Posts
Ray
- General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
I took this video last night of the SpaceX rocket launch on the California coast from Trona Pinnacles. I think it was carrying more Starlink satellites to orbit. It looked pretty cool. youtube.com/watch?v=pFAGK
- General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
RV desert camping at Trona Pinnacles National Natural Landmark in Southern California. This stunning location is perfect for a peaceful and unique camping experience. The video was taken in late November and early December. I will show you our camping site at the Trona Pinnacles. loveyourrv.com/free-rv-ca
Also included is a look at the unpaved road in and around the Pinnacles. It is mostly gravel, sand, and rock and, at times, can get badly washboarded and rutted in spots. Camping is primitive boondocking. Pack it in and pack it out. There is one small vault toilet.
For services, the town of Ridgecrest is about half an hour away. Find a Sani Star dump station in the Desert Empire Fairground, propane at True Value Hardware, and other supplies and groceries at a Walmart Supercenter. For more info on the Trona Pinnacles, check out my previous blog post and video from 2015 youtu.be/pmuIR9eA24I
- General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
To truly appreciate the beauty of the Trona Pinnacles, or the desert, for that matter, you have to see it late in the day or around sunset.
- General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
There was quite the beauty cloud show today at the Trona Pinnacles, and even a few raindrops fell. Thanksgiving weekend is winding down and has quieted dramatically as the off-road ATV crowds have headed home after a fun weekend. I'm looking forward to a peaceful, sunny, warm week ahead.
- Ray's Product ReviewsColor Night Vision Goggles Review - Akaso Seemor 200
I test out an interesting new product from Akaso. If you have watched my videos over the years, you may know I've utilized Akaso action cameras, both the older V50 Elite and the newer Brave 8 model. They have been handy in capturing underwater video footage when boating.
Recently, I accepted Akaos's offer of the Seemor-200 night vision goggles for review. The Seemor utilizes AI technology to produce a full-color image even in low light. It has several levels of zoom and can record in 4K video and take photos. I'm excited to test it out this snowbird season in the USA's southwest desert. It will be interesting to spot nocturnal nightlife!
youtu.be/iiKx4TCAqXUProduct Links:
Akaso Website - tinyurl.com/5rc262sp
Amazon USA - amzn.to/4eUJVFl
Amazon CA - amzn.to/3Oz3GaJ
- Ask For Help or AdviceBow Thruster
Sure it's called a Side Shift. Here is the website - sideshift.com
Here is a video I did when I had to repair an issue with the wireless joystick loveyourrv.com/side-shift and a recent bottom restoration video shows it youtu.be/iiY-9lN6AOQ Anne finds it very useful for docking the boat especially in the wind and current. - General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
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- General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
This is an update on what we have been up to since we left the Oregon Coast. I reviewed our various stops as we traveled south from the Oregon coast to the southern California desert. What a contrast in conditions from the wet, cloudy coast to the dry, sunny desert. It's good to feel that warm sunshine on our faces!
youtu.be/JM8PiS4IqQY*Related Links*
Harvest Hosts 30% Discount Link - (offer valid Nov 1, 2024 – Jan 1, 2025) harvest-hosts.com/NZB2XK
*2015 Trona Pinnacles Video* - youtu.be/TOdEIfEFOqw
2024/25 Snowbird Trip Videos - youtube.com/playlist?list
LYRV&B Substack - loveyourrv.substack.com - General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
We made it back to the desert! I got a nice boondocking site at Trona Pinnacles, about 40 miles west of Death Valley, California. I decided to stop off for a bit when I saw a favorable weather forecast for the first week of December. There would be lots of sun and, more importantly, not too much wind. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that holds.
- Ray's Product ReviewsLi Time 80 AMP LiFePO4 Battery Charger Review
This video reviews the 80 amp Li Time charger for 12V Lithium (LIFePO4) type batteries. I've done several charger reviews in the past, but this one has a much higher amperage output. Now that lithium battery prices have dropped, many RVers are installing larger amp-hour capacities. Something like this may be an ideal upgrade.
