Well here it is the 31st of October already. Weather here has turned to crap (mid 50's & rain), but that's just the way it goes. Been 3 months now of complete retirement, and so far so good. I keep hearing stories about people retire, then get so bored that they go back to work. I don't see that happening here. I can even stay awake past 9:00 p.m. and most days I get up after 7:00 a.m. We already have 3 getaways planned over the next 5 months. And when those are over we can plan more!!
The motorhome got all washed up and the fuel tank filled the other day. But it probably will not go anywhere until the first of March when we are planning on going to spring training in Arizona.
And there must be another cruise to take somewhere.
Well it's 3:30 and time for my nap.............................................Ernie
Friday, October 31, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
A day in Leavenworth
Do they get any better than this in New England?
This is almost like being on vacation
Note the mirror effect
That's not us in the carriage
Here we are in the Alps. We BOTH actually took a good picture at the same time!!
Guess who?Friday October 24th was my 63rd birthday, and my gas pedal foot was getting itchy, so we went to Leavenworth for lunch and to just plain "have a nice day". For those who don't know anything about Leavenworth Washington, I will enlighten you. Leavenworth was a dying small town in the 50's. Somebody came up with the idea to transform the town into a Bavarian village. The idea worked better than anyone thought. The town is surrounded by a part of the cascade range that has become known as the American Alps. There is almost always something going on there, be it the Autumn leaf festival, Octoberfest, Christmas, or the May pole celebration in the spring. Yesterday there was no specific event, but the shops and restaurants were busy. Must have been people like us who took the drive over to see the fall colors which were spectacular.
We had a very good German lunch at King Ludwigs, followed by coffee and apple streudel.
We cruised some of the shops, then went to a local fruit stand and bought 37 pounds of apples and pears fresh off the trees. We returned home about 7:00 p.m. for desert.
Today Gail and Randy are comming over for dinner and to watch Jamie Moyer pitch game #3 of the world series. I've got ribs on the barbecue/smoker, and a quart of sauce from the Ridgewood Barbecue in Tennessee, and cold beer in the refrigerator. Ain't life great??
Ron and Diane: Have you heard from Karen & George??
Go Phillies!!!!.......................................................................................Ernie
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Big Adventure in a nutshell
The homestead in Seattle
Another view
With my mother(where I got my good looks!!)
Son Josh with significant other Brynn
Daughter Sheila and son in law Keith
Grandson Skylar and freind
Granddaughter Monica
Grandson Chandler
Motorhome in its resting place a Keith and Sheila's in StanwoodWe left on our adventure on August 15th 2008, and returned on October 16th 2008. We traveled in a 2002 38 foot Pace Arrow motorhome, and towed a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. We put 7900 miles on the motorhome, and just a little over 3000 miles on the Cobalt. We traveled through 25 states plus Washington DC. In the middle of this adventure, we took another adventure on a 7 day Carribean cruise out of Miami where we made some new friends whom we will stay connected with, and hopefully cruise with again. (next year?) We also spent time with Seattle friends, the Cohn's in North Carolina and the Jones' in Tennessee. They happened to be in those areas for weddings while we were in the same vicinities. Along the way we stayed with Joyce's high school friend Jandora and her husband Tom in the Salt Lake City area and visited our old neighbors Craig and Wendy (and Maggie, Kate , & Olivia) in Dallas. We hung out with Joyce's sister and family for five days in Chicago, which is always a good time.
We started our adventure in 107 degree heat in eastern Oregon, and ended up in temperatures in the 20's with snow in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. In between we dodged Hurricanes Gustav, Hannah, and Ike, and got caught in a severe thunderstorm in Charlestown South Carolina.
We discovered that wherever you go in the U.S., there are interesting things to see with pleasent surprises everywhere. (and great people with interesting lives) Plains, Georgia is a good example.
But now it's back to reallity with Joyce back to her job, and me adjusting to retirement. I now have even more time to plan the next "big adventure". So stayed tuned, as we plan on updating the blog (weekly?) with news and pictures of our lives.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Ernie,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
We started our adventure in 107 degree heat in eastern Oregon, and ended up in temperatures in the 20's with snow in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. In between we dodged Hurricanes Gustav, Hannah, and Ike, and got caught in a severe thunderstorm in Charlestown South Carolina.
