Home again, home again, jiggity-jog

Whew, we made it.  Last report, we'd made it out of Nevada and had only 600 miles to go.  And, yes, we deviated off the planned route again chocking up an additional 250 miles. 
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Once we entered Idaho, we traveled along the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway (US30) along the Snake River.  Beautiful drive.  We need to come back here and further explore.
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Out of Boise we followed the Little Salmon River and the (big) Salmon River making their way north to the Snake River.  Beautiful sights along the way.  Lots of twists and turns as we followed the rivers.  Many fishers were out steelheading.  Where we should have seen snow or signs of, not.  No snowpack here this year.  Like our Cascade Range..

We stopped at the Lewiston, Idaho Elks and "hung" above the Snake River in one of their RV spots.  Visited friends in Clarkston.  Enjoyed the visit, the tours, and sauerkraut pizza! 
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Heading west from there we dodged asteroids (tumbleweeds) from Lewiston to the Tri-Cities in 30 knot spring winds.  Lots of steering by the captain.  Stopped in the Tri-Cities area and explored the Horse Heaven Hills and bluebirds in Bickleton. 
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Ready to move along.  Oops - Snows came to the Cascade Passes – chains required.  So headed south up and over the Horse Heaven hills with the RV. 
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Traveling along the Washington side of the Columbia River, we were completely fascinated by the rebuilding of the Burlington Northern Railway tracks (go Buffett!).  We estimated 10 crews of about 40 workers each with 10 pieces of equipment working in a 10 mile section.  This day's rebuild maybe?  All RR traffic was at a standstill while the ties and gravel were replaced and tracks also replaced as needed.  Where we stayed that night we could see the tracks and trains were again traveling by 5pm.
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That night we crossed over the Columbia River and stayed at Oregon's Memaloose State Park along the river with views of shipping traffic, trains and active ground squirrels.
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We made it home on a sunny day.  Early enough to wash the RV and get it put away. 
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Didn't even think about the chores awaiting us.  As Scarlett said: "Tomorrow is a different day.  Fiddle-dee-dee!"

Bickleton - Bluebird Heaven

For 20 years we had been meaning to make an off-route trek to Bickleton and finally we did.  
Bickleton has been known to be the home of 2000 bluebird homes hung to attract the western and mountain bluebirds. 

Because the forests around the town had been logged, the bluebirds had nowhere to nest so these birdhouses were what brought them back to stay. 

We were a bit early in the migration season but probably saw a dozen of the birds.   We estimate in the countryside there are still about 500 birdhouses many less than the 2000 of 20 years ago but a good choice for a bluebird pair. 

We brought back our own bluebird house.  Though we haven't seen any bluebirds in our home area we have plenty of bird couples checking out our selection now.

New Experience: Sauerkraut Pizza

Sauerkraut Pizza?  Oh, yeah, right. 

How can we say "um, no thank you, you go ahead" to our dear hosts?

The Shotsy

Well, of course, we are always game to try anything once.

FAZZARI'S SHOTSY PIZZA - Mustard Sauce, Swiss, Mozzarella, sausage, onions and SAUERKRAUT

What a yummy surprise.  And more than that we found that this pizza in little old Clarkston, Washington, is #10 in the top pizza's in the United States. 

BUZZFEED: #10 PIZZA IN USA: FAZZARI'S SHOTSY 

 Very unique.  Definitely worth eating again!

Again We Are Zig-Zagging Our Way Home

Y'all know we tend to drag our feet as we head north.  Much as we love Washington, it is just too hard to head home to rain when we are enjoying 70+ degrees and sun.  

Lush desert greenery at Lost Dutchman State Park

But we are on the road again - 1500 miles to home.

Maybe along the way we'll have a few stops to visit buddies.  

From Lost Dutchman we skirted Phoenix to the north and stopped at Cave Creek where we visited friends and previewed their new home to be in Scottsdale.  We didn't stay long enough to help them move.

Onward to Prescott, where some boater buddies have settled.  Besides lots of visiting and admiring their new abode, Steve, a budding naturalist, took us on a personal flora and fauna tour of the forest nearby.  

The Willow Creek Reservoir below is part of the Granite Dells of Prescott.  Due to recent rain and snow (aka rotten weather), the lake was very full.  Up where we are standing to take this shot are the remains of a pit house village that was uncovered while this park was built.  We got a kick out of the remaining houses (pits) being protected by an asphalt covering also known as a parking lot.

