Introducing New-GPS.com

Lately I have been in Tucson, Az working on different projects. I have experimented with Youtube videos and added some Sno-park videos and a Sno-parks blog to my inventory. My latest website (still in its infancy) is New-GPS.com which is about selecting the correct GPS receiver for your specific needs.

In my research on GPS navigation I stumbled upon a new RVers pastime. Geocaching is game/sport were a person hides a treasure and players use their sport GPS devices to find it. The treasure, usually in a waterproof container, is a trinket which is either left for others or is removed as a souvenir and replaced with another trinket. A log book of visitors is generally available for guests to register. I will elaborate on this in a future blog post.


OR_Maverick
Writing you from Tucson, AZ

Desert Floor To Snow Play In 75 Minutes

Wintering in Tucson, AZ has the unique luxury of being able to drive from downtown Tucson, AZ (elevation 2,390 ft) to Mt Lemmon (Summerhaven, AZ elevation 7,668 ft) in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. In that 38 mile trip you will travel from a warm 70° desert floor to a cold snowy mountain landscape. Mt Lemmon (elevation 9,157 ft at summit) is located in Pima County in the Coronado National Forest. Mt Lemmon offers hiking, fishing, camping, mountain climbing and winter sports.

This is another example of intrastate snowbirding were you can change your environment by moving to a higher elevation.

Snowbirds wintering near Tucson can have the best of both worlds. Play in the sun or in the snow. Or if you are in Tucson in the summer, that same pleasant short drive is a welcome escape from the summer heat.

The road to Mt Lemmon, Mt Lemmon Highway at Windy Point.


Shannon playing in the 2 feet of snow in Willow Canyon, about 30 miles from the Tucson, Az.
　
Until the next post: Remember to stay cool you have two options; think elevation not North!

OR_Maverick
Wintering in Tucson, AZ

Angels to Santa DIY Gift Wrap Stickers and Labels

Personalize your Holiday gifts with stickers you make from Christmas wrap or Holiday gift wrap.

Parents if you are tired of your children playing with the packages under the Christmas tree; identify each package with a unique Holiday sticker for each child. Your kids can’t tell the recipient.

Do you have a special “trade mark” such as teddy bears or kittens? Personalize your gifts with teddy bear stickers or kitten labels.

Dozens of these custom personalized gift labels can be homemade in moments using cutouts from holiday wrapping paper. Simply apply double stick tape to the back of the gift wrap and cut the sticker label to shape.

For detailed How to Instructions; go to Making Custom Gift Labels at how2stickers.com.
　
Until the next post: Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

OR_Maverick
Wintering in Arizona

How Many World Series Go To 7 Games?

I was talking with friends about how many World Series Championships go the entire 7 games. I was curious so I went web surfing and found some interesting facts.
With a little research I found the World Series has gone to 7 games 34 times since 1903. I thought I would pass this on to my loyal readers.

The Percent of World Series Championships that go the entire 7 games is:

• 4 Game series, 19 Games - 18%
• 5 Game series, 24 Games - 23%
• 6 Game series, 23 Games - 22%
• 7 Game series, 34 Games - 33%
• 8 Game series, 4 Games - 4%

59% of all World Series Championships played go more than 5 games.

Percentages based on 104 World Series Championship games played from 1903 to 2009.

OR_Maverick
Visiting with friends in Fallon, NV.

Cheesy Pumpkin Soup Cooked In Pumpkin

I was treated to a wonderful creamy, cheesy, baked in the pumpkin; Pumpkin Soup.
My friend Debbie made this delicious soup for a group of 12, kids and adults ages 2 to me (I am not telling). We all loved it. It is not your Martha Stewart chicken vegetable soup served in a Hollywood picture perfect pumpkin; but a rich cheesy vegetarian soup actually baked in a locally grown pumpkin.

The basic recipe is simple and easy and leaves plenty of room to add your own favorite spices and garnishments. Trust me; all we added was a bigger spoons.

Ingredient amounts vary with the size of the pumpkin so adjust accordingly. Be sure it fits in your oven before you start! Add ingredients until almost full (about 80% full or 2 inches remaining). Leave room in the pumpkin for the liquid to expand and the pumpkin to sag. Don’t forget the deep baking pan to catch the spills and move the cooked pumpkin.

Cheesy Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Soup Recipe.

Ingredients
Pumpkin 1 medium
Cottage cheese 24 oz (680 g)
Grated cheese (Jack, cheddar) 2 lbs
Sour cream 24 oz (680 g)
Half & Half (or cream) 32 oz (.95 L)
Cream cheese softened 8 oz (227 g)
Solid pack pumpkin 29 oz can (822 g)
Onion 2 small sautéed
Ground white pepper & salt to taste.
Your favorite croutons for garnish.

