It was hard for me to get up this morning, not sure why, but based on Fitbit it was not to bad of a night...
We got on the road at 8:50, but our first stop was for gas about 5 minutes later.
Next stop was at Capulin Volcano National Monument, of course Amanda did get the paper for the JR program. We did unload the van so we could drive to the top. Once done and back down, Amanda got her badge and we ate lunch and of course loaded the van...
The roads in OK were very ruff!!!!
We stopped for the night just on the outskirts of Dodge City, KS, around 6 o'clock.
We unloaded the van and head for dinner at a local casino.
Once back at the RV, the little dog had an accident, so not good.
The new TV pickups over the air very well.
I worked - processed several records that needed to be processed.
Monday, June 20, 2016
Sunday, June 19, 2016
2016/06/19 - Sunday - Vacation - Day 03 - On The Trail
The RV park offered continental breakfast, so DM, EM, Mom M, and I got there at opening time of 8:00, not a lot to choose from but it was not terrible.
We were on the road by 8:40.
Now from this point in the trip, I have not traveled these roads, so all new views..
Our first stop was at Sam's Club to get some go go juice for the RV. And while we were there they went into the store to get a few items.
We stopped at Pecos National Historical Park, which is on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. Amanda of course did the JR Ranger program and we did part of the walk to tour the grounds. Total time there was about 2 hours
Once back at the RV it was lunch time so we had a late lunch (around 1:00)
On to the next stop, for some reason I thought it was closer but nope.
We stopped at Fort Union National Monument. There is really no specific place to part the RV, so I pulled into an area and hopped I would not get in trouble. Amanda got several JR Ranger programs for several things we would be doing for this trip. This weekend turns out to be a special weekend with several things that are being done in period style. We were only able to see one demonstration and that was regarding the canon. They fired it twice! Amanda and I walked the grounds and both of us got sunburned! The total time there was about two hours.
When we pulled away from our location the RV was feeling weird, something was wrong with the tires. I stopped to check and sure enough! But this was something I had not expected nor experienced. The tires tore a chunk of the pavement and the pavement was sticking to the tires. So in the middle of the road I had to scrape off the gooey mess.
It was worm today, so I decided I wanted a known campground and the time to stop was still reasonable, we pushed on by the original campground and went about 1.5 hours further. We stopped at KOA in Raton, but they only had water and electric.
We walked to dinner.
Back at the RV we watched two movies, I did log into work and processed records, and we enjoyed our relaxing time.
We were on the road by 8:40.
Now from this point in the trip, I have not traveled these roads, so all new views..
Our first stop was at Sam's Club to get some go go juice for the RV. And while we were there they went into the store to get a few items.
We stopped at Pecos National Historical Park, which is on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. Amanda of course did the JR Ranger program and we did part of the walk to tour the grounds. Total time there was about 2 hours
Once back at the RV it was lunch time so we had a late lunch (around 1:00)
On to the next stop, for some reason I thought it was closer but nope.
We stopped at Fort Union National Monument. There is really no specific place to part the RV, so I pulled into an area and hopped I would not get in trouble. Amanda got several JR Ranger programs for several things we would be doing for this trip. This weekend turns out to be a special weekend with several things that are being done in period style. We were only able to see one demonstration and that was regarding the canon. They fired it twice! Amanda and I walked the grounds and both of us got sunburned! The total time there was about two hours.
When we pulled away from our location the RV was feeling weird, something was wrong with the tires. I stopped to check and sure enough! But this was something I had not expected nor experienced. The tires tore a chunk of the pavement and the pavement was sticking to the tires. So in the middle of the road I had to scrape off the gooey mess.
It was worm today, so I decided I wanted a known campground and the time to stop was still reasonable, we pushed on by the original campground and went about 1.5 hours further. We stopped at KOA in Raton, but they only had water and electric.
We walked to dinner.
Back at the RV we watched two movies, I did log into work and processed records, and we enjoyed our relaxing time.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
2016/06/18 - Saturday - Vacation - Day 02 - Waze Win
The relatives cooked an awesome breakfast and of course we had a good time chatting.
