|
The Great Plains
(Day 714 TN) 51°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day One
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake to an amazingly warm morning with clear blue skies. I take down my window shades, climb into the drivers seat and start the jammer. I then exit the parking lot, turn left and drive north on SH Loop 335. When I arrive at US 87, I turn left again and continue north to Dumas, Texas where I stop at a ff-mart for coffee, com and computer.
I continue here until about eleven when I leave the cafe and drive north through town to 1st Street, which is also US 87 and drive the few blocks to the Texoma RV park and stop for the day. I get out my electrical cord and plug in. Then, I climb into the jammer and I create a new campground page for
Texhoma Park.
After working on the page, I connect to the internet and upload the files to my website. After finishing that, I then get into the horizontal and end up going to sleep early.
(Day 715 TN) 49°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day Two
Texhoma Park CG, Dumas, Texas
Coordinates: 35.8669886, -101.9793401
Elevation: 3667 feet
Awake, rise and dress in my fall blues, step outside and begin to pack out. Once all my gear is stowed away, I start the jammer engine, drive forward twenty feet and then put the transmission in park, step outside and police the campsite. Then, when the area is to my liking, I get back into the jammer and drive into town and stop first at the d-mart for more spring water, then to a ff-mart for coffee, egg biscuits, and then com and computer. I get caught up on my journal writing but when I try to upload my work, the WiFi here at the ff-mart does not allow me to this. So, I pack out and leave this north Texas desert town.
From Dumas, Texas, I drive north on US 287 and then into Oklahoma to Boise City, drive through this town and out the west side on SH 325. Then, this highway turns north, arrives at an historical marker indicating that this is where the Cimarron Trail, which was the southern route of the
Santa Fe Trail crossed Oklahoma on its way to Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Then, I drive a short ways further on SH 325, then left at the state park sign and follow the signs into the state park for some hot water. I met a camper named Chris and we talk for a time but then, I drive back out of the park, back to Boise City and from there, I begin following the Santa Fe Trail on US 56, back up towards its start at Independence, Missouri.
After driving for less than an hour, I come upon the Kansas state line. I continue on US 56 through Kansas and notice that this highway continues to follow the old Cimarron trail toward Dodge City. When I stop for fuel, I also goggle the Santa Fe trail for a map and find out the there is a major crossover from Garden City on the Santa Fe Trail to the Cimarron Trail coming south out of Dodge City. So, when I get to Sublet, Kansas, I drive north to Garden City so that I can try to connect with an old friend of mine named Craig. After trying, I do not have any success in my effort to contact him, so instead, I search for a w-mart nearby.
However, what I find is that the closest one is in Dodge City, Kansas. Since it is already late in this day, I instead locate a d-mart, drive there and find a good location to park for the night.
(Day 716 TN) 50°F. 7:00 am, overcast
Journey On, Day Three
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 37.9860927, -100.8345189
Elevation: 2831 feet
Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer and drive to a ff-mart for a senior coffee. Then, with coffee in hand, I leave the d-mart, drive to US 83 and turn south and drive about one and a half miles where I take US 50 east. I then drive out of Garden City on US 50 which follows the old Santa Fe trail on the north side of the Arkansas river, however, all that I can see of the river is a dry river bed. I continue east on US 50 for about one hour, after which I arrive at the w-mart in Dodge City, Kansas where I pull in, park, grab my bag and go inside for coffee, com and computer.
Then, at about seven, I stop working, pack out and drive to a Mexican restaurant with a familiar name Maricos Nayarit for my evening meal, however, the there is nothing special about this place but instead is just plain Mexican food. Then, I drive to the d-mart, park, climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal.
(Day 717 TN) 56°F. 7:00 am, overcast
Journey On, Day Four
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 37.7692441, -100.0343143
Elevation: 2600 feet
Awake, dress in fall blues, start the jammer and drive to the w-mart where I park, grab my bag and go inside for coffee, com and computer. I spend the morning working on writing journal entries and other page updates.
At six, I prepare for the meeting tonight and soon after, I connect to the Bay Area Congregation for the mid week meeting. The cafe closes just before the meeting ends, so keeping my headset plugged in, I pack out, drive to the d-mart and park for the night. After the meeting, I climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal.
(Day 718 TN) 53°F. 6:30 am, overcast
Journey On, Day Five
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, take my bag inside and set up for another day of work on my computer. However, I pack out a little early today, so that I can explore the downtown area of
Dodge City. I notice first that all of the older areas of downtown have streets paved with red brick and I find several murals depicting the history of Dodge city painted on the walls of buildings. I also drive to the railroad to see a couple of train cars on display there.
(Day 719 TN) 56°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day Six
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake to a mildly warm morning, rise, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, walk inside and begin my day. I continue my work on my website, stopping at times to eat and or play solitaire, like any other day in the life. However, from what I am seeing on the weather forecast, I will be needing to move north very soon. Most likely, I will only move further north in Kansas, but not any further east.
I continue here until the day begins to become dark in the sky above me before I pack out and drive to the d-mart for my evenings rest.
(Day 720 TN) 59°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day Seven
Another warm morning to awake to and then rise, dress in my fall blues before I drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. A little after two this afternoon, my alarm goes off to remind me to begin my study for the meeting later today. Then, just before three this afternoon, I connect to the Bay Area Congregation in south Texas and continue with them until after the last prayer.
At about five this afternoon, I return to working on my web pages and continue doing so until the day once again begins to give way to the darkness of night. I then drive to the d-mart, climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal.
(Day 721 TN) 58°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day Eight
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer and then drive north on 14th street to US 50 where I turn right and begin driving east, first out of Dodge City, then further east along the Santa Fe Trail, but to continue along the SFT, I need to take the exit for US 56 and 183 to go in a northeast direction because US 50 continues due east to Hutchinson, Kansas.
A short ways along US 56, I come to where US 183 forks to the north and so that I can drive to Fort Larned, I take the US 183 fork. Upon arriving at SH 156, I turn right and drive east almost five and a quarter miles, turn right into the
Fort Larned NHS. I park in the parking lot and when one of the rangers arrive, I ask if they have a cart shuttle to the visitors center. He says, Yes we do, I will be right back with the cart.
When he returns, I climb in and then he drives me the quarter mile to the visitors center, where I stay and examine the displays. I do not visit any of the other buildings and when I am finished viewing all the displays in the visitor center, I ask the ranger for a ride back to my van. We talk on the ride there as well as for several minutes at my vehicle and I tell him that I really enjoyed some of the newer displays, especially the one that is a video monitor in a window with a movie of soldiers marching in the field and other soldiers and civilians walking about on the fort grounds. You just had to be there.
Then, I climbed into the jammer and drive north on US 56 until I arrive at Pawnee, Kansas and then turn north and drive one mile to
Pawnee Rock, a fifty foot high rock outcrop with a view of the Great Plains in all directions. I then drive further northeast on US 56 to Great Bend, Kansas, where I depart from the Santa Fe Trail, turn left on SH 96, drive back to US 183 and then turn right to continue my north bound drive through the center of Kansas. After about and hour of driving, I arrive in Hays, Kansas, put off the SH at a w-mart, park, grab my computer bag and go inside for the air conditioning.
I continue inside until the mid day heat cools off just a little bit, then I return to the jammer and continue north on US 183, cross into Nebraska, continue until I cross the
Platte River, a wide shallow watercourse and then arrive at IH 80 just west of Kearney, Nebraska, turn west and drive a little over 80 miles to North Plate, Nebraska. Here, I exit the interstate highway, drive north on US 83 into town and stop at the d-mart for the night.
Soon after, the sun drops to the horizon, after which, I climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal for the night. Too, I notice that it has begun to rain, lightly at first and then increasing in intensity during the night.
