BLANCHARD, ID TO GOLDEN, B.C.

N/B on Hwy 95 in Bonners Ferry, ID.

We left Stoneridge a little before 9am, headed toward Golden, British Columbia in Canada.  We had a little over 300 miles to travel in what was forecast to be a rainy day for most of the way.   Our path of travel took us north on Hwy 41 to Newport, then east on Hwy 2 to Sandpoint, then north on Hwy 95 all the way to Golden.

There's always a certain amount of anxiety whenever crossing the border, but in all of our trips to Alaska, we've never had a major problem.  We've heard horror stories, but other than rude customs folks, it's always been just a bunch of questions, and we were on our way.

We waited in a single line behind some trucks at the Kingsgate port of entry, and after about 20 minutes of slowly moving forward, we were at the customs booth.  After the usual questions, I pulled forward into the Canadian parking lot, and waited for Nancy.

Nancy is about to pull forward into Canada.

Except for the overcast conditions, the drive north on Hwy 93/95 is about as good as it gets regarding
scenery.  The valley is dotted with endless lakes, and high mountains on both sides.  We had an unfortunate incident while driving N/B, that startled both of us, which I'll describe at the end of this post.

The first town of any size in Canada was Cranbrook.  They even have a Harley-Davidson Dealership!
It's been a few years since we've traveled into Canada, but if you didn't know that you were in a foreign country, the towns & cities north of the border don't look much different than U.S. communities.

One of the big changes in Canada, is their use of the metric system.  Everything is kilometers, meters, & liters.  Fuel is priced per liter, and the diesel prices that we could see in Cranbrook were 1.319 per liter.  Assuming that the exchange rate is even (which it just about is), 1.319 equals $5.00 a gallon.  Regular gas was 1.419 per liter, and that equals $5.37 a gallon.  Those prices are going to get higher, as we travel farther north.

We traveled the last 100 miles or so in the rain, arriving in Golden at about 4pm mountain time.  We checked into the Whispering Spruce RV park, and quickly discovered that our Winegard Traveler Satellite dishes couldn't find the Dish Network satellite due to the trees.  The WiFi here is almost non existent, but I've kept at it this morning, and finally had a connection long enough to get this written. The next challenge will be to get it published.

Somewhere around Fairmont Hot Springs, while passing over some pretty good bumps, we heard a loud crack.  At the top left corner of the windshield, several large cracks appeared, similar to what happened several years ago.  When we had that first windshield replaced, Monaco admitted there was a structural design flaw, and they reinforced the area around the windshield.  This is the same problem, but after Monaco declared bankruptcy, this next windshield is going to be on our dime.  Hopefully, it won't get any worse, and we can finish most of this trip before getting it replaced.

Today, we're driving through the national parks along the icefields parkway, with a destination of Hinton, Alberta.  The forecast for today is more rain.

Whispering Spruce RV Park - $39.20  Cumulative - $246.43
Diesel W/of Sandpoint, ID 21.1 gals @ $3.94 = $82.96  Cumulative - $1,053.33
MPG = 12.7 (last tank was really full)  Cumulative MPG = 8.2
Miles traveled - 315  Cumulative - 2.371

LEAVING STONERIDGE

Our complimentary 7 day stay at Stoneridge RV Resort ends this morning, when we break camp, and head north for the U.S. / Canadian border.  This combination golf, residential, RV resort in Northern Idaho, is a first class development, with all of the amenities.  We've enjoyed our stay here, but it's time to get behind the wheel, and put on some miles.

The drive today will take us across the border where we'll spend the next week or so traveling through Canada.  This will be our 6th motor home journey north to Alaska, a trip that we first made in 2001.  In my humble opinion, if you're an RV'er with an adventurous spirit, this is a road trip that you have to make, at least once.  The sights and experiences in Alaska are like no other place!  Yea, I know, it's a long drive, but you only live once.

We'll have to rely on RV park WiFi, or other hotspots, as our Sprint data devices are prohibitively expensive in Canada.  So, once again, if there's no blog post, it's because an Internet connection wasn't available. 

Yesterday, the girls made another trip into Coeur d' Alene, while I did a whole bunch of nothing.  Gracie and I kept the recliner warm, while I did some trip planning.  In a few days, we'll be in Dawson Creek, B.C., the start of the Alaska Highway.  

SANDPOINT, IDAHO

We had previously decided to take a ride into Sandpoint yesterday, mainly for the purpose of stopping at a Wells Fargo Bank.  We needed some Canadian bucks, and there were a few other places that the girls wanted to check out.  Yea I know, I'm a glutton for punishment! 

Just east of Newport, we turned into the Albeni Falls Dam visitor center.  This is the dam that created Lake Pend Orielle (Ponderay), and is part of the huge Corps of Engineers project that controls several rivers, including the Columbia River. 

