Saturday, September 6, 2014

Home

We drove to a campground in Jackson, MN after fighting the wind across South Dakota (Wall). Then we drove home yesterday. Both of us are very tired but happy about all the stuff we saw. We have a beautiful country. If you haven't seen all of it, you should start. We put 6500 miles on the RV in 32 days. Lots a fantastic scenery from the most remote national park (Great Basin) to the very interesting  and scenic Olympic National Park.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Jackson, MN

We had the RV oil changed at the Mercedes dealer in Loveland, CO on Seot. 2nd. Then we drove north and west to Saratoga, WY to use their free hot, mineral spring. We then camped at Saratoga a Lake campground. Kind of strange seeing a large lage full of trout and absolutely no trees. The elevation was 7000 ft. We then drove through east and northeast Wyoming to get to I-90 in South Dakota. It is very scenic and remote. Not many towns so had to carefully watch the fuel gauge. We stopped in one small town there with a beat up general store and 2 pumps. They wanted $4.89 per gallon of diesel. We didn't buy.
     Today we left Wall , SD to head home. Yes this is the town where Wall drug is located. We are camping at a KOA in Jackson, MN tonight. So far we have driven 6,115 miles. Home tomorrow.
     It has been a really wonderful trip. Very lucky on weather. Also, since we have driven many miles of very remote highways, I always thank the good Lord for our safe travels. As we left the visitor center at the top of Rocky Mt. Nat. Pk, with the road climbing up to over 12,000 ft., and no railing or posts protecting the vehicles, I am thinking , please no tire blowout. Thankfully, everything worked out fine.








Monday, September 1, 2014

Rocky Mountain National Park

We left the campground at the west end of  Rocky Mt. Park and after checking in at the visitor center. We drove 45 miles of some of the craziest driving on this trip. Lots of switchbacks and the road at the top was well above the tree line and had no posts along the side. So, there is nothing to stop a vehicle whether it be a car or a bike from plunging several thousand feet. It was 38 degrees at the top. The highest pass was 12,323 ft. a new record for us. Also is forgot to mention it was very windy up there too. In spite of all this, the scenery was magnificent. We then drove to Loveland , CO where we found a campground for the night. I need to get the oil changed on the motorhome, and Loveland has one of the few Mercedes Benz dealerships on our route. Then we head for Saratoga, WY and a hot spring.

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado

 We camped 2 nights in a great campsite on the Green River at Dinosaur, in northwest Colorado. The last time we were here (1997) the temperature was 40 degrees hotter, so it is very pleasant now. We enjoyed the park and all the dinosaur stuff, then headed to Rocky Mountain National Park, east of Estes Park, CO. The drive  through the Colorado Rockies was beautiful. Beth played John Denver's "Rocky Mt. High" which seemed symbolic, while we drove Highway US 40. We drove this route many years ago in 1997. We passed Rabbit Ear Pass (east of Steam boat Springs) at almost 9000 feet. We drove right up. Of course one must come down which can be exciting. Using low gear at times we made it down, easily. Tomorrow we drive over Rocky Mt. National Park, which B remembers quite well. It is around 12,000 ft at the top of the road. Try running in that altitude. Then onto Loveland for an oil change. Then we are thinking of a hot spring in Wyoming. Who knows.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Black Canyon of the Gunnison N.P.

We stayed in The campground at Colorado National Park in Grand Junction, CO on August 27th. Nice federal campground but not level. The park is really more than I expected with deep canyons and crazy roads around it. We drove through the park on Thursday AM, which included a tunnel. We then drove to the Montrose, CO area, checked in a campground and then drove out to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Pk. Wow, the scenery is amazing. It is a very deep canyon that goes on for miles and miles. The walls are straight up an down. Interesting driving on the switch backs with our motor home. Tomorrow, we head for Dinosaur Nationsl Monument in northwestern Colorado. Hope we can find a camping spot even though it is the Labor Day weekend.




Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Salina, Utah

We toured a cave at Great Basin this morning, then headed for parts east. We again drove on the"loneliest road in America", also known as US 50.  Actually we did see a couple of cars. We did spot another tree along the road full of shoes. Have they nothing to do in Nevada? We are planning of going to the National Colorado Monument near Grand Junction, CO. We may not have Wifi for the next several days.