Beautiful Boise

Boise, Idaho - Saturday, May   23 – Wednesday, May 27

When we arrived in Boise the first thing we did was give Lilah a bath. She needed it after the mountain road ordeal. We left a wash bay full of mud and rocks at the car wash. She shined but there is still mud under her belly. We need one of the car washes that wash the undercarriage too…oh well, another day!

Cousins and Catching Up

Next on the agenda was getting to the house of my cousin, Debbie and her husband, Rick. We arrive and are immediately welcomed with warm hugs, sweet smiles and so much excitement. It is so great to see family! We spend a relaxing evening just catching up. 

The second night there we are invited to attend a cook-out for some of their friends that will be moving soon.  Deb, Chuck and I wore crazy tie-dye shirts. Chuck had his own shirt but mine was provided by Deb and my cousin, Kelly from back home (there are also wreaths made by Deb and Kelly to talk about...but more on that later). We had a great time meeting people at the party and just hanging out in the yard. Of course, some of the lady folk thought Charlie looked like Jerry Garcia so that added to the excitement!!

 Hippie Chick Deb

During our stay, Debbie did our laundry (which she shouldn’t have done but it was greatly appreciated) and Rick cooked all of the meals (which he shouldn’t have done but it was greatly appreciated) except for biscuits and gravy cooked by Charlie one morning. It felt like we were at the Marriot instead of a home. Did I mention the shower…they have a shower from another world…it has every jet you could want at every angle you could think of and the hot water goes on forever! I love that shower!

I may love the porch more though. They have the best front porch! There is a pond out front and large rocks with a babbling waterfall all the way to the pond.   

 View of the steps to the pond

 The water cascades down over these rocks making an amazing and relaxing sound!!

There is also comfy furniture and relaxing colors throughout. I literally could stay on that porch all day…and did…even well into the evening! It is the kind of porch and environment (lush Japanese landscaping) that you just dream about! 

 The amazing porch and my beautiful cousins!

We hung-out on the porch and just chillaxed most of our visit. It was perfect!!

Windshield Wonders

Oh, let’s not forget about the windshield. I had called Debbie after the windshield incident and Rick immediately began calling around for a windshield. Lilah is a bit on the vintage side and we worried a little that places would not have one in stock. When we arrived Rick told us that he had found someone to do the windshield and we just needed to get a hold of them on Tuesday, after the holiday.  Awesome!

He contacted them on Tuesday and they were booked solid but said they would be there on Wednesday between 10 am to noon. The guy came on Wednesday and within an hour and a half Lilah had a brand new windshield! She now looks pretty spiffy!!

 Guy taking out old windshield

Deb trying out the drivers seat. Let's go!!

Fierce Females

Deb gave me a personal protection kit that included a pepper spray, a stun gun, a very loud audible alarm, a oddly shaped device used to strike an attacker in the neck. Man, this girl is serious about protecting her cousin!! Love that! The company, Damsel in Defense is awesome and has many self-protection devices. Check it out here: https://damselindefense.net Needless to say, these are now strategically placed in Lilah. There will be no sleepless nights!

 A plethora of self-defense

Reflection

It was so nice to see them and have some quiet time together! Those moments sitting on the porch and around the kitchen table are the exact priceless moments I had been missing so much! Just like our moms used to do! We have a long heritage of those kinds of visits and they are what fill my soul.

We love you Deb and Rick and thank you for an amazing time in Boise!!!

 Charlie and Tammy

Mountains and Mud

Adventures Abound - Friday, May 22

There it is, right in the middle of our windshield…a huge divet of glass missing. Oh, not one, but two holes.  A truck went by us in a construction zone and kicked up a rock. Dang truck drivers!! LOL We laughed about how every vacation has something go wrong and after awhile we figure that if this is the worst that happens we are in good shape. We were on our way to Boise so we just figured that we would get it replaced there. Not going to let a little window crack spoil the fun!!

Besides, with scenery like this, we just can't be upset!!

Belief it or not, this was not the scariest part of our day though. We continued on down US 26 following the Snake River all the way into Idaho. We turned onto US 20 in Idaho Falls. Here is what we know now…don’t go this way EVER! The countryside is so desolate. Nothing and I mean NOTHING is there…except one small rest area three-quarters of the way across.

