In the Boise area, we now stay at the Boise-Meridian RV Resort, which actually is in Meridian, but they want the Boise connection, of course. It's fairly new; we've stayed here since its infancy. Nice flat sites; lots of pull-throughs; no big trees; the park is large enough to almost always have a site available. Each site has a gravel site, with red rock along the utility side - why? - some grass and a small concrete patio. The first row is supposed to be end-to-end sites - and sometimes is, but we usually are assigned one that we just drive thru and take both - the toad left at the back. We just have to remember not to pull too far in when we park at the office, so we can make the turn left into the first driveway. It was a puzzle to find from the freeway the first time - at the Y intersection near Home Depot you go left, then left at John's Auto Repair. See how easy that was?
We formerly stayed at The Playground, which had a terrific location when our grandkids lived practically next door, but went downhill, and now we see is gone. Locust Grove was extended over the freeway at its side and methinks there will be a commercial development on the site.
The old park on Fairview (Fiesta) also closed and was bulldozed for commercial space. There are a couple down by the river we've never stayed in - too many trees, and the kids live on the West side of town.
The Hi-Valley Park up on the bench on the way to Horseshoe Bend is a nice one - again, it's newer, with big-rig kinds of accomodations and ranks high in user reviews. It has a sister park in Caldwell, just 20 miles or so away, that is excellent - The Ambassador - where we've also stayed.
5/31/08
5/23/08
Salt Lake City RV Parks
We come through here at least once a year on our trek north, or south. The quantity and quality of parks has come and gone.
We liked the one that used to be out on State Street in Sandy - Quail Run - but heard they closed it down - to make a parking lot, no less. It was tucked down in a little valley off the highway and had very, very tight spots, but it was clean and tidy and had green grass and a great location.
We stayed just once at the one in Draper - Mountain Shadows. Never again. It is a trailer park with a few RV sites. The roads aren't good, the access to sites isn't good, the atmosphere isn't great.
We stayed a number of times at what is now the KOA on North Temple, just west of the State Fairgrounds. Half of it is long-term trailer-park-looking small sites huddled under huge trees. The other half is the itinerant traveler area - lots of nice huge shade trees (not a good thing for we who have multiple satellite dishes), narrow roads, fairly small sites. But, the people are usually very nice, there is a swimming pool that our grandkids loved the one trip we stayed here with them, there is a small cafe on site that has fairly decent food, the gift shop/grocery area isn't bad, and if you work it right, the satellites will work.
This trip we're at the Pony Express RV Resort. It's about 5 miles north of the KOA on Redwood Road, almost to the 215 freeway (exit 28, in fact).
Across the 215 is a Flying J truck stop - a small one. This is a brand new park and has good and bad points. We have a 40 foot motorhome - the 40' site is either 39.5, or our coach is 41 - we hang out on both ends. Next time we'll take the 60' lot. They charge more for the bigger sizes, which is okay with me. The person who laid it out did some wrong calculations, in our humble opinions: the roads are paved, but narrow; the sites are concrete pads, including one for the toad, and some grass, but the pads slope at both ends - jacks go way up if they are close to the front or back of your rig. The 60' sites have much more elbow room between rigs than the 40' ones; there is a great kids play area; the clubhouse is nice, and it's clean; the front desk people are all new and not quite functioning as well as they might later - it took forever on a cell phone to just make a reservation.
I spent the week at the Genealogical Library down near Temple Square (with the tulips and pansies in full and gorgeous bloom).
The commute into town is 2x the distance from the KOA, but not bad (about 7 miles.) The commute home at 5 pm was very slow, mainly because of the construction on the new interchange with I-215. Maybe that will improve. It would be nice if there was some kind of shuttle into downtown a couple of times a day...
I ate lunch at the Lion House one day - yummy! The group had dinner at Grand America's (not Little America, but Grand America...) cafe one night - nice place, good food. I had a tender, moist turkey dinner with terrific stuffing. We had dinner one night at McGrath's Fish House - yummy fried oysters! Chris had the New Orleans catfish, which was barely visible and tastable under all the shrimp and sauces, but good.
We stopped for dinner one evening at a one-time favorite of mine from years ago - the Rio Grande Cafe in the old Rio Grande Train Depot, which also houses the Utah Historical Society. Unfortunately, the food and atmosphere have gone way down since I was there last. Que lastima! The neighborhood is a bit interesting also -- there is a soup kitchen at the end of the block and lots of street people hanging about. But it was that way before.
We liked the one that used to be out on State Street in Sandy - Quail Run - but heard they closed it down - to make a parking lot, no less. It was tucked down in a little valley off the highway and had very, very tight spots, but it was clean and tidy and had green grass and a great location.
