The Adventure Begins...
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After a 3400 mile round trip from Nevada to Minnesota, she's all mine. A 2000 24' Gulf Stream Conquest motorhome with only 17,000 miles, a V-10 engine and all the bells and whistles I will ever need for my escapades. She has one little slide, a real hide-a-bed (not a jack knife couch), reasonable storage inside, but a little sparse in the storage on the outside. It has a booth type dinette and the floor plan I wanted.
She still had the original tires that were no good after 14 years. the drivers side steer tire separated at just under 100 miles on my way to Hanson's Goodyear tire store in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Thank goodness I have Progressive roadside service and that Mike's (in some little town which name I forget) was there within a half hour to replace my flat with the spare. So... Good job guys!
I spent the night at the Wal Mart in Albert Lea waiting for the tire shop to open. That night there was rain and lightening like I had never seen in my 58 years of life... The Wal Mart parking lot literally had currents like a river running through it. At that point I was hoping that the motorhome would act as an arc and float us out of there! And, thank goodness the tire shop was open on Saturday as even the spare was losing air by morning.
The next morning we headed to the tire shop in a light rain. The shop was very friendly (thanks Kelly!) and the tire guy was quick with the six (seven counting the spare) tire change out. The tires were perfectly balanced and made the rest of the trip safe and very pleasurable.
She ran like a charm and pulled the Jeep like there was nothing there. The air conditioner kept me cool, the refrigerator kept my Vitamin Water cold, the ladies room was very, very handy, the hide-a-bed was pretty comfortable for a hide-a-bed, the generator works, and the furnace warmed us on the return trip in the early morning chill one morning in Rawlins, Wyoming. Oh how I wished I had taken my teakettle for some morning tea... I had just taken the basics to get there, a few clothes, pillows, a quilt etc. But, I would have loved some tea on the way back off the stove in the little rear kitchen.
(((Click on any photo to make it larger)))
"The Killer Diller P-Nut"
Here is the most important part of the rig. The security system, watch dog, co-pilot, Mom's favorite and weighs less than 5 lbs. He thinks he's a Rottweiler (I don't tell him any differently. He is "The King" around this joint and don't you ever forget it!
His two sisters, (Rootie-Tootie and Tinky-Winky) stayed at their two legged sister's house (my daughter) while Mom was away. It would have been just too much with all I had going on to take them all with me. They had a good time at sister's but were glad to see Mom and "Nutty" when we got home.
Independence Rock State Historic Site is on the south side of State Route 220 at the Independence Rock Rest area.
The Story
Part of the Oregon Trail
"Wagon's Ho!"
I would much prefer my "covered wagon" to the one pictured above. I can't fathom the hardships those families and especially the women suffered on the trail.
So tidy and pretty...
All the parts and pieces of "that thar" covered wagon...
Independence Rock...
(Why we human's think we have to name everything is beyond me... ; )
The footbridge and the rock...
More of "The Rock".
(Enough of The Rock)
Meanwhile, 30 miles southwest of Casper, WY
Alcova Lake Reservoir...
(Kinda pretty I think)
Okay, now for the bizarre part of the trip. I am an artist, so the art is in the eye of the beholder I guess. I stopped at a gas station in Lusk, Wyoming... And, the bathroom stalls were incredible. I am convinced that in an art gallery in L.A. or New York, these stalls would probably sell for thousands of dollars on the art scene for this graffiti laden rest room art.
These stalls had been painted over in black paint and someone must have scratched their name on a stall. From there it must have snow balled... I found this very interesting and the contrast incredible. I know... I'm weird... But, that is what makes me... Me!
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Sunrise @ Big Al's Oasis
Oacoma, South Dakota
This was the sunrise right out the door of my room.
I liked the moon and all the wires and poles...
On the trip back I needed a real shower, real food and real rest. I stayed at Big Al's Oasis in Oacoma, SD. IT WAS FABULOUS!!! Clean, comfortable, restful, spa like, quiet and luxurious the shower was almost a religious experience! The restaurant was delicious (the Shrimp Scampi was to die for!) And, the gift shop was full of goodies... The staff was outstanding and I highly recommend this wonderful road side "Oasis!"
Little Rock Roses...
I had laundry to do, and across the street from Big Al's Oasis is the RV park. It has lots of trees and lots of shade. A swimming pool, laundry, showers and a little RV store with a few supplies. The lady there was very nice. It is a lovely clean park. There were some "skeeters" and some Goat Head puncture weeds. But, I would definitely still stay there.
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Wendover Salt Flats Rest Area
Westbound
This is the tail end of this post... : )
P-Nut and I had a good time. It was exhausting but, I did some soul searching and took inventory of my life and the way I have been living it. My intention is to go "full time" in my new little RV I have sooooooooooooo much to do. Years and years of collecting (hoarding) stuff that "maybe my kids will want someday." I need to wake up on that one. :D
Time to cull everything not loved, useful, or beautiful... Time to get rid of the stuff that is holding me back both emotionally and physically.
I have a new outlook on life after this trip. I had become complacent and stagnant. There is so much world out there to see, and so many, many things to do...
I will see you on the road... (eventually)
