Seattle, WA

Well, today we arrived in Wells Nevada.  From my last post, here is the update.  We stayed in Shelton, Washington for two night at a Super 8, it was nice.  The reason we stayed there was because it was much cheaper, and because the city was SUPER busy with people and traffic.  I get kinda frustrated and grumpy around to many people these days, so it was better all the way around.

Before going to Seattle for the day, we had to go to Olympia, WA for an oil change on my truck. I also got a new set of wipers and a bug guard...lots of bugs on the windshield here.  We then drove to the Ferry from Bremerton to Seattle and that was very cool.  The cars loaded on the bottom, but we parked in a parking garage and walked (ran) to the Ferry...almost didn't make it.

When we got to Seattle, we decided to explore a few historical places that we wanted to see.  The Pike Place Fish Market was one of them, and it was really cool.  It was a lot like a flee market, but in a permanent structure.  It was also about five stores high, and most of the walk ways were ramps instead of stairs.  Really kinda cool.  I got Go Pro video of it, and will try to post it later.

We also rode the Monorail and went to the Space Needle.  We didn't go to the top of the Space Needle because of two reasons.  The line was long, and it wasn't that important to us. Everyone there in line to go up the Space Needle was a tourist, and just didn't seem worth it.  So we went on the Monorail instead and that was fun.

When we got off the Monorail at the Mall, we went to the stairwell to got to the ground floor and start making our way back to the Ferry to leave, but this girl in front of us kept taking the stairs down...so we followed.  Wow, the subway system there was incredible.  So well lit, and really nice. It was a huge area with lots of people in a hurry to get somewhere.  So glad we followed that girl down the stairs.



We walked to another entrance and made our way back to street level and headed to the Ferry.  Along the way, we were reminded that Washington is a legalized Marijuana state...as we walked through several invisible clouds on the street where the smell was so strong, and the people looked loopy out of their minds.  After that, we continued and decided to ride the big Ferris Wheel on the doc.  Got some great pictures from being really high.



Seattle was a great experience, but I was a little put off by the extreme exploitation of the tourist.  Where we had our lunch, it was $13 dollars for a burger, $3 for fries, and $6 for a small beer....about $50 for two people with tip...but before we left I noticed at the bottom of the menu in very very small print.... Prices for our loyal customers of the Washington area are discounted.  Burger is $9 with fries included....and I didn't see it but I bet the beer was cheaper too.  At the Ferris wheel, we had to buy a ticket to get on, but they took that ticket back before we got on, and said we could re-buy the ticket as we left for a souvenir.  What Bullshit!!

Etna, WY post office

We got to Etna, Wyoming about early afternoon after passing through a couple of small towns.  We stopped at a Family Dollar on the way to get some supplies.  The clerks were very friendly, and helpful.

When we got to Etna, we drove through town to the end where we found the general store that was also the post office for the town. I went in and you could tell right away that the place was geared for tourists.  Everything was over priced bad, and set up to make money.  The proprietor was an ass, and didn't like the fact that I was picking up my package 4 days after it got to his small post office.  I was really put off by his attitude.  The only good thing about this place was I bought some wood for a campfire.  When paying for it, I asked about camping and was told where we could stay for the night. We were still about an hour away from Yellowstone, and it was getting dark fast, so we decided to stay nearby.

We stayed at a small site called Alpine Campground.  It had about 12 sites, and they were all full but three.  One of those were reserved, so we had the choice of right near the entrance and the noise of traffic on the highway, or a double car site in the middle of the park with campers on all sides.  We choose the double park because traffic was heavy and loud.  It turned out pretty good except for the group that had the site reserved showed up next to us, and they were LOUD.  Telling stories about white water rafting and how great they were.  They were loud long after quiet time (10pm to 6am), so when we got up at 5:50am, we got loud too, packing up our site and making coffee....LOL

We are going to have to cut the trip a little short because Nancy got some good news on the phone.  She has a job interview on the 3rd, so we will be skipping.  Were on our way to Seattle now, and will be spending only one night there, and then off to see the Redwood Forest.  Then a straight line back to Texas so she can get ready for the interview.  Until tomorrow!

Hertsel, CO

We stopped in a small but great little town Hartsel, Colorado.  This place had real character, from the dinner we ate in, to the a joining bar/pool hall where locals would stop in.  We talked with a couple of older cowboys about the weather and where we were from.  They had just been making jokes about another couple that walked out because they didn't get served fast enough.  They told the waitress not to worry about it because they were driving a Prius....we all laughed.

Were going to try and get as far as we can tonight towards Etna, Wyoming where the parcel I ordered from Amazon will be coming in.  Short post, but really just a bunch of driving today and some pics on the way.

Medicine Bow

We made it as far as Medicine Bow National Forest, and camped at Surgarloaf Mountain campsite.  There were four campsites open on the mountain, but we were told that the first two were full, and the last two were closed...so we had to stay at either Surgarloaf campgrounds, or Brooklyn Lake campground.  Well, we looked at Brooklyn first, but it seemed very crowded, so we went to look at Surgarloaf.  It also was busy, so we went back down to see Brooklyn again.  Well, to make a long story short...or long day. We went back and forth about 5 times before we decided to stay at Surgarloaf campsite. Oh, and I forgot to mention that there was road construction going on between the two, so we ended up waiting for a pilot car every time...fun.  

Between visits or the two sites, we also went to the top of the mountain and got some great pics, and also stopped at a very nice picnic area near a lake.  Wow, so beautiful.  The top of the mountain was really incredible looking.  The natural trail we went on had a lake that you have to see to believe.

The only problem with this place was the temp.  Up on the mountain, and the wind blowing all night, it got super cold, and the fire was a pain in the butt to cook hot dogs on.  But all and all, what a great place!  The next morning when we left, we stopped at an area that had a really cool waterfall and bridge, just had to check it out.  

