Montana Fall Trip

Friday September 9, 2016

Judy and I got up at about 7 am and after breakfast finished loading the motorhome and secured the house for the month long trip.  Our route was highway 3 to 101 and then onto I-5 heading North.  We then took 167 to highway 18 and then to I-90.  We spent the night at Suncrest resort in Moses Lake.  The trip was uneventful as the traffic was relatively light, no strong winds, and no accidents.  Drove 260 miles today.

Saturday September 10, 2016

We left Suncrest resort in Moses Lake and headed east on I-90.  In Spokane, we headed north or Highway 2 into Idaho.  Pleasant drive except for the few miles going north out of Spokane. Beautiful scenery in Idaho panhandle and into Montana.  Blue skies with a tail wind.    We saw a coyote out in a field along the road for our first wildlife sighting..  Judy saw a deer later next to the road while I was trying to drive a curvy part of the road.  We spent the night at Kootenai River Campground space 6.  Nice and woodsy.  Before dinner we hiked down to the river and enjoyed the scenery.  Chicken dinner with potatoes, beans and salad.  We plan to get up early and get to Kalispell to catch the Seahawks game on TV, or at least the last part.

Sunday September 11, 2016

We left the campground and headed east again on highway 2.  Only 124 miles to Kalispell.  In Kalispell we went to the Spruce RV park by the River (Flathead) in spot C-8.  We have a view of the river.  As soon as we go the motorhome set up it started raining and was raining most of the rest of the day.  We drove around town a bit looking and finally finding the place where Judy’s daughter might be staying when she comes here.  We had dinner at the local Perkins restaurant.  It started to get cold so we turned on the heater and it did not light.  Rats!  Need to get it fixed tomorrow.   Judy set up her loom this evening and tried out some colors.

Monday September 12, 2016

I took out the propane furnace and took it to a RV repair shop.  Fortunately, or unfortunately, it worked fine in their shop.  Brought it home and put it back.  Still does not work.  Think it might be in the propane system.  Trying to get a hold of someone to check it out.  We spent a good part of the day checking out places for Judy’s daughter Jill to stay.  After a good turkey soup dinner, we headed out to DQ for an ice cream cone.

Tuesday September 13

I took the thermostat out of the hot water heater and got a new one as the hot water heater was not getting very hot.  Wrong one so had to get back for a new one.  We went checking on more places for Jill to stay.  For dinner we went to Matt and Linda’s for dinner.  It was so nice to see them in person and catch up on things. 

Wednesday September 14

Flathead river at the campground

We arranged for a trailer to help Jill move, got some ropes and tarp. After dinner we went to a Lutheran Church and heard a discussion on “interpreting” the bible.  We were invited by Matt and Linda.  It was very interesting approach on understanding the bible when we read it.

Thursday September 15

  Off we went to Victor, MT which was about 150 miles south of Kalispell.  When we got to where Jill was staying she had about twice as many belongings as she originally said she had.  Well we got almost all of it in the trailer and Jeep.  I was worried about being over loaded.  We met Jill great white Pyrenees pup Cabella.  A real cutie.  We decided to spend the night at a motel just off I-90 and on hwy 93.   Dinner at a close by diner.

Friday September 16, 2016

We headed back to Kalispell and the Jeep did fine going up and over even the steepest hills.  I had been worried a little about it.  And then to Jill’s storage unit in Kalisipell to off-load a lot of the stuff. Had lunch in the motorhome, and pick up some of her stuff we had brought from Shelton.   Luckily, the room at the Outlaw motel was still available and we check her in and helped her unload.  A few thing were taken back to the storage unit.  Whew!!! Hard driving these two days.  We had Jill over for homemade turkey soup dinner and then to Smiths for25 cent swirl ice cream cones.

Saturday September 17

pileated woodpecker

We slept in a little this morning and enjoyed eggs, sausage and toast for breakfast.  Went to the store to get a few groceries for Jill who was a little under the weather.  We watched a pileated woodpecker play round a tree which was close to the motorhome.  Relaxed the rest of the day.

Sunday September 18, 2016.

