You'll miss it when it's gone...
Van now in USA
- Thread starter mojo
- Start date
You'll miss it when it's gone...
OP
OP
Montana and Wyoming 26,27 Aug
These two days were spent in Yellowstone NP.
A must do on most people's list if in this part of the States,us included.
A beautiful park that too many people want to visit.We are lucky with the kids back at school and yet the car parks and roads are very busy.
We made a point ,as you do,to view the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from Artist Point for a great view of Lower Falls and Old Faithfull Geyser.The parks other attractions are the geothermal activity and wildlife.Despite our rising at 4 am to view wildlife at sunrise we had no luck.
The park is huge ,we did nearly 150 miles and did not view all the volvanic sights.Because we shipped the van to Iceland a few years ago we were spoiled by amazing geysers, waterfalls and geothermal activity over a five week tour.
Woke on the second day to snow in August !
Glad to have seen the park but felt a lot of effort v rewards due to tourism it's a victim of its own success.
These two days were spent in Yellowstone NP.
A must do on most people's list if in this part of the States,us included.
A beautiful park that too many people want to visit.We are lucky with the kids back at school and yet the car parks and roads are very busy.
We made a point ,as you do,to view the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from Artist Point for a great view of Lower Falls and Old Faithfull Geyser.The parks other attractions are the geothermal activity and wildlife.Despite our rising at 4 am to view wildlife at sunrise we had no luck.
The park is huge ,we did nearly 150 miles and did not view all the volvanic sights.Because we shipped the van to Iceland a few years ago we were spoiled by amazing geysers, waterfalls and geothermal activity over a five week tour.
Woke on the second day to snow in August !
Glad to have seen the park but felt a lot of effort v rewards due to tourism it's a victim of its own success.
OP
OP
A day in Bozeman , Montana in Walmart washing the van as it's filthy after the snow and mud on Monday.
After about 10 campsites we agree the American version is to be avoided .I hate the fact that they all have this need to light a bloody bonfire that fills your van with stinking smoke .It forces you to close all windows to then sweat like a sauna.
The campsites encourage this behaviour by installing fire pits at each pitch.
The next issue is they charge far too much for pitches that are virtually like a car park.The spaces between are about 2mtr ,just enough to sit outside staring at the huge metal wall of the next RV.Dont get me started on those onboard generators that never cease.
Thanks be to Walmart and Sam's Club.
You find a quieter corner of the huge car parks away from other RVs .All around are eateries,I am carefull not to label them restaurants, and sometimes bars for easy use.Free to use and not a single bloody bonfire in sight.
After about 10 campsites we agree the American version is to be avoided .I hate the fact that they all have this need to light a bloody bonfire that fills your van with stinking smoke .It forces you to close all windows to then sweat like a sauna.
The campsites encourage this behaviour by installing fire pits at each pitch.
The next issue is they charge far too much for pitches that are virtually like a car park.The spaces between are about 2mtr ,just enough to sit outside staring at the huge metal wall of the next RV.Dont get me started on those onboard generators that never cease.
Thanks be to Walmart and Sam's Club.
You find a quieter corner of the huge car parks away from other RVs .All around are eateries,I am carefull not to label them restaurants, and sometimes bars for easy use.Free to use and not a single bloody bonfire in sight.
- Apr 7, 2008
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Hahahaha. Restaurants, Hahahaha. Been there, done that. When it comes to sites they just don’t know what it’s like. Like you say, fires, loud telephone calls, blaring tv’s and the statutory fire.
We ended up using Motel 6, but that was in 1990.
I have a brother who has lived in the US of A for the last thirty eight years, lives in Naples Florida. He keeps telling me we are years behind.
I’ve always found campground prices are daft.
Enjoy, love the thread, enjoy.
We ended up using Motel 6, but that was in 1990.
I have a brother who has lived in the US of A for the last thirty eight years, lives in Naples Florida. He keeps telling me we are years behind.
