Camped at KOA in Jerome ID last night right in the middle of Potato & sugar beet country. They stretched across the lower end of Idaho. It is flat and we passed a lot of wind mill farms like in Washington along the Gorge. They ran for 50 miles along the gorge.
We did not stop for any particular tourist spot as we are now geared up to come home.The elevation ran about 4000 ft until approaching Yellowstone where it went up to 8000 ft inside the park.
At this altitude neither Dena and I felt good at that altitude and decided not to camp out in Yellowstone. We came in the West gate and wanted to go to Old Faithful but we were told the road below Old Faithful was closed and we would have to back track to get out. So we went across and went down the other side along the Yellowstone river. We went to the Fishing Village gift shop to get a new cup/bowl for Cindy and a little something for the girls.
We were surprised at the few animals we saw along the way, usually there are a lot along the way.
Some talk they are leaving the park because the road clousure is due to melting of the road bed.
We left by the South gate and connected with 287/ 26 at Moran Junction. Grand Teton CG is near that junction and we staid the night, with good views of the Tetons even though they were covered with clouds.
It is about 2200 miles to home and I had decided to be home by Friday afternoon so Dena could go to the Museum board meeting Sat morning.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Sunday, September 14, 2014
2014 NORTH DAKOTA AUG 23-24
After leaving the CG near Mentor, MN , we decided to drive up to Thief River Falls north of here, thinking there might be some water falls in the area. Well if they were they were small as the land is flat. We continued on toward Grand Forks, ND. It was a pleasant drive thru the country side and noticed what we though was Swiss Chard and wondered how they harvested it. But found out later it was Sugar Beets. They grew a lot of wheat in that area also.
We crossed over into North Dakota at Grand Forks but did not stop. Our first stop was at Devils Lake. This was interesting as the lakes accumulate water but does not have an outlet as a result depending on the rain fall it caused flooding. They have built dikes all around the lake to prevent that and roads run on top. We drove out to a Indian Casino run by the Indians thinking we might camp in there camp ground but decided not to.
We drove around for a while and went on down the road. Our next stop was Rugby, and discovered it was the geographical center of North America.
We wound up in the Rough Rider CG in Minot , ND for the night. It was a crowded camp ground as there were a lot of small families staying there. I assumed it was workers in the oil business as about a 100 miles West is Williston where the oil drilling is going on and housing is at a premium.
The next day we went on to Williston. That was interesting as it is a boom town and very crowded. Between the traffic and road construction trying to accomodate the influx it is a mess.
We went on to the Lewis & Clark information center South of town where the Yellowstone River joins the Mississippi
ROAD TO THIEF RIVER FALLS
WHEAT FIELDS
DENA PICKING STRANDS
SUGAR BEETS
GRAIN STORAGE
TYPICAL HOUSE
TREES KILLED BY LAKE
DIKES VIEW FROM CASINO
CAUSEWAY
INDIAN TRIBE
GEOGRAPHICAL CENTER OF NORTH AMERICA
CG IN MINOT
ROUGH RIDER CG
OIL WELL PUMPING
STORAGE AT SITE
HOUSING
SEE FOREVER
TANKERS
PUMPERS
CITY VIEW
PUMPERS
INFO CENTER
We crossed over into North Dakota at Grand Forks but did not stop. Our first stop was at Devils Lake. This was interesting as the lakes accumulate water but does not have an outlet as a result depending on the rain fall it caused flooding. They have built dikes all around the lake to prevent that and roads run on top. We drove out to a Indian Casino run by the Indians thinking we might camp in there camp ground but decided not to.
We drove around for a while and went on down the road. Our next stop was Rugby, and discovered it was the geographical center of North America.
We wound up in the Rough Rider CG in Minot , ND for the night. It was a crowded camp ground as there were a lot of small families staying there. I assumed it was workers in the oil business as about a 100 miles West is Williston where the oil drilling is going on and housing is at a premium.
The next day we went on to Williston. That was interesting as it is a boom town and very crowded. Between the traffic and road construction trying to accomodate the influx it is a mess.
We went on to the Lewis & Clark information center South of town where the Yellowstone River joins the Mississippi
GRAIN STORAGE
Sunday, September 7, 2014
2014 IDAHO SEPT 7
Got and about about 8:45 today. We changed our mind on what route to take and we decided to go thru Yellowstone on the way back so we stayed on 64E to I 84 and came into Idaho at Ontario. It was a very pleasant drive up the gorge as the landscape changed from gorge to flat to mountainous. It is very hot and dry here. I think it was over 90 deg.
Again not much for photos because of haze and we did not stop at tourists spots as usual. I guess that will be the trend all the way back home except for special situations like Yellowstone. Dena would like to stop at some small town museums if we get the chance.
Tonight we are at KOA in Jerome , Id, we did 440 miles today and only stopped for gas and a nap at a rest ares. Taking a nap lets me carry on a lot longer when necessary. We would like to get to Yellowstone tomorrow but it is 266 miles to the gate so not sure at this time. We are near the falls at Twin Falls and we will be going thru Idaho Falls so not sure when we will get there.
Again not much for photos because of haze and we did not stop at tourists spots as usual. I guess that will be the trend all the way back home except for special situations like Yellowstone. Dena would like to stop at some small town museums if we get the chance.
