Pacific Ocean

Posted on October 11, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

Yup, foggy morning again. But it was pretty, so worthy of a picture. It turned out to be a damp day, a little rain off and on with bits of sunshine in between.

Foggy Morning

Foggy Morning

We stayed put until after lunch and then took off for the ocean which is only about 25 miles from here. There is another casino there, somewhat smaller than were we just were, but it was right there by the ocean. The parking lots were packed with cars and they were even parked on both sides up the street approaching the casino. Would we even find a place to park our motorhome? We took a chance.

Chinook Casino

Chinook Winds Casino

They do have a parking area just for RV’s. It was packed too. But we got lucky, somebody just moved out as we arrived and we got their spot. Rigs were leaving and arriving all day long. We knew before we got here was up….

RV Parking Lot

Chinook Winds Casino RV Parking Lot

The WHEELMOBILE was here! The WHEEL OF FORTUNE Contestant Search is here for a few days. This was not on our agenda, but what the heck. They had a great system of moving people quickly, so even tho there was a lot of people we did not have to stand around waiting.

Wheel of Fortune Contestant Search

#Wheelmobile

Yup, We Did It

Yup, We Did It

We filled out our applications and then were seated in the auditorium inside the casino. Our applications were placed in a barrel and then several were selected at random to play speed-up rounds. It was a lot of fun. Our names were not called. Oh well.

Wheel of Fortune Contestant Search

Wheel of Fortune Contestant Search

After a walk around the casino we walked down to the beach to see the Pacific Ocean. The waves were high but the tide was out and we watched some boys as they challenged the waves.

Challenging the Waves

Challenging the Waves

Pacific Ocean

Pacific Ocean

The parking lot is quiet but we will be listening to the roar of the ocean as we go to sleep tonight.

  • Gasolone:  none
  • Lodging:    free
Posted in Daily Post, October, Oregon | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Weigh We Go

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

When we changed our state of domicile from Minnesota to South Dakota a few months back we had to change our vehicle registration to South Dakota. We received our new title for the Jeep, but never did get the new title for our motor home. They had sent us a letter, but we never got it. Who knows where that letter went. South Dakota bases their registration fees on the unloaded weight of the RV, but Minnesota uses the gross weight. The unloaded weight is nowhere to be found on any of the paperwork we have, so we need to get it weighed so we can fax the weight slip to the DMV. (We are NOT going to unload it!)

This is something we have never done. So it was a learning experience for us. We found the nearest truck stop with a certified scale. These are meant for the big semi-trucks so we had to make some adjustments. We had to park at the back end of the scales as they are set up to weigh the tractor part separate from the trailer part. Also, they assume the driver is still in the driver seat so the button to push to get the operator is unreachable by foot. That’s why Bernie is here with a broom handle to push the button to get service. But, by doing that one foot was on the scale which added 40 pounds to the front part of the scale. Funny. Was only $10.50 fee to have it weighed.

Weigh that RV

Weigh that RV

Finally, on our way again. We are now only about 75 miles southwest from where we were last night. We found Spirit Mountain Casino which is west of Salem, Oregon. They have a very large RV parking lot where we can spend the night for free.

Spirit Mountain Casino RV Parking

Spirit Mountain Casino RV Parking

A shuttle circulates the parking lot to take people to and from the casino although it is just a short walk away. Signs say that Security will patrol the lot too. The shuttle driver tells us this is Oregon’s largest casino.

Spirit Mountain Casino, Oregon

Spirit Mountain Casino, Oregon

  • Gasoline:  none
  • Lodging:   free
  • Weigh Station fee:  $10.50
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Fishy Day

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

Seems like every morning here is a foggy one. It was late morning before we finally decided to go out.

Yesterday our cruise ship went through the lock at Bonneville Dam so now today we went to see that dam. Built in the 1930’s this National Historic Landmark was the first lock and dam on the Columbia and Snake rivers and provides hydroelectric power to the Pacific Northwest. A second powerhouse was built and began producing additional hydroelectric power in 1981.

