RE: From Lassen to Tahoe - 395 or 5?
I have to agree with PaulJ. Hwy 89 passes through Lassen NP and around the west side of Lake Tahoe. Hwy 89 would be my first choice if not in a hurry. Second choice would be Hwy 395. Last choice would be I-5.
RE: Fuel Rants & Raves - Post 'Em Here!
To understand the oil crisis, we have to understand who’s not at fault, and who’s at fault.
Not at fault are the following:
Oil Companies: They simply operate like any business and attempt to produce an 8% to 10% return to shareholders
OPEC: Like capitalist, they just sell their product for what the market will bear.
Futures traders: They’re little more than Las Vegas gamblers, but they can only exist when there is a supply side deficiency.
Environmentalist: Environmentalist cannot cause any damage without the cooperation of the congress.
Totally at fault is the U.S. Congress, and the irresponsible acts of our congress have affected the world market price of oil. Here we are the largest consumer of oil, and we’re virtually the only country that refuses to develop our own oil, coal, or nuclear resources. Then to make matter worse, the inept congress subsidizes inefficient energy production like Ethanol. All the hearings and investigations are nothing more than smoke and mirrors to divert responsibility from themselves. And, while they’re sending out stimulus checks, and causing a serious imbalance of trade, we can thank the congress for the devalued dollar and increasing debt.
Virtually every problem we face has its’ roots in the congress. None of the “not-at-fault” entities listed above could profit from the supply side deficit without the complicit help of congress.
Someone in a previous post quoted Mark Twain. Here’s another Mark Twain quote: "It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly American criminal class except Congress."
RE: TV shows pre 1990?
Space Patrol with Captain Cory and Cadet Happy
Time for Beanie with Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent, and Captain Huff and Puff
Engineer Bill, red light, green light
RE: Campgrounds along US-395....
I agree with hodrod4x5. Any RV park in the Owens Valley, basically the Eastern Sierra south of Bishop will be very hot during the summer. For cooler weather, and for more to see and do, stay somewhere in Mono County, north of Crowley Lake.
RE: Describe your experience at border crossing
On our trip to Alaska we crossing over the border several times, and all crossings were uneventful, except the last crossing when returning to the states. When entering Washington we were asked the usual questions including how much fresh fruit we had on board. I said I didn’t think we had anything except bananas, but the guy from the Department of Agriculture decided to inspect the motorhome. He checked the refrigerator and found two apples, with Washington apple stickers, that I had purchased in Alaska and forgotten about. To make a long story short, I got fined $25 per apple. I suspect the inspector had the apples for lunch.
RE: What about working in State / Fed parks?
Last year my wife and I accepted a one-month assignment in northwest Oregon for the Oregon Department of Forestry (different than the state park system). Having never been a camp host before, we weren’t sure what to expect. It turned out to be a great experience. We greeted all campers and many hikers, telling them about the area, along with a few ideas to make their visit enjoyable. We picked up trash when necessary, although the trash was minimal. We were also expected keep the pit toilets clean and stocked in TP, a job easily accomplished in a half hour. All in all, it was a nice experience and we met many very nice people. We were also visited daily by forestry staff.
There was no pay, but a nice site was provided with a water tank, a generator, propane, a septic arrangement, and all the wood a person could burn in a lifetime. We also had two free days per week, although we rarely took off for a whole day. They also provided a two-way radio for emergencies since there was no commercial communications. The lack of cell phone service did not please my wife but we visited a pay phone down the road almost daily.
The rewards were great, even though the pay was terrible.
RE: Death Valley trip from Portland, Oregon
Here’s another option, unless you really like driving I-5. Take I-5 to Eugene, then east on 58 to Klamath Falls, then 39 + 139 to Alturas, then south on 395 to Lone Pine, then east via 190 to Death Valley. This route is 100 miles shorter than going via Sacramento, and all portions of the route are no more difficult than Hwy 50 between Sacramento and Carson City. This is the route I use between Palmdale and Portland, unless I have to stop somewhere along I-5. Total distance via Alturas is 922 miles. Total distance via Sacramento & Hwy 50 is 1026 miles.
RE: Have You Ever Seen a UFO?
I live on the Mojave Desert, site of many mysterious flying objects. I have a nice landing pad for UFO's in my backyard, but so far none have used it. A few helicopters have tried it.
RE: Santa Barbara CA to Las Vegas NV alternate route
Here's my two-bits worth. Getting to Barstow from Hwy 14 via Mojave is 25 miles longer than using Hwy 138/18. Hwy 138 and Hwy 18 both have more 4-lane sections and both are decent roads. Just avoid Friday evening and Sunday afternoon when you'll have to compete with the Las Vegas and Colorado River traffic.
