Long Haul #3: Rocky Mountains, September 2 - 22, 2018

We are Ron & Judy, owners of a 560 Ultra #873 named “AJ” since March 2017. In September 2018 we drove our 2013 Ford Edge from the greater Green Bay, WI area to Idaho and back, covering 5,515 miles over 20 nights.

Our daytime adventures ran the gamut from peaceful hikes and winding drives to bicycling the Route of the Hiawatha and taking a jet boat tour on the Snake River. One of our hikes followed the route Ed Pulaski used to save many men during the Big Burn, a 1910 wild fire that destroyed 3 million acres of private and federal land. Other hikes explored Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.



The Route of the Hiawatha is 15 miles long with 10 train tunnels and 7 sky-high trestles. One of the tunnels is 1.6 miles long, and the highest trestle is 210 feet high. We’ve biked several rails-to-trails routes in Wisconsin – just not the same as the mountains in Idaho!



The jet boat tour took us through the most rugged parts of Hells Canyon, with canyon walls towering 5500 – 7900 feet above us. We toured the Wild River section and the Natural Preserve area, covering Class III and IV rapids, low for this time of year. The jet boat was amazing and powerful. All we had to do was hold on and enjoy.



We couldn’t get enough of the rugged mountains and canyons. We camped in Craters of the Moon National Monument, where space was at a premium on a first-come, first-served basis. We found a (tight) spot in an area designed for tents and small camping units. We also visited Bighorn Canyon and Flaming Gorge National Recreation Areas for more beautiful and jaw-dropping views.


Other highlights: swimming in Yellowstone where the Boiling River meets Gardiner River, where it’s important to find just the right spot between the hot spring runoff from Mammoth Hot Springs and the icy flow of the Gardiner River; enjoying the mineral hot springs in Lava Hot Springs, ID; and watching Little Big Town at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO.



We typically prefer national or state forest campgrounds, rustic with lots of trees offering a bit of privacy for each site. On this trip we left our comfort zone to stay in several state parks and private campgrounds. The state parks were busy and the hot showers and electricity were wonderful, especially as the night temperatures dropped down. We even found a city park with free camping – no amenities, but a free spot right along the Yellowstone River in Montana.



We count our blessings as we wander our nation’s highways and byways. “This land was made for you and me.”

 

Great trip and great pictures! It's sad to say, but one nice thing about electric sites - you don't have to deal with noisy generators.

 

Looks like a wonderful trip, You were in our neck of the woods, we live a short drive from and have rode the Hiawatha many times. You were blessed with some great weather, not always that nice this time of year.

 

Yes! We met some neat people in that place.

 

Great trip, beautiful pictures.