We finally got on the road about 9:20. When we started to pull away, I was flagged down because the relatives found a phone, well it was Mom M phone.
We stopped for the necessary fuel for the RV.
Come to find out, Mom M phone screen had broken and could only see a very small part of the screen. So the next stop was changed. We stopped at a Verizon store to get her a new phone, with the necessary phone call to LM to authorize the new phone for the account.
Lunch was at Subway in the same shopping area.
The tires got hot - up around 177 degrees, it stayed that way for about an hour until we stop to fuel the RV.
Getting closer for the stop for the night, Waze recalculated, so I went ahead and followed, listening to the CB there was a major accident so Waze routed us around the 3 mile backup. Once back on the freeway, Waze again routed me off the freeway to take the old Route 66 around a 2 mile backup at a construction zone.
We finally made it to a RV place for the night just on the outskirts of Albuquerque.
Once in our site, now it was time for dinner. So we unloaded the van and headed back down the road about 10 miles to a casino.
After dinner of course we headed back to the RV and went ahead and loaded the van onto the tow dolly. And as a note the little dog did not have any issues so things are looking good on that front.
We finally got on the road about 9:20. When we started to pull away, I was flagged down because the relatives found a phone, well it was Mom M phone.
We stopped for the necessary fuel for the RV.
Come to find out, Mom M phone screen had broken and could only see a very small part of the screen. So the next stop was changed. We stopped at a Verizon store to get her a new phone, with the necessary phone call to LM to authorize the new phone for the account.
Lunch was at Subway in the same shopping area.
The tires got hot - up around 177 degrees, it stayed that way for about an hour until we stop to fuel the RV.
Getting closer for the stop for the night, Waze recalculated, so I went ahead and followed, listening to the CB there was a major accident so Waze routed us around the 3 mile backup. Once back on the freeway, Waze again routed me off the freeway to take the old Route 66 around a 2 mile backup at a construction zone.
We finally made it to a RV place for the night just on the outskirts of Albuquerque.
Once in our site, now it was time for dinner. So we unloaded the van and headed back down the road about 10 miles to a casino.
After dinner of course we headed back to the RV and went ahead and loaded the van onto the tow dolly. And as a note the little dog did not have any issues so things are looking good on that front.
Friday, June 17, 2016
2016/06/17 - Friday - Vacation - Day 01 - Interesting Start / Hot
So, I set the time like a normal day - up around 6 and starting to get things ready.
During the time to get things in the RV, I got a call from Work, so I went in and put things away (the order for the coffee stuff came in a day late.) Yes I help with making sure the coffee supplies are stocked up.
We were able to leave the house about 11:30. but immediately, we still have an issue with the tow dolly doing the noise and hard turns (like it is binding up). The other item was the RV was pulling very hard to the left.
First stop was to top off the tanks in both the RV and Van. After filling up, we pull over in the Wall-Mart parking lot and DM and I proceeded to take off the Safety Steer, while Mom M, AM, and EM. went into the store to do some shopping. If it wasn't for DM, I would not been able to take the bolts off, they were rusted on. After getting the part off, we fixed the city water connection to stop it from popping out / sticking out of the RV. It has been great having him around to help out with things.
Next was the necessary stop at Americans Tires to top off all the tires to make sure they are at the correct pressure.
Lunch was needed so we drove towards In-N-Out. When we checked on the Van, we noticed that the straps for one of the van tires needed to be redone and the Van readjusted on the dolly. We took the long walk and got lunch.
We were finally on the road/freeway heading out of town.
Taking off the Safety Steer resolved the pulling to the left! So we need to buy a new one of those (not cheap.)
The traffic was bad, going from the 605 to 210, the RV started to over heat and the RV tires really got HOT ~180 degrees. So turn off the AC and just deal with the heat. Of course the normal slowdown for the pass.
Gas stop at Flying J's in Barstow. DM fixed the strap (passenger side)
Crossed the river and stopped for dinner and a Pilot/Wendy's but no parking for the RV - so I parked in the red zone. DM fixed the strap again but for driver side.
