No fair weather Cruiser

[Kamper Dave]

Several years of work camping and she is still holding up
fine in all kinds of weather.

6” of snow last evening 30 hours of snow on the way and
then a cold snap and we are ready for anything! We are stuck here in
Yellowstone National Park until decisions are made by others.



http://s584.photobucket.com/user/cov...41cfe.jpg.html

[Dayle1]

Maybe better to be stuck inside the park than waiting to get in. Oh, wait, what happens if this goes on for a LONG time and the propane runs out?

[cowboy_71]

Dave ,...are work camping there too?...or just chillin in the park?...

[Kamper Dave]

We were working until the Government Shutdown; now we are just waiting to see if there is a chance that the store will re-open before October 14th. It's a sit a wait situation.

We just lost power for about 5 minutes but it can back on. Now that might be the pits at 3AM getting the generator running and hooked up. I'm hoping it doesn't come to that.

Propane: We ought to be OK with 20% in that big tank and two 40 pounders. If not I will be making a trip to town. If the roads are passable.

[Lloyd]

Dave, I hear you on the government shut. We were up north grouse hunting and camping in a NF when we got the news and got kicked out.
Your picture looks like one we have from a couple years ago up there. Stay warm, and good luck with everything.

[longhauler]

That's a cool picture, good luck with everything

[socoguy]

Dave hope the govt settles this mess soon. Great pic lets us all know the change is coming. Best of luck stay warm.

[Kamper Dave]

No idea what the government is up to but this nationalpark is
closed down tight. Today the place that we work decided to close down for the
season. So, this afternoon we packed up the inventory and turned in our keys. This
winter storm named ATLAS dumped 12-14” of snow on us and tonight it will drop
to 11ºF. I am not complaining because this same storm dumped 33” on Lead S.D.
and closed I-90. I think winter may be here early.

Just as soon as the temperature rises and the roads clear
we are headed off this beautiful mountain and back to civilization to thaw out.
I spent a chilly 28º morning on a ladder clearing the snow from the slide outs and as much
of the roof that I could reach. There is still ice hanging to the outside walls
of the slides that will need to be removed before they can be pulled in. They
haven’t plowed since early yesterday so I will also need to do some shoveling.
Tonight two electric heaters will supplement the main furnace as well as a
small heater in the basement. We are hoping for no power failures during this
night.



I just got back from thawing out the neighbor’s water
supply line. He forgot and turned off his water for 2 hours.

[Dayle1]

Dave,

Hopefully you can stay warm and safe as you prepare to leave and safe travels when you are able to leave.

[Lloyd]

Lead SD is now reporting 44 in. of snow!!!
Winds blowing up to 70 mph some place in SD.
I-90 closed for a very long stretch.
It would be good to get off the mountain and down to a lower elevation, but I don't envy you the task. Pulling that rig on some of those mountain roads in the snow and ice will be a challenge to say the least.

[coastn]

4" snow on top of the trailer this morning. Sun's now out and melt has started. Shouldn't be a problem heading out Monday A.M. for Ridgway, CO where the forecast is for 68. Last trip of the season.

[bandb]

Russ, Was out in your area a few weeks ago to visit our niece and family. Left there and went to Montrose to visit my sister. She and I fly fished for trout in the Uncompahgre River down near Ridgeway. What a beautiful place and a great time fishing. Safe travels, Bruce

[coastn]

For the third fall, we'll be at the Ridgway State park in the loop by the river. As you mentioned, it's a beautiful place with snow-capped mountains and yellow aspens in the distance. Breckenridge golf course closes today so I'll get a few rounds in around Montrose, Ridgway, Delta & Grand Junction. We'll be on the road in less than 24 hours and will definitely travel safe. Thanks, Bruce!

[fhenn]

Russ the Pups are mad they can not be there with you.... Even though I remind them they were there in July


Edited by: fhenn

[coastn]

Frank-
We'll have a couple Abita TurboDogs in their honor.

[fhenn]

Hoover will like that

[Kamper Dave]

Thank you all for your best wishes. We made it safely
home from Yellowstone National Park and the RV is winterized and into storage.
The new RAM 3500 is a real treat to drive and a fantastic power horse while
towing.

During the park closure we had been waiting in the camp
area and were not to travel into the park without reason. Hiking, photography
or other recreation into the park was prohibited and could result in a federal fine.
So, we were happy to move on.

On our last night in the park the temperature dropped to 8ºF.
The water heater, three electric heaters and the propane furnace ran all night;
as did the water down the drain and through the grey tanks. In the morning we were
warm and still had running water. We went right to work breaking up camp. Most
of my time was spent up on a ladder armed with the garden hose while flushing the
snow and numerous icicles from the slides; and pulling more snow from the roof.
DW stowed away interior belongings and then came outside to shovel out the
truck and RV. By mid afternoon it was in the upper 40º and we had dug and
stowed our belongings from the snow, rolled the 500 gallon propane tank out of
the way and hitched the RV to the truck. Rangers from the law enforcement
department stopped in to let us know that the road way to the town of West
Yellowstone was plowed and the pavement dry. It was a lonely but gorgeous drive
through a snow covered YNP with the roadway vacant other than snow melt, numerous
fallen rocks and buffalo.

With I-90 to the east choked with snow and thousand of
dead cattle, we headed north to warmer and snow free Kalispell Montana and after
a few days we headed SW down past Swan Lake and McDonald Pass with stops at
Livingston, Buffalo, Wall (still plenty of dead and lost cattle), Mitchell and
finally home sweet home.

We are already looking forward to next years adventures.