SeaDawg

Our road home this week took us through southern Illinois... land of Lincoln, and big blue skies, fluffy clouds, alternating fields of beans and corn as far as the eye can see... and that's a long, long way in this rich, flat farmland.... It makes my heart sing to stand in the bright late summer sun and enjoy the great gift of the prairie. Here's a photo of our Oliver taking a break at an Illinois rest stop: Somewhere not far from Vandalia, Illinois, the capitol for about twenty years in the early 19th century, and still a lovely little town. Sherry

We had small mudflaps installed on the Oliver wheel wells, and we use the big removeable mud flaps on the truck. So far, no obvious nicks or scratches in 14,000+ miles (including some gravel roads). Where we have seen some tiny scratches are inside... We have the older style trailer with no tile under the small dinette, just shiny white gelcoat.... I cut a hole & and a slit in a small rug to accomodate the center post of the table, and keep it there to try to keep down the amount of grit tracked into the unprotected area. New style Olivers that I saw at the rally have tile under the table. We also waxed our trailer (inside and out), with a good marine paste wax. Expensive, but one can goes a long ways.... Twice inside and out so far, and still 1/2 can or better left. There are good marine products for removing/buffing/cleaning superficial scratches in gel coat... Check with a marine supply, and test in a small, inconspicuous spot first to check results. I also use a good mat on the floor by the front door, a step mat/wrap, and a welcome mat outside the trailer. Keeps the dirt & stones down considerably. Sherry

Pomme de Terre Lake, near Pittsburg, MO There are three great campgrounds on Pomme de Terre Lake, about an hour north of Branson Missouri, near Pittsburg, Hermitage and Nemo MO. PdT State Park has campgrounds on two different fingers, Hermitage and Pittsburg, with lots of services (marina, beach, etc.... hookups or no for camping, see the Missouri State Parks website). Some loops are open year round. Reservations available. We stayed at the Army Corps of Engineers campground near Nemo. Two campground loops, both with plentiful waterfront sites. Our loop had no hookups (don't need em... we have all we need in our Oliver), and composting toilets. Other loop had hookups, showerhouses, etc. There's a boat ramp ($5). Beautiful campsites on both loops... nice separation, lots of trees, a little "patio" pad to open the awning that jutted out over the lake in ours.... a pull thru for $14 a night. Less with "geezer" pass.... Rates from $8 to 22 a night, depending on site and services required. Once again, we had the loop to ourselves, although the loop across the lake with hookups was pretty full in mid-September. Showerhouses open thru Sept. Electricity thru October, but campground is open year round. Beautiful Missouri has 39 state park campgrounds, some enormous (see Lake of the Ozarks and the bigger lakes...), some smaller. A number of Army Corps parks, too. Choose your terrain... the lakes, the woods, the Ozarks.... A view of Pomme de Terre Lake (apple of the earth... or potato... in French)

Herm, The panels are still adjustable, and a little easier to reach than the rooftop panels. We do need to carry a short ladder/step stool to reach them. We were very pleased that Oliver agreed to do the retrofit for us, and did such a good job with the custom brackets, etc. Sherry PS... Probably should have taken photos AFTER the carwash... I see all the little gnats on the brackets!

Paul started talking to the folks at Oliver about retrofitting solar panels on our Oliver awhile back. Last week in Hohenwald, we had a system similar to Technomadia's installed. However, with the king dome and AC, we had to locate ours in a place other than the center of the roof top. They fabricated beautiful saddle brackets molded to the hull to attach the two 100 watt am solar panels, and ran the wires through the roof and between the hulls... no easy task, I'm sure. We're very pleased with the installation. Our first day out in Hohenwald was overcast and drizzly, but we were picking up 4.6 amps of power anyway, and on sunnier days, 10.5. Here are a few photos of our new installation: We'd like to thank the whole installation team for doing such a great job! Sherry

