Propane fire pit

Back in November last year we purchased a portable propane fire pit, which we carried around in the back of our truck for several months without using it, for various reasons — mostly because we tend to go inside in evenings (remember that we’re not on vacation, but living our life on the road), and when we do sit outside, it’s usually too warm to need a fire.

But having enjoyed the wood fire in Bend, we finally got around to using our fire pit at Stub Stewart:

Here it is, with the cover on, looking a bit dusty:

Propane fire pit

Connected to the propane cylinder:

Propane fire pit

Let there be light!

Propane fire pit

A GIF of it on high:

Propane fire pit

And a GIF of it on low, with me working on my laptop next to the fire:

Propane fire pit

Another GIF, while watching YouTube videos on another day:

GIF

Lectric XP 2.0 ebikes

For several months, we had been thinking about getting bikes to aid in our RV travels. Another option to get around large campgrounds, and to explore surrounding areas.

We wanted ebikes, i.e. with a pedal assist and/or throttle motor, to make it easier to cope with hills and such.

And we didn’t want to have to deal with a bike rack, if possible, both due to being extra hassle, and more of a security risk if we’re parked somewhere with bikes on the back of our truck.

We (mainly Jenn) spent quite some time researching the options, including a spreadsheet comparing the specs for several candidate models.

Fortunately, we found the perfect bikes for us: the Lectric XP 2.0 ebikes. They are affordable folding bikes, certainly not high-end, but with enough features for our needs and experience levels. They are very popular, perhaps especially with RVers, so you may have seen them riding around.

And importantly, they fold up small enough to fit in the bed of our truck under the tonneau cover. So we can travel around with them securely out-of-sight.

Some stats: the bikes are class 2 ebikes, i.e. include pedal assist and throttle, limited to 20 MPH, though can be changed to class 1 (pedal assist only) or class 3 (up to 28 MPH) via preferences. They have a 500W (850W peak) motor, 5 levels of pedal assist, with a base range of 45 miles per charge. They have 20” wheels with 3” wide tires, front suspension, disc brakes, 7 gears, backlit LCD display, and weigh 64 lb. They are 67 x 25 x 47” when unfolded, and 37 x 18 x 28” when folded.

On with the pictures. The Lectric bikes are only sold online, so we had them shipped to our mailbox, and picked them up when in the Portland area. Here’s the carton for my bike, plus a couple of cargo packages, in the bed of our truck:

Carton in truck

Unboxing:

Carton

Bike in box

The charger and manual:

Charger and manual

Bike with packaging:

Bike with packaging

Folded bike:

Folded bike

Unfolded bike:

Unfolded bike

Unfolded bike

The display:

Display

My bike by our coach. The battery is hidden inside the frame, and can be charged inside or out of the bike. Here it’s charging inside:

Bike

A closer view of the charging port:

Charging

I installed a Lectric-branded folding lock:

Lock

The bike folded, showing the battery in its compartment on the right; it is held in place by a bolt that requires a key to unlock, for security:

Folded

The battery:

Battery

Here’s the key in the bike, plus the bike lock key and an Apple AirTag:

Keys

The bike again:

Bike

My first ride on the bike:

David on bike

David on bike

My first mile of riding on the odometer:

One mile

The folded bike on the truck tailgate:

Bike on truck tailgate

In the truck bed; on its side isn’t ideal, but I added a bunch of packaging materials from the box as padding to protect it:

Bike in truck bed

Bike in truck bed

It fits under the tonneau cover:

Bike in truck bed

I added mirrors to the handlebars:

Mirror

Mirrors

And a phone holder:

Phone holder

Also a cargo rack on the back:

Rack

It is mounted with thumb screws, so it can be easily removed when folding the bike in the back of the truck:

Thumb screw

The cargo rack was useful for taking the trash out at a campground without nearby garbage bins:

Trash

To personalize the bike a bit, I added an Apple sticker on the rear fender:

Apple sticker

And Dejal stickers on the sides:

Dejal sticker

Plus Sinclair Trails stickers:

Sinclair Trails sticker

I also added a tool bag:

Tools

We bought Sena smart helmets, that include Bluetooth audio and mesh communication, so Jenn and I can easily talk to each other while riding together, without interfering with hearing other noises around us. Very handy:

Helmet

Jenn’s bike was delivered a couple of weeks after mine. While my bike is a step-over, hers is a step-through model. Here’s her bike’s box:

