Home Sweet Home

Home has never looked so good as after last night's RV park. The dogs have been in the pool and the RV is unloaded.


I got a call from a knitter friend as Gary shopped at Cabela's Boomtown. She warned us about the bumpy road between Boomtown and Weimar. But Gary decided to brave it. We soon found out it was a scary thing to do. There were signs warning nothing over 108" could drive on i-80. We are 102" wide so Gary figured no problem. Then we ended up squeezed into this tiny section of roadway for several miles--going 20 mph because the truck way in front was nervous, as he should have been. After that the pavement alternated between brand new smooth patches and extremely bumpy spots. The dogs kept glaring at Gary like he needed to stop this silliness and drive smoothly. Gary counted 9 Hiway Patrol cars between Donner Pass and Baxter--and another 9 just before Auburn for a new record of 18 in one day!




There must have been a bit of rain in the mountains while we were gone. We were amazed at how much green we saw all the way down the hill.







We had a nice harvest from our garden to greet us.









And my knitting accomplishment for the trip was to start and finish this gorgeous scarf.

We'll sleep good in our own bed tonight and so will our girls. It was a wonderful trip, fun times with good friends, fantastic scenery, terrific weather. Life doesn't get better than this.

As we headed out of Homedale, ID we noticed a LOT of corn. There was corn everywhere in every field.





After such a beautiful drive the last few days, we arrived in the high desert. There were many plateaus as we left Idaho and entered Oregon, and lots more corn.








Then it was more of the same view over and over. Lots of dryness and not much else. It got to the point that a sign like the wild looking cow and hyper deer were exciting new things to see.





















We ended up on a very long straight stretch in Oregon, similar to the Loneliest Road (Hwy 50) in Nevada.







The Blue Mountain Pass (5293 feet of elevation) was barely noticeable as the view rarely varied.




We loved the name Idaho gave the washboard areas installed on the sides of the freeways--rumble bumps. These are the areas that upset Elsie so she trembles so much she vibrates. It is the perfect name for them.

Norm, we thought of you every time we saw a sign that said "6% grade". Today we saw 7% grade and really thought of you!

Today Gary got a bee in his bonnet that we should skip the nice place at Winnemucca and head to Lovelock. Well, we're here--it is a scary place--about like the one in Oregon that had the sign that said police wouldn't answer calls there. An older couple pulled in next to us and said they decided to stay here because they saw our rig--and the lady at the desk told them we stayed here all the time. This creepy place is costing $28 a night and if you want to use the shower it is another $5. We will use the shower in our rig and save the $5. I suspect we'll be gone earlier tomorrow than any day so far

Our favorite moment of the day occurred while we were walking the dogs around the block near our RV park. Two little girls were having a difficult gime holding back a little Jack Russell terrier as we wandered past. At a critical moment when they seemed to be losing control, one smiled at us and said, "Sorry, my dog likes to eat dogs that are bigger than him." At that point a young boy on a bike rushed in to save them and got control of the dog. We laughed all the way home.

Tomorrow night we hope to be home.

More Amazing Scenery

We drove from Grangeville to Homedale, ID today. It was another gorgeous route filled with rustic views.



We followed the Salmon River thru Hell's Canyon (couldn't figure out where Evel Kneivel attempted his jump.)






This huge boulder in the river caused us to really think about Nature's power. We saw a sign that said we were on the Oregon Trail--more thoughts of those who endured this wilderness without the benefit of a car or RV.




There was an abundance of forest land, then we came upon lots of farms with nostalgic barns. There were more horses on this route than any other place we've stayed.





We could tell it is Autumn by the splashes of yellow in the trees and orange in the bushes along the way.








As we headed south we discovered we were driving along the Snake River. Then we found this RV park in Homedale that has given us another fantastic view out our front window of the Snake River.


As I wrote this blog we discovered the first insects of the trip--a zillion of them came in when I took the dogs out. We have been swatting them ever since.

Tomorrow we head into Nevada, one more day closer to home.

