Our Trip to Oregon, Washington, and other points west.

It has been a while since we posted anything so I will bring you up to date by posting Helen's journal notes that she makes as we travel.

July 21, 2011

     Today is the beginning of a new journey. This trip we will travel northwest to the Rocky Mountain National Park, Glacier National Park, Washington, Oregon, & California. We left Lascassas at 8:45 A.M. drove 444 miles, crossed parts of TN, KY, ILL, MO. We stopped at Kan-Do RV Park in Montgomery, MO. for the night. The temperature was 104 degrees.

July 22, 2011

     Got up early ready to head out by 6:45 A.M. trying to miss some of the heat. It is already 81 degrees at 7:00 A.M. . Stopped twice for fuel and once at a rest stop for a break and snack. Another good traveling day. We drove another 400 miles today. The fuel prices are about the same as Murfreesboro. Stopped at Triple J RV Park in Russell, KS. at 2:40 P.M. . Temperature is still 104.

July 23, 2011

    Got an early start again this morning left about 7:00 A.M. and drove 410 miles. Arrived at Loveland RV Resort in Loveland, CO. at 2:00 P.M. A good days travel with temperature in the 90s. This is a nice RV Park, a little crowded but shady. We are staying here two nights so we can see the Rocky Mountain National Park. I will post some pictures later.
     We ate a sandwich and rested for a while then drove to the Rocky Mountain National Park. We drove up about 13,000 ft to the Alpine Visitor's Center. There was still lots of snow on the mountain and the views were breath taking. We were above the tree line and tee were several huge snow packs, some looked to be 100 ft thick. We saw several elk grazing and playing on the snow. They would go to the top of a snow pack and slide down and jump around on the snow.
     Got back to the RV around 9:00 P.M. very tired. It doesn't get dark here until about 10:00  P.M. We are going back to the park tomorrow to see as much as we can in a long day.

July 24, 2011

     We had breakfast, packed drinks and snacks then headed off to Rocky Mountain National Park again. We entered the North entrance and drove across the mountains to the South entrance. "What beauty mine eyes have seen" !!!  It was an exciting, a little scary at times, trip. There are several pull-offs to stop and see deep valleys, lakes, and snow packs. We saw more elk and some mountain goats today. Came back to Loveland  and stopped at a KFC for dinner then back to the RV.
     This has been a very enjoyable stop and the temperature has been very pleasant. Moving on tomorrow headed on toward Glacier National Park.

July 25, 2011

     Left Loveland, CO this morning early and drove 469 miles to Hardin, Montana. In Big Sky Country at last. Stopped the Hardin KOA for the night, a very nice campground. We unhooked, set up everything then drove over to the Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument formally called "Custer's Last Stand Monument". The name was changed in order to remember all that were killed on both sides of the conflict. We got Helen's National Park Pass Port book stamped and explored the battle field and visitor's center. Listened to an interesting ranger talk about the events that led up to the battle, the lay-out of the battlefield, and some things that took place after the battle. Very informative but very controversial and challenging to a lot of notions we read in western books about the battle and Custer. Returned to the RV for a quite, restful evening. The temperature is pleasant, in the upper 80s.

July 26, 2011

     We left Hardin and drove to Great Falls, Montana up Hwy 87 and passed through some very lovely country. It was a very pleasant day in the 70s when we arrived at Great Falls KOA. A nice enough campground but not worth what they charged. Very tight sites and wonder if I can get out without tearing up something.
     We drove over to several falls. Some were impressive but they had damned up the Missouri River just above the falls and that took away from the falls. I am sure that when Louis & Clark first saw the falls it was very impressive indeed. He wrote in his journal that as they moved across the plains they could hear the roar and see the mist rising from the falls as they crashed on the rocks some 97ft below. Returned to the RV and had a good nights rest. Excited about getting to Glacier National Park tomorrow.

July 27, 2011


     We are going back tomorrow but we are going to ride a shuttle so Michael can look at the scenery instead of having to watch the road. We made lots of pictures but they just don't do justice to what you see with your eye. No camera could capture all that the eye can see. Got back to the RV about 10:00 P.M. We are both very tired but it's been a very rewarding day.

July 28, 2011

     Today we started out with a free breakfast in the Motel lobby then drove to the West entrance to catch the shuttle up to Avalanche River Stop. We walked the trail along the river through the Big Cedars. I do mean Bigggggg Western Red Cedars!!!!! We caught one of the smaller shuttles on up to Logans Pass. There was a trail there but it was stilled covered with snow. Although a lot of people went on the trail we let caution prevail and stayed safely at the visitor's center. The wind was blowing very strong across the snow and the high temp was 52 degrees with a very strong wing. We walked around in the cleared areas and made more pictures. I bought a picture book of Glacier National Park then caught the shuttle back to where we parked the truck. We drove back to the RV and kicked back the rest of the day. We are both tired. I believe riding the shuttle is more tiring than driving. We both decided that driving was better because we could stop when we wanted to take pictures or just look at the scenery. We will drive tomorrow.
     Sylvester has been sick and hasn't eaten for two days. Hope He get well soon, I'm concerned for him.

July 29, 2011

     Today we drove back to Glacier N.P. We just sort of took our time and really enjoyed the drive over the
 mountains. We stopped and hiked about 2 miles back a trail to the Flathead River to some rapids and cascades. We stopped at most of the pull-offs to view all the awesome scenery. We by-passed Logans Pass this time and went on over to St. Mary's Visitor Center at the east entrance. We watched a great video about the park and read lots of information signs. Then we drove to a place called "Many Glacier" where the last big glacier is but we could not hike back to it. The Trail was closed to protect the glacier I suppose. We did see some glaciers but not up close.  Then back over the mountains to our RV. Its been a very enjoyable day

July 30, 2011

     Not doing much today. I think I will wash the truck and the front of the RV today and it looks like Helen is going to do some laundry. Sylvester is some better today!!!