I also called and my parcel made it in, and it was waiting for me to pick up.

Eleven Mile

The drive through Colorado was breath taking beautiful. I was stationed here before, but never went though the mountains.  Really enjoyed the drive.  

 Really a great time taking some wonderful pics.

Driving through Colorado we noticed a cow on the left side of the road that had just had a baby and the baby wasn't moving, so we decided to go to the house and let the owner know. We went to the house, but the person that lived there wasn't the owner of the land or the cow.  he told us he would check with the owner about the cow.  It was sad because the cow looked at us while we were driving by like she wanted help.  

I also asked him if there was any place close boy to camp, and he told us next nearest campsite was about 20 miles away and gave us some directions. we drove the next hour looking for the campsite, and on the way  aw this buffalo and snapped some pics.  It was in a huge field by himself, just playing in the dirt.  He rolled around until he noticed us  watching, then just walked away. 

We finally found the campsite, and paid a box to stay the night.  We had to pay for vehicle pass and for a camping site.  We then drove around near dark, trying to find a place to set up camp.  Driving down the road, the lake looked like we were the only ones there, but once we rounded the corner above the hill we saw that this place was busy as hell with RVs and tents and camper shells all over the place. 

We found a nice spot for ourselves considering how busy the place was.  We cooked out at some hot dogs and had a few beers with some chips.  We also decided that we would no get up and take off right away like we normally do, and just sleep in until we wake up on our own.  It was a nice night, and very relaxing. 

The next morning I made a penny stove and heated up some water so we could have some coffee, and it was great.  I picked up this little skill on YouTube, and it's paying off now.  The coffee was hot and no real mess.

The next morning, we had several visitors that seemed to be going from campsite to campsite looking for left over snacks.  We set out some left sweet bread and snapped a few pics.  This place is in the middle of nowhere, so no signal at all and this is why I am updating late.  

Santa Fe Sucked!

Not much to report from yesterday's post.  The day consisted mostly of driving HWY to Santa Fe, NM.  We got some rain, and Nancy got so me good video of that and the interesting looking clouds.

We stopped at a souvenir shop/gas station on the way.  It had about 50 huge billboards before we got there, so we thought it was going to be a HUGE plaza…turned out to be just an over sized gas station.  It did have some cool souvenir stuff, but overpriced on a lot of it….so we got a few things and left.

Santa Fe sucked in my view.  It was super busy, and with the narrow three lane roads I hated it.  We stopped at an Applebee's for dinner and that was pretty good because the waitress was super friendly and nice (big tip.) 

We decided not to stay in Santa Fe because it was to early to stop, so we continued on another hour north on I-25 to Russell's Truck Stop.  The reviews on google were great, and said they were the best showers around!  Well, we got there and found that it must have been an employee that posted that stuff, because the showers were not that great at all.  The towels smelled moldy, and the place was totally empty overnight.  It did have some cool stuff inside to look at, but didn't buy anything.   

Woke up this morning about 6:30am, went into the truck stop and brushed teeth, combed hair.  Left in search of breakfast.  We found a Denny's in Rotan, NM where we stopped.  Good breakfast and now were ready to get going. Nancy is very supportive of my updating my blog, even thought I know times like this are boring as hell for her...lol.  Sorry Nancy.  I'll try to post again tomorrow.  More pics too I hope. 

San Angelo Camping

Spent the evening playing with my grand-daughter Melody…what a sweetheart!  She is sitting up and crawling around so much now.  I haven't been here in a long time, so I was a little worried about her being happy to see me, but she recognized me...thank goodness.  I'm so lucky that all my grand kids love to see me.  

Got up at 7:30am and got the truck packed up.  We took off and headed for San Angelo.  Nice drive, highway most of the way, and very calming.  The San Angelo State park was kinda flat, and the lake was kinda small, although they told us that the water level is up from the last couple of years….but still very shallow.  The fire hazard was moderate for the area, according to Smoky anyway! We had fun taking pics…lol

We stopped at Twin Peaks for lunch and had a drink and chips.  I had two beers.  The first one was a 10 oz., and it was in the tinest mug I think I have ever seen...so the next was a 20 oz...way better.  We think the chipotle dip was bad, because we both got kinda sick right after eating there….really sick feeling.  Wouldn't suggest going there, but not likely this will reach anyone going that way…lol

The "unimproved campsites" for tents sucked, but it was only $10 so I can't complain too much.  It was over 100 degrees when we got there, so we decided to explore the town in the AC of the truck.  It's a nice town, and has everything a big town/city would have.  It also had decorated sheep all over the place.  We looked it up, and the city was a major supplier of wood during WWII, so to promote the town years ago they had a pageant and displayed these sheep all over to advertise it. 

We found a very interesting gorilla that I think my brother Tim would appreciate more than we did…although we tried.  I think the people driving by were a little taken back by our shenanigans...Oh well.

We went back to the campsite about 6:30 pm and went to the campsite we were assigned, but decided we didn't like it so after a drive around the park, found a better spot on the other side of the park…so we stopped there and set up.  The set up went pretty fast this time, and before you knew it we were done.

We picked up some hot dogs and buns in town and had a little cookout for dinner.  As dry and cactuse the place was, it did have a really nice sunset and sunrise.  It was hot going to sleep, but by morning it got cold and we both needed blankets.   Turned out to be a pretty good first night for the trip.  We got up about 5:30 this morning, brushed our teeth and broke down the campsite.  There were showers on site, so Nancy took a shower, but I used my towel to clean up some water the other day and it was dirty, so I decided to wait until we get to  truck stop tomorrow to shower.  Well, that’s about it for today, I'll try and write again tomorrow about today.