NW Inland Freshwater Rendezvous????

Mike, in the screenshot below I show Devil's Bench as the far-left cove near my blue mark. Is THAT what you were referring to or the other one to the right? I've not boated in this stretch so knowing where a good spot to hang or get out of the weather is a good thing. I see the dock and boat launch closer to the dam and it looks like there are covered picnic tables there. The dock looks a little short, but we could side tie if we had too.

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Nater Potater said:
That should be enough to seal the deal right there!
Today's MRE; as I understand, that stands for Meal, Refusing to Exit.
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MREs are actually pretty good now. For real ones. Now Canadian ones are off the charts. Gourmet food at it's best. They make the US ones look like McDonald's verses filet mignon.
 
Sundancer said:
Mike, in the screenshot below I show Devil's Bench as the far-left cove near my blue mark. Is THAT what you were referring to or the other one to the right? I've not boated in this stretch so knowing where a good spot to hang or get out of the weather is a good thing. I see the dock and boat launch closer to the dam and it looks like there are covered picnic tables there. The dock looks a little short, but we could side tie if we had too.

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The one I was talking about is the one you've marked with a blue arrow at the top of the photo. High walls to protect from the wind, good anchor holding, deep enough almost to the back end of the inlet. Nice place.

Also, if you're doing it after Labor Day, Fishhook Park will likely be closed so you can use their docks. At the end near shore there's a shelter right above the top of the dock that you can use for cooking, a place to get off the boat, etc.
 
As a P.S. to my post above, when you go into Fishhook Park stick a little closer to the end of the dock (on your port side) instead of the stbd side which is near shore.

The depth IMHO gets a bit skinny on the shore side.
 
For anyone that wants to fuel up in Lewiston, the Clearwater Ridge Casino a couple of miles east out of Lewiston on Hwy 95 is historically the cheapest fuel around. We'll be going north a couple of times this summer, so I'll verify that that's still the case.
As for scheduling suggested by @Sundancer , the Tuesday immediately following Labor Day Monday would be great. That's how we used to plan our annual dirt bike ride up around Stanley, as everyone else had left by then. I hate crowds...
 
Just remember. Permit wise, if your planning traveling, monday is a no travel day. Check your schedule with your permits. If I was able to go, I would'nt be able to move until mid day on Tuesday. And not on Sunday or Monday.
 
JHornsby3 said:
Just remember. Permit wise, if your planning traveling, monday is a no travel day. Check your schedule with your permits. If I was able to go, I would'nt be able to move until mid day on Tuesday. And not on Sunday or Monday.
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In Washington and Idaho Tuesday is a travel day. Washington limits travel starting at noon on SUNDAY all the way through Monday at midnight. Idaho also throws in no travel after noon on Friday through midnight Friday night. Well, at least that's what they USED to do. I haven't traveled in Idaho with an oversize load permit on a holiday weekend in a while. It used to be we could leave Spokane (When I lived there) and either be at Priest or Pend O'Reille by noon.

Oregon did a study and they concluded that putting Holiday restrictions on Oversized loads caused a backup on the days prior and following a major holiday. For a while they allowed travel with no restrictions during those holiday weekends. They must have abandoned those restrictions on the holiday weekends a while ago. I wish someone would invent a 30-footer with slide outs so I could haul it any day!
 
Last year travel was allowed the friday before. But for labor day is was until noon on friday. And monday no travel until midnight. Saturday was ok and sunday until noon. This year the regs were Friday until noon until Monday at midnight. So I dont know. When I called " Work Safe" they said Oregon was going more to federal regs. He also said that things can be changing again in July. Last year all "weekend" holidays were the same. This year they are all listed separate. Well the major ones are. It's all getting to be so confusing. Make it all under federal regs so all the states are the same and easier.

Oregon also changed width on a lot of state roads. Going from 12' to 9'. And from 14' to 10". Damn it! I'm at 10'3", IIRC. There is also roads that I could run last year but this year are completely closed. Roads that are over 16" wide lanes.

