Flying cabinet upgrade - my closet

I ordered my Ocelot with no refrigerator as I opt'd for a truck fridge portable unit.  Originally was going to put in the space where the factory refrigerators are installed, but decided to put on the floor below the front window.  The ATC camper folks gave me the top cabinet board in case I later wanted to enclose that space.  I decided to go with a bench top hinge setup.  These hinges allow the geometry of flush back, pull out and swing up to work.  The one's I got are similar to these: http://tinyurl.com/y6wt2e4o

Framed in the space, attached hinges, attached top.

The top sits flush with side of camper, but will swing out and up to open.

I use Mountainsmith modular 3 cube system in the space.   http://mountainsmith.com/products/storage-systems/modular-hauler-3.html

Works great and with the swing open counter top, I can easily access the cube system without pulling it out of this space.   I put small cargo mesh across opening to keep the cube system in place.  Originally, I was going to put a "hidden compartment" under the counter, but liked the topside access to my storage cubes.

Solar upgrade.

I added a 120W flexible solar panel to the roof. This will provide the power to keep my camper battery charged and the 12v refrigerator running - that is good thing. Some folk will just glue or VHB tape this type of panel to the roof, but I did not want to go that route. If it fails for I want to change the configuration, I wanted a different setup which could easily be removed. Polycarbonate sheet to the rescue.

I reinforced the sides with aluminum C channel and then bolted the ends to some aluminum L brackets that I mounted to the roof.

VHB'd the panel to the polycarbonate panel

All bolted down and ready to do

Panel fending off attack from flying lawnmower.

Now it is ready for the ultimate test - the highway - will it blow off the roof?

Highway 12 out of Bryce Canyon National Park

Scenic Byway Highway 12.

If you ever find yourself in this part of the world, I highly recommend taking the scenic byway highway 12 coming out of Bryce National Park - incredible in all ways.    You drive through amazing rock formations, canyons, mountains, and in my case bright yellow aspen trees taking on their fall color.  Watch for the occasional cow blocking the road.

Ria checking out the cow

Bryce Canyon National Park

Sunday:

I got up early and went to "Sunrise Point" to take some photos.  Here are shots from the night before and that morning:

Drove through the park to some other interesting sights:

For ya'll wanting to know the rock formations that stick up are called Hoodoos so impress someone at your next dinner party. 

Then I started my next trip to yet another national park.  This drive is the most incredible drive - hwy 12 Utah scenic byway.  Pictures in the next post.

Saturday: Zion to Bryce

The sunrise was great as I listened to nature starting the day.   As my custom as become I fired up the tea kettle and used my “clever coffee dripper” to make an excellent cup of coffee and fed Ria.

Ria next to my new step ladder

I was surprised as I was driving out that many others had opted for this road and the dispersed camping sites.   I stopped for a shower (ahhhh) and a breakfast burrito then proceeded to drive through the park on my way to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Got to Bryce and settled into a campsite within the park and did a bit of camper organization work that I had been wanting to do.   Ria is running for mayor again trying to meet as many of the neighbors as the leash will allow.   She is also trying to pull my arm off as she wants to meet the mule deer that are roaming around the area. 

Think I will have a big bowl of green chili for dinner and get a good night’s sleep.

Friday:

Broke camp in Littlefield and headed towards Zion National Park.

St George is a nice town and I stopped at the Black Bear Diner for an excellent breakfast.  I decided I needed to find a small step stool / ladder in the event I needed to put my rain flaps on the outside windows of the camper.  When the top is up the windows are pretty high up and I would not be able to put on the rain flaps just standing there if needed.  So quick trip to Lowe's in St George, quick stop at Starbucks to do some internet and then I was off with sights on Zion.  But no, I spotted the Black Bear Diner and had to stop for a big breakfast - a wanderer needs his fuel.

Spent the day cruising around Zion National Park in "drive by tourist mode"  Would love to do some hiking, but I would need to board Ria or work out some sort of  stash her in the camper deal which either one was practical.

Blessed by the Freedoms this flag symbolizes

All the campsites in Zion were full, so I went the BLM (bureau of land management) option.  I headed out a dirt road into the BLM land and worked my way up a road to a high mesa.  It turned out to be one of my better campsites.  I ran into some mountain biking folks who were enjoying the setting sun and continued on up the road until I ran into some pretty serious mud.  That was a sign that I had gone far enough and the view dictated that this should be the spot. 

The sunset was incredible

RIA enjoying her Dinner