Monthly Archive for November, 2007
Who’d a thought I’d need 4wd in North Florida??? But I did! – this morning… yesterday, several strong squalls passed through with drenching rain and wind blowing the rain sideways, dark skies and NOAA alerts on the weather radio – VERY exciting except for Karl who retreated to a corner of a bathroom. There are a few pieces of “dirt road” between the house and the paved road – actually it is “sand road”. When it dries out it has a teeth rattling washboard affect – after a “normal” rain and some work by the graders, it is perfect. This morning it was like driving in slush so I grinned and put the Jeep in 4wd – YES!!!
After the squalls yesterday, it dried out and was a beautiful, clear, star filled night.
This morning the air was clean, crisp and cool from the cold front behind the squalls. While no mountains here, the sky is also not blocked by deep woods as in Montana. Both spots certainly have their beauty, but I’ve been enjoying the view of lots of sky and the option of a covered front porch or open back deck.
One of the joys of rving is meeting people from all over who are enjoying travel by motorhome, 5th wheel, trailer, van – whatever form of recreational vehicle meets their needs. There is that wonderful comraderie of fellow travelers and a natural sharing of where you are from, where you are going and if enough time – some sharing of travel stories.
The first night out on my way to FL from MT, I was in Bozeman, MT. This time of year and on a trip where I was “making miles”, I was fighting short days – I don’t like to drive at night… I pulled into the Bozeman KOA at dusk and by the time I plugged in and got set up it was nearly dark. It was full dark as Karl and I were returning from a walk. Fellow travelers were setting up – by flashlight – a few spaces down from where I was and as we walked past, their little dog ran towards us barking like mad. Karl and I both jumped and then the women screamed “it’s a bear!” and she jumped. After we all got our hearts going again we exchanged hellos and a laugh about scaring each other.
The next morning as I was unplugging to leave, the same woman came by walking the little dog. She stopped and asked if I was on my own. When I said that I was she laughed and said “You are adventurous!” A nice comment, in fact, one I consider a great compliment. It and her smile created an instant bond and we talked for maybe 15 minutes. It was one of those incredible meetings where you feel like you could be wonderful friends but paths are crossing for such a brief moment in time. We felt so comfortable that we exchanged a hug before parting…but then a bit more information… She disclosed that her husband had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. During the first part of our conversation she told me they were returning to San Diego area – and an area that had been destroyed by fire. They knew their house and horses were ok but many neighbors were not reachable and they knew they were returning to possible havoc.
Talk about difficult and painful circumstances! But that is not the story here. The story is the way this woman shared – it was with hope and courage and even with gratitude. Gratitude for their house still standing, for the time and opportunity to take a trip they wanted to take, gratitude that they had time to say to each other what they wanted to say and the courage and dignity to look at a most difficult situation as opportunity.
Holly and Bill are their names if anyone reading is inclined to lift them in prayer and hope. I left feeling like I had met an angel and somehow been given a “sign” that I would be safe and that I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing. I had so many experiences of the “good omen” kind on this trip – such a special trip on my way to start life with an incredibly special person.
Ok, TODAY we should cross the Mississippi – that is so fun to type!!! Plan is to roll about 7:30 which probably puts me going through St. Louis at noon – actually around as I plotted the trip via the bypass route. I’ll fire up the GPS today as after St. Louis there are a couple of Interstate changes before landing on I-24 into Paducah – tonight’s destination.
Prior to today there wasn’t a lot of navigation complication but today will be fun – Karl is a lousy navigator and partly because he retreats from the sofa to under the dinette when I start yelling and swearing in traffic. I find it helps me concentrate – the yelling, swearing and planning painful things for the people who cut me off! My grandmother Haha’s (yea, it sounds funny to you but nana – haha… her name was Helen and I’m not sure how we came to call her “Haha” ) instruction and mode of driving in traffic was “put on your blinker and go” … so far that’s working for me. Sometimes the nice people honk their horns in greeting!!
It was 66 last night when we arrived in Grain Valley and 41 this morning – feels balmy compared to the 40’s and overnight 20’s of last 4 nights.
2:00 p.m. – am 30 miles east of St. Louis. Lot of traffic from Grain Valley and still but St. Louis bypass was not too bad – GPS helped a LOT. New computer has enough volume that I can hear the directions and they are pretty good about prompting for lane changes and ramp oddities. Taking a short break outside with Karl and then continuing down to road.
4:00 stopped for the night in Benton, IL – traffic was tiring and a nice rural Park available – we’re in the trees and the leaves. Benton RV Park – might be tight for a Big Rig as a lot of trees to navigate around and through but the pull thrus were empty when we pulled in. Great walking for Karl! It did freeze overnight but was warm enough to have windows open when we arrived at 4 and until I went to bed.
11/15 – photos added… Karl waiting for a squirrel, our spot here – gorgeous color still here in Southern IL and on the 10th as we travelled into KY, TN and Northern AL.
