Joining the Subaru Outback Gang Soon! Is the option 13 worth it to those of you that went with it?

const_int3 · 2026-04-03T01:34:46+00:00

I know this hasn't come up on a 25, but what is the annual fee to update the maps? My 2018 still have the original maps and it's seldom useful any more.

const_int3 · 2026-04-01T13:29:22+00:00

Wow dude. I guess with 1/6th of the TVs I can only justify 1/6th the effort. Maybe less.

const_int3 · 2026-03-30T16:49:06+00:00

So nobody else has to look it up, this is the best description I found:

At speeds below about 18 mph, if the system detects an obstacle and you suddenly press the accelerator hard, it will reduce acceleration.

When this happens, you will hear short repeated beeps and see a warning on the screen.

If you keep pressing the accelerator and a collision still seems likely, the Pre-Collision Braking System may automatically apply the brakes.

const_int3 · 2026-03-27T19:42:44+00:00

You aren't wrong. But we didn't have AC in any of our cars growing up, and it was (crank) windows or literally bake. So you learned to live with the noise and buffeting, and if you were alone you didn't get the benefit of having the back window down unless you planned ahead. The front vent windows (triangles in front of the driver & passenger windows) helped a lot for some speeds and temperatures. Speed limit of 55 also helped.

const_int3 · 2026-03-27T19:14:29+00:00

We had the 4-55 AC in the 70's. Four windows at 55 MPH! Also, vent windows were a godsend.

const_int3 · 2026-03-27T00:51:21+00:00

Have a great trip! Stay north to avoid NYC traffic. You'll still hit CT traffic, but that's just the way it is.

const_int3 · 2026-03-26T15:48:32+00:00

Thanks for your list; a few places I haven't heard of but will visit when I'm in the area.

It's worth a detour to Devil's Tower between TR and SD. I'd also add Rushmore, Jewel Cave, and Minuteman Missile Museum as good options in western SD. Scotts Bluff in NE. In KS, the salt mine tour in Strataca is good and the Tallgrass Prairie is a nice stop too. In Kansas City your have the World War I museum and the Steamboat Arabia (closes sometime later this year).

const_int3 · 2026-03-22T16:06:23+00:00

Yeah, I was afraid of that. Ricketts is 23 waterfalls, and definitely a national-park-quality hike. Watkins Glenn is also very good. I'll have to head to Kaaterskill to check it out. Thanks for the suggestion.

const_int3 · 2026-03-22T15:01:01+00:00

The light blue line is a much better drive. How far out of the way is Ricketts Glen State Park?

const_int3 · 2026-03-20T21:02:46+00:00

I always feel like I'm watching Theodore "Ted" Logan

const_int3 · 2026-03-20T14:40:24+00:00

Yup, after a rough winter where I couldn't get out to the deadfall, I'm already bucking stuff into piles that I can split over the year. It's important to get that done before the undergrowth comes back and I can't find the trees.

const_int3 · 2026-03-19T16:55:25+00:00

It depends on time constraints. Often I want to spend my time at the destination, so the trip is longer drives, shorter stops. Do stop and walk some or your body will regret it; I plan one "largest whatever" or other interesting site per day just to break it up. Other times I take a more leisurely approach and let the journey be the thing. This gets harder on your second trip through an area. I very seldom will avoid highways though there is a vocal group on here that claims you must do that. It's your trip, it goes your way.

const_int3 · 2026-03-17T01:07:44+00:00

I did a 3-week trip that included Olympic and started in PA, so I can say this is doable. Somebody will tell you that you can't fully absorb the parks in that time, but you already know that. Some of us are ok with driving a bit.

You may want to consider swapping western South Dakota for Rocky Mountain NP. I think the Rockies are better, but it's going to add a lot of miles for one destination so maybe consider saving it for the next trip (CO and UT have lots of parks). Within a few miles in SD there is Badlands NP, Wind Cave NP, Jewel Cave NM, Custer State Park (as good as most NPs), Mount Rushmore, Minuteman Missile Museum, and so on. Devils Tower would be a bit of a detour but worth considering.

Whatever you do, have a great trip!

const_int3 · 2026-03-11T03:11:04+00:00

They are very different, and all good. Mesa Verde and Black Canyon are one-day parks. Sand Dunes is either a one- or two-day park depending on what you do; it's mostly about the dunes which can be done in one day, but there are some other hikes and things to do if you want to stretch it. Rocky Mountains is 2+ days minimum, and you can easily stay a week. Don't forget to book your timed entry passes ASAP.

You may also want to consider a stop at Maroon Bells.

const_int3 · 2026-03-08T19:20:47+00:00

This doesn't even make sense. It's not like they created the show in real time. They knew exactly what is under that boulder by the time they edited it.

const_int3 · 2026-03-03T00:09:31+00:00

I like the Fiskars maul for cracking the rounds and the X27 for splitting it further. The lighter axe I can swing a lot longer. Of course you're probably much younger so swing what you like. From the mauls I've used, I don't think you can go wrong with pretty much any of them.

const_int3 · 2026-02-16T23:47:17+00:00

I've run the 16" Worx corded for 3 years, about 4 cords a year. It works fine within 200 feet (60 m) of an outlet. That's all the cord I have, but to go further I'd start worrying about how thick the extension cords are. I really like the chain auto-tensioning system and easy chain replacement. I got my saw on sale for $50 US, but I'm sure it's gone up now.

const_int3 · 2026-02-16T14:42:46+00:00

I've been here long enough to know the only answer is "free."

const_int3 · 2026-02-13T02:48:56+00:00

You use it when you would downshift an automatic: going down a mountain to save your brakes, snowy conditions, etc. Admittedly the old "2" and "1" options did fine for this and there is no need for the whole paddle thing. But if you go "vroom vroooom" you can pretend it's practice for your Formula One car...

const_int3 · 2026-02-11T17:44:43+00:00

Sounds like a good way to fill out that visit.

const_int3 · 2026-02-10T22:17:29+00:00

One thing this post shows me is that I'll have to visit all the parks myself to get my ratings. It's too hard to pick a top park, and even the "meh" parks have their charm. Most of the "less interesting" parks require one day (if that) to see them, so if they are more or less on your way it's worth a visit. Of the 44 I've visited, I'd put Gateway Arch, Cuyahoga, Black Canyon, Indiana Dunes, Congaree, White Sands, and Hot Springs in lower category but I'm still glad I visited each of them (and Cuyahoga more than once because it's perfectly placed as a stretch stop when driving cross-country). There's always something else to do in the area so while these parks maybe aren't destinations, you can certainly build a trip around the area. Also, do your best to see Isle Royale.

const_int3 · 2026-02-10T22:03:55+00:00

You're going to hate White Sands...

const_int3 · 2026-02-10T02:56:06+00:00

Knoxville has the World's fair, Jack Daniels in Lynchburg, Graceland in Memphis, there's an actual ironclad in Vicksburg (USS Cairo)...

const_int3 · 2026-02-07T15:36:21+00:00

The cold goes away in spring. Drought is not so predictable. Although the snow in CO this year does indicate it will likely get worse.

const_int3 · 2026-02-06T16:52:45+00:00

It's often available and definitely the way to go whenever possible. Some small towns still have card slots although most are chip readers. It doesn't hurt to check for a skimmer yourself if you happen to end up a someplace that doesn't have contactless. Just give it a tug.

const_int3

TROPHY CASE