Boneville Dam

Bonneville Dam

The dam is run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The visitor center has lots of great exhibits and videos about the history and function of the whole thing. Multiple fish ladders allow the salmon and other fishes to swim upstream. They are ushered through canals where they are counted. There are viewing windows in the visitor center where you can see the fish as they move from the fish ladder to the counting area.

Fish Ladder at Bonneville Dam

Fish Ladder at Bonneville Dam

That was interesting enough, but then we went next door to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery. Operated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, it raises salmon and steelhead.

Bonneville Fish Hatchery

Bonneville Fish Hatchery…egg incubators

One of the most interesting things at this hatchery is the Sturgeon Viewing Center where you can see “Herman the Sturgeon” along with some other sturgeon and trout.

Sturgeon Viewing Center

Sturgeon Viewing Center

Herman is over 10 feet long, weighs over 450 pounds, and is over 70 years old.

Herman the Sturgeon

Herman the Sturgeon

The grounds are covered with large ponds for the growing fishes. There are a few older ponds with trout and with sturgeon in them.

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Rainbow Trout Pond

When we left we were craving a good salmon dinner, so we found a seafood restaurant for dinner.   🙂

  • Gasoline:  $34 @ $3.29
  • Lodging:   $15
  • Admission: free
Posted in Daily Post, October, Oregon | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Columbia River Gorge

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

There are benefits to touring in the “off” season. We were able to secure seats on the “Landmarks of the Gorge” cruise on the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler this morning. Normally reservations are needed well in advance, but this time of year no problem. It can hold 500 passengers, but today there were only about 100 aboard. This was a 5 hour cruise that included continental breakfast and lunch buffet.

Colombia Gorge Sternwheeler Cruise

Colombia Gorge Sternwheeler Cruise

The Columbia River runs along much of the border between Washington and Oregon. We boarded on the Oregon side. The first thing we did was head down stream through the Bonneville Lock and Dam. We dropped 70 feet in about 12 minutes.

Bonneville Lock (up)
Bonneville Lock (down)

In the spring when the water level is higher the bridge at the end of the lock is not high enough to allow the sternwheeler to pass under it, so the bridge pivots to allow it to pass through. I would like to see that.

Bonneville Lock and Dam

Bonneville Lock and Dam

Just after the lock and dam is a fish by-pass. A screen upstream from the dam diverts the fish through tubes and they come out downstream here. There are fish ladders by the dam for the salmon that want to go upstream. They use the lower tube when the water level is lower and the upper tube when the water level is higher.

Fish By-Pass

Fish By-Pass

Colombia Gorge

Colombia River Gorge

Beacon Rock is the exposed core of an ancient volcano and is considered the second largest monolith in the world, next to Gibraltar. The captain told us an interesting story of how the state wanted to blow it up to use it for road material, and how it became a state park instead.

Beacon Rock

Beacon Rock

Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler

Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler

We did see a few American Bald Eagles and a few sea lions. This one looked up at us and then went back to his nap.

Sea Lion

Sea Lion

Statues of Sacagawea and Seaman are on the grounds near the dock. Both were companions to Lewis & Clark when they explored this area.

Sakagewea and dog

Sacagawea and Seaman

After the cruise we took the scenic drive home, that brought us by several tall waterfalls.

Latourell Falls
Horsetail Falls
Multnomah Falls

We stopped at a few scenic viewpoints, it really was breathtaking to see it all like that. Vista House was opened in 1918 as a rest area and observatory and as a memorial to “the trials and hardships of those who have come into the Oregon country”, you can see up and down the Columbia River Gorge from here.

Vista House

Vista House

At Chanticleer Point we can see the Vista House on the bluff (Crown Point) in the distance.

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Chanticleer Point

  • Gasoline:  $30 @ $3.59
  • Lodging:  $15 (Passport America 50% discount)
  • Cruise Cost:  $169
Posted in Daily Post, October, Oregon, Washington | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ape Cave and Two Forests

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

While it was the north side of Mount St Helens that blew out in the 1980 eruption and that’s where several viewpoints and visitor centers are, the south side has some things going on too.

