We hadn't planned on another day in Billings, but stuff happens and you go with the flow. I had some work done on a tooth a few days before the start of vacation and it really bothered me last night. When we considered where we would be heading, we realized that Billings would be the biggest city we'd see in the US for awhile. Helen took control of the situation and her years as a dental hygienist were a great advantage. I worried about how to find a GOOD dentist because there are some butchers out there. Helen had the plan. First thing this morning she called a couple of periodontists and asked them to recommend a general practitioner. Periodontists get their referrals from general practitioners and would know the good from the bad. A dentist or doctor for that matter would be hard pressed to recommend someone they didn't respect.
We got the name of Neal Johnson, DMD and when we called we were told to come right down. It was a beautiful new office with a great staff. All seemed personable and professional and it was a good experience in spite of my tooth. The tooth will need some real work when we get back to Florida, but I should be OK for the rest of the trip. Dr. Johnson told us to keep his card if we should have more questions later in the trip.
Then with some extra time and good weather we took the dogs out for a run. They were really hyper to get out and they really ran their hearts out. Well, Coco did. Jodie plays for a bit then rests.
We're also getting some stuff in the motorhome and Jeep cleaned up and organized for later in the trip.
That's all for now.
The wacky adventures of Paul and his patient wife, Helen
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
From Deadwood, SD to Billings, MT
Helen and I spent another day in and around Deadwood. Kevin Costner filmed some of "Dances with Wolves" in the area and now owns a casino in Deadwood. I was not impressed. Everyone owns a casino in Deadwood and I laughingly told Helen that there was probably a combination barber shop/casino. Later on, my prophecy would prove true. There was a casino in a barber shop.
We also took a scenic ride through Spearfish Canyon, a very beautiful ride where we saw some lingering snow. We saw a few people fishing, but saw no one catching. This morning we headed out early so we could stop early in the day. Billings was not a very long drive because we wanted to break up the drive to St. Mary, Montana tomorrow. It was a very beautiful ride through SD, Wyoming, and Montana. Very beautiful country with snow capped mountains off in the distance. I saw more Pronghorn Antelope than I have ever seen before. They were in ones and twos and in herds of as many as twenty.
Our destination in Billings is the KOA campground. This is a bit more expensive than some, but after two nights in the swamp we wanted to be sure we had a good experience tonight. It's perfect. Spotless bathrooms, clear potable water, and an off leash area for the dogs make this a very nice place indeed.
Tomorrow we are off to St. Mary and Glacier National Park where we expect to be for several days.
More later
We also took a scenic ride through Spearfish Canyon, a very beautiful ride where we saw some lingering snow. We saw a few people fishing, but saw no one catching. This morning we headed out early so we could stop early in the day. Billings was not a very long drive because we wanted to break up the drive to St. Mary, Montana tomorrow. It was a very beautiful ride through SD, Wyoming, and Montana. Very beautiful country with snow capped mountains off in the distance. I saw more Pronghorn Antelope than I have ever seen before. They were in ones and twos and in herds of as many as twenty.
Our destination in Billings is the KOA campground. This is a bit more expensive than some, but after two nights in the swamp we wanted to be sure we had a good experience tonight. It's perfect. Spotless bathrooms, clear potable water, and an off leash area for the dogs make this a very nice place indeed.
Tomorrow we are off to St. Mary and Glacier National Park where we expect to be for several days.
More later
Monday, May 24, 2010
St' Louis to Deadwood in two days.
We had two amazing days of travel since we left St Louis. The big thing about the leg from St' Louis to Onawa, SD was the constant wind. I don't mean nice breezes that were wild and constant. An occasional gust would blow the motorhome over half a lane and it made for some tense driving. Fortunately for me, Helen seemed to be at the wheel whenever we came a cross a construction area with very narrow lanes.
Helen had become concerned about Jodie's constant panting while we drive. She's been traveling for years, but seems to be getting worse with time. At Onawa, I got on the computer for some ideas about how to ease her problem but got no concrete information. We were in very nice campground in Onawa, On-Ur-Wa Campground was nice and clean. The owner, Becky was very personable and "hands on", showing us to our site. Wifi was terrific, but I was too tired to do much. Thus, it was an early night and we were off early in the AM for points further west.
Yesterday we got to Deadwood, SD, but it was not an easy ride. We decided to treat Jodie a little different. We put a quilt on the couch and let her ride there. We opened the window a crack along with an overhead vent and she was able to get a snootful of fresh air when she wanted. This leg of the trip went much better.........for a while. Driving through the hills of South Dakota, I would get a "low water" alarm from time to time. At first it was just a momentary peep, but it kept getting longer and longer. At a rest stop I checked the level and it seemed OK so we continued. I found no evidence of leaking coolant. This seems to be the bane of my existence lately. Then I THOUGHT I could smell antifreeze, but wondered if it was my mind playing tricks. We stopped at another rest area and I could see water dripping from the heater, but it was just condensate. I went around to the rear to add water to the coolant system and Helen yelled that it was antifreeze. Sure enough! I simply took one of the hoses off the heater core and ran it back to the other side of the valve and we are all set to continue. We won't have a heater in Alaska, but so what.
