Today's Tiresome Tracking
DATELINE: Goreville Illinois, Hilltop Campground
We spent an enjoyable Sunday and Monday nights parked in front of our Anderson cousins in Springfield MO.
We reluctantly left this morning and crossed the IL state line about an hour ago and are now encamped in a PAID-for RV slot where we are running both AC's on high power trying to suck the humidity out of the air and will dump our nasty stuff from both tanks in the morning. So far all functions are nominal in the RV except for intermittent stoppage of our hot water heater. We currently must switch it off & on several times but so far it's keeping us supplied with great hot water.
We were cruising along at highway speeds (60 MPH) on Route 60, the original coast-to-coast highway that never received the glory or acclaim that route 66 did, which only ran from Santa Monica CA to Chicago, a non coast-to-coast route for real. Of a sudden there were several sets of brake lights stopping right in the middle of the highway, and we realized there was a HUGE wreck involving 2 jack-knifed semi's. Evidently one was slowing down and the other slammed into him from behind, resulting in both rigs jack knifing across the eastbound lane, with the forward-most truck jack knifing so sharply that it sheared the cab off the tractor chassis. Missouri state patrol soon showed up and efficiently directed stalled traffic over to the westbound lanes, allowing us to resume travel only 30 or so minutes after the wreck occurred. Of course we were unable to learn of the fate of either driver nor the exact story of the accident.
Wrecks in NM normally seem to block traffic entirely for hours on end, and it was impressive to see the highway patrol here actually get things moving instead of forcing traffic to back up for hours and miles on end.
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Monday, July 17, 2017
RV Grandkid Tour 2017 Day 12
Up-To-Date Tracking via Ham Radio APRS
DATELINE: Springfield, Missouri
We drove all day Sunday after leaving Sherry and Ben's RV Parque and arrived early that evening at Cousin Jerry and Sally's Front Yard RV facility in Springfield, a favorite town for many peoples including ourselves.
Again a bit tired from all the windshield time, we are laying over 2 nights before heading onward and eastward toward southern Illinois.
Springfield is a nice break from the heat and humidity of OK, since it actually cols off noticeably when the sun goes down. An unusual concept for this trip so far.
Who knows where we'll wind up after that, but we ARE looking forward to a big Bluegrass Festival in Michigan the latter part of this month.
-Gotta sign off for now, since Jacque brought me an ice cream bar.
DATELINE: Springfield, Missouri
We drove all day Sunday after leaving Sherry and Ben's RV Parque and arrived early that evening at Cousin Jerry and Sally's Front Yard RV facility in Springfield, a favorite town for many peoples including ourselves.
Again a bit tired from all the windshield time, we are laying over 2 nights before heading onward and eastward toward southern Illinois.
Springfield is a nice break from the heat and humidity of OK, since it actually cols off noticeably when the sun goes down. An unusual concept for this trip so far.
Who knows where we'll wind up after that, but we ARE looking forward to a big Bluegrass Festival in Michigan the latter part of this month.
-Gotta sign off for now, since Jacque brought me an ice cream bar.
Thursday, July 13, 2017
RV Grandkid Tour 2017 Day 8
Today's Tremendous Tracking
Well, thus far we have enjoyed two "Free" nights of RV camping, courtesy of Sam Walton.
Tuesday we pulled into the Walmart parking lot in Rock Springs, WY, and since it already had multiple RV's parked in a cluster at the far end of the parking lot, we didn't even ask permission. We just pulled in and occupied a large spot (Almost 50 feet including the "Toad" towed Ford Exploder. In spite of the few who ran their engines and generators, we enjoyed a restful night's sleep there and moved on along toward Denver wherefore to call upon Susie and Jeremiah. They had recommended a nearby RV park but we were disappointed to find it almost overflowing with NO vacancies. So we pulled out of there and went to the closest Walmart, where we immediately found "No Camping or Overnight Parking" signs posted all over the place. We got on the mobile internet and found a Sams Club in Thornton, called them on the cell phone, and YES, they did indeed allow overnighters there. It was a long drive across the Denver metroplex but we could find no other RV camps listed and of course Denver is just naturally crowded since it is so large.
