 |
| THE NEW NEW 27' INTERNATIONAL SERENITY |
Idaho: Craters of the Moon
Montana: Bannack, Virginia City
Wyoming: Yellowstone & Grand Tetons
Utah: highway driving...
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Left for Idaho at 8:15 am. Drove straight through, towing the 25 for Lloyd Morris, the buyer to Ogden. Passed through Moab, only 78 degrees, overcast most of the way. At around 3pm decided to go on past Salt Lake City and fight the traffic now rather than in the morning. Stayed at a very nice Best Western with a park behind it with coy pond. Had dinner at Jeremiah's. Drove about 7 hours.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Breakfast at Taco Bell, ew, then back on the road early for another 7-hour day. Weather pretty fair, not too hot, rather boring ride through Mountain Home area. Many landmarks for Oregon Trail history which is interesting, Snake river crossings were very pretty. I’d kayak some of that smooth water. Wineries in this area but didn’t visit any, supposed to be sweet. Arrived at Airstream Northwest Adventures about 3pm or so. Found our unit in the garage getting the hitch installed. They parked our old one for Lloyd. Got to know Zonia in Service and got a room at the Best Western next door. We are in the town of Caldwell, a ranching community with a small college. Drove around to sight see, yippee, and later had dinner at a Mexican place, pretty good so ate WAY too much and to bed early. We are to meet for pickup at 10 am tomorrow.
Thursday, July 9
Bkfast with Keck family reunion at hotel, over to dealer for several hours. Got a familiarization tour from the tech, then waited for the wire transfer to complete, which it was soon. Also, Lloyd’s transfer came through around 10am as promised. This was a relief. Didn’t get out of the dealership until around 2pm, having to go back to the old one and get the last few things: license plate, boxes, hoses, etc. Finally, we are free to go and drove the whole 1.2 miles to the Ambassador RV resort for the night ($34/full). It was very hot, but the air conditioning worked well, as we tripped over each other trying to unpack. Soon we realized we needed containers, etc, so off for a three hour shopping BBB, Target, Walmart tour. Very tired, but now we have food. Didn’t finish until 11pm, and still not totally done, but at least ready to move on. Great lightning show outside as we went to bed, and fell asleep hearing a light rain hit the roof. I was out like a light…
Note to self: Dutch Brother’s Coffee. Seems to be a popular kiosk out here.
 |
| One last shot of Bill and his 25'. Had 37 trips in that trailer. |
 |
| The old (left) and the new (hitched) |
 |
| Before the rain. |
Overcast as we left for Craters of the Moon National Monument in Carey, Idaho. Drove about 3 – 4 hours to get there. Arrived late but found a spot ($5/no hookups). Got set up, decided to drive the 7-mile loop to see the lava (not too exciting), get back to sit outside and up comes a big storm, wind blowing the mat all over, so we get stuff put away and sit inside and have some margs and guac. Plans to grill are off so dinner was some lousy Walmart flatbread.
Saturday, July 11
Since all we’ve done is ride and eat, I forced a short walk around some trails before leaving. Interesting, but we’ve seen several of these kinds of parks before. Back on the road, heading for Bannack, Montana. Kind of a boring ride thru this part of Idaho, wide open land, no trees, ranches – a lot like the middle of New Mexico. Got on I-15 to head north to MT. Went for Bannack but being Saturday the small campgrounds at the park were full so we made a call to the KOA in Dillon ($41/full with cable in the monthlies) to hold us a spot, so we quickly ran in and out of several buildings (we were here back in 2000), snapping pics, then back out the steep way we came in. Dillon is a very small town, but had dinner at Sparky’s Diner, Bill answered Lloyd’s email about dealer suggested repairs (unnecessary), and soon bedtime. (Frenchie in camp, but we never officially met.)
