I left off the afternoon of arrival in Big Timber, MT … our beautiful site by the Boulder River.

Not all of RV life is glamorous, though …

I took advantage of no neighbors to bother and campground ok with (most are ok with a front end bug wash but not entire vehicle wash) a wash up.

Wild Thing II is not too hard to clean up as the bugs come off the fiberglass easily. The truck front end is not too bad and not much of it. It is still a bit of up and down the ladder and wrangling of the big brush, but I got it done!

Also a bit of inside clean up and just generally enjoyed our location and beautiful weather in the 70’s F daytime, 40’s overnight.

On Saturday, my plan was to find a parking spot in town and visit the Harvest Festival before heading south. The festival is a yearly event but this year in a new venue which has been years in the making … Sheepherder’s Square. The town raised millions to take down the old high school and build an outdoor community spot with Amphitheater, trees, seating, paths. It is beautiful. They were working right up to the opening of the festival.

I came home with local honey, a little Fall decor, local made havarti cheese and a new mini rolling pin. I talked with lots of folks … all happy and enjoying the festival!

I went on from the festival and drove 210 miles to Sheridan, WY. With the late start, it was 4:30 when I arrived. I had prepared to get an electric only site: cheap and easy to plug in for the night, use my onboard water and I had empty waste tanks … so quick unplug in the morning to hit the road with the goal being Ft. Collins, CO … 372 miles to ride.

I didn’t take any photos from Sheridan until today (arrived yesterday) in Ft. Collins. I really wanted to get to Ft. Collins and I anticipated 8-9 hours to do it. It ended up just over 8 hours and I was very ready to park! I took 4 breaks along the way and good roads, but I am just not up for the over 300 miles like I often did in Wild Thing I.

The landscape between Billings and Ft. Collins is beautiful: kind of high plains and wide open but the light and slight haze did not make for good photo ops. A pleasant change from previous trips was that it was not windy! Wyoming is typically VERY windy and there are multiple gates where they will close the highway for very high wind. It was not completely calm, but it was a light breeze vs the high wind and gusts.

We arrived Fort Collins about 4:15, 80F so I plugged in, got the A/C going and took my time over the rest of the hookups.

I stayed at this RV park for several months: Feb-March 2006. Then I stayed on a few other trips to CO to see family. It has changed and not in a good way. They are not keeping green grass, it is dusty, gravelly and the money spent is on “kid” stuff. Thankfully, the kids are in school so it is fairly quiet.

The good news is that there is a small private lake and still a path around even if not much grass. It takes Emmett and I 1/2 hour to walk around so good for our morning and evening walk. It is 88F today … hotter than normal so we took an abbreviated midday walk. Sunset is 6:30 and it cools quickly so we will get another long walk in later.

This morning:

I have a corner spot – yea!! But no shade :(

Two driving days in a row with yesterday’s being a marathon for all of us left us typically “out of gas”! Today is off the road, rest, clean up a bit … it is incredible how much dust comes in and dances with the pet hair!

Tomorrow the plan is to leave 9:15-9:45 latest to hit Denver after 10:00 a.m. While I had originally hoped for an early Sunday run through Denver, a search told me that 10-3 on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday was best for traffic. Hope that is correct!

I plan to stop just south of Pueblo which is right about 200 miles and hopefully 5 hours or less. That leaves 150 miles to my final destination but that final bit is a 2 lane mountain pass so 3-3.5 hours.

I might stay a 2nd night in Pueblo vs another 2 driving days in a row … will see how I feel after negotiating the Denver-Colorado Springs traffic and how the rv park is. It is supposed to be in the low to mid-80’s so still hot for me and the boys.

First Out, Breakfast, Shower, Disconnect, Prep inside…

9:45 last walk before rolling

Grocery store shop.

10:45 on the interstate with 344 miles to Billings.

I hoped to drive past Butte before stopping … I ended up not stopping until Three Forks which was kind of on my list of places to explore. I stopped at a spot outside of town but next to a golf course and beautiful walk/bike path.

It was so nice that I decided to drive around town and if I liked it to stay there for a night. But … no “stay here” vibes so I went on.

It looked like I would arrive Billings 6:00 ish. Still light, but a much longer day than I wanted.

I stopped in Big Timber for gas … 98 miles short of Billings. There was a sign for an RV park. I looked it up and decided to check it out. It was after 4:00 and I was tired.

