Logic and Eliminating Variables

I didn't PLAN to have Jakob practice scientific methods today for school. I didn't PLAN to have to send him crawling around under the RV (and inside the styrofoam insulating boards he and Randy installed around the perimeter of the RV). I certainly didn't PLAN to do school wrapped up in blankets today.

Sigh...

This is one of those days that calls for spontaneity and flexibility... We apparently ran out of propane last night. (HOPEFULLY, that is all it was...and there is nothing actually wrong with the furnace.) That explains the blankets...

Then, when Jakob decided to do his school reading while sitting by the heater in the enclosed space under the RV (don't bother...I don't know either...it's useless to ask why...!!), he discovered that the heater wasn't working. When he followed the cords to check connections, he discovered that the hose heater (plugged into the same extension cord) also wasn't working. He checked the circuit breaker--flipped it off and back on again, tried unplugging and replugging the cord to the outlet, etc. Nothing...

So, he spent quite a long time, disconnecting all the cords and components, dragging everything into the trailer, and trying each part in the interior outlet. After resetting the breaker for the inside outlet (which blew when he first plugged in the extra heater), he tried each piece separately. They all worked individually. I guess this all of this counts as using scientific methods, right?! He eliminated variables and finally isolated the problem. The outside outlet isn't working!

He has already walked over to the office and reported the problem. They say they will send someone to work on it yet today. (At least it's currently above freezing so our water lines are not at risk!)

Thanks, Jakob! Job well done!