Cheapskates on the Move, TV & Movies (UPDATE: T-Mobile Simple, International)

Yeah!  Watching the Tour de France on Odin the Winnebago's TV!

(WARNING:  This is food for thought.  Your set up may be different.  Your local Best Buy or Apple Store will want to sell you a Roku or Apple TV.  Do some internet searching to learn what you need.)

On the boat, we rely on our vast DVD collection and the occasional download.  When we came back stateside, The Boss was excited about catching up on some TV & movies!

Both the Odin the Boat and Odin the Winnebago have an exterior TV antenna that gets us local channels.  It's a start.  Anybody have a TV Guide?

Many marinas, campgrounds & RV parks have wifi, but it may not be good enough to stream video (and if you do, you're probably hogging all the bandwidth.  Not a good way to make friends with your neighbors.)

Step one was switching to T-Mobile so we could take advantage of their Binge On that allows unlimited streaming of Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, NBC Sports, YouTube, Pandora and more without using your data allotment!  (According to Netflix, a movie or TV show can use 3-7 GB/hour!)  (NOTE:  We are grandfathered into their older Simple Choice Plan.  We pay $35/phone with a 6 GB data plan per phone & also talk, text, TETHERING and FREE international data where available {USVI, no?}--tethering may not always be available internationally depending on speed.  Their current plans don't use the term "Binge On").  Read more about Binge On and check out their channel list:  http://www.t-mobile.com/offer/binge-on-streaming-video.html

Caution:  According to T-Mobile, AppleTV, Roku, Chromecast or gaming systems may not work with Binge On.  

Step Two, connect TV to streaming device:  There are various ways to connect a laptop/iPad to a TV but my goal was to have the audio & video in one cable with the highest quality possible.

All modern televisions have HDMI inputs, and it’s currently the best way to connect any device to a TV.  HDMI delivers superior audio and video in a lightweight cable that’s easy to connect and tuck away.  

We have a Mac laptop, so the best port available for audio and video is Thunderbolt (also called Mini DisplayPort).   

Cable:  The HDMI to Thunderbolt cable we purchased was $11 on Amazon (check reviews.  Our first cord broke immediately and we had to return it).  I originally purchased a 6 ft cord but the laptop now resides next to the TV (see above).  I think I also read shorter is better as far as deteriorating video quality?  (Homework.  You can research that on your own.)

(Adapter:  If we had a HDMI-to-HDMI cord, then we could have purchased a HDMI-Thunderbolt adapter.  For iPhone/iPad, you need an HDMI cord and the appropriate Apple Digital AV Adapter, 30-pin or Lightning.  Read the reviews to make sure it will work with your iPhone/iPad model)

Step Three, set up:  Attach HDMI cable (and adapter if necessary) to TV and laptop.  Use the TV's remote to change TV input to HDMI.  You should see your laptop screen on the TV!

(Tether laptop/iPad to phone with T-Mobile Binge On access)

Sound Settings:  Your laptop may not automatically set up for sound.  On our Mac, we have to choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Sound, then click Output.

  

Mirroring

Once the laptop is connected to your television, you should see the same window on your laptop displayed on the television. If you don't, then you should check that "Display Mirroring" is turned on.

On our Mac, we Open 'System Preferences' and click on 'Displays'. Two windows should appear, one with 'Built-In Display' (that's your MacBook's screen) and a second one for your television. Focus on the second window and click the 'Arrangement' tab. Ensure that a tick is placed in the box marked 'Mirror Displays'. The display should now appear on your television (if it still doesn't, you may need to check the connection and the settings on your television).

For your laptop, try an internet search of "(laptop name) display mirroring" or "(laptop name) & hdmi settings".

Adjust screen size/resolution:  Our main RV TV is a Sanyo 32" Wide Screen LCD HDTV.  The picture resolution is 1366 x 768.  My laptop is 1490 x 900.  Close.  I can go into Preferences then Display to adjust the resolution so it doesn't look funky.  (Check out the specs page of your owner's manual.  You can also download the manual after doing a quick internet search on how to determine what model tv you have.  It's probably on the back of the tv and may also be buried in your settings somewhere.) 

