Winnemucca to Homedale ID

We left Winnemucca after a great breakfast and a small donation to the local casino economy.  Correction - Jeff brought the Casino industry to it's knee's when he walked out with $6.00 of their money.  We decided to take it easy since we only had a little over 400 miles to go.....so we divided the mileage in half.  We soon passed the Oregon border and had to stop and say hello.

We lunched at Rome, Oregon and had good food and conversation.  A very cool place.  Built and run by the same family since 1924.  Rome was a good stop, (better then Denney's) but I was somewhat surprised that in Rome, they don't cook Italian.

  Road construction stopped us after we passed once again into Idaho, and while waiting for the pilot car, we talked to the flagger and she recommended a RV park on the snake river......Snake River RV Park (really original name).  After getting some groceries for dinner, we followed the signs down a twisting road that led past corn fields, a run down trailer park and an industrial complex which is manufacturing who knows what.  We were getting discouraged when we rounded a corner into paradise.  Ok, I'm exagerating, but the setting was lovely.....green grass, roomy sites, water and electricity, and a view of the slow moving Snake River.  Quite a different feeling than the KOA.

 We quickly found a spot with a view of the river and behemoth RV's on either side that made us look tiny by comparison (the camper, not us).  Anyway, we enjoyed a nice evening with another gorgeous sunset, not too many bugs, and that wonderful coolness as dusk fell that we missed so much in the hot and steamy east.  We sat outside until it got too dark and then went inside to watch Magnun PI and lounge in bed. 

Tomorrow we follow I-84 to LaGrande OR and then to Jon's cabin at Flora, in the very North East corner of Oregon.

Rock Spring Wyoming to Winnemucca NV

Morning at the KOA was remarkably quiet except for the construction worker who lived next door warming up his diesel pick-up right outside our window.  It was so nice to sleep with all the windows open and we even had to add another blanket because it got so cool. Jeff got up early and let me sleep in (well, he made a lot of noise to try and wake me up, but my earplugs won).  He made one of his famous omlettes with sausage and tomato and delicious coffee.  The weather was sunny, but cool and dry.  What a change of climate from the East Coast. By now we are experts at breaking "Kamp" and we were soon on the road again--I-80 West toward Nevada through Utah.

Sleeping Beauty

Yay for Coffee!!

The scenery was ever changing and spectacular as we went through a series of summits through the Rockies.  Each corner we turned brought a gasp.....not only because of the beauty, but the altitude!

A stop for Ice Cream where they serve a half pound hot dog nicknamed, " The Homewrecker"  

Finally we went up one more huge mountain and found ourselves in Park City, site of most of the winter Olympic events when they were held in Utah.  I saw the huge ski jumps without snow, and other venues from the games. After passing through Park City, we dropped almost straight down into the basin of the Great Salt Lake.  We went down, down, down until finally we were in Salt Lake City.

After miles of driving across the flat land of the Salt Lake basin, we came to a rest area near the Bonneville Salt Flats......miles of white salt, and distant mountains.  This was where all the land speed records were made - 622.48 mph.  I made lunch and we sat staring out at the blistering white flats, it was eerie in the quiet, no birds or animals, no homes or business'.  Surprisingly, Mc Donalds hasn't even placed a hamburger stand here.

Lunch Prep

Soon we were crossing the border into Nevada.  The scenery changed to high (very high) desert without a lot of variety.  Jeff got a phone call about business in Oregon that needed immediate action, so we stopped at the Red Lion casino in Elko so he could make some phone calls without fear of being disconnected due to lack of service.  While he was busy,  I played video poker and slots and hung out in Starbucks adding pix to the blog.  Finally, he was done and a debate ensued.  Should we try to get a room at the Red Lion and call it a day, or should we try to make it to Winnemucca?  Foolishly, we decided to continue.  We broke the 1st rule of Pargabunking - never be too concrete on any plans and go with your gut.

We exited I-80 into Winnemucca, exhausted, but with hopes of finding a room, a dinner and some gambling.  We saw a gathering for an outside music concert and noted that all the listeners had cowboy hats. Unfortunately, that is the one thing we forgot to pack. We pulled into the first casino/hotel we came to but there was no room at the inn.  The same story at every other motel or casino we came to.  There was a convention of Cattlemen in town (hence all the cowboy hats) and we were at risk of having no place to stay. 

