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Showing posts with label ss harvey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ss harvey. Show all posts

Monday, May 20, 2013

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!

Monday, December 31, 2012

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.