From Oregon to Texas

     We left our summer home in Depoe Bay, OR on September 21st and started the trip back to Texas. We were not in a big hurry and we took our time getting there. I was a little afraid that the weather would hamper our plans but winter was late in coming this year.

     Above is a view of the Columbia River as it runs along the highway from Portland. We had great weather and bright, clear, sunny skies.

Boardman, OR 

Spokane, WA

     A couple of really nice RV parks later and we found ourselves in Glacier National Park. Usually this late in the year, it is "iffy" at best to get around in Glacier NP. The snows come early and stay later here. But this year, luck was with us. Not only did the bad weather hold off but we had unusually warm days. We were able to hike and sightsee to our heart's (and feet's) content.

     This time of year, there aren't a lot of tourists, but these open roof cars operated by the park were still operating. It's a neat way to see the park and leave the driving to someone else.

     One of our treks took us on a trail from the trailhead on Logan Pass and ran for many miles along the mountainsides. You can get an idea of the narrow trails with the steep drop-offs in the picture above.  Again, note the complete absence of snow anywhere to be seen. This is late September!! The views were remarkable and there was something different around every corner.

     This little guy was interesting. We saw him beside the trail in the brush. We tried to walk quietly past him but he strutted right out and proceeded to lead us down the trail. If we tried to pass him, he sped up. If we slowed down, he did too. It was like taking our pet ptarmigan out for a walk! Eventually he must have thought we had it under control as he strolled off into the bushes and went about his business.

     This is the scene of Glacier NP that is in most people's photo album. Versions of it are in the gift shop on postcards and in the Visitor's Center in a frame. It is really fantastic to take in.

     The next day we took a short hike back to this glacier-formed valley. What is difficult to see are the myriad of waterfalls that fall from the mountaintops all around. They all run down the cliff faces and collect in the lake below. Here you can get the hint of the trees changing color for the fall. We stopped and had a snack lunch here and just enjoyed the beauty that Mother Nature chose to share with us.

     The next day we left and headed for our next destination, Grand Teton National Park. We set up in our campground and the next day went out exploring. Luckily for us we were blessed with the appearance of the big guy above. He was magnificent! He was so close we could hear him breathing. We got an added bonus later as a mother moose and her young calf also joined him in the meadow.

     Here are the mountain peaks that make up the Grand Tetons. Again notice the Fall colors. The bright yellows were unimaginable. The still winds allowed the lakes to be so still that they looked like mirror images of the surrounding countryside.

     Like the photo that everyone has from Glacier NP, above is one that many folks take of Grand Tetons. Just that one little puff of a cloud in the whole sky. The barn is part of an old Mennonite settlement that has been preserved and the whole settlement can be toured.

     From the Grand Tetons, we stopped briefly in Colorado to visit family, then on to Kansas to say "Hi!" to friends and family. For the first time, we stayed in the FamCamp on McConnell AFB in Wichita. The sites were surprisingly nice and the area was really quiet and comfortable. The only glitch came when, as they were mowing, a rock was thrown into the side of the motorhome. A large dent along with a chip in the paint was formed where the rock hit. We reported it to the Recreation Services manager and he told us to go have it repaired and send him the bill! As we had a trip to Red Bay planned soon, we agreed to keep him in the loop and to have it repaired by the coach manufacturer.  We then headed south and set up in our Texas home.

A Note of Explanation

     OK, time to fess up. I haven't been very faithful in posting. In fact, this blog entry is being written in February 2016 when I haven't posted things we did in Sept-Oct 2015!!! With the advent of social media (i.e. Facebook) we (Barb and I) share things as they actually happen to us. Those who follow us on such know right away and get to live the moment with us. Consequently, entries to the Blog seem, to me at least, tedious and redundant at best. I know that there are some who are not fans of Facebook and the only way you can keep up with our travels is via email or this Blog so I continue to post. (Albeit it takes me "forever" to motivate myself to do so.) A lot of things have happened from Sept 2015 - February 2016 and I will try to get the Blog caught up.