Mike and Carol

David, this looks like a much better solution than command strips! Thanks. Mike

Marc, (or anyone else who has done this), Any issues since you repositioned the TV? I'm going to copy what you've done when we get back from our December trip. I'm also going to add an HDMI splitter so I can add an Apple TV. I'm thinking about just using command strips to stick the Apple TV up under next to the TV bracket by the hole for the wires. If anyone has done this I would be interested in your results. Mike

This is Round Pond Recreation Area at West Point, New York. Campsites are spread around the pond with picnic pavilions, boat dock and beach area. Sites are nicely spaced, we couldn't see our neighbor - the next site was about 30 to 40 yards up the road. This is just across the road from our site looking across the pond. This was the third week in October.

Thanks to all who posted their installation experience and tips. We hit mid-80s this afternoon so I pulled the trailer out into the sun along with the eze gutters. Cleaned, measured, marked and installed. I used blue masking tape to mark the ends, 5" down from the top of the window. Going slow and taking care to keep spacing with the window worked well. Once stuck, it's not coming unstuck! Two 10' sections covered all windows. We will be hitting the road the week after Thanksgiving and will post if there are any issues. Mike

Mike, sounds like a great trip. Nice phone pics - I'm singing Eagles songs in my head now.... We are going to Carlsbad the week after Thanksgiving. Considering either Carlsbad KOA or Buds Place RV Park. Mike

Bill, great pics - looks like you caught the foliage changing colors at the right time! Mike

David, that's a great looking setup you have there! I think you'll be happy with the Q7. We've been Audi owners since 1976 when I bought my first new one. Driving an S3 right now. Those are great pictures. Utah should be on the list for an Oliver rally! Mike

I have been following this thread wondering if I needed to install some Eze Gutters on the Lone Star Oliver. At the end of our long October trip on the way home we endured a Texas gully washer. Heavy rain for hours. I had the awning out about 5 feet and the back curbside window open about two inches (this window is under the awning). Somehow, water ran down the window screen into the bottom of the shade frame, traveled along the bottom of the plastic frame towards the kitchen then exited onto the bed. It was dark and stormy so I didn't go out to investigate how the water got to the screen. The river stopped flowing as soon as I realized what was going on and closed the window I jumped online and ordered 20' of Eze Gutter from Amazon and it was on our porch when we got home. As soon as we get some sunshine I will follow Bill's procedure and get them installed. This might be something that the factory should consider doing. Mike

zz, if we're back in the area we'll let you know. We really enjoyed our stay there. Mike

On the way back from our trip to the east coast we stayed a few days at Lake Ouachita SP just outside of Hot Springs, Arkansas. This is one of the nicest state parks we've stayed at. Most sites in our section had great lake views. Sites had large, level concrete pads and full hook ups (water pedestal was marked "frost resistant"). There was a large picnic table area and another area behind the trailer pad. Good separation between sites. Lots of big mature trees with good shade. We were there the last week in October and the weather was great, 40s to 70s. There was no cell coverage, which could be good or bad depending on how connected you need to be. A 5 minute drive up the hill and our phones got a few bars. $26/night.

Dean, I've listened to RVFTA off and on for a year or so. Like Buzzy, I listened to it during my workout this morning. I enjoyed the interview and it made it more interesting when you talk about folks we know! We just finished up a 5 week trip east and on the way back spent a few days at Ouachita Lake SP outside of Hot Springs Arkansas. On our 8-site circle there were 3 Casitas and an Oliver mixed in with some huge, triple axle 5th wheels. I thought I'd found a Casita rally. The Casita owners were very interested in our Oliver. Thanks for the post. Mike

Pete, the first big Oliver we saw was at the Bluebonnet rally in 2014. We can make the 45 minute drive to Bandera and be a part of the swarm!

Keep us posted on your Airstream adventures!

We've been off line for a few days. We are in DC for the next few days. Would be happy to show our trailer. Heading up to West Point NY on Wednesday. We've had lots of comments and discussion on our Oliver the last couple weeks while on the road. Normally, folks want to know what it is. When we got to our current site our neighbor (big Airstream owner) said, hey - that's a Legacy Elite II! Since ours says The Lone Star Oliver he knew what he was talking about. Enjoying this great east coast weather.... Mike

We just spent a few days in Nashville on our way to the east coast. We like going to the Grand Ol Opry, this past weekend was the 91st birthday weekend and we enjoyed a good show. We stayed at Two Rivers Campground, just two miles from the Opry and Opry Mills. Nice campground, very conveniently located, although a bit pricey. There was actually another Oliver there with us, Chad and Shannon with their blue and yellow striped Legacy II. Lots of folks stopped by to ask questions... We overnighted at the Cracker Barrel in Texarkana on our way from San Antonio to Nashville. Interesting experience, price was right and it was very convenient. Cracker Barrel's don't count as a campground but when I asked they said we were more than welcome to stay overnight.

