The B.O.V. Part II

(Part I : The B.O.V. or "Bug Out Vehicle")

That question of personal transportation is coming up again...

Finally now that I am home-owner (oh God, what have I done?) and will be enjoying the long-term process of projects it's certainly a good time to get a truck (again). Not too long ago I had enjoyed owning a '93 S10 Chevy Blazer Tahoe 4x4 as a backup vehicle and all-purpose carry-stuff \ around-town truck. Eventually it was going to become too costly to keep so I sold it to cut my losses. 
But now with a house I am running full circle back to a truck (again), but this time to a traditional pickup truck rather than the old LUV (Light Utility Vehicle) style, which does in fact pre-date the SUV in terminology and purpose.

Working the old '93 Chevy S10 Blazer Tahoe

Besides the everyday errands and slightly larger-sized purchases that require the bed of a pickup I am also thinking ahead to any number of Bug Out scenarios.  What I ended up getting was a decent-condition '98 Nissan Frontier 4x4. With a 2.4L I4 DOHC 16V FI engine cylinder instead of the Chevy's 4.3L V6 OHV 12V FI HO engine the Nissan will certainly have much better gas mileage which will offset its somewhat small factory fuel tank. Also it has manual locking hubs, which are well-known for being much more robust and trouble-free than automatic ones or vacuum-operated 4-wheel drive systems.

A few questions come to mind for this vehicle right away...

*What roles can the truck fill?
*What is its range in the real world?
*How much can it carry and haul?
*How well will it stand up adverse environments both natural and man-made?
*Is it easily modifiable?

It's about practicality, future roles and in times like these... being economically viable as a long term option in regards to normal usage and maintenance. The Nissan will most likely be for quick reconnaissance and short supply runs due to its size, but it can be easily modified for longer range duties if a fuel cell system is added to compliment the original tank. It's a small cab so storage and usability inside is limited. A full-sized CB radio is too big, but a small hand-held style will work just fine.
It's all about finding a good mixture of possibilities that fit your current equipment...

Lake Tahoe - Landscape Changed

Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, Nevada

Too often is the encroaching development of our species the catalyst for the destruction of our own surroundings. Sufficed to say you can see it every time you walk out your front door.  Very recently the Western Black Rhino was just considered extinct.  
In early January 2014 I spent a week at a hotel supporting a Sales Conference located on the northern end of Lake Tahoe. Standing on the shore of the lake itself, looking out was sublime to say the least, but looking back at the monstrosity of a hotel made me a bit depressed. It is a shame that all this is just for profit - nothing more. How far have we come to forget our own environment?

 Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort

I understand the concept of being closer to nature while it being a luxury stay at the same time, but leave a little bit of nature alone.

Why ruin perfection? It's a sad world we live in indeed.

Dr. Strangelove - Truth

(How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Almost Everything in “Dr. Strangelove” Was True

By Eric Schlosser

Alternate Heat - Winter Months Part I

After purchasing an old New England house from 1858 I'm of course finding the biggest challenge in the Winter months is efficiently heating the house. After some research I've narrowed down my options to two rather basic, but seemingly cheap and efficient alternatives to cranking up the thermostats on my oil boiler.

First I believe I will try the tea-candle method in a room in my home and then test the oil lamp one.