I went through its charging specs/features and physical build inside and out and demonstrated it charging my 300-amp-hour battery. The video finished with a test of whether my 2000W gas generator can power it. Stay tuned; I'll return with a long-term review update after a few months of usage.
Other LYRV&B Charger Reviews - loveyourrv.com/?s=charger
Li Time Website - litime.com/discount/LYRV
SFK 300Ah Battery Review - loveyourrv.com/usa-made-l - General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
The other day, we made it down to sunny southern California, stopping at the Harris Inn Ranch along I5. Our visit to the Oregon coast was fun but nice to be out of the wet weather.
It's one of our favorite free overnight parking lots. Anne loves the bakery! The RV park construction is finally taking shape. The person at the front desk says phase one, with 20 sites, may be ready in January.
+2 - Ray's Product ReviewsReolink Argus 4 Pro Review – 180 Degree Security Camera
In part one of this review, I unboxed, set up, and demonstrated Reolink Argus 4 Pro Wireless Security Cameras. I have also reviewed and used the Reolink GO and Argus 3 Pro models with excellent results. I often use the footage in my RV and boating travel videos. I especially love the easy time-lapse feature.
The new Argus 4 Pro model introduces 180-degree coverage capabilities. It’s essentially two 4K security cams in one package. The images can be stitched together to make one super-wide-angle photo or video. So far, in early testing, it’s working well. I will use the product over the next few months and return with a longer-term review.
- General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
This video shows footage from our November 2024 RV trip to the Oregon coast to witness the King Tides. Views are from Boiler Bay, Heceta Head, Winchester Bay, and Shore Acres State Park. We missed out on some of the largest waves of the season by a few days, but they were well worth the stopover on the coast. youtu.be/cL033j3xpQI
We were also treated to wildlife viewing, witnessing hundreds of sea lions resting on the shore and playing in the surf at several locations.
Related Links:
2024/25 Snowbird Trip Videos - youtube.com/playlist?list
Winchester Bay Video - youtu.be/MGW_lEwGeqA
Cape Arargo Daytrip - youtu.be/p1GTr6p_RvQ
More LYRV&B Oregon Coast Videos - loveyourrv.com/tag/oregon
- General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
We got an early start today as we left Seven Feathers Casino, OR, and crossed into Califonia on I5. We were trying to stay ahead of some cold air pouring in from the north. A winter storm warning is starting soon for the Siskiyou Pass area and Shasta area. We made it safely into CA, no frozen stuff just rain and fog. Not a problem for a Vancouver Islander. We drove for 5 hours until the sun came out and temperatures hit 60F. :) We're Overnighting at the Colusa Casino north of Sacramento. Tomorrow, we move to a rice farm for a 3-night stay. It's a Harvest Hosts location I picked because it's just a few miles from the Sacramento NWR. Late November is peak time for waterfowl! So looking forward to some bird watching. Here are a few pics of the trip and our sunny spot at the casino. Just a dirt parking lot but free.
+1 - General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
Views of Spectacular Cannon Beach, OR + Two Free Harvest Hosts Stopovers - We continue our snowbird trip south into Oregon across the Columbia River on the Astoria-Megler Bridge. Two Harvest Host stopovers are sandwiched with a walk in spectacular Cannon Beach. Footage from River Run RV Park on the coast of Washington State and the Blue Heron French Cheese Company in Tillamook, Oregon. youtu.be/JdiBxC8GA1I
Related Links:
2024/25 Snowbird Trip Videos - youtube.com/playlist?list
Harvest Hosts 30% Discount Link - harvest-hosts.com/NZB2XK
River Run RV Park - stayatriverrun.com
Blue Heron French Cheese Company - blueheronoregon.com
Tolovana SRA Cannon Beach - stateparks.oregon.gov/ind - General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
We visited Shore Acres State Park on the Oregon Coast today. It was a fine fall day for some big wave-watching! 🌊😍
- General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
Moving day yesterday from Tillamook down to Winchester Bay. Here are a few shots from along the way. Boiler Bay Wayside and near Heceta Head Lighthouse. The beach below was covered with sea lions. King Tides starts tomorrow, gonna check out the famous Shore Acres State Park viewpoints.
