Zephyrs

SNU Folks,

Schedule Changes

Please note the changes in location for the October rally and the November luncheon

October rally

The rally location for Thursday October 25 – Sunday 28, 2012 has been changed to Lahonton Beach 7.

A frontal system will be moving through later this the week with snow forecast for the Austin area on Thursday. That makes driving over Bob Scott Summit an iffy situation. It also means the road to Hickison is likely to be snow covered (check the picture on the above link). It has been decided that being closer to home, at a lower elevation is a lot less risky and hopefully it will make it possible for more of you to join us for the last SNU rally of the year. This rally is also when we will be electing SNU officers for 2013.

November Luncheon

The November 17, 2012 luncheon has been changed to El Charro Avita in Carson City.

Due to several issues that cropped up with the Gold Hill hotel, including attendance guarantees and finances, it was decided to change the location of the November lunch to El Charro.

Please email the SNU or call 775 972 5011 and rsvp for the November 17 luncheon no later than November 13, 2012.

We look forward to seeing you all at the October rally at Lahonton and the November lunch at El Charro.

For the latest on the Sierra Nevada Unit, check the website homepage.

–
SNU HQ

The 2012 Recreation Partnership Conference will be at the Silver Legacy Resort in Reno on 7 November.

“Despite declining recreation budgets, a number of public agencies have been able to keep parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas open and well-maintained using public-private partnerships for park operations. At this conference, you will learn how these partnerships work and you will meet and network with leaders in both public agencies and private companies who have experience with these partnerships.”

The question at hand is how to keep public campgrounds and parks open. States threaten to close state parks due to budget constraints. Parks and recreation facilities are seen as budget drains. There is a way to turn this around that benefits both the government agencies as well as the people who use the facilities. That is what this conference is all about.

There are a lot of misperceptions regarding private management of public parks. That sort of management is not a simple task. It is a private and public partnership where expertise and experience is needed on both sides in order to do it right. You can hear about the US Forest Service (USFS) Program History, The California State Parks Initiative, Wilderness Issues and Legislation and other issues at this conference. It is intended for the professionals so the going might be a bit heavy. Thanks to Warren Meyer, ParkPPP.com and President, NFRA for providing notice of this event.

Ken sends this link from ‘down under’ by the Campervan Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA). It is about the Self-Contained RV Tourist and Economic Benefits.

“Over the past decade the Self-Contained RV Tourist market has continued to expand, and has now emerged as one of the most important and sustainable sectors of the tourism industry. It is increasingly important to effectively understand this market and its needs, and provide facilities and services that will attract this emerging tourism segment to your region.”

Facts and figures follow and they present an interesting profile of the RV experience that seems to fit with U.S. RVers as well Australian ones. Some of the facts to think about: the RV and camping industry has been growing at an annual rate of about 15% over the past seven years and that is likely to continue due to the ‘baby boom’ demographics; it is one of the most stable markets since 2000. RVer’s do spend money, need few services, and can make a significant contribution to any community that welcomes them.

In the U.S. Walmart seems to have the data presented well in hand. Others seem to have difficulty with the potential. If your community is one of those that doesn’t get the link between economic health and a friendly attitude towards the RV community, the link can help make the case for change. If your RV association is struggling, seems weak in the knees, or has lost its focus, the CMCA is providing an example to illustrate just what an RV association can do to raise the flag, find focus, and garner support and enthusiasm.

Ever wonder about that idea of ‘digging to China’ ? Free Map Tools has a map tunneling tool that will show you your antipodes on a map. For the SierraNevadaAirstreams.org territory, the antipode is in the Indian Ocean off Madagascar.

The site has a few other tools that might be fun to play with …

The Arizona Daily Sun reports on the conflict between the full timers and the badge carrying rangers in the National Forest Service.

Darrell and Rose found a camper, a van to pull it, and some solar panels for power. Now married, the Eddlemans live out of their recreational vehicle in forests around the Southwest with their dog, Freeway, and have seen a lot of the country.

They now hike and visit with other campers.

