Wednesday, July 10
Today’s photos are from our new camp!
This morning I hitch up the Best Little Trailer to the Perfect Tow Vehicle. As much as I like Tinney Flat Campground east of Santaquin, Utah, I need internet. I also don’t want to be here over the weekend because the camp hosts say it fills up. Wednesdays are a good day to move to a new camp.
Usually I’m excited about a move.
Not this time. The mega metropolis beginning with Payson, north to Provo, and on to Salt Lake City looms before us. I can’t face the pressured driving of rush hour traffic on Interstate 15, so I take a round-about route.
For my fellow map-nerds, I drive west through Santaquin on Route 6 through Goshen, then due north on Route 68. This detour swings us around the west side of Utah Lake, thus avoiding the stretch of interstate to Payson, Spanish Fork, Provo, and Lehi.
Not a particularly scenic route, but the road is good with hardly any traffic.
Not so when we hit Riverton, turn right onto Route 71, and merge onto the interstate. From then on, it’s grueling pressure driving until we’re well away from Salt Lake City.
You don’t want to read about this trip. If you’ve driven interstate for six hours covering about 350 miles, you don’t want to relive it here, I’m sure.
No air conditioning makes it an especially tiring day. The crew seems to understand that this is something we have to do and there is no benefit in fussing about it. Bridget and Spike are super all day long! The PTV experiences a few, minor hot flashes, but overall runs like a loyal horse all day.
So where are we now?
Well, we’re only eight miles from the border of Montana, that’s where! More specifically, we’re at Stoddard Creek Campground in the Targhee National Forest. It’s about fifteen miles north of Dubois, Idaho, and about five miles north of the tiny village of Spencer, Idaho, which is noted for opal mining.
I drive up to the campground entrance just as the camp hosts, Lynn and Velma, are driving out. Lynn stops the car to help me find a campsite. I don’t like the looks of RVs lined up like sardines in a can off to the right.
“I’ve been driving all day and really prefer to be by myself. Is there a site like that?” I ask.
“Oh, yes. You want site #14. Drive to the upper area, keep to the left, go around behind the group area restroom, and you’ll come to it.”
I agree it’s the best campsite for me and my crew.
I have a bit of a struggle to back the BLT into a position where it doesn’t require a lot of leveling. I manage to run over my favorite drink container in the process. At this point, who cares! I just want to settle in and call it a day.
Yes, I have internet! After two campgrounds with no internet, I’m thrilled to have four bars, thanks to my Wilson antenna on a stick.
You’d think I’d crash. However, I’m so wired from the long haul that I stay up late with my face in the laptop. I missed my blog readers!
There’s no place like home!
rvsue
THANK YOU, RVSUE SHOPPERS! Whether you want to fix your liver, sleep in a tent with three other people, or wear a hamburger on your head, these shoppers know what to buy. Take a look!
Alvita Tea Bags, Dandelion Root (Roasted), Caffeine Free
Big Agnes Big House 4 Four-Person Tent
Hamburger Hat
Sleep Master 8-Inch Tight Top Deluxe Individual Pocketed Spring Mattress
Medline Remedy Skin Repair Cream, 32 oz. Bottle with Pump
Keds Daphne T-Strap Sneaker (Toddler/Little Kid)
That looks like just the place I would want to be after a day of freeway driving. I have been through that area when I moved from Washington to Indiana. I wasn’t towing anything but my 2 basset hounds at the time spent most of their time sleeping in the back of my Toyota 4runner I had at the time. As I read your blog recently I was wondering when you were going to head back or if you were heading back to Montana sometime. I can’t wait to get started, I pick up my new trailer next Friday. I had to pass on the Casita, room for me but not my big bloodhound and 2 basset hounds. I love following you, Spike and Bridget on your blog.
Hi, Steve!
Next Friday? Wow! At long last! You are wise to get a rig that will fit you and your canine crew. A Casita would definitely be too small. I’m so excited for you! I know you’ve been counting the days.
Thank you for that last line in your comment. Now don’t forget to get some sleep before Friday rolls around.
But Steve, we’re dying to know–what trailer did you decide on?
Oh my……….that was a really long day!
