How far is too far?

Tomorrow we will get close to the end of our first BIG trip.  We will have traveled four thousand miles and  seven states.  All in two weeks.

Which begs the question (we have heard debated at several RV stops during the past two weeks); "How far is too far to drive?"

Today I spent twelve hours behind the wheel and drove 550 miles.  And I know that this mileage seems CRAZY to many (it was pretty crazy).  But for those of us who are still working full-time, it is how we can s-q-u-e-e-z-e

extra days into our trip by driving long hours.  

US 140 - between Klamath Falls and Winnemucca, NV

Today we drove US 140 from Crater Lake to Winnemucca and then I-80 to Wendover, NV.  

I am tired and this will be short.  But I am sure that many of you have an ideal distance for a travel day.  Go ahead - SHARE!

REVIEW: Flowing Lake County Park, Snohomish, WA

Flowing Lake County Park, Snohomish, WA

http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/flowing-lake-county-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=SNOH&parkId=470029

We bought our new trailer in April and started planning a trip to visit our granddaughter Aniyah immediately.  She is fifteen months old and lives near Seattle, so we knew it was to the Northwest for our first big trip.  The plan was to pick her up and camp for a week.  Unfortunately, as you more seasoned campers know, the northwest is a popular summer destination and with Internet reservations (a blessing and a curse) it isn’t easy to find a spot for five days.  ENTER Flowing Lake County Park.

A small park with mostly tents and small RV’s, we winded our way through small and curvy green roads until we got to the park.  Tall trees, a clear lake, and smiling campers.  Our kind of place!

As this is our first trip, we are still pretty nervous about maneuvering our 36 & ½ foot beast of a home.  And IT WAS TIGHT!  But most of the spots are big and set far apart.  There is next to no noise, 50 amp service, and nice level gravel spots.

A trail winds around the exterior of the park and the lake (probably the real attraction) brings in LOTS of day-time visitors.  With lush green grass, good facilities, and picnic tables scattered about – I can see the attraction.

Seattle’s Pike Market is an hour away, as are the Snoqualmie Falls.  The Cascade Mountains loom to the east and nature trails abound (I did a twelve mile walk on the Centennial Trail one day). 

We spent a week here.  The rangers were lovely and the experience top notch. 

Not to mention – our fantastic granddaughter!

THE GOOD:

·       Large level spaces with big gathering areas around fire pits

·       Clean

·       FRIENDLY!

·       Well kept

THE BAD:

·       If you don’t like crowds, avoid the lake during the heat of the day

THE UGLY:

·       I know this will make me seem like a lush, but alcohol is “strictly prohibited” in the park.  P-L-E-A-S-E… I get that they don‘t want rowdies – but I say deal with those who cause a problem, don’t punish everyone else.  It would have been nice to sip a Washington Pinot by the campfire in the evening.

WORTH COMING BACK?  No question – we WILL BE BACK

RECOMMENDED?  Absolutely, come re-charge your self here!

REVIEW: JIM AND MARY'S RV, MISSOULA, MT

JIM AND MARY'S RV, MISSOULA, MT (http://jimandmarys.com/)

First, and it may seem petty, but it can't have been a boon to business or a 'must read' by the local chamber of commerce when International Best Selling Author Jon Krakauer writes an expose about your town and the high number of rapes which occur there...(by the way, a very important book - Start by Believing)


But - trust me Jim and Mary's has nothing to do with all of that, and it is a great stopover.

The experience starts as you pull in.  FLOWERS everywhere!  These folks understand the term "oasis" and how nice it is to see beauty after a long drive.

The office is tidy and the clerk even greeted me by name (she said there was only one other reservation and mine was the only 36 footer left).  With a smile and speedy efficiency, I was checked in.

The sites are almost all shady (nice on the Montana plains) and easy to get in and out of.

We took a quick walk around the property and found it absolutely lovely.  The buildings are very clean and well-maintained.  Our neighbors were all quiet.  We had a great (but quick) stay.

Out before 7:00 am and on to the Tall Chief Campground in Fall City, WA.

THE GOOD:

• Friendly
• Clean
• Flowers EVERYWHERE

THE BAD:

• Will fill up fast

THE UGLY:

• Nothing we saw...

WORTH COMING BACK?   yup

RECOMMENDED?  HEARTILY!

The Butt of travel jokes

“Who would name a town Butt?”