We stayed just once at the one in Draper - Mountain Shadows. Never again. It is a trailer park with a few RV sites. The roads aren't good, the access to sites isn't good, the atmosphere isn't great.
We stayed a number of times at what is now the KOA on North Temple, just west of the State Fairgrounds. Half of it is long-term trailer-park-looking small sites huddled under huge trees. The other half is the itinerant traveler area - lots of nice huge shade trees (not a good thing for we who have multiple satellite dishes), narrow roads, fairly small sites. But, the people are usually very nice, there is a swimming pool that our grandkids loved the one trip we stayed here with them, there is a small cafe on site that has fairly decent food, the gift shop/grocery area isn't bad, and if you work it right, the satellites will work.
This trip we're at the Pony Express RV Resort. It's about 5 miles north of the KOA on Redwood Road, almost to the 215 freeway (exit 28, in fact).
Across the 215 is a Flying J truck stop - a small one. This is a brand new park and has good and bad points. We have a 40 foot motorhome - the 40' site is either 39.5, or our coach is 41 - we hang out on both ends. Next time we'll take the 60' lot. They charge more for the bigger sizes, which is okay with me. The person who laid it out did some wrong calculations, in our humble opinions: the roads are paved, but narrow; the sites are concrete pads, including one for the toad, and some grass, but the pads slope at both ends - jacks go way up if they are close to the front or back of your rig. The 60' sites have much more elbow room between rigs than the 40' ones; there is a great kids play area; the clubhouse is nice, and it's clean; the front desk people are all new and not quite functioning as well as they might later - it took forever on a cell phone to just make a reservation.I spent the week at the Genealogical Library down near Temple Square (with the tulips and pansies in full and gorgeous bloom).
The commute into town is 2x the distance from the KOA, but not bad (about 7 miles.) The commute home at 5 pm was very slow, mainly because of the construction on the new interchange with I-215. Maybe that will improve. It would be nice if there was some kind of shuttle into downtown a couple of times a day...I ate lunch at the Lion House one day - yummy! The group had dinner at Grand America's (not Little America, but Grand America...) cafe one night - nice place, good food. I had a tender, moist turkey dinner with terrific stuffing. We had dinner one night at McGrath's Fish House - yummy fried oysters! Chris had the New Orleans catfish, which was barely visible and tastable under all the shrimp and sauces, but good.
We stopped for dinner one evening at a one-time favorite of mine from years ago - the Rio Grande Cafe in the old Rio Grande Train Depot, which also houses the Utah Historical Society. Unfortunately, the food and atmosphere have gone way down since I was there last. Que lastima! The neighborhood is a bit interesting also -- there is a soup kitchen at the end of the block and lots of street people hanging about. But it was that way before.
5/13/08
On the Road
Beaver, Utah
Here we are in our Beaver motorhome in Beaver, Utah. Is that great, or what? We're at the United Beaver Camperland, which isn't a bad place, when you consider the 400 mph crosswinds and the beating rain in mid-afternoon yesterday. It was also about 400 degrees below zero, according to the Lord & Master. We dug out the parkas!
The campground appears to be the best one in town - the KOA is next to a feed lot and the other one is mostly trailers plunked down for the long term with little space for overnighting big rigs. The area - from here to Fillmore, Utah - is known for the ATV trails. The Paiute Trail is almost 250 miles of back country made to roam. We've talked for years about coming here to participate, but never done it.
We parked next to a fabulous lilac bush in full bloom. Spring must be close, even in Utah.
I drove through greater downtown Beaver in search of a place with food and found a terrific steak to go at a restaurant near the north end of town (that I can't find on the maps.) It was full of locals. The L&M was happier after his tummy was full. But we plugged in the electric blanket and pulled the down comforter out of the cupboard last night. This was after 95 degrees plus in Yuma and not much cooler in Las Vegas.
On the road yesterday we fueled next to a guy with a huge flatbed full of beautiful, huge rocks! I admired them and he even gave me one - okay, so it was only a little tiny piece of one. The company mines them from a site near Tonopah, Nevada, he said.
Here we are in our Beaver motorhome in Beaver, Utah. Is that great, or what? We're at the United Beaver Camperland, which isn't a bad place, when you consider the 400 mph crosswinds and the beating rain in mid-afternoon yesterday. It was also about 400 degrees below zero, according to the Lord & Master. We dug out the parkas!The campground appears to be the best one in town - the KOA is next to a feed lot and the other one is mostly trailers plunked down for the long term with little space for overnighting big rigs. The area - from here to Fillmore, Utah - is known for the ATV trails. The Paiute Trail is almost 250 miles of back country made to roam. We've talked for years about coming here to participate, but never done it.
