Hobby Thread - November 15, 2025 [Mobile Rex]

20170126-2017-01-19 -- Yosemite Falls.jpg

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. A spin of the Ace of Spades Wheel of Hobbies (TM) landed on RV life.

Are you thinking "I don't like the great outdoors and I don't have an RV, but I am curious how others do it. I'm eager to learn more. I can't wait to get into the content!" I knew it. Enjoy.

[Top photo: Yosemite Falls from tankascribe ]

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What are you hobbying?

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. All (legal) hobbying is welcome. However, politics, current events and religious debates can live in threads elsewhere. Pants are optional. Puns are welcome and encouraged but don't get your nuts cracked.

Play nice. Don't be a troll and do not feed the trolls.

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This theme started as a combination of camping and RV traveling. Your humble correspondent enjoys the treat outdoors but neither camps or travels in an RV. I know enough to be dangerous, but wouldn't call either a personal hobby.

Given the lack of knowledge, I consulted the interweb. It became clear very quickly that camping and RV life are two different things. After consulting the Wheel of Hobbies, the decision was made to focus on RV life for this post. We'll do a separate camping focused theme in the future.

I was also blown away by the magnitude of blogs and social media videos there are from people attempting to live a mobile life and support themselves through online platforms. There are SO MANY. I don't know which are credible or worthy of Hobby Thread content, so I've made a good faith effort to pick a few.

In the same vein, most of the RV material on the interweb is from people devoted to full time RV life (as opposed to weekend or holiday outings). I'm sure they are out there, but the part timers seem to get lost in the noise of those who are living on the road full time.

There are a number of other RV people that use RVs to support other activities. They are a means to an end. They tow the horse trailer and provide a place to stay during a weekend event. Same for cars or motorcycles. RVs are a portable living room and there are many different designs for different needs.

With all that as context, looking for help in the gray boxes to help on this one on RV life.

Are you an RV family? What do you have? How often do you take it on the road? Are you living on the road or have you lived out of an RV full time? Lessons learned? Tips for those considering getting into it? Best trips? Horror stories?

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Tackling the logistics:

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If you don't know what you don't know, how do you know if you're doing it right?

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Oh the glamor and excitement of living on the road!

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Planning to retire and take up full RV life on the road? Be informed about the costs and logistics implications. Here are a few things to consider: 15 Reasons You'll Regret an RV in Retirement

As you might imagine, this article riled up the RV community and there are many posts that take issue with the "clickbait" headline and content. One thing I've learned in the prep for this post is that the full time RV community fiercely defends the RV life.

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Motorhome testing. Not Consumer Reports.

Fancy an English campervan holiday?

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What is "workamping"? Full time RV people that work part-time or full-time. Some roles earn money but others are trade for an RV spot and hookup. Knew it existed but never knew it had a name.

Top five questions about workamping answered

What kind of jobs? Think of jobs that are seasonal or periodic. Think of jobs that involve taking tickets, staffing a visitor center or a front desk, cleaning up or setting up, etc. Campgrounds and RV Parks, Theme Parks/Amusement Parks/Tourist Attractions/Circuses/Carnivals, Dude Ranches/Outdoor Outfitters/Lodges/Cabins/Motels/Retreats, Motorsports, etc. More here.

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Because when you think of the Hobby Thread, you think of financial advice. Also a reminder of the perils of turning your hobby into a business.

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Utah is amazing. This video has RV/camping tips for Utah, but also a lot of pretty pictures of beautiful places. Good people if you where to find them. You know who you are.

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Sometimes it is a about the journey. Sometimes the journey takes you somewhere worthwhile. If not for things like this, RV life would just be about driving in circles.

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We did a fall food theme. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

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Notable comments from last week:

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

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If you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, contribute something from your personal hobbying. We will feature a different theme next time. What are you hobbying? We love showing off Horde hobbying. Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Do mighty things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Tent camping count?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 15, 2025 05:31 PM (uQesX)

2 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at November 15, 2025 05:31 PM (+qU29)

3 I mean, you gotta get there somehow.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 15, 2025 05:32 PM (uQesX)

4 I've noticed that tent campgrounds seem to be disappearing and being replaced by rv campgrounds.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 15, 2025 05:32 PM (uQesX)

5 Spent my childhood camping, yet as a adult backpacking a few times has been all and that not for a couple decade's

Posted by: Skip at November 15, 2025 05:33 PM (+qU29)

6 A sailboat is just an RV on the water.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 15, 2025 05:34 PM (mT+6a)

7 My favorite part of growing up was camping in our little Starcraft pop-up along Pine Creek in northern PA.

Posted by: PA Dutchman at November 15, 2025 05:34 PM (31p00)

8 I'll never have enough money to buy an rv. Even an old Ford Econline at this point. You could probably make a pretty good knockaround camper with it, but you'd need a place to do your business nearby.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 15, 2025 05:35 PM (uQesX)

9 THE HILLS HAVE EYES

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at November 15, 2025 05:37 PM (7IOOv)

10 Most of childhood camping as in a pop up, only last few years my parents bought a small hard top camper.
But that got us to tour the eastern states

Posted by: Skip at November 15, 2025 05:40 PM (+qU29)

11 THE HILLS HAVE EYES
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at November 15, 2025 05:37 PM (7IOOv)

WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 15, 2025 05:42 PM (uQesX)

12 The problem with RVs is they break down. It adds costs to your budget and can screw up a long-planned trip. (Had friends spend two weeks in Chadron, NE wating for a part.

Posted by: RS at November 15, 2025 05:43 PM (SuU/K)

13 I believe there is a deal out there with TPWD where if you work for them as a park ranger/tour guide, or assist park rangers, they’ll let you stay at an RV site for free.

Posted by: Cow Demon at November 15, 2025 05:44 PM (vwL3N)

14 8 I'll never have enough money to buy an rv. Even an old Ford Econline at this point. You could probably make a pretty good knockaround camper with it, but you'd need a place to do your business nearby.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 15, 2025 05:35 PM (uQesX)

Go to an RV place with a bathroom. Many have shower stalls and places to do your business.

Posted by: Cow Demon at November 15, 2025 05:45 PM (vwL3N)

15 I had a supervisor who came from India, the southern part. He came here and became a pastor in upstate NY . His parishioner invited him to go ice fishing. His reaction to the experience was somewhat restrained "I am from Southern India.. We do not have ice in Southern India. I hope not to go ice fishing again. " I think that was his way of saying he froze his backside off.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 15, 2025 05:45 PM (rZCVI)

16 I made a road trip to get to the MoMe. About half of it was hotels, and for seven nights I slept in my SUV.

I used the HipCamp phone app to decide where to stay. I would search the area I expected to be about the time of Sundown and filter for two attributes: showers and Wifi.

It worked great. The best were the farms. Quiet and I had it pretty much to myself. Spent about 30 bucks a night.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at November 15, 2025 05:47 PM (XQo4F)

17 Having lots of fun with my radios, electronics, computers, and studying. Spending far too much money on them this year. I didn't spend any last year; now the pent-up demand has been unwisely unleashed

Got a good eBay deal on some old used vacuum caps for my loop antenna builds. Cheap lot of five as-is, and they all test good! Plus the guy bit on my lowball offer, so that worked out very well.

Bought a drill press Thursday. How I got to this age and never owned a drill press before, I can't explain.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 05:49 PM (4kcNT)

18 What is TPWD? My cousins who live in Minneapolis have spending winters as camp volunteers for 10-15 years. They went to various places but fell in love with a park near San Antonio and have been going there every year for the last 5 years or so. She would research mostly state parks that offered the free stay option.

Posted by: PaleRider at November 15, 2025 05:51 PM (/jn/s)

19 17 Bought a drill press Thursday. How I got to this age and never owned a drill press before, I can't explain.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 05:49 PM
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Congrats! Foundational machinery for any shop or garage.

Posted by: TRex - drill press dino at November 15, 2025 05:52 PM (IQ6Gq)

20 I used to do a whole bunch of hiking and exploring in remote places, but never was big on camping. Just doesn't trip my trigger.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 05:53 PM (4kcNT)

21 My wife and I have been RV living for three years now. Like many in the Life, we did it after retirement. We live and travel in a 24-foot motor coach (Class C RV mounted on a Dodge Ram 3500 chassis by Winnebago), and we’ve been surprised by how much we’re *NOT* at each other’s throats in such small quarters. It’s a comfortable, mostly sedentary lifestyle for us, punctuated by periodic relocations for changes of scenery.

