July 19, 2023

Gateway GWTC71427-BK Drivers – Only found here

So I bought this laptop over a year ago and driver support has been non-existent. After reinstalling Windows 11 I noticed that the drivers are very proprietary. Touchscreen, touchpad, network connectivity (wifi, Bluetooth) all didn’t work after a fresh install. So I had to get in touch with “Gateway” customer support. As we all know the Gateway USA we all know and love is long gone. This is a Chinese company that bought the rights to the brand and is basically remodeled crap. After a few days, I finally got the drivers.

https://we.tl/t-xIxxZmwuXo

This will expire and I don’t have the bandwidth right now to host it on my own. If it expires, reach out to me and I will reupload for you.

May 29, 2023

How to Enjoy Boating and Paddling at Huntsville State Park, Texas

Boating and Paddling Rentals

If you are looking for a fun and relaxing way to spend a day or a weekend in the beautiful East Texas Pineywoods, you should consider boating and paddling at Huntsville State Park. This park is located in the Sam Houston National Forest and surrounds the 210-acre Lake Raven, a manmade lake that offers plenty of opportunities for water activities. Whether you want to fish, swim, or just enjoy the scenery, you will find something to suit your taste at Huntsville State Park.

One of the best ways to explore Lake Raven is by renting a boat or a paddle craft from the park. You can choose from kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, and even stand-up paddle boards. The rentals are available near Raven Lodge, and you can pay by credit card through a self-service system. The prices vary depending on the type and duration of the rental, but they are generally affordable. For example, kayaks are $15 an hour, $40 for four hours, or $60 for all day¹. You can also rent them overnight for $75¹. The park provides life jackets and paddles for all rentals.

You can also bring your own boat to the park, as long as you follow the rules and regulations. The park has a boat ramp, and motor boats are allowed on the lake, but only at idle speed. You can also fish from your boat or from one of the fishing piers or fish cleaning stations in the park. The lake has crappie, perch, catfish, and bass².

Swimming and Lounging

If you prefer to cool off in the water, you can swim in the designated area from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is no lifeguard on duty, so you should swim at your own risk and follow the swimming safety tips provided by the park. The swimming area has a wooden platform that you can lounge and jump off from. You can also rent inner tubes from the park store to float on the lake².

Other Activities and Amenities

Besides boating and paddling, Huntsville State Park has many other attractions and facilities for visitors to enjoy. You can hike or bike on 21 miles of trails, picnic at one of the many tables or pavilions, geocache, or study nature at the bird blind or nature center². You can also camp at one of the 160 campsites or rent one of the screened shelters or shelters with amenities². The park also has a group recreation hall and a boat house that were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s².

If you need to buy anything during your visit, you can stop by Gator Junction, which sells camping and fishing supplies, groceries, ice cream, cold drinks, ice, souvenirs, and more². You can also treat yourself to some shaved ice from Karsan’s Kona Ice of Huntsville, which sells a variety of flavors throughout the park on weekends².

How to Get There and When to Go

Huntsville State Park is located about six miles southwest of Huntsville on Interstate 45 at exit 109². The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., but you can enter after hours if you have a camping reservation². The entrance fee is $7 per person for adults (13 years and older), but children 12 years and under get in free². You can also buy an annual Texas State Parks Pass for $70 that gives you unlimited access to more than 90 state parks for a year³.

The best time to visit Huntsville State Park depends on your preference and what you want to do. The park is open year-round and has something to offer in every season. However, some activities may be more enjoyable or available during certain times of the year. For example, swimming may be more comfortable in the summer months when the water temperature is warmer. Boating and paddling may be more pleasant in the spring or fall when the weather is milder and there are fewer insects. Fishing may be better in the winter when there are fewer people on the lake.

Whatever time of year you choose to visit Huntsville State Park, you are sure to have a memorable experience boating and paddling on Lake Raven. It is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnect with nature and yourself. So pack your bags, grab your paddle, and head to Huntsville State Park for some fun on the water!

April 6, 2023

Review: Ionvac SmartClean 2000 Robovac – WiFi Robotic Vacuum with App/Remote

I have been using the Ionvac SmartClean 2000 Robovac for a few weeks now and I want to share my honest opinion about it. This is a WiFi robotic vacuum that can be controlled with an app or a remote. It claims to have powerful suction, a long battery life and a smart navigation system. But does it live up to its promises?

Pros:

• Powerful motor
• 3-stage cleaning system
• Anti-collision and cliff sensors
• WiFi-enabled
• Can be controlled with an app or remote control

Cons:

• Sometimes gets stuck on furniture or cords
• Doesn’t always return to its charging base when it’s low on battery
• Comes with only one filter

The first thing I noticed about this robovac is how affordable it is. It costs less than $100, which is much cheaper than other models on the market. I was pleasantly surprised by how well it cleans my floors. It picks up dust, dirt, hair, and crumbs with ease. It has four cleaning modes: auto, spot, edge and single room. I usually use the auto mode and let it roam around the house.

The app is very easy to use and allows me to schedule the cleaning times, check the battery level, and switch between modes. The remote control is also handy and has a simple interface. The robovac can connect to Alexa or Google Assistant, which is a nice feature if you want to use voice commands.

However, this robovac is not perfect. It often gets stuck under furniture or on rugs and needs my help to get out. It also rarely returns to the home base by itself when the battery is low. I must manually guide it back or carry it to the charging station. This can be annoying and defeats the purpose of having a smart device.

Another thing I wish it had was more replacement brushes and a filter. It only came with one filter and no extra brushes. The filter gets dirty quickly and needs to be cleaned often. The brushes also wear out over time and need to be replaced. I had to order them separately online, which added to the cost.

Finally, I wish it mapped the house better and remembered where it had been cleaned before. It seems to move randomly and sometimes misses spots or cleans the same area twice. It does not have a camera or a laser sensor like some other models. It relies on infrared sensors and bumpers to avoid obstacles.

I bought this robovac on Black Friday for only $79, which was a steal. I think it’s a good deal for what it offers. It may not be the most sophisticated or flawless robovac out there, but it does a good enough job of keeping my floors clean and saving me time and effort. For this price, I can overlook some of its drawbacks and enjoy its benefits.

If you are interested in buying this robovac or any other product from Ionvac, you can use this link to get a discount and free shipping. This is an affiliate link, meaning I will earn a small commission if you make a purchase through it. This will help me support my blog and create more content for you. It won’t cost you anything extra and you will get a great product at a great price. Thank you for your support and happy shopping!

Overall, I think this is a good robovac for the price, but it has some flaws that need to be improved. It does a decent job of cleaning my floors, but it often gets stuck and rarely returns to the home base. It also lacks some accessories and features that would make it more convenient and efficient. If you are looking for a budget-friendly robovac that gets the job done well, you might want to give this one a try.