Friday, August 31, 2018

Day 27, Friday, August 31, 2018 - Dakota Ridge RV Resort, Golden, CO

Check Out Don & Anne's Picnic Table
Friday, August 31, 2018 - Dakota Ridge RV Resort, Golden, CO, 51.8 Miles, 3270.1 Miles for the Trip

We did a mix of secondary roads & interstate heading to Golden, CO to see some friends, Dick & Anne, former Oswego residents that moved to Colorado for the skiing. They have a home on Leadville & Golden, as well as a place in Fairhaven, NY.

We are in the Dakota Ridge RV Resort, an expensive, but nice place only 2 miles from Dick & Anne's house. Like all resorts, not inexpensive at $63.42 per night, but, again with the Labor Day weekend, we were lucky to find anything.

The site is tight, with the back of the Escape hanging over the back of the site into the bushes. I had to unhook and park the truck parallel to the road. A bit of leveling, both side to side & front to back, but I do have a fairly level picnic table & lawn. Check out the table at Don & Anne's site (although they did manage to stay hooked up). Since we needed a vehicle to get to Dick & Anne's, one of us had to unhook anyway. My site photo is at today's LakeshoreImages page.

After setting up I checked the cell connections. While there is campground WiFi, like most of them, it is so slow it is useless. AT&T has the fastest service at 14.1MB down & 7.8MB up, but Verizon is usable at 8.1MB down & 4.9 MB up. This close to Golden & Denver, there are both news & classical music (as well as jazz) FM public radio. Since I have a fair amount of data left on the Verizon Jetpack, I gave it to Don & Anne for our stay here.

There is an Escape 21 a few sites up from mine, but the owners left in their truck before I got a chance to say hello. The bathrooms are a bit of a hike away, but have very nice showers with good showerheads, three double hooks, a bench, dry deck on the drying room floor, and large spaces in both the shower & drying rooms. There is a pool that is almost long enough for laps as well as a hot tub.

We headed to Dick & Anne's for the late afternoon, passing a Camping World that we may stop at tomorrow. We sat around & talked for the afternoon, and had a great dinner of fish, corn on the cob, a salad and biscuits covered with blueberries & ice cream for dessert.

Until Tomorrow.

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Day 26, Thursday, August 30, 2018 - South Shore Campground, Carter Lake State Park, CO

Jan, Jon & Don
Thursday, August 30, 2018 - South Shore Campground, Carter Lake State Park, CO, 177.1 Miles, 3218.3 Miles for the Trip

I included a photo of some of the yellow flowers we see along the road almost everywhere on this part of the trip, and one of Don & Anne's site showing that we could have fit both trailers in one site.

Much of the drive was south on I 25. I saw my first Escape on the road - a 19 just south of Cheyenne, WY. We reached the Carter Lake South Shore Campground around 2:30. We entered at the closest entrance to I 25, and drove many miles through the park, including a very dusty section of dirt road to get to the South Shore Campground. A short drive in the other direction on paved roads took us out of the park...

We are in sites 36 & 37, Electric only sites for $33.75 per night ($8.75 of that was a reservation fee). Sloped pull through sites that required a bit of leveling, and no shade (it is in the mid 90's). There is very poor Verizon coverage, and only fair AT&T here at the campground. I was able to send messages to my sister using the cell amplifier in the trailer, and the posting of this page went well with the Mobley AT&T device in the cell amplifier cradle. I didn't take a campsite photo before we left to see Jan, and it was dark when I got back, so you will have to wait until tomorrow for a site photo. Meanwhile, the rest of today's photos are at today's LakeshoreImages page.

We drove to Lyons, CO for a visit. While the GPS told us it was 4.8 air miles to Jan's house, it was actually 26 miles by road. Jan is doing well, just got back from NY, and will be heading to the Tetons this weekend. I included a couple of photos of us & the house.

We spent the afternoon chatting, then headed back to Lyons, and the Oskar Blues Bar & Grill for dinner (our excuse was it was too late to cook). I had an excellent catfish PO Boy, and very good sweet potato fries.

Until Tomorrow.

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Day 25, Wednesday, August 29, 2018 - Glendo State Park, WY

Ayres Natural Bridge
Wednesday, August 29, 2018 - Glendo State Park, WY, 214.9 Miles , 3,041.2 Miles for the Trip

And, we are back in Wyoming. While checking out at a grocery store a couple of days ago we mentioned that we were teachers at a couple of the NY state universities. The women checking out in front of us asked which one, and we discovered she graduated in dance from SUNY Purchase. She suggested heading to Douglas, WY to see the Ayres Natural Bridge, so we did. They have a campground, but we had already made reservations at the Bennett Hill campground at Glendo State park. More photos and the site pictures at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Getting back to Bennett Hill campground at Glendo State Park, I can't rate it high on my list of favorites. Very dusty, sites 1 & 2 are far apart with a vault toilet between us, and while there is electricity & water at our sites, no showers or flush toilets. The lake is quite aways away. Still, it is a place for the night, and campsites are hard to find with the Labor Day weekend coming up. Since it is hot & sunny, we were looking for a site with electricity for the air conditioners, and there were only 2 sites in the entire park; the rest were tent sites.

Dinner was Ravioli, sausage, & Italian bread.

Until Tomorrow.

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Day 24, Tuesday, August 28, 2018 - Kemo Sabay Campground, Hot Springs, SD & Wind Cave

Wind Cave
Tuesday, August 28, 2018 - Kemo Sabay Campground, Hot Springs, SD, 140.7 Miles , 2,826.3 Miles for the Trip

We are back in South Dakota. The plan was to visit Wind Cave for one of the tours. We stopped on the way to the campground & booked the Fairgrounds tour, a 1 1/2 hour trip through the cave, and a different one from my 2011 visit.

The cave is not one of my favorites - it is cold (both in temperature & in look & feel). Fairly dry, but it does have some unique formations, including the country's largest collection of box wood formations. I took lots of photos and added some to the Wind & Jewell Cave page. I admit to warming up the images a bit.

The campground is described as "Rustic", and it does a good job of meeting the description. $27.05 for a full hookup site on grass (although the sewer is too far away to use), good side to side, but not quite level front to back. Since one of us had to unhook anyway to drive back to the cave, IZ volunteered. There are two bathrooms labeled men & women, each with a single sink & toilet. No showers. Lots of stored & abandoned trailers throughout the park. It is fine for one night, but not high on my list of recommendations. We did try for other campgrounds in the area, but this was the only one that wasn't full. We did discover that there were open sites at the Wind Cave National Park, but they were not reservable, so being this close to Labor Day, we decided not to take the chance on the availability of space.

