Road trip camping with a large family

[stoveliker]

Banff is nice; was there last year

 

[begreen]

It’s that time of year again. The S-Ps are packing the van for another epic road trip. NC to the Olympic Peninsula and back. We have up graded some gear, added a second tent, and improved organization with another rack/shelf in the van for light weight items. If last year was the canyons tour this year will be volcanos and glaciers. Next summer we are planning Alaska! A 4-5 European roadtrip and Baja are being considered for 2028!
More pics to come.

Very cool, and long trip. You will be in our backyard. There are some spectacular locations to see. In WA state you will need appropriate passes depending on whether at a national or state park or on BLM land.

 

[Whitenuckler]

We tried to fit BC in. We just ran out of time. We made reservations at the lodge in glacier over a year ago and planned the whole trip around that.

You will be very close to the ferry ride to Victoria. Maybe a gulf island too.

 

[EbS-P]

Which I had pretty pictures to share. Day finds us 1520 miles from home in Kearney, Nebraska. Another 950 to our first planed destination, Craters of the Moon Idaho.

I’m better organized this year. But had less time to make sure all the details were packed. I ruptured my S1/L5 and it’s been bothering me since December. And all the lifting and packing and cleaning gutters got to me. So I don’t look happy pulling out. I’m much better two days later. Sitting is fine for now. Kids absolutely are loving high speed Starlink in the van. Now I’ve experienced two straight days of coop gaming in the rows behind me I’m about to pull the plug or at list block some servers.

My wife is still teaching her online classes and needs to grade video assignments. And turn in grades from where ever we find our selves.

 

[begreen]

Getting closer. Heads up, Hwy 20 through the North Cascades just opened up. It's slower than taking I-90 but much better views at the top.

 

[EbS-P]

Three days 2200 miles. All smiles.
Pinedale Wyoming.

I’m ready to slow down. Had 45 mph gusting cross wind all day. It the funnest drive but being a Kansan it all came back timing the buffeting from the big rigs.

 

[EbS-P]

Craters of the Moon National Monument. Small park but definitely worth a stop. We took a tour of EBR1 too! We’re in the reactor room!

 

[EbS-P]

We made it to Crater lake. They opened last week. And yesterday completed the coast to coast journey. I insisted we go go for a walk on the beach. They turned that into a swim.

 

[begreen]

The Pacific can be pretty chilly (50º) which feels especially cold when it's foggy. For us, it's nature's A/C. Yesterday it was 90º at SeaTac. We hit 81º here due to a wind off of Puget Sound.

 

[EbS-P]

3 out of 5 took the plunge. One is part polar bear (it his Maine heritage) one wants to show off. But Rosalie is just wants to have fun in the waves. Warmed up today!

Rain forecast for tomorrow PM. I just booked the empty yurt across the campground loop for tomorrow night. We will pack up in and keep everything dry!

 

[begreen]

Good plan! A cool front moved in overnight. Our temp dropped 25º yesterday evening. Where are you at now?

 

[qwee]

Always be cautious of creeper waves. Don't ever trust the Pacific Ocean. There has been earthquake action lately. These waves do happen - when I was a boy me and my friends were caught in one. It was like 6 feet higher water all of the sudden. Two of us were right down by the water's edge. My friend, Eddie, was dragged in and he was found clawing into the sand crying - he was dragged but fought the ocean. I did what you aren't suppose to do - I jumped onto a large log/stump - and I went dancing along for the ride as it dragged the huge log into the ocean - I tried to work with the ocean. Luckily the wave stopped and I got off. It was at Seven Devils beach - apt name for that beach.

 

[EbS-P]

Good plan! A cool front moved in overnight. Our temp dropped 25º yesterday evening. Where are you at now?

Newport OR, Beverly beach state park. I like this beach town vibe better than the beach towns near us.

 

[begreen]

Newport OR, Beverly beach state park. I like this beach town vibe better than the beach towns near us.

I was. going to guess Beverly based on the pictures. The towns get smaller and cooler to the south. Yahatts and Bandon have some nice areas.