(Day 722 TN) 50°F. 6:30 am, overcast
Journey On, Day Nine
On the land just above the Confluence of the North and South Platte Rivers
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 41.1211159, -100.7602114
Elevation: 2794 feet
Awake, I see that it is still raining, so I dress in my fall blues, start the jammer engine and drive north on US 83 less than a mile to the w-mart, park, carry my computer bag into the store and set up for a day of pounding keys. First, though, I check the weather app and I find that the rain showers will be out of the area by noon today.
True to the weather forecast, the sky clears right after eleven-thirty this morning and goes to a clear blue for the remainder of the day. I stay inside mos all of the rest of the day for the air conditioning, only leaving when the day begins to give way to the dark of evening.
(Day 723 TN) 50°F. 6:30 am, overcast
Journey On, Day Ten
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake after another night of rain, drive to the w-mart, park, walk inside for my morning coffee, com and key pounding. I stay inside for the entire day and look through the web pages for any that still need updating. I know that there is much still to do in the Mountain, The Steps, but I have been doing so much with that section in the past couple of months that I feel burned out from it. Instead, I look for another section that may not be so overwhelming, but I do not seem to come upon any in my search.
In the late afternoon, the wind picks up harder that I have seen it in a long time. I continue here until about seven this evening and then drive to locate some burritos, but the particular store that is my preference does not exist in this town, so I stop at another one. After eating, I decide that due to the high price coupled with the small portion, I will not eat there again.
After my meal, I drive to the d-mart and park and get comfortable while outside the wind storm rages and the jammer sways in the heavy winds. Later, it begins to rain but only lightly and just for a few hours and then the storm calms down after midnight.
(Day 724 TN) 50°F. 7:00 am, rain
Journey On, Day Eleven
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, dress in my fall blues, climb into the drivers seat and when I turn the key, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, no click, no lights, no horn and immediately, I determine that the battery is dead. I look at the dash instruments and see that I had left the headlights on last evening.
I could call my insurance to have a service truck drive here to jump start me but I do not expect that they would have one in this small town. Instead, I decide to walk inside of the d-mart, walk to the automotive department and grab a jump start battery to purchase. Then, I walk back out to the jammer, open the hood, connect the jumper cables and find that there is just enough power in the battery to start the engine. Methinks, Life is tough, and then you have to get a jump start!
Climbing into the drivers seat, I leave the d-mart, drive to the w-mart and walk inside with my computer bag and the jump start battery. I then plug in the battery to give it a full charge, set up my computer and begin pounding keys.
(Day 725 TN) 56°F. 7:00 am, rain
Journey On, Day Twelve
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I plan on staying inside all day and not going anywhere because of the constant rain both all night as well as most all day. The only time that the rain stops is in the late afternoon and I looks like it will remain like this until Monday or Tuesday of next week.
It is about six-thirty when a barista reminds that the store will be closing soon. I pack out and drive to the d-mart to park for the night and spend a couple of hours just watching videos. Then, I get into the horizontal, read for a time and then close my eyes.
(Day 726 TN) 59°F. 7:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 13
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer, spending most all of the day just pounding keys. There is a brief respite in the afternoon when the man sitting with his wife next to me says something to me about how Jesus said to the criminal hanging next to him that he would be in Heaven with Jesus on that day. I opened my Bible to that verse, which is in Luke 23:43 and show him that Jesus said, Verily, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.
I then tell him, The Greek word for paradise is paradeisos which means, a park or other place on the earth. Too, I say, for that man to be able to go to Heaven, he would have had to be born again like his disciples were and clearly, he was not one of the disciples of Jesus because he must have done something very serious since he was being executed for his crime.
Then, I tell him that my hope to be able to live forever on the earth. He asks me, Where does the Bible say that? and I reply, Jesus said it in the sermon on the mound at Matthew 5: 5. Then, I start quoting the verse, Blessed are the Meek, since they will inherit the..., and leave out the last word. The man′s wife then says out loud, Earth. Yes, I say, the Meek will inherit the Earth, and live there forever, which is where I have the hope of living for ever.
The man then asks me, Doesn′t that mean that they will be in Heaven? I reply, No, the Greek word for Earth is, ge, pronounced, ghay and the primary definition is soil, or dirt. It has nothing to do with Heaven, but refers to the land, or the planet. He then says, I thought that the Bible teaches that all good people would go to heaven.
Well, remember what the sermon on the mound says, Blessed are the Meek, since they shall inherit the Earth. He says, Yes. I then tell him again, That is where I hope to be forever. I then encourage him to read in his Bible the 37th Psalms and see how David expressed his hope of living forever on the earth in his words there.
Then the barista calls out his name, he says goodbye, grabs his coffee and leaves the cafe. I go back to pounding keys on my computer.
Later, just before the cafe closes, I pack out, drive to the d-mart and begin my evening preparations.
(Day 727 TN) 48°F. 7:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 14
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, drive to the w-mart, for coffee, com and computer.
At three this afternoon, I connect with the Bay Area Texas Congregation for the meeting. Not long after the meeting ends, I pack out and drive to the d-mart to park for the night. I plan on leaving early tomorrow morning heading north.
(Day 728 TN) 54°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 15
Overnighting in a parking lot
When I awake, I start the jammer and then drive to the small shopping center along the perimeter for the d-mart to look to see if there is a laundry mat and I do find one. I drive into the parking lot, step out and walk inside to check how much it is to do a wash. I find out that a wash is three dollars and the dry is one dollar, so I go back out and get my clothes out of the back of the jammer. I then go inside and spend about an hour and a half doing my laundry.
After I finish the wash, I then drive north on US 83 out of town to drive the 150 miles north to reach South Dakota, where I will then turn west and drive across the bottom of South Dakota until I arrive in Hot Springs. Once in Hot Springs, I will stop at he Evans Plunge and get into some hot water.
I had not been driving very long when I realized that I was driving in the
Nebraska Sand Hills, something that I had forgotten that existed. So, I begin taking photos of the many patches of sand along the way. When I read on my website, I find out that this is the largest areas of grass stabilized sand dunes in the world. This ecoregion is sparsely populated and generally devoid of cropland agricultures, however, large cattle ranches are found throughout the region. During this drive through the sand hills, this is exactly what I see.
As I was approaching South Dakota, I arrived at were US 83 merged with US 2 and then crossed the Niobrara River. As I was less than a mile from crossing the river, I see a sign that Reads: "Historical Bridge ➜". I take the exit left onto River Road and drive to the old bridge. I find out that the bridge is called
Bryan Bridge and is a steel cantilever truss arch Pin-Connected Arch Concrete Deck Bridge. The information sign says that it is a very rare type of bridge and methinks, with that look of a description, it has to be a rare bridge. I begin taking photos, but can not get a good one showing the arch from the side. So, I begin to examine the bridge embankment to see if I can find a way down to the river back and on the west side I find just such an access trail. After taking several photos, I also notice that there is a trestle bridge over the same river about a mile to the east and I also take some photos of that bridge.
I then continue north on US 83 and go through a wooded forest riparian area while climbing up from the river valley. Too, I notice that when I crossed the river, I have left the Nebraska Sandhills behind me and have now entered the High Plains once again, where the land is much flatter and supports growing crops. Soon after that, I cross into South Dakota and continue north on US 38 for another 21 miles or so until I arrive at Mission which is in the Rosebud Indian Reservation, at which time, I turn west on US 18 towards the Black Hills.