We discovered that wherever you go in the U.S., there are interesting things to see with pleasent surprises everywhere. (and great people with interesting lives) Plains, Georgia is a good example.
But now it's back to reallity with Joyce back to her job, and me adjusting to retirement. I now have even more time to plan the next "big adventure". So stayed tuned, as we plan on updating the blog (weekly?) with news and pictures of our lives.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Ernie,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Friday, October 17, 2008
The last leg
Left the campground at Lake Easton about 9:00 a.m. on thursday, and arrived at Keith & Sheila's about noon. Emptied out the motorhome (sob) and had a nice visit.
Skylar looks like he's grown again, and Monica and Chandler look more "grownup" every time we see them! Had a nice visit with everybody, and dinner before heading for home.
Big traffic jam on I-5 (7 mile backup), so went around on 405, and got home about 7:00 p.m.
The house looks good , and the cat is still alive. But outside, the leaves are falling, the flowers are dead or dying, the Infinity has two flat tires, etc. I think that I have enough to do around here for a while.
We will take pictures on Sunday of all of the family, the house, the cat, etc. and write a close for the trip portion of "Joyce and Ernie's Big Adventure". So those of you that we met on our adventure, will know us a little better. We will keep the blog open and update it occasionally (weekly?), until our next adventure.
Ernie
Skylar looks like he's grown again, and Monica and Chandler look more "grownup" every time we see them! Had a nice visit with everybody, and dinner before heading for home.
Big traffic jam on I-5 (7 mile backup), so went around on 405, and got home about 7:00 p.m.
The house looks good , and the cat is still alive. But outside, the leaves are falling, the flowers are dead or dying, the Infinity has two flat tires, etc. I think that I have enough to do around here for a while.
We will take pictures on Sunday of all of the family, the house, the cat, etc. and write a close for the trip portion of "Joyce and Ernie's Big Adventure". So those of you that we met on our adventure, will know us a little better. We will keep the blog open and update it occasionally (weekly?), until our next adventure.
Ernie
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Almost Home
Montana traffic
Hangin with the locals at the Silver Dollar Bar
Somewhere in Idaho
Crossing the mighty ColumbiaLeft Missoula about 10:00 a.m. Made it over all of the mountain passes without incident. Joyce says it was easier going across in the motorhome than in the car. We guess that is because the motorhome goes about 55 m.p.h. while the car usually goes about 70.
We arrived at the Lake Easton Resort in Easton Washington about 5:30 p.m. We are less than 100 miles from home, but didn't want to go home tonight as it will take a good part of the day to unload the motorhome, etc.
Had another Gremlin pop up this evening. When I went to unhook the car, it was totally dead.
Called for a jump start, but when the car started it ran at half power. Turned it off, then restarted it, and it ran normal except for the check engine light staying on. I just hope that it starts tomorrow, so we can get the rest of the way home. Since we have two other cars at home, it isn't a necessity. At that point, I can take it into the shop, and they can keep it as long as needed. This is very similar to the incident in South Carolina about 3 or 4 weeks ago. Maybe this will all make sense to a mechanic, and they can solve it easily (Ha Ha).
Tomorrow the plan is to leave here about 10:00 a.m., get to Stanwood about 1:00 p.m. and make it back to the house by 7:00 or so.
Later/////////////Ernie
We arrived at the Lake Easton Resort in Easton Washington about 5:30 p.m. We are less than 100 miles from home, but didn't want to go home tonight as it will take a good part of the day to unload the motorhome, etc.
Had another Gremlin pop up this evening. When I went to unhook the car, it was totally dead.
Called for a jump start, but when the car started it ran at half power. Turned it off, then restarted it, and it ran normal except for the check engine light staying on. I just hope that it starts tomorrow, so we can get the rest of the way home. Since we have two other cars at home, it isn't a necessity. At that point, I can take it into the shop, and they can keep it as long as needed. This is very similar to the incident in South Carolina about 3 or 4 weeks ago. Maybe this will all make sense to a mechanic, and they can solve it easily (Ha Ha).
