Durango is always a favorite place of mine, this time I managed to reserve a spot yesterday for the weekend at the fairgrounds. They have 6 spaces. I have space 6. It's basically downtown, so lots of activity. And it's next to a railroad that can be surprisingly loud when doing a crossing. Except the locomotive is steam and makes a regular circuit to Silverton in the mountains. Maybe I'll visit Silverton. Or go to Mesa Verde. The weather is...

I've been to Arches many times, and still think it's one of the best places to see. I did not get a fast start this morning so hit the traffic going into the park. Oh well, it's part of the National Park Experience nowadays. Tomorrow I'm going to Durango. Finding economical RV parking spots can be tricky in the Four Corners area because the Navajo don't provide any services for RVs. I found out the fairgrounds in Durango has some RV spots, and...

The stormy weather has moved on, and it's looking good for a lot days ahead. I landed in Moab (at the BLM campground South of town) today and will spend at the least two nights. This was meant to be a milepost place to figure out where to go next, so I guess I should get started on that.....

I've been waiting out weather events, then moving when I get a chance. Right now I'm at the Border Inn in Baker, NV, next to the Utah border, near Great Basin National Park. There's a strange weather pattern that is moving through on my travel route. I don't mind a little drizzle or rain along the way, but thunderstorms have a way of making desert travel a real danger. So I'm watching closely the forecast as well as the radar images. I might...

I had Les Schwab inspect my brakes in Washington when they had the tires off; 40% was the assessment which meant I was good for one year, at least. Today I had Les Schwab replace the rear brakes because they were gone. Either the assessment last summer was in error, or I've worn out the brakes since I left Port Townsend.

I'm in Mucca while I watch some weather thing pass through. The drive today from Burns (220 miles) isn't that long but it is one of the more desolate drives you can make. Somewhere around Burns Junction, Oregon is the most isolated spot in the lower 48. Or maybe Fields, Oregon. It's a tough call. Winnemucca exists as a travelers place. Fuel, mechanics, motels, whatever someone might need. I'm in a brand-new RV park, using my Passport America...

When Oregon medical marijuana dispensaries begin selling cannabis to anyone this coming Thursday, there will be a few important differences between Washington, Colorado, and Oregon laws. I'm expecting Oregon to start at $8-$15 a gram of typical flower, compared to $10-$20 in Washington and $15-$25 in Colorado. The difference here is that Oregon is not charging any taxes until January 1. In WA and OR, a large harvest of outdoor-grown product is...

I was planning on getting here yesterday but when I was in Pendleton my toilet broke. Once I looked at the method for repairing it, I went for a new one. The casino lot is only good for 24 hours, but I didn't have any other place to do the swap, so I spent an extra day there. Today's drive was long and tiring, so I think I'll hang for an extra day here to rest. There's another long run coming up when I leave, not a lot things happening between...

I'm always one for a night in the casino parking lot. It's free, there's a truck stop next door for fuel, and it's a great location to launch for several destinations. In this case I'm taking 395 to John Day, up in the forest. That's a scenic route, but if I make good time I might continue on to Burns. The weather is on my side....

I'm in Toppenish now, at my favorite place to stay, the Yakama Nation RV Park. Usually I'm here a little earlier in the season, so I have to tolerate the smell of ripe mint and ready-to-harvest hops, another aromatic. It can get pretty heady, especially when you add the cedar mill. The mint field next door to my rig had been harvested, so the remains are only aromatic in the mornings. It is an extremely pleasant experience to get up in the AM to...

Last fall I drove I84 in Oregon and planned on another trip this year along the Columbia, this time on the Washington side. I'm in White Salmon in a decent RV park jammed up next to the highway on one side, the train tracks on the opposite, and a bridge crossing the river. There's not a lot of workable real estate along the river, and the recreation demands are extremely high here. Fishing and hiking, and then board sailing, kite-surfing, etc. I...

I'm in Centralia, Washington, trying out a place that's nicely located for future trips. Nice place, very expensive. But that's to be expected around here. As usual, I hated the goodbye to the peninsula. I really do enjoy that place more than anywhere else, but it has the problem of miserable winters. And it has other drawbacks. I took way too many ferry trips this summer, almost all to doctors and hospitals, a few to see family and do something...