From Emigrant Pioneers to Innovative Engineers

Since our last entry we have gone from Idaho to Oregon and Washington and then today we entered into Canada.

While in LaGrande, Oregon we went to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. During the 1800s the Oregon Trail served as a natural corridor as the United States moved from the eastern half of the continent toward the west coast. The Oregon Trail ran approximately 2,000 miles west from Missouri toward the Rocky Mountains to the Willamette Valley. Through the years, many remnants of the trail have disappeared.

** We have included a picture of the actual wagon ruts and footpaths of The Oregon Trail, along with a couple "friends" we met at the Center**

It was very humbling to see evidence of the trail and to hear of all the hardships that our early pioneers endured.

The emigration lasted over several decades. Best estimates are that more than 500,000 people attempted this perilous journey. People were born and people died during the typical five month journey. It's estimated that perhaps 20,000 - 30,000 people making the trip died en route.

From Oregon we continued to Washington and visited the Grand Coulee Dam. What an amazing site. Grand Coulee Dam, which is a hydroelectric gravity dam on the Columbia River, is the fourth largest producer of hydroelectricity in the world measuring more than one mile in length with a spillway as long as 5 1/2 football fields! It is quite an amazing engineering marvel, built in the 1930s, and it was all accomplished with "just a slide rule", long before the advent of computers !!! Can you imagine :))

From Coulee we headed due north and crossed into British Columbia, Canada at Osoyoos. We are spending tonight, Thursday evening, in Oliver, BC. Tomorrow we are heading to Clinton, BC.

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Take care and soon,

P&J

Rock Springs, Wyoming

It has certainly been an "exciting" couple of days. On Thursday we left Ashland and headed to Sydney, Nebraska (I-80 west). Upon arrival we learned that we were under a tornado watch. Pat didn't need to be told; it had been a long day of driving with continual rain and some very strong winds. Thankfully the wind came primarily out of the east so with a direct tail-wind there was not too much difficulty controlling the rig. All evening there was threatening weather but, fortunately, nothing near us. We stayed tuned to the weather radio and learned that it was only a little over 100 miles away, in Weld County, Colorado, where they experienced a deadly tornado. We had a rather tense night but had no significant problems. We left early Friday as we heard there was more serious weather due and we wanted to try and stay ahead of it. We drove from Sydney to Rock Springs, Wyoming and the driving was not too bad EXCEPT for the last 70 miles when the wind shifted to come from the south and we were buffeted with a rather strong crosswind. It is a real challenge when 56 feet of motorhome and towed car are being hit broadside by winds that are gusting to almost 50 mph! Continuing to monitor the weather, we heard that we were fortunately staying just ahead of the tornadic activity. When we arrived in Rock Springs we learned that there had been serious problems in Sydney, Nebraska and Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming; all areas we had either just stayed or just passed through! We were VERY fortunate.

Upon arrival here in Rock Springs the weather has been fine, just cool (or COLD as Judy refers to it). Last night it got down into the 40s. Rock Springs is an industrial town that has it's livelihood tied to oil and natural gas drilling and mineral mining. It's a little rough-and-tumble but certainly "true Wyoming".

Today we went to Flaming Gorge and drove the 105 mile Scenic Byway. In the course of four hours we experienced warm sunshine, cool winds, sleet and snow. At one point the temperature dropped to 36 degrees. Old Mother Nature can certainly be fickle when she wants to!

Flaming Gorge was pretty. It was cut by the Green River and in the 1950s the US Bureau of Land Reclamation placed a dam on the river and created a beautiful lake/reservoir. Below is a link to a couple pictures we took today.

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Today was Alice's birthday, and Sally and Freddie hosted the celebration dinner at their coach. A delicious meal with a GREAT dessert. Two birthdays in three days. We REALLY have to do some extra hiking!

Tomorrow we continue west out of Wyoming, through the corner of Utah and into Idaho (I-80, I-15 and I-84), staying the evening in Delco. The severe weather is behind us and we are looking forward to a, hopefully, uneventful day.

Love to all.

Soon,

P&J

BIRTHDAY and a Great Time in Ashland, Nebraska

We are at Mahoney State Park in Ashland, NE. We left Iowa on Monday after an enjoyable week of visiting with relatives and seeing a few "sites". We drove to Pender, NE to Blue Ox to have a new hitch and gravel guard mounted on the motorhome in preparation for the roads(?) in Alaska. Last evening, Tuesday we arrived here at Mahoney SP and finally have all three coaches together to start the trek north. This is, by far, one of the nicest state parks we have ever visited. It's comprised of more than 700 acres of well-maintained land with spacious sites, a riding stable, a lodge with restaurant, a theatre, a marina, a giant pool and several hiking trails.

