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As you can see, we had plenty of sites to choose from. The views in the RV resort were amazing. 183 miles from Yuba State Park was our next intended RV home at Zion White Bison Glamping + RV Resort in Virgin, Utah. It only took two and a half hours to travel to this resort nestled against the stunning surroundings of Zion National Park which would be our base for the next three days. Upon arriving on Friday, September 5 in the afternoon we got settled early enough to explore the road into Springdale just outside the entrance into Zion National Park. It was pretty apparent that parking would be a challenge outside the park. So based on this intel we decided to see Zion on Friday and use the resort's paid shuttle service to access the park. After returning back to our site we went out to dinner near our resort. We made our shuttle reservation for 9 AM Saturday, September 6 to see Zion. Once we reached the entrance to Zion we used our National Park Pass for free admission and immediately headed to the free shuttle bus. We decided to ride the park shuttle to STOP 9, the end of the line at the Temple of Sinawava, and hike about a mile into "The Narrows". Because the area had had some rain the night before, the north fork of the Virgin River was muddy and somewhat swift. Many of the people on the trail had rented special water boots and walking sticks to navigate the uneven river bottom. Karen and I considered walking the river but decided to pass due to the conditions. We took the bus back down and stopped at each stop along the way to take in the scenery. When we reached the Grotto we hiked the trail to the Zion Lodge for lunch and a relaxing break. "The Narrows" trail is paved for about a mile. The surrounding canyon walls are colorful and steep. The crowds were manageable on the shuttle buses and we didn't have to wait. The trail traffic to the lodge was light considering this was a weekend. We spent about five hours in the park which wasn't enough time to see the museum and explore more of the trails, including the emerald pools trail, but we got a flavor to build a future visit. I would love to see this National Park again, maybe in the early spring after a light dusting of snow. The color contrast between the cliffs and the trees made for some lovely images. My hope is to return in the future and also see the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway scenic drive with tunnels and switchbacks which offers breathtaking landscapes of the park. With the truck in it's present condition it didn't seem a prudent option for this trip. Sunday, September 7 we attended the Calvary Chapel church in Hurricane, Utah and met some lovely members who invited us to join them for lunch in St. George. It's truly wonderful to have family wherever we travel as part of the community of Christ followers! After lunch we drove back to Hurricane and made yet another O'Reilly's stop for more coolant to have on hand. We had made an apppointment at Roadrunner Automotive and Diesel Repair, Inc., in La Verkin, Utah for Tuesday, September 9. I was hoping they might be able to resolve the coolant leak issue. So Monday September 8 we moved the RV closer to that shop and stayed at the Gateway Luxury RV Resort & Casitas on North Main Street in La Verkin, Utah. It was more expensive per night but within a short walking distance so we would not have to rent a car. Tuesday morning we dropped the truck off and walked back to the resort. By 10 AM we got a call back telling us the coolant system was holding pressure and our problem might just be a bad coolant reservoir O-ring in the cap. I gave them the okay to replace the cap and by 11 AM I was picking the truck up. A mere $45 replacement might solve the coolant leak problem. We continued to pray our truck problems were solved! We checked out before noon and proceeded to Page, Arizona hoping the coolant problem was in the rear view mirror. About halfway to Page the coolant light once again came back on our truck's instrument panel. Okay, so now we know the reservoir cap wasn't the problem after all. We pressed on hoping to have the chance to see the amazing slot canyons outside of Page on the Navajo reservation.

While we worked our way southeast through Idaho we called Jack and Judy Rust, our friends in Boise, about lunch after church. They were available so we attended the Mountain Calvary Chapel in Nampa then drove to the Cheesecake Factory to meet them for lunch. Before leaving in the morning, I had added more coolant to the reservoir and off we went. After lunch we continued on to Jerome County Fairgrounds Park, about two hours from Boise for a three day stay. Located just off of Interstate 84, the Fairgrounds is a perfect place to spend the rest of the Labor Day weekend. Camping is only $20 per night and includes electric and water. This was our base for visiting the Twin Falls area and where I could inspect and clean our Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve. On Monday, September 1st we stopped at the Visitor's Center in Twin Falls after crossing the I. B. Perrine Bridge which is a four-lane truss arch span over the Snake River. Located north of the city of Twin Falls, it carries U.S. Highway 93 over the Snake River Canyon connecting Twin Falls County with Interstate 84 in Jerome County. The Perrine Bridge is a popular destination for BASE jumpers from all over the world. With a main stretch of 993 feet cradled a mere 486 feet above the depths below, it's one of the tallest in North America. BASE jumping from it doesn't require the courage of a thousand lions, just a legal permit, and a parachute. Unfortunately, there were no BASE Jumpers on the bridge the day we visited. Looking to the northwest, downstream the Snake River is quite a sight. From there we drove out to the Shoshone Falls. Often referred to as the Niagara of the West, Shoshone Falls is a must-see attraction in Twin Falls, Idaho.  At 212 feet tall and 900 foot wide, Shoshone Falls is one of the largest natural waterfalls in the United States surpassing the height of the famous Niagara Falls. Shoshone Falls is located on the Snake River as it carves its way through a deep basalt Canyon on its way to the Columbia River. Not that spectacular in the late Summer and early Fall but worth the trip. The Spring time, when the snow-pack begins to melt, is the best time to see Shoshone Falls. In the summer months, a portion of the river is diverted for irrigation purposes, which reduces the flow over the falls. In the Fall, you will often experience a minimal flow where Shoshone Falls will appear nearly dry. At this time, the majority of the water coming down the Snake River is used to recharge the reservoir system upstream of Shoshone Falls. Karen and I thought it might be worth a trip in the Spring after the snow melt On Tuesday we returned to Twin Falls to do some shopping at Costco and a stop at O'Reilly's for more coolant and brake cleaner. I learned the technique for cleaning the ERG valve on YouTube the night before and planned on doing it that Tuesday evening. Upon removing the EGR valve I was somewhat amazed and relieved at the lack of carbon build-up inside. I used water first, then sprayed brake cleaner inside to remove the carbon deposits. The whole process took less than an hour to complete. Wednesday, September 3 would turn out to be a long driving day. From Jerome, ID we traveled southeast into Utah, through Salt Lake City to a small, rural town called Santaquin. It took over four and a half hours to drive the 292 miles to a Harvest Host called Rowley's Red Barn. We set up in their overflow parking area and chilled out eating some local, homemade ice cream while visiting their country store. Thursday morning, before leaving again I checked the coolant reservoir and topped it off. Not wanting to be caught on the road without enough coolant I once again drove to the local O'Reilly's for another gallon. I cannot find any evidence of an external coolant leak. This leads me to suspect a reservoir cap not holding pressure or worst case, a cracked EGR cooler or blown head gasket. We haven't had any luck finding a mechanic that could look at the truck, so we will continue driving south and monitor the coolant level, engine coolant temperature, engine oil temperature and pressure. So far while driving with the 12,995 pound RV in tow, we are holding all of those reading in the normal range. Thursday, September 4 was a short travel distance to Yuba State Park - Oasis Campground in Levan, UT. Yuba State Park got its name from the individuals who built the dam. Local farmers and ranchers had to build the dam themselves or risk losing their water rights. The men working on the structure called it the U.B. Dam. As they worked they sang a song that stated they were damned if they worked and damned if they didn’t. The phonetic sound of the reservoir’s name was eventually spelled Yuba. Yuba Reservoir was built between 1902 and 1917. In Spring 1907, the amount of snow-melt was so high that water began pouring out of the reservoir faster than could be released by the spillway. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Deseret, 40 miles to the west, responded to the threatened structure by blasting a temporary spillway to relieve pressure on the dam. We spent one night at Yuba State Park before heading south to Zion National Park.