Then we fought traffic back over to Aurora where Jerry & Susie live and they treated us to a very tasty buffalo dinner at Ted's Place, as in Ted Turner. Then we bid our fond good-nights and fought our way back across Denver traffic to spend the night at Sam's Club. We assumed the parking lot would be clogged with other RV's but there was only one other 'customer' that stayed the night in a van camper next to us.
Turned out to be very cool and quiet and we enjoyed another night's peaceful rest.
This morning we broke camp late, hoping to let some of the Denver rush hour crowd dissipate, and fought I-70 eastbound traffic for 10 miles or more before it thinned out into normal interstate traffic. This led us to the Kansas State Line whereupon we traversed the unending expanse of Kansas most of the day. Tonight we could find no Walmarts or Sam's Clubs so we pulled into a Kansas State Rest Area where hopefully we can attain another night's peace and quiet for minimal additional expense.
Well, thus far we have enjoyed two "Free" nights of RV camping, courtesy of Sam Walton.
Tuesday we pulled into the Walmart parking lot in Rock Springs, WY, and since it already had multiple RV's parked in a cluster at the far end of the parking lot, we didn't even ask permission. We just pulled in and occupied a large spot (Almost 50 feet including the "Toad" towed Ford Exploder. In spite of the few who ran their engines and generators, we enjoyed a restful night's sleep there and moved on along toward Denver wherefore to call upon Susie and Jeremiah. They had recommended a nearby RV park but we were disappointed to find it almost overflowing with NO vacancies. So we pulled out of there and went to the closest Walmart, where we immediately found "No Camping or Overnight Parking" signs posted all over the place. We got on the mobile internet and found a Sams Club in Thornton, called them on the cell phone, and YES, they did indeed allow overnighters there. It was a long drive across the Denver metroplex but we could find no other RV camps listed and of course Denver is just naturally crowded since it is so large.
Then we fought traffic back over to Aurora where Jerry & Susie live and they treated us to a very tasty buffalo dinner at Ted's Place, as in Ted Turner. Then we bid our fond good-nights and fought our way back across Denver traffic to spend the night at Sam's Club. We assumed the parking lot would be clogged with other RV's but there was only one other 'customer' that stayed the night in a van camper next to us.
Turned out to be very cool and quiet and we enjoyed another night's peaceful rest.
This morning we broke camp late, hoping to let some of the Denver rush hour crowd dissipate, and fought I-70 eastbound traffic for 10 miles or more before it thinned out into normal interstate traffic. This led us to the Kansas State Line whereupon we traversed the unending expanse of Kansas most of the day. Tonight we could find no Walmarts or Sam's Clubs so we pulled into a Kansas State Rest Area where hopefully we can attain another night's peace and quiet for minimal additional expense.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
RV Grandkid Tour 2017 Day 6
Tracking for the last 6 Days
We left home on 6 July, headed first to Utah for our Shelley Family Reunion, staged in Riverdale UT.
We stopped for the first night in Monticello UT at a small RV park which, along with being rather un-neighborly, charged us 43-something bucks for an RV hookup which had no viable TV available.
This ticked us off because we think it's a bit of a rip-off paying more than TWENTY bucks a night, which even at that rate adds up to ~ 600 a month. Which is a rather steep price to pay for a narrow parking spot, even with electricity and water and sewer. At least WE think so.
We then spent 2 nights parked in my sister's driveway, sucking their electricity trying to stay cool, in Sunset UT. Went to the fam reunion on Saturday and attended Church meetings with her and her hubby Bill on Sunday. Left Monday morning and arrived in the wonderful small Mormon town of Hyrum UT in the famed Cache Valley and stayed one wonderful night parked in the Funk's ample driveway with enough electricity to run BOTH air conditioners - which was wonderful. Great people living in a small friendly town where everyone smiles and waves, even the little kids.
Now parked in Rock Springs WY at Walmart amongst a growing crowd of other RV's parking for the night. Off to Denver in the morning to visit Susie and Jerry (daughter #2) and thence eastward to catch up with Jacque's side of the family.
More later, to coin a phrase.
We left home on 6 July, headed first to Utah for our Shelley Family Reunion, staged in Riverdale UT.
We stopped for the first night in Monticello UT at a small RV park which, along with being rather un-neighborly, charged us 43-something bucks for an RV hookup which had no viable TV available.