Tomorrow the plan is to leave here about 10:00 a.m., get to Stanwood about 1:00 p.m. and make it back to the house by 7:00 or so.
Later/////////////Ernie
Billings to Missoula
This is why we Like this area
Gas prices dropping as we move west. Must be under $3.00 in Seattle (Ha Ha)
Catchy name and very nice parkLeft Billings at 10:00 a.m. to head to Missoula. Went across Bozeman pass at noon with no sight of ice. In fact , there was very little snow there, and temperatures were in the 40's.
Stopped for lunch at the Wheat Montana outlet just east of Homestake pass. Interesting place with decent food. From there we set out to cross Homestake pass. Again the temperatures were in the upper 40's with no snow or ice in site.
Arrived in the campground in Missoula at 5:00 p.m. Very nice place except for the rifle range across the interstate. We get to hear every shot twice, as they echo off of the mountains.
Could have used one of those rifles when we were in South Dakota on those turkeys!!
We will now head into central Washington which will allow us to get to Stanwood tomorrow early in the afternoon, so we avoid the traffic going through Bellevue, Everett, etc. (we hope)
It's not looking like a Dodgers/Red Sox World series. Hang in there Ron, The NBA season starts soon. Better get a hat for Diane Too for that bunch!!
My next update will be coming to you from my home soil......................Ernie
Stopped for lunch at the Wheat Montana outlet just east of Homestake pass. Interesting place with decent food. From there we set out to cross Homestake pass. Again the temperatures were in the upper 40's with no snow or ice in site.
Arrived in the campground in Missoula at 5:00 p.m. Very nice place except for the rifle range across the interstate. We get to hear every shot twice, as they echo off of the mountains.
Could have used one of those rifles when we were in South Dakota on those turkeys!!
We will now head into central Washington which will allow us to get to Stanwood tomorrow early in the afternoon, so we avoid the traffic going through Bellevue, Everett, etc. (we hope)
It's not looking like a Dodgers/Red Sox World series. Hang in there Ron, The NBA season starts soon. Better get a hat for Diane Too for that bunch!!
My next update will be coming to you from my home soil......................Ernie
P.S. It took about an hour to download 3 pictures. Very bad connection here. Wiil ad more later
Monday, October 13, 2008
Greetings from Montana
Traffic jam in Montana
Our old Billings homestead
Kristin's favorite place
Kristin's second most favorite place
Kristin's schoolPut South Dakota in the rear view mirror this morning. Left the RV park about 8:30 a.m., and crossed into Wyoming about 9:30 a.m.
Highway was bare and dry all the way to Billings with temperatures in the upper 30's to low 40's. Arrived at the RV park about 4:15 p.m. Got the motorhome set up, and went to look at the house where we lived in 94/95. Amazingly not much has changed. Took pictures of the old house, and kids schools. Then went to the grocery store for dinner items.
Weather looks good to move on tomorrow with temperatures along the route in the 40's & 50's.
With a little luck we will not see any more snow/ice the rest of the way home.
(and no more turkeys!!) Will continue from the Missoula area tomorrow.
Happy Trails....................................Ernie
Highway was bare and dry all the way to Billings with temperatures in the upper 30's to low 40's. Arrived at the RV park about 4:15 p.m. Got the motorhome set up, and went to look at the house where we lived in 94/95. Amazingly not much has changed. Took pictures of the old house, and kids schools. Then went to the grocery store for dinner items.
Weather looks good to move on tomorrow with temperatures along the route in the 40's & 50's.
With a little luck we will not see any more snow/ice the rest of the way home.
(and no more turkeys!!) Will continue from the Missoula area tomorrow.
