Ups and Downs

Well every trip has to have a few bumps in the road. For us, that hit in Oregon. We had planned to stop in La Grande, OR for a night to break up a drive. When we were ready to roll the next day we discovered the RV had other plans.  The entry steps would not retract no matter what we did.  We had learned they were malfunctioning the day before when we realized we actually had driven with them out for a while on the highway! Too funny. The steps have a built in safety that is supposed to retract them automatically whenever the RV engine is running...apparently that didn't happen.  We had fixed it the night before and kind of laughed it off. Now they were stuck out. Pete managed to fix it after a while but they were working sporadically.  Just when we think one problem is fixed, another popped up. The slide out on the dine out pulled in, but made a horrible noise. When we tried to put it back out it was clear something wasn't right.

Good thing Peter bought an RV that was still under warranty. We called Forest River and set the wheels in motion to get things fixed. But we wanted to keep moving. We headed up to Washington and hoped they would put us in touch with a repair shop along the way. That's when we learned fixing an RV and getting parts is not quite the same as fixing your car. There are limited places that can do it and summer is their busy time. Parts can take 2-3 weeks to ship and the shops themselves are booked 2-3 weeks out.

Since all of our problems were convenience and not safety related we decided to keep on moving and set up a shop in Kalispell, MT for the week of Aug. 3rd when we will be visiting with my family at Flathead Lake Lodge and wouldn't be in the RV anyway.  Onward to Washington!

We stayed at a beautiful resort in Kennawich, WA. Pete took the RV in to have it evaluated so we'd have the right parts ordered for Kalispell. Good thing there was a pool because the heat wave that started in Boise continued on with temps topping 106 degrees.  

Moved on to Seattle and then Ferndale, WA where we were trying to plan our trip to Vancouver and Tofino on Vancouver Island. We were learning that taking the RV across the boarder and then on the ferry to Tofino may not be the best option.  Campgrounds on the island were booked,spots on the ferry for RVs were limited and costly, gas for the RV was going to be very expensive and if we did find a provincial park with an RV site on a first-come, first-served basis we wouldn't have any mobility. We decided to rent a car and leave the RV...but where?

We were lucky to meet Gary and Sally Lynch who worked at the RV park and live in Ferndale. They offered to let us park the RV at their house for the week!  I have been more and more amazed at the kindness and hospitality bestowed  upon us by total strangers. What an amazing offer. We left the RV with our new friends and set off in our rental car to explore Vancouver and Tofino!

 Thank you Gary and Sally!

Gary and Sally Lynch, Ferndale, WA!

Almost to Vancouver!

Ok...I have finally added the pictures of Yellowstone (well about 40...I have over 600 pics of this trip so far). Still need to update Sawtooth Mountains and Mt. Rainier. I am learning as I go so it is taking some time. Finally figured out how to link to an online album instead of adding individual pictures. We are in Ferndale, WA just south of Canada and Vancouver. Leaving tomorrow for Vancouver and then Vancouver Island for a few days. Leaving the RV behind due to a lack of available campsites on the island. We are lucky that one of the employees of the park we are at now has offered to let us park it at his house! Rented a car and lined up a B&B in Tofino. Orcas, halibut fishing and more. (updated map through Vancouver which is tomorrow). Went to Seattle yesterday and managed to park this behemoth right in downtown Seattle about a block away from Pike St. Market. Saw some flying (as in men throwing) fish and sampled some tasty goodies. Stay tuned!

Spectacular Yellowstone

July 10, 2014 - This trip has exceeded my expectations in every way.  We've spent the last few days in Island Park, Idaho, about 20 miles outside of Yellowstone National Park.  The beauty and diversity of Yellowstone is beyond description. We woke up early and got to the park the first day at 5:30 AM to beat the crowds and see the wildlife when they are most active.  The early bird catches the Grizzly! Saw Bison, Elk, Grizzly, and 2 wolves all before 9 AM.  Add big horn sheep, pelgrin falcon chicks, black bear and we had a pretty full experience!

