Three Days and our Alaska Trip Starts

We have been busy the last 3 days getting everything ready for the guest to show up.  We have a total of 9 rigs in the park already.  This makes it nice so that we can get the in-rig visit done and give them all of their things for the trip, Rod- Log, backpack, milepost, coats, and information from us.  By Tuesday we should have everyone here.
We had our first social tonight and everyone showed up and we had a great time finding out where everyone is from, and getting to know everyone.  We had a few people show up with some great goody's.
The weather has been good today.  We had great sunny weather with a good amount of wind to keep it some what cool around here.  But the weather has not been all that good before today.  On Friday morning the 10th, at about 4:30 AM we got woke out of a very deep sleep to some load claps of thunder and lighting.  That wasn't the worst of it, we start hearing something very large heading the top of our rig. The gal at the office took these picture of what was hitting our rig.

As you can see the hale was the size of golf balls, but most of the hale was the size of small marbles.  We did not have any damage, but one of our guest were not so lucky, his vent in the kitchen had one come right through it.  Well in the next few days I will be getting ready for the orientation, making sure I have everything covered, with the help of my lovely wife Cyndy.

Arrived at Dicks RV Park

This morning we had a little bit of early morning rain and more thunder.

This is the area of free Parking at the 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar, I count 8 rigs here from last night.  We left at about 8:00 AM and the sun was out and clear driving from here on I hope.

As you can see the sky's are clear and the road is good.  We had a great drive and here are a few pictures of our trip.

The Clark Fork was following high but we did see a lot of boats fishing, but didn't have camera ready when they showed up.

We have noticed a lot of tanker cars sitting all over the place while traveling east on 200 towards Great Falls.  I am wondering if this is still some of the back up from the wreck down on the Columbia!!!

It was a long time coming but the trip up was easy compared to the trip back down, this is an 8% grade for 2 miles then we level out at 3800 feet, we topped this pass at 5600 feet.

As we came out of the Rocky's we hit the open plains.

We were hoping to see some Analope but all we seen was cows.

We had a great day and the drive up to Great Falls on 200 is a nice drive and little traffic.
We made it to Dick's RV Park and are all set up.

Trailer washed, sign up and books out now all we have to do tomorrow is explore the stores for the few things to finish off the meal here for the guest on the 15th.

Montana here we come

Yesterday we left Walla Walla and spent the night in Moses Lake.  It was a little bit cooler only made it to the low 100's.  It wasn't a bad drive and made it to the park at Pier 4 Resort by noon.  No mountains or pass to go over, so pretty easy drive, it was just over 120 mile drive.  Get us ready for the long days to come.
Today was a little bit different story, we left the park and headed east on I-90.

 It was a real easy drive to start with, the weather was good only in the 70's plus for the morning drive.  The clouds looked great in the distance.

We could tell that we just missed a good rain storm.  I think this helped it stay a little cooler, but the humidity was a little higher.

 When we seen the trees I new we were getting close to Spokane.  Got to like this traffic on this side of the pass.  I set the cruse at 59 and just stay in the right lane and everyone is passing me at 70 plus, even the big trucks.  We are in no hurry, so why drive 65 plus.

Look we made it to Idaho, and no passes that we have had to go over yet.  Wait our first one is just ahead called 4th of July Pass.  And the heat is starting to build 80 plus already here out side of Spokane.

What a view of Lake Couer d' Alane, this bridge gives you some great views of the lake.  After this view we headed up over 4th of July Pass with out any problems.  With the weight we are caring I am very impressed, we crested the pass at 4500 feet and no problems.

 Now Look Out Pass was a different story, we hit the bottom of the pass with a work zone and narrow roads at 45 MPH, So when we hit the 8% grade about 4 miles from the top I was down to 25 and taking my time.

We made it to the top 4800 feet and now it is time to head down the other side, this time we have two lanes and I don't have to worry about people behind us and take our time going down the pass.  It said the first 4 miles for all trucks 25 MPH, steep going up and down but a piece of cake.  From the top to the 50,000 Dollar Bar & Restaurant, plus a small RV park it was only 16 miles.  Just for some of you that are heading east of west on I-90 this is a nice park, 30 AMP, no water, no sewer, but it is free, can't beat that.  One other thing the Restaurant puts out some great food and the price is pretty good.;

We both had Chicken Fried Steak, with white gravy and mashed potatoes (real mashed potato's), along with a great green salad.  The clouds are starting to build up and we heard a couple of claps of thunder, Turbo is hiding some where in here.  Glad we have small coach and very few hiding spots.
Tomorrow we drive just over 250 so we are building up our mileage slowly.  I think after tomorrow we stop for a while and relax, just kidding we will be getting ready for our guest to show up for the start of our Alaska Trip, it will be great.

Last Day in Walla Walla

This is our last day here, we are heading out tomorrow morning early before the heat hits, it is only going to be in the high 90's around here. We are heading to Moses Lake where it will be 100 by 4:00 PM.  One more day of baking before the temp starts to fall a little bit.
Today Nancy came and picked up Cyndy for a day of girl stuff.  The first stop was getting a pedicure for them and Cyndy is a happy girl now.

She said her feet thank me, I haven't figures out why here feet thank me, but Cyndy is happy and if MOM is HAPPY everyone is HAPPY.  After they were done with that they headed out shopping, Jo-Ann, Dollar Tree and a few other shops.  They were both smiling and it looked like they had a great time.
What did I do today, worked on a few things for the Caravan, got some phone calls done, printed up stuff for guest. Took boys for a couple of walls, other than that I don't think I got to much done so no stress on this end, happy me.

