Home and VRRV Chores/Upgrades

 Thursday, June 19

I noticed traffic picking up along FR 357 and decided to displace to home earlier by one day.

Lucky I did, there were several trucks and trailers inbound with OHVs/ATVs along with many campers!  The day use parking lot was full of offloaded trailers.  The Emancipation Federal Holiday had resulted in a "four day weekend" for a lot of people apparently.

I would see a two mile traffic backup that was heading into Divide as I was heading away from it.  Lots more RVs, OHV-laden trailers and just regular cars seeking to escape into the forest I imagine.

Good time to mention the formalization of Colorado Camping in Summer Protocol for me:  Camp only Sun-Thu, escaping back to home on the weekends when the crowds are out.

Friday, June 20

Thing One and I installed a 16ft propane hose extension on the VRRV.  This to hopefully eliminate the very slow propane leak I'd detected since returning from Europe.

RichardM, as always, helped me diagnose the issue.   The most common being the rubber hoses on RVs just aging and become porous.  Since my VRRV's hoses appear to be the originals, they're almost 20 years old!

Link to Item on Amazon

I followed the path used by the stock lines.  The new line is secured at multiple point by double sets of zip ties, I may eventually use metal zip ties but I think it'll be OK for now.  The stock line components remain in place, just in case.  That's because I could not break loose the rear connector on the 5 ft portion!

Saturday, June 21

After an abortive attempt to go cheap and use the Torque App to get a reading on the VRRV's TFT: Transmission Fluid Temperature, I had bought a ScanGauge II via Amazon.  Both RichardM and another friend, Dan K. use this product and are happy with it.

Yep, supposedly there's "plug-ins" for added functionality for the Torque app, perhaps including TFT but the website linked in the app is broken.

There is a newer model with a GUI (Graphical User Interface) but it was $110 more than the model II.  Me being a cheap bastard....I went with the II for $159.

Installation was easy, followed the setup instructions, watched Linear Logic's video, they're the ones who make this gadget.

As expected, I had to program in what they call a X-Gauge to report on Transmission Fluid Temperature or TFT.  It wasn't a big deal, just a couple of small hiccups.

1.  The default timeout for the ScanGauge is RPMs.  That is, it turns itself off if it detects 0 RPMS as in engine not running.  This timeout interval proved to short for me to enter the X-Gauge codes for TFT.  (The codes are available from scangauge.com).   

I set the timeout trigger to be COM, as in loss of power from the OBDII port.  That kept it on as along as the ignition key was in the ON position, engine not running.

2.  The second hiccup was inputting the correct X-Gauge codes for a 2006 Ford OBD system.  Mine uses the CANSF system.  The first one listed on the website didn't work, so I had to work my way down through to Method 3.  That one got a reading for TFT.  I was happy.  I will of course have to check it against actual temp via a touchless thermometer while the VRRV is running during stops to see how close it is.

Inputting the X-Gauge values, takes some initial practice, but otherwise easy.

Here's the displays I now can activate while driving:

TFT - Ambient Air

Intake Air Temp. - Average Fuel Economy

CYL: Cylinder Head Temp.

HPR: Horsepower

VLT: Battery Voltage

GPH: Gallons Per Hour

LOD: engine load

MPG: Miles Per Gallon

RPM, self-explanatory

You can have up to 25 custom X-Gauges!  Some of the stuff available I'm going to have to research as I don't know what it's really reporting.  For now, I have what I wanted.  Oh, and Engine Coolant Temp, which is a standard gauge.

Oh, and when your check engine light comes on, you can read the code and clear it as needed.  For instance, the VRRV occasionally pops a code for Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor.  I'll be replacing that soon.

In case you're wondering, the gadget below the ScanGauge is the TPMS monitor.

My thanks to RichardM for his help on the propane issue and suggesting the ScanGauge II.  Thanks for Dan K. for his input and info as well, he's got the III.

