My Journey
- Thread starter YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
- Start date
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Anyhow.......it's been a few weeks since I've posted so I thought I'd update the thread......
After leaving the Vancouver area and entering Washington, I continued south towards Seattle.
Our first stop was in Bellingham, Washington. We only stayed long enough to get the dogs into the vets for their check ups and shots and to tour the city. I think we stayed (2) nights........
Somewhere along the highway I saw a sign for marijuana for sale (something you won't see back east I think). Now I don't smoke but it always catches my attention so I exited and visited the marijuana store. It just amazes me that you can buy up to one ounce legally now. Times are sure changing (and that's all I'll say about that)......
At this point of the road trip I was really getting tired and needed some real down time. I was thinking that I might head into the Cascade Mountains to camp but I came across a casino north of Seattle and that changed everything for us. Well, casinos typically offer free overnight stays and this one was no exception. But the thing that made this casino the best one ever was that they offered a nice area just for people in RV's, and my truck camper qualified so I was in. Now I'd driven over 10,000 miles in a little over (2) months so you can probably see the appeal of this place when I found out that they offered free use of their luxurious swimming pool, hot tub, and showers including towels, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Each day I would say to myself it's time to move on but this place was such a great spot to chill and get my strength back (so to speak). Each day we'd walk for hours, for miles and miles, then I'd hit the pool, grab a coffee, get into the hot tub, and then a nice, hot shower. I'm not a drinker, smoker, nor gambler so I didn't actually use the casino in that regard but this place was exactly what I needed and I felt so fortunate to have stumbled across it......
After leaving the Vancouver area and entering Washington, I continued south towards Seattle.
Our first stop was in Bellingham, Washington. We only stayed long enough to get the dogs into the vets for their check ups and shots and to tour the city. I think we stayed (2) nights........
Somewhere along the highway I saw a sign for marijuana for sale (something you won't see back east I think). Now I don't smoke but it always catches my attention so I exited and visited the marijuana store. It just amazes me that you can buy up to one ounce legally now. Times are sure changing (and that's all I'll say about that)......
At this point of the road trip I was really getting tired and needed some real down time. I was thinking that I might head into the Cascade Mountains to camp but I came across a casino north of Seattle and that changed everything for us. Well, casinos typically offer free overnight stays and this one was no exception. But the thing that made this casino the best one ever was that they offered a nice area just for people in RV's, and my truck camper qualified so I was in. Now I'd driven over 10,000 miles in a little over (2) months so you can probably see the appeal of this place when I found out that they offered free use of their luxurious swimming pool, hot tub, and showers including towels, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Each day I would say to myself it's time to move on but this place was such a great spot to chill and get my strength back (so to speak). Each day we'd walk for hours, for miles and miles, then I'd hit the pool, grab a coffee, get into the hot tub, and then a nice, hot shower. I'm not a drinker, smoker, nor gambler so I didn't actually use the casino in that regard but this place was exactly what I needed and I felt so fortunate to have stumbled across it......
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YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
At this point of the trip we're all well rested (although Montana got Swimmer's Itch from swimming in a local lake which really sucked for him). So now we decide to head into the Cascade Mountains to see what we can get into. Northern routes into the mountains were closed due to the forest fires so we drove further south and passed through Seattle and then took the interstate east into the Cascade Mountains. I was ready for some camping in the National Forests so somewhere along the interstate we found a route into the forest and set up camp.....
This spot turned out to be nearly the perfect place for us. There was nobody around and not too far from the camper was a wonderful stream running through the forest. The trees were so dense and the forest was silent except for the sounds of the nearby stream, the water was so pure and ice cold, the night sky was dark except for the stars (something I missed while staying in a casino parking lot), and the air was crisp and smokeless. We were loving it here......
We are still on the road, nearly (3) months now, and are enjoying the beginning of the fall colors and the cool air in the mountains.......