 

[EbS-P]

Hard a minor breakdown yesterday in Beaverton. Mercedes puts a shield around ball joint on tie rod end. It broke off and wedged between rotor and wheel. I was going slow and stopped in 75 ft. No damage 20 minutes to remove tire and replace and we were back in the road. Olympic National Park!

 

[begreen]

Welcome to the land of BIG trees. The Hoh rain forest is a treat if you are going up Hwy 101 along the coast. There are some really special spots up on the north beaches. Mora park at La Push is a nice campground with Rialto Beach close by. Kids will like the trail at Cape Flattery if you make it up to the tip of the state. There's decent camping at Hobruk Beach about 5 miles away on the Makah Reservation. The museum there is quite good.

 

[EbS-P]

Glacier NP! It was AMAZING.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Glacier NP! It was AMAZING.

Looks great. Another huge road trip for you guys. Looks chilly. Reminds me a bit of Emerald Lake BC.

 

[EbS-P]

Looks great. Another huge road trip for you guys. Looks chilly. Reminds me a bit of Emerald Lake BC.

I stopped keep track of miles. We’re probably north of 5k now. I paid 6$ a gallon for diesel in WA. $4.29 today. Trying to think about what we can reasonably do next summer. Today is day 26 and I’m hitting the road trip wall. We did two night in the Glacier Park Lodge. Yes the PJs are all matching, even mine. Damn gift shops! Yellowstone is next! A customer built bunk house/bike hauler with a pullout kitchen is running through my mind. Or just a find a good deal in a single axel RV.

Water was cold! Kids don’t care. They are part Mainers. It’s in their blood I guess. Weather has been amazing. Minus the rain at Logan pass while hiking a mile across the snow. the hike to hidden lake will go down as the best and worst hike ever! Rosalie made it all the way up! Then after the last pic the rain came and I carrier her down the hole way. I had some plastic ponchos for her and then I put Tony’s school backpack on backwards to make a carrier. She napped on the way down while I cursed. I don’t know if I’ve said it before but JulieAnn my wife has Cerebral Palsy. She was fine up. But down was hard and cold. I think she will take her rain jacket next time I suggest it. Sun came out for the last 15 minutes down. Spirits lifted as hands warmed up. The 4 oldest stuck together. Tony carried Theo for a it after his boot came off and his foot was too cold to walk down. I couldn’t do much but offer encouragement to JA. There are times you learn a lot about your partner. 20 years ago I was helping her learn to ski on her first or second day. I was sure it was a green run. It wasn’t. Due to her CP and femur rotation she can’t snow plow. So it was bunny slope to blues with parallel turns. And when I I sent us down the very inappropriate blue all I could die was pick up her gear she threw across the mountain as she walked down. One hot beverage later she was back in the mountain. Skiing blues on the next day. The hike down was kinda like that. There was only one way off the mountain under your own power. And this time it wasn’t my fault. I have been blamed for bad weather before but not today!

 

[EbS-P]

Flathead lake. Big Arm state park. We definitely want to sown more time here!

 

[EbS-P]

We did Yellowstone and then Windcave. Drove through the badlands yesterday after a stop at Rushmore. Stopped at Crazy Horse the day before. Lots of progress has been made in 30 years.. 1500 more miles and we are HOME! We decided that vacations need to no longer than 30 days. We’re ready for a vacation from our vacation.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Nice! How many miles so far?

 

[EbS-P]

7000-7500. I didn’t write down mileage before we left. 750 to go. I have 9k on the oil. Most I paid for diesel was 6.05 in Washington. Cheapest was 4.25 in Wyoming. When planning the trip the price was under 4.00 every where. I’m probably averaging 18-19 mpg. Fuel is a considerable portion of this trips cost. It’s all worth it. I get my own bed tomorrow night!!

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Showers at home always feel the best too!

 

[EbS-P]

And we’re home! 8500 miles. And kids still on far north mountain time

The best of album

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