Map Tracks

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Trip Summary

We’ve just finished our 10^th “long” trip. It’s time to reflect on the experience.

Travel Trivia

In the past 7 years we’ve driven 62,162 miles (59,306 miles towing) and set-up the trailer 283 times.

This year we’ve driven 14,143 miles (11,263 miles towing) during trips in Ohio and Canada.

This trip we drove 11,115 miles (9,092 miles towing) and got 13.2 mpg.

Special Sights & Experiences

In Canada - we visited 9 provinces.
   * Bay of Fundy tides in St. John, NB.
   * Hopewell Rocks near Hopewell Cape, NB
   * Prince Edward Island (our postcard province)
   * North Cape on PEI
   * Fortress of Louisbourg in Louisbourg, NS
   * Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island, NS
   * Reissers Beach Provincial Campground near LaHave, NS
   * Lunenburg, NS
   * Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay, ON
   * Parliament Hill in Ottawa, ON
   * Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, AB
   * We really enjoyed the scenery and the people we met

In the U.S. - we traveled through 15 states.
   * Ledge View RV Park in Lake George, NY
   * Ferry ride across Lake Champlain
   * Brother Dave’s hockey game
   * Festival of Fools in Burlington, VT
   * We chased goats, fed chickens and fixed electric fences 
            (at Kenny and Barb’s farm in Dundee, OR)
   * We visited Eric in Salem, OR
   * We enjoyed our Portland area families and got exhausted by grandchildren.
   * Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast in Salt Lake City, UT
   * Timberline Campground in Waukee, IA

Disappointments

We spent a lot of time driving in Canada ... wish we had spent more time sightseeing.

We were uncomfortable in Quebec because of the language difference.

Problems
Engine check light on the Trailblazer

Our Next Trip

We’re planning to review our past travel blogs and identify places we said we’d like to visit again. We’ll include places we wanted to see, but missed for one reason or another. We’ll use some, most or all of the list to create a “2015 Do-Over” trip.

This approach may sound silly, but it gives us a good reason to get back on the road to somewhere.

Day 68 – Crawfordsville, IN to Home

Our last day on the road began with a bang … and a boom, lightning, strong winds and rain. Surely, this was the type of day that fostered the nursery rhyme “Rain, Rain, Go Away”.

The Route

The trip came to an end after 227 miles of interstate highway driving. We left Crawfordsville on I-74, connected with I-65 and I-70 in Indianapolis, and took I-70 to I-270N in Columbus.

About the Day

The rain started last night, just as we finished getting set-up in Crawfordsville. It continued all night with intermittent, intense squalls.

It was raining when we got up. We got a break in the rain and started a “hurry-up” connection attempt … and almost made it. A 10 minute (it seemed like an hour) torrential downpour drenched Dick to the bone. We got on the road after he got out of a sopping wet jacket and changed shirts.

We drove through storm cells all the way home. One minute it would be bright and dry, and then we’d be in a downpour with wipers running at full speed.

Indiana roads did nothing to help the day. Sections that appeared to have been recently resurfaced were breaking up. Bridge transitions were jaw rattling. The highway conditions in this state are the worst we encountered on the entire trip.

What a nice welcome.

We parked the trailer as a storm cell was passing. Fortunately, we found breaks that gave us enough time to unload and stay dry.

Tomorrow

We’ll still be unpacking and settling back in to a home that doesn’t roll.

Day 67 – Waukee, IA to Crawfordsville, IN

The “smell of hay” was strong today and the weather did nothing to encourage sightseeing. We ended a long driving day 260 miles from home.

The Route

After spending 4 days together, we broke up with I-80 at Rapids City, IL and headed southeast on I-74 toward Indianapolis.  We traveled 451 miles and stopped at Crawfordsville.

About the Day

We didn’t see the sun today. It was overcast with low clouds in the morning and high clouds in the afternoon.

Rain came and went as brief, moderate showers.

Things of Note

Rain and clouds got in the way of pictures, but we did capture a shot of the Mississippi River as we crossed into Illinois at Rapids City.

Mississippi River from I-80

Illinois welcomed us

We realized that trees had snuck into the landscape as we moved across Iowa.

Rolling hills were more pronounced in Iowa than in Illinois.

We discovered (or remembered?) that gas prices posted in Iowa were tricky. They frequently post a very attractive price … often less than $2.50 per gallon. But, it’s for E85 fuel!

The Campground

We’re at the Crawfordsville KOA campground tonight. We were here August 3, 2012 on the first stop of our Midwest Trip.

A light rain was falling as we set-up the trailer in the dark.

Tomorrow

We’ll be home.

