Arizona to Montana

It was a longer drive to the SKP park in Casa Grande, Arizona then I thought. With a few stretch stops it took just over five hours. However, the drive was an easy one with all but a few miles on I-10. My first sight of saguaro cacti brought a big smile to my face. They both look funny to me and bring back nice memories of other times I've been to Arizona. The cg is the oldest in the SKP park system, created in 1981. I was told that the sites were tight with no pull-thrus but I didn't find them to be overly tight. My neighbors, Herb and Ann are from Calgary, Alberta. We sat out and had some conversations on differences between Canada and the United States. The conversation seemed to focus on health care. The Canadian system requires it's citizens to remain in their resident province a certain number of days each year, as well as within Canada or lose coverage. Herb and Ann weren't happy with their costs of about $2,000 a year. The new US system now requires people to pay for coverage they will never use and costs many folks far more than what Herb and Ann are paying. Neither system seems great. For most of my life I never realized or appreciated how great my VA coverage is. I guess the best thing to do regarding health care is to stay healthy! This SKP park seems to use the identical printed agenda for their happy hour as the park outside of Carlsbad. They celebrate birthday's, anniversary's, have new arrivals stand and say a few words, they wish those leaving safe travels, make general announcements, tell a few jokes and maybe a story or two. All in all the 30 or so folks who show up each afternoon chat and enjoy each others company. Of the five SKP/Rainbow parks I've stayed at, Livingston, TX remains the only one that was down right rude and poorly run. While Pecos, TX and Deming, NM seem to cater more to one and two night transients without much else going on, they are friendly and accommodating enough. Lakewood, NM is definitely the most friendly and welcoming with Wauchula, FL and Casa Grande, NM close behind. It seems strange that the park managers supposedly all get the same training yet there is very little consistency among the parks.


The campgrounds in New Mexico and Arizona definitely have way more solar equipped rigs than I've seen anywhere else. I've chatted with several RV'ers who claim to rarely, if ever, require electric hook ups. I'm still not boondocking much and feel I really need to be utilizing my solar setup much more.


I spent a day checking out the town of Casa Grande and the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. The ruins are an interesting place to visit. The National Park Service has protected this prehistoric village that had a population estimated to be over 2,000 and lasted over 1,000 years. The native people created an extensive canal system they used to irrigate their farm lands. They wove beautiful, intricate baskets, made pretty pottery, and built a four story adobe building. The remains of this large house was referred to as the Great House, "Casa Grande" by early Spanish explorers and became  way station on the Butterfield Stagecoach route. The large house has two interesting windows on the top floor. Through one window the sun shines clearly on an inside wall only on the summer solstice while the full moon fully shines through the other window only when it is full. I find it amazing how much ancient people new of astronomy, time, and construction. Another day I spent about 4 hours ATV'ing through the desert with Adventure Tours. We went about 20 miles into the desert, over ridges and through the Box Canyon. The desert really is a beautiful, amazing place.


The drive to Lake Havasue was another easy pretty drive. Most of the ride was beautiful desert scenery with incredible mountains in the distance on both sides of me. Once my ride started heading north, the route went through some gently winding hills, along the Colorado River, the boundary between Arizona and California. I find it amazing how much this area has grown since I was last here. This is a major tourist area! The Lake Havasue State Park was easy to find, get to and setup at. Almost as soon as I began walking around the park I met Joe and Carol. They offered me a pina colada, how could I refuse. We sat out by their rig enjoying the view of the lake and mountains. What a tough life I have ;=) There are lots of tours and adventures here, but it's also real hot this week hitting 97!!! one day. I took a walking tour of the beach area and bridge. Imagine buying 26,000 acres at less than $100 each and selling at almost $600,000 each!!! John McCulloch, the founder of McCulloch chainsaws, bought London Bridge for just under $2.5 million. He sold off some excess granite for about the same amount and has gotten an estimated $7.5 million in free advertising because of his purchase. Absolutely incredible!! I repeated a delightful afternoon I had here almost 35 years ago by sitting in a pub overlooking the bridge enjoying a light lunch and a Corona. This is a tough life. An Indian tribe built a casino on the California side of the lake and has a cruise boat to shuttle the many people looking to "donate" to their cause across the lake. I enjoyed the 1/2 round trip cruise but passed on the smoke filled casino. There was an outdoor kind of festival set up at the park with vendors selling little stuff like fishing poles and gear and big stuff like ATV's and boats. I actually looked semi-seriously at a Polaris 550, camouflaged ATV. I could probably have a platform rigged and welded to the rear bumper of my rig. My truck could handle the extra 1,000 or so of the ATV and welded platform. Oh well, something to think about. I have enjoyed ATV'ing. Maybe after returning from Alaska.


