Trona
Visiting Trona Pinnacles is other worldly. It is one of my favorite places to visit. I decided to let the pictures speak for themselves. The trip is a few hours out of Los Angeles. Once you get to Ridgecrest fill your gas tank and get anything you might need according to your length of stay. From Ridgecrest it is another 20 minutes to the beginning of the dirt trail in.
It can take another 20- 40 minutes on 7 miles of dirt road. Fair warning, this road is a bit daunting. However, it can be managed by regular vehicles with good tires (regular tread). I’ve seen many cars make it in, but you cannot traverse to the very back of Trona Pinnacles without a 4×4 vehicle. You don’t need to though, because the very large Pinnacles are in front as you arrive at this geological feature.
The Trona Pinnacles are off the 178, then south on Trona Rd.
Types of Tufas
Towers: rise to about 40 feet and are taller than are wide.
Tombstones: stubby and rise to about 30 feet
Ridges: massive and toothy, these tufa ridges rise to 140 feet and are 500 feet wide and 80 feet long.
Cones: small, less than 10 feet tall, coned shape, considered dumpy.
Camping at Trona Pinnacles
Trona Pinnacles is designated a National Natural Landmark. Dispersed Camping is allowed for a period of 14 days. There is one vaulted toilet. All trash needs to be packed out. There is no potable water. Do not drive off existing roads.
- Hilipert KF94 Mask
Hilipert KF94 Fish Type Face Mask Questions? Is your mask comfortable? Do you have an upgraded mask? Staying safe is an issue we all face. I came across this mask by accident. I didn’t even know its worth. I just knew, it was more comfortable than my former masks. It turns out the Hilipert KF94… Read more: Hilipert KF94 Mask - Lithium Battery price drop
Lithium Battery price drop. I have added another link for the next seller until this item is restocked, This seller is AMAZON’s choice with 5 year warranty. Link at bottom of page I keep seeing prices drop for lithium batteries. This is a new low price for a LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery at 100-amp hours with… Read more: Lithium Battery price drop - Portable Gas Generator BAN
Portable Gas Generator Ban has passed in California. Will it be illegal to run your portable generator at a campsite? Will you be able to own a portable generator at your place of residence? The California Air Resource Board (CARB) was considering a regulation to ban small off-road engines, which included portable gas generators used… Read more: Portable Gas Generator BAN - Harmony Borax Works
The Harmony Borax Works Interpretive Trail is located in Death Valley. At its full operation three tons of borax was produced per day. The Harmony Borax works employed 40 men. To transfer all this borax required a 20-mule team. The operation became famous because of the large mule teams and double wagons. - Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Furnace Creek Visitor Center features small museum and small bookstore. You can speak to rangers, pay park fees, or buy a yearly national park pass. Some exhibits include short films about Death Valley. There is a large 3D display map showing where all the popular sites and attractions are located. You can verify weather conditions… Read more: Furnace Creek Visitor Center
E-bike Classifications
This will cover ebike classifications passed recently.
What is the classification for electric bikes?
What is the three-class system?
An ebike must have pedals.
There are three e-bike classifications: Class 1, Class 2, Class 3. What are they? and what do they mean?
Class 1: pedal assist electric motor – the motor only works while you pedal. The top speed is 20 miles per hour.
TERM Pedelic: a bike that has an electric motor that assists only while pedaling.
Class 2: Top speed of 20 miles per hour, but also have throttles which allow full electric motor with no pedaling.
class 2 e-bikes can also have pedal assist and usually do.
Lastly Class 3: a bit hazy, personally. Top speed of 28 miles per hour with pedal assist. I have seen them faster than this. Class 3 is illegal in California. You cannot take them on a bike path. Some can be ridden on the road, shoulder of the road, curb to curb. There may be keys in the future to lock speed and permit these faster e-bikes on a bike trail. but, right now, technically they are not allowed on the current bike trails. There are even faster e-bikes.
So, consider these e-bike classifications and laws before buying the fastest electric bike.
My electric folding bike is considered a Class 2.