I should cross the Mississippi today… I29 south to Kansas City then 70 to just east of KC for tonight.
I plan to leave approx 7:45 (CST) – expect arrival 4-5…
28 this morning in Canton, SD which is just south of Sioux Falls, SD.
First – I read the map wrong – did NOT cross the Mississippi today…
Arrived, Trailside RV Park in Grain Valley, MO – just east of Kansas City… No photos today – kind of bland territory and then Kansas City traffic fun, but arrived in one piece. Unhooked the Jeep – decided it probably needed a drive and I want some wine!!!
Ok, so what’s a blog entry without photos???
The grocery – source of wine and other goodies:
Jet trails lit up by the sunset – Grain Valley, MO – cute small town on the outskirts of Kansas City/Independence, MO:
I stayed at Elkhorn Ridge RV Park, Spearfish, SD on 11/6… I picked this place as it was the only one open!!! Beautiful park which opened in Spring 2006 so built for tents to Big Rigs – I was in a spot that was 90 feet long – could have fit 2 of me! I paid $28 for full hookups which is off season/Good Sam. Summer rates currently advertised at $44, so spendy but it is a high end park so I think well worth the $$. Many of the other places which are close to Mt. Rushmore, Black Hills, Sturgis, and Devils tower are reputed to be very close quarters and noisy. Elkhorn Ridge is easy access to I-90 but not right next to the interstate.
Karl and I really enjoyed as we were one of 2 RV’s – the other checked in sometime in the night – and 2 work trucks in front of a camping cabin…. beautiful grounds with a dog area surrounding the park next to open fields so we had 2 great off leash walk and play runs! Photos below. Link to the park
Quiet night – will take some photos here when it gets light enough.
See separarate post for photos of Elkhorn Ridge
Plan to roll at full light – I-90 across South Dakota, making the turn south on I-29 at Sioux Falls – probably 5-5:30 (CST) arrival again today.
Arrived Canton, SD at 5:00 p.m. Countryside Campground…combo rv park, truck stop and motel… no frills, RIGHT off the interstate – noisy but fine for an overnight and saw spectacular sunset and sunrise (Thu a.m.)
So pretty yesterday and fun to be back on the road! Nice people whenever I stopped for anything. Last night as Karl and I were returning from our walk – in the dark – a “neighbor” was just getting plugged in for the night. We were walking past when their little dog – who Karl and I had not seen – came running out yipping like crazy. Karl and I jumped!! I had a flashlight on Karl and the woman who owned the dog screamed “There’s a bear!”. After we all got our hearts going again we had a good laugh about scaring each other.
Some RV stop notes… Three Forks, MT Exit 278 – on the north side is Wheat Montana which is a bakery, coffee shop place with ample parking and access for big rigs. There is also a motel with Wi-fi and they have truck parking – probably a small fee for RV overnight. On the south side is a large fuel/store/restaurant (Subway and pizza???) – truck stop. There is pull through parking for trucks and rvs (not just back-in). And good access to places to walk a dog all around. I.E. – this access is a good overnight stop if you just need a stop and sleep place.
Cardwell, MT – there is a gas and RV ”park” – no frills but small, all pull through and advertised at $16.95 - right off the interstate Exit 256.
I’m in Bozeman KOA for last night – 7 miles off I-90 behind a Spa and Hot Springs. I don’t like KOAs and too $$$$$ but I’m limited this trip by what is open…
Today’s route keeps me on I-90 pointed mostly east… Gillette will be the stop if I’m tired, Spearfish if I’m on a roll! – or somewhere in between if there is a good stop.
I plan to roll approx 7:30 and stop 3:30-4:30 today. I’m well rested and I’ve driven this part numerous times so it will be a miles day unless I get tired.
27 this morning so a bit of frost on the pumpkin!
Arrived Spearfish 5 p.m. – gorgeous new Park – more on that later for RV friends…I’m late posting arrival as no one here and LOTS of dog walking room and we went off leash – I wanted to do that before it got dark. Great day – more later or in the morning.
RV Notes – I left I-90 at Crow Agency and took the 212 cutoff through Broadus, MT to Belle Fourche, SD. I’ve done this in the car but never the motorhome. It saves miles and time which is the only way I made Spearfish 442 miles vs 487 and probably 30-40 minutes. 212 is much prettier than I-90 through WY. It is excellent 2 lane with shoulders and frequent passing lanes. Fill up on gas first – there are plenty of places to get gas but it was $.20-$.25 cents higher than interstate places.
In Spearfish – a new in 2006 Big Rig Park – Elkhorn RV Campground and Cabins. Gorgeous – long sites, a LOT of space between, many park amenities. Great acreage for walking dogs. Spendy at $44 in the summer, but with Good Sam, my winter full hookup was $28. The park is within an hour of Mt. Rushmore, Sturgis, Spearfish and Devils Tower.