More MoBoHo Adventures

August 22, 2018

The next stop on our journey was Hill City South Dakota. We were fortunate to find a beautiful RV camp at the Bar J Ranch. Hill City is perfectly situated in the Black Hills between many small cities (including Sturgis)  Mount Rushmore,Crazy Horse, where in the evening the have a lazer light show that lights up the mountain and ends with a vision of the finished rendition of Crazy horse. pretty cool to see and then there was the Badlands.(Bad to the bone)  Along the way we stopped at Custer's Memorial and where it is noted for "Custer's last Stand". We arrived just as the annual Sturgis motorcycle event was ending. Apparently the weekend before we arrived, 700,00 motorcycle enthusiasts took over not only Sturgis, but Hill City, Keystone, where there is the original boardwalk that dates back to the early 1800's, Deadwood, and other closely located areas. What a yearly boom for the small tows and businesses there. And they welcome them with open arms! Many stayed on for the following week and we had the opportunity to chat with, dine with, and converse with many riders from all over the country. Interesting to say the least.
As we were setting up our campsite and opening up our slide-outs, we discovered one of our windows had shattered during our drive from the Big Cottonwood River to SD. How, we have no idea but trying to find a place to get it fixed was no easy feat. As luck would have it, we found a place in Denver CO that specializes in RV glass repair. That is our next destination. We taped it up and enjoyed our time in the hills and towns of SD.

Both of us were pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the area. Yes, it is impressive to see Mount Rushmore and understand the feat it was to accomplish. Learning how the 4 presidents were decided upon was an interesting lesson in history and made a lot of sense when you gave it some thought. Crazy Horse is another amazing undertaking and being there you can understand why it has taken so long to get to this point in the structure and why it could possibly take another 50 years to complete. The interpretive center and the surrounding area provides so much american history and a deeper understanding of the fate of the native Americans. Crazy Horse is a monument and a symbol to all Native Americans, not just the Lakota, and it is to show the white man that the red man has heros too.

The buffalo roam freely in Custer State park, along with the deer and the antelope ( you can hum the tune) wild burro, elk, and prairie dogs everywhere. We had storms many evenings, thunder, lighting, and driving rains where you could not see out the window. We now know why it is so green there.
We visited the so-called famous town of Wall and Wall Drugs on our way to the Badlands. Wow, unlike anyplace else for sure, The

Badlands are unlike any other place on earth

. A moonscape look that goes on forever.

Next Stop Denver Colorado and a visit with family. Stay tuned.

August 12th  Sunday

A very hot day in Cottonwood Canyon, Montana(+100). Actually the town is Fort Smith and the river is the Bighorn.This is where Custer had his last stand! Battle of the Little Bighorn and all that history. There are many sacred native American sites around and the Crow nation believed that this area was the center of the world, gaining something from the north, south east and west.

 We arrived on Thursday evening and got our site set up just in time for our "neighbors" to stop by and welcome us. 2 couples traveling together from Colorado filled us in on the hot spots for fly fishing and invited us to join them the next day on the river. Our neighbors on the other side, from Wyoming decided to join the gathering at our picnic table, and the next thing you know, wine, beer, and assorted snacks are showing up. We were the new camp hosts and it was a fun evening.

Friday morning found us getting all the fishing gear in order and the boat ready for our float. We put in on river about 3pm and didn't get out until almost 9. A bald eagle kept watch over us when we stopped at small island and did fishing from the bank. There is clearly a reason why they call it "fishing" and not "catching" a large part because the Corp of Engineers dropped the water levels in the river substantially and it really affected the fishing. A beautiful time on the river, but the fish were not interested in the tasty delights Don was offering. Saturday we decided to try our luck on the lake where better fishing and a couple of catches made it all worth while. The Big Horn River is also a place where Don relived a memory. 35 years ago there was a yearly "Boys" trip to the Big Horn and the fishing was fabulous. Shelley netted her first fish and our little boat that we put together in our garage months ago performed pretty darn good.

The evening sky here has been the starriest so far. Hot days and clear nights has provided quite the night sky for our viewing pleasure. Tonight is the Perseid meteor showers.and without a big moon the dark sky should allow for  a sky full of meteors. 
Tomorrow we depart for South Dakota, MT Rushmore, the Black Hills, and the Badlands.
As the adventure continues we are in awe of the places we have visited, the amazing changes in topography, the wide open spaces, the different smells, the sense of being so far from everything familiar yet so comfortable in our non routine routine. We find wonderful people wherever we go.  The couple next to us were fishing guides in Colorado and they tied up some flies for me which was very nice of them.  What we have learned is that people out here love to visit and lend assistance when the need arises. We have discovered a society of people in RV's that are pursuing their dreams just like we are. People from all over the world come to our great country to discover it's beauty. We are really starting to understand there is so much our country has to offer if only you are willing to leave the comfort of your home and travel the open road to the many beautiful places we have only read about. One story that was we must share is a woman we met in Kaycee Wyoming which is literally in the middle of no where.  Her name is Deb and she was waiting on us at a local restaurant(her only social life she told us). She was so inspiring. A single mom working a 30,000 acre ranch with 1100 head of cattle with just her 3 kids. The ranch is her life and she is amazing to be able to maintain such a large operation.  We have learned that everyone has a life story if  only you will take the time to ask. 
Life on the road provides some challenges but we are embracing each day and looking forward to whatever comes next which is Mount Rushmore and a visit to the Custer Museum

fly fishing the bighorn with new friends

 a happy day on the river

August 8th 2018

This posting is coming to you from a small town, Kaycee, WY  with a population of 263 people and 26300000 flies. It has served as a stopover from the Tetons on our way to the Bighorn Valley.