After drive for some time, I then arrive in Pine Ridge, South Dakota and enter the Pine Ridge Reservation where live the Oglala Sioux, including the Lakota-Dakota-Nakota speaking people. What I see of these people here in this reservation saddens me greatly, primarily because most of these people appear to live in abject poverty. Yes, as I travel across this continent, I take notice that most of the indigenous people are those who have lived a hard life, often simply because of who they are, and in most cases, the native American suffer more than any others.
Continuing west on US 18, I drive through Oglala, South Dakota, the come upon the junction where US 18 joins US 395 at Oelrichs, South Dakota and the high turns to the northwest. I continue until I arrive in Hot Springs, South Dakota where I drive through town and locate the hot springs pool called
Evans Plunge. Here I park, grab a change of clothes and walk inside for some hot water.
The Rocky Mountains
(Day 729 TN) 47°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 16
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 44.0981188, -103.1832800
Elevation: 3230 feet
Awake, walk inside the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I stay here all day pounding keys until just before the cafe closes. I walk out to the jammer and drive to a ff-mart for some a couple of burritos for my supper. Then, I return to park in the same parking lot for the night.
(Day 730 TN) 45°F. 7:30 am, rain
Journey On, Day 17
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, start the jammer and drive south through town to another w-mart, park, walk inside and set up my computer so that I can spend another day pounding keys. At about mid morning, it begins to rain and continues for most all of the rest of the day,
I have decided to stay here at this location until Monday, when I hope to visit some of the areas sites of the Black Hills.
At about seven this evening, I pack out of the w-mart and begin driving to my overnighting location only to notice that near the western horizon, there is a large orange globe in the sky, unlike the sun normally identifies itself, and I am compelled to drive up onto the mountains just west of me. Too, I begin taking photos of this strange appearance of the sun. After struggling to find the correct road to the top of the mountain ridge, I finally find the road that leads me to the ridge road called
Skyline drive, pull into a parking space at the first overlook and get out with my camera only for the sun to have set below the horizon.
(m5da-sunglow-2023-0517.1930) Large Orange Globe and
Sunglow on the Horizon
Still, it is a very beautiful location with a grand view down into the surrounding cityscape, so I stay to enjoy the moment. Soon, though, I am talking to a young couple, who tell me that they are locals, born and raised here. During our conversation, I comment about the Bible and how I have a hope of living forever in a paradise on earth. Then the woman looks at the man and says, "Did′t we just talk about wanting to know more about what the Bible says?"
We continue talking on the subject for a while longer before the sun begins to illume the sky for a short time before allowing the west wind to turn cold and cause a chill in the air. With the inflow of the boreal air, we say our good byes, climb into our vehicles and depart from the overlook parking lot.
From here, I drive back down the way I had driven up onto the ridge road, into town and then stop at the same location where I had stayed last evening.
(Day 731 TN) 49°F. 7:30 am, fog-smoke
Journey On, Day 18
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, start the jammer engine, drive to the w-mart on Mount Rushmore road, park, go inside for coffee, com and computer. On the drive here, I notice that the sun is orange like it was yesterday evening and is caused by smoke, which I was told is coming from a forest fire north of here somewhere in Canada.
I go inside and spend all day inside in the air conditioning working on my web site page creation and upgrades. Then, at six-twenty this evening, I connect to the meeting in Texas and join then there. Due to my crossing into the Mountain time zone, I am now one hours earlier than the Bay Area, Texas congregation, which I am glad because, the meeting will be over a little after eight o′clock my time, an hour earlier than it would normally be for me.
I then pack out of the w-mart, drive to the location where I have been overnighting, park, put up my window shades, climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the relax mode for the evening.
(Day 732 TN) 42°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 19
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, dress in my winter blues, drive to the w-mart, walk inside for coffee, com and computer. During the day, I am work on my web page update until about seven this evening. Then, I pack out and drive to the north entrance of
Skyline Drive to begin my photograph tour of the road journey, driving first southward through the entire route, turn around and drive back across the route in a northward direction so that I may acquire an entirely photo perspective.
Afterwards, I stop at the northernmost overlook, park and then get out to photograph the sunset. Then, once the sun has dropped well below the horizon, I pack out of the overlook, drive the last section of the Skyline Driver to Quincy Street and then north on the city streets to my location for overnighting.
Once I arrive in the parking lot, I put up my window shades, climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal for the evening.
(Day 733 TN) 44°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 20
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer and drive south through town to the w-mart, park in my regular spot, walk inside with my computer bag and sit down in my regular spot next to the wall. Then, I walk up to the counter and use my reward stars to purchase a cup of coffee, after which, I sit down and transfer my photos from my camera to my computer. Once I have the photo stored on my computer, I begin viewing, cropping and assigning them places on my web site. Then, I go to my social media and give my website a plug to encourage visitors. Finally, at about three this afternoon, I pack out drive to the Skyline drive and set up to begin a little spring cleaning in my vehicle.
Too, I get into the horizontal to take a nap due to it becoming so hot this afternoon, rising into the low 80s. After hanging out until just before the sunset, I then drive to the north overlook, park the jammer and take some more photos.
Finally, I drive back north off of the drive, back into town and stop for the night at my regular overnight parking location. I then climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal for the night.
(Day 734 TN) 53°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 21
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer until about one in the afternoon, after which I begin studying for the Watchtower study later today. Then, when the time arrives for me to connect using the zoom app, I tie in with the Bay Area, Houston congregation for the meeting.
When the meeting is over, I pack out of the store and drive southwest on US 16 until I arrive at US 16A, then south through Keystone, South Dakota, and out the west side for several more miles until I arrive at
Mount Rushmore National Memorial, pull into the parking area and then walk into the viewing area to take some photos.
Later, I walk back to the jammer, climb in to the drivers seat and drive out of the Memorial, continue west on SH 244 until I arrive back on US 16, turn west on this highway and then drive to the
Crazy Horse Memorial. When I arrive, I drive up to the entrance gate and the man there says that there is no discount despite the time being just before closing time, nor to they give a discount for any one but tribal members. I tell him that I will come back later when I will have more time. I ask him where do I turn around and he says, drive down the hill and then I stop to take some photos of the memorial from the turn around, drive back out to US 16 and continue on my way west. Before I arrive at the Jewel Cave National Monument, I pull off onto a forest service road in the Black Hills National Forest, find a good place to park along side the road and the turn off the jammer.
Finally, I get into the horizontal and soon after, I am asleep. It is very quite here, and there is no light anywhere. This is the darkest place that I have overnighted for a very long time.
(Day 735 TN) 54°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 22
East of Custer, SD
Overnighting in NF Dispersed Camping
Coordinates: 43.753945, -103.733635
Elevation: 5697 feet
Upon awaking, I start the jammer, drive south on FSR 287 back to US 16, turn right and drive west until I arrive at the
Jewel Cave National Monument. I then drive into the monument, stop at the visitors center and buy a sticker for my collection. Afterwards, I return to the parking lot, get out my stove and cookpot to make my breakfast, which is a cup of coffee, cup of tea and cup of Daystart. When the meal is ready, I put my kitchen back into its place, store the cups in my cup holders within my reach and then drive out of the park back to US 16 and continue west
Soon, I cross into Wyoming, continue on US 18 to Morecroft, Wyoming, which is on IH 90, at which location, I go under the interstate highway and continue north on US 14 for about 30 miles, then turn left on SH 24 and drive to Devils Tower, Wyoming, drive through town and into the
Devils Tower National Monument. At the entrance station, I as the ranger if there is a campsite available, to which she tells me Yes, and with your senior pass, it is ten dollars per night. So I pay twenty dollars to stay for two night. I then drive into the park, turn left into the campground, and find a campsite to stay for a couple of days. After I have been here for a couple of hours, I drive to the visitors center to purchase a park sticker and ask a few questions about those who climb the tower. I tell the clerk that I believer there are about 5000 climbers each year and he says that 5000 is an average. I then ask. How long does it take to climb the tower and he says On an average, from six to eight hours, but, he says, the record is eighteen minutes and thirty-nine seconds.
