Our Journey East - Days 7 and 8 .. into Pennsylvania

History has shown that reliance on google 'hours' of travel will spell a late arrival.

Judging from the 1000 km planned for day 7 and the previous accomplishments, 2 days would be a more fitting ride !  So it was to be ...

Heading east to St. Louis from O'Fallon we are met with grey skies and intermittent falling rain.  Nice to be cooler, for sure, and no need for high volume A/C.


We pass the St. Louis Cardinal stadium and the Famous Arch on our way through town.

          

Hoping to arrive at a destination in reasonable time, we pick a spot just across the Missouri border into Ohio - home of a former rock quarry and nice little RV campground - Natural Springs Resort, in New Paris, Ohio, just east of Richmond, Missouri.   Our neighbour at the camp had a Great Dane, to match up with our Great Pyrenees.  The younger Marmaduke was rather rambunctious, so did not meet nose to nose with ours, at his owners behest.   The camp had a good number of permanent weekend owners, with golf carts and trailers.  We almost missed the check in, arriving just before 7 pm.

Astrid whipped up a specialty pasta dish of hers, always delightful, and we retired for an early get-a-way the next day - on the road by 0830 hrs.

Passing through Indianapolis, we see the Lucas Oil Stadium - a state of the art, retractable roof stadium - home of Super Bowl XLVI, 2015 NCAA Final Four,  and the NFL Colts.  

Road Construction remains as a mainstay in our day, with some of the roads particularly rough and bouncy ... first time Astrid says Steve swore at the road !  Traffic out of Akron at 4:14 pm was typically heavy for major cities.   The concrete highways are noisy compared to asphalt !  .. and bumpy ... twathump, thwathump, thwathump, over the seams.

Our first hint of east coast was a sign for the Interstate 80 highway ... to New York City.  Must be more than half way !

Just before 6 pm, we pull in to Clarks Mills, Pennsylvania at Al & Kathy's ... an impressive estate in the country where lawn mowers are obviously king !

See our journey on Google Maps !

Stay tuned...

Cheers
Astrid 'n Steve

Our Journey East - Day 6 .... Arrival in St. Louis

Stuffed $30 into the envelope and dropped it into the deposit box heading out from Victorian Acres RV Park in Nebraska City in the a.m.  On the road .... looks like it's going to be a wet day.

Rainy Day on the i29 highway ... south to Kansas City

Not a great deal to see on this day ... just pushing to get to St. Louis.  We did see a large Ritchie Bros. Auction site east of Kansas City .... looked like a big operation.  ( Ritchie Bros are world wide success story - heavy equipment auctioneers started up from Kelowna and B.C. )

Ritchie Bros Auctioneers - east of KC

Finally arrived at the stately Manse of Deryck & Wendy Whiteley in O'Fallon, west of St. Louis to be met with smiles and salutations on the driveway.  Bring out the dogs for a greeting and on into the home to catch up.   Both Deryck and Wendy are entrepreneurs with their own separate businesses, successfully beating the Rush Hour traffic with 12 metre commutes.

Wendy splashes out some wine and Deryck pulls out some steaks and slays the beasts on the BarBQ ... perfectly cooked & paired with wine and desert, all the while catching up.  Twas almost 30 years since our last dinner party in T.O. !   Jason, a wunderkind by most accounts and the gentleman son of our guests joined us for the occasion.  We'll have to visit the brewery (Jason's workplace) on the next trip ! A few laughs, a few tales, and a great meal, complete with  fruit and ice wine toppers.  Nice.

Deryck, Jason, Wendy Whiteley - Hosts with the Most

After dinner, Deryck and Steve took Connor and Ceilidh out for a 2 mile walk, after which the pyr's  flaked out on the floor appreciating the generous hospitality and the fact that floor was not moving.  Robbie Too remained camped out in the moho.  Twas a nice stop in the flurry of travel and a welcome visit for us all.  Many thanks !

Up the next day, coffee and emails, sending Deryck off early to conquer the real estate world, then back on the road.  All too short, but a memorable part of our journey.

Off we go ... waving good bye.

