Part 2 of the Maiden Voyage  (still a little behind)

June 18…I never disconnected at Rimrock Meadows so it was fairly easy to pull out when I was ready.  While I was here I used the shower and now I know why so many people complain about it…I didn’t like military showers when I was in the military and certainly don’t want to take them now!  I like my massaging shower head and endless hot water in the sticks and bricks.

This was a great place to practice and this time it was dumping…easy peasy.  No mess no fuss and didn’t even wear gloves!  Well, one issue, I couldn’t get the front gray water cap off but the caretaker of the camp was checking the next site and he got it off for me (after I loosened it of course).  My dump hose doesn’t fit in the bumper because I have two 10 foot sections and the connecting point is too big.  I purchased a tube that I will ask my neighbor in Montana to help me attach to the trailer but for now, it goes in a plastic container.

So I did!

9:30 we are all loaded up and roll out.  I decided it was too far to drive in one day to get to Great Falls MT and would have to stop somewhere along the way but I didn’t know where.  Then as I crossed through Idaho I saw a sign for 50000 Silver $ Casino that said free RV parking, YES!  About 3:00 Simon has struggled over 4^th of July Pass and Lookout Pass and we arrive at 50000 Silver $ Casino.

I have passed by this place many times but never stopped.  When driving west it is too close to Missoula where I have just stopped and I’m not big on “casinos”.  But this is so much more.  The RV parking is just the edge of the forest in the back.  They are kind of hodgepodge some have power but no water or sewer.  Later people just wedge in wherever they can.  There is a restaurant, bar, casino, gas station and gift shop.  The burger was great, the gas cheap and the gifts mostly Montana Made.  A good nights sleep and back on the road Sunday around 9:30. 

Get into Great Falls and park at the house for the night.  Take son and DIL out to dinner.  We had a problem finding a place to eat because it was Fathers Day and many places there close on Sunday and Monday.

The plan was to clean out the garage and storage unit keeping just the essentials, selling, or donating the rest.  But waking up Monday was like being in Portland…rain, Rain, RAIN!  I get a spot at the Malmstrom AFB Famcamp and unhook getting soaked in the process.  Tuesday…more rain.  We at least go through the little bit left in the garage. 

I think this is the most water I've ever seen
going through the dam.

I get to Roxie at the end of the day and think DARN it someone peed in the bedroom.  I wipe it up.  A little later I walk in and it there is more water.  And it is water.  There is a leak somewhere.  IT IS BRAND NEW!  I get it all cleaned up and with the little rain we have gotten it hasn’t leaked again.  At least not that I can see.

40 years of stuff...

Wednesday we start on the storage unit come hell or higher water (several rivers in the area are already at flood stage).  Two days, 6 or 7 loads to donation, a couple of truckloads to trash and a small storage unit (from 15x15 scattered to 5x12 properly packed).  Friday and Saturday a garage sale.  Some of my favorite pieces find good homes and I make almost enough money to pay for my gas.

In Norway, Finland or one of those other cold countries they call this "Death Cleaning".  As the parents get older they give the things that the kids want to them and continue to downsize until they are old and only need a tiny apartment.  The kids aren't left with a mess to clean out.  Makes sense.




OH MY the most important part…I met my new puppy!  Everyone had asked me “what’s his name?” and I had come up with Murphy but he didn’t like it, never responded.  Then I called him Oscar and he perked up so he is Oscar Murphy Guard dog...OMG.  Should be Oscar Madison since he is so messy (unless you are as old as me or watch old tv shows you won't know him).

Oscar minds pretty well for a puppy.  I put his collar on and attached a leash.  He didn’t like to have me holding the leash but let go and he walks behind me.  After a couple of days I put on a harness and he walks on the leash for the most part.  He likes to step on Tink and she snarls back at him.  She sleeps in his bed and he sleeps in hers.  Occasionally he will get in his bed and push her out.  He is pretty much potty trained.  At least he will go on the potty pad if I don’t hear him ask to go outside.  And he is a piggy, eating constantly.

Living in a small space with four animals can be challenging.  The cats won't walk past Oscar to get to the litter box so they go when we go for walks.  

Sunday my neighbor helped me attach the tube to the underside of the bumper.  We decided against drilling any holes in the frame and used pipe strapping to hold it on.  Then for added measure a zip tie through the holes in the tube and the holes in the strapping.

One thing I hadn't realized I missed while living in Portland was the birds.  Yes, I have beautiful hummingbirds but mostly see black crows and sparrows.  At Rimrock and in Great Falls the variety is amazing.  Robins, meadowlarks, mockingbirds, doves,  etc.

The scenery around the base is beautiful.  More fantastic sunsets and mountains.

Looking at the Little Belts in the distance.
They looked bigger in person!

 My DIL left on Saturday to go to Hawaii to visit her mom who has lost everything to Pele for the third time.  She is a midwife there and plans to deliver our granddaughter in August in Montana.  (I will have to go back in time and do a story on the wedding held on the Big Island so you can see the beauty that has been lost.)

On sons birthday 25 June, I left Great Falls.  He went to spend his Bday with his best buds in Missoula.  I will be back at the end of August to welcome Finnley.

Task accomplished now time to explore before returning to the task ahead in Portland.