Crossing the Canadian Border

30 08 2015
Gull Lake, SK City Campground

Gull Lake, SK City Campground

We’ve arrived in Canada! After leaving Malta, MT yesterday,  we continued north along Highway 191 to Morgan, MT.  Most of this highway is a rough gravel 2 lane road due to expansion work.  At the border, we’re greeted by a friendly border agent and asked for our passports.  A few brief questions, “where are you coming from?”, “where are you going to?”, “how long in Canada?”, “any liquor in the RV?”, “any firearms?” – etc. and we were on our way.  There was no inquiry of vehicle registration or insurance paperwork that we’d prepared for.  There is apparently no longer a concern for eggs or poultry products (although we had none) that might carry the avian influenza. And no mention of entering the RV.  A typical border crossing with professional and courteous agents.  “Welcome to Canada”

Warned of the bad condition of Canadan Highway 4 from both online resources and the border agent, we opt for a route over to Highway 37 which will take us directly into Gull Lake.  The short portion of highway 18 is in bad shape – truck bouncing and cupboard rearranging rough.  But once we turn north on Highway 37, the roadway is smooth and we make good time into Gull Lake.

This tiny, sleepy town is just south of the Trans-Canadian Highway. We’re parked at the city RV campground with 26 electric/water sites and 26 non-electric tent sites organized around a small loop  The RV sites are back-in sites in the center.  If the park was full, you’d be looking into the rear window of a camper behind.  But, we’re 2 of only 5 trailers plus a couple tent campers that will be spending the night.  Self service check-in requires $25/site.  For Canadian currency there’s an ATM at the Credit Union on Conrad Ave.  This fee provides water and 15/30 Amp electric as well as a clean shower house.  There’s no over-the-air TV available in Gull Lake, but the cellular coverage by TELUS is a full 4G signal.  With our new “10 Gigs 4 All” T-Mobile data plan, we tether our laptops to our phones for amazingly fast internet access.

We’ll join the Trans-Canadian Highway today and travel west toward Calgary and Banff.  Along the way we’ll stop at Kinbrook Island Provincial Park– more from there.

USA/Canada Border
Gull Lake, SK City Campground
Gull Lake, SK City Campground
Gull Lake, Dump $5 (non-campers)
Gull Lake, SK City Campground

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Billings and Malta, MT

29 08 2015

Good Morning from Northeastern Montana!

Riverside Motel & RV Park

Riverside Motel & RV Park

After departing from Billing yesterday, we made our way nearly directly north across eastern Montana. Expecting to be out on the flat plains, we enjoyed traveling through forested rolling hills that eventually gave way to grass and grain covered hills. Some very long distance views were unfortunately blocked by the haze of smoke from forest fires to the west.

Our stay in Billings was at the KOA, the first ever, the campground (or rather kampground) that started it all. Sites at the Billing KOA range from grassy tent sites along the Yellowstone river to concrete patio sites complete with fire pit, swing and unique landscaping. We’re located somewhere in between, in $50/night pull-through sites that feel a bit narrow and provide electric and water. Next time we’d like to check out the 5 or 6 back-in sites on the small pond. The well watered grass throughout the campground is nice, but unfortunately overwatering is leading to muddy puddles around some of the sites.

After the 200 mile trip north, were parked at the Riverside Motel, right along the Milk River in downtown Malta. This is a busy crossroads of Highway 2 stretching from Everett, WA; through Glacier National Park in the west to Williston, North Dakota and on to St. Ignace, MI in the east and Highway 191 which crosses into Canada about 50 miles north. The options for RV parking in Malta are here at the Riverside and across the street at the Edgewater Inn. These 18 sites back-up on lush grass to the city park. Over at the Edgewater, there are some pull-through sites, but not much grass – parking is mostly gravel with a few trees. We prefer the Riverside Motel, providing water, electric and sewer connections for $32.10/night. The motel has WiFi service that worked adequately for us. There’s also good Verizon service, but no T-Mobile service.  And, we were able to resupply a few items from a local Albertson’s.

Originally expanded from “rail siding #54” of the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba railway, Malta still straddles this busy rail line. Running from Chicago to Seattle & Portland, the line has high speed freight trains passing through town and a daily “Empire Builder” Amtrak service. This is the busiest long-distance Amtrak route, carrying more the 500,000 passengers each year. Both RV parks are within sight of the train tracks, providing a gentle shaking and roar as the trains pass through town. If you’re a light sleeper, you’ll need background A/C or a noise muffling fan.