This ticked us off because we think it's a bit of a rip-off paying more than TWENTY bucks a night, which even at that rate adds up to ~ 600 a month. Which is a rather steep price to pay for a narrow parking spot, even with electricity and water and sewer. At least WE think so.
We then spent 2 nights parked in my sister's driveway, sucking their electricity trying to stay cool, in Sunset UT. Went to the fam reunion on Saturday and attended Church meetings with her and her hubby Bill on Sunday. Left Monday morning and arrived in the wonderful small Mormon town of Hyrum UT in the famed Cache Valley and stayed one wonderful night parked in the Funk's ample driveway with enough electricity to run BOTH air conditioners - which was wonderful. Great people living in a small friendly town where everyone smiles and waves, even the little kids.
Now parked in Rock Springs WY at Walmart amongst a growing crowd of other RV's parking for the night. Off to Denver in the morning to visit Susie and Jerry (daughter #2) and thence eastward to catch up with Jacque's side of the family.
More later, to coin a phrase.
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Recovery Riding
Today's Predictable Tracking
Just the usual 10-mile loop around the neighborhood to make sure the tired legs are still working.
They were, but they were still complaining just a little bit. All this even after 4 days of loafing. Well, at least not riding the trike. Loading and hauling junk around is tedious but not aerobic and certainly not as fun as whizzing along the road under one's own power.
It's been really hot lately, even with an occasional splat of short-lived so-called monsoon rain.
Leaving the house before the sun gets over the horizon certainly lessens any pain and suffering from bike riding. I used Jacque's spray-on 30 SPF sunscreen today instead of the thick white 50 SPF goo I normally slather on exposed arms, legs, etc.
Ride Started: 6:41 AM Ride Ended: 8:43 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.7 Ending Voltage: 13.0 Lowest: 12.9Beginning Blood Glucose: 120 Ending BG Reading: 159Lowest Temp 57F Highest Temp: 75F Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 10.83Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed 5.3 MPH 6.4 MPH 30.1 MPHTotal Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time2 hours 0 mins 1 hour 40 mins 19 minutes
Just the usual 10-mile loop around the neighborhood to make sure the tired legs are still working.
They were, but they were still complaining just a little bit. All this even after 4 days of loafing. Well, at least not riding the trike. Loading and hauling junk around is tedious but not aerobic and certainly not as fun as whizzing along the road under one's own power.
It's been really hot lately, even with an occasional splat of short-lived so-called monsoon rain.
Leaving the house before the sun gets over the horizon certainly lessens any pain and suffering from bike riding. I used Jacque's spray-on 30 SPF sunscreen today instead of the thick white 50 SPF goo I normally slather on exposed arms, legs, etc.
Ride Started: 6:41 AM Ride Ended: 8:43 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.7 Ending Voltage: 13.0 Lowest: 12.9Beginning Blood Glucose: 120 Ending BG Reading: 159Lowest Temp 57F Highest Temp: 75F Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 10.83Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed 5.3 MPH 6.4 MPH 30.1 MPHTotal Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time2 hours 0 mins 1 hour 40 mins 19 minutes
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Sandia Crest Ascent, Finally
(This ride occurred on Friday; I finished editing this post Saturday evening)
Today's rather effective tracking
I started out this fine morning planning to ride a different route, up Sandia Crest Road to the Doc Long picnic area and back. As I got closer, however, the idea of trying to make it all the way to Sandia Crest swelled up in my tiny brain. So, after a potty break, I continued on up Sandia Crest Road instead of returning home. I wasn't feeling extra strong this morning, but I thought if it got too tired out I would just turn around at that point. However, the farther I went, I both got more tired and more into the realization that this was IT. If I didn't make it this trip, I prolly would never attempt it again. Several years ago Jacque's Uncle Max came out here from Prescott at age 80 and rode his carbon fiber bike up to the Crest just so he could tell his buddies he'd done it. A "guy" thing, no doubt. Jacque and I accompanied him for a couple miles on our recumbent bikes but he got so far ahead we lost track of him and gave up the chase after a couple more miles struggling up that long steep climb.
Nowadays I have this Catrike, see, that has not only 27 gears but a great Granny Gear that allows me to pull almost any hill, slow though it may be. Thus my foolish ambition to try it again today.