We wish you were here, too! Hope you're having fun out west! Sherry

US Forest Service Campground Cove Lake, near Paris, AR $10 a night buys a piece of heaven on earth. No hookups, but who needs them with an Oliver? Water spigots spaced around, vault toilets. There are showers at the swimming hall down the road (looong hike or bike ride...) for those who want them... Out of season, after Labor Day, we had the entire campground loop to ourselves. No kidding. No one but us and the birds... and the little gnats. Our site was about 75 x 160 feet, paved, level, terraced walk down to the shore and campfire ring.... OMG... what a place! Our campsite Wildflowers View from the campsite We had a wonderful time... Could have stayed a month. With such a huge, private campsite, separated to the left and right with ravines and emerging hardwood forest mixed with ancient pines... it was such a delightful surprise. About 50 campsites, some more private than others, but all nicely planned and rustically "developed". Some pull-thrus. We'll definitely be back. Sherry

From Petit Jean SP, AR, it's another short drive to Mt. Magazine SP, Arkansas's highest point, at just under 3000 feet. We towed the Oliver up, looked around, but the day was not inviting... lots of clouds, rain, and chilly at higher elevation. We saved the idea for another day.... but here's a peek... And the Oliver trails happily along on AR 309, on the way to Mt. Magazine Usual bear and raccoon precautions posted, it's in the mountains.... Several "bulgemobiles" were camped up there... the road is steep for short stretches, but well marked and good pavement.... Heavily wooded campsites, the best views are from the road. Lots of trails, and on the weekends, activities and interpretive programs. Nice bathhouse and facilities. Hookups. Very small campground, nicely kept. The campground road is long... and newly resurfaced after you pass the visitor center. Campsites are assigned at the center. Usual reasonable rates for Arkansas state parks. Call ahead in the busy season. Lots of spaces in September. Sherry

A short drive from Lake Ouachita is Petit Jean State Park, the first state park in Arkansas. Near the top of a small mountain (about 1100 ft elevation) is a lovely little lake, and a lovely little campground. Some with lake view, some woodland. Along the road to the CG is beautiful Cedar Falls, viewed from a beautifully designed and landscaped handicap-accessible ramp. Many of the CG sites have full hookups, pretty rare in most state parks. Lots of history here, and lots to do with hiking trails, the falls, and a pioneer cabin.

It's just so difficult to pick a good campground in Arkansas, the natural state. You have to open the state map, close your eyes, point a finger, and set the Gps. There's an amazing variety of terrain in the state, nice roads, little traffic, and beautiful state, USFS, and Corps of Engineer campgrounds in abundance. We spent our first night in Arkansas at Lake Ouachita State Park near Hot Springs. Two of the loops are lakefront, and the campsites are amazing. $18.50 a night buys water, electric, immaculate shower houses, and incredible views. Less with senior pass, less out of season.... We got lucky, the loop was empty when we arrived because the CG had been closed for several days due to the effects of Hurricane Gustav and cancellations and power outages. Call ahead for reservations in season... way ahead... June 2009 is totally booked. If you're lucky enough to travel in spring or fall, life is good.... and the weather is mild. Lots of space, level, and really nice people in the camp office and store. Sherry

Roll call, RVerII... Mountainbon & Butcherknife, Earthdancer & Tumbleweed, and the Seadawgs... Scubarx is on the way... Tomorrow we'll have four Olivers in Van Buren AR. Wish all of you could be here with us... Arkansas is a beautiful camping state. I'll post more of that on the camping report thread. Suffice to say... it's tough to pick a place to stay in the abundance of state parks, USFS, and Army Corps of Engineer parks. Good news from home allowed us to stay on the road a little longer than we thought. Tonight, the night before the rally, half the RV resort is full of fiberglass eggs. The Oliver group is doubled up, having a lot of fun with the other fiberglass owners around us, too. Sherry

I've been intrigued by this thread. Years ago, you often saw telescopic legs in conversion vans and a few RVs. Since they're rarely seen anymore, I suspect there were problems. I found a few on the internet... mostly too small to support a table for a four-person dinette. This one, from Australia, is hydraulic, and probably strong enough, but shipping from Australia, and warranty support, would be expensive and difficult... http://www.caravansplus.com.au/catalog/ ... adaa0b1a02 The leg itself is $179 Australian, before shipping. Personally, I love the storage "cave" created under the bed. We travel with the bed made up most of the time. I have room for three storage boxes filled with lighter weight but seldom used items like rain gear and cold weather clothes, plus the table leg itself, a briefcase, hiking poles, and various other items. I'd miss the room if the center were taken up with a collapsed leg. Just my two and a half cents. Sherry

Our local U-haul dealer installed our Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller and harness in our Volvo XC90. Some Uhaul dealers will do this, others won't. Your Volvo dealer will also be able to install the harness and controller. We also highly recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy controller. Happy camping! Sherry

Our very unofficial, amateur rain guage (a straight sided coffee cup set on the tongue of the Oliver), collected roughly seven inches of rain in the last three days.... Most of it Monday night thru Wednesday am.... A lot of people are smiling... Even the trees seem to be laughing as they shake a few leftover drops onto base camp once in awhile... Everything seems green and bright today with the sunshine... Sherry, Keeping an eye on Gustav and Hanna...