Today we’ll make the short trip north to the Canadian border – more from Saskatchewan.


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Oh Canada – the 2015 Roadtrip

26 08 2015
Peter D's RV Park

Peter D’s RV Park

We’re headed north!

We’re currently parked at Peter D’s RV Park in Sheridan, WY after spending a quick overnight in our favorite site at Glendo State Park last night.  Today we’ll be joined by friends and family for the short trek up to Billing, MT.  From Billings we’ll head directly north toward the Canadian Border, crossing at Morgan/Monchy, the 12th LEAST used border crossing between the US and Canada.  Enroute, we’ll spend one night at Malta, MT.

This is our first time at Peter D’s RV Park .  It’s a fairly basic park on the outskirts of Sheridan, just off of Interstate 90 at the 5th Street exit.  With about 50 sites, all are long pull-throughs that seem a bit narrow.  We have to relocate the neighbors picnic table to get our slide out, and our awning is only inches from the opposite neighbor’s slide.  Each site has nicely arranged hookups including great water pressure at the tap, a well located TV cable connector and easy to access dump connector.  In the central area of the loop is a shared vegetable garden and ultra-clean restrooms and laundry room.  The laundry facility has 4 or 5 washers and dryers, each $2 (quarters only, no change machine) per load.  Beyond the laundry room there are 5 centrally located pull-through sites which appear to be a bit wider than the rest.  The daily rate of $37.50 includes about 10 cable channels, and limited WiFi (it connected, but no internet access) plus 50, 30 amp service, water and sewer.  A $5 fee was accessed for a “late departure”, allowing you to extend your stay from 11AM until 2PM.

More from Montana!


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Warrior Dash and Peak One Camping

15 08 2015

Good Morning from the shores of Lake Dillon!

We’re parked in sites #19, 21 and 23 at Peak One, a federal campground just east of Frisco, Colorado. We’ve camped at Peak One numerous times where we always enjoy the bike paths around the lake and into downtown Frisco. This weekend we’re here to cheer on friends that will be running the Warrior Dash at Copper Mountain.

Before leaving for home on Sunday we check out a few of the recently vacated sites. Sites #55 and #56 offer great lake views from a fairly private overlook area.  And, Site #15 would be a great individual site.


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Colorado Campground

8 08 2015
Colorado Campground #36

Colorado Campground #36

Good Morning from Colorado Campground!

We’re about 10 miles north of Woodland Park along highway 67. This federal campground is nearly across the highway from South Meadows campground where we last camped in the truck camper in 2011. Both campgrounds are connected to the paved hike/bike trail that runs from Woodland Park to the picnic areas around Manitou Park Lake. Colorado Campground is organized around a large loop that is bisected by a central roadway. There are campsites along both sides of the central roadway and around the outside loop roads. There are vault toilets and water faucets that are not threaded for hose use. After re-exploring South Meadows, we think that campground is a bit more desirable, the sites are slightly larger with better privacy.

We’re in sites #36 and #37, sites along the outside edge nearest Manitou Lake. Both of these sites are back-in sites with a picnic table and fire ring. Site #36 is a reverse entry site, requiring an approach against the one-way pattern leaving the door and awning looking toward the road instead of into the woods behind the site.

In an afternoon excursion, we take the short trip back over to Meadow Ridge campground where we camped in 2013. This campground was involved in the Waldo Canyon fire in June, 2013. We’re curious to see how close the fire came to the campgrounds of Meadow Ridge and Thunder Ridge. We’re pleased to find that most of the campsites are untouched. While there is obvious evidence of the fire, most is across the access roads that presumably provided the firebreak to keep the campgrounds safe. With smaller sites, both Meadow Ridge and Thunder Ridge are perfect for small trailers and tent campers. Many of these sites would provide a challenge with larger trailers or 5th wheels.


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Custer Cove, Glendo State Park, Wyoming

25 07 2015

WP_20150717_002cAfter several attempts to find available walk-up sites at Custer Cove over the years, we’re finally camped at what we consider the prime lake-side sites at Glendo State Park, Custer Cove #3 and #4.  These two side by side sites provide plenty of space, privacy and easy access to the lake. We arrived last Thursday to occupy site #4.  However, pre-scouting earlier in the week undoubtedly secured this prime spot for us.  Thanks Shawn!  When we arrived site #3 was occupied, however within minutes of their departure on Sunday we’ve secured that spot for friends that will be joining us later in the week.  We also used site #6 for friends and family.  #6 isn’t a prime site since it’s located right on the entry road, but works well when paired with #4.  It has a fairly easy access pull-through, but doesn’t provide much in terms of shade or privacy.  And, with the wrong wind direction, might be a bit too close to the vault toilets and/or dumpsters.

