I was amazed to wake up to no pain and only minor soreness in my side quad muscle … I think from reading: vastus lateralis.
This morning it felt more like post workout soreness than injury and I am very grateful. Yesterday, I had visions of weeks of discomfort!
I rode my bike to the office again … twice. Received 2 Amazon orders and took back boxes for recycling. No issues with bike riding.
I am SO happy. I am going slow and taking it easy, but am so grateful that it doesn’t seem to be a long term issue.
It did get me thinking that I need to put together a plan in case I would be more injured or ill:
Emmett and Oscar to a safe place
Motorhome to a safe place
Maybe other things
As a solo human, it is different than if I had a spouse or partner. I hadn’t given it a lot of thought so this is a good wake up call.
For now, enjoying this great location and I hope to ride the Lakeshore road tomorrow morning. It is to stay a bit cooler until Saturday which is my travel day and it is forecast hot and fire weather.
Fully rested on Monday, we started the day as normal and then, I got into cleaning mode. Emmett is shedding excessively as per normal for this time of year and suddenly the amount of his hair, here there and everywhere got to me!
I spent a good part of the late morning and early afternoon cleaning. And also a long brushing session. And my own laundry … I am always talking about laundry, but I don’t have an abundance of clothes AND I like to do one load at a time since I am “transporting” from my site to wherever the laundry is located. Anyway, had a load of laundry.
So, Monday was a mix of cleaning, laundry, food prep, relax … etc.
If you look at RV life on social media it is easy to believe that it is one long vacation, but the reality … at least for me, is that it is “normal life” in a smallish space with opportunity to explore different places.
On to Tuesday, 7/28.
My plan for Tuesday was to bike into Rollins after Emmett’s 2nd walk … so about 9:00 a.m. when it was not yet hot.
The morning looked promising … still smoky but a bit cooler.
Second walk. An interesting feature at this RV park … old bicycles used as a “fence”.
But then … a bit of an issue.
I was picking up after Emmett and the deposit was on a small slope. I’m not sure how/why, but I suddenly had a sharp pain in a muscle of my downhill quadricep. I finished my task and thought I could “walk it off”.
Not.
By the time we got back to the RV, I was limping and could not put my whole weight on my right leg to navigate the steps.
Rats.
I applied ice, took an aspirin and had a bit of a lie down. I felt a lot better after.
I didn’t know if I could bike safely, but I had an Amazon package delivered and decided to try to bike to the office to get it. That went fine. I don’t think I would have been able to do it without the pedal assist and a little throttle.
Too late for a try into the little town and I decided it was probably better to rest.
Good news is that my muscle did not feel worse through the day and I am hoping for enough recovery to try the ride to town tomorrow morning.
More good news is that it was slightly cooler: 85F high and a lot less smoke this afternoon.
No frills, nothing fancy but a great location above the west shore of Flathead Lake and super nice owner-operators as well as some RV neighbors that have been coming here for over 30 years!!
There is great walking for Emmett and although a lot of up and down, I think I will get my workouts with no issue this week!
Unfortunately, still a lot of smoke plus heat. NOAA is not optimistic about smoke clearing or heat abating. We’ll see about weather after I return to Columbia Falls. I would love to come back for 2-3-4 weeks and if I come back for 2 plus weeks it would be worth getting the Yukon.
Getting ahead of myself.
I aim to enjoy this week despite heat and smoke.
Today was typical “day after move” slows. Even with a short drive there is still the unhook/rehook stuff on a move day which means more in and out of motorhome as well as time outside in the heat on arrival.
Travel stress: getting Yukon to storage which was less stress than usual as I was able to park it outside for this one week vs backing into my locker which has about 2 inches clearance front and back when it is in and I have to fold the passenger mirror to allow more driver side room for access. I back in so that if it won’t start, the battery is accessible, but it makes for a tricky maneuver. I am on a wait list for covered outdoor parking vs the locker.
Then, Oscar and Emmett. They have figured out the “moves” for travel days. But, I tell them also: “Today is a travel day”. I suppose they pick up on my “stress” as well as Oscar particularly does not like when we roll.
This travel day, I had a bit of anxiousness about access to the RV park which according to texts I was sent, cautioned against mapping software AND I knew a smallish back in site was waiting.
All that worry for no reason! Short day, Oscar and Emmett did fine with 1 howling episode from Oscar. GPS was right on and there was excellent signage before and in the RV park.
THEN!!! Owner operators are husband and wife. Husband was in a cart and took me to my site, then expertly backed me in AND helped me level. This is not really unusual in a somewhat tricky park like this, but what a contrast from last week!
I had a simple dinner “from the freezer” and an early night.
The bed in Wild Thing II is excellent! And even with heat and running A/C all night … I use some small fans on either side of the bed … airflow is great. When it cools enough to have windows open … even better.
