agesilaus

Mail

Say what you want about the Mail but they do shine when it comes to events like this. Lots of photos and videos of the event. Gardiner is heavily damaged and cut off, the Carabella bridge built in 1918 is washed away. I assume the BLM campground right near there is kaput. The flood waters were at 15 ft compared to the old record of 11.5 set in 1918, the year the Carabella bridge was built.

Red Lodge is flooded.

So it sounds like the north part of the park is going to be closed for a extended period. Bridges and roads heavily damaged. From what I've seen the NPS is very slow to repair damage compared to state governments who will have contractors working by the end of the week. The NPS will be lucky to get started before the snow flies.

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Here's an interesting article on deaths in the Canyon:

https://wereintherockies.com/how-many-people-have-died-in-the-grand-canyon/#:~:text=As of 2021%2C about 900,year in the Grand Canyon.

Very interesting article, you will be surprised at the number one cause of death. Falls from the top are well down the list at 60 thru 2021. Deaths from heart attack and dehydration are higher in the list at 100.

As for acclimation to the climate, it seems obvious to me after seeing countless tourists from non-high altitude desert country  or low humidity, hot temp country starting on a hike with a tiny bottle of water. Maybe a quarter of a  liter instead of the multiple liter bottles they should be carrying. Add in the natural hazards of the canyon and you are asking for trouble.

So yes, I'd guess tourists just arrived from less extreme climates are more at risk.

As for that hike into the canyon bottom, not for us. We would not even consider it knowing our limitations. That trail down to the view point, yes that is on our todo list. My 25 year old, rock climbing, son could manage the hike to the river easily.

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you did any research on the weather of the Ottawa valley

Why on earth would I look into the Ottawa weather? My interest was very transitory and quickly dissipated.

3 hours ago, Darryl&Rita said:

What does Ottawa have to do with anything? 100+ degree temps, plus underprepared, plus extra activity equals trouble. No matter where you're from. From the article, the reports came in at 5:20 pm, pretty much the peak temperature time of day.

If you read the article you would know she came from Ottawa

Easy going down not so easy coming back up:

Article

Does it ever get really hot in Ottawa? Probably not ready for the heat and low humidity.

Saw a photo of a station price board in Cali: over $7 for premium

FL Park reservation system seems to be ...ah fouled up. We tried to reserve a spot at a local park, Pad length 30 feet site length 61 feet according to the website. the website showed openings. But we could not log in since the software insisted that our address was not in the official US list of addresses. A big surprise since we have been getting mail there for 30 years. Tried a neighbors address, same response.
Called the reservation phone number, the women there was adamant those sites were tents only?! Drove out to the park and looked at those sites, they had RV's in them. The sites are dirt, no pads, and plenty long enough. And wide enough to park truck next to the RV which is 30 feet long.
Gave up.

Addendum

Went back today and lied about our address and finally got registered and made reservations at Silver Springs. Hard to believe but their system, even when it works, makes res.gov look good.

I'm quite surprised to see that diesel has dropped from $5.69 to $5.54 locally and $5.39 in the next town. I did not expect to see that. We'll see how long that lasts or if the trend continues down.

That's an option I considered

FL Park reservation system seems to be ...ah fouled up. We tried to reserve a spot at a local park, Pad length 30 feet site length 61 feet according to the website. the website showed openings. But we could not log in since the software insisted that our address was not in the official US list of addresses. A big surprise since we have been getting mail there for 30 years. Tried a neighbors address, same response.
Called the reservation phone number, the women there was adamant those sites were tents only?! Drove out to the park and looked at those sites, they had RV's in them. The sites are dirt, no pads, and plenty long enough. And wide enough to park truck next to the RV which is 30 feet long.
Gave up.

Best I can find now is Walmart $169, 850 CCA and a 48 month warranty

Just now, Jaydrvr said:

Not any significant difference in batteries. Your best deal is often at a dealer. I usually pay around $75-80 each at a Volvo dealership, although last time was at a Kenworth dealer in Minneapolis. Jay

$75 for a 800 CCA battery? Last time I bought one is was around a $100 no more you have to look hard to find one under $200 and that would be 24 month one not 36 month

I have no faith in GY after their RV tire fiasco. I'm going with the Coopers, made inn the US and has good reviews. I'm surprised at the poor Michelin reviews, I've never had any but thought they were supposed to be very good. 