Cheers

Astrid 'n Steve 

Our Journey East - Gas Mileage to date - 1999 Tiffin Allegro Bus - V10 with Banks Power System

For the curious ... which includes me, here are the fuel consumption figures to date for the motorhome...  (Click image to enlarge).

With the 7.5 kw generator running (provides 120 V circuit to motorhome while running on highway ... including running A/C rooftop unit.), the gas consumption appeared to be down about 1 mile per gallon. or roughly 10%.   However, with the hot days, there were some good hill climbs where the moho was down to 2nd gear and running at 35-40 mph at 3500 rpm.

Through Wyoming and Nebraska, the lands are flatter and the weather was cooler ... dash A/C was all that was needed, so no generator running.  So far, looks like about 8 miles per USGallon or over 9.5 miles per Imperial Gallon, or 29 litres per 100 km when not loaded by hills or extra generator.

For reference, my Chevrolet 2500 crew cab pickup used over 30 litres/100 km when pulling a 30 foot trailer (through the 'hills' of B.C.)

Pretty much as expected insofar as gas consumption is required.

Cheers

Steve D.

Our Journey East - Day 5 .... Chasing through Nebraska

Today was a slow start.  Ceilidh had an episode at 4 am .... (our Pyrenees is an epileptic ... whoda thunk?)   She gets rather discombobulated for an hour or so afterwards ... sorta loses her whereabouts and recognition.  It is a horrible thing to watch, but Astrid assures that she is fine during and after, as long as it doesnt last too long.   So ... long night.

Awake late.  Pull down camp (hoses, electrics, water, jacks etc .... not exactly roughing it ... )  Then fill the propane, and on into Cabela's to pick up some RV accessories.  Then sit for an hour and update the blog ... finally.  On the road at about 1:30 pm.

A Note on Google Maps - Speed and distance.

When looking at possible routes, I relied on google maps ... very useful tool.  However, beware, as it estimates time based on very fast speeds :-)  For instance, the trip across Wyoming (Green below, through to Nebraska) is noted as 735 km and a time of 6 hours 30 minutes...   hmmm .... quick check and that is over 113 km per hour.  At first I thought it was illegal speeds, but many of the freeways here are posted at 75 Miles per hour limit.

The problem is, in the motorhome, we're running at about 100 km/hr or 62-63 mph.  Day one was about 58 mph.   In the end, relying on Google Map's times means we're playing catch up in the motorhome !

Crossing Nebraska

Since we got a late start, and our reliance on google, we had to run for a good part of the day ... to about 10:30 pm.  (also lost an hour crossing into Central Time Zone)   Crossing Nebraska is more interesting than Wyoming, but miles and miles of the same.

Stopped at a gas station where Astrid spotted some GMO corn ... "all the ground cover is dead, except for stalks .... pesticides etc !".  Astrid has been watching the Monsanto Overlords with a solid dose of scepticism and disdain ... organic is the flavour of her day.

We roll through Lincoln, grab a bite at the DQ (in a hurry) ... and travel to Nebraska City to park for the night.   St. Louis beckons tomorrow, with a visit with Deryck and Wendy Whiteley ('82 Mech Eng - Waterloo classmate)  Looking forward to taking it easy for a short bit ... no doubt some beer, wine, good food, and lotsa lies to be told.  Google tells me 582 km to their doorstep tomorrow... likely pull in 3-4 pm ... although I said 1-2 pm.....  

Dogs fed.  Cat out from under the couch (stays there all day long ... till motors stop).  All is well.

Cheers for now.

Astrid 'n Steve

Our Journey East - Day 4 ... Running Wyoming

On the road at 0845 hrs or so.  Running through Southern Wyoming is mile after mile of dry desert-like ranch land.  5-6 hours worth before we get to some interesting changes in the landscape and some larger towns - Laramie and Cheyenne.

Wyoming ... barren .. for hours n hours 

Astrid takes a run at driving the moho for an hour coming in to Laramie but is safety minded and passes it back before hitting Cheyenne - anticipations of traffic in the big rig.

When we hit Cheyenne, stopped in at the visitors centre - opened last October and an impressive building.  Astrid marvelled at the dog park - best by far we had seen.  Most were dry gulch strips of land added as an afterthought as a "pet walk area"  ... some even had the gall to say "pets only in far grassy area".  There was no grass at all, just tumbleweed, so we heeded the sign as the design begged.  NOT.

