WESTWARD HO Day 5 and 6

March 21, 2015

As noted earlier my day began with a rear RV tire blowout. The valve extender had been causing problems, but the night before the RV repair tech checked it out, properly inflated and said I was OK to go. I was 24 miles from any services in rural Colorado so I just drove slow and careful to the next town and had the spare tire installed. No tires were available in the needed size/ tread pattern.

1) I drove all day to arrive at my summer volunteer assignment at Gates of LoDore Campground. I met my NPS Ranger, Mike Beloit, and camped in the darkest, quietest RV camp I'd ever seen.

2) The last state highway sign on the narrow, winding, washboard road said "No services for 120 miles).

3) There may be an unknown vehicle bumper testing program in effect. I counted over 45 dead antelope or deer rotting on the road shoulder in a single 20 mile section.

4) Approx. Every 1/2 mile on the road descending to Craig, CO for 20 miles there was an oil or gas well with multiple storage tanks.

5) Wildlife was abundant: mule deer, antelope, elk, hawks, falcons, rabbits by the millions, snakes, and more.

6) The little doggies (prairie ) do get along.

7) The RV rides like a pogo stick on the worst washboard roads.

8) I will likely become a hermit this summer. There is zero cellular service near the campground. I may get my shortwave radio license this summer. I can buy satellite DISH TV if so inclined.

9) It truly is 1.5 hr drive over bad roads to the grocery store, health care and other services. Further observations about the beauty of this assignment and another story about RV breakdown will be forthcoming in the next post.

Westward Ho to Chimney Rock

March 20, 2015

Travelling from Sand Hill Crane country I'm following the pioneer routes of the California and Oregon Trails. Near Bridgeport, NE is found that cultural icon seen in so many B western movies, are Scottsbluff and Chimney Rock National Monuments. The latter was originally known by the Native Americans as E.P. (Elk Penis). Over a half-million walking homesteaders could see this western icon for over two days prior passing by heading towards the pass through the mountains.

It was about there that my prairie conestoga broke down Thursday with the dreaded "check engine soon" warning. I quickly had it and my failing emergency brake fixed by the wagon masters at Inland Truck in Scottsbluff. When done they offered me there secure lot to camp in that night.

I've got three days to drive 10 hrs so I am off Friday morning to Salt Lake City stopping where the whim and request of the dogs take me.

Sand Hill Crane Migration - March 18, 2015

Drove today from Boonville, MO to Fort Kearney State Recreation Area, NE where the Sand Hill Cranes are continuing their ancient annual migration north to feed and birth this year's fledglings. Estimate maybe a 500 in the fields and overhead here today.

Departing Illinois for Misouri - March 17, 2015

I left Illinois today enroute to Salt Lake City. I am spending the night "boon"docked in the Booneville, MO Walmart parking lot. I've got the catalytic heater going and we three boys are comfy for the night.

Escapee's Care-A-Vanners Organaization - February 6, 2015

In March before I leave for the summer at Dinosaur National Monument, I am off to Salt Lake City for a Care-A-Vanner house build as part of Habitat For Humanity. Don't know what Care-A-Vanners are? If there is no Habitat organization where you live or want to go consider joining the Care-A-Vanners. Watch the video for more info.
http://lists.habitatforhumanity.org/t/1326474/7597750/9058/0/