We have arrived at Eagle Nest RV Park in Polson, Montana. We are so happy to finally be camping! It feels as though it has been forever since we have been on the road, heading to a destination other than work and home. We have had so much going on in our lives, what with getting the house on the market, Zoe ready for college, and Zac and Tara off on their summer trips. We wondered if we'd ever really get on the road. It was touch and go there for a while, but here we are, popped up and nestled in our beloved Alfred Hitchpop! We have ten glorious days in Polson, and we are really looking forward to our time here.
Our long travel day was essentially a repeat of a trip we have taken many times. It wasn't until we turned north at St. Regis to head to Polson that we entered new territory. This, and the fact that Seattle to Spokane in the months of July and August are dry and somewhat boring, made the first hours of our trip feel long. Steven was in charge of our entertainment, and he had loaded his Droid with all kinds of music. He played DJ and played lots of my favorite songs. The only thing that was entirely new to us was the fact that today was our first ever trip that we had Internet access on the road. If you read Steven's previous blog about technology, you know he has embraced this feature of his new Droid.
Spectacular sky near the Columbia River in Eastern Washington.
The over-used term, "there's an app for that" proved true when we both were suffering from droopy eyelids, and were jonesin' for a coffee. Steven whipped out his Droid and hit the "Find a Starbucks" button, and thirty minutes later, we were sucking down lattes. I find it kind of ironic that he can't navigate for beans, but he can find coffee anywhere on the planet. That's handy enough, I suppose. Speaking of navigation, there's an app for that, too, and Steven's Droid led us right to the Eagle Nest driveway. I may not ever get the full benefit of my Droid Incredible, but Steven's is certainly proving to be a handy gadget to have on the road.
Alfred Hitchpop's first trip Starbucks Drive Thru
Probably the most interesting use we found for having Internet access is the ability to instantly Google something that grabs our attention as we careen down the highway at 75 mph. Case in point, the town of Wallace, Idaho. It is nestled in a valley, kind of underneath I-90. At first it looks kind of bleak, but then as the downtown comes into view, it begins to ooze charm. Steven looked it up on the web, and we learned that every single building in the downtown area is on the National Registry of Historic Places, which is why I-90 had to be built over the town instead of through it. Anyway, what has been just a curiosity in the past has now become a future destination. Perhaps having instant access to information will help us slow down and limit the "lemming effect" of our travels.
Tipanic's little heart races as we approach
Part of the Rocky Mountain range... There are mountains on every horizon in Polson.
We are looking forward to finally hooking up with Ian McKee and Margaret Wright. When last we heard, they were in New Mexico. But we know they are making their way up to Montana and will arrive at Eagle Nest on Sunday. In the meantime, we will stay local, checking out all the hot spots, and finally getting a handle on Alfred's systems.
Finally there and enjoying a refreshing beverage with Alfred.
Now, that's our plan, but don't hold us to it. We are actually going to try and work out our water system so that we can actually use our sink, and have hot water at the the same time. I know, it is a completely foreign concept, so wish us luck. Actually, I am not the one working on this, Steven is. So wish us double luck. While I am getting a cut, color and pedicure in town, he is going to try to fashion a cheap-o system. I have no idea what he will come up with, but it should be interesting. All I know is that I have requested hot water, and he is going to try to make that happen. We'll see. :)
The sun sets on our first day in Polson.
I know getting a haircut on the road is a big topic of conversation among fulltimers. It is hard to leave your long-time stylist and hope for the best with some stranger in a strange salon. In my case, though, I will take whatever I can find. For many years, when I wasn't working, I just cut my own hair. Steven colored it. He does this fabulously entertaining shtick that involved a foreign accent and a few effeminate gestures. I used to go outside and lay across the picnic table so he could make sure to comb the color through. Sometimes he would pretend he was doing a TV show, and he'd speak to the camera while working on me. We had fun, and he always had me in stitches, but at the end of the day, I just hate getting my hair done. When it's over, though, I vow to do it again sooner. I never do. Anyway, the guy I have been going to lately is such a bad stylist, no matter who I end up with in Polson, they can't possibly be any worse. So, that's the plan. :)
More later!