We parked next to a fabulous lilac bush in full bloom. Spring must be close, even in Utah.
I drove through greater downtown Beaver in search of a place with food and found a terrific steak to go at a restaurant near the north end of town (that I can't find on the maps.) It was full of locals. The L&M was happier after his tummy was full. But we plugged in the electric blanket and pulled the down comforter out of the cupboard last night. This was after 95 degrees plus in Yuma and not much cooler in Las Vegas.On the road yesterday we fueled next to a guy with a huge flatbed full of beautiful, huge rocks! I admired them and he even gave me one - okay, so it was only a little tiny piece of one. The company mines them from a site near Tonopah, Nevada, he said.
5/10/08
We left Yuma on the 3:10 - or was it the 10:10?
Las Vegas, NV
We packed up food, clothes, drugs, books, gourds, folders full of genealogy, bird toys, and other such related 'stuff' as we will use during the next 6 months or so. And hit the road in our 40' home away from home. No it's our home - the other one is the 'away from' number.
The Lord & Master did a good job of getting us to Las Vegas with no hassles, no problems, no squeaks from the birds. The boys weren't too excited about the voyage, but they did well - this is their first trip.
We are staying 3 nights at the Oasis RV park - we like it much better than a few years ago. Methinks it has new management, that believes staff should be nice to customers.
Friday night we ate at the Silverton Casino restaurant we like. Not the buffet, not the high-priced dining experience, not the bar, but the really comfortable Sundance Grill. We've stayed nearby often and learned to like their menu and staff. Occasionally they come up with fun new stuff - like the grilled eggplant sandwich I had. Grilled eggplant, grilled red pepper, tomato, lettuce, swiss (or mozzarella) cheese, with a side of fries. Yum.
Today we just hung out. Played computer games. Played with the birds. Washed the front windows. Confirmed reservations at G&B's for Mothers' Day dinner tomorrow. Bought the Lord & Master some new jeans and shirts at his favorite western wear store (Boot Barn.) Bought some new toys and treats for the birds at Petco. Bought a new battery charger and some fly swatters at Wal-Mart.
In the same strip mall with Wal-Mart and Petco was Tokyo Garden - a sushi place. We said "Why not? It's 3 pm; we can count it as either a late lunch or an early dinner. Or just an afternoon snack..." The spicy clam roll wasn't something we'll order again, but the other stuff was very good. The guy behind the counter and the girl out front were very nice. And she brought us green tea ice cream as a dessert treat. It apparently began as a small ball of ice cream, coated with rice cake batter and dusted with powdered sugar. She served it cut into slices, with a couple of toothpicks. I ate them all!
The birds loved their treat and their new swing.
We packed up food, clothes, drugs, books, gourds, folders full of genealogy, bird toys, and other such related 'stuff' as we will use during the next 6 months or so. And hit the road in our 40' home away from home. No it's our home - the other one is the 'away from' number.
The Lord & Master did a good job of getting us to Las Vegas with no hassles, no problems, no squeaks from the birds. The boys weren't too excited about the voyage, but they did well - this is their first trip.
We are staying 3 nights at the Oasis RV park - we like it much better than a few years ago. Methinks it has new management, that believes staff should be nice to customers.
Friday night we ate at the Silverton Casino restaurant we like. Not the buffet, not the high-priced dining experience, not the bar, but the really comfortable Sundance Grill. We've stayed nearby often and learned to like their menu and staff. Occasionally they come up with fun new stuff - like the grilled eggplant sandwich I had. Grilled eggplant, grilled red pepper, tomato, lettuce, swiss (or mozzarella) cheese, with a side of fries. Yum.Today we just hung out. Played computer games. Played with the birds. Washed the front windows. Confirmed reservations at G&B's for Mothers' Day dinner tomorrow. Bought the Lord & Master some new jeans and shirts at his favorite western wear store (Boot Barn.) Bought some new toys and treats for the birds at Petco. Bought a new battery charger and some fly swatters at Wal-Mart.
In the same strip mall with Wal-Mart and Petco was Tokyo Garden - a sushi place. We said "Why not? It's 3 pm; we can count it as either a late lunch or an early dinner. Or just an afternoon snack..." The spicy clam roll wasn't something we'll order again, but the other stuff was very good. The guy behind the counter and the girl out front were very nice. And she brought us green tea ice cream as a dessert treat. It apparently began as a small ball of ice cream, coated with rice cake batter and dusted with powdered sugar. She served it cut into slices, with a couple of toothpicks. I ate them all!The birds loved their treat and their new swing.
