Travel – PhotoKent's Musings

Wondering north into Montana

After the Yellowstone, we wanted to go see the Missouri Headwaters area in Montana so had booked a campsite at the nearby state park. This is where Lewis & Clark Party encamped back in July 1805. However, the temp was in the 95 temp and, with no shade in the campground, we headed to a picnic area for shade of the van and went over to the Gallatin River for a swim. After immersing in about 10 inches of high current flow, we walked across the road to the Missouri River for a deeper more relaxing dip. Pretty amazing to be here and ponder that.

The next day we visited Lewis & Clark Caverns (not discovered by L&C tho but by some nearby hunters in early 1900’s). Took the tour which included a 0.6 mile hike up a hill in 95 degree full sunshine and then hike through an amazing array of caverns at 60 degrees. Refreshing and awe inspiring

We stopped a few days in Bozeman at a family member’s home. Moochdocking is fun to be with family or friends, get power for the fridge and have a real shower. Plus one of the best bakeries anywhere. The Wild Crumb bakery along with Fink’s Deli. One evening Wendy drove us up to Hyalite Reservoir for dinner from Finks’ Deli. Yum. Try the Portabello sandwich. OMG, the best.

Wendy took some photos of us at Hyalite Reservoir near Bozeman.

We then headed north 300 mile to Kalispell area and Glacier National park. The heat was getting to us a little bit so Sraddha found Rocky Mountain Hi RV park and we encamped there for 4 days of gravely needed rest. We took advantage of senior parking at the Kalispell farmers market. I guess we are considered “elderly”. Bike riding, day trip to Glacier in the rain. And washing off the bikes and cover from Idaho dust.

We did a day trip into the west side of Glacier park where we enjoyed water falls and hiking along with the incredible Macdonald Lodge.

Then we discovered…a flat tire on the inside of the left rear dually. Yikes. So we rested on Sunday with a bike ride to REI to pick up some chain lube. Now i am writing this portion of the blog at the Kalispell Les Schwab Tire shop. They have great internet!

Well. We need two new tires, Michelin Cross-climates. Les Schwab doesn’t have them but Discount Tire can get them tomorrow, so we head back to the RV park for another night! What to do about our West Glacier park Apgar campsite reservation today tho? Another Yikes. (Cancelled one of the nights)

So we are getting two new tires which we put on the front then used the old front tires (only 27k miles) to replace the bad tires on the left rear side. Same wear as right rear tires. They work great so we then drove up to MacDonald lodge and had some dinner. Did I mention it was raining? In July?

Sitting in the Lucke Lounge at McDonald Lodge for dinner snack

After dinner, we drove back to the Apgar Campground, essentially tucking in for the night, listening to the rain falling on our roof as we drifted off.

Early the next morning we headed east over Marias pass and continental divide towards East Glacier and Two Medicine lakes area

We spent several hours at the Glacier lodge walking around, enjoying the grounds, views and especially the gardens which volunteers spend their summers tending. The inside of the lodge is immense. This is the original lodge met by eastern tourists visiting by the Northern Pacific train before they would travel to other parts of the park and beyond. Plus they had WiFi (in this century) woo hoo!!

Our destination was Two Medicine Lakes, one of the three main camping areas in the east side of Glacier park. Enroute we stopped for a hike on the Two Medicine River at Eagle Falls which actually has an underground river falls underneath the higher river falls. Never saw anything like it before.

We also hiked up to Appsotoki Falls where we say some bighorn sheep ewes and a Ram.

Camping at Two Medicine lake was fun. We stayed only 1 night (And wished it were more). The next morning managed to score a ride on a boat across the lake for a delightful 1/2 mile hike to twin Falls. Then returned on the boat. Remind me to tell you the story of the bear spray when you see me. 🥴

On the road for 25 days so far, we headed north to St Mary’s lake where the visitor center and access to Logan pass via Shuttle lay. Our reservation at St Mary campground was 2 nights and we had decided to stay out for next 12 days before heading to Ogden for wedding. Had 5 days of reservations in the Tetons and we were contemplating going up to Canada. St Marys lake campground offered an amazing view and only 1/4 mile from shuttle to Logan Pass. Sweet. We were going to spend the next day up in Logan Pass.

However we got up the next morning and realized we really wanted to be home instead so packed up and drove 650 miles to Twin Falls, overnighted in an RV par in 95 degree temps and the next day, drove the other 500 miles home. Home sweet home

This trip was ambitious, while wonderful, it left us exhausted so we are staying home for a while and cancelling the fall Arizona trip. Will make a couple short trips later in fall to local spots like Half Moon bay and Sea Ranch. There is just no place like Ananda Village.