Connor & Ceilidh do appreciate green .... and Connor likes all the critters that follow to know he was there... a dribble here, a dribble there, everywhere a dribble, squirt.

The Welcome Centre was new in October, 2012 ... very nice spot with wifi and lotsa good help.

We head east to find the Nebraska border in about an hour and tire so find a spot, home to Cabela's outdoor gear - www.cabelas.com/... World Headquarters in Sydney, Nebraska !

Cabela's Outdoor Gear supplier ... World Headquarters in Nebraska

Park in at Cabela's RV camp ... very nice and all the services... except the wifi wasn't strong ...  too slow to do anything... hmmm.  Wassup with that ?

BTW ... posted Day 2-5 sitting outside a hotel on a Boingo Wifi feed .. Sunday a.m. .. it's now 1:25 pm.. slow start today .. Ceilidh, one of our Pyrs, is epileptic and had a seizure at 4:00 am last night.  Long night calming her down .... all is well now.

On the road again.  Check us out here ... Google Maps.

Cheers
Astrid 'n Steve

Our Journey East - Day 3 .... Heading in to Utah in HOT HOT weather.

We leave Mountain Home and head south, after filling up the thirsty beast.  Similar terrain and geography in southern Idaho ... very hot outside  .... 90°F ++ so A/C again is a blessing.  Everything running cool in the moho with the 7.5 kw generator running the roof AC unit, together with the dash A/C.

 After miles of dry hot desert, we venture into northern Utah with more of the same.  It was not until we got near to Salt Lake that the greenery started to show a bit.  Obviously a lot of oil/gas processing in the state, as we pass a number of refineries.

 I wanted to roll through Salt Lake City and see the Mormon Churches as that is where my dad, Fred, spent several trips gathering genealogy data for the Dimond and Campbell clans.  We manage to take a few far away shots from the freeway ... have to do ... now Friday at 5 pm .... Rush Hour !  Interesting city, Salt Lake ... with homes climbing up the surrounding hills.  Must have fabulous views.

We continue along and take the Freeway east that climbs the hills up to Park City and the site of the 2006 Winter Olympics.  Running up the hill, we see Red Soil ... hints of PEI :)  We see the ski jumps .... not really mountains by BC standards, but must get some snow in winter.

Another attempt to connect to internet over cell phone, to no avail.  Useless and frustrating ... mountains must be an issue.  Not long after, we tire and pull into Evanston, Wyoming, and grab one of the last spots at a decent little site, Phillips RV Park.  Get all the hookups sorted, animals fed, and walk to a neighbouring Mexican food restaurant.  Astrid has a marvelous marguerita that she raves about, and we each chow down on Mexican fare.  Rolaids at the ready.  Robbie the cat remains a bit freaked out ...

We are running about 6 hours behind the planned schedule... oh well, not too bad all things considered.

That's it for now...

Cheers
Astrid 'n Steve

Our Journey East - Day 2 ... Thurs. July 25th ... Deserts and the Pursuit of Internet

We awake early to our resort location ... pavement and trucks at the rest area.  Get all in order and head out.  We notice that the airport was no where to be seen .. but, alas, windmills.  Red lights adorn the tops, no doubt.  Couldnt see them at midnight !  (PS .... CLICK on pics for enlargements)

Windmills ... common sight on our trip.  Go Green.  No Airport though... 

We had passed the originally planned turn off, so carried along and detoured along the river to meet up with that route.   The motorhome turns out to be what is called a Wide-body model.
That leaves about a foot on either side to the white lines !  A bit tricky at times to stay in the lane, but practice makes it easier.  Construction lanes are a test !

The Pursuit of Internet

I had done some investigation on-line about US cell and roaming rates.  Canadian Telco companies commit 'crimes', in my view, for the charges they apply to roaming.  For instance, last year, I took an ipad on a trip to Seattle, used it very briefly, all in perhaps 30 minutes of use.   A bill of $1000 was applied.  Criminal.