The RV park in Big Timber:

Holy Darn Cow. A river runs through it. Also a creek. And Kathy/Cathy … the work camper office person and I totally hit it off!

I planned to stay 1 night but ended up booking 3 nights.

It is the most beautiful RV spot I’ve ever stayed and not a resort … next to a river and far (4 miles) from the interstate.

Big Timber has a super cute downtown.

The RV Park has a long term stay option. Not for now, but Big Timber is on MY LIST for a maybe place to live.

Meanwhile, we enjoy 3 nights, 2 days. I am so glad that I did not try to get to Billings. The RV Park there is also near a river and good walking, but not as beautiful as where I am. Also, even though I arrived 4:30 ish, by the time I connected all, walked with Emmett, sorted the inside … it was after 6;30.

I will likely miss my “planned” early Sunday morning through Denver but staying in this beautiful spot … I just could not not stay.

With the exception of a few site moves and a 110 mile move from Columbia Falls to Missoula, MT, I have been sitting still.

I have zero complaints. Wild Thing II feels like home and both spots: Columbia Falls RV Park and Jim and Mary’s RV Park are pleasant places to be sitting still: good walking for Emmett and me, easy e-bike riding, well run and attractive spots.

I have had good and quiet neighbors, enjoyed cooking and baking …

(Above … Lemon Blueberry rolls: 80% fresh milled flour! Super happy with how they turned out)

And Fall whooshed in several days ago with very cool nights and mornings, pleasant afternoons.

My ultimate destination is southwest Colorado to visit my folks. I was there last December to move them from their home to a nursing home. It was bittersweet at best, emotionally and physically one of the most challenging things that I have ever had to do.

They have settled.

I intended to visit in May when I started my RV adventure but after Emmett had difficulties with the steps and I returned to Columbia Falls … then fires and heat kept me in Northwest MT.

I thought I might fly back but … leaving Emmett and Oscar … we’ll do the drive. I hope! My plans have not gone according to plan and although in hindsight it all worked best for Emmett, Oscar and me … it has left me a bit hesitant to say: This is what I’m going to do :) .

However, I will point Wild Thing II east and then south. I have no reservations. My primary goal is to stage us to go through Denver and Colorado Springs early on a Sunday morning when there is NOT a Broncos home game, i.e. shoot through the Denver metropolis with as little traffic as possible.

I have a small grocery list to fill here in Missoula on our way out. A store I’m familiar with. We will leave with empty waste tanks and full fresh water. If there are spots to overnight safely without hookups (assuming it is not warm-hot enough to need A/C) we will travel “on the cheap”!

We will see.

I also plan to stop and/or make side trips if the spirit moves me … the purpose of this time of RV life is to explore with no restrictions.

So.

We are enjoying some lovely early Fall days in a good spot while also looking forward to moving down the road.

I had initially planned on leaving Missoula (Jim ‘n Mary’s RV Park) on 9/23 … yesterday, but because of weather and a bit of “I just wanted to stay” … I extended until 9/30.

But, I was not able to stay in my original site. Since I had to disconnect and move AND since I wanted a few grocery items, I used the “move” necessity/opportunity to head into Missoula proper for a grocery run.

As per usual, I overbought and had a game of refrigerator Tetris. I am getting rather good at this game and all was put away in frig/freezer without much fuss.

BUT.

Even though ultimately I only moved sites with a run to town in between, it was still like a travel day with the disconnecting/reconnecting stuff AND with the park at the back of beyond at the grocery and load, etc.

So.

Today, as I the day after all of the above … recovery.

One of the joys of Jim ‘n Mary’s RV park is the abundance of flowers!

And the office offers arrangements of cut flowers in low key jars for $5. I LOVE snap dragons so could not resist. They lasted 5 days so $1/day for lovely fresh flowers.

Emmett and Oscar are both happy at Jim ‘n Mary’s …

As usual, I have met wonderful people!

Just today, I met 2 other solo travelers … both female, one in a Tab trailer and one in an Airstream.

The Airstream person and I had a number of shared things: sourdough baking being one! So much fun to share the experience of baking “on the road”. She is a fabric/sewing person utilizing Bernini technology, serger, embroidery … sewing meets tech. Add in RV life and the challenges of taking the equipment needed to do things we love to do …

A challenge for me in this season of my life is that I do not have people familiar with RVing and incorporating RV life with all of the things I love to do. So, it is wonderful to make connections with other RVs who have some shared interests as well.

