August 18 - Hillsboro, IN

Today was a long day but nothing much to see as we drove through Illinois and into Indiana. 

Before we left Pershing State Park, took a short hike. Learned that The town is named for General Pershing, one of history’s great leaders in World War I. 

Tonight we are camped at Charla-Rose Lake Campground in Hillsboro, Indiana, just across the Illinois-Indiana border. 

When we turned into the campground, we realized we had stayed here before. Again it’s a well maintained park with a lot of campers that have had their spot for many years. 

Tomorrow we’ll make it to Ohio. 

August 17 - Kansas and Missouri.

Driving across Kansas on Route 36, a straight, 2-lane road we see lots of corn, soybeans, windmills, and some sunflowers. Not much else. This was the original route for the Pony Express. 

In one of the small towns, Marysville, they had these painted squirrels at several businesses (much like the groundhogs in Punxatwany. 

Arrived at our campsite at Pershing County Park near Laclede, MO. Longest check-in we’ve ever had. An older gentleman trying to work an iPad. It was painful to watch. Beautiful, well maintained. Lots of hiking trails. 

August 16 - Hunter Cove COE

We finally were able to stay at. Core of Engineer Campground, near Alma, Nebraska. 

Large, well maintained grounds with electric for $13 with our America the Beautiful senior pass. When we pulled in, the temp was 93, hence the need for electric for AC. 

Lake was large with some heron and egrets and people fishing. 

Tomorrow we’ll drive through Kansas on Route 36, a 2 land road with little traffic

August 15 - Andrea flies and we head east

Andrea had an early flight from Salt Lake City Airport so we got an early start to head home. 

Sunrise on the mountains was pretty. 

We weren’t very far out of Salt Lake and got stopped on I-80 because of an accident. Very rugged mountains. 

On the go again toward Ogden, the landscape is ruggedly beautiful. 

As we continued on I-80, we traveled through Echo Canyon. Beautiful red rock with green trees.

Then passed the 12 and a half foot high bronze Lincoln Monument. It was placed here because Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act in 1862, the US’s first transcontinental railroad. This act contributed to the westward movement and the settling of pioneers in Wyoming. 

Tonight’s stay is at Vedauwoo Campground in the Medicine Bow National Forest, near Buford, WY (east of Laramie). This is our type of camping/boondocking. No services but fantastic scenery, we’ll maintained toilets. The night sky was showing all her stars. Wish we wouldn’t have been so tired so we could sit out. But after getting up at 4:30, we were both ready for an early bedtime. 

A hiking trail through the boulders. 

August 14 - Salt Lake City and Andrea’s last night

Pulled out of West Wendover on our way to Salt Lake City. 

The drive along I-80 has salt flats on both sides of the road. So crazy to see. 

West bound and even the median has salt in it.

East bound 

So how did all this salt get here?  The salt flats were formed when ancient Lake Bonneville dried up. The lake was huge, filling most of the Great Basin. As water evaporated, salt deposits were left. If you want to read more … 

Salt Flats

We arrived at our campground, The Great Salt Lake State Park. What an interesting place. We are right on the Great Salt Lake.

Before we take a dip in the lake, we took off to hear an organ recital in the Mormon Tabernacle. What sound. 

We also visited the Assembly where they were going to have a worship service. Both were quite impressive. 

The grounds around Temple Square had flowers blooming all around. 

Lunch at the Red Rock Brewery to watch the Steelers vs Tampa Bay. Then back to the RV for a dip in the lake. Because of its salt content, you can easily float. We didn’t try that because there were thousands of brine shrimp and brine flies (the only thing that can live in this salty water) in the water. 

But we got in the Great Salt Lake up to our waists. 

Sunset was gorgeous — all around us. 

August 13 - West Wendover, NV

On our way to west Wendover, we stopped at the California Trail Interpretative Center. 

Very well done with interesting facts. There were wagon trains for us to try fathom traveling thousands of miles across unknown territory. Wagon trains were the home and community of the people traveling west. Can you imagine taking all your worldly possessions that would fit in one, plus food and water.?

Something else to think about is how people got their mail. The Pony Express was a person on a horse that road the California Trail. And to think, we get upset when it takes our mail more than a couple of days to arrive. 

Enough history for now. If you want to read more, here is the Center’s website. 

California Trail Interpretive Center

If you’re on I-80 near Elko, stop in and view and read. 

Took a ride to the Bonneville Salt Flats Speedway. 

People drive on these salt flats. Glad Bill didn’t get any ideas 😜. 

Back to the RV at West Wendover KOA for shrimp and lime cilantro rice. 

A note on this town - Nevada is in Pacific time but this town is so close the border into Utah that is on Mountain time. So confusing. 

August 12 - Heading East to Winnemucca, NV

Decided to leave South Lake Tahoe to head east. Drove to Winnemucca, NV. Temps were in the 90s so we had to get a campground with electricity, Winnemucca RV Park. They had a pool so we all (not dogs) spent some time there. 

The mountains were our backdrop. When the sun hit them they looked purple to me. 

Sunset was pretty. 


Leaving in the morning for West Wendover. 

August 11 - Truckee

We decided to drive up to Truckee to show Andrea the town and hike some in Donner Pass State Park.  On the way we stopped to view the lake. It’s the 3rd deepest lake in North America. 

Drove up to Donner Pass. Part of the road was closed but was able to get to the viewpoint. 

Then a hike in Donner Pass State Park. 

While we were hiking, Shannon sent this picture which is just before his 4th month doctor appointment. He’s meeting all his milestones. And is a happy boy mostly. 

Back to the RV for pizza and a game of Farkle. 

August 9-10 - Bye Bye Mammoth Lakes and family

Headed for South Lake Tahoe, we found a space at Hope Valley, just about 19 miles from South Lake Tahoe. 

August 10 after coffee we went on a 3-mile hike along the stream where we are camped. Beautiful hike. 

Next we drove into South Lake Tahoe to the dog beach at Tallac  Heritage Site

Andrea hunting stones so Lenny can dig to bury them. 

Lenny loves to dig in the sand. 

Back to the RV for dinner. 

Shannon and Arlo made it home. This picture shows how happy Arlo is to be home. 

August 8 - Devils Postpile National Monument

Todays adventure took us to Devils Postpile National Monument, a cliff of dark columnar basalt that was created by a lava flow thousands of years ago. 

We continued on the trail to see the Mineret Falls. There was a pack of us, Shan, Carl, Arlo, Bandit and Jax, Drew with the corgis, Andrea, and us. 

Forging a few streams kept the dogs hydrated. 

Lots of water coming over the falls. 

Carl, Arlo and Shan

Lunch back at the trailhead.