I’ve always found campground prices are daft.
Enjoy, love the thread, enjoy.
OP
OP
Took the scooter for a run around non touristy Bozeman.Normal town but better housing than most we have seen.
Named after the Bozeman Trail.The local country park just like home with the same funding problems.
Named after the Bozeman Trail.The local country park just like home with the same funding problems.
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OP
OP
The trip was always loosely planned and here in Bozeman was meant to be our furthest north west before heading south and east to Salt Lake City and on through Denver.
We want our cake and eat it so we have decided to go north to Glacier NP and then to Seattle on the Pacific Coast.Will route down the coastline before turning east through the above cities.Lets see what sights it brings.
P .S
This Walmart is the busiest we have seen for RV parking and some down on their luck.
We want our cake and eat it so we have decided to go north to Glacier NP and then to Seattle on the Pacific Coast.Will route down the coastline before turning east through the above cities.Lets see what sights it brings.
P .S
This Walmart is the busiest we have seen for RV parking and some down on their luck.
alanalmoff
Free Member
Whilst in Gillette we too stopped in Walmart, joined the long queue for returns etc, thinking this won't take to long as the people in front didn't have many return items, ,WRONG, they were all waiting to cash in their dole cheques, all native Indians, very sad.
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Puddleduck
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When in Seattle and if you get chance do the "Underground Tour" - it really brings into focus the "Seattle Spirit" lol
We also went up The Space Needle and spent a long time in the Chihuly Glass Garden ..... then there is the Klondike Gold Rush Historic Centre which I loved.
We also went up The Space Needle and spent a long time in the Chihuly Glass Garden ..... then there is the Klondike Gold Rush Historic Centre which I loved.
OP
OP
Will check it out Puddleduck .
Great Falls 29 Aug
Set off for the three hour drive to Great Falls using the 86 & 89 roads instead of the obvious highway.Turned out as a good idea.A great drive through big sky country with clear blue skies.
Half way we came to White Sulphur Falls.A small town with a golf course basically in the middle of nowhere.As we carry our clubs it just had to be done.Lovely course with superb views.
Arrived Great Falls by 6 pm.
Great Falls 29 Aug
Set off for the three hour drive to Great Falls using the 86 & 89 roads instead of the obvious highway.Turned out as a good idea.A great drive through big sky country with clear blue skies.
Half way we came to White Sulphur Falls.A small town with a golf course basically in the middle of nowhere.As we carry our clubs it just had to be done.Lovely course with superb views.
Arrived Great Falls by 6 pm.
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OP
OP
Glad we changed our route to include Glacier NP.
The weather has been kind to us considering how fickle it can be in September.Despite a large part being closed due to forest fires we have walked with grizzlies, well two miles away through our binoculars.On a hike we came out on to a small lake with a Moose drinking on the opposite bank.
A shuttle bus took us up the Road to the Sun as far as Logans Pass for great views.
Enjoyed using our bicycles and also a canoe on Lake McDonald all to ourselves due to a early launch.
The morning mist was actually the smoke .
Chilled out on the pebble beach in afternoon as we decided on a no drive day.
Had 18 holes on the superb Glacier Views Golf Course on Monday morning before setting off for the Cascades NP.
The weather has been kind to us considering how fickle it can be in September.Despite a large part being closed due to forest fires we have walked with grizzlies, well two miles away through our binoculars.On a hike we came out on to a small lake with a Moose drinking on the opposite bank.
A shuttle bus took us up the Road to the Sun as far as Logans Pass for great views.
Enjoyed using our bicycles and also a canoe on Lake McDonald all to ourselves due to a early launch.
The morning mist was actually the smoke .
Chilled out on the pebble beach in afternoon as we decided on a no drive day.
Had 18 holes on the superb Glacier Views Golf Course on Monday morning before setting off for the Cascades NP.
Theonlysue
LIFE MEMBER
2 miles away from grizzlies is good.
