We're rounding up the usual suspects in 10 days for bear/deer hunting in the Sequoia National Forest. Nighttime lows are in the 20s and we were snowed out of going last October. We expect a party of 8. A manned fire lookout and several giant sequoia groves (the kind with no fences or rangers) are bound to be visited. I'm taking my Eureka Tetragon 8 and a new AR-15 16" M203-profile collapsible telestock rifle to break-in. :)

Well, the gas prices have just about put a crimp in most of my plans for this season, at least those of considerable distances. We are having another fall get-together again at the Nantahala River in western North Carolina. Some real cool fall temps are now starting in the mountains; we try and beat the fall leaf watchers that go there in droves about mid-October to the end of the month. Our "plan" is to head out this Thursday and then come on back the following Tuesday - almost a full week ... (maybe I can persuade some of the crowd to stay another day or two!) Will be our last trout fishing hoorah for this season. At lot of times past I would sneak up there for a weekend or so but, again, those gas prices! Will be towing the popup camper - two of us funding the gas bill won't be as bad as going alone! Anyway, we will be staying at the Standing Indian NFS C/G just down the road from Franklin, NC ... if your in the neighborhood, stop by and enjoy the campfire with us; who knows, maybe we can find a fish or two in the larder to fry up for ya!

Dale

North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Heading up there this weekend, hopefully. Got to call ahead first to see if the quakies are changing colors, yet. Gotta dress warm, though. temps are way cooler around 8800 ft. ele.

cheers!

Dale, I have considered Standing Indian CG because I like to visit Franklin. It's a great little town with lots to do. If you go into Franklin try to eat at the B&D restaurant. It's been there forever and all the locals eat there. Have you stayed at the campground before?

I have reservations for Thanksgiving at Hamilton Branch SP, McCormick County like I usually do every year and look forward to it. Although I will probably camp again before then.

Like you said, the gas prices are limiting the distance you want to travel. I filled up yesterday for $ 2.959 with regular. Most other places here were getting $2.999. I like to use mid grade or premium (performance reasons), but can't stand the prices. Running regular all the time will clog the fuel system and make it lope or want to cut off sometimes.

We need some relief from the gouging!

Jo

Jo, what are you running? Are you sure your timing is set right? If you're running high-compression, maybe it's time to re-map your EFI. Should run great on regular. If not, you might save money by buying toluene at the paint store and do your own octane boosting.

Hey Jo - yeah, have camped at S.I. quite a few times; great facilities. Flush toilets and hot showers, but no electrical or water hook-up. Usually it's a mecca for trout fisherman and those wanting to escape the heat of summer. When the sun goes down out comes the sweaters and jackets, even in mid-summer. Have never, ever slept there, but it was'nt under the covers! Although it is generally my spring camping/fishing place, this year have already been there twice already; last spring (early May) and again in mid-summer.

You head west out of Franklin on Hwy 64 for 12 miles to Wallace Gap. Turn south (the only way you can turn) onto the Old Murphy Road and follow the C/G signs for the next 3 1/2 miles and your be right there. C/G is on the side of Standing Indian Mountain with high ridges all the way around. In fact, the Appalachian Trail passes the C/G on one of those overlooking ridges and quite often hikers will come down and stay at the C/G so they can get showered and smelling decent again. The Nantahala River runs right through the heart of the C/G with sites right on the bank of the river, which makes for terrific sleeping with that river rushing right close by!

I'll be giving that resurant a try ... the crew can only take my cooking for only so long! We were sort of thinking about heading out tomorrow, but looks like lots of rain. Don't mind the rain and trout fishing ... they bite just great in the rain. But sure hate to travel and tow the camper in heavy rain if I can avoid it. Give me an ides where that resturant is located.

Thanks,

Dale

Sounds like you guys have got some good trips coming up. We'll be doing a trip to Joshua Tree National Park, Indian Cove Campground, the last part of Oct. Joshua Tree is real nice is time of year with warm days and cool nights. There are not to many people during the week. We'll be staying a week to ten days. Desert camping is a whole lot different than the summer camping we do, but it is a great way finish off the camping season.

