On Our Way Home to Idaho!

FINAL LEG of the TRIP!!!

 

True to form, Doug woke up early Friday to start driving.   He was going to buy some yummy Albertson's doughnuts, but they didn't open until 6, so that would have to wait...

A few hours earlier we'd heard sirens.  After a little while of driving as we left Casper, there were several emergency vehicles with a spotlight on a pickup that had slid off the road and rolled down a hill.  We cautiously continued South towards the freeway.

It snowed a little but not much.  Still very snow covered and icy, we merged onto the freeway, noticing the roads were not much better -- in fact, they seemed a little icier in spots.  After only a couple miles, we came across a 4x4 pickup that slid off into the median with emergency crews on the scene.  We continued to crawl on the freeway, not wanting the wind to push us off the road!

After about an hour of driving, we broke through the clouds and the fog into the sunshine -- very beautiful!

We stopped for fuel and some 'supplies' (aka donuts) at Walmart in Rock Springs.  Had a little breakfast in the RV, then hit the road again.

The snow did look pretty -- the wind also seemed to be more in our favor, coming from the South instead of the North. MPG much better!

After a couple more stops for lunch and fuel, we finally made it home before 8!!  We were all excited to get home.  We decided to wait until Saturday before cleaning out the RV.  Thanks to all who helped make this trip possible -- something we'll never forget!

South Dakota, Snow, and Mt. Rushmore

I thought this might be a good time to describe our routine for a quick overnight rest... usually by the time we stop, half the kids are asleep.  We put a make-shift bed across the front seats, and move one of the kids to here, then we lay down to 'snooze'.  In the morning, Doug usually wakes up early (no alarm, he just pops awake -- usually between 5:30 and 6:30).  He'll move the child from the make-shift bed to the back where he was, put away the bed, then start driving.  Liz will then join him while the kids continue to slumber.

OK, back to the story...

The day before in Nauvoo and Thayer, it was pretty warm -- 85ish.  The kids were complaining a little about how warm it was riding in the RV.  Well, on this morning, getting up to leave the Rest Area, it was rather cold -- around 40 or less.  The wind was blowing from the North/NorthWest (our direction of travel).  There was rain, lightning, and thunder during the night, still raining on this Thursday morning.  If you've ever driven an RV or something similar, you know how difficult it is to push through a head-on wind.  Needless to say, our MPG suffered greatly, as did our ability to go at a decent speed.

At one stop, Brandon just had to get this giant Reeses PB cup, so he and Liz

bought one together.  They shared it, slicing it up like a pie!

As we left Iowa near Sioux City and entered South Dakota, the rain turned slowly into snow, then became a near blizzard.  We stopped at a Rest Area that also served as a SD visitor's center to get a weather report.  The forecast indicated it would stop within a couple hours, so we decided to forge onward.

Halfway across the state, we stopped in Mitchell to take a look at what a Corn Palace looks like.  It was definitely something different!

Continuing our trek West towards Mt. Rushmore, the roads were fine -- just a lot of wind trying to push us around.  Finally made it to Rapid City, stopped to get fuel, then continue on up to 5,200 feet at Mt. Rushmore.  The higher we got, the foggier it became.  The more we drove, the more we realized we probably wouldn't be able to see anything -- and we were right.  But, we took pictures anyway!

Nearly dark now, we made our way down the other side of the mountain towards Yellowstone.  Stopped along the road while Liz cooked a marvelous dinner for us.  As we continued driving, we weren't sure if Yellowstone would even be open given the recent snow.  After making some calls and some help from Mom, we learned the entrance we would use did indeed close.  We decided at this point to 'play it safe' and head back South towards the interstate running along the southern part of WY.  Much of the roads were snow-covered, and pretty icy.  Still windy in spots.  We stopped to refuel and rest around midnight at an Albertson's parking lot in Casper.  It was VERY cold!!!

Nauvoo, IL and Thayer, IA

Doug has been enjoying the roads a lot more lately... much more 'open', and less traffic!  We made it to Nauvoo Tuesday evening just after dark.  Because of the route we were taking, we actually crossed over into Iowa then back over the Mississippi into IL.  The bridge we took back into IL was a bit scary (doesn't help it was dark).  Only $3 for this toll.  It continues to amaze me just how big the river is.  Makes our Snake river look like a trickle of water.  It was fun to hear the kids gasp in awe as we crossed the river.