Tonight we are at KOA in Jerome , Id, we did 440 miles today and only stopped for gas and a nap at a rest ares. Taking a nap lets me carry on a lot longer when necessary. We would like to get to Yellowstone tomorrow but it is 266 miles to the gate so not sure at this time. We are near the falls at Twin Falls and we will be going thru Idaho Falls so not sure when we will get there.
2014 COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE SEPT 6
Today wound up being a travel day. We had planned on going down the coast to Florence before turning East and start home. The fog was so thick along the coast and probably would not burn off before noon we decided instead to go the the Columbia River Gorge and start home via 84.
We cut over to I 5 and came up to Portland and picked up 64E. We did drive thru Portland and it is a nice city on the river. I5 met I64 downtown. It was hazy because of the heat and was not a good day for photos. Also being Saturday everybody was out and we were unable to stop at any of the popular spots because of our size.
We wound up camped at Rufus RV camp.
We cut over to I 5 and came up to Portland and picked up 64E. We did drive thru Portland and it is a nice city on the river. I5 met I64 downtown. It was hazy because of the heat and was not a good day for photos. Also being Saturday everybody was out and we were unable to stop at any of the popular spots because of our size.
We wound up camped at Rufus RV camp.
Friday, September 5, 2014
2014 OREGON COAST SEPT 5
Got up pretty early and drove down to the beach. The sand is much finer than ours and I took a sample to show. Also, there was the remains of a hull of a ship wreck PETER TRUDAL We then drove to the end of the pennisula where the mouth of the Columbia hits the Ocean and it was very windy. Saw a big freighter coming thru.
BEACH AT FORT STEVENS
OLD SHIP WRECK
COLUMBIA MEETS PACIFIC
SAND DUNES
BEACH
We then went on to Fort Clatsop where Lewis and Clark wintered in 1805. They built the Fort and named it after the Indians of the area.It is a good replica and sitting on the original site.
We continued on toward Newport but were discouraged by the lack of Ocean views we had expected. We saw a vendor in Garbaldt selling honey. We bought some with blue berry and clover pollination. Got Expresso in same lot.
Finally started getting good views in Lincoln on thru Depo Bay. We saw a lot of whales blowing along the coast. By now all the CG's were reporting full. Thought we were in trouble again by waiting to long. We were able to find one in Newport at the Ports but have to dry camp which is fine. A lot of other campers are here also.
LIST OF MEN THAT STAYED AT FORT
CONNER OF FORT
FORT OUTLINE
FORT CLATSON
OREGON COAST
OREGON COAST
OREGON COAST
DRY CAMPING NEWPORT PORT AREA
SUNSET AT CG
BEACH AT FORT STEVENS
We then went on to Fort Clatsop where Lewis and Clark wintered in 1805. They built the Fort and named it after the Indians of the area.It is a good replica and sitting on the original site.
We continued on toward Newport but were discouraged by the lack of Ocean views we had expected. We saw a vendor in Garbaldt selling honey. We bought some with blue berry and clover pollination. Got Expresso in same lot.
Finally started getting good views in Lincoln on thru Depo Bay. We saw a lot of whales blowing along the coast. By now all the CG's were reporting full. Thought we were in trouble again by waiting to long. We were able to find one in Newport at the Ports but have to dry camp which is fine. A lot of other campers are here also.
CONNER OF FORT
DRY CAMPING NEWPORT PORT AREA
SUNSET AT CG
2014 ASTORIA OREGON SEPT 4
Turned in the car bright and early and left camp about 9:30.
The plan was to go the Portland and then to the coast. Decided to go the Astoria near the coast and the mouth of the Columbia River, first as it was about the same distance.
We found Astoria the be a very nice town, we stopped for gas (always stopping for gas Ha) At the station we heard this incredible noise. Sea lions by the hundreds were basking in the sun on boat docks and walkways out in the harbor.
We had heard that Salmon were running now. We found a fish cleaning station and asked about buying some Salmon and we were directed to a local fish market on the docks. We bought about 2 1/4 lbs of Chinok salmon.
From there we drove to Fort Stevens State Park in Hammond not too far out of town. Got a site with water and electric amongst large fir and cedar trees. We were about a mile from the beach. To far too walk that time of day.
We marinated two pieces of our Salmon and grilled it. It was pretty good.
ASTORIA WITH MT ST HELENS
OREGON REQUIRES THEY PUMP GAS (ASKING ABOUT AREA)
SEA LIONS BASKING
SEA LION
POSING FOR PIC
TROLLEY TO GO FM ONE END TO OTHER FOR $1
BOUGHT SALMON
CLEANING STATION
SKINNING
The plan was to go the Portland and then to the coast. Decided to go the Astoria near the coast and the mouth of the Columbia River, first as it was about the same distance.
We found Astoria the be a very nice town, we stopped for gas (always stopping for gas Ha) At the station we heard this incredible noise. Sea lions by the hundreds were basking in the sun on boat docks and walkways out in the harbor.
We had heard that Salmon were running now. We found a fish cleaning station and asked about buying some Salmon and we were directed to a local fish market on the docks. We bought about 2 1/4 lbs of Chinok salmon.
From there we drove to Fort Stevens State Park in Hammond not too far out of town. Got a site with water and electric amongst large fir and cedar trees. We were about a mile from the beach. To far too walk that time of day.
We marinated two pieces of our Salmon and grilled it. It was pretty good.
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