i stayed in a nice quaint little place in williams some years ago called the red garter, a former bordello turned bakery and hotel. no phones or tv, very atmospheric. slept really well. i recommend it highly and look forward to another stay in the near future.
their number is 928 635 1484 [local] or 800 328 1484

Here is another thread on OT:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/340209-yosemite.html
yosemite

Here is the suggestion I made above. It will take some serious
refining. The loops into the parks and the South-to-North
connections are the issue. The guys should spend as much
road inside the Parks, National Forests, etc. as opposed to
the Valley or foothills.

This time of year I don’t think there is a single road open across
the Sierra Nevada other than I-80 and a couple of others. Some
(even I-80, Donner Party of 82 please) can close with weather.

US-395 is the major truck route from LA to Reno. Not a “fun road”.

The road across Death Valley is something you will never see in
NH (or almost anywhere other than the Moon.)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1176156207.jpg

How about some comment?

Best,
Grady

The guys are in Williams right now looking for an internet connection. Sounds like withdrawal from not being connected for 24 hours. They may stay there or drive to Kingman.

Contrary to any reports, neither got kicked in the head by a mule. Sounds like they had a good time.

Best,
Grady

Hi guys,
We had a great visit with the AZ guys (if a bit of an adventure).

We spent last night right on the rim of the Grand Canyon. Soo many chances to push Charles over the edge... ;)

We're at an internet cafe' outside of the Grand Canyon (Williams AZ). We're going to Kingsman to get the tires balanced and stay the night.

We intend to have lunch in Las Vegas tomorrow (Tuesday) if anyone wants to meet us. (Or possibly just stay off the roads during that time. :D.

After lunch we're headed to Death Valley and then stay the night between their and Sequoi Nat'l Park.

-Chris

Also, according to my streets and trips program,
Tuesday night we end up outside of Sequoia Ntl park, then wednesday we roll into sequoia and up to San Jose/ Bay area 8:30pm so if if if (yea right) we get in earlier, we can meet valley pelican people wed night, and we will be around thursday, so we can also meet bay area folks!
We leave friday for Yosemite and out to Lake Tahoe!

Pics will go up tonight , this is a slow internet cafe in williams az

Cheers!

If you guys want we can do lunch on the East side of town (Henderson/Green Valley area), call me when you leave Kingman tomorrow morning.

BYE BYE BOYS
 

Donny,

EXCELLENT drawing! Everyone notice that he even got the red tape on the vent window??

Some may not know that Donny is an artist, and it appears that he is a very good one!

I had to download that one! :)

Joe A

From CA DOT

“When traveling in the state of California, the Reno/Lake Tahoe, and the greater Las Vegas areas, try our toll-free voice activated phone service, 800.427.7623 (800.GAS.ROAD). This service is available free from any touch-tone, cellular or pay phone. Access the same information from all other areas outside of California by dialing 916.445.7623. This information system provides current road conditions within the California State Highway System. The information provided covers incidents that cause significant delays to the normal flow of traffic including, but not limited to, full closures; 1-way traffic controls; lane closures; construction; maintenance projects and emergencies. The following conditions will NOT be found in these reports: normal commute traffic, ramp closures and traffic flow conditions.
The information in each report is the latest information reported to the Highway Information Center. The center is staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. "

Here is a summary of the roads that cross the Sierra Nevada starting in the South with (yet to come) southern roads and up to I-80. As you can see there are many winter closures. Even some that are technically “open” are undergoing serious repair mostly from winter damage.


“SR 180
[SOUTH CENTRAL CALIFORNIA & SIERRA NEVADA]
IS CLOSED FROM HUME LAKE RD TO KINGS CANYON NAT'L PARK
(FRESNO CO) - WINTER CLOSURE - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE
- THE KINGS CANYON NAT'L PARK IS OPEN ”


“SR 120
[CENTRAL CALIFORNIA & SIERRA NEVADA]
IS CLOSED FROM CRANE FLAT TO 5 MI WEST OF THE JCT OF US 395 /TIOGA PASS/
(TUOLUMNE, MONO CO's) - WINTER CLOSURE - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN
ALTERNATE ROUTE

