'New' 2006 Interstate (Mid-bath)

[InterBlog]

I see, said the blind woman.

Yes, jacked. I think I read that the Sprinter has to be lifted up and the transmission maybe has to be angled down as well as rotated in order to get all of the oil out of the void spaces in the mechanicals. It can be done as a DIY but it's a lot of work. MB put it up on their lift to do it.

[Lotus54]

A few pictures I didn’t get in properly.

1. Total trip 11,000.9 miles.

2. New York- Plumb Beach rest area, Brooklyn (I think)

3. Florida- coast

4. Another of Plymouth COE (WA)

[Lotus54]

More misc.

1. Did I mention I hate traffic? (Actually, in NY this slowed everything way down, making it easer it decipher the road signs and figure which way to go)

2. Florida had the most elaborate ‘Welcome to’ signs.

3. Wonder why MB service is so expensive? ($800 for a water pump) this was a cookie, at the Birmingham Sprinter MB dealer.

[Lotus54]

Day 28

I know two people in RI very well and wanted to visit both. But one was busy- but got to visit with a very close friend I had not seen in decades. But as with such people, after a moment it was like all that time never happened.

We went to Foster, RI and visited for awhile (before she had to leave) and I goofed up and went into Connecticut again, rather than stay in RI the way I had planned. I had never been to that part of the state and just plain didn't look at the map and went the wrong way. It was faster, but not the way I wanted to go.

Went up to the Mass Pike (I was planning to do 95/128/93) and into Cambridge. bobbi wanted a Boston Cream Pie and I used to go hang out in Cambridge, so at least sort of knew my way around. Of course that was decades ago, but at least I had a darn good idea.
I knew it would be amazing to find any parking for the AI at all (with the bike on the back) but lucked out and found something that worked not too far from Harvard Square (where she found a bakery online). Picked it up while I waited, then found a little park and ate there.

After that I decided it would be fun to take the road along the Charles (Memorial Drive). I recalled many places where it had underpasses and would go under the cross streets. They had clearance signs (and hanging boards) that showed what it was. All were at least 10feet- I never measured but with the taller fan cover, I thought it was about 9'4" (never measured it).
No problems, then one didn't say what the clearance was- went under the hanging board and didn't hear it hit- but the sign says 9'0" !!!! I about pooped right there. Well I couldn't back up at this point and just slowed way down. Nothing scraped, and perhaps the very edge of the underpass was a little lower or something (or it is not as tall as I thought). I need to measure it!

Went along, then got on 93north. bobbi found a state campsite further north that seemed an easy distance.
Salisbury State Beach. Nice place, except the water outlets were a LONG way from most of the campsites. It seems four or more sites share the same water spot. I managed to back up (just off the pavement) and reached, but one of the other people had to borrow two hoses and fill up his tank. I'm sure they saved money, but who has room for 100' of hose? (I just had 25', but got a 10' one for future situations).

186 miles

edit:
I forgot, when she called to make a reservation (too late)- the person stated up and down that they do NOT do 'Walk in' (first come, first serve) sites at all.
Of course they certainly do, and there were loads of spots left. It is a VERY large place and I'll bet packed in the summer. Too bad they have people that are too lazy to find out the real story.

[wachuko]

Can't say it enough... what an amazing trip and thank you for sharing it!!

I sent you a few questions via PM.

[Alex AVI]

LOTUS54 - Just catching up on this thread from last week. Amazing journey, being a person who loves driving to places, I really love those pics. If only I can do half of your journey, I would be content . . . someday, hoping soon

[Lotus54]

Day 29-30

Left Salisbury (after using dump station) and headed toward Acadia.
We did take the interstate much of it, but got off around Augusta.
Stopped at the Penobscot bridge and went up into the observation tower. My pics don't really give the proper feeling at all.
We stopped quite a few times along the way, got to the NP campground early enough to get a site (1pm or so I think). We took the bike out, went into Bar Harbor, had dinner there (super easy parking with the bike) and wandered around a bit.
Next day we left on the bike fairly early (cold on the bike) and did the 'Beehive'. If you don't like exposure, I wouldn't recommend doing it. Lots of steel rungs for hand and footholds, only one or two places that had less than ideal placement (well, for me). I didn't used to mind exposure at all (did lots of 'scrambling' often places that should have equipment- and climbed lots of towers)- but I don't like it as much anymore. Perhaps just think too much about what can go wrong.
In any case it wasn't a big deal and some great views. we continued on to the lake there and the loop back down. By the time we got back, the parking lot was packed (we parked in a spot only a little bike would fit).
Then rode most of the loop- stopping a lot etc. I did like the one way road with two lanes. Easy to stop anywhere in the left lane and not bog everything down.
Had lunch at Jordan Pond.

I'll put a pic or two up- more later.

241 miles

Mark

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by Lotus54

Day 29-30

Mark

Hey MARK, again nice pics, keep 'em coming. Just curious, after reading your separate posts of each day, how are you remembering such details of each day? If you are taking them from a daily log of your trip, that's really awesome you had the foresight and presence of mind to do so daily from the beginning. BUT if you are doing it post-mortem all from memory, now that's just freakin' unbelievable.

[Lotus54]

No log.
BUT I did have the GPS going whenever driving, and I imported the tracks from that into BaseCamp. I could then look at each day and know the miles and route. Other details I am just remembering. But certainly having a very accurate track of where/when we were made that a lot easier.


Thanks


Mark

[Lotus54]

Opps
Should have read
‘Stop anywhere in the RIGHT Lane’. left lane was supposed to stay open for traffic/passing.