Jenn's bike box

Unboxing her bike:

Bike with packaging

Bike with packaging

Bike with packaging

Partially folded bike (without the seat):

Folded bike

Folded bike

Her battery:

Battery

Like on mine, I taped an Apple AirTag to the end of the battery, so it’s hidden inside the frame and can’t be removed, which will let us locate the bike if it is ever stolen (or we just can’t remember where we parked it):

AirTag

We got the comfort seats for both bikes (though mine has only just arrived, so not shown in the pics). Here’s the comfort one and the one that came with her bike, still wrapped:

Seats

Seats

Jenn’s bike:

Bike

Jenn with her bike

As hoped (based on the measurements), both bikes do fit in the bed of our truck:

Two bikes in truck bed

Two bikes in truck bed

Two bikes in truck bed

With some room for our screen tent, rug, and other stuff:

Two bikes and other stuff in truck bed

Another addition, a compact bell on my bike:

Bell

Both bikes at a campground:

Bikes

Riding our bikes is lots of fun! We’re very happy with them.

McMenamins Roadhouse, Corvallis Meat Pie Shop, 2 Towns Ciderhouse

A few food and beverage highlights.

We took a trip to Portland to take some stuff to our storage unit, and pick up packages from our mailbox. While there, we went to a favorite restaurant, McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse in Hillsboro, Oregon:

Roadhouse

Like most McMenamins restaurants, it is housed in a historic structure, with interesting decor:

Roadhouse

A tasty burger and tots:

Burger and tots

Another day, we went to the Corvallis Meat Pie Shop, an Australian food shop:

Corvallis Meat Pie Shop

Corvallis Meat Pie Shop

Corvallis Meat Pie Shop

The owner was a bit of a character, a very talkative Aussie. Of course, he had some comments about Kiwis vs Aussies once we mentioned I’m from NZ:

Corvallis Meat Pie Shop

Very tasty meat pies and sausage rolls; such a rare treat for me in the US:

Corvallis Meat Pie Shop

Lastly, a couple of days later we went to 2 Towns Ciderhouse, our favorite cider maker:

2 Towns Ciderhouse

We got a couple of sampler flights (and some snacks as an ad hoc lunch) to try various flavors:

2 Towns Ciderhouse

2 Towns Ciderhouse

Of course, we had to stock up while there, with a case of our all-time favorite flavor, Pacific Pineapple, and some others:

2 Towns Ciderhouse

We stored them in the cooler in our RV basement:

Ciders

Tiffin rally: Tiffin models

At the Tiffin rally they had a bunch of new and used Tiffin models to tour and buy (of course). We enjoyed exploring them, though as usual came to the conclusion that other than newer years of our current model, there is no other RV we’d rather have.

But if we were to eventually go back to a sticks-and-bricks (i.e. a house), we might be interested in a class C like the Wayfarer for a vacation RV. Or maybe even a class B van for weekend trips.

Wayfarer class C:

Wayfairer

Wayfairer

Wayfairer

Cahaba class B:

Van

Van

Midas class B+:

Midas

Midas

Midas

Midas

Wayfarer class C:

Wayfairer

Wayfairer

Wayfairer

Midas

Ambition toy hauler fifth wheel:

Ambition

Ambition

Ambition

Ambition

Ambition

Beacon fifth wheel:

Beacon

Beacon

Beacon

Beacon

Vilano fifth wheel:

Vilano

Vilano

Vilano

Vilano

Vilano

Allegro Bay super C:

Allegro Bay

Allegro Bay

Allegro Bay

Allegro Bay

Allegro Bus class A:

Allegro Bus

Allegro Bus

Allegro Bus

Tiffin rally: sessions and vendors

At the Tiffin rally, I attended several sessions, and visited many of the vendor booths.

Some pics of sessions:

Session

Session

Session

Session

Session

Session

Session

They only had a couple of food carts:

Food carts

Vendor booths:

Vendors

Vendors

 Vendors

Vendors

They provided golf cart shuttles to ferry people between the campground area and session/vendors area:

Shuttle cart

Swap meet:

Swap meet

Swap meet

I did a test ride of this ebike:

Ebikes

Ebikes

Safe T Plus and Koni shocks

A while back I mentioned that we got some enhancements while at NIRVC. A couple of those were the addition of the Safe T Plus steering control system, and Koni shocks.

