We're just short of one week out and have learned a lot about our tiny space. Today we're going to WalMart for two more flat plastic bins and gear necessary to move our tent and poles out from under the saloon seat and up on top of the cab. We totally rearranged right there in the Wal Mart parking lot. Now crap is not piled everywhere - most all is stowed!
From there we made our first foray up into high country, some 17 miles to Hermits Peak Trail at about 8,800 feet. We have been so nervous to know how the heavily loaded bus, with it's little motor, will do climbing a real mountain! While surely not the most challenging we'll face, the bus managed the grades with dignity. On this climb we learned the sweet spots to keep the motor revving in a strong power zone: shallow grades in third gear (about 40 - 45 mph), steeper grades in second (25 - 30 mph). That's way slow by new car standards but who's in a hurry?
Deb was a bit white knuckled going up but after a hearty hike to catch a glimpse of Hermits Peak, and a two to three beer lunch, she was fairly singing as we sailed back down. We stopped at a roadside hot spring (little tiered pools - hottest to coolest) and got a glimpse of social life complete with comments from a very lovely local gal. So cool, mother natures hot tubs - all free with fellowship and local news in the bargain.
Sent from my iPad
No comments:
Post a Comment