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No, not Tuzigoot. It’s Chaco. They’re dreadfully understaffed and ripe for vandalism and pilfering - which is one reason why they don’t improve the access. If you go, it’s definitely NOT a place for collecting anything. But there’s at least one Ollie that doesn’t mind the roads, we’ve been twice… It’s been hit and miss the past few years - no access due to tribal Covid rules, washed out roads, and an impending rock slide in the campground that’s keeping half of it closed. I was told that Airstream at the entrance is permanent. Someone drove it in and didn’t want to drive it out so they gave it to the park for camp hosts to use.

I too showed up at Oliver in my home built overlanding trailer to see the Elite II in person. Rodney Lomax was who showed the Olivers to me and spend over two hours answering questions without any pressure. While My overlanding rig was quite capable it was also very “Fringe” but I was treated the same as I expect had I rolled in with a Class A or Airstream. The Oliver team has class.

If you go back to my oldest posts here, you'll see that the Chaco road was one of our guides in deciding what kind of trailer and tow vehicle we needed. It's one of those roads that pretty much any decently maintained vehicle can do if you don't mind the wear. But if you're unlucky, or not careful, or just go at the wrong time, it's also a road that has multiple ways to take out even the toughest truck. Water crossings, sand, clay, ruts, holes, washboard, soft shoulders, etc. Regardless, it's guaranteed to rattle you around for an hour or so. But worth it if you're a romantic - Chaco has a scale and mystery that are unmatched by any other archeological site in the US. It's a place that will stick in your mind.

Thanks, Yes Baxter would love to play with most any critter. Last 2 weeks have been cool. Low to mid thirties last night. Couple high twenties in New Orleans. It briefly made it to 60 today. We had a nice day at Magnolia Silos and Market. Supposed to warm up a bit over the weekend in Fort Worth. Our home in Maine is expecting up to 20 inches of snow this weekend and temps have been in the single digits, The power company and cable company have already contacted us to prepare for outages at home.

Over the past four weeks I've been planning and making reservations (where necessary) for this coming summer's fly fishing trip. Once again this year I will be (primarily) fishing in Wyoming and covering many of the same places I've been to in the past. I have managed to secure reservations in those camp grounds that take them, but, I would not say that it was easy. For National Forest Service camp grounds in Wyoming, the earliest one can make reservations is 6 months in advance at 8AM (Mountain Time). For the three places that I needed these reservations I was all set and ready to go at exactly that time - and - was successful in each case. But, my choice of sites was extremely limited. For the first time in a number of years I have decided to not camp in Yellowstone National Park. But, I did check on availability just this morning. In my favorite two camp grounds (Slough Creek and Pebble Creek) there was not one reservable site available for the date(s) I would have needed. Of course, most of my camping will be done outside of established camp grounds. But, even these have become more crowded over the past couple of years - I always have at least two alternative places in mind. So, if anyone is planning a summer trip I'd suggest that you not wait too long to get the reservations you might need. Good luck! Bill p.s. Baker's Hole (just north of West Yellowstone, MT) August 4th through August 7th if anyone is interested in a pot luck mini-rally.

Dan: Before buying, I would suggest you contact Oliver Service Department to confirm if they changed type of gaskets and if the Pelland gasket you mention will work in your Ollie.

I think that we are looking at it right now from Dead Horse Ranch State Park! Could it be Tuzigoot National Monument?

Where is this well known Archaeological Site... ? It is also a real 'hoot' to get there from the south entrance or north entrance. How were the roads when YOU drove to the site? Have you camped at the 'End of the world for the Anasazi'? Camping is Off the Grid with park facilities at the office. There is NOW water available next to the park office. You will need... two and even better, three days, to wander around. Where is this WONDERFUL site? If you know... what did you think about the dirt roads to the Site, the walking self tour into the ruins and the camping, having only what you brought along? What was OUR Opinion? FIVE STARS and Ahhhhhh. Wonderful. ' Stary, stary night'... at times telescopes are available form those coming to setup viewings of the crystal clear sky.

Mine is 6 years old, heavily used. I clean it after every trip, still works like new. Maybe I’ll break it in another 6 years. The Airstream model comes without the regulator and an Airstream logo, it’s almost as easy to get the fittings (Propane Guys) and do it yourself while saving a few bucks. Mike

The Badlands are cool and there is enough hiking for at least a two or three day stop. Also, free camping fairly near Wall and close to the Park entrance. Bill

I will study these pictures and get back to you. Mossey

If it is wired correctly the system will "see" any external panels.

I don’t know where that is. My guess is northern AZ/NM. Looks like somewhere we need to go! Mike

Police Chief of Alabama Town That Was Getting Fat on Fines Steps Down Amid Bipartisan Outrage I like a happy ending.... John Davies Spokane WA

We had a nice visit at McKinney Falls State Park in Austin. Nice Park with easy hiking trails to a couple of small waterfalls. We got in to Austin for some music and beverages last night. Out first time to Austin. The Capitol building is really impressive. We arrived at Speegleville COE park on Waco Lake in Waco, TX today. Really nice park. We have a nice lake front site here. The grounds are terrific and we have brand new electric. We are here for a few days before we head to Fort Worth. Lots of wildlife in this park. We saw 3 armadilos. First time for us seeing one. One of them lives just below our camp site toward the lake. Our Tundra needed an oil change and tire rotation. I got that done this afternoon . It worked out well!!!! We will do some site seeing including all of the Mongolia stuff the next few days. We head west after our upcoming stay in Fort Worth. So far it has been a terrific trip.

Oh and it’s not just a Southern thing…I don’t know if this still applies but years ago folks in Lincoln Massachusetts were pretty proud of their 25 MPH speed limits and it’s enforcement…. They even had bumper stickers on their cars letting the world know about it. Why a fella could get pulled over a couple times in a week for doing 26 if he wasn’t careful as he passed through town slightly late for work…. Which resulted in the need for elaborate routes circumnavigating the town as I recall..

"Mike Jones, the chief of police in the small Alabama town of Brookside, resigned today in the wake of revelations by AL.com that he turned the department into an aggressive traffic trap that by 2020 received half its revenue from fines and forfeitures, many on minor offenses from those who drive by the town on Interstate 22." -AL.com

Love this idea! Please continue to post these. BTW, everytime I drive by our newest university I think, trilobite. Perhap that is what the architect, Santiago Calatrava, was going for.

Woots! Exciting times for sure. Enjoy your new Ollie and we hope to meet you one day! We picked up ours in October - the only thing they didn't tell us at pick up was that they get dirty and they didn't tell us where to find the "clean and wax it" power switch/breaker!🤪

Campground showers are usually ok if you are at a campground with showers. Many of us camp where there are no showers and so we use our Oliver shower a lot. Yes, some campground showers have cooties, or worse, but most are perfectly acceptable - just not as convenient as showering in the trailer. Mike

Thought about the factory shower rod when we ordered our trailer, but decided to not get it. I put up those 3m stick on hooks in white and just clip on the shower curtain when we use it. I will say here we have just about stopped using the trailer shower and use the showers at the camping grounds, much easier to do with more room and plenty of hot water. Yes, we could have gotten the tankless water heater, but still would have not showered in the trailer. I know many are too private to shower in a camping grounds shower and we all know they have COOITIES. trainman

This is what we installed. It has worked out very well. The wife is happy so I am happy. Hope this help. Greg