We’ve tried to do the snowbird thing — New Mexico/Arizona/Nevada last winter, Georgia/Alabama the winter before — but periodically return to our ‘home’ state for medical appointments and family stuff, and usually wind up having to stay longer than we would prefer. Even so, that’s the basic plan we follow to the extent we can.

I’m past 70 now, and she’s getting there, and we’ll probably opt out sooner or later to be closer to our grandchildren overseas. Meanwhile, however, we *MAY* be getting ready (in the Spring) to aim for one of the big dreams of the Life: driving to — and RV touring — Alaska.

(We’re also checking out the possibility of attending next year’s Texas MoMe. Wait and see on both.)

Posted by: SKT at November 15, 2025 05:54 PM (QvxSQ)

22 15 "I am from Southern India.. We do not have ice in Southern India. I hope not to go ice fishing again. " I think that was his way of saying he froze his backside off.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 15, 2025 05:45 PM
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Seems like one of those activities that either resonates with you or you think is nuts.

Posted by: TRex - chilly dino at November 15, 2025 05:54 PM (IQ6Gq)

23 Go to an RV place with a bathroom. Many have shower stalls and places to do your business.
Posted by: Cow Demon at November 15, 2025 05:45 PM (vwL3N)

Oh, of course. I'd prefer primitive camping though. There is a trade off. No services vs hookups. But, being away from close neighbors vs constant generator sounds...

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 15, 2025 05:55 PM (uQesX)

24 RVs are better in theory than in practice.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at November 15, 2025 05:57 PM (A0sqA)

25 20 I used to do a whole bunch of hiking and exploring in remote places, but never was big on camping.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 05:53 PM
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The rise of YouTube has spawned a sub-genre of people that take their camera and drone and head for the less traveled places to explore. Kind of neat to see places I wouldn't have gotten to and seen myself (and likely won't). I can't imagine being that far out in the middle of nowhere by myself though.

Unfortunately, the dopamine hit of social media and clickbait encourages people to take more and more risks.

Posted by: TRex - discovery dino at November 15, 2025 05:58 PM (IQ6Gq)

26 19 I worked as a machinist in a job shop in the 1970s. I set up and operated mills, lathes, grinders, boring bar, and a bunch of different drill presses: radial, turret, and plain-old-but-BIG drills. I sure do wish I had access to that stuff now. Actually, if I still had a good back, I'd find a job doing it again.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 05:58 PM (4kcNT)

27 No RV but I have a big trailer for horse camping that has a small LQ area which is awesome. Bed, stovetop, mine fridge furnace and toilet. I could live fine without a stovetop or the fridge but the bed, furnace, and using the toilet without having to go outside are luxuries I'd hate to give up.

Posted by: PaleRider at November 15, 2025 05:58 PM (/jn/s)

28 Seems like one of those activities that either resonates with you or you think is nuts.

Well, it surely didn't resonate with him😉

I think I would like it ,but I prefer heat to cold and I enjoyed regular fresh water fishing with my dad.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 15, 2025 05:59 PM (PFs9e)

29 Go to an RV place with a bathroom. Many have shower stalls and places to do your business.
Posted by: Cow Demon at November 15, 2025 05:45 PM (vwL3N)

And some have live to... er, haven't lived to regret it.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 15, 2025 05:59 PM (uQesX)

30 Meant " prefer cold to heat"

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 15, 2025 05:59 PM (PFs9e)

31 Lovely painting, tanksascribe..

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 15, 2025 06:00 PM (PFs9e)

32 Unfortunately, the dopamine hit of social media and clickbait encourages people to take more and more risks.
Posted by: TRex - discovery dino at November 15, 2025 05:58 PM (IQ6Gq)

And some have live to... er, haven't lived to regret it.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 15, 2025 05:59 PM (uQesX)

Weird.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 15, 2025 06:00 PM (uQesX)

33 My hobbies would have grown exponentially if I had won the Mega last night. I was just surprised the winning ticket was in GA and not CA.

Posted by: the way I see it at November 15, 2025 06:01 PM (EYmYM)

34 I know nothing about RVs so I'll mention other hobby stuff.

For those who want to draw animals or just like pen and ink drawings. Barnes and Noble offers as an exclusive the 2026 Ink and Shadow wall calendar. Twelve wonderful ink drawings of animals. They are worthy of study to learn and just worth the time to enjoy. I will be doing both.

Posted by: JTB at November 15, 2025 06:01 PM (yTvNw)

35 "people that take their camera and drone"

I was into looking at the little things, not the landscapes. Finding and identifying plants and bugs in nature preserves, macrophotography.

If you saw me on a luxury beach, I'd be out in the weeds on my hands and knees looking for trapdoor spiders, or obscure sedges, or some other crazy stuff.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:01 PM (4kcNT)

36 26 19 I worked as a machinist in a job shop in the 1970s.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 05:58 PM
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Think you might like the Inheritance Machining channel on YouTube.

Posted by: TRex - heavy metal dino at November 15, 2025 06:02 PM (IQ6Gq)

37 Tip on the top picture, after it gets dark the orcs come out from under the waterfall.

Posted by: Eromero at November 15, 2025 06:03 PM (LHPAg)

38
My best friend's family in grades K through 3 had a small towable house trailer. The parents were part of some group that styled themselves as the "Wells Vagabonds". Camped all around the Upper Peninsula and perhaps points beyond during the summer months.

My first FiL had a larger towable house trailer. He and his wife would hitch it up and drive it to Melbourne Beach, FL for the winter months. He was fanatically possessive about the trailer -- you were free to mess with nothing about it, y'hear?

Our place in Sussex County is in a mobile home community, but all domiciles are off their wheels, are anchored to the ground and are hooked up to utilities. Funny thing, though, when it comes time to sell our place, the transaction of record so far as the county goes will be to sign over the vehicular title to the new owner, even though the place has not been mobile since the late '80s.

As for me, the RV life holds no appeal. I prefer camping, but time and age are catching up with me so that I am engaged in it far less often now than I was as recently as four years ago.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Imprison! Imprison! Imprison! at November 15, 2025 06:03 PM (xG4kz)

39 It's been so long ago the furnace in my camper was convection.
Yep, convection, no batteries. Dry camping in the winter or the mountains no problem. Propane refrigerator and warm convection heat. Modernity fixed that.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at November 15, 2025 06:03 PM (4v7VO)

40 Tankascribe, love your painting up top!

Posted by: bluebell at November 15, 2025 06:04 PM (79pEw)

41 "Inheritance Machining" Found it and subscribed, thanks!

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:04 PM (4kcNT)

42 Yeah, I have seen the videos on YouTube about RV'ng and Van Life.
They look nice but it is just not for me.

I like a nice comfortable bed in a nice hotel with a hot shower and breakfast. :-)

I am down to 2 hobbies currently. Golf and shooting. Used to scuba dive, but at my age I do not want to go through what is needed to dive in the North East.

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:04 PM (OF02a)

43
*The rise of YouTube has spawned a sub-genre of people that take their camera and drone and head for the less traveled places to explore. Kind of neat to see places I wouldn't have gotten to and seen myself*

This guy is one of the best:

https://youtu.be/TnHMaWW3ymQ

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at November 15, 2025 06:05 PM (XQo4F)

44 35 I was into looking at the little things, not the landscapes. Finding and identifying plants and bugs in nature preserves, macrophotography.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:01 PM
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Funny how many small things there are among the big things.

Posted by: TRex - small scale dino at November 15, 2025 06:05 PM (IQ6Gq)

45 9 THE HILLS HAVE EYES

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at November 15, 2025 05:37 PM

WITH THE SOUND OF MUTANTS

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:06 PM (OF02a)

46 (We’re also checking out the possibility of attending next year’s Texas MoMe. Wait and see on both.)

Posted by: SKT at November 15, 2025 05:54 PM
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Great post. Thank you. Look forward to meeting you in real life in Texas next year! There are a few other folks that RV their way and stay on the grounds.

Posted by: TRex - driving Mr. dino at November 15, 2025 06:07 PM (IQ6Gq)

47
I'll bet that the "romantic street people", as they were styled in Berkeley when I lived there, can offer up reams of tenting and personal hygiene tips. I'm looking forward to that!

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Imprison! Imprison! Imprison! at November 15, 2025 06:07 PM (xG4kz)

48 Everyday I pass an RV dealership and they have one of those military /prepper type RVs sitting in front. Looks really badass. One day I’m going to stop and pretend I’m RV shopping.

Posted by: the way I see it at November 15, 2025 06:07 PM (EYmYM)

49 For the pipe smokers in the group. If you like the codger blends, check out Sutliff Burley J4. Better quality tobacco than Granger or Carter Hall. It packs and lights easily and burns cool. Get it in bulk and on sale if possible and it's cheaper than the cans of codger blends.