Luckily, Netflix & Amazon have increased their selection dramatically since we left the States.  Here's what we are currently watching:

Amazon Prime $99 (30-day trial.  Also two-day shipping).  You can buy or rent movies here, but these tv shows are free with Prime:  Last Man Standing, Blue Bloods, Downton Abbey, Justified, Modern Family, Bosch, Under the Dome, Grimm, Grey's Anatomy.

Netflix $9.99 for HD, free month trial.  (Check out their Low Data Use setting that can reduce to 0.3 GB/hour, if you don't have Binge On).  LONGMIRE!, Friends, Walking Dead, Orange is the New Black, Grey's Anatomy, Blue Bloods, NCIS.

Hulu:  7 day free trial then $7.99/month (limited commercials) or $11.99 (no commercials).  Rizzoli & Isles, Seinfeld.

NBC Sports, Tour de France $30 for 1-month of coverage ($1/day)

CBS Access:  $5.99/month, free 7-day trial.  Big Bang Theory, Elementary, Mike & Molly, Mom, Person of Interest, NCIS, Blue Bloods (also available on Prime & Hulu)

YouTube:  You can purchase episodes of Big Bang Theory?!  I'm not sure what else is available.  Although, The Colonel has been known to DJ from the music available here.

NOTE:  Apple Music is included in Binge On, but apparently Apple movies/tv shows aren't?  Be careful--don't get click happy.

Nerd.

Not having a remote to control the laptop was annoying until I learned a trick from my brother-in-law--wireless mouse and wireless keyboard!  Now The Colonel can control the TV from anywhere in the living area without getting up!

NOTE:  Some of the above doesn't work out of the country including Binge On (it DOES work in Puerto Rico), NetFlix (not in the Bahamas) & Pandora.  You can still download with Amazon Prime & Netflix while out of the country.  On the boat, we can use our Apple TV to watch what we've downloaded to the iPad. 

How NOT to blow up a convection oven!

Our Sharp Carousel Smart & Easy Convection/Microwave, model R-1850A.  Common RV unit.

Sell our house and move onto a boat?  Check.  Cross the Mona Passage?  Check.  Bake in the convection oven?  Maybe tomorrow.  

It wasn't our first choice.  The boss always has a stipulation for the ability to make homemade bread (on the boat & RV).  A working oven was mandatory but Odin the Winnebago ended up with a convection oven.  When you ask people about convection ovens, they love 'em or hate 'em.  From "It cooks evenly and crispy,"  to a cringe.  It seems to have the same stigma as a pressure cooker!

The goal

SO, I bought some cornbread mix but forgot to buy a pan (Freudian?)

I have Launch White Beans and Cornbread planned for dinner but forget the pan.  Again.

(Link:  "Beans are GO" http://www.nasa.gov/content/beans-a-launch-tradition/#.V5I1uO48KrU)

I finally buy the pan but can't find the instruction manual for the convection oven.  Even The Colonel, who knows everything, said "I have no idea how to use that thing.  We'll have to read the instructions!"  

Then, it's leftover night.  I don't have anything else to cook.  "Are you cooking in the convection?  I'm going out."  I should probably wait to share what I learned.  It was probably beginner's luck, but here's what my internet search yielded:

• Convection is good for baking (preferably an open-grain like brownies) or anything that needs a browned & crispy exterior, ie. Meat or vegetables (and hopefully PIZZA!)

• You can use metal pans, preferably "light-colored".  Glass is also fine, but takes a little longer.

• Lower sides are good for even cooking, if possible.

• Elevate!  Our microwave/convection came with two racks.  The lower one is for baking.

• Decrease the recommended oven temp by 25F to get even cooking (and start checking on your food up to 25% before recommended cooking time).

Reference:

http://www.epicurious.com/archive/kitchenequipment/expertadvice/convectionovencooking

I follow the directions for the Krusteauz Gluten-Free cornbread mix and pour into an 8x8x2 American Bakeware Classic aluminum 8x8x2 cake pan. 

Without the manual, I start with the convection "Compu-Bake" setting and "Cake".  After a preheat, it has calculated 300F for 40 min.  About halfway through, I find the manual online.  I change the temp to 325F (Oven temp 375F - 25F) but forget to adjust the cooking time, so I end up overcooking by 8 minutes, according to the box instructions.  My cornbread is "over-golden" but not burnt.  Moist and yummy.  The Colonel declares it my "best cornbread yet!"  Interesting.  I hope I can duplicate that.

