Maryhill in May 2017 - 5/19-22

[NW Cat Owner]

Yep, Barbara B should be in what I originally reserved, site 16. Her moolah came while I was gone and I got to meet her at the Spring NOG as she showed up there unexpectedly. She's looking forward to the event and was thrilled I was able to fling the reservation her way.

Have fun everyone!

[Bobbie54]

Is there a preferred route to get down there? I'm thinking I90 and then head south but alternatively could do 5 and then head East.

[paulw]

Originally Posted by Bobbie54

Is there a preferred route to get down there? I'm thinking I90 and then head south but alternatively could do 5 and then head East.

I5 to the Columbia then East on I84 is flatter and longer.
We like to go over Snoqualmie then South thru Yakima, Toppenish & Goldendale. It's a nicer drive, but lots of up & down over Manastash Ridge & Satus Pass.
You could always go down one way & back the other...

[Bobbie54]

I'm going to stay E. until after Osoyoos.

I'll have to map both out and decide. It's good to know about up and downs as other than Snoqualmie I assumed that route was also pretty flat. Is it up and down like going to Pullman (rolling hills) or is it mountainous?

[paulw]

Manastash Ridge between Ellensburg and Yakima is not super high, but has several steep climbs and descents. Status pass is a fairly steep, but not long, climb up and over

[Bobbie54]

Originally Posted by paulw

Manastash Ridge between Ellensburg and Yakima is not super high, but has several steep climbs and descents. Status pass is a fairly steep, but not long, climb up and over

Anything that would make a person who has fear of heights nervous?

[paulw]

I wouldn't think so - good roads with passing lanes & not much traffic (midweek anyway).

[NCBill]

We will be arriving early, Tuesday afternoon, as we will head over to Timberline Lodge Wednesday. It's a bucket list trip so we are "multitasking" our way across the US. We leave Sunday AM to Utah for the next leg of our adventure.

[dfandrews]

We'll be in Longview at the beginning of the week, so we're going to take WA-14E along the north shore of the Columbia River to Maryhill. I-84 is on the south shore, and has always been our route in the past, but this time (in fact, this whole trip) we're taking routes and roads not traveled before. Besides, everything flies by pretty fast when you're on an Interstate hwy.

[dfandrews]

Water question for those of you who have been to Maryhill State park before: How's the water there?
We are now laying out our trip, and may just run without water in the fresh water tank for the first portion (no need to haul 160 lbs. from A to B when we don't need to). We need to determine the best place to take on water, and are hoping that Maryhill, right on the Columbia River, is a good choice.
Thanks for any help.

[paulw]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Water question for those of you who have been to Maryhill State park before: How's the water there?
We are now laying out our trip, and may just run without water in the fresh water tank for the first portion (no need to haul 160 lbs. from A to B when we don't need to). We need to determine the best place to take on water, and are hoping that Maryhill, right on the Columbia River, is a good choice.
Thanks for any help.

HI Don,
The potable water at your campsite is fine to put in your water system (the park irrigates with non-potable river water), but I can't vouch for taste - we use bottled water for drinking/cooking.

[drpaddle]

The weather forecast is starting to look quite nice for next week. Looking forward to it!

[paulw]

If someone wants to attend but doesn't have a site, I just found out one of our original Maryhillers won't be able to come this year.
He is going to cancel site 2 tomorrow morning - 5/12. (His reservation is at the disabled veteran rate so he can't just transfer it to someone).

[Donna D.]

Unless something has changed, don't forget your donuts for the sewer connection!

[santacruzer]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Unless something has changed, don't forget your donuts for the sewer connection!

Donna,
We're stopping at Maryhill on the way back from Osoyoos. Will I need a donut even if I have one of those "fits all" connections? So far, I've never gotten around to acquiring a donut!
Bob

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by santacruzer

Donna,
We're stopping at Maryhill on the way back from Osoyoos. Will I need a donut even if I have one of those "fits all" connections? So far, I've never gotten around to acquiring a donut!
Bob

I don't know what a "fits all" is. Does it screw in? The sewer connections at Maryhill are at a 90 degree coming out of the ground. That's to prevent the sewer system from flooding if the Columbia River comes into the campground. The connection doesn't have any threads and you need some way to get a sealed connection. Some people just unscrew the end off their sewer hose and shove the hose down deep inside. Gross. I bought a donut AFTER my first Maryhill gathering!

[santacruzer]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

I don't know what a "fits all" is. Does it screw in? The sewer connections at Maryhill are at a 90 degree coming out of the ground. That's to prevent the sewer system from flooding if the Columbia River comes into the campground. The connection doesn't have any threads and you need some way to get a sealed connection. Some people just unscrew the end off their sewer hose and shove the hose down deep inside. Gross. I bought a donut AFTER my first Maryhill gathering!

Yeah, it's one of those Rhinoflex end fittings with multiple thread connections. Has worked everywhere so far, but it sounds like it would be smart to toddle off and get a donut. I appreciate the heads up!
Bob

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by santacruzer

Yeah, it's one of those Rhinoflex end fittings with multiple thread connections. Has worked everywhere so far, but it sounds like it would be smart to toddle off and get a donut. I appreciate the heads up!
Bob

Just so you know, a donut isn't threaded either. It's kinda a rubber (or styrofoam) thing and you still need to remove the connection at the end of your sewer hose and feed it through the donut. But, you'll get a sealed connection and NO SMELLS. Just have a good ziplock kinda bag to put it into when you're done. It should last you forever.

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by paulw

HI Don,
The potable water at your campsite is fine to put in your water system (the park irrigates with non-potable river water), but I can't vouch for taste - we use bottled water for drinking/cooking.

Thank you. I think we'll try it (unless we fill in Longview).

[garysd]

Looks like great weather! We're really looking forward to this weekend.



Gary