PS. Two weeks later We ended up driving 600A+ miles to Ogden for our great-nieces wedding then driving back. Then flying to Portland and back for another wedding near Mt Hood. 2 weddings in 6 days. Whew.

Both weddings were unique, charming and fun. Low budget DIY in Ogden at a Trout farm in 100 degree temps. Luxurious accommodations in a lodge near Mt Hood and sit down dinner reception at Mt Hood Farms for 100 family/friends. I was one of 2 “Train Uncles” invited by the bride. We weren’t allowed to take pics of the wedding but snapped a few at the reception.

So that has been our summer as the remaining year has been recuperation, rest and service at our community. Until next time……

A little trip thru the Tetons

well, it’s been a while since I’ve posted, lol, but I won’t go into all what’s happened. We are on a six week journey in July in the middle of the summer where everybody else travels and it’s usually something we don’t like to do, but we’re doing it.

We headed out on June 29 through Angel Lake their Wells, Nevada then onto the Tetons. On our way to a family gathering reunions are up in eastern Idaho, but first we spend a few days in the Tetons and then after Idaho we’re gonna head up into Montana for a few weeks and then we’re gonna come back to Utah for a wedding. All this is about six week trip.

We’ve been staying in Gros Ventre Campground on the south end of the Tetons and then traveling in different places every day. having been a regular visitor of the Teton Park in the last few years we kinda have our preferred places and since this is a fairly short trip, we decided to go ahead and visit those. We spent a day at string Lake, which is just near Jenny Lake, which afforded us the opportunity tosit out on the Waters edge early in the morning with nobody around. Then take a 25 mile bike ride down to the visitor center and back and also park for a day at signal Mountain facing the wind River range and just enjoy the weather. We had four different rain storms that came in.

When we got to Idaho specifically Ashton Idaho at the Jolly camper RV park, which was absolutely delightful and shaded in the afternoon during the 90° days it was quite delightful except for one thing. We had to replace our macerator pump. The macerator pump is what delivers the Black and Gray wastes to the sewer and it had died. Fortunately, I knew this was eventually going to happen so I bought another pump and with the help of our neighbors we are uninstalled the old one and put the new one on. The rest of the trip we visited with Sraddha’s family and also did some bike rides on the rails-to-trails bike trail nearby, which was used to be an old Union Pacific Railroad rail line.

All in all it was an enjoyable time with everyone and now, after 10 days on the road, we will next head up to the Yellowstone.

Off to the Canyon

Yesterday, we headed out late morning after a 2 day dig in the snow. We made it to Orange Grove RV park just south of Bakersfield by 7 o’clock. Enroute to the Grand Canyon south rim where we plan to spend 4 days hiking down into (and out of).

This morning, we walked around the park picking oranges (yes, it isan Orange grove) with my cousin, who rendezvoused with us there on his route north. Fun to see them. Rving in their 80’s and had delicious oranges too

We proceeded east over Tehachapi via Barstow to Amboy crater.

We stopped in Barstow for fuel and had a “Barstow Walmart“ experience. Hard to describe that in an email, you had to be there.

Amboy crater is on the eastern side of the Mojave desert on the old route 66 highway,an old cinder cone from many eons ago. We shouldered our canyon backpacks as a little preliminary hike before heading out to the Grand Canyon. 4 miles later we felt pretty confident that we could do the canyon

That’s is that is assuming we could stay upright. Very steep and narrow. Easy without the packs, Treacherous (never again) with.

Now, as the evening sun sets over the Mojave desert, and the golden light illuminates the beautiful boulders and dry landscape, we proceed along the highway down the hill towards the Colorado river atNeedles, California (also known as to us as Noodles,California), where are we will encamp for the night

Tomorrow we head up to the Canyon. We will encamp I’m Trailer village. Hi temp is 40, low is 20 or well 🙈. From experience we think if we keep plugged in with heater on, we will be ok. Daytime above freezing and☀️☀️to warm the van.

Prayers willingly accepted. (Memo to Kent: “what were you thinking when you omitted to this?”)

More later, assuming we don’t get run off the road by sleepy truck drivers on I-40. Ah, the life.

Sraddha and Kent

Christmas 2023 Letter

Happy Christmas everyone!

Creche Scene in our home since we do not have a Christmas tree.

JANUARY found us on the central California coast in Morro Bay for our annual Kent Birthday celebration, hikes and bike rides along with watching a few playoff football games. (Click on any photo to expand).

