Day 30 - Tahquamenon Falls, MI to Eaton Rapids, MI

What goes up must come down - from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan down to Michigan.

We have friends from Florida whose summer home is in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, and Mike is anxious to see them, so he didn’t need any coaxing to leave early!

It’s cold! 36 degrees F.! We said ‘see you down the road’ to Jan and John - it was fun to travel with them - and then we were off. It was so cold that steam was coming off the water making a heavy ground fog.

We followed the coast of Lake Superior and watched the early morning sun in the mist - beautiful.

Then we crossed the bridge between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, just a solitary sailboat out in the early morning.

Today is to be a straight A to B drive, no detours! That is until we saw a sign advertising Western Wear in a town just off the Interstate. Not quite ‘just’ off, more like 10 miles, and when we got there the store looked quite unpromising. Mike said he’d get fuel while I looked for the shirt for Martin. Well, when I went inside all I saw was horse stuff - saddles, blankets, bridles, a few belts, but no shirts. When a sales person asked if she could help and I asked for shirts, she took me through the horse room, through another large room, back behind somewhere else to a large room just full of men’s shirts! It didn’t take long to find one matching Martin’s description (and hopefully his size). But then we thought - why don’t we get shirts too and surprise him? That took a bit longer, but eventually we left with 3 nice western shirts and were back on the road.

Bob had given directions, “Matilda’ was doing her job, and we soon got to the point where Bob had told us ‘when you get there, just call me’ - we did, and there he was! It was so good to see him! We followed him, and soon saw why we needed the escort - we zigged and zagged all over and finally down a dirt road where Bob turned us around in a field and then stopped in front of a barn. It was his barn, and he had an electrical hook up there for us! I looked around, didn’t see a house at all - it was 1/2 mile back from the road along a winding driveway. The land had been Bob’s grandfather’s, and when he was just little his grandfather pointed out a spot and told him it would be a good place for a house someday - and that’s where Bob eventually built his house - a lovely house complete with in-ground pool.

Margo had been busy cooking dinner, and we had a great time catching up on what we had all been doing over the summer and then enjoyed a fine meal followed by a couple of games of hillbilly rummy. We had a great evening with them - extra special because we got to meet one of their grandchildren, a son and daughter-in-law and their daughter.

It was a lovely evening, and we said good-bye to Bob and Margo, looking forward to seeing them in Florida. We went back to the trailer and had a great night’s sleep.

Day 31 - Eatons Rapids, MI to Niagara Falls, ON

We were up and ready to go almost before the sun came up - actually it was before the sun shone as it was very cloudy. No rain this morning, though, so the slides on the trailer were dry. (That’s a good thing).

Bob had given us directions: turn right out of the driveway, then turn right at a certain street......Mike says he came in from the other way, so he turned left. ‘Matilda’ and nagigator advised turning right, but the captain of the truck prevailed, so an early start got off to a later start when he had to backtrack about 10 miles.....he hates it when we’re right :)

We decided to cross into Canada at Sarnia, rather than Detroit (which is where ‘Matilda’ wanted to go) and had a nice easy border crossing.

We (mostly me) don’t like the big highways, so much more to see on the 2 lane roads, so when we saw a sign for a 50’s diner we figured we’d treat ourselves (not sure why we deserved it) and eat out for lunch. I should have taken my camera in - what a place! All original 50’s stuff! Plus 2 huge rooms full of ‘antiques’ for sale. What a hoot. They had an all-Canadian hamburger on the menu, so we ordered it to celebrate being back in Canada. Since we were already on a small road, we decided just to stay on it for a while and ignore ‘Matilda’s’ wanting us to go back on the 401. As a result we ended up (for the second time in one day) off course and had to backtrack. So we followed the 401 until it divided into the 403 and then before getting onto the QEW (which neither of us enjoy) we took a bunch of secondary roads which brought us nicely right to the campground we planned to stay in.

We passed through some nice little Ontario towns, surprised a little by a couple that were near enough to Hamilton to have sprouted huge subdivisions completely out of keeping with the character of the town.

In Pelham passed country markets, quilt shops, yarn shops, all within 10 miles of the park we’re in - so guess what’s on my list for tomorrow!