Finally we stopped at the "Santa Fe Inn" and got one of the last 3 rooms.  The parking lot was quickly filling with construction/mine workers who were staying there weekly.  They were having their evening beverages, discussing their day with amazing use of an extraordinary use of the English language.  How one scholar could fit the F word 6 times into one sentence, well let's say we were impressed. They were drinking beer, (Bud) and barbequing on the upper balcony. 

We found our room which was big, roomy and somewhat clean except for two armchairs which had stains of which I do NOT want to know the origin. This was not our vision, but this being the 8th hotel we tried, we were happy. After we vowed never to sit in the chairs, we cleaned up and went out to find food and gambling.  We found both at a casino down the road and actually made money before going back to the old Santa Fe and bed.  Again, we averted disaster and had a really enjoyable evening. 

Note:  We are going to be traveling into Idaho and Oregon and will be camping tonight (the 29th) and then going to Jon's cabin to spend several days.  We will be off the grid for awhile and probably won't be able to update the blog.  Don't worry, we will fill in the details when we are back in civilization.
J and K

July 27th Limon Colorado to Rock Spring Wyoming

Incredible day!!!!!  Up and out by 8:30.  Destination unknown but still, we move ever forward.  We head West across the flat plains until 30 miles East of Denver, the Rockies make their debut on the horizon.  K is blown away by the beauty.  Snow capped jagged peaks rise from the plains across the entire horizon.  Before we hit Denver, we head North on I - 25  to Cheyenne Wyoming where we meet I - 80 heading West into the mountains.

The Rockies in the distance  outside of Denver

The Wyoming flag

We stop in Laramie for lunch and go to the old, historic part of the city.  We ate in one of the oldest (1834) buildings still standing.  Great green chili that made my nose drip and eyes water.  And a sign in the men's restroom that gave me a smile.  We did a bit of sightseeing and didn't get out of town till 3:30.

Fair Warning

Jeff makes a new friend in Laramie

  Our goal was to camp at the Flaming Gorge. As much as you plan, reality can become a problem and forced me to do something I swore I would never do.  Getting bone tired and ill from the change in altitude, we pulled over and camped at the KOA in Rock Springs.

KOA's are really not camping - not when you have wi fi and cable TV hook ups, not when they insist on spelling camping kamping but....being stupid has it's advantages.  K got their registration envelope and said that we just need to pick out a site and then drop off the paperwork.  I am driving through this city of campers, every shape, size and color.  Kids rushing to and fro in various modes of mood from laughing to shrieking to crying.  I am thinking, gee whiz, I must be crazy.  Then, as if the heavens parted and the angels took pity on my burned out hide, we see space L - 80, Hallelujah and rejoice.  The space is on the perimeter, removed from the noise where our eyes are filled with the beauty of Wyoming's high desert.  We set up camp and I walk over to drop off the paperwork while K cooks dinner.

That's when dumb works out.  Chuck and Jenn from Alabama run the camp and continue to say how   L - 80 is reserved for monthly campers and we need to move to L - 22, a nice site that looks out on Oil Storage tank # 14 and has Winnebago's and Fleetwoods on either side.  Now as tempting as that may sound, I played my disabled card, please, please dear God don't make us move.  Chuck took pity on this husk of a man and relented breaking rule 57a on page 36 of the KOA camper's handbook and guide.

We ate dinner in our home, enjoying the quiet and serenity.  We let the dishes soak and went out to sit and watch the sunset.  The mountain in front of us was highlighted by the sun.  With each passing moment, incredible was replaced with fabulous, then spectacular then off the charts.  K must have taken 40 pictures but none will ever be able to reproduce the negative stored on the soft emulsion of my mind.  The peace, fulfillment and joy is just another page in my mental slideshow of wondrous days we have spent together.  Sorry for the mush but I guess you would just need to have been here.

Sunset at the KOA

The perfect end to the day.

July 26, 2011-Columbia Missouri to Limon Colorado

It was kind of a working day that just managed to get stranger as the day wore on.  You will understand my meaning momentarily but please no cheating and going to the end of this posting.

