On 9/30/14 12:12 PM, Califbill wrote:
F*O*A*D wrote:
On 9/30/14 10:24 AM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Mon, 29 Sep 2014 17:32:59 -0400, Harrold wrote:

On 9/29/2014 2:30 PM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Sun, 28 Sep 2014 20:52:21 -0400, Harrold wrote:

One of my favorite destinations is Cody Wyoming. The town itself is
charming but it's proximity to Yellowstone, The Beartooth Highway, The
Buffalo Bill Dam and several other attractions make it worthwhile
spending a week or more, there. All of the nearby campgrounds were
cramped and booked solid. Nicer spots could be found near and in
Yellowstone, but most had no sewer and some had no water or electric.

How far in advance should reservations be attempted at those nearby
campgrounds...any idea?


Not sure, but I would recommend at least a month for Cody if you want
full hookups. Due to a campground screwup, we had to spend our first
night at Walmart with about 30 other RVs. I don't know anything about
the federal campgrounds other than they looked pretty nice from the road.

We've 'almost' stayed at WalMart a couple times, but changed our
minds. We've stayed at Flying J's and Pilots several times. The RV's
stay out front, not back with the trucks, and we've never had a
problem. Usually the food is pretty good also.



Ma and Pa Herring Joad.

Nice thing about an RV. You can stay lots of places where there is no
hotel available. In 1986, I had a sabbatical from my company. We bought a
Class A motor home and towed a VW Rabbit. Did not have to worry if there
was a room available when we got to an area. Ate healthier, and the kids,
10 and 13 at the time could do crafts while traveling. Was not Walmart
parking in those days, but next to a lake in Georgia, nice camp ground in
E. Islip, NY and take the train in to Penn station. Nice way to take 2
months to see the country. Stayed in a campground somewhere near a Metro
stop for DC. Couple long days. One, for two tours of the White House.
8am for the East Wing tour, and a private west Wing tour in the evening.
Helps to have friends. Nice way to travel. Not cheaper than motels, but a
lot more convenient.



You have to like driving long distances, which I don't, and unless you
have a motorized RV, you're towing a huge windcatcher. No thanks. I'll
drive from here to Baltimore or Charlottesville or even to Virginia
Beach or the Outer Banks. I'll take a train to Philly, NYC, New Haven,
or even Boston.

Perhaps it is because the main North/South interstate hereabouts is
I-95, and I-95 just plain sucks a lot of the way.

On the other hand, I've driven long distances on the PCH a few times,
and we always enjoyed it, probably because of the terrific vistas and
interesting towns.

F*O*A*D wrote:
On 9/30/14 12:12 PM, Califbill wrote:
F*O*A*D wrote:
On 9/30/14 10:24 AM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Mon, 29 Sep 2014 17:32:59 -0400, Harrold wrote:

On 9/29/2014 2:30 PM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Sun, 28 Sep 2014 20:52:21 -0400, Harrold wrote:

One of my favorite destinations is Cody Wyoming. The town itself is
charming but it's proximity to Yellowstone, The Beartooth Highway, The
Buffalo Bill Dam and several other attractions make it worthwhile
spending a week or more, there. All of the nearby campgrounds were
cramped and booked solid. Nicer spots could be found near and in
Yellowstone, but most had no sewer and some had no water or electric.

How far in advance should reservations be attempted at those nearby
campgrounds...any idea?


Not sure, but I would recommend at least a month for Cody if you want
full hookups. Due to a campground screwup, we had to spend our first
night at Walmart with about 30 other RVs. I don't know anything about
the federal campgrounds other than they looked pretty nice from the road.

We've 'almost' stayed at WalMart a couple times, but changed our
minds. We've stayed at Flying J's and Pilots several times. The RV's
stay out front, not back with the trucks, and we've never had a
problem. Usually the food is pretty good also.



Ma and Pa Herring Joad.

Nice thing about an RV. You can stay lots of places where there is no
hotel available. In 1986, I had a sabbatical from my company. We bought a
Class A motor home and towed a VW Rabbit. Did not have to worry if there
was a room available when we got to an area. Ate healthier, and the kids,
10 and 13 at the time could do crafts while traveling. Was not Walmart
parking in those days, but next to a lake in Georgia, nice camp ground in
E. Islip, NY and take the train in to Penn station. Nice way to take 2
months to see the country. Stayed in a campground somewhere near a Metro
stop for DC. Couple long days. One, for two tours of the White House.
8am for the East Wing tour, and a private west Wing tour in the evening.
Helps to have friends. Nice way to travel. Not cheaper than motels, but a
lot more convenient.



You have to like driving long distances, which I don't, and unless you
have a motorized RV, you're towing a huge windcatcher. No thanks. I'll
drive from here to Baltimore or Charlottesville or even to Virginia Beach
or the Outer Banks. I'll take a train to Philly, NYC, New Haven, or even Boston.

Perhaps it is because the main North/South interstate hereabouts is I-95,
and I-95 just plain sucks a lot of the way.

