7/22/12 - Sunday Rest

We slept in late (10:00 AM) today. Then went to Denny's for breakfast. After that we went to Ulm, MT to the First People's Buffalo Jump State Park. We saw a great demonstration inside the building, a tipi and lots of other interesting stuff. We also bought souvenirs. Then we went to the CM Russell museum for Arts & Crafts for the kids and music for the adults. Back to the RV to rest and ordered Pizza. After eating we walked a trail at the famcamp and Steve took some beautiful sunset pictures. Also had a little rain storm about suppertime./

7/21/12 Saturday - Great Falls & Car Races

Today we loaded up our stuff and drove from the forest campground (Many Pines) to Great Falls. We got a site at the Fam Camp on Base and every took showers, did some laundry and got cleaned up (a much needed task!!) We ate supper at Chili's then went to the car races which was a roaring good time. When Steve was stationed here at Malmstrom - he raced a car every week - so it is very important to him to get to return to the races. We enjoyed them a lot. Then home to the RV for Bed.

7/20/12 Friday Forest

We got up to a soft rain this morning then had breakfast. Kirsti and I went back to sleep--after lunch Steve and I went to Neihart for a few m,ore supplies. This afternoon Steve rested and Austyn and I made God's eyes. Then we started supper outside but it started raining hard so we moved inside. Then after it let up some we took a walk and made fire for S'mores. Then bed.

7/19/12 Thursday - Forest

We had a morning fire (by Kristi). Then we decided to change campsites to be closer to Belt Creek. That took most of the morning. Then we had lunch. Kristi and I drove to Belt-- just goofing around plus we got gas at Belt and checked Steve's old campsite and Ponderosa RV Park at Belt. We decided to jut go ahead and go into the Fam Camp at Malmstrom in Great Falls on Saturday. We saw security services (Air Force) moving something in a convoy on our way back -- we had seen one guy in a hummer manning a machine gun on our way to Belt along with a Blue Security Services pick-up. They were moving something big -- I think it was a nuke!! Anyway - we were on our best behavior so as not to get shot!! LOL We took a rest in the afternoon and then cooked Steak, potatoes, and beans for supper and also had strawberries and blueberries. We sat by the fire and took it easy after we ate.

7/18/12 Wednesday Drove to the Forest

So we got up about 9:00 or so and got disconnected and we drove up Highway 191 (Gallatin Road) along the Gallatin River, passed by the Big Sky ski resort. We stopped along side the road and had lunch in the RV. Then we drove to Bozeman, MT where we stopped at Walmart for supplies and gas, then to Livingston, MT and North on 89 N (King's Hill Scenic Drive). We got to the forest kinda late and decided on a campsite. Kristi put up their tent, Steve mad a fire and I made Hamburger patties so we cooked them outside and had some chips and went to bed. We were tired!!

7/17/12- Tuesday Last Day in Yellowstone

OK - we got up and did the morning routine and left for Yellowstone NP at 10:15 AM trying to beat the crowd. As soon as we got inside the gate we were in a traffic jam (some kind or wreck--not an animal jam). We finally go to Old Faithful about 12:30 or 1:00 PM. Steve & I and dogs got a parking place right away but not Kristi--so Steve & I drove the car around while Kristi and the kids went to get the Jr. Ranger badges. Then we had a picnic lunch and bought souvenirs. Next we drove to West Thumb Geyser Basin, then Fishing Bridge, then LeHardy Rapids. We saw and elk at the Upper Falls. We went through Canyon Village and saw bison on our way. Then we went to Norris and left the park--We got stuck in another traffic jam to get out. We ate at a Mexican Restaurant, got some cash and went to the RV. We were pooped out!

7/16/12 Monday Yellowstone Day 3

We got up late and had some showers and left late. We went to Yellowstone NP--saw a bison. Drove through Firehole canyon and saw magnificent falls. We saw an elk around here. The Upper Middle and Lower Geyser Basins were too full for us to park. So on to Old Faithful. Parking lot was extremely full, finally got a place to park the Pickup. Kristi & Austyn weren't there --finally got a text through to them and we got together with them and went to the Visitors center. We found out when Old Faithful would erupt. Also found information to answer questions for the Jr. Ranger badges. It poured down rain and we couldn't go outside to watch Old Faithful. It didn't look as awesome as we remembered from 2003. We are going back tomorrow. We are all tired so we went to W. Yellowstone - got supper and ice cream. After we got back to the RV we walked by the lake and then drove to Beaver Creek (a forest campground) -- it was further west of here and had some really nice scenery. Got to bed earlier. The prices in W. Yellowstone, MT are high for groceries or eating out. McDonald's here doesn't even have $1.00 hamburgers (for the dogs) - they are $1.79 each!!