Ape Cave is the third longest lava tube in North America. It’s not from the 1980 eruption, but is 1,900 years old. No, Apes did not live here. It was named for an outdoor club, The Mount St Helens Apes, who found and explored it in the 1950’s. The tube is over a mile long, we hiked part of it. It’s pitch black dark in there and we didn’t have good enough flashlights to continue much distance. Too dark for any more pictures. There were very few other people there as this a week day in the off season.

Ape Caves

Ape Cave Entrance

Nearby is the Trail of Two Forests. A boardwalk takes us through a younger forest around a 1,900 year old lava flow that shows evidence of an ancient forest. Big holes remain where the lava flowed around the trees and cooled, then the burnt trees eventually deteriorated.

Two Forrests

Trail of Two Forests

Even more interesting is where the lava flowed over fallen trees before it cooled. As the trees burnt and deteriorated they left tunnels in their shape. In a few points here you can climb down into one of the “tunnels” and crawl in the dark about 20 to 30 feet to the other end. We passed on that.

Two Forrests

Trail of Two Forests

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Trail of Two Forests

On the road back we stopped at a roadside pullout to get this picture of the south side of Mount St Helens.

Mount St Helens, South Side

Mount St Helens, South Side

  • Gasoline:  none
  • Lodging:   $35
Posted in Daily Post, October, Washington | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

South to Woodland WA

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

Today’s daily post is brief. But that happens sometimes.

Seaquest State Park, where we were the last two days, was a fine park, but seriously lacking in internet, cell phone strength and TV signal, which is hard for me to live with for more than a few days. Woodland RV Park on the Lewis River places us about 35 miles closer to where we want to explore tomorrow. We were lucky enough to land a spot right on the river’s edge with a nice view.

Woodland, WA

Woodland RV Park  #47

This is a nice modern RV park with paved level site and all the hookups we need including free Wi-Fi. We are packed in like sardines here, but the view is nice and it’s nice to be in a full-service park for a few days.

Tomorrow we will explore the Ape Caves on the south side of Mount St Helens.

  • Gasoline:  none
  • Lodging:   $35  (Good Sam Club 10% discounted price)
Posted in Daily Post, October, Washington | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Longview WA

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

This is Bigfoot (or Sasquatch) territory. I think the whole state of Washington, or maybe the Pacific Northwest, has had more Bigfoot sightings than all the other states. Statues and signs can be found in many places throughout the state. We saw this 28′ one yesterday.

Bigfoot

Bigfoot

Today we went to Longview, rated one of America’s ten prettiest towns by Forbes Magazine in 2012. It is also the birthplace of Washington State.

Lake Sacagawea is the town’s centerpiece. The lake was named for the Shoshone Indian woman who accompanied the Lewis and Clark Expedition in this area over 200 years ago. There is a statue of her in the park.

Park

Beautiful Lake Sacagawea

The lake is 1.5 miles long and there are about 3.5 miles of walking trail with many park benches, fishing docks, and gardens.  There are lots of unique trees here with signs identifying them. It’s a very clean, well-groomed, park and we enjoyed it very much.

Monkey's Puzzle

Monkey’s Puzzle

The town has three squirrel bridges, long narrow bridges crossing the street for the squirrels to get across safely. We found two of them. These were the brainstorm of Amos J Peters in the 1960’s.

Nutty Narrows Bridge

Nutty Narrows Bridge

A squirrel statue in a downtown park commemorates Mr. Peters for the squirrel bridges and for his service to the community.

Longview, WA

Longview, WA

And, Longview has a Squirrel Festival every year in August. Too bad we missed it, I’m thinking that would have been interesting. Then we walked around downtown for a bit and spotted this big moose carving, had a late lunch, and went home.

Moose Carving

Moose Carving

  • Gasoline:  none
  • Lodging:   $34
Posted in Daily Post, October, Washington | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Mount St Helens

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

The Mount St Helens volcano erupted in a big way on May 18, 1980. Since then, the area has been turned into a National Volcanic Monument to preserve the volcano and for research, recreation, and education. It’s a long drive through the park to get to the Johnston Ridge Observatory, but there are visitor centers and observation points along the way. We saw some very informative videos about the devastation and the recovery and learned a lot from the exhibits at the visitor centers.