Yellowstone is a geological wonder. You think you know about a place until you are there. Of course no visit to the park would be complete without a sighting of Old Faithful, but that is truly just a beginning of the world that is Yellowstone. Bison, bears, elk, and antelope roam freely, geysers 
bubble and send steam flumes, mud pots boil. The beauty of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone was awe inspiring to see. Lakes, streams, waterfalls all a part of the beauty of our first National Park.
We shared this portion of our journey with our very dear friends Chris and Eric. They made quite the effort to spend the week with us and what a wonderful time we all had. The trailer was comfortable for the 4 of us and we provided the best of sleeping accommodations. Pullout sofa sleeper with blow up mattress on top. Meals maybe made up for that as we wined and dined in the style we have become accustomed to. Life on the road is very rewarding. Just the 2 of us, constantly depending on each other and realizing we make a good team. However, friends to share this adventure with has meant the world to us. Off they went, back to Portland on on we traveled to the Tetons.
We had a great site while in the Tetons, Colter Bay RV Park, 200 yards to a beautiful beach and views of the Tetons in every direction. We found ourselves hiking, boating, touring, and sometimes just sitting on the beach reflecting upon the sights and smells of the high country. On one of our hikes, up to the Cathedrals, we spotted our first moose. At first, all that was noticeable was his rack as he rested in the grass. After hiking up a bit further and upon our return, he was beginning to stir. We waited for him to get up so we could appreciate his full size and beauty. We were not disappointed.

A lazy day on the snake river gave us a 10 mile adventure to view the Tetons from a different perspective. A bald eagle sat watch over us as we traveled the water. We spent one afternoon in our boat on Colter Bay and explored some of the inlets and views. Fires in California has impacted the views of the mountains, but their majesty is unmistakable.
An evening out found us at the Bar J Ranch for a chuck wagon dinner and cowboy entertainment. Food was great and the evening was a blast. Exploring Jackson Hole gave us an in town adventure.
Beautiful galleries and shops (with prices to match) and a memory revisited. Don has long talked about the Cowboy Bar where the bar seats were all saddles. Last visit there was 1972! Fortunately the bar remains much the same but now we saddled up to the bar with legit ID.

Tomorrow the journey continues into the Bighorn Valley, Custer's Last Stand, and fly fishing as we float the Bighorn river. Stay tuned.

8-5-2018
We posted last in Coeur d' Alene then traveled to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone
 and are now in the Tetons. We have been challenged to find Wi-fi in any RV park and even phone reception in all the national parks. AT&T cell service has been terrible. We had none in Glacier, none in Yellowstone and now in the Tetons we traveled to a lodge to post this update and use our phones.    So much for complaining and now onto the good stuff.
     Glacier National Park:  What a national treasure.  We went on endless hikes. Everywhere we hiked we found astounding views of a world we had only dreamed of and saw pictures in books. One  can't describe how amazing this place is.  Pictures don't do it justice but we will try.  Our RV site was in a wooded forest and couldn't have asked for more.  They had a concert in the Park one night and we really enjoyed ourselves. YouTube "Glacier Road to the Sun" and you will see one of the most beautiful drives one could hope to take. Though very narrow, it is worth the effort. The top of the road is at Logan Pass and we hiked to Hidden Lake. During the hike, 8 mountain goats walked right in front of us not more than 10 yards away.  We were gazing an upper rock rim and spotted 10 to 15 Big Horn Sheep. On the way back we saw a Grizzly Bear.  What a day and what a place. We took a boat cruise on Lake McDonald; the water was turquoise-400' deep and the panoramic views were breathtaking. We have had time to  relive  life and discuss the past and the dreams of the future. We lose track of time and most days have to really think, what day it is? I think a lot of what retirement is about. We  reminisce about life and not being driven by a clock or a calendar. Life is so different now and we feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to pursue our dreams.   One day we meet Andrea, one of Shelley's high school friends. We went to a farmers market and music night near Hungry Horse. Much to my surprise Blake Gebhardt, one of Aaron's best friends in high school bumped into us. We had time to talk about the "Old Days". I guess you never know who you will meet on this road we call "Life" At every turn there is a new vista, a photo opportunity that a camera cannot possibly capture, and a new acquaintance who touches our lives for an instant. Thinking of you and wishing you well.

