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RE: Rewards and pride of taking education seriously
Thanks Jim,
Back in 2001, there were 26,407 public high schools in the USA and 10,693 private high schools. Looking at the growth numbers of high schools over the last 40 years that was listed, the number has to be well over 40,000 total today. The growth in the number of private high schools has been rampid especially on the last 15 or so years. Very few public high schools even made the top 10% best. That's part of what makes this feat so special.
AS for placing in the National Science Olympiad for instance, Grand Haven High School has been the national champs 3 years, 2nd place 5 years, and 3rd place 2 years in the last roughly 15 years. There are 6,400 high schools competing and from all 50 states yearly so it's a real accomplishment to be in the top say 5 places. Teams must first win or be second at their regionals (47 in Michigan), then be first or second at their state competition to even advance to the nationals. GHHS has won the state championship 15 times in the last 18 years of competing. Academics is where it's at and so many scholarships are awarded the winners and top 6 individuals in each of the 30 or so events yearly.
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travelnutz
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05/24/12 04:42pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Where to buy 2x2 steel tubing
I've purchased from Speedy Metals and they were very good to deal with. Mine was mostly aluminum materials that I have purchased from them as we have many structural etc steel suppliers in our local area due to lots of manufacturing companies and building contractors being in the general area. The bad part is the shipping cost if it's shipped to you as steel is very heavy.
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travelnutz
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05/24/12 12:19pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Check for Rot in Used Bigfoot
Walking away is subjective as to how bad the situation is if issues are found. Yes, if it's bad and maybe no if it's just in one small area and well defined and easily repairable. It's your money and your decision to make. Mold, rot, dry rot can happen anywhere trapped moisture occurs with wood and for that matter, about any other commonly used structure/item in RVs, is present. Check carefully and hope you did it thoroughly enough to avoid a dissappointment later on. Any mold MUST be taken care of and totally elimated as it only gets worse over time and the damage/effect mushrooms quickly.
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travelnutz
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05/24/12 09:25am |
Truck Campers
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Rewards and pride of taking education seriously
Of the nearly 40,000 high schools (total number of public and private) in the USA, this is a real honor.
Article in our newspaper today:
Newsweek: SLHS, GHHS among best in nation
May 24, 2012 Northwest Ottawa County
Grand Haven and Spring Lake public high schools have more points of pride to place in their portfolio.
In ratings released this week, Newsweek ranked both schools in the top 1,000 in the nation * based on graduation rate, college matriculation rate, test scores and advanced classes offered.
Grand Haven placed 774 and Spring Lake ranked 975.
*It's phenomenal,* Grand Haven High School Principal Tracy Wilson said. *Coming off a phenomenal weekend with Science Olympiad (the school placed third in the national tournament), this is just great. It feels really good for our kids, our staff and our community.*
The magazine ranked Grand Haven 26th in the state and Spring Lake 40th.
Spring Lake Superintendent Dennis Furton said Newsweek's announcement is a good way to end the school year.
Earlier this month, U.S. News & World Report ranked Spring Lake High School in the Top 2 percent in the nation and Grand Haven in the Top 5 percent.
My comment:
Yes, we are very strong and extremely supportive in our school systems/districts here in our West Michigan lakeshore communities. Perfect? Well, no? as I don't know what perfect is but extremely good and very positive and the results have confirmed this year after year for my 70+ years of life here so far. Parents here are very involved in their children's academic education and it sure shows!
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travelnutz
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05/24/12 08:50am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Check for Rot in Used Bigfoot
Bigfoot85,
IF you catch the mold in time which is before the wood has begun rotting or soaked deeply with mold spores. Remember that there are so many joints in the construction that the spores and trapped water seeps into and/or under. The two Bigfoots I personally seen up close had much of the underfloor and stringers rotted to virtual sponge like textures. Dry rot, wet rot, or just plain rot means basically ripping the wood out, soaking what's left and all surfaces with bleach etc killer for a time period, thoroughly drying completely and rebuilding with new hopefully treated components and installing ALL new insulation. Adding a few breather holes to all closed compartmental structral areas in the new floor will promote a reasonable attempt to vent moisture gathering there in the future. Not perfect but sure is better than doing nothing to help yourself!
