Friday, April 17 (continued)
The Perfect Tow Vehicle glides across the sagebrush plain and carries Bridget, Reggie, and me across the border into Idaho!
At the tiny, unincorporated village of Rogerson, we travel west through more sagebrush.
In a little over seven miles we reach Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir and Dam where there is a BLM campground!
“Oh, this is more like it!”
Campsites with shelters are scattered down a grassy slope. The blue of the reservoir is a refreshing sight after many desert miles. Only one other camper is here.
I stop at the self-pay station and am delighted to discover the fee for camping.
Regular price is $5 which means those with a senior discount pass pay a whopping $2.50 a day! There are trash dumpsters, vault toilets, and drinking water spigots (not turned on yet this season). Also a boat ramp with floating docks.
Primitive campsites are available at the water’s edge.
By primitive I mean level spots next to rock fire rings.
No, not for us. The campsites are undefined which means anyone can slide their RV right next to you and make noise. Boaters and day visitors coming and going. Nope, not the private atmosphere I prefer.
Instead I choose a pull-through site within the campground.
It has an unobstructed view of the reservoir and that indefinable atmosphere — something about the light and shade — that makes a rustic campsite very appealing. I know it when I see it!
I position the Best Little Trailer and then it’s time for walkies!
Bridget and Reggie are as excited as I am to take a closer look at our new neighborhood.
The campsites have a shelter, picnic table, grill, a fire ring made of rocks, and green grass.
I can’t remember the last time I saw green grass!
Each site provides a view of the reservoir and some also include a view of the dam (at right in photo below).
I interrupt the crew from their sniffing.
“C’mon, let’s see what the plaque says.” (Click to enlarge photos.)
Later I read online that Lud Drexler’s family immigrated to the U.S. from Germany when he was five years old. He made his living as an auto mechanic.
The crew and I walk around the loop and return to our campsite.
“How about a picnic?” Much happy hopping by canines.
I retrieve the turkey breast sandwich I bought earlier at the Subway on the north side of Wells. I switch Reggie from leash to tether.
Reggie and Bridget know the drill and stake out their positions under the picnic table.
I like to buy a sub on the way to a new camp. Not only does this make set up time easier since there’s no lunch to prepare, it also adds a celebratory feeling for our arrival at a new camp. (I’m all about enjoying the simple things with my crew.)
As I’m munching on the sandwich and handing turkey morsels to open mouths under the table, I look at the roof of the shelter.
“Oh, we have a robin!”
That evening I lie in my bed and look up through the window. Above me tree branches in bud are outlined in moonlight.
Contented, I pet Bridget and Reggie beside me.
We have enough supplies to stay here several days. One propane tank is empty but if the weather stays beautiful like this, we won’t need it anyway. Groceries are good. Plenty of food for the crew. We can dump tanks here. Hmm . . . It’ll be the drinking water that runs out first. Well, it’s a short drive to Rogerson. We probably can fill the jugs at that RV park . . . .
I drop off to sleep happy to be here.
Saturday, April 18
I like to make our nest on the first full day at camp.
I stake the blue outdoor mat and arrange the lounger, one camp chair, and the doggie bed. I rake the entire campsite. This gives it a fresh look without bottle caps, cigarette butts, wood chips, pieces of charcoal, and bits of plastic lying around.
I shovel out the trash from the fire ring and re-stack the rocks. The picnic table is metal and in excellent shape so only a wipe-down is required.
By mid-morning the air is perfectly warm.
During my busy-ness, Bridget and Reggie enjoy the simple pleasure of a sunshiny day.
Of course, the two of them keep track of me at all times.
If I go into the Best Little Trailer, this is what appears at the doorstep.
Three other campers pulled in last night.
Two RVers and a young couple with a tent. They’re probably here for the weekend. Vehicles towing boats pass the campground, not close enough to be a bother.
At dusk the crew and I walk to look at the boat ramp area.
I can tell Bridget doesn’t have the energy to walk all the way. Even Reggie is sleepy-eyed.
“Time to take you two home and put you to bed.”
Tomorrow we’ll walk over to the dam.
rvsue
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