In past visits to the “City of Sin”, we visited places like The Neon Museum, the Brain Institute and Red Rock Canyon, this time around we checked out Fremont Street in old Las Vegas and visited the Valley of Fire, which is just 40 miles North of Las Vegas. We were SO delighted with what we saw in the Valley of Fire, we went twice! It’s was THAT beautiful and interesting, we simply could not see it all on one day.

Valley of Fire

The Valley of Fire is aptly named as the dramatic sandstone formations that make up the park are firey red which intensify in the late-afternoon sun. As the rocks and cliffs get eroded by the elements, amazing colored patterns and shapes emerge, shapes that are continually being polished by the wind, often leaving perfectly round holes in cliffs.

The valley, located in the Mojave desert, offers many aspects that are common in places like Utah and North East Arizona and offers a variety of features typically only found there. For example, the Valley of Fire has numerous arches, not unlike those found in Utah’s Arches National Park. These arches are all carved from that red, rusty-colored sandstone that Utah is so famous for.

One of the prime attractions of the park is a feature called “The Fire Wave”, a distinctly wave-shaped piece of red-and-white-colored sandstone similar to a rocky formation, simply called “The Wave”, in Northern Arizona. While the Valley of Fire’s Wave is smaller than the Wave in Arizona, it is way more accessible – a mere 30-45 minutes easy hike. In contrast, the Arizona version not only requires a permit, it is a 4 hour hike over treacherous terrain.

Hiking Trails

We found some extremely photogenic locations sprinkled through the park, lots of color and hugely interesting canyons and hiking trails. One such trail was to a location called Mouse’s Tank, a natural basin in the rock where water collects and can remain trapped there for months. The 3/4 mile round trip hike is very easy, and passes several historic petroglyphs carved there some 3000 years ago by the Ancient Pueblo people. Finding and spotting them on the rock face makes for a fascinating (and fun) game as you go down the trail. Some are easily seen, some are very obscure and hard to make out.

A far more recent bit of history is found just off the main road where three stone cabins stand. They were originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1930 as a shelter for travelers. This is before the area was designated a State Park, which did not happen until 1935. The three cabins each have a fireplace and an opening for a door and window, although they are now long gone. The cabins blend perfectly into the surroundings as they are constructed out of the native sandstone. The area is now a picnic area and makes for a wonderful stop and photo opportunity.

Wild Life

As you can imagine, the park is full of wildlife – coyotes, snakes, desert turtles, Gila Monsters (a lizard) and bighorn sheep. We did not spot anything “exotic” like the turtles or Gila Monster, but we DID see some bighorn sheep. They stopped the traffic and were nibbling at the vegetation alongside the road. They are very majestic animals when you get up close.

In Summary

As a park goes, it is not too large – about 11 by 6 miles, with only one single road that goes through it. There are two campgrounds with a total of 71 sites. While no sewer hook-ups, all have water and about 20 of them even have electricity.

As compact as the park is, it is packed with lots to see and do , from hiking, photography, spectacular scenery and access to other interesting locations such as Lake Mead and, yes, Las Vegas.

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We have arrived in Waldport, on the Oregon Coast. We decided for a KOA campground. While KOAs usually charge a slightly higher per night fee, they also usually offer a more reliable WiFi connection, which is necessary for working in a motorhome. We were not disappointed. During the day, speeds can be as high as 12-14 Mbps and in the evening drops to the levels shown in the screenshot – 7.92 Mbps.

I can only assume the drop in speed is due to people streaming videos and such.

Having good WiFi connectivity is important as I work two days a week in my marketing capacity for a software company. I need access to email, work on our corporate website, communicate with co-workers using SKYPE and make phone calls to prospects or to chase up leads. All of this requires decent WiFi speed.

While the 12-14 Mbps during the day is more than adequate for my work, we cannot blindly rely on the RV Park having that type of connectivity. We therefore also travel with no less than three hotspots, each for a different cellular network, so we have all options covered. We have an AT&T phone that includes a 10 MB data plan and two non-phone hotspot devices with a “pay as you go” data plan option. That way we can control our costs and only purchase data if and when we need it.

We have a Jetpack for the Verizon network and a Karma WiFi for the Sprint network. Usually, between those three options, I can always get a decent connection. Today, I measured the AT&T hotspot at a massive 22Mbps and the Karma WiFi at a highly respectable 18Mbps. In other words, I would have been in a good place if the RV Park had a lousy or unreliable connection. I can stream video with those speeds and even do demonstrations of our software via the Internet, the performance is that good.

To connect to the RV Park’s WiFi, we have a WiFi Ranger, which is mounted on the roof of the motorhome. This acts like a booster antenna, allowing us to pick up WiFi access points located up to 2500 feet away. Think of free offerings such as a nearby Starbucks, a Home Depot or even hotels. Our laptops could never connect to access points so far away so the WiFi Ranger really extends the options available. In the case of RV Park WiFi, it doesn’t matter how far away we are parked, the Ranger will deliver a signal to us.

The WiFi Ranger does this by creating a private network inside the motorhome, so we are the only ones that can use this device. Very nice.

The end result is a perfect working environment, as good as being at home.

Linda and I have an arrangement, when I work, she does her art. That way both of us can concentrate, undisturbed, on our work. A perfect blend of having fun in the motorhome and fulfilling work obligations without compromise.

SPONSORED

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I am now “legal” of course, but getting this license was not as straight forward as one would think. Not because it is hard, but because so few people know anything about it and that, sadly, includes the DMV itself.

Let me elaborate and hopefully, this post will help anyone who might have doubts or finds themselves in the same boat.

