Recovered/Located NV - Ronnie (found deceased) & Beverly Barker (taken for med care), RV trip, Stagecoach, 27 Mar 2022

[Lilibet]

I had to go and rest after watching the video. It made me motion sick. I haven't had that happen since I learned to drive.
After watching the video and thinking about it, I suspect that Phantom Canyon Road is the Scenic Route we intended to take. I think we must have made a wrong turn and ended up on a local road by mistake.

The video was going four times faster than normal so no wonder you were motion sick! I bailed out pretty quickly. I saw a spot where it would be easy to take the wrong road. The jeep took the low road. I didn’t see a sign telling which road to take.

 

[OddOneOut]

Getting back to the Barkers. In addition to the GPS, the video where the RV was recovered showed that they had Mapquest printouts and two road atlases. They also had cell phones and as I understand it they had Apple watches. It seems like they had planned ahead very well. I've been wondering if it was dark when they made that last right turn and they couldn't see the road sign. I and most of my friends try not to travel at night (seniors) and our night vision isn't as good as it could be. A diabetic friend's vision is bad enough that she doesn't drive in areas she doesn't know. She asks me to drive her in her car.

 

[SimplyCass]

Getting back to the Barkers. In addition to the GPS, the video where the RV was recovered showed that they had Mapquest printouts and two road atlases. They also had cell phones and as I understand it they had Apple watches. It seems like they had planned ahead very well. I've been wondering if it was dark when they made that last right turn and they couldn't see the road sign. I and most of my friends try not to travel at night (seniors) and our night vision isn't as good as it could be. A diabetic friend's vision is bad enough that she doesn't drive in areas she doesn't know. She asks me to drive her in her car.

Sunset for that area for 3/27/22 was around 7:09-7:10 p.m.; the last ping in Silver Peak area was 7:16 p.m. So it was almost/probably dark. However, the sign display for that area is pretty confusing even in good light, plus they would have had to do a very sharp angled left turn, which I imagine would have been really hard to do in an RV, so I think that had more to do with it, though it being dark certainly didn't help.

 

[OddOneOut]

Sunset for that area for 3/27/22 was around 7:09-7:10 p.m.; the last ping in Silver Peak area was 7:16 p.m. So it was almost/probably dark. However, the sign display for that area is pretty confusing even in good light, plus they would have had to do a very sharp angled left turn, which I imagine would have been really hard to do in an RV, so I think that had more to do with it, though it being dark certainly didn't help.

However, it is very common for seniors including myself to be unable to easily read street signs. My diabetic friend who still drives cannot read street signs unless she can get close to them. She often asks me to read house numbers, street names, etc. for her. My father couldn't read them either. During the day my vision is nearly normal. As the sun goes down it gets worse until I cannot read the names on street signs either. The signage on that intersection is not obvious. Weren't both Ron and Beverly diabetics?

 

[MimosaMornings]

However, it is very common for seniors including myself to be unable to easily read street signs. My diabetic friend who still drives cannot read street signs unless she can get close to them. She often asks me to read house numbers, street names, etc. for her. My father couldn't read them either. During the day my vision is nearly normal. As the sun goes down it gets worse until I cannot read the names on street signs either. The signage on that intersection is not obvious. Weren't both Ron and Beverly diabetics?

I thought both were diabetic but unknown if type 1/2, insulin dependent, insulin pump, or if either had diabetic retinopathy.

 

[anneg]

The video was going four times faster than normal so no wonder you were motion sick! I bailed out pretty quickly. I saw a spot where it would be easy to take the wrong road. The jeep took the low road. I didn’t see a sign telling which road to take.

It seems to me that dashcam videos give the impression of going faster than the vehicle is actually going. I watched it on YouTube and chose a slower playing speed, and then I skipped portions of the video. I believe the "high road" wasn't really a road--think I saw a gate or barrier at the top.

 

[Lilibet]

It seems to me that dashcam videos give the impression of going faster than the vehicle is actually going. I watched it on YouTube and chose a slower playing speed, and then I skipped portions of the video. I believe the "high road" wasn't really a road--think I saw a gate or barrier at the top.

Very smart to slow it down! I assumed it was speeded up because the video was less than 30 minutes , but it takes about 2 hours to drive the road. I will take your word for the barrier. It was too fast for me! I’m sure you’re right.

 

[BZag]

I am not sure if this has been posted but after watching the HeavyDSparks YT video last night, I wanted to see the terrain where these two ended up. Even though Travis P posted an update on 4/5/22 with end location of the RV. On the attachment, one can see on the screen shot the coordinates from Travis and the location according to what I believe is correct, from the video. The items in Goog Earth match up to what one sees from the overhead drone at the 12:38 mark (the white rock at the SE corner/5 o’clock position as well as the open area needed for the repositioning of the RV as well as the trees and other surrounding terrain). Interesting thing there if RB was looking at driving further, the that road/trail was a dead end.