Usually, the strong mold stink is not pervasive or overwhelming until it has soaked thru or rotted the floor members in one or more areas because the floor is basically a sealed and trapped air area. Remember that the wood floor is usually also covered with a waterproof barrier flooring product such as linoleum/vinyl etc which further hides and conceals smells and trapped water etc. As I had mentioned, you'll NOT forget the horrible smell of the black mold once it has graced your nose. Then it is normally too late for a simple chemical fix. Homes and building breath and are required to by all building codes I've seen. In ground basements in buildings with trapped air/moisture areas also often grow molds or algae or even mushrooms if left alone andd the smell soon will give it away. You as a "builder"/"rebuilder" certainly should know this and seen it many times.
I'm not trying to scare the OP but the mold problem has reared it's ugly head many times and there's been several threads on this and other RV forums from owners who have experienced it and the damage/cost associated with it. Why buy a problem without doing your best to know the facts about what you are about to purchase. Once purchased, the present and/or future problems/issues are solely yours!
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travelnutz
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05/24/12 07:48am |
Truck Campers
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RE: GM's new 2013 tow ratings
It takes the needed amount of torque at the rear wheels to maintain or acheive the required speed specification. If a vehicle can't do it, it must lessen the load until it can comply with the spec. Of course, the driver in the test will have the pedal planted to try to meet the SAE requirement. That's what the test spec is and why it is... IF you can't pull to the spec, lessen your burden until you can and that's your maximum towing ability according to SAE spec!
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travelnutz
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05/24/12 12:13am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: GM's new 2013 tow ratings
blt2ski,
Well stated!
All tests/shootouts so far have shown the GM 6.6 D/A combo to out pull/accelerate either the Ford 6.7 diesel or the Dodge/Cummins 6.7 diesel on grades etc in the real world on the road operation, so both of those would have to have their SAE towing specs lowered from present claims even more than what GM had done.
BTW, several states have 45 MPH minimums or higher on their interstates and they do enforce them. One of my brothers was a sheriff for many years. We live in one of those states! The SAE spec is a benckmark for comparison only but far from the real needs for a tow vehicle.
Most tow vehicles purchased for RVing will never see extreme long grades at higher altitudes in 100 degree F temps etc with the "go pedal" planted tightly on the floor.
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travelnutz
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05/23/12 11:53pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Check for Rot in Used Bigfoot
Northern Lites and Bigfoots are quite prone to moisture accumulation under the floor. Any plumbing leaks, spills, or normal sweating caused by using heat inside in cold or rainy climates is the usual culprit. Being a clamshell construction, there is no venting to dry the accumulated water/moisture that runs down between the inner and outer wall to the under floor wood stringers and it stays there and eventually grows a black mold. If left untreated or removed, the mold gets so bad that it usually will make your eyes burn and make you feel sick. I personally have seen two Bigfoots, one with with the entire inside stripped out to replace the moldy wood and it's a rotten smell you'll not forget! One Bigfoot was junked and the other was rebuilt, and it was extremely expensive but luckily it was caught while it was still mostly under the floor and less than a foot up the driver's side wall and left rear corner area. Very hard to check out for the mold until you start smelling it and by then it's going to be a costly repair. Clamshell construction is great until water gets under the inside floor and sits there as there's no way for it to evaporate! Water runs downhill...
I sure would check for any smells everywhere inside as well as visual indications!
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travelnutz
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05/23/12 11:24pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: OOOPS, it happened again
Veebyes,
Last year (winter 2011) when we were in a campground in Lakeland, FL with another rv.net forum member, we had the same issue you had with the bleeder screw locknut being loose and the bleeder screw had backed out enough to allow air to draw into the fuel filter on our Chev 2004.5 D/A. I had parked the truck after returning from a restaurant in the evening and the next morning the engine turned over OK but wouldn't start. Luckily, after about half a dozen tries, a diesel mechanic who was there came over to see if he could be of help. He raised the hood and reached under the fuel filter and said "the filter bleeder screw was loose". He tightened it by hand and then snugged the locknut with a plier and had me crank the engine for 5 seconds after he had pushed the primer plunger several times and repeat again. On the 3rd try the engine started and ran totally normal. Never has happened again and you can bet I have checked the locknut several times since then! Call it "gun shy".