[YOSEMITE NAT'L PARK]
FOR YOSEMITE NAT'L PARK ROAD INFORMATION CALL 209-372-0200

[EASTERN SIERRA NEVADA]
IS CLOSED FROM CRANE FLAT TO 5 MI WEST OF THE JCT OF US 395 /TIOGA PASS/
(TUOLUMNE, MONO CO's) - WINTER CLOSURE - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN
ALTERNATE ROUTE


“SR 108
[CENTRAL CALIFORNIA & SIERRA NEVADA]
IS CLOSED FROM 13 MI EAST OF STRAWBERRY (TUOLUMNE CO) TO 5.3 MI WEST OF
THE JCT OF US 395 (MONO CO) /SONORA PASS/ - WINTER CLOSURE - MOTORISTS ARE
ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS FROM 2.6 MI NORTH TO
3.8 MI NORTH OF RIVERBANK (STANISLAUS CO) FROM 0700 HRS TO 1700 HRS MONDAY
THRU FRIDAY THRU 4/13/07 - DUE CONSTRUCTION - MOTORISTS ARE SUBJECT TO
10 MINUTE DELAYS

[EASTERN SIERRA NEVADA]
IS CLOSED FROM 13 MI EAST OF STRAWBERRY (TUOLUMNE CO) TO 5.3 MI WEST OF
THE JCT OF US 395 (MONO CO) /SONORA PASS/ - WINTER CLOSURE - MOTORISTS ARE
ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE


“SR 4
[SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA]
NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS AREA.

[CENTRAL CALIFORNIA & SIERRA NEVADA]
IS CLOSED FROM 0.5 MI EAST OF THE JCT OF SR 207 /MT REBA TURNOFF/ TO
THE JCT OF SR 89 /EBBETTS PASS/ (ALPINE CO) - WINTER CLOSURE - MOTORISTS ARE
ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE



“SR 88
[CENTRAL CALIFORNIA & SIERRA NEVADA]
1- WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS FROM 3.7 MI EAST TO 7 MI EAST
OF PINE GROVE (AMADOR CO) FROM 0830 HRS TO 1500 HRS MONDAY THRU FRIDAY THRU
4/13/07 - DUE TO MAINTENANCE

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS FROM 2.3 MI WEST OF
SILVER LAKE TO SILVER LAKE (AMADOR CO) FROM 0730 HRS TO 1500 HRS MONDAY THRU
FRIDAY THRU 4/13/07 - DUE TO MAINTENANCE”


“US 50
[IN THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY & THE LAKE TAHOE BASIN]
NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS ROUTE.


“I 80
[SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA]
NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS AREA.

[IN THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY & SIERRA NEVADA]
NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS AREA.



The challenge is going to get you guys along the western slope of the Sierras, dipping up & East for each of the Park significant places. One of the reasons for the outrageous crowds in the summer is the lack of easy access the other three seasons.

The real advantage of doing this so early in the “season” is the lack of crowds, traffic, and no worn out Interpretative Rangers. Also the wildlife will be at lower altitudes where the snow is gone and green grass is available.

The difficulties are closed roads, road repair, changing weather. As I said this afternoon, be aware of hungry bears – assume every one has cubs you don’t see.

Some of the posted pictures give the idea. These are serious mountains There can be serious issues. The goal is for you have an unparalleled experience – and live to tell about it (just kidding – well, sorta).





http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/recreation/rec_report.pdf
SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST
TELEPHONE: 559-784-1500 X 1232
GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT
TDD NUMBER: 559-781-6650
1839 SOUTH NEWCOMB STREET
OFFICE HOURS: 8 A.M. - 4:30 P.M., MONDAY - FRIDAY
PORTERVILLE, CA 93257

ROAD CONDITIONS: Please call the ranger district offices for current road conditions, or the Highway Patrol (559) 445-6702 or the CALTRANS Road Conditions recorded message number (800) 427-7623 for current road conditions in California. PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY AND BE PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED!!!



HUME LAKE RANGER DISTRICT 559-338-2251 (voice and TDD)
35860 East Kings Canyon Road
Dunlap, CA 93621
Office Hours: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. , Monday – Friday
For specific and up-to-date information on trails, roads, campgrounds, and activities, please call the District Office.

Hwy 180 into Kings Canyon is closed at Hume Lake Road. Most forest roads are
closed for the winter season. Please call District Office for up-to-date information on road conditions. Always check road and weather conditions before departure 1-800-427-7612.