We drove a max of 4 hours a day…from 10am-2pm to make sure we weren’t with the folks driving to work. This RV is moving at 55mph..if you want to pass…do so..because we’re not in a hurry.
Your site looks peaceful…hope it stays that way. Ummm..I think Bridget is trying to get your attention…….alright already take the picture and let us out of here! Spike looks like he’s asleep.
This blog is addicting…………If I am busy and don’t have time to surf the web…I’ll check my emails and this blog.
You aren’t the only one addicted to this blog. When I’m without internet I’m like an addict without a fix. I need my blog with my morning coffee. I need my blog, I need my blog, I need my . . . .
I going to have to buy a new mouse soon….using the roller thingy ma giggy to scroll down to the bottom is a work out!
I’m sure there is a faster way…but I have no clue how to do it.
Sounds like you have a desk computer. I use the thingy built into the laptop and drag the button down the side of the screen. It takes some getting used to. Now that it’s easy for me, I don’t think I could stand using a mouse.
Oh that’s much easier….thanks.
We have a laptop and use a wireless mouse.
your pix are perfect, the perfect tow vehicle is an older Chev, right.The only problem we’ve ever had with Meshack is an occasional hot flash going up Cabbage Hilll East of Pendleton on I84 in Oregon,other he just purrs along .When hubby bought him home from Calif over the Siskiyous, it was at night.When outside temps are over one hundredi wasn’t surprised,I want to order some bins from Amazon, but I’m not sure what I want
Yeah, the PTV is eight years old… er, young. Good luck picking out the bins you want. If you use my links I’ll get to see what your final decision is. 🙂
Sue, you appreciate the security the added $$$ provided by our shopping on Amazon through your blog provide you and WE REALLY appreciate the interesting way you write and the adventures you and the crew have. I know you have given several folks the info they need to pursue full timing and give lots of the rest of us great info on places to camp. You also remind us that the best things in life aren’t STUFF and how to find joy in everyday happenings. In my opinion you more than adequately earn the financial rewards from the things your readers purchase on Amazon.
Gee, Reine, what a nice message to me. You’re such a kind and thoughtful person.
I hope my life and my blog is a help to those I meet and to those who read what I write. Thank you for supporting my Amazon efforts.
It looks like you snagged a perfectly secluded campsite. I hope my luck runs as good when I start out on my cross country trip, although I will probably have to deal with neighbors since I’ll be tenting, and don’t have the time to wander around to find disbersed camping. I’ve done all the research I can online, but I’m mainly excited about getting on the road again. I am avoiding interestates from CA to NY except possibly for a stretch through Montana.
A trip from CA to NY staying off the interstate… What a trip that will be, Martha! No wonder you’re excited.
I understand what you mean about not having time to look for dispersed camping. Sometimes I feel that way, too.
A good thing about tenting is you can take sites that others, even little trailers like the BLT, can’t fit into. I wonder if we’ll see you here during your trip. I’d love to know how you’re doing and where the roads take you. I’ll try to remember to check your blog, but I’m not very good at that (remembering OR reading blogs).
Map-nerd, huh! LOL, yes, that would be me when it comes to your blog! Lovely flower photos today. You’ve become quite the photographer. I am enjoying your trip north and those lovely pine trees. Grace (in hot, hot Tucson)
Hi Grace!
Now that I have internet again, I was reading weather forecasts for the southwest. They’re talking monsoon! Maybe you’ll get the rain you need.
I’m pleased you enjoyed the flowers. Spring flowers are gone. Now it’s the daisies and asters of summer. Most of these flowers are along an unused two-track lane the crew and I walk. It’s an open, Ponderosa pine woods, quite lovely.
Hi Sue,
It was so sweet watching the rain as I had my tea this morning. Steve and I enjoyed it so much. Regarding the flowers… did you get a chance to see Mark’s photos in his BoxCanyonBlog today? It well worth a peek.
http://boxcanyonblog.blogspot.com/2013/07/sacrebleu.html
Enjoy! Grace
Yes, I did see Mark’s photos! Incredibly beautiful . . . Mark and Al (The Bayfield Bunch) put my photos to shame.
You were wise to sidestep SLC. You probably know this, but drivers there are positively maniacal! And the 215 bypass is no better than I-15. Forget about trying to change lanes because no one will let you. 🙁 I usually go through NV just to avoid SLC.
I didn’t bother with the bypass. I pulled into the second lane (one lane to my right and multiple lanes to my left) and that’s where I stayed until the interstate narrowed down to two lanes. I was fortunate to go through SLC around 10:30 a.m., missing the rush times, although when is it not a big rush, right?
I couldn’t believe the smog! At first I thought it was haze. The mountains were faint outlines.
The haze in SLC is not smog but smoke blown in from fires in Nevada. The smoke is stuck against the mountains.
Yes, sorry I wrote that… Joan pointed that out, too.
Ah ha!! I knew you’d be in Idaho! What beautiful flowers you have (pictures). In most of my travels, I hit the interstate to get where I plan to go and then wander around when I get close. I’m on limited time usually so I literally ‘hit the road’ and once I get there I explore the surrounding area. I realize I miss a lot by doing this but I always worry that I’ll break down in the middle of no where. This happened one time, I was stranded cuz my rental car broke down…no one stopped to help…prob cuz I’m brown LOL!! The tow truck guy had to take us to nearest town…but what do you know..no rooms available!! We huddled outside a restaurant until a Latino couple traveling offered to take us 200 miles down the way to catch the bus home.
Hi Rita!
What an awful experience. I can understand you not wanting to go through something like that ever again.
As you know, I like to make short trips, hopscotching from camp to camp, while staying away from heavily populated areas. I couldn’t do that with Salt Lake City and surrounding cities between us and where we want to go. That’s when interstates — as much as we usually hate driving them — come in handy. This drive was made longer by the fact that the area to the north of SLC is not camping terrain.
BTW, you map says you’re near SE Montana but I think you’re near the SW Montana. We traveled 15 then is it 90 to Missoula to go to Glacier NP. On the way back we took 93…a beautiful drive with lots to see and do.
Thanks, Rita! I’ll fix it. And I’ll also look in my atlas to see where Route 93 is.
Sorry that the air wasn’t clear when you came through the valley. We have had smoke settle in from fires in the Las Vegas area, making it like the inversions we get in the middle of winter. A storm came it this afternoon and blew it all away, clear and cool this evening. I have followed you from the very start of your journey, love every post and wonderful writing and beautiful pictures. Thanks for the wonderful adventure that we all get to tag-along on. Joan Riverton , Utah
Hi Joan!
I’m glad to learn that it wasn’t city smog, but smoke, as annoying as that can be. At least smoke goes away!
BTW, by clicking “enlarge” on the bottom map in the weather widget (sidebar), an air quality map of the U.S. appears.
Well that was a long hot days drive for you and the crew, you did pick the perfect least bogged down interstate time, did you take the legacy hwy? That would have been a nice aside to I-15 for a bit… Happy to know you passed by the Northern Wasatch asphalt jungle, would have loved to meet you Sue but know your preference to keep on going and keep connected on the airwaves of the internet…
Smog in these parts of late has been from a fire just N. of Las Vegas and with the current jet stream bringing it north (choke, sputter) believe it or not with all that smoke the powers that be said the air pollution is not bad, hmmmm…. Tell that to those with asthma and other breathing problems we have been seeing where I work… 🙁
Targhee, well done, beautiful site you are enjoying, and you have internet!!! 🙂
T~
Hi Tawanda,
“Well done” eh? I think so, too! I’m very glad we made it this far north.
As a lifelong Easterner, I had no idea how the forest fires affect air quality over large areas of the West. It must be difficult for folks with breathing problems.
As I wrote to Joan (above), there’s a handy air quality map you can see from the weather widget on my blog.
You’re right… There are times when I want to keep moving for whatever reason… to avoid weekend influx of people, to get internet, etc.
The crew know how to hunker down and take the hard times with the good times as part of the family! They are precious pups. The flower photographs are beautiful–I hope you are able to relax for a while and recover from that long drive!
Hi, Mary Ann!
It was a long day for the crew, too. I was able to make it past Salt Lake City before they needed a rest stop. After that I stopped for them about once an hour. We got a sandwich at a truck stop Subway and I shared the turkey breast with them. These little breaks and a snack kept them happy and willing to ride quietly or sleep. I’m so proud of my little boondockers!
