http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Paddymac/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Paddymac en-us Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:45:05 +0000 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:45:05 +0000 Sunday September 27 2009ldquoLetrsquos head for the barn We got the Palouse Falls in our pocket. Irsquom ready for some rain letrsquos go home.rdquoSo we saddled up this morning and began a two day sprint to the home barn. We fueled up in Dayton WA as fine a little laid out town as you might want to see in eastern Washington. Basically we are backtracking the route we took fiv http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Washington/Yakima/blog-440311.html Thursday September 24 2009We knew we did not want to spend another sweltering day near Grangeville so we departed on a hope and a hunch after checking forecast for Winchester Idaho.We tarried long enough at our Grangeville RV park to enjoy trail cakes for breakfast. Last night I logged onto the lsquonet weather feature and looked for cooler clime. After our sumptuous breakfast we hitched http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Idaho/blog-439993.html Wednesday September 23 2009Well this morning we departed from our original game plan and instead of traveling through a familiar route in Oregon we drive north on Idaho Hwy 95 through some spectacular but challenging country with Uncle Joe in tow.I canrsquot remember the times we had to chug up mountains in ldquotow moderdquo at 30 mph with the flashers winking at traffic coming up on us http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Idaho/blog-439249.html Tuesday September 22 2009It was another pedal to the metal day and we made good time to Boise Idaho even with some highway shoulder and repavement work thrown in the mix. To be honest I donrsquot care that much for the general desert area of this part of Idaho but there are some arresting views from time to time. Something for which to pause admire for the moment and then move on. And http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/blog-438944.html Tuesday September 22 2009We left Grand Teton National Park yesterday and enjoyed a very scenic drive south of Jackson Wyoming along the Snake River to Alpine near the Idaho border.We drove along the undulating shoreline of the Palisades Reservoir upon entering Idaho and made our way to Idaho Falls. Our activated GPS voice system projects our route on my notepad computer screen and provides turn http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/blog-438742.html Sunday September 20 2009 Another day of outstanding photo opportunities unfolded for us today. Sure we shot some of the same views of yesterday but the cloud blooms were magnificent today. I am looking forward to artsifying these images on my home desktop computer.Arizona friends Dave and Mare who have traveled this way themselves sent a comment not to miss Schwabacker Landing. So Irsquo http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Grand-Teton-National-Park/blog-438288.html Saturday September 19 2009Shaddy emitted a low growl from somewhere under the covers when I arose before the crack of dawn. I dressed took my camera gear to The Beast and throttled up in order to be in the field at first light. I imagine there were low growls from under many covers in the campground when the diesel engine fired up with its own cacophonous growl.There was already a crowd of veh http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Grand-Teton-National-Park/blog-438015.html Friday September 18 2009Yesterday was a tough travel day from Custer to Casper Wyoming. We went through more road construction zones that we could count. There were bumps humps gravel dirt and such than could be counted.But none of it yesterday could compare to the mother of constructions zones we passed through today Poor Uncle Joe The Beast dragged him through the muck for miles and m http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Grand-Teton-National-Park/blog-437748.html Wednesday September 16 2009Wersquove done everything on our list in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Today is an easy relaxing day at our RV campsite. We stopped by a local museum where in the back of the multi storied building it is said to be the only place a lawful hanging took place in Custer 1982. Does that mean they dispensed with legalities from then on Or maybe a bullet was cons http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/South-Dakota/Custer-State-Park/blog-437165.html Tuesday September 15 2009Yep today was Custer State Park day. How to best spell Custer State Park Pulchritude We drove around a lake and such and here and there up and down. Very few places are level in CSP. And the roads are twisty curvaceous and narrow. With an early start we saw that we avoided getting held up in a major blacktopping project where crews and