I worked at a canadian bank where a female manager was killed by a bear.
Brilliant photos. Keep up the good work!
I worked at a canadian bank where a female manager was killed by a bear.
Brilliant photos. Keep up the good work!
Have 3 recommendations for Seattle. Museum of Flight, vg with one of the best exhibits being an older Airforce One which Kennedy used but there was much much more. A very large private car museum which if you like cars is superb, one of the best I've ever visited and have visited a few (can get the name if you are interested). An evening meal at I think the Athena restaurant overlooking the bay. Great food (yes it can be found) and good atmosphere. If you take a window seat wonderful views too.
Seattle has very good public transport including light rail which extends way beyond the city, excellent if you can camp near to public transport.
The only disappointment was the Bill and Melinda Gates Centre which is supposed to showcase all the good works they fund around the world, we all thought it was flat and uninspiring considering the money available to promote the incredible things they do. Having said that the recycling toilet was a wonder to behold, it's all opposite the Space Needle.
Bon chance!
Forgot. There are ferries out to the islands, and one in particular is a good one to take. We ran out of time but various friends have highly recommended this trip for the view of Seattle from the water on the return leg, apparently if you return to Seattle near sunset it will show the mountains behind the city. If it's of interest I'll find it in our travel notes for you.
Seattle has very good public transport including light rail which extends way beyond the city, excellent if you can camp near to public transport.
The only disappointment was the Bill and Melinda Gates Centre which is supposed to showcase all the good works they fund around the world, we all thought it was flat and uninspiring considering the money available to promote the incredible things they do. Having said that the recycling toilet was a wonder to behold, it's all opposite the Space Needle.
Bon chance!
Forgot. There are ferries out to the islands, and one in particular is a good one to take. We ran out of time but various friends have highly recommended this trip for the view of Seattle from the water on the return leg, apparently if you return to Seattle near sunset it will show the mountains behind the city. If it's of interest I'll find it in our travel notes for you.
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OP
OP
Thanks veevee.
At present we are near Omak but have developed a fault on the Merc auto box.Have to sort out before .
If you try to accelerate the revs rise but gears won't change down .
At present we are near Omak but have developed a fault on the Merc auto box.Have to sort out before .
If you try to accelerate the revs rise but gears won't change down .
We've got a full auto Mercedes but older, 2005/6. When we bought it I wanted to check the autobox oil level and had to buy a dipstick. It was about only .75 litre down on oil and after adding that it was much cleaner and smoother for such a small amount of oil. Hope it is as easy as that for you but you are in the land of auto boxes and a good engineer will sort it for you as it's every-day for them.
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Theonlysue
LIFE MEMBER
Dont know if this will help??
Resetting auto transmission.
Theonlysue
LIFE MEMBER
Puddleduck
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OP
OP
Thanks Beebee and Sue
This morning all back to normal ? On our way to Merc garage Seattle .Will let you know.
This morning all back to normal ? On our way to Merc garage Seattle .Will let you know.
Puddleduck
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Would altitude affect it? Probably not but I have no other idea to offer.
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OP
OP
Had a wonderful relaxing scenic drive from Glacier NP over a few days to just short of the Cascades NP.
Many hundreds of miles close to the Canadian border.So laid back , whilst we were both singing away to Bat out of Hell I missed a turning and realised my mistake from a sign stating 18 miles to border.
Leaving Montana we passed through the narrow northern part of Idaho in to Washington State.
Near the end of the second days driving the gears would not select on kickdown.This made us stop over at a tiny ,run down town called Tonasket .Sad place with more than its fair share of drunks.The building and drunks reminded us of some similar places in Western Australia and the aborigines .
Disappointed to miss the drive through the Cascades NP but despite the gears working ok in the morning just did not want to risk the steep climbes .Took the valley floor route to a Mercedes garage in Seattle .It at least allowed us to view the stunning Dry Falls near Coulee City.