+3 - Ray's Product ReviewsWhat's Inside the Bluetti AC70 Portable Power Station?
In this video, I open the case on my Bluetti power station model AC70 to examine its insides. I give it a thumbs up for physical design, and the electronics look decent.
I tested and reviewed the product starting last winter, and it has performed well without issue since then. Here is a link to see the review - loveyourrv.com/bluetti-ac and others loveyourrv.com/?s=bluetti
Product Links:
Bluetti USA - shrsl.com/4e7x1
Bluetti Canada - shrsl.com/4e7wy
Amazon USA - amzn.to/47QsYZ5
Amazon Canada - amzn.to/3SzcwrN - General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
Crossed over into Oregon yesterday with a brief sunny break as we passed Cannon Beach. Couldn't resist a stop for a walk on a favorite beach.
+1 - General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
Our 2024/25 snowbird trip begins with a journey across the Strait of Juan de Fuca aboard the Black Ball Ferry Line M.V. Coho. We took the 4 pm sailing out of Victoria, BC, to Port Angeles, Washington. Our 44-foot-long rig and the two of us cost $248. It's early November, so a tad cool, but the winds were light, and the sun poked through, making for a gorgeous scene as the ferry slowly motored out of Victoria's famous inner harbor.
We arrived in Port Angeles in the dark 90 minutes later and proceeded to our first stop, the 7 Cedars Casino, about half an hour's drive east on Highway 101. The casino offers overnight RV parking in a large lot. 7cedars.com/rv-lot
The ferry and border crossing was smooth sailing. We look forward to heading to the Oregon Coast next for some fall storm watching as the King Tides are on tap November 15th -17th. The highest tides of the season are sure to put on a wave-crashing show!
youtu.be/EzvadTz8qWY
- General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
Our snowbird journey south has begun! We crossed over a couple of days ago aboard the MV Coho ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles. Our first stop was at 7 Cedars Casino near Sequim, WA. Nice big parking lot and up to 3 days stay. Will have a video out later today with scenes from the ferry trip. It was a beautiful fall evening leaving Victoria's inner harbor.
+2 - Ray's Product ReviewsICECO JP50 Pro Review
New video up, part one of my review of an ICECO Portable AC-DC Fridge/Freezer. I’ve augmented our RV and boat refrigerator for five years with a second portable AC/DC unit. The portable unit can be a fridge or a deep freezer, which allows for many handy uses while camping. loveyourrv.com/iceco-port
I use it in fridge mode to slowly defrost large pieces of meat like roasts or turkey, store beverages for parties, or keep groceries cool when transporting them back from shopping. In freezer mode, it expands our frozen food storage capacity greatly. We can stay in remote locations longer and save money by buying meat in bulk or when on sale.
Recently, ICECO contacted me and offered me one of their JP Pro Series portable fridges/freezers for review. Based on several interesting features, I decided to accept the offer.
- Ray's Product ReviewsRV Rear View Monitor with Built-in Tire Pressure Monitor - Haloview BT7 TPMS
This first video includes an unboxing, a list of features, installation, settings, and a quick demo. I’ll return in a few weeks after using it, towing our RV for hundreds of miles with my performance review and real-world footage in various road conditions.
- General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
Interesting trees I spotted on the shoreline of Rathtrevor Provincial Park, Vancouver Island. The ocean has eroded the beach from right under them but still standing.
- General RV ChatThe 2024/25 RV Snowbird Season
This video provides an update on what we have been doing in October now that boating season has ended. We have stayed in 3 RV parks so far.
First, a 2 week stay at Sunlund RV Park in Lund, north of Powell River, then Puntledge RV Park in Courtenay, and down to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville.Related Links:
Sunlund RV Park - campspot.com/park/sunlund
Puntledge RV Park - puntledgerv.ca
Rathtrevor Beach PP - bcparks.ca/rathtrevor-bea
LYRV&B Substack - loveyourrv.substack.com