When we finished our business at Wells Fargo, Nancy got on her smart phone, and "yelped" a 5 star rated Mexican Restaurant just around the corner.  We all had fish tacos for lunch, and Joel's definitely deserved the high rating.  The place was non stop busy, as the locals were lined up to get at the food.

We found this slightly over sized chair outside a store that specialized in wood furniture.

 

Sandpoint is on the BNSF Railroad's main line, and part of the AMTRAK Empire Builder route that runs between Chicago & Seattle.  We stopped at the old RR depot, which despite a not so good condition, is at least still standing.  There was a sign on the door that said "building closed due to safety concerns". The E/B AMTRAK train stops here at 2:30am, and the W/B train stops at 11:30pm. This entire area, particularly Northern Idaho, is incredibly scenic, and it's a shame that AMTRAK passes through here in the dead of night.

 

Back at the motor home, Patty fixed us a big shrimp salad for dinner, and we called it a day.  This is our last day here at Stondridge, and I think I heard the girls say they were headed back to Coeur d Alene for you know what.  After yesterdays multiple stops at every yarn/fabric/quilt store, which included several thrift (used junk) stores, I think Gracie and I will stay put!

Miss snoopy cat is always looking for a new place to explore, or hide.

SPRING CLEAING

While the girls were spending most of the day in Coeur d Alene, in a never ending quest to set foot in every yarn/fabric/quilt store known to man, I was slaving away at the homestead.  If there was a Guinesss World Record for the most visits to the above mentioned type store, Patty and Nancy surely would be the record holders!

I first washed and waxed the Jeep.  Then, it was the same drill for the front of the motor home.  I would have done more, except it's supposed to be raining when we leave on Thursday.

Next, I cleaned and rearranged one of the bays under the motor home.  I had to re-distribute the Sharps a little more evenly, so that the RV wasn't tilted too much on one side.  Seriously, with the big score at BiMart in Sunriver & Bend, my supply of the unleaded brew should be good through the summer.   A little more cleaning, and I was done just before the girls returned from the big city.  We finished the day with dinner at the golf course restaurant.

Two more days here at Stoneridge, and I think we're spoiled beyond repair.  A beautifully manicured RV park with full hookups, access to the fully equipped clubhouse with free laundry facilities, a fenced, grassy dog run that's separated for big dogs, and little dogs, no neighbors, surrounded by a championship golf course, good food at the golf course clubhouse restaurant, and the best part...........
our weeks stay is complimentary.  No charge, nada, nothing, zip.  Ooops, we did pay $25 for high speed Internet, but that was it.  A weeks stay at a comparable resort would be in the $3-400 range.  The sales folks weren't successful in selling either one of us an RV lot, but we are appreciative of their hospitality.  This is a beautiful development, and even though it doesn't fit in our wheel house, for those golfers with RV's, this would be an almost perfect place to spend the summer.

 

Gracie agrees, Stoneridge is a pretty neat place. 

A DRIVE ALONG THE PEND ORIELLE RIVER

This is a big river, stretching from a 1/4 to a 1/2 mile in width, and flowing north from Newport, WA through the Pend Orielle Valley.  North of the border in British Columbia, it connects with the Columbia River, and then all of this water returns to the U.S., traveling through Washington, and eventually emptying into the Pacific Ocean at Astoria, OR.  Pend Orielle has it's origin from the French culture, and it's pronounced "Ponderay".

In my never ending search for a train to ride, we drove north along this huge river for approx. 30 miles,to the small town of Ione, WA.  In our previous travels, I had picked up an outdated brochure, identifying a tourist train that ran along the river between Ione, and Metaline Falls.   When we arrived at the train depot in Ione, we quickly discovered that this train is run by the local Lions Club, and the dates of operation are not very often.  Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
  

The Tiger Store is more of a museum, but there were free chocolate chip cookies, and yep, I had a couple!

 

 We'll be crossing the U.S. / Canadian Border in a few days, but not on this road.

Except for October, when the fall colors are out, this tourist train doesn't run very often.  It operates on about 10 miles of track that are at the end of a branch line running north along the Pend Orielle River,  from Newport to Metaline Falls. 

We drove back south along a road on the other side (east) of the river, and passed by a place that looked more like a train station than a house.  I had to stop and take a picture of the RR crossing signal, complete with arm, the short section of track with a speeder, and a few other RR things that are difficult to see in the picture.  You never know what you're going to find, when you go exploring!

Back at the motor home, I finished the day fast forwarding through the Indy 500, and then watching the very long NASCAR race from Charlotte.  Today is Memorial Day, and a time to give thanks to all who have served our country.  The freedoms that we enjoy in this country are often taken for granted, but without the sacrifices of our active duty military, and our veterans, the word freedom might otherwise be meaningless.