Lewis and Clark were here

We started the day thinking we'd only go as far as Missoula. But we changed our minds when we got there shortly after noon.
We ended up going as far as Grangeville, ID.

As we left the campground Gary discovered the Huckleberry Patch had some kind of magnetic attraction to our RV. We ended up with a whole pie that we will nibble on a little each day in honor of my Mother's favorite afternoon snack.



Signs in this language are in several places on the Flathead Indian Reservation. We would love to know which Native Amercan tribe uses this interesting alphabet.





We bade farewell to Flathead Lake again as we drove past. It is so beautiful there we'd like to visit again.









We took Hwy 12 from Missoula into Idaho and found ourselves in the Clearwater National Forest. Lewis and Clark followed the Lochsa River that runs along Hwy 12 the whole way thru the mountains.





If you have any interest in history, this drive is beautiful, moving and inspirational. But it also is VERY curvy for about 130 miles.















The towns we passed ranged from Lowell (population 23) to Stites (pop 226). After passing trees just beginning to turn color, we found ourselves at a beautiful RV park, the Bear's Den, in Grangevale. It was a long, winding day, but so beautiful you should all make the opportunity to see it.

Whitefish

It was a beautiful day for wandering around Whitefish, MT. Norm rode his bike around a bit while Gary, Barb and I went window shopping. Then the guys found a fly-fishing store while we gals enjoyed our own time.

We saw the last building Frank Lloyd Wright designed. My Dad was totally enthralled by him and the house my Mom lives in was designed by Dad to be in the Frank Lloyd Wright style.





Lodgepole pines are the dominant tree in this part of the state. It seemed strange to see a logging truck full of these skinny trees rather than the huge ones we are used to in CA.






We ordered lunch at a Pizza place that had a delightful young gal taking orders. We all enjoyed talking with her. This sign is the new Montana rule regarding customers drinking alcoholic beverages.



We then took our lunch to a lakeside park and enjoyed a very peaceful environment as we ate.

On the way home from Whitefish we found a place that served homemade huckleberry pie, so we indulged and were delighted with the wonderful new flavor treat.

Barb made another fantastic dinner which ended with a light sprinkle of rain. It was light enough that it didn't deter these Pacific Northwesterners--we just sat there and enjoyed it. Then we had a lightning show, but could not hear thunder so it was obviously far away.

Tomorrow we go our separate ways as we wind our way home. It has been a wonderful experience with long time friends.

Beautiful, Exciting Day

Today was the day we drove all the way through Glacier National Park. It was a beautiful day with so much gorgeous scenery there is no way I could post all the photos.
















There were beautiful wildflowers in many colors. Unfortunately there was also road construction so we knew we'd have some pauses in our adventure.

At our first rest stop we heard about an accident at the construction area. We knew we were going to have a longer pause in our trip than originally planned. A loader driver went over the side of the cliff and had to be airlifted to medical help. It had just happened before we got to the site.


We watched as they hauled him up the hill and the ambulance brought him to Logan's Pass



where the helicopter was waiting to take him to the hospital. We later learned in the split second he realized his rig was going down, he unbuckled his seatbelt and jumped free. He was about 50 yards down the steep hill, but the rig was 700-800 yards down the hill. They will bring it up tomorrow because they will not leave it in a National Park. Added a bit of excitement to our day.

We drove on thru the park, then ate lunch at a place recommended by Sunset Magazine--the Two Sisters Grill. We had a great lunch.


Then we drove on to Many Glaciers Lodge--what a fantastic place. And the animals were in a mood to pose. First we saw a group of sheep and their babies who were curious about what we were doing there (at least the baby was curious). While we rested there Gary and Norm used the binoculars to spot a Mama bear and two cubs. I actually was able to find the cubs with the binoculars!



Then we came upon the huge grandfather sheep--notice the gigantic horns on the one to the left of the photo.






We drove further down the hill and saw a group of photographers hanging around--so of course, we slowed down, too. There was a gorgeous Mt. Goat resting very close to the road--like a photo op.



After all the excitement we headed back toward our RV park. As we drove down the hill from Many Glaciers, several cows ambled out into the road to prove free range opportunities exist in publc parks.

