Arrived Space Camp Engelwood

Miles driven: 2220
Gallons of gas: 323
Cost: $1,203
MPG: 6.6
Cost per mile: $0.57
Days: 8
Camping: $302
Repairs: $100
Showers: 4
Double Chocolate Milano's: 5
Windshield chip: 1 (fixed)
Bug splatter: 1,000's
Days Worked: 0 (what's work?)
Happy Days: All!

Miles (South Dakota)

Today's theme was miles. Get many miles behind me. And South Dakota is a good place to do it. Long and flat. Decided to bypass Mt Rushmore and the Black hills for another time to make some distance to Missouri. Made it to Yankton SD before sunset. Parked the rig. Grabbed the bicycle off the back and started peddling. I knew I was close to the Missouri river do started going down dirt roads by the campground looking for access. After a few dead ends, no trespassing sign, large mud puddle, a field archery practice range (luckily no one was practicing), iPhone maps and a sidewalk I made it to the river just in time to put my toes in before the sun set! It was very good to be moving the legs after driving all day. And as a bonus I finally found SUMMER! It's was 70 degrees and Sunny! First time I put on shorts and didn't need a jacket to walk around. Got back in time to feed the dog :-)

Making waves.

Sunset on the Missouri River.

Graveyard of old archery targets.

Time to feed the dog after a good bicycle ride!

Peddling through the archery range?

Me heading down the road.

The Road.

Total miles today:  472 ! (9 hours travel time)

Devils Tower Wyoming

I was starting to think I would never get away from the Seattle weather that seems to be following me but tonight I got lucky. Made the drive from Billings to Devils Tower, WY which included a lightening and hail / snow storm. As I was checking into the camp ground the sky cleared off I quickly headed up into the park. The pictures below say it all.

On Arrival.  Still overcast.

Looking south with the half moon above.

Necessary foot shot.

West face with the sun setting.

Catching the sunset glow.

West face after sunset.

Miles driven today:  304

Lesson for the day:  Don't buy Newman-O's at Walmart.  Even though they are not expired they've probably been on the shelf for awhile.

This is the hail storm from today.  The video is a minuter long but you can get the idea without watching the whole thing.

Lewis and Clark Caverns

Traveled yesterday from Anaconda to Livingston, MT. Stopped at the Lewis and Clark Caverns (A Montana State Park). Very cool place. The deepest cave I've been in although it doesn't seem deep because you start up high on a hill and come out a few hundred feet below but still on the hillside. Plans for Yellowstone changed due to weather and snow in the hills. Still a good day hold up in the RV house keeping. Relaxing. Reading. Writing. Ready to roll out in the morning to Billings.

Miles traveled yesterday: 161

Change of Scenery

Lots of mountain scenery and passes to climb. Rig seems to be doing well. Not pushing. Mostly driving today to get some miles behind me. Took a nice detour off I-90 on highway 1. Good to be off the freeway. Staying in Anaconda, Montana. Made some good progress getting organized in the RV. Now I don't have to move things around to go to sleep or take a shower.

Coeur d'Alene

Spent the night in a camp ground in Coeur d'Alene. Seems I'm early in the season as I was the only camper. Buckets of rain but peaceful. Quick run in between the drops. Off to Montana!

Daily Travel Log:  223 miles

First Step

Every journey starts with a first step. Today I took mine. I'm out of the house and on the road to somewhere. Wherever I go there I'll be. Letting go of the house was a hard decision I fretted about for a long time. But it was time. I touched every part of the house inside and out. I gave it a new life and did enough for one developer not to knock it down. (for now).

It took me all the time right up to the minute I pulled out the driveway to finish packing and cleaning. It will take some time to get the inside of the RV organized buts it's livable and cozy.

As planned I stopped at the Flying J in Ellensberg. If you drive an eighteen wheeler and like other eighteen wheelers it would be a good place to park. Not much room for RV'ers. I decided to push on to Vantage and spending my first night at Wanapum State Park on the Columbia river. Even made it in time for a short run.

Honestly it's a little hard to leave new and old friends behind in Seattle. I know you are all along with me (figuratively and some some wishing literally). :-) on the journey. Please feel free to contact me any time. I am just traveling not disappearing. I'm tired from all the work it took getting to this point. Tired from all that happened in the last year. Now is the first time I feel like I'm getting my break.

First lesson: take the kayak locks out of the kayak before you put it in a bag and on top of the trailer.

Miles traveled: 146

Vagabonding Inc.

Well it's official!  As of yesterday I am no longer a home owner.  The house sale closed and filed.  For the most part though it seemed like a non-event and just like any other day.  Maybe it's because I haven't actually left yet.  Perhaps when I pull out of the driveway for the last time in a few days it will feel different.

Vagabond (ing) :  moving from place to place without a fixed home , wandering.  So that pretty much describes my plan.  I have a few places and people to see to get me started but after that it's where the wind and whim take me.

Send Off PArty !

Thanks to everyone from the office gang who came to the party.  It was nice to see everyone together again and I'm glad it was for a happy time.  I appreciate all the well wishes and encouragement.  I realize I was fortunate to work with with everyone and now lucky to have this new opportunity.  I plan on making the my best of time for all those who have a similar dream but haven't had the chance to live it out.  I'm sure it will be an adjustment being "houseless" but Seattle is home and I'll be back sometime.  I hope everyone can keep in touch and feel free to drop me a line when you're out traveling as you never know where I might be.  A special thanks to Debbie for being my #1 fan and bringing everyone together.