RE: Flying Flags resort. How is it
I agree with the others. Flying Flags is a very nice park, with good people running it. I've been there many times and wouldn't hesitate to go back. Let us know what you think about it after you've stayed there.
RE: California to close one-fifth of their parks??
I voted for Arnie, but I don’t think he’s bright enough to balance anything, including the budget. Like always, the politicians put emotional stuff on the table. Arnie proposed a 10% cut, but what does that mean? How does he do that with constitutional amendments that grant specific funding for all sorts of stuff? This fiscal mandate represents perhaps 80% of the budget, as pointed out by dave54. The fact is virtually any department in the state could cut 10% and feel no pain at all, and have little effect on services. But in the case of the California State Parks, there’s no information to be found to even evaluate the effect of a 10% reduction, or the alternatives considered. Their website doesn’t even provide any budget information. But, I have little doubt there are better ways to implement a budget reduction without closing a single park or campground.
Bureaucrats are not the brightest lights on the string. A few years ago when California experienced the politically induced electrical energy shortfall, which translated means buying more expensive power, the State Parks Dept. shut off the electrical power at some full hook-up state campgrounds. Then in a stroke of genius, they reduced the fee from roughly $30 to $15 per night. The fact is, the most power hungry RV couldn’t use $15 worth of power per night, which is equal to 75 kwh in one night. So, the state effectively and brilliantly eliminated a revenue source. As it turns out, after some inquiries, I learned the Parks Department paid for the power from their department funds. The revenue generated went directly to the state general fund. So, the Parks Department, protected their own funds by reducing their power bill, but the general fund suffered a revenue loss far greater than the reduction enjoyed by the department.
So Arnie’s proposal, aside from being a pile of bovine fecal matter, isn’t even presented in a rational form. This is not unlike most politicians. Perhaps every department head should be told he will provide the same level of service, with a 10% budget reduction, or should think about looking for a new job. You can be sure they will find a way to get the job done.
RE: Top of the World Highway
We drove the TOW eastbound in late August. We spent the night in Chicken, and left early in the morning. The scenery was great, and there was virtually no traffic. The rain a few days before eliminated the dust. There were potholes but they were easy to avoid if not going too fast. There was also no wait for the ferry. I would not hesitate to do it again although I don't think I would drive it both ways on the same trip.
RE: Indio Options
First of all, welcome to California. I suppose your doing the Snowbird thing. To answer you question on a route from Bakersfield to Indio. I live between the two cities. Take Hwy 58 east from Bakersfield, turn south on Hwy395 to intercept I15, then continue south on I15 to the I215, then east on I10 to Indio. These are all main highways but, if inclement weather, check road conditions through Tehachapi and over Cajon Pass.
Or, east from Bakersfield on Hwy 58, south on Hwy 14 at Mojave, east on Hwy 138 from Palmdale (wave when you pass through Palmdale) until you intercept I15 in Cajon Pass, then continue as described above.
Or, you can take the google route through Los Angeles, but that can be a challenge and agonizing for someone unfamiliar with the Los Angeles freeways.
RE: Hwy 58 Mojave to Barstow
That ought to crank up those windmills in the Tehachapis.
They turn on the windmills to make the wind. They're going to turn the windmills off on Sunday.
RE: Hwy 12 Lodi CA to Hwy 101
I just travelled Hwy 20 about a month ago between Hwy 101 and the Hwy 16 junction. There was a 45 min. construction delay just east of Clear Lake. Otherwise, no problems. I also took the Hwy 16 cut-off between Woodland and Hwy 20. There were no problems whatsoever on Hwy 16.
Heads Up - US 95 through Idaho
I saw something on-line about the State of Idaho now allowing trucks with triple trailers on US 95 with a max gross weight of 120k lbs. I don't know if they also allow Rocky Mountain doubles. This is already one of the most dangerous roads in the country so astay alert if you travel this otherwise beautiful highway. If someone has more info on this, or the information is not correct, please post accordingly.
RE: Tahoe to Mammoth Easiest Route
Golden Girl,
I would agree with Litch. Last fall I drove my 38’ motorhome over the route suggested by Map Quest, and it was a breeze, and certainly more scenic and less congested than the route through Reno and Carson City. I spent most of last summer in Truckee, and just returned from a week in Mammoth Lakes. Either place is better than being here on the Mojave Desert.
RE: Route from Los Angeles to Couer D' Alene, ID
I used 95 to reach Couer D' Alene from Palmdale. I enjoyed the drive. I left late in the afternoon and spent the first night in Hawthorne by way of Bishop, the 2nd in Jordan Valley, and travelled the last day from Jordan Valley to Couer D’ Alene. The roads were no problem and the scenery was interesting.
