November 11, 2011

Bridge over the Ohio River

A day earlier, on Thursday Nov 10, we left Granite City early in the morning and took I-255 that skirted St. Louis to get to I-64 East and then South on I-57 and then I-24 towards Nashville. We passed over the Ohio River and through the Shawnee National Forrest area and over the Tennessee River.

Nashville stop over 

Randal likes to drive only 4 to 6 hours so we selected a Good Sam Camp Ground of Two Rivers, Nashville Tennessee. It was much busier KOA with more people using it that the one of the night before. This may have been because it is the Country Music Capital of the the world.

The drive was interesting with the elevation getting to 1821 feet in some places and the forests colours gave a pleasing view. The trucking business sure keeps us alert as they passed us going 70mph. We travels somewhat slower so we can feel comfortable while pulling the Open Range.

It was a sunny cool morning with temperature of +3 C as we started out to take I-40 East towards Knoxville, Tennessee. It took us 30 minutes to drive through Knoxville on the 4-lane Interstate and 5 hours to arrive in Dolly Parton Country in the Great Smokey Mountain State Park, Tennessee.

This is where DollyWood and Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park and Ski Resort are.

Cars and people arriving for the Veterans Day

The traffic was heavy for hours coming in on Highway 66 to these areas for the Veterans Day weekend. Cars lined up all day, moving slowly through road construction, all going to the festivities in the area.

This is a great place for family entertainment from white water rafting, Nascar racing, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction, Ghost & Haunt Tours, Electric Ziplines Rides, Helicopter rides, musicals and now that it is going into the Xmas season there are lights and The Smoky Mountain Opry Christmas Spectacular show to go to. In Gatlinburg there is a Hollywood Star Car Museum where over 400 best star car collection are on display.  

Wall of places to go and see!

The Ripplin Waters Camp Grounds, Sevierville, TN is off I-40, on #66 near Little Pigeon River that flows towards Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We found the campsite not very busy and a quiet place to spend the night.

The time changed so now we are on Eastern time.

The Falls

November 8, 2011

Everything ran really smooth for our travels yesterday. We were at Schaap RV Dealership by 9:30am with the Open Range and they were able to replace the cable on the living room slide. While they were working on it we went out to see what was available to in Sioux Falls.

The first place we saw was the Vet. Memorial Park. It was very well done and we had a lot to read on the war heroes of all the wars the former residents of Sioux Fall who served.

We utilized our handy GPS to look for a restaurant and found Falls Overlook Cafe which seemed to be an interesting one, just by the name. Since we were in Sioux Falls they must have a falls.

It turned out to be just opening for the day and we were greeted with friendly smiles and conversation. It was a be of activity with city workmen cleaning fans and light fixtures on the high ceiling and putting up Xmas decorations in and outs side the building. We enjoyed the light breakfast before we went out to explore the falls that the cafe overlooked.

The history of the building was intriguing as it was over 100 year-old and in the past was the former power plant for Sioux Falls built in 1908. The quarry was formed back during the Ice Age million's of years ago, exposing the granite rocks that we saw were everywhere.

We were able to pick up the Open Range by 12:30. The repair was covered by warranty. We left Sioux Falls heading to I-29 south towards Omaha NB. Driving along the Missouri River gave us a feel of how badly the floods were the spring as there was debris of trees and silt far up on the banks.

Later in the afternoon we arrived at the Shelby Country Inn and RV park in Shelby, Iowa, just east of Omaha, Nebraska. It started to rain shortly after we arrived and rained hard all night, with strong winds that shook the trailer.

Today we were up early as usual and because we did not un-hook from the truck, we were able to get on I-80 by 8:30am. It was still raining and cool, 4C, but the wind was not as high as during the night. We contacted to I-29 South towards Kansas City.

There were more evidences of the flooding from last spring along the Interstate through Iowa and Missouri. We were told by the hosts when we arrived at the KOA at Oak Grove east of Kansas City on I-70 East that the water levels from the dam that were released could have covered all of Iowa and Missouri.

Our trailer is very comfortable and warm as we settled down for the rest of the evening.

Discover it Live it.

Oh, Those Strong Winds

We will be staying in one place now after 4 days of driving. This will give us time to catch up with our communication and blogging.

