JWalmsley

Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 An Oliver Travel Trailers' Journey To The Redwoods By: Frank McMichael, Hull No.101 Brookings, Oregon is about 250 miles north on US 101 from my home in Ukiah, California. It is just north of the border between the two states. Driving this distance, one passes through mountains, across rivers, through redwoods, along extensive shorelines and beautiful beaches and at a few places Roosevelt Elk may be observed. As a kind of mini-vacation, I decided to make this drive and stay a few days in Brookings. I stayed one night at Ancient Redwoods RV Park and three nights at the Brookings Elks Lodge. Coastal Travels Up US 101 Staying at the Elks Lodge is not really camping but it was convenient. From this location, there are many beautiful places that may be day-visited. Also, the Lodge is nearby as well as stores, markets and restaurants. A fishing fleet is home based in Brookings which supplies wharf area restaurants. One of my goals in staying in Brookings was some fresh sea food. All-in-all it was an ideal location for my mini vacation. Because of my past choices for travel inland away from the coast, many months had passed since my last drive up US 101. I had forgotten how beautiful a drive it is, especially the fall time of the year (end of September, 2018). With this trip, I once again became deeply impressed with the amazing scenery and vistas that can be found along the way. I feel blessed to have this to enjoy. In planning for my trip, I determined that I would spend time driving the byways along 101 that would allow the opportunity to leisurely enjoy the Redwoods. SR 254, known as the Avenue of the Giants, loops off and back onto US 101, it was my first and earliest choice. Off To See The Giants SR 254 is called the Avenue of the Giants with good reason, it has some amazingly large Redwood trees standing alongside the road. Driving the Avenue never fails to impress as to the awesome size and beauty of these trees. This day, I stopped many times just to look at particular trees or groves of trees. Redwoods tend to grow in circular groves especially if they are rooted from a previous downed tree. I parked twice, just to walk deep into them. Walking through the shade and sunlight that made it through spaces in the trees was, for me, a very gladdening experience. "It was good to be alive and enjoying the day." According to the fossil record, redwoods were around 145 million years ago in the Jurassic period, the time of the dinosaurs. The changing climate over time caused many other plants to go extinct but the redwoods survived into species, specific to distinct geographical regions. There are three types, two are in California: 1. Coastal Redwoods; 2. Giant Sequoias and 3. Dawn Redwoods. Coastal redwoods, as the name implies, are found along the California coast from the Big Sur to southernmost Oregon. The Giant Sequoias are found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. If you have visited Yosemite, you would have seen them. The Dawn Redwoods are found in Hubei Province, China. Coastal Redwoods are the World’s tallest and oldest living things; some have been estimated to be 2,000 years old. The Pepperwood Tree Community As I approached the end of the Avenue of the Giants and the community of Pepperwood, I remembered that I had bought some excellent locally grown sweet corn and tomatoes several summers ago from a roadside vegetable stand there. If the veggie stand was open I decided to stop to see if tomatoes were still available. The veggie stand was open and they did have tomatoes, although the lady working in the garden was apologetic that they had few remaining, mostly of the very large type. I was very pleased in that I like large slices for sandwiches. I bought six. One of the largest I had already eaten before I thought to take a picture. The largest one in the picture measured five inches across. The smaller ones were of a heritage variety that she recommended. The garden for the veggie stand is located adjacent to the Eel River. It is in the River’s flood plain. Because it is in the flood plain, the owners can’t build there but they can garden and boy do they garden. They allowed me to wander about the garden a bit and see the extensive layout of their garden. The community is named after the Pepperwood tree, also known as Bay Laurel or Bay. These trees are codominant in various hardwood forests and are found within and about Redwood forests in the Coastal Range. We have a Bay tree in the corner of our back yard that my wife forages for use as a condiment in spaghetti and stew. North of Eureka, I stopped at Big Lagoon and made a sandwich using part of one of my recently purchased tomatoes. What a wonderful flavor it had. It helped make a great sandwich of ham, cheese, onion and mayo on Dave’s Good Seed bread. Golden Bear Bridge Crossing When I got to the Golden Bear Bridge crossing the Klamath River at the community of Klamath, I stopped and took a picture or two. Several different times in the past, I had been tempted to stop but time and traffic usually overruled that impulse. This time I made the effort. Because of traffic, it was impossible to take a picture with both in the same frame. (Standing on the yellow line with traffic whizzing by was somehow not appealing.) But when one drives across the bridge the twining is apparent. Bull Elks of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Late September into October is rutting season, at this time it is possible to see very large Bull Elks with a massive set of antlers patrolling his retinue of cows, always on the alert for intruders. Of the six subspecies of Elks in the US, Roosevelt Elks are the largest. A large male can weigh up to 1200 pounds, more usually around a thousand pounds. A cow elk will be about half of that. Calves are born in late May, early June. Only males have antlers which they shed and regrow annually. A set of antlers can weigh up to forty pounds. The large male in this picture below is looking toward another male which is lurking in the tall marsh grass contemplating if he is large enough to take on the big guy. At Orick there is a RV campground, known as Elk Country RV Park, often with Elks grazing next to it. Sometimes, when passing by, I have seen fifty or more lounging about the grassy area of the entrance to the Park. This day there were only a few. The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway Just north of the Elks is another Redwood viewing by-way. The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway is a ten mile alternate to Highway 101 above Orick and Prairie Creek. The drive along this Parkway through the Redwoods induces an almost hypnotic trance, it is so pleasant. Luckily, there were many places to stop to enjoy a walkabout. The trees make a tunnel that tempts one to stop and pull over just to look at the dappling of the light. It is the home of Big Tree. This is not the largest redwood, others are larger but the keepers of the forest tend not to divulge their locations because of vandalism. Big Tree Far north coastal California and southern coastal Oregon have many beaches, often with few people or none on them. I tend to be a solitary person. This kind of beach is a high attractor for me. Having a whole beach to myself is a great gift not likely to be experienced in other places. When I lived in southern California, the beach was not that attractive to me. There were too many people. Always! There were so many people to dodge that trying to walk was like walking a busy sidewalk in New York. Not so, here. There is an exhilaration brought about by the beach air and the ocean breeze that is hard to define and cannot be experienced in other kinds of places. I spent many hours walking, sitting and reading on several beaches, and I must admit, drowsing as well. My favorite beach was the cove at the end of the Harris Beach Road just north of Brookings. Mostly when I travel in my beloved Oliver, I cook simple meals, make sandwiches or heat leftovers from my wife’s cooking. I seldom eat out. Occasionally, I will go out for a burger at a non-chain, local restaurant. When I am near the ocean and fresh seafood is likely, I enjoy going out for sea food. One of the local members of the Elks Lodge recommended that I try this restaurant down on the lower wharf area. I did and am so glad I did. It had outstanding clam chowder and lingcod cheeks with beer battered fries. I ate there twice and had the same thing each time, it was so good. Notwithstanding the Redwoods and scenic views, it was worth the trip just to have the pleasure of eating there, it was that good. The interesting part of all this is that I was staying in the very southern beginning of coastal Oregon, the whole of the State was still before me. As one drives north of Brookings there are more spectacular views, more rivers, more beaches, more mountains and more opportunities for seafood. (Try the Bridgewater hotel in old town Florence) And if one goes far enough, cheese at Tillamook. It is enough to make an Oliver owner eager to go and glad to be traveling in style. "This was the day that was." Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 The post Redwoods, Golden Bears and Elks appeared first on Oliver Travel Trailers. View the Full Article

Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 AN OLIVER TRAVEL TRAILERS' JOURNEY TO DEATH VALLEY By: Frank McMichael, Hull No.101 After my stay in the cold and wet of Ruby Valley, Cathedral Gorge State Campground near Caliente, Nevada was a wonderful place to relax in the sun and soak up some warmth. While relaxing with a book, a beer and some pine nuts, I contemplated my next destination. If the weather in the mountains had been better, I would have considered heading back up US 93 toward Idaho to various locations that I had map-scouted. But, this was not the case, so I decided to stay with warmth and go to Death Valley National Park even though I knew that there was a chance that I would be going from warm to hot. Skillet hot, maybe. In order to get to Death Valley from Cathedral Gorge, it was necessary to take a half-circle, roundabout route that would take the better part of a day of driving through the desert. My start location was essentially Caliente on US 93 and my destination was Beatty on US 95 where I would stay overnight before entering Death Valley. As can be seen from the Google Map there was no direct way to get from Caliente to Beatty which is just outside the eastern entrance of the Park. At Crystal Springs, I connected to SR 375 then to US 6 west and finally to US 95 south. SR 375 is known as the Extraterrestrial Highway, I had previously written an article for Oliver about this Highway and my stop for lunch at Rachel. When you look at the above map, you will see that there is a large area generally west of US 93 and SR 375 and east of US 95 where roads are not indicated. Not knowing any more, most people looking at this map that did not depict roads through this area, would maybe not notice or maybe think that this not untypical of Nevada as there are many large areas in Nevada that can’t be reached by paved roads. This is true but this is not the case for this area. My Benchmark Map Book shows a few minor dirt roads around the perimeter of this area and also indicates that this area has the Nellis Air Force Range. I don’t know why Google Maps didn’t show the same. The below map (not Benchmark) gives much more detail. Along with the NAFR, this is the location of Area 51. This map better illustrates what is in this territory. So now it can be understood why I had to do a roundabout drive. From this map it can be better understood why Rachel is often the staging location for folks wanting to see exotic military aircraft or UFOs. Alas, I didn’t chance to see either. I stayed overnight at a RV park in Beatty. When I left Beatty at 8:00 the next morning, it was 58 degrees. The eastern entrance of Death Valley National Park is 8 miles from Beatty. By the time I reached the entrance sign, it was 70 degrees. By noon it was 84 degrees with a very dry wind, capable of sucking the beer right out of you. The day topped out at 89 degrees. Death Valley is the largest national park in the National Park System of the lower 48 states, a small part of it is in Nevada but the by far the greatest amount is in California. It has immense amounts of desert, extensive views, winding canyons and intriguing features of terrain and landscape. If you like geology, this is the place to go. The best time to explore this Park is during the winter months. I was there in the early part of June, which is the beginning of the hot season. One time in July, I crossed through the Park going to the Grand Canyon. When I stopped for a pit stop at Stovepipe Wells, the temperature was 121 degrees, as hot as the namesake stovepipe. My primary reason to go to Death Valley was to visit Scotty’s Castle. The below picture was reproduced from the Death Valley National Park website. As can be seen from the image, it is not a castle. It is a Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival Villa. There is an interesting story as to why it is called “Scotty’s Castle”, worth researching if you like good stories. This style of architecture and construction has always intrigued me so I was very eager to spend an extended length of time there. Unfortunately, this was not to be the case. When I got to Death Valley and the turnoff toward Scotty’s Castle, I was confronted with a “Road Closed” sign. Further information was that the Scotty’s Castle area had been closed due to flood damage and would not reopen until 2020. This is the reason that I used the above photo - I couldn’t take any of my own. It is hard to imagine that a flood could occur in Death Valley. It is the hottest, driest place in the U.S. - it has the lowest annual rainfall in the Country. The Valley’s average annual rainfall is less than 2.5 inches. So, how could so little rainfall cause a flood? Answer: Any “average” includes typical circumstances and outlier or exceptional circumstances. These may be far outside what the average would indicate. It was an outlier event that caused the damage to Scotty’s Castle. A desert storm can drop tens of inches of rain in just a few minutes. The desert is notorious for having flash floods especially in the Desert Monsoon season. Washes or gullies that are normally dry but drain huge areas can become swollen, raging rivers in a matter of minutes. Scotty’s Castle is located in the northern part of Death Valley in a canyon in the Grapevine Mountains. The worst of flash floods typically occur over mountains, so there is the answer. Flooding in Grapevine Canyon from a severe thunderstorm damaged infrastructure and out-buildings in the building complex and destroyed the road to Scotty's Castle. It also eliminated any chance of studying the architecture of the “Castle” until 2020, a year that sounds rather futuristic and science fictionally but is only two years away. After I crossed the road to Scotty’s Castle and the indicated closed sign, I was forced to re-evaluate my travel plans. Rather than return back to Beatty and US 95, I decided to go to the RV Park at Stovepipe Wells for a few days and tour about the Valley. If you look closely, you will see my Oliver behind the General Store at Stovepipe Wells. Or maybe not. It is actually just barely out of the picture to the right. The RV Park was just a gravelled area with utilities and without shade. When I purchased my Oliver, I purchased a second awning for the street side of the trailer. I did this because I knew that, on occasion, I would camp in the summer where there was limited shade and also would be in the desert from time to time. Most times that I camp, I am not connected to utilities, so AC is not possible, therefore the extra awning shade can be very valuable. During these times, keeping the sun off the sides and windows of the Oliver can reduce the heat load that would otherwise accumulate inside. As well, for those times this extra shade would be most welcome for being outside as one could sit in shade on either side of the Oliver, according to the sun’s position in the sky. Stovepipe Wells was such a camping place that I needed to use both of my awnings to shade the Oliver. It helped significantly to reduce heat load but I still had to run my AC by evening time. Other nearby RVs ran their AC constantly, without let-up. It is amazingly dry in the Valley; one can watch liquid spilled on the ground disappear within a few seconds. The wind seemed to blow oven hot. With the dry wind it seemed hotter than the high-eighties that was indicated on the temperature gauge. It was even hotter at Furnace Creek. The highest official recorded air temperature in the world, 134 degrees, occurred at Furnace Creek in 1913. For the five days prior to this recordation, 129 degrees was recorded. Furnace Creek is an oasis, one of the few places on the Valley floor where one can observe plants, mostly Mesquite and Tamarisk. Mesquite is a native species. Tamarisk or salt cedar is an invasive import from Eurasia that unfortunately is creating a great deal of problems for the West. One hundred and ninety feet below sea level and I still couldn’t find any shell-fish. While