Day 150 with Ruby and Rocket

It’s Monday morning and we’re relaxing after a really great time with family and friends. We were planning to leave Jackson this morning and head for California but the River Bend RV Park in Guerneville is booked for Labor Day so we are staying here a few more days then heading west and will be in Guerneville next Monday, the 5^th. It’s beautiful here and we have shuttle service to town so all is good.

Chris and Casey arrived on Thursday afternoon and it was so good to see them after almost 5 months. We went to town and cruised the Cowboy Bar and then on to a great dinner. Duncan was so happy to see them especially since he got to sleep on the couch with Casey. We were just leaving the campground on Friday to go to town and ride the Alpine slide when my brother and sister drove up. I thought Ron was bringing my sister-in-law, Pat, but she had to work so they surprised us and it was my sister, Paula. We all headed to town and shopped around then rode the Alpine Slide. Last time we did that Casey wasn’t old enough to go by herself!

Chris and Casey after arriving at campground

By the time we were headed back to the campground, Sue, Mary and Alan (Bill’s sisters and brother-in-law) had arrived and their camp was set up. They brought Dutch oven dishes and prepared a feast of pork loin, upside down cake and all the trimmings. It was wonderful!! Great time –

 Sue and Alan doing a Dutch Oven dinner - fabulous!

Alan - Mr. Dutch Oven

The next morning Bill’s cousins, Linda and Lynn, arrived in the campground. I had never met Linda and hadn’t see Lynn in many years. We all headed to town to have brunch at Café Gennivieve along with friends, Tom and Suzanne.  After that we said goodbye to the cousins, Sue, Mary and Alan and headed to our White Water Rafting destination.

Well let me tell you about this experience. Bill and I had done this when the kids were little and it was in June when it was kind of cold and the rapids are higher. So we thought this would be great as its August and warmer. Everything was going good and we launch and start to paddle down the Snake. Then the thunder starts and the rain and then it hails!  It was cold, miserable and all we could do was laugh! Great time anyway.

We BBQ’d hamburgers that night at the campground and had adult beverages. I think some of the party had a few shots of whiskey to warm up from the day.

Breakfast last morning

Yesterday everyone left which was sad but lots of good memories. Bill and I are getting down the bikes this morning as there’s a really nice bike trails across from our campground. He’s going to see if he can ride with the cast he has on now and I’m going to see if I remember how to peddle!

Take care – off to nowhere still!



Day 146 with Ruby and Rocket

Well it’s been 10 days since I’ve blogged – I guess a little vacation was in order but my brother called me this morning and told me to get in gear so I’m back blogging. (He's still bossy!)

It’s been a wonderful, restful time in Jackson where the weather has been beautiful. We’ve done some shopping downtown and had some great dinners. Our friends, Tom and Suzanne Morrow from Fort Collins arrived Monday and we’ve spent time with them shopping and going to dinner. A couple days ago the four of us took the gondola up to the top of the ski run in Teton Village. They have a bar up there and half price drinks and man was that popular thing to do! Great view and pictures.

 Snake River

 Downtown Jackson

Riding the Gondola down from happy hour at Teton Village

We could see the forest fire that is burning and have smelled the smoke in the morning the last couple of days. I think at this point they are letting it burn. It’s quite a ways away so no danger to us.

We’ve only had a couple of mishaps while we’ve stayed here. One day we had our new awning out enjoying the afternoon and it looked a little stormy but Bill insisted it was only suppose to be cloudy. Well before you know we are getting a soaking and the wind is blowing. Our little awning lights are going crazy and we can’t them off to bring in the awning. I’m trying to hold it down and with Bill only having one hand he’s got the other side. In the meantime we’re getting soaked and the lighting strikes very close which I felt and I’m trying not to laugh and wishing I had the event on camera.

The next day we have another little incident. We have a leak in our shower drain and it’s causing the water to drain out directly on to the ground. So Bill is in the shower testing the drain and I’m watching it outside and he yells help, help! I go running in there and the faucet has come off and water is going everywhere. Soaked again today! We get that all taken care and I wish we had that on camera too! I’m sure we could win a prize.

Anyway the service man comes to look at our shower issue and we have to take it to a dealer to get fixed – no biggie! At least it’s not the toilet! YUCK.

Chris and Casey arrive today and we are so excited. We haven’t seen them since we left. My brother and sister-in-law come tomorrow along with Bill’s 2 sisters and brother-in-law. His 2 cousins arrive on Saturday. We have a weekend of fun planned including rafting on the Snake River. We did this many years ago when the kids were small.  Should be a blast!