We decided to drive into Hot Springs for a Chinese Buffet for dinner. We think the waterfall photo is the hot spring, but are not sure. In any case, we included a photo. Site & hot spring photo at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Until Tomorrow.

Day 23, Monday, August 27, 2018 - Devils Tower KOA, WY

Devils Tower at Night
Monday, August 27, 2018 - Devils Tower KOA, WY, 232.2 Miles,2,747.3 Miles for the Trip

A mix of I 90 & some secondary roads, with a couple of stops in Rapid City and one at the South Dakota Air & Space Museum on our way to Devils Tower. We have all been here before, but you don't want to pass it up if you are in the area.

We are in sites 12 & 13, electric & water sites for $51.00 per night less 10% for my KOA discount, plus around $1,50 for the Wyoming tax. Since part was paid by Anne & part by me, who knows what the final amount was (I know Anne does - she keeps track of the balance between us).

After setting us we headed to the base of the tower and walked part of the trail around it.

We stopped for some photos of the Prairie Dogs on the way back to the trailers.

After a quick dinner if leftover beef carbonate, we headed to the viewpoint where I took the milky way photos a couple of years ago. One of my favorite photos - it is currently on my refrigerator door. No such luck with the milky way tonight - there is an almost (97%) full moon & heavy clouds. We did take some photos that showed the glowing clouds around the tower, including a couple that I used a flashlight to light the tower. Amazing how much light comes from the latest LED flashlights! The last photo was one from the milky way shoot a couple of years ago.

Lots more photos of everything at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Be then it was getting cold enough that we called it a night around 9:45 and headed back to the trailers. I have my electric heater on for the first time of the trip. While it is only down to 55°F, it feels colder.

Until Tomorrow.

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Day 22, Sunday, August 26, 2018 - Sleepy Hollow Campground, Wall, SD, Day 2 & The Badlands

The Badlands
Sunday, August 26, 2018 - Sleepy Hollow Campground, Wall, SD, Day 2, 0 Miles, 2,515.1 Miles for the Trip

We headed for the badlands loop late morning, and stopped for many photos. I added a bunch to the Badlands National Park page. Lots of photos, and panoramas from two visits at the badlands page.

After that we made a stop at the Minute Man missile exhibit, then drove to one of the abandoned silos.

On the way back to the campground, we actually went inside Wall Drugs. As expected, a tourist trap of many, many small stores selling travel related stuff. Anne bought some fudge & taffy. Photos of us at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Back at the campground I started dinner, which was carbonate of beef, a beef, beer, mushroom & onion meal over egg noodles. Takes awhile to cook, so I waited until we were in a place for two days. Just as I put the pot on the grill to start browning the meat, the wind came up. I do mean came up - it actually blew the pot off the stove, then blew the stove off the table. I moved the works inside the trailer, and with the air conditioning running (it was 95°F out) it was still cool enough to survive. Dinner was pronounced good, which is good because there is enough that it will be tomorrow night's meal as well.

It is getting late so I'm finishing this up and heading for the showers.

Until Tomorrow.

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Day 21, Saturday, August 25, 2018 - Sleepy Hollow Campground, Wall, SD

The Dignity Statue
Saturday, August 25, 2018 - Sleepy Hollow Campground, Wall, SD, 159.6 Miles, 2,515.1 Miles for the Trip

We stopped on the way out of the Oasis Campground for some photos of the buffalo sculptures across the I 90 Business road. I also included a photo of the Al's Oasis complex. From the photos inside, I suspect it was there when my family made our 1950 trip across the US; we probably stopped. All in all, it was one of the better interstate side campgrounds I've stopped at. Clean bathrooms & showers (although the stream from the shower did directly hit the shower curtain, got the floor of the drying room wet and there was only one hook in the drying area).

Almost all but a mile or two of today's drive was on I90. We started East to see the Dignity statue at the Chamberlain rest stop. A beautiful statue overlooking the Missouri River. I suspect that the colored glass inserts look interesting when the sun is in the right position. More photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

A bit shorter than normal drive today, one that we prefer to the 250 mile ones. We are in Wall, the home of the famous Wall Drugstore (I know my parents stopped here) that advertizes on hundreds of signs along I 90. I haven't actually been in the store in 60 years, although I have driven by a couple of times. We did stop at the Grasslands Headquarters for Anne could purchase a 1 year senior pass - she left her "forever" pass at home. At least she didn't have to pay the full $80.00 for a new pass - the year pass is only $20.00, and if you buy one every year for 4 years, turns into a forever pass.

We are in electric & water sites for 2 nights at $35.32 per night with a Good Sam discount. Clean bathrooms with shower stalls with doors, but the fine spray water saving showerhead. There is a pool, but it looks like a 1-2 stroke per lap length, so I probably won't go for a swim. There is a group of train tracks (shiny ones, which means they are active) right next to our site. Nothing has gone by so far except a small work train with a very quiet whistle. Since they look like they are there for the grain elevators, maybe there won't be much overnight traffic.

Just as we set up for dinner, a brief thunderstorm rolled through. Anne dragged me out of the trailer to get a photo of a rainbow. The grain elevators don't make the most picturesque background, but it was a double rainbow, something that I don't see too often.

Dinner was Bubba burgers & a spinach and mandarin orange salad.

Until Tomorrow.

Friday, August 24, 2018

Day 20, Friday, August 24, 2018 - Oasis Campground, Oacoma, SD

Site 26
Friday, August 24, 2018 - Oasis Campground, Oacoma, SD, 205.8 Miles, 2,355.5 Miles for the Trip

When I fired up my computer t 8:30 AM, I discovered a refund of the unused Wednesday campground fees from the South Dakota State Park system. So, while I still don't think much of their reservation system (or maybe the one staff member that did the first reservation) they did do right by us. I'll also say the campground itself was nice, as were the bathrooms & showers.

We drove secondary roads for the entire trip to Oacoma, SD, much on SD 14 & SD 50. We are in the Oasis Campground, a overnight stop on the edge of I 90. Not too much traffic noise, particularly since it is 91°F in the propane cover, and the AC is running. We are in sites 25 & 26, full hookup sites for $40.17 with a Good Sam discount. The sites are level gravel with a picnic table & fire ring. While there are a few small trees, not much shade.

