We had the nicest day we’ve had since leaving Big Timber!

It started with a colorful sunrise.

Laundry got done, bugs washed off (light wash but looks better!), RV cleaned up, walks taken.

It got hot enough for A/C by 11:00 and then we were mostly inside, but blinds open and I worked on some video editing while enjoying the view.

Clouds piled up over the mountains and the wind came up…

I really like the awning mechanism on Wild Thing II. Above, it is maybe 1/4 deployed, no support arms when extended just this amount, but it is steady and shading the living area and door windows which means we could keep blinds open. It is easy to put out and retract even though all manual vs the newer automatic awnings. I use the awning a lot because it is easy and flexible in how much I extend it.

For a rest day after travel, I got a lot done. We all slept well last night and didn’t have the usual after travel day slows.

A sunset walk, before a relaxing evening and hopefully another good night’s sleep.

We do not have to launch first thing so will leave when ready tomorrow. I am stopping about 40 miles short of the destination to get Covid and Flu vaccine and then on to see my folks briefly, get groceries and then get set up for a nice long park.

***I uploaded a short “good morning from Colorado City” video on YouTube:

I had mixed feelings about starting out today. I would have liked another rest day but didn’t want to stay in Ft. Collins so it was “big girl panty” time …

Emmett and I had our long walk around the lake about 6:15. Then breakfast all around, shower, disconnect, prep for road and we were on our way at 9:40.

There was an accident blocking 1 lane of the Interstate about 20 miles north of Denver so stop and go for almost 1/2 hour, then normal speed through Denver. There was traffic but not horrible, nothing like the L.A. of my memory. And it is much easier in Wild Thing II and not towing. The mirrors and small blind spot mirrors are wonderful and I don’t feel like I am guessing when I change lanes.

Ultimately, it was a bit anti-climatic but I am still glad to be past it. I stopped for gas early on, before the slow down and then not again until a bit over 80 miles to go when I pulled off at a scenic lookout in Monument, CO.

The walking was not great but the view was:

I missed catching it, but I watched a plane take off towing a sailplane (glider). I didn’t see it disconnect, but after I had lunch I was taking the above photo and the sailplane was landing. Fun to see. There were several anvil clouds indicating good updrafts so hope they had a good outing.

The campground for tonight and tomorrow night … giving us a day off the road before our final day … is far enough off the interstate to be quiet and I have an end spot with valley to mountain views. There is wonderful walking for Emmett and nice people in the office.

I actually stayed at this campground last time I was this way … 13 years ago, I think. I didn’t remember the name and was hoping this was the spot as I remembered a good open view.

No spectacular sunset tonight as clouds moved in and a forecast of thunderstorms over the mountain. It was 87F when I arrived about 3:40 p.m. but by 4:30 was cooling and with the clouds it was pleasant for a walk with Emmett.

Right now, at 6:00 p.m. I am looking forward to a shower, a very light supper and an early bedtime.

Enjoying our location and beautiful weather in the 70’s F daytime, 40’s overnight in Big Timber. I had coffee, Emmett had a stick from the woods.

On Saturday, my plan was to find a parking spot in town and visit the Harvest Festival before heading south. The festival is a yearly event but this year in a new venue which has been years in the making … Sheepherder’s Square. The town raised millions to take down the old high school and build an outdoor community spot with Amphitheater, trees, seating, paths. It is beautiful. They were working right up to the opening of the festival.

I came home with local honey, a little Fall decor, local made havarti cheese and a new mini rolling pin. I talked with lots of folks … all happy and enjoying the festival!

I went on from the festival and drove 210 miles to Sheridan, WY. With the late start, it was 4:30 when I arrived. I had prepared to get an electric only site: cheap and easy to plug in for the night, use my onboard water and I had empty waste tanks … so quick unplug in the morning to hit the road with the goal being Ft. Collins, CO … 372 miles to ride.

I didn’t take any photos from Sheridan until today (arrived yesterday) in Ft. Collins. I really wanted to get to Ft. Collins and I anticipated 8-9 hours to do it. It ended up just over 8 hours and I was very ready to park! I took 4 breaks along the way and good roads, but I am just not up for the over 300 miles like I often did in Wild Thing I.

The landscape between Billings and Ft. Collins is beautiful: kind of high plains and wide open but the light and slight haze did not make for good photo ops. A pleasant change from previous trips was that it was not windy! Wyoming is typically VERY windy and there are multiple gates where they will close the highway for very high wind. It was not completely calm, but it was a light breeze vs the high wind and gusts.

We arrived Fort Collins about 4:15, 80F so I plugged in, got the A/C going and took my time over the rest of the hookups.

I stayed at this RV park for several months: Feb-March 2006. Then I stayed on a few other trips to CO to see family. It has changed and not in a good way. They are not keeping green grass, it is dusty, gravelly and the money spent is on “kid” stuff. Thankfully, the kids are in school so it is fairly quiet.

The good news is that there is a small private lake and still a path around even if not much grass. It takes Emmett and I 1/2 hour to walk around so good for our morning and evening walk. It is 88F today … hotter than normal so we took an abbreviated midday walk. Sunset is 6:30 and it cools quickly so we will get another long walk in later.