After breakfast we headed off to Big Mountain ski resort.  It was partially cloudy with clouds coming and going around the summit.  We took to ski lift up to the summit in the gondola and enjoyed initially a view of the clouds. After getting a hot chocolate, the weather broke and we got some nice views.

Flathead Lake in the distance

The leaves on the trees and huckleberry bushes were turning color so it was very pretty. We went back home and watched the Seahawks miserable performance.   Light dinner, a quiet evening and off to bed.

Monday September 19

We did some things for Jill in the morning.   After lunch we went to Kehoe’s Agate shop in Bigfork.  This shop is part museum and part retail rock and jewelry sales. They had lots of pretty things.  Some of the rocks and fossils were exquisite and expensive.  Lots of nice jewelry.  Spaghetti dinner and quiet evening.

Tuesday September 20, 2016

After breakfast we picked up friend Linda and headed off to Glacier National Park.  Matt had some doctor’s appointments.  The day was sunny with just a few clouds, no wind, and mild temperature.   The drive up was beautiful as the sun was shining on the fall colors.  We stopped at the Lake McDonald lodge on the edge of lake McDonald. Linda brought some music and played the piano in the main lobby. She did that the last time we visited.   What a gift for us.  We then went to the restaurant and had a nice lunch.  We walked down to the lake after lunch and enjoyed the view.  Continuing up the “Going to the sun” highway from lake McDonald all the way to Logan pass at 6640 feet.   Judy’s grandfather helped build the original road with the CCC crews back in the 1930’s.   It was a little cool at the top but sunny.  There were some mountain sheep on the side of one of the mountains barely visible with binoculars.  We headed down and back to Kalispell where we had dinner at Matt and Linda’s house.  Very nice day.

Wednesday September 21

We went to the Bethlehem Lutheran church this morning where Linda gave us an hour organ concert, that is, Judy, me and her husband Matt. A small day care class of 10 little kids came for a show and tell.  After the concert we all went to a local restaurant for soup for lunch.   After dinner Judy and I went to another Lutheran church for a continuing lecture from last week.

Thursday September 22

I took Judy to Shopco which is like a Walmart/Target type store but with cheaper prices.  I do not think it will be our store.   We went to get some gluten free buns for friends who will be coming for dinner tomorrow night.  Looked all over town and finally found some.  I went down to the river, took a walk down the river a ways looking for pretty rocks.  Judy did some knitting.  Forgot we needed cereal and cheese so  back to the grocery store.

Friday September 23

We spent part of the morning cleaning up the motorhome.  Judy went to lunch with some of her coworkers from the Lutheran nursing home where she was director of nursing.  She had a fun time reminiscing.  I spent some time polishing the motorhome.  Linda and Matt came to dinner.  We had pulled pork sandwiches and salad.  Judy and I had a fun time.  I think I have come down with a cold and Judy has a sore throat she says from talking too much.

Saturday September 24, 2016

We went for a drive today to Smith Lake where we saw different grebes, a swan, some turtles, a heron (we think) and some unidentified ducks.  We met a man who knew Matt and Linda from a few years ago.   We drove around the lake and up to Lone Pine state park where there were nice views of Flathead lake and the city.  Further up the road we stopped by Foyes lake where Judy used to take the kids swimming when they lived here, especially on those hot summer days.  For dinner we met Matt and Linda at Appleby’s and had a nice visit.

Sunday September 25

We left Kalispell at about 10 and headed south on 93.  Saying good by to the beautiful and unique Flathead valley.   At Big Arm on Flathead lake we headed west on highway 28.  A very scenic route.   Part of the drive was along the Clark Fork, in fact we stopped beside the river for lunch. We passed a herd of mountain sheep grazing in a field, unfortunately no place to get off the road.  We eventually got onto I-90 west.  For the night we stayed at the Ponderosa RV park near Spokane.   Listened to the Seahawks win on the radio and the final quarter on TV.  I went to bed early since I have come down with a cold.

Monday September 26

Since I was under the weather for a cold, we decided to spend another day at the Ponderosa and try to recover some.

Tuesday September 27

We left the Ponderosa and filled up with diesel.  Headed west on I-90 and drove to Cle Elum where we spent the night at the Whispering Pines RV park on the banks of the Yakima River.  We have stayed there before and it is very nice.  Not a long drive today because I am still not feeling great.

