Myrtle in Elk City, OK
The Trip
Left out of Olalla, WA on 5/27 headed for Portland OR. Visited an old friend and spent my first night in the purpose-built rear bed area.
Next morning caught coffee and breakfast before heading to the nearby hardware store who easily remade my ex-generator/tool storage compartment keys from the two sheared components (yep, they locked and then sheared just before I left).
I had a family deadline to meet of June 7 in Maine, so I opted for the most direct route: I-84 -> I-80 -> I-90. Cooked, ate food, and slept in my rig at rest stops along the way until I hit New York. Discovered and resolved the electrical issues referenced above regarding cooling fan and battery system. Met up and exchanged some parts with a fellow GMC owner and visited my brother at his work there. Afterwards, opted for a delightful set of back roads running through NY and NH into Maine on a lovely, sunny day. I arrived at my Dad's place June 2 after dark.
Fast Forward 2 months spent with family and friends on and near the Maine ocean.
Oh, yeah. Also had to replace the cooling system of my Norcold 1210 refrigerator. I guess they (perhaps all absorption style refrigerators) are due for cooling system replacement every 10 years. Anyway, did that. Used the Amish Cooling Unit. jc-refrigeration.com. Highly recommend.
Bucksport, Maine
A Chance Roadside Encounter
Heading Home
Left out of Hampden, ME on August 1 to Albany, NY to visit my brother and his family. Spent the night in his driveway and headed off towards Route 66.
I knew that the "Mother Road" was pretty much subsumed by Routes 40 and 44 but figured to get some idea of the flavor of the area and I did. I managed to stop and see some of the more noteworthy sites as well as drive on original parts of the route. The original parts had occasional maintained/restored venues packed with memorabilia of days gone by. Restored 50’s era Fords and Harleys seemed to dominate along with pictures of Marilyn and Elvis. Most of the commerce space of the Historic Route 66 consisted of the regular fare throughout our land with an occasional framework or decaying billboard recalling an earlier heyday.
Meramec Caverns, Sullivan, MO
These are the most amazing caverns I have seen. The guided tour (only way to see) is well done and the sights are awesome. Campsites here looked interesting but I did not investigate.
Which Part is the Reflection?
George Washington Carver National Monument and Museum, Diamond, MO
A very interesting and well done exhibit highlighting the contributions of an amazing man with the meanest of beginnings. Simply accessing this location gives you a view of current rural Missouri.
George Washington Carver
It was hot in Elk City and my house batteries were low. I grabbed a spot at a nearby rv joint and fired up my roof AC, ate some left-overs and caught some sleep.
National Route 66 Museum, Elk City, OK
An extensive collection of memorabilia and photos commemorating an earlier time. There are a large number of buildings/structures associated with this museum area. Ensure you visit all!
National Route 66 Museum, Elk City, OK
Custom Caboose bunks
Things sort of went down hill on the trip from here for a bit. Blew a tire in Santa Rosa, bought four in Albuquerque. Plus the heat was...unexpected.
Barstow, CA
Sweated mostly. ~110 degrees F.
My pc is down.
No contact received for possible meet-up in LA so this is the split point to proceed directly to San Jose.
Mojave River Valley Museum, Barstow, CA
The Way to San Jose
(Can't get that song out of my head)
Hot, Crowded (at 3:30am!), Construction, Steep and Winding.
All at different times. Oh, and trucks. Lots and lots of semi-trucks.
They are required by California law to comply with a 55 mph speed limit if they have more than three axles or are towing. I suspect a GMC would get classified as 3 axle. You don't want to be going faster than the trucks on any roads, trust me.
Plus, if you pass one, I learned, there's just a long line of others to pass.
GMC RV Parts, San Jose, CA
I've had some issues with brake boosters. Turns out, I created all of them. Anyway, as a result, I had one booster core and one newly reman booster they'd sent to me. I'd also called ahead to request my outer cv boots be replaced due to leaks I knew were present. Upon arrival I discovered they had just received reman axle assemblies. I opted for a set of those, instead. Tired of worrying about the condition of those things!
Jim K
Spent some time chatting with this pillar of the GMC community. GMC RV Parts is in San Jose. They are accessible. They can work on your rig! Jim and I talked about cooling systems, proper differential ratios, front axle hub concerns, and more. What goes into the shopping cart, though?
WHAT ABOUT THE WINDOWS JIM?
The word is that assemblies are now becoming available and are/will be being shipped to those pre-registered. I'm ready!
Redwoods
Always wanted to see them, so I did.
Across the Golden Gate bridge - so many people walking and bicycling on it!
More heat!
Finally, Redway and Avenue of the Giants
The food store (actually only food option) thankfully opening at 7am so I can have eggs for breakfast!
Avenue of the Giants
Lots of really big trees and no people!
At least on the roads. It was early on a weekday.
Lady Bird Johnson Redwood Grove
Ok, so maybe I did catch a glimpse out of my side eye saying "No Parking" for RVs but I was determined to get to the one location I had picked to visit here.
And, make it I did. But I wouldn't recommend it.
It was definitely worth it, though!
I then managed to get down without losing my brakes. Taking a lunch break mid-descent seemed to work.
Once again. Would not recommend.
Lady Bird Johnson Redwood Grove
Homeward Bound
On the road again up the California coast to Crescent City and then following the winding way to Grants Pass. Thank goodness the heat is easing noticeably.
Dinner at Applebee's in Roseburg, OR.
Best Rest area ever?
Spent the night I-5 N, just south of Portland. Temps are down!!
Three distinct parking areas. Quietest you'll find.
Entry area to 2 additional areas near point of reentry to freeway.
Finally, a better night of sleep followed by eggs and coffee!
Visit to a long-time friend in the area. Hang in there, John!
A stop in Portland to pick up favorite food for family from when we lived here.
Oh boy, it's record heat in Oregon and Washington, too! But that's only 95, lol.
Road is hot and traffic slowdowns/stoppages are frequent today (Sunday). Sure is nice having a "boring" straight road for a change, though.
Figure 14: Salt and Pepper Squid, Thien Hong, Portland, OR
Then there was that noise
20 miles from home!
The pop noise I heard was followed by a voltage drop - not charging. Got off the freeway in a commercial area. Belt had worn badly and flipped off the pulley. Got to the parts store 3 miles away. Had it changed in 30 minutes! Plus ten for electric fan setup!
Arrival
August 10, 20:00