Small towns are often called cities.
These were the largest falls in the world but in the ice age.
Anyway,here we are sleeping on the Merc forecourt for tomorrow inspection with a bloody faulty car alarm going off every ten minutes.A great nights sleep ahead .Silver lining is the garage is in a central location so plan to use the scooter to visit Seattle.
Many hundreds of miles close to the Canadian border.So laid back , whilst we were both singing away to Bat out of Hell I missed a turning and realised my mistake from a sign stating 18 miles to border.
Leaving Montana we passed through the narrow northern part of Idaho in to Washington State.
Near the end of the second days driving the gears would not select on kickdown.This made us stop over at a tiny ,run down town called Tonasket .Sad place with more than its fair share of drunks.The building and drunks reminded us of some similar places in Western Australia and the aborigines .
Disappointed to miss the drive through the Cascades NP but despite the gears working ok in the morning just did not want to risk the steep climbes .Took the valley floor route to a Mercedes garage in Seattle .It at least allowed us to view the stunning Dry Falls near Coulee City.
Small towns are often called cities.
These were the largest falls in the world but in the ice age.
Anyway,here we are sleeping on the Merc forecourt for tomorrow inspection with a bloody faulty car alarm going off every ten minutes.A great nights sleep ahead .Silver lining is the garage is in a central location so plan to use the scooter to visit Seattle.
OP
OP
Hi veevee
Having breakfast at the moment in Athena restaurant .Thanks for your suggestion.Great view's.Using scooter to get around,the only one in the city it seems.
Having breakfast at the moment in Athena restaurant .Thanks for your suggestion.Great view's.Using scooter to get around,the only one in the city it seems.
OP
OP
Slept ok on the forecourt of MB Seattle.Used the scooter to get around Seattle.
Visited Pike Place Market for breakfast where we also saw the first Starbucks and the chewing gum wall,yuckie.
On to Seattle Centre created in 1962 for the World Fair holding various buildings and the 605ft Space Needle .
At the 1049 ft Columbia Centre ,being cheapskates,we went to the 40th floor housing Starbucks for a view instead of paying to go to the 73rd observation floor.
In Pioneer Square we took the 90 minutes Underground Tour.After the 1889 fire the area was rebuilt with the street level raised by one storey so old storefronts are now underground.
Scooter over to Alki beach for great views to the city.A nice beach side where we even had quality Fish & Chips !
Noticed RVs parked on roadside here,so we returned after the Mercedes garage had done it's expensive diagnosis revealing nothing wrong.
Using the bicycles allowed us a nice sunset and night views of the city.
Let's hope the traffic dies down for a decent kip.
Visited Pike Place Market for breakfast where we also saw the first Starbucks and the chewing gum wall,yuckie.
On to Seattle Centre created in 1962 for the World Fair holding various buildings and the 605ft Space Needle .
At the 1049 ft Columbia Centre ,being cheapskates,we went to the 40th floor housing Starbucks for a view instead of paying to go to the 73rd observation floor.
In Pioneer Square we took the 90 minutes Underground Tour.After the 1889 fire the area was rebuilt with the street level raised by one storey so old storefronts are now underground.
Scooter over to Alki beach for great views to the city.A nice beach side where we even had quality Fish & Chips !
Noticed RVs parked on roadside here,so we returned after the Mercedes garage had done it's expensive diagnosis revealing nothing wrong.
Using the bicycles allowed us a nice sunset and night views of the city.
Let's hope the traffic dies down for a decent kip.
Let's hope the Mercedes diagnostic is correct and all is good.
OP
OP
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JockandRita
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Unlucky Gary.
Smashing photos by the way
..................other than that of the blooming bill of course. 
Cheers,
Jock.
tofo
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May I point out your email appears upon the bill
Sorry to be a pain
DONT LET SOMEONE ELSE DAMPEN YOUR SPARKLE
OP
OP
The only tourist thing in the last two days was my visit to the Boeing Factory.The largest factory building in the world still producing the 747 up to the new Dreamliner 787.