Up at 7:00 and out the door by 8:30 – not a bad start.  We are cruising down I – 70 West and it dawns on me how Missouri came by its motto of, “The Show Me State.”  The highway is cluttered with billboards for every possible product/service/minutia known to man (or woman for that matter).  The most popular billboard featured at most exits are those encouraging male drivers to stop in for “adult entertainment” featuring various types of toys, film, arcades and women sans clothing – of course this must be the “Show Me State.”  The one billboard I did succumb to was Fireworks, I get such a bang out of them, (groan).

Pyro City, my kind of place

Passion?  We have a passion for life

We cross into Kansas and K.C. was an interesting city but after passing through, the countryside was so dull that I found myself actually missing Missouri’s bill boards.  We stopped in Leavenworth of famous prison fame/notoriety.  We actually had lunch in the same bar/restaurant where 41 years ago all activity came to a screeching halt when my brother and I thumbed our way into town and stopped in for a soda.  They were very friendly now, and I am unsure if there has been a change in management philosophy or I have a lot less hair then I did then.

Same guy, less hair, better outcome

There were lots of roadside attractions advertised – Robert Doles birthplace, Annie Oakley museum, Boot Hill, largest prairie dog, rattlesnakes, 6 legged cow, buffalo…sadly, we missed them all though I fought hard to see Bob’s birthplace.  The land flattened out to such a degree that I could have watched my dog run away for 2 days. (Credit to Scott for that line).  We were so under impressed with Kansas that rather then stop near the border, we decided to press on into Colorado and spend the night in Limon.

Boring, boring and 108 degrees

Now this brings up another story from 41 years ago.  My brother and I got busted for hitchhiking 3 miles outside of Limon and had to walk back into town on a day when the farenheit was over 100.  The officer did everything in his power to scare and intimidate us.  I will just say that it was one of our bleaker days.

Now, let’s return to the present.  When talking to my brother, he was incredulous that we would even consider stopping in Limon – he actually warned me to find any other location.  My attitude, foolhardy in hindsight was that lightening never strikes the same place twice.

So there we are, cruising across Colorado, singing John Denver songs and feeling that Rocky Mountain High, even though there is not a mountain in sight.  The temp is still in 3 figures as we cruise ever closer to Limon, my old nemesis.  We are 1 and ½ miles away when I feel the engine stalling and K says we’re out of gas.  We coast as far as we could and pull over on the berm, flashers on, hope off.  Giant 18-wheelers cruise by at 75 mph and shake the truck.  We notice the sky darkening and major lightening flashing across the distant sky.  AAA says they will be out within the hour as they have considered our plight to be serious – (how long if it wasn’t serious?)  The wind and traffic are rocking the camper, lightening continues to get closer, tumbleweed is tumbling across the interstate, rain is now coming down in buckets and even though the camper be a rockin,’, we be praying that Triple A come a knockin’!

The storm clouds gather

Whipping by at 75 without so much as a hi yall!

K and I are just sitting in the truck, being buffeted by trucks, cars, rain and wind and just trying to be cool – no problem, we be cool.  It is so bad out that we see two cop cars go by and they don’t even stop, as it is too bad to venture out.

Finally, Virginia from AAA shows up in her ’87 Buick Skylark and she puts two gallons of gas, wonderful gasoline, petrol, go juice, into our tank and off we go.  Now the punch line.  Virginia tells us to fill up at the next stop but K is suggesting, hey, we got plenty of gas – let’s head to the hotel.  I won.

Now Limon’s still not done with me.  Every restaurant in town is closed except the truck stop selling day old corn dogs and Denny’s, a tough choice (Denny's won by a schooch).  We spend 10 minutes and 2 phone calls trying to find the hotel as it is so far off the beaten path, it is on a trail.

Well we are now somewhat fed and tucked into our hotel.  Limon’s last twist is that even though Wi Fi is free, Limon won’t let me on the net. Next time, I will listen to you Dennis.

July 24th Sunday and July 25th Monday On the road again.

K and I checked over the map, consulted my GPS, looked at the calender, dragged out the Ouigi Board and came to a mutual conclusion - we need to boogy if we want to be back to K's brother Jon's cabin by the 30th for a family get-together.  We need to cover a minimum of 500 miles a day which may not sound like a lot unless you are lazy like us and 2 - 300 is more our style.