Upon our return to Camano Island from the cruise on August 15th, we had the pleasure of enjoying the weekend with Jeff and Becky Hilen, Karen's cousins who came up from Gig Harbor, Washington. They had made plans to stay at the beach house for the week and have some of their kids and grandkids come to the island for a visit. We shared some great meals with Karen's extended family while enjoying the beautiful August weather. On Thursday, August 18 I drove Karen to the Lynwood Lightrail station so she could get to Seattle/Tacoma (SEATAC) airport. She was heading to California to attend her 50th High School Class Reunion over the weekend. I planned on staying back on Camano Island until Monday, August 25th until she returned. I would move the RV solo back to North Bend just east of Seattle in the afternoon. After dropping off the rig I drove to SEATAC to pick her up. While enroute to the airport the truck started indicating new engine warnings. Karen arrived early so I picked her up and we drove back to North Bend, stopping for a lovely Italian dinner before rejoining our trailer. On Tuesday, August 26, we cautiously drove back to the Tri-Cities area to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Hood Park facility on the Snake River outside Pasco, Washington to drop off the RV. From there we drove back to Meyers Auto Tech in Kennewick to drop off the truck for the planned phase 2 of the service we scheduled and also investigate the return of the engine warning lights. The guys at Meyer's had arranged one of their loaner cars for us to use this time around. They had the truck scheduled for work first thing Wednesday morning, so we headed back to camp. The planned truck service included changing fluids in the front and rear differential, the transfer case and a brake flush, What wasn't expected and discovered was the coolant reservoir seeping out under pressure through the over flow. The shop recommended replacing the reservoir and reservoir cap which we authorized. But the big ticket item involved the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). They recommended removing DPF filter to inspect for clogging. The technician removed the DPF filter to inspect and after inspection noticed the DPF filter is breaking down and is faulty. They recommended replacing the DPF filter assembly. The DPF filter assembly is a $5ooo part not including labor, but the bigger issue was it would take 5 days to get the part. Yikes! With only three days available in the area and no where to stay during the Labor Day weekend, we were both pretty overwhelmed and at a loss on how to deal with this dilemma. It is times like this, when circumstances are out of our control, we can only turn to our Heavenly Father for His provision. After praying for wisdom about what to do the night before, on Thursday we decided to head to Meyer's shop and discuss our options with Cody and Ray. After Ray made a number of phone calls, he was able to locate a replacement DPF assembly in a town two hours away but it would be a few days after the Labor Day holiday for them to deliver it. To expedite the repair we offered to do the driving to pick up the part. This was highly unconventional but the shop agreed to the idea and called in the payment using their account. So Karen and I spent 4 hours that Thursday as their parts delivery service driving up and back. With the part in their shop by late afternoon we had a chance to get the truck repaired by Friday afternoon before we had to checkout of our campsite at Hood Park. Friday morning, August 29 was the beginning of the Labor Day weekend and we had a reservation at another U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park about 30 minutes east of Hood Park on the Snake River but we needed our truck to move the RV. I called the shop about 10:30 AM and got the word the truck was ready, so we drove their courtesy car back to the shop, paid the huge bill and picked up the truck. The miracles included locating the part we needed in a nearby city and Meyers shop being able to install the part in 2 hours rather than the expected 8 hours. We were so blessed to be able to get our truck back and check out of the RV park by 1:30pm, thanks to God's provision! We concluded our time in the area on Saturday, August 30 and departed for Idaho. Our route would take us through the mountains and we eventually arrived at the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Nampa, Unfortunately, en route the check engine light returned along with the low coolant light back on. After three days and thousands of dollars in repairs, we still didn't have a reliable truck. Now, 272 miles away from the mechanic we had to deal with these new issues. Fortunately I had a gallon of radiator coolant in reserve to help keep the level topped off. You all can imagine the level of frustration and frankly anger associated with our situation. But we both realized quickly that these feelings would not solve our problem. I called Meyers and told them the problem wasn't resolved. They advised me to seek out another shop and keep them in the loop so they can honor their warranty. I would keep an eye on our coolant temperature, oil temperature and pressure so we didn't push the normal ranges while towing the RV. This would be a stressful journey back to Texas, but we had no where else to go, so we would press on one day at a time.