Sutliff Rum and Maple is almost as good. Makes for a very pleasant smoke when you want something lighter than an English blend.

Both of these smoke especially well in churchwarden pipes. They are suitable for long reading sessions.

Posted by: JTB at November 15, 2025 06:08 PM (yTvNw)

50 Tankascribe, looked at your painting and immediately returned to the Yosemite valley...so, thank you for that for Yosemite has always been one of my very favorite parks. You are quite talented, but that's obvious looking at the painting...

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 15, 2025 06:09 PM (IQ6Gq)

51 On trips, my sister lives very near Gettysburg and the anniversary of the Gettysburg address they have Remembrance Day with reenactment Civil War soldiers

Posted by: Skip at November 15, 2025 06:09 PM (+qU29)

52 My hobby is video games. Something is going on with video game developer Ubisoft one of whose IPs is Assassin's Creed. A few days ago they delayed at the last minute a shareholders' meeting where goals and achievements were to be discussed. Now I see two AC announcements one suggesting the next game will be set in occupied Paris in 1942 and the other suggesting the next will be set in the ancient Mayan empire. Shadows was an embarrassing failure because woke. Have they learned their lesson?

Paris (the fine eye for detail will note numerous inaccurate details)

https://is.gd/xf5V4u

Maya

https://is.gd/Ru7raF

Real games? Running it up the flagpole? Hoax?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Why Do the Heathen Rage? at November 15, 2025 06:09 PM (L/fGl)

53 Perfect mystery cl8ck, Dino. Thanks for the Hobby thread.
Tried the travel trailer thing for 2 seasons.

Posted by: scampydog at November 15, 2025 06:09 PM (dPKvx)

54 41 "Inheritance Machining" Found it and subscribed, thanks!

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:04 PM
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Make sure you go back and watch the first video in his series for the background. Good stuff.

The other similar genre that I really like is Not an Engineer. Great dry humor but amazing skillz.

Posted by: TRex - tool and die dino at November 15, 2025 06:09 PM (IQ6Gq)

55 Speaking of fishing, my grandfather used to say "If you spent the afternoon sitting by a stream, people call you a bum. But if you take a fishing rod with you, then they call you a sportsman."

Posted by: zogger at November 15, 2025 06:10 PM (HGKOZ)

56 Shower tent and a cassette toilet will take care of that. I have a teardrop trailer. Didn't get to take it out this year. I like to do overnight trips in the area. Lots of nice city and county parks and NE is within that range. I like having the outdoor kitchen and it's the perfect size for me and Jake. I can hitch it up and it's easy to tow, i told myself, when I bought it,that I'd be happy camping in my back yard, if it came to that.

When we lived full time in travel trailers, we never had a problem finding a place to stay. Trailers do break down with full time living. Wish I still had the Airstream

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 15, 2025 06:10 PM (EW4eo)

57 42 I am down to 2 hobbies currently. Golf and shooting. Used to scuba dive, but at my age I do not want to go through what is needed to dive in the North East.

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:04 PM
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Scooob!!! Good to see you here.

Posted by: TRex - non-scuba dino at November 15, 2025 06:10 PM (IQ6Gq)

58 If I’m out in the wilderness and see a drone, it’s getting blasted.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 15, 2025 06:11 PM (mT+6a)

59 Doggo, how goes it in the jungle?

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 15, 2025 06:11 PM (IQ6Gq)

60
Basically, there are three kinds of RV/Trailer types.

1) Itinerant workmen who may travel and spend several days at a site doing things like pipeline inspections.

2) Campers who travel to a location for several days. Her Majesty is one of these.

3) People who live on the road and essentially have a house on wheels.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 15, 2025 06:11 PM (tgvbd)

61 Usually its primitive trailer camping with the horses. I most often camped at endurance rides where the camping was in some ranchers cow pasture.

Primitive in this case just means no plugging into electric or water. My trailer is pretty basic, I have a solar panel that keeps battery charged up enough to run the furnace if needed and the lights. Some folks have generators, and A/C etc in their trailers, but some of those folks spend a lot more time on the road and riding/camping than I do.

Posted by: PaleRider at November 15, 2025 06:11 PM (/jn/s)

62 "Funny how many small things there are among the big things."

Even in the urban sidewalk cracks, many species of beautiful little flowers that you need an eye loupe to appreciate. If they were 100X as big, people would prize them for ornamental gardens.

Many bugs, when you see them with the right lighting, are sparkling jewels. If you watch them long enough, you see the patterns of their behavior. How a leafcutter bee packs his hole with tiny precision-cut disks of leaf. How robber flies transport heavy prey from place to place. The triangular leaf nests that shamrock spiders construct.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:12 PM (4kcNT)

63 Really like Tankascribe's painting. It feels warm and peaceful. I would love to have a picnic on that meadow.

Posted by: JTB at November 15, 2025 06:13 PM (yTvNw)

64 43 This guy is one of the best:

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at November 15, 2025 06:05 PM
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Thanks for the recommendation! Looks promising.

Posted by: TRex - discovery dino at November 15, 2025 06:13 PM (IQ6Gq)

65 Back in early October, the HT featured Christmas crafts...there were some opinions that it was too early to discuss such a topic...I'm here to tell you that had I not completed what I did back then, I would be knee deep in jeopardy of crafting failure. As it is, it's going to be close to get everything done. This is a great time of the year, but time just simply disappears before my eyes...

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 15, 2025 06:14 PM (IQ6Gq)

66 57 Scooob!!! Good to see you here.

Posted by: TRex - non-scuba dino at November 15, 2025 06:10 PM

Glad to be here!!
I am more of a lurker currently due to work.
Looking at my finances and wondering if it would be wise to pull the retirement trigger now (and have time for more hobbies) or wait for two more years.

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:15 PM (OF02a)

67 I brought a friend/colleague home for Thanksgiving when I was in physics grad school. Sudheer Kayaker. My family fell in love with him. He could recite Kipling and the like all night with his beautiful Oxfordian accent.

Anyway, we took him ice skating. He was a bit of a clown and played up terrified foreigner as he's skating for the first (and probably last time) hamming it up aka Inspector Clouseau.

My Mom laughed about his antics for years.

He was very kind and always asked me about my Mom after that.

Posted by: pawn at November 15, 2025 06:15 PM (sPsWv)

68 Doggo, how goes it in the jungle?
Posted by: The Gratefu
---------
Always enjoyable! Very quiet day. Packing up in 5 mins - almost dark.

Posted by: scampydog at November 15, 2025 06:15 PM (dPKvx)

69 >>A sailboat is just an RV on the water.

No roads.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 15, 2025 06:16 PM (viF8m)

70 The old Airstreams were designed for primitive camping. Ours had a pressurized water tank (via electric pump or a bicycle pump. ). It had an on demand propane water heater that worked well. Bathroom was in the back and fairly comfortable. You could take a bath in the tub but showers worked better. Propane heat, refrigerator and stove for the rest of it. Lived in that for eight years.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 15, 2025 06:16 PM (EW4eo)

71 58 If I’m out in the wilderness and see a drone, it’s getting blasted.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 15, 2025 06:11 PM
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The recent video I saw (Utah? New Mexico?) used the drone for two things:
1) Looking ahead to figure out whether hiking into a canyon or over an impediment made sense. The person wasn't really following established paths.
2) Getting elevation to look at petroglyphs that were difficult to see from the ground.

Posted by: TRex - dino in the wild at November 15, 2025 06:16 PM (IQ6Gq)

72
I am focused on lapidary and jewelry arts that fall and will be so clear up to Easter next year. Intarsia -- making "pictures" or designs with shaped and glued together stones -- is where I am at right now.

I hope to enroll in a silver inlay class in early January, with is a similar art, only there are strips of metal sandwiched between the stone pieces.

I also have four or five constructed jewelry classes in which I have enrolled that will occur in mid January. (Constructed jewelry is made by joining together metal and stone to create the final product; its "opposite" is jewelry that was formed by casting.) I will perform most of the work here at home -- why have all the gear unless we intend to use it?

