Our 2013 summer travel plan is to spend the summer in the same RV Park where we spent last summer which is just south of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Our original plans was to depart home on May 13th, arrive in Post Falls, Idaho on Sunday May 20th, dropped the motor home at TruLine RV on the 21st and then proceed to the RV Resort where we would rent a cabin while the windows were resealed in the motor home.
All was going according to plan up to Thursday, May 9th when I ended up in the emergency room at Oro Valley Northwest Hospital. I was released from the hospital on Sunday, May 19th, minus a 10 mm gallstone and my gall bladder. Follow up doctor visits further delayed our departure to June 3rd.
Normally we spend our first night at Cameron AZ. We decided to shorten the first leg a bit due to my still recovering from the operation ordeal so spent the first night just short of Flagstaff, AZ. The intention was to make up the difference on Tuesday by driving to our usual second stop at US 89 and Utah 20. Little did we know that it was really going to be a long day’s drive on Tuesday.
There was a huge landslide just south of Page, AZ that blocked US 89. We had to detour around Page by taking US 89A to Kanab Utah. Bypassing Page was no big deal and our route takes us through Kanab anyway. The problem is the US 89A added over 40 miles to the travel day plus it is a narrow, winding, road with many steep hills which greatly lowered the driving speed. It was a long and exhausting day’s drive.
The next day was not much better. We were looking for a shorter driving day and a relaxing night at Willard’s Bay north of Salt Lake City with full hookups. Well when we arrived at Willard’s Bay, the state park was closed due to an oil spill in the park. There was nothing to do but to keep on trucking north. We ended up dry camping overnight at the Idaho Welcome Rest Stop just across the Utah / Idaho state line. It was warm plus a refrigerator truck park closed by. Not only did he keep the truck engine running but the reefer diesel unit kept starting and shutting off all night.
Thursday we decided that it would be nice to have full hookups and to be able to relax with air conditioning for a change. So we decided to again extend our normal driving time and go to Deer Lodge, Montana and spurge for the RV Park there.
Friday was a short drive to Missoula, Montana which was our original Friday destination. The difference was now we arrived at 10:00 AM instead of late afternoon. Upon arrival at Bretz RV & Marine, we topped off the propane tank for $0.99 per gallon. Set up camp in their parking lot and I was off to get new tires for the Hummer. We were now a day ahead of schedule as the original plan was to get the tires on Saturday and spend a second night in Bretz’s parking lot.
The tire purchase took most of the afternoon the first two stops, Costco and Firestone only had four tires in stock and I needed five. Finally I found a Les Swab store that had four tires but could get a fifth delivered quickly from another store.
Today, Saturday was a quick drive from Missoula to Post Falls, Idaho. We will spend two nights here in an empty field between a Super Mal-Mart and Cabela’s dry camping. There are several other RVers here. We are well spread out as it is a large field. Tomorrow, Sunday will be a welcome no drive day.
Monday we will drop the coach off at TruLine RV to have the double pane side windows cleaned between the panes and resealed. While that is being done, we will proceed to the RV Resort and stay in their “pet friendly” cabin with our new dog, Strider. Hopefully, the coach will be ready by the end of the week so we can settle in for the summer.
Now a little catching up is in order, 2013 has gotten off to a very sad start.
First we lost our beloved pal, Mik in late December 2012. January through May three friends and a relative passed away.
Jim, Mik & Raija
We purchased a beautiful puppy, Monte, in February. Monte passed away at four months while being neutered.
Monte
We now have Strider, a three year Bichon Frise. This is Strider’s first motor home trip. He seems to be enjoying riding in the coach and checking out the rest stops. He especially enjoys sitting on Raija’s lap and watching the scenery go by.
Raija & strider at Idaho Rest Stop
Today was Strider’s first encounter with small critters. He really pulled on the leash trying to get closer.
There will be lots of ground squirrels and chipmunks waiting for Strider at the RV Park.
Stayed tune for future updates.
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