While off-grid, a 50 watt solar panel is connected to my "house" battery.  

Boondocking and Solar Power

I prefer dry camping (boon docking).  I like the solitude of Forest Service, BLM and other open spaces. A few weeks ago I towed my rig from it's winter home in Southern Utah to some beautiful land in Southwest Colorado.  At this location I have amazing views of the West Side of the La Plata Mountains, horses to hang out with, and a wood shop and art studio.  I use my camper dining table for making art, but while at this location I can also build in my shop and paint with oils too.

Running power tools 

I have no power at many locations, while camping I keep my batteries fully charged with a 50 watt solar panel.  It's very sunny here in the Southwest, so solar is the way to go.

While woodworking in the shop, I use my cordless power tools and charge up my batteries using a small inverter plugged into my jeep lighter, or I bring fully charged batteries.  I have a cordless skill saw, and cordless drills. But I need more.

As I looked at the process of converting my shop to solar, and to keep it simple, I searched for  a usage chart online to get some idea of the size of the Power inverter I would need for most of my tools.  Initially, I plan to power up my batteries for cordless work, light up the studio with a few CF bulbs, run my small iPod stereo speakers and power tools.

I learned that smaller tools like sanders, drills, and jig saws don't draw a lot of continuous power, they surge when they start.  Other tools like my chop saw and table saw draw more power and surge on start too, and will have to wait for a bigger inverter.

For less than $100. I ordered the Power Bright Inverter from Amazon prime.  I thought I'd get started with the 1100/2200 inverter and upgrade to the Powerbright 2300 next year.  I will need the bigger inverter for the big saws and welding.

The setup includes:

1. 50 watt panel and 35 watt panel, parallel connection if needed.  I will start with the 50.
2. 12volt deep cycle marine battery (just like our RV battery)
3. 30 amp charge controller
4. 1100/2200 Power inverter - Powerbright PW1100 (Modified Sine Wave)

What will I use this power for?

Lights (compact fluorescent)

Music (iPhone stereo speakers)

Chop Saw

Table Saw

Bisquit joiner

Palm sander

Orbital sander

Angle Grinder

Jig Saw

more

1. The inverter will be connected to 12v DC battery (deep cycle)
2. The inverter will supply 110v to tools, light, etc
3. The solar panel will keep the battery charged
4. The charge controller will shut down the power coming from the panels to avoid overload.

There are many helpful sites online and youtube videos to show how simply I can power my shop.

Links:
Watt usage chart for household and shop appliances

About Boondocking

Solar Toolman

Desert Wildflowers are in Bloom

The cactus flowers are spectacular this year

This year marks an epic cactus bloom. It's the best display of wild cactus flowers, and continues to be so.  I heard this bloom is considered a 100 year bloom (prolific). A combination of cold and rain in April and May have watered the gardens of the desert and the cactus are the stars of the show.

I like to create compositions that tell a story about the life of the prickly pear cactus

By photographing with my macro lens (Nikon 60mm), I am able to get within a few inches of the subject
and by choosing a large aperture, like f2.8, the background blurs considerably.

Camping close the the subject

In the evening light, the blooms along the slick rock were singing. ©Kit Frost

One of the primary reasons I love camping is to be close to my subjects when the right light hits.  I knew I would only photograph for a few hours after breakfast and again before sunset. The BLM lands in Southern Utah make camping accessible and private. When I scouted the subjects a few weeks ago, the blooms were amazing; up to 50 flowers on each plant.  By the time I came back for a weekend, many of the bigger blossoms were finished.  But persistence pays off, and I found many plants still in full bloom.

In this image, I focused on the main, large, bloom.

Using my 60mm macro lens and manually focusing gives me choices.

I love the pink bud hanging out with the yellow flowers

And then, hit the river.

Needing to cool down after a hot morning in the sun, it was time to move camp to the San Juan River.  I love the Sand Island Campground near Bluff.  We had our pick of sites along the river because it was "past season" in Southern Utah.  But the river trippers "put-in" is at Sand Island so I sat, lounged and watched the river flow and the rafters and kayakers go by.  I occasionally sat right in the "eddie" to cool down.

Transition from Winter to Spring Camping in Utah

Ahh, Utah

Since winterizing my camper in November, I left it stored at the Cadillac Ranch RV Park in Bluff.  Each weekend, well most weekends, I drove out there and camped.  When the campground was not full, I was invited by Diana, the owner,  to leave it parked in a campsite, instead of moving it to storage.  Thanks Diana.  When I arrived at camp, all set up, I just hooked up the electric, turned on the propane and ran the heater to warm it up.  Dry camping, I am used to the system of water jugs and that worked quite well for me. The coldest night was 14 Degrees at sometime in December.  But my Sunline Saturn Travel Trailer was cozy and warm.  I wouldn't run the heater all night, but just before nodding out and then again in the morning.  Sweet.  And the days were warm so I cooked and made art on the picnic table.

Last week, after teaching a Photo Workshop in Monument Valley, I camped for a few days to chill and watch rocks grow old.  I de-winterized the trailer and tested all the systems.  Since I was the one to winterize, I knew what was in the pipes.  It was really hot, 90 degrees, so I also tested the AC, hooked up to the water and sewer and all is well.  Whew.