Cooking
Remove the top of the pumpkin and save for a lid.
Clean the interior of the pumpkin taking care not to puncture the pumpkin wall.
Mix all ingredients (except croutons) in the pumpkin.
Replace the pumpkin lid and place on deep baking pan.
The cooking time varies with the size of the pumpkin. Cook 45 - 90 min in 375 degree oven. Cook until soup is hot and cheese is melted. Do not overcook or pumpkin will disintegrate. Check frequently.

To serve
Ladle soup into bowls “scrapping” the sides of the pumpkin to add pumpkin flesh. This additional pumpkin adds texture and flavor to the soup. Garnish with croutons and serve hot.

Until the next post: You may be tempted to share this gourmet treat with trick-or-treaters. Don’t, it just makes a mess in the bag and candy ruins the soup.
　
OR_Maverick
Visiting with friends in Fallon, NV.

I Didn’t Blink & There Was Chester

California that is.

I spent a wonderful afternoon in the little town Chester, Ca. It started at a quaint little bookstore/local art gallery B & B Booksellers. There I used their WiFi and drank their gourmet coffee. Lee filled me in on some of the local history and pointed me to the Knotbumber eatery for some more interesting facts. The menu items are named for logging terms which are defined on the back. I bummed a menu from the Knotbumber so I could pass on my newly acquired knowledge. Here’s what’s on the menu.

It’s Knot News

Historically Chester is a logging Town. The logging profession has is own jargon for job titles. The “Knotbumber” is also a job in the woods.

Whistle Punk; he no longer sounds the whistle, it’s a radio now.
Steam Donkey; a winch used to move logs
Timber Beast; any logger.
White Hats; the folk representing the company.
High Climber; tops the tall trees.
Faller; the fella that falls the trees.
Bucker; trims branches and cuts the felled trees to length.
Chocker Setter; places cables around the logs.
Skidder; grabs the cable and skids the logs to the…
Landing; where logs are stacked in the…
Deck; a pile of logs.
Knotbumber; removes any remaining branches and knots
Peeler; debarks large trees.
Hook Tender; hooks the hauling cable to the chocker.
River Pig; keeps the logs moving on waterways.
Greasers; lubricate skid trails.
Sniper; chamfers leading edges to keep the logs moving down the skid trails.
Skinners & Bull Punchers: handled the work animals.

I had the Chock Setter and it was great.

So if you’re cruising through Chester Ca., stop at B & B Booksellers. The second Friday is artists’ night when you can meet the local artists. There are some exquisite carvings (I thought they were porcelain), paintings and more. Then head on down to the Knotbumber for a River Pig sandwich with the local Timber Beasts.

Until the next post: Remember Knotbumbers are people too!

OR_Maverick
4 Trees Sno-Park, Ca N 39° 48.85’ W 121° 19.29’ Elevation - 5,190 ft
Sierra Nevada Mountains

Coming Soon - Sno-Parks.com

I have really enjoyed camping at USFS Sno-Parks this summer so I decided to author a website Sno-Parks.com. Snowmobile parks as they are known in CA (Sno-Parks in OR) are not used during the summer so are great places to camp. They are clean, well maintained, quiet and free during the summer.

On my trek to FL I will stop at as many Sno-Parks as I can, photograph them, inventory their facilities and services before moving on. Each Sno-Park will have its own webpage and a rating of how it measures up to other Sno-parks.

The grand opening will not be for a few months. I’ll keep you all informed.

Until the next post: Remember to park your sno in designated areas only!

OR_Maverick
Pilgrim Creek Sno-Park, Ca N 41° 20.20’ W 121° 59.75’ 3,170 ft

A Bear & A Walking Stick

For my post about the Multi-purpose Walking Stick in needed some photos so I took my walking stick for a walk. I took a few photos but was unhappy with the lighting so I decided to return on a cloudy day. When mentally composing the walking stick post I kept reminding myself to add a comment about adorning your stick with a bear bell while in bear country. I even had a written reminder.

The next day was cloudy so I returned to take more shots. As I walked the logging road I didn’t see my footsteps from the day before. It had sprinkled rain that morning but not enough to remove my footprints. Then I noticed large bare footprints…no they were large BEAR tracks going in my direction.

Now I was curious to see which came first; the bear tracks or my old footprints? So I continued on thinking to myself; I should take my own advice and put my bear bell on my walking stick. That’s right…the bear bell I gave to a bell collector about 25 years ago. Talk about afterthought!

With my mind wandering, I proceeded until I noticed I was on the wrong logging road. That’s why I couldn’t find yesterday’s footprints. Then I remembered that the day before I chose a different trail at the last minute. The footprint mystery solved.

I eventually found a suitable low branch for my photo but I never did find that bear.

Until the next post: When in bear country do as the bears do; put a bell on your walking stick!