On the other hand, I've driven long distances on the PCH a few times, and
we always enjoyed it, probably because of the terrific vistas and interesting towns.

Long distance driving, not. 2 months for a 9000 mile drip is less than 200
miles a day. And can be interesting country. Long day may be a 350 mile
drive, but not every day. Hell commuters around here do 60-90 mile round
trip each work day, and still have to spend at least 8.5-9 hours at work.

On 9/30/14 7:50 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 30 Sep 2014 17:05:19 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:



You have to like driving long distances, which I don't, and unless you
have a motorized RV, you're towing a huge windcatcher. No thanks. I'll
drive from here to Baltimore or Charlottesville or even to Virginia
Beach or the Outer Banks. I'll take a train to Philly, NYC, New Haven,
or even Boston.

Perhaps it is because the main North/South interstate hereabouts is
I-95, and I-95 just plain sucks a lot of the way.

On the other hand, I've driven long distances on the PCH a few times,
and we always enjoyed it, probably because of the terrific vistas and
interesting towns.

Motor homes and travel trailers are pretty popular in Alaska because
there are miles and miles of nothing. Unless you are in a big town or
at a Carnival resort, the pickings are pretty slim in the hotel
business.
BTW do not trust Carnival if you are not on the boat. They can take a
reservation but they can't keep one. We had confirmed reservations at
Denali and Cooper Landing but they did not honor either one.
They book the whole resort and bump everyone displaced by a ship
passenger who signs up for the bus ride.

There are lots of places like this
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/alaska/Fine%20Dining.jpg

In Cooper Landing we ended up staying at this B&B. It really wasn't
that bad. They were fairly spartan private cabins but it was clean and
the people were great. Willie even married us again in a fairly
authentic Eskimo ceremony

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/alaska/lovi...d%20willie.jpg



I wouldn't trust Carnival if I were on the boat.

On Tuesday, September 30, 2014 9:49:53 PM UTC-4, F*O*A*D The Slug wrote:

I wouldn't trust Carnival if I were on the boat.

They wont let those with pustules on their bodies like you on them anyway.

On Tue, 30 Sep 2014 19:50:24 -0400, wrote:

On Tue, 30 Sep 2014 17:05:19 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:



You have to like driving long distances, which I don't, and unless you
have a motorized RV, you're towing a huge windcatcher. No thanks. I'll
drive from here to Baltimore or Charlottesville or even to Virginia
Beach or the Outer Banks. I'll take a train to Philly, NYC, New Haven,
or even Boston.

Perhaps it is because the main North/South interstate hereabouts is
I-95, and I-95 just plain sucks a lot of the way.

On the other hand, I've driven long distances on the PCH a few times,
and we always enjoyed it, probably because of the terrific vistas and
interesting towns.

Motor homes and travel trailers are pretty popular in Alaska because
there are miles and miles of nothing. Unless you are in a big town or
at a Carnival resort, the pickings are pretty slim in the hotel
business.
BTW do not trust Carnival if you are not on the boat. They can take a
reservation but they can't keep one. We had confirmed reservations at
Denali and Cooper Landing but they did not honor either one.
They book the whole resort and bump everyone displaced by a ship
passenger who signs up for the bus ride.

There are lots of places like this
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/alaska/Fine%20Dining.jpg

In Cooper Landing we ended up staying at this B&B. It really wasn't
that bad. They were fairly spartan private cabins but it was clean and
the people were great. Willie even married us again in a fairly
authentic Eskimo ceremony

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/alaska/lovi...d%20willie.jpg

Love it. I'll bet the food was pretty damn good. I wouldn't trust
Carnival lines for anything.

I'd have to buy a generator if we took the trip. I understand, from
others who've done it, that spending the night by the side of the road
is pretty common. Although, now that I've got most of my bulbs
replaced with LED's (Thanks, Harold!) the drain on the batteries is
much less.

On Wed, 01 Oct 2014 08:38:19 -0400, Poco Loco
wrote:

I'd have to buy a generator if we took the trip. I understand, from
others who've done it, that spending the night by the side of the road
is pretty common. Although, now that I've got most of my bulbs
replaced with LED's (Thanks, Harold!) the drain on the batteries is
much lesss.

===

LEDs are great power savers but I think you'd want a generator for
emergency battery charging and heat if nothing else. Do you use 12
volt refrigeration?

On Wed, 01 Oct 2014 21:33:48 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 01 Oct 2014 08:38:19 -0400, Poco Loco
wrote:

I'd have to buy a generator if we took the trip. I understand, from
others who've done it, that spending the night by the side of the road
is pretty common. Although, now that I've got most of my bulbs
replaced with LED's (Thanks, Harold!) the drain on the batteries is
much lesss.

===

LEDs are great power savers but I think you'd want a generator for
emergency battery charging and heat if nothing else. Do you use 12
volt refrigeration?

No, refrigerator is either 120v or gas. Doesn't use much gas though. I
know I'd need a generator - will put that Honda on my wish list. Keep
hoping Luddite's going to decide he doesn't need his, but he's in love
with it. Must be a good one.