We finally made into Kingman and got gas at Flying J's before heading to relatives.
It is always nice to visit!
During the time to get things in the RV, I got a call from Work, so I went in and put things away (the order for the coffee stuff came in a day late.) Yes I help with making sure the coffee supplies are stocked up.
We were able to leave the house about 11:30. but immediately, we still have an issue with the tow dolly doing the noise and hard turns (like it is binding up). The other item was the RV was pulling very hard to the left.
First stop was to top off the tanks in both the RV and Van. After filling up, we pull over in the Wall-Mart parking lot and DM and I proceeded to take off the Safety Steer, while Mom M, AM, and EM. went into the store to do some shopping. If it wasn't for DM, I would not been able to take the bolts off, they were rusted on. After getting the part off, we fixed the city water connection to stop it from popping out / sticking out of the RV. It has been great having him around to help out with things.
Next was the necessary stop at Americans Tires to top off all the tires to make sure they are at the correct pressure.
Lunch was needed so we drove towards In-N-Out. When we checked on the Van, we noticed that the straps for one of the van tires needed to be redone and the Van readjusted on the dolly. We took the long walk and got lunch.
We were finally on the road/freeway heading out of town.
Taking off the Safety Steer resolved the pulling to the left! So we need to buy a new one of those (not cheap.)
The traffic was bad, going from the 605 to 210, the RV started to over heat and the RV tires really got HOT ~180 degrees. So turn off the AC and just deal with the heat. Of course the normal slowdown for the pass.
Gas stop at Flying J's in Barstow. DM fixed the strap (passenger side)
Crossed the river and stopped for dinner and a Pilot/Wendy's but no parking for the RV - so I parked in the red zone. DM fixed the strap again but for driver side.
We finally made into Kingman and got gas at Flying J's before heading to relatives.
It is always nice to visit!
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
2016-06-16 - Wednesday - Meeting and Prep
Work like normal.
DM should be able to work on van. He got the pad replaced.
Adopt-A-Trail meeting tonight, DM, Mom M, and I attended.
We thought Eric was coming home tomorrow, but we got a Glymps this afternoon and he is coming down today.
Friday, June 10, 2016
Testing of settings
Testing - is the mind dump ready for more letters to be added to the forever retained interweb.
Monday, June 30, 2014
2014/06/30 – Monday – Vacation - Day 10 - Relaxing again
I got up later today. But nothing was planned. I should have done some work yesterday, but I waited for today. So I spent about 3 hours processing emails and records for work.
I finally finished trimming Zircon. We need to buy some replacement blades for the clipper, I had use a pair of scissors to finish the trimming.
I did go for a quad ride which was fun...
Another good relaxing day!
I finally finished trimming Zircon. We need to buy some replacement blades for the clipper, I had use a pair of scissors to finish the trimming.
I did go for a quad ride which was fun...
Another good relaxing day!
Sunday, June 29, 2014
2014/06/29 – Sunday – Vacation - Day 09 - Relaxing
Today was a relaxing day. Working some Waze stuff and just goofed around on the computer all day long.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
2014/06/28 – Saturday – Vacation - Day 08 - Errands
Well our host needed to go into the big town today to get a few things.
Amanda came down with a cold so we let her stay home to rest!
The gas light in the van was on when we started out of the canyon, but by the time we got into town the low gas light was off and the gauge was at 1/5 full. Something about elevation.... We stopped to get gas for the van and then for us at the Star place.
Our fist stop in the big city was at a Farmers Market, it was a little small, but had mostly produce. Next stop was at a Smart place to get a few things. After we got smarter we stopped at a Cost__ place and got a few more things.
It was time for lunch so we stopped at a Togo place.
Now the next two stops was the main reason for going to the big town - meds.
Before heading back to the mountains and base camp, we stopped at the Star again.
Friday, June 27, 2014
2014/06/27 – Friday – Vacation - Day 07 - Sherman Pass
Today is a drive day.
We stopped in Techachapi for the necessary go go juice for the van and then stopped at the Star place to get the same for the occupants.
