JWalmsley

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Ok the problem I found is that the image you are trying to use does not exist on their website. I put in the url https://visitedstatesmap.com/image/ALCOGAILIAKSMNMSMOMTNENMNCNDOKSCSDTNTXUTWY/med.jpg and I get a 404 error, which means it doesn't exist. Instead, try recreating your map and then use the new url it gives you. If you need help I am here :).

Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 Special Incentives on Remaining 2018 models 2018 has been a fabulous year. We have added more new Oliver Owners to our family than any other year in our short history. That being said, we're not quite done yet. We have three 2018 models left and some special incentives to get them on the road. Click the links below for details on each model. Call us to find out about incentives offered on these travel trailers. One (1) - 2018 Oliver Legacy Elite One (1) - 2018 Oliver Legacy Elite II Standard Floor PlanOne (1) - 2018 Oliver Legacy Elite II Twin Bed Floor Plan with a Couch If you are waiting to purchase one of our 2019 models, the wait is over! You can now order a 2019. For a LIMITED TIME, we are offering 2019 models at 2018 pricing. A few of the main changes on the 2019 models include... Norcold Refrigerators on 2019 models Manual Dometic Awnings will be standard with an upgrade option for a powered Dometic Awning Convection Microwave will be an upgrade option from the standard stainless microwave All new upholstery choices - Click here to view! Larger egress rear window on the Legacy Elite travel trailer model and more! If you'd like to find out more about the 2019 Oliver Travel Trailer models or would like to request a no obligation quote, please give our sales team a call at 1-888-526-3978. Sales office hours are Monday thru Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST. If you'd like to request more information during non-business hours, contact us and we will call you the next business day! Contact Us Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 The post Special Incentives on 2018 and 2019 Models appeared first on Oliver Travel Trailers. View the Full Article

Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 While the big cities in the state are known for an amazing nightlife, the travelers and RV'ers are often looking for quiet and tranquil places to visit. When you have completed all the preliminaries, prepared your travel trailer or truck camper and made up your mind for some exploration, here are the top 10 places in Florida for you to camp at in 2020. Florida might not be known for its high altitudes but when it comes to camping near and at the beaches, there are very few places in the world that can beat it. Bahia Honda State Park Bahia Honda State Park boasts beautiful beaches, camping, and an abundance of emerald-hued waters. Every next mile on your trip to Florida Keys will be filled with joy and breathtaking scenic views of the ocean. Whether you are coming on a travel trailer or ready to erect your tent in front of the ocean, this place allows it all. The best activities you can do here with your family include snorkeling and bathing under the sun as the sea breeze cools you down. Enthusiast anglers can rent boats or go fishing right at the shore. Reef trips are also available in addition to kayaking. Most of the camping sites here have water and electricity hookups. To make it even better, you can take your animals with you too. Anastasia State Park Pristine beaches, native Florida hammocks, tons of wildlife, and a full range of facilities make Anastasia State Park ideal for campers and beachgoers. Show your love not only to the beach but the wildlife around it as you visit Anastasia State Park. Visit the dunes from far past walking on tumultuous trails. For up to 4 miles nothing but a serene and tranquil view of the ocean will welcome you anywhere you go. You can go bird watching here or enjoy snorkeling in the beautiful ocean. If you are curious to find some valuable stuff, spend some time beachcombing. There are nearly 140 sites for camping. Some are only a walking distance from the beach, but others will require you to take a ride. Florida Caverns State Park This is one of the few state parks with dry (air-filled) caves and is the only state park in Florida to offer cave tours to the public. Most places you visit for camping in Florida offer water sports and activities, and the magnificence of the ocean. This is one of the most unique camping sites as it offers you the opportunity of discovering the mysteries of the caves. Almost all the caves here are dry caves and there are dozens of tours for you to explore them. Flowstones, limestone stalactites, soda straws, etc. are all minerals and natural components that form the amazing landscape of the region. For more fun, you can go fishing, horse riding or trekking. There are over 30 sites here for camping with rates that easily fit in any budget. St. George Island State Park On a barrier island fronting historic Apalachicola Bay, this park offers visitors a little strip of paradise. This might be the best opportunity for you to complete your first boondocking challenge. While most of the campsites here do have electricity hookups and all the needed amenities, you can find places near the sea for boondocking as well. With over 60 sites for camping, you can find a place for your family too. Pets can be brought here, but you will have to keep them leashed and away from the beach. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Paynes Prairie is unique in many ways. Nowhere else in Florida can visitors experience wild-roaming bison and horses. Nearly 300 species of birds also frequent the park along with alligators, deer and many other animals. Visit this place if you have been longing to take a step back into history. This is also your chance to dive into the pleasures of experiencing wildlife around you. If you have always cherished the calmness of nature in the innocence of animals and birds, this is the place to find plenty of it. Nearly 270 bird species live here. In addition to the birds, you can view some of its true wildlife stars such as bison, alligators, etc. The best activities to do here are bicycling, hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, and fishing. There are close to 50 camping sites available here. Fort Clinch State Park The historic fort is only one aspect of this diverse 1,400-acre park. Maritime hammocks with massive arching live oaks provide a striking backdrop for hiking and biking on the park’s many trails. Come to the northern islands of Florida to explore this gem. In addition to enjoying the beautiful sunsets on the beach, you get to take pictures of some amazing wildlife. The shoreline is 3 miles long and serves as a perfect spot for family fun. This is the beach where you can go on hunting with your children for some shark teeth. There are guided nature walks available on Saturdays. With nearly 70 campsites you have a lot of choice. You can also go fishing and swimming on the beach, but boat ramping might not be available here. Hillsborough River State Park Besides a living history lesson, visitors can kayak or canoe class II river rapids, rare in Florida, hike seven miles of nature trails and swim in an ADA accessible swimming pool. Indulge in the quietness of Hillsborough River and recall the past with Fort Foster, a replica fort. If you like exploring forts, reserve your spot for the tour on weekends in advance. Of course, there is a lot of fun you can have with your family on the river. Enjoy some kayaking, go fishing or maybe try canoeing for the first time here. There are 4 trails available for you to enjoy nature as you walk these 7-mile long paths. You can get your travel trailers ready to visit this park because it offers a great camping experience for families. Myakka River State Park In a scene reminiscent of what early Native Americans and Spanish explorers witnessed, arching palm trees and live oaks reflect on a winding tea-colored stream. If you think you have enjoyed oceans from all possible angles, this is your time to have some fun in the company of a river and two lakes. Get on the largest airboats of the world to enjoy the spectacular views of the lakes. You can bring your camper or truck camper here and pick a camping site from nearly 90 available. Every site you pick will be equipped not only with electricity and water lines but other amenities as well. Blue Spring State Park To see the park’s wonders, visitors can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. If you are going on your first camping trip with your family and you don’t want to take any chances, this is the place where you have to go. Covering 2600 acres of land, it gives you the best experience of St. Johns River. Do your kids always get excited watching manatees on TV? This is your chance to show them real manatees. If you want to make sure you sight one, visit after November and before April. There are nearly 50 camping sites to choose from. Rainbow Springs State Park Take a walk through lush, mossy hammocks and then cool off in the springs—it’s a time-honored tradition. This is the last entry on the list but it offers just as much fun as any other camping spot on the list. There are over 50 camping sites here with most of them having electric and water hookups, and all necessary amenities. The most craved activity for visitors here is tubing but you have to visit the park as soon as summers start to get that experience. Other activities that can be done here include swimming, geo-seeking, kayaking, birding, etc. Do not try to convince the staff to let you in after the park has reached its capacity. You will always be asked to return. Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 The post Top 10 Best Camping Sites in Florida 2020 appeared first on Oliver Travel Trailers. View the Full Article

I cannot seem to reproduce this... I have tried on my Android phone with Firefox and Chrome. I did make a few changes but I cannot tell if it helped. Can you check on your end and let me know please? Thank you

Hi @trailkroozr, What device are you using? Perhaps I can find the problem... Thanks!

Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 USA Today has put together a special digital edition of their magazine that is focusing on our National Parks. Check out the full article by following the button link below. Read the Digital Magazine Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 The post USA Today Guide To National Parks appeared first on Oliver Travel Trailers. View the Full Article

Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 AN OLIVER TRAVEL TRAILERS' JOURNEY TO CATHEDRAL GORGE By: Frank McMichael, Hull No.101 After three days at Ruby Lake in my travel trailer, I reluctantly decided to leave as the cold weather was predicted to continue for a longer period then I wanted to wait. The weather was very cold on the morning I left, colder than the day before and colder than my little twinkle toes can tolerate. The sky was dark and rain seemed imminent, so I left before it imminenced all over me. The electrically warmed steering wheel was much appreciated this morning. I told you that I was a wuss. My choices of ways to leave were to re-trace the way I came in, including the nearly 40 miles of dirt and gravel road or to continue south which also included approximately forty miles or more of similar road, except it would be "new" country. I chose the new country. This choice would eventually bring me to US 50. From that junction I could go east toward Ely or west toward Reno. Which was to be chosen had not yet been revealed to me by my nose. Not too long after I left Ruby Valley, I passed an active gold mining site at Bald Mountain. It looked like a big site in that there were all kinds of industrial looking pipes and buildings. Gold mining in Nevada produces nearly 80% of the gold mined in the US. Much of the gold mined in Nevada are from open pit mines using a chemical leaching process known as cyanidation to separate the gold from the ore which seemed to explain all the industrial looking piping infrastructure. I couldn’t observe the mining pit from the road that I assume was beyond the fence but would have liked to have seen it. The Bald Mountain mine is a very large operation, I have read that it is the largest in the US. There were a half dozen or so large open bed trucks loaded with parts, supplies and other heavy equipment waiting to enter the mine gate. The gate was guarded by a guard shack and security personnel, two were standing amidst the entry gate road watching the trucks. They gave me a once over as I rolled by, while tempted, I didn’t give in to the urge to stop and take a photo. I have read that gold worth multiple tens of billions of dollars (estimated to be $250 billion at today’s prices) have been extracted from the state of Nevada. Most of Nevada’s land was occupied by the Shoshone Indians before being taken over by the US which claims ownership of nearly 85% of Nevada. In 1863 the Ruby Valley Treaty was signed (or marked) by 12 Shoshone chiefs. This Treaty would allow travel by others across their lands and would also allow prospecting and mining of minerals (e.g. gold and silver), agricultural settlements and ranches, logging of timber and the erection of mills. Current day Shoshones claim this Treaty did not cede their land to the US, that they still own the land and that money is owed to them for the allowed activities under the Treaty. They have been in extensive litigation for decades attempting to recoup that which was taken from them or to be paid some significant amount for the use of their land. They have had little success in that US courts have rejected their claims but they keep trying. There must be something to their claims in that the US government offered them $145 million to settle which they did not accept. Of course, this is a pittance by comparison to just the amount of gold taken from these lands. The drive along this road covered a lot of desert. In some places there were hills and Juniper forests but mostly it was flat, rocky desert. The road was unpaved with myriad ruts and potholes. While it was a bit wet when I first left Ruby Valley, it was not muddy. As I got closer to US 50 it became dusty. From the looks of the road, during wet times of rain or snow melt, it would be impassable for most vehicles - even a four wheel drive vehicle. It was my luck that I came through it while it was dry or relatively so. There were times that I could not avoid potholes, there were so many close together. Even though I was going very slowly, each time I felt my Ollie drop into a hole, I shuddered. I didn’t do this so much with the truck but then my Oliver is beloved and the truck is not. Not only am I a wuss, I am a quirky old man. Not long after passing the Bald Hill mine, I saw a freshly killed elk alongside the road. Animals are hard to see if driving at night and they have a tendency to jump into headlights. More than one deer or elk have been killed by such action on their part. It had not been dead long enough for decomposition to be obvious. As yet, the body was not attracting vultures. Although nature, red of tooth and claw, can readily be observed in the desert, the deaths of road kill animals somehow bothers me more than seeing a kill for survival by a predator. Maybe because it seems so senseless and unnecessary. In this sense it bothered me to see this death but I also know that the coyotes, foxes, crows and vultures will benefit from this unexpected bounty. Seeing a vulture rise from roadkill has a way of pinging one’s sense of mortality. A car that accidentally killed an animal that large would have needed high speed to do so. This road did not support speed much more than 25-30 mph and even that was a stretch in many places. Because of the many potholes, this speed or faster would have destroyed the tires and the suspension of a car or pickup truck. However, large truck tires would bridge many of the holes that would harm smaller vehicles so they have the ability to drive these types of roads with greater speed. I have seen cars that have hit a deer at normal road speed, the front end was completely destroyed. The impact at road speed of animals as large as this elk would have destroyed the car and perhaps the driver would have been killed. There was not a wrecked vehicle or other usual indicators that a car collision had occurred. Keeping in mind that a tow truck was about a hundred miles distant, given