September 13, 2017. Desolate Nevada

CAMPGROUND:  Clark RV park.  Typical commerical RV park although the spaces are bigger.  Everything we needed for the night - laundry, great showers, electricity, wifi, good TV, and sewer dump at each site.  $30/night.  4 out of 5 stars  

LOCATION:  Battle Mountain, Nevada - in north central part of state

 

WEATHER:  Hot. High 90.  Mostly sunny, pretty light clouds

 

We left our Harvest Host winery site in the early morning, then drove to a rest stop for breakfast.  We drove by interesting lava fields and signs for fossil museums.  There were a lot of springs flowing from the mountains.

 We had planned to stay another day in Idaho at another Harvest Host winery, but we hadn't heard back from the host.  We arrived at a fork in the road where we had to decide whether to stay in Idaho or go south to Nevada.  We went south, and immediatly lost cell service.  Unfortunately, later we learned that there was indeed vacancy at the winery, but the owner couldn't reach us due to the lack of cell service.

 

Oh well -  on to Nevada.  We are headed toward Yosemite National Park and have to travel south to get there.  We drove through 200 miles of sheer nothingness.  No gas, cell service, food, motels - nothing but a few sad-looking Indian reservations.  

We ended up here in Battle Mountain.  Nothing special but the RV site has everything we need.  It was good to catch up with laundry and showers.  We did some online research on camping at Yosemite and to find other Harvest Hosts on our upcoming routes.   It was a 260-mile day.  This is our route so far on this trip, excluding our detour to Singapore and Thailand....

 

The theme of the day was eating the bounty of our Harvest Host overnight stays.  This was especially important due to our naughty refrigerator.  For breakfast, we had salmon cakes from last night's salmon.  Lunch was prime beef sandwiches, leftover from last night, too.  Then, for dinner tonight we had sauteed veg from the Harvest Host farm with one of  last night's potatoes.  A tomato salad was on the menu, too, with the freshest tomato we have ever eaten.  Unfortunately, we didn't finish everything, and tomorrow will be round 3 of the leftovers.

 

The sunset over the other RVs was beautiful...

   

September 12, 2017. Car and body check-up

CAMPGROUND:  Snyder Winery - another Harvest Host site.  Huge parking lot for the Airstream.  Beautiful vineyard setting.

 

LOCATION:  West of Twin Falls, in southwest Idaho.

 

WEATHER:  Very pleasant.  High about 85.  

 

We awoke to a young elk careening past our window.  We looked at each other and asked, "What was THAT?"  He had run down the lane, and was heading toward a field.  We watched him jump a couple of fences, then try to figure out how to escape from the fenced-in field.  It was quite impressive.

 

We listened to the sand hill cranes making an unusual noise out in the fields. 

 

We enjoyed a slow morning at the Kraay Farm.  They even had great wifi for us so we did some catching-up on the internet.  

 

We picked some beautiful squash, zucchini and herbs from one of the gardens.  

 

The owner started early in the morning, working in the greenhouses.  A group of school children arrived for a field trip and to "help" do some harvesting.  

 

We bought some tomatoes from the owner's wife.  

 

We even took advantage of the outdoor solar shower.  Unfortunately, since it was still morning, the water hadn't warmed up much. Sorry - no "action photos" of the actual shower experience....

 

Twin Falls was our destination for the day.  A medium-sized city, we thought we would get the oil changed in the truck, and have a MD look at my ankle that hasn't healed from the tumble I took 2.5 weeks ago.  We found an oil/lube store right next to the urgent care clinic.  George got the oil changed; I had x-rays done that show that I don't have any broken bones in my ankle or foot.  That is great news!  I guess it just takes longer for these old bones to heal than it used to!

 

We found tonight's Harvest Host RV site west of Twin Falls.  It is in the middle of farmland.  The owner has a small vineyard and has created an event center for weddings, corporate meetings, etc.  The gardens are beautiful.  

 

To support the winery, we had ordered dinner.  We thought it was a regular restaurant, but found out that the owner only opens on the weekends and for events.  However, she said that she always cooks for Harvest Host guests, if they/we would like.  So, we enjoyed a gourmet dinner on the patio overlooking the garden - and had the place to ourselves!   I had salmon; George had prime rib.  It was a fixed menu, starting with a crab cocktail, then Caesar salad, and then our main course.  George's meat was so big that it didn't fit on the plate.  Each of our entrees came with an absolutely gigantic Idaho baked potato, with all the fixings.  We bought a bottle of her wine for dinner.  We have so many leftovers - which is a concern due to our stupid refrigerator.  George tried the rich bourbon custard pie, but could only manage a few bites.  So much for our "free" campsite - since we bought two dinners.  Oh well - we like to support local endeavors and it was a unique experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 11, 2017. Camping in a Garden of Eden

CAMPGROUND:  Kraay's Market and Garden - another Harvest Host arrangement.  Beautiful, organic farm and Arabian horse ranch.  Even though Harvest Host is set-up for dry camping, the owners  invited us to hook up to their electricity and water.  Absolutely gorgeous!

