#15 Just Keep Rollin'

Well it's been an interesting couple of weeks.

I already mentioned the wonderful little place, Nat-Soo-Pah RV and water park where we were staying.  Highly recommended if you want to be away from everything and enjoy the quiet.  It's not quiet on the weekends, though.  It's a very popular place with the locals for camping and swimming.  We will definitely go back there some day.

We had made arrangements to be at Bish's Twin Falls store for some warranty work on the trailer.  Our appointment was for the 16th, so on the 13th we moved, deciding to stay at the HWY93 RV park (recommended by friends, Keith and Linda) because it's closer to the dealership.  At the moment it is a really small, older park.  I liked it though.

The Laundry room is quite nice, although it only has two washers and
dryers.

They are doing a massive expansion next door to accommodate huge motorhomes and trailers.  Each site will be twice the size of the older section, with more room between RVs, large grass areas, table and BBQ.  Can't wait to see what the finished product looks like!  It's close to town and definitely a place we will come back to.

They have a big open grassy area  near the expansion and also a shaded
area for the dog.  It's all grass, has poop bags, a manmade pond and is really quite nice.  Scooter liked it.  I had read negative reviews regarding this park.  I have no idea where they stayed, but it wasn't here.  If you want to be in the middle of no where, but still only minutes from town, this is the place to go.  Farms, open land everywhere.  Walmart 5 minutes away, lol.



We took a drive into town and Shoshone Falls.  Very pretty.  They call it the Niagra of the West.

Shoshone isn't that big, but I guess it could just be my opinion based on the perspective from the viewing grounds.  Plus the sign where you pay your $3 said the water was at medium level.  Still beautiful, though. Very narrow windy road getting to the viewing area, albeit not long.  Don't think I'd take a big motorhome down there, but people have.  They probably should have spotters like Zion does to keep two RVs from going up or down the road at the same time.  I don't think could pass each other safely. But I'm a girl... what do I know.  I guess Evil Kneivel jumped the snake river a couple miles from here.  You can hike to the spot...we didn't lol.  If you haven't visited here, though, you should.  One of natures wonders.  It does make me wonder how big Niagra Falls are though...

We had already visited the big bridge (see update #14) which is quite interesting and something we recommend.  Twin Falls is a very pretty area.

Had to leave the trailer at the dealership for the day, so what to do for 8 hours.  Decided to drive to Meridian Idaho where the closest camping world store is.  Long and lonely drive up 84.  Farms go on forever.  Like driving through Kansas only with mountains off in the distance.  Stopped at McD in Mountain Home for breakfast since they had outdoor seating.....and they bring the food toooo you.  Weird.. anyway, Scooter loved it.  Shared my eggs and a teeny bit of sausage.  His new favorite, though, is pancakes...but only with syrup.  Nope... no spoiled dog here!  It was a two hour drive, but he loves to go.
Lots of cows to bark at along the way too, so he was happy.

Spent a couple hours at camping world.  Left with a new shower head and a bucket.  A collapsable bucket no less.  Big spenders we are.  LJ got some info on satellite systems and left it at that.  We are starting to go back and forth on whether we want one or not.  I'm sure we will get it soon, because you can only site see so much before you have to watch tv lol.

We'll have to plan on a Boise area trip some time since we have a lot of friends in that area!

Made it back just in time to get the trailer...

LJ wasn't happy with how they fixed one thing, so they said no problem.  We had to bring it back the next day (yesterday) and leave it....again.  It was going to go to Freightliner to the paint shop and that would take all day.  But ok.  It is what it is.  So now what to do for a second full day.

Decided to take the chairs and iPads and go sit in the park...Rock Creek Park.  Verrrrrry nice little park by Rock Creek.  A little slice of heaven.  There's the RV park side of the creek and the park side of the creek.  We spent a little time at the RV side.  They have electric and water there for hookups.  Place was pretty much full!  You have to know it exists to even find it.

