Arizona Strip March 13th - 22nd.

Yes, that's the one that goes through Coyote Flats, east of Bishop. The photo looks like the trail! One can catch the trail down to Big Pine. I turned right on what was a closed road to Bishop Creek and I believe South Lake, but the "Road Closed" sign had been removed or was never there. It was about 10 years ago. Quite an adventure as it turned out. I wish I could find the photo of that boulder!

OK, I'll leave me breaker bar at home.

At any rate, for Murrie, Michael and Jim, I will be staying at Virgin River Casino on Thursday night. If you make a reservation ahead of time, it is like $33 for a room, or $45 if you walk in without a reservation. I ask for one facing the RV parking in the rear of the complex, Building 7 I think. You can watch your rig from your room and they usually let me keep the truck and trailer parked there for a week or so without charge.

Fred, do you want us (me, Murrie, Michael and Jim) to get to Little Finland early on Friday and set up a camp with a fire, or do you want us to meet you at the Mohawk Gas station?

Bruce

Welp, it looks like the Virgin River Casino is all booked. I think I'm going to be leaving Thursday evening and arriving in Mesquite some time Friday morning. Fred, are you guys planning on stopping to eat breakfast on the way? It's a 5.5 hour drive from Whittier to Mesquite. I'm just trying to figure out what time to leave Thursday. I have a 12.5 hour drive plus gas stops, so I need to try to plan this correctly.

Thanks,
Jim

The bigger the group the slower it travels.

If Murrie and Mike leave Thursday they will mean that it will be just Fernando, Greg and myself leaving Friday morning. We have a gas stop in Barstow, and then at the Mopa Indian Chevron station north of Vegas.

Add an hour for the two stops.

Then if we stop for breakfast it will be not a sit down event, just a drive through or order and run eating in the car.

The guys need to stop every couple of hours to relieve themselves, so add another hour for breakfast and these stops.

Once we arrive in Mesquite we will spend what will seem an unusual amount of time filling all the gas containers.

You have my cell and I encourage you to make contact sometime in the morning to see how our progress is coming.

I would also encourage you, Bruce, Mike and Murrie to go ahead and fill all your containers before we arrive so you can give us some help and we can get out of Mesquite and on our way to Little Finland in plenty of time to enjoy it before the sun sets.

Thanks,
Fred

Follow the yellow and orange line to little finland.

A little update on the weather,

There are several days of our trip that might see some kind of precipitation.

To some, anything other than sunny sky's can be viewed as a negative addition to an outdoor adventure.

I'm not one of those. I view "weather" as part of the adventure of going out in the wilderness. Sure it may change some aspects of a trip but taking what comes is also the part of the adventure.

There are some things you'll only get to experience in a storm that make great stories around the fire. Flexibility, acceptance and anticipation is always a valued quality.

"weather" meaning something other than sunny skys, wither it's rain, hail, sleet or snow can be prepared for and enjoyed. Here are a few things to consider.

1. I don't expect very cold temps, so bring something thin and light as a waterproof "coat". I'm also bringing light nylon pants that dry fast and a pair of my water proof pants in case I have to be out in the rain any length of time. ( still bring your coat for cold temps. and in case it snows)

2. Wool and fleece are better at keeping you dry and warm, cotton is your worst enemy in the rain. ( that goes for socks and sweatshirts too)

3. Bring a set of water "proof" boots and then something else you can wear while driving or in camp if it's not muddy.

4. A hat that sheds water can be a good friend.

5. I'm having Fern bring a large heavy duty tarp that can be attached to 2 -4 vehicles and a place to get out of the rain. Murrie has experience with this. On our Yukon canoe trip it rained everyday for the first 4 days and our only way of getting out of the rain in camp was this kind of tarp set up.

6. Roads can change when they get wet or icy, so we may adjust our driving style as we come across different conditions.

7. "Weather" can also present unique sights only seen by those will to go out when it's not sunny.

I'm anticipating a great adventure........The difference between an adventure and an ordeal, is your attitude.


Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

My rig is not quite finished.  It should be done by tomorrow afternoon.  I need to pack the clothes, food and some electronics.

As to the gas, I have a secondary 22 gallon underbelly gas tank by GenRight.  It sits behind the rear axle.  Here is a photo:




The stock tank is nominally 20 gallons but practically carries 18.6.  So that only gave me 40.6 gallons, and I burn gas a little higher rate than others, so I added a 13 gallon Titan Spare Tire Transfer Tank which brings it up to 53.6 gallons. 



I typically get 8 miles per gallon in the dirt, so I'm expecting a range of at least 425 miles.  I can do better if I focus on controlling the rpms.

Fred, I'm looking forward to seeing your rig in person.  Is that (2) 5 gallon containers of water placed horizontal on your spare tire?  Is that a Rock Slide Engineering invention?  I can't make it out from the photo, but are the (6) 5 gallon containers of gas sitting on a roof rack behind the rear awning?  It looks like you are carrying about 36 extra gallons.  Is that about right?