the freshness of the kill, a wrecked car would likely still be beside the road. In any case, the preponderance of traffic on this road were mine trucks. A diesel truck with a heavy load, would not need so much speed to be lethal. It is my conjecture that a large mine delivery truck must have hit the animal. If so, damage would have been far less than to a car and the truck would have been able to continue onward. Nevada is vast in size with many state roads that have little to offer in the way of communities and facilities. It is important to pay attention to the gas gauge, as often opportunities to re-fuel can be many miles apart. Once my tank is between 3/4 and less, I start looking for opportunities to fill up as it is not always certain there will be fuel ahead. I do not pass a fuel stop when my tank is at that level or less. This habit of topping off whenever possible once triggered my credit card company to deny my use until I called. To them it was suspicious that the card was being used that often. Also, their computer algorithm does not account for vast distances in the West that may be speedily traversed in a few hours’ time with a concomitant high usage of fuel, so using a card several times a day triggers their worry gremlins. There were no gas stations along the dusty road from IS 80 to US 50. Ruby Valley doesn't even have a store, let alone a gas station. From the time I left Ruby Lake, checking my gas gauge became almost compulsive. As the gauge crept ever lower, my nervousness increased. Because of concern about gas, it seemed like it took forever before I hit the pavement of US 50. I had last refueled in Elko. By the time that I arrived to US 50, my tank was slightly more than 1/4 full or about ¾ empty, depending on one’s world view. This amount was good for maybe 80 miles if I drove at a careful speed. Once I made the connection to US 50, Ely was less than forty miles east and it would have gas. Reno was farther, so my nose pointed east. Ordering that oversized tank when I ordered my truck continues to be a good investment. Very soon after heading toward Ely, I came across a herd of cows on the highway, mostly mamas with babies, 3 or 4 dozen altogether. This is not an open range area. I am not sure how they got through the fence on to the road, but they did. With cows, when one goes somewhere, others tend to follow; so the first cow through the broken fence had many followers. The grass was not green on either side but clearly new was better than what they had. The unknown owners will likely have a difficult time rounding them up and may lose a few. Highway 50 is major east/west high traffic travel road. It is a 70 mph road and the cows seem oblivious to the danger. It appeared that most of the cows had calves about 3-4 months old. It was very interesting to watch how the baby calves stayed right alongside mom. They may not know much but they know that mom was food and safety, so close by was good. The reason that I was stopped when these pictures were taken is that there were cows before me and behind me. My cow experience is from being raised on a dairy farm. Milk cows are seldom antagonistic as they are used to being around people. Because of seldom being around people, range cows are suspicious of people and will be very protective of their young when a human comes into sight. As can be seen from the photos they were attempting to avoid me by moving around me. I am quite sure that if I had attempted to walk toward them they would have turned and faced me down, giving warning that I should not come closer. After about ten minutes, the way forward was clear enough that I could proceed toward Ely. From Ely, I took US 93 south where I stopped at Cathedral Gorge State Campground which is about a dozen miles north of Caliente, Nevada. By the time I stopped (about 3 p.m.), I was tired and my back was really bothering me, so I did little but take some Tylenol, have a beer, sit outside in the wonderful warmth and sunshine and later make a sandwich for dinner. Although it was still light out, I was in bed by 7:30 hoping sleep would ease my back. The following day I toured about the Gorge for a few hours, lolled in the sunshine and warm air with a book and in the late afternoon, drove to Caliente for dinner. Over the course of the day and the warm sunshine, my back eased enough that I began to consider my next move. Perhaps this would be a good time to visit Scotties Castle. Caliente has an old two story, stucco railroad building that was originally built by the Union Pacific in 1905 in the style of Spanish Mission architecture. At that time Caliente was a major stopping point for the railroad. The building was meant to house railroad offices on the first floor and a hotel on the second floor. For many years Caliente was an Amtrak stop. When Amtrak stopped running, the depot was donated to the City of Caliente. Today, it is Caliente’s Civic Center. It was architecturally interesting enough to me that I took several pictures. Also took pictures of places in the Gorge. Somehow, I lost them, probably when I transferred a large batch of pictures from the camera to my computer. Therefore, I had to once again lean on Wikipedia for a photo. I am missing others as well. Don’t know how that might have occurred other than gremlins messing with me. This is why I am more at ease with a kerosene lantern than a computer - a lantern is my level of technological understanding. I stayed another day at the Campground. Through some application rigmarole with the State of Nevada and for a fee, I was previously able to obtain access to the internet so I was able to catch up with news and family stuff. This was the first time that I had internet in more than a week. Roughing it all the way, that's me. "This was the day that was." Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 The post From Ruby Lake to Cathedral Gorge appeared first on Oliver Travel Trailers. View the Full Article

Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 Summer is Here and it's a Hot One! Keep Your RV Trailer Cool This Summer with 13 Helpful tips! When the snow starts to thaw, the leaves unfurl and the crisp lazy summer air drones on, this is time where you pack up your RV for another adventure-packed season. However, for those of you who have experienced the free life in the torrid heats and the sweltering sun basking the roof of a camper trailer, the prospect of traveling in summer seems like a double-edged sword. When you add that to the heat from the engine and the appliances, it could prove to be almost stifling. Don’t let the sultry weather dampen your spirit! If you happen to catch a heat wave, while out on the road, here are a few tips on how you can stay cool and glean maximum fun out of your excursions: 1. Search For A Suitable Camping Ground An ideal site would incorporate ample trees and breezy afternoons. When you arrive at the campsite, never hesitate to ask for a shaded spot, especially on the side where the refrigerator vent is located. This would help cool your travel trailer and make sure your refrigerator survives the onslaught of the sun. 2. Add Additional Shade To add more shade it is prudent to extend a tarp over the RV trailer for added shade since tarps are cheap and space-effective alternatives to air conditioning and provide additional coolness. You can park your rig between two adjacent trees and hang a tarp in between to provide a cool shaded area for your family to enjoy. 3. Opening Up Windows & Awnings Opening up all the window awnings when you park your camping trailer at the campsite. Awnings not just provide shades for the windows, but draw in the cool outside air. Adequate shades can reduce the temperature inside up to 5 degrees. Pick a parking spot with ample space on the west and east to open your biggest awning alternatively during the morning and evening times. Additionally, you can add a sunscreen to the outer edge of the main awning for a life-saving tactic and adding space to your outdoor patio. The screen can be stabilized and held in place with tent stakes. 4. Add A Generator Install a 4KW generator on a raised platform, at the rear of the rig, so that you have enough power to operate multiple appliances such as the A/C. Equipping the roof with solar panels to be able to charge devices on a sunny day without the dependence of battery power does add a lot of benefits. 5. Maintaining Ventilation Of The RV Trailer Maintaining proper ventilation is indispensable to beat the heat. When your AC is turned off, open up all the windows and doors on the shaded side to allow the air to cross. Also cover the roof vent with a vent cover to allow for maximum ventilation, even if it starts to rain, and eradicate all musty odors and smoke from inside. Sun-facing windows should be sheltered with blinds. Park your RV trailer on the side that allows your ceiling fan to draw in cooler air from outside. 6. Ceiling Fans Help Keep The Inside Cool Ceilings fans work painstakingly to ward hot air out of the camping trailer and keep the inside cool, efficiently. Ideally, having two roof-mounted fans at opposite ends of the rig. One fan should be left in the “in” position and the other one in the “out” to promote a steady draft of air, even on windless days, and prevent stifling. Also, keep a couple of age-old hand fans with you. On bad days, you might be glad to have them. 7. A/C Unit Furnish you travel trailer with a roof A/C unit. With a little forethought, you could glean maximum comfort from the A/C unit without operating the generator unnecessarily. Try to get through the morning without A/C and rely on the outside air. Switch the A/C back on around the afternoon, shut off all the windows and leave the ceiling fan running. Once your trailer has acquired an agreeable temperature, switch if off and let the ceiling fan circulate the cooled air. 8. Thermostatic Fan Above The Fridge Vent Install a thermostatic fan at the top of the refrigerator vent to help lift the warm air upwards. This seeks to eliminate the heat, discharged by the refrigerator and greatly enhances its performance by up to 40% by preventing heat buildups. If you are mechanically inclined, you could install one yourself or have a dealer do it for you. 9. Monitor Your Voltage If your RV is hooked up with the shore electrical supply, voltage fluctuations could ensue since all the campers are running their A/C and putting a higher load on the campground electricity. Make sure you monitor the voltage using a voltmeter and if the voltage drops below 105 or rises above 130, turn all your electrical appliances off until it is restored to normal. 10. Inside Cooking vs. Outside Cooking Heat and aroma from cooking permeates throughout the travel trailer and make living uncomfortable. To reduce indoor heat, try to do most of your cooking outside. Employ a grill, electric broilers or frying fans, and crock pots to cook your food outside on a makeshift kitchen. Plan your groceries around meals that can be viably cooked outside and also prove to be a blessing for the cook. 11. Leftovers Are Valuable Preparing dinner inside the stifling confines of an RV trailer is nothing short of a struggle. Instead of preparing each meal from scratch, strive to use leftovers and cook enough daily to last 2-3 times. This saves electric power while also keeping the trailer cooler throughout the day. 12. Stay Hydrated Stay hydrated by consuming lots of rejuvenating fluids. Water and low calorie sports drinks serve as an inner coolant. Avoid caffeinated drinks as they tend to dehydrate the body, such as coffee, tea, and alcohol. As a personal coolant, fill a spray bottle with cold water and essential oils to keep your skin invigorated even when the A/C is turned off. 13. Time To Travel The hottest time of the day is from 11 to around sunset. Plan trip around that time to keep yourself diverted and staying out of the camper trailer, you may also wish to keep the windows open to stay ventilated while traveling. Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 The post Keep Your RV Trailer Cool This Summer appeared first on Oliver Travel Trailers. View the Full Article