No robots here unlike the car factories.All manual labour .If you want a 747 it's yours for 420 million dollars but that does not include the engines.You need four and General Electric want 50 million each.
The interior is also extra but you do get a third tank of fuel to fly it away.
No pics allowed just photoshop .
The van had a slow puncture front so unable to source exact we replaced two fronts with same spec but wider profile.Seems fine to drive and actually looks better than the skinny looking ones they replaced.Apparently this nationwide company supplier had never had my size in stock.
Now have a spare and a tyre in the garage incase one of the four rear give problems.They definitely can not have larger profiles.
All these costs are something to bear in mind if bringing your van over but it could happen anywhere.A standard screen would be a good thing.Our A class has received two chips on the first six weeks here on these rather poor roads.The glass companies have given us some clear stickers to prevent frost but suggest they don't try to repair due to a crack risk.
Got a knock last night from shopping centre security .Had to find a place so joined the many using a highway rest stop.These were all old,held together with string and another sign of rich and poor in Seattle and the country in general.Even the car park area was full with clothing on windows to keep out light for sleeping.The richest country in the world !
Well at least we can say we are experiencing all aspects of the American Dream.
These guys would love to be under the umbrella of our social security and benefits and despite my gripes in the past it makes me realize that I am proud our country looks after the less fortunate.
Can you imagine such scenes at every motorway service station each night .
Anyway,too much time ony hands tonight and I am waffling on too much.
Sleeping tonight on a road pullover looking over the Columbia River emyetine the Pacific
to Astoria, Oregon on the other bank.Will cross the state border in morning.
No robots here unlike the car factories.All manual labour .If you want a 747 it's yours for 420 million dollars but that does not include the engines.You need four and General Electric want 50 million each.
The interior is also extra but you do get a third tank of fuel to fly it away.
No pics allowed just photoshop .
The van had a slow puncture front so unable to source exact we replaced two fronts with same spec but wider profile.Seems fine to drive and actually looks better than the skinny looking ones they replaced.Apparently this nationwide company supplier had never had my size in stock.
Now have a spare and a tyre in the garage incase one of the four rear give problems.They definitely can not have larger profiles.
All these costs are something to bear in mind if bringing your van over but it could happen anywhere.A standard screen would be a good thing.Our A class has received two chips on the first six weeks here on these rather poor roads.The glass companies have given us some clear stickers to prevent frost but suggest they don't try to repair due to a crack risk.
Got a knock last night from shopping centre security .Had to find a place so joined the many using a highway rest stop.These were all old,held together with string and another sign of rich and poor in Seattle and the country in general.Even the car park area was full with clothing on windows to keep out light for sleeping.The richest country in the world !
Well at least we can say we are experiencing all aspects of the American Dream.
These guys would love to be under the umbrella of our social security and benefits and despite my gripes in the past it makes me realize that I am proud our country looks after the less fortunate.
Can you imagine such scenes at every motorway service station each night .
Anyway,too much time ony hands tonight and I am waffling on too much.
Sleeping tonight on a road pullover looking over the Columbia River emyetine the Pacific
- Jan 25, 2013
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I've come late to this thread and have been fascinated enough to go back to the beginning and follow it through. Absolutely absorbing travelogue of your adventures and made me so wistful about my 2009 adventure towing a 5th wheel from Rhode Island to Santa Rosa in 7 weeks so it would be available for a 5 month tour around western USA in 2010. Wonderful memories of a fabulous journey and places and people we met. Keep up the good work!
Very interested in your insights on the haves and have-nots in the US, exactly what we find on every trip. And to think that Trump is slowly removing the meagre safety net from 10's of millions of Americas poor including health care.
What a journey so far, superbly diverse.
What a journey so far, superbly diverse.
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