Our drive from Billings on Highway 87 to Rapid City was up and down getting to elevations as high as 1481 meters with some areas covered in snow. The Montana terrain was very unique with red soil, rocks, lots of fur and pine trees. The wind was very strong which slowed us down. We averaged 80 to 90 km/hour. The hills make the trany kick down, and of course, this used more diesel than usual.

On arrival at Rapid City in late afternoon, the sun was just setting and we were hungry. We found the Canyon Lake Park RV Campsite in a travel book and with the direction from the book and some help from the GPS we found the place. The route we had chosen took us and the 34 foot trailer through road construction with very narrow lanes. At one point we were down to one lane on the whole street. Anyway we found the place and set up. If we were to leave early in the morning we would have to fill the truck needed diesel, so we looked for a gas station to fuel up. We grabbed a pizza at restaurant near by for our supper as we were too tired to rustle up a meal. Needless to say we were in bed by 8:30pm.

After a good sleep and breakfast (porridge with apples), we were on way using I-90 at 8am. Today was an interesting one. We kept seeing signs along the Interstate advertizing Wall Drugs. This got our curiosity up. We looked it up in a book that we carry in the truck which gives us the history of places throughout the US. We found that Wall Drugs is in a very small place called Wall, with 300 people in 1931. As we were only a couple of mile from Wall, we thought that would be a must for us to visit.

A pharmacist Ted Hustead and his wife Dorothy bought the small store in 1931 during the depression. People would drive by Wall, so their customers were few. On one hot July day and after 5 years of struggling, Dorothy came up with the idea to offer those that drove by a free glass of ice water. Signs went up and with-in a few hours customers came and business grow.

Today the family run a 50,000 square foot tourist attraction that sells everything imaginable in a place that you could spent days, just looking and eating, AND STILL GET A FREE GLASS OF ICE WATER.

This stop took us an hour so we were back on I-90 bucking even stronger winds than before. Randal was becoming white knuckled from trying to keep the truck and trailer on the road. We stopped at rest stop just passed Oacoma, across the Missouri River, and enjoyed the view from the look out point they had there. It was so  windy the flags were flying straight out. It felt like Saskatchewan so it was nice to get back in the truck and started on our way again.

The wind was evident that anything could happen on our remaining trip to Sioux Falls. Just a few miles down the road the lower panel on the kitchen slide was blown off. The thin metal was flung across to the other lane of the Interstate. Randal quickly stopped and was able to cut the only point that was still attached and we put the damaged piece in the back of the truck. We also noticed that the cover of the water heater vent was missing.

On arrival in Sioux Falls, we booked into the Red Barn RV Park for 3 days. This will give us time to contact an Open Range Dealer to see if they will be able to do the repairs needed. It will also give us time to relax and get some walking in and be tourists.

 Discover it  Live it

South of the 49th

We are on the road again. We left Cochran in the dark at 7am and went south on 22, 22x and 2. then we took 3 and then 4 to the US boarder. After a brief delay at custom to give up two oranges, a lemon and to verify I was not the Randal Martin they had warrants for we were on our way to Great Falls.    

In Great Falls we stayed at a KOA. Our fresh water tank was almost dry. The camp manager said all the site had only power, no water so he had us pull up next to he home and we filled to 1/3 full.

 The sun was out after we parked in our site so it was time to explore just like Louis and Clark did. There was a nature walk that ran around the west and south side of the park. Along the walk were stopping stations with detailed information about the history of the area. The view to the south was impressive with mountains in the distance. 

 The morning of November 2nd as we were closing the dinning room slide we heard a snap and on investigation found a cable had snapped and only had two or three strands left. The slide still had a foot to go to be inside. We push the button and it came in to it's resting place.

With everything stored for travel, off we went on Hwy 87 east and south. Lorraine is becoming very proficient with the camera in a moving vehicle. She was able to get a shot of these prong horns grassing along the highway.       

Last night we pulled into the Yellowstone River Campground where again there was only power available at the site. All it other facilities were also closed. No showers, toilets or laundry.
 

Then while I was editing this pictures we heard a big bang, like a canon, and the power was off. This was 7:30 pm so it was dark. I grabbed Lorraine ... no I grabbed a flash light an headed outside to see what happened. I met quite a few of the other camper all with flashlights in hand. We did not find the problem but the people in charge knew we were out as was most of the neighborhood. The power was restored at 12:30am.     

This area is set up for travelers pets, but we don't have any pets. So we couldn't use this part of the camp.