This is definitely odd. I cannot seem to reproduce the problem on my end and so far everyone else is able to reply to messages which leads me to ask: What browser & version of the browser? Is it updated to latest versions? What device are you using? I'll help you to resolve your issues. Thanks!

Hi y'all, This has been discussed and there's going to be a store but we do not have a set date and time when this will become available.

Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 Vote for Oliver Travel Trailers Who will win? You decide! You can vote in as many categories as you like, but you can only vote once. Voting begins June 4, 2018, and ends September 4, 2018. Oliver is found under the "Travel Trailers" section of the survey - 5th section down from the top. Thank you all for your consideration! Use the button below to vote. VOTE FOR OLIVER Voting ends in: 00 Months 00 Days Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 The post 2018 Trailer Life Readers’ Choice Awards appeared first on Oliver Travel Trailers. View the Full Article

@Spike, that sounds sublime.

Vote for Oliver Travel Trailers http://olivertraveltrailers.com/blog/2018-trailer-life-readers-choice-awards/ Who will win? You decide! You can vote in as many categories as you like, but you can only vote once. Voting begins June 4, 2018, and ends September 4, 2018. Oliver is found under the "Travel Trailers" section of the survey - 5th section down from the top. Thank you all for your consideration!

Please give it a try now. I have tested this thoroughly with topgun2 using latest versions of IE, Edge, Chrome and Firefox but I cannot duplicate the error. I instead disabled something on my end to see if that works for you. Please let me know if the problem persists.. Thanks y'all!

Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 An Oliver Travel Trailers' Journey to Ruby Lake By: Frank McMichael, Hull No.101 During the night the wind stopped and the awareness of that seeped into me with the early morning light. With the light also came the remembrance that I had forgotten to stop for groceries as I passed through some several towns on the way to my sagebrush campsite. No eggs over easy and crispy bacon were to be had for breakfast this morning. Two hard boiled eggs from the refrigerator and a handful of almonds had to suffice for breakfast until a market was available. There was leftover coffee in the percolator that had traveled in the kitchen sink since my Baker City breakfast of yesterday. It was not fresh brewed but it was okay after being warmed in the microwave oven. My travel trailer has a 2,000 watt inverter that converts 12 volt direct current from my battery pack to 120 volt alternating current. The electricity stored in my batteries comes from my solar array which makes electricity from sunshine. Via this process, electricity from my solar array powers the microwave oven which makes microwaves that warmed my coffee. In essence, I was warming my coffee with energy from sunshine. Sunshine warmed coffee is one more reason why my Oliver is beloved by me. Upon making camp at my sagebrush site, I thought the Nevada line was near but did not know how close it might be. About ten miles after connecting to US 95 the next morning, the Oregon/Nevada line was passed. Except for a sign, there was no other official marking of the crossover of the line as Nevada was entered. California has a pest control station at every entry road into the State that one must pass through upon entrance. Nevada doesn’t care what pests come and go which effectively relieved me of having to look over my shoulder. The community of McDermott was immediately across the line. Entering the community caught me by surprise as I was not expecting any such, so soon after entering Nevada. It was not very large, maybe a block long and it had a casino. In my mind, the siting of a casino nearly on the State line indicated an eagerness to get my gambling money. It was amusing as I did not have any. Not having gambling money may be one way to be labeled a pest in Nevada, so I might have to look over my shoulder after all. Curb space in front of the McDermott Hotel was unclaimed so I claimed it, parking nearly at the front door. The hotel was created back in the horse and mule mining days of the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was the central place for miners of that time in that area to get a drink and food. Today the hotel is a casino and restaurant with rooms for rent. For $6.50, I had a breakfast of 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, 2 sausages and 2 bacons. It wasn’t gourmet but it sure improved my attitude. While waiting for breakfast, I spent some amount of time looking at various photographs on the restaurant walls depicting the history of miners of long ago and of mining equipment utilized by them. This kind of photographic history interests me greatly, I really enjoyed seeing the tools and machinery of yesteryear. The men in the pictures were neither large nor tall. Their small size was due to the physical work they did with limited rations and their height was the result of generations of hunger from whence they came. My breakfast would have been greatly uncommon to their experience. The hotel, "Say When" casino, two gas stations and a motel were the only commercial activity I saw. Other than employment at those, I am not sure what locals do for work. There may still be local mining activity nearby as Nevada is known as the mining State. I don’t remember seeing much housing either but surely there was some. I forgot to take a picture of McDermott so I had to lean on Wikipedia. The farthest part of the brown run together building on the left is the Hotel. I didn’t go into the casino. McDermott is about 30 miles north of Winnemucca. Winnemucca is where I made connection to IS 80 east. The last time I was there (more than 3 decades ago) it was barely more than a wide spot in the road with a casino. Today it appears to be a large thriving community. For some reason, Winnemucca did not encourage me to stop. IS 80 east took me to Elko, Nevada another "didn't used to be but now thriving place." Elko was good for a grocery and gas stop. Winnemucca and Elko were sunny. Elko’s temperature was pleasant enough that a tee shirt was just right. Elko’s temperature was pleasant enough that a tee shirt was just right. Approximately 15 miles east of Elko, I took SR 229 toward Ruby Valley and Ruby Lake. Shortly after turning onto 229, this sign made warning. Having just gassed up in Elko, I ignored it but it did cause me a moment of hesitation. I should have noted the warning in the sky as well and remembered that the Ruby Mountains are the wettest mountains in Nevada. As I remember, after approximately 25 miles, SR 229 connected to Highway 767, known as the Ruby Valley Road. At this junction Route 229 turned north to connect to US 93. North on 93 will take one into Idaho or south will allow travel on the north side of the Ruby Mountains and ultimately, connection with US 50 in Ely. SR 229 was paved. It passed through "open range" cattle country. In open range country, the cows have the right of way. If they want to stop and stand in the road so as to block traffic then the traveler must tolerate that. I once had a Big Horn Ram do this near Zion National Park. He stood in the middle of the road for about ten minutes as I sat watching and then leisurely walked to the cliff face, hopped upon it and turned and looked toward my truck as if watching me. Not a concern in the world - he knew he owned the place. Open range cows apparently like to poop on the road because the road had ample cow patties. Not all were able to be dodged by my dodge PU, so Oliver was excrementally "baptized", so to speak. The Ruby Valley Road was dirt and gravel with an additional extra helping of cow patty paving. The road took me past dozens of ranch gate driveways where one could see houses, barns and corrals. Sometimes horses could be seen in fenced enclosures near the barns along with an occasional cow or two. I didn’t observe any stores in Ruby Valley. I had already been warned by the sign that there were no gas stations. The locals don’t just run out for a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread in this part of the world. Depending on which end of the Valley a person resided, a shopping trip was an eighty to hundred mile drive to Elko. Much of Nevada has this isolated circumstance. The isolation tends to attract a certain kind of