A Road Less Traveled August 18, 2016, 01:53:58 am There are a few things we're certain about. And one of those things is DW and I will never take our LD down a road like the one featured in this YouTube video.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRlxnKpXUmQIt's actually painful to watch. 1 Likes
Re: A Road Less Traveled Reply #1 – August 18, 2016, 09:48:54 am Quote from: Traxless - August 18, 2016, 01:53:58 am DW and I will never take our LD down a road like the one featured in this YouTube video.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRlxnKpXUmQ. It's actually painful to watch.Never, ever drive the 20+ mile washboard stretch into Chaco Canyon. Don't even drive your toad. Rent a Jeep. We drove a brand new 2004 into Chaco and I was certain the mounting bolts would be shaken loose. (Credit Lazy Daze quality assembly, none were.)
Re: A Road Less Traveled Reply #2 – August 18, 2016, 12:12:47 pm Quote from: Bob Siegel - August 18, 2016, 09:48:54 amNever, ever drive the 20+ mile washboard stretch into Chaco Canyon. Don't even drive your toad. Rent a Jeep. We drove a brand new 2004 into Chaco and I was certain the mounting bolts would be shaken loose. (Credit Lazy Daze quality assembly, none were.) Disagree. When we had our '83 and it was already 23 years old, we visited Chaco. I put it in drive, and let it idle in virtually the whole way. A looooong drive, but what's the rush? At the park entrance is a very well paved road around the whole loop and up to the campground. There are no facilities other than a literature store, no food, no water except small bottles. With a well-stocked rig and a couple bikes, you can stay put for up to a couple of weeks, if you need it, before idling slowly back out.Although, of course, I wouldn't try it if the roads were reduced to the video above, I feel sorry for those who just drive in for the day. It is a long way from outside camping before you even get to the access roads, so you would end up with just a couple hours to peruse the most spectacular collection of Native American ruins and monuments in the country, as well as a world-class dark site for astronomers.Steve
Re: A Road Less Traveled Reply #3 – August 18, 2016, 12:22:24 pm Quote from: Steve - August 18, 2016, 12:12:47 pm Disagree. When we had our '83 and it was already 23 years old, we visited Chaco. I put it in drive, and let it idle in virtually the whole way. A looooong drive, but what's the rush? At the park entrance is a very well paved road around the whole loop and up to the campground. There are no facilities other than a literature store, no food, no water except small bottles. With a well-stocked rig and a couple bikes, you can stay put for up to a couple of weeks, if you need it, before idling slowly back out.Although, of course, I wouldn't try it if the roads were reduced to the video above, I feel sorry for those who just drive in for the day. It is a long way from outside camping before you even get to the access roads, so you would end up with just a couple hours to peruse the most spectacular collection of Native American ruins and monuments in the country, as well as a world-class dark site for astronomers.SteveHad a similar experience in my '85 in 2000 on a long washboard entry road to Lake Lahontan in Nevada. As Steve said, just go slow and "enjoy"? the ride!Lahontan State Recreation Area | Nevada State Parks
Re: A Road Less Traveled Reply #4 – August 18, 2016, 05:34:37 pm Quote from: Traxless - August 18, 2016, 01:53:58 amThere are a few things we're certain about. And one of those things is DW and I will never take our LD down a road like the one featured in this YouTube video.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRlxnKpXUmQIt's actually painful to watch.I actually thought the Ford handled it pretty well. Now I wouldn't want to clean it up or maybe fix the tanks....Garry 2 Likes
Re: A Road Less Traveled Reply #5 – August 18, 2016, 10:10:20 pm Quote from: Bob Siegel - August 18, 2016, 09:48:54 amNever, ever drive the 20+ mile washboard stretch into Chaco Canyon. Don't even drive your toad. Rent a Jeep. We drove a brand new 2004 into Chaco and I was certain the mounting bolts would be shaken loose. (Credit Lazy Daze quality assembly, none were.)I would disagree, Bob. Four of us caravanned to Chaco after a visit to the Alb. Balloon Festival 10 yrs or so ago, and it was a wonderful experience. We took it slowly, staying in touch via CB radio. Here's a photo of the LDs:Chris
