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Off To The Far Fars!

J

jfocallag

Junior Ranger
Donating Member
When I was little, my mom would tell us to get into the car because we were going on an adventure. When we asked where we were going, she replied “off to the far fars.’ Sometimes this meant going to Pranges for root beer floats or for my and my brother’s 16th birthday, Great America. (We didn’t guess where were were going until we made the turn off.)



When I bought my trailer 8 years ago, I named her the Far Fars. At that time I envisioned retiring and setting off to explore the US in her. Well, now I am Off to the Far Fars.



With the help of my sister and brother-in-law, I was able to purge my belongs so that now all that I own fits in the trailer, my car or a 4x5 storage unit. I put my house on the market and I had an offer in two days. I closed on May 21st and found myself living in my trailer at Champoeg State Park just south of Portland. I gave my notice at work on May 22. The rest of May was spent working from the trailer and getting used to being houseless.



What is next? Shortly, I will begin my journey back to Wisconsin to have the trailer checked out by the good folks at Camp Inn. I will be attend the CICO and spend the month of October visiting family in Green Bay and Indiana, then on to friends in St. Louis.



After that, who knows. As someone in the nomad community said, plans are made in jello when you are a full timer. When asked, my first response was Texas. Not sure why. So if anyone has suggestions of things that I must see and do in Texas or where to stay, please let me know.



Nights Camped: 7

Total Nights: 7

Miles Driven: 21

Total Miles: 21
 
Wow! I am impressed. I don't think I have the inclination to go full time like you have. Good for you! Hang on to the adventure.
 
Joan sounds great. We dream of doing that. One more year before retirement I think. We love the coast of Texas (in winter) Rockport, Goose Island, Port Aransas, Aransas Wild Life Refuge, Kings Ranch and down to South Padre Island. We have not taken our teardrop there as we go for Christmas Break from school and only have 2 weeks. We drove back last year through the Texas Hill Country and found the area intriguing.
Stay safe and enjoy each day.
 
The beginning of June found me still at Champoeg State Park. It was “glamping” weekend and Saturday was a free day in the state parks.


Champoeg is a lovely park just south of Portland. It has two loops. Loop B is newer with full hookups. Loop A is older, has many older trees and is by far the nicer loop. It does have one problem which is during a wind storm many branches fall. They close this loop during winter for this reason and it tends to floods. Unfortunately, one of the old oak trees cracked in half and fell on the site where just a few hours later we were suppose to have our potluck. Fortunately, no one was hurt. It was close though. Someone who had been parked where the tree fell had left minutes before and the person whose canopy was destroyed (where the potluck was to be) had been under it just minutes before. Next year, my friends and I are going to stay in Loop B.


A couple of years ago, I bought a camp membership at a private campground on Whidbey Island. I had looked at other memberships but most required that your unit be self-contained. I wanted someplace to spend my summers and Whidbey Island is a beautiful place.


I gave 6/30 as my final day at work so after glamping weekend, I headed up to Whidbey and worked from there for the rest of the month. At one point I had thought of continuing to work part time. The month of June reinforced my decision not to. I had worked for short periods of time from the camper but doing it long term would have been a challenge not only because of space but the challenge of finding cell service. I would not have been able to spend the week in lovely park I am currently in.


Finally, 6/28 came and I was officially retired!

Nights Camped: 30


Total Nights: 37


Miles Driven: 261


Total Miles: 282
 

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Joan, You are the reason that I now own a 560 instead of a 550. I can't thank you enough for encouraging me to just sit in your 560. I took off my shoes, slipped in and realized that I had to change my order. I loved the shape and size of the 550 but am so glad that I am the proud owner of the 2014 560. Hoping to see you some time in the far fars.
 
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I can use one word to describe the month of July - inertia. I will add an adjective, extreme inertia. I don’t know if it was decompressing from over 30 years of working or all of the stress of the last 2 years but for the month of July, I did nothing but read, watch downloaded videos and relax. I did manage to go back to Portland for a brief visit without the trailer. I thoroughly enjoyed the month of July.



Nights Camped: 25



Total Nights: 62



Miles Driven: 261



Total Miles: 282
 

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When I attended the CICO 6 years ago, I told Craig that my camper was one of the best things I bought for myself. One of the reasons is all of the wonderful people I have met. Two of those people are Kathy and Bob.

My inertia continued for the first two weeks of August until I was talking with Kathy who mentioned that she and Bob were going to be camping on the Washington coast. At the same time, my brother invited me to stay at his in-laws cottage on the Oregon coast. I decided to conquer my inertia and join them.

I was able to book the last campsite at the KOA in Bay City, WA and joined Kathy and Bob. It is a small campground and has steps down to the bay. The staff were very helpful and I can recommend it if you need someplace to stay.