person who is self-reliant, has a dislike of crowds and has a bit of pioneering spirit. Disliking crowds gets a “me too” agreement from me. In traveling with my beloved Oliver, I seek remoteness for the peace and quiet, a sense of solitude and clear night skies unencumbered by street and parking lot lighting. I couldn’t live remote however, there is more difficulty and hardship involved in living that way than I would want. And, there would be no wife, at least not the one that I have had for more than fifty years. I own an Oliver because I can go to remote areas when I want, with comfort. She has no interest in coming with me. After 40 miles of eating dust and dodging cow patties, I saw this sign, it was most welcome. Ruby Valley contains the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge includes wetlands and a lake that functions as a resting location and feeding area for migratory birds. Ducks, Trumpeter Swans, and Sandhill Cranes seasonally use this location. It is a home or stop over location for 220 species of birds. The Refuge is one of the most important waterfowl nesting areas in the Great Basin and intermountain West. It is also a seasonal gathering place for Sage Grouse. Thus, my interest in spending some time in this Valley. This part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest does not allow dispersed camping, so it was necessary for me to use the south Ruby campground which cost $7.50 if one has a senior pass. It was worth maybe that much. Water was available at the location where the camp host hid out across the highway from the campground. Because I did not need it, my memory is vague about the availability of a dump station but I think there was one near the camp host’s location. The gravel sites were not level. I chose one that had swing room for backing and was enclosed on three sides by tall Juniper bushes and trees which would provide a nice windbreak. The parking area for the trailer had a hummock or a little hill which made it simultaneously up and down steep. It was also off level from side-to-side by 8-9 inches for the width of the trailer. The way most trailers are leveled side-to-side is by running the low-side tires up onto blocks. This requires that the site be within a few inches of level. Any trailer that utilized this method could not use this site as it would have been impossible to obtain a leveling by driving up onto blocks 8-9 inches high. The Oliver has three integral electric jacks - a front tongue jack and one on each side of the trailer by the rear tires. Upscale motorhomes have similar integral leveling jacks. Most new trailers today have an electric tongue jack which allows front to back leveling. I have yet to see any other trailer with integral electric jacks for side-to-side leveling. I am not talking about stabilizer jacks that are used to reduce trailer rocking while occupied. Many trailers have those type of jacks. Those aren’t designed for leveling. Oliver’s front tongue jack has a bull’s eye level on it that will register both up and down level and side-to-side level. When the bubble of the front level is centered in the bull’s eye, then the trailer is level in both axes. (I usually double check with a two foot carpenter’s level.) Except for placing several stacked 4 x 6 x 12 inch wood blocks under the jack on the low side, leveling the Oliver was a matter of pushing switches until the bubble was in the bull’s eye. Within a few minutes I was able to be in the “bubble” and level. I use the stacked wood blocks for load spreading in soft soil and for reducing the amount of downward travel of the jack. That way there is less potential for bending stress on the jack arm versus being fully extended. One other nice thing about the Oliver’s jacks is that each jack is stout enough to raise that side’s tires off the ground. This allows easier change of a flat tire, easier installation of snow chains and easier access for brake and bearing maintenance. Compared to the method of placing a separate jack under the frame of the trailer, integral jacks are far safer in that the jack can’t slip from the frame while a tire has been removed or is being removed. Also safer, because less time would be needed by a busy road for changing a flat tire. Integral electric jacks are yet another reason why my Oliver is beloved by me. The elevation at Ruby Lake is in excess of 6,000 feet. It gets cold there in the winter. I was there the latter part of May. Four months earlier, a Ruby Valley rancher died in a heavy snow storm that struck the Valley. The snow was gone but the cold was still hanging on. With wind gusting at 20-25 mph, I did not spend much time outside after leveling the Oliver. By 5:30 with lowering skies and rain turning to sleet, I went inside and made warmth and something to eat a priority. Thank God for the Oliver’s furnace that can quickly warm the interior. In a very short time I was enjoying my bubble of heat while it was sleeting outside. “Camping is hard” he said facetiously to himself. In recent past years, the timing of my late May arrival would have been good for observing wildlife in the spring. At this elevation, late May can be about the time that rattle snakes come out of their rocky dens hoping to find a Kangaroo Rat or two for lunch. I didn’t see any snakes, but if I did, I would’ve needed to bring them into my Ollie to warm them up in order to get snake bit. I stayed for an additional two days hoping the weather would turn. The weather remained the same as the day of my arrival, cold and nasty. Except from a far distance, I was unable to see much in the way of birds or other wildlife. Spotting scopes are helpful, once one’s eyes inform where to direct it. They aren’t much help when the rain and mist prevent or obscure initial observation. Cold and wet causes inactivity in birds and animals as well. And, it didn’t take me long to become weary of being outside tramping around in the cold and wet. For more time than I normally prefer, I retreated to a cup of tea and a book in the warmth of the Oliver. And, a nap or two as well. I have become such a wuss in my old age. "This was the day that was." This story was prepared or accomplished by the author in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Oliver Travel Trailers, Inc. Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 The post From Sagebrush to Ruby Lake appeared first on Oliver Travel Trailers. View the Full Article

Speaking of Coldplay.... I love the rendition to the Scientist by Willie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rscqSCxaKLo

@MontanaOliver, I was wondering if anyone would break out some Marty Robbins before me. Lol

Play me some mountain music, like grandma and grandpa used to play