RE: Camping pet peeve
As for people walking though your camp site, this happens to us at least once on almost every trip. I usually ask if they lost something.
Scott,
Do you guys camp mostly at state parks, forest service, national parks, RV parks, boondock, here in WA?
I ask because my wife and I have been camping in WA for a good number of years now and have only experienced the walk-thru one time. Very occasionally there is the barking dogs, door slamming, yelling etc but thankfully we have not really had any issues with walk-thru's. I don't blame you for engaging them as that kind of behavior wouldn't set well with me either.
We camp almost exclusively at state CG's so that's probably part of the problem. Last week it was Wenatchee Confluence and somebody walked right past our window as we were eating breakfast. It wasn't even on the way to anyplace so I don't know what they were thinking!
That's maddening. It seems to me that this kind of behavior can only be a result of being raised in a home where overall common courtesy and respect for other peoples space was not part of their learned behaviors when growing up.
RE: Auxiliary outside canopy?
My reply to a similar question is in the link. There is a bit of a review of a recently purchased 10x10 from costco.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27004684.cfm
http://www.costco.com/.product.100041624.html?cm_sp=RichRelevance-_-categorypageHorizontalTop-_-PopularProductsInCategory&cm_vc=categorypageHorizontalTop|PopularProductsInCategory
RE: Camping pet peeve
As for people walking though your camp site, this happens to us at least once on almost every trip. I usually ask if they lost something.
Scott,
Do you guys camp mostly at state parks, forest service, national parks, RV parks, boondock, here in WA?
I ask because my wife and I have been camping in WA for a good number of years now and have only experienced the walk-thru one time. Very occasionally there is the barking dogs, door slamming, yelling etc but thankfully we have not really had any issues with walk-thru's. I don't blame you for engaging them as that kind of behavior wouldn't set well with me either.
RE: Severe weather alerts via text message to cellphone?
Thanks for the replies, I'll start looking into those options.
Just out of curiosity, are lightening storms able to be forecast with some degree of accuracy and forewarning? It appears that Washington state has the fewest cloud-to-ground strikes of any state in the country (Florida has the most) so I don't have any first hand experience with them.
Also, while looking around online for lightning info I noticed that many ground strikes hit trees. In one case semi-locally a strike hit and shattered a very large tree. I was always under the impression that a ground strike would seek out things like antennas and other metal or elevated metal structures? The house near this tree had what appeared to be a number of such metal protrusions on the roof yet was unharmed.
RE: Severe weather alerts via text message to cellphone?
Thanks for the replies, I will take a look at those suggestions.
Just out of curiosity, are things like lightning predicable ahead of time with some degree of accuracy? Washington state has the fewest cloud-to-ground strikes of any state in the country (Florida the most), so I don't have much experience with it.
Severe weather alerts via text message to cellphone?
I was wondering if there is any sort of severe weather alert service and/or app for a smartphone (android). I'm looking for something that would provide alerts for specific gps coordinates or maybe by zip code or county? The alert would be broadcast via text message if at all possible due to spotty cell service where we will be camped. I can almost always receive and transmit text messages but calls are spotty at best.
Thanks
RE: Folding Canopy (Gazebo) Suggestions
Many of these have already been covered but here is my two cents. We own four canopies, 8x8, two 10x10's and a 10x20, and one of the 10x10's is a recent purchase after doing some research on the subject.
- Straight leg is the way to go. The new 10x10 we just purchased is a straight leg and comparing it to our old slant leg 10x10 there is significant difference in both the additional actual under roof sq ft and the 'feel'. In practical use there is less bumping into the upper part of the leg when entering/exiting around items under the canopy such as tables and the like.
- If you have any inkling that you will want the ability to install either screen or solid sides in the future, get a canopy that has the velcro built into the perimeter of the top fabric. Using the type of generic add-on sides can be a pain with looping velcro tabs over the frame and all kinds of sagging and ill fit.
- Having a quality bag can be as important as having a quality canopy and I've been through two bags on our slant-leg model 'quik-shade' 10x10 at $30+ a pop for replacement bags. I will not buy another, I'll try and sew the thing myself this time.
- If you have an inkling of using the canopy for fairs, or farmers markets and such, check with the sanctioning body of the events first as they may well have rules and regulations that will drive your purchase.
- Similarly, if you are going to use the canopy at fairs/farmers markets get one that has 4 sides with vertical zipper opening. This way you can secure your products inside the tent at night, at least to the degree possible with a tent.
- One of the best things we have done is invest in weight bags for the legs. These bags are much more convenient than pounding stakes in the ground and less obtrusive than some of the home-made weight systems.
