Thursday June 29, 2023.
We leave Willow Creek Campground at Wards Charcoal Oven Nevada State Park as soon as we finish packing. Seems like we have more to do this time, maybe because we have been at this location for three weeks as we waited on the repairs to the Suburban at a mechanic shop in Ely, Nevada.
It is approaching noon by time we get going. We are heading north on US highway 93, the main north/south route through eastern Nevada. Nevada is very green, especially for a desert state. We arrive at the pullout north of Wells, Nevada, near the wildlife bridge in late afternoon, about 160 miles, a long day’s drive for us.
I pick up trash so we can enjoy sitting outside for a snack before napping. We have spent the night at this spot before. It is convenient, but always trashy. It has the convenience of being on our route and there is decent cell service, which is always a plus. And it is scenic in a Nevada desert sort of way.
Friday June 30
We are up and on our way after a quick breakfast of fruit and yogurt. I take a photo of my favorite tree here at this pull out with the East Humboldt Range in the background, with snow still on the peaks.
Today is another 160 miles to reach Burley, Idaho, Walmart. It is quite a hot day, so it is nice to shop at Walmart in the coolness as we pick up some groceries and supplies. Our time in Nevada has been devoid of big towns or Walmarts, so it is quite the sensory experience to go shopping. Panda Express is within walking distance and makes an easy dinner for us – someone else to cook and clean up. Later, while Clifford naps, I check text, email, and do lots of duolingo. Having cell service again is quite the treat. I just don’t have the time or energy to work on the bigger project of preparing the next blog.
Saturday July 1
We have an even longer drive today from Burley to the rest area at Dubois, Idaho. As we are leaving Burley, we discover the differential is dripping oil. We stop at a Maverick station before getting back on Interstate 84 to check it and check again at a rest area, and since it doesn’t seem to be worse, we keep on going.
Today is in the 90’s with no air conditioning in the vehicle, so we are glad for evening and cooler temperatures when we reach Dubois. Luckily, our favorite spot on the edge of the parking lot next to the grass median is available. We check the dripping oil again, but it still seems stable. As usual, I pick up trash before we sit out for a while.
Dark clouds build to the north and the wind picks up. The wind becomes stronger with rain and we head inside. Cougar is rocking and rolling and we are glad to be parked right next to a semi that is blocking the wind. After a while, the wind calms down, the rain stops, but within a few minutes the wind hits from the south. Very odd. It is as though the calm moments were the eye of the storm. Sure glad we weren’t still on the highway, as it would have been very dangerous. We have nachos for dinner, glad for a safe place to spend the night.
Sunday July 2
We leave Dubois, Idaho, mid morning and only have to drive 135 miles to reach our next destination, Divide Bridge Campground south of Butte, Montana. We plan to stay long enough to get through the 4th of July holiday.
After spending the winter in Arizona, it is nice to be back in Montana.
We arrive at Divide Bridge Campground in mid afternoon and there are several sites available, including one by the Big Hole River. This well-maintained BLM campground is always a good stop for us. The river sites are my favorite, but one has to deal with mosquitoes. Well, maybe they won’t be too bad this time!
After we get set up, I walk up to the tree line on the hill behind the campground, as I can get a bit of cell service there, enough to receive and send text. That is helpful, as I can let family know how our itinerary is shaping up. As I walk, I pass by a grave marker in this scenic location. It is old and I am curious to know who Dennis O’Boyle was. I can only barely make out the letters of his name and the date.
Monday July 3
It is not so hot today, which is great. The morning starts with puffy cumulus clouds, but becomes overcast by afternoon. Today is kind of a catching up day after several days of travel, catching up with journal and going up the hillside to catch up with text and email.
The mosquitoes aren’t driving us crazy (yet), and Clifford even felt well enough to sing and play outside, which he hasn’t been able to do for a while.
Tuesday July
Today there is a mix of cloud and sun with a cool breeze, so much nicer than the 90’s we experienced on the drive here. The mosquitoes are not around in the cool morning, but they come out in the warmth of the afternoon. I try burning coffee grounds as a repellent, as I had heard that works, but either I am not doing it right, or the mosquitoes didn’t get the memo. I walk about for a few photos of the river and flowers, but mostly I stay inside to enjoy the view out my big window away from the mosquitoes.
Wednesday July 5
We make the decision to leave Divide Bridge Campground today because of the mosquitoes. Leaving today wasn’t the plan, so I didn’t pack anything last night, but we are getting to be quite efficient with packing and are on our way by 10:00.
Despite the mosquitoes, this is one of our favorite campgrounds and we will no doubt stay here again some day.