She paints.

He fishes.

“I like this lifestyle a lot,” Rose said.

Just one problem, in their view: The Kaibab National Forest doesn’t want them around and is recently stating as much.

Actually, living in the forest is illegal, say Forest Service officials, pointing to federal law.

One of the surprises was that the ranger didn’t cite staying past the 14 day limit by a day or two, he saw the Quartzite BLM LTVA sticker and decided on a residency use ticket. “Federal law prohibits building or “occupying or using a residence” on national forest land.” The ranger decided their MoHo was a residence. The implication is that any RV could be similarly categorized at any time on NFS lands.

This treatment is unfair and a form of discrimination, they say, particularly when other presumably wealthier campers with homes come and go from campers that sit for months and face no penalties.

“We’re normal people,” Dallas said. “We just live in the woods.”

Another aspect of this is the MVUM or motor vehicle use maps that the NFS publishes. You need to consult those maps to make sure that you don’t take your vehicle to where it is not allowed (anymore). It also brings to mind the land management companies comments about volunteer hosts and ‘badge and gun’ rangers in their attitude towards problems with campers.

This starts to get one thinking about Robin Hood and the Sherwood forest.

Floods happen. In Australia, February is summertime and our friends there sent pictures of the flooding at the mango farms.

See the photo gallery!

That’s a flight difference of something like a third of the circumference of the globe needing nearly 20 hours flight time from Nevada.

The news now is that Lake Tahoe is about full and won’t be rising any more this year. It was only a couple of months ago that folks were digging out from the reason why the lakes and rivers are so full now. Rich and Barbara have a good photo-essay on what they were up against last winter.

See the photo gallery!

Just a few short months .., maybe the pictures will help you feel cooler!

Popular Mechanics lists 23 Ways Your Car Is Better Than Your Dad’s – Auto Industry News – Popular Mechanics and Wired lists ten examples of Hidden Tech That Makes Modern Driving Better. A lot of these items increase comfort and reduce fatigue and are in tow vehicles as well as the everyday automobile.

Active noise canceling systems and acoustic glass help make for a quieter ride. Direct and minutely controlled fuel injection along with turbo charging systems provide more power for less engine at better fuel efficiencies. Integrated GPS is being used to determine sun angle and adjust climate control. Magnetorheological dampers adapt the suspension for driving conditions. Security is improved making vehicles a more difficult target for thieves. Sound systems make the stereo of yesteryear, even the home ones, look rather anemic and low-fi.

The reliability is also a target. Engine alternators are producing 1.6 kw and fan belt driven pumps are moving to electrical. Tires get better traction, are less prone to damage from road hazards, and last longer. Engines and drive trains often come with warranties up to five times (or more) as long as they did in the past.

They don’t build them like they used to and much of the improvement is behind the scenes and stuff we take for granted.

A couple of photographers with a pessimistic (modern) outlook on things has started 70in70. They plan to visit each of the 70 California state parks scheduled for closure to create memories of what they think will be lost to future generations.

There are other options available to California but closing public recreation and historical facilities may better suit political whims. At least there’s a new blog with lots of pictures if all you can do for now is a virtual visit.

One of the traditional indicators of spring is when Tioga pass finally clears for traffic. It looks as if it will be a bit late this year. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that not only is the pass opening going to be a bit late, the Half Dome climbers will also have to wait.

Heavy snow on Half Dome has also prevented crews from placing cables on
the mountain. The cables are used by hikers to help them climb to the
summit. Park officials say it’s unlikely the cables will be in place by
Memorial Day.

Over at Neatorama is the story about A Travel Trailer Light Enough to Be Hauled by a Mobility Scooter.

The Environmental Transport Association (UK) developed the QTvan — a travel trailer that can serve as a shelter for users of mobility scooters. It contains a bed, a 19″ television screen, and a kettle. Available options include a satellite dish, a gaming console, and a heater.

pictures and video at the link. check it out!

If you’ve got a lot invested, money or otherwise, in a 35 mm film camera and just don’t want to let it go despite no more Kodachrome processing labs and other problems, RE35 might be something to consider.

