As we have both a well and standby power, obtaining water should not present a big problem. But here in Alaska, the water is so cold we have to thaw it just to make ice cubes. Plan to set a galvanized bucket on top of flat top woodstove to warm water up, then fill a plastic/portable "campers shower" hanging on spring loaded, expandable curtain rod bridging walls in shower. Gallon or two, at most, will provide some resemblence to a shower. I really deserve several Handmaidens rubbing warm, spiced oils into my aching joints, but that's a bit impractical. Does anyone have alternative solutions to this warm shower problem?

-- A. Hambley (a.hambley@usa.net), May 02, 1999

Answers

How about a sauna instead of a shower ?It will do wonders for those aching joints and if you feel brave you always cavort outside in the snow(? for three nanoseconds afterwards!

-- Expiring from the Heat (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), May 02, 1999.

There is a lot to be said for 'the sweat lodge.' I am not going to say it, though.

-- J (jart5@bellsouth.net), May 02, 1999.

A,

Try this on for size - inexpensive propane-heated showers!

hot showers

-- @ (@@@.@), May 02, 1999.

Mr. Hambley : The handmaidens sound like a great idea , but that turns out to be alot of extra mouths to feed. Down in Seward, befor we had running water (indoors) Ma and I would just heat up a large pot of water on the stove and give each other a good scrub. It worked well and was alot of fun. Another thing we use to do is fill up an old claw-foot tub, then put in a load of river rocks we heated on the wood stove. Sometimes a good soak is in order after a long day. But I do have to say that the handmaidens with spiced oil sounds like a winner. Take Care & Good Luck...

-- Capt Dennis (souza@ptialaska.net), May 02, 1999.

A .Hambley,the cheapest way to a hot shower is available at cabelas it's called the shower man,i got one ,works fine, it is propane powered but is easy to transport,fairly compact and effecient.more so than the one previously mentioned.It is also a good purchase in that it can also be used as a cooking devise,or a back-up cooking unit.good luck.

-- capnfun (capnfun@notfunatall.com), May 02, 1999.

No way Cap'n Crunch! Mine is better - it comes with babes included!

-- @ (@@@.@), May 02, 1999.

Zodis are impressive, but I'm rather drawn to the Handmaiden/spiced oil contingency...

Dano

-- Dano (bookem@blacksand.srf), May 02, 1999.

HOBO SHOWER,Save a few 1 gallon water jugs or a 5 gallon water jug. Heat up the water(to a comfortable tempature) and pour it in the empty jug. Hang it in a place that will work for a shower. Punch a few holes in the bottom of the jug and "yes" you got yourself a nice warm Hobo Shower.

-- Vickie Haar (vshaar@aol.com), May 02, 1999.

A.Hambley; Sounds like a good place to live,except for H.A.R.R.P in the area. Concerning your outside shower, think about this idea.

You probably have a Satelite dealer close by or jknow of someone that has one of the old 8' dishes. Well set it up so it's stable and line the dish with heavy duty aluminum foil, set up a kiddy pool on top of the foil and let the sun heat the water naturally. Mount a siphon hose to a regular shower head and you have heated water. The only thing is you'll need to take showers during late afternoon. This would be one heck of a solar cooker of water. tell me if you think it would work

Furie...

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), May 02, 1999.

This is to @ ; just how much is one of those propane heaters ???

Looks like a garden sprayer sitting on top of a heater,sure hope it doesn't cost too much. You could probably make one cheaper with parts ,like an old BBQ grill gas warmer plate side and a metal stand ...

Furie...

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), May 02, 1999.

Hey furie, good to ?see ya again. You know they could have a problem from about Sept-June because of the suns' apex and apertures up in the last frontier.

One of the coolest things I've ever seen was a Rainbow at 10 minutes till Midnight, in Anchorage, AK. Awesome!!!

That and the Northern Lights going nuts all about, up in the Prudoe Bay region. You'd just duck sometimes even though you know the is no substance to them. Quite a sight.

A Hambrey--

What region do you live in? I've got an idea for a hot bath. It comes from watching some Cuban friends barbacue for a birthday party. They used a metal plate on top of the cooker, on which they built the fire. Every so often two fellas would grab up some handles and move the fire off the cooker, and baste the pig. This way there was no direct heat under the meal and no smoke etc. added to the flavor of the pork. One could use the same idea to heat and outdoor bathtub or barrel for shower. It may be a little tricky with the barrel, moving the fire and all, but then you folks know how to cache food 15+ feet up to keep out unwelcome dinner guests, so I guess you could figure out the logistics of this little project. You sure got me to thinking about the awesome country I lived in for a few years. Thanks for the memories.

-- spun@lright (mikeymac@uswest.net), May 03, 1999.

@,I wasn't trying to hawk the showering devise,but if I had known yours came with the chick included I wouldv'e got the zodi.tony.

-- capnfun (capnfun@notfunatall.com), May 03, 1999.