91 replies to this topic

[buzzman]

Jack...I'm actually sending this trip report from home, however, I'm using Verizon wireless internet access which I did use while on this trip. I have a USB modem that I plug into my laptop and I can get internet wherever I can get a cell phone signal. For example, when we're are driving down the highway. We would also sometimes stop in a rest area and check the weather, for example. It's not quite as fast as DSL or TV cable internet, but it's very portable and I can also plug the modem into my desk top computer when at home if I want to use it for internet. I live in an area of rural west TN where I have no DSL or TV cable for high speed internet. The sluggishness of my dial-up connection was getting too much to take, and the satellite internet service was too expensive and not as portable. It costs me $60/month for the Verizon internet, sort of expensive, but it's the best choice I have available and I can use it almost anywhere I go. I've had it for about 9 months and so far I really like it.

Internet in my FWC with coffee at my side.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[buzzman]

silverstriketim...thanks for refreshing my memory...Fannette Island and Cave Rock. We spent three days in Gardnerville, stones throw from Minden. Sherri's son lives in Gardnerville. I suspect we'll be back.

[John D]

Buzzman, My sister uses broad band cellular service for internet in rural Alabama. She tried the other approaches you listed without success and came to the same conclusion as you. We do not have it yet.

It looks like you could use a sliding rear window in your truck and camper. I found a beautiful aluminum framed model for my truck in a salvage yard for 20 bucks and it was easy to install.

Many say the California Zephyr provides the most scenic train ride in the United States. My kids are too impatient for it but I think it is much better than flying, especially with a sleeping compartment. Nothing quite compares with something like your truck and camper. John D

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[buzzman]

John D.

My truck originally had a sliding rear window. I didn't use it much over the years and it made wind noise. When I was refurbishing the truck and replacing windows, I took the sliding window out and replaced it with a one piece window. I still have the original sliding rear window. Since I didn't have a sliding rear window in the truck anymore when I ordered my FWC, I ordered the FWC without sliding window. So far, I don't miss the sliders.

The train looks pretty cool.

[John D]

Buzzman, Thanks for addressing my sliding rear window comment. I am glad you kept the sliding window. The stock unit is very nicely made. I will be trying to talk you into putting the slider back in to test my theory that a slide in camper with a sliding window is a good as having an extended cab. At least, that is the argument I make to GF, but she is not buying it.

I wanted to buy a new truck. The only 8 foot bed half tons I could find had standard cabs. GF will not accept anything other than an extended cab and our camper requires an 8 foot bed.

I have a nice 1973 Chevy Super 10 survivor. After seeing the success of you truck, I’m cleaning it up to try our camper on it rather they buying a new truck. This will test the idea that a camper can replace the extended cab for long trips.

Amtrak Auto Train that runs between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL. It is an overnight trip. Our campers are oversized vehicles. I don’t know about the fares. I would imagine Amtrak will eventually do this east – west. John D

[buzzman]

The next day, after our circumnavigation of the Lake, Sherri's son took us on a hike on part of the Tahoe Rim trail. We went on a section of the trail near the Heavenly Valley North ski area. The weather was great and the scenery was awesome. We started the hike in the afternoon and walked only about 3 1/2 to 4 miles one way because we were limited by the daylight.

Looking to the northeast into Nevada between Minden and Carson City. The road cut on the side of the mountain is Hwy 207 between Gardnerville and South Lake Tahoe.


My hiking buddies


Lake Tahoe view


One of the Heavenly ski lifts


Sherri on the trail.


Looking south. I think that's Monument Peak out there in the distance on the right??


Looking southeast. The afternoon shadows are getting long.


We are heading back in the late afternoon.


Looking northeast again, with setting sun.


This was probably my favorite day of the Lake Tahoe visit. I truly enjoyed it and hope to hike here again. I found out later that another one of our WTW members, pvstoy, was also on the Tahoe Rim Trail the same day we were.

The saga continues...

[buzzman]

Ever since I started reading some of the WTW members' trip reports on CA Hwy 395, I wanted to go there. So when we left Gardnerville NV, we headed south on 395. We didn't know how far we would get the first day. As I mentioned before, I'm always amazed at the wide open spaces and the beauty in the west and this portion of the trip did not disappoint. So here are a few photos along 395 from Gardnerville NV to Mammoth Mt CA.



Mono Lake




Minaret Vista near Mammoth Mt


My rig at Minaret vista


Mammoth Mt


Hwy 395 is a very very scenic. The traffic was light on 395 and most places we stopped had very few people visiting. Mammoth Mountain was quiet.

[buzzman]

We stopped in Bishop at the Public Lands Info Center to find out where we might camp for the night. Very helpful place. We found out about some free camping at a place called Grandview, located near the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. It sounded nice. It was! At Big Pine we turned onto the fairly curvy Hwy 168 toward the White Mountains and into the Inyo NF. This road was one of those second gear climbs for my old truck.

Part of Hwy 168


It was sort of late in the afternoon when we got to Grandview but we found a nice secluded site. There was one other couple that were tent camping on the other side of the campground.

Here's our camp site


One of our views in the evening


The same view the next morning


Drive up to the Bristlecone Pine Forest


Sierra View Overlook


In the Bristlecone Pine Forest




A view on the drive back down from the Bristlecone Pine Forest

[Ted]

Buzzman,

Really enjoying your trip report. Recognizing some areas we have enjoyed visiting also. I'm amused by your calling Highway 168 up to the White Mountains "fairly curvy". That is like calling Death Valley in the summertime "fairly warm".

Keep up the great work.

[craig333]

Oh man, I want to do the white mountains so bad. And I live so close and haven't been there. /sigh