7/2/2026

 7/2/2024

We traveled from Billings, MT today to Buffalo Gap Campground, ND (off I-94). Fourteen miles from here is Medora, where many of the Fourth of July-250 celebrations will take place. This small town is so congested that they have designated specific exits off I-94 for remote parking with free shuttle access. We don't have any plans yet to go into town. Sunday and Monday we have reservations in the National Park, so we will have to go to Medora. (Photo is of hills along I-94)

This is our first hot weather in a long time. 86 today. Sunday will be 96. Glad our alternator is fixed!

7/1/2026

Our home away from home, Cracker Barrel Billings

 7/1/2026

This morning we visited a really nice dog park here in Billings. This afternoon, our new alternator was installed, but it was late afternoon, so we decided to spend one more night in Billings before heading to Medora, ND. A couple of pics back at Cracker Barrel for the 3rd night. If we stay longer we may qualify as residents. Happy Canada Day!

Back area of Cracker Barrel

6/30/2026

 6/30/2026

Life at Cracker Barrel:

Last night when we pulled in, there were a few RVs. By 9pm, the lot was full. We've never seen more than a few at any Cracker Barrel. Next to us on one side was a wreck of a small trailer pulled by an old truck filled with personal belongings in the truck bed. Pretty sure they were homeless. Until late, the guy worked on his vehicle which seemed to have major problems. At 10 pm, a U-Haul pulling a car slipped in next to us on the other side. He ran his engine all night for a noisy sleeping experience. At 3pm, the first neighbor started work on his truck again. That continued until about 7am. They are still here.

After breakfast (of course at Cracker Barrel), we relocated to an end spot with a power outlet and we plugged in. Woo hoo!

Our alternator is scheduled to arrive between 11 and 3 tomorrow. We are hoping for 11.

We are grateful that Cracker Barrel allows us to park in their lot, even if there are minor issues.

6/29/2026

 6/29/2026

We left our campground this morning and headed to the town of West Yellowstone to do laundry. Then into the park and headed north to I-90. We arrived in Billings late this afternoon and talked with the Mercedes dealer who will install our alternator when it arrives. Yay! Our campsite tonight is Cracker Barrel with 7 other RVs. Nice grassy area for Sammy. The winds are howling, but no precipitation.

Pot-holed road in our campground entrance

Recent snow in the park

Sammy likes to ride with front legs on my lap.

We thought this was real, but it's a wrap.

6/28/2026

 628/2026

Last night, after a long day on the road, we pulled into a Forest Service Campground with no services and NO OTHER CAMPERS. It was not a good campground. Because it was late, we decided to stay. Since we are preserving our house battery power because of a non-functioning alternator, we kept Star-link and the inverter off. Once I turned it on, I read a message from Jane Riggs that we were in the path of a winter storm! Thank you Jane!! It was too late to move on, so today we awoke to snow and a winter storm warning. After 2 hours of driving in poor visibility, snow and slush, it turned to rain. So we are headed to a campground before west Yellowstone.

We arrived early this afternoon at Lonesomehurst Campground just west of Yellowstone. We are plugged in and cozy inside a nice warm RV.

Our campsite this morning.  Snow is just beginning.

Winter storm warning.  Visibility was poor

6/27/2026

 6/27/2026 We are at a campsite with no plug ins tonight so battery power will be conserved by turning off Star-link and the inverter. (May Creek Campground off Route 43 in Montana.) Very rainy today and tonight we may have snow flurries.

Fuel prices are much better here

Storm clouds up ahead

Traveled along the Clearwater River most of the day

6/26/2026

 We went out to dinner last night and when we settled in at Cabela's parking lot, Ron realized our battery power was very low. After a day of driving, it's typically 100%. Today Ron consulted with Advanced RV, shared some diagnostics and determined we have a faulty alternator. They will ship one on Monday. Tonight we are in McCay Bend Recreation Area (BLM) in Julietta, Idaho on the Clearwater River.

Yakima is surrounded by these hills on all sides

This nice company let us plug in and charge our battery.  No fee, just pay it forward!

Hills created by wind blown silt

Rugged area

in a small town we went through

Desolate for miles

BLM campground with sewer, water and power

Sammy loves it.  He found a bone.

6/25/2026

 6/25/2926

Today we headed north past Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, across the Columbia River (narrow bridge). Our fuel stop in Hood River, OR was just before the bridge. At that point, we had to decide on a route, a busy interstate or a quiet road- Route 141, then Mt. Adams road that turned into Forest Road 23 in the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest. Forest Road 23 turned to gravel after 30 + miles. BIG MISTAKE! The sign said unpaved for 11 miles. That was an understatement!! Potholes of various sizes and depths were almost constant. We traversed back and forth to avoid the worst ones. It took both of us to spot the hazards. Items in our cabinets bounced back and forth. It took us 60+ minutes to go 11 miles. Stressful-Yes! It was the worst road we've ever traveled, including Alaska. At least there were no fires in the area and it wasn't raining. Ron has nerves of steel!! We are staying at Cabela's in Yakima, Washington.

Mt. Hood

Narrow bridge over the Columbia River

Mt. Adams

Looks smooth but it is NOT

Children's shoes hanging on a post on the gravel road.
Significance unknown.

After the gravel road.  Pretty.

On the way to Yakima, WA

6/24/2026

 6/24/2026

We stopped in Bend, OR for a haircut and groceries and then traveled toward Mt. Hood. We are staying at Clear Lake Campground on Hwy 26. (3 nights ago we were in northern CA near today's earthquake).

Our last view of Crater Lake

The road ahead

Mt. Hood

National Forest Campsite

6/23/2026

 6/23/2026

We drove the west rim and north rim of Crater Lake today. The east rim is closed for construction. On the north rim, traffic was intermittently stopped (20-30 minutes each time) for tree work. Dead trees are cleared to protect the roadway.

About Crater Lake: it is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. 7700 years ago, Mt. Mazama collapsed and formed a huge caldera. It is the deepest lake in the U.S at almost 2000 feet. It is also one of the purest lakes and the color blue is magnificent. In the center of the lake is an island formed from magma. They have 44 feet of snow here annual.

Tree removal crew

TIMBERRR

TIMBERRR

reflection

Trolley brings groups to view 

Steep drop-off

6/22/2026

 6/22/2926

Today was the lava beds drive: first was Lassen, then Medicine Lake Road, and eventually Modoc Scenic Byway/ Lava bed National Monument. There are lava tubes that become caves, and there was a spelunking group ready to explore. Shoes must be cleaned in advance so the cave bats do not get white nose syndrome, a fungal disease. We stopped in Klamath Falls for fuel, dog park and ice cream. Across the street from ice cream was a store called Poppy! The original intention was for me to get a haircut at Great Clips. You can get on the waiting list in advance. Usually takes 20 minutes. At this one, my wait was 206 minutes. Yikes. We moved on.

We are camped at Crater Lake for 2 nights, Mazama Campground, named after the mountain that collapsed and became a cauldron which became the lake.

Mount Shasta

10 miles of gravel road

Visitors' center

Heading for the caves

Scoping out the options

Here's one of the caves

Fossilized Stream created this