2gypsies

FPMTNGAL: Sorry for getting a little off-topic but what did you think of the park in Pinetop recently? I think you were the one considering it.

Grey tanks collect soap scum, grease, perhaps coffee grounds and food particles. If you leave the valve open all the time a lot of that is not washed away by the little trickles of water going through. The grease and scum can collect the other stuff and just stay at the bottom of the tank. It can also collect inside the sewer hose and around the seal. By leaving the grey valve closed until full or nearly full, when you do empty there's a big swish and movement of the contents and it just keeps the tank cleaner. Sometimes after emptying the grey and black and moving on, we'd fill the grey and black with 1/2 a tank of fresh water and a little Dawn and then do our driving thinking that this movement would do a little more cleaning. Tanks will never be completely clean no matter your routine. You can just help a little. We'd then dump it right away when we were at our next site or nearby at a dump station if going to a boondocking spot. I don't know if it helps but it made us feel better. 😉 Some rely on emptying a bag of ice cubes in the tank before moving on thinking that will clean it. There's a video experiment out there debunking this practice. https://www.thefitrv.com/rv-tips/do-ice-cubes-in-the-rv-black-tank-really-work/ The above link has a search bar for many more interesting topics this guy experiments on. Put in 'black tanks' and see them.

Here's a article on the iffy situation. It's just too early for a definitive plan. https://rv-pro.com/news/quartzsite-show-promoters-keep-wary-eye-on-covid/

You might want to go to your post and edit it. The resident only rule is understandable during coronavirus. Their stats have been steadily increasing. https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/news/arkansas-state-parks-begin-phased-reopening-camping-and-other-services

Even wider aisles isn't going to make it safe. That place is packed. There's no way to keep everyone 6' apart unless they put footstep decals on the floor every 6' all directions and you wait your turn until the footstep in front of you is clear. Otherwise, people are typically going to crowd together. How about coming to a booth to see what they have? One person at a time? It's not going to work safely. Hopefully, this will be somewhat over by then but I'm not counting on it.

With boondocking for two weeks' time, naturally both tanks are full when we leave. We may drive many miles before finding a dump station. Never an issue.

Sorry... I worded it wrong. I meant the number are coming up.

Congratulations!! Nice pics.

South Dakota (Sturgis Motorcycle) is coming up.... 647 new cases in one week; 10 new deaths in one week. Unfortunately, the majority of those at the rally aren't from South Dakota. They will be traveling through states and shedding the virus at many places.

We started with factory installed 4 acid house batteries; 2 chassis. Later we went to AGM As stated, we didn't use much electric at all. .. lights, radio, quick microwave use. Used a stovetop coffee pot and toaster was a fry pan.

The wife isn't on Medicare. This program would be good for those not on Medicare.

It began in 1977.

We had 300w for our 40' motorhome and served us very well for 8 years. Of course, we're not energy hogs. Charging was easily done wherever we were in the West.... in the East it may be different. We even got sufficient charge in Glacier Nat'l Park during one solid week of rain parked under trees. Our panels were in an opening of the trees so even the daytime light in the rain gave us enough charge. During sunny days we could last forever. What is your idea of boondocking in the winter on 4x4 roads? I guess I wrongly assumed by winter you meant in snowy conditions. Many places in the Southwest to do this. We used good gravel roads for our stays with the motorhome - up to approximately 20 miles from pavement. We didn't need 4x4 although we towed a Jeep which gave us excellent options for exploring farther in on true 4x4 roads. It's just us but we'd prefer a bigger RV for full-timing than you're thinking of and towing a car for siteseeing, shopping, etc. A car can go and fit in more places than a RV.

Here is the website: https://plushcare.com/our-doctors/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=LS_PlushCare&gclid=CjwKCAjwps75BRAcEiwAEiACMYedr9wzgTjF4ONNKHBubCZxKPYmZoxImPgd5Nlm3pCAQPHFTxQTnRoCxaIQAvD_BwE If you look at the web site there are pics and stats about their doctors. Here is one of them: https://www.caredash.com/doctors/allison-lovell-hjfnd Sounds like a good option to keep in mind.