Next we were looking for a campground in Deadwood, a town Helen and I wanted to visit. Helen said that the shortest way to Deadwood is exit 31 on I-90. However, my GPS wanted me to task exit 61. Notice the 30 mile difference. The GPS took is in a great circle around Deadwood coming in from the southwest. I think we probably drove 40 miles out of our way, but we did get to the campground.
Here is the next problem. The campground is a dump! The grounds are a bog. The mens' room will not be used by me. The laundry turned Helen's wash orange. There is no cell phone signal in the valley, and the "Free" wifi is $3.50 for 20 minutes. I'm writing this from the library in Deadwood.
That's all for now. I might have more to say about Deadwood later. It's quite a place.
Helen had become concerned about Jodie's constant panting while we drive. She's been traveling for years, but seems to be getting worse with time. At Onawa, I got on the computer for some ideas about how to ease her problem but got no concrete information. We were in very nice campground in Onawa, On-Ur-Wa Campground was nice and clean. The owner, Becky was very personable and "hands on", showing us to our site. Wifi was terrific, but I was too tired to do much. Thus, it was an early night and we were off early in the AM for points further west.
Yesterday we got to Deadwood, SD, but it was not an easy ride. We decided to treat Jodie a little different. We put a quilt on the couch and let her ride there. We opened the window a crack along with an overhead vent and she was able to get a snootful of fresh air when she wanted. This leg of the trip went much better.........for a while. Driving through the hills of South Dakota, I would get a "low water" alarm from time to time. At first it was just a momentary peep, but it kept getting longer and longer. At a rest stop I checked the level and it seemed OK so we continued. I found no evidence of leaking coolant. This seems to be the bane of my existence lately. Then I THOUGHT I could smell antifreeze, but wondered if it was my mind playing tricks. We stopped at another rest area and I could see water dripping from the heater, but it was just condensate. I went around to the rear to add water to the coolant system and Helen yelled that it was antifreeze. Sure enough! I simply took one of the hoses off the heater core and ran it back to the other side of the valve and we are all set to continue. We won't have a heater in Alaska, but so what.
Next we were looking for a campground in Deadwood, a town Helen and I wanted to visit. Helen said that the shortest way to Deadwood is exit 31 on I-90. However, my GPS wanted me to task exit 61. Notice the 30 mile difference. The GPS took is in a great circle around Deadwood coming in from the southwest. I think we probably drove 40 miles out of our way, but we did get to the campground.
Here is the next problem. The campground is a dump! The grounds are a bog. The mens' room will not be used by me. The laundry turned Helen's wash orange. There is no cell phone signal in the valley, and the "Free" wifi is $3.50 for 20 minutes. I'm writing this from the library in Deadwood.
That's all for now. I might have more to say about Deadwood later. It's quite a place.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Meet me in St. Louis
We decided to spend a little time in St. Louis, the Gateway to the West, or as us Easterners call it, the back door to the East. Helen was determined to visit the Arch and this time we made it happen. Keep in mind that this is a Helen thing. I, Paul, will have nothing to do with tall arches, space needles or Towers of the Americas.
This is thew view from our campsite and it was plenty close enough for me.
This is a picture that Helen got from a special viewing area across the Mississippi.
Helen marveled at the small compartment that took her to the top with four other people. She said it was close to claustrophobic, but by breathing deeply she was able to prevail. You can see how small it was.
Once at the top, she said the view was spectacular and judging from the pictures I guess she's right.
This is looking across the rive toward a Casino. We stayed in the campground way behind all the parking lots.
The old State House looks good from this angle. The side you can't see us undergoing restoration.
This is where the Cardinals play ball. The Angels are in town and we saw tee shirts and caps for both teams. Go Rays!!!!
A barge traveling up river.
The last picture is of the road and pedestrian walkway to the riverboat rides. As you can see, the rides were not available due to the flood level of the river.
The river really was in flood stage and we could see a lot of trees being washed down the river. In several places they had built up into quite a log jam.
Until later...
This is thew view from our campsite and it was plenty close enough for me.
This is a picture that Helen got from a special viewing area across the Mississippi.
Helen marveled at the small compartment that took her to the top with four other people. She said it was close to claustrophobic, but by breathing deeply she was able to prevail. You can see how small it was.
Once at the top, she said the view was spectacular and judging from the pictures I guess she's right.
This is looking across the rive toward a Casino. We stayed in the campground way behind all the parking lots.
The old State House looks good from this angle. The side you can't see us undergoing restoration.
This is where the Cardinals play ball. The Angels are in town and we saw tee shirts and caps for both teams. Go Rays!!!!
A barge traveling up river.
The last picture is of the road and pedestrian walkway to the riverboat rides. As you can see, the rides were not available due to the flood level of the river.
The river really was in flood stage and we could see a lot of trees being washed down the river. In several places they had built up into quite a log jam.
Until later...
