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Topic ClosedBecoming a "Podder" in May
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emckinley View Drop Down
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Joined: 07 Apr 2016
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Posts: 7 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Becoming a "Podder" in May
    Posted: 07 Apr 2016 at 7:32pm
Hi Everyone,

Greetings and very happy to join the forum. 

After years of tent camping, and spending the last couple in a used pop up, I decided this year to trade up my digs and get a new RPod - Model 179.

My main purpose in camping is actually astronomy, where I spend a few weeks each new moon period at Cherry Springs State Park in PA during the summer months (May-October). When it is raining or cloudy, I use the time in the camper to compose (I am a composer and musician and professor of music). I was able to work well in the pop up, and I am now really looking forward to having a hard side camper for the first time. 

My tow vehicle is rather modest in a 2010 Ford Escape 3.0 V6 (240hp) with the tow package. I will have a WD hitch with sway control and, of course, a brake controller, installed by the dealer on pickup. I know this is a bit underwhelming as a tow vehicle but I hope it will be okay for my needs at this time--my towing will be limited to northern PA, no more than 40 miles each way from my storage area to the park, and will keep the tanks empty for the trips. I am not in position to move to a larger TV for perhaps another 3 to 5 years. I want to get the most out of my Ford!

I think my Rpod will be named, appropriately, the "AstroPod" :)

All best,
Elliott
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2016 RPod 179 (soon to be)
2010 Ford Escape Ltd 3.0 V6
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jato View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
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Posts: 3221 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 2016 at 7:57pm
Congratulations Elliott on your purchase!  We found ourselves in a similar situation in 2011 and made a similar decision to purchase our 177, no regrets.  We love to view the expanse of the universe as well and have many places to view in northern Michigan where there are remote areas far away from cities lights.  Even from our home we can often view the Milky Way and sometimes see the Northern Lights.

Great choice of name, AstroPod, I like that.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4508 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 2016 at 8:01pm
Welcome to the group! 179 is a great floor plan, with room and storage. We really like ours!
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
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2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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Twix View Drop Down
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Joined: 30 Mar 2016
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Posts: 11 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Apr 2016 at 7:37am
Elliott - we get our "K-Pod" in 3 more weeks.  I'm excited to hear that you purchased the AstroPod with composition in mind. I am an elementary music teacher and am looking forward to retirement where I can spend more time composing (.5-2 levelled stuff for concert band). I'm wondering how you compose on the road.  I've always done my work on a laptop in Finale (occasionally sitting down at my piano).  I'll be traveling with my quilting bag, my husband, and all our camera gear (he is into astro and landscape photography, I'm more a macro gal), so there will be other distractions.

Please feel free to share any 'on the road' composing tips with me!  Although I'm not quite like Mozart who according to one of my profs began the Kegelstatt on a napkin, but I've jotted a quick melody down on scrap paper lol. I still have manuscript paper & a pencil at the ready for those moments that shouldn't be lost.  I've got a couple more pieces I'd like to write before I'm done work (easier to get them played when you have access to an eager band!), so I'll be testing the camping and composing waters over the next few years.  So, I'm really REALLY interested in your experiences and suggestions.

the Mary part of ...
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johnmaci View Drop Down
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Posts: 202 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Apr 2016 at 8:07am
Originally posted by emckinley

"My main purpose in camping is actually astronomy, where I spend a few weeks each new moon period at Cherry Springs State Park in PA during the summer months (May-October)".

Our plan is to be at the Black Forest Star Party Sept 2-4; Hope to see you there....
Clear Skies.....Thumbs Up
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Apr 2016 at 9:00am

Welcome and congratulations!

Your Escape should get you there and back. IF you were shopping for a new tow vehicle, I would recommend something more brawny. However, for many of us, buying a new TV immediately after buying a new camper is not really feasible. "You got what you got". What you have can be made to work and your expectations sound realistic.

Be sure to take a few pictures and share them with us, once you get it.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Apr 2016 at 9:19am
Likewise, I wish you well. We have enjoyed our 179 since we purchased it in December. I have started a series of messages in which I will post the modifications I have made on it. Some of them came from seeing similar modifications in this forum. Each makes the R-Pod more like we want it or addresses shortcomings we noticed when we were traveling with it.

I am a fan of open source. There is a nice music editing program called MuseScore. http://www.musescore.org/
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
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emckinley View Drop Down
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Posts: 7 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Apr 2016 at 4:36pm
Hi Mary!

That is really great, and happy retirement! I am a number of years yet to retirement, but having May-August more or less off gives me the time to travel and do astronomy. As for composing, I use Sibelius (quite similar to Finale), and have a small USB keyboard for note entry. I also have a Surface and have software called "StaffPad" -- which works surprisingly well as a way to write in music (translates handwriting to notation): http://www.staffpad.net/

I will post some pictures when camping and set up for both astronomy and composition! 

All best,
Elliott
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emckinley View Drop Down
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Posts: 7 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Apr 2016 at 4:38pm
Hi everyone (I replied to Mary above),

Thank you for all the words of encouragement! I am looking forward to the first adventures and will post pictures as soon as I have things set up. 

Best,
Elliott
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