Family and Easter

At our son’s recommendation, we booked a camp site at Nemo, SD. It was supposed to be between the 2 sons, but turned out to be ½ drive off the highway, and not really close to anyone. It’s a great place to do dirt biking, but we haven’t gotten into that yet. Next life…

So, for $40/night, we did not have a sewer hook-up, no water (all frozen), no fires allowed (too windy), no wi-fi (Roger’s cell didn’t even work!), BUT we had electric!! We probably won’t return there…

The next day was Easter and we wanted the kids to go to church with us. There was a small church in Nemo which we all decided to try.

When we got there, we found out they didn’t have a pastor and used canned music for hymns. However, they served a breakfast and generally were welcoming. We almost doubled the congregation! Our granddaughter’s mom even came along (2^nd time in church as far as we know), so that was great! (Roger noticed there was a cell connection, so later that day we drove back. The town has cell coverage 9am-5pm, the site said. And they meant it!)

There was the usual egg hunt, Easter dinner I served in the R.V., and some games later. When everyone left late afternoon, we were spent! But it was a good day.

Continuing East & Tel-a-Story®

Entering WY, the snow lessened and then totally disappeared for a time.  Until we entered MN, we thought WY had the worst roads! However, they “rolled out the red carpet” (red pavement) for us! When Heather in Germany first heard that there were red roads in the USA, everyone was in awe!

In MT we crossed the Continental Divide and in SD the Missouri River. The weather has remained cold!

Our relaxing trip was challenged by Tel-a-Story® that we are responsible for. Shortly after leaving home, we got word that the SIP trunking service we are using would no longer work after May 31^st. Since we are on the road until then, it is putting a lot of pressure on Roger to solve this problem and keep the stories playing.  We have been averaging 70 calls per day. God is using this ministry.

Next Stop – Teaching

The goal for Thursday was to get to a point of internet connection so Heather could teach her Zoom Good News Club. We thought it would be Laurel, but didn’t quite get there. We stopped in Columbus, MT. Roger’s hot spot (a new thing for us) worked great for 30 minutes, so we got in ½ the class!!

On the way, we were glad to see gas prices dropping well over 50 cents/gallon. Propane has also shot up, but coming from Washington, every price looks good!

The weather was o.k., with snow covering the ground all around. Roads clear and dry. Traffic minimal. The long coal trains are amazing – you often can’t see the front and back at the same time! 

We passed the oldest operating coal mine in the USA – 99 years! There’s enough coal in the Wyodak mine for 50+ years, we read.

Our coldest night was in Billings, MT. We had  enough blankets that, with the furnace, were able to keep warm. It snowed in the night, but the next day, the sun shone warm.

Heading East Again! Spring 2022

We left home Wednesday April 13th in pleasant weather, headed for Lazy F Camp in eastern Washington. The day before leaving home, the pass was closed to some traffic. But it was open and dry for us.

This camp is off the road about 20 miles, and some of the roads are pretty iffy for an R.V., especially in winter, as you can see!

But once we were there, the snow was falling beautifully outside the window, and the ground was laded with fresh snow. Something we don’t see at home much. I love it!  However, on the way out the weather had improved and the same road was clear. Notice the outcroppings. Not much clearance on the inside lane.

Our next stop was Haugen, MT. They offer free electric for R.V.s, which is nice. Great snow piles were all around.

Short Late Summer Trip 2021

Left home Tuesday, August 31, headed for Haugen, MT. Love buying cheap gas in ID! Haugen was busy, but we got one of the last spots for free electric at 50,000 Silver Dollars camp site. Made it through the windy mountain roads! (long “I”)

Wednesday – goal Billings; the terrain is very interesting, with small hills and stone cliffs; God is creative!! We drove straight through and found a church in Laurel for prayer meeting. The pastor had some good teaching on Romans 1:16. We were able to park behind the tire store.

Thursday – got new rear tires for the R.V. installed by noon. So we shopped all afternoon in the tax free State; had Subway sandwiches for lunch and got Old Chicago pizza (NOT Genos!) for dinner, as well as a caramel frappe; then we returned to the back yard of the tire store for the night.

I recommend Lysacs Tires in Billings

Friday – on to Sturgis, SD. The weather was great – only a little wind today. (windy – short “I”); Josh met us at his exit and took us to his new place. Scarlett wanted to play games immediately - she's competitive, but fair. Alan & family stopped by later; the g'kids enjoyed the R.V.

Saturday – we helped get a load from Josh’s storage shed and unload at the house; also took a large load of boxes to the dump near-by; everyone came over for a late chili lunch.

Sunday – off to the new church; Scarlett enjoyed Sunday School, but there’s no children’s church or food! Alan and family joined us for church; Pastor Brian Ross welcomed Scarlett and asked who her guests were! We had pulled bar-b-q beef for lunch; the guys & Scarlett went shooting in the afternoon.

Monday – moved to Spur Meadows RV Park in the morning; Alan and family joined Josh and family for lunch – cowboy casserole and bacon/beef roll-ups. Josh, Brandi and Scarlett left soon after. Alan & Galina went to a movie and we got to watch the kids! Also did laundry with Wyatt's help! We played with balloons, the fly swatter (flies are bad this year), dominoes, etc. Really enjoyed the g'kids and it went well! Served cheese and crackers when Alan & Galina came to get the kids. At dark, we got out the glow sticks and had fun with them.

Tuesday – left Spur Meadows around noon; drove past Wonderland Cave - made a last minute decision - and invited Brandi and Scarlett to tour it with us. We didn’t realize we’d already done that last year! Brought them back to their home about 3pm and headed west. Got to Sheridan, WY, for the night. Parked at Walmart.

Wednesday – drove to Billings and shopped at the Dollar Tree & Walmart! Gassed up there, too. Drove on to Butte, where we attended prayer meeting. We were at the same church last year. Parked at Walmart.

Thursday - we checked out a small museum, so there wasn't much to see; major fires were burning near-by and the air was thick with smoke. We drove on max-air recirculation to keep some of it out of the R.V. Got as far as Haugen, MT, again! It was even busier than last week, but we were able to get a spot. Put a puzzle together that evening.

Antique School Bus

Expired License Plates for Sale 

Friday - on to home! Gassed up in ID for the cheaper gas. Ellensburg didn't have any tomatoes, so we bought ice cream cones! The smoke changed to heavy overcast, even some rain. It was nice to not have to face the sun driving west.