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Imprison! Imprison! Imprison! at November 15, 2025 06:17 PM (xG4kz)

73 Done a ton of tent trailer camping through the years, RV light, no engines.

Posted by: From about That Time at November 15, 2025 06:17 PM (sl73Y)

74 Posted by: pawn at November 15, 2025 06:15 PM (sPsWv)

Nice story. Thanks.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 15, 2025 06:17 PM (Yl2Ob)

75
HM has her RV set up for showing dogs. And it works far better than hotels. There's less loading and unloading. She has her own bathroom (given how nasty the bathrooms are at most show sites, this is important). She can set up and groom next to it. Between breed judging and variety groups, there's a place to retreat to for her and the dog(s). She can bring her own food. And there's a community of people there that she can rely on if something goes wrong.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 15, 2025 06:18 PM (tgvbd)

76 Scuba_dude,

Do you have a guarantee that you will be around in two years?

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 15, 2025 06:18 PM (EW4eo)

77
True story: Years ago I was having a conversation with a coworker about our post-retirement plans. The idea of RV'ing the USA came up.

I said to him: I love the idea of seeing the USA in a RV, but the problem with RV's is the RV "community." They are, generally, weirdos, you'll be living within 10 feet of when you park.

Posted by: Soothsayer at November 15, 2025 06:19 PM (g1xQ1)

78 76 Do you have a guarantee that you will be around in two years?

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 15, 2025 06:18 PM

Genetics?

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:19 PM (OF02a)

79 I don't have an RV, and will likely never get one. I do have a nifty little tent for the bed of my pickup. At 29, I find it easier to get up to whizz in the middle of night, than trying to clamber up off the ground.

I also have a little outhouse tent with a camp terlit for primitive camping. Idaho has a ton of places for that.

the missus does not camp, so it's just me and my books and guns. Nice to get away sometime.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, I Have Become Comfortably Lame at November 15, 2025 06:19 PM (0aYVJ)

80
If I’m out in the wilderness and see a drone, it’s getting blasted.
Posted by: nurse ratched

No bag limit, nurse!

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Imprison! Imprison! Imprison! at November 15, 2025 06:21 PM (xG4kz)

81 Scuba_dude, I retired 10 years ago because I couldn't find a job. I thought I had enough money put away. Then this disastrous inflation hit.

I love and recommend retirement to all those who can afford it, but it can become unaffordable real fast in these crazy times we live in.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:21 PM (4kcNT)

82 77 I said to him: I love the idea of seeing the USA in a RV, but the problem with RV's is the RV "community." They are, generally, weirdos, you'll be living within 10 feet of when you park.

Posted by: Soothsayer at November 15, 2025 06:19 PM
***
Isn't the benefit of RV life being able to change your location and try somewhere else? Living in brick and mortar makes that more difficult.

Posted by: TRex - neighborly dino at November 15, 2025 06:22 PM (IQ6Gq)

83 Opps, Sudheer was from India.

Posted by: pawn at November 15, 2025 06:22 PM (sPsWv)

84
So the #1 Problem/Drawback to RV'ing is...

Parking. Or "docking" as the weirdos call it. It's a Major problem. People, Fees, and People.

I know, I'm being too harsh on RV'ers. No, I am not. Because a lot of RV'ers are full-time living in their RV's/Campers. Some of those people are nice people. Some are trash.

Posted by: Soothsayer at November 15, 2025 06:23 PM (g1xQ1)

85 RV living is fine if you don't need or want a lot of space, don't have a lot of stuff, don't have a lot of guests, or aren't doing it as your primary residence.

And maybe if you start from new.

You can wear out an RV if you live in it full time.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at November 15, 2025 06:23 PM (i00+Z)

86 Mom and Dad for my entire life would travel somewhere for two weeks. Anywhere in the US. They've till do. I think they drove to Alaska three times (from Indiana.)

I can completely understand the wanderlust. I hate large, oversized vehicles. To drive myself. I feel completely disconnected if I do not have a good feel for where the four corners of the vehicle are.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 15, 2025 06:24 PM (0byWU)

87 Thanks for the nice compliments on the Yosemite painting; it was my pleasure to provide it to the wonderful TRex for the illustrious Hobby Thread! I, myself, have never camped in Yosemite, but have ridden our bikes around it a couple of times in addition to just driving up for the day (and taking lots of photos as grist for more paintings). We have considered getting a nice smaller Airstream trailer and doing some trailer camping, but DH decided against it as he'd have to upgrade to a much larger truck than he really needs, which added a lot of $$ to the idea. As he put it, "That amount of money could pay for an awful lot of plane flights and hotel rooms and rental cars in nice places."

Posted by: tankascribe at November 15, 2025 06:25 PM (NtoJk)

88 All the Indians I met in grad school were really nice, and some of the women were drop-dead beautiful.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:26 PM (4kcNT)

89 An RV seems like a lot of work with no financial advantage to driving a regular vehicle and staying in motels. I’m just guessing so I understand I can be completely wrong.

Posted by: the way I see it at November 15, 2025 06:26 PM (EYmYM)

90
From what I gather, one of the major problems of RV's, even the expensive ones, is Leaks.

After a while, they All leak. RV's are made from, generally, the thinnest, lightest material. These materials Flex and bend and warp, both from temperature fluctuations and driving.

Posted by: Soothsayer at November 15, 2025 06:27 PM (g1xQ1)

91 Mobile Rex, you're just the sort of man we need for the EM-50 Project!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at November 15, 2025 06:27 PM (Wnv9h)

92 "Isn't the benefit of RV life being able to change your location and try somewhere else?"

If you could park them anywhere you wanted, yes.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:27 PM (4kcNT)

93 ....

Are comments moving around?

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 15, 2025 06:27 PM (0byWU)

94 Hey everybody. Hey hobby/RV thread!

I love the idea of RVing, but doubt I'll ever have the $$$ to buy a decent one. I also don't love the idea of having to dump out the toilet.

Wish there was a medication available that could make it so adult humans can go up to 7 or 10 days without having to poop.

Posted by: qdpsteve at November 15, 2025 06:27 PM (cQHrm)

95 86 I hate large, oversized vehicles. To drive myself. I feel completely disconnected if I do not have a good feel for where the four corners of the vehicle are.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 15, 2025 06:24 PM
***
This has to be a big issue for many who are not used to driving larger vehicles. If you've never driven a truck, tackling a motor home is a big ask. I'm sure there are a ton of horror stories of people with big dreams buying their dream vehicle for their dream RV life but running into problems physically driving it.

Posted by: TRex - trucker dino at November 15, 2025 06:28 PM (IQ6Gq)

96 Or did someone get on a banned ip?

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 15, 2025 06:28 PM (0byWU)

97 Guess I'll mention the superb Lucy-Desi movie "The Long Long Trailer" (1954) here. Recommended!

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:29 PM (4kcNT)

98 Posted by: TRex - trucker dino at November 15, 2025 06:28 PM (IQ6Gq)

I imagine the 360 degree camera tech has made it a little easier.

Posted by: the way I see it at November 15, 2025 06:29 PM (EYmYM)

99 81 I love and recommend retirement to all those who can afford it, but it can become unaffordable real fast in these crazy times we live in.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:21 PM

I agree. I am pretty good financially, probably have at least 10x my salary in retirement accounts. But I want to hit certain goals/marks before I finally say enough is enough and leave work for good.

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:29 PM (OF02a)

100 I'm sure there are a ton of horror stories of people with big dreams buying their dream vehicle for their dream RV life but running into problems physically driving it.
Posted by: TRex - trucker dino at November 15, 2025 06:28 PM (IQ6Gq)

Had no problem with my dad's trucks. His full size vans, maybe a bit of it.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 15, 2025 06:29 PM (0byWU)

101 >>Thanks for the nice compliments on the Yosemite painting; it was my pleasure to provide it to the wonderful TRex for the illustrious Hobby Thread!

When I was a kid we did one big family vacation in an RV. At the time Avis was renting RVs. My dad had a business meeting in San Francisco so we flew there, dad did his meeting and then we took the RV and spent a couple weeks visiting national parks and other cool spots.

We spent a couple nights in Yosemite at a small campground that looks exactly like your painting. Went to sleep under the stars with a waterfall and woke to it the next morning. That's the really cool thing about RVing, you can stay in places and have experiences you can't by staying in a hotel.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 15, 2025 06:31 PM (viF8m)

102 Look into apps like campendium to find offbeat sites on private property. Did that with Little when we toured the Grand Canyon and environs. Found a nice place in Prescott that served us well. Can't recall the app that I used at the moment, but it beat the hell out of any state or county facilities, many of which were closed due to wildfires in the area ..

Posted by: Joe Kidd at November 15, 2025 06:31 PM (nbLIj)

103 91 Mobile Rex, you're just the sort of man we need for the EM-50 Project!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at November 15, 2025 06:27 PM
***
Well played. Funny thing about that - fd brought something pretty close to the TX MoMe!