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Hanging around St. Louis
We made it to St. Louis on the second night and are staying in a campground associated with the Casino Queen. The rates are very cheap but the facilities are spotless. The wifi that was mentioned in the ad do not exist, so I have to use the connection at the Casino Queen Hotel. They gave me a modem and told me to go into a room and compute. I'm sitting on a sofa in the middle of the room with the computer on my lap. No desks. This is going to be a short report.
Weather is hazy and gray with occasional showers. Rained a great deal last night and this morning. We were advised to take the rapid transit across the river to the St. Louis Arch as the streets in that area are all flooded. We are going to hang in one more day, hoping for better weather tomorrow. Good weather or bad, we'll be gone the day after.
That's all for now
Weather is hazy and gray with occasional showers. Rained a great deal last night and this morning. We were advised to take the rapid transit across the river to the St. Louis Arch as the streets in that area are all flooded. We are going to hang in one more day, hoping for better weather tomorrow. Good weather or bad, we'll be gone the day after.
That's all for now
Monday, May 17, 2010
Less than 24 hours!
YES!!! Less than one more day. I want to be on the road around 8 AM so we'll be beyond Atlanta during the afternoon rush hours. It's so close and yet there is so much more to do. We are down to the things that have to be done at the last minute and it's quite a list.
Even at that, there is a lot that has to wait until tomorrow. Unplugging all our electronics will have to wait as will opening the breakers to the microwave, stove, water heater. Don't want to shut off the hot water now and have to take cold showers in the morning.
There was a lot of rain this morning and my pool cover pump works perfectly. I was having some problem with the water making a big puddle on on end with the pump on the other end and pondered how to solve the problem. Helen took a quick look and suggested that I use a couple of long 2x4s to create a channel for the water. It was the perfect solution.
Now we have to move the contents of the house refrigerator to the motorhome and keep our eye on the rest of the list. The next addition to the blog should be from someplace well north of Florida.
Even at that, there is a lot that has to wait until tomorrow. Unplugging all our electronics will have to wait as will opening the breakers to the microwave, stove, water heater. Don't want to shut off the hot water now and have to take cold showers in the morning.
There was a lot of rain this morning and my pool cover pump works perfectly. I was having some problem with the water making a big puddle on on end with the pump on the other end and pondered how to solve the problem. Helen took a quick look and suggested that I use a couple of long 2x4s to create a channel for the water. It was the perfect solution.
Now we have to move the contents of the house refrigerator to the motorhome and keep our eye on the rest of the list. The next addition to the blog should be from someplace well north of Florida.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Getting Closer to Vacation
Well, Helen and I are getting closer to our vacation every day. There is a lot of stuff to pack and we are taking our time, making sure we have everything we need, and stowing it properly. The motorhome and Jeep are already to go with proper oil, grease and air in the tires. Of course it's never that easy.
A few days ago Helen came home from Crystal River and I could smell the sweet odor of antifreeze. This has occurred before and each time I raise the hood and look, but find no sign of coolant leak. I know it's happening because I have to add water from time to time, but I'll be darned if I could find the leak. This time was no different, at first. I opened the hood and looked over the engine. I could find no leak although the smell was stronger than ever. I got a flashlight in order to look more closely. Aha!!! The leak is under the intake manifold and the heat of the engine evaporates the water so it never gets a chance to drip on the floor. The good news is that I located the leak. The bad news is that all the stuff on the top of the engine has to come off to access the leak. More bad news is that the particular item is no longer available from Lincoln and is not available at a parts store either. The original part has to be sawed apart and replaced with a hose of the same diameter. That won't be too hard, but getting all the stuff off and back on properly will be quite a job. Too much to consider doing now. I'll put the Lincoln up on blocks for the duration of our trip and work on the car when we return. By then I'll be able to decide whether I will do the job myself or pay to have it done. A lot will depend on what money we will have available when we return.
OK, I've got to run to Wal-Mart for a few things and the pack some more stuff into the camper.
A few days ago Helen came home from Crystal River and I could smell the sweet odor of antifreeze. This has occurred before and each time I raise the hood and look, but find no sign of coolant leak. I know it's happening because I have to add water from time to time, but I'll be darned if I could find the leak. This time was no different, at first. I opened the hood and looked over the engine. I could find no leak although the smell was stronger than ever. I got a flashlight in order to look more closely. Aha!!! The leak is under the intake manifold and the heat of the engine evaporates the water so it never gets a chance to drip on the floor. The good news is that I located the leak. The bad news is that all the stuff on the top of the engine has to come off to access the leak. More bad news is that the particular item is no longer available from Lincoln and is not available at a parts store either. The original part has to be sawed apart and replaced with a hose of the same diameter. That won't be too hard, but getting all the stuff off and back on properly will be quite a job. Too much to consider doing now. I'll put the Lincoln up on blocks for the duration of our trip and work on the car when we return. By then I'll be able to decide whether I will do the job myself or pay to have it done. A lot will depend on what money we will have available when we return.
OK, I've got to run to Wal-Mart for a few things and the pack some more stuff into the camper.
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