7/15/12- Sunday - Day 2 Yellowstone

We got up and packed stuff and disconnected the RV. Then went to town (Livingston, MT) and got gas then hooked up the pickup. Then we drove back through Yellowstone from the North Entrance. We stopped at the Artists Paint Pots--quite an ordeal with the RV trying to park it because regular cars were parked in the area for oversized vehicles. Finally got it parked and walked a long ways to see these colorful geysers. We finally got back out and got to West Yellowstone, MT, stopped at the grocery store. We got the RV set up and had supper. Then we had a great campfire built by Steve and made S'mores. We stayed up late then went to bed. This is a beautiful area -Hebgen Lake.

7/14/12 Saturday - Yellowstone Day 1

Well we got up a little late today--went to McDonald's for breakfast, then started our trek to Yellowstone. We stopped before we got to Gardiner and checked out the river and walked the dogs and skipped rocks. When we got inside Yellowstone NP we stopped at Mammoth Hot Springs and heard a ranger talk during the rain. Really nice. Then we saw 9 bison. Next we drove and saw beautiful rivers. Then we drove to Canyon Visitor Center and got information for the kids to work on a Junior Ranger badge. After that we continued driving an saw a mother black bear with 2 cubs!! This was a highlight for us as we had not seen one before in Yellowstone. We drove a long ways and got back to the North Entrance where we saw a whole herd of Elk. Then we had pizza at Gardiner, MT and saw more deer and elk on the way home.

7/13/12 - Friday

We slept in late then moved to the other RV park--took it easy and went in to shop. Went to town where I could get a signal and called several RV parks finally found a vacancy for 3 nites at Hebgen Lake for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Kristi and the kids got here!! -- Yea!! So We took it easy and ate at the cafe near the RV park - had great ice cream. The ice cream is home made here in Livingston, MT - Wilcoxin. They also sell it in Yellowstone National Park. Then we visited and went to bed.

7/12/12 Thursday

We did our morning routine. then we drove to the gas station andngot gas, dumped the RV sewer at Flying J then hooked the pick-up up to the RV. We drove down I-90 until we got to Deer Creek, MT where we ate lunch in the RV. Then we went to the car museum and spent an hour looking at beautiful old cars--very enjoyable--then we were back on the road. We drove east on I-90--saw a lot of pretty scenery, went over the continental divide and stopped at Bozeman--but there was no room at the RV park where we stoped so we drove on to Livingston and stayed at Osen's RV Park.

7/11/12 Wednesday National Bison Preserve

We got up late and then did our usual morning routine. Then we drove to the National Bison Preserve at Moiese, 33 miles North of Missoula. We had a Hamburger for lunch and Steve and I split a Huckleberry shake that was awesome!! We saw antelope and bison but no elk. It was a great drive , then back to the RV for a nap!! woo hoo! We got up and ate Leftover pizza. Then we bravely went to Walmart to re-stock!! Of course we got sprinkled from the RV park's sprinkler system. We did not really appreciate that.

7/10/12 Tuesday - Chores

Today we slept in. When I got up the front air conditioner wasn't putting out cold air!! I turned it off so when Steve got up we checked it-- It was froze up so we thawed it out and cleaned the filters. We also got the laundry around and it took $18.00 in quarters to do 4 loads!! We ate salad at McDonald's then back to do chores. We took the laundry to the RV laundromat and I stayed with it while Steve did a new contraption with the filters on the air conditioners. We also swept the rug. When we were finished we went back to town and had pizza (Very Good) at Bridge Pizza. After that we drove to the Carousel for Missoula and Brennan's Wave to walk and watch the Kayakers. The carousel was being worked on so no ride. Then to PetCo-- I bought a thundershirt (calming shirt) for Zoey to see if it will stop her barking. Now back at the RV and ready for bed! Hopefully sight-seeing tomorrow.