It is a digital sensor that acts like a 35 mm film canister. It has a flexible sensor that rolls out in place of film and is available in 4, 8, or 12 mp versions. Pictures are uploaded via USB cable to your computer.

The device is one of those ‘real soon now’ technology things – it might be available by next fall, maybe. Right now, the tech specs section of the website says “coming soon.” There are obviously some interesting challenges. One might be the need for film cameras to advance film to cock the camera for the next shot. Another will be cost.

But, if it all comes together, it might just put some more life into that old camera kit you used to use for travel photography.

take note, though, what was is not now on that website:

Thankyou for your interest in Re35.
Some good news:

The feedback to our “product” has truly been overwhelming. It seems Re-35 really addresses a need and people worldwide can‚t seem to wait to get their hands on our “product”.

The bad news:

Some things are to good to be true!
Re35 does not really exist. We (the design company Rogge & Pott) created Re35 as an exercise in identity-design. We invented the “product” because it was something, that we had wished for for a long time (as many others). We launched the website and sent out “press releases” on April first – thinking, that the date would make clear, that Re35 is just wishful thinking – a classic April Fools Prank! And we had to take the site down because of too much traffic.

However:

All this attention Re35 ist getting might actually be good for something. It proves, that there is a gigantic community of photographers with analog equipment out there that is desperately waiting for a product like this to come along.

We hope there are no hard feelings

The ads said they’d deliver to the Lahontan beach – it’s only 4 miles or so from the restaurant, after all. It seemed like a good idea for a pizza feed at the rally as a special event.

First in the list was to drop by the restaurant and confirm delivery to the lake and pick up a menu and a flyer with the special offers. All looked good. It was downhill from there.

A call to order the pizza (good cell phone coverage at Lahontan) placed the order and that is when we found a reluctance to deliver past the ranger station at the entrance to the state recreation area. That meant we had to wait for a call and then send someone out out to the station to pick up the order.

The second surprise was an incomplete order. The chicken wings part of the special package ordered were missing. That meant that some of those for whom pizza was not in their diet did not have an option. Paid for merchandise was not delivered. A promise was made to bring out the chicken wings, to the beach camp, the next day.

The next day, the Pizza Factory at Silver Springs was called to confirm delivery of the previous day’s shortages. OK, they’d be out to the campsite and deliver shortly. They never showed, never called,

Pizza Factory is a franchise with a corporate office in Oakhurst, CA. That has some benefits (the pizza was good!) but you have to wonder when one of the franchisees fails to delivers on promises, shorts customers, and doesn’t follow through on promised remediation.

The upshot is that anyone deciding to cap an outing at Lahontan with a pizza feed needs to consider what they will do when promises are not met, orders are not complete, and the action does not meet the talk at the Silver Springs Pizza Factory. Our experience was reminiscent of the old route 66 scams taking advantage of those passing through.

The feeling here is that you really should not have to hold a reputable retailer’s feet to the fire and cajole, threaten, or harass them to deliver what they promise and what you paid for. That does not appear to be the value system we encountered at the Silver Springs Pizza Factory.

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) says this year represents the 100th anniversary of RVing. MSNBC carries the story RV travel: 100 years and counting.

Of course, this is motorized vehicles with a focus on the recreational and avocational. More than a hundred years ago, a motor vehicle was something of an oddity to start with. What this anniversary shows, though, is that the camping spirit quickly adapted to a new technology – automobiles – to be able to take more stuff to more places with more style and comfort than ever before.

Keep an eye out for stories about this centennial. If you don’t see any, why not write one?

The Reference Frame has a good rundown on what goes on in winter temperatures with ice and snow in the post Warming induced by the latent heat of snow. If you can handle basic math, even the formulas could be interesting. The ideas apply not only to atmospheric temperature conditions when there is ice and snow but also in how you keep your RV warm and the energy budget for a hot shower.

