Sunday, June 29, 2003

More really nice scenery today through the central and south central Washington. First of all as we headed south from Oroville, we were still in the fruit growing area, lots of apples, cherries, and other fruits.

We arrived in Yakima, Wa. about 12:30 and visited a Wal-Mart Supercenter. I was ready for a re-stocking of Sausage Biscuits. We left there about 2:00 and arrived in Prosser, Wa, near the south-east corner of Washington about 3:00. We are staying in a really nice park just off the freeway. It is very hot here, about 100 degrees when we arrived. Course there is no humidity, so its not too bad.

The route from Yakima on I-82 took us through the Yakima Valley, a very prolific wine producing area. There are grape vines every where you look for as far as you can see.

The ladies won by 3-0 last nite, with Donna getting the widow.

Monday, June 30, 2003

We didn't do a lot of driving today, only made about 200 miles. But, we really did some interesting things. First as we crossed the Columbia River into Oregon, we visited the Oregon Welcome Center, and learned that the McNaly Dam was located just a couple of miles away. Since the Columbia is a major river for the salmon, the Corps of Engineer had constructed a fishway for the fish to make the climb to the water behind the dam.

There is a viewing area where one can see through glass into the ladder area and see the fish underwater as they swim up the ladder. At the lower end, we could also look at the top of the water from above and actually see the fish as they made the move to each higher section.

There is also a large visitor center with lots of information, as well as an area to watch the scientist as they tag from 5 to 15 Percent of the Smolts as they move downstream at 1 or 2 years of age. Of course, no Smolts were going downstream at this time of the year.

We then traveled on down I-82 to I-84 heading more to the southeast. We stopped at the Wal-Mart in Pendleton, Or. for Mac to get an oil change, and for Donna to get a prescription filled.

Then on to Baker City, Oregon, a really nice town near the historical Oregon Trail. The town has over 100 Historical buildings. After getting set-up in the RV park, and playing our regular 42 game, we drove around to look at some of the old building and homes.

Tomorrow we will visit the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center located a few miles outside town.

Oh, yeah.. The guys won by 3-0 tonite.. And I got the widow.

Tuesday, July 1, 2003

Just outside Baker City is and Interpretive Center about the Oregon Trail, with fantastic exhibits and a great building laid out to encourage a slow and leisurely look at all the arifacts and presentation of the pioneers' journey west. The center is located within view of a portion of the trail that is still visible in that area.

After visiting the center, we went back to the park and left there about 10:30, headed toward Idaho, then through Boise and Twin Falls. After stopping at the Idaho Welcome Center, we decided to stop in Twin Falls to see the Shoshone Falls located on the Snake River.

We picked a park located off the interstate, but we thought close to the falls. Since it was a new park, our GPS did not have it in the software, and we got lost. We were in downtown Twin Falls and about 5 or so miles away. We called, got directions, found it, office was closed, no picnic tables to play 42, so we drove off and went to a KOA that we knew was back by the interstate.

Then when checking in, the lady told the falls were basically dry because its so dry here. Oh well, maybe we will go anyway, but we will definitely investigate the gorge that is right near town.

Our Street Atlas and GPS indicates that we are about 1625 miles from Lufkin, and lately we have traveled from 200 to 300 miles a day. We will probably pick up the pace some, but we are not under any pressure to hurry back.

Wednesday, July 2, 2003

We did go take a look at the gorge that we had seen from the highway, and found there was a golf course and a city park along the Snake River, several hundred feet below the normal ground level. We didn't bother with the falls since the river was low and no falls to speak of.

We left Twin Falls about 8am and on the road toward Salt Lake City, We had a minor delay when I missed the turn-off to stay on I-84, instead, I went straight on I-86. We solved the problem a couple of miles later, by doing a U-Turn at one of those 'Authorized Vehicles Only' cross-overs, and returning to I-84. shh!!! don't tell any one, they may mail me a ticket.

We only made a couple of short stops on the way to Salt Lake, then through the city, and several other cities on I-15 to Springdale, where we got off the freeway to take Highway 6, across the desert and mountains to Green River, Ut, on I-70.

That's when we started overheating again, and still putting out a lot of black exhaust smoke, and experiencing reduced power. On one long uphill climb, it got so hot we were getting a warning buzzer, so we stopped, let it cool down, and un-hooked the Dakota for the remaining 40 miles or so to Green River.

I called the Cummins dealer in Grand Junction to try to get in tomorrow for them to take a look at it, but they were booked up tomorrow and Friday is July 4, of course. The guy I talked to, suggested several possible problems. Of his suggestions, the first thing I checked, I THINK will be the cause. The Air Charge system for the Turbo, is a little aluminum box mounted with the start batteries, and near the radiator. It has a crack in it that is allowing atmosphere air into the turbo system, and causing the turbo to be inefficient. At least I think that is the problem and hopefully I will be able to get it repaired tomorrow, or at least a temporary fix.

We have picked up the travel pace, with 407 miles today, but will probably be less tomorrow, as we try to get repairs done.

The men won by 2-1 tonite, and Donna got the widow again.

Thursday, July 3, 2003

We left the park in Green River fairly early, in order to travel while it was still cool. We didn't hook up the truck and, without the extra weight, the coach handled the trip to Grand Junction, where we stopped at a truck stop, and I called a couple of welding shops. The first one that answered said they could get right on it, just come on in.

They got on it immediately, and fixed the crack, then we looked for other crack, and found one on the bottom just as large. After the fix, we left the truck un-hooked for the first 20 miles or so through the mountains, and no problem.

So, we hooked up and drove on in to Glenwood Springs, where we hoped to spend the nite. But, the only park there was full for the holidays. The lady suggested a new place, still under construction, about 20 miles on further up the canyon.

We stopped there, right on the Colorado River. The place was fairly rustic, but the guy was making progress, and doing it all by himself. Mac and Lena tried their luck at a little fishing, but no luck.

After it cooled down some (about 90 degrees, but nice), we played 42 and the Guys won 2-1. Mac got the Widow.

Friday, July 4, 2003

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA !!

We hope everyone is enjoying a safe and happy Fourth of July! Sorry to learn the great Firework Show at Ellen Trout Zoo had to be cancelled. Our condolences to the families involved in the tragic accident.

We spent most of the 4th on the road from River Dance RV park to Raton NM. We decided that we would try to make Raton for the night, because of its high elevation and cool nights. Days are usually in the 70's, but was in the high 90's when we arrived about 2:30pm.

We were in store for a nice surprise, however, as we sat in the chairs and watched the Fireworks display from the RV park.. a great view and a nice show.

The drive to Raton was uneventful, except for the last few miles when, again, the coach overheated as we neared the top of Raton Pass. Fortunately, we pulled into the truck weigh station and cooled down before it got too hot.

The 42 game tonite went to the Ladies 3-0, with the widow going to Mac, again.

Saturday, July 5, 2003

As we left the park in Raton today, we were treated to quite a sight - about 25 hot air balloons just taking off in the early morning cool air. We were several miles away, but it was really neat to see all those balloons over the city.

We drove into Amarillo, crossing into Texas at 10:10am for the first time in 50 days!! Don't think Texas ever looked so good!! LOL Then on into Amarillo, arriving at the Flying J about 12:40, where we re-fueled the coach and our bodies with a nice buffet lunch.

Then on into a little town called Goodlett, between Childress and Wichita Falls. This is a really nice little park, that opened into May, 2001. It's the site of an old cotton gin, that has been converted to be used as the office, store, gathering room and Hot Tub area. They also have a nice pool, which was very tempting in this 100 degree weather.

Well, we played our final game of 42 tonite. And the Ladies won again, 2-1, with Donna getting the Widow. Now for those of you not keeping a running score, let me give it to you!!

Games Men --- 48 Ladies --- 43

Now I know you are really wanting to know this last statistic. The Widow went to the following:

Donna 12
Mac 11
Lena 5
Kpoppa 3

Since this is our last night on the road together, this will be last of the Weekly Journal. We will, within the next few days (or weeks), attempt to publish a general summary of the trip, some of the highlights, and most importantly, get a lot of pictures posted on this site or with links to another site.

Being on the road, it has been fairly difficult to get film developed and to get the digital pictures that Donna took all sorted, filed, and identified (She took over 750 digital pictures).

We had 18 rolls developed in Anchorage a few weeks back, have them on CD, and will be publishing those as soon as possible. We also have about 10 more 35mm rolls to develop and get on CD.

We have to say that this has been one of the greatest experiences that Donna and I have ever had. We will have traveled over 11,000 miles by the time we get home tomorrow, have had very few problems, and have loved the time that we have had to spend with Mac and Lena. Even though we traveled in separate vehicles, thanks to Cobra radios, we were in constant touch. Sometimes, I thought Donna spent more time talking to Lena on the radio than she did talking to me. LOL