FEBRUARY, we spent a few days in the Palm Springs area with Cousin Tom & JonLee. Before heading back north to help out with our village Inner Renewal Week.

MARCH was the big one. We spent 4 days below the rim of the Grand Canyon, sleeping in small backpack tents and hauling our gear up and down the South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails. From 27 degrees to almost 70 degrees at the bottom. Link here to the blog posts.

Late March Kent flew to Fairbanks with some friends to see the Northern Lights. Didn’t see much but was fun to play Nanuk of the north for a few days. 🥶

APRIL is Springtime at Ananda where almost 20,000 visitors come to see the tulip gardens. Only this year, with the late winter rains/snows, the month long event lasted into late may. We were usually on weekend volunteer duty as parking lot attendants making sure the guests sanely parked and enjoyed their visit.

MAY found me back at Morro Bay with my cycling buddies for a few days

After Morro Bay, I decided to wander down the coast with no advanced plans to LA to see some friends then up thru Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks (had never been before) followed by a wonderful albeit way to short time in Yosemite. Amazing where i can go in that camper van. You may ask: “Where is Sraddha?” She went back to the Grand Canyon and did not take any photos.

JUNE found us camping up in the Sierra for a few days

I flew up to Portland and then another trip to Olympia with my model railroad buddies. We also drove the van to Seattle are to help Tom & JonLee move, mainly help them clear out the garage a bit as they moved into a condo nearby. Drove home thru eastern Oregon and the Wallowa Mountains. In between I went to see a SF Giants baseball game on 4th of July.

JULY we headed east to Park CIty, Utah for Sraddha’s annual family gathering then up to the Tetons for a planned week of exploring. However, a key issue with the van prompted a big change in plans.

One of our back outside storage door hinges is coming loose which necessitated a repair by a qualified service center. So off we go for an impromptu 10 day summer trek across Idaho and Oregon! It was a blast. We were able to find last minute campsites in several Oregon state parks, and spent a night at a hotel in 100 degree Boise. After 5 weeks of travel and, the repair made, we headed home.

AUGUST-NOVEMBER – I did get up to the Truckee area some cycling and higher altitude rest. We also celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in October at the physical therapist office, and of course watching football.

DECEMBER – It turns out July was our last trip of the year together. Sraddha had a full knee replacement surgery in late September and has recovered nicely having just completed all the physical therapy visits allowed over the past 2 1/2 months. The upside has been enjoying the fall weather at home instead of elsewhere.

However, as Sraddha rehabbed her knee and doing quite well, my lower back is acting up with lumbar stenosis and bulging disks. Kind of a combination of aging body and karmic bomb. I am not able to cycle or hike and am home resting, rehabbing and awaiting appointments with specialists in January to explore what can be done in 2024. We do have travel plans for late winter into spring but will see how it goes.

We are nestled safely in our warm cozy home, enjoying a very quiet life, binging Christmas movies, learning to print photos, watching football (GO Huskies and Seahawks), enjoying our wood stove and a quiet Christmas.

Here’s wishing all of you a Happy Christmas 🎄 and a safe and sane New Year.🥳

March trip report

Change of plans last minute. Headed to Desth Vally first instead of coast.

Headed across Mojave to coast. Saw some wildflowers near a town called Arvin south on Bakersfield

Morro bay state park is becoming our go to place. Second visit this year. we rented Kayaks

Bluff trail at Montana del Oro state park near Los Osos

Had a couple nice bike rides including one with Sraddha. Forgot to take photos.

We head home Thursday via Central Valley. Saw this photo on one of my rv travel blog emails.

California Central Coast

We headed down to central coast camping at Morro Bay state park.

The marshes and bay are fertile areas for many bird species

We stayed one night up at the strand north of town then back to MBSP for the most amazing Sunday football games ever

Monday found us heading south to Pismo beach state park

A section of Grover besch is alloyed for drivi g on so we went down there, parked and walked the beach then had lunch watching the surf waves roll in.

We scored 2 nights in a wonderful spot in the north Pismo state park campground

Our campsite at North Pismo Beach state park

Next door to the campground inside the park is a butterfly grove. Thousands of Monarch butterfly’s hanging out. About 28,000 by last count. According to AP news, over 250,000 counted overwintering here in California. Way up from recent countd.

Monarch Butterfly haven. Last count was 22,000 and climbing.

We hiked down to Oceano campground via the beach then returned thru the dunes.