You only need 1/2 of the water’s thermal energy to heat up the same amount (mass) of ice or snow. And melting of 1 kilogram of snow/ice into water needs as much energy as warming 80 kilograms of water or 160 kilograms of snow by 1 degree Celsius.
…
Moreover, ice is three times as good thermal conductor as liquid water (in the units of W/(m.K) – so that it enters Fourier’s law for heat conduction). So in general, I do expect that the temperature swings become much easier below the freezing point as long as there is any ice around.

One point being made is that making snow takes heat out of the water and gives it to the atmosphere. That can warm up the air where it is being frozen. The calculations indicate that 4 cm water equivalent can make something like 1C in temperature change in the atmosphere above it. That’s why wet snowstorm temperatures usually hang around freezing.

What this also means is that every inch of water equivalent snow, maybe six inches to a foot of snow, blanketing the ground warms up the atmosphere by a degree Fahrenheit when its made and cools the atmosphere by that much when it melts. Once freezing temperatures have taken hold, it is easier to get really cold because ice can only hold half as much heat as water and it conducts heat only a third as fast as water does.

The fact that ice has only a third the conductivity for heat as water plus the fact that snow tends to mix in a lot of air which has even less heat conductivity is why building a skirting for your RV with snow can help you keep down your living space heat budget inside the RV.

If you want numbers for these phenomena, check out the post. They have much to do with our climate and with the biosphere of our planet. You can find out more about the Anomalous properties of water that we depend upon for life and comfort beyond this global temperature regulation.

New research suggests Sierra Nevadas older than previously thought. 50 million years ago:

The western United States would have looked very different back then, filled with lush forests of vines and magnolias. The Pacific Ocean would have lapped the foot of the Sierras.

“The work, which was published in the journal Geology, also provides a more accurate tool for exploring the elevation of ancient landscapes.” It looked at leaves and things washed out of the mountains and figure that they “were sitting at their current height 30 million years earlier than anticipated” when it was more than ten degrees warmer.

Can you break open a rock and find 50 million year old leaves and figure out the story they tell?

Coyote Blog has Total Frustration With Arizona Parks. He runs a business of privatizing public recreation and knows how to keep state parks and similar recreation areas financially viable yet cannot convince the authorities to act on his knowledge.

Of course, I am not completely naive. I know there is a tried and true kabuki dance here where parks departments threaten to close down the Washington Monument in a bid for public sympathy that will either deflect budget cuts or spur new taxes. I also know that state parks directors have sworn a blood oath together never to let private concessionaires run whole parks, even if the parks have to be shut down

The places we like to visit in our RV’s make for good symbols because they are ‘recreational’ and, hence, luxuries that are not critical to the state and they are visible. When times are good, that is why they get a lot of extras and fancy geegaws and RV spaces with utilities and fancy trails and facilities. When times are not so good, …

The observations in the commentary are worth considering. They touch on how government and social ideology influence our access to outdoor opportunities with our RV’s.

AllStays Travel notes that California State Parks Fees Double as of 17 August 2009.

fees will increase from $10 to $21 to as much as $35, doubling in many cases. The fee increase for the parks will help keep some of the parks open but it’s said to still not be enough to keep many of them open. For non-campers, just the parking fees are going from $2 to $5. Group camps see the largest increase.

see California State Parks with Campgrounds and California State Parks Reservations and Fees.

There’s still a lot of NFS dispersed camping. In some places, back east especially, even that is getting expensive, though. Let’s hope that disease doesn’t spread each and catch on in California, too.

Just north of Lassen National Forest, just south of McArthur, and at the foot of Bald Mountain there is an old ranch. Spencer is working to make it productive again and invited the WBCCI Sierra Nevada Unit to visit and see.

See the photo gallery.

Off the beaten track under the pines with the mountain peaks in the distance … what a way to spend the weekend in northern California!

It looks like Airstream and Victorinox hook up for limited edition Swiss Army trailer. The Autoblog says they’ll make 125 of these Airstream trailers. See the link above for a PSA and photo gallery or the Airstream site for its Victorinox Special Edition Airstream.