Happy Trails....................................Ernie
/ / / / / / / / /
This was a travel day for us, so spent a lot of the time looking at the landscape of northeast Wyoming and southern Montana. I've always enjoyed the lay of the land in this part of the country. This is the land where the deer and the antelope play, and we saw hundreds of antelope in herds right off the highway. I have never seen so many antelope together; they blend in to the land really well so it's hard to see them. This time of the year there's hardly any traffic on the road, esp. here in Montana. Arrived in Billings and they had 13 inches of snow the other day. A lot of the trees in the area were damaged due to the heavy snow. Spent about a half hour revisiting the Billings area; it's a small city, so it doesn't take very long to cover. I'm hoping the roads will be as clear tomorrow as they were today. - Joyce
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Sunday update
Couldn't find him in Plains, but there he was in Rapid City
They keep going in circles around the motorhome
Sunday morning wakeupHow about them Seahawks??!! Took a drive up to Rapid City and did a little gift shopping. There was no snow at all there. It,s very strange because they are at a higher elevation than we are here. I guess we're just on the edge of the crap.
The turkeys were back late this morning, and this time there were 12 of them. I'm begining to get suspicious. I talked to the guy that runs the RV park about the turkeys. He told me that there are approximately 50 of them around here, and that the reason we have been seeing differing numbers is because they run in "herds", and the herds are different sizes, and they don't intermingle. Very strange. The campground guy was wearing his Denver Bronco's jersey for the game. This is Bronco country. That's strange too.
The snow is almost completely gone in the campground, and all looks good for leaving tomorrow.
I'm ready to move on. With a little luck my next post will be comming to you from Billings.
Keep clam.........................Ernie
The turkeys were back late this morning, and this time there were 12 of them. I'm begining to get suspicious. I talked to the guy that runs the RV park about the turkeys. He told me that there are approximately 50 of them around here, and that the reason we have been seeing differing numbers is because they run in "herds", and the herds are different sizes, and they don't intermingle. Very strange. The campground guy was wearing his Denver Bronco's jersey for the game. This is Bronco country. That's strange too.
The snow is almost completely gone in the campground, and all looks good for leaving tomorrow.
I'm ready to move on. With a little luck my next post will be comming to you from Billings.
Keep clam.........................Ernie
Winter wonderland
Woke up this morning to about two inches of new snow on the ground. So far the weatherman is right with the forecast. I brought up a highway conditions website for Montana and Wyoming. They are updated often, and have excellent descriptions of current conditions. Right now it looks like we may get out of here tomorrow, or possibly not until Tuesday.
I checked out the weather in other parts of the country, and it looks like summer in Chicago, Tulsa, and Smyrna. All in the 80's!! Seattle looks like fall in the upper 50's. Tucson Arizona is in the 80's and 90's. I'll have to check the maps to see how far it is to Tucson. That wouldn't be a bad place to get stuck for the winter. I'll have to work on Joyce about that one.
Looking out the window I am reminded of why our "move to Montana" experiment in 1994 failed. Occasional winter weather (a day or two) is OK, but not in early October!! There are a lot of people here who actually live for this kind of weather. They can't wait to get out the snow shovels, skis, snowmobiles, etc. I guess that's why they live here, and we look at the weather in Tucson!!
Well, it's to early for a Rum and Coke, so I'm fixin to go out and clear the snow off of the car in case those damn turkeys come back, and we have to make a run for it!!!
I'll take some pictures this morning so you all can enjoy our lovely weather.
Wish you were here....................Ernie
I checked out the weather in other parts of the country, and it looks like summer in Chicago, Tulsa, and Smyrna. All in the 80's!! Seattle looks like fall in the upper 50's. Tucson Arizona is in the 80's and 90's. I'll have to check the maps to see how far it is to Tucson. That wouldn't be a bad place to get stuck for the winter. I'll have to work on Joyce about that one.
Looking out the window I am reminded of why our "move to Montana" experiment in 1994 failed. Occasional winter weather (a day or two) is OK, but not in early October!! There are a lot of people here who actually live for this kind of weather. They can't wait to get out the snow shovels, skis, snowmobiles, etc. I guess that's why they live here, and we look at the weather in Tucson!!
Well, it's to early for a Rum and Coke, so I'm fixin to go out and clear the snow off of the car in case those damn turkeys come back, and we have to make a run for it!!!
I'll take some pictures this morning so you all can enjoy our lovely weather.