Site #4 is a back-in site with nearby trees curb-side and the rather misplaced fire pit on the opposite side.  Allowing safe space for a campfire, we needed to trim a few tree branches to fully deploy our awning.   Behind the site is a sand and rock beach area with some nice shade trees and easy access to the water.  Site #3 provides either back-in access (down a very long access road) or a side approach that allows an RV to be parked sideways in the site.  This side to side orientation might not be easy for longer rigs, but does provide beautiful lake views from the patio/awning area.  The tighter trees on #4 also provide a bit better shading, #3 has full sun from early in the morning until at least mid afternoon.  The fire pit is much more appropriately located on #3.  This site is situated on a point, with sandy beach access to the rear and rocky lake access to the side. Both of these sites are away from all of the other Custer Cove sites and provide the best privacy.  Facilities at Custer Cove include a line of 3 or 4 dumpsters and some vault toilets. Drinking water (with threaded taps) is available at nearby Reno Cove, or back to the other side of the lake at Whiskey Gulch.

Arriving on Thursday and not departing until the following Sunday, we’ve spent 10 days dry camping – a new record for off-the-grid survival.  The 3G Verizon access is good and about 3 or 4 hours of generator usage each day provides all the resources we need for productive work days. But by around 3pm, with temps climbing into the low 90’s, we’re enjoying the shade of the cottonwoods on the beach and the cool lake waters. Most sites at Custer Cove are occupied by late Thursday evening. Departures seem to occur on Monday or Tuesday when the campground is the quietest until the crowds begin to arrive again on Thursday.  We’ve had a great time at Glendo, and look forward to returning next year!

Site CC-6
Site CC-6
‘Big Yard’, Site CC-4
Custer Cove Beach
Custer Cove Beach
Lake Glendo
Site CC-4

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Ridgway State Park

3 07 2015

WP_20150703_003cGood Morning from Southwestern Colorado.

After 1 night in Montrose with good friends, we’re parked in site #115 in the Elk Ridge campground at Ridgway State Park.  We’re a part of a group that will eventually total 15 people camping in sites #108 – #115.  Set high on a ridge overlooking the reservoir, the D and E loop contain about 100 campsites.  Nearer the lake, the Dakota Terraces campground provides about 80 sites in 3 loops.   Lakeside near the marina is a boat ramp (with the required Invasive Species inspection) a small swim beach area and several day-use covered picnic tables.  All of these facilities make up the Dutch Charlie area.  Further south is the Dallas Creek area designed primarily for day-use with fishing areas and picnic tables.  There are also about 80 full hookup campsites at the Pa-co-chu-puk area to the north, below the dam.

All of the Elk Ridge sites offer 20 and 30 amp electric hookups with conveniently located threaded water taps.  Site #115 has many trees, great for privacy, but impossible for awning use.  The roads throughout the campground are asphalt as are each sites parking area – some back-in, some pull-through.  There is also a concrete apron with picnic table and fire ring.  These aprons are placed at various locations, some on the left, some right and some rear.  Not all the locations are ideal – our fire ring is directly outside the RV door and under a low hanging tree.  With 15 campers, we used the large picnic table and fire ring area at site #113.  The trees thinned out a bit toward site #108 where awning can be deployed fully.  These 5 sites are well spread out and not always convenient for toting food or chairs between sites.  A better alternative would have been to select sites around the inside of the loop end (such as #84-#113) or across from each other (#115-#112).

Best sites at Elk Ridge are those along the upper loop #165 –  #184.  Many of these sites offer great views off to the east with good privacy.  On the lower loop the first campsite #80 provides beautiful lake views, but might be a bit short and narrow for some rigs.

We had a great July 4th weekend at Ridgway and would like to return here again on another long weekend.

Site #84
Site #80
Site #80
Site #184
Site #184
Site #177
Site #168
Site #166
Site #165

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Hecla Junction, AHRA

30 06 2015

WP_20150701_001cHappy Independence Day! We’re bound for Ridgway State Park in southwestern Colorado. Along the way, we’ve stopped at the newly renovated Hecla Junction campground – one of six campgrounds that make up the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, a Colorado State Park.  Located just north of Salida and next to the rafting pull-out for Browns Canyon, the campground offers 23 campsites in a beautiful, riverside setting.  Each site offers a parking area, a graveled tent pad and a fire pit/picnic table area.  There’s a vault toilet in the center of the campground next to a accessible site (#8). Access to this campground is a bit daunting, just 2.4 miles off of highway 285, there’s a short section of 12% grade.  But, with school buses pulling trailers of rafts in and out all day, the dirt road is in good shape, and oiled to keep the dust down.  The entrance to the camping area is unique, you traverse the boat loading zone, across the cement apron before turning into the camp sites.