Mike called Martin and Rebecca to let them know we were here, and they are coming over tonight for a quick visit. So nice of them - we were expecting to go over there tomorrow afternoon since they are so busy and we’re actually here a day earlier than we expected (figured if we got here tonight we could see them earlier tomorrow).

After supper we did laundry, and Mike, bless his heart, offered to babysit it so I could update the blog and catch up on email. Laundromats being right up there with grocery stores to me, I am very thankful!

Martin and Rebecca surprised us by coming over this evening - great to see them!

Day 28 - Gillette, WY to Hermosa, SD

This morning is the close of the rally - coffee, donuts and hugs. It was so good to meet up with friends we have met on other trips! We hope it doesn’t take this long to see them again. And to have made new friends that we will see on down the road.

Then it was on the road again.....

First stop was Deadwood, SD, a wild west town snugged in a valley in the South Dakota hills. It was settled in 1876 when gold hunters found an oasis full of dead trees (hence the name) and also struck the mother-lode. It became a boom town, known for its saloons, outlaws and gunfights. Buffalo Bill was shot here - and his shooting is re-enacted every day all summer!

Then we drove through Sturgis, SD, home of the Harley rally every August. Perry and Jeanne were married there at one year’s rally - so we figured we would say ‘hi’ to the town for them.

Then it was on to Hermosa, which is a tiny town - but its grocery store sells local beef and 8 flavors of soft serve ice cream. This will be a stopping point for us to stay and visit Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, drive the Needles highway (can’t do that with the trailer) and meet up with Linda and Jim, our next door neighbours at the rally, for supper at the Alpine Inn in Hill City where the food is reputed to be excellent.

Heartland RV Park is a nice, clean park, great laundry room :) - and we met several folks who had also come from Gillette today! One of the couples will meet us tomorrow in Hill City (they’ve already been to Crazy Horse etc.) and then to Mt. Rushmore afterwards where we’ll see it lit up at night.

Another day in our RV life!

Day 25 -2011 Escapees Rally Gillette, WY

Escapees Escapade Gillette, WY

Escapees is an RV club with members all over North America, and once a year they have a big ‘Escapade’ where everyone who can converges on one place for seminars, sales of RV related stuff and systems, but mostly re-connecting with friends and getting together to socialize.

This is our first Escapade since they are held in the US in the summer when we are home, but this year it fit in with our kids’ visits, and our trip across Canada, so we put it ‘on the list’ hoping we’d make it - and we did!

This year it is held in Gillette, WY at their Camplex - a wonderful set of well appointed buildings just perfect for what we are doing. There is camping on site, and while we were prepared to dry camp, we were glad some electric sites were available as it was really hot when we arrived and our little generator won’t handle our air conditioner.

We got settled in, with really nice friendly neighbours on both sides and behind.

Sunday there was an Escapees church service which we attended, and afterwards saw several friends that we had met a few years ago in the Arizona desert! There ended up being 10 of us, and we all went out to supper together - Uncle Freddie’s Junkyard Grill in case you think it was fine dining :)

We have taken in seminars, Mike turned a pen, I made a bracelet and took in a beginning quilting class plus some line-dancing, and we both learned how to play pickleball. Every afternoon there has been a social with one group or another, plus evening entertainment, so we’re keeping very busy.

There is WiFi here, problem is lugging the laptop the 1/2 mile to the main building where everything is done and carrying it around until we go back to the trailer..... but today I had nothing I needed to do this morning so Mike took my bike off the back of the rig (took him all of 5 minutes) and I bungied the laptop on the back of the bike, and voila!

Next stop - Black Hills area, SD (Mt. Rushmore, gold rush towns etc.)

Day 21 - Cody, WY to Gillette, WY

This morning we were up extra early and got the trailer ready to go - Mike did the draining and filling of tanks job and I did the fastening down of furniture and closing slides, and then we were off.

Today’s goal? Gillette, WY for the Escapees RV Club Escapade! We have been Escapees members for several years - they did our mail forwarding when we were traveling, and we have met some really nice folks that we have spent time with in Arizona, California and Mexico. We have never been to an Escapade, but this year our travel dates worked out perfectly!