The first 10 miles or so were tiring, to be sure, but not discouraging, so I kept going. I thought the road signs along this road posted the miles remaining to the Crest and thought I'd be able to guage my progress from that, but I never saw ONE mileage sign along the way. Which is just as well. If I'd seen how many more miles it was AFTER I was already hopelessly exhausted I would have aborted and turned around.
A funny thing happened on the way to the Crest. As I passed one of the near-vertical walls of rock adjacent to the pavement, I heard a loud CRACK! ~ and in a blur of dust and gravel, a few chunks of rock about a foot in diameter fell loose from high up the face of the bluff and crashed to the shoulder of the road maybe 20 feet in front of me. We see these free-fall rocks out in the roadway from time to time but this is perhaps the only time I've actually witnessed such a thing. I was both glad the rocks weren't bigger AND that I wasn't closer to them. Of course, as usual, my camera was perched on top of my helmet but OFF at the time, so I have no video of it. Oh Well. As usual, the only time anything interesting happens, the camera is either missing in action or OFF. Sigh.
By the time I'd made it about HALFway up the road, I was getting a bit over-tired. BUT, lacking accurate mileage information, I assumed it would be "Just a Few More Miles" and that I should keep going.
The farther I went the more I remembered how long this climb is in a CAR, with a working MOTOR. You wind around bend after bend, hairpin after hairpin, picnic area after multiple trailheads, and still no Crest in sight. Then, when you finally SEE the radio towers poking above the trees, you think you're almost there. No so, at least for a few more miles and more multiple switchbacks. Well, this is not a short trip in the CAR and it's even more drawn-out when you're exhausted and cranking away on a people-powered machine.
I started hurting and my knees began complaining, and truly I wished I had never started it, but still couldn't bring myself to give up and turn around "so close to the goal".
The last few miles were pure agony, with me having to stop and catch my breath and rest my weary legs every few minutes, resulting in a VERY low average speed. I probably could have WALKED the distance about the same average speed, though of course if I carried all the water and other baggage on the bike I'd have walked slower if at all. I started the ride foolishly, not planning on the long climb, and had only 2 32-ounce water bottles on board along with a few cookies in sandwich bags and oatmeal breakfast bars. I soon ran out of everything edible and drinkable, and literally drooled at the thought of buying some water and food from the restaurant at the Crest when I finally got there.
Did I mention I also ran off without my cell phone, so I couldn't easily call my rescue crew (Jacque) ?
Dum, Dumb, Dumb. Long long story short, I finally achieved the Crest. I could hardly walk and was quite dizzy and had to brace myself along the rail as I walked down the steps into the restaurant, where I promptly picked up an ice cold bottle of water and a 12 ounce can of Classic Coke. It cost me a whopping $5.30 and I was happy to pay it. I drank the Coke first, and it was a sweet nectar indeed, and almost immediately I started feeling human again.
I took a couple of shots parked there as undeniable "Proof" I'd actually made it.
Today's rather effective tracking
I started out this fine morning planning to ride a different route, up Sandia Crest Road to the Doc Long picnic area and back. As I got closer, however, the idea of trying to make it all the way to Sandia Crest swelled up in my tiny brain. So, after a potty break, I continued on up Sandia Crest Road instead of returning home. I wasn't feeling extra strong this morning, but I thought if it got too tired out I would just turn around at that point. However, the farther I went, I both got more tired and more into the realization that this was IT. If I didn't make it this trip, I prolly would never attempt it again. Several years ago Jacque's Uncle Max came out here from Prescott at age 80 and rode his carbon fiber bike up to the Crest just so he could tell his buddies he'd done it. A "guy" thing, no doubt. Jacque and I accompanied him for a couple miles on our recumbent bikes but he got so far ahead we lost track of him and gave up the chase after a couple more miles struggling up that long steep climb.
Nowadays I have this Catrike, see, that has not only 27 gears but a great Granny Gear that allows me to pull almost any hill, slow though it may be. Thus my foolish ambition to try it again today.
The first 10 miles or so were tiring, to be sure, but not discouraging, so I kept going. I thought the road signs along this road posted the miles remaining to the Crest and thought I'd be able to guage my progress from that, but I never saw ONE mileage sign along the way. Which is just as well. If I'd seen how many more miles it was AFTER I was already hopelessly exhausted I would have aborted and turned around.
