Laura-N-Sasha
Anywhere, USA
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Joined: 04/24/2006
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Hi All,
Just thought I'd post a little something. Have not been on for quite a while, first because I was working as a Seasonal Park Ranger in Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and then we having been traveling. Keeping the website up-to-date now is so much easier because I have had the time and the internet connection!
Sasha and I have gotten a new rig, much bigger for the full-timing experience, but we had lived in the Truck Camper for ~2.5 years! And hadn't killed each other! But the bigger rig is a much better way to go. We can both be at the table on our computers and still have space.
I saw some interesting topics here, unfortunately the ones I wanted to post to are now closed. I guess that is the way it goes sometimes.
Anyway, we are now at a rest stop near Wilsonville, Oregon - huge place for anyone that needs to stop for a day or night or two. No hookups but quiet as can be for a truck stop. What day is it? I think Saturday...If I did not have my computer, I would not know. Not wearing a watch again until I start work again as a Park Ranger.
If you want to see some of the great places we have been, I suggest checking out our newest page: www.Laura-n-Sasha.com Oregon! and I will have pictures up tonight of where we stayed today November 14th. Thanks and I look forward to checking out the forums again.
Laura Jevtich
Laura-N-Sasha.com
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Hi,
You might want to check out this website, and see if there is any Corp of Engineering campsites nearby, or some BLM land listed, as a great free and quiet campground.
FreeCampgrounds.com
Come and spend some time at the Salton Sea. There is a free place for you at Slab City. Nearby Painted Canyon, or the many off road recreation areas in California.
If you are heading through Grants Pass, I used to live there, and loved visiting Schroder Park. It is on the south bank of the Rouge River, and just west of town. Well town kinda grew up around the park.
Have a fun time traveling around this wonderful country!
Good Luck,
Fred.
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Laura-N-Sasha
Anywhere, USA
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Joined: 04/24/2006
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Hi Fred,
Yes we are headed to Grant's Pass, we are getting our rig evaluated by the Henderson's. They have a place for us, but we might check out the other place after we are finished with them.
We are thinking of going someplace warm of course, Death Valley is high on the list. Just getting this new rig ready for all of the boondocking we will be doing. Thanks for the suggestions, we will be checking them out.
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2Rovers
On The Road
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Joined: 11/09/2004
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Laura, good to see you posting again. Sounds like you've been plenty busy. Speaking of watches  mine has bit the bullet and I am debating on even buying another one. And, wow, you did jump up in size from the TC. Congrats.
I think sometimes we forget that the freedoms we have are freedoms not because of celebrities. The freedoms are because of ordinary people who did extraordinary things, who loved this country more than life itself.
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Hi,
If you are heading further south, I suggest that you take highway 199 towards the coast, and spend some time dry camping in the Redwoods. Not much solar there, but you will get some wonderful places to camp in huge trees.
I remember touring a lumber mill in Ferndale - self guided. I saw the place where they can take in logs up to 4' diameter and cut them into lumber. Then went back to the campground between some trees that are about 4' diameter and 10 feet apart with the road going between them. I got a picture of my motorhome at that point.
Did you check solar prices at this place? SolarOnSale.com
I know there is a advantage to buying in Oregon, as there is not a 10% sales tax. Arizona does not tax the solar panels, even though they do tax other parts of the system.
I have a pair of 120 watt panels, 75 watt and the original pair of 45 watt panels. It is nice to be able to upgrade as you see the need for solar energy increases. I figure with over 300 days of dry camping, the solar panels where paid off many years ago.
Good Luck,
Fred.
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Hi again,
I see that you are looking forward to a warm winter, and are thinking about Death Valley. I was there in November for Thanksgiving once many years ago. It was great.
I drove our towed car, a Manx dune buggy up to Dante's Peak, a overlook about 5,500 feet elevation. We where dressed for the 70 degree weather at the valley floor, not the 50's up at the higher elevation. And no windows or heater on the Manx, well it got cold. No jackets, and we totally forgot about the emergency parka under the seat.
The trip through Titus Canyon we planned a LOT better, with a meal plan, jackets that we did not need, and a lot of fun, with great pictures. A good place to go when there is no rain in the forecast, as it is a slot canyon. About a 75 mile round trip from Stovepipe Wells.
If you want some boondocking places, Jawbone Canyon is great for a week or so. Nearby is Red Rock campground with water and a dump station. Normally I dump the gray water on the weeds of Jawbone Canyon, and only need to keep getting a supply of fresh water.
You might want to consider taking I 5 south towards Bakersfield, then east to Mohave. Jawbone Canyon is near there - just 14 miles north. You can reach Stovepipe Wells by going through Ridgecrest (get fuel there at the lowest local area prices) and then to Trona, then take 190 into Death Valley. Yes it is kinda steep. You want to use a lower gear down that hill, keep it at 45, and you should do well.
Tecopa Hot Springs has hot springs, and male and female locker rooms with bathhouse there. Separate hot pools.
Some dry camping in the area last time I was there.
I have some friends that dry camped around Lake Mead. I was there in April one year (can't recall what year, but maybe 2002?) and it was a bit to warm, so we went to Zion, it was cooler up there, and really great weather that time of year.
I also spent some time in the forest adjacent to the Grand Canyon. At the North Rim there is a huge forest that you can dry camp in. The roads are closed due to snow from November to Mid May. The summers are surprisingly cool, with the elevation of around 7,500 feet. I want to spend the summer there someday.
East of Fresno is Yosemite, and a wonderful place to visit. A bit crowded in the summer. Sequoia is also nice with all the large trees. I did find one boondocking place inside the park, where boondocking is allowed. The sign says so! I hope they have not closed it.
Good Luck,
Fred.
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Laura-N-Sasha
Anywhere, USA
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Joined: 04/24/2006
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Thanks Fred for the places to visit, we will keep those in mind for certain.
We are going with AM Solar out of Springfield, OR. They are highly recommended and we are getting a solar array - 6 panels with 4 AMC batteries. I'll have more info about it once Sasha comes back from shopping at Lowes. I just can not go into that place without wanting to run screaming out of there! Anyway, you gave us some really good suggestions. Thanks,
Laura
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Ron Butler
Federal Way WA.
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Joined: 02/29/2004
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Good Sam RV Club
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Rogue River SP between Grants Pass & Medford is a great spot. Just off of I-5, but pretty quiet considering how close to the freeway it is.
Good to see your posts again.
Ron & Carolyn
Sadie - Irish Terrier
Happy - Lakeland Terrier
From sailing yacht to land yacht
KE7BZC
M/V Lothlorien
Come join us at the Northwest Spring Rally, May 14-16, or check out other rallieshere.
GO HUSKIES
Our Trip Pictures
Ron & Carolyns Travels
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sasha_j
On the Road USA
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Joined: 12/16/2004
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Um, that's 4 AGM batteries..............
Our Web Site
2005 Ford F350 6.0 PSD CC 4x4 SRW Lariat, 11500 GVWR, Rickson 19.5's, G124 265/70R/19.5/G tires, PacBrake PRXB, Airbags. AIRSAFE 25K Air hitch & TransferFlow 74 Gal Aux Tank
2006 FR Sandpiper Sport F37 Toyhauler, 16K GVWR, 7K axles, 600W Solar
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Laura-N-Sasha
Anywhere, USA
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Joined: 04/24/2006
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Yup, wrong name for batteries, but anyway, hopefully they will be much better than the ones we have now.
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