L.A. One Agenda Item

Above, at the Barstow Tommy's last December.

If I go (chances are I will) to this year's multi-class reunion for those of us from Hawthorne High School in September, there's definitely one thing on the agenda: have a Tommy Burger from Original Tommy's.

I last ate at Tommy's last December as I was driving my ex-roommate Jessica to California from Iowa. We stayed one night in Needles, but we stopped at Tommy's in Barstow before proceeding on to Orange County. 

There, we had breakfast sandwiches. This was the first time Jessica had anything from Tommy's. She liked it. 

I'll have to arrange with friends to go to Tommy's (somewhere) while I am in L.A. 

Calico Ghost Town

Above, the Calico bottle house. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The route between Los Angeles to Las Vegas will take travelers through the Mojave Desert along Interstate 15.

Along the way, just past Barstow, is Calico Ghost Town. 

Calico is a former silver mining town that still mines, only in tourist dollars these days. If one is a fan of old mining towns or of the old west, Calico is a fun place to visit. I visited and camped there in the late 1980s during a Boy Scout camporee.

Above, the Calico & Odessa Railroad. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Travel posted an article, "Camp with the ghosts at this famous California ghost town."

It begins with:

If you happen to RV through Southern California, have a penchant for history, and love ghost towns, Calico Ghost Town should be on your travel plans.

Nestled in the Mojave Desert, this once-bustling mining town offers a unique blend of Old West charm and modern amenities. It’s a perfect stop for RVers.

A brief history

Back in 1881, Calico sprang to life during the silver rush, quickly growing into a lively community. At its peak, the town boasted a population of around 3,500 residents. This included folks from China, England, Ireland, Greece, France, the Netherlands, and various parts of the U.S.

Over a span of 12 years, Calico’s mines yielded more than $20 million worth of silver ore. However, as silver prices plummeted in the late 1890s, the town’s fortune dwindled, and by 1907, it was largely abandoned.

There is a handy campground at Calico with all the necessary hookups.

To read the full article, go here.

RV Wind Protection

Above, at camp in Barstow, California in 2017 before the winds kicked up. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Camping or driving in windy conditions is no fun. The worst I experienced was in 2017 in Barstow, California during a clamp-out. The winds got to bad it ripped up awnings, blew tents like tumbleweeds and kicked up dust. I remember it as I was just getting over bronchitis at time.

There are things one can do to minimize the misery of camping and driving in windy conditions. RV Life has posted some "tips and tricks" for smoother travels.

They begin with:

You never know what kind of weather you might run into during your RV travels. Storms are a bit easier to predict, but wind can spring up when you least expect it! But as a general rule, fall and winter tend to have more extreme weather. It can be a real hassle to protect your RV and your campsite from the wind, but there are always some things you can try. Let’s talk about wind protection and how you can stay safe in the campground and on the road!

In most cases, wind is just an annoyance. Nobody likes to deal with gusts of air ruining their hair, blowing smoke in their face, or lifting camp chairs off the ground. But there are some circumstances where windstorms become downright dangerous. It’s rare to see gusts that are strong enough to rock or tip your vehicle, but it’s always a possibility.

Being proactive against wind can make a huge difference during your next trip. You can have an infinitely better experience by tweaking a few habits and being especially careful while you’re driving. Selecting the right campground and site can also make a windy day more bearable. Read on to hear our best tips and tricks for RV wind protection this fall.

To read more, go here. 

RVs Are More Popular Than Ever

Above, the Billy Holcomb ECV Spring clampout "RV city" near Barstow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

About 9-10 years ago, I hardly saw any RVs on the road.

Today, it is  a different story.

According to CBS Tampa:

CBS Local — In the digital era with social media, online shopping and, eventually, driver-less cars, recreational vehicles (RVs) are surprisingly more popular than ever.

RV sales, which include any type of trailer and motorhome, are now at never-before-seen record levels, and their buyers are getting younger, CNNMoney reported.

About 430,000 RVs of all kinds were sold last year, marking a 15 percent increase from the previous year, according to the RV Industry Association. Sales have been steadily rising each year following a one-year decline in 2009, which has been attributed to the 2008 financial crisis.

To read more, go here.

Washed The Beast

Above, The Beast at the car wash. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is amazing how dirty vehicles get just sitting for a little over a month in a parking spot.

