Nov. 08 Swamp Donkey Road Trip

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Hey Curtis, noticed on the SNT thread you mentioned crashing at truck stops, is that ok to do in the states, has anyone done this before? This will be my first drive into the states, so not really sure what to expect.
Cheers,
Deny
 
Deny said:
Hey Curtis, noticed on the SNT thread you mentioned crashing at truck stops, is that ok to do in the states, has anyone done this before? This will be my first drive into the states, so not really sure what to expect.
Cheers,
Deny
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I'm gonna play it by ear. Stop at rest stop/picnic areas if they look okay, or else just find a quiet grid road off the highway. There's always the Walmart parking lots with the grey-hairs :D Other trips I've done into the states have always been school business, and hotel stays.

Still not sure on my route down, waiting to find out from a guy in Portland if he wants me to haul some stuff to Pismo for him (a couple FF axles, depends on where the buyers are located/if they can arrange pickup at the beach). I'm planning to head out on Wednesday morning and do the drive in 2 - 2.5 days. Coming back, I'm gonna stay at D'Animal's on Sunday night (he's invited any of us going), and either haul something significant home from there, or hit a bunch of the National Parks on the way back.

You have a gameplan? I'd be up for meeting somewhere in BC and convoying, but kind of figured you will be heading out later?
 
Still no game plan, but looks like the reclamation, might happen, but I told the guy that I am heading off late in the week, so even if I start the project, I can get someone to finish it for me. So depending on what happens at work, I will either have a sort of easy drive and can meet up with you (when are you leaving by the way) or leave late, hammer down sleep all through SNT, then drive back. I just finished building a bed in the 42, so I can set up sleeping quarters in 1min, crash at a truckstop, then wake up break camp in 1min and on the road again.
 
Deny said:
Still no game plan, but looks like the reclamation, might happen, but I told the guy that I am heading off late in the week, so even if I start the project, I can get someone to finish it for me. So depending on what happens at work, I will either have a sort of easy drive and can meet up with you (when are you leaving by the way) or leave late, hammer down sleep all through SNT, then drive back. I just finished building a bed in the 42, so I can set up sleeping quarters in 1min, crash at a truckstop, then wake up break camp in 1min and on the road again.
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Wednesday morning, not sure if I'll go down through Idaho and Nevada, or across to Oregon and down yet. PM me your phone number, and I'll make sure to give you a call when I know better. I don't have a cell phone, but I'll have a Sat Phone with me, so I can make calls on the road, just not receive them.
 
Deny,

I'm going to bring my field kitchen kit along... so you don't have to worry about bringing stuff for cooking at SnT. I'll have a Coleman stove and lamp, pots and a frying pan, plates, bowls, cups and cutlery, and stuff for cleaning it all up. I'll have a fire grill, a decent cooler and a water jug too.
 
Sweet, I sorta am packing pretty light, the bed I built, sort takes up some packing room, just for the fact I don't want to pack too much so I can set up the bed in 2 seconds.
Cheers,
Deny
 
We were lazy and ate at local restaurants. I don't think we even cooked a single meal out there because we were so close to civilization.

Anyway, have fun. I wish I could join you but due to a crazy work load and an unexpected glitch in border relations, Bruce and I are unable to make it to Pismo. I'm pretty let down because this was the only trip I planned for the year. Argh. Sucks to disappoint you....

Drink a gallon of beer for me at the Pozo Saloon. :)
 
Deny said:
Hey Curtis, noticed on the SNT thread you mentioned crashing at truck stops, is that ok to do in the states, has anyone done this before? This will be my first drive into the states, so not really sure what to expect.
Cheers,
Deny
Click to expand...

Keep in mind a lot of truckers leave their engines idle all night. Personally, I find that hard to sleep through. You can do what my homeless coworker does and crash in Walmart parking lots. Supposed to be people who tour the country picking their route based on Walmart since they don't chase away motorhomes :rolleyes:.
Have fun guys.
 
BC40 said:
Keep in mind a lot of truckers leave their engines idle all night. Personally, I find that hard to sleep through.
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You are forgetting I am hardcore diesel. The purr of a large diesel semi is very relaxing for me:hillbilly: If not, my long drive time will be enough to knock me out for a few hours of shut eye!
 
Ideally I am hoping wednesday after work, I can get past prince george before starting on thursday, but all fails, I might have to head out thursday after work, then I won't be down till saturday night. I really don't know yet, but it's looking more and more like the reclamation will get cancelled this year, don't know for sure though.
 
Looks like I'll be doing the Idaho-Nevada route down. Haven't heard anymore about hauling those axles, so I doubt I'll be swinging through Portland. Looks like gas prices are falling, but diesel is still significantly more. Could it be possible it'll be cheaper for me to drive down than you?
 
RockDoc said:
Looks like I'll be doing the Idaho-Nevada route down. Haven't heard anymore about hauling those axles, so I doubt I'll be swinging through Portland. Looks like gas prices are falling, but diesel is still significantly more. Could it be possible it'll be cheaper for me to drive down than you?
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Not unless diesel is double the price of gas (thats if your truck sucks back the fuel like a 2F in a 40). Plus I might stop by my parents place and pick up some free bio, two free tanks should get me over 1000km.
Nice try though!
 
Right now looks like I am leaving either pretty late wednesday, or really early thursday morning.
Cheers,
Deny
 
Don't leave town without the 'goods', k?

Thanks.
 
Deny, I'll give you a call tonight to let you know how I'm making out, and get an idea of your progress. Just about to jump in the truck and head south. Oh yah, I am going through Portland, so if you get away this evening, and make good time, maybe we'll roll in together.

:cheers:
Curtis.
 
Just getting off work, then pile crap into cruiser and take off. Sucks Tire shop couldn't get my mall terrains in since shipping companies crapped out due to our first snow fall this year, so looks like its swampers all the way. Hopefully there is a good shop in PG or around there that can balance my tires better and they won't rattle the hell out of my truck.
Cheers,
Deny
 
Safe and sound in Visalia Ca...... Off to the beach in a few hours.
 
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