Close on house! - we have ground.  Left C.Falls RV Park at 8:45 - mad dash to bank for cashier's check, then on to close at 10a.m.  All went smoothly and I met Robert (handyman) at hardware where we collected all supplies to install the mailbox (see photos).  After, Karl, Bob and I got situated in the motorhome for our first afternoon/evening at our new place - It is vewy, vewy quiet and we love that!

We have done laundry in our own washer/dryer - which we like as they are supersize and seem very efficient.  The landline is working which is fairly amazing...   Tomorrow, the mover's are supposed to be here approx 9:30-10:00.

No buyer's remorse at all!  - just glad to be here and looking forward to getting things in order.  Some sadness at the "end" of the motorhome adventure, but hopefully there will be more of those.  What a wonderful 7 months!

ready to unplug and roll - approx 8:15-8:30.  Woke to 36 no humidity degrees.  40 minute walk with Karl at sunrise - Bob is doing well.  I'm excited to hit the Flathead!

Arrived C.Falls RV Park 2ish after getting propane - am mid-setup.  Pleasant mid-70's.

Ready to unplug and roll - approx 7:15-7:30 a.m.

Stopped for "lunch" at 10:30 - ready to hit the road again - 11 - we are only 150 miles from 3 Forks so may continue on to Butte or Fairmont.  I am well rested, Bob appears to be himself, Karl is good - it is ONLY 80 and hazy/cloudy so quite comfortable.

4:00 p.m. - plugged in and set up.  Lots of miles today, but seemed easy - we are in Fairmont just west of Butte, leaving 230 miles tomorrow, although mostly 2 lane so probably 5 hours plus or minus a bit.  It is 83 here with a strong breeze and feels very comfy - 20 degrees cooler than when we parked yesterday.  Time for Karl's walk - Bob is doing fine - laying in the dash - his usual surveying spot.

Decided to go today - not quite as hot in Sheridan and cooling from the west.  Tstorms forecast for Spearfish and did not want to possibly be caught between fires and unable to move on Sunday.   150-160 miles to go from the rest stop - lunch stop - hope to be checked in and set up in Sheridan 3-3:30 or sooner.

Arrived 2:40 - plugged in - outside temp is 102 - cooling down with slides in until sun starts down a bit.  Had to hook up water as my fresh water tank is so warm, can't get cold out of the tap - good well water so not a problem.  This overnight park has good roads and level sites, but they are VERY close together.  Fine for one night but that's it.  Good wi-fi and cable, no shade....

VERY hot - 105 - smoky from fire 35 miles south.  Bob is sneezing, fever - another round at the vet - not urgent at the moment, but decided to make tracks for Bigfork/Whitefish and continue with "home" vet.  Will leave Sun (7/30) and should arrive actually Columbia Falls RV Park - convenient to Whitefish and Bigfork - on Tues Aug 1. 

Pet farm has 2 Holstein calves, 2 lambs and 2 goats.  All came running to see Karl - he was surprised and a little scared but curiousity won over and he sniffed noses with lambs and calves.  Goats got impatient and went and jumped on their little shade barn - just as well.

Bob's fever down by late afternoon - he's eating, etc. so we are continuing anti-biotics until we get home.  Possible just climate/stress/humidity/elevation change or some bug that is having a hard time quitting.  Spoke to home vet and as long as he's eating and drinking and has output - no urgency so hopefully this continues for the roll home.

Motorhome AC and Park power is holding and we were comfortable today, although pulled in the large living room slide to have less to cool and less exposed walls.  I'm enjoying relaxing, reading, tv, internet - great cable and wi-fi here.

Intend to leave very early and go to Presho, SD - arriving early to "beat heat"...  will leave a short day to Spearfish on Thu.  May not update website before early a.m. departure.

11 a.m. (CDT) - rest/lunch/walk stop just east of Mitchell, SD - about 3 driving hours from our overnight stop - should arrive 2:30-3 p.m. CDT in Presho.  Bob continues to be fine.  Karl and I are warm outside but motorhome is very comfortably cool and we've been fortunate to be in places where it was easy to take long walks in the mornings.

Arrived Presho a little before 2:30 - am set up, took Karl and Bob out briefly - It is 92 but humidity is MUCH less than we've been dealing with.  Still hot, but at least not sticky.  Easy driving day - am so much enjoying being able to take a real lunch stop and fix whatever I want - gen is working without a hiccup.  We are back in the west and glad to be here!  I wondered if after the lush green of the east - what would I think to see the drier west - it is home for me.  East is beautiful, but west is where I fit.

left site at 8:45 - stopped at Walmart - left Walmart 9:25

currently stopped for lunch just west of Des Moines - noon - expect 3:30-4:30 arrival into Onawa.  Gen has run well and we are very comfortable and I'm much more relaxed!