KERN RIVER RANGER DISTRICT 760-376-3781 x 636
KERNVILLE OFFICE Sherry Montgomery - Contact
105 Whitney Road, Kernville, CA
Mailing Address: PO Box 9, Kernville, CA 93238
Office Hours: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday

ROADS: Please call the District Office for specific road information. Sherman Pass and Cherry Hill Rd. is closed. Always check road and weather conditions before departing. 1-800-427-7612 for county roads, and 760-376-3781 for Forest Service roads on our district.

More tomorrow. Today was dealing my ailing Targa (the Airedale).

Best,
Grady

Jordi
Give me a call on my cell if you hear anything. I might be able to make lunch depending on where and when.

Stoney

Calif SR 395 and later, instead of an interstate, SR 99 are both fast and safe. If you pass a trooper station stop in and ask directions so you can check out their unmarked. If at night don't overdrive your headlights. You can cruise at 3.7-4k all day with the locals when you're following the fastest bait. Stay back as much as possible. Revenue agents work the interstates and 395 & 99 guys are interested in safety and they hate SUVs in the left lane. 99 could be very colorful if the rains worked out. It's a nice fast driver's road where 395 is fast but it's like driving across the moon.


Deer are nuts along the whole stretch of the Sierra range. The easiest thing to do is under estimate them, especially this time of yr. Follow close to a truck. Beautiful countryside and nice swift roads but the deer are out to get you.

donny - awesome picture, man! agree with joe..had to download that one for posterity! :)

speaking of pics..chris and chuckie: could you post the pic(s) that you took right before you left little rock that included robert and his targa? i just realized that his photo op got left out! i really had a fantastic time with you guys...really too bad that it had to be so short, but it was great fun! :) onward tracdog!

Peter Pan's married?
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bigchillcar
[B]donny - awesome picture, man! agree with joe..had to download that one for posterity! :)

Ryan, you're married! Good for you man and about to start flying again, very cool and "Thanks for the compliment on the cartoon Poo-paw"... I'll send you a better file.

Anybody wanting a higher res (printable) file of the Turbo Travelers, PM or email me with an e-address to send you a jpeg or photoshop file .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1176176239.jpg

thanks, donny. not to hijack but for a moment..but to you and joe - i finished the flight review tonight. :) like an old shoe, even after 3.5 years. instructor wouldn't let me do spins..he had a bad experience and is gun-shy (plan on curing this for him pronto). even my wingovers surprised him and made his knuckles white. ;) so much for aileron rolls.. anyway, 5 landings, 3 at night..we and the nosewheel survived them all. best one was naturally coming in intentionally high and landing from an exaggerated forward slip. you gotta love a beat up c-150. :) look out students..daddy's baaaaaaccccccck! felt great..million bucks.

Great news!

Now have a drink, take the old lady in the bedroom and finish the night like an ACE!

Joe

by myself, joe...but do appreciate the sentiment, buddy. no ace for me tonight. i did treat myself to a 'high dollar' microwaveable and a coors..lol. although i do have a pint of woodford reserve bourbon and an unopened bottle of bombay gin in my very modest arsenal..

No hijack taken, Chris and Charles will be delighted to hear that news too. Congrats man! Really, that's just great!
Now you can fly that pretty little Cab legally! LOL

lmao, donny! :D chris and charles might be interested to hear i had the car in the shop today for the a/c system leak test. was fearing the worst - bad evaporator. hooked up the vacuum pump and we could hear the hiss! actually is in the engine compartment - the high pressure line, on the aluminum portion of the line near the driver's side wall, a gouge..probably done when the engine was last out. the part ain't cheap so we're gonna try to tig weld a repair next week. in the meantime while up on the lift, i spotted an oil leak near the front passenger side of the car - a leaking oil line going into the oil cooler.. so bad that the cooler itself was completed clogged up on the outside so no airflow through it. steve removed the collars (loose) and replaced with double hose clamps on each line into the cooler and used brake cleaner and high pressure to clean out the cooler. temps are cooler and make much more sense for the ambient temps outside. good catch.

Ryan,

Make sure you put a new dryer on the A/C system. If its had a hole in the system then the dryer is gone...

Ryan,, that's great news.. do you have a cheap bird to fly ? I may have to come down and hang with you so I can get current too!