 

Rolling the Wheels On the Trailer

Sunset and Open Range

Well it's time to move on. We have been here in Calgary and Cochrane for six weeks now and have really enjoyed our time at Bow RiversEdge Campgound.

 

West side of camp looking south

 
 It was situated close to the Bow River so our morning walks mostly were along the rivers edge. Just outside the camp is an off leash dog run where we would encounter many types of dogs and owners.

Bow River & Free Dog Run area

Sometimes the dog were curious about us and would come close for a smell but mostly they just ran with their noses to the ground and other dogs rear ends.

Glen Eagle Golf Coarse

The last couple of walks Lorraine and I headed up the hill and walked the trials overlooking the valley. One day we dropped into a golf coarse to see all the golfers waiting for the go ahead to tee off. The grass had frost on it and until it was warmer no one was even allowed to stand on it. They had to stay on the paved path.

Club House & Carts

First Tee

The weather here has been very good.

It's only in the last week that the over night temp has been dropping below zero. The trailer is keeping us comfortable during the cooler times of the day. We have a ceramic heater that we keep plugged in and with that and the electric fire place it stays warm enough that the gas furnace doesn't have to come on. Oh I should mention that we had to add a second plexi glass panel to our front window. All the other windows in the Open Range Trailer are double pain. So now we don't have to mop up the condensation on the front window like we did when it was only a single pain of glass.

Swans on a frozen pond north of Cochrane, AB

We are rolling the wheels on the trailer on November 1st. That will give us a full six months to be south of the really cold weather.      

Lorraine's Impressions

Bronze Scout on his Horse

It is my turn to give my impressions of our stay in the Bow RiversEdge Campground in Cochrane Alberta.

We have been here one month now and and have accomplished a great deal in that we now have an Alberta identity. We are waiting for our Alberta Health card and driver's licence to be mailed to us at our new address in Calgary.

I have been establishing a medical doctor so I will be able to travel this winter. My other support team at the Britannia Bodyworks and Wellness Centre has also been working hard in getting me balanced. I feel this has been a very good move as I now have familiar professionals in one area who work together.

New housing area with walking path
before the houses are started

Every morning Randal & I go for long walks to set the tone of our day. We have learned some of the history of Cochrane and area. What really has impressed me are the numerous housing developments there are here. The first thing that is put in are paved walking paths and streets. Along the ditches they spread rich looking top soil to plant grass and trees. Then the homes are built. We walk somewhere new every week. The only thing we don't have is a dog, like so many other walkers have.

Morleyville Mission west of Cochrane

The camp site is interesting as everyday there are people coming and going. We have a few of our sister Open Range units roll in. The owners stop by to compare notes. We also visit them and share our experiences.

The weather in feeling more like fall as the morning temperature has dropped to -1 and may be going lower. However, it does get to a comfortable temperature during the day in the sun shine. Our furnace has kept us warm and cozy during the morning hours and it is hard to leave our bed in the mornings as it's always warm.

Ice on a twig on Big Hill Creek this morning

Cooking and baking in the travel trailer has not been a problem. I cook smaller amounts now, compared to when I lived in Buena Vista. No more knish baking!!!!

Alberta has a very good recycling program. The one in Cochrane has served us very well. The only thing I miss is the compost bins I had at 473 Grand Avenue. 

We will notify you of our next posting. Until next time, Discover it, live it!!

Morning Fog

This morning we walked along the Bow River for our morning outing. It was a very cool wind coming in from the west and the warmer water gave us a fog bank instead of sunshine like we had yesterday.

This was looking east along the Bow River

That's Lorraine on the left and she actually had a smile. She says I take too many pictures of her. But taking pictures is what I do. 

The day turn out to be very warm with a high of 14C. So we did a stroll around the campground to see what everyone was doing.     

Our Open Range and Red Ram are in the center of this shot

Until next time "Discover It, and Live It."

   

Travel Preparation

    We left the beach two weeks ago. These have been 2 of the busiest week that I can remember. Our first stop was Lumsden which was only a hop, step, and jump down highway. We were then able to reorganize our stored items and the the storage in the truck and the boot (that's what we call the basement in our trailer). Many of the bins that we were taking with us had extra stuff in them. Why do we collect so much stuff? Everyone is collecting stuff. So we were able the change a few of the bins, and remember what is in them, to use the space more efficiently. Now there are big bins in the truck and small bins in the boot.

