2015 Northwest States Summer RV trip

We pulled out of the Valley in the middle of June through central California heading North to (hopefully) cooler weather. A few stops before we arrived in McMinnville Oregon to visit with old friend from our Turkey trip.

We went to the Evergreen Air Museum to see the Spruce Goose and the other planes they display. Man is that thing HUGE!Rand and Amy were great to let us camp in the yard, well, driveway, and out of their way. Next stop was to meet-up with some other friends in Washington State. We spent 12 days with our good friends Dick and Linda, who are full-time RVers. Together we saw Mt. St. Helen, Mt. Rainer, went Orca whale watching, hiked through the thick forests,went antiquing, toured the Public Market in Seattle and more. But the best was just hanging out with them, and for a few days, their granddaughter. Cute kid.

From upper central Washington, we head East toward Idaho. The forest fires were everywhere in California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. You could not escape the smoke. Everything looked hazy in the distances. And the worst part was, not rain in sight. We stopped to see a nighttime laser light show at the Grand Coulee dam, camped next to the Snake River, and hiked on the same trail the Lewis and Clark took in the early 1800s. While at the Idaho and Washington border, a fellow firefighter called and told me about a fire truck for sale on the other side of Idaho. The next day, after we got set-up at another retired firefighters house, him and I drove North to see this fire truck. It was in great shape and the price was right, SO...I bought it. Yep, I bought a full size fire truck. Now to get it home. I could not drive it home and drive the truck and fifth wheel too. Nancy was not going to either. So I found a transporter and it was delivered a few days after we got home.

I did not buy the truck as another vehicle to add to mine others. I bought it for dedicated funeral truck for any fallen firefighter in Arizona. I call it a "Caisson". I will keep you posted on the progress. Heading home now from McCall Idaho, we stopped in Ely Nevada to visit the Northern Nevada Railroad Museum and take a ride on their steam engine train. What a hoot! We have done these before, but never seen the behind the scenes of maintenance shops etc. VERY interesting.

Our last night on the road was at Jacob Lake on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I love that place and finally, it was cool. But that would stop the next day when we arrived home after 33 days and over 4600 miles, That's OK. We had a ball, visited with good friends, and saw some amazing country. The new fifth wheel we bought in January was wonderful and very comfortable. Thank you friend for letting us stay or camp on your property. It was awesome visiting with you all. Next time, our treat at our place.