Got up at 3 a.m. and it had cooled to 72…opened up – by 5 a.m. it was 69 – now it is 71 on it’s way to close to 100 – supposed to be low 90’s in Mesa Verde.  It is sunny, but hazy. 

We should be rolling by 8:30 latest and with 175 miles on a 2 lane and one gas stop – hope to arrive Mesa Verde 1:30-2:00 latest.  Will be glad to park and sit for a bit… 3-4 days of making miles and I get ready to sit.

Route today: 70 to 191 through Moab – 491 at Monticello into Cortez, CO and then 160 to Mesa Verde.

 Arrived Mesa Verde at 12:30…set up, took Karl for a walk and spent some time visiting with Ibaimo (ORS friend) – Photos later.  Monticello to Cortez is a beautiful drive – things turn much greener approaching and in Colorado. 

Ready to unplug and roll – should be on the road by 7:30 this morning – hoping to beat some of the forecast wind, get through SLC early and also get to Green River, UT (450 miles…) but will be happy with any place past Spanish Fork which is where I leave the interstate.

This little park is great – (Exit 135 off I-15 north of Idaho Falls, ID) for any travelling through with dogs and in this vicinity for an overnight – GREAT walking for dogs and people on some ATV gravel roads…nice grassy/brushy areas and a good long loop.  Time to hit the road.

Temp at 7:00 a.m. is 51 – overnight low 48 – forecast high of 85, clear and windy along my route.

 4:30 p.m. arrived Green River, UT – Shady Acres RV park which will NOT get a recommendation but I’m beat…  ugly park, $33.10 for water/electric WITH Good Sam AND 6.95/day for Wi-fi – which the sign says “Wi-Fi Internet Access”, I asked before check in (there is a KOA in town) if there was Wi-fi at the site… “Yes, at all sites”, and was even handed a slip with username and password but NEVER told it was a subscription.  HA – my aircard works fine…I was getting no bars on my phone but the aircard gets 2…  I don’t mind paying, I just HATE when it seems like they hide the fact.  Also, I’m cranky because I hate I-15 through Utah and it was horrible and traffic, etc. and then several **K#*$) passed me on the hwy 6 2 lane – with dbl yellow, even though I was going the speed limit of 65 and there are turnouts – which I used – and passing lanes every 5 miles. 

Ok – I feel better – will feel even better when the sun goes down and I get a glass of wine, not necessarily in that order…- it is 101 – not helping with the cranky…   Karl thinks he wants to go out…fortunately we had a nice long walk this morning.

Hwy 6 was beautiful – I might get some photos up later…  Also, northern Utah was pretty – don’t think I’ve ever travelled through this early in the summer and it was green as was Montana and Idaho.  I only got out the window shots so not sure there is anything worth posting. 

Per special request from my ORS friend, Houston – the weather this morning in Missoula, MT… 55 partly sunny, partly cloudy degrees at 8:36 a.m. – was in the mid-40’s overnight.  Couldn’t resist taking a photo of this little sign…. 

Starting a little late this morning as I’m headed east before the turn south and don’t like driving into the sun.  Also stopping just up the road for tire pressure check and propane so I imagine probably 10-10:30 before I really start making progress.  Shooting for Pocatello or South.

6:00 p.m. – didn’t make Pocatello or South…getting air in tires and propane was quick but hit wind in Monida Pass and beyond and slowed down…then just got tired so stopped.  I saw a sign for Western Wings RV Park – middle of nowhere about 20 miles north of Idaho Falls.  I got off – 2 Alphas got off from the other direction…sign said 3 1/2 miles…off we all go…arrived at the park which also has a bird/clay pigeon shooting range/lodge and you could see the RV spots and the power pedastals but not a single rig in the place.  We all pull in 1-2-3… no one jumps out…finally I get out and go talk to them – everyone is dithering about staying but group dynamics and we are all tired win…we check in.  VERY nice people, full hookups for $21.60 – quiet and pretty – lots of grass fields around, pond.  It is blowing about 30 mph but I imagine it will calm down as evening progresses.  A 5vr came in shortly after. 

Weather – 20 miles north of Idaho Falls at 6:54 p.m. – Windy!!!, 82 and sunny.

Time for dinner… what Captain Karl and First Officer Mr. Bob do while I pilot “Wild Thing”… next photo just after crossing the Continentel Divide.

Monida Pass – Idaho side

11:10 a.m. – Jeep is hooked up and we are ready to roll.  Early departure!  and might need the extra time to get through construction south of Polson.

5:30 p.m. – Set up at Jim n Mary’s in Missoula…have had a walk with Karl, been out with Bob, cleaned up inside and have a glass of wine!  Dealer appt was a bust – they were crazy busy – other minor glitches with them…I paid and left before I got rude…have my door and will install it at my folks.  I left the dealer about 3:30 but weather was looking iffy – windy and see the photo below – so decided: first day, I was a bit “excited” – best to go someplace I knew and relax and hit the road early in the morning so here we are.

My low tech watering system…2 zone timer and 3 sprinklers.  It has been working and the neighbors are keeping an eye on it and the house and picking the strawberries.  The boys and I are on board – loaded and ready to leave after a morning appointment.

It is a beautiful evening – clear and cool…  The view of the woods and mountains from the motorhome is wonderful – this is a great RV spot! 

 Will head to Missoula about noon tomorrow for a 2:00 appt at Bretz RV – should check in at Jim and Mary’s RV Park in Missoula between 5 and 6.