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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Holy Smoke! Is That A Volcano?

We're getting really good at this full time lifestyle.  Or maybe we're getting really bad.  We left last night's campground about 11 am today.  We were lucky we got away that early.  Why?  I had an almost disaster (again) with the sewer hose while dumping the black tank. :cO

No, my shoes did not squish as I walked like the hosing I got last April.  This time I deftly danced around the spewing hose and closed the valve before I painted myself with...well you know.

The campground sewer connection was not threaded like most connections are.  I had the hose stuck tightly in the opening and even had a handy, nearby rock on top of it holding it down.  Pulling the handle gave the usual "whoosh" and then the hose end popped out and the sewage started gushing on the ground.  This time, thank goodness and my lighting fast reflexes, okay, my hand was still on the valve handle, I was able to slam it shut with only about a gallon spilling on the ground.  Yes, I was very lucky.  Very, very lucky.

Even a greater stroke of luck was in my corner.  The pad site where we were was gravel.  A quick hosing down of the area and it was clean as a whistle, and fortunately for me, there were no "things" to have to pick up.

We headed down the interstate towards California, low clouds still covering the mountains.


Crossing into California, we pulled in to a viewing stop.


Mount Shasta, a real volcano.  You don't get to see things like this on the East coast.

We pushed on a bit further and stopped at a campground in Weed, CA.  We wondered if the town got its name from that medicinal plant that is sold out here.

175 miles, not a bad days drive and another Passport America campground, $22/night.  So far, our PPA membership not only has paid for itself but is now is "making" us money, it is helping us keep to our budget for campsites at $25 or less per night.  We're happy campers.

Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.


20 comments:

  1. I know you have to get going, but we loved that area so much, we stayed 10-12 days at the free campground on Lake Shastina. Did you at least go to the Weed Store where they predictably sell t-shirts saying 'I love Weed.'

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  2. Oooh, Mt Shasta. I lost a pair of my parents' binoculars there when I was younger. Did you find them? :-)

    Northern CA..you will love the scenery! I hope you aren't going too fast to see it!!

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  3. What beautiful scenery.

    Glad to hear your sewer disaster was fairly minor. We have just been talking that maybe it would be a good idea to pick up a spare sewer hose...just in case.

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  4. good job adverting what could have been a disaster...great looking scenery...we are also PA members...and we also carry a spare sewer hose..just in case...have a super week drive safe..

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  5. Beautiful area. I pull the lever and quickly move over and put my foot on the connection. I have had a couple of close calls in the past. Enjoy the drive.

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  6. Next time you're at a RV place pick up a foam sewer donut. If you can't screw the hose end into the opening then you use the donut, stick it in the opening then the hose end is forced into the donut. Holds the hose in tight and seals it air tight so no odors.

    http://www.campingworld.com/search/index.cfm?Ntt=sewer+donut&N=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=primary&Nty=1&Ntpc=1

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  7. What a beautiful view of Mt. Shasta especially since that snow is on the mountain and not on the road this time of year.

    Yes, we definitely can swap some poopy stories with you when we've accidentally left the valve open.

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  8. Glad to hear your close call was a small one.

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  9. life is an adventure that is for sure!!..enjoy the view out the windshield!!

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  10. Glad luck was on your side. Slowing down the pace and a little rest was good for the reflexes. Hard to believe how little snow is on Shasta for this time of year. Won't be long now before you will be pulling out the shorts and flip flops.

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  11. Your writing does make me giggle! Nice save. The scenery is beautiful!
    Syl

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  12. Maybe you should audition for the next RV movie:) When there is only a pressure fitting on the hose connection, I always have the boss pull the handle and I hold the hose tight into the connection.

    So far my only dump excitement comes from the unexpected failure of the hose. These can really catch you my surprise, as well. One that sticks in my mind was when, unknown to me, the ace kid who weed whacks the sites did my new hose as well. Surprise at the failure of this new hose made me a bit slow in getting to the valve:(

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  13. Whew! close call!!!! once the band slipped on our hose, and Steveio ended up throwing away his shoes AND socks after cleaning up. Weren't no way no how those shoes were coming back into MY rig!

    He even had to hose off his feet with the cold water at the dump station. brrrrrr

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

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  14. I think you've been talking to Robin Williams. I wouldn't. He gives poopy advise :)

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  15. Congratulations on your first view of "the Mountain", with no cloud cover. We love that view so much that we choose to live within sight of Shasta. There are amazing volcanoes all around us, great hiking and gorgeous views. Don't forget to stop in and visit whenever you are back on the other side of Shasta near Highway 97.

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  16. Yep, sounds as if you are getting the hang of it alright.

    We don't put everyone who comes to DPS to work just the chosen few. We looked after Bill and Margarets campground for them when we were in the Dease Lake area so I guess they felt beholden. And I actually had planned to help but it just didn't work out!

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  17. That really is a great pic of Mount Shasta. And you are being initiated very well into the dumping aspects of life. Be safe out there.

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  18. HAD to go back & read the April incident. I am SO careful doing that as i am sure i am going to get some dread disease! Did have an issue the 1st time i went out as the coupling inside the rv seemed to hold some residue for me. Oooo i scrubbed and scrubbed my feet & legs, had on flip flops!! It is soo gross :)

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  19. Coulda been worse - glad it wasn't.

    Passport America is one we didn't sign up for but hearing all the good places you are finding to stay has made me rethink that decision. It sounds like a great membership to have.

    You sound so happy! Stay safe and hope you get to some short pants and t-shirt weather soon.

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  20. Catching up on blogs. Glad you were able to avoid another squishy shoe incident. I'm still cracking up over that one!

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