When they got back Cyndy got a picture of me and Nancy, we really enjoyed the time we spent with Gary and Nancy, it may be a while before we get back this way again. Tomorrow I am hoping to be out of here by around 8 or 8:30 AM so that we can get up to Moses Lake before it gets hot again.  On the road again for 3 days straight!!!  Then we get ready for our guest.  So looking forward to meeting everyone.

Hot Day in Walla Walla

It is hot today and a good day to be sitting still, with air conditioners running full bore.  At 6:45 PM it is 100 Degrees, and starting to drop a little. We had another great day with Gary and Nancy with our first stop at the Farmers Market.  Cyndy wanted to get some cherries, so she was all over the place sampling cherries.

This tree is called a Linden Tree and what a great smell, they grow on both sides of mountain, but I don't ever remember see any in the Puget Sound area.

You just stand any where near this tree and it has a great fragrance, wish I could bottle it.

 They say in the next few weeks this area will be a lot more packet with farm vendors.  It only took us about 1/2 hour and we were on our way out. Next it was time to for lunch, you know we need to eat also.  So today we went to La Casita Family Mexican Restaurant.  We had a great lunch and great company. Cyndy & I had a great Taco Salad, and I can remember what Gary & Nancy had, they said theirs were good also.  They come to this restaurant a lot and enjoy the food.
Next stop was right across the hall to the Antique Mall.  It is always fun walking through these malls and reflecting back in history of things we use to have when kids.

I think Cyndy could send hours in here walking around.

I liked this wall hanging.

I can remember when my Grandfather had one of these wood working tool box's.

The price they are asking for these things that when we were kids we use to take them out and shoot at them with a 22 rifle.  I should of saved them after shooting them full of holes and they may of been worth more money, what do you think.
After about and hour or so we head out to Whitman Mission National Historic Site. For 11 years, Marcus and Narcissa Whitman labored among the Cayuse Indians as missionaries, teachers, and pioneer on the American frontier.  Oregon Trail emigrants streamed past the mission. A measles epidemic in 1847 led to violence, driving a few Cayuse to kill the Whitmans.

 Yep got Cyndy looking into the back of the modern covered wagon of the 1840's, this fine RV could take you all the way from St. Louis to the Oregon Coast in less than a year and carry all your life long belongings.  And don't forget all the kids where in here to or walking along side the wagon.

 This pond is suppose to be full turtles but it was to hot and we didn't find one, but did find this guy taking a picture of something.

 Cyndy & Nancy walked by the old mission grounds here in the park.

It was another nice day exploring Walla Walla and spending quality time with Nancy & Gary.  We had a great time talking about the old days up at our Grandma's and Grandpa's place in Puyallup.  I am looking forward to more time just visiting with them before we head out in a couple of days.

Trip to Harris Park

Today we spent some wonderful time with Gary & Nancy Lentz, we traveled to Harris Park in Umatilla County. OR. It is in the Blue Mountains.  It was a little warm today only 89 degrees.  When we got up to the park it was a little cooler.
Gary wanted to check out the park, before doing some kind of presentations on Plants here in the park this summer.  Anyway we walked around and scouted it out while the girls stayed in the car and talked.  I think Cyndy was not wanting to get out and maybe seeing a snake.  On our walk about we didn't even see one.  Any way here is a few pictures of the park and Gary knows a lot about the different plants in the area and what is eatable and things you don't even want to get near.  I took a few pictures while their.

Cyndy said no snakes in here and I am staying here.

Good use for an old wine barrel, garbage can.

If I recall this is the South Fork of the Walla Walla River.

Gary pointed to that hill in the back ground and said I think the trail goes up to the top of that hill, I was afraid we were going on a hike up to the top, but I said oh man I forgot extra water so I can't make it.

This is the State flower for Idaho called the "Philadelphus Lewisii" or in layman terms "Mock Orange". These flowers have a great smell to them.

 While walking around we spotted these butterflies on the wet ground feeding, if you can see the 3 big ones look closer and you will see some smaller blue ones.

Here you can see the smaller blue ones.

They were amazing to watch, there had to be over 100's of them all over the place.

After our trip around the park weasked Cyndy if she wanted to go and see the joint here in Walla Walla,  She didn't know what we were talking about until we said Walla Walla, and she smiled and said I know what you are talking about.

Cyndy wanted to get out and take a lot of pictures, but I think these people in the tower were watching us.

Look real close I think they are taking our picture.

 Look they are still watching us. Lets get out of here Gary before they come out!!!!

See I told you they were watching us.

We had a great day with Nancy & Gary, we had a lot of fun and really enjoy spending the day with them.  Looking forward to tomorrow when we go to the farmers market.

On the road AGAIN

Last Sunday we left Tacoma for the big town of Mineral, WA.  It was a long drive of just over 40 miles, but we made it with no problem.  We were heading there so that Cyndy could get a little bit more training on her embroidery machine. Our good friends Dick & Rose have a nice little spot for us to stay at when in town and Cyndy is getting some more training.  A friend of Rose's, Linda help Cyndy with a lot of stuff on her machine. Here is one of the patterns she was working on.

  Here is a couple of other projects she did also.

 This is what they call "Cut Work" the yellow areas are cut outs.

This picture doesn't do the Rose justice's.

This is a wall hanging that she did, on Roses big machine, she got to play with it for a while also.

This is another one of her little purses, nice!!!!
Today we left Mineral, WA for the Legends Casino in Toppenish, WA, but when we got close to the campground we called to see if their was any room.  We found that the phone had been discounted and the campground closed down.  So we keep right on going and landed a day early in Walla Walla and the Blue Valley RV Park.  It is a nice quiet park and we will be able to run the air for the boys and us.  50 AMP is great!!!  Tomorrow we are going to meet up with one of my cousins, for a day of exploring the area.