Meanwhile, we are having a last (hopefully last) blast of summer heat … 80’s F with a forecast whoosh of coolness this weekend.

The evenings have been beautiful!

Even with highs hitting upper 70’s/low 80’s .. it cools quickly with sunset currently 7:30 ish.

I am absolutely loving RV life. A big part of that is embracing RVing in the retired state … my prior RV experiences were wonderful but there was always work in the background: deadlines, meetings, email, etc. The opportunity to travel in my home on wheels with no agenda, no “must do” in the background is beyond wonderful.

I am very grateful for this opportunity at this time in my life.

We were at Columbia Falls RV Park from 8/25 until this morning … extending and extending. I like being there and especially like having the Yukon.

BUT, the reason for buying Wild Thing II and all I’ve done since is to travel. And honestly, much as I felt at home in Columbia Falls, I was ready to move.

This morning I took the Yukon back to storage, disconnected, did the inside stuff to ensure things were not taking flight on the road and off we went.

We left the RV park shortly after 10:30. Made a stop at Murdoch’s to top off propane (cooking and heating!), a stop at Bigfork Harvest foods for a few items, a walk and lunch at Wayfarer’s park and then on the Jim ‘n Mary’s.

I topped up fuel at a truck stop just a 1/2 mile further than Jim ‘n Mary’s … I like having a full tank on arrival so no need to worry on departure, plus if there would be a park power failure (has never happened in all my years RVing), I would have gas to run the generator. The generator will not run when gas drops below 1/4 tank … this is an idiot-proof thing so the “idiot” does not run gas so low that the rig will not start!!!

Ultimately arrived Jim ‘n Mary’s about 3:45 … quick check in, a Chewy’s box waiting which I loaded directly into basement storage and then to our site. Not an end, but a nice pull through with plenty of space between us and our driver/passenger neighbors.

We are here for 4 nights and the “plan” is to head towards Del Norte, CO on Monday … slowly … travel day and then sit for 2-3 days. All depends on weather and how we are all feeling.

Oscar did great today! A little complaining when we started but he rode most of the trip in his bed in the cabover.

Emmett was his usual calm self.

Emmett and Oscar have had their supper and are “out for the count”! I will sup light as I am “running out of gas” also … typical in and out disconnecting and on arrival connecting. It was 75F on arrival and I took my time but still managed to overheat.

Forecast is for overcast, cool, slight chance showers and thunderstorms until Sunday afternoon. I have full pantry and frig/freezer and plans to make cinnamon rolls and pizza.

We are in Autumn mode and loving it.

Columbia Falls RV Park one morning.

Sourdough bagels!! So good to be back to my “normal” baking routine. Six of these went into the freezer for my “on the road” enjoyment.

Autumn vibes.

Emmett and Oscar having a “boxing-play” time!

Ok … so, right next to the Columbia Falls RV Park is a wonderful store for beef primarily but also pork and seafood. It is called Perfect Cuts.

I placed a special order for some tenderloin, ground beef, ham slices, pepperoni and breakfast sausage so as to have Montana beef, etc, for as long as possible. I noticed the above as I was waiting to pay for my order … HEE!!!

Super nice people at Perfect Cuts, excellent options and I very much like their sense of humor.

Time for my supper.

It is hard to believe that it is 25 years since the 9/11 attacks.

There are events in history that are of the “where were you when” ?

For me those are:

1. When JFK was shot
2. 9/11 Attack

#1 dates me of course … I was in 3rd grade. I happened to be in the nurses office and heard the announcement on the office radio and the nurses discussion.

#2 2001. I was 46. I was hosting a church prayer group function at my home in Whitefish, Montana. As I was making coffee and preparing to serve homemade scones to the small group, my brother phoned and asked if I knew what was happening. He was concerned specifically as he was supposed to be in a meeting in WTC1 and thought I might be aware via our mother.

I told the group and we turned on the TV.

Twenty five years later, it is incredible to remember, to review, to relive the events of 9/11/2001.

It is heartbreaking to be in a time of an incredibly corrupt, un-American, un-lawful and embarrassing “administration” and its enablers.

I seriously hope that the upcoming midterms turn the tables on the current administration and we hopefully remember 26 years from 9/11 with a more American leadership.

Whatever happens, I will never forget.