What Are Ebike ‘Classes’ and What Do They Mean? | WIRED
I would like to mention that Zion National Park has added a new bike trail. Only Class 1 e-bike can ride on this trail. It is an example of changes in the e-bike class law.
Further, e-bikes have been banned from San Clemente Trails.
Also, if your electric bike doesn’t have pedals, you will need to register it as a moped or motorbike. You will need a license to ride it on the street. It will not be allowed on bike paths. No pedals and/or over 750 watts it needs to be insured as a moped or motorcycle. If it is over 1000 watts in California it needs to be registered as a moped or motorcycle.
E-Bikes Banned From San Clemente Trails
- Hilipert KF94 MaskHilipert KF94 Fish Type Face Mask Questions? Is your mask comfortable? Do you have an upgraded mask? Staying safe is an issue we all face. I came across this mask by accident. I didn’t even know its worth. I just knew, it was more comfortable than my former masks. It turns out the Hilipert KF94… Read more: Hilipert KF94 Mask
- Lithium Battery price dropLithium Battery price drop. I have added another link for the next seller until this item is restocked, This seller is AMAZON’s choice with 5 year warranty. Link at bottom of page I keep seeing prices drop for lithium batteries. This is a new low price for a LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery at 100-amp hours with… Read more: Lithium Battery price drop
- Portable Gas Generator BANPortable Gas Generator Ban has passed in California. Will it be illegal to run your portable generator at a campsite? Will you be able to own a portable generator at your place of residence? The California Air Resource Board (CARB) was considering a regulation to ban small off-road engines, which included portable gas generators used… Read more: Portable Gas Generator BAN
- Harmony Borax WorksThe Harmony Borax Works Interpretive Trail is located in Death Valley. At its full operation three tons of borax was produced per day. The Harmony Borax works employed 40 men. To transfer all this borax required a 20-mule team. The operation became famous because of the large mule teams and double wagons.
- Furnace Creek Visitor CenterFurnace Creek Visitor Center features small museum and small bookstore. You can speak to rangers, pay park fees, or buy a yearly national park pass. Some exhibits include short films about Death Valley. There is a large 3D display map showing where all the popular sites and attractions are located. You can verify weather conditions… Read more: Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Charging your ebike
Charging your ebike off-grid
What is the easiest way or the cheapest way to charge your ebike? It is easy to charge it at home. You just plug it in. What about when you are on the road? Many are buying solar generators at 500.00 to 1,000.00 and up. I have posted a link of an inexpensive inverter that you can use in your car.
I use my solar panels when I boondock. I just plug it into my pure sine wave inverter. My solar panels do the work. Try to set up your portable solar panels, if you are going to charge your e-bike. Remember, that you are charging a battery with a battery, if you do not set up your solar panels. Let the sun do the work.
Some people just use a gas generator or plug in at RV parks with full hook ups. Also, I carry a 30 amp plug and extension, if I can, I will plug in at RV parks. Having an e-bike is becoming a part of vanlife and recreation travel.
So here it is the cheapest way. While you are driving you can use a Bestek inverter and plug it into your car, van or truck. I use a Bestek power inverter because it is an inexpensive modified sine wave inverter. The e-bike is not using complex electronics. I do have a pure sine wave inverter which I use mostly. However, you can still use a modified wave inverter for e-bikes.
Charging your e-bike may vary depending on the ebike brand. Some batteries are removable, and some are not. I don’t need to remove my battery pack. My e-bike folds in half. I place it behind my seat and plug it into the inverter. Remember, the larger the battery the longer it takes to charge. If you have a removable battery, then it may be easier to manage how and where you charge it.
I do recommend charging your battery fully. You don’t have to; however, I feel better about it. There are usually two charging cycles. The first cycle charges to 80%-90%. This is where it charges the fastest. The last 10% is usually a slower rate as it tops off the Full-Charge.
