Leaving to the SW.

[Mike Leary]

Going to make a run to Flagstaff to attend our uncle's service and stay for the fall/winter. Diesel is $ 4.20 here, will be interesting what is ahead.We stay out of California and go down through Oregon and Nevada. Each year, we seem to have to pony up more money for fuel.

[Melody Ranch]

Come on back Mike. Can I come visit late in the month...we have to meet sooner or later and late Sept/early Oct is perfect in Flag.
PS....I just got a note from a friend that said COSTCO fuel is the cheapest around and if you use their credit card you get an additional 3% off. I don't belong to their group(COSTCO) but that savings seems pretty good for the road warrior group.

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

Come on back Mike. Can I come visit late in the month...we have to meet sooner or later and late Sept/early Oct is perfect in Flag.

We'll be at the Flag KOA from the 11th of September to the snowfall (usually in mid-November) and then we'll head to Ajo and the deep desert. Look forward to meeting you, send me a PM when you get close (I still have some KOA pull there) and we'll get you a spot next to us. p.s., We've found Safeway fuel cheapest down there with the card.

[PeterH-350LE]

Have a safe journey. Let me now if you ever come to Austin, I can plug you in for a few days...

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by PeterH-87MH

Have a safe journey. Let me now if you ever come to Austin, I can plug you in for a few days...

Thanks for the offer. We were at Flag KOA a few years ago and there appeared six AS trailers , whom had never met, were not part of a rally, but stopped at the same camp at the same time! Bess was pleased.

[ScrapIrony-2]

OK, Flag is too hard on the uphills on 17 for us, but Ajo is definitely in the forecast...see you there...m

[slowmover]

Each year, we seem to have to pony up more money for fuel.

Then what do you do (have done) to reduce fuel burn while underway, one, and, two, to reduce fuel usage overall? This two-part approach has paid handsomely for me whether solo or towing (the former can help underwrite the latter, IOW; the family annual fuel budget in terms of gallons [adjusted] no matter the type fuel used). As the price of fuel is nearly four times what it was in 1998, a clean sheet approach has been helpful, I've found.

Enjoy the trip. I'd rather escape the heat of where I am for the scenery and more easily accommodated heat of AZ (but have a year or more until I can).

.

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by ScrapIrony-2

OK, Flag is too hard on the uphills on 17 for us, but Ajo is definitely in the forecast...see you there...m

Agree, that is a nasty pull, especially if it's warmish. When we're heading back to Flag in the spring from Phoenix, we go out to Mesa, and up through Payson. Nice road, pretty country, and NO OVERHEATING! I think we'll take that route when we go south from Flag, as well.

[ScrapIrony-2]

We get about 6 mpg on gas, less for uphill ventures...i have found that wallyworlds that allow overnighters, truck stops, and rest areas greatly decrease our needs...some Pilot stations have free dump stations, but most dump sites charge $5 for use...that's about $1 more in gas, and well worth it...I've read raves and rants on the Banks system, but am not yet willing to put out the bucks to find out...social security only provides so much...maybe if I moved to Mexico, declared citizenship, and came back across, I could get better benefits, but I kinda like being USA born and bred...I've worked since I was 13, and have paid my dues...I suspect this post will be deleted, but I had to try...

[ScrapIrony-2]

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

Agree, that is a nasty pull, especially if it's warmish. When we're heading back to Flag in the spring from Phoenix, we go out to Mesa, and up through Payson. Nice road, pretty country, and NO OVERHEATING! I think we'll take that route when we go south from Flag, as well.

Salt River Canyon...???

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by ScrapIrony-2

Salt River Canyon...???

Nada, northbound through Payson, up to Pine and Strawberry, still on 87, before Clints Well, look closely,on the left, you'll see a faded sign that says "Flagstaff". That is "FH 3", a well-paved, very pretty drive to Flag with three campgrounds along the way. The locals call FH 3 the "Lake Mary Road".

[345bill]

[QUOTE=Mike Leary;1197767.We stay out of California and go down through Oregon and Nevada. [/QUOTE]

Mike- My wife and I are presently in a CG about 15 minutes south (depending on what time of day) of where the 5 & 205 intersect. If that location fits in your travel plans PM me and I should be able to get you a spot next door.

[ScrapIrony-2]

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

Nada, northbound through Payson, up to Pine and Strawberry, still on 87, before Clints Well, look closely,on the left, you'll see a faded sign that says "Flagstaff". That is "FH 3", a well-paved, very pretty drive to Flag with three campgrounds along the way. The locals call FH 3 the "Lake Mary Road".

OK, I've done Pine Grove CG...really pretty place and great sites...m

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by 345bill

Mike- My wife and I are presently in a CG about 15 minutes south (depending on what time of day) of where the 5 & 205 intersect. If that location fits in your travel plans PM me and I should be able to get you a spot next door.

Thanks for the offer, my mechanic got way too spaced-out when he did a simple lof that he's done a million times and installed the oil filter upside down and I ran Bess out of oil and (so far only) fried the turbo. With luck, we'll be back on the road next week and miss our uncle's funeral (like he cares).