Posted by: TRex - on duty dino at November 15, 2025 06:31 PM (IQ6Gq)

104 Thanks for the neat Hobby Thread, T-Rex!

We considered getting an RV, trailer type, that we could tow around on various road trips. Putting pencil to paper revealed that it would be more cost and maintenance than just getting the occasional hotel room.

Posted by: Legally Sufficient at November 15, 2025 06:31 PM (kB9dk)

105 95 Posted by: TRex - trucker dino at November 15, 2025 06:28 PM

Another reason I would not want to RV, hate driving anything that big. Would be uncomfortable, especially doing turns. Yikes!!

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:32 PM (OF02a)

106 If you spend a lot of time in the field, you get pretty rank. Our Puerto Rican Corpsman told that in very colorful language. Camping is like that.

Posted by: Eromero at November 15, 2025 06:32 PM (LHPAg)

107 Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:29 PM (OF02a)

Move out of the Northeast and half the amount you need to retire.

Posted by: the way I see it at November 15, 2025 06:32 PM (EYmYM)

108 I am focused on lapidary and jewelry arts that fall and will be so clear up to Easter next year. Intarsia -- making "pictures" or designs with shaped and glued together stones -- is where I am at right now.

I hope to enroll in a silver inlay class in early January, with is a similar art, only there are strips of metal sandwiched between the stone pieces.

I also have four or five constructed jewelry classes in which I have enrolled that will occur in mid January. (Constructed jewelry is made by joining together metal and stone to create the final product; its "opposite" is jewelry that was formed by casting.) I will perform most of the work here at home -- why have all the gear unless we intend to use it?
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Imprison! Imprison! Imprison! at November 15, 2025 06:17 PM (xG4kz)
Intarsia sounds fascinating! I hope you'll send photos our way when you've done some work? Took a couple semesters of Jewelry-making ages ago and it's not for me. But I sure appreciate great custom jewelry nor quibble at prices, knowing all the effort that goes into it. My goldsmith friend calls me a "unicorn" in that regard!

Posted by: tankascribe at November 15, 2025 06:32 PM (NtoJk)

109
Long Story Short:

What I learned after many hours consideration & research is:

1. Go small. Big RV's are a big hassle and a big price tag. You want something nimble and parkable everywhere, including your driveway.

2. There is no #2.

Posted by: Soothsayer at November 15, 2025 06:33 PM (g1xQ1)

110 Wish there was a medication available that could make it so adult humans can go up to 7 or 10 days without having to poop.
Posted by: qdpsteve at November 15, 2025 06:27 PM (cQHrm)

It's call Donteatanything. Ask your doctor if it's right for you. Don't take Donteatanything if you're allergic to donteatanything.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 15, 2025 06:33 PM (uQesX)

111 Legally Sufficient, exactly.

Also, I've found that motel rooms in *rural* areas tend to be in pretty good shape. It helps when the place isn't hosting tons of people all of the time.

Posted by: qdpsteve at November 15, 2025 06:33 PM (cQHrm)

112 107 Move out of the Northeast and half the amount you need to retire.

Posted by: the way I see it at November 15, 2025 06:32 PM

That is the plan. Heading to Florida, where there is no state income tax and better weather.

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:33 PM (OF02a)

113 I thought got a while that it would be nice to kit out my Suburban for camping.

That would it make is useless for hauling stuff inside, but much more comfortable if I were caught out and had to stop somewhere.

Of course, now I've got one of those big storage drawers in it.

I figure that if I lay a foam mat on that and use the Plano box full of car liquids as a pillow, that ought to work in a pinch.

... I don't really have anything for bedding in there though. I probably ought to find my sleeping bags.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at November 15, 2025 06:34 PM (i00+Z)

114 OrangeEnt, LOL. Good point.

But there's a nasty side effect: voracious hunger. Though I suppose if I only ate something like bananas, and very few of them, I could get by.

Posted by: qdpsteve at November 15, 2025 06:34 PM (cQHrm)

115 Many years ago, when we lied in Houston and our son was about 10, we rented a small RV and took about a week visiting Texas state parks. The parks were terrific then. Once parked you had enough activities at hand that required no further driving.

The spouse was hot to buy an RV after the trip but I could see the need for a trailer and small car for trips further afield. I drove a company car and she a mini van. That was just too many vehicles to manage.

Posted by: Javems at November 15, 2025 06:34 PM (8I4hW)

116 Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:33 PM (OF02a)

The Villages await you.

Posted by: the way I see it at November 15, 2025 06:35 PM (EYmYM)

117 "The Long, Long Trailer" It's really good!
m.ok.ru/video/321619561123

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:36 PM (4kcNT)

118 "Wish there was a medication available that could make it so adult humans can go up to 7 or 10 days without having to poop."

Opiates. Adjust dose to desired level of constipation.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:37 PM (4kcNT)

119 “Basically, there are three kinds of RV/Trailer types.

1) Itinerant workmen who may travel and spend several days at a site doing things like pipeline inspections.

2) Campers who travel to a location for several days. Her Majesty is one of these.

3) People who live on the road and essentially have a house on wheels.”

– Hadrian the Seventh

And my wife and I are a fourth type (of which I’ve met many more examples): We don’t live “on the road”, but we do live permanently in our RV, staying one to three months in a spot we like before moving on. And there’s another type yet (and doubtless others I’ve forgot or haven’t encountered): People who live permanently in one spot, but their home is an RV. (“House on wheels” that just never moves.)

Posted by: SKT at November 15, 2025 06:37 PM (rRRKW)

120 72
I am focused on lapidary and jewelry arts that fall and will be so clear up to Easter next year. Intarsia -- making "pictures" or designs with shaped and glued together stones -- is where I am at right now.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Imprison! Imprison! Imprison! at November 15, 2025 06:17 PM
***
Please send photos!!

Posted by: TRex - finger painting dino at November 15, 2025 06:37 PM (IQ6Gq)

121 We spent a couple nights in Yosemite at a small campground that looks exactly like your painting. Went to sleep under the stars with a waterfall and woke to it the next morning. That's the really cool thing about RVing, you can stay in places and have experiences you can't by staying in a hotel.
Posted by: JackStraw
**********
That sounds magical!

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 15, 2025 06:38 PM (IQ6Gq)

122 The Villages await you.
Posted by: the way I see it at November 15, 2025 06:35 PM (EYmYM)

But once you're in. You're in.

Posted by: The Rover at November 15, 2025 06:38 PM (uQesX)

123 gp, agreed.
When I was in the hospital in 2012 for two weeks, for a slipped disc, they gave me stuff that made it so I *never* had to get out of bed to use the toilet for a week. I was blown away. I only had to use the portable urinal from time to time.

Posted by: qdpsteve at November 15, 2025 06:38 PM (cQHrm)

124 116 The Villages await you.

Posted by: the way I see it at November 15, 2025 06:35 PM

How come I get M. Night Shyamalan vibes about that place?

Probably going to live near Tampa. Want to be close to an international airport for at least 10 years as I would love to explore another hobby, traveling.

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:38 PM (OF02a)

125 101 We spent a couple nights in Yosemite at a small campground that looks exactly like your painting. Went to sleep under the stars with a waterfall and woke to it the next morning. That's the really cool thing about RVing, you can stay in places and have experiences you can't by staying in a hotel.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 15, 2025 06:31 PM
***
This.

Posted by: TRex - noctural dino at November 15, 2025 06:39 PM (IQ6Gq)

126 Well played. Funny thing about that - fd brought something pretty close to the TX MoMe!
Posted by: TRex - on duty dino at November 15, 2025 06:31 PM

Sometimes the comments write themselves.

How did I miss the Moron EM-50?!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at November 15, 2025 06:39 PM (Wnv9h)

127 Not exactly hobbies, but I like solving chess problems:

lichess.org
play.chessclub.com/puzzles

And logic puzzles:

logic.puzzlebaron.com

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:39 PM (4kcNT)

128 I do like to watch the video diary of the chick who traveled the country in her Subaru ( actually forgot what car she had) . She would do the camping thing for a few days or week and then spend some time in town cleaning up and parking in various store lots . Her set up was tight but very doable. She also found a stray that became her travel companion.

Posted by: the way I see it at November 15, 2025 06:39 PM (EYmYM)

129 gp, I love chess too. No wagering like in my other kinda fave game, poker. :-) At least I can't lose money when my queen gets taken away.

Didn't there used to be a weekly chess thread?

