Avi

Well we left St G and it was cool & windy, but at least no rain. Roads were good all the way, but we did get some road splash, so will have a major wash job when we get to AJ. Fought a pretty serious side wind most of the day. We got to Las Vegas just before noon when traffic was light and were through the city by 11:45. Went down through Searchlight to Laughlin. Its a very scenic drive from the highway, down the river banks of the Colorado river. This is just about 40 miles downstream from the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. Weather in the valley was nice, much warmer and not so much wind. We got a spot at the KOA at Avi, which is part of Laughlin and will be here for 2 nights. Really lucked out as we never reserved and got the last spot with services in the park. As you can see from the picture, the palm trees keep the snow away. This is one of the coldest winters they have had down this way and the media is full of commentary on it.

Went for dinner to the buffet, if you are a buffet fan, this one is for you. I forgot to mention that Marg got her first SENIORS discount at dinner last night, well tonight was her second. It was 2 for 1 night for us and the food was very good. They even had flambe deserts included. We purchased tickets to the new years eve function in the hotel, so that is the game plan for tomorrow night.

St George again

Well we are in St G again today because of the weather. That storm we are on the edge of is dumped rain on us all day today, but is supposed to let up tomorrow. Could be worse, we just heard from the Trouts & they are held up in Helena by the blizzard, expecting 2 feet of snow and hopeful they can travel tomorrow. If you look at the US weather on the web, you will see there were only 5 of the 52 states that did not get snow today. In Arizona it was only in the high elevations. We are competative about bad weather though, so when anyone complains we just say -- this is nothing, you should see what it's like where we come from. Reminds of the old saying - I felt bad because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet. Went shopping to the outlet mall here & Marg did her thing to support the local economy. In fairness, the sales were pretty incredible. 50% was the least discount off retail we saw and 85% was the greatest & she does love a sale. Let me see we went to: Eddie Bauer, Izod, Avenue, Cowboys & Indians, etc, etc. On the way I found a book store and bought a couple of dusters. The guy had never heard that term before, but when I said westerns, was able to point me in the right direction. For supper went out to a buffet that was very good, it was BBQ nite. The name - wait for it - Chuck-a-rama. Are you on the floor laughing yet, well it really was good.

St George, not the Patron saint of Englishmen

As you probably remember St George is the patron saint of England as well as where our motorhome was stored. And here we sit in St George, Utah. The trip down from Pocatello was interesting. We had such good beds last nite that I slept until 8, so a bit of a late start. Roads were mainly good, but had some pretty thick fog for about an hour around the state line. Made the dreaded Salt Lake City by 11 AM, so were able to miss the traffic. We were thru before we knew it and on to lunch in Nephi, we almost always stop at the flying J there. Made it St G late in the afternoon and got a night in the park. The RV was great, just as we left it and still pretty clean from the washing we gave it before leaving in the fall. The bad weather is headed for the entire length of I-15 from Sweetgrass to here, worse up in the passes. They are calling for some rain and a chance of light snow for an hour or two in the morning. Looks like we just beat the really bad weather, they are calling for up to 2 feet in Montana and up to 6 feet in the Rockies. It was cool here, 51F or about plus 9C, but pleasant with a sweater. Plenty of empty stalls in the park yet. If it looks like rain we may stay another day and travel in the sun, so we don't get all covered in road spray. Stay tuned. Oh yeh - not sure about the neighbour across the way given his decoration in the pic. BTW - see any snow ;>)

Dec 27th - day 2

Well an early start on the day thanks to the lumpy motel 6 mattress. We made the border crossing at Coutts about 9:30 & a nice bottle of 15 yr old Dalwhinnie & a litre of Crown Royal crossed the border with us. The line up was long, but we found the fast lane, so about 25 minutes in the line. The border guard asked if I had any criminal convictions, to which I answered not yet, so he let us go forward. Chinooks are very nice, warm weather, dry roads but the 80-90 km crosswinds all the way to Helena Montana were vicious. The roads south of Helena in the Elkhorn mtn pass were passable. The driving lane was mainly bare, but there was a lot of slush and ice in the left hand lane. Hardly any snow until the pass, quite a bit in the mountains. Missed the flying J pit stop in Butte, so had to stop in Dillon Montana for gas. Saw lots of antelope in the fields. Got to the dreaded Monida pass about middle of the afternoon & it was all dry and bare, one of our best trips through there. The clouds were low, right down to the road in places & they are forecasting 2 ft of snow on Wed, Thurs, so we just missed it. Made it all the way to Pocatello Idaho [1,002 km today] & got a very nice room in the Best Western & a great dinner at Applebys. Temp today was mostly above zero, 35F here, so about +2C. Pictures are the highway in Montana pass & fishing cabins along the Missouri river. Finally looking out at the mountains under the Chinook arch.

Dec 26th, The Trek starts

Well Boxing Day & no one to box with, so we decied to head out for the sunny south. Checking the weather, there is a bit of a window until Wednesday through the mountain passes in Montana & freezing rain in Salt Lake City. The roads from GP to Edm were pretty good, a little wet. Marg packed some turkey sandwiches, so we made great time. Need car wash. Saw mother for a short visit just after lunch in Edm. Then on toward the sun. The highway south to Calgary was bone dry & it kept getting warmer with each kilometer until it reached plus 7 in Calgary. Stopped in Claresholm at the motel 6 for the night, where it was still plus 4. Every restaraunt in town was closed, so boxing day dinner was at the Dub, the meals will get better. Anyway we are in good position to make the border well before noon tomorrow.