Beautiful Ketchum, Idaho

It is truly beautiful here in Ketchum/Sun Valley, Idaho. It is obvious that there is pride within this community as evidenced by the landscaping, which is carefully tended; and, the streets are clean and the business facades are charming and well maintained. Beautiful firs, spruces and pines line many of the roads, and emerald green lawns look like carpets under their boughs.

Rob says there's probably two seasons here. Winter and road construction.There is a lot of it going on, but it doesn't really slow traffic too much as there really isn't much of it to speak of. At least not in comparison to what we are used to in the Bay Area. 

We arrived on Saturday and on Sunday, Rob was up paragliding. I dropped him off at 8:00am with the other pilots but I didn't stay to watch. I came back to the Beast to clean. Yes, even when on 'vacation' the vacuuming and dusting still needs to get done; and laundry, too. I was surprised to see that the laundry facilities were made up of newer models considering the RV park is nice, but rather rudimentary.

The RV park is just off the main highway that runs through town and is within walking distance of Big Wood River. While walking a path amongst Aspens and Wild Roses, I found a couple of small boulders along the riverbank, which make the perfect seat for meditation. I found myself soothed by the sound of the river lapping its bank and the shushing of the flow as it navigates through the multitude of rocks and boulder lining its bed. I've enjoyed watching the dozens of Violet-Green Swallows as they soar, loop, roll and dive over the river for the moths and other small, flying bugs that make up their diet. I thought of my father and imagined him fly fishing, standing hip-deep in the water while casting a graceful line. I love the peacefulness of it. I will take advantage of it many times before leaving here.

Being we've had rain the last couple of days, there hasn't been much to do so, yesterday, we took a drive to check out Sun Valley proper. If you're not paying attention, you completely miss it. You think you're still in Ketchum. We drove as far as the campground in the Sawtooth National Forest. Along the way is a community around the Sun Valley golf course. We stopped to visit the clubhouse, which was as beautiful as it was impressive. They also have an olympic sized swimming pool, several tennis courts, and what appeared to be a tent-covered amphitheater. I was an idiot, though. I forgot my camera. Doh! On the way back, we stopped for a Starbucks treat and walked the Farmer's Market.

Today, I took some early morning photos of the fog on the mountain and some of the Wild Roses down by the river.

We followed these fellows out of Nevada.

Here we are in Idaho heading to Ketchum.

I made comfort food Sunday evening: Nana's Mac and Cheese

This morning's fog—and our view.

A Wild Rose bud drenched with the night's rain.

A true Wild Rose.

One of many wild flowers still in bloom.

On the Road Again

Hallelujah! We are on the road again. The above photo was taken of us by daughter Hayley just before we drove off down the street to begin our adventure on Friday, June 14th. If you read the last post, you'll know that we had mechanical problems on the first day but didn't realize it until the following morning. 

The Beast was towed from Omo Ranch back down to West Sacramento on Tuesday, June 18th. We thought it would take a week before repairs could be started and were meant to be towed directly to a KOA about a mile or so from the repair shop. The owner of PM Truck Repair told his tow driver to bring it directly to the shop so they could do the diagnostic test to determine what they'd be dealing with. It was determined to be a faulty high pressure oil injector sensor, which they couldn't replace until the next day. By the end of the workday, it was clear that they had no one to tow us to the KOA, so we spent the night at the end of an industrial cul-de-sac, with the I-80 overpass about 200 feet away. Rob set out the satellite dish so we'd have TV. Throughout the evening we also observed the comings and goings of hardworking men bringing in their tractors to park for the night, and those who were returning heavy equipment long after the gates were closed to the rental company situated right next to us. Some had such huge tractors and trailers to maneuver that I felt we were in their way. Their expertise prevailed and it was truly interesting, and fun, to watch. I bet they all wondered why a motorhome was parked there with slides open, generator running and lights on inside.

The tow truck driver putting on coveralls so he can prep the Beast for tow.

At this point I was wondering what the cats were thinking. Yes, they were in the Beast.

After the sharp turn onto Omo Ranch Road.

The employees at PM Truck Repair were very kind and helpful. Jaime, the mechanic they assigned to us, worked diligently to get us on the road as quickly as possible. I think we were hooking up the car and driving away at about noon on Wednesday. I called the RV park at which we originally planned to stay in Truckee to see if they had availability for the night, so there we stayed for one night instead of the intended five. We went out to dinner with our good friends, Sandy and Rhoda Smith, and were grateful for the one evening we had with them.

Our campsite at Coachland RV Park in Truckee, California

Yesterday, after 7 hours on the road (lots of roadwork), we arrived in Elko, Nevada. We have the Union Pacific railroad right behind the RV park. We heard several train whistles last evening. We love train whistles and the clacking sound of trains going by.

As for the whole trip, we are only one day behind schedule. We are losing one day at our next stop—staying 11 days instead of 12. Not bad thanks to the folks at PM Truck Repair.

Our campsite at Iron Horse RV Park in Elko, Nevada

A freight train lumbering by, as seen from our campsite.