The final place for the Kia was a bit harder to find but after looking at the screen shot of Dave when he was plugging in the coordinates (17:45 mark) and a couple of other postings, I believe I found the close to general area for that. Corrections are welcome if I am incorrect.

Lastly, I saw it in a couple of other postings but there are several reasons to have a personal emergency beacon. Since I started to travel out west in 2016, going on some back roads where there is no cell service this should be considered. Especially like with these two, they were older and had health conditions. If one is to pay out thousands of dollars on rigs like these (Class A, B and C’s) then spending $150 to $200 (or a bit more) for a device that has a five year battery like mine did, there is no reason not to have something like this. Something else I have been considering from other YT travel adventure area videos is to have a voice or text satellite means of communication.

emergency personal locator beacon at DuckDuckGo

Always remember that if something doesn’t feel right, that is, the old “gut feeling”, don’t do it. As Beverly states, they saw no problems and kept moving forward, there will be other times when something doesn’t feel right, if possible stop then go right, left or turnaround.

It’s sad this couple did NOT have these items but as the family is trying to consider this, if something positive comes out of this tragedy, then that this should be considered, something positive out of a negative situation.

 

[Herat]

Sunset for that area for 3/27/22 was around 7:09-7:10 p.m.; the last ping in Silver Peak area was 7:16 p.m. So it was almost/probably dark. However, the sign display for that area is pretty confusing even in good light, plus they would have had to do a very sharp angled left turn, which I imagine would have been really hard to do in an RV, so I think that had more to do with it, though it being dark certainly didn't help.

Actually there are several left turns in the hamlet of Silver Peak that all would have taken them to the same road east to join Highway 95. There is also a generous area at the left turn with the crazy sign where they could have turned around or even stopped for the night. In the google maps, it's all graveled and is clearly an area where larger mine trucks are capable of turning around. He could also have stopped and got out of the RV to look at the sign. It would be dusk, not completely dark so the light colored gravel and the sign would have been easy to see from the road they took in. Perplexing to me is why they would continue on a a dirt road when they had left the pavement. Dirt roads and large, long heavy RV's don't fit very well.

 

[Satchie]

Perplexing to me is why they would continue on a dirt road when they had left the pavement. Dirt roads and large, long heavy RV's don't fit very well.

Also, no lights ahead, anywhere. Would freak me out for sure.

However, I am female and am not ashamed to appear uncertain or confused. I notice I get a fair amount of contempt from some people for this, or else they put me in the category of 'of course she's uncertain, she's a girl'...(in spite of being well over 30)

JMO

 

[MistyWaters]

Also, no lights ahead, anywhere. Would freak me out for sure.

However, I am female and am not ashamed to appear uncertain or confused. I notice I get a fair amount of contempt from some people for this, or else they put me in the category of 'of course she's uncertain, she's a girl'...(in spite of being well over 30)

JMO

I don’t quite believe Beverley when she stated “they saw no problems”. But as her husband lost his life I can understand why she would want to respectfully honour his memory when talking to the media.

So this is just my opinion but the typical scenario might be the wife is highly alarmed at the road conditions but the bull-headed husband is bound and determined to not turn back, thereby admitting he took a wrong turn, even though travelling at nightfall on an unfamiliar narrow dirt road heavily ridden with deep ruts and potholes, branches scraping the sides of the a 35’ motor home, stuff inside getting hurled around from side to side, while towing a 2nd vehicle as well obviously posed a serious problem.

It was difficult to tell if the “road” the Kia was found on was even a road. I wonder why they didn’t wait it out in the RV until daybreak.

JMO

 

[Lilibet]

I don’t quite believe Beverley when she stated “they saw no problems”. But as her husband lost his life I can understand why she would want to respectfully honour his memory when talking to the media.

So this is just my opinion but the typical scenario might be the wife is highly alarmed at the road conditions but the bull-headed husband is bound and determined to not turn back, thereby admitting he took a wrong turn, even though travelling at nightfall on an unfamiliar narrow dirt road heavily ridden with deep ruts and potholes, branches scraping the sides of the a 35’ motor home, stuff inside getting hurled around from side to side, while towing a 2nd vehicle as well obviously posed a serious problem.

It was difficult to tell if the “road” the Kia was found on was even a road. I wonder why they didn’t wait it out in the RV until daybreak.

JMO

If this is what happened, I’m sure Ronnie apologized to Bev a thousand times and she forgave him. He paid the ultimate price and she is under no obligation to say more. But your opinion echoes my thinking. There is no way “they saw no problem.” It doesn’t take a genius to see that the road was becoming impassible. Generally, RVers are careful to avoid even minor damage to their rig, cringing at tree branches scraping the sides, let alone driving over rocks. The “bull-headed husband” who won’t ask directions or admit to taking a wrong turn is a mystery to women who don’t have that disposition. Plenty of really nice guys like Ronnie have this particular blind spot when it comes to driving. It usually doesn’t have such horrible results. However it happened, it’s a terrible tragedy and there are many lessons to be learned.