On Tuesday, we drove to The Tokeland Hotel:

Restaurant — Tokeland Hotel

Both Bob and I had the eggs benedict with fried oysters. It was delicious. Kathy had the shrimp and grits. She said the grits were delicious. There are two recommendations if you happen to find yourself in Tokeland.

Nights Camped: 2
Total Nights: 64
Miles Driven: 169
Total Miles: 451

After leaving Bay City, I had a very rainy drive down to Rockaway Beach. Crossing the Astoria-Megler bridge was a white knuckle experience. Once I arrived, I set up my camper in the driveway and enjoyed two days with my family.

Nights Camped: 2
Total Nights: 66
Miles Driven: 86
Total Miles: 537

The photo is The Far Fars first ferry ride.
 

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After my visit with my brother, It was time to head east to Necedah. Six years ago when I went to my first CICO, it was a mad dash there and a mad dash back. I vowed that when I retired, there would be no more mad dashes for me. In the RV community, there is the rule of 2: travel 200 miles, in camp by 2 and stay 2 days. This was my goal. I have managed to keep the mileage under 300, the 2 night rule depends on where I end up and what time I arrive depends on when I get up. I have not arrived later than 3 so far.

Since it was Friday, August and Oregon, I decided to make a reservation at Lepage Park:

Recreation.gov

It is $22 a night and since it is an Army Corps of Engineers park, it is half price with the senior America the Beautiful pass.

Unless, you are a boater, I would not recommend this park except as a place to stop overnight. There are pit toilets in the RV part of the park. The flush toilets and showers are over in the day use area I think because this is where tents can camp. The shower is ok but not great. There is very little shade and you are in the high desert on the Columbia River Gorge.

I was very grateful that I got the air conditioner. It more than cooled the camper down.

Unfortunately, I had my first gear mishap. I purchased a Sunbrella and decided that this was a good place to try it out. When setting it up, a gust of wind took it and the corner of the picnic table caught it. It now has a rectangular tear in it. On the hunt for red duct tape. Will give it a try some other time.

Nights Camped: 2
Total Nights: 68
Miles Driven: 200
Total Miles: 737
 

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I would like to travel the roads less traveled so I decided to take highway 12 through Idaho. I have an iPhone and use an app called Allstays. 6 years ago, I took this same route to CICO and stayed with my friend who has a house along the highway in Lenore, ID. I noticed a couple of BLM campgrounds along the way and decided to try McKays Bend Recreation campground on this trip. What a lovely campground! I originally planned just to stay 2 nights but extended it to Labor Day for a total of 8 days. The camp host Norman keeps the place spotless and is constantly watering so the grounds are green. It is along the river and has a beach with a little eddy to go swimming if you are willing to brave the temperature. I believe it is kept in the 50’s for the salmon. It is managed jointly by BLM and the State of Idaho. The sites have full hookups and cost $18 a night unless you have the America the Beautiful senior pass and then it is $9. It is first come first served. There were always at least a couple of sites available while I was there. Cell service is sketchy, I could get and receive calls but texting and internet was iffy. There are bathrooms with flush toilets and showers.

Lewiston is about 20 minutes away and there are several small towns in the area. I took a lovely drive up to Moscow and walked the streets and drove through the university.

While there, I had lunch with my friend. Her husband is a fishing guide with a boat so on Saturday of Labor Day weekend, we floated down to Clarkson for lunch. The temperature was in the high 90’s but the cool water acted as a natural air conditioner.

If you are looking for somewhere to spend some quiet time or need a place to stay on your way along highway 12 in Idaho, I definitely recommend this campground.

One of the things that is going to be interesting on my journey are the temporary communities that form and then parting from them. I met a gentleman who rv's during the summer and backpacks through South America during the winter. Another couple who has been full timing for 13 years. His wife provided me with my Friday night pizza made with sauerkraut no less. They come up to Lewiston to visit with his mom. He has a detailed spreadsheet of everywhere they stayed. They were a great resource for finding things in Lewiston, i.e. a decent laundromat. As you leave, you wonder if your paths will cross again.


Nights Camped: 8
Total Nights: 76
Miles Driven: 245
Total Miles: 982
 

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So began a series of one or two overnights on my way to Wisconsin.


In Missoula, I stayed at a campground suggested by Kathy, Jim & Marys. It is a lovely park and would recommend it for an overnight stay or if you are planning on visiting Missoula.

Nights Camped: 2
Total Nights: 78
Miles Driven: 207
Total Miles: 1189

I wanted to travel the road less traveled to I continued on highway 12 to Harlowton, MT and stayed in the Chief Joseph City Park. This is a basically a parking lot with hookups. There are flush toilets but no showers. Ok for an overnight stop.

Nights Camped: 1
Total Nights: 79
Miles Driven: 251
Total Miles: 1440

There were several points in Montana where I was out of cell signal coverage for miles and saw no other car on the road. At this point, I decided not to travel the roads less traveled until I had a means to get help in case of a breakdown or an emergency. I continued on highway 12 to Miles City, MT. I did not venture off of the major highways.