Arrived 3:20 - set up and ready for some walks!

Back at Colony Country by 2 p.m. - Gen is fixed, LOF, tire rotation - good to go for the trip to MT.  Decided to stay at CCtry until Friday morning (7/21) to relax a bit - shopping is near but campground is rural and quiet.  Will take some time to plan a route - Hi temps, construction and fires may require some adjustment.  The service was somewhat tiring - unhooking/hooking up Jeep in warm humid temps - today twice as the tire rotation was a different shop.  But we were able to stay in the motorhome and always with A/C and Wi-Fi so much better than I anticipated.

Evening - decided to stay here until Monday morning - versus moving weekend and "fighting" weekend campers in Black Hills for space.  Will explore Amana Villages and Coralville Lake... - go figure, I like Iowa...

Left 7 a.m. CST - currently 8:50 - rest stop 30 miles south east of Moline - 70 miles from HWH and have 2 hours to get there so enjoying a break.  It was 75 at 4:30 a.m. when I woke and took Karl out - but currently reading 78 so maybe not as hot today as we move west???- I'm ever hopeful.  HWH is supposed to be quick and then a short 10-20 miles to Colony Country Campground near Amana, IA.

Arrived HWH 10:20 - unhooked Jeep - we are in the bay waiting service. Service finished by Noon - no charge!

Arrived Colony Country Campground south of Cedar Rapids 1:30.   Catch up day of chores, laundry, supplies.  Hot, but not as hot as yesterday and humidity is much lower here plus nice breeze. 

Left site at 6:10 - walked Karl, got gas - on the road really at 6:55 - arrived Carlock, Kamp Komfort at 12:30 EST/11:30 CST - current time zone.  Very nice small park - close enough to interstate to hear it, but shaded spot with lots of room and a pull through so we are set for another early start tomorrow - 160 miles to HWH by 11 a.m.

Gen ran in fits and starts - but enough to keep things comfortable - high temp reached inside was 78.  My RV friends from VA set their A/C at 80 and are comfy so I'm thinking I should not be complaining!  But I'm on camp power for the heat of the day.  Wed is Gen fix day - will be a relief!

Everyone thinks they want to go out - my temp guage says 91...  we'll give it a try but Karl and I will wimp out quickly I'm sure.

Beautiful wedding in a beautiful chapel - no one likely to forget "Nick and Wendy's wedding" as the chapel does not have A/C and it was 90 something - fortunately all doors open, high ceilinged stone building. 

Getting things set to leave tomorrow and work finished.  Will work minimally during service appts in IA and then vacation time for the remainder of the trip back to MT.

Tomorrow plan on a 6-6:30 a.m. departure to arrive at Kamp Comfort in Carlock, IL early afternoon hopefully ahead of the worst heat of the day.

Quick and easy drive back to OH to prep for Grimm's son's wedding.  Left TC early to beat forecast severe storms at OH border for late p.m.  Drove through a bit of rain and temps dropped from 85 to 70 very quickly but dry for park and set up and evening storms were rain and thunder. 

Yard full of fireflies at night! - forgot about them - what fun!  Bob was enthralled, Karl didn't see them as he was hiding from thunder.

Moved after bad experience with power - Traverse Bay RV Resort - beautiful - wooded paths and places to walk, excellent Wi-Fi at site, Cable TV and laundry so ultimately a good move.  Upsetting move as things happened and I packed up and left late afternoon, in the heat - but has worked for the best.  This is a "condo" place - probably 1/2-2/3 owners are here. 

Also in a nice location to get to Charlevoix and Petosky area.  We are happy!

Leaving approx 8:15 - via Buffalo on NY Thruway through Ontario, CN back to US at Port Huron - nearly 400 mile day with 2 customs stops.  Might be late in.

7 p.m. checked in, parked and hooked up.  Long day but no problems - customs was quick - usual questions both sides very pleasant.  Fortunately, got Karl out a lot on stops - this place is packed with weekender families and dogs.  Bob will have to tough it out inside!

Not a KOA for anything but an overnight - it was the first thing I saw after crossing to U.S. and since it was nearly 6 p.m. took it!

