Ok, WiFi has been a little weak at some places so here is an update.
We were in Dicks's RV in Great Falls MT for a couple of nights where we met with Joan and their traveling companions. We visited the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center which is well done and well supported by Docents. Although it was very cold and dreay we had a very good visit.
From there we were off to Lethbridge AB to stock up on a few viddles that we could not take across the border to Canada. We had planed to overnight at Bridgeview RV but since it was a holiday weekend, Victoria Day, they would only accept 3 night stays. Joan and here group went on to Daisy May CG in Fort Macleod. We choose to do a WalDock in Lethbridge. Ok, WalDock is where you are allowed overnight in your RV at a Wal Mart facility. Usually parked in an out of the way section of the store.
Next we traveled to Fort Macleod to meet with Joan and wait for Wally and Ann to arrive. The next day we went to Head Smashed In buffalo jump. We were very impressed with the site and recommends that make plan to add it to there travel itinerary. We also toured the Fort where the North West Mounted Police, later RCMP, were headquartered.
OK for now I will leave and bring up to Banff, and north.
Again look at the links page for our online photo album.
Monday, May 30, 2016
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Wally Docking
We drove to Lethbridge AB to day, be very windy and rain. Joan and crew last Great Falls some time before us. She had made a call and found a spot at Daisy May CG and we choose to do the WalMart thing.
No issue at the border.
Saturday, May 21, 2016
We didn't like the Awning anyway
Well before we get to that you have to see what we have been up to for the last while. We are current at Great Falls MT and have met up with our friend Joan and her crew. Tomorrow we travel to Lethbridge AB,
Ok the history.
After we left Ajo we went to Parker AZ and had a few relaxing few days and of course went to Lake Havasu City to see the London Bridge, We took a strand along the shore line enjoyed the replica of various Light Houses. We toured the welcom center/museum and left for a lunch and return to the Blue Water RV CG,
Next it was off to Las Vegas at the Roadrunner CG and meet up with our full-time friends Dan and Bev. We had a very nice visit and evening dinner. The next day we were off to Hoover Dam and a driving tour along the lake and a ride and some hiking around Valle of Fire State Park. We had a little side trip to "Lost City" . This a nice museum and we are glad we took the time to see it.
Most of our travel from Voyager has been on secondary roads. And I loved it. So with that said we left Vegas and drove a few miles on I15 and turned off to US93, the Great Basin, one of the greatest ride. Good road, low traffic, like damn near none. We stopped for the night at Young's CG in Caliente NV. We didn't disconnect the jeep and did not visit any of the sites in the area.
Another long lonely drive to Baker NV for a couple of nights at Border CG, a wide spot at the NV-UT border. We were here to see the Great Basin NP. It can be dark here and this is the place so see the night sky, We took a drive to Ely NV to see the NV Northern Railroad Museum. This is worth the drive and price of the admission.
From there we were off to Arco ID to visit the Craters of the Moon NM. Not near nowhere but you can see nowhere from here. We enjoyed the volcanic fields.
No there is where the awning comes into the picture. So I was pulling into the site, the only near any close, and I didn't LOOK UP or wait for Suzette to wait to guide me in So the 8" branch that caught the awning roller. Stop. It is Sunday, no one to call. Can't move front of back. Lick our wounds, get the bed slides out have dinner and sleep. The next day a fellow came to help. They put a chain and pulled on the limb and some strain to give some clearance, turn the coach wheels, pull forward, full lock the other way, back out. Nothing left to other do and remove the awning roller and support the arms so we could travel. We didn't like the awning anyhow because it was on the roof above the slide which is a 30" slide so id didn't shade much as the sun set and didn't come over to give much cover.
What are we going to change. Beats to us but we are going to Alaska anyway. As Scarlett said " I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow."
We had an overnight in Butte MT and then on I15 to Dick's RV in Great Falls MT. We were going to Lethbridge AB but it is the long weekend of Victoria Day and only the CG's we could find only offered a 3 day stay. So we are hanging out here another day with the cold and rain.
Again, look at our link page for the find of our online picture album.
Ok the history.