Bill is at the doctor now and hopefully he will get good news and a cast he can take off easily. We plan to leave here Monday morning and make our way west eventually to Guerneville. He’s hoping he can ride south from Guerneville to AZ but will know more today.

Thanks for all your concern and encouragement.

Take care and still off to nowhere!!!

Day 136 with Ruby and Rocket

Yeehaw we’re in Jackson!

We had to cover about 200 miles yesterday and that almost took as long as the day before. We left Bozeman around 9 AM and after a few construction delays started going south on 191 to Yellowstone. This is a two lane road through the mountains along a beautiful river and breathtaking scenery – also a little stressful driving at slower speeds. It was about 80 miles to the entrance of Yellowstone National Park where we had to wait to pay the entrance fee. Anyway we get on our way again and it’s rather slow going at times. You would be driving along and all of a sudden traffic would stop. Well there would be some kind of wild life stopped by the river and everyone would want to take pictures. Then there was the area of the mud pots – geothermal pools with lots of steam rising from them. This also slowed traffic. Then there was Craig Pass Ruby had to go over which she did pretty darn good. I had to brake at one point as a deer was on the side of the road and decided to cross right in front of me. Pretty exciting! Then we come upon the Tetons and they are truly majestic. Somehow we went from being in Yellowstone Park to Teton Park.  All in all it was the most beautiful drive I’ve had on this trip but I was very happy when we finally were out of the park and on a regular highway. Check out Bill's blog for pics.

We had a few miles before we reached Jackson and it was hopping. We drove through Jackson past the Cowboy Bar and on to our RV Park. We are actually in Wilson which is about 4 miles beyond Jackson. It’s a nice setup so we will be quite comfortable for the 2 weeks we are here. They have a shuttle in to town which is great since Bill won’t be able to maneuver Rocket.

We finally had cell service when we left the park and had a text from our friends, Pam and Marty Muir. They’re new grandparents and welcomed Lola Mae Muir yesterday at 6 lbs. Congrats to them and Amanda and Greg.  This is our second birth since this trip started, first our grandniece, Harper and now Lola. I love the names!!!

It’s 39 outside this morning so we busted out our down comforter. Doing a little cleaning and exploring today.

Take care – off to nowhere.  YEAH!!!!

Day 135 with Ruby and Rocket

Well I’m sitting here having a glass of wine after driving 478 miles from Williston, ND to Bozeman, MT and I think Ruby, Duncan and I are all a little pooped!

I was happy to leave North Dakota and all the oil tankers and it wasn’t too far until we crossed the Montana border. It was amazing to see all the different scenery changes and it became more beautiful after every mile. There were lots of rolling hills (big ones sometimes), rivers, farm land, trees and just beautiful country.

We grabbed lunched in Billings and kept driving on to Bozeman and gained an hour which was nice. We drove through Bozeman and it looked like a neat little town with some cowboy bars which I was very tempted to pull in to at that point. We needed some groceries and what do you know, there was a Safeway! I almost cried!!! We got groceries and of course wine!!! I even got to use my Safeway card – welcome to my little world. Of course my credit card didn’t work since I’d gotten gas twice in one day and usually it’s probably every three days. Anyway, used my spare one and have now informed them we are in Montana and travelling! Hello – been doing that for a while now – get a clue!!!

We’re at the KOA in Bozeman and it’s pretty warm here in the 90s. We do have 50 amp so are running those air conditioners. Tomorrow we go to Jackson Hole which is about 200 miles. Piece of cake!!! Of course we do have to go over two passes at about 7 and 8,000 ft so it will be slow going. I’m very excited to be in one place for two weeks and to see Chris and Casey, our other family and our friends, Tom and Suzanne.

Bill travelled along today with me and that was a little nerving as I’m not use to a backseat driver. I told him how lucky he was not to have to ride over all these mountains and he let me know we covered about 5 days of the ride today. I feel like it!

Anyway we’re off to Jackson Hole tomorrow and the Cowboy Bar and Silver Dollar Saloon! Guess you know where my mind is –

Take care – thanks for all your calls and well wishes after Bill’s accident. He’s doing good and thankful it wasn’t more serious.

Day 133 with Ruby and Rocket

As some of you might know by now Day 133 has been eventful. I left Ross in the rain and was afraid I’d get stuck pulling out. There are lots of potholes as they haven’t landscaped this part of their campground. It filled up so quickly they didn’t get around to it. There are so many people living in trailers all year around working in the oil fields. This is a picture of an interesting building (Public School) that’s very dated and we’re parked right next to it.