  After Lumsden, we headed west on Highway 1 and were able to get to Medicine Hat. Boon docking there in an abandoned Wallmart parking lot, we arrived with only a few rigs in the lot. In the morning there were close to  twenty or twenty five rigs that had pulled in overnight. Having all our supplies and stuff with us we made a quick get away west toward Calgary.

Sunrise in late September Cochrane, AB

     In Calgary we only stopped for a couple of hours then in early evening we took Highway 8 and 22 to Cochrane. There we found a beautiful spot named the Bow Riveredge Campgound. This RV park has only been open for 4 year and is set up and run very well. We will be here until the 17th of October.

Mountain Peaks in Canmore, AB

      One of the day trips that we had recently was to Canmore, AB.  It was a beautiful day with lots of sun and blue sky.

Mid August Signs

The summer here is the shortest season of the year. In the spring, when the birds come back from their winter in the south, there is a flurry of activity. The trees have leaved out in a bright green colour and the bird begin their matting by building nest.

Now in mid August we notice than there isn't as many birds singing, the trees have stopped growing and many have had their leaves thinned by bugs and winds.

I first noticed the dry ground cracks when I was a kid growing up in the central part of Regina. The dry dirt dust on the surface was perfect for making roads with a flattened hand. Some times the ground cracks were big enough to slip a flat hand into. These cracks became the canons that had to be avoided or bridges had to be built to cross them.

Without the rain the grass has slowed it's growth and the bare ground is cracking.


On our walk today we noticed the mallard ducks have lost their bright colours of spring, so it hard to tell the difference between male and female.

Another sign that summer is coming to an end is the sunrise happens at a latter time. We can now catch it at a decent time of day.

I'll end by saying that we enjoy watching the changes and the signs that are all around us.

Our RV is parked on our lot here in Buena Vista. It's a great way to be close the nature.

So remember to "Discover It and Live It .

RM  

       

Atton's Lake Visit

Over the last week we have be wifiless so our blogging has been quite spur-attic. Today we are parked in a Regional Park at Wynard, Sk. 

Atton's Lake is where Lorraine spent many summers when she was a child. Her brother and sister have cabins in the park, so we set up in front of the Fairly cabin. 

 

When we were not sitting in the lake on lawn chairs we drove to Cut Knife on highway 40. This was another of Lorraine's memories. We visited the museum at Cut Knife, but that was the day it was closed.  

Like many small towns in Saskatchewan, Cut Knife boosts the largest tomahawk. Lorraine quickly grab a hold of it ran with it.  

From the back roads of Saskatchewan
Lorrand RVers
"Discover It and Live It"

Well hello to those who are following us on this blog. We have started our journey on the road to freedom and are now camped at Buffalo Lookout, east of Regina.    

Yesterday we parked in Douglas Pack in the typical Saskatchewan summer heat to show friends our wellness home on wheels. A thank you to everyone that braved the temperatures to say good luck to us.        

Last night the TT was 31C inside and the AC brought the temp down to a comfortable 23C for sleeping.

This morning will be another hot day while we travel south to the Weyburn area where we will spent two night and then move on to Saskatoon and farther north.

UpDate

Well, what a month this has been.

I have not had time to do any updates on the travel trailer as I have been working on on the additions and changes we are making to it.

Lorraine is hard at work at the new desk

The desk is in place now with all the components in and working.








The kitchen and bath shelving has been added and the repairs to the sliding closet mirrors in the bedroom look great.

        The topper for the Dodge is being installed next week, just in time for our picnic show in Regina on the 17th of this month.

I'll try to give more information soon.

RM

Coming Home

The finished desk and shelf unit 

We have been visiting our Open Range Journeyer at the Regina Beach Campground since we purchased it from Minard's in Weyburn, Sk.  Over the past month and a half we have been visiting once a day to do improvements  and set up the systems on board.

The VCR was added to the entertainment center.
We discovered that the fire place is also the  source of the woofer for the 5.1 surround sound. 

This week I will be finishing a trail through the wood and up the hill at the back of your residence where we have a parking pad.

The parking pad at the back of the hill. That's not our camper. It belongs to the neighbours .

So hopefully our new travel trailer will be "Coming Home" where we will do the final loading of stuff that we will take with us on our tour of North America.