I added the chalkboard above my artspace/dinette/guest bed. 

Why Utah

I love Red rocks, I love Butler Wash, Comb Wash, Muley Point, the Moqui Dugway, the Valley of the Gods, Cedar Mesa, and the Night sky.

The drive from my home in Durango is less than 3 hours to all of the above.  

What I love to do while camping

1. Make Art
2. Cook Outside
3. Ride by Bike
4. Star watch
5. Fuss, build stuff
6. Sleep in my cozy bed
7. Sip Coffee and Tea
8. Go days without showering

Spring Camping in the Desert

My nephew visited me and I took him camping, and art making

He knows how to have fun with the Aunt Kit Show

This is what it looks like when the epic spring winds blow.  So glad for my camper
I've been tent camping in this kind of wind, and I prefer the camper.

I call this Camp Napoleon Blownapart.  Looking out of my dinette windows

When the wind mellowed, this is one of my favorite photo locations.

5 Steps to Prepare for Camping, Travel and Photo Adventures

Preparation for travel and photography:

1. Get Inspired
2. Choose a location
3. Research online
4. Make reservations
5. Prepare camera gear
6. Get out and STAY out.

Get Inspired.

I love looking at great art and great photography; I visit galleries, museums, and "follow" artists online.  For this week's travel, to Arizona, my main inspiration is to see the Dale Chihuly Gardens and Glass exhibit at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix.

A friend of mine visited the Chihuly exhibition and these are some of her beautiful images.

Chihuly in the Garden

Chihuly in the Garden

Chihuly in the Garden

More Inspiration

Photography by Jody Forster

Jody Forster, the Superstition Mountains

All Jody Forster images are screenshots from her work at Andrew Smith Gallery in Santa Fe. ©Jody Forster

Jody Forster, Organ Pipe Cactus National Park

Jody Forster, the Superstition Mountains

Choose a location: Research, Make Reservations

For this trip to Arizona, I chose to camp at the Lost Dutchman State Park.  Located near Apache Junction, AZ in the Superstition Mountains, this location was reviewed by the Wheeling It blog I follow.  Nina from "Wheeling It" is a full-time blogger and helpful with her campground reviews and also posts wonderful photos.  Photographing the Southwest, by Laurent Martres, is a great resource too for "right time, right place" photo locations in Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. In Volume 2, there are a few suggestions for photography at the Lost Dutchman.

Past photography excursions to Southern Arizona have included Saguaro National Monument, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and lots of trips to Sedona, Phoenix and Tucson.

Prepare Camera Gear

I recently sent my cameras in to Nikon for firmware updates and sensor cleaning.  I am camping at a location that will allow me nightly battery charging.  My gear will include:

1. Nikon D300
2. Nikon D5300 (brand spanking new), no, it's not full-frame, that purchase is in the near future.
3. Nikon 16-85 lens
4. Nikon 15-35 lens
5. Nikon 55-300 lens
6. Nikon flash
7. iPad with 32GB
8. iPhone 5
9. Rav Power to extend storage on my iPad to 64GB and charge my phone.
10. Tripod
11. Monopod
12. Reading materials on my iPad (kindle books)
13. Photographing the Southwest by Laurent Martres

Get out and STAY out

My motto.  So until I'm full time retired, I create long weekends.  The drive from Durango to the Lost Dutchman is 7.5 hours so I'm camping one night at Canyon de Chelly National Monument and will enjoy 1/2 day of photography at the Canyons. I called the Navajo Nation Parks service and checked on the campground for open sites.  The ranger was helpful and told me there's plenty of room these days.

Next adventure:  Chasing the Light in Monument Valley. I'm teaching a photo workshop from April 28 through May 1st, based in Bluff Utah and Goulding's Lodge in Monument Valley.

Camping in Utah, Spring Winds

Spring weather in Utah

Normally, this is the kind of imagery I like to make while camping at Valley of the Gods

On a recent Photo Workshop, I taught the technique of sun stars in Valley of the Gods

I have been traveling out to Utah for the past 20 years.  And I consistently enjoy the weather, year round.  Spring is a special time in the desert.  It's the beginning of wildflower season, and I often teach Wilds and Anasazi Ruin Photography.  This past weekend was the exception.  I didn't dare take my DSLR camera gear out of the car.  The spring weekend started with a glorious evening of hiking, a night of star gazing, followed by a morning of art making at camp.  And then it began...

Our first evening at camp including a walk along Lime Creek.  Here's Moochie enjoying the water in the Canyon.

A friend hiking in Lime Creek

My nephew was visiting from New York and we made some art together at camp.

As I looked south into the Navajo Reservation lands, I could see the approaching wind.  We hurried to "batten down the hatches" before it hit.  The gust were epic.  The sustained winds were at least 40mph and we were able to gather most of the camp and run into our rigs for the afternoon and evening.

Looking north from inside my camper

We called it "Camp Blownapart"

The sand blew for hours and the sky turned a red-rock color.  I dared not take out my DSLR.