While the plan was for Bubba burgers tonight, there Al's Oasis diner is just down the road, so that might be a replacement. Well, we went to the diner for dinner. I had the second worst chicken fried steak I've ever had (the worst was at the Two Sister's Cafe near Babb, MT), but Don & Anne's buffalo burgers were good.

Until Tomorrow.

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Day 19, Thursday, August 23, 2018 - Pelican Lake Recreation Area, Watertown, SD

It's A Decoy!
Thursday, August 23, 2018 - Pelican Lake Recreation Area, Watertown, SD, 254.6 Miles, 2,149.7 Miles for the Trip

I forgot to include the story of the "Swan" in last night's post, so here it is a day late. Anne (whose site is the furthest from the dock & bay) said "Look at the Swan!". We looked, and argued that it might be a goose, but in any case, I had to get a photo. I put on the 80 - 400 zoom lens and sneaked up on it for a photo. Discovered that it was neither; but a decoy. The pond scum on the bottom and chipped paint of the beak, as well as the neck joint kinda gave it away. You couldn't see any of that from the campsites, so I can't blame Anne for getting it wrong, but for both days we constantly said "Hey, the Swan is still there"!

Today's drive was a mix of secondary roads & interstate. We called yesterday afternoon to make reservations here at Pelican Lake, and started what was to become an interesting saga. First, the SD reservation website let me get 3/4 of the way through reservations for 2 sites, then froze. I gave up & called their 800 number and got a very busy & confused reservation specialist that proceeded to finish our booking, but did them for last night rather than tonight.

After we set up a group that had booked 8 sites for the weekend thought they had our sites in their booking. They were nice about it, but we called the reservation center to straighten it out, and it got even more interesting. They insisted that the person doing the booking told me 3 times the date the reservation was for (she didn't) and emailed me the confirmation (she didn't), and they insisted that I had to pay for last night's unused reservations, and had to make new ones for tonight. We did discover that even though the reservation was in my name & billed to my credit card, they emailed the reservation confirmation to Anne, who doesn't have data on her phone, so couldn't find it until we were set up & she was on my WiFi. I didn't want to make the folks that were staying for the weekend move their trailers tomorrow, so we took new sites two sites away, and was given the promise that Doris (the head of the reservation system) would call with a possible refund of our unused (and to my mind, un made) Wednesday reservations. My suggestion is that if you make reservations for a South Dakota state park, be very careful that you get what you expect!

In any case, we are now in sites 75 (Don & Anne) and 76 (me), an electric only site for $24.27 plus a $6.00 park entry fee. Clean bathrooms with showers a bit further away than they were from our previous sites 73 & 74.  Site photos are at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Dinner was a variety of sausage sandwiches & a fried yellow squash.

Until Tomorrow.

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Day 18, Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - Ruttger's Pine Mountain Camping Resort, Day 2, Backus, MN

Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - Ruttger's Pine Mountain Camping Resort, Day 2, Backus, MN, 0 Miles, 1,895.1 Miles for the Trip

A quiet night and relaxing morning. Don & Anne headed to Scamp at 10:00AM and dropped off the trailer for a new bathroom window. I started 2 loads of laundry. Only one washer & one dryer, and the dryer took 2 runs to dry the clothes, so it took time. Don & Anne did at least two loads as well, so we kept the machines busy.

I spent the time waiting for the clothes to dry reading, so I got a lot done. The trailer was ready mid afternoon, so it is back at the campground. A brand new Scamp pulled in during the day. A couple from Wisconsin that gave us a tour of the trailer (and took a tour of the Escape).

While I have made my usual complaints about "Resorts" with the utilities in the wrong place & higher than normal prices, if you are going to camp near Backus, it is a nice place. Good folks running the place, and they do put lots of TLC into the bathrooms, provide free coffee, and have a swimming pool large enough that I can do 6 stroke laps.

I had an interesting battle with my bluetooth speaker. I fired it up planning to pair it with my iPhone 10, but it was already paired with something. Classical music, but I shut off every device I had & it kept going. A weak signal that came & went, but there was no one within 100' of our trailers, so who knows what it was.

Dinner was the left over grilled chicken thighs, mashed potatoes, and steamed snap peas.

Until Tomorrow.

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Day 17, Tuesday, August 21, 2018 - Ruttger's Pine Mountain Camping Resort, Backus, MN

Don & Anne at Scamp
Tuesday, August 21, 2018 - Ruttger's Pine Mountain Camping Resort, Backus, MN, 159.3 Miles, 1,895.1 Miles for the Trip

I called a Walgreens that was on the way to Backus this morning, checking to see if they could fill my prescriptions that were previously filled at the Oswego Rite-Aid "Now a Walgreens". Their computers have not yet added the Rite-Aid databases, but they were able to call the Oswego pharmacy & get the refills transfered. Actually, it went smoother than most of my on-the-road fills.

After that it was on to Backus, MN, home of 250 people & the company that manufacturers Scamps. Don & Anne had a few things they wanted fixed on the trailer, and a couple of additions. Unfortunately, some of the changes were no longer available, but tomorrow they are going to get the leaking bathroom window replaced. We stopped by and made an appointment for 10:00 tomorrow.

We are in the Ruttger's Pine Mountain Camping Resort for 2 nights, and like all resorts, difficult sites. They are water & electric only sites on grass, and too short to back in, at least without the trailer tongue stuck in the road. It is a dead end with only one site past ours, so maybe we could have gotten away with it, but we decided to parallel park towards the back of the site. I may be encroaching a bit on site 5, but they are very wide, shallow sites, so I hope I'm OK. There isn't much maneuvering room to get the van & Scamp turned around & out of the park in the morning. Should be interesting!

The bathrooms are a mid length walk away, very nice, including plenty of hooks in a dial valve valve on a standard showerhead. No bench, but there is a stool in each drying area.  A few more Scamp photos & the site photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Dinner is grilled chicken thighs & 4-Amigos Tortilla Soup made as a side (less water).

Until Tomorrow -

Monday, August 20, 2018

Day 16, Monday, August 20, 2018 - Thief River Falls Campground, MN

The New Truck & Trailer Photo
Monday, August 20, 2018 - Thief River Falls Campground, MN, 164.2 Miles, 1,735.8 Miles for the Trip

I have to say Winnipeg might just have the most variable weather in the continent. One night is is in the high 70's, the next mid 50's. Days in the high 90's, the next in the low 70's. I do prefer sleeping with the temperatures in the 50's than the high 70's, so last night was OK. I did dig out my extra blanket around 5:00AM.