Tornado Warning Produces Big Hail

Yesterday, June 17

A rather eventful day, weather-wise.  It got a bit too exciting.

The morning started off with heavy overcast skies, eventually turning to mostly cloudy as Noon approached.

Got the severe thunderstorm warning on my phone, went outside the VRRV to see the sky not looking good: 

The 4G signal wasn't working so I fired up Starlink to check the weather radar, not great.  You can see the northern edge of the storm passing to the south of the blue dot. (That's me)

We had a few minutes of light pea-sized hail, no big deal.  

Things got serious after I had lunch.

At around 12:35, the tornado warning was broadcast and with it soon came very loud banging noises on the roof of the VRRV!

This shot shows the thunderstorm passing through my position.  (Blue dot).

This hail lasted perhaps 2-3 minutes and was quite scary.  I wondered how the CR-V and VRRV would come out of it.  Full of dents?

After the hail and rain stopped, I went outside to check the CR-V and the exterior of the VRRV.  Fortunately, no damage to the vehicles or the solar panels.

This is the largest hail I've ever witnessed:

No tornado near me, apparently there was one sighted further to the NE.  The skies slowly cleared towards evening, but things remained quite cool at 50° F at sunset.

Ah, camping above 9000 feet in Colorado, it can get exciting this time of year.

Displacing to Escape the Barrio

Yesterday, June 14

Happy birthday to my branch of service, the US Army.

Not quite a happy day for me though, I woke to a travel trailer and a pickup truck pulling a long cargo trailer with OHVs in the site next to me!

No problem, I told myself, it's public lands.  The trouble began when more large pickup trucks with trailered OHVs, two travel trailer rigs and several cars joined the first people.  By noon it was perhaps three generations worth of people including kids and 3 dogs.  I guess it was perhaps at least 20-25 individuals.

All, mind you, in a space suitable for perhaps two campers at most.

It became quite a Barrio.  

Then to give it the final Barrio touch, one of the pickups was blasting music, suitably loud to overcome their generator and what must have been perhaps 10 OHVs.

For whatever reason, the OHVs were sometimes left idling, I guess for background noise, between outings.

Best part was a couple of young punks on OHVs, spinning donuts in the space between the barrio and my site.  Thanks for the dust clouds, amigos.

So, Saturday dragged along where I kept hoping they were day users (nope).  I was treated to their music late into the night too, I guess their kids didn't need to get to sleep at normal hours when camping.

Sunday, I woke to quiet.  This lasted until they woke around 730 AM or so, then the music started up.

Fortunately, I spotted the Class C belonging to a separate set of campers further down the trail, leaving!  

Yes!  I knew the spot they'd been at, and it had been my mistake not to shift to it before the weekend.

I drove the CRV to the spot and claimed it.  Returning to the VRRV, I did a hasty displacement from the "still rocking the times" barrio.  It's not even a quarter mile but the no more music!

There's only one way to get to the new site and the CRV stands guard to keep the OHV swine from racing up to my new campsite.

Nice big site, only drawback is no shade for the VRRV but that's fine.

I'm guessing the barrio will be gone by Noon, but the new site is better and I don't have to move somewhere else for at least a week!

Oh, and no way for another barrio event from occuring with this site!

Anti- social, that's me.

I went later to check, they were gone between 2 and 3 pm.  They left trash all over the site.  Nice, huh?

Some interesting clouds in the afternoon:

Here's today's post-sunset views:

Boondocking near Divide, CO

I displaced this morning to a Pike-San Isabel National Forest dispersed camping area near Divide.

The route Google maps had me take involved High Park Road.  Boy, they sure named that road correctly!  Steep climbs had poor Uma, the VRRV as she towed the Honda CR-V uphill.

Note to self: while on an uphill climb, do not stop to let traffic pass, you'll not be able to accelerate enough to regain previos climb speeds!

Had Martha been with me, we would have disconnected the CR-V and she would have driven it separately.  Oh well.  I'll try and avoid this route in the future!