After sunset we "ran" for the cover of my car and headed to town for dinner (no one wanted to cook).   As we drove out of Valley of the Gods, we stopped to check on a Popup camper that was flipped over.  This served to show me that I was lucky that my 3500 lb camper was strong enough and heavy enough, and that my friends 6500 lb Eurovan was too.

The town of Bluff was in a "black out" as the storm had blown over a handful of power poles which affected all the towns from Moab to Mexican Hat.  Lucky for us the Cottonwood Steak house was serving as they had propane barbecue and gas candles for the tables.  

RV Solar Power

Solar Power for Camping, Hiking and Photo Gear

I live simply, and when camping do the same.  I'm not one to watch TV at night at home or while traveling. I tend to watch the night sky and do a bit of reading or art-making while camping. I do watch movies at home, but prefer the quiet of camping and my connection to the land and universe.  On a cold night I light a fire and enjoy friends and family at camp.

When dry camping, I like to keep my 12V house battery charged for lights and to run the water pump and toilet.  I bought a 50 watt and a 35 watt solar panel.  The 50 watt panel came with a kit that includes a 12V backup battery for traveling and to charge AC devices. I have not needed the 50 watt for my limited power needs in my Saturn.  All of my interior and exterior lights are LEDs so they use very little juice. I turn off the water pump when not in use.

At Wahweap campground,  a 35 Watt Solar Panel is hooked up
to trickle charge my rig when dry camping.  It's often sunny out here
in the Southwest, so solar is the way to go.

Boondocking in Utah, my solar panel has kept my 18 footer fully charged
for a week of camping.  When I unhook and go for a backcountry 4WD,
I disconnect the panel and take it with me, for emergency power.

Since taking this photo in the fall, I've removed the awning as it was torn, and had a lot of mold when unrolled.  I will replace it.

While dry camping (boon docking) in Colorado, I kept my battery charged
by solar trickle charge.

Solar Power for Hiking and Backpacking

I am a photographer, and carry lots of camera gear while hiking.  Digital cameras eat batteries for lunch, so it's important to be able to keep the batteries charged in the field.  On a recent 5 day backpack, I tested a few solutions to battery use. One solution was to carry 3 dedicated Nikon batteries for my D5100 (my lightest weight camera body); another idea was to use the Goal Zero to charge the AA batteries for use in my point and shoot over the 5 day trip.  Here are some suggestions to increase the battery power when recharging at home is not an option.

• Try to limit the amount of "chimping", reviewing every photo. (any monkey can do that)
• When shooting video, which requires the use of the LCD, don't review when finished recording
• Weigh the difference between carrying extra batteries for your cameras, or re-charging in the field

What I learned was that for 5 days of photography, including video recording, I need an additional dedicated Nikon battery, which only weighs a few ounces.  But since I also carry and use an iPad, I like the Goal Zero system for charging batteries and devices in the field.

I bought the Goal Zero Solar Panel/Charger.  It charges 4 AA batteries using the sun in a short 2 hours.  Once charged I can use the device to charge up more AAs or directly charge my iPad or iPhone through the USB port located on the battery pack.  I don't mind the extra 1.2 lbs and can charge AA and AAA. 

The battery pack has inputs for the solar panels and USB devices.
It includes an LED light that runs for 120 hours.

The Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Solar Kit, weighs just 1.2 lbs and sells for around $80. at Amazon
Here's how it works, hang the Goal Zero Panel on your daypack or camera bag, and hook up
 the battery pack. The panel will charge the battery pack in 2 hours.
Connect your USB device to the battery pack and charge
your iPhone, iPad or digital camera.

Or Purchase the latest, greatest

Winter Camping in Utah

Exploring in Southern Utah, Muley Point Keyhole

Owning a travel trailer has extended my camping to 4 seasons.

There have only been a few weekends since the winter began that I've missed camping out in Utah.  Although the nights can be cold, and it's a bit more of a challenge to star gaze, having a camper with a heater makes all the difference.  I keep my Sunline Saturn at the Cadillac Ranch RV Park in Bluff, Utah.  Driving out to my "second home" from Durango is easy, just a little over two hours.

Renovating the Awning.  It was funky, so I removed it.

The campground is not too busy in the winter, and my favorite site is very private, south facing, and great for campfires and the dark night sky.  Diana and Tim, the owners of Cadillac Ranch are becoming fast friends, and I enjoy chatting with them when not in my "private", solo, mood.  I bring a bike, and enjoy a ride around town, or just take it for a drive, and don't use it at all!

I removed one of the bunk cabinet doors and installed blackboard.  Artist in Residence.

From my base camp in Bluff, I drove each day to a nearby trailhead for some photography and watched rocks grow old.  Within 5 miles of camp are some of the most awesome landscapes and Ancient Puebloan ruins around.  Folks travel from all over the world to visit Valley of the Gods, the Moqui Dugway, Muley Point and Monument Valley.

Just a few miles from camp, Comb Ridge is a 75 mile long "snake".
The hike up to this big view takes about an hour, and although there is
no designated trail, exploration is endless.