The drive to Las Vegas was pleasant and interesting looking across the vast desert views. It's amazing how much open land there is in this big, beautiful country. Even with the temperature in the mid-90's, with the windows open there was a nice breeze. Las Vegas is clearly seen from a distance, what with the tall building and observation spire. The campground is inside the city but was easy to get. The pull-thru site was easy enough to get into but I'm not sure it's going to be so easy to get out of, what with how tight the sites are. I arrived on my birthday and treated myself to a nice steak dinner out, even included a couple of Corona's which is very unusual for me. On my way back I picked up some beer and wine as my contribution to Pat & Paul's barbecue at their RV park tomorrow. It was great seeing the Recore's, it had been about 1 1/2 years since we met at the Country Music RV park in New York. I very much enjoyed sharing dinner and some relaxing time in their RV parks Jacuzzi. We do lead a tough life. Next day I spent about 4 hours ATV'ing through the desert dunes just north of Nellis Air Force Base. This was my first time driving in actual sand dunes. Our group began with about 10 of us but quickly dropped to eight when two gals weren't able to handle their ATV in the sand. After about a half hour the guides split us into two groups of four when some of us were clearly enjoying zooming around the dunes and the others were barely keeping up. I may have been the oldest but I wasn't the most daring. One guy accidently zoomed over a dune that had a big drop on the other side. I thought sure we would find him buried in the sand but somehow he managed to stay on his ATV. Needless to say the rest of us took a different route. I wanted to see a doo wop show that was playing at the Riviera and stopped by to get tickets on my way back from the ATV'ing. First problem was their indoor parking with a six foot clearance. My truck is about 1 1/2 feet to tall. I was directed to some outdoor parking a little ways away used by construction and service folks. Second problem was as soon as I entered the hotel and could barely get a breath of air. I guess smoking is much more prevalent in Vegas. No way would I be able to survive a couple of hours in there with a show. Although disappointed I spent the next day in the pool and hot tub. It's a tough life I live but someone has to do it ;=)


What a pretty ride to Panguitch, Utah. The ride on I-15 just a little north of Las Vegas goes through magnificent canyons, crossing the Virgin River several times. Once in Utah the drive is on a flat plane with snow capped mountains off in the distance on both sides, beautiful! I was a little worried about a posted 8% down hill grade running for about 7 1/2 miles. I stayed in 3rd gear, kept the rig around 30 mph, and it wasn't bad at all. Lots of fun as I finished setting up. With the water, sewer, and electric all done I went inside to get the slides open. As soon as I opened the rig door there's a cute little gray mouse sitting on my desk. I tried throwing a slipper at him but he easily scooted between the sofa and desk. After setting everything up I ran across the street to a hardware store and picked up three different types of traps. As I finished setting them up with some delicious blue cheese added to each, I turn around and the little guy is on top of the kitchen counter, nibbling the cheese that had dropped in the sink. Unfortunately for him my slipper was real close. Splat and one mouse down!  I thought that was it and walked out to toss the no longer cute little guy. When I walked back in there was another one now caught in the sticky trap and the cheese was gone from one of the spring loaded ones. I tossed the second mouse, put out another sticky trap and added more cheese to the traps. A few minutes later I jumped a few feet into the air when the silence was broken by a loud "snap" and a third mouse was smashed in a spring trap. Tossed this third one and replaced the trap. I didn't sleep much, listening closely for any movement. In the morning I found a fourth mouse stuck in a sticky trap. I left the traps out for a couple more days but word must have gotten out to mouse community and no more came around. Should this happen to any of you I definitely recommend the sticky traps over the spring loaded. Both work but the sticky ones are much easier to clean out (lol). So much for my weeks wildlife experiences!


Pat & Paul drove up from Zion to meet me and do some hiking at Bryce. Their drive was the better part of two hours each way and they had to plan it around the Zion tunnel where they required an escort. I've been to many of our magnificent National Parks from Acadia to Big Bend to Glacier. While all the parks are beautiful in their own way, Bryce is my personal favorite. Pictures don't really do it justice, you have to see the unique spires, called hoo doo's, and all the colors, and vistas. Pat, Paul, and I saw the video at the visitor center and then took the combined hike called Sunset to Sunrise including the Queens Garden. The hike goes about 320 feet deep into the canyon over a total round trip length of about 2.8 miles. It's considered the easiest trail into the canyon. We made it down with no problems and enjoyed the magnificent sights. Climbing out was another story! For a while I thought Pat & Paul would need to get a helicopter for me (lol). I was totally pooped! We also saw one of my favorite sights in Bryce called Fairland. Walt Disney himself couldn't top this creation. The three of us had a great, late lunch at Ruby's, a hysterical, I mean historical landmark. It was getting late and Pat & Paul had to head back to make the last escorted ride through the Zion Tunnel. I took one more short hike called Mossy Cave. This trail was about 8/10 of a mile (round trip), with an additional 2/10 (round trip) on a side trail to see a waterfall. The cave is more of an overhang and the waterfall is not huge. Still, it was a pretty end to a very enjoyable day. The horseback ride into Bryce was fantastic! My horse was a mule named Geraldine. She was very sure footed and very responsive to me and boy was I glad for both. I was able to keep her from the very edge of the narrow trails. For some reason most of the other horses and mules seemed to like walking right at the edge and it caused some nervousness among a few others along on my ride. We rode for about four hours through the very bottom of the canyon and along several narrow paths and passes. On our ride we saw some bristlecone pine, believed to be some of the oldest trees on earth. Some are estimated to be thousands of years old. This is incredible country, very beautiful and very interesting. My ATV ride was shorter than I would have liked. They don't start the longer rides until mid-May. Still, it was also interesting seeing the canyon and forest from yet another perspective. There is a great little museum on the Bryce Canyon road. They have hundreds, perhaps thousands of taxidermy items plus many local Indian relics, thousand of butterflies, and other interesting items the owner collected over about 50 years. A very interesting place well worth a stop.