I then return to my campsite, set out my solar panels and while the batteries are charging, I take a nap in the heat of the day. When I get up, I get out my cookpot and prepare my evening meal. Later, I put away the kitchen, climb into the jammer and eat my meal while I pound keys and catch up on my journal writing.
(Day 736 TN) 49°F. 7:30 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 23
Belle Fourche River Campground, Space B22
Coordinates: 44.5818625, -104.7055975
Elevation: 3852 feet
Awake, step out of the jammer, open the rear lift door and begin preparing my morning meal. Soon, I have my three cup breakfast and climb back inside to enjoy my meal while pounding keys on my computer. I have befriended a young man and his family who are camping in th campsite opposite the park road from mine and we occasionally. Still, I mostly go about my business all day.
In the late afternoon, it begins to rain and for a time, it comes down quite hard, so I close up the jammer and stay inside working on my computer.
(Day 737 TN) 51°F. 7:30 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 24
Belle Fourche River Campground, Space B22
Awake, rise, take a walk to the head and upon my return, get out my cookpot to prepare my morning meal, and while awaiting the water to boil, I pound on the keyboard updating my journal entry. Then, I pour the boiling water into my three cups, set the cups inside and will now have to wait for them to cool, especially since the water had reached a roaring boil before I took it off of the stove.
I also notice that the family across the street are up and about, I say hello to Mike, the dad and he tells me that he has taken a look at my website and finds it interesting. Soon, Emmerik comes out, then Franz and next Annile. I tell the young woman, I heard that you do oil paintings, to which she replies, Actually, they are acrylic. I tell her that the two mediums are similar and that I would like to see some of your work someday. Mike, her Dad tells her to go get the one on the wall, which she does and brings back two paintings of the Devils Tower. Truly, for her age, her are is quite impressive. I hope she will continue to paint throughout here life and one day return here to the Devils Tower to paint it again, which I am sure will then be a masterpiece.
Then, I return to the jammer to enjoy my meal while I continue to update my journal entry, as well as crop more of my photographs and then upload them to the web page. Finally, I pack out, which does not amount to a lot of work, just putting away my computer and then stepping out to close the doors before I climb into the drivers seat. I drive out of the park, back south on US 14 to the interstate, then turn west on IN 90 and drive about twenty-five miles to Gillette, Wyoming where I drive to a w-mart, grab my computer bag and go inside to work on my website and upload files. I stay here until about seven-thirty, when I pack out, drive to the d-mart and look for a place to overnight.
(Day 738 TN) 52°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 25
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 44.2721981, -105.4949387
Elevation: 4524 feet
Awake, drive closer to the d-mart, park and go inside for some groceries but do not find everything that I wanted. Still, now I have enough to get buy for several days, even a week. I then drive north on SH 59, under the interstate highway and stop at the bank to get a little more travel money. After leaving the bank, I drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I work on uploading more of my most recent photos and updating pages.
Then at five this afternoon, I drive south on SH 59 back to the d-mart where I have something to eat and prepare for the meeting tonight.
After the meeting, I climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal for the night. Joann gives me a call and we talk for a short while but I tell her that it is late, that I am already in bed and tell her good night.
(Day 739 TN) 51°F. 6:30 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 26
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, start the jammer engine, drive north on SH 59 to the w-mart, park, grab my computer bag and go inside for coffee, com and key pounding. However, the cafe is extremely busy and it takes more than a half our before my brew is ready. Then, I sit down and continue pounding keys. One of the baristas tells me that today is the last day of school in the area, and I reply, It is just like a holiday. Later in the day, the hoards stop coming and the later afternoon is quite normal.
Then at about six this evening, I pack out and drive south on SR 59 back to the d-mart where I will spend the night again. Like it has been doing for several days now, the sky becomes cloudy with dark clouds and soon it begins to rain. Maybe these frequent rain storms are the reason that I see a lot of green grass everywhere.
I spend some time reading ahead for next Thursday′s meeting but only one of the assigned chapters, then I put the electronics away and get into the horizontal for the night.
(Day 740 TN) 49°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 27
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, park, carry my computer bag inside, set up at my regular table and then purchase a cup of coffee, return to my table to check my com while sipping on the coffee. Then, I continue pounding keys to add words and photos to my web pages.
At about eight this evening, I pack out, drive to the d-mart, park the jammer and begin my evening activities. Then, at ten, I put away the electronics and pillow up.
(Day 741 TN) 49°F. 6:30 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 28
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, dress, start the jammer and drive to the w-mart but find that it is closed and there is no sign indicating why or when it will be back open. I check the website and it says that the cafe is open. How bizarre this is. I check my GPS and find that there is another coffee house just south on SH 59 and drive there, carry my computer bag inside, purchase a cup of coffee and begin pounding keys.
(Day 742 TN) 50°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 29
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake early, start the jammer engine, drive out of the d-mart parking lot, north on SH 59 to the interstate highway and then left on IH 90 during which time I cross both the Powder River and the Crazy Woman Creek and continue west through the remainder of what I will cross of the Northwest Great Plains until I arrive in Buffalo, Wyoming. In Buffalo, WY, I exit IH 90, stop for some coffee and an egg wrap. Then, I drive out of Buffalo west on US 16 which also is the
Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway over Powder River Pass at 9666 feet in elevation and also puts me back into the Middle Rockies ecoregion of the Rocky Mountains Region.
Still on US 16, I follow Ten Sleep creek down from Powder River Pass and when I arrive in the town of Ten Sleep, from the looks of the landscape, it appears that I have just crossed into the Wyoming Basin ecoregion. I continue west until I arrive at the junction of US 16 and US 20. I continue south on US 20 will US 16 turns north at the junction and goes to Greybull, Wyoming and then west to Cody, Wyoming.
I continue south on US 20 until I arrive at Thermopolis, Wyoming where I turn left into the Hot Springs State Park, drive to the State Park Bath House and go inside to take a soak in the hot water and also take a hot shower with soap, which I so much needed. After cleaning up, I the drive out of the park, drive south to the intersection of US 20 with SR 120, turn right and drive northwest about 82 miles, where SR 120 reconnects with US 16.
At this intersection, I rejoin my westward travel on this highway and drive to Cody, Wyoming and find that the w-mart is not a stand alone cafe but is located inside a g-mart. I have never liked this type of w-mart because the WiFi access is not very good. So, instead of stopping there, I drive to the d-mart, go inside to purchase some coconut milk and crackers, return to the jammer, drive to the outlying area and park for the evening. It is just after five this afternoon when I climb into the rear of the jammer and type my journal entry for today.
Afterwards, I upload my journal entry to the website and then get into the horizontal by seven this evening. It has been a tiring day for me, a long drive and I now need some rest for a couple of days.
(Day 743 TN) 40°F. 7:30 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 30
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 44.5167997, -109.0897473
Elevation: 5042 feet
Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer and drive back into town to a af-mart to fill my fuel tank. Also, I stop at a ff-mart for coffee and then return to the journey west on US 14/US 16/US 20 along the Shoshone River and in a short time stop to take a photo of the
Hayden Arch bridge over the Shoshone river, which bridge was on a previous alignment of US 14 that was built in 1923 as an open-spandrel arch bridge over Shoshone River on Hayden Arch Road.
After a brief stop, I continue west into the Shoshone Canyon and through three tunnels cut into Cody Mountain, then up to the Bill Cody Dam where there is a visitors center, which I do not stop at because it is currently closed. Further west on US 14, I come to the Buffalo Bill state park, stop to see how much it costs to camp and find it to be about $20.00 for Wyoming residents but about $40.00 for non residents. That is really unreasonable for any state to do, so I decide that I will not stop at Wyoming state parks, not now, nor in the future.
