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RE: Swan Song
One last note:
If you love the red rocks of Southern Utah as much as I do you may like this video.
I sure do!
The Piano Guys
Click to watch it full screen.
Rats if the link doesn't work just go to You Tube and search The Piano Guys Paradise (Peponi)
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Lots of Stuff
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06/15/13 09:53am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Swan Song
Lots of dirt roads on the trip so my memory of any one fades some.
As I remember it was not too bad taken slow.
You can tell when you've taken too many dirt roads your heater and air conditioner blow the smell of dirt road all the time.
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Lots of Stuff
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06/14/13 08:32am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Swan Song
Great pics of some of my favorite areas. Did you drive the Monument Valley loop in your TC?
Sure did, even bought a Navaho pot from a vender in the valley.
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Lots of Stuff
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06/13/13 10:13am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Swan Song
Thanks for all the kind comments and web friendships over the years.
We have traveled lots in life so far, yet we just can't seem to get enough.
This 4 month trip showed me several things:
My 3 year old grandson missed me and I missed him.
A max of one month should be about right. That would sure make the wife happy.
She would stay for the whole trip.
Several times I wished I was in a nearby hotel instead of my camper.
Probably should have checked in for a few days.
My truck is a parts user and as it ages it isn't getting better.
Besides I've never loved it's diesel motor.
Last but not least, We've been most places in the West so more travel means retracing other travels. Airplanes can do that quicker, besides I retired from Boeing and recommend their products.
Retired people can travel in the less busy shoulder seasons.
My Camera is a Canon SX110IS.
They have better and newer models now but I still like mine.
http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4655457866024617&pid=1.7&w=200&h=180&c=7&rs=1 width=250
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Lots of Stuff
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06/12/13 07:08pm |
Truck Campers
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Swan Song
A Four month 11,481 mile trip report.
Headed South first of February returned home first of June. Being retired gives the luxury of more time to travel.
This will most likely be my last trip report so here goes.
John Muir's California home. He lived well when not tramping the woods.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3032_zps4db77576.jpg width=640
Jack Londons half home in Oakland California.
They took apart his cabin in the Yukon, duplicated all the parts. Then reassembled two cabins using half new and half old parts.
This cabin is in Oakland the other is in Dawson City, Yukon Canada. Now I've been to both.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3037_zpsd816d39b.jpg width=640
The old Presidential yacht Potomac is near the cabin.
FDR loved this yacht.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3041_zps5fecc52e.jpg width=640
If your ever in Oakland a ferry trip over and back to San Francisco can be wonderful.
Especially on a nice day.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3064_zpsae2d0bc7.jpg width=640
The USS Iowa is in San Pedro and worth a look.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3071_zps9f44e6c9.jpg width=640
Wow look who else was on the Iowa!
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3069_zps2be53b6f.jpg width=640
Well on to Mexico. A Lance camper in Ensenada
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3076_zps2afb4e03.jpg width=640
Baja has some interesting plants.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3094_zpsd0bbbe93.jpg width=640
Went Whale watching in the famous Scammon's Lagoon. It's near Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur. Looked at the Sea-lions on the way out.http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3111_zpsb53ae71b.jpg width=640
My camera has a zoom I just love.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3108_zps8db2f84a.jpg width=640
And another.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3110_zpsd4a58b81.jpg width=640
In Washington state if you get your boat within 200 yards of a migrating Grey Whale you go directly to Jail with out passing Go. In Mexico you don't!
Yes that is a whale those tourists are petting!
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3176_zpsc34c90e7.jpg width=640
Ever looked a Whale in the eye?
Ever had a Whale look you in the eye?
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3180_zpsf43e4b3c.jpg width=640
Here is a Whale rolling over for us. Somehow I don't think the whale minded us getting up close.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3201_zps3bf22f7f.jpg width=640
This German was bicycling Baja. We spent a windy cold evening in my camper he liked my beer and was good company.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3232_zpsfd81f4a8.jpg width=640
This looked like a good place to camp.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3235_zpsa70b0739.jpg width=640
Turned out it was.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3240_zpsffa38d81.jpg width=640
Cabo San Lucas was a bit touristy for me.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3250_zps64c2257c.jpg width=640
Playa Tecolote just north of La Paz was just right.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3258_zps84a8871d.jpg width=640
This beach north and a little west of La Paz was a good one as well.
Spent 17 nights in the La Paz area. You could say I like LaPaz!
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3263_zps191ded08.jpg width=640
Second Whale watching trip. Shared the boat with only one other guest we both got to touch Whales.
