Inferno

It's always a great idea to leave the relative moderate temperatures (in a house with air conditioning) of northeast florida in August to live on a boat (made for winter temps). ESPECIALLY if you are relocating to almost Cuba (aka the Florida Keys). There is only a major adjustment period. 

Um, yeah... About that. Hotter than Hades down here and this crew is struggling to adjust, as much as it pains me to admit. But, DAMN, it's hot. I mean, REALLY! I had no idea. 

Our first week in and we ARE flailing. The heat is oppressive. 

Today we kind of got a grasp on how to handle it.  It goes a little like this~ sleep as long as the sun will allow, while moving to reach the fan. SLOWLY, regain consciousness from a sweaty nights sort of sleep. Skip coffee (because its too damn hot to contemplate) and pour warmish (because cold no longer exists in your universe) water over your head. Regain composure and brain functioning. 

About that time you realize it's already noon and you've moved approximately 2 feet from your starting point... But we're doin it!

Seriously though, afternoons involve something IN THE WATER. Otherwise we will be cooked. 

Stay hydrated. Wear tons of sunscreen. Wear as little clothes as possible. You get the gist. 

Am I complaining?  That's not really my intent. Just laying out the facts. ;)

Would I/we go back? Absolutely not. Is it a major overhaul on the senses? Um, yeah!  So, we are doing what we can to assimilate and then pouring more water over our heads. 

Still living the dream. 

Conservation

I've been learning a lot about amp draw lately. It's highly exciting stuff. 

When Hubs went home at the beginning of the month he charged all of our batteries and filled up our water tanks. All I had to do was maintain. 

But, a funny thing happened while he was gone. I started to actually pay attention to all of those things. 

Yes, I still let him haul the water (we aren't using our water maker because we are in a harbor). Now, though, I stay on top of the amp draw of our appliances, electronics, etc...  I constantly check our meters and adjust accordingly. 

We have a wind generator, which we have found IS the work horse. I prefer calm days, but I know if we are getting 10-20 mph winds we will have a charged bank. A charged bank is my best friend, for 

lots of reasons. But mostly because the Internet has a HUGE draw, and when it's windy I have free reign. 

We also have 2 solar panels. They help, but don't put in as much in as the wind. 

When both aren't able to keep up... We turn on the engine. It charges the bank too.  But, it also uses desiel (barely sips it, but still) and is loud.  

Not such a bad set up. We are going to invest in another battery I think, and a generator down the road. It's been a challenge keeping up with our demands. But, we are making it work. We are also discovering what are demands versus needs really are. 

Water is a whole other issue. We are definitely more conscious of what and how we use it. And I think when we become landlubbers again we will carry some of the habits with us. That's not to say I don't love my long, hot (did I say long) showers. But, you just don't get that out here. And it's not really that big of a deal really. 

I thought I was a good environmental citizen before.... Well watch out for me now. I've taken this whole conservation thing to another level.