I do continue west on US 14/16/20 which is now along the Buffalo Bill Reservoir and when the highway returns to following the river, it is now the North Fork Shoshone River, with the South Fork having exited from the south end of the reservoir and draining down from Shoshone Pass some fifty miles to the southwest of the Buffalo Bill Reservoir. I continue further westward on US 14/16/20 and upstream of the North Fork Shoshone and after some time driving through national forest land, I enter Yellowstone Park through the East Entrance, at which time, I show my senior pass to the ranger and she hands me a park map. I then begin to drive into the park at which time, I have about sixty-five more miles to drive before I arrive at the
Old Faithful inn where I plan to overnight for a couple days.
After driving up and over the mountains, I descend to Yellowstone Lake and drive along the shore for a short time. Soon after I arrive at the Fishing Bridge, which bridge spans the
Yellowstone River and immediately after that, I arrive at the Yellowstone Park Grand Loop Road, at which point I believe US 14 and US 16 both end. Too, from this junction, US 20 continues south around the loop road and then to the west side.
To the right, the loop road follows the Yellowstone river downstream first to Canyon Village and then north further to Tower Junction after which the Grand Loop road turns west and continues to Mammoth Hot Springs.
However, I choose not to take the north route on the loop road, but I turn south and continue on US 20 south along Yellowstone Lake to West Thumb Geyser Basin where I turn right and continue westward on US 20/89/191 until I arrive the Old Faithful Geyser Basin, turn off the loop road, into the parking lot near the Old Faithful Inn, where I find a space open right near the stairs up to the entrance door.
I put up my window shades, then go inside to walk through the lobby and purchase a sandwich and cup of coffee. Wow, have the prices here skyrocketed and it cost $20.00 for a veggy sandwich and medium coffee. I return to the jammer and work on my computer for the rest of the day, after which, I get into the horizontal for the night.
(Day 744 TN) 37°F. 6:00 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 31
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake early, dress in my fall blues, grab my computer bag and walk inside to climb the stairs and take up my desk. I then plug in my computer and begin typing the beginning of today′s journal entry. Next, I check my com; yes, I do have signal here on my phone, about four bars, which is something that I have never had before. It is so cool to have internet in Yellowstone National park when all the many times prior, I never did. I even am able to upload my photos and web pages to my web site.
During this evening, I do some research about the possibility of the Yellowstone super volcano erupting and find that the USGS has repeatedly indicated that it is not going to erupt, despite all the hype by the media saying that it will erupt any time and that it is long past due.
I continue working on my computer until after the sun sets, which occurs today at nine this evening. I continue here inside Old Faithful Inn with Martha creating some really nice music on the piano and cello. I then pack at out about nine thirty even though Martha will continue until ten this evening. Also, I finish up my journal entry before I leave.
Finally, I walk down to the first floor, out the front door and down the stairs to the parking lot where I climb into the side door of the jammer, Once inside, I adjust the window shades to make sure they are closed completely and then get into the horizontal for the night.
(Day 745 TN) 35°F. 7:00 am, cloudy
Journey On, Day 32
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, dress in my fall blues, walk inside to the mens room and then return to the jammer. I climb into the drivers seat, start the engine and drive to the gas station to purchase some fuel. On the way there, I find that the brake pedal is spongy and I am not sure what has caused that. After I fill up the tank, I drive out of the parking lot, and then turn right and drive north on US 20/89/191, which is also the Grand Loop Road. Driving north I head first to Madison junction at which location US 20/191 both turn west and continue to the west Yellowstone exit.
However, I continue north through the intersection and north on US 89 past Norris Geyser Basin until I arrive at Beaver Lake where I stop to boil water for a cup of coffee, cup to tea and a cup of Daystart. Once my meal is ready, I get back into the jammer and return to my drive north on US 89.
I continue driving north along the
Gardner River on US 89 to Mammoth Hot Springs, then through Old Fort Yellowstone and finally out the north entrance to Yellowstone. Here, the Gardner River flows into the Yellowstone River, which then flows north along US 89 all the way to Livingston, Montana where I take the entrance ramp 333 onto IH 90 and begin my westward drive to Bozeman, Montana and take exit 309 and drive west on US 191 to a w-mart, drive in and park. Then, I grab my computer bag, walk inside and have something for lunch while I am pounding keys.
In the late afternoon, the sky clouds up and gets dark like it is going to rain. I then pack out to go to Chipoltle Mexican food, after which I will drive to a hf-mart for some cooked beats. I plan to stay here in Bozeman for another day, at least until I decide which convention I will attend.
I check several of the places where I have overnighted in the past and even thought there are RV parking in each location, the stores have signs indicating no overnight parking. So, I drive to a vacant lot that I am aware of and find it to be very dark, which is unlike any parking lot that I normally frequent. I climb into the rear of the jammer, get into the horizontal and sleep.
(Day 746 TN) 51°F. 6:00 am, rain
Journey On, Day 33
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 45.6787368, -111.0532926
Elevation: 4817 feet
Awake, drive in the rain to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I have wanted to drive to Oregon for camping but methinks it is already too late into the camping season to have access to any sites, so instead, I will drive across the top of Montana, through Idaho and then into Washington, where, I believe there are ample opportunities to set up my solar panels. Therefore, I will stay here in Bozeman only until tomorrow morning, when I will drive west out of this totally wet area. Yes, it has been raining all day and the weather report says that it will not clear for at least two more weeks.
I stay inside the cafe all day and when it begins to approach the end of the day, I pack out and head to my overnight locations.
(Day 747 TN) 50°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 34
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, dress in my fall blues, walk into the w-mart to go to the mens room and after, I return to the jammer, start the engine and drive out of Bozeman onto IH 90 and return to my drive west. I will drive out of this rain which covers the entire western half of Montana. I just want to get back into under some blue sky and Montana surely does not have any. Too, the weather report stating that it will not have any blue sky for at least the next two weeks. I drive west on IH 90 from Bozeman, then to Three Forks, next through Butte and there go over the continental divide at Homestake Pass, elevation 6393 feet, all still in the rain. I keep looking at the rain radar and see that I am just barely staying ahead of the main section of heavy rain, and I do agree the sky is beginning to clear.
Then. the interstate turns north and continues to Deer Lodge, after which, it returns to a northwesterly direction, passes through Missoula, then goes into the Lolo National Forest and climbs up onto and over the high ridge of the Bitterroot Mountains at Lookout Pass, elevation 4710 feet. However, crossing Lookout Pass was with far less clouds and absolutely no rain.
After cross into Idaho, I am totally rain free and drive the rest of the distance to Couer d′Alene in the clear blue sky. It is funny to me that the people in Montana call there the state, the Blue Sky State and today, it was necessary for me to drive about 370 miles to get out of the rain in Montana and into the Blue Sky here in Idaho.
Upon arriving in Couer d′Alene, I go right to the Cracker Barrel for a nice breakfast, but even with it being nice, it still cost me over seventeen dollars. Wow, has the price of everything has sky rocketed. Afterwards, I drive to the w-mart, go inside and pound keys so that I can catch up on my journal writing.
I was going to stay here through the weekend so that I can connect to zoom for the meeting, however, I then decide to drive the last leg of my migration during which I will drive to Puyallup, Washington for the summer convention at the Assembly Hall there at: 11515 62nd Avenue E, Puyallup, WA 98373. I have been racking my brain trying to decide when and where to go to the convention this year and have thought long and hard about going this weekend at this destination, and after much prayer, I have decided to go during this second weekend of June so that I can get it done and over. So, with the sun quickly encroaching upon the night, I leave out of Couer d′Alene, driving west on IH 90 into the state of Washington, the last state for my migration north this year and continue driving west until well after it becomes dark. As a matter of fact, the number of bugs splattered on my windshield have far exceeded my desire to stop and clean them off.