At this site, on the highway, with the location above the highway and the quiet at night … lovely!
I am just ready to finish my supper preparations. I cooked some chicken thighs in the Instant Pot earlier this afternoon.. I am getting ready to cook a chicken-broccoli-rice side dish in a small electric skillet.
Mostly, I cook and eat as I did at the house. Sourdough has been abandoned … mostly because it is challenging to deal with the mess and rv discarding cleanup water outside (water and flour = glue!) I do have yeast and that involves less mess so will buy sourdough when I can, but even home made yeast items taste better to me than store bought.
Ok … some photos of the site:
Above is out the windshield this morning … zoomed in.
Site from behind and above. The park is terraced with 3 rows of rv sites so everyone has a view out the front. Class A’s and trailers with front windows benefit most for inside views, but everyone’s outside area has a lake view.
Not too bad to live here for a week … even with the smoke.
I took the Yukon to storage this morning … sad, but good news is since it is only a week before I will be back for it, I was able to get a parking spot versus having to back it into the storage locker – YEA!
My Uber ride back to the RV park was early so I was “home” before 9:00 a.m. with 2 hours until checkout. I had already dumped tanks, stowed sewer hose, showered and washed dishes so time for a second walk with Emmett, a relaxing breakfast and other travel prep.
We rolled out of Columbia Falls RV Park at 10:27, fueled up and headed for a favorite grocery just south of Kalispell and 29 miles from final destination.
After a breezy morning in Columbia Falls, it started heating up, smoke came back so I parked on the edge at the grocery and started the generator and A/C.
I actually like to grocery shop. It is the only shopping I like to do “in person” vs online. With Emmett and Oscar in the cool Wild Thing II, I took my time, shopped my list and loaded all. It is so nice to load a grocery shop right into Wild Thing II, put all away and then sit for minute with a cup of coffee.
There is good pet walking at this grocery so Emmett and I had a good walk and then we were on our way.
I was a bit anxious about the RV park entry per some texts from the park which warned against GPS instructions. But, all went well, lovely park above the lake, the owner guided me to my site, helped me back in and even helped me level. Super nice spot and wonderful people. I am thrilled to be here for a week.
They also gave me good direction to eBike to the beach AND the town of Rollins.
It is 4:34 p.m. as I write this. Short distance but I am still tired. Photos tomorrow!! I can’t wait to show our lake views!
Travel day is exhausting!
On the plus side, Oscar did better, i.e. no bed issues and only 1 brief howling episode. He has now explored all windows, eaten, used his litter box … aka all normal.
Emmett and I had one walk around and treats.
We are settled in and will start our new routine tomorrow.
It is Friday, July 24, 5:08 p.m. as I write this. I was so happy to have the Yukon this week and will be sad to be without it for a week … BUT I booked 8/1-8/18 back at this RV park: Columbia Falls RV Park so will have it back after a hopefully fun week at Rollins RV Park which overlooks Flathead Lake.
There is a bike able route into Rollins, a small rural town on the lake, but it requires crossing MT Highway 93. We’ll see.
Back to Chore week.
Monday started great, slight blip with Oscar’s fraidy cat bed peeing, but thankfully I was able to strip/remake while at the St. Ignatius market in a comfortable parking spot. But, then the Whitefish disappointment … BUT then my friends at Columbia Falls RV Park came through and we were in a great site.
Wednesday, 7/22 … I had 2 packages from Amazon being delivered to the Whitefish Park. A bit of angst on my part as I had no idea how that would go. But I received a text from the park owner/operator on Tuesday evening to the affect that she was trying to make sense of our interaction, she didn’t think there was anything she could have done to help me accept the park situation (replace trees, grass and reduce sites .. probably not doable :) !! ) and clearly I had a bad day which was why I didn’t like the park but if I wanted to try again … the site was mine until 7/25, i.e. I paid for it, it was mine. I had to laugh, but I had not cancelled, I knew the cancellation policy (no refund), I had not asked for a refund and had no issue … it was my decision to not stay and I knew the rules.
So … Wednesday morning I responded stating that I would not be using the site, that I understood it was mine until 7/25 and that I had 2 Amazon packages out for delivery via USPS … I would pick up at the red building unless she gave me other instructions.
Several very civil texts about packages which I picked up. Thank you. You are welcome.
Hee … well, the reservation software will ENCOURAGE me to review after the 25th.
I am letting it go!
My packages were a new camera and memory card for the camera … hoo rah! The camera has been on my list and timing was a bit off with the extra expense of cancel/rebook, but that is why I have a substantial ER fund!
I unboxed the camera and watched several videos and then…
Thursday 7/23: Bigfork day. I wanted a few items from my storage locker in Bigfork, took Emmett for a walk at Wayfarer’s State Park, took advantage of “Senior’s Day” (5% off) at Bigfork grocery, got a little gas in the Yukon at same grocery as it is least expensive … then back to UPS Store as I had ordered coffee delivered there. Yes, coffee snob but I buy from Peets and I can specify the grind.