Thanks for the replies

Any using Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT Tires? I was looking at Michelin LTX but they have a lot of bad reviews at the 20K to 30K point. Mainly vanishing sipes and the tread peeling off. The Coopers get good reviews from what I can see. We've been using Goodrich AT3 but they are noisy and maybe not the best on highway tires.
We just bought a used RAM 2500 and is has Sailuns of all things, mostly worn out too.
We are 90% on the road and 10% off road pulling an 8K TT. The XLT are supposed designed for HD trucks

Secondly, I want to replace the truck batteries. Just as a preventive, I have no idea how old they are but they don't look new. Any batteries better than others? Or just what the auto parts place has?

We finally are going to get on the road again, God willing. After a lot series of problems since November. A quick run around the Southeast, maybe to Natchez Trace. Back here for appointments in early June then off to the Escapade in TN. Them maybe to the Yupper and the north country in July.

3 hours ago, Dollytrolley said:

We used to do a bit better than this......

Amazing and dismaying what two years time can bring.

Hope you did not put a big deposit down on that Rivian:

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Rivian produced 2,553 vehicles in the first quarter, putting it on course to meet its production goal of 25,000 EVs this year, the company said Tuesday. Rivian also reported that it delivered 1,227 vehicles in the first quarter

One third of the year and they delivered 1200 trucks, thats a long way from their reduced target of 25000

Three popups, successively larger, one Trailmanor, a Titanium Fiver, and now an Arctic Fox TT. Not counting tents, six in all

Well it is heating up here in Florida and diesel is locally 5.69 at most stations the Murphy station was 5.21 tho and the Samsclub about the same

Right now first draft: do the Natchez Trace in May, back to Florida for appointments then up to the Escapade. Then head north up I75 into Michigan and the Yupper. Then across to Minnesota north country. Missing the black fly season hopefully. Then west to some where.

Fuel prices mean trying to have longer stays at stops, the inevitable recession may drive fuel prices down while it stops the inflation. Good for retired folks bad for working people.

I don't know where you could park it outside the park, maybe in West Yellowstone. I don't recall seeing any large public parking lots there however. And it's a long way from there to the geyser basins. People who haven't been there have no appreciation for how big the park is. Cody is way too far away.

Good Luck finding a camp to reserve

Well the major parks are Yellowstone-Tetons. Maybe you friend's cg is near there otherwise you better make reservations ASAP. Glacier NP is the other one, I'd say Glacier is more of a hiking park. Yellowstone has all sorts of sites you can park and have a shortish walk to see whats there. Some walking is needed tho. The geyser basins take some walking maybe half a mile to one mile all told, not all at once. Paved trails.

That applies to Rushmore too there is a walk into the park and then past the visitor center. Devils Tower has a walk around the Tower, paved and maybe a mile plus. You can see one side of the tower from the parking lot.

Custer State Park at the Badlands is a major attraction with all sorts of critters including Bison herds. Crazy Horse appeals to some folks a lot think it's a ripoff tho. It has been under construction for decades with little obvious progress.

Personally the idea of driving a 45 ft fiver thru St Louis surface streets seems unwise.

Badlands NP is a good drive thru park with lots of turn outs. Custer Battlefield NM is a quick visit park with a scenic drive. Worth the diversion, it is right off I90.

Well let me mention that many cg shut down 9/30 anyway in MT and WY. They got the first blizzard last year a day or two later last year.

You don't give us enough info to make suggestions other than good restaurants. Those may be hard to find in MT cities are far apart up there. What do you want to see. What is your planned route?

There is supposed to be a good boondocking site directly across from the Mesa Verde highway. Have not used it myself.

We just signed up  couple of days ago for our second Escapade.

OK not quite true:

How to use an airtag with Android-- Lifewire

There need to be iphones nearby but you do not need one. Limits the airtag usefulness to urban environments IMO