Re: A Road Less Traveled Reply #6 – August 18, 2016, 10:32:46 pm We did a similar drive down the fairly "rustic" road to Bodie, but this was back in the 80's when we were still renting RV's. We had a 24-foot Tioga for this trip, and the only mishap was an exploded can of Hansen's soda. We aren't soda drinkers, and I thought this was more of a fruit juice, but - noooooo! There was a LOT of fizz involved. Fortunately it was inside of a cabinet, so the mess was contained, and not too difficult to clean up since I was able to get to it quickly.We're mulling over the possibility of Chaco - wanna see it, but scared of the road. Virtual hugs, Judie•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~• Quote from: Chris Horst - August 18, 2016, 10:10:20 pmI would disagree, Bob. Four of us caravanned to Chaco after a visit to the Alb. Balloon Festival 10 yrs or so ago, and it was a wonderful experience. We took it slowly, staying in touch via CB radio. Here's a photo of the LDs:Chris
Re: A Road Less Traveled Reply #7 – August 19, 2016, 10:21:06 am Quote from: Chris Horst - August 18, 2016, 10:10:20 pmI would disagree, Bob. Four of us caravanned to Chaco after a visit to the Alb. Balloon Festival 10 yrs or so ago, and it was a wonderful experience. We took it slowly, staying in touch via CB radio. Here's a photo of the LDs:Was that in '06 Chris? That was when we went in also, but just BEFORE the Fiesta. We were caravanning with friends and their SOB away from the LD encampment at the Fiesta grounds, and left the morning of the first Sunday there, after Saturday's torrential rains.Steve
Re: A Road Less Traveled Reply #8 – August 19, 2016, 10:28:07 am We live on a long washboard road and I have found that actually increasing the vehicle's speed to over 30 or 40+ mph reduces the severity of the bumping as the tires are only hitting the tops of the washboard bumps. It still vibrates a lot but the harsh bumping at low speed is greatly reduced. I used this method on two visits to Chaco in the past and it worked well. The only thing we did was drive the toad separately (at the same speed) to avoid gravel damage. I do have to be cautious about slight drifting on curves. I asked the Chaco ranger if there was ever plans to pave the access road and the response was "I hope not as the road discourages tour busses and the hoards of people they bring". The road actually helps protect the site from over use. I look forward to re-visiting Chaco in the future. Where else can one camp right next to an ancient cliff dwelling. Mike
Re: A Road Less Traveled Reply #9 – August 19, 2016, 12:40:17 pm " I would disagree, Bob. Four of us caravanned to Chaco ... "Agreed that Chaco was a spiritual experience, worth the trip no matter what. And camping overnight amid breathtakingly historic Native American ruins was wonderful. But you're a tougher man than I am Chris. 🙀 I literally feared our brand new Lazy Daze was gonna come apart over that washboard stretch. Perhaps you traversed that Road from Hell after one of those infrequent plowings to smooth it a bit.
Re: A Road Less Traveled Reply #10 – August 19, 2016, 05:57:12 pm Quote from: Steve - August 19, 2016, 10:21:06 amWas that in '06 Chris? That was when we went in also, but just BEFORE the Fiesta. We were caravanning with friends and their SOB away from the LD encampment at the Fiesta grounds, and left the morning of the first Sunday there, after Saturday's torrential rains.SteveYes, Steve, Oct. '06. What a transcendental place it was. I really want to return for another visit.Chris
Re: A Road Less Traveled Reply #11 – August 19, 2016, 08:11:39 pm Actually, missed you by a couple years, Chris. When I pulled up our '06 pics, I found myself looking at Lake Louise! New Mexico was in '08, it turns out.Steve
Re: A Road Less Traveled Reply #12 – August 23, 2016, 06:55:54 pm Very cool recollections of Lazy Daze off pavement. This is encouraging!Closer to pulling the trigger.Harold
Re: A Road Less Traveled Reply #13 – August 24, 2016, 12:54:14 am Chaco is a place that must be visited to understand. It is a unique experience enhanced by the terrible road. It keeps the masses out.The day the entrance road is smoothed and paved will be the end of the experience. It will be overrun with tourist buses.Interestingly, the main roads inside the park are paved.Larry
Topic: A Road Less Traveled (Read 463 times)
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Topic: A Road Less Traveled (Read 463 times)
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