The Safe T Plus steering control system is a cylinder that mounts between the frame of the RV and the steering mechanism, to help smooth out wobbles in the steering due to wind and such, and help with control in the event of a tire blowout.

Our coach has independent front suspension using air bags, which gives a pretty smooth ride, but could be a bit bouncy on rough roads. The Koni shocks help to reduce that bounciness.

Here are some pictures looking under our coach; the yellow tube is the Safe T Plus, and the two red tubes are the Koni shocks:

Koni shock and Safe T Plus

Koni shock and Safe T Plus

Koni shock

Koni shock and Safe T Plus

Route 66 in Williams, AZ

Williams, Arizona is on the famous Route 66, and claims the distinction of being the last town bypassed by the I-40 freeway. It really embraces the Route 66 nostalgia. While staying there, we explored the town, and enjoyed several Route 66-themed restaurants.

Route 66 sign

An old Dairy Queen restaurant, that only opens seasonally:

An old Dairy Queen restaurant

Motel:

Motel

Route 66 sign:

Route 66 sign

Williams sign:

Williams sign

Mural:

Mural

Mountain Man Mercantile:

Mountain Man Mercantile

Old garage:

Old garage

Old garage

Old garage

Old garage

Motor hotel:

Motor hotel

Bear:

Bear

Cocktails:

Cocktails

Mural:

Mural

Gift shops:

Gifts

Gift shop

Gift shop

Cowboy

Shops

Turquoise Tepee

Mural:

Mural

Gas station museum:

Gas station museum

We had dinner at Cruiser’s Cafe 66:

Cruiser's Cafe 66

Cruiser's Cafe 66\

Cruiser's Cafe 66

Cruiser's Cafe 66

Menu

Menu

Menu

Menu

Food

David

And breakfast for lunch at Pine Country Restaurant:

Pine Country Restaurant

Pine Country Restaurant

Pine Country Restaurant

Pine Country Restaurant

Driving through Williams at night:

Williams at night

Williams at night

Williams at night

Williams at night

Williams at night

Dinner at the Route 66 Diner:

Route 66 Diner

Route 66 Diner

Route 66 Diner

Route 66 Diner

Route 66 Diner

Route 66 Diner

Menu

Menu

Menu

Route 66 Diner

Route 66 Diner

Route 66 Diner

Route 66 Diner

Malts

Food

Food

The best of Route 66:

Williams sign

3-stage water filter

Our coach has a water filter in the wet bay, to help ensure clean water:

Water filter

We recently changed the filter while sanitizing the water systems; here’s the dirty one and a clean one:

Water filters

That was actually the wrong filter, so I got the correct one:

Water filters

For drinking water, one filter doesn’t really cut it with some campground water supplies, though. So I purchased a Clearsource Ultra three-stage water filter system, with a 5 micron rust filter, a 0.5 micron bacteria filter, and a virus-guard filter:

Clearsource water filters

Our coach now has five filters between the water supply and our fridge water dispenser: those three, the aforementioned built-in filter, and the filter in the fridge.

I also bought a potable water hose to go between the tap and filters.

When first hooking up the hose and filter, I flushed them out by draining directly into the sewer:

Water filters

Then hooked them up to our coach:

Water filters

Ideally I’d like internally-mounted filters, and perhaps a water softener. One day I might arrange that, using the small bay on the other side of the coach. But for now, I’ll deal with the external filter unit; just another part of setting up at a site. Worth it for cleaner-tasting water.

Dash cover

While at the FMCA convention, one of the things we bought for our coach was a carpeted cover for our dash, from Shade Pro.

We just told the vendor our coach model and the color, and they had it ready for us the next day.

It has a grippy back, cutouts for the vents, and a separate piece for the pull-out passenger tray:

Dash cover

Dash cover

Dash cover

Grippy back

ShurGrip

Dash cover

Foldable wagon

Occasionally we need to lug a bunch of heavy or awkward things, e.g. several packages from Amazon from a campground mail room to our coach. So a recent purchase was something to help with that: a compact foldable wagon:

Cart box

It folds and collapses to a compact size, with a protective cover:

Folded

Folded

And unfolds easily, with a telescoping handle:

Unfolded

Unfolded

It doesn’t take up much room in the basement of our RV (under other stuff):

Stored

In use:

In use

In use

While we probably won’t use it very often, I expect it’ll be very handy when needed.