the last leg - heading home!

Well, we've come to the last leg of our adventure! It wasn't the adventure we had planned, but it was an adventure none the less! Between the lockdowns and aging parents, it wasn't as expected, but it was good. We met a lot of wonderful people, saw a lot of amazing places and learned a lot about ourselves and our Lord! 

First, the people. We met a lot of great people, all ages, walks of life, full-timers and weekend warriors. People in small towns across rural America and people in the big cities. People who are nomads and live in the north during the summer and in the south in the winter, and people who are just vacationing to see the sights. I think about the young newlyweds we shared a meal of fresh caught fish and foraged morel mushrooms with in Idaho. A young mom of three girls that we went to a church service with also in Idaho. The couple we met in Washington who encouraged us to go to Glacier National Park because we were so close. The couples we spent time with in Quartzsite, AZ learning how to dry camp/boondock. The couple we spent a few days parked next to in Montana who helped Papawizzy change the fuel filters on the truck. And there were many more, including stopping to see friends and relatives! People we exchanged contact info with and maybe someday we'll see them again, who knows. So many people who have trials and joys just like us.

Second, the amazing places. Oh my goodness, the United States of America is beautiful! And the history! It has been wonderful seeing places and learning about the history. I wish everyone could take a trip around this amazing country and learn about the people who went before us. The trials and tribulations they endured to make this country great! As I learned about some of the people and what they accomplished, I realize that we have become pretty wimpy people :(. And we only saw the country west and north of Texas. But back to the beauty, Glacier and Montana in general, Idaho, Utah, the Dakotas, Arizona, Northern California, Oregon and Washington, just to name a few lol. I've had several people ask me what my favorite place was, and honestly I can't name one place! I've seen beauty in all the places we've been. Our country is so diverse and varied, mountains, canyons, beaches, deserts, and plains, and we haven't even seen the east side of the United States yet!! We're finishing up our adventure by traveling rather quickly through Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Arkansas! We just really wanted to be able to add those state stickers to our U.S. map lol! And we have to camp at least one night to add that sticker!

Third, what we've learned. Living 24/7 with your spouse can be challenging lol. But, it gave us opportunities to work on things that can be ignored when you're able to get away from each other. We think this has been great for our relationship. We have grown and I think we will return home a little more relaxed and patient with everyone around us. One thing that I, Mamawizzy, realized was how much of a control freak I was! Well I really already knew that, but it became something I had to deal with as this trip unfolded. I also realized that I can judge people pretty quickly, and being on the road and talking to all different types of people helped me to realize this. It's actually very freeing to enjoy people as they are without expecting them to fit into a box I created.  The hope is that crossing paths with them will benefit both parties. We also learned how to handle driving, setting up and tearing down an RV, minor repairs of truck and 5th wheel, and packing lots of stuff in small spaces.

Fourth, what we've learned about the Lord. Well from day one, we learned that "we make our plans, and God orders our steps"! If any of you have been following along you know the struggles we have had and that this trip didn't go as planned. There were places on our list that we just didn't get to see. It was disappointing, but what was encouraging was how God helped us all along the way. When a repair was needed or we couldn't find a place to stay for the night. When we needed to be somewhere, we were able to get there at the right time. It always worked out! We have tried to give Him glory for all that has happened on this adventure and we wouldn't trade a day of it for anything!

We, well mainly I, am very excited to get home! Papawizzy could travel forever, I'm more of a homebody lol. I want to get back to my daughter and grands. I'm ready to start gardening again, and miss my chickens! And I'll be glad to let Miss Journey Fay off the leash to run around the backyard and swim in the pool!

Blessings to you all,

Mamawizzy

Idaho!

We made it to Idaho on Wednesday, the 5th of May. Our first stop was the Cowboy RV Park in Pocatello, ID.  It was a decent park near the Idaho State University. We ended up staying there two weeks while we were having our 5th wheel repaired! We've been having trouble with our dining room slide. The floor was separating again! The same issue that required a trip back to the factory for repair and had us out of our rig for three months!! It's really difficult to get repairs done these days because most RV repair places are booked out about 4 weeks! We were fortunate to find a mobile RV tech, Ken Long with RV Tech in Pocatello. He was a Godsend! He communicated with Grand Design and got parts and made the repair as quickly as possible. He was also a great ambassador for his City. He told us where some of the good places to eat were and what we could see in the area. On his recommendation we went to a local Indian restaurant and it was delish! We went there several times, lol. While there we enjoyed the sights of Pocatello and made some day trips to Idaho Falls, American Falls and other areas close by. One of the places we experienced was, The Museum of Clean. Yep, you heard me right, it was a museum of the history of cleaning products and machines! If you knew Papawizzy, you would know that we had to see this place. When we went in he told the person at the entrance that everyone called him a clean freak, and the guy said, "no, you're a clean disciple"! It was hilarious! It was actually fascinating, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We've come a long way and I don't think we appreciate how easy we have it! We also went bike riding, on a hike and to the zoo. In Idaho Falls we were able to see the Falls and enjoy a farmers market near the park. It was lovely.  It was also freezing! The locals were in t-shirts and we were in jackets! We're from Texas for heavens sake!

We continued on Interstate 84 and traveled a whooping 64 miles to Glenn's Ferry, Idaho. We stayed at the Three Island Crossings State Park. It was a beautiful park and we stayed there 3 days, checking out the area and learning a little about the history of Glenn's Ferry and the Three Island State Park.

From Wikipedia - Glenns Ferry was one of the most famous and treacherous river crossings on the Oregon Trail. Pioneers forded the Snake River at the Three Island Crossing until 1869, when Gustavus "Gus" Glenn constructed a ferry about two miles upstream, primarily to expedite freight but also for emigrants. His boat, which could hold two wagons, cut nearly twenty miles from the former route. In 1871 the city of Glenns Ferry was established. Construction of the Oregon Short Line Railroad through the town in 1883 gave the city its first major employer.

Three Island Crossing State Park, opened in 1971, is home to The Oregon Trail History and Education Center, where visitors can learn about pioneer emigrants and Native American history. The Glenns Ferry community sponsors a crossing commemoration the second Saturday of each August.

The townsite was platted in 1871, just downstream from the ferry site.

The last place we stopped in Idaho was at the Chalet RV Resort in Donnelly, Idaho. We stayed there a full week and enjoyed the areas of McCall, Cascade and Donnelly. The area is beautiful with lots of lakes, rivers and streams. Bob had a great time fishing and caught our dinner one night, a beautiful Rainbow Trout and a Whitefish. They were both between 16-18" long, and Papawizzy isn't very happy that I didn't get a picture! We shared them with our neighbors who let us use their smoker. They contributed wild morel mushrooms that they had found while foraging earlier that day. It was almost like living the pioneer life lol. We also met a young mom with 3 little girls who is living in an Airstream while waiting for her husband to finish chiropractor school in Portland. We went with her to a local church on Sunday and enjoyed worshipping together. 

It's been fun meeting people on the road and hearing their stories. Sharing meals with people who were strangers the night before. Helping people in need and being helped when we are in need. This trip has been an opportunity to see the Lord work and has helped us be open to what each new day brings. From here we head to California for a visit to see doctors, friends and family. After that, we will head out on our last leg before we get our house back! To be honest, I will be happy to be home. Papawizzy could stay out longer, but I long for the familiar, my chickens, garden and most of all the Grands!

Blessings,

Mamawizzy