The day started with the promise of clear skies.

Forecast was for 91F and possible thunderstorms late afternoon. It is 5:21 p.m. as I’m writing this and the NOAA radar shows rain and a thunderstorm on track for here.

I had originally planned to go to Kalispell to get my mail and do a bit of Fall/Winter clothes shopping … yes, clothes shopping in an actual store. Actually just sweatshirts from Cabela. I saw what they had online and thought I’d actually GO and look at them.

But, it was cool and breezy until 10 and I just didn’t want to leave and then it got smoky and hot and I just didn’t want to leave. So I stayed home and did some food prep!

On the right is birthday present #1 a large air fryer. I bought a small air fryer when I sold the house, sold my large air fryer. The small size has been ok but I am on my 2nd small one and this 2nd one is starting to act like the first before it gave up the ghost. I looked at my storage and had a think … and then saw a YouTuber review this Cosori … went to Amazon and it was a special deal price so I bought it!

The waste basket/clothes hamper which used to live by the dog food has moved to one of the bedroom wardrobes…

And both the hamper spot and the pet food/Cosori air fryer situation work better than previous setup so yea!!

The second present …

This is under the dinette. On the right is my EcoFlow Delta 2 which I use for fast USB charging (this 2003 motorhome was before everything had USB outlets EVERYWHERE) as well as some AC use for charging my vacuum and my auxilary charger in the basket on top of the dinette.

Additionally, if I want to use the Instant Pot or Air Fryer when the A/C is running, I plug into the Delta 2.

On the left.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would have a bread machine, but that is a bread machine.

I knew my sourdough bread, rolls, etc. were good but I didn’t realize just how good until I have had to rely on store bought stuff. My sourdough starter did not survive the move from cabin to rv and actually, the issue was the last several weeks in the cabin when I didn’t bake. The cabin frig was not great.

I ordered a starter from King Arthur baking and it did fine in the RV but I was still adjusting to the routine in Wild Thing II and ultimately I got rid of the starter and bought instant yeast thinking to simplify. But, I miss sourdough!

Fast forward to some research as well as the YouTube algorithm feeding me “RV sourdough” pointing a bit toward a bread machine and specifically to the one I bought which is about 1/3 the price of the big names I’d seen in the past.

So, I have a bread machine.

Between the large air fryer which can also bake bread and the bread maker, I hope to get back to all home made and hopefully sourdough baked goods.

Now, I have a gas oven and it works well. I used the oven in the Winnebago for bread. But the Bigfoot oven is significantly shorter and not enough room for a boule. I have figured out how to accommodate for the height for pizza, focaccia and a loaf pan … the issue being that the heating element is right under the lowest rack setting.

I have my pizza stone on the rack and then bake on a “cookie sheet” so enough “insulation” from that heating element to bake whatever without burning the bottom.

The other issue is that when it is very hot, the oven gives off more heat in the RV than the air fryer and probably the bread machine.

So.

I am here in Columbia Falls, near my storage locker for 2 weeks. The “plan” is to experiment with the large air fryer and bread maker while I am close enough to my storage locker to move either or both if they don’t prove their worth for the room they take up.

Back to today.

Preparing to make breaded chicken tenders.

Messy … but worth it! Putting all in the freezer for a bit. Some to come out and be my dinner with the rest to be vacuum sealed for future meals.

Backtracking. This morning I mixed up a small peasant bread and baked it in the gas oven on a baking sheet.

Not as flavorful as sourdough, but good for toast and my lunchtime tuna melt.

Progress is being made on the bread making!!

Rain!

Some thunder but thankfully with rain.

As noted in the previous post, I had booked 6 nights back in Columbia Falls to keep an appointment. After arriving, I started thinking about next steps because of Labor Day holiday. Short story is that I extended here in Columbia Falls until September 8 (leaving on the 9th). That gets me past the holiday and into hopefully cooler weather as well as most park fees drop to “off season” rates.

I arrived in Columbia Falls on Saturday, 8/22 to a forecast of severe afternoon thunderstorms.

Not severe, but thunder, lightning and thankfully a lot of rain with the storm so no new fire starts.

And then sun and bits of blue sky with lovely fresh air.

Per usual, my traveling companions were exhausted…

I had to move sites the next day. Not a surprise, I had booked my favorite site and then realized I messed up days but couldn’t get that site the day of arrival. But, I was right behind my fav site, so a short, easy move. We got settled in the new spot on Sunday and then I just took it easy knowing I am here for a bit and can get local stuff done at an easy pace. I do have to move sites again on Friday, but then will be in that spot until I leave on 9/9. It is still an end spot with lots of shade plus the park is lots quieter now. It will probably be busy around Labor Day weekend, but I am a bit out of the fray. When I booked the extension, the manager warned me that if I stayed in my favorite spot I would be in the middle of a group rally with lots of kids … hence my move :) !!

