12-4-08 Thursday (Run Bambi!)

What an interesting start of the day we had. As we're leaving Missoula (with 19 degree temperatures), we pull up at a gas station, to get, you guessed it, gas. As the fuel is a pumpin', a guy pulls up with one of those platforms that fit at the hitch receiver. Ya know, the kind for wheel chairs, electric carts, luggage, and dead deer? Oh yes, it was several dead deer. I guess it would have been stranger if they had been alive and just sitting there, huh? Anyway, I was grossed out. It was right next to the coach door. Much like a train wreck, as much as I didn't want to look, I couldn't help myself. Each time I passed by it, I'd look again. Deer carcus o'plenty. A leg/hoof sticks up out of the pile. I've been kind enough to put the picture of this mess, several spaces below so that as you read this text, you don't have to see the picture if you don't want to. If you want to skip it, just scroll down until you see text again. I couldn't resist a picture. I can't believe he's driving around without a tarp or somethin'. ewwww. It looks like Santa and all of his reindeer, crashed into the back of Ernest's vehicle. Christmas has been cancelled.

Wasn't that nice? We crossed Idaho today. While there, at a rest stop, Jim parked next to a semi. He wanted me to take a picture. He's amazed that he's driving something nearly as large as a semi truck.

We crossed into Washington. I totally missed the welcome sign. It was on the left side of the road! Oh well. As we approach the RV park/motel (Spokane), we weren't sure we had the right place. The sign indicated it was correct, but I didn't see any RV's. Just cabin-type places. After Jim checks us in, he comes out and reveals the plan. The RV area is behind the cabin-esque buildings. The road is narrow, and we'll need to unhook the Cherokee to make the turns. That already seemed stupid to me. A dog tied to a median is barking constantly. Roofers are working away on some of the cabins and the office. The area is cluttered. Anyway, we complete "saucer separation mode" and follow a guy through the lot. It's older trailers, campers, 5th wheels and motorhomes. Most look like people have been here a long time. Sheets of plywood adorn the bottoms of trailers, as if to say "hi, someday I hope to be decorative, but for now I'll be an eyesore." This feels more like a trailer park than a campground. Here's the view from our patio door.

No, really.

We could leave, we could ask for a different spot, but at least there's no neighbors on this side of us. It's fine, it's only 4 nights. We'll live. We can't have great campgrounds everywhere. Let me explain something before my next comment. There's 2 major RVer type clubs. One is Good Sam's and the other KOA. You pay a membership, get a perk here or there, a directory, a newsletter and a discount here and there. Typically, a campground has to have certain standards to get into the network. Maybe a pool, maybe something else, but nonetheless, they have to qualify to get in the network. Jim picked this place because it was a Good Sam's. Were they blind? When did they last qualify? Who knows, but it's humorous. I have to give Jim credit, it's very hard to pick out a campground from pictures or reviews. Most of the places have been nicer. It's gonna happen from time to time.

Our time zone has changed again to Pacific. That's 3 hours earlier than Florida for those of you Floridians who may need a reminder. After we setup camp, the sun set at 4:30! Very strange to us. Oh, how the McDonald's golden arch top from a block away twinkled in the sunset. So calming. It's so beautiful how it illuminates the roofs of the neighboring hotel. It's a beacon of hope, complete with a dollar menu. AND my cat is snoring. OK, I'll stop.

(End Bitching)