Recent content by paulj

  1. paulj

    Small Dutch Oven?

    I have the small Lodge dutch oven, but haven't used it much since I bought a 10" GSI hard anodized aluminum DO. This size does not have legs, instead I use a 3 leg stand from GSI when working the coals. Volume is about 3 quarts, a little wider and larger than the Lodge, but without the legs...
  2. paulj

    Creating a Cross Canada Overland Route

    On two trips I poked around the Fraser River between Lillooet and the Big Bar ferry. On one trip I crossed the Pavillion Hills and then took the High Bar road into the canyon This was a half dozen switchbacks with 24+% grade. Without low range, I could smell my brakes getting hot (it may have...
  3. paulj

    Trying out our new kitchen/sleeping unit. Trip in the mountains and over to Penticton

    The arch bridge is in Manning PP, Lighting Lake, right?
  4. paulj

    Driving from BC to AZ with 3 kids and a big dog in a very slow truck

    I've crossed the US93 pass, and driven a short ways on 43 toward Wisdom. That would be a suitable route. 43 pass the Big Hole historic battle field. There are numerous BLM riverside campgrounds along the Salmon River from US93 north of Salmon on south to Challis. In Challis you can also pick...
  5. paulj

    Driving from BC to AZ with 3 kids and a big dog in a very slow truck

    Since you are coming north through central Oregon, the milk shakes at the gas station in Fields (on the way to Steens Mtn) have a high reputation. Of course their gas prices are high as well. ID/MT 200 is a good alternative to I90 at least from Sandpoint to Missoula. I wouldn't call it a...
  6. paulj

    Yipao, the working Jeep of Colombia

    So these weren't just army surplus items. Local production would explain why they are abundant in one country, but not the neighbor. The Isuzu Trooper was being assembled in Ecuador under the chevy label years before it was imported into the USA.
  7. paulj

    Yipao, the working Jeep of Colombia

    My memory from the 1960s in neighboring Ecuador was that the Series Land Rover was more common than the Jeep.
  8. paulj

    Bear Grylls Survival Series Fire Starter

    Or the Light my fire Swedish Firesteel which has been on the market for years
  9. paulj

    Leslie Gulch May 2011

    After visiting you in May 2007 we drove into this area. We set up camp at the campground closest to the boat launch, and prepared supper during a thunderstorm. Fortunately the campground has sun shelters. After the storm passed I was able to take this photo of one of the nearby rock...
  10. paulj

    water power for USB devices

    Saying this is 'water powered' is a bit misleading. Yes, the hydrogen comes from water, but in the process sodium silicide is converted to sodium silicate. How often does the silicide cartridge need to be replaced? At what cost...
  11. paulj

    Astro 4.3L Reliability

    I had a 1988 S10 with the 4.3L (1st year it was put in the S10). My son now has the truck, with something like 180K miles on it. Overall the engine has given us few problems. Things that I recall dealing with include: - water pump, alternator, starter have been replaced (2 or 3 times for the...
  12. paulj

    New cell phone - Virgin Mobile?

    I was with Verizon for several years, and then switched to Virgin because my use was so light. I've only bought their low end phones, costing $0-$10, and am currently on the automatic top up with $15 plan when balance drops near 0. There are a few downsides. Reception at home is poorer than...
  13. paulj

    Washington Backcountry Discovery route (WABDR)

    That's a nice account of driving in this area. It gives a good sense of how the route was chosen, and how many choices there are along the way. Note that in a number of cases he had to detour or backtrack due to maintenance or fire fighting. In other cases he chose a route just because he...
  14. paulj

    Washington Backcountry Discovery route (WABDR)

    I think this tries to stay in the mountains as much as possible, or shall we say the ridges to the west of the Columbia River. Most of the features you mention are on the east side. There are plenty of gravel roads on the east side, but they run past ranches. I have driven, for example, south...
  15. paulj

    Washington Backcountry Discovery route (WABDR)

    WSDOT will be starting to clear hwy 20 (North Cascades Hwy) later than normal due to deep snow and avalanche danger. Right now they are coping with avalanches on Stevens Pass (US2) http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/03/30SR20ReopeningStarts411.htm for the more southerly Chinook Pass...
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