WE MOTOR NORTH

During five weeks in August and September of 2009 we ventured north, west, south and east. Our 5,400 mile trip included over 3,000 miles on state highways, which we found more challenging to drive but much more rewarding for the sights and experiences we enjoyed. From Branson we used Hwy 71 for most of the drive up to Grand Rapids, Minnesota for Jeanne’s high school reunion. While in Grand Rapids and Chisholm we visited with numerous family members and friends.
From Grand Rapids it was 1,200 miles due west on HWY 2, across Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana to Glacier National Park. HWY 2 is a gem of a road, mostly four lanes, and picturesque in a way you would not see on an Interstate road. Along the way we repeatedly found ourselves in tiny campgrounds in small towns, with narrow sites that barely fit our coach (picture #1), with night time train sounds for musical entertainment, costing around $30 a night. Contrast that with the silent National Forest camp we used later near Flagstaff (picture #2) at $9 (the standard Federal rate!) a night.
As we drove west into the mountains we were reminded of the forest fires of recent years. Teepees became more frequent on the horizon. Picture #6 was our first real look at Glacier National Park, even grand on a cloudy day.

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

Our time in Glacier NP proved to be a highlight of our trip. We had driven west mostly in rain and serious headwinds but arrived in time for three glorious sunny and warm days of park touring. We camped at St. Mary and drove the Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most scenic roads in North America, in both directions. These pictures give you just a modest idea of the park’s beauty. The oval lake surrounds Goose Island, just one of many scenic views. The park abounds with waterfalls, hiking trails, wonderful bridges, and Red Busses!
Here was an entire fleet of 33 busses built for the Park back in 1936 to 1939. The busses of today are basically the same busses, having been completely renovated and restored. The style and shape was kept the same, to make us feel as if we were riding in the style and grace of the 30s. These wonderful old busses were built by the White Motor Company in Cleveland Ohio. They were painted Mountain Ash Berry Red and are still kept that color today. This company built 500 of these busses, just for the western
National Parks, including Bryce Canyon, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain, Mt. Rainier, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion National Parks. Most of the other parks did not renovate or restore their busses and they were retired from service in the 1950s.

TO OREGON AND NEVADA

In Oregon we visited with our daughter’s family, the Higley’s, and enjoyed their always wonderful hospitality; as well as RVer friends, Chuck and Mary Boros, Merrieann and Jeff Martin, Dave and Jan Rudisill. Our coach had a number of service items attended to, most notably a new windshield. The pictures show the rigors of the job to change out a nearly 200 pound piece of glass.
Driving south from Portland and Eugene, through northern California, Mt. Shasta appeared on the horizon - a lovely sight it is. We enjoyed an overnight stay in Mt. Shasta Town before driving on. From Mt. Shasta on down to Reno and Carson City we drove on Highways 89, 44 and 395, three good travel roads, with a chance to see numerous older towns, many with the ubiquitous ‘Rocks, Gold, Nuggets, Stuff’ signs.

VIRGINIA CITY, NV

Once settled in our Carson City Casino camp we connected with long time Internet pen pal Dan Harton and his wife Sue. Their hospitality was first rate with the treat of the visit being a day in Virginia City.
Virginia City has retained its 1800’s true western flavor, right down to the rough wooden boardwalks. The stores hold to the old architecture and motifs with magnificent wood furniture and Tiffany lamps everywhere. The local citizens, armed to the tooth and wandering the streets, are no exception as you can see from the accompanying pictures.
As we discovered, Mark Twain spent some of his formative writing years there in the newspaper business and refining his writing style. It turns out Don Harton is quite an expert on Mark Twain and his stories and historical accounts of Twain’s 6 years out west were revealing to us.

FLAGSTAFF, AZ

From the Reno area we moved on to Las Vegas via Highways 50 and 95, two of the more scenic and smoother roads we have encountered in the US. Crossing over Hoover Dam was a unique experience, especially in a motorhome. The new crossing road and bridge, under construction are modern marvels. The old road is narrow, curvy and slow, though the views, museum and statues on the west side are something not to be missed.
We decided to stay 3 days in a lovely National Park before heading home. The park is contiguous with the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument - the name given to an area northeast of Flagstaff containing the results of much volcanic activity – we saw several colorful cinder cones formed by extinct volcanoes, and large expanses of lava and ash, mostly unobscured by vegetation and still pure black in color. Wupatki National Monument is nearby and is one of several sites preserving pueblos of ancient peoples. The pueblos as you can see all have a distinctive deep red color and were made from thin, flat blocks of the local Moenkopi sandstone.
From Flagstaff we headed home with some haste as numerous tropical storms from the Gulf of Mexico were building in intensity in the Texas area.

We did make it home without problem and await our next adventure!