FIXING THE FIX

One of the design flaws on our Monaco Camelot motor home is the way that the original air intake hose was attached to the engine air filter.  That first 7 inch rubber intake hose dropped down from the intake screen located near the top, left rear corner of the motor home, and made a 90 degree turn before attaching to the intake side of the air filter.  The hose isn't that flexible, and due primarily to the sharp turn, the first hose self destructed after a few years, and detached itself from the air filter.

The fix to the problem, was to attach a 90 degree sheet metal elbow to the air filter, allowing the rubber intake hose to come straight down and attach to the elbow.  Without the hose attached, and because the air filter is so close to the ground, during wet weather the engine would be sucking moisture into the turbocharger.  Not good!

After leaving Bob & Diana's place in Enterprise, OR, I discovered that my original sheet metal elbow had separated, allowing the hose to detach itself from the air filter.  Yesterday, I drove into Newport, WA, where I picked up another 7 inch sheet metal elbow at the local Ace Hardware store.  By early afternoon, the fix to the fix was completed.  Possibly, someone makes an air filter with a 90 degree elbow already attached, but I haven't done any investigating to see if there's one out there somewhere.
This fix seems to be good for several years, so we're good for now.

STONERIDGE RESORT

Our tour appointment was yesterday morning at 10:30am.  In exchange for a week of free parking at Stoneridge, with full hookups, we agreed to meet with a sales rep for a tour of the property.  Patty and I have been through this routine more than once, and typically, the tour, or presentation, is a high pressure experience, designed to maximize sales.   We expected the worst, and quickly discovered that Aaron, our tour guide/sales rep., was not what we were prepared for.

Despite the light rain, Aaron took us on a golf cart tour of the resort, focusing on the motor coach village area.  It was a bit chilly, so at Patty's request, he stopped at our motor homes, where we retrieved jackets for the rest of the tour.  Fortunately, the golf cart was covered, so we didn't get wet.

   

 This is a typical developed lot, with small building, patio cover, and outdoor kitchen.

While we were driving around, Aaron answered our questions, and gave us some background information about the resort, and how it was developed.  When we returned to the office, we were handed a sheet that listed what sites were for sale, and the asking price for each one.  There was no "if you buy today" type of strategy, it was just here's what's for sale, and these are the prices.  I explained that we appreciated the opportunity to stay at this beautiful place, but weren't really interested in buying a lot.  In the past, this is sometimes where our new best friend does a Jekyll & Hyde, and becomes confrontational regarding our stupid decision not to buy a membership, or a property.  Not the case with Aaron.  The experience was pleasant, with no high pressure tactics.

Many of the lots, such as the ones we are parked on, are unimproved, still owned by the developer, and starting prices are $65,000.  There was one lot with some improvements for resale at $35,000, but everything else was $65,000 and up.  At high end Motor Coach resorts such as Stoneridge, I'm not sure where these prices fit, but I do know that this is a first class development, and if you're a golfer, it doesn't get much better.
  

CLARKSTON, WA TO BLANCHARD, ID

Whenever we park for the night at a WalMart, like where we spent the night in Clarkston, I'm always appreciative of their RV friendly policy.  The only places where RV parking is not allowed at places like WalMart, are those cities where a local ordinance has been passed, making RV parking illegal.  Typically, in places like Yuma, AZ, where there are a bazillion RV parks, that constituency has a strong voice with the city council.  As a result, the RV park lobby has convinced that city to ban RV parking at WalMart.   So far, cities like Yuma are in the minority, and overnight parking at most WalMarts is still OK.   

After our over night at the Clarkston, WA WalMart, we drove north on Hwy 95 into Idaho, climbing what is known as the Lewiston hill.  The new highway gets you to the top of this 2,000 foot climb pretty quickly, but the original highway (partially pictured below) takes quite a bit longer.  At the top of the grade, there's a great panoramic view of the Snake River winding between the two towns of Clarkston, WA, and Lewiston, ID.

View of the old highway, and Clarkston/Lewiston.

  

We stayed N/B on Hwy 95, passing through Coeur d' Alene, where we picked up Hwy 41, staying on that road to our destination in the small community of Blanchard, Idaho.

Back in January, when we were at the Family Motor Coach Ass'n RV Rally in Indio, CA, we picked up some information from the Stone Ridge Motor Coach Village, at their vendor booth.  They were offering a free 1 week stay at their resort, in exchange for a tour (sales pitch) of their property.  Several weeks ago, when I knew when we would be passing through this area, I made a reservation, which started yesterday.

From the brochure, and web pictures, we could tell that Stone Ridge is an upscale community, and indeed it is.  Set in a beautiful, tree lined valley, everything from the RV resort, to the golf course, to the lodge, to the homes, is first class.  I have a feeling that the price of the RV lots will also be "first class", but if anyone's is looking for a summer RV parking spot, it doesn't get much better. 