“It is an odd name…”

And so, while travelling across Montana on I-90, we passed through this picturesque and surprisingly large town named after either a roast, the remainder of a smoked cigarette or at worst a derriere. Naturally, I was enthralled.

Perhaps the nexus for being the Butt of Montana, is that the area is home to the largest Superfund site in America (for those who don’t know – this directs government funding to help clean up toxic disaster areas).  This is due to the toxic wastes and heavy metals from copper mining.  Evidence of large scale mining is visible as you travel through town. There is even a relatively famous sludge pit with acid from a mining accident.

A second thought was that this unfortunate address was due to racial tensions (there is even a museum dedicated to the mistreatment of Chinese laborers) or even the organized labor unrest (check out the movie Butt, America).

 

I know that I was surprised to learn that the World Museum of Mining is in Butt – and that no town can be un-redeeming with a joint like the Silver Bow Brewery Malt House (a good place to tell Butt jokes, I’d bet).

We also noticed a massive white statue (which from a distance we were sure was a Storm Trooper from Star Wars).  Turns out, it is actually (no joke) Our Lady of the Rockies – the third largest statue in the United States.  People leave messages inside the Mother Mary replica – in hopes of miracles for their unfortunate loved ones.

Finally, there is a mountain with a large ‘M’ on it.  I guess that isn’t crazy Bozeman also has a mountain with a large M – and so does Golden, Colorado….).

Excuse me a sec – my wife is hollering something at me…

Yes, dear?

You don’t say.  How embarrassing…

Well, I guess the town in named Butte after all.  

5th Wheel Worries

It is five thirty in the morning.

I am smiling as I sit by the fireplace sipping freshly brewed coffee as I watch my “neighbors” stumbling to the port-a-pot with obvious aches from a cold night of sleeping on the ground.

“Suckers.” I say to no one, because Marci is still asleep and I am hidden behind smoked glass windows.

Vladimir Ashkenazy’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor mingles with the chirping of the morning birds.  

What a life.

Yesterday we embarked on our first “real” trip with the camper.  We drove two hours east to North Sterling Lake State Park (because we are just too damn scared to go over the mountains yet).  Naturally, I did not make a single left turn (ok, I did – but not before I made sure my adult diaper was secure).

Most of us have fond memories of road trips.  Hours of humming tires on smooth roads – with breaks for carbohydrate laden snacks and Mountain Dew. Pulling a fifteen thousand pound fifth wheel trailer does not provide the same experience.

(Courtesy www.motorhome.com)

“Is there room to change lanes?”

“I think so.”

“What do you mean, you think so?”

“Well, I can see the truck behind you and it looks pretty far back.”

Luckily, we are about the slowest vehicle on the road. (There was a purple haired lady with two fluffy dogs in an Oldsmobile I passed – but it was on an empty stretch so I can’t gloat).

(Courtesy www.danspapers.com)

And then there are bridges and overpasses.  

Your entire driving life you have probably never even bothered to look closely at one. When you pull an expensive thirteen foot high home under one you will notice dings and scrapes on the underside from being whacked by an unsuspecting driver just like me.

Supposedly, there are maps which will warn you about where these dangers lurk – but of course, we forgot to buy one.  Maybe that is why there are two air conditioners on top…?

Anyway, we made it.  And after setting up (likely forgetting 68% of what we learned in orientation) we put life on pause and settled in for five days of relaxation.

What a life.

And They're Off!

Aniyah at 1 year old

A few weeks ago - the nest finally emptied (fingers crossed).  Our youngest daughter, Kiana, and precious granddaughter, Aniyah, moved to Tacoma, Washington to start their own adventure.

"What are we going to do, Matt?" Marci asked, bottom lip in full quiver.

"Um, buy a fifth-wheel, what do you think?!?!"

And so we did.  A (very mildly) used 2013 Palomino Columbus - which although a screaming deal, is WAY fancier than we ever hoped to own.

We are too young to retire, but blessed to have good jobs and the ability to travel around a bit in preparation for hitting the road for months when we both pull the plug.  And so - here is our blog.  A bit about everything, from reviews, to interesting things we see and do - to just musings about things on our mind.

We called the blog "Two if by Land" and that is because we named our rig, "The Paul RV-er".

Hope you enjoy!

The maiden voyage of the Paul RV-er