Mount St Helens, Johnston Ridge Observatory

Mount St Helens, Johnston Ridge Observatory

Hillsides of fallen trees can still be seen, and stumps remain where trees were ripped away from the blast. But much of the surrounding area has a nice re-growth of forest now.

Mount St Helens

Mount St Helens

A sign at the Johnston Ridge Observatory shows before and after pictures.

Mount St Helens

Mount St Helens

On our way home we stopped at a roadside cafe. We shared an elk burger and a piece of chocolate “lava” cake. Had to do it.

Elk Burger on the Menu

Elk Burger on the Menu

We are staying at Seaquest State Park for Friday and Saturday nights. Sunday morning we will continue our southern trek.

Seaquest State Park by Mount St Helens

Seaquest State Park by Mount St Helens

  • Gasoline:  $165 @ $3.39 and $3.59
  • Lodging:    $34
  • Admission:  free with National Senior Pass
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Mount Rainier

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

We’ve been having a little problem with our fresh water pump lately, it has been spitting air with the water when we use the sink. We found a certified Winnebago repair shop near us and they squeezed us in. The tech knew right away what it was and replaced a small part on the pump. $10 for the part and $52 for the labor, add tax and misc. to that and it cost us $70. Seems to be working well now.

That done, we returned the RV to the Walmart and parked it there while we took the Jeep for a sight-seeing tour of nearby Mount Rainier National Park. What a beautiful park! Lots of wilderness, forest, waterfalls, hiking trails, with Mount Rainier as the centerpiece.

Grove of the Patriarchs Trail

Grove of the Patriarchs Trail

Our first stop was to hike a 1.5 mile loop trail through the Grove of the Patriarchs, part of an old-growth forest with some really big trees. The trail led to a suspended bridge over the Ohanapecosh River, a sign recommends only one person at a time to cross. It was rather bouncy.

Ohanapecosh River

Ohanapecosh River

Grove of the Patriarchs Trail

Grove of the Patriarchs Trail

Grove of the Patriarchs Trail

Grove of the Patriarchs Trail

Banana Slug

Banana Slug

We spent several hours there, hiking a few trails and stopping to soak in all the beauty that was there. It’s an awesome place and the weather cooperated so well!

Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park

And the  most spectacular view of all is Mount Rainier itself. Incredible. We had views of the mountain at various scenic overlooks along the road, but the absolute best view is at the Visitor Center. There is a 20-minute movie and exhibits and a hiking trail there too. It is an active volcano and it’s elevation is over 14,000 feet.

Mount Rainier Visitor Center

Mount Rainier Visitor Center

  • Gasoline:  none
  • Lodging:   free
  • Admission: free with National Senior Pass ($15 value)
  • Repairs:   $70
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Moving On

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

Not every day is an adventure. Yesterday we just relaxed, walked around Poulsbo, did some shopping, and took the day off. We did go to say goodbye to Bernie’s cousin as we plan to move to a different area today.

This morning started out foggy too, seems to be the norm this time of year. But it quickly lifted and we packed up and left Eagle Tree RV Park, driving about 100 miles south.

Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Part of our journey took us back over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge that we had crossed when we got here last week. It is free to cross going west, but eastbound has to pay a toll. Our rig with a car in tow was $11.

We will be spending the night in the Walmart parking lot in Chehalis, Washington, there are six other RV’s here with us. Tomorrow should be more interesting.

Chehalis, WA

Chehalis, WA

  • Gasoline:  none
  • Lodging:   free
  • Toll:           $11
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Olympic National Park

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

Another cloudy and rainy morning, but we didn’t let that stop us from exploring the area. We actually put about 220 miles on the Jeep today.

Our first mission was find a post office. We enjoyed the big beautiful flowers in front of the Port Gamble Post Office.

Post Office at Port

Post Office at Port

Someone suggested we eat at The Oak Table Cafe in Sequim so we did just that. We were very impressed. They specialize in handcrafted breakfast and creative lunches. I don’t usually promote individual business but am making an exception for this one.