That was the case with The Beast as I just got back from taking it to get fuel and a wash. I hadn't driven it since getting back last month from the car wash after the Billy Holcomb Chapter's clampout in the Barstow area.

Although it is nice that there's shade trees where The Beast is parked, they also drip sap, leaves and bird crap.

I will be taking it to my cousin's early next month and will stop at a truck wash in Norco to wash the roof. RV roofs should be cleaned at least twice a year.

The Beast dried quickly as the temperatures in the San Fernando Valley have been going up. It is already in the 80s.

Preparing A RV For Holiday Travel

Above, The Beast's "maiden voyage" of the season was at the Platrix clampout in the Tehachapi area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Have you ever taken a trip somewhere when a minor part's failure led to a near-catastrophic disaster?

By checking your RV before heading out on the road for the Memorial Day weekend, you may want to read an article from ABC 12 and take heed.

They wrote:

CLIO (WJRT) - (05/24/17) - This weekend kicks off the season where you'll probably be seeing a lot more of these things on the roadways. If you're one of the many getting ready to head out this weekend, you're probably wondering, how do I get my RV ready for it's maiden voyage of the year?' 

According to experts at Tradewinds RV in Clio, It usually just slips peoples minds.

My RV's "maiden voyages" have already been taken care of when I went camping in Tehachapi last month and near Barstow a week later.

To read more, go here. 

Beast Cleaning Done

Above, the cab. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As planned, I completed the cleaning of The Beast yesterday.

The bathroom, galley and other places inside the house portion of the motorhome needed cleaning as a fine layer of dust and sand from the Billy Holcomb Chapter clampout managed to get in.

Above, the dinette area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the bathroom. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The exterior and the front cab area were cleaned at the coin-operated car wash and the living areas of the interior were cleaned at home. 

After all was completed, I rewarded myself with a cup of...coffee!

Cleaner Beast

Above, The Beast at the home base. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After a few weeks of regular in-town driving (while the Mustang was in the body shop) and two clampouts, The Beast is now clean, except for some minor dusting, bathroom cleaning and floor mopping that remains to be done.

I took it to the usual coin-operated car wash today and gave the exterior a good cleaning and vacuumed and cleaned the front cab area.

The most dirt came from the Billy Holcomb clampout in the Barstow area. The winds were gusting during the three days there and dust and sand got inside, leaving a light coating on just about everything despite keeping the windows shut.

The remainder of the cleaning work will probably be tackled tomorrow.

Billy Holcomb Chapter, ECV Spring Clampout

Above, a clamper bar made from a military vehicle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Spring Clampout of the Billy Holcomb Chapter of E Clampus Vitus is now history.

It was an enjoyable clampout, except when the desert winds in the Barstow area kicked up to around 50 m.p.h. and blowing sand, awnings, lightweight tables and other things around.

Friday was the warmest day of the three-day clampout. It was around 95 degrees. On Saturday, the temperatures hovered around the 70s and down to the 60s today.

As I am getting over bronchitis, I spent much of my time in The Beast so that I didn't have addtitional breathing problems with blowing sand and dust. I made it through.

Above, an early Platrix ECV plaque at
Calico Ghost Town. Photo by Glenn Thornhill.

On Friday, it was generally a laid-back day with the highlights being the Greybeards' (or Humbugs') Dinner and live entertainment later by "The Honey Buckets", a bluegrass band. They were pretty good. The Greybeards' Dinner consisted of shrimp cocktail, steak, chili, corn on the cob and other fixin's.

Saturday consisted of cooler temperatures and more wind but we were entertained by the P.B.C. interrogation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner (more steak) was served Saturday before the night's big event: the final initiation rites.

XSNGH Glenn Thornhill took an excursion to nearby Calico Ghost Town to photograph an early Platrix plaque (1936) after Saturday's breakfast.

Sunday consisted of a pancake breakfast before everyone broke camp to attend the monument dedication in Barstow at the Route 66 Mother Road Museum and Amtrak Railroad Museum.

Despite the winds, it was a good clampout and I was able to see some guys for the first time in ten years.

More photos:

Above, our camp just when the winds began to kick up. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, XSNGH Glenn Thornhill at the Greybeards' Dinner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Greybeards' Dinner. The CHP officer at right was a guest. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly at the Greybeards' Dinner. Photo by Glenn Thornhill.