Dale, The B & D is located at the corner of Porter and Palmer streets. Porter is just off the west end of Main Street. Palmer runs parallel to Main one block down. Its across from the Franklin Motel. You will see the restaurant just as you're heading down Porter. It's in a little shopping center. You can't miss it. If you don't catch any trout they have great pan fried. They also have vegetables, meats, burgers and such and they are open for breakfast too. I've been eating there since the seventies. It sure beats the fast food places and they aren't too expensive.

tplife, I believe that my fuel injectors were just dirty. I used some treatment in it and she's running fine now. Normally I've been running Phillips 66 regular.

Jo

Well ... darn it! Looks like a monsoon has settled in along the Carolinas. Postponed leaving out yesterday because of the heavy rain thinking maybe it might let up by this morning; now it looks worse than yesterday! Also I see the Franklin area has a severe weather bulletin (Yahoo Weather) calling for an inch or more of heavy rain through-out the day and into the night. One positive thing about it ... this is a drought breaker for sure!

Looks like we'll have to call this outing off for a few days.

Dale

Well Dale I hope you got to get outdoors despite the rain.
We got 4-5 inches here and desperately needed it.
Only 3 more days before we head out. I cannot wait!!!!
It's supposed to be BEAUTIFUL! YAY!

Blessed rain! But not a good weekend for camping. DH and I got drenched setting up the pop-up in Southwest Virginia on Friday evening...it was still a great weekend and Sunday was beautiful. I've just got a lot of laundry to do, including a multitude of tennis shoes!

Well, we did head up to the Nantahala Saturday morning bright and early; was supposed to head out early last Thursday but it was raining big time everywhere in the state and not that much better the next day, Friday. But the weather guru on the net was showing western North Carolina was clearing so we hitched up and was gone down the road in the rain. Half way there the rain had quit and the sun was breaking through; reaching the campground by late afternoon it was warm and sunny. Had the popup set-up by 6:00pm and I was in the river wetting a line at 6:05! We had brought some already made beef stew and enjoyed a late evening 7:30pm supper by fireside.

Weather could not have been better. Fishing was lousy in that there had been a lot of hard rain and it always seems things have to settle out before the fishing gets serious once again. My experience has always been just before and in the early part of a rain are the best fishing times.

Inspite of the poor fishing we had brought our bikes and really enjoyed riding around the area. Had to be back today for an important appointment and so we had to leave when we did; I guess you got to take what time you can get and be greatful for it, but it seems to me on these outings I like at least -5- (FIVE) days campside ... that does not include travel time ... need another day for coming and another day for going!

But, like I said, weather was perfect and really enjoyed the relaxed camp time; and we also had a good campfire every night which always adds to the stay. And one other thing - my little camper has the most comfortable sleeping bunks, sleep better in them than I do my own bed at home! So I'd have to add that I really enjoyed some very good, sound sleep!

Dale

The Sequois were great at Quaking Aspen and Peppermint Campgrounds and there was mild weather until Saturday, when the first winter storm arrived with a little snow and sleet. The rain was mercifully short with only about a tenth of an inch altogether. The Forest Service was out cutting deadfall on the FS roads and as a result the campgrounds were full of piles of cut firewood. The only deer seen were spike bucks, but this didn't detract from a great outing for the 5 of us. I tested a Firefly lantern stand but was disappointed in its lack of stability - it's going back to the store for the telescoping model, maybe. The Eureka Tetragon 8 tent was marvelous, watertight with its recent seam seal and took a couple STRONG wind gusts with ease. I used a soft Mexican blanket to keep the cold off the floor and this was a great idea indeed. Marmot bag/Staytek Camprest made sleep come easy. Highs, 70 F, lows, 31 F.

We recently purchased a teardrop camper and plan to meet a group of fellow teardrop owners at Edisto State Park the first weekend of December. This will be our first gathering of teardrop folks and as I understand it, there's a big push to decorate each camper with as many tacky Christmas decorations as possible.

I'd like to hit Mistletoe state park again in another week or so; it's only about 20 miles from where I live. Hamilton Branch on the SC side is nice too.

Gail