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To all the Oliver Dads out there. Hopefully it is not too hot wherever you are and you can find a nice cool place to relax. Bill

I don’t care for organized campgrounds and we never make reservations anywhere (and yes, this includes all the major National Parks.) When we get tired or ready to stop, we pull over somewhere. Could be an empty lot in the middle of some small town, a rest stop on a busy interstate, a Walmart or Crackerbarrel even a wide spot on the side of US50 in the middle of Nevada. We’ve never not found some where to sleep and usually it’s free. Recently, while traveling in Georgia with another Oliver couple, we met a man in a Walmart parking lot. He asked where we planned to stay over the Memorial Day weekend. We admitted we didn’t have any plans. He insisted that we come to his farm and camp there. He provided us with a gigantic pole barn to park in complete with 30 amp hookups, sewer and water. He apologized that his satellite dish was currently out of service. The barn also had a small apartment with a kitchenette, shower and toilet. Thanks to his generosity, we rode out 5 days of hurricane Alberto’s near constant rain and wind high and dry in relative luxury. Have faith, there’s always somewhere to boondock.

You're right, Steve. Camping isn't just about the places, and views. We've had so much fun meeting campers around the country, and around the world. This past trip was a kind of waterfall of new friendships. At Boya Lake, we met a young couple who recommended Frances lake in the Yukon. At Frances lake, we met a German couple who really recommended following the dirt road to Faro..nso we did . It was wonderful and beautiful, and we likely would not have gone, except for our conversation over our fire.. At Faro, we met a couple from Juneau, who recommended Twin Lakes. So, we all went, where we met a really nice solo bicyclist from Germany... It was a Cascade of short hops, new friends, great campsites, and conversation over campfires. We found some great sites. But even better, we found great people. In Australia a few years ago, our first night in the Blue Mountains, we met a really nice couple who camped four months ayear. Kevin gave us the address of a great canpground near the Tasmania ferry. We stayed in touch a few times in our five weeks on the mainland, and then as we were leaving for the ferry, got an email from Kevin and Jenny wanting to know our arrival date. The campground address was their driveway. We had a wonderful evening seeing them again, and got a lot of great recommendations. We stopped for coffee on our way out of Tasmania, and we've been emailing back and forth since. When my niece's son did a "flat Stanley" project this year, Kevin and Jenny drove his flat Stanley to Stanley, Tasmania, and took photos for an unknown little six year old. Could not be nicer. We sure hope we will see them again... Here or in Tasmania. But, the magic is in the shared connection. We all love camping. Sherry [attachment file=flat Stanley at the welcoming sign at Stanley Tas..JPG]

I got this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JY9QAPQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and I needed it on the maiden voyage. It stows easily and feels good and sturdy.

I have carried this ladder since day one. I do recommend at least the 10.5 footer for safety’s sake. It will fit perfectly in the side of the closet taking up virtually no otherwise usable space. http://www.walmart.com/ip/XTEND-CLIMB-Telescoping-Ladder-Aluminum-760P/14971891

We’re camped in Almont, halfway between Gunnison and Crested Butte. Showers most of today, more rain tomorrow. Hopefully the rain will help with the drought and fires. Mike

We haven't finished adding everything, but you can find owner's manuals, component manuals and videos on the Oliver University page. You can find the Oliver University under the "Travel Trailers" tab in the main menu. http://olivertraveltrailers.com/oliver-university/ We will be adding some other "how-to" videos as we get them from the videographer. If there is something you don't see, let us know and we will add it.