 

LOCATION:  Outside of Hailey, Idaho, near famous Sun Valley

 

WEATHER:  Sunny and hot.  High 86.  It really cools off at night making for very pleasant sleeping.

 

We got an early start from the winery.  We drove about 15 minutes to one of the highest passes along the highway and stopped there to make some breakfast and to enjoy the view.

 

Today's drive was about 200 miles, mostly on  the beautiful Salmon River Scenic Byway.  We followed the Sawtooth Mountains, some still with bits of snow on the tops.   There aren't any fires here, so the views were spectacular.

 

We drove through the posh ski resort towns of Ketchum and Sun Valley.  We could see the ski slopes outside of town and in Ketchum, the bar that Hemingway made famous. He loved this area, and we learned that he was buried here.  

 

We couldn't believe our luck when we pulled into tonight's Harvest Host location.  These pure-bred Arabians galloped toward the car to welcome us.        

 

Then, the owner greeted us and helped us set up.  From time to time, the owner has woofers (worldwide organization of organic farmer students) or something like that - and couch-surfers stay on the farm to help and to live free.  So, they have electricity and water set up for them, and let us use it, too.  How nice!

 

We toured the farm.  Lots of vegetables growing, flowers blooming, chickens roaming, goats sleeping and rabbits hopping around.        

 

They sell their vegetables to people in the area who order their weekly veg online.  They can hardly keep up with the demand.  Check out their website for a video of their farm and photos of their veg....www.kraaysmarketgarden.com

 

The owner built this teepee for his stepdaughter to live in when she first moved here.   She lived in it year-round, even with -20 degree winters.  

 

It is dramatically beautiful inside.  Some woofers and couch-surfers sleep here. Pretty deluxe!      

 

The owner also trains horses here.  He has different jumps and fields for the horses.  This is a special jump through a small pond.        

 

There is an Artesian well next to our Airstream.  We filled our water tank up with the delicious water.  The chickens came by for a drink.        

 

We ate dinner around their small fire pit and enjoyed the sun set.      

       

 

DINNER:  Since the refrigerator is still not cooling right, I haven't bought much fresh food.  I opened a can of corned beef and sautéed it with potatoes that the owner gave us, picked earlier today.  Side was  sauerkraut leftover from the Rueben sandwich from the other evening.      

September 10, 2017. Winery camping!

CAMPGROUND:  Trapper Peak Winery.  5 out of 5 stars, for sure!  This is our 2nd Harvest Host stay.  We had the barn parking lot to ourselves.  Beautiful, peaceful mountain scenery.  Wow!

 

LOCATION:  Near Darby, Montana about 1.5 hours south of Missoula.  In northwest part of state.

 

WEATHER:  Very pleasant.  High about 80. Some sun.  Still smoky

 

We did a few errands in Missoula, then headed south toward our next Harvest Host stay.  I had called the winery yesterday to make reservations.   I had to leave a message.  When the host called me back, he was very apologetic about not being there to answer my first call.  He described in great detail how he had been out on the range, moving his cattle from one field to another.

 

On our way, we stopped in a brewpub for lunch.  We shared a really good sandwich and each tried one of their beers.  

 

Then, on to Darby, a quaint cowboy village of about 300 people.  We were surprised to see that they have a nanobrewery (Bandit Brewery - the smallest in Montana) so we just had to stop by and check it out.  It was interesting on the outside....

 

And, inside were several authentic-looking cowboys....

 

We found our Harvest Host site, a tiny winery called Trapper Peak Winery.  The host welcomed us and got us parked. He invited us to a tasting at 4:30. It is a beautiful location.  Nestled in a valley, surrounded by forests, his house is immaculately groomed with lovely flowers, freshly-mowed grass, wood stacked neatly ready for the winter, and mules in the barnyard.  

 

The host grew up in California and his family has vineyards in Napa.  He picks up the grapes each fall, then makes wine in his garage/winery in the winter.  The wine was really good.  (We had been curious about Montana wine). 

 

We bought a bottle, then retired to the Airstream across the little pond.  

 

We sat outside to eat since the evening was so nice.  

 

The sun set was fabulous.....

 

 

DINNER:  Beans and rice with sausage and vegetables stirred in.  In a Mexican sauce.  

September 9, 2017. Big (smoky) Sky Montana

CAMPGROUND:  Big Sky Brewery parking lot!

LOCATION:  Missoula, Montana

 

WEATHER:  Warm.  High about 90.  Still smoky in parts

 

We awoke at our campground in Riley Creek.  The smoke was much lighter.  We took a walk around the river and could even see things in the distance, as the smoke had dissipated quite a bit.

 

We said goodbye to Tony and Jenny with plans to see them in Yosemite in about a week.  (Funnily enough, we ran into them again in about an hour at the Safeway grocery where we both had stopped for coffee and wifi).  Another quick goodbye.     

 

We drove about 3 hours southeast towards Missoula.  We started seeing fires about an hour out of Missoula.  They were high in the mountains, but seemed quite strong.    

