Pictures of our trip

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Great Basin National Park, Baker, NV

We drove on highway US 50, across Nevada to visit this remote national park. US 50 is known as the loneliest road in America. Well in nearly 400 miles of driving, we did see 3 towns. We did however see a tree along the road, full of shoes thrown up into the branches. Must be a Nevada thing, again. We also a pony express station spot and some old ruins of the stage coach route across Nevada. We did finally get to the park. Camped on the steepest campsite we have camped in for awhile. No wonder it was open. We learned that our rig is too long to drive on the most scenic road of the park. Too bad, but the weather was so rainy and stormy the next say we wouldn't have seen it any way.

Ferndley, NV

We learned of a massive earthquake, right where we were supposed to visit. So, we changed plans and headed for Nevada. We did tour Lassan Volcanic national park, on the way while fueling up in Ferndley, NV, we noticed a "guy" dressed as a woman with a blonde wig, high heels, short shorts and fake boobs. Not only was he the ugliest guy I had ever seen, but he hadn't shaved and had a big beer gut. Must be a Nevada thing.

Weed, CA

We drove along the Oregon coast looking for a campsite. Lots of traffic, mst of whom were camping trailers or motorhomes. We did get the last campsite at A national forest campground ( Cape Perpetua NF campground). Today we drove down the coast and over to Eugene, OR to get on I 5. It was very scenic. Hot in southern Oregon and Northern California. We are on our way to Petaluma, CA in order to get on some tours of San Francisco and the Napa Valley. Too bad they don't serve beer at the winery's.

Olympic National Park, state of Washington

We left Vancouver on Saturday AM, Aug. 16th at 8:45 AM. Arrived at border around 10:30 AM, finally at 1:00 PM , we crossed the border. Never saw so many cars in one huge line before. We camped in the Seattle area in an overflow campsite. We were in a poor mood as the day didn't out too well. However, on Sunday we found a Walgreens, a Krispie Kream donut shop and an Zihop.mso, we were able to do some shopping, enjoy a donut and then eat breakfast.
     We then headed for Olympic National Park, which is a huge place that had mountains with snow, rain forests with mamoth trees and a coast line on the Pacific Ocean. We first camped at state campground which is located on the Hood canal, across from  Olympic. On Monday we drove to the park  headquarters at Port Angeles, WA. Drove up to the hurricane ridge (6000 ft. From starting at sea level) on a 9 mile curvy, steep road. Then after descending we drove to a rain forest campground in the park. It was dark and damp. We then visited the rain forest visitor center on Tuesday. As we drove southward on US 101 we camp upon a federal campground on the ocean. Had a fantastic site right on the water. We stayed 2 days and hiked the beaches, etc. a really neat place.
     Tonight in Seaside, Oregon while I do some laundry , etc.

Vancouver

We toured the city and now understand why people love living here. First of all no snow in the city. Secondly, a huge park named Stanley Park, which is larger than Central Park in New York. Then there is Granville Island which is in the harbor and is full of shops that sell almost everything. Lots of people and lots of action. It helped that it was a really nice day. Today we head for the USA and plan on stopping at Chateau St. Michelle for a wine tour, then on to Olympic National Park.

Canada (Vancouver, British Columbia)

We left Glacier and headed to Fairmont Hot Springs, BC. It was so warm we decided not to utilize the springs. Then we drove to a campground near Kamloops, B C. It was a provincial park on the Thompson River. We had a nice view of the river. However, the trains full of coal, etc. were running constantly near the campground. I met a fellow camper from Germany. He works for Mercedes so was excited to see our motorhome. We then decided to drive the scenic route via Whistler, BC on our way to Vancouver. It was scenic to say the least. Lots of mountains and lakes. However, we had to deal with lots of steep grades. I had never driven on one more than 10% so when I saw the 15% sign I thought I was driving straight down. Lots of downshifting. We are in Vancouver right now and plan on a day long your of the city. Then back to the USA tomorrow. So far we have put over 2000 miles on the trip. Fuel is a bit expensive in Canada.

Glacier Park, day #2

Hi, We spent most of the day in Glacier Park. We ate breakfast at West Glacier then took a shuttle into the park. We were able to go to the "Going to the Sun Rd" via shuttle, which was nice. It would be a crazy drive in a car. Let alone a motor home (which they don't allow). The day was beautiful and the scenery is really something to behold. We are so lucky to have our national park system. We saw a couple of mountain goats. Beth and I hiked up a mountain trail at Logan Pass.  I wanted to wimp out but Beth kept going so I had to keep up with her. One of the goats walked towards us, so close I have a really good picture of her. Tonight we are camped in a Good Sam park which has better WiFi than last night, plus cell coverage. Tomorrow we head for Canada.

Glacier National Park, Montana

We left Fort Peck this morning and headed west to Glacier. We are camped in East a Glacier in full view of the beautiful mountains. As you know, eastern Montana is not much to write about when describing the drive. We are planning on taking a red bus tour  on the Going To a The Sun Rd. Tomorrow. Unable to upload pictures at this park. Still dry and warm. 85 degrees.

Heading West, August 5 - 9

We left Wausau early Wednesday morning and camped in Buffalo River State Park near Moorhead, MN the first night. We then drove through most of North Dakota to the Theodore National Park, near Medora, ND the 2nd day. We saw a North Dakota state police officer "pull over" a guy on a wheel chair along the highway. Who knows maybe he was speeding? Or maybe a nursing home escapee? It wasn't even a powered wheel chair. We enjoyed camping at Theodore Roosevelt NT. Pk, and weren't mobbed by a herd of buffalo like last time. We met a German fellow who is biking across our country from New York to the west coast. We are presently camping at Fort Peck, MT which is a huge lake formed by a dam on the Missouri River. We went to a DAM tour today. Tomorrow we head towards Glacier Nat. Pk. We plan to stay there long enough to take a ride on the "Going to the Sun" road. Then on to Canada. Gotta eat up out potatoes before we get there.

Making plans for the West

We are finalizing our plans for our trip out west. This time we are going to Vancouver, then napa valley, then San Francisco, then where ever. We will keep you up to date with pictures of great scenery and adventures.