After 15 days and close to 3000 miles, we have arrived here in the Pacific Northwest to green, cooler weather and family. We have the rig parked in Bow, Washington and will have it here for the next 3 weeks at least. No major issues for the remainder of the trip other than sticker shock each time we filled the rig. Averaged $225 per fill up, OUCH!!! But such is the life of the RV owner.
Well back to the trip. When we last left of intrepid couple, they were just on their way to Wyoming. We spent a wonderful evening in a basically empty campground. Just a one night stand, but was easy in, easy out, and near a gas station for refueling. Plenty of room to walk the girls and they got plenty of sniffs and scritches in.
Still heading North and West, we left the prairies of Wyoming and onto the Plateaus of Montana. During the day mid 80’s, but in the evening it cooled making sleeping pleasant indeed. Our first night in Montana was yet another basically abandoned campground in Columbus MT. So it was load up and head even wester (how’s that for a descriptive adjective.) to Deer Lodge. We had stayed at this campground before and so made it a two day stop. Had a great rest and even indulged in the local McDonald’s as all other restaurants apparently rolled up their sidewalks at 4:00 pm on a Sunday. We did meet a couple on the side of the road in Deer Lodge who were delivering a 5th wheel to Washington but had thrown a belt in their truck. Deer Lodge Montana is somewhat like the scene in O, Brother Where out thou where George Clooney laments the fact that it is a geographic oddity: “Two weeks from everywhere.” They ended up having to stay in a hotel as the 5th wheel they were delivering was brand new and they couldn’t use it. The part wouldn’t arrive until Monday so they were basically stuck but were safe. So we went on our way knowing they’d be all right.
CDA River campground in Cataldo ID was our next waypoint and it was a beautiful campground. Literally right on the river and we were warned that there may be an arrent moose to contend with and to therefore avoid it. Never saw it, but enjoyed another green grass campground which the dogs enjoyed immensely.
We then entered the Pacific Time Zone and made it to the Columbia River and 1000 Trails. Quincy is a nice place where we supplemented our grocery stores and napped in the coach’s air conditioning. The park was disappointing as most spots were taken by permanent residents, the sites weren’t very level and to top it all off, they were under a boil water advisory. Basically the ranger told us to go buy water or use what was in your water tank. Since we were down to our final 1/4 of a tank, we ended up buying drinking water for coffee and cooking. C’mon 1000 Trails, you can do better than that!
A beautiful sunrise greeted us as we departed the Columbia River Gorge and headed up US 28 to US 2. Did get a bit disoriented in Wenachee and ended up driving through town and all the traffic lights before landing on US 2 and Stevens Pass. Stopped for lunch in Gold Bar and ate lunch in the local supermarket parking lot. It is so nice not to be limited to where and when we can stop. Especially true for bathroom breaks. No need to find a rest stop or a grove of trees. Arrived in Bow and did have an unusual occurrence at the front gate. The staff did a walk around of our rig. Why? Don’t have the slightest clue. Apparently they needed to see that the vehicle had proper tabs. Which being registered in Texas means an inspection sticker.
We got to see Elisabeth and Dad and went to a nice mexican dinner in Burlington. It was good catching up. The next morning Josh and Annalise met us for brunch at the Train Wreck Cafe and it was so good catching up with them as well. The next morning we went and saw the boys and that warmed our hearts. Yesterday we were able to take the boys to the Monroe fair and just had a ball. It was fun watching them on the spin and barf rides while we used the grandparent card and said no rides for us!!!
We are off to restock the grocery pantry and then tomorrow I’m taking the rig to Fife to repair the awning that was damaged on our last trip up here to the PNW. Will post again soon and will try to include some pictures. Hope that this finds you all well. Love the comments and any recommendations you may have. But did I mention, we’re still loving retirement!
