Day 8 Home

WHERE ARE WE? Rivers Provincial Park, Rivers Manitoba

Made it!!  Well that was the fastest trip from La Penita Mexico to Rivers Manitoba I have ever driven.  I had originally planned to average 400 kms a day but with the nice weather enroute and my listening to books on my headphones, the kilometers just went by quicker than I expected.  I actually averaged 562 kms a day!!!  When I started this morning I only had 388kms to make it home.

First thing was to fill with gas at $3.42 which is the equivalent of  about $1.19 Cnd a liter.  Gas in Brandon Manitoba is $1.45 right now so I saved $12 on my 50 liter top up.  I have seen gas ranging from $2.99 to $3.89 a Us gallon in my travels.  Most places were around $3.39.  Then a little time in the dog park for Archie.

Steele, North Dakota

We got away about 8 am and by 11 we were pulling up to the Canadian customs.  Same questions and then a light hearted exchange about my flight back to Winnipeg on March 6 and then turned around and back to PV on March 7.  His exact words were "what the hell was that about"?  and he laughed.  When I told him it was to activate my 60 day travel insurance he thought it was brilliant!!!  Anyways, less than 5 minutes and we were through and on the last leg of our journey.

Coming into Customs and the International Peace Gardens.

Although I was able to wear my shorts all day, as I got into Manitoba I started seeing the remnants of the snow storm they had last week.  I knew the shorts would not last long.

Lots of ice on the water

I got to Kaitlyns about 1 pm and had a quick bite of lunch before Susan and I headed down to the park to get RRV set up in the driveway by CJ's. It is still wet around here and we will need a week of warm weather to get things dried up.  We are in no hurry so that is ok.  

The lake is still frozen over.

the view out our front window

a little snow beside us

Tomorrow looks like it will be pleasant but after that temps take a dive for a few days.  It will be a good time to catch up on my sleep. Had a good trip and a good day today.  Good Nite!!!

Day 7 Almost Home

WHERE ARE WE? Steele, North Dakota

Today we were tasked with traversing northern Nebraska, South Dakota, and half of North Dakota.  For anyone who has traveled this road you will agree with me that although the countryside is beautiful, it is not exciting at all.  There is not a lot of greenery yet either.  With a lot of it being rolling hills and pasture land, there are not much for farms or towns.  The towns we do pass by are the typical Dakotan towns with the round water tower that looks like a golf ball on a tee. 

There are lots of abandoned houses and farms along the way that show how the little guy can not exist anymore.  

So I put in my earpods and got a good book going on my Iphone and the miles just melted away.  Next thing I know I am 700 kms deep and just shaved a day off my trip.  This was my trip today.

I was beat after a big day of travel and when the sunset showed up in my rear view mirror and it meant that I didn't have to move off the couch, I couldn't resist.  Should be a short day tomorrow.  Good Nite!!

Day 6 Enjoying City Parks

WHERE ARE WE? Stapleton, Nebraska

Just a travelling day today. I put in my earphone and listened to a couple stories on Alaska Bush Pilots and that helped to pass the miles away.  The country is dry by the looks of it all the way up into Nebraska. Things are nice and green right now but if they don't get rain that could change.  We are far enough north now that some of the trees have no leaves yet.

Gas prices are starting to get back to where they were.  I stopped today where gas was $3.19 for cash.  A few days ago it was $3.79 so quite a difference.

We travelled a few more kms than usual today and ended up in a little town called Stapleton Nebraska.

They have a town park with 4 RV spots.  $15 for the night and that gets me power so I can run my little electric heater because it is going down to freezing tonight.  I should add that it was 30C this afternoon.

And the sun sets here just like everywhere else!!

Day 5 Red Dirt Country

WHERE ARE WE? Perryton Texas

Kinda got a late start this morning because I had forgotten that once I crossed into Texas we changed to Daylight Saving Time.  I went through all day yesterday without figuring it out until I realized this morning that the clocks in RRV didn't match my phone.  Duh!!!!  So we hit the road about 11 oclock.  It is a little bit windy today but it was behind me for the most part.  By the way it is my friend David McGill's birthday today.  We have known each other for 71 years!!!

We are in northern Texas and the land around here is red earth.  The red earth brings back memories of my younger years working in this part of the country.

They are talking about a bit of a drought in these parts this year and as we crossed a lot of rivers today I noticed not many with water in them.  Hope not because these guys grow a lot of crops here.

We are noticing that the price of gas is going down.  The lowest around these parts is right on my path today.  Most places are 3.59 to 3.79 but we found it for 3.19 at a Walmart.  About a $30 saving!!!  Good way to start the day.  

 We did go by a big dinosaur on the top of a hill.  There must be some bones around here somewhere!!

This was our route today.  Again a little over 400 kms.  2300 behind me and about 1700 to go. 

Got all parked up and sat in my chair with my feet up for a bit.  A body just needs to relax once in a while.  

I'm parked right under the water tower here and plugged in to power and yes, it is free again.  You gotta love all these city parks.  This one is called Whigham Park if your lookin.  And I managed to catch a sunset!!! Good Nite!!!

Day 4 With a Little Snow

WHERE ARE WE? Hamlin, TX

Woke up this morning with a pitter patter on the roof of RRV.  Because I had a long travel day yesterday, I had decided to get a late start this morning.  I needed to get some groceries and Walmart was right there so when there was a break in the shower I ran in to do some shopping.  

While I was in there I saw a sort of a memorial that said Uvalde Strong!!  So I got to looking closer and then I remembered what it was about. Here is what happened. On May 24, 2022, a mass shooting occurred at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, United States, where 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, a former student at the school, fatally shot 19 students and 2 teachers, while injuring 18 others. Ramos was killed 77 minutes after entering the classroom by law enforcement officers.  What a sad thing.  Anyway this guy jumps into the shot as I'm taking a picture.  We got to talking and he says the shooting about ripped the town apart, but after some time it brought it back together stronger than before.  He told me to call him Hippie because he rode a Harley most of his life and loved life like a hippie.  He had heard about our school tragedy in Canada and said it really hit home around here.  He shook my hand and we carried on.  Americans are wonderful people!!  

While I was shopping I was tempted to buy these and take them home, but I doubt they would make it in the heat.  

It was still fairly overcast and the wind had got up but I decided it was time to roll.  Might as well make a few miles today.

First thing was when I started RRV and looked down and this is what I saw!! My friend Patricia from Ontario will have something to say about it I'm sure!!! lol

So I headed over to the Murpheys to get some fuel.  Sounds like prices may start to come down today.

The scenery along the way was nice and green today along with some yellows of wheat crops almost ready for harvest.  It was a little windy today but I still made over 400 kms.

We went through a bit of high country and look what we ran into.  Yup that is snow beside the road.  What the heck!!!!

I found a little city park on I Overlander that has power and water sites at no charge for 1 night and because it will be a little bit chilly tonight that might be the answer so I can plug in my electric heater to take the edge off.  I know 9C is expected and for someone who has been in 30C for the last 6 months, it might be a little bit chilly for me.

I managed to catch a sunset tonight.  Good Nite!!!