I have had a task on my list since late May: defrosting my freezer. I accidentally left the door ajar overnight which started things off and my RV freezer is NOT frost free anyway. I brought my EcoFlow Glacier Frig/Freezer as I had room.

I knew I’d want to defrost on occasion AND since I did have room it is an easier procedure to have the Glacier set up as all freezer to hold things while defrosting the rv freezer. Also, if I come across a sale of something I’d like to buy in bulk, I have the extra room. The unit is a bit bulky and heavy which is partly why I procrastinated on getting it out… But, like most things, once I got going it was fine and I am so happy to have done it as well as knowing it is not a big deal.

So much better! There was about 1/4 inch of frost on the sides, back and top of the freezer.

You can get an idea of the age of the unit … that door compartment which I have full of salmon is actually a juice can holder. It has been a long time since I bought frozen juice. I don’t really buy fresh juice either :) . It works well to contain certain items except I must have overloaded and broke the top bit. The freezer was missing one of the veg pockets and I found one on eBay. I was thinking it would be harder to find the juice can holder but eBay again – yea!!

The Glacier in one of my basement bays. I can open to put stuff inside, the controls are on the front and once on, I can control from the EcoFlow app. I have a battery installed which runs it for 8 hours but the cords are stowed in the corner and I can plug it in without too much trouble. All in all, I am happy I had room to bring it along!

Today, Tuesday August 25, started with laundry after Emmett’s first walk. Laundry was done before 8:00 :) … then breakfast, shower, 2nd walk and it was wonderfully cool and breezy! Some inside cleaning chores and then a trip to the storage locker in Bigfork and a walk at Wayfarer’s park. Home by 1:00 and it was getting hot!

A couple of birthday treats … to me from me … arrived just before we got back. More on them later but they entailed some shuffling of stuff which occupied me this afternoon. All is arranged and I am very pleased.

I jumped the gun slightly … about 4:52 as I sipped on a glass of wine and watched @Kennyofalltrades camping in Wyoming … Emmett on the sofa (you can see a bit of his tail) and Oscar by his cave bed napping in afternoon sunshine. It has been smoky today, hit 86F but an excellent day.

What to do when I leave on September 9. I don’t need to or want to make definite plans but I am thinking of doing the trip to Colorado that I intended when I took off in May … nearly 4 months ago. We’ll see … so far, my plans have not gone according to plan. I’m not complaining really. In hindsight, all has worked well.

Meanwhile, 2 more HOT days per NOAA and then a bit of a cool down.

Yesterday, Tuesday 8/18 was a travel day. It was a well known 125 miles with a stop for propane, a few forgotten groceries, lunch and a walk at Wayfarer’s Park.

And before leaving Emmett and I walked at River’s Edge Park and once again the Yukon went to storage. BUT after I booked the Missoula 4 day stay and thinking I’d go on somewhere after, I saw in my calendar that I had a dental appointment on Monday 8/24. Since I was close, I checked Columbia Falls and my most favorite spot was available so we’ll head back to Columbia Falls for 6 nights on Saturday. That takes us to 8/28 with the Labor Day holiday looming. I’m keeping an eye on weather and will decide sometime … probably :) .

Travel Day: I got hot and tired and by the time we were set up … even though I took my time, I was “out of gas”. But we walked, I laid down to cool off, got my second wind … some video editing, supper, another walk, shower and off to bed.

Day after travel day has always been tough but today I had a list and I stuck to it! I got the outside, physical stuff done early and then was mostly inside in the heat: sewer hose hookup and basement storage reset, laundry of course, set up my bike and rode around the park dropping off garbage on the way. Lunch and then inside: I had some admin work for my folks’ finances, a little of my own and somehow the day disappeared but I feel much better for getting things done!

Oscar napped more than usual as per usual after a travel day … He is asleep with his head up :) !

See, I am wide awake … not even a cat nap!

Jim & Mary’s RV Park is famous for its flowers and gardens. They are spectacular. There is a head gardener and 3 or 4 helpers. They start all of the plants in greenhouses on the park property.

I think I’ve posted before, but they also have charming “scenes” in some of the gardens like the cardinal and bird bath above.

As usual I have helpers when folding laundry…

It got done … in fact, I took everything out of this cupboard and re-folded. I had tried rolling things and didn’t like it so back to “old-fashioned” folding. Some RVrs use bins … thinking about it but I don’t have the cupboards jammed full and I can see what’s there.

That was this day … normal life in a different location.

EDITED to add this sunset photo taken on last out with Emmett. A bit of wildfire smoke turned the colors a bit more red.

Yesterday’s change continued with blustery, cool overnight and day which felt like a day in early autumn.

