Day 155
Re-Engineering
08:21am:
Our wakeup alarm sounded at 6:45am. However, it took us 1-1/2 hours to get ready this morning. We were stalled by our clothes hanger bar coming loose and all the clothes falling down. Whatta mess!
Also, it took about 10-minutes just to find the rubber end cap for the hanger bar! Because that cap decided to hide amidst all the fallen clothes.
First things first
We must first determine what caused the bar to come loose:
➜ We found that one end of the bar was mounted at a small angle downward which made it easy for the bar to fall out of its mount.
➜ Also, the bar itself which adjusts to fit various closets, was not secure. The expansion screw inside, slipped easily.
.
Re-Engineering!
We have to admit to you, that we love re-engineering stuff sooooo much!
#1. We corrected that angle-mount thing by shimming out the bottom of the mount with flat washers. Then we locked those flat washers in place with a screw that went thru the mount, thru the washers and into the wall.
#2. We do not need an adjustable hanger bar. So we determined the bar length that is required, then added 1/4” to that length. Then drilled a hole thru the outer bar tube and into the inner tube. Then fixed the inner tube to the outer tube with a sheet metal screw.
Then, because the hangar bar is now 1/4" longer than the distance between the forward and rear walls, we wedged the now re-engineered hangar bar into the wall mounts.
We finished this re-engineering project about 7:45am. Then began doing all of our regular morning stuff. That’s how it came to be 8:21am before I began this Blog post!
09:11am
To the Redwoods
We are heading out from our very nice, quiet and peaceful Nite Camp. A short distance down this dirt road, is the entrance to the Redwood Park.
Everybody on the Scampy RV Team is sooooo excited about viewing our first giant redwood tree!
11:35am:
Breakfast at Big Trees Grove
We have just finished doing our breakfast dishes. Breakfast was great!
It took us a long time to arrive here at Big Trees Grove. We descended about 2,000 feet thru a terribly unmaintained road. Tránsito was only able to go around 5 miles per hour, in order to keep the holes in that road from shaking us to pieces! And we travelled 10-miles. Do the math!
Before breakfast, Little iPhone and I took the short walk in order to view the magnificent Giant Tree!
12:40pm:
Internet returned!
We have pulled off Hwy 101 into the Town of Weott. A few minutes ago our iPhone began popping up texts, email, all manner of stuff.
We are back online! First time we had a good net connection since Monday, October 9th. Although on October 10th and 11th, the net connected for about an hour each day. Then mysteriously, our net connection disappeared!
We plan to publish our Notes prepared Blog for October 11th and 12th when we reach our Nite Camp.
As of right now, we have not learned the state of the Big California Fire[s]. Once we know that, we'll be able to find out what route is available for us heading south.
Bye for now! 😎
2:50pm:
Benbow Camp
We have made an Afternoon Camp in the Town of Benbow. Years ago, it was very easy to find Nite Camps around here. As the years passed, locals have stopped that.
Now, you have to really understand the concept of stealth Nite Camps to be successful around here.
We may Nite Camp right where we are right now. Have to feel if its right for us or not.
In the meanwhile, there is a 2-star T-Mobile connection here! Yaayyy!
5:04pm:
Headed for Willits
We decided not Nite Camp in Benbow. Rather, we are going to Willits because there are super markets, hardware stores and clothing stores in Willits.
6:55pm:
Shopping
After sunset, but before dark closed in, as we arrived in the City of Willits, Little iPhone captured a pic of fire smoke coming off the far hills!
We were very surprised to learn that the fires are still going Big Time! Not here in Willits. But farther south. Santa Rosa and around there!
We went to Safeway for some groceries. And then, while still in the Safeway parking lot, prepared a wonderfully thick gorgeous boneless pork loin.
The way we prepare it, tastes sooooo great! We fry the pork in light oil and season with garlic salt. Then when the pork is just barely done, soy sauce is used to marinade. The marinade is boiled down to a sauce in which the cut pieces if pork are dipped.
Oooohhhh! That is sooooo good! Gotta love it!
Tomorrow's trip
It sure appears from looking at the CalTrans fire map, that my best bet may be to travel the Highway #1 Coast Route.
What do think about this? I'd appreciate your advice.
PS: It appears that Highway #1, according to CalTrans, has a lot of permanent outages.
.
➜ We found that one end of the bar was mounted at a small angle downward which made it easy for the bar to fall out of its mount.
➜ Also, the bar itself which adjusts to fit various closets, was not secure. The expansion screw inside, slipped easily.
.
Re-Engineering!
We have to admit to you, that we love re-engineering stuff sooooo much!