7/9/12 Monday- To Missoula, Montana

Well we got up early again so I could call the VA for Steve's shots. Left the call back number and when the lady called back she took the address but said the shots would not go out til Tuesday due to their workload - which did not make me a Happy Camper!! I put in a call to Steve's PA and complained--unsure if that will help--talked to the nurse who said she would tell the PA. I also called the Gunnison CO hospital regarding the bill from last summer and Tienbaso's nurse to order cholesterol medicine. Anyway we left Spokane and drove across the Idaho line and went to Cabela's for some retail therapy (shopping). After that we got back on the road and headed east on I-90. It was a beautiful drive with trees, mountains and the Clark Fork River. We enjoyed it thoroughly, except for the construction projects that had the orange sticks inside the lane where we had to drive. I kept leaning over towards Steve so he wouldn't hit them. We stopped at the Lincoln's 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar and Cafe at Haugan , MT for lunch (salads and slow service). It has a nice story-- the owners have 3 generations working and all the Silver Dollars on the bar and wall are donated by customers and still belong to them. It states that families return year after year to visit their dollar. Then we drove on in to Missoula, checked in and set up the RV. We are staying at Jim & Mary's RV park--very pretty , lots of flowers, sprinklers and a lady who won't put her White Westie on a leash! We went to town for supper at the Montana Club--the food was OK, the prices were high and the service was extremely slow!! First and last trip there!! Back to the RV and bed

7/8/12 Sunday --Long Drive

We got up really early today to drive over 300 miles to Spokane, WA. It got very hot in the afternoon, over 100 degrees! The country changes to desert looking rolling hills. The heat was not something we wanted and of course the generator kept dying, so that the air conditioner wasn't running. So we stopped in a big parking lot after Umatilla, WA and Steve checked the buttons--he finally got it started and changed the altitude adjuster and got it running. But by this time it just did not cool off as much as we would have liked. I had Steve wear his cool vest and we put cool rags around our necks to help out. When we got to Spokane the country side view was much better. We went to the Fairchild Air Force Base Family Camp, but they were full. It is a really pretty base--we wished we could have stayed there. Since it was Sunday we couldn't call ahead to find out they were full. We left the base, got gas and stayed at Overnight RV Park-- not the greatest. IT did have 50 amp electric so we ran both air conditioners and got cooled back off. The RV was pulling hard to the right and we didn't know what was wrong but after we got gas and drove a few blocks some one flagged us down and we pulled over--he sa id the wheels on the pickup weren't turning (right & left)freely. Steve checked and the windshield cover had caught in the pickup steering wheel and kept the wheels from turning freely. We had tried a new technique (didn't work right). After he took it off no more problems pulling to the right. We hooked up the utilities--even that was a problem because Steve had to add an extension hose to the sewer for it to reach. Finally got that done and went to bed. Some days are more troublesome than others. This was one of those days!!

7/7/12 Saturday - Alternator and Klickitat River

Well after we got up and around Steve put on the alternator and the belt (easier typed than done)!! We had lunch and left to see the Klickitat River.

This is one of the places I have been wanting Steve to see since the first time we tent camped in Colorado(2002). So off we went. I had been to a camping spot on the Klickitat River with my Mom, Dad and sister Nancy when I was about 12. Dad's cousin, Ralph Stout took us there, caught a steelhead trout (that we packed in dry ice and took back to Woodward). Nancy & I were going to wade in the River but it was too cold. Steve and I had a great time investigating and trying to find the spot. The river is a wild and scenic river with NO dams. They have a trail for hiking, biking or horseback riding that goes along the river for 31 miles. Wish I was in good enough shape to hike or bike that. Then we drove to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery. It is a beautifully landscaped park along with a fish hatchery--so nice--we walked around, took a few pics then back to the RV.

7/6/12 Friday Driving a little more

Got up and did our usual chores. Then we were on our way to The Dalles, OR. We went into the visitor's center and learned a little about the dam. The Columbia River is magnificent and we were in awe!

We couldn't find an RV park here so we were able to get in at the KOA at Cascade Locks, OR-- we got there early and decided to try to explore some of the area, but as luck would have it the pickup would not start. I went up to the office and asked if they could give us a jump. The guy brought a battery charger over and told us to use as long as needed. We got the battery charged and pickup started, then drove to Hood River to a NAPA parts store--they checked the battery and it was OK but the alternator was not good. So we got a re-built alternator, new belt, a portable battery charger and a bottle jack (part of the jack in the pickup was missing). Finally got back to the RV , had supper and went back to bed.

7/5/12 Thursday 6 Weeks on the Road

We left camp about 10:30 AM after the usual chores. We drove through really nice scenery until after Bend and Redmond, OR--then it looked like the high desert--except in the valleys and low spots where there was irrigation. On the driver's side (West) were the Cascades Mountains--we got some really nice views of them. We stayed at the Hunt RV Park (Fairgrounds) Tygh Valley, OR.

7/4/12 Wednesday Independence Day

Happy 4th of July. We took it easy today and hung out around the RV. We decided to go look at some falls up the road but didn't have any luck finding them. It was a nice drive though and we saw another lake--Lake Lamolo. We saw a deer in the trees--But no BigFoot!. Then we came back to the RV. We fixed hamburgers, had a campfire and watched fireworks over Diamond Lake. The fireworks were great. After the sparkle you could hear a roar that sounded like a jet. I guess it was an echo from the mountains.