I thought that was terrible…then we came to the Craters in the Moon National Park. Oh my goodness, how weird to be driving through a lava field. Black and jagged lava structures surrounded me and all I could think is that we left Jenny Lake for this!!! It is interesting though when you think about the powers in nature that form something like this…but I prefer the powers of Jenny Lake and the Tetons.

(Sorry I have no pictures...apparently I was not inspired to take them at the time!! LOL)

Things Turn South

Another thing Charlie and I wanted to do during this trip was to camp on BLM land. We hear everyone talk about how wonderful it is and we wanted to try it. So using a variety of sources, including a Free Campsites book with excellent directions and descriptions, we located our first BLM land to camp on.

We found the road to turn on very easily. Fish Creek Reservoir was identified by a sign on the main road.  The road we had turned onto went from a gravel road to a washboard to a muddy mess. About five miles in we came across a sign that said “Public Access” but we weren’t sure if that meant to a boat ramp or the dispersed camping area, so we continued on. We drove and drove; and Lilah shook and shook. 

We came across an old homestead site. I thought of my friend, Kimbo Polo and her travels in the Good Deal Bus. You can read her travel blog here: http://kimbopolo.blogspot.com/ We have both commented about how when we come across these old homes we think about the people that had lived there and what their lives might have been like. So Kim, here are a couple of pictures just for you. 

So back to our adventure on the muddy mountain road. 

We kept thinking “just around the next corner” we will find our campsite and still nothing…no RV’s, no cars, no people. We thought we had seen a couple of RV’s way back in the mountains far from the public access sign but we were definitely not finding the road they took.

We finally turn around and head back the way we came. The public access road comes into view and we turn onto it. The road has large muddy areas and skirts the side of the mountain. Charlie drives it like a pro as I hang on tight and close my eyes. The road gets muddier the farther we go. It is too late to turn around now as the road is one lane and hugging the mountainside. 

We continue on cautiously. 

We go around the point on the mountain and there are the campsites filled with three large fifth wheel trailers one right next to the other. There is one empty spot right in the middle. Charlie and I quickly decide that we are not interested as it is apparent that these people know each other. We decide to just move on. 

Uh - Oh

We continue in the same direction but very quickly the road becomes one big concern! We are spinning our tires in the mud, sliding around, and splattering mud all over everything. Uh oh…up ahead there is one big mud puddle going across the road and we both realize this is turning south very quickly. 

Poor Lilah…what a mess we have gotten you into!!  We discuss the prospect of trying to drive through it and decided that might not be the smartest move way out here in the middle of nowhere. 

Alternative number one involves trying to turn around. Oh wait, we are on the side of a mountain on a slick muddy road. We actually give this one a try but with the bikes on the back, Lilah’s length, and the road being so muddy we just can’t get it done safely.

Muddy Toes

Alternative number two, back out! Charlie puts it in reverse and I get out helping him find the best spots to cross the massive mud puddles. I am walking in the mud and step on the edge of the road and the mud just sinks beneath my foot. You know what happened next…ha ha…that mud sucked my shoe right off my foot!! There I am standing in the muddy road with only one shoe on. Oh, what the heck…off come the shoes!! LOL

If we weren’t in such a precarious situation, I would have busted out laughing, but here we were in the middle of nowhere and worried about Lilah! Chuck backs down the road until we can get turned around. We say a prayer of thanks and after a two hour ordeal, we head back to the main road. We can’t believe we did this; let alone made it out without a tow truck! LOL

Okay enough driving today…we locate a campground and pay for a spot! We stay at the Silver Creek RV Park in Picabo, Idaho. We have the mountain on one side and an adorable farm on the other. We check out Lilah and make she is sound after our ordeal and although muddy, she looks good. It was so good to be on solid ground. At one point, we just look at each other and burst out laughing. We can’t believe we just did that!! Oh my!!!

Our campground has nice level spots, electric and water, wifi and hot showers. We end up working on the blog and relaxing while watching the little lambs play in the pasture next door. Aww, being next to this farm kinda’ feels like home!

