| Trip Report Wisconsin-California. [message #234837] |
Thu, 02 January 2014 18:41  |
Larry
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma: 10
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We left Menomonie the day before the cold front arrived (-25* temps). Packed in a hurry and drove hard to stay ahead of the front and get to our son in Yucca Valley Ca. Pushing a wind almost all of the way, along with up hill drive going west, and traveling pretty much at the speed limit to stay ahead of the real cold stuff....I don't even want to know what our gas milage was. Ran like a champ down I-40 at 70-75. Didn't miss a beat over 2100 miles. Used about 3/4 qt of oil over that milage. Only issue we encountered was, as I was looking things over under the hatch...checking oil, PS, trans fluid, etc, I noticed the alternator moving around more than it should. I found the lower bolt had backed itself out most of the way. Tightened it up and hit the road. We did stop at "Meteor Crater" park in Arizona to experience that. I've always wanted to see that. Lots of interesting stuff there and a nice RV park with fairly decent rates. DARK and quiet. We were one of three rigs in the park. Now at our sons house up in the foothills of Yucca Valley. Their back yard is up against Joshua Tree National Forest, so the view over the valley is spectacular. They have a level spot and full hook-ups for us next to their garage.
Life is SO good right now.
Larry 
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
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| Re: Trip Report Wisconsin-California. [message #234838 is a reply to message #234837] |
Thu, 02 January 2014 18:46  |
Larry
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| Larry wrote on Thu, 02 January 2014 18:41 |
We left Menomonie the day before the cold front arrived (-25* temps). Packed in a hurry and drove hard to stay ahead of the front and get to our son in Yucca Valley Ca. Pushing a wind almost all of the way, along with up hill drive going west, and traveling pretty much at the speed limit to stay ahead of the real cold stuff....I don't even want to know what our gas milage was. Ran like a champ down I-40 at 70-75. Didn't miss a beat over 2100 miles. Used about 3/4 qt of oil over that milage. Only issue we encountered was, as I was looking things over under the hatch...checking oil, PS, trans fluid, etc, I noticed the alternator moving around more than it should. I found the lower bolt had backed itself out most of the way. Tightened it up and hit the road. We did stop at "Meteor Crater" park in Arizona to experience that. I've always wanted to see that. Lots of interesting stuff there and a nice RV park with fairly decent rates. DARK and quiet. We were one of three rigs in the park. Now at our sons house up in the foothills of Yucca Valley. Their back yard is up against Joshua Tree National Forest, so the view over the valley is spectacular. They have a level spot and full hook-ups for us next to their garage.
Life is SO good right now.
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Oh...one more thing. We have 3 layers of salt on coach and toad. They are so durty that you can hardly tell what the true color of them are. It took me all day (in sunny 65* weather) just to get the color of the car blue again. Tomorrow I tackle the coach.
The worst day on the road is better than the best day at work.
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
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| Re: Trip Report Wisconsin-California. [message #234840 is a reply to message #234838] |
Thu, 02 January 2014 18:52 |
Otterwan
Messages: 946
Registered: July 2013
Location: Lynnwood (north of Seattl...
Karma: 0
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Are you going to check out the Grand Canyon or Carslbad Caverns on the way back? We did all three in an SOB (Arctic Fox camper) a few years back. The caverns were amazing!
1977 Birchaven, Lynnwood WA - "We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."
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| Re: Trip Report Wisconsin-California. [message #234853 is a reply to message #234837] |
Thu, 02 January 2014 20:19 |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Karma: 0
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You were wise to escape when you did. We just got 11" of snow over the last 36 hours here in Chicagoland, so the southern climes sound like paradise right now.
On the other hand, it would make a great test bed to check the GMC's traction in adverse conditions (GMC content!).
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: Trip Report Wisconsin-California. [message #234932 is a reply to message #234842] |
Fri, 03 January 2014 11:11 |
Larry
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma: 10
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| WD0AFQ wrote on Thu, 02 January 2014 18:56 |
Oh wow Larry. I have been wondering about you two. Thanks for the report. Y'all have a nice parking place close to Quartzsite. Our kids moved closer but not as close as y'all's. Take lots of pictures for us Larry. I so miss not being there this winter. Hoping for next January. Email me when not gmc related stuff from out there.
Dan
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Dan,
We were lucky to get out when we did. We have been watching things in Wisc/ Minn. Yesterday there were spots in Minnesota (not far from our home) where the temp was -45*...non-windchill degrees!! Too cold for me. On our way back east, we may stop in Quartzsite for an overnight with, I think, the Pacific Cruisers. Lots to see in that part of the country. Life is good!!
Can't wait to see you two at Montgomery. Hope all is going well with you.
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
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