Anyways, finally made it and found a nice spot with good vistas of nearby mountain peaks 

I'll be here about a week or so.  Martha is joining me after the weekend.  Friends of ours: Jenny and Scott are going to be camping in the Mueller State Park which is about 12 miles away.  The plan is to visit with them.

More to follow ....

Sunset:

T'Dubing along the Arkansas River Headwaters

Yesterday, June 9

First, last evening's sunset while parked along US50 and the turnoff for Westcliffe.

I drove the Honda CR-V to check out what would end up being 5 candidate vacant land properties.  Spent the morning criss-crossing the area south of my campsite to no avail.

All the properties were either too hilly or had sketchy looking neighborhoods.

Oh well.  I hung out at camp the rest of the day, relaxing with audiobooks.  Got some threatening weather in the late afternoon but it turned out to be much of nothing.

Today, June 10

Spent the first half of the morning riding my TW200 up and down US50 within 10 miles east/west of Texas Creek.

Some views of the rock formations and headwaters of the Arkansas River:

I then rode past the village of Cotopaxi, to the vicinity of Howard, CO to check out National Forest Access Roads I had seen during other trips.

First was Kerr Gulch Road, found 3 likely sites for future boondocking; though only one had usable cell signal.

I was at the same, pursuing these views of "nearby" mountain peaks:

I also checked out County Road 6 which seems to deadends at a USFS campground with tiny campsites.

Motoring back towards camp, I gassed up in Cotopaxi after this shot of the rock formations near the village.

Entering back into the OHV area I'm camping at, spotted these foundation remnants which were curious:

I returned just in time for lunch.  It was quite warm by now and sunny.

Things would cool a bit with growing cloud cover as the afternoon wore on.  Spent the afternoon blogging after processing pics.

I did go for a few miles of riding within the OHV area on the TW200.  Lots of steep single track and the wider trails were deep sand in spots, not very enjoyable.

Boondocking at the Texas Creek OHV Area

Back again at my favorite traveling activity: Boondocking!

After some VA appointments last week, I was free once again to go Boondocking while Martha starts home to continue socializing.

One major event occured, we got a second vehicle again. Martha hadn't felt joy on purchasing a 2024 Honda CR-V last year; and so, had returned it.

We still needed a second car as a spare and also to drive when the 2014 CR-V is boondocking with Umarang the VRRV.

So, Kuma, the 2017 Honda Ridgeline was purchased.

Kuma means Bear in Japanese....

So, I'm out at the Texas Creek OHV area for the next couple of days, embracing dispersed camping once again. I towed the old 2014 CR-V with me, along with Yagi, my Yamaha TW200.

I plan on doing some exploring of land that's for sale in nearby Cotopaxi, pics of the Arkansas river along US50 and whatnot while camping here.

Though sunny in the morning, the skies turned overcast as I setup camp.

I  managed to snag a nice one-rig spot, electing to forego the big dispersed camping lot that's a little further from my site and closer to US50.

No cellular signal here, but I just fire up Starlink when I want Internet access....it's all good.

The sun came out later:

Overseas Travel and Receiving Texts

Online security being what it is these days, we use 2FA or Two Factor Authentication whenever possible while accessing accounts online.  If you're not doing this, you're at risk.

I elected to not pay Verizon $10/day to be able to use our Verizon ESIMs while in Europe (this feature is called Travel Pass).  Total cost would have been roughly $750 for our two phones, a bit high)

I went with a third party ESIM from Holafly (which sucks at activation processes, not recommended).  Cost <$3/day per phone; came to roughly $100/phone.

So, we had Internet access but Verizon ESIM had to be off.  Important caveat: the third party ESIM only provided internet access, no phone call capabilities.

This meant that when an online resource, such as our bank/credit card company wanted to verify it was me trying to login, it sent a text with authentication code to my Verizon mobile number as I'd previously set up.