Today was Pat's birthday so we started with a group breakfast at the lodge then went to Camping World and Costco - there always seems to be something we need - and then Judy put on a great birthday bash. We had steaks on the grill, baked potatoes, buttered peas, salad and chocolate cake with chocolate icing. It was all of Pat's favorites and now we all have to walk twice as much for the next few days!!

While we were sitting out enjoying the evening, a photographer from The Omaha Globe newspaper came by and took some photographs for their pre-Memorial Day edition. As soon as we get the link we'll include it here for your viewing pleasure. It ought to be a real hoot. Here are 5 women driving three big rigs all the way to Alaska. I'm not sure the newspaper guy quite knew how to present it :))

We're off tomorrow morning, due west on I-80, to Sydney, NE for the night.

More soon,

P&J

Tulip Time in Pella, Iowa

Yesterday we went to Pella for the day. It is a lovely town about 45 miles NE of Humeston that is very steeped in the traditions, food and heritage of Iowa's Dutch immigrants. We had a great day, the weather was beautiful, the food was delicious and the tulips were near peak. The Tulip Time Festival was the first week in May and the blooms were still phenomenal. It's hard to fathom that every year the city plants approximately 55,000 bulbs, the residents and businesses add another 450,000 or so, and the entire extravaganza lasts just a little over two weeks! We were very fortunate to be there at the perfect time. We have been to Pella before but never during tulip time.

Attached are a couple photos. They're pretty but they do not do fair justice.

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Another couple days here in Humeston and then we'll be on our way. Judy (and Alice) have been cooking up a storm for Aunt Maxine and she seems to have rallied a bit since we've been here. At 97 she is just so frail and, at times, seems a bit tired of going on but, hopefully, we've brightened her days a tad.

More soon,

P&J

Humeston, Iowa

Yesterday, Saturday, we left Clarksville, TN and drove through Kentucky, Illinois, across the Mighty Mississippi, around St Louis and into Missouri (I-24, I-57, I-64, I-70). Last night we stayed in Danville, MO where it was quite stormy but nothing like the horrific weather that hit the western part of Missouri where they had several tornadoes. Today's driving was pretty tiring, although we only went 233 miles, because of very strong cross winds. It required a lot of effort to stay on the road, however, now we are all safe and settled in Humeston, Iowa (I-70, US 63, IA 2, US 65).

Humeston is the small town (fewer than 450 people) where Pat's Great-Aunt Maxine lives. She is 97 and has lived here her entire life. There is a really nice RV park in the city park and we have stayed here several times over the years. It's a good central point from which to visit family and friends. We will be here for a week which will be a welcome respite after working flat out to get ready for the trip and then driving rather hard to get here over the last 3 days.

This morning in Missouri it was 42 degrees when we awoke and tonight it is again supposed to get down into the low 40s. Judy is already glad that she brought lots of silk underwear, however, I keep reminding her that we ARE on our way to Alaska :)

We may not update this too often over the next few days as we will be just kicking-back, visiting and wrapping up a few more things on the coach in preparation for heading out in about a week.

We are traveling to Alaska with friends in two other coaches. Alice, who is driving a Tiffen Allegro Bay and Freddie and Sally who are driving a Newmar Northern Star. Alice has accompanied us from Florida and Freddie and Sally will be joining us In Nebraska on the 20th. We're sure you'll see and hear a lot about them in this blog as we all set out on OUR GREAT ALASKAN ADVENTURE.

Soon, P&J

FINALLY - On The Road, Heading "North to Alaska"

We have been accused of being "blog-slackers" and I guess we have been, in fact, guilty; BUT, now we are finally on the road beginning this wonderful adventure.

The last couple weeks have been incredibly hectic with Pat trying to get "completely" retired, Judy getting TWO houses ready to be closed up for a while and both of us faced with an incredible amount of preparations. BUT, we made it!

We left Flagler on Wednesday, May 7th and went to Orlando to have the coach weighed and a few last minute items added. Thursday, the 8th we were finally off and heading North. (Florida Turnpike to I-75) Last night, we stayed in Perry, GA. Tonight is Friday, May 9th and we are in Clarksville, TN. (I-75 to I-24)

Everything has been going well for us, however, last evening in the Fair Harbor Campground we, unfortunately, witnessed a motorhome fire. The coach burned all the way to the axles; it was devastating. Fortunately the folks were out at the time but they lost everything. Very sad and also a bit scary.

The weather has been good. 70s and 80s and mostly sunny.

Tomorrow it will be on through Kentucky, Illinois and into Missouri. We're heading toward Iowa to spend a week with Pat's 97 year-old Aunt Maxine.

Soon, P&J