This spot turned out to be nearly the perfect place for us. There was nobody around and not too far from the camper was a wonderful stream running through the forest. The trees were so dense and the forest was silent except for the sounds of the nearby stream, the water was so pure and ice cold, the night sky was dark except for the stars (something I missed while staying in a casino parking lot), and the air was crisp and smokeless. We were loving it here......
We are still on the road, nearly (3) months now, and are enjoying the beginning of the fall colors and the cool air in the mountains.......
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YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Hey guys.......thanks for the feedback........
Dallas......yea I also enjoyed talking with you and I just may contact you for some more info. That trail head worked perfect for spending the night. Nobody bothered me......
Time for another update I guess......
After leaving the Cascade Mountains we continued east on the interstate as we were headed back to Montana. After (3) days of the interstate, we left Washington and Idaho behind and entered Montana. It always amazes me what a great feeling I get when I'm in Montana. Honestly it feels more like home here, than where my home actually is. I'm so content here and I can tell that my dogs feel the same. So we used Bozeman, Montana as our base and from there we explored north, south, and east of town.....basically the mountains that surround Bozeman. And of course we hung out with our friends and it was great......
We saw beautiful Montana sunsets.......
And the most incredible rainbow that I, and many others, had every seen. Actually I talked to a (73) year old couple that said that they'd never seen anything like it. My iphone5 did it no justice.......
We averaged nearly (11) miles per day hiking in the mountains and walking the streets of Bozeman. We took some drives in the mountains and enjoyed the wide open spaces that Montana is well known for......
Dallas......yea I also enjoyed talking with you and I just may contact you for some more info. That trail head worked perfect for spending the night. Nobody bothered me......
Time for another update I guess......
After leaving the Cascade Mountains we continued east on the interstate as we were headed back to Montana. After (3) days of the interstate, we left Washington and Idaho behind and entered Montana. It always amazes me what a great feeling I get when I'm in Montana. Honestly it feels more like home here, than where my home actually is. I'm so content here and I can tell that my dogs feel the same. So we used Bozeman, Montana as our base and from there we explored north, south, and east of town.....basically the mountains that surround Bozeman. And of course we hung out with our friends and it was great......
We saw beautiful Montana sunsets.......
And the most incredible rainbow that I, and many others, had every seen. Actually I talked to a (73) year old couple that said that they'd never seen anything like it. My iphone5 did it no justice.......
We averaged nearly (11) miles per day hiking in the mountains and walking the streets of Bozeman. We took some drives in the mountains and enjoyed the wide open spaces that Montana is well known for......
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YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Not all days were sunny but that was a good thing. Fires continued to rage in the western states so these past (3) days of rain were so welcomed. And the cooler temperatures provide an opportunity for the fall colors to progress......
We camped in some really nice spots and some not so nice spots......
The night skies are the most amazing in Montana......
And here's a couple of cool rigs that I saw recently......
We've run into several bears during our recent walks in the forests. One was memorable as he came out of the brush not more than (100) feet from us. It was early in the morning and I was walking with my dogs. It turned out that we were all headed in the same direction so we followed the bear for nearly a half mile I'd guess. He kept looking back at us whenever we were in sight (which was my goal as I preferred to know where he was). Finally he left us and we returned to the camper. Unfortunately I didn't have a camera with me cause I would have had some incredible shots......
We've seen tons of wildlife on this trip. Bear, moose, elk, caribou, deer, musk ox, and plenty more. And I'm so thankful for that cause it's the animal sightings that really make my days complete......
And that's all for now.......
We camped in some really nice spots and some not so nice spots......
The night skies are the most amazing in Montana......
And here's a couple of cool rigs that I saw recently......
We've run into several bears during our recent walks in the forests. One was memorable as he came out of the brush not more than (100) feet from us. It was early in the morning and I was walking with my dogs. It turned out that we were all headed in the same direction so we followed the bear for nearly a half mile I'd guess. He kept looking back at us whenever we were in sight (which was my goal as I preferred to know where he was). Finally he left us and we returned to the camper. Unfortunately I didn't have a camera with me cause I would have had some incredible shots......