#1. We corrected that angle-mount thing by shimming out the bottom of the mount with flat washers. Then we locked those flat washers in place with a screw that went thru the mount, thru the washers and into the wall.
#2. We do not need an adjustable hanger bar. So we determined the bar length that is required, then added 1/4” to that length. Then drilled a hole thru the outer bar tube and into the inner tube. Then fixed the inner tube to the outer tube with a sheet metal screw.
Then, because the hangar bar is now 1/4" longer than the distance between the forward and rear walls, we wedged the now re-engineered hangar bar into the wall mounts.
We finished this re-engineering project about 7:45am. Then began doing all of our regular morning stuff. That’s how it came to be 8:21am before I began this Blog post!
Re-engineered hanger bar
09:11am
To the Redwoods
We are heading out from our very nice, quiet and peaceful Nite Camp. A short distance down this dirt road, is the entrance to the Redwood Park.
Everybody on the Scampy RV Team is sooooo excited about viewing our first giant redwood tree!
11:35am:
Breakfast at Big Trees Grove
We have just finished doing our breakfast dishes. Breakfast was great!
It took us a long time to arrive here at Big Trees Grove. We descended about 2,000 feet thru a terribly unmaintained road. Tránsito was only able to go around 5 miles per hour, in order to keep the holes in that road from shaking us to pieces! And we travelled 10-miles. Do the math!
Before breakfast, Little iPhone and I took the short walk in order to view the magnificent Giant Tree!
First view of redwood trees inside the park
Giant Tree
Breakfast
12:40pm:
Internet returned!
We have pulled off Hwy 101 into the Town of Weott. A few minutes ago our iPhone began popping up texts, email, all manner of stuff.
We are back online! First time we had a good net connection since Monday, October 9th. Although on October 10th and 11th, the net connected for about an hour each day. Then mysteriously, our net connection disappeared!
We plan to publish our Notes prepared Blog for October 11th and 12th when we reach our Nite Camp.
As of right now, we have not learned the state of the Big California Fire[s]. Once we know that, we'll be able to find out what route is available for us heading south.
Bye for now! 😎
2:50pm:
Benbow Camp
We have made an Afternoon Camp in the Town of Benbow. Years ago, it was very easy to find Nite Camps around here. As the years passed, locals have stopped that.
Now, you have to really understand the concept of stealth Nite Camps to be successful around here.
We may Nite Camp right where we are right now. Have to feel if its right for us or not.
In the meanwhile, there is a 2-star T-Mobile connection here! Yaayyy!
5:04pm:
Headed for Willits
We decided not Nite Camp in Benbow. Rather, we are going to Willits because there are super markets, hardware stores and clothing stores in Willits.
6:55pm:
Shopping
After sunset, but before dark closed in, as we arrived in the City of Willits, Little iPhone captured a pic of fire smoke coming off the far hills!
We were very surprised to learn that the fires are still going Big Time! Not here in Willits. But farther south. Santa Rosa and around there!
We went to Safeway for some groceries. And then, while still in the Safeway parking lot, prepared a wonderfully thick gorgeous boneless pork loin.
The way we prepare it, tastes sooooo great! We fry the pork in light oil and season with garlic salt. Then when the pork is just barely done, soy sauce is used to marinade. The marinade is boiled down to a sauce in which the cut pieces if pork are dipped.
Oooohhhh! That is sooooo good! Gotta love it!
Fire smoke in the hills of Willits
Tomorrow's trip
It sure appears from looking at the CalTrans fire map, that my best bet may be to travel the Highway #1 Coast Route.
What do think about this? I'd appreciate your advice.
PS: It appears that Highway #1, according to CalTrans, has a lot of permanent outages.
.
George -
ReplyDeleteThis maps shows the California fires, and may help you plan your trip south. Zoom in and you can see that two fires straddle Hwy 101.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll=39.37889504706483%2C-122.310791015625&hl=en&z=8&source=embed&ie=UTF8&mid=1TOEFA857tOVxtewW1DH6neG1Sm0
Thanks for that info.
DeletePlease understand, that on my Blog, Anonymous comments are NOT allowed. I only permitted yours to be published because of the content.
Get yourself a real identity name besides Anonymous!
George
.
Happy to heard you are OK. Stay safe, George.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy,
DeleteThank you for that.
Yes! I am better than OK. I am doing fantastic! BTW, I really loved our Fleener Creed Overlook Camp.
George
.
Stay safe!!! Marilyn
ReplyDeleteMarilyn,
DeleteI intend to follow your advice!
George
.