No, rainy days and Mondays don't always get me down. The grass is greener today after the long night's rain, and it's great sleeping weather. But what do you do on a day like today when it rains all day.... I cleaned the camper, had coffee under the awning (kind of damp, but doable!), made some log entries, came to town to hang out with my new friends at the wifi cafe! Paul put on his rain gear and took a couple rides on the ATV in the rain... then drove into Asheville to get the oil changed in the truck... Don't know if it'll be BBQ weather tonite, or not, but we do need the rain everywhere in the south... The rain here actually has everybody smiling!

Pete, Love that photo of your Oliver and its reflection in the water at Ecofina... Really fine! Sherry

Great photo, Mountainborn... and I love that old song.... Sherry

Geri and Chuck, Wish we could, but I think it's cutting time too close... You remember how it is.... Would love nothing better than to hang with three other Olivers in Arkansaa... my old stomping grounds from days gone by. I especially appreciate your heads up on the rally a few weeks ago when we had limited access to the intenet. We think of you both often. I saw a post elsewhere today about Eastpoint and all the rain. We've had less than pleasant weather the last few days, but nothing to whine about in Pinellas county. How's everything at home? I suspect you're on the road... Take care, and happy camping, Sher

Quite true. If they're little, no need to fillet, and the bones are tender, especially after breading and frying.... Beyond little, at least the slit and the backbone has to be done. Tedious, but worth it... Yum. Even, so, my favorite is the bigger walleye... unbelievable flavor, and so flakey. (Oh, yeah, and less work, by far, per poiund...) Sherry

Thanks for the invite, but mapquest shows it's about 1100 miles home after the rally. Those long runs with little time are tough... Should plans change, we'll let you know. How great to be with so many Olivers in one place... a new record. Really wish we could make it. It's a beautiful area.... spent some time there with my family in the late 60's and early 70's. Sherry

Hope Pete and all his family are ok... TS Fay made her final pass (of four) dropping a lot of rain everywhere across Florida. A lot of flooding in some areas. Also hope Geri's place is ok in Eastpoint... they're getting hit, too. Pete's blog has some great new photos and commentary.... Hope you check it out. Happy traveling, Pete, and best wishes. Here in Pinellas county, the whole storm is pretty minimal. Sherry

We keep our meds in the cabinet with that other morning precious stuff... the coffee and filters.... Thanks, Steve, for sharing the pharmacy input. We appreciate it. Sherry

The disappearing urban campground... Lake Julian Park Campground in West Ashville, NC is (sadly) closed. A small campground tucked on the end of the lake (where you can't see the stacks of the CP&L power plant) was closed this year. The Buncombe County park service is building big pavilions there for family reunions instead of maintaining this little jewel of an urban campground. However, it's still a nice spot for a day stop and picnic and/or fishing (especially fall and winter, as it's a thermal lake), and the campground entrance is still open as a park entrance. A fishing permit for one day can be purchased at the entrance kiosk on the usual campground honor system. Restroom is still open, but the water to the shower stalls is cut off, as is the electric to the campsites. Sherry

I saw this article today, and couldn't help but think of you and your catfish stories, Mountainborn. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,407901,00.html A man in Wilkes County NC caught a record-breaking catfish... on his granddaughter's "Barbie" pink fishing rod... As Paul Harvey (sort of) used to say, click the link 'for the rest of the story....." Sherry PS I see a lot of times where others are able to bring photos from outside sources & websites into their posts. I don't know how to do this... just how to copy and paste the links. Can anyone offer instructions? Sherry Edited to include photo

I see walleye and yellow perch on the fishing list... mmmm my favorites! I'll cook if someone else will catch! Sherry