Friday, August 8 was a big day for our family as we prepared to depart for Alaska on a Royal Carribean cruise out of Seattle. Karen and I have decided to take some of our Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) funds out each year and do a cruise with each of our kids families. Since Elisa and Aaron Edgington have the oldest of our grandkids, we decided to take that family first before the kids end up leaving the nest. Since they live in Portland, Oregon, the Seattle departure location was ideal for them to get to with minimal expense. The family drove up the day before from Portland and we drove down from Camano Island on Friday morning. We all met up at the cruise ship terminal and went through the boarding process together. None of the Edgington's had ever done a cruise, so this was a new experience. There was anticipation, excitement and anxiety all rolled up into one for them. Since we have had some cruising experience, we were there to help them walk through the process. Once we were on the ship everything fell into place and life onboard really started to shape up. Elisa and Aaron had a starboard balcony cabin next to their three daughters' balcony cabin. Karen and I had a balcony cabin on the port side of the ship across from their location. We were all located on deck (lucky number) 13 just one deck below the Windjammer buffet restaurant, pools and the best feature in my opinion, the adult only solarium. Our ship was the Anthem of the Seas which is a Quantum Class cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean. It's known for its innovative features and family-friendly experiences, including a North Star observation capsule, a skydiving simulator, and bumper cars. The ship offers a variety of dining options, entertainment venues, and activities. The ship is 1,138 feet long and 136 feet wide, according to Royal Caribbean. It has 16 passenger decks and can accommodate over 4,900 passengers. Our 7-night Alaska cruise itinerary, departing from Seattle, included Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, and Victoria, British Columbia. The view from our cabin balcony as we departed the Seattle cruise ship terminal on Friday evening. We loved our cabin layout which included a small sofa, desk area and plenty of closet space. Above the queen bed was additional storage space. The balcony was deeper than some of our previous cruise ship balconies with two comfortable chairs and a small table. Our first port of call was Sitka, Alaska after a day at sea. Sitka is an Alaskan city and borough near Juneau, the state capital. It's spread over Baranof Island, part of Chichagof Island and others. It was part of Russia until 1867 and St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral is topped with an onion dome. The 1842 Russian Bishop’s House is nearby. Sitka National Historical Park is the site of Russia’s defeat of the indigenous Tlingit people and has a trail dotted with totem poles. It was then on to Skagway, a historic city in Southeast Alaska, known for its Klondike Gold Rush past, preserved downtown with wooden boardwalks and historic buildings, and it's a popular stop for Alaskan cruises. Key attractions include the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad with its vintage trains and mountain views, and the possibility of outdoor activities like hiking. The town's population of about 1,200 residents swells significantly with cruise ship passengers during the summer season. Our next stop was to be the Dawes Glacier, a massive tidewater glacier at the end of the Endicott Arm Fjord in southeastern Alaska, a popular cruise destination known for its towering size, stunning blue ice, and dramatic ice calving. This area, part of the Tracy Arm–Fjords Terror Wilderness, offers spectacular views of the glacier's face, numerous icebergs, and potential wildlife sightings, including harbor seals. Unfortunately, the Dawes Glacier and Endicott Arm itinerary was cancelled in August for safety reasons, due to a post-landslide tsunami, debris, and poor weather conditions. These cancellations are due to increased navigational challenges and safety concerns, often causing cruise lines to reroute their ships to different ports or attractions. So, per the cruise ship's policy we headed for Juneau, Alsaka to arrive earlier then anticipated. Juneau, Alaska is known for its incredible natural beauty, including Mendenhall Glacier and surrounding wilderness, and is famous as the only state capital unreachable by road. The city's history is rooted in the late 19th-century gold rush, a legacy evident in its museums and gold mine tours. Visitors can enjoy whale watching, glacier viewing, hiking, and exploring the unique blend of Native heritage and frontier lore within the state capital. Juneau is unique among U.S. state capitals in that there are no roads connecting the city to the rest of the state or to the contiguous United States. Honolulu, Hawaii, is the only other state capital which is not connected by road to the contiguous United States. The absence of a road network is due to the extremely rugged terrain surrounding the city. In turn, Juneau is a de facto island city in terms of transportation; all goods coming in and out must be transported by plane or boat despite the city's location on the Alaskan mainland. Three other cruise ships were in Juneau on the day we arrived. Downtown Juneau sits at sea level with tides averaging 16 feet (5 m) and below steep mountains about 3,500 to 4,000 feet (1,100 to 1,200 m) high. Atop the mountains is the Juneau Icefield, a large ice mass from which about 30 glaciers flow; two of them, the Mendenhall Glacier and the Lemon Creek Glacier, are visible from the local road system. The Mendenhall Glacier has been gradually retreating; its front face is declining in width and height. When not in port there is plenty to occupy one's time and temperament. For those seeking adventure you could wake board or belly board. Maybe skydiving or rock climbing is your thing? They have that too. For those seeking relaxation they have a spa facility with all the amenities or you can spend time in the solarium area with or without getting wet. The girls in our group loved the dance scene and could be found wherever the music was danceable. The dining experience in our main dining room was first class every night. Stevan, our waiter and Ikade, our assistant waiter took impeccable care of our every appetency. We concluded our last night before dining to gather for some photos of our group. Alas, the journey ended Friday morning, August 15 back in Seattle. The Edgington family experienced their first cruise and stated it was beyond their expectations. For us, it was mission accomplished. What a joy to see their enjoyment and hear their comments during the week we were together! Karen and I are looking forward to the next family trip with our son Nick and granddaughter's Morgan and Grace next Spring during the kid's school break. We will board another Royal Caribbean cruise for a week out of Galveston to Roatan, Costa Maya and Cozumel on the Allure of the Seas. This is one of the Oasis class ships, the largest passenger vessels in service until 2024, when the Icon-class ship, Icon of the Seas, surpassed them to become the world’s largest cruise ship.

