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RE: Not using the Interstate!
Our best non-Interstate trip, Washington State to Washington DC (actually Fredericksburg, VA) 483 miles on the Interstates. Had to really work at it.
Heck, even Kansas and Nebraska had/have unexpected scenery off the I-States.
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Bruce and Sue
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03/07/10 07:42am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Long vist to North West ie OR & WA -- Senic campgrounds
Some spots to check out in Washington for federal CGs around:
Carson to Mount Saint Helens and on to Randle.
In and around White Salmon.
Trout Lake
We've camped at many campgrounds in those areas and have enjoyed them all. Use the link given you in a previous post to get more information or go to the Forest Service web site and you should be able to get all the info you need for the various Nat'l Forests in Washington and Oregon.
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Bruce and Sue
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02/25/10 07:32am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: state parks near wenatchee
This may help:
Lincoln Rock
Wenatchee Confluence
Lake Wenatchee
And, a bit further away-- Sun Lakes
Weather in July is usually warm and dry -- can be quite warm!!
As for showers nearly all the state parks in Washington have them, but they are fee showers.
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Bruce and Sue
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02/25/10 07:18am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Hughes net
Like others have said, if you have no other alternative, satellite internet is the only way out of dial up!
We've had Hughes for about five years now and and while it's not perfect, it works for us. Upgraded to the 9000 series modem a year ago and saw a significant improvement in service. Download speeds are typically in the 1.1 to 1.5 Mb range from about 9:30 pm to about 5:30pm as measured by third party speed tests. The time in between is the heavy usage time and speeds slow to as low as 200 Kbs with the average being about 350 Kbs -- still a significant improvement over dial up.
As for weather outages, they do occur but I can count on one hand the number of times that's been a significant problem. We do get an occasional 10 to 30 second outage but probably less than twice a month. Snow can be a problem, especially a heavy snow but all that generally entails is clearing the build up off the dish and we're set to go again. In fact, we've have fewer outages with the satellite internet than with satellite TV both Dish and Direct.
We did take the "Home Pro" option which gives us a 300 Mb daily limit and have only exceeded that once. As noted above, the way around that is a down load manager (which Hughes now supplies for no additional cost) that allows you to bring the stuff in during the "Off Peak" periods (here in Goldendale that's between 11:00 pm and 4:00 am). Have only had to use it once and that was to get some significant updates for my computer.
Hughes is purportedly developing a new system that will significantly improve up load and down load speeds (by as much as a factor of 10 -- yeah right:)) and at least triple the down load size limit. That increase is tentatively scheduled in mid to late 2011.
Customer Service is problematic as responses are totally scripted by worker bees in India. When talking with them (only had three or four occasions where I've needed to do that) you have to stick to your guns and in effect force an answer that makes sense.
Would I switch to Cell access if I could get it, probably not for home use. Would I switch to wireless or DSL if such were available undoubtedly. However, satellite is the only game in my area so that's where we'll be for the foreseeable future -- unless something comes with the "High Speed Internet For Rural Areas" initiative proposed by the Prez -- not holding my breath for that either.
Bruce
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Bruce and Sue
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02/07/10 08:27am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Oregon US395
I agree with Johnna re; Goose Lake State Park: Goose Lake Smallish CG but well laid out and pleasant. Site will easily accommodate your RVs.
Couple of thoughts for on you way east on I-84:
Maryhill Museum if you like that sort of thing. Great Museum in the middle of nowhere. It's across the river from Biggs, Oregon. The museum was originally built by Sam Hill for his wife Mary. Click
Stonehenge replica, again across the river from Biggs. the replica was constructed by Sam Hill, again, as a memorial to Klickitat County, Washington WW I Vets. Sam looked on it as his "penance" for being a conscientious objector during the war (he was a Quaker). click again
And Maryhill Winery is worth a tour. You'll find it, amazingly enough, across the Columbia from Biggs. One more
And, talking about Mary Hill stuff, Maryhill State Park, my goodness, across the Columbia from Biggs, is a great, full hook up state park.
Bruce
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Bruce and Sue
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02/04/10 08:12am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Sand Island BLM campground
Sand Island is a great spot, at least to us. Someone here recently reported that the sites had been improved to accommodate larger RVs -- prior to that there were only three or four sites that were level enough for anything over about 19 feet (which was fine with us). Problem was not depth of the sites but the slope.
We usually stay at Sand Island for three or four days then head into Bluff and Cadillac RV for a night or two to get things cleaned up.
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Bruce and Sue
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01/22/10 07:11am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Henry's Lake State Park- Idaho
Hey Clint,
Too bad you can't wait until September -- crowds are pretty much gone after Labor Day.
But, it is a neat Campground any time of the year. Think we've stayed there three or four times and not been disappointed. Great scenery, great to fair fishing and relatively quiet even during the "busy" times.
Enjoy ---
Bruce
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Bruce and Sue
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01/10/10 07:16am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Know of a campground in Tuba City AZ?
It does appear that the RV Park is closed -- web site is down and no mention of the park in the hotel's web site. Too bad because, while it wasn't the greatest RV Park in the world, it was good for a night or two while exploring the area. We've enjoyed the Tuba Trading Post -- good stuff there-- and the Hogan Restraunt. Might call the Hotel and check.
Next nearest place would be, I believe, Cameron however that's about 30 miles away; too far for your 15 minute recall.
Bruce
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Bruce and Sue
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12/19/09 06:35am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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Web Cams and Satellite Internet
Anyone using web cams via satellite internet? We have a son and his family in Virginia while we're in the boonies of Washington State and would like to utilize web cam in conjunction with Skype or other software to do a bit of video communicating from time to time.