Rather than driving the Kia at night, I believe they spent the night in their rig and took off by car in the morning. Apparently, they expected to drive into town and get help quickly, so they didn’t take a supply of food or water. They took a wrong turn and the Kia ended up stuck too.

 

[Lillymac]

However, it is very common for seniors including myself to be unable to easily read street signs. My diabetic friend who still drives cannot read street signs unless she can get close to them. She often asks me to read house numbers, street names, etc. for her. My father couldn't read them either. During the day my vision is nearly normal. As the sun goes down it gets worse until I cannot read the names on street signs either. The signage on that intersection is not obvious. Weren't both Ron and Beverly diabetics?

I am diabetic...type 2. 7 years now. But, I have been night blind for most of my adult life. Course as I age it gets worse. My vision at night is better on roads with no headlights coming toward me. I don't drive at all if it's completely dark and plan my activities around that.

 

[zecats]

Also, no lights ahead, anywhere. Would freak me out for sure.

However, I am female and am not ashamed to appear uncertain or confused. I notice I get a fair amount of contempt from some people for this, or else they put me in the category of 'of course she's uncertain, she's a girl'...(in spite of being well over 30)

JMO

There supposedly was an eatery/bar in Silver Peak as well. Not sure if they would have passed it. But if so, stopping for directions could have been an option. Though, not faulting him- he likely believed the main road was straight ahead.

We all know hindsight is 20/20. IMO

 

[OddOneOut]

There supposedly was an eatery/bar in Silver Peak as well. Not sure if they would have passed it. But if so, stopping for directions could have been an option. Though, not faulting him- he likely believed the main road was straight ahead.
We all know hindsight is 20/20. IMO

One time it got dark before I found the campground I was going to stay at. I had campground directories and read the directions. I was out in the middle of no where. Not wanting to end up lost in the dark, I decided to double check at a gas station. The directions I was given would have taken me in the opposite direction of what the campground directories said. On leaving, I glanced back and the smirk on the attendants face told me all I needed to know. He was trying to get me lost. I followed the original directions and safely made it to the campground.

 

[Lilibet]

One time it got dark before I found the campground I was going to stay at. I had campground directories and read the directions. I was out in the middle of no where. Not wanting to end up lost in the dark, I decided to double check at a gas station. The directions I was given would have taken me in the opposite direction of what the campground directories said. On leaving, I glanced back and the smirk on the attendants face told me all I needed to know. He was trying to get me lost. I followed the original directions and safely made it to the campground.

Very smart of you!

 

[OddOneOut]

One time it got dark before I found the campground I was going to stay at. I had campground directories and read the directions. I was out in the middle of no where. Not wanting to end up lost in the dark, I decided to double check at a gas station. The directions I was given would have taken me in the opposite direction of what the campground directories said. On leaving, I glanced back and the smirk on the attendants face told me all I needed to know. He was trying to get me lost. I followed the original directions and safely made it to the campground.

The point I was trying to make was about the possibility they made the right hand turn due to being given wrong directions. The person asked, if they did ask, could have been out of the area or afraid to come forward when it was announced they were missing.

 

[GuyfromCanada]

INDIANAPOLIS — Family and friends gathered Thursday at services to remember and celebrate the life of U.S. Air Force veteran Ronnie Barker.

The 72-year-old died of dehydration on April 4 in the Nevada mountains after he and his wife Beverly got stuck in a remote area for more than a week.

Beverly sat down to talk with 13News a few days after she returned to Indianapolis without her longtime partner.

More at Wife recalls RV trip in Nevada that killed husband | wthr.com

 

[Candace_Skalet]

does anyone still have the email address set-up for Ron & Beverly..???? for providing information perhaps not known to the family..... i have Jeeped those roads for many years.... 29 years... the RV was found by a mine i sold 12 years ago... i have information for thought for the family....

Hopefully you know the RV was actually at 37.758920, -117.807700, and not at the coordinates Travis gave out. It was easy to figure out the locations of the RV and the Kia from Heavy D's recovery video. I verified both locations by driving to them on May 2. I'd love to know what information you wanted to pass to the family...

Nearly three months later, there are still many unanswered questions about this situation. Here are a few of them: List of questions

The family seems to have gone silent...a 180-degree turn from their endless Facebook posts during and immediately after the search and rescue/recovery. Not to mention their shrill (and as far as I can tell, baseless) accusations directed toward various Nevada officials.

For one thing, they've made inconsistent statements about when and where the missing persons report was filed. One of the relatives told me it was filed March 30, but did not say where it was filed. In the following article, Travis Peters states it was filed March 29 with the Oregon State Police. However, I've made a formal request and the OSP has no record of a missing persons report for the Barkers...

Article here

Or, perhaps I'm the only person still interested in this saga?