Old Public School house in Ross, ND

Travelling on Interstate 2 west there are lots of semi trucks hauling oil and construction equipment. So I’m travelling along and receive a call with the ND area code. I’m thinking it’s the bicycle store in Williston where I’m suppose to drop Bill’s bike off before parking at the campground. Well the man, Steve, says to me, Bill’s OK but he’s had an accident and we’re in the ambulance going to the hospital in Tioga. YIKES! My heart beats a little faster but I’m trying to concentrate on the directions he’s giving me to get to the hospital. It’s only about 15 miles away so I get there pretty fast.

Bill’s in the ER and he’s got road rash on his hip and a few cuts on his left arm and then I see his hand and it’s a mess and swollen. I’m sorry at this point but I’m also really thankful this is all that has happened. I find out a car clipped his shoulder and that threw him off his bike. I shudder to think about those semi trucks going by where he was biking.  Anyway they take x-rays and his bone below his little finger is broken and he is now in a cast.

After thanking everyone, we head in Tioga for a prescription at their little pharmacy. It’s amazing how a small town pharmacy is so very different from a Walgreens. The pharmacist actually talked to me and asked me if I’d been to Sun Devil Stadium. I laughed and said my kids went to ASU. He said he has a friend out there so it kind of made me feel good.

We left Tioga and headed for Ray, ND to pick up Bill’s bike and cell phone as it’s at the Fire Station. The emergency attendant, Sheri, meets at the Fire Station and we load his bike in Ruby and take off for Williston and the Buffalo Trails Campground. Bill said he’d heard that this campground looks like an old KOA that has gone to seed. Well he’s correct about that!!! There are lots of oil field workers but it’s a little better than in Ross. We’re here for 2 nights so we will be able to regroup and make a new plan.

So we’ve decided to head to Jackson Hole early since we have family and friends with plans to meet us toward the end of the month. We’ll leave here tomorrow, Monday, and drive to Bozeman, MT and stay the night there and then on to Jackson Hole Campground until August 29^th. Bill has visions of continuing the ride after that but my visions are wavering!!!

So we shall see ---- we’re off to Bozeman tomorrow and 4++ miles. I’ve never driven Ruby 400 miles – hope I can do that!!

Take care and thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. I know I’m thankful that we only have a pinky finger and some ugly road rash to worry about!

Day 131 and 132 with Ruby and Rocket

Well Minot proved to be quite interesting. The drive from Rugby was on Route 2 which is very pretty through lots of farmland and small lakes. As I arrived in Minot I could see some of the effects of the flooding. I managed to find Lucy’s Amusement Park which was doing a little bit of business. Lucy’s husband, Norman, helped me park Ruby next to their garage and get me plugged in to a 30 amp power outlet. So the next thing I do is turn on the water pump which didn’t work. Just swell – luckily I bought 3 gallons of water as I left Rugby.

 Ruby parked next to the garage at Lucy's Amusement Park

Bill spotted an RV Center just down the street and drove Rocket there to get a replacement pump and fuse. He got those installed and it still didn’t work. Bummer!!! Anyway we called the RV Center and made an appointment for first thing this morning.

We packed up and I drove to the RV Center and my friend Mark and I tried to figure out where the pump was shorting out. That could have taken all day so we basically have it hot-wired from the fuse to the switch. It works!!! Mark and his family are living at the RV Center has his house was flooded. Too bad there’s not a water pipeline to send some of the water west to Texas.

I left Minot and drove to Ross today in the rain. Ross is very tiny!!!! We’re parked along the highway at this RV Park (and I use that loosely) with lots of people who live here and are working in the oil fields. The owner of the park is very nice and we’re set up with power and water so lucky us!

Tomorrow we’re off to Williston, ND for 2 days. Williston is a larger town and Bill has to get his touring bike fixed so hopefully that will work out.

We got a little rain today and I think it’s the same forecast for the next couple of days.

Take care -

Day 129 and 130 with Ruby and Rocket

Well Rugby, ND, which is the center of North America, has just been a highlight! We are parked at the Oakwood Inn and RV Park. The Inn is little motel rooms that fill up every night so far and the RV Park is about 10 sites to the side of the Inn (motel). I think the most exciting part was on Monday watching the RV’s pull in and set up. Unfortunately last night was boring as no pulled in until 11:00 PM and that was way past watching time!

Rugby is a pretty little town as the neighborhoods seemed very well maintained. We had dinner at a Bar & Grill last night and it was pretty good and then dessert at the Dairy Queen. I know you all are very envious right now but you’ll get over it!