Out went the notions of a leisurely tour of the South and on came a grim determination to press on through the heat, humidity, bugs, rude drivers, 187 McDonalds (that we have passed), ignoring most road side attractions, one snoozes while the other drives.  We descended into a miasma of passing light and shadow with only one goal - to surpass 500 miles a day so that K can sit out by the fire ring and have a cold one with Carol, Neil, Jon, Sharon, Roy, Charlie, Paul and any other person or animal that decides to show up.  We also want to swim in the Grand Ronde again.

The miles have passed in a positive manner with large heapings of music, conversation, laughter and realizations as to how truly lucky we have been to be able to have had this opportunity.

Some highlights:

Kathy's first visit to White Castle
Seeing the St. Louis Arch and crossing over the Mississippi
Changing scenery from ocean beaches through rolling hills of Virginia through the rugged Appalachians of West Virginia where each rise or bend in the road draws out an appreciative ohhh
Talking with the locals at a "Biscuitville" in Kentucky
Changing my shorts when an 18 wheeler blew a tire and our truck had pieces of rubber raining down
The kindness of strangers throughout our journey
Cruising down Interstate 64 and glancing over at K sleeping and seeing her "peaceful, easy feeling, (my apologies to the Eagles).

The first night we made it to Charleston, West Virginia and a Motel 6 whose claim to fame is that it was the first Hotel I have ever stayed at whose entire floors are covered in Linoleum - my guess, either a great sale or an extremely good salesman.  Last night we made 650 miles to Columbia, Missouri - go Mizzou! where we decided to treat ourselves to a night at the Hampton Inn.  We wanted to camp but the temperature was hovering at 97 at 7:30 and we just don't believe we could cover 20 miles after a potential night like that.  It's 700 miles to Denver, and out of our reach, but we are hoping to come close.

Here are some pix we took along the way......mostly out of the truck windows so excuse the picture quality.

Leaving the outer banks

Smokestacks in Kentucky, so much better then trees'

Road through West Virginia

One we should have posted yesterday...We finally got to the beach.

So off we go again.....it's supposed to be over 100 all the way through Kansas so wish us luck.   K and J.

Saturday, July 23rd Raleigh N.C. to Nags Head N.C. (Outer Banks)

Note – If you click on any picture, it blows it up for more detailed viewing.

Up early but leaving never matches up to plans.  K and I left around 8:30, destination the much talked about Outer Banks. The O.B. is a series of long narrow islands that hug the coast of North Carolina.  It’s about a 3 hour drive from Shelley’s house.

It was a scenic drive.  Interesting to see the difference in fauna and flora from the Northwest.  Interesting, old towns and farms filled with character and charm, polite, hospitable people whose southern accent is soft and melodious.  Clear skies and vast vista’s of rich farmland growing corn, beans, tobacco and hay framed by rolling hills.  Heat and humidity that can cause grown men to scurry between their air- conditioned car to any and all air conditioned business’, their eyeglasses fogging during the interim.   Beer is their one major weakness – no dark beer or microbreweries – just lot’s and lot’s of Bud and Bud Lite.   Lot’s of local color and humor, one build board proclaimed, “Get your Crabs at Dirty Dicks.” – makes me feel that Dick’s is one place I won’t be going to.

This is NASCAR Country

Crossing over to The Outer Banks

We got to the Nags Head Inn around 1:00, checked in and then headed out to Mulligan’s, the local fish house.  Shelley and David joined us shortly there after.  I never had a soft shelled crab sandwich before but I know I would definitely have to say that there will be more in my future.  After lunch our rooms were ready and my mind was ready for the beach but my body said, “What are you crazy man, that heat will kill you, at least shrink parts of you that may never grow back and that’s a promise!”  Well, my body won this particular argument and we stayed in to nap, read and solve the problems of the world.

Around 7:30 it had cooled down to the low nineties so we were finally able to stroll, (I actually just walked) out to the beach.  K was finally able to put her feet in the Atlantic which actually has a different color and smell then the Pacific.  David cautioned us about Sharks saying how you can get bit in as little as six inches of water – we scoffed and continued our stroll/walk.  It was a beautiful sunset.  Overcome by the beauty of the moment, K and I indulged in a warm hug followed by a lip lock that a locksmith would have a difficult time with.  We actually received a round of applause from some fellow strollers/walkers.