With sunset occurring here about nine-fifty this evening and the sunglow continuing until long after ten pm, there is plenty of light to continue driving until I arrive at an interstate rest stop. Here, I exit the freeway, pull in to the rest stop, park in a good location, climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal for the night.
(Day 748 TN) 51°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 35
Overnighting in a Rest Area
Coordinates: 47.0871492, -118.8460197
Elevation: 1469 feet
After a very comfortable sleep, I awake to the bright sun shortly after six this morning, rise, walk about fifty feet to the rest stop mens room and upon returning to the jammer, I climb in, start the jammer engine, drive out of the rest stop area on IH 90 and then drive twenty miles west to Moses Lake, where I exit the interstate and drive to a w-mart. Once I am in a parking spot, I grab my electronics bag, walk inside and set up my computer at a window table. Just outside, I see a sign advertising gasoline for $5.00 per gallon, and methinks: Such a good thing to be back in a west coast state! Not!
Returning to the westward drive on IH 90 about forty miles and then I come to the
Columbia River where while still atop the Columbia Plateau, pull of the interstate to check out the Wild Horses Monument overlook and while here, I walk to a couple of the several precipice to take photos. This deep canyon has always impressed me with the size that is involved and how much went into creating a bridge across the canyon. Or, even how much went into damming the canyon so as to hold back all of this water. Well, I must needs leave this wonder to seek out the next one.
After I climb back into the jammer, I drive south on IH 90 down to the river, turn west and cross on the IH-90 steel arch bridge to the opposite side of the river and the up through a side canyon out of the Columbia River valley back up onto the Columbia Plateau on the other side. I then continue west on IH 90 across the plateau until I arrive at the Yakima River, as well as where the interstate splits, IH 90 going northwest and IH 82 proceeding southeast. For my route, I choose the latter but only drive three miles south on IH 82 and get off at exit 2, SH 281 which travels south along the
Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway. I have driven this scenic highway before but it was long before I ever began my photography. I am hoping to get some remarkable shots of this deep river canyon. Too, I will try to find a place to camp along the river.
After driving about half the way through the canyon, I pull into one of the campground, the second one along the river that I have checked, the first one being full, and found this campground to most of the sites still available. Too, since I have a handicap placard, I opted to select the handicap campsite. I set up my campsite, paid the amount for the nightly fee and then began cooking my supper. After my meal is done, I put away the cookpot, climb into the jammer and pound keys while I eat. By the time is begins to get dark at nine-twenty this evening, I to am ready to turn in for the night.
(Day 749 TN) 50°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 36
Lmuma Creek Recreation Area
Coordinates: 46.8140757, -120.4500673
Elevation: 1276 feet
Awake, take a short walk to the vault toilet, and when I return, I start the jammer and resume my drive south on SH 821 taking photos of the bottom half of the Yakima River Canyon as I continue towards the city of Yakima, Washington. I notice that because it is still early morning and the sun is so very low in the sky, this causes a lot of glaring through the windows. This glaring makes taking photos very difficult requiring me to stop and get out when I want to take a photo. Needless to say, I do not stop very often.
I arrive at the w-mart shortly after seven this morning, walk inside with my computer bag, purchase a cup of coffee and begin cropping photos, pounding keys and working on my website.
Late in the day, I pack out of the w-mart and because the parking lot is for a shopping center, not just for the w-mart, I decide to move to a location in the parking lot which spans across the area that serves two different stores. I put up my window shades, climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal for the night.
(Day 750 TN) 54°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 37
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 46.6190060, -120.5608707
Elevation: 1136 feet
Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, carry my computer bag inside for coffee, com and key pounding.
After a day of working on my website, I then pack out, drive to my overnight spot and then climb into the rear of the jammer to sleep.
(Day 751 TN) 59°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 38
Overnighting on a city street
Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. I remain here until about five this afternoon when I pack out, walk out to the jammer and continue my drive west to the city where I will be going to the convention. My path today takes me first westward out of Yakima on US 12, leave the Columbia Plateau ecoregion of the Basin and Range region where I have for such a long time been dwelling and enter into the Cascade Mountains ecoregion of the Pacific Coast region, coming into the back door of the
Mount Rainier National Park. I first travel along the
Naches River and the approach trail of the
Chinook Pass Scenic Byway.
Upon arriving at the intersection of US 12 west and SH 410, I opt for the northern route which continues straight ahead on SH 410, which, if I had researched this scenic route prior to driving it, I would have found out that it is called the Chinook Scenic Byway and actually begins in Yakima, Washington and travels the old Naches Highway, a roadway which arrives at this same intersection that I am currently at.
From this point, I continue into the Naches River Canyon and up into the Eastern Cascade foothills ecoregion. I continue northwest along the Naches river stopping at several National Forest campground, all of which charge $18-$20 per each overnight. The state highway then arrives at the confluence of the Bumping River and the Naches river where the Naches river becomes the Little Naches river. Here, the highway makes a left turn, crosses the Little Naches river and continues in a southwest direction along the Bumping River. However, the American River soon joins with the Bumping River (which continues up from the south of here) while SR 410 continues along the American River valley, still in a southwest direction through the heavily forested Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest lands.
From this location, I begin a long climb up to Chinook Pass (46.8718804, -121.5157146) at 5443 feet elevation at the point where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses over the state highway on a sign marking the entrance to Mount Rainier National park.
I continue along SH 410 until I arrive at the Puyallup highway, SH 512, which I take south, then west until I arrive at the Canyon Road exit and I take this exit and go south on Canyon Road. A short way pass 112th Street, I find a w-mart were I pull in, park and then climb into the rear of the jammer for the night.
(Day 752 TN) 50°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 39
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 47.1506186, -122.3567730
Elevation: 482 feet
Awake, dress in my fall blues, walk inside for coffee, com and computer. I even have something to eat and before I know it, the time keeps slipping into the future and I now need to drive to get something to eat for supper, which I do just a short ways up Canyon Road. I plan to stay close by the area for the next couple of days while I am going to the convention.
After stopping for two burritos, I then drive back to my overnight location, park, climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal for the night.
(Day 753 TN) 50°F. 6:00 am, rain
Journey On, Day 40
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake to see that it is raining, step out to the rear lift door of the jammer and dress in my go to meeting blues, grab my computer bag, walk inside for coffee, com and computer. I plan on staying here until a short time after seven this morning when I will pack out, drive to the Assembly Hall and look for a parking place. It had been a very long time since I have attended an assembly at this venue, so I do not remember what the layout is like. However, I do have one thing on my side, the people there are the best ever I could find to ask for help from.
I arrive at the hall at seven-fifty am, park and then walk to the entrance door at eight this morning where I find that the doors are now open, so I go inside to find a seat to put my Bible and notebook down upon. I then walk to the several displays to take photos which I will use to create a page on my web site for this Assembly hall. Next, I return to my seat and begin greeting the ones near to me while we await the start of this years convention. Soon, the talks begin and I make a point on keeping notes, which I have always done over the years of convention going. Still, I have never been able to categorize and record my notes into a data retrieval collection that I could research and examine at future time. That would be nice if I could do that, but for now, it will be necessary just to try to remember all the good things that Jehovah has been providing for his people here in these last days of this system of this old world.
