Driving Ms. Daisy

There are definite advantages to driving the pick up camper over the 5^th wheel. Even with the trailer in tow we are much more maneuverable. You just cannot pull over on a whim and you always have to be careful which gas station we pull into while pulling a 40’er.

But with the pick up camper we were able to swing right into the parking lot of our favorite Chinese restaurant in Casper, WY.  We have not had it in quite a while. In fact, the last time we had it was when Jim and Brenda were in the area and brought us back an order of walnut shrimp last year!

We went a little overboard ordering 5 entrees. I guess that is what happens you cannot decide what to get! We had lunch and dinner the next three days and were still not tire of it!

We drove 7 hours and spent the night at the Walmart in Rock Springs Wyoming. There was a few several other overnight campers there, some truckers and a couple long term residents.

A couple of the long term residents

 They are so hospitable there, in fact, when we woke up we found that someone had left a glass of apple juice right outside our camper for us!

 Barb and I were not that thirsty so we left it for the next person who arrived.

 Driving west out of Casper, into Utah and eventually into Salt Lake we forgot how beautiful that area is.  The mountains, the rivers and the overall landscape are just incredible.

Just outside of Park City

The 200 mile drive on NV/OR 140 from Winnemucca Nevada to Lakeview Oregon is one long  desolate stretch of road. The only thing that saved us was that we were playing the “Antelope Game” across the desert. For those of you don’t know what that is you will have to ask Dino, he is the one who told us about it.

Daisy on the other hand had no problem with our long days as she slept pretty much the entire time. She would sleep for 30 or so minutes, get up, look around and then find a new position to sleep…. Hour after hour, after hour, position after position after position......

So tired....

So bored....

When she was not sleeping, she would just sit back and pass the time reading her book.

Three quarters of the way across the NV/OR 140 stretch we were looking for a place to spend the night so Barb got on Freecampsites.net and found a very cool oasis in the middle of the desert. I mean literally in the middle of the desert. We pulled off 140, went 3 miles down a gravel road and there were marshes, ponds, a hot springs and even a campground. All free!

The Virgin Valley Campground has about 15 spaces. Most were filled but we were able to find a spot without a problem. They even have a camp host there!

The hotsprings were more of a "warm" springs

If we were not on a mission, we would have taken advantage of their 14 day stay policy. Next time. We loaded up the next morning and finished our 5 hour drive to Klamath Falls and pulled into Forrest’s driveway about 1:00pm.

Forrest, Somer, Lily and our son-in-law Shane were there to greet us. We have not been there since April of ’18 and we were again in awe of what a great place Forrest and Somer have.
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Shane had flown out from Pennsylvania several days ahead of Jessica and the kids to do a little elk hunting. The next day we worked on the front deck to strengthen in up a little.

Notice the new railing in the background

Forrest also went up on his roof to take care of a few wasp nests up under the eves. One thing one does not consider when buying an A-frame is how to do roof work. It was sketchy but both he was harnessed in and the ladder was tied off!

Meanwhile Somer and Lily were in the kitchen making cookies!

Daisy and Dakota were happy to see thier cousin Jack.....

So far our hunting adventures have been unsuccessful. I have a bear tag, Shane has an elk tag and Forrest has a variety of tags. We are seeing some beautiful country though!

They have some massive trees up here!

Shane and Forrest glassing some low lands

Forrest and I explored the area above his house with the 4 wheeler, you can see forever up there!

That is Klamath Lake in the background

 When we were on our way up I got some pretty good shots of a Golden Eagle with some kind of rodent in its mouth!

Jessica and the kids arrive soon, then the fun will really begin!