Hi all, time for an update and some photos.

Day 28 (Oct 12)

Last day with this part of my family. 

Later start and picked up Cousin Pat for dinner out at McMinimins Edgefield. Great food and fun place to explore. 

A can’t miss when you are in Troutdale, Oregon or even close. Pickup a few things at Walmart and then back to Pat’s. Desert and conversation. 

Hard to say goodby. Home to the RV and starting to get ready to travel.

Day 29

Headed out to the coast this morning. Started about 10:30 AM and found traffic to be light.

Pleasant trip and had no problem finding Cousin Ed’s and getting parked. Visited for a while and settled in for the night. Tired and ready to sleep.

 

Day 30

Millie got to go with Carol for thrift store shopping and Quilt store visit. I spent some time with Cousin Ed and we even napped together. Mid afternoon we headed to Seaside, Oregon to visit another cousin at her store, Sunrose Gallery, and got the grand tour viewing some amazing artist’s work. 

Then over to Dooger’s for seafood. Meals were best we have ever had and the company was the best. Thanks Ray and Cathy for joining us. Walked down to the beach to watch the waves come in and the sunset.

Too early for sunset so we headed to Sunset Beach to view, but, the clouds closed in and no sun.

Back “home” and a short visit with Ed and Carol. Started planning ahead for our travels and stops we hope to make. Bed late and slept well.

 

Day 31

Up and got reservations made for our continued journey through Oregon. Today we got a personal tour of Cape Disappointment.

Carol, her daughter Laine (the driver), Millie and I had wonderful time, weather and lunch. Home for a nap and then out to supper with Ed and Carol. Excellent seafood and I suspect Millie and I need to move on and work off some of the recent calories. Back to Ed and Carol’s place to visit and see some of the ancestry info Carol has accumulated. 

A photo of my Father 75+ years ago.

Then time for walking the Boyz and working on blog. Bed time soon.

Keep making your days great and enjoy some company along the way.

Tom and Millie

 Hi all, not so much to write about as spending time with family after the recent losses, is private time. We will be getting back on the road soon and on to new adventures.

Day 26

Slept in a bit and relaxed with coffee and breakfast. Out to pick up my Cousin and headed “up the mountain”. Ended up at Timberline Lodge on Mt Hood, in the clouds with snow. Walked around the lodge for a while then decided to find some lunch on the way back to her house. Stopped along the way and got some photos of the snow and clouds. 

Ready to watch the skiers.

Great lunch at the Tollgate Inn and back at my Cousin’s house. Visited and reminisced about family gone and good times as kids. My Cousin’s daughter and son in law came by with their new puppy just as we were headed out the door so we did not get much time to visit. Picked up a few groceries on the way “home”, watched some Netflix and off to bed.

 Day 27

Quiet day, after usual morning spent the rest of the day with family. Millie had made bread dough and we took it along to cook for fresh Sourdough bread and soup for lunch. She has gotten really good at this “traveling” bread. Quick visit to another cousin, then relaxing and visiting till time to go “home”.

Make your day great and call someone you love and tell them!

Tom and Millie

 Hi all, Lovely weather in the Pacific Northwest, got here with sunshine and comfortable temps. Of course today it is rain with sunbreaks, common PNW weather talk.

Day 24

Travel day, only about 150 miles. Beautiful views of Mt Hood, but I spent most of my time watching traffic. 

We had been getting used to wide open, low population areas and it will be a while till we get back to that. Got into our site, was put into the wrong one, and management worked it out so we won’t have to move. That is certainly appreciated. 

Took advantage of the onsite laundry facility and enjoyed some leftover scalloped potatoes from the other night. Had a great visit with old college friends that live nearby and we hadn’t seen for about 45 years. Had made the connection through Facebook, see it still has some redeeming qualities. Visited till nearly 11PM with possible plans to get together again, depending on any family commitments. Off to bed and looking forward to a big day with my Cousin Patsy.

Day 25 (Oct.9)

Nice morning, walk the Boyz, relax with coffee and breakfast. Hang around the campground getting a few things taken care of. After lunch we went to my Cousin’s place for and afternoon and evening of catching up, remembering family now gone, sipping some fine wine and a pizza. So good to share and remember loved ones. Made plans for tomorrow then back “home” in time for bed and some well deserved sleep.

Make your day great and please be kind.

Tom and Millie

 Hi all, nice cool day in the Bend, OR area. Good day, here's what we did.