 |
| "Road Agent" humor in Virgina City. |
Overcast skies in Dillon. Bill went to Ace and I’m typing this. Not sure where we are headed today, I think another ghost town, Virginia City. Pretty drive to Virginia City and Nevada City, still more ranchland but getting nicer (than Idaho). Had been to these two town about 15 years ago but not remembering V City as busy as this, or as commercial. Drove through V City and further up the road to find a nice campground with space, a nice small yet busy private campground ($31 elec and water, no sewer). Beautiful day tho windy, but was able to have a Napa Lunch, including an entire bottle of wine, which sapped the energy for the rest of the day. Bill siliconed the window seals. Then we drove to V City, walk around the shops and old buildings, then down the road to Nevada City, but now you have to pay to walk around those so forget that. But we did meet another Frenchie who surprised jumped up and gave me a kiss on the lips! How he jumped that fast with perfect aim is beyond me. Cute black and white. Drove around the mountains a little and up to Boot Hill, then back to camp for filet night and tons of vegs.
Monday, July 13
Left V City heading to Big Sky, drive getting much prettier, trees finally start beyond Gallatin Gateway. Stocked up at Rosaur’s supermarket and onto the windy, 39-mile drive on 191 to Big Sky. After Samantha gave us one wrong turn, we found Red Cliff campground ($12/electric, #16) and got a good spot just in time; popular place, tarilers keep rolling in. The river is in sight and barely any skeeters; good cuz we are here for three nights. Got all setup and Jim and Katy came over about 5 for inaugural margaritas and chips, salsa and guac. Good time catching up, Jim was just back from a scary plane ride to a remote fishing spot in north MT. After two rounds we headed over to the Corral about a mile up the road for burgers (it’s Monday!). Back home about 8:30, took a stroll around the big campground and to bed by 10:15.
 |
| Camp Big Sky along the River |
Tuesday, July 14
Hiked from camp on the Elkhorn Trail about 4 miles total. Beautiful moderate hike that started along the river then moved up into windflower and mosquito country. The wild geraniums were a spectacular bright fuscia color, wanted to photograph them all. About two miles in we turned around and I watched all the bugs try to bite Bill all the way down. What luck I had on long pants and a jacket, it was cool when we started, but it was the best repellant. Later we drove to town in the meadow in search of wifi; no signal in our canyon camp. Found it at Blue Moon Cafe as well as a small little dog on it’s own that no one claimed. I finally called, at the urging of another customer, the number on the tag to find out his name is Loren and it lives in the neighborhood, though seemed to prefer staring down anyone with food. We also went to the new grocery Roxy’s, where I discovered a new salsa that we inhaled: Saltpica… Back at camp the excitement continued as I washed the bugs off the truck and he re-WD40’d the window seals so the windows will open more easily. (They don’t.) About 6pm we went to to the O’C’s for a delicious mojo pork dinner and did more catching up. Toured her beautiful rock garden with a nice variety of flowers, even columbine, penstemons and sedums. Capped off the night doing a short "my talking pet" video of Woody scolding Jim for leaving him in Nebraska. Cool day, a good rain while at their house so everything smelled great!
Wednedsay, July 15
Town day: Met at O’C’s to drive to Bozeman to pick up their other car at the airport. First stop was Thirteen Mile Sheep Ranch in Belgrade, a small farm and mill out toward the mountains. They are featured in one of my wool books. Was a very old area and they claim their log cabin home was built in 1862, the first house in the valley. The owner Becky was on jury duty so her husband ___ took us around the barn to show the various steps in processing wool. Very interesting, even to the men, because there was machinery! Meanwhile Katy and I picked thru the dyed and natural skeins trying to decide on color. We both ended up with two: hers dyed ($25.50/ea), mine natural ($18/ea), after many mind-changes… Next it was Cajun lunch at Zydeco, meeting up with their friend Bill Buckley, whom I had met a few years before when Katy and I lunched in downtown Bozeman. Lots of laughs, and a first: deep-fried bread pudding. We gals tried some but Bill finished it off, and paid the price: uncomfortably stuffed. Next stop was the MOR Museum for their T-rex and dino exhibit, very interesting, and pretty busy with kids. Finally got the car and stopped at the Chalet for bison sausage sticks before heading back to the house. Long day, everyone pretty tired and we went back to camp by 7pm, took a short walk in the campground.
Intermittent clouds and sun, mild temps, about low to mid 70s for a high. Very comfortable yet humid.