The park side of the creek is very well maintained.  Walking trails, tables, bathrooms, big shade trees.  We literally sat there for 4 hours.  Probably the most relaxing part of our day!  We both kind of laughed and said, I guess that's what homeless people do...sans the iPad, lol.  We didn't really spend that much time on it anyway.  It was quiet, cool and both of us just took it all in.  Sitting in a park for 4 hours, watching the birds, little kids on their nature hike and listening to the creek is not something
we normally would do.  We both agree the hustle and bustle of life that we have left behind has opened up new doors to the world that we never fully appreciated before.  Scooter loved it, too, except when he about lost it over seeing a cat.  I'm not sure he had ever seen one before!  Good thing he was on a short leash.  He quit barking and laid down...but was very watchful and that cat walked around the park.  Another relaxing day.  LJ said later he didn't know if he was going to be able to handle all the stress lol.

Had lunch at Culver's again since they have outside seating.  Nice hamburger place.  Another place that brings the food to you.  Scooter likes their cheese lol.  Came back to the RV park and literally sat in our shady spot, sans trailer lol.  Played on the iPad, facetimed with our daughter, walked Scooter, then off to get the trailer.  We actually managed to find stuff to do all day!




Trailer is fixed to LJ's satisfaction and we are back, set up and ready for dinner.  We went back to Golden Corral because it has such a variety and for a buffet, really is quite good.

LJs ridiculous Chicken fried steak

One of our favorite places in the area, though, is a little hole in the wall about 2 minutes from the RV park called Curry Junction.  It's on HWY 30,  just off HWY 93 and directly across from the dealership.  LJ had been told about it by a fellow camper when we were staying at Nat-Soo-Pah.  Their food is more like your gramma cooked in her kitchen than restaurant food.  We have had both breakfast and dinner there.  If you like places like The Cheesecake Factory or other chain places, this isn't for you.  But if you like a friendly atmosphere  and want to eat like you made it yourself, with simple ingredients, then try it.  It felt more like eating at home than eating out.  I loved it.  It's definitely a place to return to.

Tomorrow we head back to Winnemucca.  No place in Idaho to stay with all the Eclipse Gazers.  The parks we stayed at are full, but maintained their normal pricing.  There are some parks charging $200 A NIGHT to stay because idiots will pay it.  The local news reported the Fairfield Inn in Twin Falls, which is not in the "premium viewing zone", was charging $900 a night... and getting it.  Holy cow.  But we have business to take care of, so working our way back to Reno area.  By the end of September we should be all done with what I call "clean-up", i.e banking, DMV and doctor appointments.

But in the meantime we just keep on rollin' and we are loving every minute of it.

These Idaho farmers are pretty darn funny

#14 The Good Life

I'm finding it rather strange, having nothing to do.  We have been retired since 2004 and I think this is truly the first time I have felt truly retired.  It's always been something or someone dictating what we should do and when we should do it.  Not that we cared.  It was life, right?  Trips to plan, places to be, houses to take care of.  How refreshing, for the most part, to really have none of that.   True, we do have to be in Twin Falls on 8/16 for trailer stuff.  And true we do have to be in Reno the week of the 21st for some appointments.  But other than that we are free as a bird.

We both have found it incredibly relaxing to sleep as late as we want.  When we do get up, we enjoy a quiet breakfast, sit outside enjoying the day, then read or play games on the ol iPad.  We will always have some responsibilities.  Had a minor issue with a breaker LJ had to take care of.  Had to go to Walmart and stock up on food.  But in the big scheme of things, that's nothing.

We don't have to worry about what's going on at home. Don't care if the weeds are growing or the sprinklers quit working.  Not our problem any more.  No longer have to worry if that bill got paid or if we took care of this or that.  I asked LJ today if he thought he could do this for two years.  He just smiled and said, "gee, I dunno. It's just so darn stressful". lol

We have been together for over 38 years.  I truly believe this is the first time we have both been relaxed and at ease with our lives.  We talk more, laugh more.  Sure we get irritated with each other still, but then one of us usually makes a face at the other and we laugh it off.  I think this is going to be a wonderful thing for our relationship.  Are we going to get bored?  Probably.  But then it's up to us to find something to do.

Yesterday we went into town (Twin Falls) to have a dinner out.  Afterwards we walked over to the bridge and watched base jumpers for awhile and took in the view.  No where to be...no timeline.  This is exactly what we were hoping for when we started this journey.  I think it's finally sinking in.

