We're off on our trip

Finally left home Tuesday, Oct. 7 after getting our RV out of the repair shop the Friday before!  Onward to Toledo to stay at cousin, Dave's place and visit with Aunt Helen and Uncle Glenn.  Jerry got upkeep/repairs done to rig and truck and we really enjoyed a barbeque and huge bonfire party on Saturday night with all our Toledo friends.   We were finally able to leave Toledo on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Spent 3 nights at the New Philadelphia, OH, Elks and did genealogy research on the Stiffler and Casebeer line in the Little Family Tree.

Also got to do some sightseeing as the weather cleared up a little on Thursday, Oct. 16.    Went to Zoar, OH, home of the communal society begun in 1817 by Wurttenburg, Germany, immigrants.  It was finally disbanded in 1898, but was a very successful society.  They paid for their land by digging 7 miles of the Erie Canal next to the Tuscarawas River which ran through their land.  There were still about 75 families living there in the 2010 census.

The Zoar Hotel, built in the early 1800's

The country store, being painted.  Note the copper gutters and rainspouts!

Zoar, OH

Canal Tavern.  Wonderful lunch spot!  Their German food was wonderful...especially their 4- hour ham and pea soup!

Across the highway from the Canal Tavern.  On your right is a little portion of what's left of the Erie Canal in this area.  On the left, the Tuscarawas River.

Bridge over the Tuscarawas River

 

The Tuscarawas River

Fall color in New Philadelphia Co.

"The largest cookoo clock in the world" proclaims this Sugarville tourist sight.

 

Arrived at the Monessen, PA Elks around 4 pm.  Will spend the weekend here exploring the area.  Beautiful temps - hopefully will be good weather this weekend - Jerry wants to ride his bike!

 

2013 July 15 to Missoula, MT

On the road about 10:30 am.  We continue following the Clearwater River and go through the Clearwater National Forest. 

Then we come to the Selway Wild and Scenic River…and it is that.  Many miles of absolute nothing but absolutely clear river, green fir trees and blue sky with white clouds.  Only one small community. Then in no time, we’re following the Lochsa River around lots of twists and bends and begin gradual climbing.   We skirt the Selway-Bitterroot Wildlife area.  After a lunch stop along the river, we begin the ascent to Lolo Pass – up from 2720’ to 5225’.

We have seen hundreds of motorcycles on this isolated stretch of US 12 in Idaho, and more are in the visitor’s center parking lot in ID with the Montana border in sight. 

After a gradual descent we pass Lolo Hot Springs tourist area and lush meadows east of there.

We see Lolo peak (9096’) and follow Lolo Creek which is clear brown from lots of tannin in the water. 

Shortly, we leave US 12 and travel Hwy 93 north 7 miles to Missoula.  Seems so strange to be in this town without the kids being here!  Tomorrow we get the back door of the RV reinforced at Bitterroot Welding in town.  The hinges which allow the door to drop down in order to load the bikes are breaking into the fiberglass.  

Well, this ends the 2012-13 Adventure blog.  Hope you have enjoyed the journey as much as we have.  It’s been a dream trip come true.  Hugs and loves to all our family and friends.

2013 July 14 Palouse SP to Kamiah, ID

After another look at the falls, and reading about Anthropologist Fryxell who found 12,000 bones in lava a bit down stream,

we push on, back south to US 12 headin’ East on the Lewis and Clark Trail.  More interesting patterns on the hills.  Lots more wheat farms.  Climb to 2785’ and then back down,

And wind farms…

Two different ways of stacking bales that we hadn’t seen before...

More patterns

As we cross into Idaho, US 12 becomes the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway.  Lewiston, ID and the Snake River

Heading south on US 12 and we follow the Clearwater River for miles and miles, twisting and turning around the huge bluffs.  Lots of floats and canoes out on the beautiful river on a beautiful warm day.

Finally, trees again. 

Stop in Kamiah, ID for groceries, fuel and overnight at the County Park next to the Clearwater River $5 for 15 amp electricity.  First sweet corn of the year for supper!  Yea.

Saturday July 13 River View to Palouse State Park

On the road after lunch.  Lots of pullouts for stopping to view the River or spend the night.  Ours was the best though as it was further from the road. 

Picture of the Naches River before we go into the town.

Another gorgeous mountain photo.  Mt. Rainier?

Beautiful valley with lots of fruit and produce stands.  Grapevines, corn, wheat, hay, cattle, apple trees all with irrigation.  A sign states we’re on the Lewis and Clark Trail. 

We leave the valley and traverse the hills.  Huge areas of wheat fields with nothing else in sight.  No small towns for miles.  I think about how far these folks have to go for groceries.  Know it wouldn’t be for me!

Interesting patterns in the pictures below.  We pass up “Sorghum Hollow Rd.”

About 4 PM we come into the town of Dayton.  Fill up with diesel – egads $4.15 here.  We’re used to paying $3.80ish.  Dumped our tanks free with the fill. 

Beautifully kept train station at Dayton.

Decided to eat since there’s not much in the way of towns ahead of us.  Ate at Thrasher’s Grill.  Excellent food.  We had the restaurant to ourselves.  As our waitress told us, there were two weddings in town and all the townsfolk were attending those celebrations.  Bet we made their day!  LOL  This mural was next to the restaurant.

After an hour on US 12, we see a sign for Palouse Falls.  Interestingly enough our friend Pat had seen a photo of the falls and posted it on FB the day before and asked me if we had been here.  Well, I said, not yet!  So, off we go north on a farm to market road to the small state park.  We get set up in the overflow boondock area which is fine.  1000’+ up here so it is cooler.  Lovely breeze.  Walk about 100’ to see the falls!  Spectacular!  Thanks, Pat!

 

Cool, quiet sleeping except for the “crazy amount of coyotes” howling, per Jerry.  Didn’t bother me!

2013 July 10 Sequim –July 12 River View Rest

July 10 Rest day.

July 11 Left Sequim.  Very cloudy and nicely cool.  Passed Lord’s Lake (Grandma Pearl, my Dad’s Mom was a “Lord” -Love it.  Through Quilcene and didn’t take “Linger Longer Rd!” LOL.  Through the east corner of Olympic NF and skirted the Hood Canal.  Another interesting name, “Never Give Up Road.”  By the time we got to Hoodsport, we had sun and blue sky.  I-5 south to US 12 and then east.  This is called the White Pass Scenic Byway  through the mountains with beautiful views. 

Stopped at Mayfield for fuel, then through Mossyrock in a beautiful valley.  Stopped for the night at a Senior Center parking lot in Morton, WA.  Free wifi, quiet and shady.  Ate dinner at a Mexican restaurant a block away.  

July 12

Cloudy and coolish.  Follow the Cowlitz river on US 12.  Up to Packwood at 1200’.

We stop at the Palisades Viewpoint.  These fractures were caused thousands of years ago when a volcano 7 miles away spewed lava and the edges of the lava cooled more quickly and caused the rocks to split.

Goat rocks in the distance with the snow.

Mount Rainier Viewpoint!

 

Clear Creek Falls is another pullout.  Fabulous!

 

Lots of small pullouts along the Tieton River along US 12.  We choose one for our overnight stop that is farther from the road. 

Lunch and relaxing by the noisy rushing water!  So peaceful and restful!

 

Took some fun photos of the river.

A Says Phoebe flits from the trees and rocks down to the water for bugs.  Got one!

 

After a simple supper, made a fire in the rock fire ring!  Heaven.  We haven’t done this for a long time and really enjoyed the respite!  Beautiful cool breeze for sleeping.