We worked a little on our route yesterday. Bill’s ride in to Rugby was not fun and included a nice headwind the whole time. The official perimeter route should take us straight across Montana to Idaho. Because we are going to Jackson Hole to see friends and family, it adds about a 1,000 miles in to and out of Yellowstone. Bill was planning to ride that part but now will ride with me but he’ll still be able to complete the perimeter once we leave Wyoming and head back north to Montana. So now we’ll bee in Jackson Hole for 8 days starting August 21^st. There is a lot to do in Jackson so we’ll probably rent a car and have a mini vacation. Hope you’re following all this. Anyway it includes changes in reservations so that kept me busy yesterday.

We’re off to Minot, ND today which has had way too much rain and flooding. A few of the camp grounds are closed and others are available only to residents. I think it’s in pretty bad shape. Anyway we’re staying at this place called Lucy’s Amusement Park and I’m not sure exactly what kind of facilities we will have there. Actually the next 4 days are a little sketch as far as facilities. Oh joy!

The nice thing is that it’s been rather cool here so we’ve not had to use our AC. I think I need to stock up on some food and drinking water as it may get interesting the next few days before we get to civilization again. Thinking about that remodel in Guerneville if you know what I mean!!!

Take care -

Day 128 with Ruby and Rocket

I left Erie this morning and zig zagged on country roads north through miles and miles of farmland. Finally I turned west toward Devil’s Lake. I turned south a little toward the campground and had to cross this bridge where the water came up to the edge and it was a dirt road with the washboard effect. Oh joy!

Miles of farmland

Unfortunately this was the only way to get there but it didn’t last too long and another mile or so on dirt roads and I arrived at the campground. I had to wait a little while before a site was available as the site assigned to me was under water. This is a huge lake and it’s about 2 ½ feet higher than normal and many of the trees are in the water. Kind of creepy looking!

 Devils Lake

Sitting on the beach at Devil's Lake

I got settled and there’s a little beach in front of me and a beautiful view of the lake. The weather is beautiful so Duncan and I sat on the beach and waited for Bill to arrive. I wished I had one of the jet skis going by!

Looking at a beautiful sunset and making plans for my drive tomorrow to Rugby, ND for two days. Bill needs a rest and my fun factor is a little low so maybe the rest will be good.

Take care -

Day 126 and 127 with Ruby and Rocket

I left Bemidji and did a few errands in town before heading out to Detroit Lakes. The drive to Detroit Lakes was pretty easy and as I was nearing town I started passing a lot of motor homes. Then I even drove right past WE Fest which is this huge country music festival, including some big names like Willie, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, etc.  Lyle and Kathy live not too far away on Pelican Lake so I met them at the turn off of County Road 20 and followed them to a Country Club where I was parking Ruby for the night. No problems there and then they drove Duncan and I to their house which was a very short distance but Ruby never would have made it down their drive.

They have this beautiful cottage on this beautiful lake and I was sorry we were only going to be there one day. The cottage is just down from this resort that has been there for around 60 years.  The resort is one of those all inclusive types – it reminds you of the resort that was in Dirty Dancing. When Bill arrived he cleaned up and we went for a cruise around the lake. We past the Young Life Camp called the Castaways – for you Young Lifers this camp looked really cool. We cruised by some beautiful homes especially this one with a guest house and a boat house. We’re talking big bucks here as I would have been happy in the boat house.

Kathy made this amazing dinner including homemade apple pie. We got to meet Becca, their daughter, as she’s visiting for the summer from AZ. Duncan managed to get along with Gracie and Bailey, however, he wasn’t very friendly to the neighbor dog, Wilson but was OK after a while.

The next morning we had Kathy’s really delicious blueberry coffee cake. Have I said I didn’t want to leave! I reluctantly packed up and we returned to Ruby and said our goodbyes.

Thank you to Lyle, Kathy, Becca, Bailey and Gracie for a wonderful stay!!!! We had some of the leftovers for dinner last night and will have coffee cake this morning. Thank you Kathy!!!!!

I drove in the rain mostly from their cottage to Brewer Lake County Park in Erie, North Dakota (new state!). As I drove through Erie which if you blink you’ve gone too far and I thought I’d missed the park but kept driving so I could find a place to turn around. Well I had to drive probably a half a mile and luckily I did as there was a sign for the park. I turned and was on a dirt road and went for probably a half a mile and thought this isn’t looking too good. But then I came to another sign and followed that for about a half a mile and then there was another sign and finally I saw the park and it looked really nice. Well my gosh it has full hookup with 50 amp power even though its cold enough that we don’t need the AC and is on this pretty little lake. You who’d have thought!