 

What a day we have had…what an adventure we have had!! Yellowstone, Tetons, desolate highways, and muddy mountain roads – how FUN!!! 

Next we are off to Boise to spend time with my cousin, Debbie and her husband, Rick…oh, and to get the windshield fixed!!

Happy Travels!

Charlie and Tammy

Yellowstone and the Tetons

Today is the Day - May 21 - Yellowstone and the Tetons

I have been dreaming of seeing a Grizzly Bear in the wild since we started planning this trip. Not up close, but close enough to see his eyelashes with a set of high powered binoculars or the spotting scope Charlie got as a retirement gift. I can't believe that today is the day I get my chance! 

The drive into Yellowstone was absolutely beautiful! Charlie says the drive in was all uphill. Lol I imagine Lilah would agree with him. The mountains were amazing and the views like nothing we had seen so far!

We got lucky and as we came around a bend, there are three bison walking down the middle of the road. We slowly follow them for a bit and they eventually move to the side of the road. Wow, this is like something out of a You tube video! What fun!

We stop at several places to take pictures and just soak it all in. 

Eventually, we head to the Fishing Bridge were we hear there is a mama grizz and her two cubs hanging out. The binoculars spot her way in the back of the plateau, but all you can see is the fur on her back and she meanders slowly through the tall grass. We never do get a clear view of her or sight the cubs. Bummer…I want eyelashes! I was too busy looking through the binoculars to remember to get pictures...hee hee. Enjoy these pictures instead.

.

We decide to leave there and head to the Lower and Upper Falls. We see more bison, antelope and even an elk as we drive. The Falls are amazing! The roar is so loud and the amount of water coming over them is almost unbelievable! 

Once we filled our soulful cup, we decide to move on. Still on our mission to see a Grizzly Bear, we head back to the Fishing Bridge in hopes that mama has moved closer to the road or is at least in an open area. When we arrive, there is no sign of bears. We decide to take some time and have lunch while parked there (Love our Road Trek!!) and see if any bears might wander into the valley while we eat. No bears show up so we move on.

We make a quick stop at the Souvenior Shop for the typical gifts and then head south. While we drive we take several opportunities to pull over and search for the elusive Grizzly Bear. I look up the mountains, down the valleys, behind the rocks, under the trees…where are these bears?!?!

The Big Mountains

We leave Yellowstone and the enter Grand Teton National Park! Let me just say: there are no words for this kind of beauty!! I have only seen these kind of mountains in pictures and dreamed of seeing them for real. When planning this trip one of my first thoughts was I want to “stand in awe of something”. Goal met!! 

The Tetons literally took my breath away (and not just because of the Altitude Adjustment). I could have stood there for a lifetime just looking at what was before me!  We take pictures of Lilah, after all, she has worked so hard to get here. She is a real workhorse and she was in her glory getting here! 

It is so hard to pull ourselves away, but it is getting late and we do not want to be driving on the mountain roads after dark. We come across several campgrounds but they are all closed. We are too early in the season. Finally, we see and OPEN sign. 

We pull into the Signal Mountain Lodge. The young man, Andrew, talks to us about the campground and the sites with the best views (hint - #10). The campground has both primitive and electric sites. We choose primitive as campgrounds in this prime neck of the woods are expensive. The site costs $22 and with electric the cost is $43. Love our Lilah and her ability to support herself in woods. The campground has hot showers and laundry. They are a bit expensive but we decide to enjoy a hot shower and carry the dirty laundry a bit longer.

Jenny Lake

The next morning we get up and head to Jenny Lake. Words just cannot describe the beauty of this place. The pristine mountains, the blue sky, the white clouds. 

We hear the roar of a waterfall from across the lake. Through the binoculars the waterfall is amazing!! It spans the whole height of the mountain and the water tumbles over many rock outcroppings. I could watch the water flowing down the mountain side forever. 

If you ever get through here, Jenny Lake is a must see!! Thank you, Dennis, for the recommendation…it was indeed everything you said it was!! We continued to pull over from time to time and look for the elusive Grizzly Bear…still to no avail. Well, there is always Glacier!