We currently use these
http://www.amazon.com/King-Canopy-INAWB400-17-Inch-Instant/dp/B000LE8KZW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370808334&sr=8-1&keywords=canopy+weight+bags
But have seen many people use this more expensive but better made style. The thing I like about this style is it uses a velcro closure for the top vs a zipper closure of the less expensive type. The velcro closure seems more robust and less prone to failure.
http://www.amazon.com/E-Z-Instant-Shelters-Deluxe-Weight/dp/B000G0192W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1370808334&sr=8-2&keywords=canopy+weight+bags
- Most common damage I've seen on these canopies are failure to secure (stakes or bags) the canopy down during high winds. Depending on the severity of the wind we will a)lower the legs to the lowest setting, b) lower the legs and remove the top. Typically it is the vertical scissor linkage that goes across from corner to corner that fails. It simply bows out (or in) and once that linkage is bent, it can be difficult or impossible to get working correctly again. Another common cause of damage is trying to set the canopy up with one person who is not well versed in the mechanics of the frame opening system. While I do set up ours by myself at times, it is easier with two people.
- Be very wary of wind if you set up the canopy over the bed of your pickup or the rear of your SUV because if a good wind comes up the canopy frame can end up banging against the side of the truck before you can get to it to take it down. Don't ask me how I know this.
- In looking at various canopies recently I found that the heavy duty version of the Ez-up brand seemed to be the most robust. A relative had one of these at a recent event and I don't remember the exact model number but he said he paid about $240 for it.
- We recently purchased the canopy in the picture below from Costco in store for $200. Ignore the tablecloth banner and emt conduit banner frame, I was just testing some things out before placing an order for a banner to be displayed at an up coming event. Pvc will be used in place of the emt on the final product for the banner frame.
In my admittedly limited use of this canopy:
What I like about it.
- The fabric is quite thick and feels much more heavy duty than or other canopies. It's 600 denier thickness.
- The bag seems really top notch and the opening method seems like it will be less prone to failure than our other bags designs.
- There are two screws on each side of the canopy frame where a thumb screw is used to fasten the fabric to the frame in that area. You can see them in the picture just below the bottom of the banner. This seems to keep the fabric well centered and attached to the frame through repeated closing/openings. It also helps to keep the vertical trim part of the fabric from blowing up so easily. None of our other canopies have this feature.
- The 'truss' design of the roof makes for a more open and airy feel under the canopy as there is less frame-work and more headroom. Also the truss system is supposed to aid in water run-off instead of pooling at the edges like it sometimes does on the old frame style.
- The canopy comes with four sides that are designed to attach to the top and this system is much nicer than the add-on systems.
- The bag actually has big enough pockets to hold all of the sides and accessories without a problem.
- At each corner the top has grommet holes at the top of the legs through the fabric. This is for anchoring the canopy using guy ropes at an angle from these grommets/frame out to the anchor if more stability is needed due to wind. I really dislike the guy rope concept because of the trip hazard and such, but there have been a couple of times over the years that I wished I could use them until a wind event had passed.
- The color white is both a blessing and a curse as it seems cooler temperature wise under this canopy than under our blue or red canopies, but the white color will stain easily I suspect. Especially given we live in the forest and camp in the forest quite often. On the other hand some of the markets require the canopy to be 10x10 straight leg and white in color, so there's that.
- The frame and leg releases have easy to use levers. These are much nicer than having to push in the little ball-detente ball with the end of your finger or other tool.
- This canopy also comes with a banner system on one side of the top but I'm skeptical about how well it will work. There is basically a separate 8" tall X 7' long or so clear plastic sleeve that fastens to the top with plastic buckles. You have a banner printed and slide the banner into said plastic sleeve.
Some things I'm concerned about:
- The legs have plastic feet where as all my other canopies have steel feet. The feet on these canopies can take quite a beating and I'm a bit concerned how well these plastic pieces will hold up over time.
- I've not been able to open this canopy by myself yet, even when one corner is firmly anchored. With this truss-system style frame the truss arm is unfolding-opening as you move the main corner latch up the leg to it's locked in position. If that truss-arm doesn't open you will never get the corner latch locked in and said truss arm is impeded in it's opening motion to a degree by the fabric laying on top of it as it tries to open.
This is not problem when using two people as one person can get under the canopy and push up on the truss-arm while the other person is sliding the corner latch into place. Several reviews have mentioned that the frame is stiff when new and opens easier after it goes through several open/close cycles so hopefully this will be a temporary problem.
Finally, the $200 canopy in the Costco store is not the same one that is pictured on their website despite being almost identical in description. (Different part numbers) The canopy in the store has the truss-arm frame design while the picture on the website shows the old style frame. The canopy in the store has a slightly different latch system than the picture shows on the website.
http://www.costco.com/Undercover%C2%AE-10%27-x-10%27-Instant-Canopy-R-3-Commercial-Instant-Canopy-with-Zippered-Wall-Enclosure-.product.100041624.html
http://jacksonii.smugmug.com/photos/i-tnQV28N/0/M/i-tnQV28N-M.jpg
RE: For those of you who fly the American flag at your camp
Thanks for the replies, reading through the links now. I think I can put together a set-up that will work for me and meet the flag code.
I suspect I will end up with a hitch receiver mount as a couple of times per year I camp with just my pickup (no TT) and the truck has a front mounted receiver. Installing a receiver on the back of the TT shouldn't be too hard and then I can use the same pole holder and flag pole assembly in both. Unfortunately my TT doesn't have a ladder.