Furnace Creek has the distinction of being the hottest place in the Valley, it is not the lowest point. The lowest point in the Valley is Badwater Basin at -282 feet below sea level. I had thought that I would spend a day, maybe two, checking out Scotty’s Castle but being unable to accomplish that, I had to re-evaluate my stay. The high for my first day was 89 degrees, it was hotter the second day with triple digits predicted for the following day, plus high winds. Not my cup of beer, so I decided to look for other opportunities to be someplace else. Early the next morning, I left Stovepipe Wells heading west toward US 395. Once on 395, I thought that I would breakfast at Lone Pine but I dawdled so much in the Panamint Mountains, at Panamint Springs and along Owens Lake that by the time I got to Lone Pine, it was nearly lunch time. That being so, I decided to go fifty miles further north to Bishop and get a sandwich at the locally famous Schat’s Bakery. Bishop is a high attractor location as a temporary stop for travelers along 395 as well as an area destination for campers, for hikers and in the winter, skiers. Almost everyone who has driven 395 more than once, because of word of mouth, has stopped at this bakery for sandwiches and Sheep herder Bread. I have driven 395 and passed through Bishop a number of times before and always stopped for a brief respite, usually at Schat’s. Almost always, the curbs were lined with cars and RVs and crowds of travelers and tourists were on the sidewalks going about the business of entering shops and restaurants. As I drove through the downtown area, I noticed fewer people on the sidewalks and was amazed find that there were no vehicles at curbside. It took me a minute or so to realize that the curbs had been painted red and parking was not allowed. There were a couple of signs that I saw indicating off street parking but not being able to see the parking area before entering, I did not attempt to enter as I have found from past experience such places can be a trap for a truck and trailer because of tight turns and problematic ability to reverse. I am fairly paranoid about being trapped into such places. One such experience was all it took to create that paranoia. That time, thanks to a Good Samaritan, who helped guide me around two tight turns and prevented other cars from crowding me so as to allow me to back up, I was able to extricate from my predicament. The effect of that experience was the indicated paranoia. Being unable to stop curbside and not sure about other parking, I regretfully drove on, concluding that I would have to find a fast food place on the edge of town for lunch instead of a sandwich from Schat’s. As I drove on, I wondered about the mindset that thought that preventing travelers and tourists from stopping curbside to patronize businesses was a good thing. It seemed counter intuitive to me. I thought it would likely kill the golden goose as, at least to me. Further along, about three-quarters of a mile past Schat’s, I passed a large empty parking lot for an out-of-business market. Ignoring the No Trespassing sign, I pulled into the empty lot and parked. On impulse, triggered by the open parking lot, I decided that I would walk back to Schat’s and the sandwich that I craved. But, I was resentful about having to walk that far. The walk was not strenuous but I made it so with my attitude. I mentally groused that making an old fat man walk “nearly a mile” for a sandwich was just mean – real mean. Later, I laughed at myself but at the time …. When I returned, three other RVs had also parked there. One scofflaw can create a crowd of scofflaws, it seems. Lead by example - right? On the return walk, I realized that my irritable attitude was because I was tired of traveling and was missing being home. I therefore decided that I would travel north on 395 to Lee Vining and take SR 120 and then SR 270 to the Bodie Ghost Town, where I would overnight. And then in the morning continue on SR 120 to the east entrance of Yosemite, drive over the Sierras to the Central Valley and then home. Nice plan but it was a no go, SR 120 was closed because of snow. This was the first week in June, usually SR 120 was open before this time. This left me with only one recourse, if I wanted to go home, which was to go to Reno and take IS 80 over the Sierras. Upon arrival at Reno, I immediately started up the grade on IS 80 toward Donner Pass, thinking that I would stop at the Cabela’s Store in Boomtown, wander around the store some and then find a restaurant for dinner and stay overnight in Cabela’s parking lot. I first stopped at a gas station at the Cabela’s exit to fill up before going to the Store. While doing this, I realized that really did not want to spend the night in a parking lot with intrusive overhead lights near a loud, busy freeway. With that understanding, I returned to IS 80 and drove over Donner Pass to SR 20 west until I got to the Skillman Horse Camp in the Tahoe National Forest, where I stayed the night. At that point, I was six hours from home. By first light, I eagerly left for home without making breakfast. Nevada City provided an opportunity to purchase a breakfast sandwich and explain the virtues of the Oliver to an inquisitive stranger. (This happens a lot.) By 2:30 I was receiving hugs from my wife, daughter and my two grandchildren and learning that the welcome home dinner my wife was preparing was fried chicken. Safely home, with my family, and fried chicken - how great is that? "This was the day that was." Share and Enjoy !0Shares0 0 The post Cathedral Gorge to Death Valley appeared first on Oliver Travel Trailers. View the Full Article

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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