It worked the first try…

I successfully tapped into the signals needed, routed all the wiring from the rear to the front of my Jeep, and got it all dressed in nicely.  I even had to flash the settings of the Jeep to enable the camera functions inside the factory radio head.  

The best part, it all worked first try!  It's a good thing, because having to undo any of that would be a big pain!  Now I can see around on the trails, have an easier time in parking lots and maybe even assist when connecting a trailer?  I also have a multi-plexer to install so I can add some other views when I get a chance.  

Too much technology…?!

This is the user interface screen on Julie's new vacuum… It's measuring the number and size of particles being picked up and adjusting the power accordingly.  That's nuts, but actually seems to work really well.  She's cleaned whole house with it this weekend and still had battery power left afterwards.  

Cute little “doll”

I found this laying the in the parking lot.  The cars by it came and went while we were eating lunch after church Sunday.  It's just a micro-fiber cloth and a rubber band rolled into a doll shape. I am guessing it was a kids Sunday School craft.  A cute idea.  Too cute to leave laying on the blacktop.  Now I need to name him…

Working on moving my license plate.

The stock position of the license plate carrier lets everything hang off the back of the Jeep where it;s likely to get ripped off by tree branches.  So I found this mount that lets you move it to the spare tire carrier.  It also give a spot for another brake light.  I'm going to add mounting for my backup camera that I've had and been wanting to add ever since I first started having troubles with my first Jeep.  This is where is will sit.  Now I have to figure out how I want to route all the wiring and still have it be quick release in case I want to access my spare.  

Who knew a drum brake spring could be so useful…

There's a design flaw with the parking brake Jeeps of Brutus' era.  The little tab pictured at the end of the green spring rotates forward and the brake has too much slack in it.  So, I drilled a hole in the tab, found a brake spring at the auto parts store, and connected it to another bracket that already had a hole in it.  There's just enough tension on the spring that it keeps the tab pulled back and keeps the e-brake working perfectly.  It's important to have working, especially in a manual on the trails.  You often want to jump out to check things when you're on a slope, and don't want to have to stop the engine to do so.  Happy with my hack!

Cool reflection as I parked at the mall

It was kind of funny because I was thinking about the mall crawlers as I pulled in my rock crawler to the mall.  Haha.

We have a new car in the family

 Savannah traded in her red one for this beauty.  I knew she shouldn’t have driven my Crosstrek…

Julie’s growing some squash in her “garden”

They love the lattice we gave them.  It’s crazy to see how many inches they grow over night each night as they climb.

Figured you needed a sticker table update too…

I added four or five since I took this a few days ago.  I can't keep up. Hahaha.

Boston Stoker finally got some branded coffee cups…

Interesting label?

I found this on an antique bottle from our de-cluttering and just thought it was interesting to read the details on the label.  Ingredients, instructions for use, etc.

Jeep sticker progress

My freedom flaps and fender liners make a good place to put all the stickers and patches that people give out.

Check the size of your nuts and bolts?

A cute little tool Julie pointed out to me.  I decided I would try it just to see if it works.

Willy Ways handyman at your service.

Where there's a will, there's a way. ;)

A rare moment of cleaned up…

 I was putting some spare parts at the street for sale and decided I liked the view.

It’s fun to have a little shadow…

Zoe follows me everywhere in the house, the garage, etc.  Here, she's just laying there looking at me while I work in my office during the day.  She's laying in my lap snoring at the moment too…

No more Boston Stoker trips with Johnny…

He and I usually got together for breakfast, a coffee break, or lunch on Fridays.  He was on a 4-day, 10-hour work schedule and we could usually find time in my schedule.  His company is struggling a bit so they're going back to a 5 x 8 schedule.  No more Friday Boston Stoker breaks for the time being.  We'll have to fit it in elsewhere.  It's also fun to remember my mom and dad's anniversary.  Mom always visits his grave site and enjoys his favorite McD's meal and a shake while she's there.  It would have been 61 years for them.  

Julie’s purpled stemmed sage plant has a pretty shading to it

All packed up and ready to go.

 It takes me about 20 minutes to break camp and another 20 to put it all away in the car.  I started at noon, and pulled out at 1p.  That included making and eating lunch as well as a coffee break, hugs goodbye, and a phone call.  It’s nice to be able to travel light and easily fit it all in my little Crosstrek.  

