Greetings from Ketchum, Idaho

Finally I have a WIFI connection that allows me to blog!!!!!!!!

It's hard to believe we have been on the road for a week.  Days are flying by.  We left on Monday,
July 22nd and drove to Beaver Creek, NE for a one night stop.  We found a city park within this town of 58 residents.  The park has a fenced in ball diamond with covered bleachers and an outdoor pool.  I joined the water aerobics group.  Great way to relax after a long drive.  I am happy to report the corn in NE looks very healthy.

 

 

 

The following day we camped at Vedauwoo Nat'l Recreation Area just west of Cheyenne, WY.

This area is a rock climbers paradise!  We have been there before and wasn't sure if the RV would fit.  We found a pull through site and enjoyed a hike around the area and a relaxing evening.

 

Finally on Wednesday we arrived at Snowy Range in Medicine Nat'l Forest near Laramie, WY.
We have been here twice before and really love the views and hikes it offers.  Several of the campgrounds are closed due to the pine beetle destruction.  A narrow one lane road, that allows two way traffic was the only way in and out of our campground.  It would have been a big headache if two trailers were approaching in opposite directions, as someone would have to back out.  Fortunately we had no problems.  Our site was nestled among the trees with a creek in the back. This was our first time at "dry docking" which means no hook-ups.  We have a generator that provides electricity and recharges batteries.  We forgot to add water so we had to fill containers and pour it into the tank.  Sometimes it takes awhile to get into the "camping " mode and remember everything. 

 

That big blue thing hanging off the back of the RV is a "blue toter" which can be used if you have no sewer hookup.  Chris designed the holder from a bike rack we were not using.  It sure frees up lot of room in the storage compartment.  

 

This is why we love this area.  Drive up the mountain pass, get out of the truck, and hike at 10,500 feet!

We really enjoyed our stay at Snowy Range.  There was rain in the late afternoon or early evening, so no interference with hiking. We hiked one day on Sheep Trail which we had not done before. No mountain views, but beautiful valleys with large and small lakes, and the ever present big blue sky with puffy white clouds.  During the five hours on the trail we passed only one group, an older couple and two adult children.  They have vacationed here for 50 years!

 

Lunch stop

 

Saturday was departure day.  We can pack up and be ready to leave in about an hour.   We camped overnight at Willard Bay South Marina just north of Salt Lake City.  Sunday was another driving day and turned in to a crazy day! 

 

Phil wanted to visit City of Rocks National Reserve near Almo, ID.  We missed a turn, I was looking for a "pit" stop, and we drive 25 miles the wrong way (GPS not tracking) before we could find a spot big enough to turn around.  Once we got on the right road, the weather was changing and the sky looked ominous. 

 

 

 

It rained for short time and since we had gone 50 miles out of our way we decided to proceed to City of Rocks.  With the RV behind us we drove into the reserve, admiring the stone formations while wondering if we should be driving this road. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well the road came to an end and we had to pull off on a side road that led into the camping area.  We waited for the rain and little bit of hail to stop before attempting to turn the trailer around.  There was no phone reception, we communicate by phone, so it was interesting to give directions while running back and forth.  30 minutes later a very dusty and muddy truck and trailer were leaving the park.   We were now heading to Castle Rocks State Park to stay overnight.  I called the park and got directions but were told to turn the wrong way.  Being given the wrong directions is a huge problem when towing.  We finally stopped at the Visitor Center and were told the campground was not at Castle Rock but right here at City of Rocks.  Good thing we had stopped otherwise we would have driven another 25 miles only to drive back. 

 

The Snowy Mountain campground is located on the east slope of the mountain at 7,500 ft elevation.

The park is beautiful with big pull through sites in among the pinyon pine forest.  Phil washed the mud off of the underside of the trailer and truck as best he could, all the time looking out for the ranger as you can be fined for washing your vehicles in the park.  It was 3 pm before he finished and we ate lunch.  Another rain storm passed over and by 6 pm we had another beautiful sky day,  We found a horse trail, not much evidence of horses if you know what I mean, and enjoyed a wonderful hike.

 

 

 

We were glad this Sunday was coming to an end when Phil discovered his camera does not work.  He did not bring a back up so my little Nikon point-and-shoot will have to do.  We sure hope your Sunday was better than ours!!

 

It is now Monday evening and we are in Ketchum, ID.  We had another interesting drive on the way here but it is to late to start that story!  More tomorrow.