Today, TGIF!!! Not that Friday matters that much to me, but this is the only day this week that I had NOTHING, i.e. ZERO errands or tasks … a free day before tomorrow’s travel day.
Oscar intent on the view … the view.
Emmett and I playing with his Wubba toy in the RV park’s dog area … shaded, fenced … full of good smells but also fun to have a bit of fetch.
This morning 7/24 back at Riverside Park … fishing pond behind me. It was 67F but muggy and smoky…
Hot and smoky.
The photos from the park were taken shortly after 8:00 a.m. and I left the motorhome with A/C already running.
It has been a hot week. We did outside stuff early and then short bits outside in the heat and smoke.
This afternoon I experimented with the new camera … LOVE it.
A good week despite heat and smoke.
Tomorrow is a travel day, but only 47 miles. I have an Uber scheduled to pick me up from Yukon storage, then a 10:45 departure for a 47 mile trip. I will stop at a grocery on the way and stock up for 7 days as even if I brave a bike ride to Rollins, there is no real grocery so I need to be ok for the duration.
Traveling day 7/20 … which was supposed to be Ronan to Whitefish … it went sideways.
I started the day backtracking to St. Ignatius to shop at the Amish Country Market. I got some goodies, Emmett and I had a nice walk and then we set off for Whitefish.
The drive along the west shore of Flathead Lake was beautiful, but smoky. I took video and yes, as always … a video in progress but I don’t know what or when.
I stayed at Whitefish RV Park three times, but it was 2009 the last time. Yes, I looked at the website but I didn’t pay enough attention to gallery photos or reviews. I was focused on being e-bike distance from Whitefish and my memories of a small RV park with lots of trees…
So.
The RV park was awful (IMO) … far too many sites, too close together. No “office” as per the owner: “I’m not sitting in that little red building (pseudo office) for anyone!”. ’nuff said. I had to do a lap of the park to reposition to get to my site. After my lap, I said to myself: “No”.
I pulled to a place out of everyone’s way. A package from Chewy (pet supplies) had been delivered and I needed to get that.
The owner waved me on. I got out and walked toward her. My Chewy package was on a side by side to be delivered by a work camper.
I said: “I am not staying.”
Conversation which entailed astonishment that I was unhappy with RV park. I was silent.
I walked toward the side by side. Owner said: “I am not refunding”. I said: “Fine”. She said: “Don’t you want your Chewy package?” And then she stopped the work camper from bringing it to me on the side by side.
“You better scamper over there and get your Chewy!”
The poor work camper! He was obviously not happy but handed me the heavy box. I carried it and loaded and pulled out to cries of: “You are crazy”, etc.
I headed for Columbia Falls RV Park. I knew they had space for the night at least and actually had space for the week … spendy, but comfortable.
Meanwhile, at the start of the travel day, Oscar was hidden under duvet and again, wet the bed. I discovered this at St. Ignatius market. We had a good parking spot so I stripped all and partially made the bed.
Arrived Columbia Falls RV Park and made the decision to take a “premium” pull through spot for 5 days.
I cancelled a scheduled Uber for Whitefish RV Park and rebooked for Columbia Falls RV Park to get the Yukon out of storage.
HOO RAH! So nice to have the Yukon. All of the bedding into it, also the Chewy box and packing material.
End of day 7/20/2026 we are in a gorgeous end spot with our own little yard. We have the Yukon and all prep for next day garbage and laundry.
Hot, tired … Emmett and I walk, I shower and go to bed.
7/21/2026 … I had big plans to be at a local laundry at 8:00 to get the bedding going. The RV park has a nice laundry but since I had 2 comforters, 2 duvet covers, a bottom sheet and a “waterproof” mattress cover … the BIG laundry was the spot.
Before laundry, though … on yesterday’s drive, I spotted an RV Park overlooking Flathead Lake. I looked at all info and sent a reservation request. The park phoned me this morning, we chatted and I booked a week. So … next week, i.e. through August 1 is booked!
After that ???
Back to today 7/21/2026.
I started at the big laundry about 9:45.
The laundry is less than 5 minutes away so I am able to start things, set my timer and return to transfer to dryer, check for dryness, etc. without sitting in the laundromat for the duration. All done by 12:00 ish, plus I had lunch during dryer time. I was ready to head out …
To The UPS Store where I have my domicile address as well as they hold/re-mail my mail.
To the storage place where I store the Yukon. I wanted to change how I store the Yukon but unfortunately a location for that was not available.
A stop at the Welcome Park for a walk with Emmett.
Home via Cowgirls Coffee where I got an ice cream cone!