The diversity of the land is just incredible. It's like going on a journey to a the far ends of the earth and beyond but in one place.... pine covered mountains, open grassland, desert-like canyons, hot springs, geysers and what looks like a sci-fi moonscape with steam pouring out of the earth's vents and bubbling pools of mud.  Simply amazing.

But the most amazing thing about this trip has been spending so much time as a family and watching the kids enjoy this experience.  Peter asked Jessica today how she would rate Yellowstone on a scale of 1-10 and she said "A twenty!". Both kids are enjoying it in their own way. Hannah, obviously is younger and at 4 years old is taking her usual fun loving and goofy approach to things. She is very interested in learning about the animals and being part of everything. They both eagerly completed their Yellowstone Junior Ranger workbooks and earned their badges.

Jessica, at  8 years old, has shown an incredible thirst for knowledge, enjoyment of the outdoors and has been an amazing travel partner. I am so proud of her. This trip is driving so much growth. I haven't heard "I'm bored" once on the trip.  She is easy going and up for whatever challenge and new experience comes her way.  I'm not going to pretend that they haven't had their moments of bickering or crankiness. But, when you consider we had both of them spend two twelve hour days (much of it driving in our rental car) in the park looking at landscape and wildlife, off schedule, they have been absolutely incredible. I have loved listening  to the goofiness from the backseat, the giggling in the bunks at night and even the care from Jessica when Hannah has gotten overtired and needs a little extra patience from those around her.

We have so many pictures to post. Unfortunately, the WiFi at our RV park is very limited and not one for uploading pictures. But as Peter said earlier tonight.... "Sometimes is great to force yourself to be disconnected from the world, so you can connect with your kids."

South Dakota

More than halfway across the country!  Only 1300 miles to Vancouver!

I am overdue for posting pictures and updating our map. Now that we are in one spot for a few days and have better WiFi than the last spot, I'm hoping to upload some pics and update our trip.  We left Iowa with severe thunder storm and tornado warnings for most of the state. Somehow we managed to avoid them as we headed north and them west to Sioux Falls, SD.  Saw Sioux Falls Park which was beautiful but really just stopped there for a night. Our main goal for South Dakota was The Badlands and then Mt. Rushmore.

The drive across South Dakota was just beautiful. Such wide open space. Green grasslands and fields as far as you can see and endless blue sky. It reminded me of that feeling you get when you are looking out at the endless and vast ocean. It makes you feel very small and the earth very beautiful and powerful at the same time.  Absolutely loved it.

Some of it fit the stereotype of rural middle America which hokie road side attractions - we resisted the urge to see the world's largest frying pan.  We did stop in Mitchell, SD to see the Corn Palace, which is pretty impressive and a lot of fun to see.  Also did the obligatory stop at Wall Drug (the SD equivalent of "South of the Boarder" ....signs start 355 miles out!)

The Badlands was truly amazing.

Loving learning about the land and the history of the west. More importantly, loving spending so much time with the kids, being a family and meeting other families. We stopped at a Lakota Museum in Chamberlain, SD and met a family of 7 (5 kids + parents) from Hawaii doing what we are doing. They flew from HI to FL bought their RV, headed up to NY and now are heading west to WA state to drop their oldest off at college. We ran into them again at Wall Drug.  It's nice to see other people sharing the same experiences.We may catch up with them in Yellowstone as well.

The people we have met have been amazing. Friendly, warm, family oriented and fun. It is so easy to meet and make new friends along the way. The RV parks we've been to have such a family feel. Everyone just spending time and making memories with each other.  Can't believe we've only been on the road a week. Looking forward to what is to come and more memories to be made.

Getting ready

The family  is  going to go  cross country in an RV.  Hannah is so excited to sleep in the bunk bed.  We will be at  Mt. Rushmore for the  4th of  July.  We are going to be in Yellowstone for Mom's birthday.  Hannah keeps calling Yellowstone yellow log.