So .. once burned, twice shy.  We stopped in at Walmart in Richland, Wash.  Check the Map here.  The people at Walmart were helpful, but didnt have exactly what I wanted.   There was a $50 for 5 GByte date plan - that should work.  Pay for it and walk through initiation on the phone with T-Mobile.  Get all the way to credit card .... AH - no US Address.  Sorry.  Refund.   Suggest to try other Walmart in Pasco.  The lady there was very helpful, showed me a $30 pay as you go with one month unlimited data - special to Walmart (sold out at other store).  Great, thought I.  My iphone had been unlocked by Telus ($35 fee to flip a switch ... more on telco 'crimes')  An hour later, on the phone, trying to get this setup and hit a brick wall.  Dang.  Suggested to go across street to AT&T store.  So ... off we go.  Chat with AT&T rep. who gets on phone with "manager" ... yes, we can do that.  Gives me a Cell card to put into ipad.  We call up for initialization ... get all the way through to Credit Card and BANG .. - no US Address.  Sorry.  Refund.  Everyone very apologetic... and everyone not really very informed on their own products and services.  A complete waste of 3 hours, putting us well behind.

On the way out, we stop at Russ Dean Family RV store .... big operation in Pasco.  YES !  They have the inline filter to replace ours which had a large crack in it and prevented us from using water until then.  Ah ... one thing goes right that day !  Small blessings.  We'll take 'em !

We run hard through Oregon heading up the hills through the mountains and beyond, heading into Idaho.

Open terrain in North Oregon.. Mile after Mile

Finally out of the desert-like conditions found in mid Oregon !

Finally ... Catching some green !  and Construction.

Stop at about 8-9pm when we arrived at Mountain Home, Idaho.  Very nice spot, recommended by an RV park in Boise that was full.  Set up full hookups, dinner, some wine, and off to bed.

One more down.

Cheers
Astrid 'n Steve

Our Journey East - Day 1 ... Finally on the Road ... late, but moving through Washington State

Hectic day, getting all loose ends wrapped up.  Finally got going just after 4 pm and still forgot some things ... oh well.  Leave our good friend Pablo to sweep up after we leave ... thank goodness for good friends with a flexible schedule who can house-sit.

Corn Fields south of Sumas - Border Crossing

The border is only about 30 minutes away ... expected the worst with a motorhome and our first foray in it.  So stopped at Duty Free to get some items we have a weakness for and proceeded back in line.

Guns were drawn, our faces flat on the pavement ... er .... no ...  we were through and across in 60 seconds.  Amazing.



Stopped in at the Linden, Wash. Saveway to pick up supplies - two roasted chickens .. mostly for the dogs.  Just over an hour later, back on the road at 7:30pm.  Wanted to make it past Seattle before morning rush hour, so pressed on until midnight.  Had to catch up we thought.  Generator running non-stop -- mighty hot day out there and A/C essential for the pyrs.

Navigator ... stunned we are actually moving.

Parked at a roadside rest in southern Washington, listening all night to the lovely tones of battling diesel engines from the long haul trucks we had as neighbours.

Noticed a lot of red lights high in the air running for kilometres near to us.  Must be an airport nearby.
Day 1 noted on Google Maps.

Generally uneventful day one ... slow to start .. but we're off.

Cheers,

Astrid 'n Steve

The Journey Begins ... Moho'ing across the continent - Destination : PEI

Greetings.  Journeying Soon.

Name ?   TBA.

We are now members of the Motorhoming community ... having found a nice coach - a 1999 Tiffin Allegro Bus with one slide.  It's an older unit, but in fine shape and well cared for by the former owners, Ed and Linda Matt from Errington, BC, on Vancouver Island.  We'll be the third owner and look to continue the Bus's life of journeys.  The Matt's travelled to Newfoundland with her, so the east coast is in her jeans.

Why is a vehicle always a 'she' ?  hehe.   Need to come up with a name .. Da Bus.  Bertha.  Betty.  Tiffy.  hmm.  Will think about that.

The Dogs seem to think it's cool.  The cat ... not so much.
Robbie has been slow ... too hot lately !

Off soon ... we'll keep ya posted !

Cheers
Steve n Astrid.

Connor & Ceilidh .. Helping out with the Easter Seals program this year.