Recent content by swinn

I recently completed a trip using Microsoft Streets and Trips as my mapping solution for staying on track.  I have a permanently installed PC with a 9" touchscreen mounted to the dash.  I found Streets and Trips to be far less than ideal. My gripe list is pretty long: Zoom in/out icons jump...

Thanks for all the positive comments!  I enjoyed writing about it almost as much as experiencing it.  Everyone had a good time in spite of the challenges.

My pulloff was at a tow company. A large wrecker and several disabled large vehicles already occupied the large paved lot that I joined.  With the engine off I surveyed my situation and thoughts of serpentine belt replacement inside a miserable doghouse area filled my mind.  Finding parts in...

Gary, the tire advice given here is right on.  Unfortunately I had to learn it myself first hand to really believe it.  An explosion that sounds like a shotgun going off next to your head is enough to smack some sense into a person.  I am thankful it was a rear and not the front.  I can't...

I woke up at 7:30 the next morning, a Saturday.  The truck repair shop was open at 8 so I grabbed a vending machine snack and walked over to the shop.  They were open until noon so there was only 4 hours to find out what would happen.  I talked with the owner and he already had a fuel pump...

The next morning everyone was up for an early departure.  I decided to forgo our final destination of bryce and head on the interstates back towards home on the most direct route possible.  I refilled at moab to have as much fuel as possible and bought several gallons of extra drinking water in...

The next morning in arches we fell into our usual routine again with early morning coffee for grandma and tea for me.  The views of arches from the campground are really nice.  The early morning air was cool and refreshing after the frustration of the day before.  I decided to get back into moab...

Things ran like normal the rest of the way into moab.  I fueled up again, been doing that often!  Averaging 8.2 mpg for the trip.  Searched out parts stores in moab and they were all closed.  Everything seemed OK so we drove on out to the campground in arches where I had a reservation for two...

On the appointed day we headed out of colorado springs via costco fuel up.  Our destination is arches national park which consists of a 400+ mile drive over some of the highest passes we could find.  North to denver and then west through vail pass.  The RV was performing admirably with no real...

After the remote stay we headed to Colorado Springs where we would again spend time with family.  After a couple hours of uneventful driving we arrived.  I drove past 'the wrangler' rv park and decided it wasn't for us.  I decided to stay at Cheyyene Mountain state park.  The state park has full...

The next morning we prepared for travel again, following our usual routine.  Grandma and I up earlier, kids and mom sleeping a bit later.  The camp host had a pace arrow almost identical in age to ours so we felt at home.  Fishing is on the agenda for today so we packed up the beds into tables...

Our last morning in Morefield brought some more deer, a morning walk and news that the family we expected to meet in CO later that day would be delayed a day.  Our plan was to dry camp at a remote land site owned by the relatives but did not want to go try finding it by ourselves.  I started...

In the AM grandma and I rise for a morning walk.  We see deer all over within the campground.  Does and their fauns are grazing and playing.  One doe approaches us and munches grass within 20 feet.  After breakfast I get the rig ready for movement and we drive into mesa verde to see the sights...

Morning time again, this time in a lush, green, damp forest.  As has quickly become routine grandma and I sneak out best we can while the others sleep.  On a long walk down long jim loop I see a lone travel trailer with a lone camper standing and leaning on his truck.  I wave hi, and receive a...

Thanks for the comments.  My expectation was to have problems with the equipment and it didn't dissapoint!  More to come.  I really came to apprecite the many bits of advice I got here, but had to learn some of it for myself.  I really went back and forth on the tires before I started the trip...