The first part was from Tehachapi to Isabella Lake via Caliente and Twin Oaks. Very interesting to know how far away people leave out in the middle of no where in the mountains. We did stop in the Isabella Lake area because we do that later during vacation. I did stop on the side of the road near Kernville to make a phone call to tell my friend that we are starting the trip up and over... By this time it was lunch time. We finally stopped right before the turn off for the pass and ate lunch along side a creek (Brush Creek) that feeds into the Kern River. While eating lunch three different times a jet pass over head, close to the canyon floor banking hard, it was sure loud.
We started up the Sherman Pass Rd, we stopped at North Meadow Creek and explored up the creek a little bit. A lot of wood logs all over that canyon, with a lot of debris that looks like it clogged the big culverts.
We finally made it to the top of the pass at 9200 feet. I finally did get to see the Sherman Pass 4x4 trail (entrance/exit).
We stopped at several locations to take pictures of different things.
We finally made it to Kennedy Meadows and stopped at the "General Store" and spent some time with our friends. We even talked with some people that are doing the Pacific Crest Trail.
It was time for us to head home. We stopped in Ridgecrest for dinner and finally made it back to our home base after dark.
I really enjoyed the drive!
Thursday, June 26, 2014
2014/06/26 – Thursday – Vacation - Day 06 - Relaxing
I got up really early and headed into town so I can do my work and get onto some conference calls.
Well, back at camp, we were able to relax and enjoy no activity day.
Well, back at camp, we were able to relax and enjoy no activity day.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
2014/06/25 – Wednesday – Vacation - Day 05 - Goats, Mine, and Museums
Today was going to be a easy going day. We had two things planned.
We finally found the correct location of a goat cheese making location. The owner took us on the tour of the location and he makes several flavors of cheeses that go all over area. They even have other animals on the ranch - dogs, horses, cow, sheep, ducks, chickens, burrow, potbelly pig, and of course goats - Lots of goats.
Next we stopped at the gas station to top off the van.
We were getting hungry so we went past the next location and proceeded onto Kramer Junction for lunch.
We stopped at the Rio Tinto Borax Mine. The visitor center was interesting and we got lucky and had a very informative instructor from the company.
We then found out about two museum in town of Boron. We visited the Col. Vernon P. Saxon Jr. Aerospace Museum and the 20 Mule Team Museum.
We stopped at a store to get something to drink.
If you look, you can find interesting things that our out there!
We finally found the correct location of a goat cheese making location. The owner took us on the tour of the location and he makes several flavors of cheeses that go all over area. They even have other animals on the ranch - dogs, horses, cow, sheep, ducks, chickens, burrow, potbelly pig, and of course goats - Lots of goats.
Next we stopped at the gas station to top off the van.
We were getting hungry so we went past the next location and proceeded onto Kramer Junction for lunch.
We stopped at the Rio Tinto Borax Mine. The visitor center was interesting and we got lucky and had a very informative instructor from the company.
We then found out about two museum in town of Boron. We visited the Col. Vernon P. Saxon Jr. Aerospace Museum and the 20 Mule Team Museum.
We stopped at a store to get something to drink.
If you look, you can find interesting things that our out there!
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
2014/06/24 – Tuesday – Vacation - Day 04 - Relaxing and Running Around
Today was going to be a relaxing day. But plans changed for me. Amanda and Cheryl stayed back while I went with our host and went into town. They treated me to lunch and then we went shopping. We got some railroad ties, plumbing stuff for the garden and parts for a chicken feeder. The last stop for the day was to get gas and top off some gas containers.
Once we got back, I was then able to relax.
Once we got back, I was then able to relax.
Monday, June 23, 2014
2014/06/23 – Monday – Vacation - Day 03 - Visiting Old Friend
First stop was at the post office to pick up a package and then top off the gas for the van.
Now on our way, I made a phone call, before we got out of phone coverage. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get up the mountain. Mr McK. was waiting for us and guided us to his house.
It was so good to see him and his wife with their "kids". The weather as great and we had a very good time getting caught up on things. They even feed us lunch. The time flew by to quickly and we finally had to say good bye.