Same here. We leave it connected to the trailer all the time. Dump, two refills/dumps, then the gray tank. I have a clear section to watch for the last clear flush before doing the gray.

Yes, congratulations! Looking forward to hearing about and seeing where you go. Trumpetguy, we always notice Airstreams. Hope you won't pass by an Oliver without stopping! Mike

We got one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JFWKM2K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It works well. Tells me if power is okay before I connect to the trailer. It popped a couple times during a storm, reset itself after about 90 seconds. The only thing I don't like is the color. I wish it was gray, black or blue so it wasn't so noticeable. Mike

I like Airstreams. I like what they've done with the Basecamp, some nice features. If Airstreams were made with the attention to detail as an Oliver I would be inclined to give them more consideration. I don't know how you do that with as many as they produce! Even so, Airstreams are timeless and grab attention as they go by. Of course, we get tons of comments and questions about our Oliver (even from Airstream owners). We made the right decision. Mike

John, I agree with overland, we felt pretty safe and secure. We didn't see any bears or mountain lions, although we met a couple who was following us that did see a bear with some cubs crossing the path. We saw a couple of these little critters hiking with us... We lived in southern Arizona just 9 miles from the border so we are used to the critters and animals as well as Mexicans hiking north. At Big Bend we did encounter some Mexican citizens. They like to paddle across the river and set up a small souvenir shop then paddle back. They expect you will follow the honor system if you take anything, just put your dollars in the bucket. The clearing you see across the river is where they launch their boat. When we got down to the Boquillas canyon the river is narrow and we exchanged "hola's" with the residents on the other side. He asked if we wanted to hear some Mexican music, I declined but he started singing anyway. Dave, we didn't stay in the Chisos Basin, but that is where I would start if we return. I saw a few RV's that were longer than what they recommend parked there. I wouldn't hesitate to pull my Oliver down there. Don, I think you'll have cool weather in January but nothing like the midwest! Buzzy, I knew you'd appreciate the sizzling bacon! Mike

We spent last week visiting Big Bend National Park. It's one of the least visited National Parks and is somewhat off the beaten path. From Fort Stockton on I-10 you head south for about 3 hours. It is on the Rio Grande with Mexico in sight all the time. Even with the hot weather (low 70's at night, high 90's during the day) we had a great time. Lots of hiking, great views and no crowds! At times we felt like we were the only ones there. It's a fairly large park, bigger than the state of Rhode Island. This is at the end of the Boquillas Canyon hike. The bluff is in Mexico. This is where the Rio Grande enters a huge canyon that's been carved out of the mountain. After a hike to the top of the second highest peak (7550') this is the view down. It's called the Lost Mine Trail. Views are great all the way up and it's a nice little workout! We sat at the top and had some snacks and water while enjoying the view. At the other end of the park (western end) is the Santa Helena Canyon. Mexico on the left, US on the right. The upper water flow is the Rio Grande, the lower (muddy) is the Terlingua Creek emptying into the Rio Grande. You can wade through the Terlingua to the bluffs on the right and then climb up about a quarter of the way to a lookout platform. Another nice hike was Grapevine Hill. It's not too far, a couple of miles through the desert then some light rock climbing up to this balanced rock. Carol is enjoying the shade! It was right at 100 degrees when we made this trek. This is the view from the balanced rock looking back down at where the path goes back to the start through the canyon. We stayed in Lajitas, TX at a very nice, full hookup campground. There are three RV parking areas in the park, one has full hook ups. No reservations, first come, first served. If we do it again we will look at staying inside the park. None of the park RV areas were full. Peak season is November through April, so it may be more crowded. We think the Chisos Basin has the most scenic camping areas. It is surrounded by the highest peaks and is close to the start of the Lost Mine Trail. Most importantly, bacon was consumed!

Lajitas, TX, right outside of Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas. Spent last week there. HOT! More to follow....

Yologals, welcome! We picked up the same time Bob and Camille did in May and have been on the road every month since. Just got back from Big Bend National Park. Your tour next month will be enjoyable and educational. This is a good group that will be willing to help and provide good information. Mike

Same here. Looks like it was a great success!

OK, feeling better. Good common sense approach, John. We all use our Olivers differently so we have to have a feel for functioning parts, wear, etc. Don, good list. I'm a list guy and having one like yours is a good way to ensure something doesn't get missed. I guess I just had not thought about jack maintenance! Mike