My concern is band width and latency through our ISP (currently Hughes).
We have the "Pro" service through Hughes with rolling 24 hour maximum download of 300Mb. Typically latency runs at about 700 - 950 ms.
Bruce
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Bruce and Sue
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12/06/09 07:48am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Slow response time using satellite
Just a thought -- have they exceeded the Fair Access Policy? If so, that would account for the extremely slow download speeds.
We use Hughes with the 9000 series modem and the "Pro" service (such as it is) and download speed are typically in the 1.3 to 1.5 Mbs speeds. Latency can at times be interminable, especially when accessing HTTPS (secure) sites.
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Bruce and Sue
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12/03/09 07:14am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Is there software that determines on-line usage
Just downloaded and installed Netmeter from the posted link. Once the application was installed Spybot came back with a warning that it had detected some malware called Rbot.skp and immediately terminated the application. Here's a link to info about Rbot.skp ... Rbot.skp
May be tthe cause of some of the problems I'm reading about here.
Brue
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Bruce and Sue
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11/22/09 07:46am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Snow Canyon State Park- Utah
Great place with fantastic scenery and great trails. One day won't be enough to give it justice! One point to consider though -- unless things have changed (last stop was '04)-- avoid the hook up sites. Really cramped and I mean really cramped. If you don't need hook ups take one of the "primitive" sites.
Bruce
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Bruce and Sue
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11/06/09 07:37am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Quail Creek State Park- Utah
Clint,
What "Not a Clue" said!!!
Have stayed there a couple of times (March is a good time). Didn't fish but if you're considering fishing could be worth while. Last time, guys were doing pretty well -- that was April of '06.
Bruce
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Bruce and Sue
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11/06/09 07:28am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Razor clam digging on the WA state coast
Does Kalaloch have any site with electricity?Does Kalaloch have any site with electricity? Can't find any info online. We drove though years ago and it's a really pretty spot and right next to the razor clam spot.
Nope, dry camping all the way! But, sure is a pretty CG!
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Bruce and Sue
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11/03/09 07:22am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: From Sprit lake Idaho to Calif via Hwy 97
You will, as noted, see some ups and downs along 97 as well as I-82 between E-burg and Yakima. The whole segment can see snow from mid-October on but usually not significant until December. Note that Washington requires vehicles with a GVW of 10k lbs and greater to carry chains from November 1 to April 1 on 97.
97 from Toppenish to Biggs, Oregon has only one pass to climb over and that's Satus Pass at about 3,200'. The road over Satus is two lanes with a passing lane over the summit. You will see a bit of a grade out of Toppenish as well as a down hill shot at Maryhill then you'll head up again out of Biggs with the noted ups and downs from then on to Weed.
As for places to stay; Both Brooks Memorial State Park, on the southern end of Satus and Maryhill State Park along the Columbia River are open year round. Both are full hookup state parks. And there are a number of state/RV parks around Bend, Oregon. Might note that Legends Casino in Toppenish has a good RV Park also and is worth a stop just to check out the cultural center.
As an aside, might think about taking Washington 821 out of Ellensburg as a alternate route to Yakima. Takes you through the Ellensburg/Yakima River Canyon and is a scenic and enjoyable drive.
Bruce
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Bruce and Sue
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10/03/09 07:14am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Cave Lake State Park, Nv
Clint,
We've stayed at Cave Lake Several times. Think you'll enjoy it! Can't add much to 4runnerguy's comments, the description is spot on. Only addition is that Sue loves to roam around and collect the quartz that's abundant in the area.
Might think about taking the loop drive if you're going to be there for a few days. Really pretty neat.
Bruce
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Bruce and Sue
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08/30/09 07:37am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Powell Campground -- US 12/Lolo Pass
Is there room for larger rigs?
Are reservations required?
Is it pretty full this time of year.
Should be in the area in late Aug.
There is plenty of room for larger rigs -- several sites are large enough for 40 footers plus tow, plus another vehicle.
Reservations aren't required (we had none) however depending on you arrival time might want to utilize Summitt2002's link
Filled up while we were there -- pulled in about 1:00 pm there were a number of vacant spots but by 4:00 those were gone.
Late August should be a great time -- temps will probably be lower (mid-90's while we were there) and use may be down.
Great to know! That's one of our all-time favorite CGs, even before they had electric. Of course, we were in a PUP then,
Ditto, in fact we even tented there plus Wilderness Gateway in the "olden" days.
Bruce
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Bruce and Sue
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08/02/09 07:55am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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Powell Campground -- US 12/Lolo Pass
This topic has been moved to another forum.
You can read it here: 23042087
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Bruce and Sue
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08/01/09 08:05am |
Roads and Routes
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Powell Campground -- US 12/Lolo Pass
For those who enjoy the drive via US 12 over Lolo Pass (which we do -- our preferred route to Missoula and points east from there) Powell CG near the base of Lolo now has 50 amp electric service in loop A. And of significant note minimal voltage drop!
Stayed there last week and boy was the good power nice during the recent heat wave.
Bruce
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Bruce and Sue
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08/01/09 08:05am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Hiway 93 Construction - Missoula to Polson
Just returned from the Flathead Valley -- got there via 93, returned via US 2/ SR 56/Sr 200. 93's a mess, again -- but much needed. I'd guess, 20+ miles or so of work.
200 to 83 is a good option, actually more scenic and good highways. Another option, if you're coming via I-90, is to cut off at St. Regis at SR 135 to SR 200 to SR 28. Actually shorter and again, good road.
Bruce
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Bruce and Sue
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08/01/09 08:00am |
Roads and Routes
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