This was the easy 1/3 mile. The other 3/4 mile was a slog

Time for a nap

Next day, after 2 days in Pismo and a long discussion, we elected to head back to Morrow bay state park. I rode my bike up 33 miles on back roads while S drove the van. And I beat her! Haha. We knew, from looking at reservations site,there were dry sites available so when we arrived at the entrance the lady gave me several open sites to review and we rode our bikes around to check.

Decided on one with plenty of sun for solar and general warmth (it’s cool in winter here) then dumped waste tanks and have settled in.

Morning bird watching out on the bay. Morro Rock in the distance.

Early morning we made our coffee, dumped waste and headed home up the 101. Found a spot to wash the van in West Sacramento. IW for a little R&R at home.

Fun on the road last week

We pressed on. I-5 brought us sticker shock.

We scored a delightful site
at Morro Bay state park

Reserved 3 months in advance and it is a slow time of year. We lucked out in the weather this week with dry daytime temps in upper 60’s and low 70’s.

We did a lot of local riding around the town. I went to liberty twice to use internet. And got a long ride to Avila beach 22 miles south near San Luis Obispo.

Along the harbor the Sea Otters rest and nurse their young.

Didn’t know there was such a wonderful marsh area across the road. Birds galore. Spouse in heaven. For the first time we saw a California Thrasher. Lotsa shore birds; white pelicans, egrets, amazing wildlife in the area.

Now time to move on. We have reservations for Arizona, however are going to remain on central coast for rest of week then head home. The weather has been amazing.

Finding places to camp

We are working on Arizona reservations for late January. Currently we are booked down in Morro Bay for my birthday and now working on a couple weeks over in the desert both in Maricopa county parks and in tucson if possible. Need cancellations at this point.

Of the many travel apps, we have come to rely upon a couple. AllStays Camp & RV app has been our go-to app for years in looking for public and private campgrounds in any specific geographic area. It links to directions in both google and Apple Maps along with phone numbers and website links. Details such as elevation and # of campsites are included along with amenities

Campendium website and app is wonderful to see recent reviews and also check strength of cell service. It links to Google map overlay for location and direction information. Also really good for finding dump stations. I get weekly emails from the website offering fun places all over.

The website has lots of good articles about different places and camping etc. Tremendous resource

We are going to use Harvest hosts this year more also since a lot of public campgrounds like national and state parks fill up faster and it sometimes is hard to make all the plans far in advance. It is a subscription app and has added Boondockers Welcome section as well as many golf course who will allow overnight stays. Wonderful places like wineries, museums, farms, private homes even. Reservations are required in advance thru phone or email.

For finding boondocking sites , we like Campendium and iOverlander which is crowd sourced and a favorite of the DIY van crowd. Campers leave comments on every site along with GPS so you can find them.

We use a cool website called Wanderinglabs to find last minute cancellations. Put in dates needed and a campground and it will regularly search for available reservations. When sites become available it will text and email me. The bad news is it doesn’t work for Arizona state parks or Maricopa County parks. Then we check each morning around 730-8 to see if anything opens up. It does work for California and Oregon State parks and the recreation.gov sites.

Last minute note as of publication today—We scored 12 nights at one of the Maricopa County parks so will see how it goes, still looking for a couple more days but we may just try some boondocking sites we haven’t tested before. YAY i think….

The end for today. Need to get back to finding sites for Summer and fall.

Welcome to Chez Swell. Sand is our specialty.

In Chez Swell, located in the the San Rafael Swell in central Utah, we have a smorgasbord of sand for your delight. You can look at it, walk on it, wipe it out of your eyes and ears, shake it out of shoes, clothing, car, van, bed, dishes, brush it off your phone, wash it off your bike.

Basically it is everywhere. And the wind tunnel that is central and southern utah ( and frankly most of western USA, delivers it in very fun ways.

Up near Temple Mountain in the San Rafael Swell, Utah

The flavors vary depending upon location. The whole Colorado plateau encompassing western Colorado, southern Wyoming, eastern Nevada, much of Utah, and northern Arizona is sand in various forms. It came from ancient seas and lakes and rivers formed by the various tectonic plates moving around.

Near Goblin Valley, Utah. San Rafael Reef in distance

How about some 2 billion year old Moenkopi sand on your plate found in Buckhorn draw?

What about Wingate sand from the majestic sandstone cliffs of the xxx period formed when seas rescinded forming a Sahara like desert in between the Rockies and what is now Nevada? These are seen everywhere.

Earlier in the week on Monday, we were encamped in a little hoodoo like alcove across from the San Rafael reef. (Beautiful isn’t it?)