Photographing flowers is one of my favorite things to do . . . It makes me happy when readers tell me they like the photos!
I love those flower photos, so cheerful and bright! Your new camp site is lovely and worth the long drive. Glad you have reached your destination safely and well done to the crew for being patient and good dogs on such a long haul. Woopee…………..you going into Montana?………..a state of the US I have always dreamed of seeing, ever since reading a children’s book when I was young about horses in Montana…left quite an impression on me all those years ago.
Which way will you go………….stay in Idaho or go into Montana?
Hi Glenda!
We’re going to Montana! Yay! I love the state, too. We may return to Idaho to see the northern part. I’ve heard it’s beautiful and the landscape looks interesting on the map.
Books we read as children can have a powerful influence over our lives. The book that influenced me was the historical fiction, Caddie Woodlawn. (Caddie was an adventurous tomboy who moved with her family from Boston to Wisconsin and dealt with all sorts of crises and predicaments.)
Stay with us, Glenda . . . Soon we will go to the great state of Montana!
Can’t wait………….exciting!!
Love the pictures!!! Glad you were able to locate a great site, secluded but WITH a signal….doesn’t get any better!! Enjoy!
Hi Gerri!
Great photos on your blog! I see you’re in Georgia trying to avoid the humidity. That brings back memories.
Our seclusion is drifting away with the arrival of weekenders, but the internet signal, thank heaven, is still strong. 🙂
About the PTV having hot flashes and no AC. I would check the serpentine belt that drives the AC, and especially the fan for the radiator. A little overheating can cost you big bucks, like maybe a new engine and possibly a transmission too.
While in Idaho, look on the map for Featherville. Just past the store there is a road to the right, follow it for about 12 miles towards Atlanta and you will come to a camp site right on the river. You will probably not have any internet connections, it is too remote. But it is a beautiful place or was in 1976 which is the last time I was there. Check at the store to make sure the road is open and wide enough for the trailer.
Please be careful on the road.
Rex
Hi Rex!
The serpentine belt is in good shape. I assume the heating of the PTV was within “normal” range (if there’s such a thing). The gauge needle went halfway between the usual place and the red, bad, place, temporarily. 🙂 This was after three hours on the interstate in the heat of the afternoon. It didn’t stay there long.
Featherville… what an intriguing name! I’ll have fun looking it up in my atlas to see if it’s a possible camp for us on this trip. Thanks, Rex.
It’s not a belt. The belt doesn’t run the electric fan in the A/C. It does run the A/C compressor. I still say…….FUSE! And once you know where they are, keep a spare fuse. A slight heating is normal on long grades in hot weather especially. I have heated up to the point the automatic Transmission is blowing fluid out it’s fill tube. Let it cool and truck on. Not nice but not real serious. I think I told you that story before. It was on a long grade in Wyoming. Get that manual out Sue, find the blown fuse and replace it.
PS if that serpentine belt runs your water pump too if it were gone……..you’d know it quick.
Not “if” it runs it….It Does run it. Old man ooops.
Monsoons have made themselves at home in New Mexico! 5 days now of rain at least once every 24 hours has put out all our wildfires and settled the dust! So glad to see you in Idaho. We did not spend enough time there! Opal mines? Will you be able to mine for opals???? I love doing stuff like that! Glad your long drive is over… I HATE INTERSTATE DRIVING! Chuck and I follow the “geezer” driving rules of 4-4-2 whenever possible! 4 hours driving-4PM-200 miles…. whichever comes first, we pull in! Love all your flower photos and new campsite! Stay safe and happy and hug the crew from us! Geri
Hi Geri!
At long last, NM gets rain! Hip-hip-hooray! I don’t know if I’ll go opal mining… I have to be in a rare mood for something like that. Usually things like that are tourist traps, but what do I know . .. The opal is my birthday stone, so I should go see!
I broke the three rules of “geezer driving.” Glad that grueling drive is behind us.
Aren’t the flowers around here pretty? Such fun hunting for different kinds and capturing them with my camera. You, Chuck, Doogie Bowzer, and Radar stay safe and happy, too!