After we left Ajo we went to Parker AZ and had a few relaxing few days and of course went to Lake Havasu City to see the London Bridge, We took a strand along the shore line enjoyed the replica of various Light Houses. We toured the welcom center/museum and left for a lunch and return to the Blue Water RV CG,
Next it was off to Las Vegas at the Roadrunner CG and meet up with our full-time friends Dan and Bev. We had a very nice visit and evening dinner. The next day we were off to Hoover Dam and a driving tour along the lake and a ride and some hiking around Valle of Fire State Park. We had a little side trip to "Lost City" . This a nice museum and we are glad we took the time to see it.
Most of our travel from Voyager has been on secondary roads. And I loved it. So with that said we left Vegas and drove a few miles on I15 and turned off to US93, the Great Basin, one of the greatest ride. Good road, low traffic, like damn near none. We stopped for the night at Young's CG in Caliente NV. We didn't disconnect the jeep and did not visit any of the sites in the area.
Another long lonely drive to Baker NV for a couple of nights at Border CG, a wide spot at the NV-UT border. We were here to see the Great Basin NP. It can be dark here and this is the place so see the night sky, We took a drive to Ely NV to see the NV Northern Railroad Museum. This is worth the drive and price of the admission.
From there we were off to Arco ID to visit the Craters of the Moon NM. Not near nowhere but you can see nowhere from here. We enjoyed the volcanic fields.
No there is where the awning comes into the picture. So I was pulling into the site, the only near any close, and I didn't LOOK UP or wait for Suzette to wait to guide me in So the 8" branch that caught the awning roller. Stop. It is Sunday, no one to call. Can't move front of back. Lick our wounds, get the bed slides out have dinner and sleep. The next day a fellow came to help. They put a chain and pulled on the limb and some strain to give some clearance, turn the coach wheels, pull forward, full lock the other way, back out. Nothing left to other do and remove the awning roller and support the arms so we could travel. We didn't like the awning anyhow because it was on the roof above the slide which is a 30" slide so id didn't shade much as the sun set and didn't come over to give much cover.
What are we going to change. Beats to us but we are going to Alaska anyway. As Scarlett said " I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow."
We had an overnight in Butte MT and then on I15 to Dick's RV in Great Falls MT. We were going to Lethbridge AB but it is the long weekend of Victoria Day and only the CG's we could find only offered a 3 day stay. So we are hanging out here another day with the cold and rain.
Again, look at our link page for the find of our online picture album.
Thursday, May 05, 2016
Back on the road
Yesterday we spent the day having having the annual service completed on the coach. Arrived at 0900 and pulled out at 1500, lube, filters, oil. What a pain.
After we returned to Voyager we were parked in a pull-thru pull site and visited our friends for our goodbyes and did a couple of finish tasks to get ready to travel.
We arrived in Ajo and stayed at Shadow Ridge CG which is a Passport America park. Only 95 degrees, but a warm heat. We took a little ride as well as got things set up.
It was about a 147 mile trip. The site, #3, sort is on the narrow side with some slope but not bad.
Of course we went to Organ Pipes NM. Very interesting and worth the trip.
Again look at our links to see our online photo album.
After we returned to Voyager we were parked in a pull-thru pull site and visited our friends for our goodbyes and did a couple of finish tasks to get ready to travel.
We arrived in Ajo and stayed at Shadow Ridge CG which is a Passport America park. Only 95 degrees, but a warm heat. We took a little ride as well as got things set up.
It was about a 147 mile trip. The site, #3, sort is on the narrow side with some slope but not bad.
Of course we went to Organ Pipes NM. Very interesting and worth the trip.
Again look at our links to see our online photo album.
Sunday, March 06, 2016
Old Tucson/Steampunk
On Friday 3/5 we made the journey to Old Tucson Studio to meet with our HRRVC Chapter 71 members who were camping in the area. We arrived early which allowed us to observe the Steampunk Wild West festival folks arriving and getting dressed. I can't really explain Steampunk so click on the link and read about it.