Left East Canaan at 10:30 - will stop in Great Barrington for groceries and to take Karl for a walk.  Will drive today as long as there is light and I'm comfortable - late check in somewhere.  Not to worry if no web posting - I may be in an area with no services.  Plan is to go via US 20 instead of the NY Thruway/Turnpike - looks like more campground options along 20.

Arrived 4:30 - shorter drive than I intended, but tired and it started pouring and I got nervous about campground prospects west of Syracuse.  I knew this place by reputation - Actually Oneida, NY - run by Oneida Nation - absolutely gorgeous RV resort - beautiful grounds, nice people - $$ but I don't mind paying for this!  Will leave very early in the morning and try for Port Huron, MI.

Just when I thought I knew what I was going to do...planned on going to Lake Placid next, then back towards West by Canada, but have the OH wedding in mid-July, a work deadline for 6/30 - was dithering... then a thread on rv.net about Wild Cherry RV Resort in Lake Leelanau, MI.  Leave tomorrow mid-a.m. planning to arrive Wild Cherry on Sunday, 6/11.  I vacationed in that part of MI growing up and have some friends and family there - looks like a nice park and I'll just be a day from OH for the wedding. 

"Survived" Memorial Day Weekend - thank goodness I was in the seasonal spot on the edge of the park - they packed trailers, campers, etc. into the "infield" like sardines.  And it was hot.  Karl, Bob and I closed up and turned on the AC - we did take a day and tour a 60 mile circle thru Millerton and Hillsdale, NY and back through Great Barrington, MA - and Karl and I went to New Preston and did some mowing/trimming at a friend's plus found a wonderful walking trail along the Housatanic River - shady and lots of spots to wade in and cool off.

This morning - much of CT had severe thunderstorms yesterday afternoon and evening - they missed here by not much - thunder, rain, but no hail or wind. 

Have been enjoying a "normal" schedule of work/play in a beautiful area.  Humidity and bugs are starting and those Karl and I have a hard time with - we'll be ready to head west shortly!  I would like to go through Canada but want to wait until I can go as "vacation", i.e. don't want to have to try and work for a week so waiting on work schedule for timing.

Getting ready to roll out - ETD 9:00 a.m. bound for Mountain Vista RV Park in Strousburg, PA.

Arrived Strousburg just before 3 - nice park - trees and shade - a little tight for the beast around the trees but no harm, no foul!  Mostly set up - Karl is anxious to get out so will save the fun stuff (plumbing) for last...

11 a.m. before leaving.

In the final stages of departure - should be rolling by 11:30 headed about 200 miles east to just into PA - ETA 4-5 p.m.  Heading for CT by Sunday p.m.

A problem with living room slide that got worse on worse on CO to OH leg is resolved with a new retract solenoid.  Have new windshield wipers. Sad to leave Grimm's RV Park which we give 4 stars! but excited to be on the road again.

Arrived Emlenton 5:30 p.m. - pretty campground being refurbished by new owners.  Lots of seasonals - I'm the only overnighter except for an Alph See Ya (40-42ft) just pulled in - it's a bit tight in the turnaround.  I'm waiting to see if "he" makes it and becomes a neighbor...   Lots of places to walk Karl and we are on a grass site near a wooded area so Bob would like to go out - maybe on a leash in a bit.  I'm all set up so time for a walk and then dinner.

left Hickory Hollow at 11 a.m. expecting to arrive Bowling Green approx 5-5:30 but construction on the turnpike outside of Chicago delayed me - arrived 6:45 p.m.  No problems other than slow through construction area. 

Parked in Grimm's side yard - BEST RV Park this trip! - green, shaded, plenty of room for pets, liberal pet rules (don't let my cat out when their cat Amos is out...), laundry facilities, etc.  Ohio is green and pretty.

I'll be here for a bit - minimal updates to the site until I leave 10 days or so.

leaving 11:30 - will stop anyplace pretty for lunch - expect arrival 3:30-4:30.  Headwind but no other weather currently. Arrived 2:30 local time (CDT) - did not stop for lunch to beat some weather - set up very quickly as it was thundering.  Under tornado watch but the cells in question are in the eastern part of the county and I am on the western edge of the county..  Here, a little rain, a little thunder, occasional gusts but nothing "heavy".  

Last night in Grand Island, thunderstorms, heavy rain and wind but wind was overhead - the hollow protected us!  Today's site is protected from the direction the weather comes, but not from current wind direction - still wind is not like WY or CO. 

I am an easy 300 miles from Toledo - short term destination - actually Bowling Green at Grimm's very private, 1 site, full hookup with WIFI, RV Park!  Will work tonight and in the morning and leave to arrive in OH after Grimm's open their office - 5ish p.m.