On 10/2/2014 11:27 AM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Wed, 01 Oct 2014 21:33:48 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 01 Oct 2014 08:38:19 -0400, Poco Loco
wrote:

I'd have to buy a generator if we took the trip. I understand, from
others who've done it, that spending the night by the side of the road
is pretty common. Although, now that I've got most of my bulbs
replaced with LED's (Thanks, Harold!) the drain on the batteries is
much lesss.

===

LEDs are great power savers but I think you'd want a generator for
emergency battery charging and heat if nothing else. Do you use 12
volt refrigeration?

No, refrigerator is either 120v or gas. Doesn't use much gas though. I
know I'd need a generator - will put that Honda on my wish list. Keep
hoping Luddite's going to decide he doesn't need his, but he's in love
with it. Must be a good one.



Sorry John but I am not giving up the little Honda. In fact, I am
thinking about getting another one just like it.

One eu2000i has enough power to keep two full sized refrigerators
running plus a couple of lights, the Direct TV box and a LED TV going.
During the only extended power outage we had a couple of winters ago (4
days) I tried running the furnace and recirculating pump as well. That
was a bit too much for it so I think I'll get a second one just for
running the heat if needed.

Best thing is that with the loads described above, most of the time it
runs at the "idle" speed, burping up for a second only when a compressor
starts in one of the refrigerators. I can fill up the gas tank (only
holds about a gallon) at 9 pm and it will run until 7am or so the next
morning.

On Thu, 02 Oct 2014 11:43:39 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 10/2/2014 11:27 AM, Poco Loco wrote:
On Wed, 01 Oct 2014 21:33:48 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 01 Oct 2014 08:38:19 -0400, Poco Loco
wrote:

I'd have to buy a generator if we took the trip. I understand, from
others who've done it, that spending the night by the side of the road
is pretty common. Although, now that I've got most of my bulbs
replaced with LED's (Thanks, Harold!) the drain on the batteries is
much lesss.

===

LEDs are great power savers but I think you'd want a generator for
emergency battery charging and heat if nothing else. Do you use 12
volt refrigeration?

No, refrigerator is either 120v or gas. Doesn't use much gas though. I
know I'd need a generator - will put that Honda on my wish list. Keep
hoping Luddite's going to decide he doesn't need his, but he's in love
with it. Must be a good one.



Sorry John but I am not giving up the little Honda. In fact, I am
thinking about getting another one just like it.

One eu2000i has enough power to keep two full sized refrigerators
running plus a couple of lights, the Direct TV box and a LED TV going.
During the only extended power outage we had a couple of winters ago (4
days) I tried running the furnace and recirculating pump as well. That
was a bit too much for it so I think I'll get a second one just for
running the heat if needed.

Best thing is that with the loads described above, most of the time it
runs at the "idle" speed, burping up for a second only when a compressor
starts in one of the refrigerators. I can fill up the gas tank (only
holds about a gallon) at 9 pm and it will run until 7am or so the next
morning.

I think two is the way to go. Then I'd have enough to even power the
AC, as long as I could get my wife to leave the microwave and blow
dryer off.

On 10/2/2014 11:45 AM, wrote:
On Thu, 02 Oct 2014 11:27:55 -0400, Poco Loco
wrote:

On Wed, 01 Oct 2014 21:33:48 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 01 Oct 2014 08:38:19 -0400, Poco Loco
wrote:

I'd have to buy a generator if we took the trip. I understand, from
others who've done it, that spending the night by the side of the road
is pretty common. Although, now that I've got most of my bulbs
replaced with LED's (Thanks, Harold!) the drain on the batteries is
much lesss.

===

LEDs are great power savers but I think you'd want a generator for
emergency battery charging and heat if nothing else. Do you use 12
volt refrigeration?

No, refrigerator is either 120v or gas. Doesn't use much gas though. I
know I'd need a generator - will put that Honda on my wish list. Keep
hoping Luddite's going to decide he doesn't need his, but he's in love
with it. Must be a good one.

I have one of those 120/propane fridges in the shed. I cranked it up
after Charlie but by the time it got cold, the power was back on.
I plugged it in before Wilma to get it going but our power was not out
any significant length of time. I am not even sure it went out.

The little Honda inverter generators are really nice. Compared to the
3300 RPM fixed speed alternator they are very fuel efficient on a
partial load since they can vary the engine speed.



We weren't so lucky with Wilma. Power was out for over a week.
Wilma is the reason I bought the Honda eu2000i and it ran 24/7 for about
9 days, stopped only to refuel once in the morning and once at night.

I also had a 12,000 watt contractor generator wired into the power panel
but quickly realized I'd run out of gas if the power was out for an
extended time (which it was). I'd fire it up once a day for an hour to
heat the water tank and run the well pump so I could take a shower, then
I'd shut it off to conserve gas. We couldn't get gas anywhere.
Fortunately I had filled about six, five gallon gas containers and using
the little Honda for the refrig, a couple of lights and the Direct TV
receiver and TV, I had enough gas to share with neighbors.