Of course, my Verizon ESIM being turned off (and no Travel Pass), no texts so no authentication code.

Workarounds:

Best option:  Set up email as a 2FA authentication code option.  Not all companies offer this at this time however.

If email option not available, here's what worked for me and my Verizon account.  YMMV:

1.  While connected to good Wi-Fi Internet, go to your phone's SIM Manager and turn on the Verizon ESIM.  Leave your third party ESIM turned on.  

Note: enable a VPN if possible since you're accessing account credentials on a public Wi-Fi access point!

2.  Immediately, turn on Airplane Mode while ensuring Wi-Fi is still enabled!  (On my Android phone, SIM Manager is disabled when in Airplane mode)

3.  Queued up texts (sent to me while Verizon ESIM was off) would then start arriving, to include the 2FA text I needed in the moment.  Got the code, authenticated and was into my account.

4.  Once you're done, remember to disable airplane mode and immediately turn off the Verizon ESIM!

I also called Verizon support, while on Wi-Fi Internet and using my Google Voice number and had them remove Travel Pass from all mobile lines to prevent accidental activation of this feature and ensuing costs.

I believe the above workaround required Wi-Fi calling turned on.

You can receive texts but not send via Verizon ESIM.  You'll get a "trying to connect" error.

Texting while overseas was via apps such as Signal or Whatsapp.  It does require both parties to use the same app however.

You cannot make calls via Verizon ESIM when not using Travel Pass.  That's where Google Voice came in but it only works with US numbers!  If I ever travel overseas again, will have to do more research on this).

Almost bought another ESIM for voice calls in Spain but got by without; once Booking.com resolved internal issues which made bookings impossible when using our US credit cards.

Related Note/Caveat:

2FA via SMS texts is no longer as secure as it used to be.  Local authenticator apps are better but commercial entities aren't moving fast enough to implement this option 

Back Home

 Sunday, May 25

A long travel day.

After another full Irish breakfast, we got a taxi to the Dublin airport.  Traffic was very light into the metro area. 

Although the airport was crowded, it wasn't as bad as I have seen other airports.  Aer Lingus, the airline we were taking, moved us cattle smoothly through the check-in / bag drop off process.

Once through security, we cooled our heels until 12:45 p.m. when we could then access the US pre-clearance area.  

One pint of Guinness consumed at this point for hydration purposes.

Once we were through this area we were cleared through US customs while still in Ireland!  Nice.

Some more waiting near gate 403 until they started boarding our flight around 2:40 p.m. 

Another pint of Guinness was consumed at this point, again for hydration purposes. 

Kudos to Aer Lingus on the way they herded us cattle through this process and onto the plane, very smooth.  I'm sure it helped that the flight was not fully sold out but still, very smooth.  

I kind of like the way European airports control passenger/cattle flow through the various checkpoints.  Not being told what gate you're departing from till about 2 hrs beforehand was weird at first but I think it works better.  It cuts down on gate lice crowding departure gates!

We pushed off the gate 2 minutes early and we left Ireland under rainy overcast skies.

Aer Lingus fed us a meal and a snack during the 9 hour flight.  We also had snacks with us as we watched downloaded and in-flight movies to kill time while trapped in a metal cylinder.

We got to Denver a few minutes early, having experienced turbulence as we approached the airport.  A big storm had apparently moved through the area an hour before.

This storm delayed flights and operations at DIA.  We had to sit on the parking apron of Concourse A for over an hour before our gate became available!

Finally un-assed the plane and walked to baggage claim, happy to be back in US soil in spite of weather delays.

Some more delay until we figured out our luggage was sent to different carousel, thanks DIA, for nothing.

Our ride from the airport, a dear friend of Martha, picked us up under heavy rains.  

So, we got home in 3 hrs vs the usual 1 hour, oh well.  This is the last overseas traveling we'll be doing for a long while I believe.

Thanks for following along.