Sorry.  No pics of the cornbread.  We ate it!  Nothing exploded.  Nothing thrown in the trash.  Good day in the kitchen.

Our first driveway

Driving across the Smoky Mountains

"Where in the world is Odin the Winnebago?  The Unicoi, TN WalMart--in the mountains and that's fog/mist!"

Grocery shopping

One of the errands that require the most planning on a boat is grocery shopping.  Find an anchorage with a store.  Load up backpacks and grocery list (ha, ha.  Wish list!).  Dinghy into the dock.  Walk to store.  Repack into backpacks.  Walk back.  Load into dinghy.  Load into boat.  Unpack in cockpit.  Put away, careful to only open fridge the minimum amount of time.  Sailboat friends, you many want to look away for the next part:  There are advantages and disadvantages to taking your house to the grocery store.  Advantage?  The pic above--only unload once!  Disadvantage?  Even though we parked in the back of the parking lot, people were attracted to us like flies.  They parked all around us.  One woman parked so close (less than a foot from the driver's side window) that I had to get out and tell her we wanted to leave soon.  She said, "I'm meeting my daughter in an RV and you're not her!"  Ha, ha, ha!  Yes, I'm sure we all look alike to non-RVers.

Our first driveway!

Luckily, The Colonel's brother has had big trucks in here before, so he knew to tell us to back down their dead end road, then into their driveway.  Try something new everyday!

Link:  http://www.lowes.com/pd/AeonAir-8-000-BTU-200-sq-ft-115-Volt-Portable-Air-Conditioner/50343006

When the Winnebago a/c was acting up (in 95F heat), we bought a portable a/c unit.  Similar to our window unit for the boat, it doesn't take much to cool such a small space.  I hated spending the extra money, but we've found it helps supplement our manufacturer installed a/c to cool Odin down quicker after a long drive on a hot day.  Even better, it can be plugged into a regular household outlet (Odin's a/c requires 30 amp minimum, preferably 50).  While staying in our family's driveway, we needed to keep the coach cool for Princess Kitty.  We ran an extension cord with an adaptor from their front porch and watched the amp draw.  The portable a/c pulls less than 8 amps on a 20 amp plug with a few lights on.  If we turn on the a/c fan to help recirculate then we show 12 amps. (A box fan is also another option).  We're careful to only run one high draw item at a time--turn a/c off for Nutribullet, electric tea kettle or microwave so we don't blow our family's breaker).  The portable a/c fits snugly under our dining table and the exhaust hose goes out the side window (the newer ones don't require a water drain).  This will keep the coach 5-10 degrees cooler than the outside temp, which may not be enough for some, but it's comfortable for us and Princess Amelia.

Handy to have a 30-amp to 20-amp adapter or a 3-plug extension cord.

We also use the 1/4" silver insulation (comes in rolls at the hardware store) against as many windows as practical.  Awnings out (we're lucky to have extra awnings over both bedroom windows & the entry door).  Shades down as practical.

Could you run portable a/c on solar?  Maybe!

After days of tinkering, the moment when we get the main TV hooked to the laptop so we can watch Netflix & The Tour de France. Priceless! (Stay tuned for our setup)

Parked in a family members driveway for free!  OK, not totally free. Helping with new siding.
#brothers #powertools

The moment Princess Amelia discovered the screen door...

Day 1 of preventive maintenance:  engine wash & lube (access under our bed.  House smells like engine lubricant). 

Day 2:  climbed up on roof for further inspection & to measure our actual height.  The air suspension was down but we had the levelers extended.  11'9" at head exhaust fan cover so we'll call that an even 12 ft (manufacturer's brochure 12'1"?!). Today:  Wash & wax. I'm hiding!

Ironically, after a storm, our family's power went out for 24 hours, then again for another 12.  We cranked up Odin's generator, turned on the a/c, plugged in THEIR fridge and wifi router and moved the party out to our house!  It's the perfect apocalypse vehicle (Too much Walking Dead and Justin Cronin?)

Absolutely, gorgeous!