Arrived 3:15 p.m. CDT - set up in calm and sunshine.  Starting to get windy and black to the east but not as warm here as Nebraska so hopefully just "normal" thunderstorm(s) tonight.  I am in the "holler" with a hill to the east so some protection - unfortunately there is a row of mobile homes (tornado magnets) on top of the hill...

Park monitors weather and runs around honking if time to move to the shelter. 

Windy this a.m. leaving Grand Island and stayed that way until just into Iowa.  I like Iowa better than Nebraska - more hills and contours.  Depending on weather may stay here tomorrow and continue on towards OH on Monday.  Will decide in the morning - assuming we are not in Kansas after tonight...

Arrived 6 p.m. CDT.  More later - all service problems fixed.  Will have to review weather to decide next move.

Will leave early in the morning for just west or east of Iowa City vicinity - storm forecast to be less severe there - plus they just got hit - what are the chances of a 2nd hit?  Going north does not look much better.  Long day - lost an hour changing time zones and it's pretty warm (76 at 10 p.m. local time).

Rolling approx 9:45-10 a.m. for Ft. Collins with a stop at Wheatridge for RV supplies at Camping World.  Headed back to Heron Lake RV Park.  Forecast for very cold Sun night temps and Mon wind - today clear and warm - Eisenhower Tunnel is showing dry - today's the day.

Arrived 1 p.m. - just set up...setting up for a month stay and left without cleaning, etc.  Spaghetti tonight with "neighbors" who are the park managers.  Karl and I walked around lake, Bob has been out since we arrived hunting - just came in for his dinner.  All happy.  60 degrees - feels warm!

Breckenridge, CO

Tiger Run RV Resort

Rolled at 10 - checked in 1:20 - set up by 3:20...walked to site which took awhile, unhook, back in - fiddle with spot and set up inside plus get something to eat.  It's 55 and sunny.  Nice park - a LOT of snow, nice wide spaces.  So far so good.

Drive was tiring - traffic all the way and from outside Denver a long pull to the summit - then the steep down at the last after Eisenhower Tunnel.  The tunnel right lane is all chewed up and rocked us pretty good.  So tired, hot.  My mother and Bill skied and are unpacking and hot tubbing before coming over for dinner here.

Travel advisories have cleared - wind is low, temp 23 - rolling by 9 to try for Denver and beat wind advisories for late p.m. and tonight in Cheyenne.  Denver is 50!  On I-25 south.

2:45 - arrived Ft. Collins - sitting at Welcome Center to find an RV Park...tough drive and I'm beat so will find a park here.  There are 2 large RV dealers so should be able to get water heater fixed....  more later.

5:15 p.m. Hooked up and "home" at Heron Lake RV Park.  Have to take both Jeep and motorhome out tomorrow for baths - very ugly.

Today's drive - lots of icy patches, lots of wind, fortunately not both at the same time - still a bit stressful and my arms, wrists and shoulders are tired - also right hip and knee as I couldn't use cruise control.  Still - good thing I left as WY is to get very high wind, then snow, then cold and if not today, not sure when I would have had a day to leave.

Breakfasted at the Lariat Cafe for fun...lazier morning - getting ready to roll for Casper, WY but hope to find something open in Sheridan to help with water heater plug so maybe late into Casper even though a short (230 mi) day.

Arrived Fort Caspar 4:30 - they had a big storm Fri and now wind - will take photos...got stuck once turning into my spot - slowed too much.  Rocked out.  No luck finding anything for water heater so set the bypass.  Showers open here if I can't get hot water tomorrow but heater is working, just don't want to leak out my tank.  So... more later after a walk...I'm stalling to warm up a bit before taking Karl out.  Temp is 25 and doesn't feel bad - just that the wind is howling. 

Solved Apollo problem (no power to unit) with help from RV Buddy Al Smith - Thanks, Al!  Hope to roll 8-8:30 and shooting for Hardin, MT - but it's a lot of miles.  Alternate stops Bozeman or Billings.  DOT map shows dry roads.  Currently -5 but supposed to hit 20 today and not so cold tonight if I make at least Billings.

8 hours 15 min 400 miles to Hardin arriving 5:20 - all dry roads and a 45 min stop for gas/lunch, brief rest stop.  Tested Brake at top of Homestake pass and monitor light came on and I felt the tug of Jeep brakes.  Today's problem is a leak in the hot water tank - near what looks like a drain plug - probably froze... for solving tomorrow.  MUCH warmer - 23 at 7:15 p.m.