Wednesday September 28

We got up early because we saw a sign that said west bound I-90 would be closed at Snoqualmie Pass from 8-11 am.  Since we were only about 25 miles from the pass we did not want to be caught.  We skipped breakfast and got to the pass and stopped for breakfast at the summit.  Well I thought the pass was being closed for blasting as usual but guess what, the freeway was closed westbound after the pass for cutting hazard trees.  So we got caught anyway by 5 minutes.  Judy had suggested we get far away from the pass before having breakfast but well, I should have taken her suggestion.   Heavy traffic all the way home.  Nice to be home.

Oregon Coast March 2016

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

We headed out after finishing loading the motorhome going to Les Schwab to get the tire pressures adjusted.  Our trip to Astoria was down I-5 to Longview then going across the Columbia River to Oregon and highway 30. We stopped in Chehalis at an RV shop to have our propane system checked as we though we smelled propane.  All was well.  When we got to Astoria we drove 101 out of town and then to Warrington and the Kampers West RV park taking space A-50.  After setting up we went out to dinner at the Hong Kong restaurant.  Sunny and nice weather which we are enjoying.

After a very long hiatus, we finally hit the road.  We have suffered a very soggy winter on the lake, and had no intention to wait so long, so we are finding our dear RV has forgotten us , how to travel.  Our focus is enjoying our neighbor, Oregon, and re learn how much pleasure we have had uncovering the world our way.   We were given glorious weather, and Sun!   The ocean here is so beautiful and the doors of Astoria opened to welcome us.  Great food and fun shops.  

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

After breakfast we headed into town to the Astoria Column, built in 1926, which has 164 steps to the top observation town.

Astoria Column

The big thing is to fly a small balsa wood from the top and see how far it can go. The murals on the side depict the local history.

Do you see Judy there by the grass?

Beautiful views from the top and the parking area as well. Then we went into the old city and looked around some antique shops, had lunch at the Silver Salmon restaurant which had good clam chowder, and looked around some more.

Before heading back to the park we took the Astoria-Megler bridge four miles over the Columbia River

Bridge over the Columbia R. from Astoria Tower parking lot.

and drove to Ilwaco, stopping in Chinook for some crab for tomorrow night's dinner. 

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Today we decided to go to Tillamook.  On the way we stopped at Cannon Beach and went for a short walk on the beach.

Famous Canon beach rocks

Judy heading to the beach.

Richard check out the rocks.

We stopped at several overlooks and the beautiful views of the sea and sky.  Once in Tillamook we headed for the restaurant for lunch.  Then we went on the self-guided tour.  About the only thing you can see now is the cheese packaging process.  Since my and Judy’s last visits many years ago the place has really changed. We were tempted to taste Tillamook ice cream of course, and some garlic cheddar to take home.  Back home, fresh crab for dinner.  Tough work if you can get it.   

Friday April 1, 2016

Our day started going to Fort Clapsup where Lewis and Clark spent the winter before heading back East.  The fort was built according to the plans drawn up by the explorer.

Judy at Fort Clapsup

They, the 30 of them, spent the 4 months in this small fort.  They reported that they had only 12 days without rain during the 4 months they were there.  Well, it is the northwest coast.  There was a good visitor’s center with very educational displays.  Also, they presented two exceptional movies, one from the native point of view and one from Lewis and Clark point of view.  While the normal recreationists were not there yet, one volunteer group was setting up candle making for a group of school kids.  We really had a nice time there.  We went home for lunch then headed to the Maritime Museum which showed some history of the Columbia river bar from the earliest explorers to the modern Coast Guard.

Steering while checking out the stars

Maritime Museum

Impressive movies of ships and Coast Guard recuses on the bar. 

This is me…Judy… I do think this is one of the best visitor’s center we have seen.  I am a bit prejudice, since Lewis and Clark have been top of my list since early grade school.  I say those of you who live a day away need to put it on your bucket list.  

Saturday April 2, 2016

We will pack up and head home.  The motor home will be left in Chehalis for fixing a roof leak.  Great to be back on the road again… and we were not disappointed with our brief time with Sol.