Wish you were here....................Ernie
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Sturgis/Deadwood in the snow
Note the "working ladies in the windows
The Harley store in Sturgis
They're back, and there's more of them
Which way to the pool?Woke up this morning with snow on the ground and outside temperature of approximately 33 degrees. The turkeys were back , except this time there were 8 of them. Yesterday there were only 5. I'm thinking we better get out of here soon!!
Took a drive to Sturgis and went to the Harley Davidson store to learn about the Sturgis rally. Then we went to Deadwood and had lunch, then checked out some of the shops there. After Deadwood, we went to Spearfish for a while. Returned to the motorhome at 4:30 p.m.
It has warmed up to 35 this afternoon, and it still looks like we will head out of here on Monday. We will probably head in to Billings, then get to western Montana or Idaho Tuesday evening. If we can do that, we will be home on Thursday.
Ron, it sounds like you've had a bad sports day. Just wait until your proffesional(?)baketball team starts playing!! Diane, keep an eye on him. It could get worse.
George, you're on a roll. Keep the jokes comming.
Enjoy the pictures, Ernie
Friday, October 10, 2008
Sturgis
Rolled into the RV park in Sturgis about 11:30 a.m. Filled the propane tank and settled in for the weekend. There was a little snow left from last night, and it had some very strange tracks in it. We discovered later, as we were sitting eating lunch, that the tracks belong to a group of rather large turkeys! (the feathered type) There were five of them, and I would guess that they are in the 20 pound range.
We took a drive into Spearfish for provisions (that's pioneer talk) just in case we are stuck here for a few days. Got enough food for three days and a bottle of rum.
We have 5 TV channels here with clear pictures. The last couple of parks we only got 2 or 3 channels, and they were not very clear. So as I write this, I am looking out at a very heavy snowfall, drinking a rum & coke, and watching the Dodger/Phillies game. The only problem is that I can't find my damn hat, and it's 8 to 5 Phillies in the 7th. (Sorry Ron)
Looking at the weather forecast, it looks like we will not get out of here before Monday, and it may be Tuesday. I knew I should have bought those Christmas lights for the motorhome!
We should have plenty of time for the blog, Ernie
* * * * * * * * *
So here we are at the "Rush No More RV Park" (really, that's the name of this place!). We are pretty much in the country, about a mile off Interstate 90, which we have been driving on since leaving Chicago. I am looking out at a very wintry scene; this place is tucked away in the mountain foothills and is very scenic and peaceful. The hills around us are covered in snowcapped pine trees and there is a horse and llama in the corral about 100 feet from where the RV is parked. It is a strange feeling to be in a place where we are the only occupants except for the park caretakers and maybe one other RV somewhere in the distance. It's like having a cabin in the woods! The first day of our trip way back on Aug. 15 was 107 degrees and now close to our last day it's near or at freezing. We are very close to Mt. Rushmore but there is supposed to be a foot of snow in the Black Hills where that is located, so we probably won't go there. We went there years ago but it would be a different view with snow on top of the President's visages. So our adventure continues with all its twists and turns. Merry Christmas...Joyce
We took a drive into Spearfish for provisions (that's pioneer talk) just in case we are stuck here for a few days. Got enough food for three days and a bottle of rum.
We have 5 TV channels here with clear pictures. The last couple of parks we only got 2 or 3 channels, and they were not very clear. So as I write this, I am looking out at a very heavy snowfall, drinking a rum & coke, and watching the Dodger/Phillies game. The only problem is that I can't find my damn hat, and it's 8 to 5 Phillies in the 7th. (Sorry Ron)
Looking at the weather forecast, it looks like we will not get out of here before Monday, and it may be Tuesday. I knew I should have bought those Christmas lights for the motorhome!
