US tour - west & midwest states, 2014
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Camping Adventures
Forum Discription: Post your camping adventures here for all to share
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4342
Printed Date: 29 Apr 2024 at 12:49am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: US tour - west & midwest states, 2014
Posted By: techntrek
Subject: US tour - west & midwest states, 2014
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2014 at 8:17pm
|
Continuing our summer sagas, last year we toured the http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3474 - southern US states , which my wife http://gaede4inthepod.blogspot.com/ - documented here . This year we will be visiting some western and some midwest states. We finished up our itinerary and reservations over this long weekend, with extra help from the snow. My wife needs to be picked up from a conference in Denver so that is our starting point.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
|
Replies:
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2014 at 9:09pm
|
Seeing how you are at Painted Desert/Petrified Forest on Old 66, swing into Winslow, Az. and take a picture at Standin' on a Corner Park. Also check out the Great Meteor Crater, when we were kids you could hike to the bottom of it. Hard to believe that my parents were that patient with us to let us do that.
Have stayed at KOA's in Holbrook and Flagstaff, both are good. Just south of Flagstaff on Lake Mary Rd. are a couple of National Forest Campgrounds in the pines that are great. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
|
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2014 at 9:30pm
|
We covered some of that ground this past spring on our Grand Canyon trip.......you are in for a great trip!!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: GrandPod
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2014 at 10:24am
|
Doug
You need to add Custer State Park in South Dakota as a place to see; Lots of wildlife and close to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and the Badlands also Devils Tower plus several caves in the area that are national monuments. Tom ------------- Tom and Linda R-Pod 177 Southwest Florida |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2014 at 10:55am
|
Looks like a great trip Doug! If you are around Custer the middle of July, look for a Pod w/Jersey plates! We're thinking http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/palisades/ - Palisades State Park looks like a nice stopover this side of the Missouri River. fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2014 at 12:37pm
|
Thanks for the reminder on Meteor Crater, we meant to stop there but left if off our itinerary. We will be staying at the Holbrook KOA, seemed to be the closest to the Petrified/Painted area.
Looks like Custer is very close to our current route, I'll take a look.
We'll be at Mt. Rushmore/Crazy Horse on July 23rd, arriving at Badlands National Park that evening. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: GlennZippy
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2014 at 5:29pm
|
WOW... That's alot of ground! How many days total? If you are a beer guy (I am...) then the New Belgium Brewing tour is one of the best I've been on. It's in Ft. Collins though so it could be a stop on the way from Rocky Mountain National. Colorado does have some of the best microbrews in the country. I can speak to the Pikes Peak area... Since I live nearby! For sure, see Garden of the Gods. Pikes Peak itself is accessible a couple of ways: Car, train and hike. The hike would take all day so I'd suggest the train. Places to eat in the area: http://ilvicino.com/coloradosprings/ - Il Viccino for great wood fired pizza and good beer (you will see a recurring theme here) http://www.bristolbrewing.com/ - Bristol Brewing is right next door to http://thebluestar.net - The Blue Star for good beer and either upscale (reservations) or casual (in the bar area) dining. If you are in the mood for a little something, then http://www.nosh121.com/ - Nosh with it's smaller plates and great food is a good downtown destination. Try http://www.trinitybrew.com/ - Trinity Brewing for possibly the best beer selection in town as well as their own microbrews. Also much better than average pub grub with a twist. The Sand Dunes area is fun as well, but know that you are WAY out there so going for food, ice or groceries is not your ordinary milk run. Plan on cooking for yourself, and grab groceries before you get there. ------------- 2010 R-Pod 152 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2014 at 6:03pm
|
26 days. Oooo, will have to look into the beer tours. We will be ascending the Peak via the cog train - when I was there 28 years ago my parents drove us to the top only to find heavy cloud cover, so I'm hoping for better views this time. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: GlennZippy
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2014 at 10:27pm
|
Colorado Springs typically gets 300+ days of sunshine so the odds are good. If you want to do the New Belgium tour, make a reservation... it's typically full. They make Fat Tire by the way: One of the better, mass produced brews from Colorado.