Approaching Nauvoo from the north, we began to look for the temple which we were sure would be lit up in the evening sky.  As we drove through town, we spotted it -- what a beautiful sight!  We drove around it, then parked to get out and take some pix.  It was a very lovely evening -- just right temperature-wise, though some of the kids threw on a light jacket.

We had a little trouble finding the place at the local state park where we could camp overnight in our RV.  We kept erroneously driving down roads that said 'no buses' (RVs were supposed to consider themselves 'buses' in Nauvoo).  Eventually we found the correct entrance into the park and found a spot.  Looked to be 2 other RVers in the park.  We were able to relax a little, watch a movie and eat some popcorn.  Poor Brinley was so tired, she fell asleep before she could get this piece of popcorn to her mouth...

Camping in Nauvoo State Park (only $20).

On Wednesday, after a few took showers and played down by the lake, we packed up (re-supplied with water and emptied our waste) and headed to the visitor's center.  We knew going into this that we would not have enough time to do very much -- you could spend a good week here doing things!  We still wanted to go to Carthage to see the jail, and make it to Thayer before it got dark so we could look for grave sites.

At any rate, we ended up visiting the Brigham Young home, Blacksmith shop, and a stop at the Brickyard.  It's very impressive how things are setup -- and amazing.  We took a moment to gaze down Parley street where the saints headed to cross over the frozen Mississippi.

Back in the RV, we headed to Carthage, driving along the wide river.  In Carthage, we visited the jail and learned a few things we didn't know before (or probably didn't remember).  The younger kids were especially intrigued by the bullet holes in the door as they worked their fingers through and around the holes.

OK, on to Thayer IA... gotta get there before dark!!

We made it to Thayer, and followed some signs that were thankfully there.  Went on a few roads not exactly designed for an RV, but we managed anyway.  Got there in time before it was too dark to see things.  We stopped at one cemetery after looking at a monument to see if we could find any 'Rogers' there.  By this time it was dark so we had flashlights going through this small cemetery.  I think it probably looked funny by anyone driving by -- in this cemetery, out in the middle of nowhere, with a bunch of people running around a cemetery with flashlights...

Kept driving until we got to the interstate on the other side of Iowa, then found a Rest Area to get some sleep...

Kirtland, OH and road to Nauvoo

We arrived in Kirtland at the visitor's center a few minutes before they opened.  We pulled the rest of the kids out of bed, had pancakes, then went on the tour.  Pretty impressive setup.  The weather was beautiful, and the temperature was perfect.  Here are some pix:

Inside the N. K. Whitney store

Seeing what it'd be like to work in the ashery

On the way to Nauvoo, we decided to stop by a Days Inn to get out of the RV for one night.  Got to do a little swimming, watch some TV (and the final debate), and get some early morning grub.  Getting ready to complete our trip to Nauvoo where we'll spend the night.

On that note, we don't know if we'll be in wi-fi range between now and when we'll return home.  Our plan is to go to Nauvoo, then to Thayer, Iowa, then to Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota, then (if the roads are still open) through Yellowstone and on home, stopping along the way as needed!

Palmyra, NY and Niagara Falls

Got up and pulled out just in time for church (9am).  The building is across the street from the temple.  Nice day, just a bit windy.

After changing clothes and eating lunch, we headed to the old Joseph Smith farm and sacred grove area.  Wonderful experience.

Afterwards, we headed to Hill Cumorah where we spent a little time at the visitor's center then climbed the hill.

Bringing up the rear on the way down...

Brandon with a double-stack horsey ride...

Onward to Niagara Falls!!  The traffic trying to get into Canada was super-congested.  Fortunately we were able to avoid most of it.  It was dark by the time we got there, but it was actually pretty cool looking at it at night:

After Niagara we headed out towards Kirtland, OH.  Got tired along the way, so

we stopped at a rest area to get some shut-eye... got up early the next morning and on our way!

I used to think our motorhome was pretty big...