Zion National Park - most beautiful place!

Made it through Salt Lake City, tedious drive, then about 20 miles off the highway 15 to Springdale, gateway to Zion, spent Thursday in the National Park, even Mike said he was glad he got to see it, though didn't get to hike many of the trails. The free shuttle from Springdale to Zion is super nice.

View from our Campsite

Perfect weather, lots of sunshine, not too hot, still wearing shorts! People there from all over the world.

After Zion spent 2 days at RPI by Hurricane Utah, went to Quail Lake and Mike fished, no bites, Rockie was able to get off his leash, swim in the lake and was quite the happy dog!! but I forgot my camera.  Now we are on our way to Vegas!! Woo hoo!

Back in Idaho!

Made it back to Idaho on Sunday, I don't know why the speed limit isn't 80 MPH in the Idaho I was living in, man that would've been fun in my Mini CooperS.

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Stopped at Hell's Half Acre, best Rest Area I've ever been to, hiked 3/4 mile with Rocky, saw the Lava flow, and a rabbit, luckily Rocky did not. 

Got gas in Dillon Idaho, spent $190 to fill up, Hooboy!! Spent the night in Dubois Idaho, nice little town with "free" dump and drinking water. ($3 suggested donation)

 Then on to Utah, spent the night in Willard, at Flying J travel plaza, the mountains are right there! and so is the Highway, super noisy! Gas price is coming down!!

Today's mission: get through Salt Lake City!!

Got as far as Missoula!

We left Sandpoint at noon, wow! Mike had to do all the work as I had a sudden bout of flu like symptoms, major body ache all over!! 1st time I've had gotten sick after the flu shot, oh well it was free, right?!   Pulled in to this truck travel plaza just north of Missoula Montana 5:30 pm, free camping and what a view!

"If you do what you've always done, you will get what you've always gotten."

Last day at work tomorrow,  hard to leave, I will miss everyone: my kids and family and everyone at BGH, (you know who you are!) 13 years almost to the day since I began working there! But  

    excited to hit the road!!

 

 Finally got my camera back after losing it last summer, so these pics are late!!!

We had High Tea, with fancy finger sandwiches!

My BFF Tracy in Sequim

My Brother and Sister in Sequim 

Jenna on the carousel at Butchart Gardens

My sister Lori slaving away in the kitchen!

Still waiting to take off on our adventure!

This French Bulldog followed me and Rocky home one morning, we fell in love immediately but luckily she had a microchip and we found her owner a few hours later.

We haven't left yet......but I have given notice at my job, but maybe can be back in the summer to cover vacations! Just sticking close to home trying to not spend money but you know how that goes! Went to Northern Quest Casino to see Grandma and Grandpa, Mike lost and I won a little. Got a good price on a cheap motel last minute via Hotwire, Jenna came over, that was fun, Rocky was so happy!

Jenna and Rocky!

We stayed at the EconoLodge near Spokane Airport, $48 on Hotwire plus tax: $62, with free breakfast, WIFI and a huge lawn for Rocky.

View of Spokane from Econolodge grounds
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 We are hoping to leave for warmer climates first weekend of October. Today I go to Coeur d'alene
to help Jenna move, again, second time in 6 months!! Next week: Elton John concert!!

Went to Laughing Dog Brewery Anniversary party with our Neighbors Roger and Ruthie, nice people, headed to Iowa for winter. (Iowa for winter??)

31 Years - Celebrating in Bonners Ferry

We've been in the RV since June 30th, still have not plugged in to power!! We are cheating though by spending 2 days at Kootenai River Inn in Bonners Ferry, love the AC, it's about 100 degrees out!

Where we spent our 31st Anniversary!

This is the far southern corner of the parking lot, where we parked our RV the first time in it after getting solar, thought we had the perfect spot, not realizing that on the other side of the fence was an extremely busy railroad crossing!!

Ahhhhh Air conditioning!

Nice room for Free!!! Mike had 2 free nights comped from May so we are taking advantage of it, and won a little too! All the rooms have balconies on the Kootenai River. Rocky loves the bed.

We made it!

On June 30th we got out of our 4 bedroom house, me throwing stuff out the door onto the porch and Mike hauling it off to the Uhaul or RV, then we hopped in and took off, here's what it looked like inside

The bed is in there somewhere.

I think he got RV mixed up with Uhaul. Now I have 3 months to sort out this stuff, doing much better already.

We have been living off solar exclusively for 2 full weeks now, have not plugged in at all, the Solar system is remarkable, we can run the TV, box fan, bedside fan, charger for Kindle, laptop and cell phones, waffle iron, toaster, we have not run out of power once, though it has run low on one cloudy day when Mike had been watching TV most of the night. We have had upper 90's temps and I sorely miss my microwave but we are doing ok with wraps, sandwiches and some deli food. I have gotten rid of about 1/2 of the stuff we started with and can now walk around the bed, almost.

Saturday went to the Classic Boat show here in Sandpoint, quite impressive!