I don't understand the wording in the link you provided for renovated RVs. It states: The minimum budget required is $50,000 for a fifth wheel or $30,000 for a travel trailer. This budget covers purchasing the RV from us and the renovation. I'm reading that for $50,000 you can buy the RV and have renovations done. What kind of RV are they talking about for that price? You might want to pick out your RV and then go to the manufacturer to see how it's built before renovation. Before putting a lot of money into an older RV decide if you will keep it a long time. Most RVers will not buy an old RV. You'll have a very limited audience for resale especially if you include a composting toilet and removing the black tank. When you start talking about changing the drivetrain and moving the whole kitchen you're going to get into more money than you think. You're considering winter camping so want 4x4. You'd had better have a satellite phone. Driving in the backcountry on unplowed roads could easily turn into being stranded.. even with 4x4. Good luck with your project! I hope you'll return with the finished RV to show us it CAN be done.

I use Avast Anti-Virus and no problems with the site.

This Fall Acadia will require that you have a reservation for entry to the park just as Rocky Mtn. and Yosemite have done this summer. However, it may be permanent at Acadia to manage the crowds. https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2020/08/acadia-national-park-test-its-reservation-system-fall?utm_source=National+Parks+Traveler+Week+in+Review%2C+August+11%2C+2020&utm_campaign=National+Parks+Traveler+Weekly+Review&utm_medium=email

Here it is.... worked for me. http://rvservicereviews.com/Index.asp

We really like teaching hospitals associated with an university. Their clinics can take care of all specialities and your records are all in one place. They are up-to-date on the latest procedures.

With today's virus going on I don't think I'd like a trailer without a bathroom but that's just me. You have a 2010 Forester. Are you planning to keep it in the near future? Perhaps getting a vehicle to be able to pull a small trailer with a bathroom might work. The Casita brand of small trailers has a nice small 16' with a bathroom and bunks.

I totally agree with your route. The ferry is fun!

Here it is on the Oregon State Park site. https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=v.feature-article&articleId=286

Early in our full-timing years we stayed at a couple rest areas. They are not a favorite. First, the truckers need them more than a RVer. Secondly, I don't think they're as safe after 10pm as a WalMart would be. I certainly wouldn't use the bathroom after 10pm. There are some wierdos out there. Mid-day once we went out our door and 3 truckers immediately surrounded us. They asked us to come over to watch a game they were playing and guaranteed to win big bucks. Nope. If you Google WalMart overnighting you can get a list with phone numbers to call and ask. We stayed away from big city stores... just felt safer in small towns. We soon learned not to drive so many hours and never used businesses again. We traveled secondary roads so there were also nice public parks to stay or boondocking spots. I hope you can make this work..... it would be great for both boys ..... and the parents, too!

H1N1 (swine flu) was nowhere as deadly as COVID-19. It hit children and young adults more because older people had already built up immunity through exposure to similar strains of the flu over the years. COVID-19 deaths in 6 months has hit 162,000 in the U.S. H1N1 deaths in 1 year was 12, 500 https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-03-h1n1-flu-covid-pandemics-response.html

Driving a 30' RV cross country is no different than driving it just in your own state. The difference is time. Are you retired? Can you take more time to get to Arcata? I'd advise planning on 300 miles/day of travel. Pull in early with time to relax, have dinner (in your RV or go to a take-out place), shower have a good night's sleep. Donner Pass - by the time you get there you'll be so much more comfortable driving. You will have probably used your RV on other inclines/declines. This one is very doable and many RVers do it. It's a popular route. It's a long downhill with places to pull over, if needed. Get into low gear so you don't have to use your brakes as often. It's multiple lane. Stay in the right lane so you won't feel pressured to go faster than you want. You can do it!! Hwy 101 is not mountain driving. Yes, there will be hills but no major ups and downs. There will be gentle curves but not hairpin turns. Many portions are straight and flat. It's really an easy drive. The end of September/first of October is a safe time for your trip - weatherwise. Your only concern should be the miles to get there in a reasonable time period. If you can adjust and take it easier across it will be more enjoyable for you, less tiring and safer. I'd advise to really avoid 600 miles a day with a RV even with two drivers.