Last Post for the Winter

April 16

This is going to be the last post for our 2022-2023 winter adventures. We have had a very enjoyable time since we left the province in October.

We have been delayed by wind. As a new driver to a high profile vehicle it took a while to get used to the rocking left and right. At times it felt like the RV was going to tip over. When things got really bad we pulled over and waited out the wind. Pulling over only happened twice.

We also encountered massive rain events. Not knowing what to expect on the Oregon coast in the winter we got a little rain. I asked a park Ranger in November when it was going to stop. Her reply was “May, welcome to Oregon in the winter”. The rain wasn’t torrential, just steady.

Speaking of torrential rain, California was the worst. At one point we were staying on the Klamath river south of Crescent City California. The amount of debris floating down the swollen river was crazy. You could see massive trees that had let go from the banks as well as wooden docks being pushed down stream.

On our list of things to do while in California was to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, which we did. However it was raining so hard you could barely see the other lane beside you much less the surrounding scenery. The constant “atmospheric river” delayed our progress out of San Fransisco. We encountered street flooding, mud slides onto the roadways, trees falling onto the highways and blocking lanes and sink holes in roads we had travelled on but a day or two before.

In Northern California and southern Oregon we were close to 3 earthquakes. We didn’t feel anything but our phone woke us one night with the emergency signal. Coming from the prairies, we didn’t even get up to see what the noise was all about. We were so innocent.

We also got to stay in some amazing state parks. We stayed at all the Oregon State Parks along the coast that had camping. There were no bad spots in any of these parks. The sites were large, had lots of tree cover and were well separated from your neighbour. All of them had easy access to the beach.

The drive down the Redwood Highway (highway 101) was incredible. A narrow winding highway ribboned through giant redwoods and popped out to ocean vistas. If you haven’t been on this road, you must give it a try. If you are a hiker or a beach walker, this is the place for you. But remember, in the winter, it’s a little damp

Once we got to San Diego, the weather changed for the better with warm sunny days. This weather continued for us into Yuma and into the Valley of Fire. Once we arrived in San Diego until we arrived home, I think we only had a few days where it rained.

Leaving the California coast we travelled mainly on the Interstate Highway System. It was designed to move vehicles, and that it does, well. There are a minimum of 2 lanes of traffic in both directions, I think I have seen as many as 8 lanes in each direction going through some of the larger cities. The speed is steady and not stressful at all and there usually is signage indicating where the truck stops are for fueling up.

And probably the highlight of the winter was meeting so many wonderful, friendly people from all walks of life (mostly retired folks) from all over. From dairy farmers from Idaho to Red Estate Brokers from Calgary and Recreation Directors from India.

Who knows what will bring us in a few short months when the cold weather arrives again or where we will end up. You will have to circle back and see. We hope you have enjoyed our journey.

Have fun but play safe.

See you In the fall.

Richard & Bev

Predictable Weather

April 13

Well what we saw yesterday continued today. We spent the whole day staying put here at the rest stop. The blowing and the snow continued most of the day. By late afternoon the excitement started. Semi units were having to put their tire chains on to get out of the parking lot. I always wondered how they put them on. And the snow plow had been down the highway many times. The plow was also in the parking lot a number of times trying to get it clear. I was confident that tomorrow we would be hitting the road. The plows would have cleared the snow on I-15 and we would be able to continue our journey, but probably not as fast. The forecast for tomorrow was cloudy and cold, not getting able freezing.

April 14

Well the forecast was wrong. We woke up to sunny skies and -4 degrees. I think the high for the day was forecast to be -6, boy did they get that wrong. When we left the rest stop the roads were a little snow packed so we had to reduce our speed. It was going to be a long day if we wanted to get close to the border today.

Before we got too far along, we decided to stop for fuel. We only burn about ½ tank of diesel a day but always try to start with a full tank. We stopped at a Pilot Travel Center not far down the road. The travel centres usually have easy access for semi trailers. I am not sure what the situation really was as the fuel pumps said Pilot yet the signage out front said Conoco. I remarked to the person at the till about how slow the pumps were and he apologized and stated that they weren’t commercial pumps. At regular truck stops the fuel nozzle is larger and pumps a lot faster. The pump I was at was the same side as you would find at a regular car pump and was much slower. Sixty gallons of fuel took us over an hour to dispense. The good think about the wasted time was the sun had an opportunity to dry up the highway. The bad news was we were an hour into our day and no farther down the road. Here are a few pictures my co-pilot was able to capture.