We took a long time saying goodbyes to the Escape crowd & Ian, the head of the team that put the Anniversary gathering together, then headed back to the US. I stopped on the way out of the park to take a new photo of the truck & trailer since the one I have on various forums shows the Tacoma, and the entryway to the grounds has an interesting gateway.

The easiest border crossing I've ever made. They asked if I enjoyed the Bolar 50th, then handed back my passport & waved me through. I guess my Bothwell cheese is safe; wasn't sure it was allowed across the border since the US & Canada are always fighting over dairy products.

We arrived at Thief River Falls around 2:00. Don't go looking for the falls; there isn't one. I suspected that since we drove over 160 miles and I don't think we gained or lost 10' of altitude!

We are in a city park with electric only for $20.00 per night. Pull throughs (sites 46 & 47) on grass. The cleanest bathrooms I've seen on the trip. I haven't given a shower report yet this trip ( I know, I'm slipping) but like the bathrooms, they are immaculate. Push buttons with standard showerheads that run for about 15 seconds, and only warm water, but warm enough. 2 shower curtains with a fold down bench in the drying area. Only one hook in the drying area, but many on the wall outside. Site photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Since I'm describing showers, I should mention the ones at the Boler 50th. They brought in 18 wheeler trucks, one for the women & one for the men. I'm not sure what the layout of the woman's shower was like, but the men's had small shower stalls running on both sides of a narrow center aisle. No dressing area, just the aisle. While a bit cramped, the water was hot & the showerhead provided plenty of water.

We spent much of the afternoon chatting with the host, although Don & Anne did most of it - I was in the trailer changing my avatars from the "I'm going to the 50th Boler Anniversary" image back to a photo.

Anne put together a tuna noodle casserole for dinner.

Until Tomorrow -

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Day 15, Sunday, August 19, 2018 - Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Day 5,

Sunday, August 19, 2018 - Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Day 5, 0 Miles, 1,571.6 Miles for the Trip

A warm night with a bit of rain, thunder & lightning, but it cleared up by the morning. Very windy - a peak of 30MPH lifted my mat off the ground & knocked over both tables & my Coleman Grill/Stove. No damage, but the wind was strong enough that sitting outside wasn't all that comfortable. I finally set my chair up in the wind shadow created by the trailer. Unfortunately, that was in the sun, which, when the clouds parted, was pretty hot.

Around noon we headed to the city to visit the Bothwell Cheese store. They suckered us in with a wine & cheese gathering the other day and $2.00 off tickets to the store. The smoked Gouda cheese samples were wonderful, and evidently others thought so as well; we bought the last two blocks left in the store. I also bought a small brick of Red Wine X Old Cheddar, and one of Monterey Jack cheese. I have no idea how good the cinnamon buns they had at the check out counter are, but I'll find out in the morning.

After that it was back to the trailer and more sitting around. I finished a Jeffery Deaver book, Speaking in Tongues, that I hadn't read before, and then cooked up some sausage Anne bought at the cheese store for dinner. We had that along with some sauerkraut & a Caesar salad.

After dinner I started putting some stuff away preparing for leaving tomorrow.

Until Tomorrow -

Saturday, August 18, 2018

Day 14, Saturday, August 18, 2018 - Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Day 4

A Truly Motorized Grill!
Saturday, August 18, 2018 - Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Day 4, 0 Miles, 1,571.6 Miles for the Trip

A nice quiet day at the fairgrounds. 10:00 - 3:00 was Trailer Open House for those willing to show off their trailers. Of course I did, and had many visitors checking out my Escape 21, as well as Anne & Guido's Scamp 16. I took a break from showing the trailer to make a round of some of the others, and around 3:00 went to the Solar workshop. A well put together presentation by Azimuth Solar Products, Inc. I had originally volunteered to do a solar workshop, but when the folks from Azimuth came along, Ian talked me into doing a photo workshop instead. Glad he did - I learned some interesting stuff from their workshop. A few more photos at today's LakeshoreImages page, or many more at the Saturday update for the Boler 50th Anniversary Rally.

I hope the shower trucks will be open tomorrow, otherwise it is heading into the Escape shower since I didn't get back from dinner in time for the 7:00PM closing. Ian said the space in the park is reserved until Tuesday morning, so we plan to leave either Monday or Tuesday, but the closing ceremony is tonight so who knows what will still be around tomorrow.

After that we sat around the trailer until dinner time. Too hot again to cook (92°F), at least when there are food trucks parked a short walk away. I had a chicken wrap & a hand squeezed lemonade.

Until Tomorrow -

Friday, August 17, 2018

Day 13, Friday, August 17, 2018 - Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Day 3

Calling the Troops to Dinner!
Friday, August 17, 2018 - Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Day 3, 0 Miles, 1,571.6 Miles for the Trip

Another day, another day talking with Verizon. At least this time it was actual talking with someone that wasn't reading answers from a script. I discovered that my "Beyond Unlimited" (how can you be beyond unlimited?) plan, that on paper offers the same coverage and data limits in Canada as it does in the US actually doesn't. Although two different help chat individuals told me to ignore the "You have used your .5GB of data, and if you want .5GB more, pay $5.00" message that arrived on my Jetpack. There really is a .5GB per day limit, even with the beyond plan for each device on the plan when in Canada or Mexico. The interesting thing about the pay more message is it tells you to say yes if you want to buy the additional data. The Jetpack has 3 buttons in the message window - "up" "down" and "delete", none of which seem to say yes...

Tony, the most knowledgeable Verizon help desk individual I talked with said this was the first time he had a Jetpack user ask how to buy more time & he tried a number of things, none of which worked. We found solutions for the iPad & iPhone, but not the Jetpack. So, I am now posting some of the pages with the iPhone, some with the Jetpack, and the rest with the iPad, using tethering on the phone & iPad. Each has a .5GB daily limit, so I can actually put the pages out, but it is a bit of a PIA.

Anyway, enough griping. It was a cool night, getting down to 50°F, but after throwing on a blanket at 4:00AM, I was comfortable. The cold morning was great since I planned to bake a blueberry pie & the oven heats up the trailer. Finished the pie around 10:00, then wandered around taking more photos. After that it was back to the trailer to relax, and wait for the Beef on a Bun dinner. Of course I took photos of that as well. Both groups are added to the Boler 50th Anniversary page. Scroll down to Friday for a link to scrollable photos.