It was interesting to learn that some portions of Little House on the Prairie were filmed here. Also a large number of commercials, several John Wayne, Glenn Ford. The original Gun Fight ast the OK Corral, and 310 to Yuma. The steam engine Reno is also here. You may remember it from Joe Kidd where is smashed into the saloon.
You can see some of the pictures we took here.
It was interesting to learn that some portions of Little House on the Prairie were filmed here. Also a large number of commercials, several John Wayne, Glenn Ford. The original Gun Fight ast the OK Corral, and 310 to Yuma. The steam engine Reno is also here. You may remember it from Joe Kidd where is smashed into the saloon.
You can see some of the pictures we took here.
Thursday, March 03, 2016
What have you been doing?
After our arrival at Voyager we researched Dentists and Doctors. What fun stuff. We got that all set up and made our appointments. Also it was that time for new health insurance. Another fun project. What a pain in the ass, but our government is here to help us.
We rekindled our friendship with Tom and Pat Britton who were our neighbors in Vermont many long years ago. It was really nice to visit with them after some 35 or more years. We did manage to take in the Pima Air Museum, Saguaro NP East, Bear Canyon, Winterhaven Festival of Lights, Desert Museum, Tombstone.
Since Google is discontinuing support for Picasa the above links may not work but this one should,
https://picasaweb.google.com/107482514645804307370 and will give you access to all our shared online albums.
We are parked across the street from fulltime friends Paul and Sharon and have met several other fulltime and part time RV folks. One of the fulltime folks we had a short chat with was Stuart and Leslie Offer from Williston VT. Stuart and I had exchanged emails a few years ago but had never met until we were both at Voyager.
Other fulltime friends Herb and Ginger were in Benson and we visited them and them us. We enjoyed their company for Thanksgiving and Taco Sunday as well as other visits. More Vermont friends arrived and are staying at the FamCamp at DM and we have gotten together for visits with them also. We have hooked up with Holiday Rambler RV Club chapter 71 and meet with them for breakfast meetings once a month. Ray Nichols and his wife Hilda are an excellent source of information on camping in Alaska since there were assistant wagon masters on a tour in 2015.
Well this is as much as I want to write today. I do need to make more frequent entries.
We rekindled our friendship with Tom and Pat Britton who were our neighbors in Vermont many long years ago. It was really nice to visit with them after some 35 or more years. We did manage to take in the Pima Air Museum, Saguaro NP East, Bear Canyon, Winterhaven Festival of Lights, Desert Museum, Tombstone.
Since Google is discontinuing support for Picasa the above links may not work but this one should,
https://picasaweb.google.com/107482514645804307370 and will give you access to all our shared online albums.
We are parked across the street from fulltime friends Paul and Sharon and have met several other fulltime and part time RV folks. One of the fulltime folks we had a short chat with was Stuart and Leslie Offer from Williston VT. Stuart and I had exchanged emails a few years ago but had never met until we were both at Voyager.
Other fulltime friends Herb and Ginger were in Benson and we visited them and them us. We enjoyed their company for Thanksgiving and Taco Sunday as well as other visits. More Vermont friends arrived and are staying at the FamCamp at DM and we have gotten together for visits with them also. We have hooked up with Holiday Rambler RV Club chapter 71 and meet with them for breakfast meetings once a month. Ray Nichols and his wife Hilda are an excellent source of information on camping in Alaska since there were assistant wagon masters on a tour in 2015.
Well this is as much as I want to write today. I do need to make more frequent entries.
Friday, November 27, 2015
Better Late than never, Steam Railroad, Balloon Fiesta, Street Corner, .....
As you know I don't get this thing updated as we go so I will try and do a little catch up.
When you last read we were in or near Cortez CO. Well from there we took 491 south to US64 and headed east to Chama NM. Chama is an old cow and railroad town. One of the things we wanted to do was ride the narrow gauge railroad. We had camped one night back in 1991 on our way to Philmont Scout Ranch and new we wanted to return. We stayed at Sky Mountain RV park. This is a nice park with excellent hosts/owners. At the campground we were given a 15% off cupon for the Cumbers-Toltec Scenic Railroad. We made our reservations and couldn't have picked a better day. It was a great ride and included an excellent lunch at the halfway point on our way to Antonito CO.