------------- 2010 R-Pod 152 |
Posted By: GrandPod
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2014 at 10:05am
|
Doug
If your going to visit that many National Parks and Monuments you should get an Annual Pass; cost $80.00; good for 1 year and allows you and anyone traveling with you in a private vehicle access to all NP; Monuments; BLM; Forestry service plus other sites. Does not cover places such as parking garages ( Mount Rushmore; Hoover Dam just to mention a few).Does not cover camping fees just entrance fees. All of these NP have entrance fee and will add up $80 very fast if you don't have a pass; Just show your pass each time you enter. In 2012 we took 10 weeks and covered most of the place you mention from your summer trip and this one covered over 12000 miles; and 22 states. Tom ------------- Tom and Linda R-Pod 177 Southwest Florida |
Posted By: Kokopod
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2014 at 10:55am
|
If you can squeeze in a couple of days near Fossil Butte, camp in Ashley National Forest in the Uinta Mountains. Beautiful. That's our backyard. ------------- 2017 Jayco Melbourne 24k 2013 Premier 19FBPR Formerly-2013 R-pod 177HRE 2011 Dodge Durango Love a good road trip |
Posted By: Thinker
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2014 at 1:21pm
If you are eligible for the Golden pass, get it. It is permanent and cheap. http://store.usgs.gov/pass/senior.html ------------- Tow Vehicle: 2013 Pathfinder 4WD R-POD Model 171 
|
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2014 at 9:41pm
|
Thanks, yes, we planned on purchasing the annual pass at the first park. I need to get moving on a few repairs/improvements. Get the fridge fixed, test the A/C once it gets hot again, new battery, possibly new tires, pack bearings, additional transmission cooler, and figure out how to extend the run-time of my generator. Cheap and easy.... right. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2014 at 7:41am
|
tech: just curious, how are you able to cover all that in 28 days and really enjoy? hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2014 at 1:04pm
|
It helps that so much of it is close together. 95% of the stuff - about 18 days of the 25 - is within a 3000 mile loop starting in Denver. An average of only about 3 hours of driving each of those days. 3 times we'll stay at the same campground for 2 nights so we can do day trips, and we'll stay at Yellowstone for 3 nights. There are 8 nights (most of the way out and back) where we'll stay at a truck stop to save time (and a little money). Some of the sights only need an hour or two so we can fit in several things in one day. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2014 at 1:41pm
|
Doug, I know this is a total noob question, but does it cost anything to overnight at a truckstop? Do you park between the "big rigs"? Are some better than others? Do they make fun of you? ;) ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2014 at 8:48pm
|
Actually there are several places that are ok with RVs overnight - Cracker Barrel, most Wal-Marts, truck stops. There is a camping store I can't think of right now which apparently has a breakfast buffet. Nobody laughs, lol. There is no charge to stay at these places but the unwritten rule is you should buy something from them. Not hard to do, I always fill up with gas at the truck stops and we always seem to need something from Wal-Mart. Haven't done Cracker Barrel but I would certainly get breakfast if we did. Two more rules. Always ask the manager, and never make it look like you are camping - no chairs, no awnings, if possible keep slide-outs in. Running a generator is fine, just don't use a cheap contractor screamer. We always look up the number for the next Wal-Mart and call ahead. Some cities have made it illegal to stay in any parking lot so there are some Wal-Marts where they'll tell you no. If they say yes we ask where they want us, usually it is around back or on the sides. While I fill up gas at a truck stop my wife will go in and ask if we can stay and where they want us (pointing out our camper so they see we are buying their gas). They usually do NOT want you to take up a truck bay and will point to a corner of the parking lot. I prefer that anyway since that gets you away from the diesel fumes. No reason to call ahead since they are always in locations where it is legal, obviously. I would call ahead to the other places like Cracker Barrel. We prefer truck stops over Wal-Mart. We've had a few experiences with locals - they know the RVs are there every night and like to mess around or worse, if there isn't overnight security (some have it). We've had a car do a burnout down the line of RVs at 3 am, kids checking things out a little too closely, etc. Locals will not mess with truckers if they value their life and the trucks are moving through all night - lots of eyeballs keeping watch - so that is our preferred stop. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: bodie55
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2014 at 2:16am
|
Looks like a great trip. You'll definitely need the AC in the Badlands! Look forward to your post-report. We want to do the Southwest at some point, when the kids are a bit older and can hike further in the heat.
