Hitch itch planning

I mentioned a day or so ago that I was feeling the first pangs of hitch itch.  That usually gets me into the planning stages of my next route, and today was no exception.  I guesstimated  that it's about 600 miles to Malheur NWR in Oregon, and I will have about three weeks to get there.  If you always have numbers going around in your head like I do, then you've figured out that it's an average of about 30 miles of travel a day.

Of course, since I have an appointment in Idaho Falls on August 9 to take my rig in for some issues, that will knock off at least 100 miles the first day.  I don't know how long those repairs are going to take, assuming they have any needed parts.  So, I'm kind of in a quandary.  :(  What to do??

After looking over my book of maps, and surfing the internet, I've decided that I definitely want to spend a few days visiting the Craters of the Moon National Monument.  It's not too far from Idaho Falls, so I thought I'd make some tentative reservations at a campground in Arco, ID.  It's only 18 miles from the Monument, and 66 miles from Idaho Falls.  I've just sent them an email since I can't call them, so we'll see what happens.  If I should have to wait for parts, I'd rather do it where I can be out and about seeing things rather than just waiting at the dealership.  I'm hoping this repair facility works at a faster pace than Universal RV and Marine in Rochester, MN!  I'll let you know.

It was another beautiful, but buggy, day in the neighborhood today.  Other than my rather lengthy planning session, I really didn't do much else today besides taking Emma on several long walks.  I've decided to try setting the alarm again for tomorrow morning (ugh) and venture out early into Yellowstone.  When I drove the motorhome through the park on June 6 from Cody, we didn't stop to see any of the sights along the way from the East entrance because we were on a mission to get to Red Rock.  My plans are to take that route to the East entrance tomorrow and take my time.  We'll see if I pay attention to the alarm or not.  :)

Thanks for stopping by....talk to you later,  Judy

And the Thunder Rolls

Remember that song by Garth Brooks?  Well, the thunder is rolling right now.  I believe that rain has been in the forecast for everyday this past week, and continues for a good share of next week.  What a difference from the drought of last year!  I must admit that I'm getting a little tired of it.  :(

When you combine that with the fact that I have been here almost three months, and have only two weeks to go; I'm really developing a case of hitch itch.  It's time to move on.  I can tell I'm ready to hit the road when my mind keeps turning to planning things in the not too distant future. 

After another successful early morning bird tour today, my mind started thinking about this summer.  All kinds of things were circling around in there.  I now know that I'll spend the month of September volunteering at Malheur NWR in Oregon.  I'll be working the Visitor's Center every weekend.  I can deal with that for a month.  They require three days a week of work, so I'll have four days each week to explore the area.  That's cool.  I'm really shying away from places that ask for more than three days/week.  I'm retired, after all.

Anyway, after my time in May at my son's house, I'll head for a private RV park outside of Yellowstone NP along with my sister and brother-in-law.  We had made reservations for ten days, but today I decided to extend my stay at the Red Rock RV Park to a month long stay.  They'll be returning to their house in Illinois, but I'm going to stay on longer to truly enjoy Yellowstone and everything else in that area of Idaho where I'll be.  I haven't planned anything beyond that....yet.  I've got plenty of time to do that.  :)  I have to get used to the fact that I'll have four months without having to "work."  The possibilities abound!

Remember yesterday when I took Karen Kilfeather and Mark, the guy from Texas Fish and Wildlife, to see the hummingbird nest?  Well, today Karen emailed me the picture she took of the nest with the two white eggs inside. They are about the size of very small jelly beans.  She plans to send me more as life advances in this mini reality show.  :)  I'll keep you posted.

I think I've rambled on enough for tonight.

Thanks for stopping by....talk to you later,  Judy