After our short stay in North Bend, Washington we traveled the interstate to the 405 Interchange just east of Seattle and headed north. The traffic was slow at the interchange but it picked up speed all the way to Everett and beyond. Our plan was to stay one night in the parking lot of the Angel of the Winds Casino before driving on to Camano Island. Karen's cousins, Maree and Roger Haug, drove up from Everett to meet us at the Casino for dinner that night.They came up earlier to do some gambling while we set up and re-charged our RV batteries. We discovered upon arrival that the fireplace heater's glass panel bounced off the front of the appliance due to the rough highway conditions. When this panel came off, the heater turned on and used our stored 12v battery power. We, of course, didn't discover this until we arrived at the casino to set up for the night. Our battery power levels were down to 25%. After replacing the fireplace panel and turning off the heater I got out our Honda generator from the back of the truck to charge up the system. We ran the generator for an hour to get the batteries back up to about 60% before turning it off and joining our cousins for dinner. When we returned after dinner I ran the generator for another hour and we were fine for the night. The next day we departed the parking lot for the short drive to Camano Island to settle into our spot next to the beach house on Iverson Road. The property is owned by Rick and Creigh Agnew, another of Karen's Washington cousins from her dad's side of the family. We love coming here and have made it an annual retreat venue in the Pacific Northwest. We really enjoy the time we have with our family! On Wednesday, August 6 Karen and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary while on the island. After a relaxing day of just enjoying this lovely spot, we had a delicious evening meal at the Blue Heron Restaurant to celebrate this milestone. This is our view looking south towards the boat launch ramp at the end of Iverson Road. When the tide goes out you can walk for miles. On a clear day you can see the Cascade Mountains to the east. We so appreciate the fellowship and hospitality of all the Washington cousins. Creigh and Rick are so generous allowing us to mooch-dock on their property with the million dollar view of the Puget Sound. This is where we will leave the rig when we do our cruise to Alaska. We've made the trailer available to the Agnew family for their use while we're gone.

On Tuesday, July 29 we departed Farewell Bend State Recreation Area and drove 187 miles to the Oregon/Washington border on the Columbia River. We booked three nights at the Pymouth Park Campground operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers downstream from the McNary Locks and Dam Complex. McNary Lock and Dam was authorized by the River and Harbor Act of 1945. The project includes a powerhouse, navigation lock, two fish ladders, a removable spillway weir and a juvenile fish bypass facility. It provides navigation, hydropower, recreation and incidental irrigation. The dam, located on the Columbia River, is 7,365 feet long, rising approximately 183 feet above the streambed. It is a concrete gravity type dam, with an earthfill embankment section. Located along the Lake Umatilla section of the Columbia River, Plymouth Park Campground sits just below McNary Lock and Dam on the Washington State side. If you are looking for a clean and easily accessible campground with pull-through parking, Plymouth Park Campground is the place for you. The campground is right off the highway, but surrounded by many tall trees making it feel quite secluded. The campground is a loop of pull-through parking spots with nice pavement throughout. The paved loop provides a perfect place to bike, scooter, or skateboard throughout the day. The electric and water hook ups for trailers are nice, easy to get to, and in good working condition. There is a dump station at the campground as well. With our National Park Pass we got our site for a mere $15 a day! It was fortunate we had a three day stay scheduled at this time because we needed to get the truck serviced.. Our low coolant light came on during this leg of travel so I wanted to get it looked at as soon as possible. We found a repair shop in Kennewick, Washington, the Tri-Cities area, that could get us in so we jumped at the opportunity. I knew the truck needed some major servicing at 150,000 miles and we had delayed the inevitable. With 157,000 plus miles on the odometer it was time, so we dropped off the truck that Tuesday and got a rental car at the local Enterprise for the next two days. We used the time to explore the tri-cities area of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland at the confluence of the Yakima, Snake, and Columbia Rivers. Tri-Cities, WA offers a diverse range of attractions, including winery and vineyard experiences, river recreation, history and science experiences, events and entertainment, as well as sunshine and open spaces. The Tri-Cities area is a semi-arid climate, receiving an average of 5 to 7 inches of precipitation every year. Winds periodically exceed 30 mph when Chinook wind conditions exist. While there are an average 225 clear days every year, these are mainly between April 1 and November 1. The Tri-Cities in Washington State are known for a blend of scientific research, agriculture, and wine production. They are also recognized for their 300 days of sunshine, the Sacagawea Heritage Trail, and various recreational opportunities related to their rivers. Additionally, the region is known for its strong economy in R&D, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, retail, and healthcare. After a day of checking out the area we decided to contact and meet a local real estate agent to explore the housing market options. Karen likes the 300 days of sunshine and I like the fact that there is plenty of water around. Nothing for certain, just researching options for the future. Wednesday afternoon the shop called with our truck's service estimate based on the needed and recommended servicing. Fortunately I was sitting down. The list was long but we needed the following; Removed Radiator, cleaned all debris; radiator itself is in good shape, re-installed. R&R DPF pressure sensor. Verified after installing that the desired pressure is identical to the actual pressure sensor. Tried to perform a regen to complete procedure however vehicle would not complete regen due to faulty DPF filter sensor. Recommend replacing DPF filter sensor and clear codes and perform regen. R&R DPF filter sensor, cleared codes, performed regen and test drove. Codes did not return and no issues at this time. Repair verified. Disassemble air box and remove filter. Clean filter assembly in aqueous part washer, flush and dry filter. Apply K&N filter oil to entire element and reinstall filter. -- Technician Notes from AutoVitals SmartFlow -- Cleaned and oiled K&N air filter Drain and refill engine oil, change engine oil filter and lubricate chassis grease fittings and friction points as required. Check and top off fluid levels, additional charges may apply where fluids are required. Complete a complimentary visual vehicle inspection. -- Technician Notes from AutoVitals SmartFlow -- Changed oil and filter utilizing 12 Qts Drain transmission - Remove transmission lower pan, remove and replace internal filter. Clean pan and gasket surfaces and reinstall pan replacing gasket if needed. Flush transmission, torque convertor, oil cooler, and valve body. Replace all transmission fluid and road-test vehicle. -- Technician Notes from AutoVitals SmartFlow -- R&R transmission pan and filter. Refilled transmission with 7 1/2 qrts atf, overall utilized 14 Qts ATF Drain power steering fluid from reservoir, fill with fresh fluid. Flush system until clean fluid remains in the reservoir. Top off and test drive. -- Technician Notes from AutoVitals SmartFlow -- Performed power steering service and topped off power steering reservoir I'm including all the shop's detail for the benefit of our future diesel truck owners and RVers. You need to know what to expect. As you can see, this shop was very thorough. They even provided a written 14 page report with photographs to back up their evaluation and recommendations. Bottom line....