Dinner was the Beef on a Bun with blueberry pie for dessert.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 12, Thursday, August 16, 2018 - Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Day 2

Thursday, August 16, 2018 - Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Day 2, 0 Miles, 1,571.6 Miles for the Trip

Well, I thought Verizon solved my speed problem, but it only stayed fixed for a couple of hours. Last night the connection slowed down to the point where I couldn't even load this page. Even worse, I attempted to load a group of photos of the Boler 50th using Lightroom's web page generator. Nice in that you can scroll from large image to large image without going back to he thumbnails, but very bloated cascading style sheet format. That completely froze up the works for the night.

I am posting this Friday morning, and hoping to get back on the phone with Verizon.

I did my photo presentation at 2:00, and I guess it went OK. They provided a digital projector, and the images were barely usable due to the amount of light in the corner of the tent I was in, but I hope I got across the idea of taking your camera out of the program mode for more creative images.

We had a nice wine & cheese gathering during the afternoon. An excellent smoked Gouda cheese was among the many samples provided by Bothwell Cheese.

Diner was Bubba Burgers and mixed vegetables.

Until Tomorrow -

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Day 11, Wednesday, August 15, 2018 - Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba

The Most Unusual Boler So Far
Wednesday, August 15, 2018 - Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 31.2 Miles, 1,571.6 Miles for the Trip

We had a pleasent, but bumpy trip to the Red River Exhibition Park & The Boler 50th Rally. The loop road around Winnipeg was especially lumpy, but we are here with everything intact. We checked in without problems, and are in our sites, parked with the doors facing each other. Dry camping, and it is hot. The fan is running full speed, keeping the trailer liveable, but it is better sitting outside in the breeze, which is strong enough to make my awning automatically retreat. At least I now know that the auto feature is working!

After setting up we headed for the local Walmart to pick up a few supplies. Blueberries were on sale, so I bought enough to make a pie that we will share with some of the other trailers next door. The top cover of the blueberry containers doesn't fit all that well. Have you ever seen an entire pint of blueberries spill through the bottom of the shopping cart, onto the floor, and under the feet of a couple of shoppers? I have...

I made an early round of some of the trailers. There are enough that it will be impossible to get photos of everyone, so I'll just catch what I can. I did have to take a photo of a beautifully restored 1969 Camero convertible, since I had one when I finished up my tour in Tacoma after Viet Nam.

I don't know how well I'm going to be able to post photos and web pages. While the tower is about 50' from my trailer, I have 4 bars & -86dBm on the Bell network, the data rate is too slow to use a speed test, and it took over 1/2 an hour to load 26 photos, including one that I had to reload after we got back from shopping that took 4 tries. I tried connecting to Verizon to see why I am getting an ad to buy .5GB slices of high speed data when they both told me & texted me that my US limits applied to use here in Canada. I even chatted with a Verizon rep at 6:00AM this morning (about the only time the internet was moving at all) and he confirmed that I had full coverage. Right now I have been watching the Verizon home page trying to load for the last 15 minutes.

I finally contacted Verizon chat using my iPhone, and after 2 hours "chatting" with Miguel for 2 hours, got switched to the secont tier help. Not sure what they did, but I now have usable service.

We went to the opening ceremonies, and wandered around looking at more trailers during the early evening. More photos will eventually appear on a page dedicated to the Boler Rally, but not until I have time to put it together. I hope to get one together later tonight.

Dinner was a wrap at a food truck. Too hot to cook, at least that ws our excuse.

Until Tomorrow -

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Day 10, Tuesday, August 14, 2018 - The Arrowhead RV Park, Ile Des Chenemb, Manitoba

Site 19
Tuesday, August 14, 2018 - The Arrowhead RV Park, Ile Des Chenemb, Manitoba, 141.2 Miles, 1,540.4 Miles for the Trip

We took our time getting out of the campground since we only had around 150 miles to our next stop. All of the drive was on secondary roads in both the US & Canada. We stopped to top off the gas tanks in Warroad, and crossed the border at the Sprague crossing on MN 133. No problems with the crossing and no wait.

We are in sites 18 & 19, pulled in in the opposite directions so we face each other. The doors don't line up since they are fairly short pull through sites and we didn't unhook. Fairly level - I only needed an Anderson under one wheel for about a 1/2" gain on one side. I needed a long hose to reach the water, but my regular power cord just made it to the pedestal. The sites are full hookups on gravel for $38.12 Canadian ($29.02 US), including $3.00 for fairly slow WiFi.

Speaking of communication, my Verizon Jetpack & phone are working fine, but no connection on my AT&T phone even though Anne's AT&T iPhone is connecting fine. Her plan is charging $.35 per minute, while mine is suppose to be free. I guess free only works on paper, not in real life. I did try restarting the phone, turning on international roaming, etc, but it is dead.

I finally got annoyed enough to call AT&T technical support.  The automated system told me I had a minute wait, so 11 minutes later I ended up on the phone with John. Between the two of us, we determined that my SIM card in the iPhone 10, which was switched form my previous iPhone 5 was defective and had to be replaced to work in Canada.  Unfortunately, the nearest AT&T store in Canada is in Toronto.  While I could make a run back to the US, I will just have to rely on my Verizon devices, which are functioning fine.  He was willing to FedEx a new SIM, but I won't really have an address when at the rally.  So, a stop at a AT&T store will be in the future, unfortunately, after we leave Canada.

Anne was not able to connect to my Verizon Jetpack because of the distance, so I fired up my WiFi repeating system that I usually use for distant WiFi stations, connected it to my Verizon Jetpack 12" away, and provided a stronger signal for Anne. A bit silly since the repeater (a Ubiquiti-Nanostation) will reach out & connect with another WiFi system a mile away, but it works.

Dinner was a pasta & chicken dish Anne created, along with applesauce.

Until Tomorrow -

Monday, August 13, 2018

Day 9, Monday, August 13, 2018 - Lake of the Woods Campground, Baudette MN, Day 2

The Clementson Rapids
Monday, August 13, 2018 - Lake of the Woods Campground, Baudette MN, Day 2, 0 Miles, 1,399.2 Miles for the Trip

A warm night, and too much light from a nearby streetlight to see any of the meteor shower. We hung around for much of the morning doing nothing, then headed to Clementson, MN about 6 miles east of Baudette to see the Clementson Rapids, a feature in a pamphlet Anne found, that was noted as being very "photographic". Well, maybe when there is a bit more water in the creek, but not too exciting today. Still, I took a couple of photos with the iPhone 10, the rest at today's LakeshoreImages page.

