Belize 2012 Part 1

Over spring break we took a few days to relax in Belize. We were looking for someplace warm and Sam found a pretty good deal on expedia. We stayed on an island about an hour and a half boat ride from the mainland. At the biggest point the island is a couple streets wide. We also did some cave tubing and snorkeling but those pictures aren't developed yet.

As soon as we got off the water taxi we pulled the suitcase to this bar. There is only one beer in Belize, Belikin. It is a refreshing German lager.

This was the view from our room.

Breakfast on the beach just doesn't get old. 

The island doesn't have very many actual cars, most people use golf carts or beach cruisers. Our hotel had a bunch that we could check out and ride into "town."

The view just off the main drag.

Mmmmm, rum punch or pina colada?

Our hotel had a nice little bar the squirrels nest, right on the beach.

Not too shabby.

Overdue Updates

This is the first of a couple overdue posts. We spent the last week in Belize relaxing and in the meantime it got warm, very warm, at home and the garden/yard has exploded. Tonight or tomorrow we should get time to post some more updates. Anyway, here goes.

I made some progress on the trailer. The framing members on a Shasta are only 3 inches deep so the treated 2x4s had to get ripped down. Here the mounting holes are drilled and all carriage bolts are test fit. The original bolts were 3/8 inch plain steel. We are going back with 1/2 inch galvanized. From the general deterioration of the original undercarriage I highly doubt they used treated or even sealed wood for the framing.

 For the flooring we ended up going with the zip system which is OSB panels with a water proof fiberglass coating on one side. On houses this eliminates the normal moisture barrier when a special tape is used to seal the seams. Zip only makes wall and roof panels so the trailer got the 1/2 inch wall version.



Here are the panels during test fitting. The wheel well is just sitting on the tire and will end up getting attached to the floor from the underside. The flooring will get bolted, glued, and screwed to the wooden framing so there should be no squeaks. After everything is installed I will undercoat for some extra water resistance. 

Spring Break

I'm sitting on our balcony in Belize listening to the ocean and thought I would post a couple pictures. There will be more to come.

It is the off season here, why I don't know, and everything is very quiet. A few Belikin beers sure do hit the spot.

We are on an island about an hour and a half boat ride from the mainland. There are very few actual vehicles and most everybody uses golf carts and beach cruisers.

Nice Spring Rain

This was the first weekend that truly felt like spring. We hit 70s on Saturday and 60s in the rain on Sunday. Sunday was a nice spring rain pretty constant and light all day.

Saturday we worked outside all day. The grasses in the front and around the berm in back got cut and beds cleaned up.

Sam spent the day raking out the front yard in attempt to grow grass. Last year we stripped the front yard and completely reseeded. Mid-June mold wiped out a third of the front yard so we ended up with dead spots. Sam broke up the hard spots and in the rain Sunday we seeded. It is supposed to be in the 70s all week and we should have some new grass soon.

Here is a current shot of the garden. Not much happening yet, but soon.

Lettuce and spinach are moving right along in the hoop house. Unfortunately I probably put the peas out a little early and a few got frozen. The first of April the rest of the peas are scheduled to be planted and I will have to catch up then. 

All of the garlic is up and looking good. 

And in trailer news, all of the metal frame painting is completed and we ordered the materials start the putting the floor back on.

We have stuff going on every weekend through Easter and trailer work will resume in April.

Better Than Scratch

This weekend was a watershed for the trailer, it started going back together. We demo'd everything back to the frame. This little 1965 Shasta Compact has an Atwood frame with electric brakes that are in great condition. I think the massive amount of dirt and bee hives protected it from too much damage.

Last weekend I sanded the dirt and rust from the frame. When I moved the trailer outside to wash it, well you can clearly see where it was.

 I have restored a few vehicles and my go to rustproofing always in POR 15. It is a system that requires a good cleaning, coating with zinc phosphate, and rust proof coating. The paint bonds to existing rust and cures with moisture. The unfortunate part is that I slopped a little above my gloves and it really sticks. I will be lecturing this week with black spots on my arms.

So, if we are starting from scratch on the trailer we are slightly better than scratch. Everything looks brand new. The bumper and tongue are getting a couple coats of white paint. 

Next comes new framing and floor, should start resembling a trailer soon.



Is It February or April?

With such nice weather this weekend we ended up doing some gardening. Sam started preparing some of our outside beds for planting bulbs and other early items. I moved the first lettuce and spinach to the hoop house and planted more inside. The grow lights are almost full and a few things still need to be planted this week. So far peas, tomatoes, peppers, and a few flowers are started. Although I am starting many fewer plants in the garage this year, I still need more space.

The other news is that the trailer has moved to its new home. The frame has been wire-brushed and is ready for a good cleaning and a paint.

She's Naked

The trailer that is. Last weekend the trailer and associated pieces were moved to the new shop location. Beforehand I pulled off the last of the plywood floor.

Upcoming activities include:

1. Sand, clean, paint frame.

2. Outfit with new subframing.

3. New plywood floor.