Mt. Rainier

  

Mt. Rainier

  

Mt. St Helens near Windy Ridge

26 years later and you can still see the devastation caused by the eruption  

Sunset near Mt. St. Helens

  

Mt. Adams in distance

We did a hike from Paradise at Mt. Rainier and could see Mt. Adams once we gained enough elevation  

Mt. Rainier and Reflection Lake

  

Mt Rainier

  

Tacoma, Washington

We've moved to McChord AFB RV park and are staying here for at least a week. We can stay a maximum of 14 days. We spent 4 days in Randle, Washington. We enjoyed hiking with our friends, Paul and Carol on Sunday. We also drove up towards Mt. St. Helens Windy Ridge area on Friday. It was very very hot when we arrived in Randle - the truck thermometer said it was 114 degrees. On Monday we drove up to Mt. Rainier. It was a picture perfect day as you can tell by the pictures we've posted.

Fortunately, it has cooled down today. It's about 80 degrees here in Tacoma area. We did some shopping at the BX and commissary. Thursday we need to drive to Everett to put some extra stuff in our storage unit.

Hummingbirds at ranger station

  

Idaho historic ranger station

Ranger station from the 1920's in Idaho  

Clearwater river

  

Lewis&Clark Idaho

After leaving Lewiston, Idaho, we headed east towards Lolo pass in Montana. We drove to a campground and stayed near Kooskia, Idaho for two days. Bob had to get a blood test and Connie made a conference call to the bank where she used to work.

We then drove east along highway 12. This is the route Lewis and Clark followed in 1805-06. We stopped and read lots of the roadside signs regarding their trip. We stayed for two days in a campground about 50 miles from Lolo pass. On Wednesday, we took a day trip to the pass and back and enjoyed a dinner out at a lodge along the way.

We're now in Pasco, Washington on the banks of the Columbia river. Bob has another blood test this morning and then we're headed to the foothills of Mt. Rainier. Saturday morning we'll connect up with friends, Paul and Carol, to do a hike.

Hells Gate State Park, Lewiston, Idaho

Snake river in background  

Buddy the cat

Doing what cats do best  

RV Life on Wheels, Idaho

Sunday, July 9th we travelled to Moscow, Idaho for the RV life on wheels conference held at the University of Idaho. It's a weeklong event held on campus. Every day there are 4 sessions on a multitude of RVing subjects and each session lasts 1 1/2 hours. These sessions include Batteries, Ovens and Fridges, RVing Mexico, Fire Safety, etc. Plus, every evening has an event. Tuesday night we had a social hour at the local motel/restaurant. Wednesday night there was a free barbeque sponsered by the chamber of commerce. By Friday night we were pretty tired. But, we had a really fun time, learned a lot, and met some great people.

Saturday, July 15th, we travelled from Moscow down to Lewiston, Idaho. We're in the Hell's Gate state park located on the banks of the Snake River. Fortunately we have electric hookups as it's pretty warm today - mid 90's.

We're going to head east on Highway 12 towards Lolo, Montana. We're not sure we're going to drive that far. There is square dancing in Lolo. so that is one reason to go there. Or we may just head back the same way we come on Highway 12.

Bob has been having some trouble with his medication for his heart, so on Monday he needs to get his blood tested again. Hopefully they can get this straightened out soon.

Fourth of July trail view

We did a short hike here near Leavenworth  

Moscow, Idaho

We spent the 4th of July with friends in Granite Falls. On Thursday, July 6th, we headed over the pass to Leavenworth where we spent the night in a campground. We then moved over to the fairgrounds in Cashmere to attend the Square Dance Leadership seminar.

Sunday morning we headed to Moscow, Idaho for a weeklong seminar on RVing. We attended this same seminar two years ago. Connie attended a couple classes on RVing in Mexico. It really sounds interesting and fun. Also attended a personal safety class that was very informative. Bob attended a pepper spray class and some other classes on diesels. We both attended a weight safety class.

We'll be here until Saturday and then we don't know where we're headed.

Baby bison

Northwest trek  

Big Four near Ice Caves

Mountain Loop Highway in Washington  

Owl at Northwest trek

  

Elk at Northwest trek

  

Family at Northwest Trek

Bottom row, left to right, grandkids, Cody and Nichole, Connie's mom and dad, top row, friend, John, Connie's brother, Steve, Connie, and Bob  

Baby Goat Northwest Trek Wildlife park

  

Granite Falls, Washington

On Friday, June 30th we drove over the Cascades to Granite Falls, Washington. This small town is about 20 miles east of Everett. A fellow bus driver, Bill, has a home here and allowed us to park in front of his house. We've been enjoying the company of Bill and his girlfriend, Carol, and her son, John.

We've been busy since arriving here. As what usually happens we spend time catching up with Everett friends. On Saturday, we visited with some friends we knew from our square dance club. Sunday we drove up the Mountain Loop Highway to Barlow pass and did a short hike. Connie also did a bike ride, while Bob did some fishing.

On Monday, July 3, we drove to Connie's brother's house in Orting and then drove onto Northwest Trek - a wildlife part, Connie's brother, Steve, is a volunteer at the park. We had our two grandkids, Nichole and Cody, with us. Also, Connie's mom and dad, along with friends, Bill, Carol, and John went to the park. Steve arranged for a backdoor visit to the grizzly bears. We really enjoyed our visit to the park.

Today, July 4th, we dropped off the grandkids and then went to visit a friend from the bank where Connie used to work. We had a nice visit and then came back to Granite Falls. We had a nice dinner and then sat outside watching the fireworks. There is no fireworks ban in Granite Falls and it seems that lots of people here set off some very impressive fireworks.