machines were http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/South-Dakota/Custer-State-Park/blog-436913.html Monday September 14 2009Well yesterday we stayed put at the Hart Ranch because of bad weather the need to wash a few duds and the bidness meeting.We showed up at the appointed time of 10 a.m. at the Ranch Lodge but nobody told the sales guy that he had a meeting with us. So we told the lady at the front desk ldquoWhatrsquos going on here anywayrdquo Well that got things stirred up http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/South-Dakota/Custer-National-Forest/blog-436604.html Saturday September 12 2009It rained through the night last night right after I finished grilling some chicken thighs on the portable Weber propane grill. Timing is everything or at least close to it.This morning it was cool enough to warrant a touch of heat in Uncle Joe. Since we are plugged into a 50 amp pedestal the electric area heater received the nod over propane heat.ldquoWhatrsqu http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/South-Dakota/Badlands/blog-436069.html Friday September 11 2009We departed Sturgis and Mount Rodney RV Park at a leisurely pace this morning. Our destination was Hart Ranch RV Park about an hour away. I found this place online three nights with full amenities for 40. The only catch was to listen to an hour sales pitch come Sunday morning. Hey Irsquom open to possibilities Why notOn our way out of Sturgis I noticed the 1 http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/South-Dakota/Mount-Rushmore/blog-435825.html Wednesday and Thursday September 9 and 10We took our time departing Sundance Wednesday morning. The drive to Sturgis South Dakota took hardly an hour. It took awhile to find our RV campground the Voice on our computer Street Atlas got confused about some turns and such and placed us on a dead end road which we had to back our way out of. This was the second time we have been dead ended by th http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/South-Dakota/Sturgis/blog-435550.html Day 9. Tuesday September 8 2009We enjoyed a quiet cool night at our campground in Sundance Wyoming. During the night I pulled up a blanket for comfort and warmth. How delightful compared to the hot weather during our first week on the road. Today was a relaxing nontravel day. However our plans included a day trip to the Devils Tower about 26 miles north of Sundance.The clouds hung so lo http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Devils-Tower-National-Monument/blog-435027.html Day 8. Monday September 7 2009 The photo is of our campsite in Hardin before the wind storm arrived.I was jawing with an older couple from Canada. The sharp eyed woman reached in her RV and pushed a button to close her awning. Right after it was closed and stowed a gust of wind tore the awning from the Class A RV two slots down where it fluttered atop the roof.Fortunately I had rolled our http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Montana/Hardin/blog-434710.html Day 7. Sunday September 6 2009 Well here we are in Hardin yet. This is our last day of avoiding the holiday weekend traffic which didnrsquot really materialize. Yesterday afternoon two big rigs from Texas pulled in with a show of dust and Midland accent. They werenrsquot the type to cook out doors like we do. So they went into town for supper while we enjoyed grillinrsquo fare.Yes http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Montana/Little-Bighorn-Battlefield/blog-434364.html Day 6. Saturday September 5 2009 Thank goodness it cooled down enough during last night to allow some restful sleep lsquocept for the trains wailinrsquo off in the distance from time to time.It werenrsquot that bad if you donrsquot mind the sound of a wailing train during the night when you have an intention of uninterrupted sleep. I seem to have a lifetime wish to never hear the so http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Montana/Hardin/blog-434162.html Day 5. Friday September 4 2009 We have arrived at a KOA campground in Hardin. The trail boss called ahead a couple of days ago and made reservations for the holiday weekend. She didnrsquot want to get caught up short without a place to stay over the holiday weekend.On the road this morning we saw a terrible wreck of a truck and a tow trailer on the other side of the causeway. We passed by http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Montana/Hardin/blog-434068.html Day 4. Thursday September 3 2009. I myself woke up refreshed this morning. We grilled chicken last night for supper a boneless skinless dry chicken breast for Nan and a couple of bonein skinon juicy chicken thighs for myself. The sides were smashed taters and beans chased down with some chilled Chardonnay. Not too long after supper it was a cleansing shower in the rig for me quick http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Montana/blog-434063.html