$4,127.82. The reality is that diesel trucks are expensive to operate and maintain but they'll last if you take care of them. I was expecting a big bill but Karen wasn't. Fortunately we had our credit card to defer the cost. We have since discovered we needed to tweak our truck maintenance budget which was too low. We adjusted our fuel budget which was too high to add more to our truck maintenance account. Our 2018 RAM 3500 one-ton needed a little TLC after three and a half years of pulling a 13,995 pound trailer. In the end, it is what it is. I'm hoping to get 300,000 or more miles out of RAMBO and all this love will help. Thursday we did some more exploring and later returned the rental and picked up the truck. Believe it or not, we still need to do some additional work, but that will wait for our return trip to the area at the end of August. I was very impressed with Meyers AutoTech. After documenting everything they are uploaded the service notes to Carfax and provided us a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on all their work. Friday, August 1 we started the new month and departed Plymouth Park Campground driving to Hyatt Vineyards in Zillah, Washington located in the Yakima Valley. We discovered the location on our Harvest Host application and enjoyed a one night stay after wine tasting in the afternoon. In 1983, Leland and Lynda Hyatt started as a simple vineyard planting, but soon turned into a booming full production winery. Over the last 4 decades they’ve been honing their craft to cultivate some of the finest wines in the region. We enjoyed three varietals enough to purchase and add to our wine cellar. As we traveled through the Yakima Valley it reminded us of Mendocino County back in California. Especially the Cloverdale, Hopland and Ukiah areas with the mixed of agricultural crops. In addition to vineyards we observed expansive orchards of apples, pears and cherries along with the distinct trellis' of climbing hops. Saturday, August 2 we pushed on to the beautiful and quaint town of North Bend. North Bend is a city in King County, Washington on the outskirts of the Seattle metropolitan area. The population was 7,461 at the 2020 census. The city is 30 miles east of Seattle on Interstate 90 and lies in the foothills of the Cascade Range near Snoqualmie Pass. The town is famous for its association with the television series Twin Peaks. The town served as the primary filming location for the show's exterior shots. Additionally, North Bend is known for its proximity to outdoor recreation, including Mount Si, Rattlesnake Lake, and other hiking trails. We stayed one night at the North Bend Mountain View Assembly of God church, yet another Harvest Host venue. On Sunday morning we enjoyed the worship and fellowship with their congregation. We had an amazing view of Mount Si as you can see.

188 miles from our Salt Lake City Harvest Host was our next stop on the Snake River in Idaho. It only took three hour and one fuel stop to arrive at Village of Trees RV Resort in Declo, ID.. After checking in we proceeded to our pull-through site A-5. My afternoon was spent trouble shooting our Lippert auto leveling controller. The display screen had gone blank and I had no idea why. After calling Lippert, I removed the display to access the power plug and disconnected the unit for 30 minutes. This is how you re-boot the unit and sure enough it worked! Before leaving the next day I enjoyed a Happy Camper breakfast of hash browns, two eggs with two slices of bacon and one pancake for the bargain price of only $8.99. It included a cup of coffee or hot chocolate too! We stopped enroute at a Blue Beacon Truck wash outside of Twin Falls to get both the truck and trailer a commercial wash job. We had never used this service before so we didn't know what to expect or how much it would cost. We got in line behind two semi-trucks and a van and waited our turn. About 40 minutes transpired before our turn. I was quoted $75 for both and we pulled into the wash bay for the cleaning. A small army of technicians proceeded in spraying down the rigs and brushing them down. The whole process took maybe 15 minutes max. When we pulled out I stopped to inspect the job and was literally amazed at how good the results were. Before the wash our RV front cap was covered with dead bugs and the rear of the rig had a heavy dirt layer. After the process everything was cleaned off and a clear coating of RainX was applied. Definitely worth the money spent. Thursday, July 24 we drove to the Y Knot Winery in Glenns Ferry, Idaho to spend one night relaxing just south of Boise, Idaho. We thought about maybe playing a round of golf at their 9-hole course but it was too hot. We decided to go to the winery tavern for some wine tasting and dinner later in the evening. Karen ordered a flight of five wines that were okay but not worthy of purchasing a bottle of any of the samples. Dinner, however was delicious and not a disappointment. Karen selected their Idaho Red Trout entree and I chose the Ribeye Steak. We departed Friday morning and headed to Boise for two nights. Finding an RV accommodation in the area was challenging and pricey. We got a reservation at the Boise RV Travel Park near the Costco, so we stopped there first to get some needed items before heading to the park. Unfortunately our site was still occupied so we had to temporarily occupy in a different site for one night and move the next day. It was a bit of a inconvenience but we made it work. We enjoyed the pool at the park and joined our old friends Jack and Judy Rust from Santa Rosa for dinner our second night. We hadn't seen them in eleven years but we picked up our relationship right where we left off. One of the many blessings we experience as we travel is spending time with dear friends and family all over the country. We had a great dinner at the Cottonwood Grill along the Boise River across from Boise State University and there was no lull in the conversation. After dinner we walked the green belt trail from the restaurant in a loop about a mile before saying our good-byes. We will definitely not wait eleven more years before we get together again! Maybe we could do some camping in Idaho together in the future; we'll see. Not much to look at with dry hills and a slow moving river here at Farewell Bend State Rec Area. Sunday, July 27 was our departure from Boise, Idaho continuing our travels to Farewell Bend State Recreation Area across the Snake River in Oregon. Farewell Bend State Recreation Area features a beautiful desert experience on the banks of the Snake River's Brownlee Reservoir. Historic markers and interpretive displays provide visitors with information on Farewell Bend's significance on the Oregon Trail. Farewell Bend State Recreation Area is a state park in Baker County, Oregon, about 25 miles northwest of Ontario, OR Farewell Bend was the last stop on the Oregon Trail along the Snake River where travelers could rest and water and graze their animals before the trail turned north through more rugged country to follow the Burnt River. We have a large pull-turn site near the restrooms with free showers. Right before sunset we tried to take a walk to the day-use area going down to the beach on the river, but the mosquitoes were too annoying, so we turned around and returned to the RV. Repellent is definitely needed! We headed to bed around 10 PM and couldn't help noting how quiet it is here in the park. An occasional train will transit on the other side of the river but no horn, just the sound of the diesel engine. The night sky, when the clouds thin out or disappear, is filled with stars, planets and satellites. Today, July 28 is on the windy side so the mosquitoes will not be as big an issue. Looking forward to a non-driving day to relax, read, write and nap. It's a tough life!