It was a beautiful day with added excitement. As we headed home and stopped for construction we found out the fellow in the accident was lucid the whole time and is going to be all right. Phew! Made our beautiful day complete.

The Birds

We left Flathead Lake--such a beautiful place.



We made our way to Glacier Park. We're staying in the West Glacier KOA--the view is not quite the same as the last park. Note the burn pile and the old dumptruck and the junk. Oh well. If we look behind us the mountains are gorgeous. We think they installed these sites backwards.

The drive today wasn't too long, but it took us past a fond memory for me. The last time I was in Kalispell was my freshman year in college for the band tour. Today we drove past the church where we performed on that tour in 1964.


We got to our RV spot in plenty of time to do some touring. We went past this beautiful stream on our way to Lake MacDonald. This is a magnificient area. I recommend it to each of you.



At the lake we saw many stacks of rock like this left by earlier travelers here.

We came back to the RV's and made dinner (thanks to Barb).







As we sat there a zillion crows circled above us over and over until they settled in for the night.






After dinner we enjoyed a beautiful campfire as we watched the stars appear.


As we were sitting here waiting for a photo to upload, a fly appeared. As Gary held the flyswatter, waiting for it, the silly thing landed on the flyswatter! And it got away because he didn't know what to do with it!

A day for fish!

It was 09/11 today and the small town of Polson brought a fire truck out to hang a HUGE American flag to remind us. Barb and I realized neither of us had a flag in our rig so we found one at the local grocery store and took it back to help us remember the day.









Barb and I had a good time wandering around Polson--saw some of the 14 painters who signed in for an official painting day in Polson. We talked with four of them--one is showing us her watercolor.













Gary and Norm finally got their chance to go fishing with a guide. They both caught fish. Here you can see Norm hauling in his first fish.









Gary caught a huge one just inside the legal limit.










So we enjoyed a tasty trout dinner (we don't know why the local Mackinaw trout is pink, but it sure tasted good!









As we sat outside enjoying this wonderful dinner our view became even better with the sun beginning to go down. Life is good.

No fish

Gary and Norm intended to go fishing this morning. Got up early, took their lunches and drove out to the guide's place. Barb and I made our own plans which included sleeping in. Before we could leave the RV park, they were back--no fishing because of too much wind. It was VERY windy today. So we toured beautiful downtown Polson, MT instead. That took about 10 minutes. We found some very friendly people who told us we were just too late in the year to have anything going on in Polson.


We came back, walked the dogs a few times and rested. Some of us enjoyed the hot tub at the gorgeous RV park. Then it was time to cook dinner. It was Norm and Barb's turn tonight--yummy scallops and veggie stir fry with Norm doing the hard part.

As the sun went down, it also peeked thru the clouds and we enjoyed another fantastic view.

After dinner Gary asked Norm to help him figure out why we can't get all the tv channels on our RV tv. After about an hour Norm decided it was our set up. Meanwhile, Barb and I did the dishes and played Mexican Train. The guys eventually joined us and I lost big time. Barb won the most games.

It was a really nice, relaxing day.

Flathead Lake

We had a great day today. We began the day eating yummy sourdough blueberry pancakes a la Diane.


Then it was off to tour the area. We found a beautiful yarn shop at Bigfork called Witty Knitters--such nice people in it!








As we left the yarn shop this strange car drove in. We wandered around old Bigfork, then Gary drove us all the way around beautiful Flathead Lake.










It rained all day--a beautiful day--my favorite kind of day. When we got back to the RV a gorgeous rainbow showed us we were home.


Then the big excitement of the day happened--Tule and Loki escaped from the fenced in dog area (Tule figured out how to open the gate). She took off for distant places in the field. Loki came back but didn't want to be caught, just kept running circles around Barb. The injured Elsie decided she should be leashed up and stayed with me while we called and searched for Tule. The promise of dinner brought her back to us.


Gary made us a salmon dinner than would make you drool.










Then he beat Barb and me at Mexican Train while Norm iced his injured knee in preparation for fishing tomorrow.