Boudicca908

So — where are you? A lot of us are mobile, and I’ve shown my Oliver many times while I’m on the road. If you post your general location here on the forum, you may find an owner within reach. (Maybe I missed it, in the thread here…?) Elite II, twin bed, Lithium Solar package with composting toilet and curb-side awning model Owner… heading West from Tennessee on Friday.

On the way to Tennessee, I’m spending the night at R Shaefer Heard COE campground, in NW Georgia. It’s very nice here. Some sites have steep drives to access, and WiFi is spotty, but the lake front sites are great. My view from here.

Yesterday I left home, driving North out of Southwest Florida (aka The Swamp) and to my great surprise, only 90 minutes out, I spied an Oliver heading South on Rte 17 into Nocatee! Thanks for the smiles! A decent day’s drive, in spite of the weather and traffic. Only one pit stop. Northwest Georgia today, and the OTT Mothership tomorrow. I love my Oliver.

Make that more of us.

It's main purpose as far as I'm concerned. I took mine into a hardware store out in the middle of the mountains in Colorado last year and finally found grommets that work. They aren't exactly the same, but they work. I bought a few of them. I think I have replaced mine 2 times in 3 years. The sun is rough.

My timing didn't work out the past two years, but I'm aiming for 2026! Enjoy the gathering!

It's so small! The body is 2" x 2.5" -- the antenna makes it just under 4" tall. This is the Garmin InReach Mini2 - a Compact Satellite Communicator with GPS, and should really be on this OTHER thread HERE:

Yes, that was my primary concern. I know that it won't operate for the thief (or that's what I've read) because it's attached to the account. But a thief might not know that, and it would be a royal pain to try to replace it while traveling. Fun Fact: * Starlink delivers by FedEx (unless you live in Alaska or Hawaii)... and the United States Post Office will NOT allow FedEx to drop off for General Delivery *

@Rivernerd - Thank you for the tips and positive feedback! I will be mindful of downshifting in the mountains; in Florida, driving is practically all coasting (haha). It's good to know that the Sawtooths are a solid pick for my first foray. Given the timeframe, I am set on the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway (my 3B) plus hiking in Twin Falls. Unfortunately, the 'reservable' cg spots around Redfish Lake and Stanely Lake were already full last week; also full at many of the nearby locations, but there are quite a few FF as mentioned, so I am hoping for something to be available. It will be mid-week when I drive through the area. If wildfires or extreme heat don't deter me, I plan to drive back to Idaho later in the summer, making a different pass at fishing and camping. I also found references to the Dark Sky Reserve, though they don't have any events posted online yet for this year. That Highway 12 looks very interesting, as well as the Rte 75 north to Montana. Definitely looks inviting. I think I may take this route later in the summer. I remember that you mentioned the dredge on another thread, and it looks really interesting. Plus, the FISHING! Yay! @John Dorrer - Crater of the Moon is my first stop - the camping is limited and FF, and I will be arriving on a Sunday, so fingers crossed! Thank you all for your input!

Congratulations -- the adventure is the best part!

I ordered the Mini 2 and it was on sale at Amazon for just $300, all the same things 'in the box' as if ordered direct from Garmin. This will give my friends and family some peace of mind (me too) when I'm out hiking and fishing solo. Thanks for all the info! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PSKG7C3?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0&th=1

@topgun2 -- Which Garmin device do you use? Would you buy the same, or see reasons for a different selection? I bought the Starlink so that I can make calls in areas without cell service (using phone over wifi) -- BUT I don't leave my Starlink outdoors and I don't leave it on all the time. There was one occasion last year when I wished for cell access and couldn't make it happen.

I'm currently listening to "Hell or High Water" by Peter Heller -- about the first-ever successful traversing of the Tsanpo Gorge in Tibet. It's a detailed account by Heller, himself an adventurist and expedition paddler. "In the winter of 2002 he joined, on the ground team, the most ambitious whitewater expedition in history as it made its way through the treacherous Tsangpo Gorge in Eastern Tibet. He chronicled what has been called The Last Great Adventure Prize for Outside [magazine], and in his book Hell or High Water: Surviving Tibet’s Tsangpo River."

Do you remember your guide's name?

Greetings to the Forum! I am planning a foray into Idaho this summer and love to hear any thoughts, tips and feedback. I’m not really set on any specific destination, but would love to see the Sawtooth range and find some good hiking and fishing spots. To begin looking at routes, I used scenic routes suggested by friends who were not towing or camping – so I am not feeling confident in my routes. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated. I will be approaching from Jackson WY. o I am assuming that I should detour south on 191 through Hoback WY, to avoid towing over the steep pass on Rte 22; o I drive a 2500 diesel; o My description is broken into segments, since I haven’t located camping spots yet. I might discard segments if the roads aren’t conducive to towing. o I’ve included google map links to the loops, but I know sometimes google doesn’t behave and changes the route I've created. o Initially I was looking at driving all the way to Missoula along the Scenic Rte 93, through Hamilton (the first route describe, with 3A below), but there seems to be a lot of switchback mountain driving. And a lot of it is fairly remote. Anyone use this route? Or alternate route? o Alternate B cuts this short by taking Rte 21, the Scenic Ponderosa Pine Byway, but it still has a fair amount of remote and mountainous terrain. Anyone tow this route? o I may make two separate forays. First, I will take a friend along; we have 9 days total (leaving Tetons NP Day 1, returning to Tetons NP on Day 9). I may return for a more leisurely route, focused on fishing and hiking, and a return depends on wildfire conditions and heatwaves. Sawtooth & Salmon Bitterroot Scenic Route 1 – head southwest on 26/89 through Alpine, stay W on 26 to Idaho Falls (fuel & food stop) then 20/26 west to Craters of the Moon National Monument (camp if possible, limited FCFS spots); 2 – from 26W, go north on Rte 75 / Gannett Rd through Bellevue then to Ketchum (stop, see historic Earnest Hemmingway haunts and markers, picnic lunch); drive through Sawtooth NRA and then over Galena Pass Summit (8701ft, a 5 mile descent on the way down, anyone do this towing?) – stop at Galena Pass overlook (camp possibly at Alturas Lake or farther along at Redfish Lake, or other suggested camp sites along 75); ALTERNATE 3A – from Stanley 3A – stay on 75 north/east following the canyons of the Salmon River all the way to a junction with 93 – turn N on 93 and through Challis, Cronks Canyon, Salmon, Lost Trail Pass and Darby – entering Montana. 4 – on through Hamilton, Lolo (possible camp at Lolo Traveler’s Rest) and to Missoula MT. 5 – from Missoula, head back to Jackson WY via I-90 S to I-15 S back to 26 E to Jackson. https://maps.app.goo.gl/zxxMXZXUwpuSN1GZ7 Google calculates the route from Jackson WY to Missoula MT approx. 1,020 miles (too far imo for 9 days) ALTERNATE 3B – from Stanley 3B -- take Rte 21, the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway. There is another vista on Stanley Road, about 5 miles away called Elk Mountain Overlook, need to investigate road conditions and towing. Past Cape Horn near Boise NF, Rte loops SW toward Banner Summit then descends through a narrow steep-walled canyon and then a stop at Sawtooth Overlook (if room to pull in). 4 – Possible stop at Kirkham Hot Springs (if I can find a place to park) and/or South Fork Payette River (fishing, swimming, possible elk). Through Lowman (stop for historic markers in the area about the 1989 massive 46,000 acre fire) and Idaho City (gold boom town of 1860s)…. 5A – Then return from Boise via I-84 / I-15 and then Rte 26. through Shoshone ID (camping somewhere along the Big Lost River or the Snake with fishing) https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zrc7jKKa2W4xY5m37 Google calculates the route from Jackson through Boise approx. 875mi Alternate 5B – from Idaho City 5B – detour to Idaho City Falls & Twin Falls parks for hiking (camp nearby if possible). https://maps.app.goo.gl/fMjQZfv5r4kHnYi79 Google calculates the route from Jackson through Twin Falls approx. 870mi