Life is good- on the road after the Expo

[67avion]

As I write tonight we are overlooking the lights of the small town of Hurricane, Utah. We have jazz from the university of Utah, and Sweet Jane has prepared grilled salmon for our dinner. I handled the wine.

Only a few hours earlier we had a very different scenario. We had traveled to Zion National Park after the Overland Expo in Flagstaff. We were astonished to see the campgrounds completely full. As we traveled further west even the RV parks were posting no vacancies.

What to do?

I spotted a road that mentioned an "overlook". Off we went with our F350/Avion and did some serious off road work. The result was an astonishing spot overlooking the lights of the town as well as the rock formations that surround us.

There is no one else around. We are surrounded by the billion year old natural environment, with comfort and ease. Did I mention the internet and that we have 4 bars on the iPhone? Totally in contact. Totally alone.

Life is good.

[67avion]

Yes we have wifi through a hot spot booster. It has an antenna on the fridge vent on the roof. I ran the lines to the Wilson cradle booster which is in the cabinet. I place an iPhone on the cradle and turn on hot spot. We can run our other devices off of the clear signal. We also have a wifi booster that picks up ambient wifi like McDonalds etc. I don't like it as much.

[garryk6]

67avion wrote:
As I write tonight we are overlooking the lights of the small town of Hurricane, Utah. We have jazz from the university of Utah, and Sweet Jane has prepared grilled salmon for our dinner. I handled the wine.
Did I mention the internet and that we have 4 bars on the iPhone? Totally in contact. Totally alone.

Life is good.

I meant to ask you, how does your phones and internet work through your Avion. I have to be right next to a window or a roof vent, and still is iffy. Do you use a booster or other signal enhancer/antennae?

Thanks!
Garry

[67avion]

We're having a sensational breakfast at the Wynn Casino. However, earlier we entered Crisis City as the F350 somehow closed her doors and locked herself....with the engine running.

Something close to panic ensued. What was weird was that the driver side door was slightly...ever so slightly ajar. But definitely locked

We don't have the door code. Don't ask.

Calls to locksmiths went out. Worried pacing around the loud diesel truck while glimpsing annoyed campers.

Spotted two maintenance men from Circus Circus and over time a minor miracle occurred. I promised that I would name my first grandchild after them since they refused any money.

So, I'm thinking Miketony Gorton is a little odd for a girl. But when you get lucky in Vegas you gotta follow through.

DG
Sent from my iPhone

[69_Avion]

67avion, it was wonderful to meet you and Jane at the Expo. Your restoration of your Avion is something that you can be proud of. What is really nice, is that both of you are enjoying your Avion camper the way it was meant to be used. Boondocking is what that camper was built for. Enjoy and have a safe trip.

[Mello_Mike]

Yep, I went through this exact same drill last month during our visit of Zion National Park. Ended up boondocking on BLM land near Virgin, UT. Much, much, better. 🙂

[deltabravo]

Maybe I will make it to OX15. I've missed 2 years in a row due to not having the funds to go on a long trip.

Like you, I found many national park campgrounds full. I lucked out and got several nights in Mather campground in Grand Canyon, and I think 2 nights in Bryce.

[67avion]

Rex, you guys were great around the campfire. Just wondering how you managed to get the bacon cooking at daybreak. Best of luck in your quest for a perfect truck camper.

[Rexsname]

It was great to meet you and spend some time solving the problems of the world over a cool and refreshing beverage (or two). We went on to Fence Point on the North Rim for a day or two of peace and quiet.
I learned more talking to the fine folks of this forum in person than I have in talking to every Truck Camper salesman ever.

Thanks again,
REX

[67avion]

Eric, I was honored to meet you after reading your amazing reports. And I think you're right about my good luck. This was the first morning on our western trip that we just lazed around. Sweet Jane walked around the canyons...I brewed two pots of strong coffee. Damn! I thought. This is what I love!

Of course, I had you and Whazoo and Bryan guiding the way.

Best of luck in your Grand Canyon and Western guide business. Folks on this Forum should let their friends know about you.

Now, as I write, we're "camped" on the Strip in Las Vegas. What a shift! Sweet Jane is checking Trip Advisor for the best breakfast in Vegas. The site is 711. Makes you wonder if Lady Luck is following us. But, We don't gamble so it's go see the lights like in Times Square where I used to work, and then a great breakfast before getting out of here.

We're heading back to the midwest.

[seldomseensmith]

D,

Consider yourself fortunate indeed that your best laid plans went awry... I've stayed in the campground at Zion once (close proximity to the Park shuttles many years ago) and felt the kind of claustrophobia you get from sharing a few square feet with thousands of others. A good dirt road leading to a solitary high place is like winning the lottery, and I'm happy to hear you struck it rich. It was great meeting you, and I wish you safe travels today and into the future.

Eric

[SheepCamp]

To everyone that I met at the Expo, it was wonderful and fascinating to see how diverse we all were in our lives and backgrounds. It was also amazing how much we were all similar in our outlooks and love of our Truck Campers and the freedom they give us to explore the back roads and remote places we prefer.
To all, Drive safe and pleasant journeys.

[dadwolf2]

SWEET!

[67avion]

B. it's not often that a gathering of Whazoo, Seldomseen, you, 69avion, Sheepcamp and others whose handles I can't recall at this moment, along with their significant others, occurs. Except at these far flung TC rallies.

I am still marveling at the varied lives and works of the people we meet. It's as strangers that we meet without the humdrum of daily life buzzing around. So each story from Whazoo or each droll funny comment by Bryan is brand new. It's a very special world.

So I'm having my third cup of coffee on the butte and thinking that Appleby has it all figured out.

[bka0721]

Hey Sweet Jane and D.!!

What a great weekend hanging out with you two and many of the other “Characters” from the RV.net TC Forum. It is so great to see people Living the Dream, for many weeks. I hope many follow your example and step out and try it too, or even my way, for months.

Being prepared for the unexpected result of no campsites available, is a great stress reliever. There are many opportunities for dry camping and boondocking. One just needs to get comfortable with finding these locations. With my ventures east of the Mississippi and south of the Mason Dixon Line, boondocking locations can be challenging, like you described, but can be found. But the areas west of the Mississippi opens up an unlimited opportunity for boondocking. Go forth and explore!

Till our paths cross again, D. Gordon, travel safe.

b