Blow That Dough 2025

[RobLJ]

We are working on this also. Up to 55 as of now. Redwood and Lassen in October. Only 7 left after that.

You might want to go to Lassen in September or early October at the latest. Just a word to the wise, unless you are ready for the chance of the blizzard. We'll be there with hiking friends in September, so if you are there then, let me know if you want to meet. The group is finishing a bunch of hikes we didn't get to do; two of them were done in snow back in the original group camp in late June.
We went in late June 4 years ago and almost froze two nights. Mid/Late October might be pushing it, but then you might be lucky! Go to Redwoods after Lassen (we hikers went to Redwood the year before COVID; I was responsible since I'd always wanted to go there.)

 

[Winemaker]

^^ While in Lassen, don't forget to check out the Cinder Cone hike on the eastern side of the park. Pretty cool!

 

[DrRoy]

Now might be a good time to visit Hawaii Volcanos National Park on Big Island.

It sure would. We have been there, so not a new one, but I would love to see the eruption.

 

[DrRoy]

Both are gorgeous. Be watchful of the weather in Lassen. It's one of the snowiest places in California. Snow can start falling in October.

The timing is pretty well set now. We will get there Oct. 18. Hope it works. Still, snow might make for good photos.

 

[albireo13]

Built a full apartment in the basement. Adult children moving home.
I didn’t really need that nest egg , did I??

 

[imjustawarrior]

I got my DW a new car last week. Today I just purchased a car for me. This is the first time I have purchased a car for me that wasn't just a good value car. I hope it turns out to be fun. I has fold flat back seats, so I can sleep in it when I'm out away from civilization.
2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Elite Blackout

 

[COcheesehead]

I got my DW a new car last week. Today I just purchased a car for me. This is the first time I have purchased a car for me that wasn't just a good value car. I hope it turns out to be fun. I has fold flat back seats, so I can sleep in it when I'm out away from civilization.
2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Elite Blackout

View attachment 56832

You’ll have to let us know what you think. My wife has been eyeing one of these.

 

[imjustawarrior]

You’ll have to let us know what you think. My wife has been eyeing one of these.

The markets closed early today, so I could not sell something to get the money, so I pick it up on Wednesday in Highlands Ranch. Schomp Honda tends to have really good prices if you are willing to come to the Front Range.

As soon as I pick it up, I think I'm going to take off on a short road trip to Wy. I'll let you know what I think after that. I bought it sight unseen with no test drive.

 

[COcheesehead]

The markets closed early today, so I could not sell something to get the money, so I pick it up on Wednesday in Highlands Ranch. Schomp Honda tends to have really good prices if you are willing to come to the Front Range.

As soon as I pick it up, I think I'm going to take off on a short road trip to Wy. I'll let you know what I think after that. I bought it sight unseen with no test drive.

We bought a Mini from Schomp for my wife and I bought a few BMW’s from them over the years. I always liked their service waiting room.

 

[imjustawarrior]

Just purchased a Yeti Tundra Haul.

It is a small BTD, but I only got it to keep my Coke Zero cold when I am at Yellowstone next month. I am staying in the park, and the room does not have a fridge. I don't want to buy ice every day for my Coke Zero. This is my $450 Coke Zero cooler. Fortunately, Yeti has a 15% veteran discount, so it was a little cheaper.

I'll also use it for other outings.

 

[ransil]

Just purchased a Yeti Tundra Haul.

It is a small BTD, but I only got it to keep my Coke Zero cold when I am at Yellowstone next month. I am staying in the park, and the room does not have a fridge. I don't want to buy ice every day for my Coke Zero. This is my $450 Coke Zero cooler. Fortunately, Yeti has a 15% veteran discount, so it was a little cheaper.

I'll also use it for other outings.

Buying Ice in the park will be listed in this thread after your trip.

 

[aja8888]

Buying Ice in the park will be listed in this thread after your trip.

 

[imjustawarrior]

Buying Ice in the park will be listed in this thread after your trip.

No doubt.

My plan is to load up the cooler at home. I will only be in the park for 3 nights. I will spend 1 night getting there. I'm hoping that I will not need to buy ice in the park.

I am doing a test run next week with the Yeti and my new car on a short road trip to work out the kinks. I don't want my soda to freeze or be too warm. Life is hard.

 

[Koolau]

No doubt.

My plan is to load up the cooler at home. I will only be in the park for 3 nights. I will spend 1 night getting there. I'm hoping that I will not need to buy ice in the park.

I am doing a test run next week with the Yeti and my new car on a short road trip to work out the kinks. I don't want my soda to freeze or be too warm. Life is hard.