This morning:

I have a corner spot – yea!! But no shade :(

Two driving days in a row with yesterday’s being a marathon for all of us left us typically “out of gas”! Today is off the road, rest, clean up a bit … it is incredible how much dust comes in and dances with the pet hair!

Tomorrow the plan is to leave 9:15-9:45 latest to hit Denver after 10:00 a.m. While I had originally hoped for an early Sunday run through Denver, a search told me that 10-3 on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday was best for traffic. Hope that is correct!

I plan to stop just south of Pueblo which is right about 200 miles and hopefully 5 hours or less. That leaves 150 miles to my final destination but that final bit is a 2 lane mountain pass so 3-3.5 hours.

I might stay a 2nd night in Pueblo vs another 2 driving days in a row … will see how I feel after negotiating the Denver-Colorado Springs traffic and how the rv park is. It is supposed to be in the low to mid-80’s so still hot for me and the boys.

The “plan” is to leave this lovely site about 9-9:30 a.m. tomorrow morning … short grocery stop and then a visit to the Big Timber Harvest Festival in a super spectacular new Big Timber venue: Sheepherder’s Square.

Meanwhile we have enjoyed our site along the Boulder:

debugging Wild Thing II:

Bugs on the front cap are no joke! Big Sky or Big Fly Country …

I will say that as Wild Thing II is fiberglass, that combined with Dawn Pro
Wash makes the debugging not too bad.

A photo is worth 1000 words …

Friday night pizza night!!

Pizza/Focaccia dough on the go with fresh milled “purple wheat” … Heartwell wheat berries.

Lovely Friday evening prepping pizza, enjoying a glass of wine and listening to the Boulder River.

First Out, Breakfast, Shower, Disconnect, Prep inside…

9:45 last walk before rolling

Grocery store shop.

10:45 on the interstate with 344 miles to Billings.

I hoped to drive past Butte before stopping … I ended up not stopping until Three Forks which was kind of on my list of places to explore. I stopped at a spot outside of town but next to a golf course and beautiful walk/bike path.

It was so nice that I decided to drive around town and if I liked it to stay there for a night. But … no “stay here” vibes so I went on.

It looked like I would arrive Billings 6:00 ish. Still light, but a much longer day than I wanted.

I stopped in Big Timber for gas … 98 miles short of Billings. There was a sign for an RV park. I looked it up and decided to check it out. It was after 4:00 and I was tired.

The RV park in Big Timber:

Holy Darn Cow. A river runs through it. Also a creek. And Kathy/Cathy … the work camper office person and I totally hit it off!

I planned to stay 1 night but ended up booking 3 nights.

It is the most beautiful RV spot I’ve ever stayed and not a resort … next to a river and far (4 miles) from the interstate.

Big Timber has a super cute downtown.

The RV Park has a long term stay option. Not for now, but Big Timber is on MY LIST for a maybe place to live.

Meanwhile, we enjoy 3 nights, 2 days. I am so glad that I did not try to get to Billings. The RV Park there is also near a river and good walking, but not as beautiful as where I am. Also, even though I arrived 4:30 ish, by the time I connected all, walked with Emmett, sorted the inside … it was after 6;30.

I will likely miss my “planned” early Sunday morning through Denver but staying in this beautiful spot … I just could not not stay.

With the exception of a few site moves and a 110 mile move from Columbia Falls to Missoula, MT, I have been sitting still.

I have zero complaints. Wild Thing II feels like home and both spots: Columbia Falls RV Park and Jim and Mary’s RV Park are pleasant places to be sitting still: good walking for Emmett and me, easy e-bike riding, well run and attractive spots.

I have had good and quiet neighbors, enjoyed cooking and baking …

(Above … Lemon Blueberry rolls: 80% fresh milled flour! Super happy with how they turned out)

And Fall whooshed in several days ago with very cool nights and mornings, pleasant afternoons.

My ultimate destination is southwest Colorado to visit my folks. I was there last December to move them from their home to a nursing home. It was bittersweet at best, emotionally and physically one of the most challenging things that I have ever had to do.

They have settled.

I intended to visit in May when I started my RV adventure but after Emmett had difficulties with the steps and I returned to Columbia Falls … then fires and heat kept me in Northwest MT.

I thought I might fly back but … leaving Emmett and Oscar … we’ll do the drive. I hope! My plans have not gone according to plan and although in hindsight it all worked best for Emmett, Oscar and me … it has left me a bit hesitant to say: This is what I’m going to do :) .

However, I will point Wild Thing II east and then south. I have no reservations. My primary goal is to stage us to go through Denver and Colorado Springs early on a Sunday morning when there is NOT a Broncos home game, i.e. shoot through the Denver metropolis with as little traffic as possible.

I have a small grocery list to fill here in Missoula on our way out. A store I’m familiar with. We will leave with empty waste tanks and full fresh water. If there are spots to overnight safely without hookups (assuming it is not warm-hot enough to need A/C) we will travel “on the cheap”!

We will see.

I also plan to stop and/or make side trips if the spirit moves me … the purpose of this time of RV life is to explore with no restrictions.

So.

We are enjoying some lovely early Fall days in a good spot while also looking forward to moving down the road.