I second the New Belgium beers. At the very least, pick up a case of the seasonal mix at a liquor store in CO. A nice cold beer after a day of adventuring will be welcome:) and the Moose Drool from Montana - pick some up in West Yellowstone. Oh, and the Wyoming Whiskey isn't bad either - bourbon in Wyoming all local. Tasty. ------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Posted By: sammycamper
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2014 at 10:18pm
|
I've gotta second Grandpod's suggestion of Custer State Park; and Mount Rushmore is even sweeter if you do Needles Highway beforehand. You get a series of peeks at the Monument. It's like foreplay.
Sam ------------- 2012 rPod 173 2008 Trailblazer 4WD V6 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2014 at 12:31pm
|
lol ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2014 at 10:17pm
|
A few Years ago we stayed at the Cortez, Colorado KOA. Which is a few minutes drive from Mesa Verde. At that time it was ranked the second best KOA in the nation. Very impressive! ------------- Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Posted By: Jayman and Splenda
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2014 at 1:40am
|
Looks like an awesome trip - Colorado is home for me, and I can't second (or third, fourth, or fifth) enough the "beer tour" idea. It does look like you'll be missing Colorado's fantastic Western Slope though - Grand Junction; Colorado National Monument; across the border to Moab and Arches, UT; etc. No offense to Georgia, but you haven't had a peach until you've had a Palisades, Co peach. But what a fun trip you'll have! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2014 at 8:11am
|
Wish we could hit every stop, but in the end our kids will have seen far more of the US than I did. Our plan is to take long, slow camping trips when we are retired. We'll hit every stop then! ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: Bubink
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2014 at 3:06pm
|
Sounds like an awesome trip!! Be sure to check with the Colorado DOT as to what roads are open or being worked on due to the massive flooding last year in that area (RMNP). Agree on the New Belgium tour before you head into Estes. If you're in Estes, check out the Stanley Hotel, where the Shining (TV movie version) was filmed. Gorgeous old place. And sounds like you're taking I-80 through Nebraska and into Iowa?? Well, not to blow our own horn but Omaha has one of the best zoos in the country and it's right off the interstate. If you can't make it this time, add it to your next trip!! Then scoot down 13th street for some of the best Czech food you will find, Bohemian Cafe. (Can you tell I'm from Omaha?? Can you tell I'm Czech, lol??) Safe travels!! ------------- 2014 178 |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2014 at 7:57pm
|
Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park is one of our favorite destinations. We have been there every season, with Fall and the elk being our favorite. And the Omaha zoo is great with a fabulous aquarium. We can't do it this summer but maybe next fall.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: g4royce
Date Posted: 06 May 2014 at 2:56pm
|
We just came back from a 11 day trip (sadly pod-less) out to Phoenix, Sedona, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. There's definitely a lot to do there if you like hiking and outdoorsy stuff :) I highly recommend Antelope Canyon in the Page area. It's on the Navajo Reservation near Lake Powell and is a gorgeous slot canyon. You have to have a guide and it does get crowded so don't go later than 11am. We attempted a light hike in the Grand Canyon twice but the first time our rental car broke down so we didn't and the second time it hailed heavily so was a bit dangerous on the steep trail we chose and so we turned back. Sedona was really beautiful (if you're going that far down south) and we did most of our hiking there. I also did some trail riding there and a few off-road jeep tours while G was working. ------------- ChaiPod 2009 RP152 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.5L V6 |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 07 May 2014 at 8:54pm
Have done quite a few out west trips in the last 40 years- one of the reasons we bought the r-pod and will be selling our Aliner is I plan to retire at any moment, don't know when I'll pull the trigger. Kinda depends on when they next P me Off! We are going on some long trips, maybe months at a time. While we really like the Aliner it got a little small on a 19 day trip we took to explore off road trails in SW Colorado 2 summers ago. 19 days with 2 adults and two 50 lb+ dogs in a small Aliner...that trip we stayed at Haviland Lake USFS campground north of Durango. A USFS camp with electric! Wow- never see that where we camp in the Appalachians. BTW first trip with the r-pod and the FJ Cruiser we got 13mpg, only 2 less than with the Aliner. The extra room without getting too large was worth it! ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: fordtruckin
Date Posted: 21 May 2014 at 2:31am
|
Where you staying in the Black Hills? If you haven't got a place, I stayed at Horse Thief Campground last year and I'd definitely go back!