This was near Adolfo Lopez Mateos, Baja California Sur.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3299_zps339181df.jpg width=640
Thats my shadow on the whale!
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3306_zps0536b127.jpg width=640
Interesting plants were all around.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3322_zps0028bd57.jpg width=640
Close up, big trunk small limbs.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3323_zpsf17f86e1.jpg width=640
Back in the US, Phoenix AZ. The Commemorative Air Force.
Starting and then flying an old B17. How cool is that?
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3348_zps57b84ffd.jpg width=640
Petrified Forest National Park. Whole trees are petrified here.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3357_zps245df173.jpg width=640
Sky City of the Acoma Indians. Near Acoma, New Mexico.
People have lived there for centuries.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3371_zpsc2213c7a.jpg width=640
Some of our tour group in Sky City. What a great view.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3378_zps5d0537e7.jpg width=640
Ship Rock, New Mexico sailing by.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3399_zps17706ff9.jpg width=640
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado without people.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3414_zps6d1d38de.jpg width=640
The Rangers can explain things.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3411_zps0cbe4af7.jpg width=640
Square tower house.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3437_zpsf785c9dc.jpg width=640
Now over to Hovenweep National Monument in Utah.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3458_zps922b773d.jpg width=640
View from the top of the Moki Dugway in Utah.
The paved road on the right is Ut 261. The dirt road across the picture is the Valley of the Gods road and well worth a drive.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3485_zps7a2aed54.jpg width=640
My Lance in the Valley of the Gods.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3489_zps9563d72f.jpg width=640
"I told you you'd break it if you didn't stop playing with it."
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3491_zps69c9c18a.jpg width=640
My camp site at the Goosenecks State Park, Utah.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3501_zps8489e6c2.jpg width=640
View from my camper at the Goosenecks.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3505_zps70c58cd5.jpg width=640
Zoomed in on those dots from the last picture.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3506_zpscfdfd124.jpg width=640
Camper in Monument Valley.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3516_zpsee9212fd.jpg width=640
Monument Valley has some stunning panoramas.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3520_zps28f7302c.jpg width=640
Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado just below Glen Canyon Dam.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3538_zps79108a5c.jpg width=640
People down on the river looked to be having fun as well.
Just love my cameras zoom.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3540_zpsce905045.jpg width=640
North Rim of the Grand Canyon was still closed for the season when I was there.
However a nice lady at Jacobs Lake gave me a hand copied map showing how to bypass the closed roads.
35 miles of dirt road and I was camped on the edge of the Grand Canyon north rim.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3541_zpsef32a5d7.jpg width=640
Finally the Last picture.
The wife and I camped on the Great Salt Lake Salt Flats.
Interesting place.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/IMG_3562_zps57ab97b7.jpg width=640
So ends a chapter in my life, having had my camper and truck for 10 years they are getting long in the tooth and so will be sold.
Travel is still something we love but airplanes and hotels will see more of me in the future.
RV net has been a hoot and meeting so many fine TCers at the Overland expo was fun.
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Lots of Stuff
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06/11/13 10:02pm |
Truck Campers
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Gone to the Dogs
Wow! After spending the last 4 months traveling Baja, Mexico and most western states I've decided RVing has been taken over by uncaring dog owners.
As a non dog owner let me say your dog can make others experience less than enjoyable.
(I know you don't care)
Why won't you clean up after YOUR dog?
Why do you think everyone enjoys YOUR dog barking?
Why do you think YOU don't have to obey leash rules?
I've decided one of the reasons I like Mexico so much is they treat dogs like dogs not like people.
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Lots of Stuff
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06/08/13 10:52am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Tioga George Calls It Quits
Made this picture of George when we met in 2006.
http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u402/douglasgruendell/LakePowell2006038.jpg width=640
Talking to George, what a fine way to spend an evening at Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.
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Lots of Stuff
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06/08/13 10:35am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Problems with bears and cougars....
We saw some pictures of cougar tracks all over a friends campsite.
They were rafting the Green River in Desolation and Gray Canyons. A very remote area in Utah.
They awoke to find Cougar tracks all over their camp even under a campers hammock.
No one was harmed and no one realized the cat had even been around. Except for the tracks!
This happened just a few weeks ago.
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Lots of Stuff
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06/07/13 08:32am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Trip report: Expo 2013, 3 states and the stealth TC
We just returned home today. Your trip report is a treat.
We were four months on the road this trip.
A trip highlight was meeting you and Sally at the Overland Expo.
Hope your US visit was special.