Basejumpers are nuts....

It is beautiful here, though

#13. Finally!

Well, we did it.  We finally hit the road.  After the move from hell, we spent a couple weeks at the Sparks Marina RV park.  Gave us a chance to get some things done before hitting the road.  It never really felt different than living at home...seemed pretty routine actually.  I spent my usual days gambling because that's what I do when I'm bored.  I won 90% of the time, which pays for the other 10% lol.

We talked about getting a new truck, but really don't need one.  LJ decided to drag me along on a test drive of a 1 ton dually.  He had never driven one and was curious.  He knew he wanted a GMC after talking to some guys who had Fords..no way he'd buy a Dodge, so GM it was.  Besides..he's had Fords and his last few trucks were GMCs and he loved them.  So off we went..test drive.  Nice truck.  Wrong color.  Denali which we wanted but had a lot of stuff we didn't want.  He didn't seem too interested.  We talked about it later and decided to wait and order a 2018 exactly like we want it.  Sounds like a plan.

I happened to be gambling a couple days later when we decided to hook up with Patty and Alan for dinner.  LJ was supposed to pick up Alan at 5:30, since Patty was held up at work, and meet us at Western Village at Poncho and Willies.  Fearing he fell asleep or lost track of time, I gave him a call.  Kinda went like this:
Hey, don't forget to pick up Alan.
I can't.  
Why not.
I'm at car max.  
Why?  I have my car so you're not getting that appraised.
Getting a price on my truck.  
I'm confused.
I'm just curious what they will give me for it.  
Ok, but you need to pick up Alan.
I can't.  
And you can't becausssssse...
I'm going to the GMC dealer after this and buying that truck.  
Silence...um, I'm sorry? you're what?
I searched the entire US and talked to different dealers getting bottom line prices.  Only other dealer had what I am looking for is in Utah and Idaho.  The only color available on those trucks are Black and White, neither of which I like.  I like the one here in town and they beat every one else.  
Thought you were waiting til the 2018s come out.  
I thought about it and I like this one.  It'll be cheaper than the 18s and I made a deal over the phone.  After I get an appraisal from carmax I'm going to the dealer see what they'll do.  I've already blue booked it. 
Well.... alrighty then.  Let me know how it goes.

So I go get Alan and the three of us have dinner...no LJ.  I give him a call after.  Yep, he bought it.  Bringing it home.  First time he's ever done that!  The dealer gave him a bit more than he thought he was going to get so he was happy.  Got a great price on the truck, too.  The internet and research is a wonderful thing.  So it looks like LJ got a new truck for MY birthday.  Can't wait to see what I get for his lol.  Paid cash, too.  His other truck was paid for so that helped.  It is our goal to maintain a high balance in the bank, and have no bills.  Felt good to simply write a check for the difference.

August 3rd...Now it's my actual birthday.  What do I get to do?  Pick up LJ who went to get his new hitch put in his truck.  And, whoopee!!  I get to take my car to Carmax to sell it.  We don't have the time to sell it outright and we have done our research.  I was kind of surprised LJ didn't trade it in too, but he didn't think about it.  So they make us an offer and it's close to what we would have sold it for anyway so we take it.  I have to say.  It's weird not having my own car to do what I want when I want.  But it's just crazy to follow each other around the country.  Some people do it, but that's not for us.  So..for my 62nd birthday I am officially carless and homeless...a true transient, lol.

August 5th, new trailer, new truck, new journey...we are ready to go.


Finally starting our adventure.  Hot though.  Hope we are going somewhere cooler.  OH LOOK!  cooled seats!  ahhhhhh...I like this truck lol.