(I typed Boogie Dowzer first! LOL)
Hey…. Boogie Dowser sounds pretty good! hahahaha! Also you should go look at The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, just this past weekend someone found a huge multi carated canary diamond! Chuck and I tried it with no diamond luck, but it was fun!
Here is a link to that huge diamond find!
http://abcnews.go.com/US/giant-diamond-found-arkansas-crater-diamonds-state-park/story?id=13331368
Hi Sue —- Love the flower pictures of todays blog, just makes you smile on the inside. I feel honored to be featured twice with your Amazon purchase list – the cream which my 81 year young mother loves to slather over herself (she gives it a 5 star rating) and the Hamburger Hats (bet that made you chuckle), they are for a vintage trailer Rally dance party – going as Jimmy Buffett groupies. Keep blogging – it makes my mornings. BJ from Chicago
Gee, BJ, you hit the jackpot on my blog! Out of a few hundred recent orders, you are 2 out of 6 chosen… Maybe you should head to Vegas on your way to the rally!
I enjoyed reading about where the products sold on my blog are going… on your mom’s bod and to a dance party. 🙂 You extroverts know how to enjoy life!
Thank you for reading my blog regularly and for shopping here. I bet vintage trailer people are fun. Enjoy!
Glad you are settled in a nice site with WiFi:)
The wildflowers are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Pam! Thanks for dropping in!
Opals in Spencer, Idaho, eh? Opal is my October birthstone. I’ll have to go there and see what I can dig up — pun intended! (As my father used to say, the pun is the lowest form of humor unless it happens to be yours!)
Hi Gayle! Be easy on yourself and go to the opal store in Spencer. 🙂
I will need to dig up those opals myself because I promised myself I wouldn’t spend any money unless it was on Amazon for Sex in a Tent and a box of whips and chains! Just wanna bring a shopping dazzle to your blog. You’re welcome.
Just a note about the flower photos which I love… I do a lot of jigsaw puzzles on line (no lost pieces) and often make my own using your wonderful flower photos. The colors are vivid and the contrasts great for jigsaws. My mobile computer desk just gave up and I didn’t even look around town (it’s 100 degrees out), just ordered one through your Amazon site. Happy travels.
Hi Donna!
I didn’t know you could make jigsaw puzzles online. That’s neat that you use my flower photos. Ooh, I have to find how to do that so I can make Spike and Bridget jigsaw puzzles!
Yes! Much better to buy your desk from Amazon through my blog! Thank you!
I bought a program called Jigsaws Galore which comes with a variety of puzzles but the best thing about it is that it allows you to make your own jigsaws with any picture you have in your library. I’m sure there are others but when I was looking the other ones I saw did not allow this function. I love doing jigsaws and this allows me the pleasure without the hassle of finding a place to work.
Ain’t technology grand? . . . (when it’s working) . . .
Hello again…
What a co- incidence…. I have just returned from a 9 day road trip which included a two hour stop sitting atop the tailings from the opal mine in Spencer. I’ve always enjoyed searching for agates in the surf so thought I’d give this a try. A few basic tools are required (a squirt bottle, gloves, eye protection, something to claw through the rubble and helpful but not required is a geology pic. The shop/café sells all these items and helps to educate what to look for. Cost is $10. which includes two pounds of rock (and another $7 for the necessary tools. I found several specimens showing color. All in all, it was an interesting experience and I learned more about how the vein of opal is formed.
I’m am not an RV’ er but just got a new car and decided a “road trip” was necessary.
My route: No. California to Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Jackson WY, (visited the Grand Tetons – just spectacular-, Alpine (stayed at the Flying Saddle and met up with the 3 and 6 year old grandsons) Spencer, Crater of the Moon, back to Twin Falls and home the next day. I just love to drive.
I was eager to catch up on your travels when I returned home and am just amused that I could visualize the places you mentioned.
Best Wishes,
Diana
Hi Diana!
Congratulations on the new car and a fun road trip! Sounds like you had a wonderful time . . . from opals to the Tetons to grandkids . . . Wow!
Hmm . . . Maybe you’re the reader who bought the book, Agates of the Oregon Coast?