OR_Maverick
Deer Mountain Sno-Park, Ca: n 41 34.255 w 122 07.857 5,825 ft

A little Town Called Weed, Ca

I stopped in Weed, Ca to charge-up and stock-up before the Labor Day weekend. The Deer Mountain Sno-park is a clean, cool, quiet high mountain (5,825’) campsite so I’ll hide there for the weekend. It’s about 20 miles from Weed.

I spent one afternoon in the lounge at the Cedar Lanes bowling alley using their free WiFi. Of the 3 hotspots in Weed that I have found, it is the only reliable one. It is a wonderful little alley on Main St with good food and great people. The hostess Gwen is terrific. I received excellent service and was treated to some interesting Weed history.

Finally 3 large RVs moved out and my WiFi signal is back. Now I can post this.

Until the next post: In honor of our laboring troops, fly your American Flag on Labor Day.

OR_Maverick
Weed, Ca: n 41 25.852 w 122 25.803 3,152 ft

Honeymooners; Harold & Maude

Date line: 8-18-09 at Walt Haring Sno-park in the OR Cascade Mountains.

I met this wonderful honeymoon couple on their way to Crater Lake National Park from the Willamette Valley. I asked if I could take their picture using my solar laptop setup to use in my blog and they eagerly agreed. As we prepared for the pictures we talked about how pickup truck campers have evolved over the years and how I missed mine. I took the pictures and they were off on their honeymoon. Harold & Maude (aliases they selected) are great folks and I wish I could have spent more time with them.

For close-ups of the solar laptop setup (and honeymoon couple Harold & Maude) go to
Solar Laptop.

Until the next post: Can’t find Crater Lake National Park? Look on the Oregon State Quarter!

Walt Haring Sno-park, Or: n 43 13.624’ w 121 47.772’ 4,332 ft
OR_M

Hondas DO NOT Float

One evening, camped at an abandoned gravel pit, a Honda whizzed by me and drove out on to a little peninsula in the pond. This little peninsula formed by a utility road into the pit is just wide enough for a vehicle and is partially submerged. Having gone as far as he dare, the driver decided to turn around. The picture tells the story.

After a few hours of hard work in the dark a pickup truck was able to drag the poor car out of the pond. After a day in the sun to dry out, the car was running again.

Until the next post: Read and understand all the directions that come with your vehicle before you see for yourself if it will float.

To test float your car set your Garmin or TomTom for: n 43 48.707’ w 121 48.736’ 4,340 ft
OR_M

Starry Night

The first night out, away from the city I realized how long it has been since I had a chance to enjoy nature. Here in the Oregon Cascade Mountains the stars are so bright and the Milky Way so clear. There is an overwhelming feeling of peace and tranquility.

I have stopped at a sno-park near the town of Crescent Lake Jct. to get organize after the last minute rush to vacate my Eugene based trailer space. I chose this location because of a little tavern here that serves the best broasted chicken. Each time I cross the Cascades, I make it a point to stop at Manley‘s.

There is a heat wave down in the low lands so I will take my time up here in the highlands. It is a great feeling when you have NO place to go and ALL the time to get there!

I got out my old GPS I bought back in 1995. Back then a GPS didn’t have roads but it can tell you where you’re standing. If you know the GPS co-ordinates of your destination it will get you there as the crow flies. From now on I’ll include my GPS co-ordinates at the end of my posts so you GPS hounds can follow my exhaust.

Until the next post: Next time you are away from the city lights, on a clear night, take a moment, relax and enjoy a Milky Way.

OR_M
N 43° 32’ W 122° 60’ altitude 4,612 ft

I am UNPLUGGED

I took care of my minor concerns and finished up some loose ends. My last final online task is to post this blog. I am already dreading no internet access.

The temps here are expected to climb to 100 or more so I will head for the Cascade Mountains until it cools down before I head to NV.

In past weeks in preparation for this move I have ignored my websites. Now it is time to get back to work. I have a few web pages and some e-zine articles to write in the cool mountain air.

Until the next post, be kind to your rubber ducky; take her/him for a swim.
OR_M

Still in Eugene

Well boys and girls my planed departure date has come and gone. Originally I was hitting the road 7-15-09. I had a few technical glitches in my power configuration (tech notes if interested in details).

I took the rig out for a shake down cruise Sunday (7-19-09) and found a few flaws in my overall setup. I have traveled for many enjoyable years in a pickup camper and I had no idea a 5th wheel would be so different. I will stay in Eugene a few more days to tweak the rig. It is easier to find the right stuff in a town you know than on the road.

The weather people are talking 100 by the weekend. I hope to be in the OR Mountains by then. After that the plan is to visit Cathy’s life long best friend Debbie in Fallon, NV some time in early Aug.

After Fallon, NV I will head for Happy Jack, AZ to visit my life long best friends Tom and Leigh. Go Phoenix, AZ to see their new home. Travel down to Tucson, AZ to visit with my good friends Ralph and Cindy.

Until the next post, May your toast always land jelly side up.
OR_M