Leaderboard

So, I thought I'd update this a little. This trip, we're camped in a small area surrounded by tall trees. Except for an hour and a half of overhead sun, my fixed panels don't do a lot. Once again, I ran the fridge empty to cool it down. But, as ambient temp was 60, it took less than an hour for the fridge to hit 39. Then loaded with cold beverages and food, some ice and frozen veggies in the shoebox freezer. Full, but not packed tight. I don't have an internal fan. I definitely have needed the supplement of the portable panel, and we run the honda 1000 for 30 minutes to an hour each morning, to bring the amp hours down to 20 or 25 hours from full. With a couple moves of the portable panel, I'm back at 100 per cent battery sometime between noon and one. The solar does the rest. By nine pm, I'm down 19 to 24 hours on battery. Fridge doesn't use as much with cool nights, typically 19 to 24 amp hours. I run the gen in the morning to get the most efficiency from the gas, and bring hours needed down to 20 or 25. (The charge controller sends more power to the battery when it's lower.) I charge our phones and Dyson vacuum at the same time, while the genset is running. Solar does the rest. And, the weather has been storybook perfect in the NC mountains. 75 to 80 high, fairly clear skies, 50s at night. No need to run fans or furnace. With a better, more efficient portable than my $100 Coleman 100 watt, we'd not need the genset at all, I think. I rarely get more than two to four amps from it, but, it works. And, I'm loving the organization and steady operations of the indel truckfridge. It's been a great solution for us. Very quiet. For John -- still haven't done anything more with the vents than cover them with plastic... Maybe we'll think of something this winter. It keeps the bugs and dirt out, so it's ok for now. Sun's getting low. Time to start the campfire. Sherry

Howdy Folks- After 3 solids years of camping and exploring we're going to sell our beloved "Oliver Fuso". Details here: https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/rvs/d/portland-oliver-fuso-4x4-fiberglass/6984392490.html let me know if you have questions. Cheers- MJ

We were there from Sep 12 thru 16. This year some of the smaller campgrounds went Primitive on the 17th. Some smaller operations like the less popular convenience stores and tours closed after Labor Day and most Park operations go completely off season on the 23rd. Our trip was complicated by the unexpected (but publicized) ten day closure of Going To The Sun Rd. It is crazy busy all the time, there is simply less stuff you can do and fewer open spots off season. The hoards of hikers come in at the crack of dawn and race up the mountain to park at the Pass, a local official called it the Indy 500. It is very unfortunate for a visitor who just wants to stop for a short time. The road construction on GTTS and on US 89 is ongoing, so expect issues next year at least. A reservation at a West Glacier commercial RV park would be prudent, if you cannot get one of the rare reservable spots, until you can locate a free spot inside the Park. Only a few Glacier campgrounds offer them, and in general most are unsuitable for a larger Ollie. As I mentioned before.... St Mary would be the best choice to the east, and the spots are larger there. But you can’t see anything ;( Apgar in the west is big too, but no reservations at all and only trees to look at from your folding chairs. Some CGs are tent only. Some you cannot tow a trailer to... it is a tough place to plan for a visit. https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm GTTS is not open until around July, depending on the snow. It takes them a couple of months to clear it. There is up to 80 feet at Logan Pass... You must allow at least three days in case it is cloudy, to see the high mountains. I feel sorry for the one day visitors on tour buses when it is dumping rain.... John Davies Spokane WA