Day 23

Got moving a bit earlier today. Plan was to get to my Cousin’s place by 10. Left the Boyz at home and made it there for some great conversation and a spectacular chicken chilli. Talked some about RV’s and camping. Their house has  a spectacular view of the Cascade Range, so relaxing to just look out the windows. 

Thanks Roger and Mary, maybe next summer we can all get together with our family in Minnesota. 

Afterwards Millie and I went to Sisters, OR to visit the Quilt shop there. We also shopped at an outdoor clothing store, a thrift store and did some window shopping along Main St. On the way back to our “home” we stopped at  Crater Lake Distillery for some samples and even picked up a couple of small bottles. 

Upon arriving “home” the Boyz were so excited to see us. So, we walked them over to the dog park here at the RV park. They actually ran and appeared to have some fun. Supper and some time with the TV and off to bed for a good rest before we pack up and leave tomorrow.

Make your day great.

Tom and Millie

 Hi all

Figured I should update as often as possible rather than the once a week or less. Short blogs are easier for me to read, as likely many other people. Enjoy!

Day22  (Oct 6)

Easy 100 miles to Bend. Oregon high desert is a nice drive and the road continued to be some of the best we have had. Once we got to Bend that changed. Construction and traffic was horrendous. Narrow roads with most people thinking the speed limit was something to double. Oh well, we negotiated it all just fine, although a bit on edge when completing out journey. Arrived at the RV park and got set up, walked the Boyz and contacted my cousin for plans tomorrow. 

We took a look at future travel and now planning to go to the coast. 

Millie got all domestic and made scalloped potatoes and worked on a bunch of sewing projects. Great supper, with an adult beverage, and plenty of leftovers for easy future meals. A movie on TV and off to a good nights sleep.

Our morning view across the reservoir. If there had been water there it may not have been as colorful.

Make your day great and be kind.

Tom and Millie 

 Hi all, back to internet so I can bring you along on our journey again.

Day 17 (Sept 30)

Coffee, breakfast and pull together laundry. Head to town and get clothes washed, propane and a few groceries. Arco, Idaho claim to fame is “The First City to be Powered by Atomic Energy”. Only one beef with that statement…………City? It’s a small town in the middle of nowhere that was a good place to build an atomic reactor. OK, they have 3 gas stations, a couple of places to get a sandwich a grocery store and a park. I have to admit we were not looking for much more and even missed the museum, so I will check the internet to see if and when they are open. Good be a worthwhile stop. Got our stuff done, minus the propane. Back home for a couple of walks with the Boyz and a quiet evening to close out the last day of September.

Day 18

First day of October! Morning coffee as usual then I walked about a1/4 mile down the road to get a good cell signal. Updated my phone, sent texts, made a couple of calls and had a good long conversation with one of our daughters. Did some cleaning today as the dust is everywhere. My cousin, Rob and his wife Chris came to join us for the weekend. Did the park drive and even climbed a big cinder cone. Good view of the lava fields all around. 

Made tacos and had a fire after sunset. Great afternoon and evening of conversation and catching up. Got chilly sitting around the fire and called it a day.

Day 19

Coffee as usual, walking the Boyz and visiting with a couple of other campers. Fellow from Connecticut and his horse with 2 goats. Somewhat unusual travel pets and we can add them to the folks we came across a few years ago with the duck. 

Rob and Chris came for breakfast and after cleanup we headed into the park. Did the caves portion (actually just lava tubes) and had a good walk along with some rock scrambles. 

Plenty of exercise so back to camp and rehydrate sitting out enjoying the sunshine and cool breeze. Rob and Chris treated us with grilled teriyaki salmon for supper. Not often we get to eat that well when camping. Cleanup and conversation around the campfire until the propane ran out, then watched the stars, satellites, airplanes and even a few meteorites. Finally got chilly and called it an early evening. Such a great day and I think we were all a bit tired.

Day 20

 Moving day! Rob and Chris had to head for home (somebody still isn’t retired) so we decided to move on also. Still spent time having coffee and conversation before packing up. Millie had gotten a text from our youngest that she had some exciting news. Well, our imaginations ran wild and the consensus (a. a new puppy, b. a marriage proposal or had eloped, c. a cousin for Jo). Rob, Chris and I encouraged Millie to walk over to the cell service site and find out. She came back and said both of us had to be on a video call to find out. Well, of course we had to get in the truck and head to cell service.