The Oak Table Cafe

The Oak Table Cafe

The rain was intermittent and we never did see the sun, but we kept on going.

Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park, Washington

As we drove through part of Olympic National Park we stopped at a point called Salmon Cascades. The salmon were jumping, trying to make their way up stream. Several people gathered to watch the show.

Salmon Cascades, Olympic National Park, Washington

Salmon Cascades, Olympic National Park, Washington

Then we stopped for a little hike through the Ancient Groves. The half-mile trail in this little section of rain forest took us through some really cool moss-covered trees and some big tall trees.

The Rain Forest

The Rain Forest

Tree Hugger

Tree Hugger

We never did make it to the ocean. It was getting late and it would have taken us a couple more hours to get there and back. We did not want to be driving home in the rain, in the dark, on roads we are not familiar with. So home we went. The ocean will have to wait.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park

  • Gasoline:  none
  • Lodging:   $30
  • Admission: free with Bernie’s National Senior Pass
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Seattle, WA

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

Even though it was a cloudy/gloomy sort of morning we set out to explore Seattle. This required taking a ferry across Puget Sound, so we drove to the ferry station on Bainbridge Island and left the car parked there and just came across as pedestrians.

As we disembark the ferry the first thing we noticed was the Alaskan Way Viaduct, a multi-level highway. We learned that this will be replaced by a tunnel in the next few years.  This project includes replacement of the seawall as well. We stopped for a cup of clam chowder at a restaurant on the waterfront and lucky for us they were still open today. Several of the businesses along the waterfront are closing tomorrow while they work on the new seawall, and won’t reopen until next year. If we return here in a few years it will look all different.

Seattle, WA

Seattle, WA

The streets of Seattle quickly rise up several levels from the waterfront, necessitating some steep side streets and lots of stairs between levels.

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Seattle, Washington

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That’s the Ferry that Goes Between Seattle and Bainbridge Island

A few blocks from the ferry landing we found the Pike Place Market, an indoor public market center which was where all the people are. This is a huge market, covering several blocks and occupying six levels of shops.

Public Market Center

Public Market Center

We watched the Pike Place Fish Co. for a while. The workers would throw the fish back and forth to each other, sometimes they put on quite a show. A crowd gathered around to watch.

market

Pike Place Fish Co.

There are several other fish markets, several fresh produce stands, lots and lots of fresh bouquets of flowers, and much much more.

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Fresh Produce at Pike Place Market

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Some of the Many Fresh Flowers at Pike Place Market

Across the street we see a long line of people waiting to get coffee at the original Starbucks.

The Original Starbucks

The Original Starbucks

Street performers were doing their thing outside the Starbucks. Other performers can be found in several other places in and around the market area.

Street Performers

Street Performers

The Space Needle is about 10 blocks away from the market and decided to walk it so we could see the city along the way.

Seattle Space Needle

Seattle Space Needle

The Space Needle was built in 1962 for the World’s Fair that was held here at that time. We tried to get into the restaurant at the top, but they were booked up. But we did take the elevator to the observation deck for a look-see.

Seattle Space Needle

Seattle Space Needle Observation Deck

On the grounds around the base of the Space Needle are several sculptures and an exhibition that includes both indoor and outdoor artworks in glass by Dale Chihuly. We have seen his work in other locations such as the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut and the Botanical Garden in Phoenix Arizona, and at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota.

Dale Chihuley Exhibit

Dale Chihuley Exhibit

While we were having a late lunch at a restaurant near the Market Place the sun came out and chased all the clouds away, but by that time we were pooped and caught a return ferry across Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island where we had our car.

Seattle Skyline

Seattle Skyline

  • Gasoline:     none
  • Lodging:      $30
  • Admission: $64
  • Parking:      $11.50
  • Ferry fare:  $8
Posted in Daily Post, September, Washington | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Point No-Point

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

Poulsbo has a nice big Farmers Market so we went to see it. We like to see how the local produce differs from what they have at home. Mostly it’s the same, but we did pick up some wonderful looking peaches and some Kiwi berries that I’ve never seen at a Minnesota Farmers Market.