Headed toward Idaho since we have to get the trailer stuff done.  Little stuff, but the dealer needs to fix it.  That appointment isn't until the 16th.  No reservations.  Friends have suggested we might have difficulty finding a park...If we do we will just keep going till we don't.  That's what Walmart parking lots are for lol.  First night we decided to drive allllll the way to Winnemucca.  Why push it lol.  We stayed at a newer place, Frontier RV Park.  Very nice.  All gravel and pavement, but it did have some grassy areas down by the dog run.  I was able to take Scooter down there to play ball.  He was a happy dog.  There was hardly anyone there.  It's too bad they don't have artificial grass at the sites, but at least it's not dusty.  All the sites are large.  They had no pull throughs available so we had to take a back in slot.  PLENTY big enough and LJ got to play with the trailer back-up camera.  We'll be back for a few days on our return trip to Reno at the end of August.  (Dr appointments and such)

Went to dinner at a local Winnemucca hotel restaurant...I want to say the Red Lion Inn, but I am most probably wrong lol.  I am so observant.  Actually a very nice dinner.  I was pleasantly surprised.

Had a great night's sleep.  Talked about staying a day or two but decided to go on into Idaho.  Besides, it looks like rain is coming.  Don't want to get the truck dirty, lol.  Weather app says no rain in Idaho or east of Winnemucca.  So lets go.
They lied.   Aw shucks .. his truck is getting dirty and he juuuust washed it.  You know if we hadn't stopped to eat Taco Bell in Elko, we probably would have missed it.

Did someone say Taco Bell?  Yes.. and you can't have any.  OK.. you can have a bite of the bean burrito..you spoiled little guy.  But we must eat in the trailer, because no food in the truck...this week.





Drove through Jackpot NV and thought about staying there for the night, but decided to check out an RV park near the dealership, do on we went.  Drove another 40 miles to the Highway 93 RV park in Filer, ID just outside Twin Falls.  The further north we got, the smokier it was.  Learned later that the Boise and Pocatello areas are even worse.  Of the four sister dealerships in Idaho, we luckily picked the one in the least smoky area.  Pure luck.

Got to the RV park around 3 Idaho time...uh oh.  They are full.  Guy even called around and no one had spots.  We were warned by FB friends, but we're good.  No worries.  Guess we'll go back to Jackpot.  We were able to reserve a spot for the week we need, so we are good.  But where to go in the meantime.  Worse case scenario we drive back to Wells.  No biggie.  We have nothing but time.

You know, we passed a sign coming into town for a Mineral Pool and Spa and RV park...Nat-Soo-Pah, whatever that means.  Lets try there.  I call while we are enroute and yippee!  They have room for us! It's midway between this place and Jackpot.  Well off the beaten path, about 3 miles off the highway, but all paved road.  It's at the dead end.  Kind of a cool place.  But they call it a resort on line so heaven knows how much they are going to charge.  Turns out they only have a few full hookups, the rest being none or electric-water only.  But they have one we can take...$25.  Park on the grass.

view from the RV window

Mature trees, grassy spots.  I like it.  It has no facilities, like a restaurant or laundry, but I don't care.  I just did laundry so we are good for 10 days and the other place we are going does.  Which reminds me...I still want to get that Washer Dryer...this is a prime example of a place I would stay a long time if I had that.  We have food and Twin Falls is close by.  Walmart is only 20 miles away.  But LJ says we will only stay one night then go back to civilization.

Next morning we both decide...nope.  Staying here until we need to move on the 13th.  It's pretty.  It's quiet.  It's shady.  We like it.  LJ admits he misjudged it at first glance.  And Scooter and I got to play ball with him off the leash because the park was pretty much empty.  I try to do that with him whenever I can.  It is just so peaceful here.  I think I'd like to put it on the list of places to come back to.

Of course we are parked next to Chatty Cathy and her husband.  They just bought the motorhome from Hell and love to tell you all about it.  Poor people didn't have a 50-30 amp reducer so had to run their generator all night.  LJ told them to ck out Walmart or the dealership and managed to get them on the right track.  This evening they are all hooked up.  I think LJ is their new best friend lol.  He goes outside and they come talk..and talk..and talk..and talk.  Deep down he enjoys it.  They have two little yorkies so Scooter made friends.

Made a Walmart run for a few little things.  Had gourmet TV dinners since neither of us was very hungry.  Now just relaxing.  It's the perfect spot, so far, for us to begin our travels.  LJ seems more relaxed than ever.  I think our freedom is finally sinking in.

Someone else seems relaxed too 💕