Our first pick was correct. So our family is now a six dog family. We have our 2 little Boyz and each of the kids have 2. Will be wild at the lake next summer. Finished the drive across Idaho to Oregon and stopped at a Great State Park along the Snake River. So good we actually decided to stay 2 days. Having power and water seems like such a luxury. Of course we just put water in the tank, but using the Microwave to make nachos was almost decadent.  A bit of Netflix, some catch up on email and off to bed.

Day 21 (Oct 4)

Coffee, breakfast and some trailer cleaning for the morning. Decided to take a drive to get fuel and propane while we were not connected to the Li’l Fox. Millie visited a thrift store, we got our fuel and just toured the little town of Weiser, ID. 

On the way home we stopped and picked a couple of onions out of a field. Unfortunately we don’t know the variety other than yellow. It appears they raise a lot of onions around here. Back home for supper, relaxing, a bit of Netflix and off to bed.

Day 22

Travel day! Made it to Central Oregon just outside of Riley. A BLM campground on the Chickahominy Reservoir. 

It was a windy drive and still windy when we set up camp. After distressing from the drive and supper, the wind was way down and going to be a quiet night. Cloudy and virtually no ambient light so it will be dark tonight. Maybe watch a bit of Netflix and off to bed. We do have cell service which surprised me. Thought being so far into the boonies would be off grid again. Short day tomorrow, only about 100 miles to Bend, OR. Means we can laze about in the morning and enjoy coffee on what I hope to be a beautiful day.

Make your day great, be kind and smell the flowers.

Tom and Millie

 

Day 7 (Sept 20)

Up early and getting ready to travel. Would be great to stay longer with great people, just have to remember “what happens with fish and company after 3 days”. Even though we know the welcome mat would remain out, we have places to see and do before winter starts to move us south. Stopped at the Little Montana Truck Stop and did the trailer duties and topped off the fuel tank. Then an uneventful trip to Red Mountain BLM Campground west of Bozeman, MT. Arrived to find we had our pick of campsites, so we oriented to take maximum advantage of the solar. The campground amenities include vault toilets, water, large campsites and beautiful scenery. Sunrises are wonderful displays and a great way to start the day. Sunsets, well it just goes behind the mountain about an hour before sunset making the displays less than spectacular. Bed time came early after a game of sequence. Oh yeah, no TV, internet or cell service here.

Day 8

Breakfast, coffee and relaxing while the day begins. Taking our time getting going, Millie sewing and me just fooling around, which I am really getting good at doing. Later morning we headed out to see the sights. First stop was Norris, MT and for any of you who might have been there, the stop is the sign at the intersection. Not much there that was open other than the gas station and no cell service. So on to Ennis, MT for some lunch, shopping and CELL SERVICE. Fish and Chips at a nice little Mom and Pop with a beer. Then a thrift store for Millie and I found a fly shop for a hat and a distillery for a bottle of whiskey. After eating and shopping, made a few phone calls and updated some on the internet. Started some research where to go next. Back to “home” and some long walks and enjoying beautiful weather. Temps are great but the wind was strong and gusty, making having a fire out of the question. Started watching “Northern Exposure” episodes on DVD after dark and still made an early night to bed.

Day 9

 Breakfast routine, coffee and staying put to enjoy Mother Nature. Temps are comfortable and it is windy again. Millie spent a good portion of the day on a quilt project she had purchased that someone else had started. It is coming together nicely and I think she enjoys those projects maybe more than creating her own. I visited with the camp host a couple of times and stayed a bit busy occasionally adjusting the “ground deployed” solar. So far the solar and battery (lithium iron phosphate ) that I assembled this past summer is performing as planned. Getting the Boyz out for walks and beginning to allow them off leash. There are so few people here that the campground host and most all others are not using leashes. 

I think it is good for the Boyz to see how other dogs meet and greet. They are doing better and even though the take off like rockets appearing to be attacking, they are not biting. It is fun to see how there initial meet sends the other dog running, soon the other dog thinks it would be fun to chase back. Wow, do the Boyz ever turn tail and head “home”. They do better off leash to settle down, they are learning a little. We enjoyed watching the “neighbors” coming and going and the different rigs that came in. Nice day, supper and some more DVD episodes and off to bed.

