Travel
I decided to quit searching and getting myself annoyed, so I went to AAA this morning and got a set of CA maps plus camping maps for northern and southern CA. I didn't realize they had the camping maps, and they seem to be pretty nice. The only thing is that the print is a medium gray on white background, and I don't know who can read that easily but I sure can't. I looked briefly with a flashlight shining on the section I'm interested in. Maybe when my new glasses arrive I will be able to read anything and everything!
I'm making my list (and checking it twice) of items I don't want to forget. One thing I just can't wait to get is the new cooler I ordered from Cabela's. It is the classic style Coleman, made in the USA, and is a 54qt steel belted model. I've read reviews that claim the ice lasts anywhere from 3 to 6 days, and I suppose it depends on how often you open the cooler, plus whether everything is already chilled when it's put in. The biggest problem will be to lift it, but if I put the empty cooler into the truck bed and then add everything at that point, I will just leave it in the truck and access it from there. I sure hope there aren't any bears that will tear up my new cooler.
I've decided to go to the El Dorado National Forest and look for a suitable place to camp. There shouldn't be any problem finding a spot if I go in mid-September. I may end up using a campground if they are relatively empty by that time, but I'll keep my options open. Thanks to Laurie & Odel for recommendations of some good locations in El Dorado Forest. Although I travel alone nearly 100% of the time, this will be the first time I've camped alone since 1997 on the Appalachian Trail. I wish it was as easy now as it was then - carrying everything needed in a backpack. Why does it have to be so complicated to do something as simple as setting up a tent in the woods.
Since the Bayfield Bunch recently bought a spiffy Jeep Wrangler, I see more and more of them on the road, and the more I want one! I love Jeeps, and there is a particular style I am just crazy about, but unfortunately there isn't one in my foreseeable future. Dang! Probably the only thing I could tow with a little Jeep would be a teardrop camper and I couldn't fulltime with one of those. I am fairly certain that I'd like to continue fulltiming, but will probably change my mind numerous times before the apartment lease is up (end of March 2011).
- My Planning "desk"
Here is my trip in the planning stage - note the maps, books, highlighters, and binders (though you can't see them underneath all the other stuff). The rest of the coffee table is taken up with a 3 hole punch, some open maps, and organizing materials....
- Feeling The Freedom Already!
I went to the apartment first thing, swept the patio and then threw the broom into the dumpster, then turned in the keys. I didn't even go inside as Donald & Jeannie went with me last night to check it out. I wanted someone with sharp eyesight to...
- Reminders
I received several reminders today - the first being about my appointment with the eye surgeon at 8:20 a.m. on Thursday. What in the world time will I have to get up in order to be there on time! It's about a 30 minute trip in traffic, but because...
- I Don't Know How I'm Still Moving
Amy and I watched the two little girls from about 2:00 yesterday afternoon until 1:00 am this morning. I stayed awake, and even drove myself home although parking the truck in the dark was not easy, with the big Ford parked next to me. This morning I...
- Planning
The only thing that makes me happier than making lists of things that need to be done, purchased, taken care of, etc., is poring over maps and planning routes. I've done both today. The lists are for various iterations of camping trips - depending...
Travel
Looking at maps
I decided to quit searching and getting myself annoyed, so I went to AAA this morning and got a set of CA maps plus camping maps for northern and southern CA. I didn't realize they had the camping maps, and they seem to be pretty nice. The only thing is that the print is a medium gray on white background, and I don't know who can read that easily but I sure can't. I looked briefly with a flashlight shining on the section I'm interested in. Maybe when my new glasses arrive I will be able to read anything and everything!
I'm making my list (and checking it twice) of items I don't want to forget. One thing I just can't wait to get is the new cooler I ordered from Cabela's. It is the classic style Coleman, made in the USA, and is a 54qt steel belted model. I've read reviews that claim the ice lasts anywhere from 3 to 6 days, and I suppose it depends on how often you open the cooler, plus whether everything is already chilled when it's put in. The biggest problem will be to lift it, but if I put the empty cooler into the truck bed and then add everything at that point, I will just leave it in the truck and access it from there. I sure hope there aren't any bears that will tear up my new cooler.
I've decided to go to the El Dorado National Forest and look for a suitable place to camp. There shouldn't be any problem finding a spot if I go in mid-September. I may end up using a campground if they are relatively empty by that time, but I'll keep my options open. Thanks to Laurie & Odel for recommendations of some good locations in El Dorado Forest. Although I travel alone nearly 100% of the time, this will be the first time I've camped alone since 1997 on the Appalachian Trail. I wish it was as easy now as it was then - carrying everything needed in a backpack. Why does it have to be so complicated to do something as simple as setting up a tent in the woods.
Since the Bayfield Bunch recently bought a spiffy Jeep Wrangler, I see more and more of them on the road, and the more I want one! I love Jeeps, and there is a particular style I am just crazy about, but unfortunately there isn't one in my foreseeable future. Dang! Probably the only thing I could tow with a little Jeep would be a teardrop camper and I couldn't fulltime with one of those. I am fairly certain that I'd like to continue fulltiming, but will probably change my mind numerous times before the apartment lease is up (end of March 2011).
- My Planning "desk"
Here is my trip in the planning stage - note the maps, books, highlighters, and binders (though you can't see them underneath all the other stuff). The rest of the coffee table is taken up with a 3 hole punch, some open maps, and organizing materials....
- Feeling The Freedom Already!
I went to the apartment first thing, swept the patio and then threw the broom into the dumpster, then turned in the keys. I didn't even go inside as Donald & Jeannie went with me last night to check it out. I wanted someone with sharp eyesight to...
- Reminders
I received several reminders today - the first being about my appointment with the eye surgeon at 8:20 a.m. on Thursday. What in the world time will I have to get up in order to be there on time! It's about a 30 minute trip in traffic, but because...
- I Don't Know How I'm Still Moving
Amy and I watched the two little girls from about 2:00 yesterday afternoon until 1:00 am this morning. I stayed awake, and even drove myself home although parking the truck in the dark was not easy, with the big Ford parked next to me. This morning I...
- Planning
The only thing that makes me happier than making lists of things that need to be done, purchased, taken care of, etc., is poring over maps and planning routes. I've done both today. The lists are for various iterations of camping trips - depending...