I’m still getting pics from Acadia together.
Mark

[Lotus54]

From the observation tower first three. See the AI in the third?

The rest are from Acadia

[Lotus54]

A few more from Acadia.

[wachuko]

Man, got vertigo from those first few photos in post #211...

And yes, I see it, I see it!

What cool photos!! Left some of the best for last???

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by wachuko

Left some of the best for last???

+1 Yep

[Lotus54]

Day 30
Along with the bike ride and hiking on Beehive- later in the afternoon we took the AI around more of the island.
Stayed at the same spot in the NP campground.

53 miles total.

[Lotus54]

Day 31

We left Acadia in the morning (use the Dump station there, water still good).

It was not very good weather and rather than go through much of NH and Vermont I was originally going to do (very rainy/foggy) we just kept going on more direct route. Some interstate, some secondary roads.

Stayed at a Walmart in Bennington, VT that was very quiet and had trees and everything. (ha) I don't generally like staying at places like Walmart unless I'm just getting lots of driving time in. I don't really like hanging out in parking lots- I'd rather at least be in a nicer place. That said, many of the commercial RV sites have less room than the parking lot- so avoid those also. They are not too bad early/late season (we've been the only people in such places before) but I don't like the crowding.

387 miles

Mark

[Lotus54]

Day 32 (hopefully I haven't gotten the actual days all goofed up)

Left Bennington in the morning and were heading to Buffalo and stay at a friend's sister's driveway. (then going to Niagara in the morning).

Just getting miles in and looking while driving mostly. I'm already sort of 'heading for the barn'-- that 'month away and ready to go home' is already kicking in. Of course, missing May here is not very smart. It is so nice.

Anyway, except for having a problem actually getting to their house (road was closed about 1/4 mile, and it took a very long way around to get there)- plus many roads had almost the same name.

328 miles

[weather command]

I have to ask a dirty question. Do most people avoid using their toilets? I have heard from several people with class bs that the units will smell if used? Just curious as I have a keen sniffer and like to boondock which means no sewer hookup. I would like to know everyone's opinions and if you do use your toilet, is there a product that you can throw in there that not only does a good job but disguises the odor fairly well? I also have an older unit ( 2006 ) . Do the toilet seals ever wear out? Thanks as I am preparing for a 4ooo mile trip. scott

[Tincampers]

No issues here. Just turn on the Fantastic Fan and any odors will be sent outside. We use no chemicals.

[rmkrum]

We use ours a lot...and it does not smell at all. That's one of the many reasons we have an Airstream--clean toilet and hand washing facility not more than 20 feet away behind you at all times while traveling...when you hit my age, you will fully understand that pleasurable convenience...

1) Be sure it has plenty of water in the black tank before you dump, and preferably do it right after you have driven a lot that day to 'stir things up'.

2) Use toilet paper that passes the tank test. Put two sheets in a quart bottle of water, shake it thoroughly and see if it falls apart in a few minutes--if so, good to use. Charmin UltraSoft is one brand that we use that seems to do that well. Surprisingly, so-called RV toilet paper often fails this test!

3) Try the "Geo method" of pre-treating the tanks. (Search the forums for data) We don't use any chemicals...but if you do, avoid the 'dissolving' packets, because they don't always dissolve completely, and the remains can clog things up--like dump valves and macerator pumps...

4) I have a "sewer solution" system and a clear section of dump tubing in between it and the dump fitting. I use both the built-in black flush and the sewer solution one to get the effluent as clear and clean (and therefore the tanks) as possible when I dump. I also backflush the gray tank--it can be a source of funky odors as well. (Why didn't Airstream also add a flusher to the gray tank??? Oh yeah, because it would prolly cost $20 to add one...(Sigh...)). Lots of flush water helps. We go to a "Pay for" campground with full hookups on the last day before arriving at home for just this reason. I've never used a crowded dump station to avoid the stares and impatient waits as I do a very thorough job...

5) The rule is, "Gentlemen, be seated!" at all times, to avoid the "Aim like a Jedi, not like a Stormtrooper" effects and the resulting difficult splash cleanup issues... Dunno about you, but I'm not that good at hitting smallish targets in the dark with the wrong tools....

6) Be sure the bathroom vent fan and all other sources of reduced air pressure inside the coach are off or a window is open before flushing the toilet. Air will happily flow in through the sewer vent on the roof, and through the tank if you don't do this, with predictable results.

7) For the same reason, be sure the shower, lavatory, and kitchen sink traps have sufficient water in them at all times...another source for stinky gas backflow...especially if your Lavatory drains to the black tank like some models do...

8) One not often mentioned: Clean up after any pet accidents or doggie 'marking' spots promptly. Those odors penetrate and linger if neglected. Walk the dogs a lot--they and you need the exercise, and do bring clean-up baggies along. Be a responsible pet owner. Ditto clean and refresh cat box OFTEN if you have one.

9) Another source of odors is cooking and/or smoking inside the Airstream--not on the same order as the sewer smells, but just as irritating to someone who is sensitive to odors. Keeping it very clean, both interior, vents, and bedding, etc is vital. Carrying out garbage regularly is a good thing also.

Since we imposed these sort of (admittedly somewhat obsessive) methods for keeping the stink out, our AS smells nice, even after a few months in storage in the California desert heat...we have a cover for one of the Fantastic Fans to keep dirt out, and the solar keeps the batteries charged so we can run that fan on the thermostat to keep fresh air flowing without sucking in too much dust.