Poulsbo Farmers Market

Poulsbo Farmers Market

The Loot From the Farmers Market

The Loot From the Farmers Market

Scandinavians settled this community over 100 years ago and it’s very evident in the downtown buildings.

Poulsbo WA

Poulsbo WA

Poulsbo WA

Poulsbo WA

We walked along the marina and the historic waterfront and the boardwalk that runs along the shoreline.

Poulsbo WA

Poulsbo WA

Bernie’s cousin lives here and we went to see them, then the four of us went out to visit Point No-Point Lighthouse on Puget Sound and for a walk on the beach.

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Point No-Point Lighthouse on Puget Sound

It was cool, and nobody was swimming but there were some people fishing, they were catching salmon.

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The Beach at Point No-Point

Bernie and Marsha
Kirk and Pat

There was a lot of driftwood along the beach and a few places where some ambitious people had gathered up the wood and stuck them in the ground or built little forts.

IMG_6216

Bernie Inside a Driftwood Fort

Across the Puget Sound we could see the Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier. We plan to visit those places in the next few days.

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Seattle Skyline and Mount Rainier

  •  Lodging:  $30
Posted in Daily Post, September, Washington | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

End the Long Drive

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

175 miles driven today.  And 1,700 miles and about $1,060 in gas money since our start in Minnesota. We will slow down from here on.

Making reservations at an RV park is something we seldom do because we don’t like be obligated to be anywhere at a certain time. But since we are entering the part of Washington that could be in high demand we made reservations and made a $30 deposit. And wouldn’t you know it, when we woke this morning there was a very thick fog and there was no way we were driving in it.

Thankfully, after a few hours the fog began to lift so we set out to continue our trip west. The fog turned into rain. We were driving through some mountain passes in the rain. While very beautiful, it was intense driving with this big rig on wet roads in unfamiliar territory. We were tired by the time we finished.

Washington State

Washington State

Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Tacoma Narrows Bridge

We are at Eagle Tree RV Park near Poulsbo, Washington, which is very near Seattle. We have paid for three nights, with a possibility of staying longer. This is a nice, very well-groomed park with level pull-thru spots for rigs like ours. The spaces are uncomfortably close together but it will do for three days, we don’t plan to be lounging around the campsite anyway. There are some really nice spots back in the trees for smaller units.

IMG_6178

Eagle Tree RV Park, Poulsbo, WA, #80

We’ll go exploring tomorrow.

  • Gasoline:  $100 @ $3.87/gallon (That’s right, $3.87)
  • Gasoline:  $101  @ $3.49/gallon
  • Lodging:   $30 (with a 15% Escapees membership discount)
Posted in Daily Post, September, Washington | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Beauty and Bulls

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

171 miles today. There was a light rain, but nothing to worry about. The landscape changed from the mountains to ranch land to corn fields and then a beautiful area around the Columbia River and the Vantage Bridge.

Columbia River

Columbia River

Tomorrow we will arrive at the west coast of Washington and plan to spend several days there while we do some sightseeing. But for tonight we found a very nice little RV park near Ellensburg. The Yakima River RV Park is part of a working bull ranch and we find ourselves surrounded by the bulls on both sides.

Yakima RV Park

Yakima RV Park

The RV park closes for the season on September 30, which is just 5 days from now! And that reminds us that it may get challenging to find places to stay until we are ready to move south for the winter. Oh well, there’s always Walmarts and casinos. There are probably some year-round parks around. We’ll be fine.

  • Gasoline:  none
  • Lodging:   $21 (Passport America discounted rate)
Posted in Daily Post, September, Washington | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

And Into Washington

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

40 miles is all we drove today, out of the Idaho panhandle and into the state of Washington. As we started west on I-90 the wind picked up and knocked us around a little. This high-profile vehicle can’t handle wind gusts very well. And, since we never make reservations, we are not obligated to be anywhere tonight so when I checked my Internet resources and learned there was an RV friendly casino near by we went for it.

IMG_6135

Northern Quest Resort & Casino

Northern Quest Resort & Casino is just off the Interstate on the west side of Spokane, Washington. There is a large paved parking lot on the south side with designated RV parking. It’s free, that’s the best part. Well, free if you don’t count what you pay for eating in the restaurants and feeding the slot machines! Similar to Walmart overnighting…free if you don’t count what you spend in the store.

