Great Summer Adventure 2018 - Installment Five - Heading East

Well, Labor Day has come and gone so it's time to wrap up the great summer adventure of 2018. It can be summarized by lots of miles, visiting family and friends, a couple of surprises and more fun.

From Washington we headed east through northern Idaho, then to Montana where we stopped in Bozeman to see college roommate Jan and her husband Jim. We figured out it had been 25 years since we had last been together! We had a fun time catching up. In Bozeman, we stayed at the Bozeman Hot Springs Campground. Our daily fee also gave us access to the Hot Springs next door. What a treat to be able to soak in the warm springs at the end of the day! (This gal misses a good soak in a bathtub.)

This buffalo was in TRNP, not Yellowstone!

College Roomie Jan and I 

We also took a day to visit Yellowstone National  Park. We traveled the south loop and saw Old Faithful and also the Painted Pots hot springs. We were hoping to see buffalo, and maybe bears. We did see an elk. Bear sightings remain at 0 for the entire summer. :( 

Firehole Falls, Yellowstone National Park 

One of many geysers

Beautiful View

This guide plugs into your car

It's worthwhile to mention the "Gaperguide".  For $45/day, this device plugs into your car, and uses a gps to give you a personalized guide to the park as your drive through it. This includes not only your location, but history and other fun facts about the park. We definitely thought it was worth the money. 

While in the campground, we met up with fellow Tiffin owners, Jon and Cathy K. We had fun comparing notes and getting to know each other. (We love how you have an instant community with fellow Tiffin owners.) Jon & Cathy, we look forward to seeing you on the road again!

From Montana, we headed east towards ND and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, ND. We had originally planned on staying in Dickinson. At the last minute, we changed our campground reservation to Medora. After having dinner, we drove to downtown Medora. All of a sudden, I said, "I think I just saw one of my high school classmates!" We turned around and went back to where I thought I'd seen them. We went into a restaurant and sure enough, there was Linda J. and Joanne B. SMALL WORLD! They were staying in Dickinson because they couldn't get a room in Medora. However, they had driven over for the evening to explore Medora. After joining them in the restaurant, we drove through the park, and ended up seeing beautiful wild horses and buffalo up close and personal. This was definitely an example of  SERENDIPITY!

From Medora we traveled to Fargo, stopping to see good friend, Mary D. Then it was on to MN and WI where we stayed at Willow River State Park near Hudson. We were joined there by daughter Sara and family. 

Andy & I by Willow River Falls

Grandma & Grandpa with Hope, Chloe & Alexander

Willow River Falls

We also had a chance to connect with son Erik and family, and while in Waseca, daughter Becky and family. It was fun to get my "grandma" fix!

Also, while in MN, we had a chance to get all of the (midwest) cousins together. (Planets have to align for this to happen! ) My niece Olivia lives in London, so periodically comes back to MN for visits. This time we found an evening where all six (midwest) cousins could manage to get together. (We're missing the CA contingent, Alison and Alex, Alison's spouse and daughter.)  

Can you tell we're sisters?

Cousins all grown up with their spouses

Grandkids (of course not all looking at the camera!)

I think we're officially the old farts!

We've done the drive from MN to MD many times, so there was nothing new to report. The roads in Indiana are STILL terrible. I think they are the worst we've ever driven on. Right now we're in MD seeing the east coast contingent of grandkids, and seeing some Middletown Knights football, courtesy of grandsons Vince and Jacob. Also, while here, I get a chance to see Kathy H., former pastor from Fargo, ND, where I used to live. Since we are here for a while, we've caught up on some things, including getting our cracked windshield fixed. 

Next stop: Tiffin Rally in Vermont. We're  looking forward to gathering with other Tiffin owners and seeing fall colors!