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Lots of Stuff
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06/06/13 07:41pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Truck camper meet-up at Overland Expo, Flagstaff, May
Will try and make the Overland Expo.
Sending this from La Paz, Mexico. Having a great time but by May it could be too hot here, 95 today.
La Paz is just wonderfull. Calm the last few days went skinney dipping in a very flat Sea of Cortez. Fun!
Boondocking most nights for free but must stay in a RV park to empty waste and refill water tanks.
The RV park only charges 250 pesos a night about $20 US. They have free Wifi so I can post this.
Boondocking on a great beach is better than any RV park.
Laying on the beach is hard work but someone has to do it might as well be me!!!!
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Lots of Stuff
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03/16/13 06:03pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Class A or PU Camper
We have traveled Alaska in our Truck Camper and a rented 29 foot Class C.
More fun with our TC but the motorhome was fun as well.
Alaska State Ferries charge based on rig length.
Can't get your rig to Juneau and other interesting Alaskan cities without a ferry ride.
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Lots of Stuff
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03/06/13 09:03pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Going out for first extended trip - any suggestions?
Remember extra fuel adds weight.
My trucks 36 gallon tank was fine for our Alaska trip.
My rig averages around 13 mpg when loaded.
If possible take a trip on the Alaska Marine Highway System. Any travel on the AMHS will become a trip highlight.
Hint: Watch the videos on this site.
AMHS
A sunny day and a ferry ride from Valdez to Whittier wow!!
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Lots of Stuff
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02/27/13 04:24pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Sad news from Janet Curley...
Sad News indeed. My condolences to his family.
Isn't it great he got do do some of the things he loved.
I'm doing the same posting this from Mulegé, Baja California Sur.
We never know how long we have.
Rest in Peace Don.
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Lots of Stuff
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02/25/13 05:34pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Boondocking has ruined me.
To me it is a shame that many of the California state beaches we passed had almost empty parking lots.
But the main highway had cars parked end to end just off the road.
Creating a hazard for trafic and the surfers loading and unloading there.
Empty fee payed parking lots!
Hazardous free parking!
Tons of surfers enjoying waves and parked for free!
Whats wrong with this picture?
Some things don't work very well user funded!
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Lots of Stuff
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02/21/13 08:31am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Boondocking has ruined me.
Did see Diesel at $4.799 in California.
Bought my first refill in Mexico expected to pay around $120 US yet only had to pay $89 US.
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Lots of Stuff
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02/20/13 09:36am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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Boondocking has ruined me.
Boondocking and the half price old fart pass did it.
I'm traveling and in Ensenada now. The RV park with free Wifi cost $24 US.
California charges $15 to park for a day or a hour at a state beach. A little high for a lunch and a nap stop.
$25 or more to camp with no hookups.
San Diego RV parks cost around $50 a night.
I know California is broke but this cheap old goat is going home via other states.
Boondocking too much can make you real cheap.
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Lots of Stuff
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02/20/13 09:11am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: just really don't believe this can this be really happening
Why is it that the people with the open framed, run at full tilt no matter the load, cheap, contractor gennys are always the morons? As far as nearby camping goes, yeah it is understandable but if there is room pick a site at least few sites away. If you have a noisy genny go as far away as possible.
I was so amazed at the Oskosh Air Show. We were put in the 24/7 genny section yet every night at around 10 the gennys were shut down. All except, you guessed it, a couple morons with contractor gennys who simply had to run them well into the night to power their TVs & 1000W lights.
Perhaps they are using a CPAP/BPAP machine or an oxygen concentrator and the contractor generators are all they can afford.
Interesting, I didn't know being poor makes it OK to do whatever you want.
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Lots of Stuff
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02/11/13 04:32pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: NetTalk
We use Skype regularly in Mexico.
Skype has probably put Net Talk out of business.
But it uses lots of bandwidth and so I've found places it was not allowed.
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Lots of Stuff
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02/09/13 10:30am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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NetTalk
Anyone use Net Talk or Magic Jack to make phone calls from Mexico.
They connect through a computer to make phone calls back to the states. Computer needs a connection to the internet.
I'm going to try Net Talk in a few weeks just wondered if others have tried it.
Works good in my home trials so far.
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Lots of Stuff
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02/09/13 10:22am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: yellowstone camping
We were in Yellowstone on August 25 and it was snowing.
Quite a few years ago but Yellowstone is high country weather can always be an issue.
Yellowstone is worth it however.
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Lots of Stuff
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02/08/13 03:07pm |
Truck Campers
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