It's Like Camping

I have been at CoolTop being a construction worker and night watchman for days. Seriously, I don't remember how many but probably about five. I just realized it is like camping only better.

First, I am in a pine forest away from most everyone. It reminds me of when I would run away to the Olympics, hike in five to ten miles and be away from most everyone. There are, however, two big differences that make it so much better.

First, the weather. While being in the snow in the Olympics sounds romantic, the reality is that it is downright cold. You buy down sleeping bags, gortex jackets and tents, insulated hiking boots and a lot more just to be semi-miserable. But you just see that as the cost of "getting away". Here it is t-shirt weather during the day with a long-sleeve shirt sufficient for late evenings and early mornings.

The second thing that makes it better is that I almost live here. I am working on my house. My "tent" is my six by eight meter garage. Light and much more comes from the battery bank I have installed that will soon be charged by solar panels. My "stove" has gone from a wood fire to a 3-burner propane cooktop.

In these last few days, the following changes have happened thanks to my work.

• The house has doors and windows so I can safely leave things in it.
• My bed has gone from a two inch foam pad to a nice mattress.
• The Biolet composting toilet is installed replacing the hole in the ground "over there".
• The 1100 liter water tank is installed. We will fill it tomorrow meaning that water comes from opening a valve rather than a walk to the well with a bucket.
• Showers are less drafty. That doesn't mean the shower in the house is all hooked up but being able to bathe with a bucket of water in what is basically a shower stall is a lot less breezy than doing the same behind the garage.