Posted by: qdpsteve at November 15, 2025 06:41 PM (cQHrm)

130
I think if HM and I tried that "Let's see America in Our RV" thing, we'd be divorced by mile marker 150. It's fine for her, but I'm a big guy and I feel like I'm in a coffin. A badly lit coffin.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 15, 2025 06:41 PM (tgvbd)

131 It's call Donteatanything. Ask your doctor if it's right for you. Don't take Donteatanything if you're allergic to donteatanything.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 15, 2025 06:33 PM (uQesX)

Heh. He's not wrong. Keto and IF will make your dumps fewer and further between.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 15, 2025 06:41 PM (zZu0s)

132 What I would like to do for traveling about the US is to kit out my next vehicle to make driving enjoyable and worry free.

Granted, I would love to roam around the US in a Ferrari, but one must keep there expectations in real world. ;-)

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:41 PM (OF02a)

133 126 How did I miss the Moron EM-50?!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at November 15, 2025 06:39 PM
***
Stealth. Under the radar. Nothing to see here. Blended in with the scenery. George was guarding.

Posted by: TRex - low key dino at November 15, 2025 06:42 PM (IQ6Gq)

134 123 There was some crazy family murder case a few years back where the murderer, a successful and upright citizen, had been eating TWO GRAMS of opiates every day for 20 years.

You'd think his wife would have asked him why he never used up any toilet paper in two decades! Might have saved some lives.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:42 PM (4kcNT)

135 How come I get M. Night Shyamalan vibes about that place?

Probably going to live near Tampa. Want to be close to an international airport for at least 10 years as I would love to explore another hobby, traveling.
Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:38 PM (OF02a)

I snark but I’ve heard good things about it . 900 holes of golf , live bands throughout the community and in the summer half of it empties out.

Posted by: the way I see it at November 15, 2025 06:43 PM (EYmYM)

136 Didn't there used to be a weekly chess thread?
Posted by: qdpsteve

Yup. Oregon Muse's Chess and Dress thread. I miss him terribly.

Posted by: Tuna at November 15, 2025 06:43 PM (lJ0H4)

137 133 George was guarding.

Posted by: TRex - low key dino at November 15, 2025 06:42 PM

How was George? Did he manage to escape like last year?

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:43 PM (OF02a)

138 >>That sounds magical!

It was to me because I remember it clearly still. We have some nice parks in the east but nothing like Yosemite or some of the others.

The first night we were there one of the rangers came and gave a talk on the park, the origin, history, places to check out while we sat under stars with a nice fire. Really fun.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 15, 2025 06:43 PM (viF8m)

139 Didn't there used to be a weekly chess thread?
Posted by: qdpsteve at November 15, 2025 06:41 PM (cQHrm)

Yes, dear Oregon Muse used to do it before he died.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 15, 2025 06:43 PM (rZCVI)

140 Granted, I would love to roam around the US in a Ferrari, but one must keep there expectations in real world. ;-)
Posted by: Scuba_Dude
*****
You and our host for this thread....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 15, 2025 06:44 PM (IQ6Gq)

141 Posted by: Tuna at November 15, 2025 06:43 PM (lJ0H4)

Yes; He was such a wonderful gentleman.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 15, 2025 06:45 PM (rZCVI)

142 129 Yes, Oregon Muse ran the chess thread. I used to play in tournaments, but I like solving tactical puzzles way better than playing. My puzzle rating is around 2000 now (gets as high as 2400 if I sweat them REALLY HARD, but I usually don't.)

Hey, I love poker too! NL Holdem fiend.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:45 PM (4kcNT)

143
Our "RV" when we were kids was an Oldsmobile ~~Vista Cruiser station wagon~~ 1980 Cutlass Supreme* diesel.

*yeah, the down-sized Cutlass that GM made.

Posted by: Soothsayer at November 15, 2025 06:45 PM (g1xQ1)

144 132 Granted, I would love to roam around the US in a Ferrari, but one must keep there expectations in real world. ;-)

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:41 PM
***
What would the ideal car be to roam around the country? Interesting question. Needs to be comfortable and have some space. Probably not something that attracts too much attention and could be serviced if needed. Maybe something that can handle a little gravel for out west? Decent fuel mileage would be good too.

Posted by: TRex - road trip dino at November 15, 2025 06:46 PM (IQ6Gq)

145 140 You and our host for this thread....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 15, 2025 06:44 PM

One day, just have to hit the lottery.

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:47 PM (OF02a)

146 Mrs. E and I had a F250 with a really nice camper shell and pipe rack. We could stack 2 solos whitewater canoes and 3 whitewater kayaks on top and sleep underneath or tent it, either one. We went everywhere before we turned 29.

Posted by: Eromero at November 15, 2025 06:47 PM (LHPAg)

147 146 Mrs. E and I had a F250 with a really nice camper shell and pipe rack. We could stack 2 solos whitewater canoes and 3 whitewater kayaks on top and sleep underneath or tent it, either one. We went everywhere before we turned 29.

Posted by: Eromero at November 15, 2025 06:47 PM
***
Outstanding. You did it right.

Posted by: TRex - beware of canoe accidents at November 15, 2025 06:49 PM (IQ6Gq)

148 "One day, just have to hit the lottery."

Ha! I'm near broke, bit I got tonite's $2 Powerball ticket right here. Feels like a winner!

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:49 PM (4kcNT)

149 The Grateful, I love the addition to your nic.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 15, 2025 06:50 PM (zzXla)

150 143
Our "RV" when we were kids was an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser station wagon 1980 Cutlass Supreme* diesel.

*yeah, the down-sized Cutlass that GM made.
Posted by: Soothsayer at November 15, 2025 06:45 PM (g1xQ1)
I had one of those. Really liked it.

Posted by: Eromero at November 15, 2025 06:50 PM (LHPAg)

151 I collected some samples of acorns after last week's thread but have not had a chance to take a picture and send it in. I was going to try to identify each type first.

Posted by: fd at November 15, 2025 06:50 PM (vFG9F)

152 144 Posted by: TRex - road trip dino at November 15, 2025 06:46 PM

If you do not have to go off road and stick with paved roads, a nice touring car.
But as you think like I do, and want to drive down gravel or dirt roads, an SUV like the Grand Cherokee I am looking at getting would be perfect.

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 15, 2025 06:50 PM (OF02a)

153 I'm not into camping, although I've done some, and my Lovely Lady has talked me into buying a trailer, which we'll take delivery of just as soon as we get a vehicle with a trailer hitch. (My current vehicle can take one, but doesn't have one installed.)

I set up the Internet to the apartment today, which is one more "to-do" item off the list until I can set up the mast for my ham antennas. I'm kind of looking forward to that. Room for HF antennas is why I bought this particular property.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 15, 2025 06:51 PM (VmDLh)

154 I traveled fairly extensively with a Roof Top Tent and now have a 27 foot Winnebago on the F53 chassis with a v-10. I flat tow a 2dr Wrangler with it.

Any horde questions will be cheerfully answered.

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at November 15, 2025 06:51 PM (SuxnP)

155 128 I do like to watch the video diary of the chick who traveled the country in her Subaru ( actually forgot what car she had) . She would do the camping thing for a few days or week and then spend some time in town cleaning up and parking in various store lots . Her set up was tight but very doable. She also found a stray that became her travel companion.
Posted by: the way I see it at November 15, 2025 06:39 PM

That sounds like Nikki Delventhal. You can find her on the UToobz.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at November 15, 2025 06:51 PM (XQo4F)

156 My hobbying is all over the map, 3D printing, making apps, tweaking homebrew servers, tweaking game consoles, building Legos.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 15, 2025 06:51 PM (XV/Pl)

157 143
Our "RV" when we were kids was an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser station wagon 1980 Cutlass Supreme* diesel.

Posted by: Soothsayer at November 15, 2025 06:45 PM
***
Wood paneling? Two seats in the back looking out the rear window?

Posted by: TRex - Griswolds on the move at November 15, 2025 06:52 PM (IQ6Gq)

158 Before I married my wife, I used to backpack into wildernesses.

So, we get hitched and I plan an easy trek.

We drive up to Palm Springs from San Diego and take the tram up. Just a short hike to Round Meadow (or valley or whatever). Camp. Hike to the summit of San Jacinto.

It was May. We were married in December.

We need to jump over big rocks to ford a stream. I found out that she could not do that. Car accident when she was 8. Brain injury. So. Sleeping bags get soaked. We get to Round Meadow and the ranger says "you should got back. Gonna be cold tonight." So back we go.

At the restaurant at the top of the tram, we each have a drink. 1978. I had a harvey wallbanger and she had a tequilla sunrise. Down the tram we went. Long drive home.