 

We have our "tour" scheduled for this morning, then we have a week to relax, and do some exploring of the area.  We're located about 30 miles north of Coeur d' Alene, ID, and about 10 miles south of Newport, WA.   Today is someone's birthday, and she's parked about 50 feet away.  Happy birthday Nancy!

Miles traveled - 152  Cumulative - 2,066

ENTERPRISE, OR TO CLARKSTON, WA

When there's a desired change in the weather, in most parts of the country, the locals often say "wait 5 minutes and the weather will change".  That was the case yesterday, as we waited for a snow storm to pass through the Wallowa Valley.  Snow fell for the entire morning, so it was more than 5 minutes, but the weather did indeed change.  About 1pm, the snow stopped, and we started to see some sunshine.

 Patty, Diana, & Nancy on the deck, in the snow.

Thanks Bob & Diana for the great hospitality.

We quickly unhooked our power cords, said goodbye to our dear friends, and were on the road by 1:30pm.  A quick stop in Enterprise for fuel, and we headed north on Hwy 3 toward Clarkston, WA, our destination.  With less than 100 miles to travel, we were in no hurry, particularly since we had to traverse a winding road into a deep canyon.

We pulled into the Wally World parking lot in Clarkston, late in the afternoon, with the toughest drive yet behind us.  Patty & I had done this challenging road once before in the motor home, but this was truly trial by fire for Nancy.  With lots of sharp turns on a narrow two lane road, and a steep descent into the canyon, she handled her rig like a pro.  When this trip started, I told her that when it was over, she would have experience on just about every road condition imaginable.  She passed the test yesterday with flying colors!  

A quick shopping trip through WalMart, and after a dining experience at a restaurant across the street, with mixed results, we called it a day.  Today, we off to an RV resort in Blanchard, Idaho, where we have a reservation for a week.  From there, it will be a short run to the U.S. Canadian border.

Diesel @ Enterprise Chevron - 54.5 Gal @ $4.30 = $234.48  Cumulative - $970.37
MPG - 6.6  Cumulative - 7.5
Miles traveled - 86  Cumulative - 1,914

A LOOK AT HELLS CANYON

Bob, Brenda & their two dogs left early yesterday morning for their drive back home to Albany, OR.  It was good to spend time with them, and perhaps, on our return trip south from Alaska, we'll have an opportunity to see them again.

Our adventure for the day, was a ride out toward Hells Canyon, where an overlook provides a great view of the deepest canyon in North America.  At a mile & a half deep, it's over a third deeper than the Grand Canyon.  In fact, from the viewpoint, the canyon is so deep, you can't see the Snake River at the bottom.

It was a nice drive through the forest, and at one point on the return trip, an Elk cow with her calf were in view for a few seconds.  We stopped in Joseph for lunch, then returned to Bob & Diana's for the rest of the afternoon.

Oh No!........ SNOW!  I took this picture at a little after 5am, and as pretty as the snow covered landscape is, it wasn't at the top of my list of things to see this morning.  According to the weather report yesterday, we knew the temps were going to drop last night, but the white stuff wasn't on anybody's radar.  Oh well, we were only planning on traveling about 100 miles today, so we'll wait till about mid day, and by then, the roads should be OK.  Stay tuned..............

ENTERPRISE, OR

When our friends, Bob & Diana moved from the Modesto, CA area, to Enterprise, OR, about 10 years ago, I wondered where in the heck that was.  On our first visit, we discovered that the small town of Enterprise was located in the far north eastern corner of Oregon, kind of at the end of the road.  The Wallowa Valley is a little piece of heaven, and after our first trip there, we not only looked forward to visiting with our friends, but returning to this beautiful area that is well off the beaten track.

After a huge breakfast prepared by Diana & Brenda, we did some window shopping in the downtown area, then drove a few miles up the road to Joseph, and Wallowa Lake.  The girls did some shopping, and we later had lunch on the deck, at the Embers Cafe.  Yep, I had a burger with all  the trimmings. 

 Bob & Brenda's new pup "Bella", climbing on Bob & Diana's Lab, Buddy.

Back at the house, we watched the news, and the terrible destruction from the Tornado's in Oklahoma.  It's hard to imagine what it must be like to lose everything in the matter of a few seconds. Nope, I would never consider living anywhere in "Tornado Alley", and our hearts and prayers go out to the victims, and their families who have suffered from this latest natural disaster. 

Another big meal (we're not going hungry on this trip) prepared by Diana & Brenda, topped off by my favorite, Brenda's famous cherry pie.  That girl can bake like few others, and whenever we get together, the treat of my favorite desert is usually on the menu! 

The courthouse in downtown Enterprise.

Miles traveled - 133  Cumulative - 1,828