Wind is blowing and we close our eyes, feeling like Lawrence of Ananda (haha). Such is life of the traveler. Like getting caught in a ice storm only it’s 80 outside and wind gusting to 30 as another front moves through. No wonder this place is only suitable for tourists!

Time to entreat to the safe confines of Mighty Wonder Van where it is not so sandy. Except for the thin layer of sand on everything.

Such Tapasaya! Om Guru.

The resident gourmet chef prepares sautéed Napa cabbage with Ginger and the dishwasher pulls out his mundane Walmart macaroni salad. A few slices of pre baked protein round it out. Remember to eat your veggies while traveling. They help with regularity.

Tuesday, the wind died down to a low comfortable breeze. Daytime Temps in 70’s. Night mid 40’s. We hiked Little Wild Horse slot canyon which is arguably the most popular hike in the swell. Two canyons go clear thru the reef the you hike in between in back side. 9 miles.
Here is link to video of the hike

Wednesday, we headed towards Capital Reef just south of the Swell. More reefs, more sand. Avast yea mateys.

We had considered heading to Bryce but decided to remain in Capital Reef. The park campground, Fruita was full of course but we did managed to dump tanks and take on fresh water for $5. Such blessings🙏🏻
We also did one brief hike of 2 hours 3 miles

Driving thru the reef in early morning to refuel in Torrey.

Now we are encamped in a BLM area east of park up on a bluff where we have an amazing view of the east side of the reef. With its Navaho Sandstone sticking up like worn off teeth.

No cell so will send this Thursday then route back to the Swell sandbox for some more gourmet sand.
{LATE BREAKING NEWS!}— after morning meditation and caffeine it was decided we will drive south down the Eastern back side of capital reef to Bullfrog, Utah where the Lake Powell ferry will take us across then on to Natural Bridges and Valley of the Gods in SE AZ. 😳
Not sure of cell service but will check in sometime and we will still be home on or before Tuesday. 🙄🤞🏻

Camping in Valley of the Gods near Bluff, Utah (founded in 650 A.D.)

Swimming in Lake Powell Upper end. Bullfrog, Utah

🙏🏻Blessing from the sand pile
Sraddha and Kent

The Last Travel Pod Post

If you have never seen our old travelpod blog which is shutting down, here is the last post in it’s entirety:

Star Date Sunday, June 11, 9:15 AM PDT

This is the last post from Travelpod to you for three reasons. I thought the last post might be it but this is definitely the last post. We so much enjoyed this phase of travel and are now happily “home” at Ananda Village, fully engaged in community life, and many volunteer projects as well as cycling, railfanning and working in garden and yard (yes yard, heh heh).

First off: Blog shutting down

The Travelpod blogging system we were using got bought out by a bigger “borg” and they are shutting it down June 18 so I need to send this to you before they do.
Screen Shot 2017-06-11 at 9.17.41 AM
HOWEVER – An enterprising young soul has undertaken the task of providing archive space for the history and I have migrated a copy over there. If you want to see any of our travels you can find them at the following link: http://bit.ly/PhotoKent_TravelArk I hope to resurrect them elsewhere so we will see.

Secondly: We sold CharLi

We sold CharLi, our RV to a wonderful couple in Oakdale, Ca, about 3 hours south of here. They have been looking for a long time for this model and were thrilled to be able to buy it. The added bonus for us was his willingness to buy the tow package also. And he was able to uninstall it so I hitched up Mr. Toad one last time to CharLi and drove both down to his home where we spent all day removing the system. He will install on his jeep. So we are done. See photos below of CharLi with new owners, and a photo of Jim under the Jeep removing the tow bar. Not an easy task!

The Happy new Owners

Removing tow system

Lastly: I have a new blog

I have begun a new blog called “PhotoKent’s Musings” which I am just beginning to use. It will feature some photos I take and also some photos I may have shot in previous years but I will talk about how I made the photo. So it will be less of a travel blog and more of a creative process blog. You can click on this link to find the blog: https://photokent.blog. (oh wait, you are here already)

If you wish to subscribe to updates when I do make a post go to the bottom of the home page and add your email address then you will get an email notification when I post which is usually weekly or so. It will also appear on my Facebook page when I post too.

It has been a wonderful journey and now a new phase opens up. Please consider subscribing to my new blog. And above all, be filled with joy in your life!

Kent

PS here are some additional photos I posted all from iPhone

Sraddha & Kent at Luau

Working in the yard

Cycling with my buddy