We should have plenty of time for the blog, Ernie
* * * * * * * * *
So here we are at the "Rush No More RV Park" (really, that's the name of this place!). We are pretty much in the country, about a mile off Interstate 90, which we have been driving on since leaving Chicago. I am looking out at a very wintry scene; this place is tucked away in the mountain foothills and is very scenic and peaceful. The hills around us are covered in snowcapped pine trees and there is a horse and llama in the corral about 100 feet from where the RV is parked. It is a strange feeling to be in a place where we are the only occupants except for the park caretakers and maybe one other RV somewhere in the distance. It's like having a cabin in the woods! The first day of our trip way back on Aug. 15 was 107 degrees and now close to our last day it's near or at freezing. We are very close to Mt. Rushmore but there is supposed to be a foot of snow in the Black Hills where that is located, so we probably won't go there. We went there years ago but it would be a different view with snow on top of the President's visages. So our adventure continues with all its twists and turns. Merry Christmas...Joyce
Avoiding the snow??
It is Friday morning in Interior S.D., and we will head out of here this morning and go about 100 miles west to Sturgis. We will hang out there until this early snow crap goes away. Right now it looks like we probably will not move again until Monday. When we do get going again, we probably will just stay one night at each stop. That way we should avoid any more snow, and still stay on track for getting home on Thursday. But, if we can't get home until Friday or Saturday, that's the way it goes. We will be watching the weather continually again, like in late August and early September when we were on hurricane watch.
When we started out on this journey, we didn't think we would be worrying about snow. Cold weather was not part of the agenda! The furnace works well, and there is no problem staying toasty warm, but now I need to monitor the propane closely.
At least staying in Sturgis will have us close to major cities (such as they are in SD) for groceries, movie rentals, TV reception, etc. Where we are now it is 26 miles (there it is again) to the nearest grocery store, which isn't very big and closes at 7:00 p.m.
Maybe I will even get to see the Dodgers/Phillies game #2. Hang in there Ron!!
We're a little late for the rally, but Sturgis here we come.
Hope it's warm and dry wherever you are................Ernie
When we started out on this journey, we didn't think we would be worrying about snow. Cold weather was not part of the agenda! The furnace works well, and there is no problem staying toasty warm, but now I need to monitor the propane closely.
At least staying in Sturgis will have us close to major cities (such as they are in SD) for groceries, movie rentals, TV reception, etc. Where we are now it is 26 miles (there it is again) to the nearest grocery store, which isn't very big and closes at 7:00 p.m.
Maybe I will even get to see the Dodgers/Phillies game #2. Hang in there Ron!!
We're a little late for the rally, but Sturgis here we come.
Hope it's warm and dry wherever you are................Ernie
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The Badlands and Wall, South Dakota
"Where's Waldo? Where's Joyce....?"
With the giant prarie dog
Ernie with a friend.
Joyce with a card shark....
Goofy cowpokes
We had 3 separate deer sightings yesterday.We were out the door by 9 a.m. this morning. Stopped at the Badlands National Park visitor's center and saw a short film about the park, then went to a gift shop a few doors down. Drove the Badlands loop with quite a few stops at viewpoints; it was cold and the wind got colder, so we didn't view for very long. Looks like we are on another planet when driving this road; there are very few people here this time of year (this park gets 1 mil. visitors a year - most in the summer). One thing we have found out is that this is an excellent time to travel - no crowds at all.
Then we headed for the town of Wall (famous for Wall Drug Store). Had lunch in a local eatery, then did the tourist thing and went thru some shops. For those of you who haven't heard of this place, I think it started back in the 1930's when a family started a little road side business by giving out ice water (in the summer it gets very hot here) and adding things to sell as the years went by. Now it's a tourist draw, for no particular reason other than it's a quirky place with not only lots of stuff to sell, but also quirky displays and trivia (see pictures of us with statues).
Returned to the RV before nightfall and took a few pictures outside. It is really getting cold out and the wind is especially wicked. There is a major winter snowstorm coming in over the weekend and we are going to have to change our travel plans to try to avoid it. At this time we will probably only drive to Sturgis, So. Dakota tomorrow (about 90 miles from here) and wait out the storm that's supposed to hit the area we were going to be driving thru. Well, so much for the sun and warm weather - now I remember I really dislike being cold! - Joyce
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Interior South Dakota
Left Wecome Minnesota at 8:30 a.m. and arrived at the campground in Interior South Dakota at 4:30 p.m. Campground sits on the edge of Badlands National Park. Very scenic here.