During the midday break, I walk out to the jammer, get out my stove and cookpot to boil some water, which I use to make my three cup meal. I drink the coffee and eat the Daystart while I sit in the jammer but save the hot tea for later when I return to the jammer for the evening.
After the convention, I walk out to the jammer and see that it has been raining, now for two days since I have been here in Puyallup, Washington. I drive to the place where I will park for the night, put up my window shades and climb into the rear of the jammer.
(Day 754 TN) 50°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 41
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, dress in my Sunday blues, walk into the w-mart for coffee, com and computer. After an hour of pounding keys, I pack out and drive to the Assembly hall for the second day of this years convention. Wow, this convention is so bent towards preparing God′s people for the imminent destruction that approaches. Still, despite the hour being so close, there is the ongoing air in the world that everything is continuing just as it always has.
After the day of informative talks, I return to the jammer, start the engine and drive to the parking lot where I will spend tonight and wait for the third and final day of this years convention.
(Day 755 TN) 50°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 42
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, dress in my Sunday blues step outside of the jammer, grab my bag of trash and walk over to the garbage receptacle to deposit it. Then, I return to the jammer, start the engine and drive next door to the w-mart, park and carry my computer bag inside for coffee, com and an hour of key pounding before I drive to the assembly hall.
(Day 756 TN) 50°F. 7:00 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 43
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 47.2312945, -123.1221523
Elevation: 229 feet
Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer engine, drive to the w-mart, park and then go inside for coffee, com and computer. Too, I have to call about my phone to have my data restored because I am having the same problems again that I have had for most of this year. I called yesterday and talked to four different service representative for several hours but so far none have been able to get my data back. I end up without any data for the remainder of this day.
Later, I pack out of the w-mart, drive to the d-mart to park for the night, climb into the rear of the jammer to sleep.
(Day 757 TN) 50°F. 7:00 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 44
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive to the w-mart, park, grab my computer bag and go inside to begin another day of pounding keys.
The first things that I do is to call my phone service provider and tell him that I have no data, haven′t had it even though I have been charged for it. He tells me that he can fix it but that I will have to vacate my reserve and that I will not be able to recoup that reserve in the future. I tell him, I never asked for the reserve, I want the reserve to go away and I want my phone service to be like it was last year in December when I paid for one month of unlimited service, was charged for one month of unlimited service and I received one month of unlimited service. Then I ask him, Can you do this for me?, to which he says, Yes. I then say to him, Do it! He then says, All you have to do is turn your phone off, wait for a few minutes and then turn your phone back on.
After I hang up, I turn my phone off, and then after waiting for a while, back on and find that I do have data again. Finally, my service has been restored, I only hope that this service continues month to month.
At about nine this morning, I return to the key pounding and after first beginning my journal entry, I then continue work on my web site pages, staying inside until about seven this evening. Then, I pack out, drive to a nearby ff-mart for a burger and after wards, drive to the d-mart to park for the evening.
(Day 758 TN) 47°F. 6:00 am, cloudy
Journey On, Day 45
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, dress in my fall blues, drive back to US 101, turn north and begin my drive along the Hood Canal, a route that I have driven multiple times before, even in both directions. Upon arriving at Discovery Bay, I take the left fork, not turning on SH 20 but continuing on US 101 which heads westward along the Washington northwest coastland. After driving around Sequim Bay, I continue up along the west side of this inlet to Sequim Bay State Park where I stop to take a hot shower.
Next, I return to the jammer, drive out of the state park, then, I continue west on US 101 and when I arrive at the Sequim Avenue exit, turn north, drive to Washington Street, turn west and drive to the w-mart where I park. Then, I carry my computer bag inside for a cup of coffee and a breakfast burrito. Here, I spend the day while parked in the parking lot, sitting inside the cafe sipping first two cups of coffee, then a cup of hot water and finally a glass of iced water, all the time pounding keys on my computer.
At the end of my day, I begin looking for a place to park but do not find anything right away, but then after driving and searching for some time, and just after driving by a Kingdom Hall, I come upon a joint parking lot that is without the No Overnight Parking sign. So, because the parking lot bestrides two businesses, I park the jammer in one of the spaces that straddles what I believe to be the property line. Then, I climb into the rear of the jammer and get into the horizontal.
(Day 759 TN) 51°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 46
Day One in the Rain Shadow
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 48.0750059, -123.1359700
Elevation: 296 feet
Awake, drive back onto River Road, then north to Washington Street and finally west to the w-mart, a total of just one half mile, pull in to the parking lot and park in the open handicap space with my placard hanging from the center inside mirror, like I do every time I park in a handicap parking space. Immediately, a lawn worker approaches me and asks through my open window, Are you going to park here all day again today? I look at him and reply, What business is it or yours? He says, I am the property manager and I did not see any placard on your car yesterday. I point to my placard and reply again, What business is it of yours? thinking, This is a public parking lot and he can not restrict me from parking here in this space. He says, Well, would you please straighten you car. It was after he asked me that question that I got out to look at my vehicle and found one of the wheels was outside of the space even though still in the adjacent pedestrian area, so because he said please, I complied with his request and made sure the jammer had all four wheels between the two white lines. Wow, what a totalitarian! He made me feel like I was living in Nazi Germany.
I then go inside the w-mart for my coffee, com and computer, staying the entire day. Later, I decide that I want to return here to go to the meeting at the Sequim Kingdom on Sunday, so, I will drive to Neah Bay tomorrow. However, I want to drive further west today, so about seven this evening, I pack out, and drive west on US 101 to the d-mart on the east side of Port Angeles, pull into the parking lot, park and put up my window shades.
(Day 760 TN) 52°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 47
Day Two in the Rain Shadow
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 48.1097246, -123.3611661
Elevation: feet 194
Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer, drive to the trash receptacle to dump my garbage into, then drive out of the parking lot, back onto US 101 and west a short distance to the first stand alone w-mart which is on the east side of the city. I pull into the cafe, park, grab my computer bag and go inside for coffee, com and to update today′s journal entry. I stay in the cafe until about nine this morning when, I pack out, return to US 101 west, drive through the rest of Port Angeles and out the west side of the city towards Neah Bay. Not long after leaving the city of Port Angeles do I arrive at SH 112, turn right and then continue west on this state highway.
My GPS shows me that it is only about sixty miles before I arrive in Neah Bay, however, highway 112 is a old state highway with many curves along the north Washington coast which has a lot of rivers and inlets. Thus, the drive to Neah Bay takes about two hours and I arrive in Neah Bay by eleven this morning, then stop at the Makah Mini Market and purchase a recreation permit. Next, I drive to the Warmhouse Restaurant, go inside and have some lunch. Wow, was that expensive. I was just glad that they had a senior meal.
After eating, I drive out of Neah Bay on Cape Flattery Road, which crosses from the north shore of the peninsula to the west shore and then continues northwest along the west shore up to the extreme northwest corner of Washington which location is called Cape Flattery. At the end of the road it widens into a large parking lot where after parking, I gear up with my hiking shoes, day pack and camera, readying myself for the round trip on the Cape Flattery trail to the observation deck and back. Previously, I had found out that the trail is just over a quarter mile out to the observation deck, is almost entirely flat and has quite a few benches to rest on, so I had decided to make this journey to see the lighthouse. I check the time and find it to be about three in the afternoon.
