Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Day 60 - Not in Fairbanks

Looking at the Fairbanks weather, I’m glad to be somewhere a bit warmer. With today’s projected high of 68°F, we will be around 110°F warmer. Quite a difference. By mid-morning, it was around 60°F but it was sunny and calm. It was nice to sit outside while looking at FB posts from Fairbanks.


Maybe it’s time to test out the new sewing machine. There’s this nice desk-type area that I’m trying out with the sewing machine. It has power and decent lighting. There is a window behind the mirrors if you want a “view”. The sewing machine seems to do well. A pretty straightforward machine. The one feature I miss from my Bernina is the needle doesn’t stop in up position. I got used to that. Yesterday afternoon, I ordered some curtain header tape from Amazon. It came today in under 24 hours! And it’s not like we are in a major city. I’m impressed!

8 comments:

  1. I have a cousin in Fairbanks who’s keeping me updated on the weather. Tonight she posted a bunch of folks in swimwear posing by a -40 sign. 😱 Crazy Alaskans. 😜😊

    My old sewing machine did that too. I replaced it a few years ago, but haven’t used it much. It’s okay but I too miss my old Viking machine.

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    1. After pricing new curtains, we decided that picking up a sewing machine and curtain panels from Walmart would be much less. Plus we end up with a sewing machine in the RV without bringing the one from home.

      Swimwear by the university temperature sign is a frequent occurrence when the temperature drops. I think I’ve taken more than one side car photo there...

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  2. I would also prefer warmer weather over darkness and freezing temps.

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    1. You can say that again. The dark, no big deal but the sub-zero temps I can do without.

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  3. Well it's not so bad in the hills off the Hot Springs Rd, been twenty below the last few days after minus thirty earlier in the week. Had to break out the bunny boots for the first time in a few years! The more you're outside, especially during daylight, the temps don't seem so bad after a while.
    Just out of curiosity, since you seem to keep good records, how much has this conversion to snow bird status cost? The wife and I are considering the RV option versus just taking more travel without the hardware.
    Thanks, Jon

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    1. That’s a good question. The RV cost is really variable. Initially, we used a 32’ 5th wheel. It was 16 years old and cost $10k. I spent another $5k for the hitch, generators, batteries, inverter, and other additions including adding 600watts of solar. We already had the truck to pull it. We recently changed from the 5th wheel and truck to the motor home towing a car. This was another expenditure but we thought it may be a better way to travel. Fuel consumption is higher but we aren’t using the 1ton crew cab to run around with either when not towing.

      While traveling, your biggest costs are fuel and wherever you stay. The RV is a fraction of hotels and restaurants. And it is so handy to always be “at home”. No suitcases and restaurants. All of your other expenses are similar to whatever you spend now. If you treat this lifestyle as a “vacation”, it can get really expensive very quickly.

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  4. Well Richard, you've got me wondering....

    When the sewing machine gets set up around here, it's on a table 8' x 4' and devours the table; that's not sewing curtains. You are certainly a master at small spaces!

    After an earlier than preferred start, our winter seems to just be practicing. We have a long enough way to go but overall, a gentle time of it so far. Enjoy the light and heat!

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    1. You make do with what’s available. Winter seems well established and I’m glad to not see below freezing temperatures.

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