Adventures with Harvey

It's time for another adventure with Harvey the RV! It got off to a rocky start.

"We need to go somewhere," my husband announced on Sunday afternoon. "We can go this weekend."

I looked at a full calendar for the week. "Are you sure? Look at everything we have scheduled this week. We'll be exhausted by Friday."

"We're taking Harvey."

"Okay, where are we going?" Sometimes it's easier to just accept than to try to fight. "Somewhere close since we can only go for one night."

We argued back and forth, consulted Google maps and paper maps, argued some more, and finally decided that Capital Reef would be nice. But it's about a four hour drive. We argued again and finally decided we'd go to Promontory Point where the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Railroads met 144 years ago. But there weren't any camping facilities close. So back to the maps we went. We picked Crystal Hot Springs in Honeyville UT.

So Friday afternoon, we picked up the kids from school, threw some stuff into Harvey, and took off. We weren't even out of the driveway before I heard, "Are we there yet?"

We made it less than a mile before the first fight broke out. Traveling with children is so much fun. And we only had three with us this time.

Crystal Hot Springs is a nice campground, although we picked the wrong weekend. We shared it with three LDS Wards' Father & Sons campouts, at least three Boy Scout Troops, and lots of normal tourists. We got a lovely RV spot right next to the swingset/sandbox and the restrooms. Let's just say it wasn't very quiet or peaceful.

Our dogs had fits about being on a leash the WHOLE TIME. They're used to running free. I forgot half the food. Taco stacks with no taco seasoning or salsa aren't nearly as tasty. My 16yo son slept in the bed over the cab. Every time he rolled over, we got an RV-quake.

We picked the right weekend for the Golden Spike National Monument. We got to travel back in time to May 10, 1869, when the last spike was driven in the railroad line connecting east and west. The re-enactment actors did a great job.

Then we got to travel to the future. ATK-Thiokol has a rocket display out in front of their facilities. They also have the most effective deterrent I've ever encountered. Teeny tiny black gnats that fly into your ears and hair and make your whole head itch. They are the spawn of Satan. I only lasted ten minutes. I love rockets but not even rocket motors and shuttle boosters could win over the gnats.

Memorable quotes from the trip:
"Don't put rocks on the dog."
"No, Wookie, you can't pee on the Clunker rocket engine."

Home at last!

Adventures with Harvey #2

Imagine this with 1-10 inches of snow on it.

(Blogger is being wacko with links. Go here for info on Topaz Mountain - http://www.utahoutdooractivities.com/topaz.html )

"The kids have a week off school for spring break," I said. "What shall we do? Where shall we take Harvey? I've always wanted to see Death Valley."

"Sounds like fun," Hubby answered. "But I can't get that week off. It's crisis time at work."

We stared at the map and the snow outside.

"We could go somewhere closer this weekend. Leave Friday as soon as I get home, come back late Saturday."

"Where?"

"Topaz Mountain. It never has snow. And the high is supposed to be 50°F on Saturday. It will be warmer out in the desert."

"We could do that. Hey, kids, any of you have plans for Friday or Saturday?"

We packed Harvey, found food, loaded dogs and kids, and started off late Friday. I was a hesitant. I'd been fighting a migraine for two days and had just barely gotten my head on straight again. We left as the sun set. The drive was uneventful, until we got close to Topaz Mountain. White patches appeared along the sides of the road. The temperature dropped. It was so dark, we couldn't see much. We reached the turnoff for the rockhounding area. Six inches of snow covered the dirt road. Another truck and trailer sat about 25 yards along.

"Let's go a bit further," I suggested. "You wanted to look for rocks on the west side anyway."

We drove farther, in the pitch darkness. The stars were brilliant overhead. We found another dirt access road, this one not covered in snow, and pulled off the highway. We settled in, getting the kids settled in the beds. Silliness happened, because it usually does. The dogs were in heaven, running up and down the road, peeing on all the bushes and snowbanks. The stars glittered, brighter and more numerous than I've seen in years. The Milky Way streamed across the sky. That alone made the trip worth it.

"I have to go to the bathroom," one child announced.

I pointed out the door. "There's a knee-high bush not far that way."

He peered out the door, then shivered. "I'll hold it."

Harvey has a bathroom, but we haven't got the water working yet. The system is still full of antifreeze.

"Why is the heater blowing cold air?" another child asked.

Hubby checked the propane and the furnace. "We're out of propane. Everybody bundle up." We pulled out extra sleeping bags and blankets.

Morning dawned. We ate a cold breakfast before heading back to the main road. The minerals we were interested in were on the west slopes. We drove until the pavement ended. The dirt road that continued looked a little scary. Snowdrifts covered it in patches.

"Harvey can do it," Hubby said. Famous last words.

We ended up stuck in a snowdrift up to the hubcaps. But with a bit of digging and some creative maneuvering, we managed to get Harvey free, only to get stuck ten feet up the road. More digging of snow followed. Hubby and the two teenagers pushed while I gunned the engine. Harvey plowed free. I kept going up the hill and around the bend. The look on Hubby's face was priceless as I drove out of sight through the snow.

I stopped where the road flattened and the snow was less than an inch deep. By then, it was starting to warm up. Melting snow plus dirt road equals mud, which is much worse to be stuck in.

"We're going to drive until we get to pavement. Then we'll look for rocks." I insisted. Hubby agreed when I pointed out the risk of getting really stuck in mud. Snow was nothing compared to mud.

We found a few garnets and some really funky purple rock that I still haven't identified. It was a fun trip for lasting less than 24 hours. Now to get the roof vent repaired...

Adventures with SS Harvey #1 - Shakedown Cruise

Christmas came a little early for us. I was out running errands with my hubby early in November and we happened to pass an old RV for sale. I mentioned it might be fun. He took me seriously. One thing led to another and we ended up buying the old clunker. It was very clean, low mileage, everything worked, and the price was too good to pass up.

We christened it the SS Harvey, our very own personal warp-capable (barely) shuttlecraft.

Day 1-

Harvey made it one mile to our local grocery store before breaking down and refusing to work. Apparently, shuttlecraft need fuses in order for the engine to work.

Day 2-

On the road by 9:30 am. Drove all day, barely breaking warp 5. Snowstorm continued through most of Utah. Slush sprays reached roof level. Finally arrived at Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. Lovely rock formations. Food supplies are running low. I'm bad at planning. May have to figure out how to cook sagebrush. Full moon and Orion are beautiful.

Day 3-

Civilization! Well, Las Vegas. Found Ethel M Chocolate Factory. I think I've died and gone to heaven. My drool runneth over. Three hours later, arrive back at Valley of Fire with supply of eggs, gluten-free beads, M&M's, and fine chocolates.

Unfortunately, electrical is non-existant. Furnace is not working. Went to bed with the sun (7 pm) due to cold and lack of light.

Day 4-

Woke at 5 am. (See Day 3 entry) Convinced pilot to leave campground by 6:30. Moonlight hike to see petrified wood. Fun, but cold.

Stopped for breakfast in Saint George UT. Drove home. No slush this time, just sunshine.

All in all, SS Harvey is a success. Looking forward to our next Adventure with Harvey.