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Going West Again

Cary said:
I think if you are bringing Craig along you are guaranteeing a breakdown. Yes, he is the master at roadside repair (he actually enjoys it he says) but it happens all the time to him. That part makes me nervous when traveling with him, I always think it is going to rub off on me or something.
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Oh, come now, I think the last "major" happening on a long trip was in October 2008 in Connecticut. :eek:

And there really hasn't been anything major with the Outback...just freaky, like the squirrel storing black walnuts inside the hood & eating wiring so that I couldn't start the car...but that wasn't MY doing. Stupid squirrel... :/

Cary said:
I still remember the day Craig and Betsey blew the cylinder head in Cody. Still though one of his greatest accomplishments, making that repair, I think.
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Yes, it was...and it was lightly raining, (of course - one of the very FEW days Wyoming gets rain)...and I remember Craig rigging up either a branch or piece of a cast aside 2x4 to help lift the head...with me on the other end, hanging on for dear life while he worked the magic...meanwhile, the kids were stuck inside the motel watching some boring farm show because that's all that was on TV. Being it was 4th of July weekend, all the (decent) hotels were booked solid & the nearest campground was too far away for walking to/from town. This was a rather questionable place but it was in the middle of things & offered A/C & a place out of the elements, so were were grateful...After all, it could have blown on the way down through the mountains, coming out of Yellowstone...where there is NOTHING... :o

And of course, it makes for a good story, too! ;)

Hmmm....maybe Ken was right about writing a book.... :crazy:

:cool:
 
Oh ya, the event in Connecticut was a good one too. Gas tank out and disassembled in a parking lot. What fun. I think I would have rather changed the cylinder head in Cody, at least that is a much better story afterwards.

You are right Betsey, things have been eerily uneventful since you and Craig got the Subaru. I hope that isn't a sign of one big one coming up on a upcoming trip or something. Not saying this is true of Craig's commute to work in the vehicles he drives daily however. Not uncommon to see something "fall off" or something on those. At least he stopped driving the Bronco II, Craig felt it become unsafe after the body become no longer attached to the frame. Yikes!

Cary
 
Alright, I think we hijacked Pat's thread long enough with our adventures & excursions (although they are posted under the correct forum) ;)

Don't want to jinx anyone or make them have second thoughts about traveling.... :eek:

And now, back to our regularly scheduled program.... :)

:cool:
 
I have to admit though, it makes me feel better knowing that others have had cars break down on trips...this last trip broke my heart. Luckily I had an angel drive the part down to me and I wasn't too much further away. That would have been a trip ender. And I was in a town. Albeit, the worst part possible. Just goes to show...stuff happens! You do the best you can, with what you've got...and as Sue says...you camp on! :)

Oh, and Betsey, I would read your book! Sounds like it would be a handy survival guide! :)
 
Betsy I guess things happen to people like Craig cause he can handle them. We had only one small happening in the mechanical line. We were headed through Montana and for same reason I glanced back at the tear and the fan cover was flapping - we were a bit confused as we have gotten into the habit of each of us checking all the doors are locked, fan closed, hitch in order, etc. so we took an off ramp and found the screw for the fan open and closer worked itself loose and knob and screw were laying where they fell. Our new leatherman soon had it back in place and we were on our way. One screw matched our ability!
 
Re: water in the cabin on the shelf and in the galley on the shelf. I remembered Carry had told me to check the galley door (that it was centered) when we had rain in the galley last year. The galley door was all the way to the right side (the side that was wet. So I checked the galley door centering before locking it each time we had more rain but no more water in the cabin or galley. Yay!
 
So here is the story:
2012 summer trip

We decided on mostly KOA’s for ease of reservations since we were often staying just over night.

June 19th Eagan, MN to Belvedere KOA, SD - on I90 day trip to Badlands
21th Belvedere, SD to Hardin KOA, MT
22th Hardin, MT to Deer Lodge KOA, MT
23th Deer Lodge, MT to Misoula, MT on I90 then dropped south on Hwy 93 to Chalis, ID
24th Chalis, ID to Mountain Home, ID Hwy 93
25th Mountain Home, ID to Boise. Then north on Hwy 84 to Umatila, OR and west to Viento State Park
26th To Portland and took hwy 18 south to Lincoln City KOA, OR
27th Lincoln City, OR to Waldport KOA, OR , Day trip to Cape Perpetua, Day trip hwy 34, Day trip to Coos Bay
July 2nd Waldport, OR to Nehalem Bay, OR
3rd Nehalem Bay, OR to Astoria. Then down to 14 and on to Home Valley, WA and Timberlake Campground. Day trips to Mount Hood, Mount St. Helena's and Mount Adam and the Gorge.
July 8th Home Valley, WA to Umatila, OR on to 12 to Clarksen, ID (motel as 105 degrees)
July 9th Clarksen, ID Hwy 12 via I90 Deer Lodge, Mt
July 10th Deer Lodge, MT via I90 hwy 212 to Red Lodge: did not stay ended up on 212 to Bear Tooth Pass and on to Cody
July 11th Motel as very hot
July 12 Last leg home via I90

Total mileage was 6,032 (probably 1/3 or so was day trips).

1 night of rain
Forgot to center the galley door had water in shelf in cabin on driver’s side and shelf on driver side in the galley. The water was on the side the Hatch was closest tool
Checked the centering of the Galley Hatch and when we had rain another day we were completely dry.