We leave the Tetons and continue on south of Jackson, when...all of a sudden we hear a loud pop. 

Uh oh!

Stay Tuned,

Charlie and Tammy

Come on in and sit down

 Our day begins - Tuesday, May 19

Today we wake up to rain and fog. We decided to make a stop at Fort Laramie. The fort is operated by the National Park Service and there is no admission charge to get in. The visitor center shows an 18 minute video about the history of the fort. Many of the buildings are still there and have been restored. 

They are staged with furniture and artifacts from the period. We didn’t walk through them all due to the rain and the buildings being scattered about the grounds but the ones we did walk through were worth it.   

Can you imagine coming off the trail after weeks or months of dirty, dusty travel and feeling safe and sound at Fort Laramie? What a wonderful glimpse into history. 

We purchase a couple of things from the gift shop and decide to move on.

  

Have I told you how much I dislike...SNOW?

Just west of Guernsey the rain turned to snow and I immediately question my decision to take a PNW tour instead of a Caribbean cruise. Ha ha ha -  I don’t hate many things in life…but the snow of Illinois winters is one of them. It is not actually the snow that I hate, but the driving in it to get to work. Well, for now I am not driving and Charlie doesn’t seem upset by this new development, so we carry on. 

Our first Boondocker’s Welcome experience

We contact Ray and Lois to get the final directions to their place. We have a lovely chat on the phone and by the time we are done, we are excited to meet them. The scenery on the way is lovely. The Platt River runs near their home with mountains around every turn of the road. 

Mountains near Ray and Lois's

We pull in the driveway and knock on the door. Ray and Lois welcome us into their home and invite us to sit down. We immediately begin conversing as if we had known each other our whole lives. We could have continued talking for hours but we needed to get Lilah settled in.

Ray and Lois set us up in a nice level parking spot and hook us up to electric. The views are wonderful. They invite us to go out to dinner in Douglas and Charlie and I are determined to pay for their meal as a thank you for their hospitality. We go to a quaint little restaurant called The Depot. We had great food and a wonderful time. Ray insists on buying our meal. Thank you again Ray!

They give us a tour of the town and then we return to their place for more conversation. I think we could have talked all night. They were pleasant, friendly and accommodating folks and I can’t imagine a better Boondocker’s Welcome experience. Thank you, Ray and Lois, for making us feel right at home. We will treasure our experience with you!

Let's find some big mountains - Wednesday, May 20

Today we leave Douglas with a goal of arriving just outside of Yellowstone. We drive on the tops of snow covered mountains. It looks almost “other worldly” as the snow covers everything we see and the clouds are so close it seems like we can touch them.

Uh oh, I am not feeling so well. It is a little hard to breathe. I’m a little light-headed, sleepy, and my tummy is a bit upset. I hear this is called Altitude Sickness. I decide that I am not gonna use the name Altitude Sickness and instead decide to call my experience “Altitude Adjustment” because quite frankly, I have had enough sickness in the last year and beyond to fill a lifetime. (These Altitude Adjustment symptoms will last the next day or so before they begin to lessen.)

Mountain tunnels

The drive on this day was beautiful. More mountains, more rocks, more bluffs, more buttes, more rivers, more of everything! I am so excited to be out in the world seeing new things! We go through three mountain tunnels between Shoshoni and Thermopolis. There are big, rocky mountains with boulders that look like they could fall at anytime. What an amazing place! We stop for many picture opportunities along the way.

The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. LOL

Buffalo Bill State Park

 

We pull into Cody, WY late in the afternoon. Chuck grabs some information from the visitor center and we head off to find a campsite outside of town. We end up at the Buffalo Bill State Park campground. WOW! This park sits right on the Buffalo Bill Reservoir. The sites are mostly level, cost is $17, and there are very few campers present. The hosts even stop by to say hello. 

We have the lake in front of us with gorgeous mountains behind the lake and there are mountains behind us. We feel surrounded by nature’s beauty! Charlie grabs these photos in the morning as the sun comes up. 

Next up: Yellowstone and the Tetons

Happy Travels,

Charlie and Tammy