[26.982 amu]

Well, believe it or not, I'm making some progress on "restoring" my hurricane-battered trailer. Over spring break I cleaned up about 40% of the interior (about 2 gallons of Tilex needed for the mildewed walls!), took out piles of corroded aluminum brackets and things, and worked for hours removing caked mud from every conceivable surface. My library was converted into a layer of papier-mache that coated the door side--yuck!

The most amazing thing: I actually got the Dometic refer and the gas range working again! The refer had been ripped from the wall and was partially tipped over against the sink when I first arrived. The interior was filled with black mud, but the corrosion on the sealed heat exchange pipes was minimal. After a thorough cleaning (especially of the propane burner), repositioning, re-plumbing, and leveling the unit fired right up and was frigid in about 8 hours.

The range took an astonishing amount of cleaning. All of the valves had to be cleaned, re-greased and resealed. I had to use a toothpick on the burner holes--several hours of work. But the range (sans pilot--I'll need an orifice reamer) now fires up, so I have a place to fry up breakfast and make coffee!

Business is starting to return to the Bolivar Peninsula and the lumberyards are now open and have a good stock of plywood. I had some cut to cover the top of what used to be the gaucho and laid a Coleman air mattress on top--makes a pretty good bed!

I'm not sure yet how to approach the 110V electrical system, but for now an extension cord running to a genny runs a fan and a TV/VCR I bought at Goodwill for $15. I use gas lanterns and candles for lights, and folding camping tables and chairs for furniture. I'm going to get a Sunpentown portable A/C to keep the trailer bearable while I work this summer to clean out the middle and the bathroom.

I'd have pictures, but I lost my camera on the beach. The windows (those that survived) are muddied up inside, have no curtains or blinds, and hardly pass light. Several need new screens. The door lock is ruined; I close the door with a barn hasp on the outside and a bungee cord when I'm inside. There is no running water (I ordered a new pump, but the tank may be full of mud). The tires are all flat. She'll never roll again, but she'll make a great aluminum tent!