On Monday, July 21 we left Jensen, Utah and drove 75 miles in about an hour and a half to the Fred Hayes State Park for the night. We were originally scheduled in the Indian loop with no hook ups. After driving through the loop we realized this wasn't going to work. We drove back to the entrance shack and inquired if we had any other options for our one night stay. The park attendant was very helpful and found us a pull-through site in the paved Beach Campground next to the lake with water and electricity for extra $10. This was a no brainer for us and we jumped at the chance. Our pull-through site was long enough for two trailers! Fred Hayes State Park was originally named Starvation State Park, after the reservoir it surrounds. Starvation State Park was established in 1972, two years after the Bureau of Reclamation constructed the dam, which created the 3,495 surface acre reservoir as part of the Central Utah Water Project. The name “Starvation” has been credited to two legends. One says that a group of mountain men caught in winter snow survived by stealing a cache of food belonging to local Native American tribes, and as a result, the tribe starved. The second and more common legend tells the opposite story, with the tribes stealing the trappers’ cache of food and leaving the trappers to starve. It is very likely, however, that neither legend, even if true, resulted in the naming of the dam and reservoir. The weather conditions were a bit windy and it looked like rain. We walked down to the water's edge to get a good look at the facilities. Boaters and jet-skis were on the lake with an occasional wind boarder. If it was warmer I might jump in for a swim but this wasn't the day for that. I did enjoy the night sky here. No light pollution, so the stars were quite visible. June 22, Tuesday was Grace's day to fly out of Salt Lake City Internatioal Airport about 2 hours away, so we got up earlier to pack up and depart. The drive was beautiful and took us through the Wasatch Mountains and past Deer Creek State Park. We came through a pass in Canyon Glen along the Provo River and into Orem, Utah. From there we traveled up Interstate 15 to Sandy, Utah and parked at Sego Lily Church, a Harvest Host. This was our base of operation for Grace's last day with us. We unhitched the RV and set up the rig before leaving for lunch. We found a Jersey Mike's in the same complex with a Scheels Sporting Goods Store. We had to take Grace to Scheels to ride the indoor Ferris Wheel for a dollar. After the ride we did some exploring in the store which is massive. Grace found the Lego area while I examined the $279 Pickle Ball rackets! Honestly, $279 for a Pickle Ball racket? We checked out the aquarium and the stuffed wildlife exhibits which were quite impressive. I was hoping Grace might see a moose during her trip to Colorado and Utah. Well, look what I found hanging out in the store! Real but not living was the best we could manage. Well, the time finally arrived for us to take her to the airport. Traffic was an issue but we got to the terminal two hours prior to her flight time. I had to say my goodbyes from the Departure Drop-off Area while Karen went in to get her through TSA and to her gate. I killed the time drowning my sorrows with a Freddy's Tuttle Sundae! Karen and Grace had dinner at the Freddy's inside the terminal while I ate alone. After a flight delay, Grace was winging her way back to California. We got a call from her after getting picked up by her dad, so we knew she arrived safety back home. We really enjoyed her ten day visit with us. We just wished she hadn't beaten us up at cards so much! It's now back on the road with only the two of us Classy Nomads.