When we first purchased the motorhome, we actually asked the local DMV office if any special license was required. They informed me that “no” motorhomes could be driven with the regular Class C license. Granted, I did not tell them the size of the motorhome, but they never asked me to elaborate. In hindsight, this was the first indication that the local office had no idea.

As we started travelling with the motorhome, we would occasionally hear murmurs of needing that class B license so I eventually looked it up. Sure enough, this page on the website of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, states it quite clearly – “any housecar over 40’ but not over 45’”.

Further investigation revealed that I would need to sit a written test AND complete a “behind the wheel” test, driving the actual motorhome itself. The full list of requirements is listed here.

So I called the DMV to start the process. These days, the DMV has a central 1-800 number that you call. As I live in Woodland, CA (a town near Sacramento), I asked if I could do the test locally and was told that the driving test had to be done at the “Commercial Driving Test Center”, or CDTC, in West Sacramento, but that I could do the written test locally at the Woodland office. Little did I know at the time, that this was a major mistake.

I showed up for my appointment on time and filled out the form they handed me. I ticked off the box stating I was there for a Non-Commercial Class B license. Please take a moment to note that the form they handed me (and which they hand to EVERYONE walking into the door), actually has a box to tick for that type of license! When I handed the form back, I could see the guy hesitate as his eye caught that ticked box. Eventhough his surprise was obvious, it was clearly not his problem as he referred me to another window. This is where the confusion really set in.

The girl took one glance and went “oh . . . .” then started to click through page after page on her computer. After a few minutes, she excused herself and went to get a co-worker. The interrogation of the computer continued. Some more time passed after which the girl looked at me and said “I’ve never done a non-commercial class B”, then went to get her supervisor.

She came, did her share of searching the computer, then asked me what I needed this license for. “Oh . . . a motorhome, you don’t need that, a class C license is fine”. I assured her I did need that. More questions about what I was going to do, constantly ignoring my statement that this applied because of the length of the vehicle. Then, when she learned that I would be towing a car behind the motorhome, a light seemed to go off. After consulting the computer a bit more AND getting no-less that TWO more people involved, I was told I needed, not a class B, but a Non-Commercial Class A license, because I would be towing. I was not convinced, but figured that a Class A would cover all the requirements of a Class B, so I did the test and . . . passed. After seeing a 6th person that morning, I left the office with a Non-Commercial Class A permit. While still somewhat annoyed at having to deal with SIX different people, I was pleased with myself. Now for the driving test itself, which had to be at the CDTC in West Sacramento, about a 45 minuted drive away.

Because the Class A license includes towing, I had to show up, and be prepared to drive with, the tow vehicle. Another requirement was to show up with someone who had a Class A license as my permit would not allow me to drive un-supervised (eventhough I had done this for 9 months prior). Thankfully, my neighbour has a Class A license and was happy to come along.

The FIRST thing I was told after checking in was “you don’t need a Class A, you need a non-commercial Class B license”. Oh boy . . .

This spurned off more computer work, new fingerprint recording, a new photo taken and another signature. Now I had a Class B permit and the testing could begin, or so I thought. There was a drip from my transmission cooling tank which meant a deferral.

After having the leak dealt with by the local Catepillar dealer, it was back to the CDTC for the driving test, this time with out the tow vehicle as that was NOT required for the Class B test. My neighbour was once again, happy to come along.

The driving test consists of 3 distinct parts:

1. Pre-trip safety check.
2. A skills test
3. A driving test that includes driving on the freeway as well as city streets, changing lanes, etc.

The safety check for a Class A is extensive, but for the non commercial class B, it turned out to be little more than “here is how you would do a safety check” rundown by the guy who tested me. Whew . . .

The skills test portion involves backing up with the motorhome. There were 3 skills tests.

First off was the “Straight Line Backup” which merely required you to back up the motorhome in a straight line. Considering there is no trailer involved, this was pretty easy.

The second skill was a little harder, the “Offset Backup” which required you to backup into a space, not directly behind the motorhome. A little tricky, but very doable.

The third test, the hardest one, was backing into a space at a 90 degree angle.

Thankfully, I had practised this a few days prior with my lovely wife pushing me hard to perfect this manouver, something that proved extremely valuable, as I aced all three tests.

After this was the road portion which was not too challenging, after all, I had been driving this 42ft monster for at least 9 months already. I passed the test and I am now the proud owner of a Non-Commercial Class B driver’s license. I am “legal” at last!

Lessons Learned

There are a few lessons to take away from all this. In summary, they are:

1. You DO need a non-commercial Class B if you live in California and drive a motorhome that is 40ft or larger. 39 ft is OK with a class C, 40ft or larger requires the class B.
2. Some on=line resources are:
   1. You can download the Commercial Driver Handbook It is packed with necessary information. The table in figure 1.2 will tell you you need to study sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 11, 12 and 13. Section 5 is required if you have airbrakes.
   2. The Non-Commercial Class B requirements can be found here
   3. You will need this form filled out by your doctor.
   4. The Recreational Vehicle and Trailer Handbook is also a great reference as a summary to inform you what is needed.
3. Do NOT assume that your local DMV office knows all the rules. I would recommend going straight to the closest Commercial Driving Testing Center (CDTC), even if that is not your closest office. Believe me, you will be better off dealing with people who know what is involved.
4. You WILL need to sit a written test too, even if you just did one for your class C. In fact, if it has been more than 12 months since you did your class C written test, you will need to REDO the generic written test. This means you will need to do TWO written tests: One for your generic (class C license) and one for the Class B license.
5. Practice your backing up with the motorhome! It pays off.

Good luck and happy trails.

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