Our family has a treat in store.  Mountain biking the Virginia Creeper Trail!  We drive out to Damascus, VA and rent bicycles from Adventure Damascus.  They drive you up Whitetop mountain and you ride down.  Jonesborough's elevation is 1693.  Damascus is 1952.  Whitetop is 3500 ft (and yes, it's much cooler up there, in addition to the trail being mostly shaded!)  That's a 1600 foot drop over 17 miles.  It's a crushed limestone and cinder rail trail that crosses the Appalachian Trail at least three times.  (One of our favorite books is "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson and we had just watched the movie a few days before.)  For the particularly hearty, you can continue on to Abingdon, another 17 miles and they'll pick you up at the end.  Or you can ride UP the mountain, then coast down.  Next time.  Highly recommend.

Introduction to life in an RV

We departed San Juan, Puerto Rico for Miami, FL on Nov 17th then drove straight through to Green Cove Springs, FL.  After renting an apartment for a week and visiting 4 dealerships in the area, we drive towards Orlando to continue shopping.

We find Odin the Winnebago at Camping World in Bartow, FL.  We leave a deposit on Friday the 24th, but couldn't do a test drive because the slide wouldn't go in.  Yep, RV's are just like boats.  A disadvantage of a house that moves--waiting for parts!  We take a day off.  Then it is errands (laundry, switch over cell phones, run back to Green Cove Springs to pick up a few packages and get our voter registration verification...). Check out of our rental in Jacksonville and drive BACK to a hotel in Bartow. (Princess Amelia is NOT be happy!  She liked that apartment.)

"The Ultimate Behemoth.  It has it's own satellite!"

Link:  YouTube Homer Buys an RV

Princess Amelia and her posse check into a hotel in Lakeland, FL for the weekend.  The good news is the part is in and the slide is working.  The bad news is our test drive isn't until Monday.  What do we do while we wait?  I'm watching RV videos on YouTube and making road trip mixes.  The Captain is sketching paint schemes and binging on Netflix.  The secret to living together in small spaces?  EARBUDS!

Link:  YouTube Janis Joplin, Me & Bobby McGhee

We pack up everything and checked out of the hotel on Monday.  Amelia goes along on the test drive and sits through the closing, but when we arrive at the campground the RV is HOT!  90F inside.  "It takes awhile to cool down.  At least a couple days but definitely overnight."  OK.  I start unpacking the new sheets, towels, toilet paper, paper towels, soap, some basic dishes and our clothes.  After 3 hours, the temperature has gone UP to 93F.  We're out.  Grab the cat and head back to the hotel.  We spend the next day at the service center and we are finally able to spend the night on Tuesday the 28th, eleven days after landing in Florida!

Back into our land yacht just in time for our first storm...

Our first sunset

Amelia has discovered she can't get under the bed, but has found 2 cabinets to crawl into instead. She's also likes curling up in the driver's foot well, "The last place I want her to be..."

The Colonel has been to the hardware store and I make one more grocery run before returning the car.  Odin the Winnebago is our sole source of transportation.  Here goes nothing!

Our nautical touch

RV life vs boat life:  ice cream for lunch, because we can!

The Clampett sun shades

The copilot chair spins around--perfect spot for my nest.

Another day spent in the customer lounge while they work on the a/c. The cat wearing a harness is the talk of the store...

Amelia taking over the Camping World customer lounge.  

At one point, Princess Amelia was sitting in the beige chair in the background.  She gave a man the stink eye when he acted like he might want to sit there.  Another customer in the next recliner over, was laughing so hard she was crying.  All the employees did a double take and stopped to say hello.  "I remember when we would be plucking her off the ceiling if we tried to take her anywhere..."

"Daddy, are they done yet?  I need a nap."  She loved being carried into the shop to say hello to the mechanics. 

We spend 4 nights in the Camping World campground (30-amp power and water hook-up) while the service department does their thing (relying on our portable air conditioner from Lowe's in the evenings).  On our way out, we stop to pump out and The Colonel learned why you don't wear flip flops for this task (also not good for refueling, ie. standing in diesel fuel).

YouTube Link:  New RV Drivers Confidence by Lazy Days

We considered taking a driving course.  The Colonel, just like on the boat, wanted to make sure we were both comfortable driving this behemoth.  But, just like the boat, we got a little antsy and headed north, before completing a class.  He had only driven a short distance on the test drive and a few back-and-forths to the service center.  Surprisingly, this 40-min YouTube video gave us some very useful tips.  We successfully backed into a spot on the first attempt!