Instead of the interstate I took Utah 89 up to Salt Lake City. It took a few extra minutes but is a very pretty ride basically through a valley with snow capped mountains on both sides off in the distance. The cg a next to I-15 which didn't look to promising for a quiet night. I asked for a site as far away from the highway as possible and they obliged with a pull through on the last row. I never heard any road noises the whole week. The site had a tree but it didn't seem to bother the sat. service. After setting up I treated myself to a steak dinner and beer at the nearby Texas Roadhouse Steakhouse. Over the week in the area I went to the Morman Family History Library several times. The Church campus is beyond beautiful, it's magnificent. The volunteer church brothers & sisters are very friendly and very helpful and never try to preach in any way. Still, I was a little disappointed. I think my expectations about finding new genealogy records was too high. I did find some new material but not any of the major finds I was hoping for. Oh well, genealogy research is not something you can finish. It's a lifetime hobby and my treasure hunt will continue. I saw two plays while in the area. Man of La Mancha was playing at the Centerpoint Theater which has a fair sized Morman Church endowment. The theater is beautiful, inside and out, definitely rivaling Broadway. The players were good, with the male and female leads having the strong vocals needed for the songs. This is probably my most favorite play and I've seen it on Broadway plus many other times. I think my familiarity with it got in the way of totally enjoying this particular production. I thought they put to much comedy into a show that should have had more serious moments. Still, it was a very enjoyable evening. The second show I saw was at the Off Broadway Theater (OBT) right on Main Street in Salt Lake City. The playhouse was old, small, and definitely in need of some renovations. The play was a comedy called "America Captain" and I had no idea what it would be about. Turns out it was a farce on "Captain America". It was hilarious!! I, plus several others, almost fell out of out seats laughing. All the players were great but the main villain was incredible. He was obviously having as much fun, or more, than the audience. What a great evening!! I also spent several mornings playing pool with Al, Keith, and Kevin. Three great guys who know how to have fun and not take life, or pool games too seriously.


The drive to Shelly, ID was pretty and easy, that is until the GPS said I had arrived. I was in front of a closed church on a two lane farm road with farms and ranches as far as I could see. I tried calling the park on the two phone numbers I had but no one answered either phone. Walking up and down the road I found three people, none of whom knew of any RV park anywhere in the area. The park manager finally answered hos phone, but said that he and his wife were new to the area and didn't know where I was nor were they able to give me any better directions. It was lots of fun turning my rig around on the narrow road (lol). I kept a close look out for the park as I drove the 8 miles back toward I-15 but with no luck. It was only about two hours more to my next stop in Montana and it was still only 2:30pm so off I go. Lots more of the beautiful Idaho and Montana views. The cg owner was very friendly, we chatted awhile before I got set up. The cg is clean, open, and quiet, what else could ya want! It's still below freezing most nights and the cg turns their water off each evening. The cg also has a spotless shower room so really no need to hook up my water or sewer. Went to the ghost town of Bannack, the first territorial capital of Montana. The town began in 1862 when gold was found in the nearby Grasshopper Creek. The gold is said to be the most pure ore ever found at 99.5%. Most gold ore is only around 80%. About a year ago a woman panning at the state park found a nugget valued at almost $150,000! I toured the town of about 60 structures but didn't get to pan for any gold since about 60 seventh graders on a field trip were enjoying the panning area. Looking at the school desks from the 1860's left me nostalgic and feeling old. The little wooden desks with holes for ink wells were identical to the ones I sat at all through grade school (lol). The Beaverhead County museum in Dillon had an interesting and extensive collection of artifacts mostly from 1862 through the 1950's. Several local family's lend their family heirlooms which the museum rotates a few times a year to keep it interesting. It really is amazing to see and read how our parents and grand-parents lived in what at times seems such  a short while ago.