I am spending the weekend with my son in Seattle. We were walking around south Lake Union yesterday to eat lunch and see the maritime sights and I suffered some extreme culture shock. Fremont is a cool old neighborhood a couple of miles north of there, and they have an annual Summer Solstice Parade. To say it is unusual would be a huge understatement. I knew that the rules were pretty loose, but I never expected to directly encounter naked body-painted cyclists on the bike path headed for the parade, that far from the venue. Definitely not safe for work..... I guess I am just an Old Fart.... but it really startled me then, and it still bothers me. Happy Fathers Day. John Davies Spokane WA

I have the same one. I carry it in the truck bed. I cut a couple of pool noodles so I don’t scratch the fiberglass. Mike

I carried the 10'er. Seemed very stable. I did find I never used it, it is quite heavy and was a little awkward to get out of the closet. Despite all the warning labels, be careful, it will pinch a lazy finger. For the moment it sleeps in the garage, probably until the first time I need it on the road...

We talk to fellow like minded campers, when we find them . Campground hosts, too. I use a number of apps, state and territory maps, and failing any of the above, we drive til we find something interesting. We tend to drive through a number of campsites early in the day, knowing we won't stop, but keep notes for "next time." Sherry

Not being able to leave a nicely designed mod alone, I added a strip of double sided Velcro to each "down arm of Mike's design. These will hold the curtain when not in use. I bought two curtains at the Dollar Store. I got the ones in white (so that they would closely match the color of the Oliver). However, while not as "clear" as the ones that Krunch made Mike take back they might not be as opaque as some would prefer. Perhaps there is a reason they only cost a dollar? I then added brass grommets to the lame holes at the top of each curtain and added large washers around each of the three magnets at the bottom in order to keep the curtains a bit more stable in a breeze. After getting two ten foot sticks of 1/2 inch schedule 40 plastic pipe, it took all of about 20 minutes to cut the pieces, and another ten minutes to glue most of it together. Remember - you probably do not want to glue the cross pieces and the "down" arms so that you can disassemble for storage. World Market also has the mats that Mike and Krunch found. https://www.worldmarket.com/product/18x30-multi-clr-flip-flop-drmt.do?searchTerm=flip%20flop%20mat Since I didn't want to permanently stick the shower handle holder to the exterior of the Oliver I ordered this suction model https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074V9JSK3/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Finally, the rubber feet that Mike used are available at Ace Hardware - the 7/8 inch size fits on the 1/2 inch plastic pipe. Bill

While our gauges are, indeed, on the outside of the tanks, there can be "false" readings caused by "stuff" sticking to the insides of the tank and/or not keeping a tank fairly clean. However, this problem is fairly simple to keep from happening - keep the tanks clean. Bill

Tok, Alaska is a stop just about everyone makes, coming in from Chicken on the rough Top of the World, or the normal Alcan route. It's a great little town. Gas prices aren't bad, especially after Canadian prices. Northern Energy gas station has a free dump station, free clean potable water fill, plus a FREE cold water/ high pressure RV wash. They supply brushes and buckets and water. Bring your own soap, rags, and microfiber towels for bugs and stains on plastic. Best time we've found is midmorning...say ten thirty to eleven am. Two outdoor bays. Nice people. Lots of space. But there may be a line in season. Hey, it's free. We spend $15 to $20 at other car washes in Fairbanks and Wasilla... The information center bhere is very nice. Pretty, big log cabin, nice exhibits and the sweetest man, now probably in his 80s, who volunteers every year and mingles, sending you to the right bracks for maps and brochures. We think he spends his winters studying up, and waiting for season to arrive. That's how excited he is when you walk into his area. ☺️ Theres a little Thai restaurant, and a nice three bears grocery. (Not really a lot cheaper than the Real Canadian Superstore in White horse, but not bad if you shop the sale items. And, they have had vacpacked Wild Alaskan Salmon fillets the last two years. Flash frozen Copper River packing company. Yummy on the fire. ) There's a nice state campground about five miles outside town, just before you come in from Beaver Creek, sort of under the Tok River Bridge. Tok River State Park. A few really nice big sites near the river. The road is pretty quiet at night. $18 us, I think. No dump station. Usually a water pump, but bagged off this time. Vault toilets. No showers. But, you can get water at Northern Energy gas.