A funny thing happened on the way to the Crest. As I passed one of the near-vertical walls of rock adjacent to the pavement, I heard a loud CRACK! ~ and in a blur of dust and gravel, a few chunks of rock about a foot in diameter fell loose from high up the face of the bluff and crashed to the shoulder of the road maybe 20 feet in front of me. We see these free-fall rocks out in the roadway from time to time but this is perhaps the only time I've actually witnessed such a thing. I was both glad the rocks weren't bigger AND that I wasn't closer to them. Of course, as usual, my camera was perched on top of my helmet but OFF at the time, so I have no video of it. Oh Well. As usual, the only time anything interesting happens, the camera is either missing in action or OFF. Sigh.
By the time I'd made it about HALFway up the road, I was getting a bit over-tired. BUT, lacking accurate mileage information, I assumed it would be "Just a Few More Miles" and that I should keep going.
The farther I went the more I remembered how long this climb is in a CAR, with a working MOTOR. You wind around bend after bend, hairpin after hairpin, picnic area after multiple trailheads, and still no Crest in sight. Then, when you finally SEE the radio towers poking above the trees, you think you're almost there. No so, at least for a few more miles and more multiple switchbacks. Well, this is not a short trip in the CAR and it's even more drawn-out when you're exhausted and cranking away on a people-powered machine.
I started hurting and my knees began complaining, and truly I wished I had never started it, but still couldn't bring myself to give up and turn around "so close to the goal".
The last few miles were pure agony, with me having to stop and catch my breath and rest my weary legs every few minutes, resulting in a VERY low average speed. I probably could have WALKED the distance about the same average speed, though of course if I carried all the water and other baggage on the bike I'd have walked slower if at all. I started the ride foolishly, not planning on the long climb, and had only 2 32-ounce water bottles on board along with a few cookies in sandwich bags and oatmeal breakfast bars. I soon ran out of everything edible and drinkable, and literally drooled at the thought of buying some water and food from the restaurant at the Crest when I finally got there.
Did I mention I also ran off without my cell phone, so I couldn't easily call my rescue crew (Jacque) ?
Dum, Dumb, Dumb. Long long story short, I finally achieved the Crest. I could hardly walk and was quite dizzy and had to brace myself along the rail as I walked down the steps into the restaurant, where I promptly picked up an ice cold bottle of water and a 12 ounce can of Classic Coke. It cost me a whopping $5.30 and I was happy to pay it. I drank the Coke first, and it was a sweet nectar indeed, and almost immediately I started feeling human again.
I took a couple of shots parked there as undeniable "Proof" I'd actually made it.
Looking into the entry of the Crest Restaurant
Looking Outward from the Restaurant toward the Radio Towers
In summary, if I'd known how much of a struggle it would be, I wouldn't have done it. Now that I've done it I can claim only limited bragging rights since I know literally hundreds of others have done it with a lot less struggle, and dozens who do it at least once a week. ME, I hope I never do it again. Hardest thing I've ever done.
The ride back down the mountain, of course, was much quicker and pleasant than the ride up. I cracked a new speed record as well, even though I was riding the brakes all the way down and glad they were disc brakes so they would hold all the way.
I'll probably need to replace the pads after this run but it will be worth it.
I'll probably need to replace the pads after this run but it will be worth it.
Elevation at Start: 6,800 feet Elevation at Sandia Crest: 10,678
Ride Started: 7:31 AM Ride Ended: 3:47 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 14.0 Ending Voltage: 12.8 Lowest: 12.7
Beginning Blood Glucose: 140 Ending BG Reading: 78
Lowest Temp 60F Highest Temp: 84F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 31.95
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
3.9 MPH 5.1 MPH 37.4 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
8 hours 13 mins 6 hours 15 mins 1 hour 58 minutes
Ride Started: 7:31 AM Ride Ended: 3:47 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 14.0 Ending Voltage: 12.8 Lowest: 12.7
Beginning Blood Glucose: 140 Ending BG Reading: 78
Lowest Temp 60F Highest Temp: 84F
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 31.95
Overall average speed Moving Avg Max Speed
3.9 MPH 5.1 MPH 37.4 MPH
Total Trip time Moving Time Stopped Time
8 hours 13 mins 6 hours 15 mins 1 hour 58 minutes
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