I had the most relaxing day at the Jackson Hot Springs. The almost 50 mile drive is through magnificent scenery, huge cattle ranches stretched across endless, rolling ranges with incredible snow capped mountains off in the distance. The hot springs were originally pointed out to Lewis & Clark by Sacagawea as they crossed the continental divide near here. Lewis & Clark measured how hot these natural springs are by how long it took various meats to cook and how long they could keep their hands in the waters. The geothermal forces heat the water to about 260 degrees when beneath the ground. The water bubbles to the top at around 140 degrees. They use a naturally flowing spring to cool the waters to a very enjoyable 104 degrees. I sat and soaked, chatting with a couple of outdoor enthusiasts for about two hours. After a leisurely drive back and a long hot shower I felt incredible! Over my few days at this park the owners and I had been chatting about everything and nothing. When I went to say thanks and good-by they gave me a card for two free nights whenever I return. Nice folks and a clean, quiet cg.


A magnificent drive to Great Falls through the western Montana mountains. It was hard to focus on the road with the incredible scenery all around. I kept repeating out loud, to myself "wow, wow, and wow" (I won't speculate what talking to myself indicates)!! The cg is next to I-15 but doesn't seem to noisy. Friendly folks at check in. Marge Smith is already here and the cg seemed to have everyone I know is coming for our Alaska trip expected in the next few days. The cg even reserved a group of sites in the same area just for us. As I set up I got to chatting with the retired submariner across from me (he didn't know you Dave). He, his wife and another couple are also headed to Alaska. Over the next few days Marge and I went to the CM Russell Museum, Bert & Ernie's Tavern, the "world famous" Sip n Dip Mermaid Lounge and Tiki Bar, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. The CM Russell Museum was an incredible collection of early cowboy and Indian artifacts and Russell's art. You gotta look this guy up! He has been called the authentic cowboy artist. The museum collection of bronze sculptures, paintings, and artifacts is extensive and well worth a trip. The Bert & Ernie Tavern was a local eatery with pleasant live folk music. The Sip n Dip Mermaid Bar was definitely unique. Marge and I sat at the bar with a glass wall behind the bar. Two "mermaids" were swimming around, waving at us and blowing kisses. Behind us was a woman "..as old as the hills" playing an organ and singing (very nicely). The place was a real hoot! A young couple had moved over one bar stool to make room for Marge and I. I pointed to my airborne bracelet and asked if his was real or decorative. His was real also which started some great conversation. Marge had been a nurse and his wife was also a nurse. It was difficult to talk with the noise of the bar but we managed some enjoyable conversation for the better part of two hours. As with so many museums before, I learned more about Lewis & Clark from a few hours at the interpretative center than years of school.


Rodger and Daryl arrived. I hadn't seen them since the Northeast Rally at Lake George last September. A little chit chat during a happy hour and then off to the Celtic Cowboy. By the name I had a vision of the Marlboro Man doing a Celtic dance, maybe in a kilt. The image was hilarious to me. The Irish sports bar was great, it was perfect! On one side was a nice bar with lots of twenty and thirty something year olds. There were a few tables with seniors and lots of family's with young kids. The menu was creative, delicious Irish comfort food. I had a perfect Irish stew with an ice cold Guinness. Daryl had a bison burger, topped with corned beef that was so thick she couldn't get her mouth around it. Rodger had perfect fish and chips, and Marge had a great shepherds pie. The guitarist played fantastic and had a very nice voice. One of the young mothers began dancing with her two little toddlers and about four or five little girls almost immediately joined in. The music was great, the atmosphere was great, the food was great, and the company was great. What a fabulous evening! Sunday morning brought light snow and a quiet down day. Monday was a few errands; changing my Verizon plan to include international calls, finally ordered a sign to put up at the Watson Lake Signpost Forest, got a couple of gas cans and a gas siphon, and a few fill in food stuffs. Karen and Ken pulled in and we sat in Daryl's rig chatting a little. On Tuesday, Tom pulled in and told us that Bobbie was only a few hours behind him. What a great surprise when Bobbie arrived, she was in Linda's rig with Linda at the wheel. We are now up to seven RV's and nine people. Most of us went to the Buffalo Jump just outside of town. The state park ranger was very informative and provided lots of interesting facts. The site is believed to be about 6,000 years old but no one knows for sure since only one archeological dig has been done and it was done over a dozen years ago. The description of how the various local Indian tribes cooperated in the ritual of the buffalo hunt prior to the advent of horses and guns was fascinating. Over the couple of days the nine of us were together in Great Falls we enjoyed a second dinner at Bert & Ernie's, a second viewing of the mermaids, and got lots of little errands done. Tomorrow we head out on our Alaskan Adventure.