However, before I begin my hike, there is my need to know if the fog that normally enshrouds the lighthouse has diminished, so I start questioning those who are returning from their hike out and back to the observation deck. Did you walk all the way to the last observation? If their answer is Yes, I then ask, Did you see the lighthouse? At first and for about an hour, everyone answers No to the second question. I continue to question each returning group and then, at about four this afternoon, their answer to seeing the lighthouse become, Yes. With the answer now changing to yes, this means that the fog has finally burned off, at least enough for the lighthouse to become visible, so at four this afternoon, I decide that I will begin my hike out to the northwest corner of the state. The trail is .375 mile mostly downhill to the observation deck and takes me about forty minutes. I know, that is terrible time, but at least I did make it. When I arrive, I walk to the third and last observation deck, walk up to the edge and look out into the water. Not only is there no lighthouse visible, but the entire Tatoosh Island is enshrouded in thick fog. Even the small rock about halfway across to Tatoosh Island is nearly entirely covered with fog. I take a few photos, after which I just sit down on one of the benches and begin to wait.
Many people come and go, I ask each, Where are you from? and conversations are started which allows me to give out a few of my business cards. Too, I begin to pray to Jehovah to ask Him to remove the fog so I may be able to take a photo of the island and the lighthouse and will not have to walk here again, After about another hour, the fog begins to slowly dissipate and I look up toward heaven and begin to thank Him for clearing the fog. Soon, I am able to see Tatoosh island, then the south harbor, and finally the
Cape Flattery Lighthouse on top. The sky clears so much that even the sun on the horizon begins to reflect light into the blue directly above it. I thank Jehovah again and again for providing the subject for my photos.
Later, I pack out and begin my walk back to the parking lot where I put my things away and then drive back the way I came through Neah Bay and east out of the Makah reservation. I follow SH 112 east until it arrives at SH 113, and drive straight onto SH 113 south towards US 101. Upon arriving at US 101, I turn east, drive a few miles and then see a National Forest campground, where I pull in, select a campsite, pay the camping fee and set up for the night.
It is amazingly dark here and there is no need to put up my window shades.
(Day 761 TN) 49°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 48
Day Three in the Rain Shadow
Klahowya National Forest Campground
Coordinates: 48.0639432, -124.1100889
Elevation: 791 feet
Awake, dress in my fall blues, step outside, open up the rear lift door and take out my tea pot and stove. Then, I set up on the stove on my bench, add fire and then put water in my teapot and place it atop the stove. Next, while the water is heating, I get out my three cups to get them ready for my morning meal. I put two packets in my coffee cup, two tea bags in my tea cup and the ingredients for my Daystart in my sierra up.
When the water begins to boil, I pour some into my coffee cup, some into my tea cup and the rest into my sierra cup. Then, I put my stove and fuel container back into their storage bags, dry the tea pot and put it in its bag. Too, I take the three cups and put them inside the jammer in a place where I have access to them when I am driving. Finally, I store the bench back inside the jammer, close the rear lift door and then climb into the drivers seat and begin my drive for the day by driving out of the campground and onto US 101 heading east.
My first stop is not far from the campground, and I turn right onto Sol Duc Hot Springs Road and drive south for about twelve miles to the
Sol Duc Hot Spring resort. Here, I enter the parking lot, grab my towel, clean clothes, stuff them in my day pack and then walk inside the lodge. After I pay $12.00 for a senior pass, I walk into the mens dressing room and take off my shirt and trousers, after which I walk out to the pool area and get into the hot water. Then, in less than two hours, the lifeguard announces that the pools are closes and for every one to get out so that others can use the pools. Apparently, this hot springs has a new policy since I was last here. So, I pack out, change into my clean clothes and walk out to the jammer.
I then drive to Port Angeles and stop at the w-mart to connect to the internet and to work on my computer. Finally, when I am done for the day, I drive to the d-mart, park in the outlying area, put up my window shades and climb into the rear of the jammer for the night.
(Day 762 TN) 50°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 49
Day Four in the Rain Shadow
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 48.1093965, -123.3619352
Elevation: 193 feet
Awake, dress in my meeting blues, start the jammer engine and then drive west on US 101 for two miles to the new w-mart right on the highway. I pull in to the parking lot, park, and then go inside for coffee, com and computer. I stay here until about nine-thirty at which time, I pack out and drive east on US 101 until arriving at Sequim where I get off a the River Road exit, drive south one block to Narrow Way, turn right and then enter the parking lot of the Kingdom Hall.
After parking, I then grab my Bible, my mechanical pencil and walk into the hall for the weekend morning meeting of the East congregation. (There are two congregations at this hall, designated East and West.) I am greeted by several brothers as I approach and walk inside and then I choose a location where I will sit down when the meeting starts, but I choose just to stand here for now and greet anyone who approaches. After a few minutes, the chairman calls for the friends to take their seats and them the meeting begins. And like every meeting of Jehovah′s Witnesses that I have been to, this one is excellent, both in content and inspiration.
After the meeting, I make my way back out to the jammer, start the engine and drive to the w-mart on the opposite side of the highway. It is here where I sit and pound keys until I am done for the day, after which, I drive back to the location where I hope to overnight for a few days. When, I pull into the parking lot, it is very quite and I just stop the jammer, turn of the engine and put up my window shades for the night.
(Day 763 TN) 50°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 50
Day Five in the Rain Shadow
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, drive to the w-mart, park the jammer in one of the handicap parking spaces, grab my electronics bag and walk inside for coffee, com and computer.
I work on cropping many of the photos that I have been taking since arriving on the Olympic Peninsula, there must be hundreds because this area has so many beautiful places to see and photograph. Too, I am able to get quite a large amount of work done and upload most of the photos and web updates to the internet.
Finally, after the day begins to wane, I drive back to my overnight location to park for another night.
(Day 764 TN) 45°F. 6:00 am, overcast
Journey On, Day 51
Day Six in the Rain Shadow
Overnighting in a parking lot
Coordinates: 48.0750064, -123.1359710
Elevation: 296 feet
It began to rain yesterday evening and continued for most of the night, however, when I awake this morning, the rain had stopped some time earlier. I look out into the distance and can see the Olympic mountains but they are still mostly covered with clouds and haze. I then dress in my fall blues, start the jammer and drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and key pounding.
At about three in the afternoon, the owner of the AT&T where my vehicle was parked in front of came to me inside the w-mart to demand that I move my van away from in front of his store, saying, It does not look good and I don′t want my customers to have to look at it. I then tell him that this is a public parking lot and I have every right to park my van in that space. He then threatens me that he will call the police and have them tow the vehicle if I do not move it immediately. Because I do not want a conflict with this person, I then pack out, get into the jammer and drive out of the parking lot. Methinks, I will give him a bad review on Goggle Maps later, which he will not be able to do anything about.
I drive east on US 101, the remaining distance across the top of Washington until I arrive at the exit for SH 20 where I turn left and drive north to Port Townsend. I arrive at Port Townsend at about five this afternoon, drive directly to the Ferry terminal and purchase a ticket to cross Admiralty Inlet to Whidbey Island on the eight-fifty crossing but I am told that there may be room for me to board the six-fifty crossing, depending if there are no-shows or not. I pull up to the head of isle nine, park the jammer and get comfortable to wait for a couple of hours. When the ferry arrive and begins to load vehicles for the six-thirty crossing, the parking attendant waves to me to join the end of the line of cars boarding, so I start the jammer and drive on to the ferry. The crossing takes about thirty minutes and I find my self on Whidbey Island just before seven-thirty this evening.
I then drive north on Engle Road, which follows the west coast of Whidbey Island, left on Hill Road and drive to Ebey′s Landing and then continue north on Ebey′s Landing Road back to SH 20 at Coupeville, Washington. Once back on the state highway, I drive north from Coupeville about ten miles to Oak Harbor, Washington and pull in to the g-mart parking lot, put up my blinds and climb into the rear of the jammer for the night.
Having crossed the Admiralty Inlet and arriving on Whidbey Island, this Journey On ceases and now, I will begin my Summer Sojourn, which is appropriate due to the fact that tomorrow is the first day of the summer and a new season.
|