Back in my element

Our stroll/walk

We saw a number of couples and groups walking down the beach and enjoying the night air.  There were 2 men and one nine year old boy fishing in the surf and we stopped to watch.  Suddenly, the little boy gives a jerk and starts reeling in something big.  Dad is running around encouraging, instructing and just being a Dad.  The kid manages to land the fish which really started some excitement  - a four foot, 20 pound Banjo shark who is none to happy to be the star attraction.  Lots of teeth flashing as Mr. Jaws does his strange dance of life v death in the surf.  Dad took enough pictures to fill a memory card and then gave the shark back to the sea.  Suddenly, no one and I mean no one was walking in more then 4 inches of ocean.

Blurry due to Shark would not hold still

We lit some fireworks on the beach to celebrate our arrival and the turning point of our adventure.  Shortly, a very proper elderly British lady came down to the beach inquiring as to who had lit off fireworks as it is illegal.  I gave her a description of several large Hell’s Angels who seemed to have a chip on their shoulder – she decided not to pursue the neer do wells.  Tomorrow we begin to head West.  Around 9:30, we went to Sam and Omie’s for another terrific seafood dinner that tasted even better with the large sides of conversation and laughter.

July 21 & 22- Raleigh, North Carolina

After we enjoyed the delicious breakfast at the Hampton, we headed south again.  We were delayed by a side trip to Pilot Mt.......A huge mountain that rises out of nowhere in the wilds of North Carolina.  We drove up and up and up and up and around and up again until we came to a sizeable parking lot and an amazing view.  It was about 99 degrees at 10 am and we watched a group of really stupid people take off wearing their flip flops on a two mile hike, backpacks, coolers, folding chairs and other assorted gear that hikers might carry on a two mile, loss of 2100 feet hike.  These guys must have been pro's....well pro's at visiting the ER for heat exhaustion, battered and bruised feet as well as ego deflation.  Not us!  We got back in the truck, cranked up the air conditioning and wound down and around to Highway 55 again.

Pilot Mountain--99 degrees and getting hotter

Neither of us had gotten much sleep due to the alarm clock debacle, so we traded drivers often and found David and Shelley's apartment.  Such happy greetings!  I felt like I knew them already.  But I was so exhausted I collapsed and took a two hour nap.  Jeff stayed up to visit and meet the kitties.

David and Marshmallow

Jeff and Macy Gray

After waking and letting the pillow wrinkles fade, I joined the rest of our happy group and we went out to dinner at Neo Asian.  It was the best Chinese we had on the whole trip so far.  After frozen custard for dessert, we went back to the apartment (nice, cool, quiet, peaceful, respite!) and went to sleep.  Ahhhhhhhhhh!

David and Shelley

The day dawned with more hot humid weather in store.  One hundred degrees and a 115 out in real life.  Heat is getting to much........we're melting, we're melting, arghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

  We woke up late and our hosts made us a delicious breakfast with some of that famous Davis Bakery rye bread.   We took our time after breakfast, talking, listening to music and cleaning up.  Shelley and I went to run some errands.  I broke my phone (dropped it on the pavement one too many times) and more importantly, I needed a pedicure.  It was definitely a toe decoration emergency.  After a lovely and relaxing visit to Vietnam's finest nail specialists, we went to Verizon to see about getting a new phone.  I ended up getting the exact same phone I had for one dollar (after rebate).  They transferred my data and we were on our way back to the apartment.

Pretty toes!

We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the cool security of the apartment.  Jeff and Shelley went through boxes of pictures while David and I played music on guitar and mandolin.  What a pleasure!  Time passed so quickly as we enjoyed trading songs and memories. 

Music and Laughter--What could be better?

But hunger finally overcame the pleasure of being together, and we decided to brave the heat one more time and go to a favorite restaurant--Mama Dipps.  I would describe the meal if I could, but it was indescribable.  It was down home country cooking at it's finest.  It was so good, that even though we were stuffed, we all got dessert.  It was so good that Jeff even bought her cookbook.  Get ready for some chicken and dumplings with a mess of collard greens with some sweet potato pie

The remains of the dinner at Mama Dipps

We waddled and groaned our way out of there and came back to the apartment for more picture sorting and music. 

Jeff blogging and surround by family photos

Shelley and Hana

How could we go to bed early enough to get up early enough to get to the Outer Banks and Nag's Head tomorrow at a decent time? I can't answer that question.  Jeff's answer, "we've got a full tank of gas, a half pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses......hit it!"