DOCBRONSON
DRIFTER
This is my first trip report after purchasing the Ford F350 and FWC. This is kind of a test run to see what I need.
Although I am not set up with everything needed, I was anxious to spend a few days in the camper to get a feel for it and the truck.
The day after picking up the FWC in Sacramento, my brother in law (Josh) and I spent most of the day picking up basic supplies for travel. Food, camping supplies, cooking supplies and a few things from 4wheel parts (Highlift jack and lights) for the truck.
The next morning I bolted up the Highlift and mounted my lights. I spent the rest of the day loading up the camper with the supplies and a few of the other goodies I had purchased for the truck. I knew my first outing would be mild as far as off road. The truck still needs a few other things and I need to get to know the truck.
At 9:00 a.m. the following day I said my goodbye's to my sister (Tammy) and her husband Josh. Stopping at a gas station I filled both tanks and did a quick check on fluids and headed south to L.A to visit my niece and pick up a winch I found on Craigslist. Part of the excitement is just preparing for the trip. By that afternoon I was in L.A. My niece and I had dinner and drinks with a few of her friends and soon after I crashed.
The next day I called the guy selling the winch and he still had it. He had purchased it for his jeep but said at 12,000lb it was too heavy. Another score, never even used! That afternoon I found a four wheel store that was willing to bolt it up for me. I wish I could remember the name of the owner, great guy. I didn't really have a plan yet, but I did want to visit some ghost towns. I had never seen one. I called a friend that told me Calico was not far from where I was, so I headed out. I don't know how I ended up on I5 north (L.A. is so confusing) so I cut across 138 east too get back on course. It was getting dark, I needed to find a place to crash. I spotted a dirt road and decided to take a look. I traveled about half a mile or so until I couldn't see the hwy. It was perfect, secluded, plenty of tree's and bushes, I set up camp for the very first time.
The sunrise was beautiful.
What a great night. This morning I awoke to use the bathroom and was surprised at how many little critters were running around. I made breakfast and plotted my course to Calico. By late morning I had arrived. It was a little touristy but I had a great time.
Lunch time! I popped the top on the camper (I love how fast it go's up) and whipped together a sandwich. A young guy and his girlfriend on vacation from New Jersey stopped by to ask a few questions about the camper. I gave them the full tour inside and out. We talked for awhile and as we said our goodbye's he assured me he was going to start looking for one for his Dodge as soon as they get back home.
SIDE NOTE: I would like to say, I have met people from all over the United States and most have been warm, kind, and very friendly. I guess when you hear so much of the crap people are doing to one another we forget there are still a lot of good people out there. 'Nuff said let's move on.
I am now heading to "Bodie" ghost town. This is the town I have heard of many times and have always wanted to see. Did I mention I didn't really have a plan? (just winging it).
I left town a little past...High noon
ROFSheriffHL: (he he get it..?) and headed back up north on hwy 99. I had to visit an old friend in Modesto for a few hours. After laughing my *** off for 2 solid hours (great friend) I left and jumped on the 120 east. I had noticed a sign that said the 120 pass was closed due too inclement weather. I stopped at a Napa to refill my propane tank and get any info I could. The guy behind the counter jumped onto his computer and checked the road conditions "closed due to heavy snow" In May? Being from Hawaii most of my life I had lot to learn. He informed me that the 108 and the 4 were also closed but the 88 was not showing any closures. He asked me if Bodie was even open? I didn't know but I was still going.
Later that evening climbing the 88 pass, it got very cold (22 degrees). As I got higher and it got darker, fog had limited my sight and then I hit an ice patch that skirted the rear end out and I quickly corrected. By this time I was a little freaked out. A few minutes later I found a forest service road and turned off. About a mile in I found a small clearing and pulled over. I was surrounded by pine tree's, actually walled in from all sides and it was pitch black. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face.:Wow1:
Side of the road on hwy 88.
Not a great picture just freaked out on so much snow in May
After setting up the camper I tried to get the heater going. Nothing! I found that I had depleted the battery supply by running the fridge and no hookup to the engine's charging system. I have cold drinks in freezing weather. Great! Life surely is a lesson or "stupid hurts".