Our route is straightforward - continue on the Greybull Highway (route #14) to the I-90 to Gillette. We are seeing more ranches - endless fields of unirrigated pasture, mountains in the distance all around, and little signs of inhabitation by other than wild animals. Although there are miles of fencing, we don’t see any cows. And then we saw ..... an antelope! This is truly the land of “Home, home on the Range”.

Along the way we pass a benonite mine - the same stuff Mike uses in his winemaking process.

The #14 goes through another huge mountain range, with a pass at 10,000 feet. I expected more of the same type of Rocky Mountain scenery we have been enjoying, but this drive was completely different, and the most beautiful we have seen yet! Totally indescribable, so I am hoping I can soon get pictures up.

The road kept Mike busy - incredibly twisty and very steep, the road carved out of the side of the mountain. As we go along we can see where the road is on the mountain ahead of us and also behind us!

Then we went through the pass, and expected to be on the downhill side, but, no, we are still climbing, and continue climbing for quite a bit longer before the road leveled out. We’re now in high prairie land - around 8000 feet elevation - with pasture, a few ranches and other houses along the way, running a ridge on top of the mountains. All along there are signs that this is not a place we’d like to live in the winter - barriers that close the road off, signs saying to return to Greybull if lights flashing...Greybull! That’s miles back and would be a horrendous drive in snow.

Eventually what goes up must come down, and the sign reads ‘8% grade next 11 miles’, and ‘Matilda’s’ screen is a maze of twists and turns. So down we go, to around 4000 feet where we more or less stay for the duration of the trip.

Mike is actually happy to join the I-90 where the road is faster and straighter!

Did I mention it is hot? 96 degrees F when we reach Gillette!

We found the site of the Escapade, and were warmly and efficiently greeted and sent to our parking spot. We were prepared to dry camp, but are glad to have power to run the air conditioning! The Escapade doesn’t actually start until Monday, although there are a few events tomorrow, but there are a lot of folks here ahead of us.

We got settled, checked out some of the vendors who are already set up in the main building of the Camplex, got registered, Mike bought an Escapade shirt, and we got our packet of info that we will need for the week - we’re going to have a great time! There is WiFi inside the building (about 1/2 mile away from our unit) so we’ll be able to at least keep the blog up.

Beside us in the camping area are Jim and Linda from California - Jim is a wine connoisseur, and he and Mike talked wine as we all sat out in the shade of our trailer.

As I write this it is 9:30 pm and the temperature has dropped to a comfortable 80 degrees. It has been pitch dark for over an hour, and all we can see when we look out are a few lights behind shaded windows.

Good night!

Day 20 - West Yellowstone, MT to Cody, WY via Yellowstone Park!

We woke early - it’s cold!! 49 degrees F and that’s inside the trailer! We put on the heat and crawled back into bed until it warmed up, thankful for the electric blanket.

Enough of being wimps, we’re up and ready to leave. Today we’re going to Yellowstone National Park to see Old Faithful!!

The park is only a few miles down the road, so we get there in good time. At the gate ($25 to get in) we are told that Old Faithful should go off around 11:15! It is an hour’s drive from the gate to Old Faithful, so we have plenty of time. We’re told about the wildlife there, but don’t see any until - a female moose, just as unconcerned about passing vehicles as could be! We watched her for a while, and then continued on. The park is surrounded by mountains, some snow-capped, and there are little streams everywhere.

Soon we see an area with lots of little steam clouds - actually small geysers! We’re getting close! Finally we reached the Old Faithful turnoff, with its large parking area, plenty big enough for our truck and trailer. There is a large Inn here, also a lodge for winter, with a converted van fit out with snow tracks instead of wheels sitting outside ready for snow.

When we got out of the truck - surprise! It is hot again! We’re glad we have the trailer along so we can change our clothes!

There is a trail surrounding Old Faithful which we took while we were waiting for the ‘blow’ - there are several small geysers there with water bubbling away in them. In the past, Indians would catch their fish and then attach them to a line and drop them into these pools to cook them. Good idea, but not allowed now (no idea why not, beats cooking them over a fire).