Found out that the rubberized shelf liner I so carefully installed soaks up rain and does not dry- pitched.

Spent 2 nights in motel due to extreme heat (maybe we should have gotten the A/C option).

24 days total.
Never used Eureka Northern Breeze – no need: no bugs and rain only at night.

Side tent used 5 nights.

Pett worked great (thanks Evan)

KOA’s worked for us. Clean, Safe and met lots of friendly people.

Folks in KOA cabin were really interested in the tear.
Have to get some more brochures.

Micro fiber dish drainer and little towel rack were great – thanks Jenn.

My shower mat idea (a piece of oil cloth – slick on both sides) was a wonderful addition kept me clean and upright. Quick swipe with clorex wipe and paper towel and ready for next day.

Head gear: no bandanas like Jenn gathers but the Badlands have great sun hats and Duluth Pack Buff’s are great for a bad hair day.

Hiking pant with zip pockets = no lost keys or money.
Did have to cancel a credit card as I could not find it – when I got home I found it wrapped up in the bubble wrap the clerk put around a gift I bought from a glass blower.

Dometic:
We need some practice. 1st froze everything – oh, oh.
Then forgot to turn on – oh, oh
Then decided we liked eating out. hee hee as Poole says.
Put our beer, pop and water in it for rest of the trip.
Makes nice cold drinks.

Cobb: Came home unused.
We only cooked on the fire: hot dogs, hamburgers, pork chops, chicken, potatoes and vegetables.
Some mores
We are going to use it! When the heat abates we will get some practice.

Our homemade wood chock blocks are too heavy and bulky – need to get some of the neat ones Cary has now.

The wood “wheel holder” was very helpful in rocky pads – thanks Carmen.

Wonderful trip – and was not ready to come home! I cannot wait to go again.

The pictures will come at a later date – have a lot of sorting to do. We had 2 cameras, 2 iphones and 2 ipads. Love them but it will take time.
By the way my ipad captured some good shots out the car window while we were driving.
 
Yeah. In fact, we just learned of a fun little secret the Forestry Service has been hiding: Alternative Camping. Seems if you are in Forestry land or a National Park, you can pull off on any wide spot along the road (provided it's not on the main highway) and camp por nada. Fire and stove permits are required.

Now I think that's right....Jim is downstairs yapping on the phone, so I can't double check right now, but Bear can correct if I'm wrong.

Sue
 
Bear I understand your sentiment but being we are 2 women traveling and over 65 we tend to want to be on the safe side. We have indeed been to the end of the road many times in past years but now unless we know a campground and are going to stay more than overnight - we will continue to use KOA's. There is a time for everything.
 
jsl said:
Yeah. In fact, we just learned of a fun little secret the Forestry Service has been hiding: Alternative Camping. Seems if you are in Forestry land or a National Park, you can pull off on any wide spot along the road (provided it's not on the main highway) and camp por nada. Fire and stove permits are required.

Now I think that's right....Jim is downstairs yapping on the phone, so I can't double check right now, but Bear can correct if I'm wrong.

Sue
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I do not think this is permitted in a National Park. But there are millions and millions of acres of federal land where this is permitted, 100%.
 
Here is some info about boondocking in National Parks (and on other federal land)
- fromhttp://www.rv-camping.org/Boondocking.html

As a general rule, boondocking is allowed anywhere on federal public lands within 300 feet of any established road, except where otherwise restricted. That's not to say that you can cut down trees or build a new access way into your RV campsite. The idea is to utilize previously used campsites, or areas that will not be damaged by your vehicle.

US National Parks do not allow overnight RV parking and boondocking, and overnight stays are limited to designated campgrounds. USFS (United States Forest Service) and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) high popularity areas often have restricted camping areas. For example, the area around Mammoth Lakes, CA is extremely popular with tourists, and many areas allow camping only in designated campgrounds. Information about camping restrictions are available at USFS Ranger District and BLM Resource Area offices.

Generally speaking, you can stay 14 continuous days for free, but subsequent camping days must be 25 miles away. This rule applies to most BLM and USFS administered lands, but there are exceptions. For example, the INYO National Forest of California allows 42 day stays at designated camping areas, while the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming has areas that it allows only 3 day stays near Grand Teton National Park. BLM LTVAs (Long Term Visitor Areas) allow stays of several months for a nominal fee.

We've only mentioned the USFS and BLM so far, but FWS (US Fish & Wildlife Service), USACE (Army Corps of Engineers), Bureau of Reclamation, State Parks, and State owned lands offer boondocking opportunities. Arizona for example has a permit available for a nominal fee allowing boondocking on State lands.
 
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Yank away, big boy. I have a chain a mile long.

Now I like camping on the wild side. Jim does not. Compromise always works for me. And yes you can do alternative camping in the National Parks - we got the skinny on this style of camping from a ranger a Yosemite, so I'm taking that to the bank. We always carry a utility tent and a porta potty 'cause I hate digging latrines. This way, if we decide to alternative it, we're ready.

Yahoo!!!!

Camp On,

Sue
 
Oh yeah, I like all those movies and shows you mentioned. So take this with the affection with which it is meant when I say:

"I'd say you've had enough beans!"


Sue
 
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