Day 10

Morning routine and getting everything ready for Bozeman, MT. Going to do laundry and dog wash. Not that the Boyz need it real bad, but it is available at the laundry so why not. Nice place, Duds and Suds, clean with lots of washers of many sizes. Very few not in service. Same place ran the dog wash, nice private rooms with everything included, shampoo, towels and even aprons to keep us dry. The Boyz did great and will smell nice for a few days. 

Dog wash was in the same building as the car wash, but did not wash the truck since we tend to find gravel and dirt roads to explore. Lunch at Bridger Brewery for pizza and a nice beer. Off to JoAnn’s for Millie to get a special sized quilting ruler. Kohls for a blanket for the couch while watching TV. (yep, did forget something) Two thrift stores where Millie scored some fabric, fuel the truck and some fresh fruit from a stand. “Home” and enjoying being out with upper 70’s and nearly calm. At “sun behind the mountain” we got out the gas firepit and enjoyed the evening until it got too chilly and dark to enjoy without blanket. Grilled cheese with chicken breast sandwich meat, cookie and some DVD episodes.

Day 11

Coffee while the day starts to warm up, was 39 at sunrise. Breakfast cereal, milk and fresh raspberries to start the day. Planning to stay in camp so will see what the day brings. Enjoyable day in camp, watching the sun traverse the sky, the weekend campers arriving and the Boyz relaxing. Millie spent much of her day quilting with some breaks to sit in the sun and make bread dough to bake tomorrow. Late afternoon we played Sequence and had adult beverages out at the picnic table. Some light fare for supper and a couple more episodes on a DVD after dark. All in all a beautiful relaxing first full day of Autumn.

Day 12 (Sept 25)

Coffee with a beautiful sunrise, 

breakfast and a little relaxing, packed towels and swimsuits for a soak at Norris Hot Springs. By the time we arrived and got the last parking spot, it was about 75⁰ and the soak was pretty much full. Water temp must have been about 90-95⁰. It was so nice to be in the fresh air with sunshine and getting warmed to the core. We next headed back to Ennis, MT for lunch, checking out a couple stores and picking up some groceries. 

It is amazing how fast the day can go. Back “home” and enjoying the breeze, sunshine and shade. Reading was my choice and Millie continued on a quilt. The campground filled to about 80% and was fun looking at all the rigs and people. Eventually had fire, adult beverages, supper, a couple of episodes on DVD and in bed by 10 PM.

Day 13

Early to bed, early to rise. 5:30 AM and only needed to run the furnace to warm up a bit. Did not even get down to set temp and we had the windows open most of the night. Finally pulled the comforter up about 4 AM. Start of another beautiful Autumn day. Going to be into the low 80’s and hope we get a breeze with the warm air. Without hookups we do not have AC or Microwave so if it gets warm, sandwiches and salads for meals. Decided to take a drive and explore the other side of the river. Miles of washboard gravel road and people took their RVs down them. Shook the stuffing's out of our 1 ton truck. Some of the pictures show just how pretty this valley is along the Madison River that is not in Yellowstone.    

                                                                  

Last full day here before we move on to Idaho. Actually booked an RV Park for one night so the trailer duties can be attended to before heading to the next “dry camping” spot. Also hoping for a good cell signal so the blog can be uploaded. We also had some fun along the way. Millie and the rock overlooking the river.

Night time photo of our rig.

Day 14

Travel day. Quite the ride from Red Mountain Campground to North Fork, Idaho. Windy sun to clouds and fires in many areas. A number of road construction areas and waiting in line to go. Other than that it was a good drive. Make it to the RV Park, yes we stayed in an RV Park, and got trailer duties taken care of, supper, watched some DVD episodes.

Day 15

Early to be and kind of early to rise, packed up and on the road. Windy drive to next stop in Craters of the Moon National Monument. Arrived early afternoon and were able to pick a great spot amongst the lava beds in Lava Flow Campground. Enjoyed the warmth of the trailer as the high was only50⁰. Early night and a great sleep.

Day 16

Park drive loop. WOW is this ever a different scenic place. Stark might be a good word for some of the area. Surreal might describe even better. 

Cell service is occasional at best. Have to drive to get a reliable signal. Then mostly only good to send text. This park is one to put on a bucket list. Unique, out of the way and lots of friendly people stayed here so far. Met the neighbors, Rick and LuAnn from San Diego. Had a fun chat around the campfire until it got a bit chilly. Last night was 24⁰ on our thermometer, but daytimes are going to be warmer.

Make your day great and be kind.

Tom and Millie