2024 September, October Northwest US and to Winkler, MB

 After a long summer in Canada and Alaska, I return to the US and spend time with family in Oregon. 2 weeks of maintenance on the RV at my brothers was necessary following many dirt roads this summer. The ice fields and glaciers are famous for grinding boulders into dust and then it is just everywhere. This creates a cake of mud especially on the underside of the RV. Strong water and some elbow grease is the only cure. 

We also developed a angle plate to mount in the battery compartment with a transformer for the Starlink, USB outlets, 12v cigarette lighter. This allows multiple options such as - power for using a 12v pump to inflate the SUP, phone charging while sitting outside, 2 options for Starlink power, using the dish outside or another cable running inside to use dish in the skylight.

I tested the Starlink using this power source while driving down the road. I installed a remote power switch so as I am driving, I can power up the Starlink and within 10 minutes I am online. This is useful for when Tanya gets off work and I am in a no cell phone area we can chat as she drives home! I love it!

I also had the opportunity to go to the Oregon State Fair with my mother. Bob and his family came along and it was a good day to stroll around. Highlights is the horse venue where riders carrying flags of US, military services perform intricate maneuvers. Also present were wagons also doing maneuvers. Cool.

A quick trip to MD to see Tanya for 2 weeks then returning to Orgon before starting south for the winter.

A weekend camping on the coast with sister Mary in my RV, Bob and his ladies in his RV, we toured several of the Lewis and Clark Expedition locations. This is the end of the route for the Lewis and Clark Expedition at 18 months.

Sister Mary's new boyfriend :)

This piano also has multiple instruments, Flute, violin, pipes, bass and snare drums, castanets, triangle cymbals, mandolin, xylophone and piano. There are 10 different tunes!

Sister Mary

Map of the Lewis and Clark Trail

There was a recall on the RV and it was decided that it would be easier if I could go to the factory in Winkler, Manitoba to get it done. Having plenty of time to get there, I stopped by the Deschutes river and caught a few fish. Hmmm this is the life!

Another stop along the way at Owyhee river in far eastern Oregon I discovered a tailrace holding trout!

Another stop along the way and a long-awaited bucket list item is Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota! I somehow was remembering incorrectly that the North Unit was more popular than the South Unit which is right along Interstate 94. I saw more geological sights and wildlife in the South Unit than the North Unit. Although it was late in the year (mid October) the South Unit had allot more people in the campground than in the North Unit. 

The geology of this park is similar to the South Dakota Badlands, erosion has created colorful hills and valleys in an otherwise flat landscape. While wildlife is more abundant here than in South Dakota - horses, buffalo, elk, prairie dogs and also turkeys!

Another thing impressive on this drive along the northern part of the US and in the fall is the foliage colors primarily from Cottonwood trees. Bright yellow leaves following trees along streams. Not all over just along waterway's. Colorful against the brown hills. Really nice!

This is a picture of the foliage and friend John from the WIN's. I caught up with him on his last day of work at Yellowstone National Park as I passed through.

I am pleasantly surprised to actively see the oil drilling operations in North Dakota. I have read about it and now seeing so many pumping stations everywhere! very few drilling operations but substantial pumping operations. This is unlike what I saw this last spring in west Texas and New Mexico, there it was primarily drilling operations outnumbered the pumping operation. Wow, what a lot of energy in this work going on!

I am traveling 2 lane roads across North Dakota seeing small towns. There have been 2 museums I had attempted to see to discover they are only open on weekends. Hmmm, small town museums, I suppose this is probably normal.

Petrified tree aligned with a flagpole behind with an eagle on top.

Wildlife in Theodore Roosevelt Nation Park

A visitor to my campsite, this little fellow was not afraid of me, I had to stop my feet to chase him away. He returned 2 more times!

In North Dakota I also discovered rich oil fields 

Geographic Center of NORTH AMERICA!

Geographic Center of NORTH AMERICA!

Cruising through the breadbasket of America I have a deep appreciation of these stalwart peoples who live in such remote areas with looong winters and love their family life! Miles and miles of vast acreage filled with wheat, corn, soybeans, and other crops that make this the breadbasket of the world!

Pulloffs in Montana had some informative signposts.

Touring Cedar Breaks National Monument in Utah. Snow in October!

Made it in time for my dentist appointment in Las Vegas. Whew, don't like this hard pushing driving. Obviously I can do it, just do not care for it. High winds most of the way, cold temperatures chasing me all the way down south!

Here is a picture of my trip map so far this year! Whew - allot of miles!