On The Road Again... California 2024

[Chevelle_Nut]

We are planning another long road trip very soon, destination: Pacific Ocean, Faria Beach, CA

Along the way we will be making visits to Cadillac Ranch, Big Texan Steak House, Painted Desert/Petrified Forest, Winslow, AZ (stand on a corner), Meteor Crater, Zion, Sand Hollow State Park, Valley of Fire, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Hollywood, LA County Fire Museum, Pacific Coast Highway, Grand Canyon, Montezuma's Castle, Sedona, Tucson, White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns and many other stops.

A twist is the kids will be flying in to ride for a bit and fly out at different cities. The Excursion has had extensive work, still dialing in the A/C, need a hot day, tires and an oil change before we leave.

Camper has had bearings repacked, brakes checked and cleaned, hot water heater is getting the vinegar treatment to get scale out of it, A/Cs have been tested. Still have to service the hitch and sanitize fresh water tank and of course load it. I have oil and filter and a drain pan container for the 5,000 mile oil change along the way.

We still have a good amount of time to finish preparation. I have had to make timing decisions on reservations, getting some in the hardest of places to reserve. In California out site backs up onto the Pacific, super hard to get.

More details to come.

 

[cheveslakr]

You guys are going to love it. Been to several of those attractions and many of them let you get out and explore/hike for the entire day. Spectacular terrain. If I could make a suggestion to travel north to Sante Fe and highway 41 south to 40. It's so easy to just travel along the main highways because it's so far in between attractions but the small highways and the towns that litter them are the most memorable imo.

 

[77cruiser]

How long are you going to be gone? Been to about 1/2 of those places. Where are you going to the Grand Canyon at?

 

[Shovelrick]

When you get to Death Valley and it’s early morning, if you decide to go hiking Do Not take you shoes off and accidentally tie them together using a Knot then throw them over your shoulder and hike, the Sun will get the sand very hot, ask me how I know about Burnt Feet Have a Fun trip, sounds like a blast

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

You guys are going to love it. Been to several of those attractions and many of them let you get out and explore/hike for the entire day. Spectacular terrain. If I could make a suggestion to travel north to Sante Fe and highway 41 south to 40. It's so easy to just travel along the main highways because it's so far in between attractions but the small highways and the towns that litter them are the most memorable imo.

I just may do that, on that day we travel from Amarillo to Homolavi State Park in Winslow. Thanks!

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

How long are you going to be gone? Been to about 1/2 of those places. Where are you going to the Grand Canyon at?

We will be gone for 3 weeks. We might hit the North Rim going from Winslow to Hurricane and we are doing the South Rim when we are in Williams,, AZ

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

When you get to Death Valley and it’s early morning, if you decide to go hiking Do Not take you shoes off and accidentally tie them together using a Knot then throw them over your shoulder and hike, the Sun will get the sand very hot, ask me how I know about Burnt Feet Have a Fun trip, sounds like a blast

We are taking the scenic route to the coast that day, going to drive through Death Valley, we will stop at several places. One of my passengers that day has heat issues, she chose the hottest part of the trip! Hopefully the A/C in the truck will be 100%. We also will have our dogs with us.

 

[cheveslakr]

Zion is a zoo of millenial hikers, so be ready for that, but then any stop along 101 is also.

 

[Shovelrick]

We are taking the scenic route to the coast that day, going to drive through Death Valley, we will stop at several places. One of my passengers that day has heat issues, she chose the hottest part of the trip! Hopefully the A/C in the truck will be 100%. We also will have our dogs with us.

I hope you don’t have any ac issues, I talk to the Big AC Guy in the sky, I’ll put in a good word

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

I hope you don’t have any ac issues, I talk to the Big AC Guy in the sky, I’ll put in a good word

We have done everything to the truck for the A/C, it is just so sensitive to refrigerant level. Compressor, condenser, drier, front evaporator (twice, once due to a new orifice tube failure) have all been replaced and the system flushed thoroughly. I need an 80+ day to retest. I also fixed the hot water valve. I want ICE CUBES!

 

[Shovelrick]

We have done everything to the truck for the A/C, it is just so sensitive to refrigerant level. Compressor, condenser, drier, front evaporator (twice, once due to a new orifice tube failure) have all been replaced and the system flushed thoroughly. I need an 80+ day to retest. I also fixed the hot water valve. I want ICE CUBES!

Do you have enough storage room to bring ac repair tools & some parts?

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

Do you have enough storage room to bring ac repair tools & some parts?

Unfortunately I take too many tools when we go. I have wheel bearing tools, electrical tools, mechanical, a few spare parts, R134A and simple gauge set will go. I could get crazy and bring vacuum pump but....

 

[kmakar]

I want ICE CUBES!

Sorry, but Ice Cube likely won't want to "meet up".

 

[77cruiser]

We will be gone for 3 weeks. We might hit the North Rim going from Winslow to Hurricane and we are doing the South Rim when we are in Williams,, AZ

You're going through Marble Canyon then?

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

You're going through Marble Canyon then?

Is that on 89A?

 

[77cruiser]

Is that on 89A?

Yepper

Navajo Bridge - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

 

[kmakar]

I was thinkin' lincoln, since you most likely won't carry on your trip, make sure you bring a healthy stick you can wield easily. Closet bars (wooden ones you hang clothes with hangers) fit in your hands nicely and can inflict enough damage for you to get away.

Not suggesting a bruce lee nunchucks deal, but 2 wooden bars about 2.5' would be enough to swing and scare weirdos or fairies away.

 

[cheveslakr]

That bridge is 5 times in length and cost the same as a current bridge being constructed across a local creek.....
Holy moly.

 

[Shovelrick]

Is it against any state laws if you have a (Broken) Axe handle in your Mobile Home that has the same rights as your regular home? I remember in the late 80’s a cop wanted to come into my bosses camper truck and one of the girls had a warrant and the cop could not come inside so he left

 

[kmakar]

Not sure what the laws are now, but that's why I said a clothes hanging bar. Very common even in campers.