[A/S] 2004 International-The return trip

[Charlie/Betty Burke <cbburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Got back home in Idaho mid afternoon today.
Without pushing to hard it took 4.5 days. Not quite Hunter's pace but
for us a lot slower than the old days.
First day was spent wading through Chicago. Let me tell you, the 4th of
July is a good day to go through there, at least northbound. Nearly all
the construction was shut down and traffic was moderate at it's worst.
Of course that didn't apply to the southbound traffic. From the last
toll booth in Illinois to the Wisconsin Dells southbound traffic (87
miles) was a mess. It just crawled, only two minor accidents, just that
much of it. Tolls using I 90 to 294 to 90 added up to $3.20. The only
way cheaper would have been through downtown, NOT.
First night was at the Country Roads RV Park (for older kids) located
just outside, and far enough away, from the Dells. Very nice park, good
people, good shade, excellent rally site. And a new Walmart just down
the road.
Second day we wandered into South Dakota looking for a Geocache. Ended
up staying in what SD calls a Lakeside Use Area (LUA) west of Platte.
Located 3 miles down a dirt road it was sparsely used, level, graveled
with electric and right on the Missouri river reservoir. Fell asleep to
the sounds of lapping water. Found the geocache too.
Third day got us to Gillette, Wy. Two choices of campgrounds. One was
creepy, the other, on the East side was OK. Ended up across the road
from what looks like the perfect large rally site. 1800+ 30/50 amp
service sites surrounding over 50,000 cover and air-conditioned
pavilions, theaters, halls called the Cam-Plex. Truly amazing.
Fourth day put us in Bakers Hole Campground (Gallitin National Forest) 3
miles North of West Yellowstone. We hid among the trees and let the
furnace keep us warm at night. Gave the batteries a chance to show their
stuff as it was a dry site.
Fifth day got us home.
Fuel mileage varied from the low 8's in some serious head winds to 10.3
on the long flat stretches. Fuel priced ranged from 1.76 to 1.99. Prices
got higher as we went West.
Now we get to spend a couple of days cleaning inside and out of both
truck and trailer. Tomorrow we take the truck down to the deluxe car
wash for the Ultra deal. She earned it. Ran flawlessly the whole trip.
Trailer we get to do at home ourselves. Left it open to air out from
last nights campfire smoke.
Were able to get online to check e-mail every night but the last.
Bottom line, we loved it and look forward to doing it again.
Next up is the Region 10 Rally starting, for us, on the 19th.

Charlie