In the Far Back

In the Far Back

Oh yes, and we are in the Pacific Time Zone now, we do everything two hours later than what we did in Minnesota.

  • Gasoline:  none
  • Lodging:   free

 

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Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

175 miles driven today. It is still a very beautiful drive through the mountains and forests. It got a bit cloudy and there were a few sprinkles, but nothing serious.

Welcome to Idaho

Welcome to Idaho

We’re staying near Coeur d’Alane, a beautiful little lake community with resorts and cruises and parasailing and sight seeing by kayak or float plane. It’s very quiet today, school is in session and there are not many tourists present. We drove down to the city park on the lake. What a nice park! Loved it. The swimming beach was empty. I can imagine what a busy place this is in the summer.

IMG_6075

Lake Coeur d’Alane, Idaho

We walked around the park, and on the paved trail that lines the lake, and the boardwalk that goes around the marina. Hardly any people out. We did see one sightseeing cruise go by.

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Lake Coeur d’Alane, Idaho

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Lake Coeur d’Alane Marina

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IMG_6099

Gasoline: $100 @ $3.52
Lodging: free

Posted in Daily Post, Idaho, September | Tagged | 1 Comment

Missoula, Montana

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

350 miles driven today as we continue to head towards the state of Washington. The clouds went away and the sun came out to make it a hot sunny day. The motorhome did just fine going up and down a few mountains and hills. Traffic was light and the scenery beautiful.

Montana, I-90

Montana, I-90

We are spending the night at a Walmart in Missoula, Montana. You can’t see it in the picture, but there are about 10 other rigs here, lining the perimeter of the parking lot and more have arrived since this picture was taken. Our journey will continue in the morning.

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Walmart Overnight

  • Gasoline:  $179 @ $3.49
  • Lodging:   free
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…Where The Deer And The Antelope Play…

Posted on September 21, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

300 miles of just driving today, stopping only for breaks and fuel. This part of the country is very different from the family farmland in my home state of Minnesota. All we saw all day was open prairie, rolling hills, cattle ranges, some oil rigs, and a coal mine. Oh, and hundreds of antelope.  Although we didn’t see many people, or houses, it is a beautiful country. But a very long drive. The interstate took us about a third of the way into Wyoming and then turned north to Montana and then west again. We will stay overnight at the Walmart in Billings, Montana. More driving to do in the morning.

Here are some pictures of our drive today:

Oil Pumpers

Oil Pumpers

Coal Mine

Coal Mine

Montana

Montana

Montana

Montana

Pretty Fall Colors in Montana

Pretty Fall Colors in Montana

Billings, Montana

Billings, Montana

  • Gasoline:  $100 @ $3.49
  • Lodging:   free
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Devil’s Tower, Wyoming

Posted on September 20, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

We left the Mount Rushmore area and headed west on Interstate 90. The winds picked up and were making driving difficult so we stopped at a Walmart in Spearfish, South Dakota. We would have liked to stay the night but they have a city ordinance preventing RV’s from parking anywhere other than in an RV park. We sat in the parking lot for a few hours waiting for the winds to let up. It was getting late and time to decide where we will stay so we went back on the highway and drove to an RV park in Sundance, Wyoming.

Wyoming

Wyoming

The winds finally stopped as soon as we got parked in our new location at Mountain View RV Park.

Mountain View RV Park, Sundance, Wyoming, #45

Mountain View RV Park, Sundance, Wyoming, #45

Devil’s Tower National Monument is just 28 miles from where we are and we drove out to see it and take another picture. We were here last year, camped in a campground at the base of it, hiked the trails, and all that. You can see last year’s post HERE.

Devil's Tower, Wyoming

Devil’s Tower, Wyoming

  • Gasoline:  $150 @ $3.39
  • Lodging:   $18 (Passport America membership rate)
  • Admission: Devil’s Tower, free with National Senior Pass
Posted in Daily Post, South Dakota, Wyoming | Tagged , , | 2 Comments