The Dells in Prescott - this lake is very full

On the road again with a quick trek up historic Route 66.  

Still some Route 66 hype in town

We got a kick out of the Burma Shave signs (revitalized) along the route!

Heading north and west, we dropped in elevation down to the Colorado River level.  

Lower elevation, warmer temps.  Back in shorts.

Katherine's Landing - Lake Mohave - Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mohave from our campsite

Nobody explained to us why Lake Mohave is in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Lake Mead
 200 feet below the high water mark
100 feet below the "normal" "comfortable" level

View from our campsite

Desert Blooms at ROCKY POINT

Loved this chocolate mountain

Miles and miles of desert tortoise fencing.
We aren't sure if the rocks are to turn them away or to hold down the fencing.

Our timing was off and we ended up looking for a campsite at the Valley of Fire State Park on a weekend during spring break.  Bad planning on our part.  So we checked our map and found that we were not very far from some boating friends in St. George, Utah.  We'd never been that direction.  They were not at home when we got there but very soon we were able to meet up and catch up on the happenings in their lives.  Jim has just released a new book and Dean is reading it on his Kindle now.

On our way to St George we had to travel on an interstate (gasp!) and for once really appreciated the drive.  These pictures are of the Virgin River Gorge.  

The road appears to be tipped?  It really is to squeeze in 4 freeway lanes.

I-15 Virgin River Gorge

Continuing north and west, here we are again in Nevada. Beautiful state park.

Cathedral Gorge State Park

Cathedral Gorge State Park

Miss Lily and Dean exploring a cavern

From inside the cavern it's a long way up 

As we continue up Highway 93 in Nevada, the ride gets more boring.  

We work to notice anything that is a bit different.

A sheepherder's camp wagon - Prospector Casino, Ely, NV

Oh, we see mountains in the distance

No deer but signs that this is a migratory path
So two bridges were built to try to convince the deer to take the high route - not the roadway

and miles and miles of tall deer fence

One more night in Nevada at the casino town of Jackpot.  Came out $ ahead.  Barely.  

We've been traveling and camping at elevations above 5000 feet.  It's been cool - 26 degrees overnight.  But weather has been clear - drought is still a problem in this area.

Today we entered Idaho and followed the Snake River.  The weather continues to be dry. Our elevation is now around 3000 feet and it is warmer - probably no more shorts weather, though. 

Oh, yes, our 1500 miles to home?  So far we've come 1150 and we still have 600 more to go.  Hmmm.  Think there have been a few side trips?  Yep.  And a birdie just told me that our direct route may deviate again tomorrow.  

19 days ago we left Lost Dutchman State Park and started our real trek north.  

Weather in Seattle?  I see raindrops and clouds in the next week's forecast.  
Hurry home?  Not!

Jumping Cholla Do Not Belong In A Campground

The #1 driver, after backing the RV into the campsite, jumped out of the RV to assist the #1 navigator (me) in backing CuRVy up into the site. 

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Why he thought I'd have a tough time backing up, I don't know?  Maybe it was because I backed over the wash bucket and brush one time, or backed out of the garage with the car doors open, or maybe the time I tried to turn the car around inside the garage.  Hmm, maybe he does have his reasons....but I digress.

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In this case, while the driver jumped out of the RV to provide directions he was mindless for his own safety and came too close to a jumping cholla at the edge of the pavement.

not Dean

This isn't the first time he's contacted a cholla with dire results.  Each time, he has not stood still for a photo. And since he has "felt" the results of being too close 3 TIMES, we must realize that it hasn't yet hurt enough. 

not Dean, either

Jumping cholla have jointed branches.  The joints separate very easily upon being touched almost like jumping out on you. 

Jumping Cholla

Frequently, while walking through the desert we will come in contact with a joint which has already fallen off the plant.  It very successfully attaches to our shoes. 

Not the best experience but no pain and no blood as long as you can remove the joint without touching it. A comb works good. 

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In a desert campground we expect to see cactus and desert plants, but a "no sticker" zone of about 10 feet around all sides of the campsite should be an absolute.  We are old-timers and don't spend too much time beyond that boundary but pets and kids playing sure do.

Foreground: jumping cholla and CuRVy - Background: Superstition Mountain

Moral: In the desert watch where you walk, don't swing your arms, don't back up, and never ever fall down!