Above, Friday night's entertainment. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Gary Julian and an interesting fire container. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, another view of the clamper bar built from a military vehicle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, one of the decorations of the clamper bar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a vintage truck. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the cook crew getting Saturday's breakfast ready. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, ex Sublime Noble Grand Humbugs Glenn Thornhill and Sid Blumner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the area to be used for the Hall of Comparative Ovations Saturday night. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, there were tents and RVs of every size and description at the clampout. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the monument that was dedicated today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the monument's text. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, The Beast at the Route 66 Mother Road Museum and Amtrak Railroad Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, heading back to L.A., I did some driving on old Route 66 before getting on Interstate 15. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Makin' Clampin' Great Again!

Tomorrow morning, we will be heading to the desert.

The regimen of antibiotics for the bronchitis is over, but I am still taking medication (Montelukast and Promethazine) for it. I am feeling much better with fewer coughing attacks and less congestion.

Hopefully, this will mean a more enjoyable time at this weekend's clampout with the boys of Billy Holcomb in the Calico-Barstow area. Not that last weekend's clampout with Platrix wasn't enjoyable, it was. But I spent more time napping than actually enjoying the socializing. I actually overslept on the last morning of the clampout. That had never happened before.

The dry desert climate this weekend should help some. Hopefully, I'll be back to normal next week.

Ready For Barstow

Above, Malibu Creek State Park today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In preparation for this weekend's clampout with the Billy Holcomb Chapter of E Clampus Vitus, I headed off to Malibu Creek State Park to use their dump station to empty the holding tanks and their drinking water facility to fill up the fresh water tank. They didn't charge me today!

Above, filling the water tank. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We will be in the Barstow-Calico area this weekend, which will be interesting.

In checking the weather for the Barstow area, tomorrow will be 95 degrees. but the temperature will drop down to 75 on Saturday and 63 on Sunday with a 30% chance of rain. Go figure!

Billy Holcomb Chapter, ECV Spring Clampout

Next week's Spring Clampout of the Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069 of E Clampus Vitus looks to be an interesting one, particularly the plaque/monument dedication.

To The Doctor's, Etc.

Above, back at the Keene Ranch near Tehachapi tomorrow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For the first time in ages, I will be in a doctor's office for myself. For the past few years, I have been in medical offices for others.

For the past two weeks, I have been plagued by congestion and a cough. At first, I thought it was my usual allergies, but it was more than that. It affected my sleep. I would average about three hours of sleep in the beginning. As far as I know, I didn't catch a cold. I tried Mucinex nighttime formula, but that didn't help. I tried a humidifier, that only made the congestion worse. Then, I went with NyQuil and that worked in getting me a full night's sleep. I actually slept 12 hours one night.

I decided that I've had enough so I am going to the doctor this afternoon to see if there's something that can knock it off. Since I have medical coverage, I may as well use it. I am hoping that it is something like bronchitis, which I know will resolve itself.

Tomorrow, Glenn Thornhill and I will be headed to the Platrix clampout at the Keene Ranch near the Tehachapi Loop for the weekend. Maybe some fresh mountain air will be some help.

Yesterday, Glenn and I mailed in our fees for the Billy Holcomb Chapter clampout that will take place the following weekend out near the Calico Ghost Town and Barstow.  So, we'll be camping out two weekends in a row. Nice way to start this year's camping season.

I hadn't been to Calico since the early 1990s when I attended a Boy Scout camporee. That was fun. I had a tent trailer at the time.

This will be the first Billy Holcomb clampout for me since 2007.

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UPDATE (4/27/17):

I like my new doctor, Dr. Nguyen. He gave me a full exam and found that I have bronchitis.

At first, he gave me a scare as he was listening to my chest, He said he was hearing "something suspicious", which makes all kinds of things go through your mind.

The longest part was getting permission from the insurance people for a chest x-ray. Once permission was given, we proceeded to the x-ray room. As my mind was still on what he said, I didn't think to empty my shirt pocket.

After the x-ray was done, we went to his office to see the result. He said, "I see what the problem is, you have a cell phone in your chest!" So we re-shot the x-ray.

Nice to have a doctor with a sense of humor. A "Nguyen-Nguyen" in my book. (In case you don't get it, Nguyen is pronounced "win".)