On the way back we stopped at Baudette for the last of our US shopping for a week.

Back at the campground we sat out and read, slapping biting flies. Eventually, both Don & I got out our Harbor Freight electric fly zappers and had a blast zapping them. We must have killed hundreds, but they kept coming. The even got even during dinner, biting us on the legs under the picnic table where it was impossible to swat or zap them.

Dinner was baby back ribs, some corn on the cob dropped off by a local gardener (along with a couple of very nice tomatoes and a pepper), a salad, and pirogies.

Until Tomorrow -

Sunday, August 12, 2018

Day 8, Sunday, August 12, 2018 - Lake of the Woods Campground, Baudette MN

Willie Walleye
Sunday, August 12, 2018 - Lake of the Woods Campground, Baudette MN, 105.6 Miles, 1,399.2 Miles for the Trip

We stopped at the Kabetogama visitor center for the Voyageurs National Park to check out the center, and for me to buy the first "T" shirt of the trip. Since all the campsites (and most of the park) are water access only, we couldn't stay for the night, but we can say we stopped at the park. I took a couple of photos, mostly of the parking lot & docks.

After that it was a nice drive along MN 11 / MN 71 along the Rainy River. We stopped in Baudette for gas, some groceries, a photo of a big fish, and the True Value hardware store so I could buy a replacement inspection mirror. I use one to check to see if the indicator on the propane regulator has switched tanks. The plastic cover prevents one from seeing the indicator. I vaguely remember lending my previous mirror to someone, and evidently I didn't get it back; at least it isn't in its usual storage place. Mileage for the day was 13.9 MPG. More photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

After that it was a short drive to the Lake of the Woods Campground. We are here for two nights, after which we will cross into Canada for one more night before the rally. Lake of the Woods looks like an old KOA, at least the main building has that "A" Frame middle. We are on grass in water & electric sites, (Don & Anne in #3, and me in #4) that let us pull in in opposite directions so our doors face each other. A very large space between sites. Not sure of the price since we pay when leaving.

After setting up we made some shade and ducked the sun. Very warm. The thermometer in the propane cover was reading 94°F, although the actual temperature in the shade was a bit less. There was a nice breeze that made it comfortable to sit out, at least in the shade.

Dinner was chicken sausages with sauerkraut, a salad, and a peach.

Until Tomorrow -

Saturday, August 11, 2018

Day 7, Saturday, August 11, 2018 - The Pines at Kabetogama, Kabetogama, MN

Our Sites
Saturday, August 11, 2018 - The Pines at Kabetogama, Kabetogama, MN, 93.8 Miles, 1,293.6 Miles for the Trip

A week on the road, and we are averaging 200 miles per day, including one 2 day stop. A bit more than I'm used to, but we are on schedule for the rally. We have one more 2 day stop planned starting tomorrow.

We had a 5th wheel towed by a diesel pull into the site next to me at 3:30AM. They were nice & shut the engine off as soon as they were parked. Actually, they were very quiet setting up, but it took a bit to get back to sleep. Don & Anne had a trailer with a pile of kids & tents pull in next to him at 10:00, and they were quite a bit noisier.

Other than that, it was a great campground for an overnight. Clean bathrooms & shower not too far from the site, and the owner stopped by a couple of times to check that everything was OK.

We stopped at a Walmart in Virginia for food & stuff on the way up US 53, a mixed 2/4 lane with a 60MPH limit. Average MPG was 13.4MPG.

The Pines at Kabetogama lists itself as a "Resort", and while the utilities are in the right place (unusual for my experiences with resorts), it sure doesn't seem to be worth 4 times last night's stop ($84.00 with Good Sam discount). Full hookups, the showers & bathrooms are in a building somewhere here on the hill. The back in site required lots of weaving around trees & potholes to reach the utilities, and is on dirt. Close to level; only needed the Anderson Leveler under one wheel to get close enough. No usable WiFi according to the office staff, but there is both Verizon & AT&T LTE service, AT&T @ -109dBm & Verizon @ -103dBm. Neither all that fast, but usable.

It would be a great site for watching the Perseid meteor shower, but there is a smoky haze that will probably prevent any sighting. It is hot, 92°F under the propane tank cover, my outside thermometer remote location - we are sitting at the table here in the Escape running the AC and eating cheese & crackers at 78°F. It looks like there will be the same weather conditions for the rally, and we will be dry camping. I think we are going to miss the AC!

Dinner was spaghetti with meatballs & sausage, breadstcks & applesauce.

Until Tomorrow -

Friday, August 10, 2018

Day 6, Friday, August 10, 2018 - , West Forty RV Park, Gilbert, MN

Don & Anne's Site
Friday, August 10, 2018 - West Forty RV Park, Gilbert, MN, 204 Miles, 1,199.8 Miles for the Trip

We stopped at Duluth on the way to Gilbert for an oil change on Don's van. I stayed in a Menard's parking lot to wait. We had a gyro for lunch at an outdoor stand in the parking lot, then headed into the store to shop. We each bought a small mat for the outside of the trailer door, and I bought an 8' piece of 6' wide indoor/outdoor carpeting which I plan to use in the bed of the truck. I also checked for an extension for the trailer hitch so I can open the tailgate while connected to the trailer. The tailgate hits the head of the electric tongue jack by less than 1/2", so a short extension is probably the least expensive solution to the problem.

We are in the West Forty RV Park, a full hook up site for $26.84. Sure beats the price & utilities at the Michigan State Parks! A bit of a slant requiring the full lifting capability of the Anderson levelers (one under each downside wheel) and quite a bit of lifting using the tongue jack, but I didn't have to unhook. Mileage for the drive was 13.4 MPG for the day.

By the way, if you use the coordinates provided by AllStays Camp & RV, it takes you to Leo, the owner's house. He is a really nice guy, and met us at the campground, guiding us to our sites. For those heading this way, I think the campground coordinates are N 47.47412, W 092.48333, at least that is what is on my GPS display when parked at the site. It is directly off MN 37 about 1 mile west of the coordinates provided by AllStays. The photo of Don & Anne's site above shows a smoky sun, at least that is what I think is causing the haze. My site photo is at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Dinner was the remaining Chili Cheese Brats, some overgrown squash that was barely edible, and applesauce washed down with a Rose Pinot Noir wine that Anne liked, but I didn't.