7/3/12 Tuesday - Crater Lake

Today we got around and drove to Crater Lake. Steve was very excited when he got his first glimpse--It is a magnificent blue color and is the deepest lake in the US. We drove the Rim road and stopped several times to take pictures--there is a lot of snow still on the ground here. We stopped at the visitor's center for lunch. It was not the greatest food and expensive for sandwiches, chips and Steve also got some chili. It is ran by Xanterra. They have the cutest gifts and souvenirs--but also pretty expensive-so we just got T-shirts again. We are trying not to get more STUFF because there is not much room for anything more in the RV. LOL We have driven the RV 2,527 miles since we left Perry. We have driven the pickup many miles sightseeing. We have visited 6 national parks in just under 6 weeks: Mesa Verde, Grand Canyon, Sequoia-Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, The Redwoods and Crater Lake. We missed several due to the hotter weather, but that is OK because we will have more things to see on another trip. Ate at the Diamond Lake Resort Cafe-It was OK but nothing to write home about. We had a campfire and turned in early.

7/2/12 Monday - Driving Day

Leaving for Crater Lake today. We left Crescent City, CA about 11 AM and drove up 199 through the Redwoods along the Smith River. The scenery was breathtaking and the road was a little unnerving for me on the passenger side. Much of this part of the drive was 35 MPH or less. No passes (no mountains) just very curvy with no shoulders and few guardrails. There was a rest stop before we got out of California so we stopped for lunch and let the dogs walk. Then we went through a tunnel. Soon after this we were in Oregon!! The rest of the drive was good--it was very pretty and scenic and also wider in most places. It had a few areas of 35 to 40 MPH and some 45 MPH, but it was a much easier road. The Rogue River was wide and deep--looked clear. We took 199 to Grant's Pass, OR then I-5 to Gold Hill, drove up 234 to join OR Highway 62 all the way to Diamond Lake RV park. It is just north of Crater Lake National Park. We got here about 5 PM. They led us to our site and after we parked we went back to the Office for firewood which they delivered to our site. Next we ate pizza and had a campfire! Great Day! This place is nice and COOL, but does have mosquitoes!

7/1/12 Sunday Laundry

Easy going today, got the laundry around and went to the laundromat--only 2 washers work at the RV park. At the laundromat it cost $3 per washer!! Note to self: DO NOT do laundry on Sundays at a Laundromat--TOO BUSY! Anyway we finished that, washed the pickup and went back to walk on the beach. We rested then when I got back up I was dizzy and sick at my stomach--decided that it was sinus drainage and took medicine but still didn't feel a whole lot better. Went to bed about 10:30 PM. Short post.

6/30/12 - Saturday - Coastal Redwoods

We took it easy this morning, when we got around we decided to drive to Stout Grove--Big Beautiful Coastal Redwoods. It was a very enjoyable drive. We also stopped at Walmart and got stuff--Back to the RV to rest. When we got up we went on a nice drive on Pebble Beach Road, walked the dogs and took pictures. We saw information about Castle Rock which is a protected spot for sea lions and such. Then looked at the Battery Point Lighthouse. It glowed in the dark and was so pretty. We also watched the moon above the ocean. Then bed.

6/28/12 Friday - Repairs & Moving On!

Well we got up at 7 AM-did the usual morning routine, then drove the RV to Leon's Automotive to get the exhaust checked. After we got there we found out they couldn't look at it till lunch time--so we drove the RV and Pickup to the mall parking lot and waited for the repair shop to call us. While waiting we watched the different people walk and look weird. I took a nap before lunch today!! Then we had our lunch in the RV. After lunch we took the RV to the shop--It didn't take them long to fix it. The guy replaced two nuts and it was all better!! They only charged us $41.00 to fix it. Plus they found Steve's spark plug socket. Great--Back to the mall parking lot to hook up the pickup and get meds for Mary at Walmart. Walmart was in a mall in this town. Then we stopped and got gas and headed North to Crescent City CA. We made a stop at the beach and watched the waves roll in. Steve picked up rocks and sand and the dogs played. It was very relaxing. Back on the road, drove the curves and through the Big Coastal Redwoods--a nice drive-- cool weather 60 degrees. We got to Crescent City, CA and pulled into a city owned RV park--Shoreline RV Park & campground and got a Beach front view--NICE!! We ate at the Harbor Grotto (late - about 8 PM) and returned to the RV. Steve took some pictures of the moon shining on the water--lovely! Then showers and bed. Pictures another night. I am behind and just trying to get the typing done tonight then will try to download pics tomorrow.