Also out of curiosity where you gunna be in Yellowstone? I'm gunna be working there this summer and living in my 178. I guess my 12 trips out last summer didn't get me enough use of it so now I get to live in it for 3 months. ------------- 2014 178 Hood River Edition 2001 F150 Lariat 4x4 Toyota, Moving Forward, even when you don't want to!! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 21 May 2014 at 9:52am
|
The plan is to stay at a truck stop the night before somewhere along I-90, then do Mt. Rushmore, possibly Crazy Horse, during the day, then drive 2 hours to the White River KOA just south of the Badlands.
We'll be staying at the Canyon Campground in Yellowstone for 3 nights. When my parents took our family out there in '86 it was my favorite stop so I made sure we would be there several days this time. Lucky you to stay there 3 months! ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: GlennZippy
Date Posted: 26 May 2014 at 5:24pm
|
The Canyon area is on of my favorite areas of Yellowstone. I haven't stayed at the campground, but based on other Xantera sites, you should be good to go. Make sure you visit the Canyon Visitor's center. It's fairly new (4? years old I think) and is a great space. even as an adult I loved it! i personally think 3 nights is just about right if you've been to the park before. knowing you're going to also be heading to Grand Teton I can say you will love it. We're heading out the week before July 4 and staying in Bridge Bay campground. I had a small panic attack when I looked at my reservations and found the wrong dates. Fortunately, I must have found that before since when I called them they gave the correct dates! We've had mixed results with the Canyon restaurant though. Some times it's been fabulous, other times, not so much. Every time has been pricy though: Captive audiences breed high prices! ------------- 2010 R-Pod 152 |
Posted By: codycountry
Date Posted: 26 May 2014 at 6:36pm
| Wow, slow down and smell the asphalt. Looks like you will be eating a lot of fast food. Safe travels to you. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 27 May 2014 at 6:57pm
|
Actually very little fast food. Our rule is anything but fast food on camping or touring trips. Last year's trip (almost as long as this trip) we only ate fast food twice, and one of those was because our daughter insisted on eating at Kentucky Fried Chicken while we were in KY, lol. Later that day we just happened to go past the birthplace of KFC so we stopped there too, but only for pics. We'll keep groceries in the pod for breakfast and lunches, and some dinners. Other dinners we'll eat somewhere with local flavor. We still chuckle because we had great Tex-Mex in central Texas and my one daughter ordered.... spaghetti. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2014 at 11:42pm
|
We are on our way, put in about 500 miles today. Currently in OH about 10 miles before crossing into Indiana. I added an extra 30 minutes to the trip and went down to the very end of I-70, very close to where I work. I want to say I drove I-70 all the way from the very beginning. I'll be on it the whole way to Denver. Tried turning on the A/C's fan for some white noise (we are at a truck stop) and it is making a loud whine. Yay, something else to figure out. Luckily it is cool tonight so we don't need the A/C.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2014 at 3:45am
And make sure your gas tank is FULL before going in. The sand is there because a pretty strong wind pushes it in there where it gets trapped. When I went I noticed we used say a 1/4 tank of gas going in and 1/2 tank coming out against that wind! ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2014 at 12:04am
|
Evening 3, we are 30 miles outside of Denver snugged in between the trucks again. We've been fortunate with cool nights and rain-free days. Today it finally got hot, hitting 100 F in Kansas. Tomorrow we'll get my wife and head to RMNP. Anyone know what the plateau is that you hit about 90 miles east of Denver? I thought it was the CO plateau but maps online show that starting far west of here. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2014 at 9:30am
|
I really like parking our pod in between the trucks and the large class A rigs! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: COSPod
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2014 at 12:12pm
I would be interested to know the route you take from Denver/25 up to RMNP/Estes Park. I'm heading up that way later in summer, and trying to decided what the best route up would be.