 

In the small towns that we passed through,  all the motels said "no vacancy" as the firefighters from other states are staying there.  We also passed this firemen's camp.      

 

We recently joined a RV group called Harvest Hosts. For $40/year, we can stay FREE in wineries, breweries, museums, orchards and farms that are part of this group.  It is patterned after the host farm camper association in France, where we were hosts while housesitting in Brittany.  

 

Tonight's stay was with Harvest Hosts at Big Sky Brewery.  We had called ahead and they welcomed us to stay in their big parking lot.  When we arrived, one of the brewers was outside and guided us to our site.  (We are the only ones here).  He said that there is a concert at the Harley Davidson store across the street.  Would we be perhaps interested in attending?  Why not, we said, so he gave us 2 tickets free @$15/each.  

 

We walked to the concert.  The music was sort of country.  I have never seen so many odd-looking people together at one time.  It was a strange combination of patriots, religious zealots, Harley die-hards, tattoo recipients, and lots of leather trying to cover mounds of fat.   Bernie Sanders would not have been a hit here!!!!!    

 

We had a Big Sky beer, some excellent BBQ from a food truck and enjoyed the music for awhile.  Then, back to the Airstream to be by ourselves. 

     

 

 We have reservations tomorrow night at another Harvest Host site - a winery, then another one on Monday at an organic farm.  This is going to be another great twist to our Reids on the Road adventure!!!!!

September 8, 2017. Scenic (but smoky) drive

CAMPGROUND:  3rd night at Riley Creek Army Corps of Engineer Campground.  3rd night with our friends Tony and Jenny.

 

LOCATION:  Northern Idaho, in the skinny part, near Sandpoint.

 

WEATHER:  Great temps, but smoky

 

Our plan today was a 120-mile scenic route loop that the visitors' office had recommended.  We first headed north, almost to the Canada border through the Silkirk Mountains (which we could not see due to the smoke), then east into Montana.  

 

The drive took us by pristine lakes with pine trees soaring to the tops of the mountains.  Unfortunately, we couldn't see much of that, due to the smoke.  We'd like to return another year when there is no smoke, to compare.

 

We stopped at a Park Service site that is a grove of ancient red cedar trees, some older than 500 years.  The trees are beautiful.  We hiked on a trail through the grove.

 

This one had been hit by lightening, years ago.

 

This one is really tall --- Tony and Jenny are tiny figures at the bottom.

 

Here is Jenny trying to get a photo of the top of that tall tree.

 

The trees are really big around, too.

 

On the road into the cedar grove, we stopped to talk with some firefighters.  They told us that they had just arrived from Arizona, to help with the Montana fires.  There weren't any fires around us, but the grass and trees are brittle brown, and looked like they could go up into flame so easily.

 

Then, our circular route brought us back west and south to Idaho.  We stopped in Hope at a restaurant aptly called The Floating Restaurant.  It is on a big ramp with boats moored around it.  You cannot see the lake through these boats due to the smoke.

 

Next to Hope, Idaho, there is also even tinier east Hope, then of course, someone had to name another location Beyond Hope.  Cute.

 

We saw lots of wild turkeys on the drive, some deer, dead skunks, and a coyote.  There are lots of fruit stands.  Trees are loaded with apples, and people are selling huckleberries, which we want to try.

 

 

DINNER:  We joined forces again with Tony and Jenny, and made grilled Rueben sandwiches on the George Forman grill.  Really good! 

September 7, 2017. Smoky Idaho

CAMPGROUND:  Another night at Riley Creek.  I think I will upgrade the rating from a 4-star to a 5-star.  After all, it is not the campground's fault that it is so smoky that we cannot see the adjacent lake nor is their rule that we cannot use one of the great fire rings.  Also, we discovered that we can get 3 different PBS stations on TV!

 

LOCATION:  Near Sandpoint, Idaho

 

WEATHER:  Smoky, smoky!  High about 80

 

We had breakfast with Tony and Jenny at their campsite, and then took off for the day. We stopped at the visitor center in Sandpoint.  This area is featured in the book "1000 Places to Go Before You Die" as it is very scenic (when the smoke allows a view), with beautiful lakes.  Popular in summer for boating and fishing, and in winter for skiing.  

 

On to Coeur d' Alene, about 45 minutes away.  We wanted to see the city and lake.  Tony also needed to set up an appointment for a car repair.  It is a very nice city.  The downtown is vibrant and there are a lot of pretty areas around the lake.  We found a great brewpub for lunch and sat outside.

 

We ordered a plate of nachos.  It was huge!  There were 3 IPAs from which to choose.  A really fun place.

 

Then, a drive through the backroads. It is so dry.  It looks like the grass and dead trees could go up in flame any minute.  Scary.

 

We decided to extend our stay here by one night.  We moved to a new site, side by side with Tony and Jenny, that was available for the 2 next nights.  Sweet!  

 

 

DINNER:  Since we ate so much at lunch, we had a smallish dinner of leftover refried rice bolstered by additional Asian veg.