We took some driving tours of the area and also picked up mail we had sent to us General Delivery. A nice restful few days before attending the Albuguerque Balloon Fiesta.
Wow, Wow, Wow. We were with the Monaco International group which has some of the best parking for RV's. We would look our our front windshield and see the 83 acre launch field. Since there were no scheduled events for the evening we took a walk down on the launch field and took a tour of the vendor area. As we were returning to the coach we were asked to help crew one of the balloons that evening. Volunteer spirit, we said ok. We wound up on the largest balloon at the fiesta, the Pirate Ship which had been damaged in shipment from England. What a thrill and hard work since that balloon weighs over 800 lbs. All we managed to do that evening was lay it out and pack it so it would be ready to inflate the next day. We had a great time and will likely go again some time.
After the Balloon Fiesta we headed west on I40 with plans to spend a night in USA Campground in Gallup NM. We knew that Sue and Glen who are also fulltime RV'ers were at a campground along our route so we pulled off to visit with them for an hour or so. Really nice to catch up and see their new rig.
Our overnight stop was Root 66 campground near Painted Desert, Petrified Forest NP. Not much for amenities but the price and location were right. After visiting the NP and local area we were on the road again.
Next stop was to stand on a corner and see Meteor Crater. We stayed at Meteor Crater Campground and of course went to Winslow AZ to stand on the famous corner buy some soveners, eat some ice cream and visit the La Posada Hotel. There was more to see and do in that area but the Grand Canyon was waiting.
We stayed at Canyon RV and Motel in Wilson AZ where we had a nice long site. The weather was a little on the chilly side and with some rain. Out trip to the south rim was on what started as a gloomy day. We took in the Imax presentation on the canyon before we arrived at the park. By the time we left the movie the weather started to clear but was still quite overcast. As usual the first place we went in the park was the visitors center where we watched the NPS video before we went to the rim. As we approached the rim the clouds were lifting but there were still clouds below the rim.
Along our travels we received a couple of text messages from Joan W and arranged to meet here and her grown children in Flagstaff AZ. We hooked up in the WalMart parking lot and went to a local Mexican restaurant for late lunch early supper. We had a nice but to short visit. We had come up from Camp Verde thru Sedona and new we had about an hour or more return trip.
After seeing the sites in the Camp Verde area we were of to the AZ/NM Holiday Rambler rally in Buckeye. We met a few folks that we had gotten to know in Michigan and West Virginia. What a small world.
The rally was our last stop before we arrived at our winter home, Voyager RV Resort and Hotel, in Tucson AZ.
As usual you can see our pictures here.
When you last read we were in or near Cortez CO. Well from there we took 491 south to US64 and headed east to Chama NM. Chama is an old cow and railroad town. One of the things we wanted to do was ride the narrow gauge railroad. We had camped one night back in 1991 on our way to Philmont Scout Ranch and new we wanted to return. We stayed at Sky Mountain RV park. This is a nice park with excellent hosts/owners. At the campground we were given a 15% off cupon for the Cumbers-Toltec Scenic Railroad. We made our reservations and couldn't have picked a better day. It was a great ride and included an excellent lunch at the halfway point on our way to Antonito CO.
We took some driving tours of the area and also picked up mail we had sent to us General Delivery. A nice restful few days before attending the Albuguerque Balloon Fiesta.
Wow, Wow, Wow. We were with the Monaco International group which has some of the best parking for RV's. We would look our our front windshield and see the 83 acre launch field. Since there were no scheduled events for the evening we took a walk down on the launch field and took a tour of the vendor area. As we were returning to the coach we were asked to help crew one of the balloons that evening. Volunteer spirit, we said ok. We wound up on the largest balloon at the fiesta, the Pirate Ship which had been damaged in shipment from England. What a thrill and hard work since that balloon weighs over 800 lbs. All we managed to do that evening was lay it out and pack it so it would be ready to inflate the next day. We had a great time and will likely go again some time.