As you can see the roads looked pretty good. We were able to make some good time. Until!! We ran into sleet and had to reduce our speed to 40 MPH, and then the sun came out, Yea!! Then we got ice pellets for a few miles, oh joy, slow down again. Then the sun came out again, Yea!!

We actually got to the boarder crossing at Coutts AB. under relatively clear skies. The guy ahead of us took a while to clear the boarder. It might have had something to do with the horse in his trailer.

We wanted to get as far as we could while the sun shone and new there was a Travel Center in Medicine Hat. We could fuel up there and stop for the night, ready to start fresh tomorrow. That was a good plan until after we fuelled up and realized that there was no place to park.

The next place we had marked for a rest stop was the AB/SK boarder, east bound direction. That didn’t work either as the entrance was only wide enough to allow cars. The sign said “No Trucks” even if we were able to get in, there was no place to turn around. Down the road we traveled.

The next place we tried was a truck/ fuel stop at the turn off to Maple Creek. We had stopped here before for fuel and knew there was a huge parking area behind the building. We pulled in and I talked to the person manning the fuel part of the operation. He said we could stay overnight if we parked out of the way as the area is used as a transfer station at night. It seems many semis arrive during the night and transfer trailers before continuing on their journey. It was getting late, we needed a place to stop and it couldn’t be any noisier than parking at a highway rest top between two tractor units.

April 15

We both woke up refreshed, neither one of us had heard any semi traffic during the night. The sun was shining and it was above freezing. After a quick breakfast we were headed east again.

We took a left hand turn (headed north) at Swift Current and then turned right (headed east) at Rosetown. In a few short hours we would be home.

After a rather long day yesterday, I think Bev mentioned that it was 9 hours not including the fuel stop, and the short distance today, we pulled into the driveway just after 1 PM. That allowed us to unload a few things before settling down in front of the TV munching on a pizza and relaxing.

Life is grand.

It’s all Down Hill From Here

April 12

We crossed the continental divide today in Idaho, elevation 6870 feet. It should be all down hill now, right? Not so says my trusty map. This day is number 2 of our trip back home from the warm south. Before we talk about today, let’s jump back to day 1.

We left the valley of fire yesterday around 9 AM. People were already poking around looking for a site. It was quite evident by the tag on our camp sign post we were leaving today, so someone felt it was OK to scoop our site up before we got out of the camper. When I got up to move the jeep, there was another tag on the post with a new date and there were camp chairs by our picnic table. So you can see how precious these sites are. When we finally left to hook up the jeep, there was another RV waiting to pull in.

Our drive north was rather uneventful. The highway is in good shape and you can always tell when you are approaching a town as there is a marked increase in traffic and more driving lanes are added. The only thing to report was Salt Lake City, OMG. We were at least 6 lanes wide with another marked for HOV (high occupancy vehicle) and we were at a stand still, bumper to bumper for over an hour. Cars jockeying between lanes trying to get ahead. I had spied a sign stating the HOV lane was closed ahead, “expect delays” and didn’t think that had anything to do with the traffic jam. The HOV lane usually just buzzes along. I was wrong. A little while down the road there were flashing lights on the HOV side of the highway. Sure enough there was a rescue vehicle, a tow truck and a very mangles black (fast looking) car being loaded on the wrecker. This is what it looked like out our window. I’m going to ask my friends Coleen and Harry the route they take from Calgary. I think he said he hated that city and found a different route. We don’t want a repeat traffic jamb performance.

After Salt Lake city we proceeded to our first rest stop, Brigham City Rest Area. You guessed it, just outside of Brigham City Idaho. Well, actually it’s called the Perry Rest Area North Bound. Brigham city is for south bound travelers.

Along the way, my photographer took a few snapshots.

The black dots in the pictures happen to be bugs on the window. We collected quite a few and they were next to impossible to remove.