This year was the year for a major infestation of cicadas in Montana. Whenever I stopped, the ground was covered with them. The roads were covered with them and I will spare you the picture of the front of my car. My first stop in Miles City was the car wash.

Since it was the weekend, I stayed 3 nights at the KOA. It is a typical KOA. It is near the train tracks but the trains did not bother me.

It is interesting to read reviews of campgrounds that mention the road noise and/or train noise. Given the population they cater to, it kind of makes sense they would be close to the road.

Nights Camped: 3
Total Nights: 81
Miles Driven: 215
Total Miles: 1655
 

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Next stop was the city park in New Salem, ND. It was a nice city park but no bathroom, just a porta potty so just a one night stay. This is where I encountered the first significant rain of my journey. Below are pictures of my set up using the car canopy I purchased. It provided enough protection to make breakfast and do the dishes in the morning. When I originally arrived, there was one other person there. They pulled out later that afternoon. It was the first time I spent a night alone in a campground. There was a trailer parked in the host site but no one occupied it. Didn’t really sleep well that night.

Nights Camped: 1
Total Nights: 82
Miles Driven: 241
Total Miles: 1896

When I was at the KOA in Miles City, a couple recommended that I stop at the Linwood Park Campground in Fargo. The campsites are on the Red River. The driveways are very uneven, the bathroom is ok and it is close to the highway. It is adjacent to a lovely city park. Lots of deer walking through.

Nights Camped: 2
Total Nights: 84
Miles Driven: 226
Total Miles: 2122

On to my sister’s house in Minneapolis.

Nights Camped: 0
Total Nights: 84
Miles Driven: 233
Total Miles: 2345

From there, I drove to Necedah to drop off the camper for a ‘wellness’ check by the good folks at Camp Inn. I drove back to Minneapolis by way of Norsky Nook. Had a lovely visit with my family until it was time to pick up The Far Fars.

Nights Camped: 0
Total Nights: 84
Miles Driven: 206
Total Miles: 2551
 

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On September 20th, I drove back to Necedah to pick up the camper. Then it was on to Castle Rock until October 2nd. My first campsite had a lovely view of the lake with some gorgeous sunrises. Due to an issue with ants, I moved to a second site and set up camp for the week.

During the CICO, I enjoyed talking with Dave and Becky and Chuck and Carol. I met Chuck and Carol 6 years ago at the Dam Gathering in California. It was nice to meet up with them. They taught me how to play Farkle and a card game called up and down the river. They winter in Arizona so they gave me some great tips on places to stay. Carol pickles jalapeño peppers and I had it on a cracker and cream cheese. It was delicious. Becky makes a bread pudding cobbler that was to die for. I look forward to running into them in Arizona.

It was also nice to see Jim and Sue again. Enjoyed visiting with them around the camp fire. Hopefully, will see more of them again during my travels.

As always, it was nice to see Jenn and meet Tour 931. Sorry, I am bad with names and his real name is escaping me at the moment. It was a great CICO.


Nights Camped: 12
Total Nights: 96
Miles Driven: 13
Total Miles: 2564
 

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It was great seeing you and Bailey again, it's been far to long. I think it was PNW Roundup at Mossy Rock. If your ever headed through central California give us a heads up and we can plan a get together. Otherwise you never know when we might sneak up on you out in the Far Fars.
 
On to Green Bay to visit family. I stayed at Bayshore County Park for 12 nights. It is a lovely campground along the bay. Half the sites are reservable and the other half are first come, first serve. There are two bathrooms with flush toilets and showers. One has a laundry. There are pit toilets scattered throughout.

One of the things that Camp Inn did for me was to install the roof rack and an ARB awning. I love the awning. I also purchased the room that can be attached. The jury is still out on the room.

While in Green Bay, the weather got colder. I did have electrical hook ups and use a small ceramic heater. Unfortunately, it is difficult to control the temperature on the unit. I spent the night waking up to turn the heater on because I was too cold or off because I was too warm.

I found that you can buy remote thermostats that plug into an outlet and will turn the outlet on or off based on a temperature you program into the thermostat. To resolve my immediate need, I bought this one at Menards:

https://www.menards.com/main/heatin...70-c-12864.htm?tid=149946182798687540&ipos=27

I plugged it into the outlet at the foot of the bed and it worked well.

These thermostats will work for both heating and cooling so I really wanted one that I could plug into the outlet in the cabinet to use for both the heater and the air conditioner. I was able to find this one on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CYNNWTG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The remote sits on the window sill in the front. This works great and I have used it for both the heater and the air conditioner. The only potential drawback is that when it communicates with the wall outlet unit, it flashes a green light. It does not bother me at night but it may others.

Nights Camped: 12
Total Nights: 108
Miles Driven: 154
Total Miles: 2718
 

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