Never went backpacking again. LOL it's okay. That woman loved me with all of her heart.

Saturday after Thanksgiving, I will be there again. Son and daughter planned it. I never told them the story. Oh well. I have already hinted at a story.

Posted by: no one at November 15, 2025 06:53 PM (W7XSX)

159 My teardrop has handles on the front. If you put the wheels on the trailer jack, it's pretty easy to move by hand.

The Airstream didn't leak. It did have a condensaton problem, which is usually true of things with metal ceilings.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 15, 2025 06:53 PM (EW4eo)

160 The Grateful, I love the addition to your nic.
Posted by: Ben Had
********
Why thank you. I added it to honor my father who served in the Merchant Marines (it was their motto) prior to his military service.

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 15, 2025 06:54 PM (IQ6Gq)

161 69 >>A sailboat is just an RV on the water.

No roads.
Posted by: JackStraw

True. But you still need a safe place to stop. Unless you’re racing from Victoria to Maui.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 15, 2025 06:54 PM (mT+6a)

162 Maybe something that can handle a little gravel for out west?
Posted by: TRex - road trip dino at November 15, 2025 06:46 PM (IQ6Gq)

How about:

https://tinyurl.com/2brakes7

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 15, 2025 06:55 PM (uQesX)

163 In our younger days we did a lot of camping, but it was in a medieval-style pavilion-type tent. DH, who was a Boy Scout, curled his lip at it and declared that it wasn't "real camping" because we had cots and didn't sleep on the ground, had a camp stove and didn't cook over an open fire, and camped at places with porta-potties so we weren't doing our business in the woods. He was also an avid backpacker, which explains it.

Posted by: tankascribe at November 15, 2025 06:55 PM (NtoJk)

164 158 Found only one lady in my life that liked to hike and explore like I did. Most women seem to be scared of snakes and spiders.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:55 PM (4kcNT)

165 Oregon Muse's Chess and Dress thread. I miss him terribly.

Posted by: Tuna at November 15, 2025 06:43 PM (lJ0H4)

He seemed like a good man.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 15, 2025 06:56 PM (zZu0s)

166 I learned 40 years ago that instead of an RV, I would like a sports car and stay at the lodge.

Posted by: no one at November 15, 2025 06:57 PM (W7XSX)

167 165 Oh yes!

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 06:57 PM (4kcNT)

168 151
Posted by: fd at November 15, 2025 06:50 PM
***
Don't miss the earlier comments that referenced your TX MoMe accommodations.

Posted by: TRex - was that a meteor shower or a ufo? at November 15, 2025 06:58 PM (IQ6Gq)

169 >>True. But you still need a safe place to stop. Unless you’re racing from Victoria to Maui.

That's why I love this place. There are countless places to grab a mooring or throw an anchor. And many of them are gorgeous.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 15, 2025 06:59 PM (viF8m)

170 If you do not have to go off road and stick with paved roads, a nice touring car.
But as you think like I do, and want to drive down gravel or dirt roads, an SUV like the Grand Cherokee I am looking at getting would be perfect.
Posted by: Scuba_Dude
**********
Remind me to tell you stories of "roads" I've been on in one of cars and rental cars, that in no way were roads....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 15, 2025 06:59 PM (IQ6Gq)

171 The Grateful, I have a friend ( now deceased) that wrote a book about the Merchant Marines.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 15, 2025 06:59 PM (zzXla)

172 I still have the Eddie Bauer Kara Karam sleeping bag. Good to -5 F.

Hardly ever used. I should put it up on ebay.

Posted by: no one at November 15, 2025 07:00 PM (W7XSX)

173 162
How about:

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 15, 2025 06:55 PM
***
I'm still working on a 39 foot TRex. Once I get that sorted, then we'll turn to tanks.

Posted by: TRex - suburban assault dino at November 15, 2025 07:00 PM (IQ6Gq)

174 I'm late to the thread but have numerous RV tales I could tell. I did my time tent camping. Being able to roll up in a motorhome, self contained with all your stuff with you and your own bed and bathroom everything else is the way to go.

When our kids were growing up and being homeschooled, we took the homeschool on the road. Those were some great trips.

We've been all over the country in motorhomes that are now pushing 50 years old. I wonder sometimes what is going to happen to them when I'm gone.

Posted by: fd at November 15, 2025 07:00 PM (vFG9F)

175 Wood paneling? Two seats in the back looking out the rear window?
Posted by: TRex - Griswolds on the move at November 15, 2025 06:52 PM (IQ6Gq)
Had windows in the roof and sides starting right behind the drivers seat, reminded me of a light plane.

Posted by: Eromero at November 15, 2025 07:01 PM (LHPAg)

176 1st wife's idea of roughing it was staying at the Motel 6 instead of the Omni.
Yeah. Went about like you'd expect.

Posted by: MkY at November 15, 2025 07:01 PM (q6tQZ)

177 41 "Inheritance Machining" Found it and subscribed, thanks!
Posted by: gp
--

Abom79 is another good one. Very chill. I play chess too. Mostly 960 (Fischer Random).

https://www.youtube.com/@Abom79

Posted by: Don't blame the alligators at November 15, 2025 07:01 PM (1Nv0l)

178 The thing with chess puzzle ratings: you can spend months building up your score with painful hard work, and then have a day or two of brainfarts, and lose all your gains near instantly.

OTOH, I learn a LOT more from puzzling than from playing.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 07:02 PM (4kcNT)

179 (snicker) The Grateful, you remind me of the time we drove down the "Road to the Sea" on the slopes of Mauna Loa in Hawai'i to check out the black sand beach. In a rental car. While it was a four-wheel drive, I was left wondering if we were going to make it back up the slope. But it was a nice place with nothing but the sound of the waves and the wind blowing across the lava fields, rather than a bunch of yakking tourists and native guides wanting to make a quick buck.

Posted by: tankascribe at November 15, 2025 07:02 PM (NtoJk)

180 You should have had a longer courtship.

Posted by: no one at November 15, 2025 07:02 PM (W7XSX)

181 We use to have a 36' motorhome. It was falling apart and expensive to maintain but I love the lifestyle. We donated it about 5-6 years ago. I wouldn't mind getting one when we retire and travel around for about 5-10 years. I wouldn't want to be a full timer though. I would need a house to come home to.

Posted by: lin-duh at November 15, 2025 07:02 PM (VCgbV)

182 166 I learned 40 years ago that instead of an RV, I would like a sports car and stay at the lodge.

Posted by: no one at November 15, 2025 06:57 PM
***
Amen. If the ice maker isn't working, that counts as camping.

Posted by: TRex - delicate dino at November 15, 2025 07:03 PM (IQ6Gq)

183 Scuba,

Tampa is pretty nice but the traffic sucks really bad. You'll be retired so it's not that much of a hassle.

Great town for younger folks too.

Recommended.

Posted by: pawn at November 15, 2025 07:04 PM (sPsWv)

184 I'm still working on a 39 foot TRex. Once I get that sorted, then we'll turn to tanks.
Posted by: TRex - suburban assault dino
***********
Seriously, we were having such a nice conversation...I blame Doggo....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 15, 2025 07:05 PM (IQ6Gq)

185 >>Tampa is pretty nice but the traffic sucks really bad. You'll be retired so it's not that much of a hassle.

>>Great town for younger folks too.

>>Recommended.

Worked there for a number of years. I really like the area. But wow has it grown over the last 15 or so years.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 15, 2025 07:06 PM (viF8m)

186 170 Remind me to tell you stories of "roads" I've been on in one of cars and rental cars, that in no way were roads....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 15, 2025 06:59 PM
***
Ordinarily I'd protest, but we've taken rental cars places that rental car companies probably wouldn't endorse. Perhaps not all were fully intended, but we survived.

Posted by: TRex - Comet, Montana has no visitor center at November 15, 2025 07:07 PM (IQ6Gq)

187 We use to have a 36' motorhome. It was falling apart and expensive to maintain but I love the lifestyle. We donated it about 5-6 years ago. I wouldn't mind getting one when we retire and travel around for about 5-10 years. I wouldn't want to be a full timer though. I would need a house to come home to.
Posted by: lin-duh
********
The people we bought our first home from had lived in the house for 26+ years...he was retiring, bought a motorhome, and they were going to travel the country in it for ? years? He was thrilled, his wife not so much

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 15, 2025 07:07 PM (IQ6Gq)

188 158 very sweet story.

My wife refused to hike at first but now she's avid. Hiking action is a prerequisite for all vacations now.

She won't backpack with me, but my sons do. I figure if I can get her on one overnight backpack somewhere with a spectacular sunset/sunrise, she'll be hooked.