So you read my blog…. Just shows you don’t have to be an RVer to read the adventures of me and my crew. 🙂 Thanks for the info on opal mining!
Your new camp site looks so comfy. Enjoyed the flower pics they are so pretty. Was glad to learn about the on line puzzles. Thanks to your reader Donna, I just downloaded one to this I Pad.
Amazing what we learn from your blog….:-) Love it
It IS amazing. I’ve learned a lot from readers’ comments. We seem to wander all over totally unrelated topics. Enjoy your puzzle, Val!
Enjoy yourself Val.. the greatest thing is not losing pieces and not having to find a place to spread the pieces all out.
I am using one of your flower pics on my desktop. I replaced your horse pic from some time ago. Great work.
I think I’ll make one of them my desktop wallpaper, too! Now which one should I choose . .. mmm..
Sue,
Glad to hear it was the PTV that had hot flashes…
Your photography skills have definitely grown from your very first photos on your blog.
Stay cool.
Hi Brian!
I think what makes a big difference from my early photos and the ones you see in recent posts is the camera. It’s a Panasonic 10x zoom given to me by one of my favorite readers, Mick, who also helped me get my solar put together, among many other helpful and generous things.
Now I look back at my early photos and cringe.
I totally refuse to get on I-15, in SLC. Really glad you made it through our fair city in one piece. Would love to take my husband up to the Tetons one more time, thanks for all the wonderful pictures.
Hi Michelle!
Oh, the Tetons! Breath-taking! I want to see them again, too. I hope you and your husband make it back there again.
You’re welcome re: photos!
I sure can understand why you took the less traveled road on the west side of Utah Lake instead of the freeway. Sure is a road full of its ups and downs and turns, but easier on the nerves than that freeway. Sorry you didn’t go through the Uintas and Evanston on your way up north. I am looking forward to your time up there … haven’t been there for many years and will gain much from your comments/experiences I’m sure. I believe we will be going to the Ephraim/Manti area ourselves in a couple of weeks. Just missed you.
Hi Steve!
The crew and I may go through Evanston and the Uintas on the way south in the fall… Who knows? I certainly don’t!
Let me know if you camp in either of the same sites we camped in Ephraim and Manti Canyons. 🙂 Isn’t this fun!
Sounds like the SLC traffic is much like the Dallas and Houston traffic. My mother lives in Galveston so I have to go through Houston when I visit (or take a much longer side route through the countryside). I can definitely relate to your 6 hours on the Interstates – that’s how long my drive is to Galveston, and I’m ready for a nap when I get there! Or a drink, except I don’t drink anything stronger than iced tea 🙂
Opals are my birthstone too, so I will add the mine in Spencer to my list of places to visit.
Your flower photos are worthy of display in a gallery/book, as are most of your other ones! Very clear, closeup, and the composition is admirable.
Thank you, Cari, for commiserating with me on interstate travel and for the compliments on my photos. Many years ago I designed brochures for a non-profit. I think that experience helps me with photography.
My dear father told me once that no experience is ever a waste… you’ll use what you learn from it at some future point in your life.
Well, we share a birth month!
You’ve outdone yourself on the flowers this time. Superb!
Question about your blog. Before you switched to self hosting, did you buy the custom design option with wordpress? I see that the custom design is $30 a year. But without it, you really can’t do much individualization.
Do you have any other hints about using WordPress when just starting?
One of my sons, who does websites, said he’d help me out when I’m ready to self-host and have ads. I’m not even close to being there yet though.
Thanks for your help!
Glad you are all settled in to another gorgeous camp. I spent 4 hours and $150 today and froze 36 crock pot meals. This girl is budgeting! Looks like I need to go ahead and get three more Benchmark atlases. I can’t wait to see your adventures.
Wow! Sue, after a long drive you still had a plenty of energy left to take many fantastic photos of wildflowers . They are really magnificent. I like your wild geranium, buckwheat, groundsel, fleabane. Your dark red paintbrush show such unplanned beauty of wilderness. I’m not sure which paintbrush is it? Maybe scarlet or orange, splitleaf or pink? They maybe have different names in a different state anyway but you captured their dark color against light log so well. Thank you for sharing those pictures and bringing some joy to my sad day.