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Lotus54 · 05-24-2017, 10:06 AM

For those that have no idea what an Observed MotoTrial is, here is a video I took while checking the experts.
Every time you put a foot down, that is a point- also can't go out of bounds, go backward, kill engine etc.

https://youtu.be/XTFSHtlWVvw

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Lotus54 · 05-30-2017, 02:55 PM

I was up at Hurricane Ridge for a bit Monday- a very nice day. The mountains were a little hazy- but this picture was getting close to noon. Early is better.

This one is a bit fuzzy- zoomed in with my iPad camera (I forgot to bring my good camera).
Look at the tallest peak near the middle, with the huge snowfield on the left side. That is Chimney Peak- just the other side is Enchanted Valley. I've been there (well, a LOT of places in the Olympics) and it is rather a difficult route going the way we did.

The snow is melting pretty quickly- this is 5250 feet elevation.
One of the best views anywhere in the Olympics (well, I think so) - and I've been all over. I think the best is Mt Carrie.

mrcolin2u · 05-30-2017, 03:07 PM

That brings back memories I used to ride a TY250 many years ago [emoji1509]

Lotus54 · 05-30-2017, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcolin2u

That brings back memories I used to ride a TY250 many years ago [emoji1509]

There was a guy competing on a TY250.

Mark

Lotus54 · 08-02-2017, 11:17 AM

I just got back from a great trip.
Just a few miles short of 3000.

I was concerned since I was going into the SW- Nevada/Arizona/California/Idaho and it can be quite hot this time of year. I've not driven it previously in hot weather and so it never had been tested (by me).
I went into Idaho, then down by the Snake, into Nevada then over to the mountains behind Kingman, AZ.
I spend a few days up in the Haulapuai Park for the World Round of TrialGP. Pretty wild.

Anyway, the van ran perfectly, never a hiccup. It was 110º across the Majave, 8000ft passes, AC running all the time and it never went above the unlabeled marker (between 180 and 250). Loads of power for all the passes and driving 75mph.
I did learn the darn house AC is so loud it is very hard to sleep with it running (I stopped at an RV park in Ridgecrest since it was 100º) and ran the ceiling fan too long on batteries and ran my house batt down quite a bit at the start of my dry camping. I didn't want to run the generator too much, with the small propane tank. Although after getting back I could have easily run it quite a bit.

I took several days to get down there, but just over two days to get back (had to return in a hurry).
It did get pretty hot inside the bathroom driving all day in the heat. Enough that the mirror glue released its bond and fell off, it didn't break at least.

Great trip and I'll post up a few pics later. But at least I know now that it will take the heat with no issues at all.

Mark

Lotus54 · 08-04-2017, 05:20 PM

First night was a rather shorter day (about 7 hours) to the COE site at Plymouth, WA. I like the place, been there a few times.
The water system was broken the night I was there, so couldn't use the shower (I have plenty of fresh water)- but first day it was no big deal.

Lotus54 · 08-04-2017, 05:25 PM

I went across Oregon (on the Interstate, which I like to avoid) then followed the snake through Idaho- down to Nevada.
I looked at a site in Idaho (Cove) but it was 105º f and way too hot for me. Plus it was still quite early.
So I kept going, then stayed at the Wild Horses reservoir campground- Shoshone tribe.
I had a great view, out on a little ridge. Huge lightning and thunder with rain for awhile. ($7)

Lotus54 · 08-04-2017, 05:30 PM

Kept south on some neat roads (225) and stayed at a Nevada state park- Cathederal Gorge.
Pretty hot (for me) but it had power, so I could run the AC until it cooled down. Early stop, so I could wander around. Looking like rain, so I chose not to go into the 'caves' until the next day.
it was a neat site to check out, I did take some video of those 'caves' (really like a slot canyon made by soil erosion) and wandering around a bit.
I had a short day then, since I wanted to get to the Halaupai mountain park early- World Trial there and since I was volunteering as an observer (scoring) I got free camping. But I wanted to make sure to actually GET a spot.

I don't recall if I took a picture of the campsite at Cathedral Gorge or not- I'll take a look.

Lotus54 · 08-04-2017, 08:24 PM

https://youtu.be/lHMVH-wj2AU

Lotus54 · 08-09-2017, 08:29 AM

After Cathederal Gorge, it was a short day to Haulupai mountain park.
Down through Vegas (I don't particularly care for it) and a stop for some groceries. HOT! I was complaining and the people there though it was not too bad. Darn Northwest corner of the Northwest boy- can't take the heat.