Day 1 on the road, departure Tweet (on my birthday):  "Off like a herd of turtles!  Another RV clogging the highways on a holiday weekend. First stop?  The gas station!  Eek!"

Like the sailboat, bridges are exciting (not in a good way). This is the lowest documented but I swear I saw a 14 footer.

Our first truck stop.  Haines, FL

We have to use truck stops because of our height (12+ ft) and we turn like a Mack truck (actually a Freightliner!). Luckily, we had 1/2 tank, so it was only $131. Now, through Orlando & Daytona on the 4th of July weekend...#idiots #goJR #justcantwait

A quick WalMart stop for lunch, grocery shopping & to wait out the afternoon thunderstorms.  (Love the signs for "truck route" that led us to a pull-thru parking spot & an easy exit!  Who knew?)

Stop & go traffic

Sunset over Pecan RV Park.  Jacksonville, FL

AND we're here!  Our first RV park, just like a marina:  "Where do you want us?  Electric, water, wifi, laundry, pump out?"  Good thing we planned a half day the first day. That took ALL DAY!   #OdinTheWinnebago #WeDidntHitAnything

Stats:  215 miles

Day 2 on the road, departure Tweet:  "Showers, laundry, pump out. Back on the road!  Day 2:  I-95N for 200 miles"

Day 2:  Cruise control on wide open highway with light winds.

Prevost #4 pulling a truck with a golf cart in the bed. Flew by--speed limit 70 mph!  Hmmmm. Daytona maybe?

And Amelia wasn't happy about being blocked out of a favorite napping spot yesterday.  We put her bed next to the driver's seat and she went straight past it. I know, I know. Not safe. I know, I know. He's driving in flip flops.

Destination number one is family in Jonesborough, TN so we continue north to Orangeburg, SC.  A flat, wide open day on the highway, passing many stops we made in the boat.

Sweetwater Lake Campground

AND our first campground!  No concrete pad. No, we're not level.  No wifi but we have 50 amp for the a/c, water and a view of a lake for $30/night 😎

(And yes, Princess Amelia is still asleep...)

Sunset in Sweetwater

Stats:  247 miles

Day 3 on the road, departure Tweet:  "On the road again. I can't wait to get on the road again..."  Short hop on the way to visit family in eastern TN. 100 mi to Spartanburg SC"

Today's lesson:  Speed control on continuous rolling highway.

"We're using Google Maps for navigation along with multiple campground & truck stop apps. When The Colonel asked what state we're in, I had to crack out the road atlas. When is the last time you've used a road atlas?!"  One friend looked at this pic and commented how long it has been since I wore socks?!  (May 2015)

Hanging with the big boys.  Truck stop #2. 552 miles/64.4 gal=8.6 mpg ($152).

Another bonus of rv life:  There's a Subway, but the boss would rather kick off his shoes & make a sandwich at home 😎

Pine Ridge Campground.  Spartanburg, SC

AND we've arrived at campground #2. I thought I got us in a pickle when we turned onto the winding, hilly, single-lane black top!  (I even forgot to take pics!)  Then we popped out in nirvana!  People waving hello. Owner escorted us to our site and directed us in. Concrete pad & fast wifi (50 amp, water, sewer, showers, laundry, pool, game room) for $35/night!  Happy place...

When I went to the office the next morning, they had seen our FB post and had already blocked us out for another night, then invited me into the office to see their vacation on his brother's sailboat in Sint Maarten!

Cue the ducks...

We' finally poked our noses out of the Winnebago (it's been HOT!). After deciding to stay another night, the awnings are out and a picnic table drug over. Between the breeze, the shade trees & the awnings, I get to enjoy the view until almost noon!

Twitter:  "Goodbye, Pine Ridge Campground​!  We're getting faster--off by 9:30 am. Headed for our first driveway. Stay tuned!"

Stats:  117 miles (fuel stop: 552 total miles/64.4 gal = 8.6 mpg.  $152/64.4 = $2.36/gal)

Day 4 on the road:  Headed into the Smoky Mountains.