Until Tomorrow -

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Day 5, Thursday, August 9, 2018 - Lake Gogebic State Park, Marenisco, MI, Day 2

Thursday, August 9, 2018 - Lake Gogebic State Park, Marenisco, MI, Day 2, 0 Miles, 995.8 Miles for the Trip

We all got to sleep in this morning since it was the first 2 day stop. We spent most of the day trying to find campgrounds for the next 4 days. An August weekend is not the best time to be looking for campgrounds, particularly when you want two sites together. Lots of full campgrounds near Duluth where the Bay front Blues Festival seems to be happening. We finally found something for tomorrow, although it will make a change in our planned route to Winnipeg. Not a bad one since we will see part of Minnesota that we haven't seen before.

Anne also found sites for us right up until the Boler 50th starts, so we are good for over a week. Other than that we just sat around & read. The park is surprisingly dry with the downpour overnight. I felt sorry for the tenters, but everything has dried out be the mid afternoon.

Dinner was Anne's Chicken & Artichoke with pasta. I guess it will be my turn tomorrow!

Until Tomorrow -

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Day 4,Wednesday, August 8, 2018 - Lake Gogebic State Park, Marenisco, MI

Last Night's Sunset
Wednesday, August 8, 2018 - Lake Gogebic State Park, Marenisco, MI, 219.7 Miles, 995.8 Miles for the Trip

Another non interstate drive, mostly on US 2 and MI 69. For some reason, although we were only going a few miles an hour faster than yesterday, my mileage dropped quite a bit to 12.4 MPG. Overall for the trip is 13 MPG, so I can't complain. We hit Central Time, and pulled into Lake Gogebic State Park around 3:30. The time zone change goes through the middle of the lake, so I'm not sure what time it is right now.

No reservations, but they found us two next door sites for 2 nights - Sites 81 & 83. I'm in 83, a fairly level side to side that could have been a pull through since no one was in the site behind it, but I backed in, getting some practice for this trip. The site isn't level enough to leave the trailer hooked up, but that gives us an excise to go somewhere tomorrow.

There was an OK sunset over the lake last night, so I included a start & finish image. Other than that, all I have are the site photos. More photos and today's site pictures at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Dinner was Cheese Brats & Bush Bourbon & Brown Sugar beans.

Until Tomorrow -

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Day 3, Tuesday, August 7, 2018 - Indian Lake State Park, Manistique, MI

Don & Anne at the Escape 21
Tuesday, August 7, 2018 - Indian Lake State Park, Manistique, MI, 254.8 Miles, 776.1 Miles for the Trip

A relaxing drive on US 23 along the shore of Lake Huron to the Mackinaw Bridge (which was an uneventful crossing - sometimes the wind can be exciting) to US 2 on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The average speed was a bit lower than on the interstates, but my gas mileage wasn't all that much better. 13.2 by the truck computer. I didn't buy the truck for better gas mileage, but for more payload & less engine time at 4000 RPM. I got all three, so I can't complain. While I still have a soft spot for the Tacoma, I am adjusting to the F 150.

We pulled into Indian Lake State Park around 4:00. Less expensive than Tawas Point State Park at $29.00, but wait - there is the $8.00 reservation fee bringing it to $37.00, but wait again, the $9.00 entry fee, for a total of $46.00. Still less than last night at $52.00. I can see why the two sites (90 & 91) were still available when the rest of the lakeside sites were booked. They are in a low spot, and while mostly dry, there is obvious sings that when it rains, the sites flood. Let's hope it doesn't rain. I'm in site 90, Don & Anne in site 91.  More photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

I met our neighbors traveling in a 13' Trillium. They are also heading to the Boler 50th rally so we will probably run into them again, either along the way or there.

Dinner was Bubba Burgers, and corn on the cob. Dessert was a hike back to the entrance station for ice cream. We are early enough that we were tempted to stay one more night, but our sites are already booked, and what is left are either unlevel or no where near each other. So, we will head into Wisconsin...

Until Tomorrow -

Monday, August 6, 2018

Day 2, Monday, August 6, 2018 - Tawas Point State park, Tawas, MI

The Tawas Point Lighthouse

Monday, August 6, 2018 - Tawas Point State park, Tawas, MI, 269.2 Miles, 521.3 Miles for the Trip

Almost all of today's drive was on interstates or inter provinces. We had an easy crossing back in to the US at Port Huron. One minor problem - Don & Anne went through the checkpoint first, and sent me a radio message while I was doing my interview with the customs guy so I missed it. They stopped at the bathrooms and I drove by. I never found them so I headed for the nearest US gas station & filled up the truck - $78.00. Eventually we contacted each other over the cell phones & reunited a few miles up I 69. Other than that a uneventful drive to the Tawas Point State park. I'm in site 149 & Don & Anne are across the street in 147. Both electric only sites, with electrical "hubs", each covering 4 sites. That makes it necessary for most to use at least one extension cord to reach the pedestal from their site. I was able to get close enough to mine so that I only needed the standard power cord. The sites were $43.00 for one night plus a $9.00 park entry fee.

It was dinner time by the time we were set up. It cooled off enough that eating outside was pleasant, although I did need to run out the awning to keep a very light rain off the picnic table. Anne made shrimp Alfredo which went well with a bottle of Thousand Islands Wellesley Island white wine.

After dinner we walked to the Tawas Point Lighthouse for a few photos. Unfortunately, I was not able to add the first "T" shirt of the trip to my collection - the gift shop was closed. More lighthouse photos, a neat looking lake, and today's site photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 1, Sunday, August 5, 2018 - The Golden Pond RV Resort, Mossley, Ontario, Canada

My Site (Don & Anne Behind Me)

Sunday, August 5, 2018 - The Golden Pond RV Resort, Mossley, Ontario, Canada, 252.1 Miles, 252.1 Miles for the Trip

We were off at the crack of 10:00AM. All secondary roads until we hit a short section of I 90 going into Niagara Falls, then all interstate (well, inter province) roads to the Golden Pond RV Resort.

The truck towed the 21 with no problems. I started towing in the Tow/Haul mode, but discovered that I did better going back to the standard mode. While it isn't a long test, it did 12.1MPG, mostly in 7th gear at 60MPG in Tow/Haul, and 12.8 MPG in the standard mode, mostly in 8th & 9th gear towing closer to 63 MPH. All on fairly flat roads. I expect the Tow/Haul will be more useful once we hit some hills.