After the Balloon Fiesta we headed west on I40 with plans to spend a night in USA Campground in Gallup NM. We knew that Sue and Glen who are also fulltime RV'ers were at a campground along our route so we pulled off to visit with them for an hour or so. Really nice to catch up and see their new rig.
Our overnight stop was Root 66 campground near Painted Desert, Petrified Forest NP. Not much for amenities but the price and location were right. After visiting the NP and local area we were on the road again.
Next stop was to stand on a corner and see Meteor Crater. We stayed at Meteor Crater Campground and of course went to Winslow AZ to stand on the famous corner buy some soveners, eat some ice cream and visit the La Posada Hotel. There was more to see and do in that area but the Grand Canyon was waiting.
We stayed at Canyon RV and Motel in Wilson AZ where we had a nice long site. The weather was a little on the chilly side and with some rain. Out trip to the south rim was on what started as a gloomy day. We took in the Imax presentation on the canyon before we arrived at the park. By the time we left the movie the weather started to clear but was still quite overcast. As usual the first place we went in the park was the visitors center where we watched the NPS video before we went to the rim. As we approached the rim the clouds were lifting but there were still clouds below the rim.
Along our travels we received a couple of text messages from Joan W and arranged to meet here and her grown children in Flagstaff AZ. We hooked up in the WalMart parking lot and went to a local Mexican restaurant for late lunch early supper. We had a nice but to short visit. We had come up from Camp Verde thru Sedona and new we had about an hour or more return trip.
After seeing the sites in the Camp Verde area we were of to the AZ/NM Holiday Rambler rally in Buckeye. We met a few folks that we had gotten to know in Michigan and West Virginia. What a small world.
The rally was our last stop before we arrived at our winter home, Voyager RV Resort and Hotel, in Tucson AZ.
As usual you can see our pictures here.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Canyons of the Ancients
We stayed at Sleeping Ute RV Park next to the Ute Casino about 10 miles south of Cortez CO. There is much more her than the 4 corners and Mesa Verde. When the Ancients lived here, prior to AD1300, there were more people than there are now.
When you come to this area we suggest you start your sight seeing by visiting the Anasazi Heritage Center where you can get a lot of information on places to visit in the area. Of course we made the Heritage Center our last stop. Our first stop was the Colorado Visitors Center in Cortez. We did get a lot of information there and the staff were very helpful.
Our first site was Hovenweep National Monument. There is a nice trail on the slick rock to several structures. Not the same as Mesa Verde but similar in some respects. After talking to the staff the first thing we do at most visitors centers is to watch their short movie to get an idea of what we will be seeing along with some history of the area. We took the hike around the canyon but decided not to take the section that dropped down to the canyon floor and back up the other side. That might have been the better thing to do as I was a little on the dehydrated side and it was a long way back. We did have a lot of water but ...
Following are a few pictures and you can see more here.
Our next outing was to go to the Four Corners Monument. We had a nice drive and it was an easy day after our previous day of hiking.
Mesa Verde was our next 2 days. The first day we visited several of the overlooks and the museum. At the visitors center I signed up for the tour of Balcony House for the following day. I don't know that I can add a lot of flowering words so I will leave it up to the reader to follow the link at the beginning. A few pictures with a few more here and here.
Of course we saw the eclipse. We did drive down the highway to get away from the Casino lights.
Since there is a WalMart, Safeway, and City Market in Cortez we went shopping to restock since it had been over a month since really had stores to shop at.
Next stop Chama NM.
When you come to this area we suggest you start your sight seeing by visiting the Anasazi Heritage Center where you can get a lot of information on places to visit in the area. Of course we made the Heritage Center our last stop. Our first stop was the Colorado Visitors Center in Cortez. We did get a lot of information there and the staff were very helpful.
Our first site was Hovenweep National Monument. There is a nice trail on the slick rock to several structures. Not the same as Mesa Verde but similar in some respects. After talking to the staff the first thing we do at most visitors centers is to watch their short movie to get an idea of what we will be seeing along with some history of the area. We took the hike around the canyon but decided not to take the section that dropped down to the canyon floor and back up the other side. That might have been the better thing to do as I was a little on the dehydrated side and it was a long way back. We did have a lot of water but ...