Ebike charging | Page 2 | CycleChat Cycling Forum
- Hilipert KF94 MaskHilipert KF94 Fish Type Face Mask Questions? Is your mask comfortable? Do you have an upgraded mask? Staying safe is an issue we all face. I came across this mask by accident. I didn’t even know its worth. I just knew, it was more comfortable than my former masks. It turns out the Hilipert KF94… Read more: Hilipert KF94 Mask
- Lithium Battery price dropLithium Battery price drop. I have added another link for the next seller until this item is restocked, This seller is AMAZON’s choice with 5 year warranty. Link at bottom of page I keep seeing prices drop for lithium batteries. This is a new low price for a LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery at 100-amp hours with… Read more: Lithium Battery price drop
- Portable Gas Generator BANPortable Gas Generator Ban has passed in California. Will it be illegal to run your portable generator at a campsite? Will you be able to own a portable generator at your place of residence? The California Air Resource Board (CARB) was considering a regulation to ban small off-road engines, which included portable gas generators used… Read more: Portable Gas Generator BAN
- Harmony Borax WorksThe Harmony Borax Works Interpretive Trail is located in Death Valley. At its full operation three tons of borax was produced per day. The Harmony Borax works employed 40 men. To transfer all this borax required a 20-mule team. The operation became famous because of the large mule teams and double wagons.
- Furnace Creek Visitor CenterFurnace Creek Visitor Center features small museum and small bookstore. You can speak to rangers, pay park fees, or buy a yearly national park pass. Some exhibits include short films about Death Valley. There is a large 3D display map showing where all the popular sites and attractions are located. You can verify weather conditions… Read more: Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Cargo Carrier
Cargo Carrier
Thank you for your time. I have added a folding cargo carrier to the van. The video below shows how to assemble it. I have had mine for three years and it is holding up pretty well. I put a cargo bag and a standard cargo box in the carrier. I keep wood and other essential items for camping and travel on the road. This created more room in the van because I can put more things in the carrier.
- FOLDABLE SIDE RAILS: cargo carrier hitch mount with 13.8″ side rails that are foldable to 2.8″, foldable when not in use.
- CAPACITY: 500 lb. distributed weight. Distribute the weight evenly on the platform when hauling a load to keep it balanced, or place load in the center. Hitch mounted cargo basket is ideal for traveling, camping, tailgating, and road trips.
- 2″ RECEIVER: folding cargo basket hitch mount fits 2” vehicle receivers, high folding leg for ground clearance.
- SPRING HOOKS: hitch luggage carrier with spring hook design, easy to pull and fold or open side rails.
- 1 PIECE CONSTRUCTION: strong 1 pc construction, easy assembly, Matte black powder coating finish that resists the elements, rust and scratches.
Also, the cargo bag is holding up for about 3 years. It has been on the carrier permanently, sitting outside in the wind and rain, keeping things dry.
Cargo Carrier Bag
- Constructed from PVC material with polyester reinforcement and UV coating
- Features welded seams and a heavy-duty zipper that is placed around the 3 sides of the bag
- The zipper is covered with hook loop flaps to improved water protection. Zippers come with large holes allowing use of padlocks for extra security.
- (8) 1-1/2″ wide polypropylene straps keep your bag secured to your cargo carrier.
- When in use, approximately 47″ long x 20″ wide x 20″ high with a maximum of 11 cubic feet volume capacity. Can be easily folded for compact storage.
As an Amazon affiliate, I may receive a percentage
When I’m not using it, I can fold it up.
If you wish to rent a trailer. https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/
Dog Paw Washer
Dog Paw Washer
This is a portable dog paw washer. No more paw prints in the car or on the carpet. Quick and easy to use. No hose or sprayer needed. The best price now. It is half off. limited time
About this item
- The large MudBuster is perfectly sized for large and extra-large sized dogs: it measures 8.85 inches tall and 4.75 inches wide
- To use, add a little water, insert the muddy paw, do the twist, dab the paw dry, repeat for 3 more paws
- The gentle silicone bristles will help remove dirt and mud from your dog’s paws- keeping the mess in the MudBuster and not in your house
- Keep the MudBuster handy after trips to the park, after walks or hikes, or by your back door
As an Amazon Affiliate I may receive a small percentage if purchased
https://amzn.to/48XbJ9K@vantasticodyssey.com The best paw cleaner #dogs #beach #walkingthedog
♬ Peace – Amber Echo