The campground is interesting. Seems we hit a holiday weekend here in Canada, and everything is full. After no luck at the first couple of places, the Golden Pond RV Resort in Mossely, ON said they could find a place for us. The first attempt didn't work. It wasn't an actual campsite, but on grass next to the movie screen. The problem was no electricity. With it being 92°F, we wanted to be able to run the ACs. They found a space near the end of the campground that had one 50 amp receptacle & one water faucet. Now, we are paying $68.93 Canadian for each site, so we really wanted electricity for both of us. First attempt was to plug Don & Anne's Scamp into my outside receptacle, and connect my trailer to the 50 amp receptacle with a 50 to 30 amp adapter. While it worked, I was drawing 24 amps on my 30 amp main breaker, and was concerned that if the compressor on both trailers started at the same time, it wouldn't be good. The guy who guided us to our sites found a 20 amp receptacle on the permanent trailer next to my trailer, so we ran 60' of #10 trailer cord & Don's 25' #10 extension cord to reach his trailer. He is getting 112 volts at the trailer with the AC running, so it looks like it will work.

Evidently, resorts in Canada are no better than resorts in the US. Still, it is better than spending the night at Walmart (although a lot more expensive!) By the way, the showers are a long way away, and require a Loonie (old style, not new style) for 7 minutes. Probably not high on my list of favorite campgrounds.

Saturday, August 4, 2018

Almost Gone!

Almost Packed & Ready to Go

Saturday, August 4, 2018 - Oswego, NY, 0 Miles, 0 Miles for the Trip

We are finally ready to go. Don & Anne are here, both trailers are parked in the driveway, and everything except what we will need in the morning is packed.

By the way, dinner was at Rudy's; the last time I'll be able to eat there until next year. A couple more photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

I have to get over being lazy and shooting photos with my phone. While the camera in each is pretty good (better in the 10 than the 7+) they don't compare to the Nikons. Under ideal conditions they are acceptable, but I wasn't able to recover the highlights and fill in the shadows to anywhere near the extent possible with the 14 bit images produced by a real camera.

It is still pretty hot, particularly for Oswego. By this time of day (6:30) it has usually cooled to the middle to low 60's. Right now it is still 82°F outside. Don & Anne may skip the spare bedroom & spend the night in the trailer where they have air conditioning. I'll stick it out under the ceiling fan in the bedroom!

Until Tomorrow -

Friday, August 3, 2018

Still Waiting

Friday, August 3, 2018 - Oswego, NY, 0 Miles, 0 Miles for the Trip

I just filled up the truck - 30 gallons @ $2.99 or $90.00. Having a 36 gallon tank is nice when on the road, but a fill up can sure shock the wallet! I also checked my spreadsheet for last year's trip. Filled up at the same station (with a much smaller tank in the Tacoma) and the price of gas was $1.90 on the same day last year. The truck is starting out with 1184 miles on the clock. As long as I'm talking numbers, as of today the trailer has been towed 8,770.2 miles (not counting a couple of 3 mile trips to the local scales), and I've slept in it 264 nights.

I did my final 2 mile jog this morning - although I rarely jog while on the road since showering isn't an easy option, I do my best to walk 2 miles per day.

Well, I'm sure that eventually we will hit the road, but it won't be tomorrow morning. CVS messed up one of Anne's prescriptions, and it won't be ready until tomorrow. So, they have to hang out in Binghamton until then.

Until Tomorrow -

Thursday, August 2, 2018

I'm Back & Packing!

Thursday, August 2, 2018 - Oswego, NY 0 Miles, 0 Miles for the Trip

It is time to start packing for my next long trip. Actually, I started a couple of days ago and am already close to 95% done. I took the truck & trailer to the Oswego Transfer Station to weigh both. The truck is well under it's ratings, although at 4800 pounds and 480 pounds of tongue weight, the trailer is just under its GVWR. I probably have too much stuff! Maybe I don't really need the 3" vice? Maybe I need to do some redistribution between the trailer & truck... Well, I did move stuff around, moving 150 pounds or so from the trailer to the truck. That is about as far as I'm going to go, but I still have 750 pounds capacity left on the truck.

Like last year, I'm leaving quite a bit earlier than my usual October, this time to attend the Boler 50th Anniversary Event in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Described as the largest gathering of fiberglass trailers with over 500 registered trailers as of today, it should be interesting. The Boler was the first production fiberglass trailer. The story is that someone pointed out to the manufacturer of fiberglass septic tanks that if you put wheels on one, it would make a nice, small camping trailer. The manufacturer made some new molds, and the Boler Trailer was born. While no longer manufactured, there are many of them still being used & loved by enthusiasts.

Along with the usual trailer rally events, I will be running a photography workshop aimed at getting users to use some of the non automatic functions of their cameras.

Don & Anne, friends that went to Alaska with me in 2015 will be traveling along on the first couple of months of the trip. They plan to head back to Binghamton, NY after the Albuquerque Balloon Festival in early October. Until then, we will hang out in the higher altitudes of the north & south west trying to avoid the smoke from the many wildfires. I plan to visit Big Bend, then head to Matagorda in late November for this year's Matagorda Madness rally. After that it is off to Quartzsite for the winter.

I was concerned that I would not be able to put 1000 miles on the new truck before towing, as the manual suggests. No problem, it already has over 1000, although I did make lots of individual trips to Syracuse that could have been covered in one. The new truck is a Ford F 150 SuperCab 4X4 with the 3.5 EcoBoost engine. In some ways, a step down from the Tacoma (I'm back to a key rather than push button start) but over 700 pounds more payload. Built in brake controller, and a fancy trailer backing package that I won't be able to program until I build something to hold the checkerboard pattern necessary for it to work. The yoke on the Escape 21 is too short for the normal placement. The trailer tows well; the truck working far less hard than the Tacoma. Still, I did love the Tacoma. The F 150 is big! I ordered it with towing mirrors, and I have to say they are a big improvement over the add on mirrors I had on the Tacoma. They were Grand Aero mirrors, the best I've found, but these are larger & the bottom is a convex section that gives a wide angle view. Absolutely no vibration!

Don and Anne are planning to arrive in Oswego tomorrow & we will start on the trip to Winnipeg on Saturday. Anne is suffering from bronchitis, not much fun, but better than the original diagnosis of pneumonia. I'll update this page after they get here.

Until Tomorrow -