Today we started with a full tank of fuel. The cheapest price for diesel fuel I have seen was $3.75. That’s a lot less than the $6 I paid on the Oregon and California coast. There were two exciting things that happened today. One was driving through the Virgin River Gorge. Bev has become quite a videographer. Please excuse the bugs and the thump that appears at the beginning of the video.

The other thing to report was our change in elevation. As we progressed toward Butte Montana, we started to drive into the clouds. No wait, that’s rain. Don’t wait too long as it turns to snow. This is what was outside our window.

We have pulled into the Perry NB rest area for the night.

Just think 2 days ago we were basking in +30 degrees and are now shivering at less than 10. The weather forecast doesn’t look all that promising for the next few days. More cold. More snow. The good news is, as I am sitting here, the wind has gone down, it’s stopped snowing and the snow plow/sander has been by. It’s the interstate, things have to be good, right?

Tomorrow we will get up and mosey on down the road, probably at a much slower pace and see how far we get. I’d like to be back in Canada tomorrow, Bev thinks I may be dreaming.

Oh and the reference to all down hill. My trusty map says there are at least two more mountain passes we will encounter tomorrow.

Let’s see how far we get.

Valley of Fire

April 9

We are so thankful we were able to secure a spot in this park.  The rock formations are so unique and beautiful. It’s a hikers paradise with numerous trails to explore.  It is also very quiet at night.  We are totally isolated from the rest of the world. Literally, isolated.  The park is only open between sunrise and sunset, so outside of those hours you had better have a sticker in your car window showing you are a camper. There is also no cellphone coverage.  The park brochure lists 3 or 4 locations within the park where you MAY be able to get a signal. Of course none of those locations are anywhere near the campground.  This is the reason for the lack of posts. 

By the time we leave we will have been here 8 nights.  So far everyday has shown us clear skies and light winds.  The temperature has been dancing around +25 or more with the nights cooling off to around +10.  I don’t think we could ask for better weather.  I also think with in a few days of leaving I will be wearing my long pants again. 

Of course the cat is loving it outside.  He wants to get out right after breakfast and doesn’t want to come back in.  There are white-tailed antelope ground squirrels as well as skinks around the campsite.  The cat would love to chase after these critters but, unfortunately his leash prevents it. He is entertaining to watch as he intently stares into the bushes while flicking his tail at a fever pitch

We are in a hot dry environment. Nothing but sand, gravel and rock around us.  But the desert is alive with colour.  Just in the short time we have been here I have noticed an increase in flowers on the desert floor.

One of the more popular places to visit/hike is the White Domes.  It has a 1.1 mile loop you can hike.  It’s very interesting.

The parking lot is always full unless you are there first thing in the morning.

On this hike there is a slot canyon you need to pass through.  Here is what it looks like as you approach.

Here are a few more interesting rock formations on this hike.

To give you an idea of the landscape I got Bev to hold my I-Phone while we drove back to the visitor centre from the white dome.

Part one

Part Two

It’s unfortunate the window was so dirty. Oh Well!!

Another hike I went on was to Fire wave.  It is a 1.5 mile hike out and back but if you decide to do a loop and continue on to Seven Wonders you are looking at 1.8 miles.  I decided to do the loop and am sure I walked more than 1.8 miles because at one point the trail markers were not to be found. I must have taken a wrong turn someplace, and low and behold, I was lost.  I finally was able to exit the canyon and found a parking lot.  Unfortunately it was not the one I was parked at.  Oh, no, it was another KM or so down the road.  Here are some of the pictures from the fire wave.

All in all it is a nice place to visit and if you are lucky enough to get a camp spot, it’s even better.

We depart the park on April 11 and start heading back home.  We figure that within 4 days we should be back in town, winter vacation over, spring jobs are ready to be undertaken while we wait for next winters adventures.

Wheels on the Bus

March 31

The Wheel on the bus go … … … I’m sure you know the rest.