More later.
Although I am not set up with everything needed, I was anxious to spend a few days in the camper to get a feel for it and the truck.
The day after picking up the FWC in Sacramento, my brother in law (Josh) and I spent most of the day picking up basic supplies for travel. Food, camping supplies, cooking supplies and a few things from 4wheel parts (Highlift jack and lights) for the truck.
The next morning I bolted up the Highlift and mounted my lights. I spent the rest of the day loading up the camper with the supplies and a few of the other goodies I had purchased for the truck. I knew my first outing would be mild as far as off road. The truck still needs a few other things and I need to get to know the truck.
At 9:00 a.m. the following day I said my goodbye's to my sister (Tammy) and her husband Josh. Stopping at a gas station I filled both tanks and did a quick check on fluids and headed south to L.A to visit my niece and pick up a winch I found on Craigslist. Part of the excitement is just preparing for the trip. By that afternoon I was in L.A. My niece and I had dinner and drinks with a few of her friends and soon after I crashed.
The next day I called the guy selling the winch and he still had it. He had purchased it for his jeep but said at 12,000lb it was too heavy. Another score, never even used! That afternoon I found a four wheel store that was willing to bolt it up for me. I wish I could remember the name of the owner, great guy. I didn't really have a plan yet, but I did want to visit some ghost towns. I had never seen one. I called a friend that told me Calico was not far from where I was, so I headed out. I don't know how I ended up on I5 north (L.A. is so confusing) so I cut across 138 east too get back on course. It was getting dark, I needed to find a place to crash. I spotted a dirt road and decided to take a look. I traveled about half a mile or so until I couldn't see the hwy. It was perfect, secluded, plenty of tree's and bushes, I set up camp for the very first time.
The sunrise was beautiful.
What a great night. This morning I awoke to use the bathroom and was surprised at how many little critters were running around. I made breakfast and plotted my course to Calico. By late morning I had arrived. It was a little touristy but I had a great time.
Lunch time! I popped the top on the camper (I love how fast it go's up) and whipped together a sandwich. A young guy and his girlfriend on vacation from New Jersey stopped by to ask a few questions about the camper. I gave them the full tour inside and out. We talked for awhile and as we said our goodbye's he assured me he was going to start looking for one for his Dodge as soon as they get back home.
SIDE NOTE: I would like to say, I have met people from all over the United States and most have been warm, kind, and very friendly. I guess when you hear so much of the crap people are doing to one another we forget there are still a lot of good people out there. 'Nuff said let's move on.
I am now heading to "Bodie" ghost town. This is the town I have heard of many times and have always wanted to see. Did I mention I didn't really have a plan? (just winging it).
I left town a little past...High noon
ROFSheriffHL: (he he get it..?) and headed back up north on hwy 99. I had to visit an old friend in Modesto for a few hours. After laughing my *** off for 2 solid hours (great friend) I left and jumped on the 120 east. I had noticed a sign that said the 120 pass was closed due too inclement weather. I stopped at a Napa to refill my propane tank and get any info I could. The guy behind the counter jumped onto his computer and checked the road conditions "closed due to heavy snow" In May? Being from Hawaii most of my life I had lot to learn. He informed me that the 108 and the 4 were also closed but the 88 was not showing any closures. He asked me if Bodie was even open? I didn't know but I was still going.Later that evening climbing the 88 pass, it got very cold (22 degrees). As I got higher and it got darker, fog had limited my sight and then I hit an ice patch that skirted the rear end out and I quickly corrected. By this time I was a little freaked out. A few minutes later I found a forest service road and turned off. About a mile in I found a small clearing and pulled over. I was surrounded by pine tree's, actually walled in from all sides and it was pitch black. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face.:Wow1:
Side of the road on hwy 88.
Not a great picture just freaked out on so much snow in May
After setting up the camper I tried to get the heater going. Nothing! I found that I had depleted the battery supply by running the fridge and no hookup to the engine's charging system. I have cold drinks in freezing weather. Great! Life surely is a lesson or "stupid hurts".
More later.