Oh and last year after dark was a no no. But this year it's ok with market lights at the widest points. That has always been the case in Idaho.

Makes me want to get a slip and forget about it all. But that isn't going to happen.
 
It sounds like we'll have to ping Idaho and Washington for road requirements as Launch Time approaches. Does this look like the path we'll want to traverse? I don't think I've ever been on that stretch.
Screen Shot 2022-01-21 at 5.46.17 PM.png

Now, do we want to spend the first night at our launch point in Lewiston? As @Sundancer pointed out back in post #126 (I can't believe this thread has gotten this long!), getting the boats in the water and the round trip to Mike's place is pretty much going to be an all day sucker. I for one would rather start fresh the next morning.
I talked with Hells Canyon Resort in Washington just west of the Snake/Clearwater confluence. It sounds like this would be a great place to overnight and then launch from, but I was told that they're currently in wranglings with the Port of Clarkston. Meaning, we're not sure at this point who we need to talk to for arrangements. Hopefully, that'll settle down early this summer. Another option is Hells Gate back up the Snake by CCI. There's concern about the shallow draft in their marina. I'll call them in the morning to see where that stands.
 
Gofirstclass said:
John, that extra 3" isn't even going to be noticed if you have all your signage and everything else in order.
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It's the over 10' that I would be worried about. The state trooper across the road from us has already said if we are seen, we will be stopped. I was working on my overhead lights and he stopped by to see the boat. He confirmed, that in Oregon, it's best to just be legal instead of just looking it for the most part. I take that as just this side of the state and highway 26 from Bend to Idaho. My co-driver got stopped about 20 miles west of a wide spot in the road called Riley for doing 57 in a 55. Ever see a guy with no teeth get pissed? Funniest thing ever.
 
JHornsby3 said:
Other than the fiberglass ribbed siding, it looked the same. Greatest RV's ever made. At the time.
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I got mine for the simple fact that there's no wood in it. Superstructure and outer skin is all aluminum. I've had my fill of rotted RVs. After looking at quite a few, this was the first that both my wife and I, at the same time, new it satisfied our wants/needs.
 
In 2012 we moved to Boise. Lived in ours for about 5 months in the winter. Two weeks of -20* and we had a hard time keeping the temp below 75*. Down right cooked us out. Ours had the same framing with a wood paneling, polystyrene foam, vapor barrier then siding. I hated to see it go. Pulled like a dream after I got the hitch dialed in. That old 1988 looked like new on the outside. Inside it looked like 1999.
 
Nater Potater said:
Got it right here!
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LOL!!! Yes I have one of those 30 footers with a couple of slides too, but it doesn't float! Well, it doesn't float very long from what I understand! Actually, it's aluminum and foam so it might? I guess it would depend on how full the tanks and fridge are? It still doesn't have any motors, so it won't go on the water worth a hoot!

And yes, you have the best route back to Lewiston and Clarkston. It's not a bad drive through the Palouse and Alpowa Summit. Dayton and Pomeroy are quaint little towns with some old houses along the road.
 
IMO the best course of action if you get stopped is go play dumb. "Hell, when I bought the boat they told me the beam was 10', I just took them at their word".

There is no freeway to get to Lewiston so ya's just gonna have to take your chances....or cruise the boats from here to Lewiston and back.
 
Gofirstclass said:
IMO the best course of action if you get stopped is go play dumb. "Hell, when I bought the boat they told me the beam was 10', I just took them at their word".
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I wish I could. I hold a CDL A. So that isn't an option for me any more.o_O
 
JHornsby3 said:
Final revision. Only took two weeks to get it done. I think next time, I'll just give a bill for room and board and see if I can get it done faster.

What is the thoughts? This should suffice the powers that be as it's not anything like the branded but still looks great.

The "sundancer" will be a different color from the "Pacific Northwest" and "owners".

I will be sending it in for digitizing on Monday morning and should have it back by Wednesday morning.

Thoughts?
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Though we won't be joining you "east" I'd love to join on a Columbia River "west"! May we be members? I just "found "this thread! You guys are great fun! BTW, I love the logo!
 
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