Thursday, July 16
Time for Yellowstone! Super early start (for us): on the road by 7:15 am. The race is on for a park camping spot, most everything is reserved, but Bill has read that Mammoth is first come, first served, and is the last to fill up, so we aim for that. But first, a dump stop in Madison campground, then head north. Right after Norris we hit the four miles of road construction! Slow but the waits weren’t too bad so we made it in time for a spot, #22 – on the lowest section right on the noisy road to Gardiner. (Tomorrow we will make the move to #52, primo spot o’ the camp.) First time spending time in Mammoth area, far from all the animal action, except for the elk in town who rule the roost. As is our way, no hanging around, we got right out on a hike on the Beaver Ponds Trail, and it was gorgeous, loved it. The wildflowers and grass were up to my waist and shoulders in places. Not even bad mosquitoes. We had parked at the terraces, but the trail dumped out behind the lodge so we had to go through the village to get to the truck. About 5.5 miles. The village was packed, very busy with a global spectrum of picture-takers… Later Bill flew his kite from the hill across the street; cooked out, had intermittent cell signal so enjoyed that, on and off.
Perfect weather for a hike, very comfortable
Friday, July 17
Early in the morning Bill went back and forth and was able to secure the better spot he had scouted the night before so we hitched up and moved to #52 for two nights. Much better spot, quiet, better cell signal too. They say elk come through there but if they did we weren’t there to see it. Started with a drive to the east to Roosevelt Lodge for the Lost Lake trailhead behind it. Another nice day for a hike, three very steep parts, but otherwise not bad, about 3 miles. Takes you past the petrified tree so got to see that too. Then did the long drive to Artist Paintpots, which weren’t as exciting as the first time, oh well. Bill in foul mood so that always makes things so much fun, but we did a last stop at Norris Geyser basin for a quick peek, kinda stinky of sulphur so didn’t linger. On the way back to camp, kept on going to Gardiner for a quick grocery run so got to see a fleeting glimpse of the touristy little town. And also got some more of that great salsa!
Saturday, July 18
Beautiful morning, decided to do the Terraces before it gets busy – great idea. Not super exciting but had to see, lots of boardwalks over the feature. One interesting thing I learned on Facebook, was that a new thermal vent had opened under the pavement on the terrace drive so we found that right off. They closed off the highway as they decide what to do about it. Just a small hole, but it is hot and leaking water. Drove to the Lamar Valley, hoping to see some bison. Gorgeous landscape out there, a few bison here and there – two came across the road where we had had a picnic lunch the day before at the Yellowstone picnic spot. Started seeing more and more as we headed east until finally the valley along the river was loaded with them! Hundreds of them lounging around, more than
 |
| New leak under pavement at Mammoth! |
On to Grand Teton for the next two nights. Drove the muddy construction road again for another dump at Madison, and saw sandhill cranes, maybe two eagles?, Roaring Mountain steam. Campsites again filling up fast but after a phone call to find out Signal Mountain was full we went to huge Colter Bay, and after a wait in line did get a spot, #K-223, dry camping. A strange set up here, all sites are pull in so a tight fit down the road. Walked to check out the village, then took a walk along the lake back to camp, got some good bites trying to shoot a friendly bird. Decided to do the drive to town today, warm about 75 or so, hot in the sun. Town packed as always, searched for a place to buy sheets, and not finding any place, ended up at Kmart. Where the hell do these residents shop?? Anyway back to downtown for a little shopping and then yum mex dinner at Merry Piglets, with their weak but not too bad margaritas. Toured a photog gallery next door then off for home. On the way back on a different road, saw a small herd of elk, then with all the cars off to the side saw two bucks with huge racks, and an entire family of Japanese tourists running off toward them into the field. Brilliant. Wanted to wait for the goring, but Bill drove on.
Monday, July 20
Writing this a month later when the memory is eased… Camped this night in Salt Lake City at Utah Lake, and he is ready to get home.
Tuesday, July 21
Drove all the way today. Let the laundry begin.
RIP: Omar Shariff
No comments:
Post a Comment