Spokane & Coeur D Alene

     Since last post we have traveled to Spokane and Coeur D Alene. We spent time with our kids and grand kids in both locations. While in Spokane, Don and Aaron began to dig out a hillside in their efforts to build a fire pit for all to enjoy. After working themselves to exhaustion, a trip to home depot and the rental of an electric jackhammer made the work on day 2 go quicker.We did enjoy evening fires and of course S'mores. Together we explored Spokane, went wine tasting, listened to music, and even got in a couple of golf games. Shelley played for the first time after recovering from her shoulder surgery. Actually managed to par a hole! Don participated in the Grief family yearly golf tournament and took first place for net score!
     This leg of the journey has been all about "Family". For 3 weeks we did family things everyday. A gondola ride in Sweitzer, family BBQ's, boating on Hayden Lake (the baton is officially passed from Dad to the boys on the boat), 4th of July fireworks, music at wineries,dancing at the "Boiler room", a couple rounds of golf with family, days on the beach at Coeur d 'Alene, diner with our good friends. it all went by way to fast but spending quality time with family is priceless.  What we know from this experience is that life changes, our kids have grown  into successful adults and have beautiful families. It is a true joy to spend time and not have to rush.  Shelley and I have diner at Beverly's at the Coeur d' Alene Hotel each year and we reflect upon the year past. This year was no different.  We had so much to talk about having just spent time with our family and friends.
Family makes you better in so many ways and though every family has challenges we are blessed to have such a great family . So thanks to all our children and their families. Over the past months you have made such a great effort to share your lives with us and we are  truly grateful parents and grandparents. We all move on in our journey in life, for us on to Glacier National Park. You kids, get back to work, pay taxes as we all do but thanks for helping us continue on our trip. Social security and medicare..hummm Are we those people yet?

Canada

6-12-18 to 6-16-18

Canada O Canada,

Our friends who live in our Solera community in Arizona also have homes in Canada. They invited us to visit them and we couldn't think of a reason not take them up on it. Our 1st stop was Osoyoos  to drop off the trailer at Doc and Dawna's RV park; "Island View RV Park and Marina." It is an awesome place with great RV pads and is located right across the street from their private beach and marina. We will revisit their place later as we only stopped long enough to drop the trailer and headed north to Pentictin to see Reg and Nancy, our neighbors across the street in Arizona. Their home is located on a mountainside that overlooks the Okanogan Valley.  Views in every direction. Our greatest gift is their friendship and the hospitality they offered us. The valley is filled with fruit orchards and vineyards. We spent the days wine and cheese tasting, and sight seeing. We couldn't help but embrace the passion of the vineyard owners who shared their stories of their journey from planting saplings to 5 years later their long awaited 1st harvest. Don has enjoyed some time to sit alone with a glass of wine in one hand a pen in the other to write his thoughts in our journal about friendship and passion. Friendship brought us to this place but passion was the wind that filled our sails throughout our visit. We spent 3 nights with them before heading back to Osoyoos. Doc and Dawna have busy days as this was the start of their high season. None the less, Don and Doc managed a couple of golf dates, cocktails and sunsets on the beach in the evenings with all of us together, and great dinners. We did get our little boat out on the lake for some trolling and unsuccessful fishing. (Don did get a bite but as the story goes, he got away) Canada is a welcoming country filled with wonderful people who love what they do.  It didn't matter where we went, we found waitresses, cheese makers at the wineries,  store clerks, restaurant owners, wine makers, and most of all our friends to embrace us and share hopes and dreams. We know friendship to be the cornerstones in each of our lives. We have met so many wonderful folks along the way. So many who are doing the same thing we are. Together we have begun a journey into our next chapter  and friendships old and new have made our life better in every way. We could not imagine what time on the road, living in the trailer, and waiting to see what each day has in store for us but now we can't imagine it any other way.

6-11-18

It seemed very surreal today traveling out of Oregon. Saying goodbye to Oregon (for now) was harder than we thought. We have spent many years living our life in Portland and how fortunate for us to have developed so many valued friendships and business associates that we will never forget. We often had moments in the past thinking of what it would be like to look into the review mirror as we traveled out of Oregon and into our new adventure  traveling the western USA and Canada. We thought we would be exhilarated but that just didn't happen. Shelley and I chatted about all that we were leaving on the ride to our 1st destination in Quincy Washington which overlooks the upper Columbia River Gorge. We did however, feel this wave of freedom washing over our heads. For the first time we could go wherever, do whatever, whenever we wanted to. We are taking a leap of faith traveling  to places unknown to follow our dreams. We will not be living by the time constraints of a clock or a calendar. Our car (5th wheel) will make u-turns if the road is wide enough.  We hope to redefine what freedom looks like in our life but 1st it is the ability to see family, friends, and explore this great country we live in. We spent our 1st night sitting on our camp rocking chairs overlooking the gorge with a nice glass of red wine and watching the sun set over the adjacent hills. A beautiful view, a starry night and the 2 of us. It was a perfect moment!!

Our attempt at a selfie.

Overlooking the Columbia River Basin