We departed Craig, Colorado and traveled to Jensen, Utah. Our route on Interstate 40 would take us through both the Colorado side and Utah side of the Dinosaur National Monument. Our last stop in Colorado was in the town of Dinosaur, CO to get some information at the Visitor Center. We drove the 110 miles in less than 2 hours and arrived at Outlaw Trail RV Park, our home for the next two days. We enjoyed having full hooks and took advantage of the amenities. We relaxed on Saturday, July 19 resting up for our scheduled visit to the Dinosaur National Monument Quarry site on Sunday. Here's an overview from the National Parks Service website I found interesting: The First People - Dinosaur National Monument is home to a vast and rich cultural history. Since time immemorial, people have lived and migrated through here, drawn by the natural riches of the area. Proximity to the Green and Yampa Rivers provided a reliable water source, while the natural alcoves and canyons offered cool shade and respite from the desert sun. An abundance of archeological evidence, including stone tools, granaries, and homes reveal that people have lived in the area for at least 10,000 years. The presence of petroglyphs (etchings) and pictographs (paintings) on the rock faces throughout the monument show us that life was comfortable and allowed people to devote a substantial amount of time to the creation of these images. Many of the petroglyphs and pictographs found within Dinosaur National Monument are attributed to the Fremont peoples, whose descendants still reside in this area today. We drove through the park and found some of the many petroglyphs (etchings) and pictographs (paintings) on the rock faces. New Arrivals - In the 1700s, Spanish explorers arrived in the region. Descriptions of the area, like those provided in the journal from the Dominguez and Escalante Expedition, helped open the door for others from Europe and the eastern United States. Some of the first European visitors to this area were trappers and traders for the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. In May 1825, a small group of these trappers set out from Green River, Wyoming in search of beaver pelts. They became some of the first to float down the Green River through what became Dinosaur National Monument (they got as far as the rapids at Disaster Falls). Settlers also came to the area throughout the 1800s. Those who had access to the rivers left their mark on the landscape with homesteads. Others dried up with drought and moved away. Today, the remains of many homesteads are found alongside petroglyphs and pictographs. Families of successful homesteaders continue to live in the area. In a remote rock canyon deep in the heart of present-day Dinosaur National Monument, sits a lonely wood ranch house that once was home for a stoic woman with outlaw ties named Josie Bassett Morris, who lived there alone for more than 50 years. This cabin was the home of Josie Barrett Morris from 1914 until 1964 In 1893, at the age of 19, Josie married Jim McKnight, the first of five husbands, with whom she had two sons; Crawford McKnight and Herbert “Chick” McKnight. Sources claim that she divorced four husbands, “allegedly running one off with a frying pan. A fifth husband died, reportedly of alcoholism, but rumors persist that Josie poisoned him.” In 1914, at the age of 40, Josie, with help from her son Crawford, built the cabin at Cub Creek near Split Mountain, about 40 miles east of the town of Vernal. Josie chose a blissfully peaceful spot, building not only a home, but an outhouse, root cellar, chicken coop, tack shed, and hundreds of yards of rail fencing to corral a herd of unruly cows. A small creek that trickled from nearby Hog Canyon gave life to the ranch. Known far and wide as a colorful character, Josie became a bootlegger during Prohibition, making brandy, wine and whiskey. In her 60s she was accused, tried, and eventually acquitted of cattle rustling. She didn’t deny it, claiming it was retribution for the cattle that were stolen from her family, and the charges were dropped. With cast-iron determination and unwavering self-reliance, Josie carved a life out of a place so rugged that few could imagine living there even today. Without electricity, hot and cold running water, neighbors, or any way to communicate with others, Josie typified the endurance of turn-of-the-century Utah pioneering. She tilled, plowed and planted, grew a garden and fruit trees; she tended to the land making it prosper under her solitary care. She lived there for the next 50 years, virtually alone. Dinosaur National Monument - History was made again in 1909, when a paleontologist named Earl Douglass arrived on a mission from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His task was to find intact dinosaur bones and send them back to the museum for display. After searching for many weeks, his team found the first bones of what would soon become the Carnegie Quarry in Jensen, Utah. This small section of the Morrison rock formation would go on to yield over 350 tons of fossils and become one of the most significant paleontological finds of the 20th Century. On October 4, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson established the 80 acres around the Carnegie Quarry as Dinosaur National Monument to protect the enormous find. On July 14, 1938, the park was expanded another 200,000 acres by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This was an effort to protect the Green and Yampa Rivers, and the ecosystems that depend upon them. We got an early start on Sunday to beat the heat. We arrived at the Visitor's Center where the shuttle transports visitors to the quarry site up the hill about a mile. After our visit to the Quarry site Karen talked us into walking the Fossil trail 1.2 miles back down to the Visitor Center. After a morning of exploration we returned to the trailer to shower and eat a light lunch before heading into Vernal, Utah 13 miles away to do some grocery shopping at Walmart, get some diesel fuel, DEF and dinner. We decided to celebrate Grace's 13th birthday dinner at Swain's Steakhouse.

On Tuesday, July 15 we departed Colorado Springs and returned north to Longmont, Colorado to stay at the Boulder County Fairgrounds RV campground again. After setting up we headed to the Johnstown location of the first Buc-ee's west of the Lone Star state. Grace had never experienced a Buc-ee's and we wanted her to get a chance check out this unique Texas style travel center. After an obligitory photo with the Buc-ee's mascot statue we went inside to do some shopping. Grace purchased a pair of Buc-ee's shorts and we made sure to get some of the famous beef brisket and beaver chips for lunch. The biggest Buc-ee's in terms of square footage is the one in Sevierville, Tennessee, which is 74,707 square feet. However, a larger Buc-ee's is currently under construction in Luling, Texas, which will be 75,000 square feet. On Wednesday we went back to Thornton so Grace could get in a visit with her Colorado cousins. Tori and the kids had just gotten back from a visit to her fmily in California the night before. We brought some steaks to barbecue for dinner after Erik got home from work. Grace is as tall as her Aunt Tori now which was a shocker. The boys, Mattis and Arley were enamored with their cousin Grace and stuck like glue to her most of the day we were there. The visit was short, but we had fun getting the cousins all reconnected. The next day we had to start our journey west, so we said our good-byes and returned to the RV in Longmont for the night. Thursday morning we packed up the rig and traveled north on Interstate 25 to Fort Collins, Colorado before turning onto Colorado 14 up into the Roosevelt National Forest and the Rocky Mountains. Hwy 14 follows the Yampa River known for white water rafting adventures and some incredible fishing spots. We drove about an hour up the highway and chose a dry camping site right on the river. The Narrows Campground was picturesque and the sound of the river next to us provided wonderful white noise to drown out any road noise from the highway. Friday morning, July 18 we drove up to Steamboat Spring, Colorado to experience the Old Town Hot Springs facility. The pools have been here for over 100 years. This screenshot was captured from their website. I was too busy enjoying the pools to take any photos. 'The Ute Indians who first settled the area knew them as “medicine” springs, frequenting them for sacred physical and spiritual healing. Later the pools were likely a gathering and bathing place for the first homesteaders. We are lucky to have the famous Heart Spring, the source of all the healing mineral water in our eight pools. It pumps approximately 220 gallons per minute and comes out of the ground like an artesian well, thus naturally without the use of man-made pumps. The water then runs into an overflow system filling each of the pools on the property. The Heart Spring contains all natural minerals and is not chlorinated. The water in the pool turns over completely approximately every 15 minutes. ' After a relaxing hot spring session we drove on to the town of Craig, Colorado to spend the night boondocking at the Yampa Valley Golf Course. We ate in their restaurant and had a wonderful meal before playing cards again. We have had fun playing cards each evening; Grace has been the "The Dominator!!" whether it is Five Crowns or Four up, Four down.