Yes, you gotta have your priorities straight!

I considered one of these but wasn't sure how long you could use it and not run down your battery. The first one I looked at suggested it would use 1Kwhr per day.

https://www.top5-usa.com/12v-car-fridge-freezer?targetid=kwd-84594834503279:loc-190&matchtype=e&device=c&campaignid=436126491&creative=&adgroupid=1353500544325077&feeditemid=&loc_physical_ms=66689&loc_interest_ms=&network=o&devicemodel=&placement=&keyword=$best%2012v%20car%20fridge%20freezer&target=&adposition=&trackid=us_all_top5_bing&mId=H149003CQN

 

[imjustawarrior]

Yes, you gotta have your priorities straight!

I considered one of these but wasn't sure how long you could use it and not run down your battery. The first one I looked at suggested it would use 1Kwhr per day.

https://www.top5-usa.com/12v-car-fridge-freezer?targetid=kwd-84594834503279:loc-190&matchtype=e&device=c&campaignid=436126491&creative=&adgroupid=1353500544325077&feeditemid=&loc_physical_ms=66689&loc_interest_ms=&network=o&devicemodel=&placement=&keyword=$best%2012v%20car%20fridge%20freezer&target=&adposition=&trackid=us_all_top5_bing&mId=H149003CQN

My friend who has a car fridge also has a large battery that he uses for the fridge. He can recharge the battery from the car or solar panels if he is camping. If I ever went the car fridge route, I would also get a battery. It scares me to leave it plugged into the car with the car off, especially if I'm away from civilization.

 

[TickTock]

Lost power briefly during a thunderstorm last night. Planning to buy a Jackery Explorer 300 Plus portable power station - we're basically looking to replace oil lamps and candles with a 10 watt LED lamp. Bonus - recharging the phones as well. $159 on Amazon.

It will take a 100W solar panel to recharge (also charges through 120VAC and USB-C as well), but that's not important to us right now. Nice to have as an option though.

 

[Koolau]

My friend who has a car fridge also has a large battery that he uses for the fridge. He can recharge the battery from the car or solar panels if he is camping. If I ever went the car fridge route, I would also get a battery. It scares me to leave it plugged into the car with the car off, especially if I'm away from civilization.

Right. A marine battery should w*rk well for this application and you could use the car/truck to charge it up.

I had the same thought about leaving the fridge plugged into the car unattended.

 

[freedomatlast]

Keep a min-jump starter in the car and it won't be an issue.

 

[imjustawarrior]

Keep a min-jump starter in the car and it won't be an issue.

But if the fridge isn't running, my Coke Zero might get warm. That is my main concern.

 

[Koolau]

Keep a min-jump starter in the car and it won't be an issue.

I do keep a mini-jump starter in my car, but the real issue is that draining your car battery causes significant damage and shortens battery life. Using a separate Marine (deep-cycle) battery would be a lot better - and you can charge it with your car if need be.

 

[audreyh1]

We use an electronic car fridge, but we also take it into the hotel overnight and plug it in there. We usually need access to the contents.

Regardless it’s not going to run our 100kWh battery down overnight or over several nights. Would take months!

 

[38Chevy454]

Insignificant vs most of my blow the dough type expenditures, but spent $629 tax and shipping included to get a lithium battery conversion kit for my golf cart. It's an old golf cart my neighbor gave me after it had some problems. I fixed those, but the old 6x 6v lead acid batteries are just not any good. So the new 36v 100ah lithium battery should be a big improvement. Also about 300 lbs weight savings in total. The price was an ebay special discounted price thanks to Amazon prime day. The lithium conversion is actually a bit less cost than it would be compared to buying 6 new lead acid batteries.

 

[skyking1]

I got my DW a new car last week. Today I just purchased a car for me. This is the first time I have purchased a car for me that wasn't just a good value car. I hope it turns out to be fun. I has fold flat back seats, so I can sleep in it when I'm out away from civilization.
2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Elite Blackout

View attachment 56832

Nice!
That thing is really Spanish with the 5 name moniker.

 

[Tom52]

Just signed a contract to re sod the front yard. There goes 4 grand.

 

[Koolau]

Just signed a contract to re sod the front yard. There goes 4 grand.

My service fraternity in college helped to sod the hillside of a new school over 50 years ago. Now, every time I drive by that school I notice that the sod still looks nice there. I did that j*b for free, but you couldn't have paid me enough to do it for a living. Sod is heavy - especially carrying it up a hill!

Enjoy your new front yard.