid and a towell the soap and never leave the camp site and be done bathing jr. in minutes...
RE: Coffee - Which, How
No one mentioned a FRENCH PRESS!!! I recently had one purchased for me. I can't believe the difference in the flavor. This press cost about 29$. After I received the press my husband purchased a cheap burr grinder at Walmart (GE)for about 30-40 bucks(not sure). Ok here is what you do. Grind your beans fresh, add desired amount to press, bring water to near boil(not boiling), add to grounds in press,wait about three minutes, and then add top and press grounds to bottom of the press and drink!!! This makes the most flavorful coffee I have ever had out of my own kitchen with a minimal of fuss or cost. The array of beans available now in supermarkets that are whole bean to be ground with the stores grinder if need be is unbelievable. You can grind it at the store without the need or purchase of your own grinder and then keep stored in the freezer till use. I have owned many expensive coffee makers over the years that you would of thought produced a damn fine cup of coffee.....there is no comparison to this French Press coffee...My press is a 36 oz vessel. I use 6 Tbls of fresh ground coffee and let steep 3 min. That is my recomendation! My favorite coffee right now(still trying new ones) is Papa Nicholas Italian Espresso Roast right off the supermarket shelf.