RE: For those of you who fly the American flag at your camp
I have a mount which will allow me to fly 5 flags mounted on my tongue jack. I purchased the poles when I bought the mount years ago. Many use painter poles from HD.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z221/safari1911/DSC_9410_zpsc7dc8a17.jpg
Good idea. I currently use an extendable painters pole off the back bumper of the tt to hold our external wilson cellphone antenna, and I have another longer one in the shop that could maybe be used as a flag pole.
For those of you who fly the American flag at your camp
I have seen a number of campers who fly the American or Canadian flag at their camps. I'm considering doing the same if I can figure out some kind of pole system that is not too cumbersome.
I seem to recall part of the flag protocol is that if the flag is left up at night it is supposed to be sufficiently lighted?
Do you leave your flag up at night, and if so is it lighted? I ask because I don't know that my mounting system is going to be conducive to lowering and hoisting the flag each day, more like something that would be put up during camp set-up and taken down during camp tear-down. Further, we most frequently camp where there is no 110v power so lighting it would be a challenge unless maybe there are battery powered LED lanterns these days that will last all night for two nights.
Thanks
RE: Campers who bully and badger
This is exactly why I like RV'ing....There is always some kind of adventure.
Isn't that the truth. Who needs reality tv when you have campgrounds, boat ramps, and walmart.
RE: first aid kits
One other note, I had occasion to retrieve a bandaid from the firstaid kit in our TT earlier this year for a cut finger. I found that almost all of the bandaids were dried out and stuck to the paper packaging, or the adhesive was nearly useless.
That kit has been in the TT for years. Lesson learned, the components of the kit don't last forever and need regular maintenance like most other things.
RE: first aid kits
Duct tape and Kotex pads. Fixes darn near anything.
That's true. I have a wad of duct tape, a pad and a quick clot stuffed up above the web suspension in my hardhat for when I'm falling/cutting wood. A more complete kit is in the truck, which isn't usually all that far away from where I'm cutting, but if I get a gusher the pad and tape may help me make it back to the truck.
RE: Oklahoma Concert for the victims.
What's the difference??
My understanding is Blake Shelton is the guy behind getting this concert organized, attracting the performers, etc. From what I've read he is the one who made this happen through much hard work on his part and others. And of course he has big interest in something like this as he hails from Oklahoma. Most every big event like this has a person(s) who have a passion for the cause and just get it done.
Oklahoma country music star Blake Shelton and NBC have put together the "Healing in the Heartland: Relief Benefit Concert" that will include some of Oklahoma's superstar talent to raise money for tornado victims on Wednesday.
Shelton, an Ada native who is a coach on NBC's "The Voice," will take the stage, as will fellow Oklahoma country music stars Miranda Lambert, Shelton's wife; Reba McEntire; Vince Gill; Luke Bryan; Joe Don Rooney, a Picher native with Rascal Flatts; and Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic. Darius Rucker of Hootie & The Blowfish and Shelton's fellow "Voice" coach Usher were added to the lineup announced Monday by NBC.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/article.aspx/Blake_Shelton_NBC_set_concert_for_OKC_tornado_relief/20130529_269_a5_cutlin560996?subj=4
RE: Tioga George Calls It Quits
Well, I guess that's it.
Thank you George. Thank you for your refreshing honesty and perspective, thank you for taking the time to tell your story and share with us your ongoing adventures. This world could us many more folks like you.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Retiring
Dear Readers.
This is my last blog post. Today I am retiring from the blogging world.
Thirteen years ago in May, 2003, Elizabeth, a cancer support group member of mine heard me tell "Group" that I was soon to leave to begin my great RVing adventure. Elizabeth said to me:
"But how will we know where you are, and what you are doing?"
Another member of Group suggested that I write a blog. I'd never heard of a blog before. That's funny to think about now. Because this is my 3,577th blog post.
That's all!
Love,
George
RE: Washington I-5 catastrophe......
No worries folks, the real bridge repair team is on the way.
http://dobrador.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/313975_289114187862367_1933512996_n.jpg
Also it was reported this morning that the General Lee has successfully made the jump. :D
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=258837&d=1369507786
RE: Samsung Galaxy S3 Verizon hotspot known problem
Hmm, hope this doesn't affect the S4. My son is not going to be happy if it does as he just shelled out the big bucks for a new off-contract S4.
RE: Considering renewal for 10th year (some questions)
Hello Wrace,
3.) In answer to your question about being off road, in general no towing service nationwide will provide service to you for extreme off-road location. However as long as you meet the requirements. We will always send service, however there are circumstances where you would be responsible for paying for that service. So if you are off the beaten path while we may not pay for the service, we will not leave you stranded.
Wes Robinson
Marcus’ Rapid Response Team
goodsamcs@goodsamfamily.com
Thanks very much for the reply, Wes. I realize there are limits to everything, I'm just trying to get an idea of what to expect should something go wrong that I'm unable to fix myself while up on the mountain.
Just to clarify, I assume that a gravel forest service road is considered a 'public road' by GS?
Thanks
