Doug and I met in Gary K's canoe club, which meets regularly at the Crystal Corner Bar in Madison Wisconsin. One afternoon Doug was playing music outside the bar at some tables.I almost walked by, but he called my name. Soon I was enthralled. He was playing some fantastic music all off a solar panel and a battery. Not long after that my friend Max Kummerrow came to visit and reignited my desire to get a boat and go all the way down the Mississippi. I called up Doug and asked him if he was interested. (He was the only one I knew who was capable of pulling up strings and taking off.) It took him an hour to decide. We found a boat on Craigs list from a
musician named Mike who told us the 21st of August was the only time that he and his son could put the boat in the Mississippi River for us. We had about 2 weeks to get rid of almost everythiing we owned and get down to brass tack essentials on our small 25' houseboat. We've been on the River now for almost two months and it's been the best decision I've ever made.We bought about $1700 worth of solar panels, batteries, wires, and a inverter. Doug installed all this before we left Waubesha Minnesota, our starting point. Since we are behind in starting this blog,we'll start with photos of ourselves, the boat, and selections of people and scenery up to
this point on the river, which is currently Burlington Iowa. Hopefully this effort will be a great way for friends and family to glimse at least a piece of the beautiful people and the magnificience of the mighty Mississippi. Also, we hope to inspire others to consider seriously how each one of us can make a difference using less energy, more alternative energy, and live happy lives with less material possessions.
My name is Laura Smith. I spent 12 years as a firemedic, was a large appliance technician, and lastly was a high rise building mechanic for the state of Wisconsin. Doug Bater is a master tradesman,carpenter, plasterer, and historical renovator. Make no mistake, we are not retired, we have made a decision to live and work off the river for at least a year. This is going to be our lifestyle.
Enjoy!!!
musician named Mike who told us the 21st of August was the only time that he and his son could put the boat in the Mississippi River for us. We had about 2 weeks to get rid of almost everythiing we owned and get down to brass tack essentials on our small 25' houseboat. We've been on the River now for almost two months and it's been the best decision I've ever made.We bought about $1700 worth of solar panels, batteries, wires, and a inverter. Doug installed all this before we left Waubesha Minnesota, our starting point. Since we are behind in starting this blog,we'll start with photos of ourselves, the boat, and selections of people and scenery up to
this point on the river, which is currently Burlington Iowa. Hopefully this effort will be a great way for friends and family to glimse at least a piece of the beautiful people and the magnificience of the mighty Mississippi. Also, we hope to inspire others to consider seriously how each one of us can make a difference using less energy, more alternative energy, and live happy lives with less material possessions.
My name is Laura Smith. I spent 12 years as a firemedic, was a large appliance technician, and lastly was a high rise building mechanic for the state of Wisconsin. Doug Bater is a master tradesman,carpenter, plasterer, and historical renovator. Make no mistake, we are not retired, we have made a decision to live and work off the river for at least a year. This is going to be our lifestyle.
Enjoy!!!
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