August 8, 2010 - We're Home!

August 4, 2010  We left Butte and headed for Couer d'Alene, Idaho.  The drive was interesting in that we experienced a couple of different types of topography.  We drove through more prairie, then through a section of mesa, much like parts of Arizona that we have experienced, and we also had some mountain (hills really) terrain.  Once we got to Missoula, we were tracing, in reverse direction, our Summer trip of last year when we drove out to Missoula and into Glacier National Park.

It was a long day on the road and we pulled into Couer d'Alene RV Resort in Post Falls, Idaho.  Post Falls is just west of Couer d'Alene.  We spent 3 nights there just relaxing and reflecting on our trip and I went golfing one day.  We didn't do the touring bit because last year we spent time in Couer d'Alene and Spokane, so we choose to relax.

August 7, 2010   We continued our journey westward across the width of Washington, stopping at the Tulalip
Casino in Marysville, Washington.  This casino is a stop over for many RVers and they even have a parking lot designated for RVs.

Driving across Washington we passed over Lake Wanapum which is the dam lake on the Columbia River.

The view of the Lake is very impressive and in the distance you can see the bridge were Hwy. 90 passes over it.

As we approached the Cascade Mountains it began to drizzle and rain off and on.  I was concerned about driving over the Snoqualmie Pass because from the West it is quite a climb.  What I didn't realize is driving East to West you approach the Pass and you are already at about 2500 ft. so the Pass it not that big a deal.

On our entire journey we only saw 3 major accidents, and 2 of them were on our second to last day as we drove through Seattle.  One of them happened just ahead of us, as three cars piled into each other and on the slick road, it was all I could do to get my skidding truck and RV stopped in time.  It was interesting that as we approched home, the rain began.

We arrived home in the morning of August 8 and were welcomed by the grandkids and family.  It was odd to be home, as being travellers for 4 months had begun to feel like our normal lifestyle.  However, both of us agree that we could not RV full time, as many people do.  This trip was really an odyssey for us as every day brought new experiences and places.  Now we have experience certain areas, we know where we would like to some day return, and that may be some of our future trips.  The truck and RV performed wonderfully and the trip served to strengthen the relationship between Laurie and I.  It truly was the trip of a life time; an ODYSSEY to be sure.

2010 Odyssey Summary:

* 4 months

* 16 weeks + 2 days

* 114 days

* 22,105 kilometers

* 13,735 miles

* 33 states

* 5 provinces

* Fuel: $3,750 (24% of expenses)

* RV Sites $3700 (23% of expenses)

* Groceries $2,500 (15% of expenses)

Now, what will our next dream be!!!