On July 12 we drove to Denver International Airport to pick up our granddaughter Grace Tayler to travel with us until July 22. Grace is the fifth granddaughter to join us on our adventures traveling the country. We wait until their 13th birthday to celebrate this "Right of Passage". Grace has some experience traveling but this was her first solo airline flight from Sacramento without an adult. Her flight was delayed a few hours getting into Denver but it still was early enough to have dinner with her Uncle Erik at his house in Thornton, Colorado. On Sunday, July 13 we attended church then drove south to Colorado Springs for the next two days. We arrived at the Norris Penrose Event Center after a big rodeo event and found an RV site with water and 50A electrical service. The weather in Colorado since we arrived has been in the high 80's and low 90's, so we needed electrical power for the air conditioner to work. We went to our friend Kim Robinson's new home and met her husband Dave Sheets. They were married last May and we enjoyed visiting and catching up. On Monday, July 14 we drove up to Manitou Springs to catch the COG Train to the top of Pikes Peak. The Cog has been climbing Pikes Peak since 1891. They are proud to be one of the most unique experiences in the country. Recognized as the world’s highest cog railroad, The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is an important part of the heritage of the Western United States. Taking this journey is like walking the footsteps of history, and now the adventure is even more iconic and inspiring. The weather at the top of Pikes Peak was snow and 55ºF Pikes Peak, known as America’s Mountain, is the star attraction but the journey along the way is full of show-stopping moments. We will never forget this 3.5 hour round trip journey and our first glimpse of the Summit. The next day, before leaving Colorado Springs, we had scheduled a Segway tour of the Garden of the Gods. The area now known as Garden of the Gods was first called Red Rock Corral by the Europeans. In August 1859, two surveyors who helped to found Colorado City explored the site. One of the surveyors, Melancthon S. Beach, suggested it would be a "capital place for a beer garden". His companion, the young Rufus Cable, awestruck by the impressive rock formations, exclaimed, "Beer garden! Why, it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods." However, an 1893 issue of the Colorado Transcript reported that Helen Hunt Jackson assigned the name "the Garden of the Gods": Pike Peak is just over Karen's right shoulder. Completely different weather! Our last stop before the end of the tour was for photo with the "Praying Hands" as our background. We explored this beautiful park the fun and easy way on a Segway tour with our tour guide Bobcat. We learned about the ancient history of the park’s red rock formations and got to see how natural shapes like Kissing Camels and Praying Hands got their names. We covered about 5 1/2 miles on our Segway "chariots", much more ground than by walking and had a blast!

After a breakfast stop at Ken and Dales Restaurant in Alliance, Nebraska we continued on to the Riverside Campground in Scottsbluff, Nebraska for two nights. This break in our trip was to explore two prominent National Monuments that played an important role in the historic westward expansion of settlers and are located in this somewhat remote part of Nebraska. Visible for miles, Chimney Rock was more than a wonder of nature. It was also a significant landmark in measuring the emigrants' progress west. This natural feature was a "grand and splendid object" to emigrants who had never seen the geology of the American West. As they traveled alongside the North Platte River, they peered eagerly ahead for their first view of the rock. It was mentioned in more emigrant diaries than any other landmark on the Oregon Trail! Designated in 1956, the site is jointly administered by the city of Bayard, the Nebraska State Historical Society, and the National Park Service. Scotts Bluff National Monument is located west of the City of Gering in western Nebraska, United States. This National Park Service site protects over 3,000 acres of historic overland trail remnants, mixed-grass prairie, rugged badlands, towering bluffs and riparian area along the North Platte River. The park boasts over 100,000 annual visitors. This feature of Scott's Bluff is referred to as the "Gibraltar of Nebraska". The monument's north bluff is named after Hiram Scott, who was a clerk for the Rocky Mountain Fur Company and died near the bluff in 1828. The bluff served as an important landmark on the Oregon Trail, California Trail and Pony Express Trail, and was visible at a distance from the Mormon Trail. Over 250,000 westward emigrants passed by Scotts Bluff between 1843 and 1869. It was the second-most referred to landmark on the Emigrant Trails in pioneer journals and diaries. Ruts in the trail from the thousands of wagons that traveled this route still exist to this day. The Park Service built a road to the top of Scott's Bluff that provides an impressive and expansive 360º view. Fur traders, missionaries, and military expeditions began regular trips past Scotts Bluff during the 1830s. Beginning in 1841, multitudes of settlers passed by Scotts Bluff on their way west along the Great Platte River Road to Oregon, and later California and Utah. All these groups used the bluff as a major landmark for navigation. Although a natural gap existed between South Bluff and Scotts Bluff, the area was not easily traversed. So initially the Oregon Trail passed to the south of the Scotts Bluff area at Robidoux Pass and the Mormon Trail passed to the north of the bluff, on the other side of the North Platte River. In the early 1850s a road was constructed in the gap, which later became known as Mitchell Pass. Beginning in 1851, this new passage became the preferred route of the Oregon and California Trails; although the Mormon Trail continued to pass the bluff only at a distance. Who built the road through Mitchell Pass about 1850 is unknown, although one possibility includes soldiers from Fort Laramie. Many emigrants preferred this route rather than trying to traverse the badlands on the north side of the bluffs or detouring south to the older trail at Robidoux Pass. Use of the Emigrant Trail tapered off in 1869 after the trail was superseded by the completion of the transcontinental railroad. From the town of Scottsbluff, Nebraska we drove to Cheyenne, Wyoming and then south to the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont, Colorado. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not accepted so we didn't know what to expect. As it turned out, the campground had plenty of sites available with both water and 5oA electrical connections. Restroom and shower facilities are open to all paid campers. At $35 a night we decided this would be our base for the next two days.