We've seen tons of wildlife on this trip. Bear, moose, elk, caribou, deer, musk ox, and plenty more. And I'm so thankful for that cause it's the animal sightings that really make my days complete......
And that's all for now.......
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Cummins_expo
Adventurer
Look forward to the next installment
cellularsteve2
Adventurer
Great read as always. I enjoyed getting caught up. Thanks Jerry for posting.
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
As always I appreciate the kind words and the feedback.......
So after Montana we drove south into Wyoming. I decided that I wanted to visit my friends in Jackson Hole before leaving the area. We passed through Yellowstone National Park and then Teton National Park.....
I spent a few nights in the parking lot in downtown Jackson Hole since it's so easy to get around town from there. I was camped next to this couple from Arizona with a rig very similar to mine......
Jackson Hole was still swarming with tourists. Lots of Chinese visiting (as usual).....and they just find my rig so interesting. I actually allowed them inside my camper this time since they are so curious.....
After we had our fill of Jackson Hole, we back tracked and headed north and then east into the national forest to do some camping. Here's some pictures as we drove through the fall colors......
So after Montana we drove south into Wyoming. I decided that I wanted to visit my friends in Jackson Hole before leaving the area. We passed through Yellowstone National Park and then Teton National Park.....
I spent a few nights in the parking lot in downtown Jackson Hole since it's so easy to get around town from there. I was camped next to this couple from Arizona with a rig very similar to mine......
Jackson Hole was still swarming with tourists. Lots of Chinese visiting (as usual).....and they just find my rig so interesting. I actually allowed them inside my camper this time since they are so curious.....
After we had our fill of Jackson Hole, we back tracked and headed north and then east into the national forest to do some camping. Here's some pictures as we drove through the fall colors......
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YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
And I'll post a few more more pictures of the fall colors since they're just so amazing......
So now we head up into the national forest for some well needed quiet time (after Jackson Hole)......
I had spoke with a local guy and he told me about this area that is just full of bears, both black and grizzlies. My plan was to get some bear pictures......
I picked a spot about (5) miles in the forest and wanted a wide open spot since this guy said that there's no doubt we'd run into bears. I prefer to see them coming.....
After we set up camp we took a walk into the forest. I always try to stay in the open spaces as opposed to the dense vegetation. The colors up high in the mountains were just as nice as they were down in the valleys.....
The weather was perfect with clear skies and afternoon temperatures right around (60) degrees......
The nights got cold here. The lowest temperature that I saw was (28) degrees. I woke up with ice on the truck and Jeep. The night skies, like in Montana, were amazing. One night I woke up at 2:00 a.m. and made myself a cup of coffee and went outside star gazing. It was incredible to say the least.....
So now we head up into the national forest for some well needed quiet time (after Jackson Hole)......
I had spoke with a local guy and he told me about this area that is just full of bears, both black and grizzlies. My plan was to get some bear pictures......
I picked a spot about (5) miles in the forest and wanted a wide open spot since this guy said that there's no doubt we'd run into bears. I prefer to see them coming.....
After we set up camp we took a walk into the forest. I always try to stay in the open spaces as opposed to the dense vegetation. The colors up high in the mountains were just as nice as they were down in the valleys.....
The weather was perfect with clear skies and afternoon temperatures right around (60) degrees......
The nights got cold here. The lowest temperature that I saw was (28) degrees. I woke up with ice on the truck and Jeep. The night skies, like in Montana, were amazing. One night I woke up at 2:00 a.m. and made myself a cup of coffee and went outside star gazing. It was incredible to say the least.....
parkkitchings
Adventurer
Jerry.....you've got to give that area where one is guaranteed to see bears. My favorite subject to shoot. Here's one I took last month in Alaska. Sorry our paths didn't cross while up north as Petey and I would have enjoyed sharing a camp with you and your buddies.