Following are a few pictures and you can see more here.
Our next outing was to go to the Four Corners Monument. We had a nice drive and it was an easy day after our previous day of hiking.
Mesa Verde was our next 2 days. The first day we visited several of the overlooks and the museum. At the visitors center I signed up for the tour of Balcony House for the following day. I don't know that I can add a lot of flowering words so I will leave it up to the reader to follow the link at the beginning. A few pictures with a few more here and here.
Of course we saw the eclipse. We did drive down the highway to get away from the Casino lights.
Since there is a WalMart, Safeway, and City Market in Cortez we went shopping to restock since it had been over a month since really had stores to shop at.
Next stop Chama NM.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Moab #2
While here we have visited Deadhorse Canyon State Park, Island in the sky section of Canyonlands, Arches, took a drive up UT128 which follows the Colorado River and then a side trip on ????? where we saw the Priest and Nums formation and finished that ride following the loop road which has some fantastic views. The road is narrow and broken in many sections but it is well worth the ride.
We have also taken several drives to see Petroglyphs which are all around the area.
We have posted many pictures to our online album.
We have also taken several drives to see Petroglyphs which are all around the area.
We have posted many pictures to our online album.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Moab UT #1
We had a nice drive from Capitol Reef to Moab. UT24 from Torrey to Hanksville is rather, shall we say interesting. It is quite "bouncy". The road surface is decent but very undulating with some decent dips that can give you a bit of a thrill. After UT24 heads north to I75 it is much better. Nothing special on UT191 down to Moab except traffic the closer we got. We were surprised at the amount of traffic at this time of year. I guess it is all of us retirees that want to visit when children are back in school.
Today we drove to the Needles area of Canyonlands and took some short hikes. There were a fair number of folks but we did not feel crowded. I'll let our pictures do the talking;
Today we drove to the Needles area of Canyonlands and took some short hikes. There were a fair number of folks but we did not feel crowded. I'll let our pictures do the talking;
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| cryptobiotic crust |
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| What are you looking at? |
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| Jabba The Hutt |
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| Mother Nature has the good sense to keep them out of the roads |
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| Bullet Train |
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Capitol Reef
We took the easy way to get from Hatch to Torrey UT. Meaning we did not take UT12. You can read about UT12 in the link in the Bryce post. We are staying at Thousand Lakes RV Park a mile west of Torrey and have a view of red cliffs which are just fantastic. Again words and pictures don't do it justice. We are here for a week and see something new everyday. Follow this link for information on Capitol Reef.
Grand Wash Hike
Goblin Valley State Park
Petroglyphs
Goosenecks via a Jeep or high clearance vehicle.
Petroglyphs
Zion
This was our last road trip from Hatch. We had last visited Zion in 1991 and although the canyon hasn't changed how you get around has as well as a new visitors center. This place is loved to death. If you are arriving from the west leave your vehicle outside the park and take the free shuttle in. Why? Parking.
Once in the park use the free shuttle to get around, either that or walk. We came in from the east and had to wait for tour buss's to clear the tunnel. We took the tunnel to the Narrows trailhead. As we were walking along we heard, from behind, You meet Sun-N-Fun folks all over, or words to that effect. Well Rod and Jackie were behind us. We had a nice walk and visit. They were taking the walk up to the Narrows and since we did that last time we decided to not get our feet wet again and said our goodbye's.
What we saw.
I don't know if there is a good time to see Zion so be prepared for lots of people.
Once in the park use the free shuttle to get around, either that or walk. We came in from the east and had to wait for tour buss's to clear the tunnel. We took the tunnel to the Narrows trailhead. As we were walking along we heard, from behind, You meet Sun-N-Fun folks all over, or words to that effect. Well Rod and Jackie were behind us. We had a nice walk and visit. They were taking the walk up to the Narrows and since we did that last time we decided to not get our feet wet again and said our goodbye's.
What we saw.
Don't take my Kodachrome away...
Of course one has to go to Kodachrome Basin State Park. More rocks but different. The park is in the Grand Staircase but you can't see anything that looks like a staircase. Why? Well it's big and you are in it. Just experience it.
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