We arranged to take a night tour of the Las Vegas strip, it could be quite entertaining.  That all sounds good until you have to figure out where to get on the bus and where you can park your car.  This was not a hop-on, hop-off bus tour like we normally take in new cities, with multiple places to get on.  It was a hop on,  see the sites, stop for about an hour at the Golden Nugget on Fremont Street, get back on and see the rest of the strip.  However the concierge at the resort we are staying  (The Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort) helped us with parking locations as well as planning our route downtown.  With all the traffic and construction in the city, this information was invaluable.

The tour was to start at 7 PM.  We left the resort after a early supper at 5:30 and arrived in time to wait in line with the rest of the sight seers.  It turns out 3 Big Busses left full of tourists.  Of course we were on the upper deck.

The first place we passed was Batttista’s Italian Restaurant.  This place was used by the mob to conduct their business.  All the small windows were covered over so the FBI could’t see what was going on inside.

We saw many attractions, some of them you may have seen on TV or the movies.  It is just so bright, and loud.

It was just by chance that we drove by Cesars Palace when the water fountain was running.  We passed it going south and nothing was happening but on the way back it was running.  It turns out it only runs on the hour during the day but every 15 minutes at night. If you have watch the “Oceans” movies with Matt Damon, George Clooney and Brat Pitt you will recognize the location. Head on over to see it on youtube.

Not only are the hotels all lite up but the strip is also covered with electronic billboards.

They even have vans driving around town with electronic message boards advertising the hotels and the shows that are playing.  It seems like a pretty expensive way of advertising.  But with all the revenue from the casinos there is no state tax.  Money seems to be flowing in the streets.

April 2

While in Las Vegas we took an afternoon and drove to the Valley of Fire State Park just north of town.  This was where we wanted to stop next and needed to check it out.  After paying our entrance fee we headed straight to the campground, a “Campground Full” sign was present at the entrance.  Now what?  What would be our chances of finding a spot when we returned with the RV? Where would we go if there were no spots?

We had to many questions and no answers so we headed over to the Welcome/Visitor Centre.  The helpful lady at the information window explained how things worked.  Her advise was to arrive early and hang around to see if anyone was leaving that day.  Camper check-out time was at 11AM and her early was 7AM.

Well we both new 7AM wasn’t going to happen as we were at least 1½ hours out of town. On our way back, we scouted out some flat spots outside the park where we could stay the night and hit the park the next morning.  We found a nice spot between mile markers 6 and 7 on the Valley of Fire highway.  If you are interested in seeing where we stayed put this in google maps or your favourite mapping program. N 36.448103  W 114.678216.  If your program doesn’t like that format try N36 26.88618  W114 40.69296.  A few days later when we left Las Vegas, this is where we stopped for the night. We drove just south of these coordinates and camped with some other campers.

We spent the afternoon sitting out in the sun.  The cat enjoyed it too.  He hadn’t been outside the whole time we were in Las Vegas because there were dogs in the sites around us.  He liked sitting in the sun as well as hiding under the vehicle, most of the time with his leash wrapped around something.  At one time I noticed he was pulling quite hard and I went to free him from his entanglement.  Once free, he was intent on checking something out.  I saw a little tail, thinking he was after a small gecko, nope, it was a snake. If the snake hadn’t moved you would have missed him as he was the same colour as the ground.  The cat soon was put inside for his own good.

Here is our location for Sunday night.  We will hit the park Monday morning to see if we can secure a site.  Oh, and the sunset was outstanding.

April 3

It was time to try our luck in the park.  There are only a few camp site in the park, even fewer with water and electricity provided. We were trying to snag one of these serviced sites.  We rolled into the campsite around 9AM and was greeted by the same sign “Campground Full”. Our intent was to hang around until checkout time and see if there were any campers moving.  On our first pass through our preferred sites we saw a camper out so we stopped and rolled down our window.  He volunteered the fact that he was moving.  We chatted a bit, then unloaded our BBQ, portable table and chairs into the back of his campsite and put a tag on the post to indicated the spot was taken.

We then returned to our previous spot, hooked up the jeep and drove back into the park.  By this time the previous occupant of site 27 had vacated. We parked the RV unhooked the Jeep and headed into the Visitor Centre to pay our camping fees and pick up a bundle of firewood.  We think it might be nice sitting under the stars with a fire a night or two while we are here.

More to come, we are here for the week.