I had windows open all day, no A/C and I think we all reveled in the clear, clean air and cool temperatures. High at the RV park was 69F! And the Air Quality index stayed at 33-34 all day. This is vs a high of 211 at the worst and maybe 120-140 as an average over the past week. Whatever the numbers mean, the breathing was easier.

In the cool, I took the opportunity to do a complete bedding change as well as a bit of overall inside cleaning.

I absolutely love my bedroom in Wild Thing II: aesthetic, light and comfort is top notch. And it is always nice to refresh everything. So nice, we had an after lunch nap :)

Since I had the camera out and since Margaret requested bathroom photos … bathroom photos were missing from my interior shots some posts ago, so here they are.

The bathroom is small and unlike the Winnebago which had shower, sink/vanity, commode separate … we are all in one. The saving grace is that the bathroom door opens and “locks” open making a bit of an en suite. It allows me to use the open hallway to bedroom for drying off after a shower and general bathroom maneuvering.

Commode … I really like this toilet’s operation. It’s downside is that it is VERY low so a bit challenging getting on/off … TMI ?? :)

So … a little tub! And I emphasize little. If at a campground, I “could” have a bath. I have actually used it for foot baths. The challenge is that it is plenty tall, and the shower head I added is wonderful with great pressure … but it is narrow.

I originally tried a shower curtain instead of the accordion thing but the curtain attacks me … the accordion allows the most room. But, it is a bit of mess to keep clean. And it doesn’t look great. I think I’d like to take it off and fix a shower curtain with weights/magnets that stayed in the track. Currently, it is working and I’m thinking.

The sink/vanity … again, very small but functional. Typical of the age of Wild Thing II and size/price point, it is a small “plastic” sink. Not a lot of room for “stuff” around it and it attracts dust/dirt/hair like no one’s business. I think in a small RV, it is silly to have a bathroom sink … no reason not to use kitchen sink and allow a bit more room, but this is what they do.

Ultimately, there is a toilet paper roll, toilet paper storage, other storage under the sink and the cabinet above holds all I need. Bottomline, it is a functional “dry bath” set up and as a solo human it is ok.

The leaves are not changing! They do a great job with landscaping in this RV park. There are a variety of trees and bushes that give shade as well as color. Today, with cool temps and wonderful breeze, it was especially nice to see the color.

Blue sky, clouds, mountains in detail … hard to describe how wonderful it is to have a few days of respite from smoke and heat.

This morning’s sunrise … not 100% normal, but definitely an improvement … some actual sky vs dense smoke, a few mountain details …

A change was forecast for today and although not completely smoke free by a long shot, it is such an improvement over the past days of “unhealthy for everyone” … Emmett and I walked this morning and both of us took deep breaths and enjoyed the morning breeze.

The fire situation in Oregon, Washington, Canada … I don’t know that it is much improved, but hopefully we are maybe turning a corner.

I was talking with one of my RV neighbors from Arkansas. They had friends from Seattle area who are staying near in an Airbnb and both couples “doing” Glacier National Park, etc. It is a little heartbreaking as both had planned and looked forward to and spent a lot of money to get and stay here. It has not been a great week for them. I know that they are not the only vacationeers in this situation. It is the worst fire/smoke summer here that I’ve experienced. Five or six years ago we had a heavy smoke summer where outside workers wore masks but this has been worse.

Rain was in today’s forecast along with wind …

It rained!

I have no complaints about raindrops on windows!!

My boy Emmett … he is doing so well adjusting to being an RVing dog :) !!

And a little later…

It looks almost normal!

And it feels spectacular.

Meanwhile, we are living our best lives! Walks in parks, treats, good food, good sleep … all is good aboard Wild Thing II.

The title says it all.

We and most of the full timers here at the RV park are mostly hunkering down in our rigs, closed up with A/C keeping us cool as well as filtering the smoky air.

According to NOAA, it has been “very unhealthy” for all … highest low air quality that I’ve seen. Emmett and I must go out now and again and we come back with watery eyes and drippy noses. It is not much fun.

But, watching the devestation in other parts of the U.S. and Canada, so far, we are getting off light. Thoughts and prayers continuously for firefighters, first responders and all whose homes and businesses have been or are in danger of destruction … crazy, awful fire season.

Smoky sunrise.

Peppermint marshmallows from the market in St. Ignacious … a few weeks ago. They are crazy good and a fun addition to my Sunday Mocha.

Oscar keeping an eye out … thankfully no neighbors for the last 2 days – YEA!

The absence of neighbors made it necessary for me to do an RV chore that I’d been putting off. Maybe TMI but I had a new “waste tank flush” thing. As easy as all info made it look, I hoped to do first try with no witnesses. Today was the day and it went very well.

All is good, clean and cool aboard Wild Thing II!