I had the fuel filter replaced the day before before we left Michigan and it seems the mechanic didn't properly tighten the locknut and it had loosened and allowed the bleeder screw to turn enough to let air suck in. He mentioned that it happens quite often as it's under the filter and out of sight and the locknut is often forgotten to be tightened securely after a filter change. Snug the locknut but don't strip the threads!
Your incident had really hit home and brought back memories as it takes a very small air leak to cause the problem and costs nothing to correct.
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travelnutz
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05/22/12 09:38pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: scisor's steps
Must be that we think differently. We'd never buy a TC that has scissor steps as we have seen so many people fall using them over the years. Several have collapsed when being used also. I actually transported one 52 year old lady to a hospital with her husband along when she fell off their scissor steps. Like I said, there are different thoughts among TC owners and we have owned at least one TC unit constantly since the mid 1960's. Had 8 different ones to date.
That said, if we had ever purchased a TC with scissor steps, I would add a bumper immediately so a normal TC swing up bumper step setup could be had. If an add on bumper was not available, I'd make my own or have one made. They simply bolt on so it's no big deal!
A bumper step eliminates all the worries associated with scissor steps and they are always ready for instant safer usage.
Just our thoughts on the subject...
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travelnutz
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05/17/12 08:43am |
Truck Campers
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RE: whats your career?
Retired? You bet! Was an automotive components design and engineering business owner for a very long time and sure loved it but I like my present job, or should I say lack there of now, even more.
Still get to be my very own boss and I have my wife's permission to say so!
Let the wonderful fun continue...
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travelnutz
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05/15/12 07:16pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: what low temps can you camp in???
We refuse to be cold in our homes or our RV's and 70F is perfect 24/7 and we always prepare our homes and RV's for such usage.
Both our homes are always set at 70F day and night all winter. Also, all our RV's are set to 70F when using them in the winter/cold months even when the outside temperature went to as low as -22F in the U.P. of Michigan or in Ontario Canada when up there snowmobiling etc. Many days never even got above zero F. Yes, storm windows and sealed/insulated under belly units and careful complete caulking/sealing of ALL cracks and gaps are a must. The dual pane type windows are much better than single pane but not nearly as good/efficient as storms having a much larger dead air space. Also, always added AstroFoil with strong double stick tape to both sides (inside and outside) of the power cord metal storage box area, the inside of the molded propane compartment, 2 layers between our various sized Lance TC's 2 front cabover window panes, and several other places that needed attention. Same scenario with our 3 Carriage Corp 5th wheels. All basically heated to 70F with one 5,000 btu electric cube when we had electric hookups and didn't use that much propane when we boondocked with NO hookups. Never had anything freeze up in the many years of winter camping in below zero F temps. Insulation and sealing is where it's at!!! Of course, we do not buy the "cheapie" RVs as we know how hard they are to heat and cool and we love winter camping. You get what you pay for!
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travelnutz
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05/15/12 01:04pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Hobbies...
Me:
RVing/travel, boating/fishing, and when not doing one of those, designing and making things/projects (big and small) in my very well equipped workshop out of mostly metal/fabrication and also with some wood and plastics.
Wife:
RVing/travel, boating/fishing, knitting projects, genealogy, watching older movies and lots of reading books.
Never bored as a day is not long enough having only 24 hours to satisfy us!
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travelnutz
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05/14/12 10:07pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Can you bear to part with your "man toys"?
NO!
I'll never part with any of my long accrued "treasures". Has taken 70 years to get them all so far and why get rid of them now??? Many of the items are no longer made or are now made very poorly in Asian etc countries as knockoffs and imported. NO THANK YOU! I'll just simply add more additions on to my polebarn/building (toy barn) as needed, problem solved!
Our Son can't wait until he "inherits" the "vast supply" so he can just keep on adding to it.
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travelnutz
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05/13/12 10:09am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Million Mile Chevy Duramax LBZ
I just laugh at the Dodge owners like Richochet who think that GM trucks need the same constant rebuilding of the front suspension and steering like the Dodge trucks do. It's the GM IFS that makes the difference and even the "frequency of repair report" publications/ratings etc provide the data facts to back it up. I have yet to need any repairs or rebuilding of the front ends of the more than 14 GM pickups I have owned for personal or my engineering business (company trucks) usage and some had well over 300,000 miles on them when sold or replaced with new ones.