Then over to Kingman, and UP the hill to the Park were the World Trial was taking place and where I was camping.
They got me a spot to park (at least there is trees at the Park- and around 6500 feet so not as hot).
The Elk there doesn't look very healthy to me- and smaller than the ones I see all the time around here. Also VERY 'tame' and wandered around looking for food all the time.

Lotus54 · 08-09-2017, 08:32 AM

For those interested- the event itself was fantastic. I've never been to a world round before and seeing with the top riders in the world can do is amazing.
Here is a short video

https://youtu.be/ODDRNbF8q38
https://youtu.be/hS4tgJ84Q7Q

I was an 'Observer' on Saturday- meaning I was one of the people scoring the riders, so right inside a section.

Lotus54 · 09-13-2017, 05:53 PM

My AI had previously had a BigFoot leveling system installed. But someone had removed the jacks (everything else was still there).

I got some replacement jacks and now have the system running.
It is pretty nice, push a button and it automatically levels it out. (Within range of the jacks of cours).
I wouldn't have done it except all the rest was already there. But I think it will really be nice, especially in keeping the refrigerator working.

It was not particularly fun crawling around underneath the rig though.

Mark

Lotus54 · 09-18-2017, 08:51 PM

Just got back from a 6-700 mile NW trip.
We went the south route around Mt Rainer to Sunrise (fires had some roads closed). We did a bit of hiking and stayed there, sunrise there was really good.

Next day (after a hike to Fremont lookout) we went back around and stayed at Reflection Lakes ( backed right up, so a great view).
Next morning went up to Paradise, did a loop hike, and bailed out while the parking lots was rapidly filling and people still coming (Saturday).
Took the back roads over to the coast (Westport) and stayed at the state park (Twin Harbors). We picked a 'no service' site, which had great privacy (unlike the hookup sites) and it was a nice quiet place.

Finally took the coast up (after going around Grays Harbor) back home.

The AI ran perfectly, no problems on all the passes (LOTS) and averaged 26 MPG (measured). the 'new' auto leveling system worked out great, certainly helps with the refrigerator and shower draining etc.

I'll post up some pics.

Mark

Lotus54 · 09-18-2017, 08:59 PM

1st is sitting in the back of the AI and looking out.
2nd is the view after the wind stopped and clouds were gone.
3rd is on the way toward Fremont

InterBlog · 09-19-2017, 05:30 AM

Nice pics. I'm looking forward to getting up into that area some day.

Lotus54 · 10-01-2017, 05:11 PM

Did a little three day trip to Mt Baker.
Weather was great until the last day, but that was ok.

Showed the AI a BUNCH of times to people that were interested. More then we ever have before.
Did a bit of hiking around, looking at views.

It did great cruising up the rather steep, narrow road and back down. No problems.
We stayed at Silver Lake (county park) the last day, I hadn’t been there since about 1977. We got a very nice spot away from everyone, in the trees but I like that myself (not everyone does).
Got on the PT ferrry going over with no reservations, but we were coming back Friday, so knew we would have to have them. Right at the front coming back, fortunately it wasn’t too rough so no salt spray. Even got charged the same as a car.

InterBlog · 10-02-2017, 05:50 AM

Nice pics. You should have an Instagram account.

Lotus54 · 10-11-2017, 07:40 PM

Today

Lotus54 · 10-20-2017, 07:58 PM

Another wonderful long trip in the AI.
Time was limited, I had things I need to do plus the weather could change any time at all.

Did 4200 miles in the last two weeks. First week was way more Interstate than I like, but time and weather decided that.

Day 1- to Rose Lake in ID again. Freebie, lake was at normal levels this time. Cold at night, but find in the cozy Interstate.

Day 2- Montana, town of Columbus city park. Not many there- nice.

Day 3- Devils Tower (where bobbi wanted to go).

Lotus54 · 10-22-2017, 05:34 PM

Day 4: went to Mt Rushmore, then to Crazy Horse memorial.
Stayed at a little rv park near Lusk, WY. Nice place with only a couple of people there. We needed water and dump tanks, plus it got pretty cold and the small ceramic heater was pretty nice! They had showers and laundry there also.

I forgot, at Devils Tower we walked up from the campground, went around the tower and back. I think 3-4 miles maybe and had some great views.