Rob and I ran some errands today, one of which was a stop at WalMart. I know, I know. Some of you think people shouldn't shop at WalMart because they underpay their employees, etc, etc. But, they usually have what we are seeking and some things only they seem to carry that no one else does, and they are very good to RVers. Anyway, while we were at WalMart, an employee called Lena asked us if we needed help finding anything, so we took her up on it. She walked us to everything we were seeking. Lena had a delightful southern accent and Rob asked her from where in the south her accent came. She said, "Alabama, sir." Rob then asked her how she ended up in Elko, Nevada, and she gave a cryptic reply that it was an 'internet error.' If you know Rob, you know he has a way about him that makes people open up to him. Lena told us how she met someone online who had gone through a similar difficult divorce so she came here to meet him but he turned out to be a not-so-nice person. Somehow she has remained here for 13 years, we didn't find out why, but what we learned was heartbreaking. Lena had had a daughter who died at age 7. She and her then husband had taken their daughter to the hospital. After she was discharged, they took her home but she wasn't getting any better. The following day, as they tried to help her and were holding her, she passed away. Lena said it had to do with fluid surrounding her heart (Pam help here?), and I don't know if they learned this while they were at the hospital or through an autopsy, but they couldn't save her. Lena's husband shut down after that. He stopped talking to Lena and to all his family. He started drinking from the moment he got home from work until he passed out. Every day. The marriage disintegrated, which was inevitable if her husband couldn't or wouldn't allow himself to be helped through his grief and, maybe, his guilt at not being able to save or protect his little girl. 

I worked hard to keep tears from springing to my eyes. I felt so badly for Lena even though this happened so many years ago. We could tell it was really hard for her to tell us about her ordeal, and she could have told us nothing at all. She also told us that she met a wonderful man who is good and honorable and true and they are getting married in two weeks. I told her I was sorry for her loss, gave her a big hug, congratulated her on her upcoming marriage and wished her well.

Lena allowed herself to be vulnerable before utter strangers and, hopefully, found herself wrapped in blanket of compassion and goodwill. May she find strength and happiness all her life.

We all have our stories and you can never tell by looking at someone what that story is. 

Here are a few photos. I hope you enjoy them.

Rob in front of my aunt and uncle's house.

Bruce and Adrienne on the morning we were supposed to leave.

This was my grandparent's Silver Streak, which used to be kept where we've had the motorhome these last 11 months.

The plates from all the Silver Streak National Rallies that my grandparents attended during the 1970s.

This is Ollie enjoying the out-of-doors from high upon a platform in my uncle's front yard.

This is Pumpkin watching Ollie enjoy the out-of-doors from high on the platform.

Well, we know what was on Pumpkin's mind.

My cousin, Beth, with her 14 year old Australian Shepherd, Angel.

On I-80, as we were leaving California, yesterday.

Just Gotta Go with the Flow

We left home on June 14th and drove to Omo Ranch to my uncle's Christmas Tree farm for a one night visit. We packed up, said good-byes and tried to leave yesterday morning but the Beast had no power. Even flooring the accelerator had no effect. The engine revved only in neutral. After having Good Sam Roadside Assistance send someone out—found metal bits floating in the fuel (probably rust), changed the fuel filter, checked the air filter—the problem still wasn't resolved, but we did finally get a consistent code that indicates that it is a fuel injection problem. Now today, Father's Day, Rob called Good Sam again, discussed the code and our options and learned that the Beast has to be towed to a shop that has a mechanic familiar with Caterpillar engines. Thank goodness they will do the footwork for us and find the closest location. The bad thing is we don't know how long it will take. I hope whoever does the work takes pity on us being that it is our house and we have pets to accommodate.

Uncle Bruce would like us to stay here with them while the Beast is wherever it needs to be to get fixed, but I think Rob will want us to go with and stay nearby so that once it is road-ready, we'll be able to get going as quickly as possible.

I called the RV park where we were supposed to be in Truckee to let them know they wouldn't be seeing us on this trip. I guess this kind of thing is something they hear on occasion because they were completely unfazed, wished us a speedy resolution and let me know they'd have space for us if we need it on our way to Idaho.

I am so glad that we weren't stuck on the side of a road somewhere; and that we are parked next to my uncle's house with water, electricity and the ability to dump gray water as needed. We are amongst family and the peace and sweet smell of pines and firs. I am counting my blessings.

We learned something about our cat, Louis, on our drive up here on Friday. Louis gets carsick, poor baby. Both the cats hide during our drives. Brandy is usually found in the litter box and Louis is usually with Brandy or hiding behind the couch. As we were climbing in elevation, hitting some bumpy and curvy roads, we heard Louis meow in a sick-sounding kind of way. I looked back and found him looking forlorn, and quite green, with thick, foamy strands of saliva hanging from his mouth. I unstrapped myself, got a napkin to wipe his mouth, scooped him up and brought him up to my seat to ride in my arms so he could see outside. I was thinking it might help like it does for humans and I think it did. The big surprise was that he didn't try to jump off my lap. He stayed in my arms for quite awhile. Maybe he'll get where he'll ride in my lap more often. I wouldn't mind that at all.

I think this life we've chosen is going to be an ongoing lesson in letting go of preconceived notions, expecting nothing but the unexpected, embracing spontaneity and just going with the flow. Its all good.