Posted by: Don't blame the alligators at November 15, 2025 07:07 PM (1Nv0l)

189 188 somewhere with a spectacular sunset/sunrise, she'll be hooked.

Posted by: Don't blame the alligators at November 15, 2025 07:07 PM
***
A spectacular sunset or sunrise makes any trip better.

Posted by: TRex - warm glow dino at November 15, 2025 07:10 PM (IQ6Gq)

190 Seriously though.

Inland sailing is similar to RVing. I loved it. Best way to see the San Juan Islands. You could anchor, or pay a few bucks for a park mooring buoy….. we had electricity, a galley, heat, a toilet…. Out little 25 foot Catalina didn’t have a shower. And that was ok. Our boys were little at the time.

We crabbed and fished and went ashore to dig clams and gather oysters. And the stars were awesome.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 15, 2025 07:10 PM (mT+6a)

191 "Don't miss the earlier comments that referenced your TX MoMe accommodations.
Posted by: TRex - was that a meteor shower or a ufo?"

I do have a perfect coach for an EM-50 conversion. Not the one I drove to the MoMe. It's the same year and model as the one in Stripes, but is no longer the original Palm Beach green. It really needs someone to give it a loving restoration, but not me right now I have way too many other projects.

Posted by: fd at November 15, 2025 07:11 PM (vFG9F)

192 179/ Tankascribe, that sounds like a good outcome. Totally unlike what we wind up in...."roads" in foreign countries that are not on the GPS..."roads" in Montana that warn you that "the road is not maintained"...does that stop him? Hell no, and let me assure you it was anything but a road, straight down...even people at the bottom were looking at us with the look that said "you didn't just do that?"

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 15, 2025 07:12 PM (IQ6Gq)

193 And no roads,
But we did have to pay close attention to shipping lanes and ferry lanes and currents and tides. So. We kinda did have a “road” map.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 15, 2025 07:12 PM (mT+6a)

194 153 I set up the Internet to the apartment today, which is one more "to-do" item off the list until I can set up the mast for my ham antennas. I'm kind of looking forward to that. Room for HF antennas is why I bought this particular property.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 15, 2025 06:51 PM
***
Are you going to talk to aliens?

Posted by: TRex - the truth is out there at November 15, 2025 07:12 PM (IQ6Gq)

195 I solve only chess puzzles that come from actual play, not composed puzzles. It's a great way to learn the patterns that really occur, rather than things you'll never ever see in play.

You can choose like 100 puzzles that are focused on middle-game attacks on the castled black king. You see the common patterns against f7, then those against g7, then h7, then the knight attack motifs against ranks 6, 7, 8, etc. Once you know the patterns, it makes it quicker to recognize the viable ones in any situation.

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 07:13 PM (4kcNT)

196 Bucket list that will never happen:
Circumnavigate Vancouver Island.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 15, 2025 07:13 PM (mT+6a)

197 192 ...even people at the bottom were looking at us with the look that said "you didn't just do that?"

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 15, 2025 07:12 PM
***
Based on this experience, I endorse the Nissan Rogue as a worthy road trip car. We have covered many miles in rented Rogues and they have met every challenge we threw at it. Including unmaintained roads.

Posted by: TRex - uncompensated endorsement dino at November 15, 2025 07:15 PM (IQ6Gq)

198 "the traffic sucks really bad"

Last nice day of weather for the year today in N IL, and man was the traffic awful! Ye Gads!

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 07:15 PM (4kcNT)

199 My EM--50 has some things the original EM-50 did not have, like 6 wheel disc brakes and quad air bags. Sadly though, no machine guns or rocket launchers.

Posted by: fd at November 15, 2025 07:15 PM (vFG9F)

200 200!

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 15, 2025 07:16 PM (IQ6Gq)

201 193 And no roads,

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 15, 2025 07:12 PM
***
Where we're going, we don't need roads.

Posted by: TRex - Doc Brown knows at November 15, 2025 07:17 PM (IQ6Gq)

202 TRex, thank you for this thread. Much appreciated.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 15, 2025 07:22 PM (zzXla)

203 Outdoor Boys is one of the best youtube channels if you're into wilderness camping, hunting etc. Extremely wholesome.

Posted by: Don't blame the alligators at November 15, 2025 07:23 PM (1Nv0l)

204 The sands of the Hobby Thread hourglass are dwindling. Time to say thank you before the next act takes the Ace of Spades stage. Thanks for participating. This one was fun. New theme next week.

See y'all in Club ONT later.

Posted by: TRex - Christmas countdown is on at November 15, 2025 07:25 PM (IQ6Gq)

205 202 TRex, thank you for this thread. Much appreciated.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 15, 2025 07:22 PM
***
Thank YOU!!

Posted by: TRex - George misses us at November 15, 2025 07:25 PM (IQ6Gq)

206 196 Bucket list that will never happen:
Circumnavigate Vancouver Island.

Posted by: nurse ratched
--
Ha. My son just took a weekend trip. He loved it. They flew in and back on a seaplane. Sent me photos of surfacing subs.

Posted by: Don't blame the alligators at November 15, 2025 07:26 PM (1Nv0l)

207 Where we're going, we don't need roads.
Posted by: TRex - Doc Brown knows
**************
Obviously!

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 15, 2025 07:27 PM (IQ6Gq)

208 And now we have a thunderstorm. In NJ mid-November. 48 degrees out. Weird.

Posted by: Don't blame the alligators at November 15, 2025 07:28 PM (1Nv0l)

209 Pre side bar announcement. MoMe XI is October 16/17 2026.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 15, 2025 07:31 PM (zzXla)

210 209 Pre side bar announcement. MoMe XI is October 16/17 2026.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 15, 2025 07:31 PM
***
Breaking news!!

Posted by: TRex - mark your calendars at November 15, 2025 07:32 PM (IQ6Gq)

211 nood

Posted by: gp at November 15, 2025 07:35 PM (4kcNT)

212 Are you going to talk to aliens?
Posted by: TRex - the truth is out there at November 15, 2025 07:12 PM

No, I did that already.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 15, 2025 07:40 PM (VmDLh)

213 212 Are you going to talk to aliens?
Posted by: TRex - the truth is out there at November 15, 2025 07:12 PM

No, I did that already.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 15, 2025 07:40 PM
***
Talking to Morons at the MoMe doesn't count. It is kind of like the Star Wars cantina.

Posted by: TRex - han shot first at November 15, 2025 07:51 PM (IQ6Gq)

214 Evening, Hobby Morons! Definitely hobby-related: friend came over from another town, I fired up the Avanti that I did the transmission swap in, and we drove up to Elnora for beers and a meal at the hotel. Car ran great! Transmission shifting as it should, the heater made the car tolerably warm inside, and the lights all worked. Had a good run. Nice to get some validation for all the effort expended.

RV's? I has one. Maybe the Ur-RV? It is a 1947 Flxible Clipper Highway coach, that converted into a motor home by Custom Coach some time in the 1960's. Later re-powered, 1980-something with a VT-903 Cummins V8 Diesel with turbocharger, making some 350 horses. I am in the midst of making it roadworthy once more. One day...

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 15, 2025 08:24 PM (npFr7)

215 214 RV's? I has one.
I am in the midst of making it roadworthy once more. One day...

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 15, 2025 08:24 PM
***
Definitely hobby related. Glad the Avanti is functional! Congrats.

I would have been surprised if you didn't have an RV project.

Posted by: TRex - Elnora is happening! at November 15, 2025 08:38 PM (IQ6Gq)

216 213 Are you going to talk to aliens?
Posted by: TRex - the truth is out there at November 15, 2025 07:12 PM

No, I did that already.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 15, 2025 07:40 PM
***
Talking to Morons at the MoMe doesn't count. It is kind of like the Star Wars cantina.
Posted by: TRex - han shot first at November 15, 2025 07:51 PM

No, I mean the three years I worked on SETI.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 15, 2025 09:27 PM (VmDLh)

217 The Starlink Mini has revolutionized the mobile workplace. Online from anywhere in the country.

Posted by: mrp at November 15, 2025 09:53 PM (rj6Yv)

218 My hobbying is all over the map, 3D printing, making apps, tweaking homebrew servers, tweaking game consoles, building Legos.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 15, 2025 06:51 PM (XV/Pl)
=========

I'm taking a hard look at 3d printing and scanning at the moment. First, an acquaintance with Blender (because it's free) and then moving on to laptop, scanner, and printer.

Posted by: mrp at November 15, 2025 09:57 PM (rj6Yv)

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