|
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2014 at 11:52pm
|
I saw on another part of the forum that Hairy Podders saw us heading west in Kansas, we saw them heading the other way! Now at the base of Cheyenne Mountain, this spot has a great view of the city below. Almost too bad we have to head out early to catch the Cog Rail up Pike's Peak. Earlier today we traveled from RMNP to the Mollie Kathleen gold mine for a tour, at one point hitting 10,200 feet - with pod in tow. That was a haul. We followed Google's recommendation from Denver, up I-25 to 66 and 36. Be prepared for delays due to the repairs from the flooding. While the electric signs said to expect up to an hour, we only spent a few minutes waiting in 2 spots. BTW, my wife is making updates to our blog (recycled from last year): http://gaede4inthepod.blogspot.com - http://gaede4inthepod.blogspot.com ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2014 at 7:36am
|
So Doug. Which campground did you stay in at RMNP? We are thinking of a fall vacation there this year but at last read several of the campgrounds were closed due to last year's flooding. And last night our news here reported fires in the park.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2014 at 1:05pm
|
We took 36 from Boulder up to Estes Park. We too waited on construction delays, but only a few minutes. There is also a detour part way there onto Rt 7.from 36. I wanted to see the flooding damage. Boulder traffic is always a pain. On the way home, we took Rt. 7 to 72, to 119, to I-70 if I remember correctly. Nice road & scenic, Light traffic.
Estes Park was packed when we were there. Clearly the flooding damage hasn't kept people away.... ------------- Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2014 at 6:27pm
|
Did you camp in the park?
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2014 at 1:26am
We were in Glacier Basin, A loop site 6 if I remember right. Only 1 or 2 of the loops still have trees, they treated them to prevent pine beetle infestation. The other loops are barren. I didn't hear or see anything about other campgrounds being closed. I just read tonight there were 2 deaths in 2 days from lightning strikes, on trails. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2014 at 6:42am
|
Never mess with lightening....stay low and move fast! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2014 at 8:18am
|
Thanks Doug. Hikers at high altitude, and people killed two days in a row. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Old Dingo&Mrs.Dingo
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2014 at 11:15am
|
Doug & family I was very concerned for you and your family when I heard the news about the lightning strikes out west. So glad you told us everyone is OK. Praise the Lord! Prayers go out for the other folks that were the lightning's path. Sylvia & Bob ------------- Old Dingo and/or Mrs. Dingo 181G 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2014 at 12:39pm
|
i went to RCMP web page and see all camp grounds are open now. We normally camp in Aspenglen and that one was not supposed to be open at all this year. Looks like fall in the Rockies with the elk!