It was sure fun to hang out and catch up with everyone!  

Fallen tree on our trail bike ride

 Laura and I got in one last off-road ride before we packed up our camping gear on the last day of the family reunion.  It’s nice to get a peaceful, beautiful ride through the woods.  I thought this fallen tree looked cool.  It was nice to reflect on it after we read the poem of the woods.  The woods provide for us all through out lives.  Our cradles, our coffins, our houses, and everything in between.  Enjoy and respect them.  

Andy has been conquered by Zoe!

He claims he doesn't love her, but…..❣️

This boy can balance anything on anything on anything…!

New watch band

As might have observed, I've always liked big, chonky watches and bands.  I've loved my Apple Watches for their functionality, but they've always tended towards too slime and svelt.  I was happy when they made the Ultra series which added just enough garish bulk to start scratching that itch for me.

Julie and I were shopping over my summer break and all the watches like G-Shock and NaviHawk were catching my eye.  But I can't see spending that kind for money for effectively a piece of Jewelry that I would only occasionally wear and rarely use.  So, I was happy to find these Chubby Cable bands that complete the look and feel to make the Ultra look almost enough like a "real" watch!  Anyhow, for $40, I'm stoked.  Silly, I know, but at least it's a minimal investment.

Some of the gang went rented some kayaks

Laura and Michelle seemed to really enjoy it!  

Gunner wouldn’t let Katie take a nap. Haha.

You know we’re having fun when…

…we can wear even the youngins out THIS much! :)

Almost everybody that showed up this year.

Melody and her kids joined later in the afternoon, but Katie, Emily and Collin had to leave by then.  It's always great to see and catch up with whoever can make it.  

A camping meal fit for a king!

I think we figured out why John’s reel wasn’t working…?!

Chillin’ with her peeps

Zoe was content to hand with Julie and my mom at the reunion.

My breakfast crew

Katie, John, and Andy all enjoyed eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes and coffee with me while we were camping.  It was a perfect, cool morning for it.  

The camper hosts put on a nice donation based breakfast

It was a nice change of pace and fun to go with the boys and Katherine.  :)

Zoe doesn’t respect personal space I guess…

Fireside snuggles with a beagle. Good times❣️

Ice cream, a family tradition…

Gunner enjoyed it with us too! I love this shot.  It reminds me of summer, fun, family, pets, and relaxing in life making memories.

I don’t want to know what’s going on here

John and Andy are always up to some type of antics… hahahaha!

Unmarked trail?

It doesn't seem like it's actually possible to mark an unmarked trail? Hahaha 

Also known as, "road closed, let's go see why!?" Exactly my kind of vibe!

Beautiful trail ride views!

 

Trail ride with Danny :)

somebody caught me cuddling Zoe…!

 

The annual gathering of the family

 We enjoy catching up, laughing, and sitting around.  Every once in a while, we get up and go do something too.  

Cooking at my campsite

Susan grew some zucchini and brought them to share.  I grilled them up.  Yum!

Andy helping John put new line on his fishing reel…

Andy made this great meme

So I just had to share. Too true…

These two dudes…

They looked and sounded pretty cool pullin' up to the family reunion Friday morning this past weekend.  Love them both!

Zoe’s great at the reunion.

 She’s content to watch people and squirrels go by.  Just about the same as we do, hahaha.

Nice way to start the day.

I always get a good nights sleep in my hammock.  It was nice to wake up rested with the sun just stating to beam in through my bug net.  

First night of camp fire and lights.

we always enjoy sitting around the campfire at night and chatting about what's new and solving the world's problems.  My rain fly came with some free lights so I figured I better show them off. ;)

Meanwhile, May-May is practicing her “If it fits, I sits” skills…

Time for the family reunion once again

 A few of us went up Thursday for set up before Michael’s funeral.  Here’s my hammock all set up in the foreground and my eating table in the background my car in the background.  Looking forward to a great weekend with the great weather predicted.  It’s nice to catch up with local and distant family while relaxing too!

Crazy how many pictures I take…

My Sony camera is only two years old and already has 10,000 shots.  That comes out to about one an hour during waking hours on average…

I decided I've captured enough with it.  I was making sure I got past the eclipse and Hawaii, but just don't use it that much any more.  I figured I better off-load it while I could still get what I paid for it before the next new technology hits the hobby. In the meantime, my phone and old school GoPros get me what I need.