Once we got off the mountain we headed to Ridgecrest for dinner.
We got home after dark. The day was great visiting old friends and see their great homestead!
Now on our way, I made a phone call, before we got out of phone coverage. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get up the mountain. Mr McK. was waiting for us and guided us to his house.
It was so good to see him and his wife with their "kids". The weather as great and we had a very good time getting caught up on things. They even feed us lunch. The time flew by to quickly and we finally had to say good bye.
Once we got off the mountain we headed to Ridgecrest for dinner.
We got home after dark. The day was great visiting old friends and see their great homestead!
Sunday, June 22, 2014
2014/06/22 – Sunday – Vacation - Day 02 - Church - Running Around
Our first stop for the day was at Starbucks, now we are late for church but not by much...
After Church we stopped for lunch and then did some shopping.
After Church we stopped for lunch and then did some shopping.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
2014/06/21 – Saturday – Vacation - Day 01 - Getting There
We got a later start then I had planned but we finally got going.
We only made it a short distance while traveling on I-710 and I start feeling a possible tire issue. I pulled over into a gore point to check and sure enough, the outside rear dual tire had a bubble in the tread. I went ahead and got off the freeway and found a parking lot to change the tire. Finally we got on the road again...
We stopped in Mojave to top our tank off and headed to our final destination for the next three weeks. We did unload the van before heading up the dirt road. The tow dolly did bounce a lot going up the road.
The RV was completed a few days ago and it is great. We will be parked for the duration of this vacation.
We only made it a short distance while traveling on I-710 and I start feeling a possible tire issue. I pulled over into a gore point to check and sure enough, the outside rear dual tire had a bubble in the tread. I went ahead and got off the freeway and found a parking lot to change the tire. Finally we got on the road again...
We stopped in Mojave to top our tank off and headed to our final destination for the next three weeks. We did unload the van before heading up the dirt road. The tow dolly did bounce a lot going up the road.
The RV was completed a few days ago and it is great. We will be parked for the duration of this vacation.
Friday, June 20, 2014
2014/06/20 – Friday – Vacation - Day 00 - Getting Ready
Normally we would be leaving today but not this year. We are doing a more of staycation or a local-vacation.
So we got things ready, went to dinner and got the last minutes things necessary.
So we got things ready, went to dinner and got the last minutes things necessary.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
2013/07/14 – Sunday – 2013 Vacation - Stats and Summary
Here are some stats and summary of the May Family 2013 Big Vacation.
Miles driven in the RV = 3,642
Average RV Miles Driven per day = 260
Miles Driven in the Van = 1,270
Average Van Miles Driven per day = 71
Average Miles Per Gallon for the RV = 7.0
Average Price Per Gallon = $3.619
Number of Gallons for the RV = 522.105
So we did get better gas mileage for the RV using the tow dolly instead of the car trailer. So after ten years of having the RV, our average MPG is 6.453.
We visited 6 national parks / national monuments.
Something we did differently this years was to go to a place and spend a least two nights at the location. In years past we would visit a park as we pass through. So this year a different and more relaxing.
And lets not forget about fixing tires on this trip. We had to buy two tires for the Van and a new tire for the RV.
I sure hope others go out and enjoy your vacation and visit our great nation!
Miles driven in the RV = 3,642
Average RV Miles Driven per day = 260
Miles Driven in the Van = 1,270
Average Van Miles Driven per day = 71
Average Miles Per Gallon for the RV = 7.0
Average Price Per Gallon = $3.619
Number of Gallons for the RV = 522.105
So we did get better gas mileage for the RV using the tow dolly instead of the car trailer. So after ten years of having the RV, our average MPG is 6.453.
We visited 6 national parks / national monuments.
Something we did differently this years was to go to a place and spend a least two nights at the location. In years past we would visit a park as we pass through. So this year a different and more relaxing.
And lets not forget about fixing tires on this trip. We had to buy two tires for the Van and a new tire for the RV.
I sure hope others go out and enjoy your vacation and visit our great nation!
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