Bill called from a little ways away wondering where the park was and he soon arrived dripping wet.

We did manage to bust out the BBQ as the rain cleared to have something with our leftover salads from Kathy. Staying at Kathy and Lyle’s really made me homesick and wanted to get busy on our many projects waiting for us in Guerneville.

However, we’re off to Warwick, ND where ever that is! At least we’re going WEST!!! Won’t be long before Jackson Hole and family!

Take care -

Day 124 and 125 with Ruby and Rocket

I arrived in Grand Rapids and we had a nice stay there even though we weren’t on the lake. The weather is very pleasant but lots of mosquitoes.

As I was leaving Grand Rapids I stopped at the farmers market in town and bought some veggies and berries. Yummy stuff!

We’re now at the KOA in Bemidji, MN and I was able to check my email. Sometimes the connection is so slow I get frustrated and will wait for a better location. I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from our friend Kathy Williamson, who with her husband, Lyle, has a cottage in Detroit Lakes, MN.  We were suppose to stay in Detroit Lakes tonight but there is a huge country western festival going on this weekend and couldn’t get reservations. We then changed our route and were headed a little north of Detroit Lakes. Anyway, we are now headed to Kathy and Lyle’s cottage and are going to stay there tonight. We are so excited to see them, not to mention the use of real bathrooms!

Sorry we missed you Jaime in Minneapolis. If anyone is headed our way be sure to email me as we’d love to connect. My email is neitacomings@hotmail.com or just post it on Facebook.

Bill has already taken off this morning as it’s about 100 miles. I have lots to do this morning so better get at it. We’re off to Kathy and Lyles in Detroit Lakes!!

Take care -

Day 123 with Ruby and Rocket

It’s a beautiful morning here in Aitkin and I’m sitting outside looking at Hickory Lake. This is a pretty little campground and very well maintained. I’d like to stay here as it’s very peaceful.

 Hickory Lake

I had a wet drive yesterday from Stanchfield but as I got closer to Aitkin it began to clear up and the afternoon was pretty. Bill arrived not too long after I got set up. His route was a little different and he came through the town of Aitkin. He found a Red Box so we had some entertainment last night.

This morning I’m off to Grand Rapids, MN and the Prairie Lake Campground. Hopefully we’ll have another pretty view.

Take care -

Day 122 with Ruby and Rocket

Duncan and I had a nice little run around the empty campground and left in the drizzle of rain. I headed in to town to the grocery store before getting on the highway.

It was a rainy drive the whole way to Staunchfield, MN. I met Bill just before the turn off to the campground so he followed me in. We’re camped at the Rushmore Campground and it seems to be mostly seasonal residents. There’s only about 4 or 5 overnight campsites which are located right on the lake. We have a really pretty view of a very choppy lake! However, just as we enter the campground there’s a sign “no dogs”. Oopsie – oh well.

It stormed the rest of the day and in to the night but seems to have kind of cleared up this morning. It’s still overcast but not raining. There are a couple of people out on the dock fishing.

West Rush Lake, MN

We head to Aitkin, MN today and the Hickory Lake Campground.  I better get Duncan out of here before we’re busted!

Take care -

Day 120 and 121 with Ruby and Rocket

I had another nice drive on Saturday to The Rivers Edge Campground in New Richmond, WI. Well this place is a huge campground with water slide and river tubing. The tubing seems to be the big draw as it’s on the Apple River. So we get settled and are surrounded by kids (twenties and up)having a really good time!!! Fortunately we were at the end of a row so we could look out at them on one side and it was pretty entertaining. The place is obviously a popular weekend destination for partying. Some came by to say hello and play with Duncan. We even bought beer off our neighbors as we weren’t prepared for the river trip. They were from Pardeeville, WI. It showed!!! Saturday night was Karaoke and that was a drunk fest but entertaining.

Sunday morning was busy busy busy! It was amazing how fast this place cleared out and now we’re almost all by ourselves.  Bill and I got ready to go tubing so you walk a little ways to get your tube and in you go with, of course, you cooler tube as well.  It’s a 3 hour float trip down the river and so much fun. It would have been a lot more exciting if we had gone on Saturday but this was really nice. The water is only 2 to 4 feet with some mild rapids but a great time. Then you get out and they bring you back to camp. It’s a great deal.

I took this picture this morning and it’s amazing what this place looks like when its empty. It’s sprinkling here this morning and feels like a sauna outside.

River's Edge campground after the party weekend!

We’re off to Staunchfield, MN today. New State and new month!!!

Take care =