5/1/08
Getting Ready to Get On the Road
1 May 2008
Yuma, still
We've spent a lazy winter. We didn't accomplish half what we planned. Well, I didn't anyway - sometimes I make more plans than Chris.
He did some nice little fix-its on the coach - new stairs, window shade readjusted, radiator washed, new tires, carpets cleaned, drawers cleaned out... We seldom had Pugs in the storage room this winter - he just sat out. That way the neighbors thought we were real.
I was going to lose 10 pounds, exercise faithfully at Curves, finish the family photo books for the historical library in Springville, scan all my slides into digital, scan all possible documents and get rid of boxes of memorabilia, help Nancy with family history research, continue a couple of lines of my family research, find a new budgie baby, clean out my closets, catalog my books... I found my list the other day. Oops.
But, on the positive side:
-I got some of the photo stuff done - Ella Miner's story. I continued on Grandpa Miner's.
-I scanned a bunch of old scrapbook stuff and THREW THE ORIGINALS AWAY!!!
-I scanned a bunch of Mom's old slides and tossed the originals - this is a mortal sin in my family.
-I helped Nancy with research, but not enough. We found one whole new generation of Norwegians in Wisconsin, Iowa & Minnesota!
-We found lots of new budgies and lost one. We are now down to two new babies - Pancho (hatched in Jan) and Pepe (hatched in Mar). They will travel with us and amuse us. We had to make one trip to San Diego and one to Los Angeles to retrieve them.
-I made a major start on cataloging my cases and cases of books - www.librarything.com is marvelous. And I hooked both Eric and Todd on it - well, Todd's kids anyway. I'm bribing them to enter his books.
-I made a visit to Boise to visit my newest granddaughter.
-I made a visit to Seattle to tend the grandkids while Todd ran the Boston Marathon.
-We visited with old friends and made new ones, including the fun Canucks across the road.
-We went to Casa Grande for the gourd festival for several days.
-I entered some gourds in the county fair and won a ribbon or two.
-I spent lots of time burning, carving, painting - but not enough...
So I guess it hasn't been a bad winter.
New favorite restaurant: Parrish's Bar and Grill - on Fortuna Road near the post office. Great fish and chips, terrific BLTs, wonderful burgers, and nice people.
Yuma, still
We've spent a lazy winter. We didn't accomplish half what we planned. Well, I didn't anyway - sometimes I make more plans than Chris.
He did some nice little fix-its on the coach - new stairs, window shade readjusted, radiator washed, new tires, carpets cleaned, drawers cleaned out... We seldom had Pugs in the storage room this winter - he just sat out. That way the neighbors thought we were real.
I was going to lose 10 pounds, exercise faithfully at Curves, finish the family photo books for the historical library in Springville, scan all my slides into digital, scan all possible documents and get rid of boxes of memorabilia, help Nancy with family history research, continue a couple of lines of my family research, find a new budgie baby, clean out my closets, catalog my books... I found my list the other day. Oops.
But, on the positive side:
-I got some of the photo stuff done - Ella Miner's story. I continued on Grandpa Miner's.
-I scanned a bunch of old scrapbook stuff and THREW THE ORIGINALS AWAY!!!
-I scanned a bunch of Mom's old slides and tossed the originals - this is a mortal sin in my family.
-I helped Nancy with research, but not enough. We found one whole new generation of Norwegians in Wisconsin, Iowa & Minnesota!
-We found lots of new budgies and lost one. We are now down to two new babies - Pancho (hatched in Jan) and Pepe (hatched in Mar). They will travel with us and amuse us. We had to make one trip to San Diego and one to Los Angeles to retrieve them.
-I made a major start on cataloging my cases and cases of books - www.librarything.com is marvelous. And I hooked both Eric and Todd on it - well, Todd's kids anyway. I'm bribing them to enter his books.
-I made a visit to Boise to visit my newest granddaughter.
-I made a visit to Seattle to tend the grandkids while Todd ran the Boston Marathon.
-We visited with old friends and made new ones, including the fun Canucks across the road.
-We went to Casa Grande for the gourd festival for several days.
-I entered some gourds in the county fair and won a ribbon or two.
-I spent lots of time burning, carving, painting - but not enough...
So I guess it hasn't been a bad winter.
New favorite restaurant: Parrish's Bar and Grill - on Fortuna Road near the post office. Great fish and chips, terrific BLTs, wonderful burgers, and nice people.
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