Battled a 25 mph head wind for over 200 miles getting here, It did wonders for my gas mileage.
Went from 7 mpg to 5. But on the bright side, gas is $3.15 a gallon here.
We had to go 26 miles (but not accross the sea) to get groceries this evening. That was the closest grocery store, and it wasn't too big.
Tomorrow we will tour the park, and spend some time at Wall Drug. Like most places we've been there is more to do here than our time allows. We are considering spending an extra day here, and shortening up a stay in Montana, or getting home on Friday rather than Thursday.
Right now the only snag in the forcasted weather is the Montana stretch. The forcast is calling for the possibility of snow flurries on Friday and Saturday, with daytime highs in the upper 30'2, and nighttime lows in the mid 20's, We will be keeping a close eye on the weather.
Will post some pictures later. Ernie
Battled a 25 mph head wind for over 200 miles getting here, It did wonders for my gas mileage.
Went from 7 mpg to 5. But on the bright side, gas is $3.15 a gallon here.
We had to go 26 miles (but not accross the sea) to get groceries this evening. That was the closest grocery store, and it wasn't too big.
Tomorrow we will tour the park, and spend some time at Wall Drug. Like most places we've been there is more to do here than our time allows. We are considering spending an extra day here, and shortening up a stay in Montana, or getting home on Friday rather than Thursday.
Right now the only snag in the forcasted weather is the Montana stretch. The forcast is calling for the possibility of snow flurries on Friday and Saturday, with daytime highs in the upper 30'2, and nighttime lows in the mid 20's, We will be keeping a close eye on the weather.
Will post some pictures later. Ernie
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
"On the road again" Again
Left Wood Dale on Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. after a stay of 5 nights with Patrice and Paul.
We had a great time and say THANK YOU again!
Motorhome was picked up from the shop on Saturday, and all systems are go. The suspension (or lack thereof) is definately an issue with this coach. The state of our highways is just too much for it. We have now replaced the starter motor twice on this trip (in 5000 miles), and still have 2000 to go. Thank God for the extended service contract. The rough ride was also the cause of the circuit board going bad on the slideouts. I will look into upgrading the shocks when we get home.
Arrived in Welcome Minnesota about 5:30 p.m. The office at the campground would make my old desk (when I used to work) look good. Papers everywhere piled up about a foot deep. I told the lady that we had a reservation, but filled out a new form anyway.
Saw some pretty good fall colors crossing Wisconsin, but now we are back to basic flat corn fields.
It was in the mid 70's and sunny when we got here, but began raining about 9:00 p.m. It rained so hard overnight, that it woke us up a couple of times. You can really hear the rain on the roof in the motorhome. With some luck, we will not hear rain too often as we don't plan on being where the rain is. The plan is to follow the sun as much as possible.
So, today we are exploring Minnesota farm country, and tomorrow it's off to South Dakota.
Ernie
We had a great time and say THANK YOU again!
Motorhome was picked up from the shop on Saturday, and all systems are go. The suspension (or lack thereof) is definately an issue with this coach. The state of our highways is just too much for it. We have now replaced the starter motor twice on this trip (in 5000 miles), and still have 2000 to go. Thank God for the extended service contract. The rough ride was also the cause of the circuit board going bad on the slideouts. I will look into upgrading the shocks when we get home.
Arrived in Welcome Minnesota about 5:30 p.m. The office at the campground would make my old desk (when I used to work) look good. Papers everywhere piled up about a foot deep. I told the lady that we had a reservation, but filled out a new form anyway.
Saw some pretty good fall colors crossing Wisconsin, but now we are back to basic flat corn fields.
It was in the mid 70's and sunny when we got here, but began raining about 9:00 p.m. It rained so hard overnight, that it woke us up a couple of times. You can really hear the rain on the roof in the motorhome. With some luck, we will not hear rain too often as we don't plan on being where the rain is. The plan is to follow the sun as much as possible.
So, today we are exploring Minnesota farm country, and tomorrow it's off to South Dakota.
Ernie
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