I finally got the nerve to search for any mention of it, and found this:  http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/police-talk-would-be-jumper-off-musial-bridge/article_ab94eca1-ca67-5ff8-b4c1-5b373697515b.html

 

A load off of my mind!

We hit a hard wind day on the way out in Kansas, around July 4th or 5th.  That was only 1 of 2 white-knuckle days on the trip.  The other was during the heavy downpours in the bad storm system that came through on our way home a few days ago.  Even the big rigs were pulling over.

I forgot to mention I was passed by a delivery of 3 new large-body pods on the way home.  About 100 miles east of Elkhart.  We passed several of the RV plants as we drove through - I should have scheduled a tour of the FR plant.

I was actually surprised how "off the grid" we were on our podyssey. We went a bit further west to the coast and up and back and had zero rain but a whole mess 'O wind going out. Ran the furnace most nights and mornings and the AC only for an hour or so in Potholes State Park in Washington. Just plain lucky. Stayed a night @ Donner Pass Memorial State park and had friends for dinner. (sorry, that was really bad).

Doesn't sound like anything you can't fix and you all had a good time! You're planning the next one, so that's good!

Next up......Crab Feast!

fred

The A/C acted up on day one - a loud whine and an occasional clatter.  Happily we didn't need it for half of the trip, but you would be surprised how much noise you can sleep in when it is hot outside.  I popped the cover today to find a mounting bolt popped out on the blower motor.  The hole acted like a whistle.  Back in and all is well.  The killer is I could have fixed it on the road with the tools I had.  The oddity is it is one of the bolts I tightened last summer when I cleaned the coils.

As I knew we would, for the first time ever we used the heater - in July.  Yellowstone is always cold at night.  In '86 I experienced snow, at least it only got down to around 40 this time.

During a big downpour 2 days ago we got a ton of water inside, I think it is the center window seals.  Something else to figure out.

Tomorrow I go to work on my fridge.  I spent over $200 at a dealer before we left for them to say... we think it is the gas valve.  Oh, and since the 8501 is imported that is a $400 part instead of a $60 part.  Right.  I can replace the whole fridge for not much more.  If I ultimately can't figure this out I'm considering a ARB portable fridge (someone here recommended them) and just using the AC/DC modes on the Dometic to keep drinks cool.  

Another adventure done.  Now to fix everything.  

enjoy

Saw an Elk just as soon as we got near the campground in the Grand Canyon.  Other recent stops have included Four Corners, Petrified Forest + Painted Desert, and Meteor Crater. 

I was very concerned for you and your family when I heard the news about the lightning strikes out west.

So glad you told us everyone is OK.

Praise the Lord!   Prayers go out for the other folks that were the lightning's path.  

Sylvia & Bob

We were in Glacier Basin, A loop site 6 if I remember right.  Only 1 or 2 of the loops still have trees, they treated them to prevent pine beetle infestation.  The other loops are barren.  I didn't hear or see anything about other campgrounds being closed.  I just read tonight there were 2 deaths in 2 days from lightning strikes, on trails.

We followed Google's recommendation from Denver, up I-25 to 66 and 36.  Be prepared for delays due to the repairs from the flooding.  While the electric signs said to expect up to an hour, we only spent a few minutes waiting in 2 spots.

BTW, my wife is making updates to our blog (recycled from last year):  http://gaede4inthepod.blogspot.com

I would be interested to know the route you take from Denver/25 up to RMNP/Estes Park. I'm heading up that way later in summer, and trying to decided what the best route up would be. 

Anyone know what the plateau is that you hit about 90 miles east of Denver?  I thought it was the CO plateau but maps online show that starting far west of here.

Tried turning on the A/C's fan for some white noise (we are at a truck stop) and it is making a loud whine.  Yay, something else to figure out.  Luckily it is cool tonight so we don't need the A/C.

We'll be staying at the Canyon Campground in Yellowstone for 3 nights.  When my parents took our family out there in '86 it was my favorite stop so I made sure we would be there several days this time.  Lucky you to stay there 3 months!

I highly recommend Antelope Canyon in the Page area. It's on the Navajo Reservation near Lake Powell and is a gorgeous slot canyon.  You have to have a guide and it does get crowded so don't go later than 11am.  We attempted a light hike in the Grand Canyon twice but the first time our rental car broke down so we didn't and the second time it hailed heavily so was a bit dangerous on the steep trail we chose and so we turned back.  Sedona was really beautiful (if you're going that far down south) and we did most of our hiking there.  I also did some trail riding there and a few off-road jeep tours while G was working.