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2014 at 11:40pm
|
Dingo, thanks for the prayers. We've been very lucky on this trip. We've avoided some very bad storms at home - there was a tornado a few days ago which killed a child at a camp about 30 miles from our house. We get maybe one tornado a year in our state. We've also had no issues even though we've been through/near several large storms in CO and AZ. Same was true several years ago on a trip to FL, there were several tornadoes that crossed the highway about an hour after we passed, we saw the after-affects on the way home a week later. Saw an Elk just as soon as we got near the campground in the Grand Canyon. Other recent stops have included Four Corners, Petrified Forest + Painted Desert, and Meteor Crater. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2014 at 7:35am
|
Doug that sounds great!! We hit those places on our trip last spring. That is some really great country!! enjoy ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2014 at 10:14pm
|
We've enjoyed the Grand Canyon over the last 24 hours, we were in camp early enough yesterday that we took a drive to the Visitor's Center as the sun was going down, but didn't get to see it at sunset due to a storm. Took a hike up the Rim Trail today and attended two ranger programs. Now thunderstorms are rolling in again so it may be an early evening in the pod. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2014 at 11:13pm
|
Been a while since I updated this. As I mentioned elsewhere, once we entered Yellowstone our connection was non-existent, or just very bad, for the rest of the trip. Or, we were on our mad dash home to get my wife to her doctor (back injury). Overall we had a good trip. Only 2 days with rain, one of them was during our drive home so not bad. We're already kicking around ideas for next year's trip. The A/C acted up on day one - a loud whine and an occasional clatter. Happily we didn't need it for half of the trip, but you would be surprised how much noise you can sleep in when it is hot outside. I popped the cover today to find a mounting bolt popped out on the blower motor. The hole acted like a whistle. Back in and all is well. The killer is I could have fixed it on the road with the tools I had. The oddity is it is one of the bolts I tightened last summer when I cleaned the coils. As I knew we would, for the first time ever we used the heater - in July. Yellowstone is always cold at night. In '86 I experienced snow, at least it only got down to around 40 this time. During a big downpour 2 days ago we got a ton of water inside, I think it is the center window seals. Something else to figure out. Tomorrow I go to work on my fridge. I spent over $200 at a dealer before we left for them to say... we think it is the gas valve. Oh, and since the 8501 is imported that is a $400 part instead of a $60 part. Right. I can replace the whole fridge for not much more. If I ultimately can't figure this out I'm considering a ARB portable fridge (someone here recommended them) and just using the AC/DC modes on the Dometic to keep drinks cool. Another adventure done. Now to fix everything.
 ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2014 at 11:38pm
|
Doug, I was actually surprised how "off the grid" we were on our podyssey. We went a bit further west to the coast and up and back and had zero rain but a whole mess 'O wind going out. Ran the furnace most nights and mornings and the AC only for an hour or so in Potholes State Park in Washington. Just plain lucky. Stayed a night @ Donner Pass Memorial State park and had friends for dinner. (sorry, that was really bad). Doesn't sound like anything you can't fix and you all had a good time! You're planning the next one, so that's good! Next up......Crab Feast! fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2014 at 4:28pm
|
Crabs for us, too! We said early in the trip that we would get a few dozen once we got back. Maybe next weekend. We hit a hard wind day on the way out in Kansas, around July 4th or 5th. That was only 1 of 2 white-knuckle days on the trip. The other was during the heavy downpours in the bad storm system that came through on our way home a few days ago. Even the big rigs were pulling over. I forgot to mention I was passed by a delivery of 3 new large-body pods on the way home. About 100 miles east of Elkhart. We passed several of the RV plants as we drove through - I should have scheduled a tour of the FR plant. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 1:03pm
|
I don't think I mentioned on the forum that as we drove through St. Louis on July 4th, I saw a guy crawling over the railing next to the highway, over the river. It was obvious to me that he was thinking about jumping. My kids didn't notice so I made the decision not to call 911. With 100 cars a minute passing him SOMEONE was going to call. I hoped. If I had called then I would have to explain it to my kids. They are more than old enough to understand but I didn't want it to be part of their memory of this trip (I wish it wasn't part of mine but at least I didn't see him actually jump). I've felt guilty for not calling, but I hoped he was ok. I finally got the nerve to search for any mention of it, and found this: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/police-talk-would-be-jumper-off-musial-bridge/article_ab94eca1-ca67-5ff8-b4c1-5b373697515b.html - http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/police-talk-would-be-jumper-off-musial-bridge/article_ab94eca1-ca67-5ff8-b4c1-5b373697515b.html A load off of my mind!
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: bodie55
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 9:36pm
|
Your silent prayers were answered! ------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2014 at 12:17pm
|
Yes. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|