We sat on benches surrounding the geyser and waited. Soon the steam got much heavier, and everyone got excited, and then it waned. And then suddenly it started, and billowed steam and then water high up into the air! Our wait was rewarded with a huge display. Super!

We returned to the trailer and had some lunch, shared an ice cream from the on-site store, and then continued on our way to the east entrance. We crossed the Great Divide two more times! Once at some 6500 feet and another time at 8395 feet! At one spot we had to stop and wait for a buffalo to amble across the road (grass always greener on the other side), and saw a large herd of buffalo close enough to touch.

The scenery is breathtaking. Lakes, mountains, twisty roads.....

Then we are out of the park, but the roads continue to climb and descend. We are now in Shoshone National Park and then another park area before coming into Cody, WY.

Cody is named after Buffalo Bill Cody, and the whole area is ‘wild west’. Ranches, trail rides, mountains and valleys surround the town. The town itself is also ‘wild west’ with nightly rodeos, shops with western wear, a saddlery, upscale western furniture and decorating shops (for the log houses being built outside town), everything a cowboy or cowboy wannabe would want. After getting our trailer parked we spent an hour or so wandering through the downtown.

Tonight we opted for a KOA (a chain of RV parks we usually avoid) because we want power (for air conditioning tonight!), WiFi (we may not have any of either for a few days) and a laundry - the downside of today is the necessity of doing laundry and also grocery shopping, but there is a nice Albertson’s nearby so that isn’t too bad, and Mike helped with the laundry :)

We’re watching the hurricane developments on TV, sounds bad for a large area, and we hope everyone is OK.

Well, we have WiFi, and it is working well, but not for uploading pix - so still no pictures, but at least the blog is up to date!

Day 19 - Spokane, WA to West Yellowstone, MT

The fairgrounds campsite had its obligatory train that tooted past, waking us (late) at 7. It didn’t take long to get ready to leave as we were already hooked up.

It’s cold! Well, not really cold, but certainly different from the 90+ degrees we had last night! but the sun is out, so it will warm up quickly.

So we’re on the road again! Today we hope maybe to get to West Yellowstone in Montana to get an early start the following morning.....

Today’s trip is through magnificent country! We usually try to avoid traveling on Interstates except when we’re in a hurry to get somewhere, but the last few days have been excellent. Roads good and scenery breathtaking. And it is hot again - over 90 degrees F.

It is a fine sunny day, and then boom! out of nowhere huge drops of rain making mud on the dusty hood of the truck. And it went from over 90 degrees down to 63! In just a couple of minutes. We saw dust devils in the fields sending spirals of dust way up in the sky. Then as soon as it started, it stopped, and the temperature went right back up again. Weather in Montana.

Our route is east right along the I-90 into Montana where we crossed the Great Divide (6393 feet elevation with a 6% grade hill going down the other side for 6 miles) and then turned south on highway 191. We considered stopping at Butte, but figured we had enough time left to get to West Yellowstone before dark.

Ooops, took a wrong road. How could we miss it? Only way is to backtrack about 5 miles. The 191 is a small road, two lane, with twists and turns and construction. Now we’re concerned we may not make it before dark! Along the way we see kayakers and fisher-people enjoying a fast flowing stream. Then, like before, heavy rain, almost hail, and rapidly dropping temperature. The areas of water are sending up fog spots everywhere - the water is still warm and the air is now cold. We’re still climbing, have been for hours, but the chill is more than elevation.

We barely made it to Bakers Hole, a campground run by the Forest Service, very rustic, but large sites with power (which I’ll want not for air conditioning this time but for the electric blanket!! - OK, I’m a wuss) before dark.

We had to put jackets on to set up, again not unhooking, thanks to a nice level site, and changed into our jeans to walk around the park before supper as it would be too dark afterwards. The park is almost full, and we got the last electric site. There are signs warning of the presence of grizzlies, and advising us not to leave any food where they can reach it. I’m hoping they won’t be attracted by cooking smells - we haven’t eaten yet. But although Mike saw evidence that they were around, we never saw them.

No trains here!

Guess who won at cribbage tonight???