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travelnutz
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05/12/12 03:08pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: How many trips do you average?
Over the last 11 years we have averaged 103 nights/yr with 68 being the lowest and 157 being the highest. Last year was the lowest number as I was recovering from a very serious staph infection and large blood clot from an operation that nearly did me in, not the operation as it was a breeze. I'm back to about 90+% now and working on the last 10%. Trip numbers are a lot harder to average as they vary so much. Some are for many weeks to months and some are 1-2-3 days.
We have been RVing/camping for over 49 years now so the last 11 years is only a snapshot in time.
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travelnutz
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05/12/12 11:19am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: How long for poop to break down?
We learned the hard way about not using chemicals in our new 1983 30' Catalina sailboat years ago. When it was 3 years old it developed a really rotten smell in the bilge and it was a real challenge and over 2 years to get rid of the foul odor. The boat bilge is not the same as an RV unless the RV black holding tank is in a bottom enclosed basement of the RV, then it can be. A boat holding tank has to be pumped out and it doesn't happen every week or so like an RV usually does get drained.
A good black holding tank chemical will break down solids and most reasonable toilet paper as well as having a more pleasing scent only when flushing. What went down in the toilet to the holding tank smells a whole lot worse and usually requires opening vents or turning on a exhaust fan. PEEEEUUUU! Read the label and it's well explained as to what it does on most holding tank chemicals and it's true. Nope, it won't disolve newspaper or Sears Catalog pages or corn cobs or some hard stringy toilet paper!
The only holding tank chemical we use now in boats and all our RV's is Thetford Campa-Chem natural formaldehyde free premeasured packets that you drop into the porti-potti holding tank or the boat/RV black holding tanks thru the toilet. No stains or spilling as it disolves only when in the tank's liquid. No odor or perfume/chemical smell and no solids ever. It works great!
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travelnutz
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05/11/12 08:12pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: How long for poop to break down?
Francesca Knowles,
Want the paper to disolve to very fine particles? Shake the bottom half of your porti-potti on the way to where you are going to dump it. We use a porti-potti in the winter months in our TC and have NO problems with paper lumps or any other lumps. ALL nice liquid!
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travelnutz
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05/11/12 01:20pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: How long for poop to break down?
Basically, if you use a decent type of holding tank chemical such as Thedford type or equivalent and drive several miles with an amount of liquid in an RV holding tank, all the human solid waste will become total liquid. Haven't had solid chunks come out the dump hose yet in over 49 years of extensive RVing, just liquid! All our RV's have a clear plastic add on tube either straight or 45 degree angle on the RV dump outlet about 6"-8" long. I see what goes thru and when it is empty without guessing. Some dump stations have a high ambient noise level and you can't hear when the tank is drained but the clear section tells you without even bending over or pulling the hose out to see.
As a disclaimer, some RV'ers put things down in their holding tanks that are very slow to disolve or not at all depending on what they have eaten etc. Also, some RV'ers sit in a site for long periods and the solids build a pile in their holding tanks which actually can plug their usage or even the drain hose or they don't use a good liquidfying chemical in their closed tanks and only dump when getting close to full cycles.
You get to make your choice!
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travelnutz
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05/11/12 11:33am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: An East/West comparison for RVers...
We are very blessed and spoiled in Michigan as camping and RVing is extremely popular and we have a couple hundred thousand campground sites covering the entire gamet in the state. Some have NO facilities other than pit toilets and a site to park in. Most sites have electric at least (20-30-50 amp) with a dump station and fresh water available or at the site and flush toilets plus warm showers. Many thousands more have electric, water, sewer, and very nice to decent bathouses/showers. Then there are the many high end resorts in the state with pools, golf courses, restaurants, game rooms, organized activities, etc, you name it. Far from the "word" camping!
There's something and some place to tantalize everyone's fancy. Over 3200 miles of Great Lakes shoreline to camp at or enjoy and more than 11,000 inland lakes to play in or camp at. That's not including the well over a hundred thousand miles of rivers, creeks, and streams that have CG's along them.
In general, CG's in Michigan are very nature oriented with good sized campsites in areas campers/RV'ers want to be in and they sure do.
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travelnutz
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05/11/12 08:07am |
General RVing Issues
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