Day 66 – North Platte, NE to Waukee, IA

In the past, we've come to a point when we’re returning from a trip that we seem to “smell the hay and start galloping for home”. We stop sightseeing and drive longer each day. It started gradually a few days ago and became obvious today.

The Route

We spent a 3^rd day on I-80, starting at North Platte and ending 403 miles later at Waukee (just west of Des Moines).

About the Day

We expected rain, but got a beautiful day for travelling. It was sunny and comfortable (mid-70s) with no wind.

I-80 in Nebraska and Iowa helped make this a great travel day. The terrain consisted of gently rolling hills, the road was straight and there was very little highway construction.

Heading Out

Campground occupancy really drops after Labor Day. Holiday RV Park provided a great example. It was sunny, peaceful and nearly vacant when we pulled out.

Leaving North Platte

Along the Way

Nebraska and Iowa look a lot alike. We did notice that the ground cover got progressively greener as we traveled east.

Iowa greeted us with unusual and unexpected structures on an I-80 overpass. 

We learned that it was Albert Paley's iconic gateway to Iowa and to Council Bluffs on the 24th Street bridge.

This picture is from a Google search

Other views of Iowa were as we expected.

Iowa looked great today.

The Campground

There aren't a lot of campgrounds along I-80 in western Iowa. Carol had to look hard and long to find one. Timberland Campground in Waukee was a great find. It’s new and beautifully designed to blend with nature.

Entrance

Playground

Site #29

Tomorrow

We’ll continue on I-80 to Illinois.

Day 65 – Rawlins, WY to North Platte, NE

It got pretty cool last night. The wind was whistling across the prairie at 22 mph and the chill factor was 26° at 7am. We were grateful for a toasty warm trailer.

The Route

We spent a second day on I-80, starting at Rawlins and ending 375 miles later at North Platte.

About the Day

It was overcast until we got to Laramie and mostly sunny for the rest of the day. The morning was cold, but the day warmed nicely by mid-afternoon.

We abandoned the idea of taking the Snowy Range Scenic Byway because the Medicine Bow Mountains were shrouded in dark clouds.  This was our second attempt ... maybe next time?

Strong winds in Wyoming brought highway warnings and a few tense driving moments.

We passed some interesting places like Laramie and Cheyenne in Wyoming, and Cabela’s World Headquarters in Sidney, Nebraska. We also crossed the highest point on I-80 (8,640 feet) at exit 323 in Wyoming and exceeded 10,000 miles of driving for this trip.

Along the Way

Here’s some of what we saw.

I-80 wind advisory just east of Rawlins

I-80 speed limit signs in Wyoming
are digital and remotely controlled.

Clouds hung low over the
Medicine Bow Mountains.

The sky began to clear as we approached Laramie.

High wind warnings continued past Cheyenne.

The highest point on I-80.

The terrain changed as we entered Nebraska.

The hills became gentle.

We started to see some green in Nebraska.

The Campground

Funny story:  We’re camped in the same campground we stayed at on August 7, 2012 during our Midwest Trip.  It was an accident.

Around noon each day, we agree on a stopping point down-the-road based on our travel progress. Carol then selects a campground using a Good Sam campground directory. It just happened that today our progress and her selection put us in Holiday RV Park in North Platte. She got the same result over two years ago even though we were coming from the east then.

Tomorrow

We’ll continue on I-80 and may make it to Omaha.

Day 64 – Salt Lake City, UT to Rawlins, WY

We began bonding with I-80 today. It’s a relationship that will last four days (or when we get to Illinois).

The Route

Drive two blocks from the campground to the I-80 entrance ramp, get on I-80 east and drive 297 miles to Rawlins.

About the Day

The weather was pretty good to us. It was mostly sunny and cool. We drove through a few brief showers.

It was cool with a 12 mph wind when we got to Rawlins. It’s supposed to get down to 38° tonight and reach 57° tomorrow ... brrr.

Along the Way

Terrain and population changes were very interesting. Most of yesterday’s sightseeing involved human artistry in a busy area. Today we saw nature’s creativity in the wilderness.

Crossing the Wasatch Mountains on I-80 east

2002 Olympic ski jumps at Park City

The terrain changes along I-80 were dramatic.

Wyoming welcomed us with prairie.

Wow! I-80 in Wyoming is long and straight.

We could see rain coming from far away.

Divided tunnels on I-80 near Green River

Each summit revealed something new.

The weather brought some exciting views.

The Campground

We’re staying at Western Hills Campground in Rawlins. It’s a year-round campground in a rugged, remote area. They offer excellent amenities and tend everything very nicely. However, the sites are laid out on a gravel parking lot. We got everything but atmosphere.

What a difference a day makes ...

Yesterday

Today

Site #28

Tomorrow

We're a bit undecided. We may stay on I-80 or take an alternate route to Laramie on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway.