To Alaska Day 7 - Feeling less bummed.

Cody Wy

Temperature in town:     75
Temperature on top on mountain:   29

Making the best of it.    After breakfast in the RV, we decided to tour the

But first we came across this walking down the street in front of the campground.

A few hours later he saw him walking in the campground.  I do hope he found his way back to a less populated area.

The Buffalo Bill Center has several separate museums including a Gun Museum where Leonard could have spent the entire time.   He pointed out a 1885 Winchester Single Shot rifle.  It's the third from the bottom.

My grandfather was a butcher back in the 20's and 30's.  He used a gun like this to shoot the hogs in the head.    I now have that gun.  When it was given to us, it was in bad repair.  Leonard had it cleaned and repaired by a gunsmith.  It had not been shot in about 70 years.  The gunsmith shot it and attests it is good to go.  We've not attempted.

This museum had guns, guns and more guns.   Me?  I was bored, bored, bored.   However this was interesting.   The belts, holsters and guns used by Ben and Joe Little Cartwright.   Sure, you all know who they were, right?

 Throughout the gun area were old calendars that were printed by gun companies, etc.   I found this one interesting.

The reason?   I was born November 4, 1943.  Looks like I was born on a Thursday!

We briefly walked though the museum of western paintings and other artwork.   We spent some time in the area of Native American history, the area of native wildlife and the area telling the story of Buffalo Bill.

After a couple of hours we were hungry so left to get lunch with the plan of returning to the Center.

As we were eating, we got to talking about our car rental situation.  I decided to come back to the RV and get online to see if we could get a better deal.   We did.   We took the car back to Avis where we were paying $178.00 a day and picked up one from Hertz that I reserved online for $125.00 a day.  Still a lot of money but one day at $178.00 was quite enough, thank you very much.

Instead of returning to the Buffalo Bill Center we decided to take a ride on the Beartooth Highway.   As we were leaving town we were hit with a hail storm.  Luckily it was for only a short time.

The Beartooth Highway winds up to Montana and back down into Wyoming.  The loop itself is 112 miles. What a ride.  The first 60 miles or so was nothing special.  Then we started our uphill climb through the Beartooth mountains.   The top peaked just short of 11,000 feet.

A ski area:

We came upon areas where it was snowing.   This route is open only from late May to mid October.  I can well understand.  Some of the road is extremely narrow with constant switchbacks.   I am rather glad we were driving the rented Kia and not our F350 dually.   On the way down we passed a 40 ft Motorhome headed up.   Would not suggest anyone do that.   I can see they would be scraping the sides of some outcropped rocks.

On the way down we saw this waterfall.  It came down one side of the road, then under the road and continued down the other side.

As we were riding along I noticed something about 150 feet into the woods.  I told Leonard to back up.  Yup, just as I thought.

About the truck.   The dealer had called and said nothing came up on the computer showing a problem. They are closed on Saturday but the tech was coming in today to check out some things.  Can't ask for more than that.

All in all, it was another good day.  Tomorrow -Yellowstonel.

To Alaska -Day 6 or at least hoping we make it to Alaska

Cody, WY

Miles driven today:   164
High temp:                 84
Campground nightly cost:    $30.00

I'm a little bummed out tonight.   Make that a lot bummed out.    After having a great day yesterday with no issue with the truck we set out for Cody this morning.   Truck runs well until we hook up the rig.   Not as bad as a few days ago, but not quite right.  Just does not take the mountains like it used to.

Once we got settled here at Absaroak Bay Campground Len immediately drove over to the Ford dealer.  His appointment was at 2:00 but he hates to be late.   So he went at 10:30.    I know, I know.   For a while we lived 3 miles from the prison where he worked.   He started work at 7 am.  He left to go to work at 5:50 am.  He gets nervous if he thinks he might be late.

So, arriving at 10:30 they told him they could not see him until closer to 2.  He came back to the campground, got me and we went to Walmart for some groceries.

After lunch he returned to the Ford dealer.   They kept the truck, told him they would check it out today and hopefully work on it tomorrow.   They had no loaners so drove him to the airport so he could rent a car.

OMG!    A rental for a compact car for THREE days comes to $532.00!!!!     Yea, THREE DAYS for $532.00!  Then they tried to convince him for another $32.00 a day to get insurance.  He explained our car insurance covers rentals.  They told him our insurance might cover damage but they charge their normal daily rental each day the car is out of service being repaired and that would be on us.   I've never heard of such a thing.   He did not get the insurance.   We will take our chances.  However, thinking of our luck lately, I don't know!

So after settling down a bit, having a nap and then dinner we only went one place tonight.  We went into town to a private museum of old guns and other "dug" up stuff or more to the point parts of old guns that the owner has collected over thirty years.  Most of them have been found at various sites throughout the country.  Some go back to the Revolutionary War and on through WWII.  A free museum but donations welcome.

We can not figure how to get the GPS to work on the rental. As the car is new, it appears it needs to be installed through Sirius or something.   We wanted to go to Yellowstone tomorrow but will stay in Cody and go to the Buffalo Bill museum complex.  We are hoping to hear from the dealer to come pick up the truck and save some big bucks.  That would be great.

Better days ahead, I hope.

To Alaska Day 5. A Tale of Two Cities

Lander, WY

Diesel:     $3.97 gallon
Temperature:    High 60's.

Today was pure joy.    We packed a lunch and took off to see what we could find.

About 20 miles outside Lander is the Red Canyon Wildlife Habitat.   Many species of wildlife call this home especially during the harsh winter months.   Over 650 head of Elk will winter there where food can be found.

 A few miles further and we followed a gravel road to the abandoned Carissa Mine.   This gold mine was in operation from 1867 until the 1870's.  An attempt in the 1940's to mine the gold proved once more the gold that was mined was of poor quality and once more the mine was abandoned.

While the mine was in operation a boom town sprung up around it.  The mine and the town are now a state historic site.

A few miles more on back gravel roads and we came upon

As I grew  up just 35 miles from the "other" Atlantic City I was curious about this one.  No casinos, no boardwalk, no salt water taffy, no not even an ocean.   Just this:

We did come across some left-over snow:

And wild flowers everywhere.   Yellow, white, purple:

Our next destination was Sink Canyon State Park.

This rushing water moves at a rate of 100 cubic feet a second, but during May and June it rises to 500 cubic feet.

It flows into this underground passage.   It is called a sink.

About 1/2 mile away it forms this, the Rise.

In the rise are two species of trout.  They are not stocked, but natural to the Rise.

We found a lovely area for our lunch:

Then Len noticed a mountain road.  

Quite a ride to the top:

A look down from 1/2 half way up:

At the top, this lake.   Beautiful

What a day!   Then to top if all off, we had dinner at a local restaurant.    Len said he had the absolute best prime rib he's ever had.   He is one happy man.

Tomorrow off to Cody!

To Alaska Day 4

Lander,  WY

 Diesel:      $3.80
Miles:         390
Route:        I-76....Co RT 34.....I-25.....I-80......US287
Temperature  at  7:45 pm Mountain Time   66 F.
Campground fee:    $29.90 night with Good Sam discount

Got an early start this morning -  6:30 am.   Wasn't long before we saw the snow in the distance on the mountains of Colorado.

Shortly after entering Wyoming we stopped at the first rest area and gathered lots of brochures.

The drive to our current destination was through some beautiful mountainous areas.   Snow topped Wyoming mountains.

At noon we stopped at another rest area for our lunch.   We always appreciate a unit that allows access to the refrigerator, some cabinets, bathroom and bedroom without opening the slides.   Perfect for those quick meals on the road.

We've driven through mountainous areas before, including Wyoming two years ago.   Our 2011 Ford F350 had no problems even with towing our rig.   If we started a climb at 70 mph, we hit the peak at 70 mph.   Not today.

 Back in Amarillo the technician adjusted our transmission.   He told Leonard to expect it to shift differently for a short time.   He did not say that now when climbing the transmission would gear back to 4th gear and strain with every climb.  We were being passed by semis.    Not good.

We arrived at Pioneer RV Park in Lander at 2:30 and  registered for tonight and tomorrow night.   This is a nice little park, very neatly kept.  Our view from our dining table.

As I organized a few things Leonard went to the local Ford dealer about a mile down the road.  They can not look at our truck for at least a week.   This time of year the farmers, etc. are busy getting their equipment serviced.    We don't want to wait here a week.

So tomorrow, Len will start making calls.  We will be in Cody on Friday until Tuesday.   He will start there and continue with every Ford dealer on our planned route to the Canadian border.   We are hoping this is just an additional adjustment to the transmission computer system.   Gotta get this problem fixed!

To Alaska Day 3

Fort Morgan,  CO

Diesel:     $3.71
Miles       436
Route      US287.....CO 71....I76

Today was an exhausting day.   Len had the truck to the shop by 8:15.   Yesterday they adjusted the transmission.  Today they replaced a part in the turbo charger.  We were on the road at 10:30.

We are finding it enjoyable to drive other than Interstates.    So US287 it was.   For a good part of the drive it was a four lane.    It changed to a two lane right before we hit

Our drive through Oklahoma was in the panhandle, only about 60 miles.  I had planned for us to overnight midway in Boise City.   Truck issues changed that.  However, we stopped for lunch there at a small cafe.  We enjoyed their daily special ..... pork chops with gravy, baked potato,  fresh made creamed corn, Texas toast, ice tea and chocolate cake.  All for $8.50 each.

We continued on 287 a good part of the way in Colorado eventually getting on CO 71 to I-76 at Brush then west 10 miles to Fort Morgan.    We were thinking of over nighting at Walmart but I checked www.rvparkreviews.com and found there is a nice little city park with 30 amp sites.  The sites are free but donations gladly accepted.  

So here we are.  Parked for the night.   This being our 25th wedding anniversary we decided to splurge.  DQ for dinner.   Len is quite the sport!

I am thinking he is already asleep.  I am not far behind.    Tomorrow we hope to be back on schedule.

And a happy anniversary to Len's brother Bobby and wife Charlotte.   Their 40th

And a happy birthday today to our friend Diana Johnson

And a very happy 5th birthday to our dear granddaughter Abby

To Alaska Day 2

Amarillo,   TX

Diesel:     $3.60 GALLON 
Miles:      186
Route:      Rt 287

We had heavy rains and T storms last night back in Vernon.    After a quick breakfast got on the road about 8:15.     We fought wind the entire length of the trip.    Still extremely windy.

What do they say about planning ahead?

Three years ago coming through New Mexico our check engine light came on.  The first Ford dealer we found was in Amarillo.    Our 2006 F250 had burnt injectors and the fuel pump was ready to go out.  We had 3,000 left on warranty.  We left with our 2011 F350.

Today right before hitting Amarillo our check engine light came on.   So, we passed one Ford dealer and pulled into the one where we purchased the truck.  They told us they would not even look at it for FOUR WEEKS.   Back to the dealer we passed.  They took it right in and put in on the computer.  The transmission needed a simple adjustment.  DONE.  The turbo charger needs a part.  Will be here tomorrow by 8:30 and will take only minutes to install.  All under the warranty.  They could not have been nicer.

So, we are parked next to the dealer in a Sams Club parking lot.  Just had a late lunch or early dinner at Cracker Barrel and will sit here for rest of night.

Our plan was to dry camp about 200 miles up the road tonight and get to Cheyenne, WY tomorrow and overnight at a campground.   Then on to Lander, WY on Wednesday where we have reservations for two nights.  Instead we will have to do almost 800 miles between tomorrow and Wednesday midday.  Means tomorrow night is another night of dry camping on the road.

Yea, what do they say about planning ahead.   And this is ONLY day 2.

To Alaska Day 1

Vernon, TX

Miles traveled:     329
Diesel cost:         $ 3.70
Route:                 I-45 ....... Rt 84...... I-35........I-35W........  Rt 287


Following Leonard washing the truck and Phyllis cleaning the Cedar Creek, we left Buffalo, TX at approximately 10:30 am.      We hit traffic jams due to construction in both the Waco and Fort Worth areas.

Needing supplies we decided to shop at the same Walmart near Hazlet, TX that we used while gate guarding earlier this year across from Alliance Airport.  

Fried chicken and potato salad for lunch while sitting on the steps leading to the bedroom in the fifthwheel.

I talked for a spell to our precious friend Diana from Sulphur, LA when she called to update us on her status. We hold dear Diana and her hubby Teaux.   Diana was Leonard's first girlfriend (when they were 5 or so).   Diana has some health problems and will be having surgery in the near future.  Her hubby is in a physical rehab facility.  In addition her elderly Mom and Dad are in a nursing home.  She has a lot to handle.

My original plan was to dry camp at a rest area just beyond Wichita Falls, TX.  However it was a very small rest area with no space to open a slide.  We traveled on.

We are now dry camping at a truck stop near Vernon, TX.    Unfortunately our generator will not accept the load of our air conditioners.    Either the generator is old (we know it is) or these A/C's draw a bigger load than our Montana did.    That's okay.  It has cooled down some and we have the two exhaust fans running plus the overhead fan in the living area and a table top fan in the bedroom.  There is a Cabela's on I-35 north of Denver where we will stop and check on replacing our Champion generator.  The thing is at about 8 years old and we only paid $250. for it.  Doesn't owe us a thing.

For dinner it was a simple salad.   We both ate too much over the weekend and feel it.   A light meal was enough.  Oh, except for the mini DQ blizzards we bought last week and stuck in the freezer.

Leonard is in the shower.  When we gets out, I will get in.  Then hoping for a good nights sleep.

Good night all.......