Benbow to Napa Valley about 150 - 170 miles. Seems prudent to stay north for a few more days.
ReplyDeleteErnie,
DeleteThanks for this advice!
George
.
Glad George is north and safe.
ReplyDeleteThank you sooooo much, Ernie!
DeleteWow! You have been with me for sooooo many years! 😍
George
.
George didn't you and Miss Tioga camp rough the California Redwoods once before. I remember how much you loved them.
ReplyDeleteHi Christine,
DeleteYes! Many, many times!
I do love trees. And redwood trees for me are so very beautiful. The trunk of a redwood tree has gorgeous looking bark. And the color of that bark is perfect!
George
.
George, I'm glad you're okay -- I was worried about you those days you couldn't post. It's also fun to hear you say "Double wow with sugar on it!" because then I know you're having a blast! You mentioned one time that you are having more fun now with Transito and Scampy than you did with Ms Tioga. Is there a specific reason for that? Would you care to elaborate? If it's too personal, no worries. All the best to you George.
ReplyDeleteJules,
DeleteFun with Tránsito and Scampy:
★ Scampy is more comfortable than MsTioga because her size is just right for me!
★ Scampy is so easy for me to tow. MsTioga for me was difficult to drive.
★ Tránsito has room for a complete work shop. Tools. Supplies [Screws, sand paper, etc]
★ Scampy is warmer when its cold. Last nite the temp outside was 32℉. Inside Scampy with our Wave3 catalytic heater on high, the temp was 62℉.
George
.
Loving the travel posts! Great pictures, as always. Love those big redwoods. So happy to see that you are healing and traveling that wonderful west coast.
ReplyDeleteTake good care, George. You are inspirational!!!
Hi Kent,
DeleteYour comment is a swell compliment for me to receive!
Thank you sooooo much!
George
.
Real smokey in the Bay Area. Listed as unhealthy air. Lots of schools have closed for this week. Stay on the coast for a while!
ReplyDeleteMary Kay,
DeleteI've been only recently learning about these fires causing terrible air pollution!
On Sunday, I have a date with my kid for breakfast in Santa Cruz. Have to drive thru the Bay Area to get there.
George
.
Great to see you are doing OK and enjoying your travels. Sounds like old times with Tioga. Stay safe from the fires!
ReplyDeleteHi Vera,
DeleteThank you!
It's better now, than when I was with MsTioga. Maybe because I am a lot more easy-going now?
George
.
George, here is the latest Sonoma County Road Closure Map:
ReplyDeletehttp://sonomamap.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=20e120cba30b4e39a343b858475eb8f2
Ray,
DeleteThank you sooooo much for that map!
George
.
Google maps is real handy. You can turn on the traffic mode and see how bad the traffic is and most road closers. Plus it will tell you how long it will take to get to your destination. Yes the air is bad there but it's bad all over the bay area but not as bad. Put your air conditioning on recirc.
ReplyDeleteHi David,
DeleteI agree about Google maps. Love them!
George
.
We loved driving through and visiting Humboldt Redwoods state Park in 1999 and when our son visited in 2017 he felt the same way. As he said " you can take pictures, describe the trees all you want but until you see them for yourself you don't truly understand their size and beauty". I agree - a most lovely place to visit. Stay safe, George.
DeleteGeorge, I don't think you'll have any problem going through Santa Rosa and Sonoma County on 101.
ReplyDeleteI worked for KSRO (AM 1350 Santa Rosa) several years ago, and out of curiosity I tuned in their web stream. They have been broadcasting non-stop fire news since Monday morning. Their web stream is at www.ksro.com
Highway 101 is open, the "road closed" markings on the map Ray posted show the on and off ramps that are closed in the fire area. The fire itself burned through on Sunday night so the areas around the freeway are cold by now.
The only time 101 was closed was on Monday morning while PG&E removed some burned power lines that crossed it in the fire area.
They also list the emergency shelters - currently there are about 2000 displaced persons in the fire areas. I'm sure no one would mind if you pulled into a corner of the parking lot at one of the shelter locations for a rest stop or overnight.
Other good information sites are pressdemocrat.com (Santa Rosa newspaper) and sonomafireinfo.com
ReplyDeleteSonomafireinfo.com is a site that was created on Monday by Chimera, a non-profit arts and makerspace in Sebastopol. They're doing an amazing job acting as a central clearing house for fire information, shelter space and recovery resources. The problem is the fires are so large that resources are being provided by a couple of dozen or more different agencies, each with their own web presence.
Chimera is doing an admirable job gathering up to date information and presenting it all in one place.