Hyalite Canyon is a beautiful and fun place we love to visit. Today we left my sister’s place in Belgrade and drove forty-five minutes south into the canyon. Stopping for groceries, then at a dump station (very LONG line) and a quick stop at a hardware store.
Langhor Campground, south of Bozeman, is where we landed for the rest of the week. Tim and I stayed here two years ago. My sister takes me horseback riding out here and we also enjoy the hikes here in the canyon. I know I always talk about my favorite places well this one is Jett’s favorite place.
At the back of our campsite is a hidden path that goes through the trees and brush and out to Hyalite Creek. There we have a private little rock beach perfect for Jett to swim at! She knew exactly where she was and exactly where to go when we arrived.
The rock beach is also the perfect happy hour location and wildlife viewing spot. Hopefully it becomes a great fishing spot as well! We really like coming to this area. So much to do, or not, that makes us happy! This is why we Airstream!!
Back here in the Canyon we are completely off grid. No cellular service. There are no hookups at our site. No water spigot. No electricity. No dump station. This is the kind of location where we thrive. With our upgrades that we did prior to departure we will see how everything works now. And what those new limitations are?
I’ll touch base on two of those changes now. First the TWO batteries, each weighing 65 pounds a piece, were replaced with ONE new lithium battery weighing just 43 pounds. The old batteries should not be depleted more than 50%. The new lithium can be completely depleted of charge without damage. On the roof of our Airstream we have had one solar panel and we have brought an additional portable solar panel. This week will give us an excellent chance to exercise both the new lithium battery and the additional solar. Our plan is to add an additional lithium battery on our return.
Next I will mention our Natures Head compost toilet. Today makes ten days using it. So far so good! No complaints. No smell. No chemicals used. Just a vinegar and water spray bottle for after #1. This toilet separates duties. We empty #1 every day or two depending on our departures and use. Don’t travel with it more than half full. Rookie mistake. Lesson learned. It wasn’t even close when we departed. Didn’t think much was in it until we stopped during the day. Used it and then ooops … it’s almost half full … no where to dispose of it. So we had to travel with it just about half full. It can and will splash out. Lucky there is a catch basin and clean-up wasn’t bad. Now thinking back we should have removed it. Capped it. And used the extra #1 container. Duh. Ohhh… and when it’s emptied you do slightly smell #1 but no big deal. Better than the dump station!
Now for what everyone thinks of as the dreaded #2. That’s all good so far. You place moistened coco coir in the bin. Do business. Rotate handle. Forget about it. Like I said we are ten days in and have not emptied it. Eeek! No smells!! Great. Not even in the slightest. Research says we will need to empty every two to three weeks. I’ll keep ya posted!
As much as you were not expecting this topic (TMI) I thought it would be good information to put out there. So far we have noticed our water consumption is way down. We are not using all that water to flush the old toilet. And with water consumption, input equals output, that means our time at the dump station is less. Our Airstream has (had) a 70, yes seventy, gallon combo black/grey tank. This now gives us a 70 gallon grey tank. Levitating some of the stress while off grid. If anyone has questions about our Natures Head … ask away!
The plywood that it’s sitting on will be replaced when we get back with a white a Marine StarBoard. We did not have time to source it before our departure. The temporary wall decal will be replaced with my new Moroccan white and grey wallpaper. Can’t do the new wallpaper until the Marine StarBoard goes in. Decal had UNWIND … I changed it to WIND when I installed it. Those with a compost toilet will get it!
Our plans this week will be to chill, swim, fish and hike! We also are expecting visitors later in the week.
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