In the planning stages for our trek out of the Valley of the Sun, we considered a number of options. Sail to Alaska, tour Colorado, or perform a redux of last summer’s trip. We chose the later, with a variety of amendments. Our major goal is to visit some locations with cooler climates. Combine that goal, with our love of mountains and the sea and here is the trip as it emerges.
The planning of a trip always seems to engulf a great amount of energy. Months prior to departure, Barb poured over maps, information about campgrounds, BPOE Lodges, state and national parks as she sculptured the details of the odyssey. The Normandy invasion of France during WWII, could not have been more detailed,
Days were filled with cleaning, loading, rearrangement, of items within the RV, not to mention the preparation of leaving our home for four months demanded much of June. All efforts were rewarded as on Father’s day morning, we pulled away from Mesa, and headed for a first stop at the Elks Lodge in Boulder City, NV. In traveling to that town, there are two major routes that can be used. One is over the Hoover Dam, the other goes around through Searchlight NV., both are about the same distance, but the later is one that offers wide roads, married with inclines and declines. We had use the route over Hoover Dam several times, so let’s take the other one.
To the credit of the Nevada, there is much road construction. As we came down a long slope we hit some new payment. Just then Barb asked, “Don’t you need to go to the bathroom?” Well, truth be told, after two cups of coffee and three bottles of water, the response was, “Yes.”
Her sharp eye noticed a service station just ahead on the left. Slowing down, I moved into the middle turn lane, and as turning – just as I looked carefully at the oncoming gravel drive – there it was a drop of several serious inches between the new payment and the old gravel drive. Now in slow motion – the front wheels drop over the payment, followed by the sound of cabinet doors opening, items coming out and hitting upon tile flooring. Items such as; glass, china, and bottles. Bottles of wine, bottles of olive oil, bottles of balsamic vinegar mixed with packets of brown sugar and other kitchen items. OK – now the back duel wheels drop over the edge, more crash sounds come from the behind the driver. When all had settled and we had come to a stop behind the station, we looked toward the kitchen area of the coach. The floor littered with fluids, glass, and furniture. Our conversation centered on language that is beyond PG-13 rated. What a way to begin our journey!
Cleaning the coach was the order of this evening and night. We were staying at the Elks Lodge in Boulder City, NV – a great place to stay for any reason. The next morning, after several cleaning efforts on the floor, we started up I-15. The next stop was at St. Charles, UT. Last year we visited with high school classmate Barbara Carver Frey and her husband Don. So much did we enjoy the visit that this stop has become mandatory on our part. What a glorious evening of relaxing, conversation, wine and a pasta dinner that would make your grandmother proud – if she were Italian.
So to date we were 1 for 2, for good days. Our trip continued along toward Salt Lake City. We stayed at a KOA campground just blocks from downtown. There was the usual trip to Temple Square, and a tour of several of the buildings, pausing to take in the outstanding floral landscaping around all of the buildings on the square. One of the activities we enjoy so much in any new city is to drive through the neighborhoods. SLC has some spectacular older homes in the near downtown area. There is a large park, and the capitol building neighborhood. All a wonderful way to enjoy on an early summer evening.
We motored toward Montana then crossed over to Idaho at Lost Trail Pass. Here at 7,000+ ft. in elevation, Kona had his first experience with a snow bank. Romping along, he seemed to really enjoy kicking and playing in the snow, just as any child would.
From the pass, our coach moved down Hwy. 93 to Salmon. Located on the river of the same name, it is the furthest inland those wonderful fish have usually journeyed. This is also on the Lewis and Clark Expedition and quite near the birthplace of Sacagawea. We parked at the Salmon BPOE. Later that evening we went to the bar at the Elks lodge. While there several locals urged us to attend the annual “Testicle Festival” on Saturday night. How could one refuse? Held in a large meadow on a ranch, some 250 ranchers, city folk, and visitors all came together to enjoy music, dancing, food (including the afore mentioned Mountain Oysters – for those inquiring minds, it tastes like deep fried chicken livers) and even a mechanical bucking bull. One interesting meeting was back in the Elks bar. One of the cowboys was drinking Kahlua and cream – this at 4pm. Hmmmm, had we journeyed onto the set of Brokeback Mountain?
We are resting here along the Salmon River for a couple of days, prior to our journey to Hungry Horse and a month in Montana. More anon. Enjoy!