Sites #1-#12 are riverside sites.  We’re parked in site #9, beyond which the access road gets a bit tight, and might provide a challenge for turning, especially if those higher numbered sites were occupied.  Sites #7 and #9 would be optimal for a dual-site arrangement with #7 providing very easy access.  Site #3 is a 49′ foot site providing some of the best river views in the campground. Site #4 also shares this good river view. Upper sites #21/#23 would provide highest privacy and good views.  After visiting Railroad Bridge and Ruby Mountain a few years ago, this campground has become our new favorite among the AHRA sites.

Tomorrow we’ll head south to Poncha Springs, make the right hand turn over Monarch Pass and be in Montrose with good friends for 1 night before moving to Ridgway State Park.  More from there…

Sites #9, #10, #11
Hecla Junction Campground
Site #23
Site #21
Brown’s Canyon Pull-Out
Site #3
Site #4

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Laramie KOA

22 06 2015

WP_20150623_001We’re parked at the Laramie, WY KOA.  After leaving Boysen Reservoir we traveled south through Riverton and on to Rawlins where we met I-80 to Laramie, about 250 miles total.  This is a “Journey” KOA, close to the highway for an easy overnight stop.  There are about 100 sites at this kampground, each with a bit of grass and maybe a small tree.  The facilities are good and clean, as you’d expect for the somewhat higher price point at a KOA.

WP_20150623_004

 


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Boysen State Park

20 06 2015
Upper Wind River, Site #72

Upper Wind River, Site #72

We’re parked at the Upper Wind River Canyon campground at Boysen State Park in central Wyoming. After departing Glendo yesterday, it was about 3 hours across through Casper to Boysen.  We along with friends are in sites #71 & #72, 2 of the 10 reservable sites in this campground.  There are a total of 50 sites in this grove of cottonwood trees just below the dam. Water faucets are scattered throughout the park, but we only found one that was threaded and usable to fill our fresh water tank.  There are also spotlessly clean toilet facilities.

Boysen Reservoir Dam was built around 1950, and replaced a smaller, lower dam originally built in 1908.  An interesting aspect of the new dam was the relocation of an important rail line between Billings, MT and Casper, WY.  Trains now traverse the canyon and dam through a 1.3 mile tunnel that runs under the bay near the marina and exits below the dam.  In 1949, each mile of this unique rail line cost an estimated $1 Million. Nearly half of the entire dam building project of $28M was spent on 12 miles of rail relocation.  POPULAR MECHANICS ARTICLE

On Friday afternoon as we arrive, the cotton is hanging like huge snow drifts piled in the trees. The slightest breeze made it feel as if we’re inside of a snow globe, except the “snow” was sticky and unpleasant.  After sunset, the winds picked up and the cotton accumulated in sticky piles around our feet and coated many of the window screens.  So sticky in fact, that a gooey mixture of cotton, leaves and small pebbles stuck in clumps to the bottom of our shoes and the outside patio carpet.  Allergy sufferers were at high distress levels during these frequent “snow” storms. In fact, living up to the name “Wind River Canyon”; high, gusty winds picked up every evening between sunset and 10pm, howling well into the early morning hours.

On Saturday we decided to explore around the lake a bit, and get out of our cotton laden surroundings for a few hours.  There are several water-side campgrounds near the marina just above the dam.  Beyond, Tough Creek Campground provides an additional 65 camping sites, a large day use area and a boat ramp.  The newest campsites, just at the end of the peninsula are completely under water due to a very wet spring in central Wyoming.  However, these campsites (once dried out) appear to have an ideal lakeside location and fewer cotton wood trees.  Returning to Boysen we’d like to check out sites in the upper 290’s, #295 and #296 look ideal.

After spending a somewhat sneezy 3 nights at Boysen, on Monday we’re headed home. We’ll probably make a quick overnight somewhere along the way.  More from there…

Upper Wind River Canyon Campground
Upper Wind River Canyon Campground
Boysen Resevoir
Tough Creek Campground
Tough Creek Campground
Upper Wind River, Site #71
Upper Wind River, Site #72

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