1st time snowbirds.
Week 1, Dec 19 - Dec 26 2025
leaving home on our way to friends in Montana who we haven't seen in a few years. The border crossing was a story in itself as we were "flagged" according to the border patrol and were send on our way one and a half hour later, with some brochures how to find out, or change what was going on so we wont have any issue with next border crossings.
Starting with our sticker at the beginning of the trip. (New signs have been erected ilately though, so no stickers at all on the new sign.)
Staying in Montana for a couple of days and visit the local breakfast restaurant to see a few people we've seen before when we went for breakfast in the past. Making our Photo for the X-mas card which we usually sent to family and friends by internet. Originally we are planning to go West as we wanted to visit some friends in Seattle WA, but there is a huge storm on the pacific heading for the coast. We won't go there now is the decision, maybe on our way back to Canada in a few months. It turns out to be a good idea as later in the week we hear about several floods and landslides along the West coast.
When we left home we opted for as less as possible interstate as we could manage and roads we have never taken before. Ending up at Highway 279 which takes us over Flesher pass 6130 ft and snow, which we never drove before.
Through Helena MT and Townsend MT, the truck suddenly had no throttle any more. The throttle cable had come loose. I connected everything again and we ended up behind a gas station in Norris MT, where Jolanda is making it cozy with Fairy and x-Mas lights.
Following Highway 87 and 20 South, which we drove numerous times in the past, we were planning on a small road between Victor ID and Swan Valley ID. At Ashton ID we went East and just before Victor ID,
there was a Ranger station and we stopped too ask if the road was clear. "Well, I wouldn't do it myself" we were told. So the only other option we had was to turn around towards Sugar City ID, and take the Highway 20 again and go that way to Swan Valley ID. Using Highway 26, 89(Wyoming), 33 and 34 we arrived in Soda Springs ID, where we topped up with fuel. Beautiful area with another pass and rolling hills on our way South. Not finding a decent spot to stop, we arrive in Preston ID just as it starts to become dark. With a couple of questions we are send to the local truck parking where we can stay the night.
Next morning we arrive at a surplus in Ogden UT, where we can ask a number of technical questions about our wheels and/ or tires, as we are not sure what the deal is with our tires or wheels. But something doesn't feel right(for a while). Really helpful people, although they want to leave for the long weekend. We can stay over night at the end of the street, which is a dead end street.
After waking up I was planning on swapping tires, but it feels quite windy and to have the truck on a jack and blocks doesn't seem like a good idea to me. We will leave in stead of staying another night. Saltflats Bonneville UT, will be next destination. A 2 lane highway is not an option here, so we'll take the Interstate 80. The wind was really powerful and coming from the South. With the interstate going East-West and a big flat area, driving was not pleasant with an almost empty box truck which is even higher on its wheels than average. Halfway we decide to take a rest behind a hill and wait the wind out.
Later in the day we try again and from here out it is not as bad as was before. Growing dark before we can stop, we stop at a truck stop and go to sleep.
Waking up with The Bonneville Saltflats next to us, is just asking for a photo moment. We drive about 10 km to find a nice spot and drive on to the Saltflats.
After a couple of pictures we continue South on the alternative Highway 93 into Nevada.
Suddenly the throttle cable is loose again!
When stopped I have to make a bush fix because some parts are missing.
After a short stop we can continue and deal with it later. Of course it happened in the middle of nowhere.
We stop at Caliente UT where we find a DIY store where I can buy a cable and parts that I can use for a better fix(actually it still works). We decide to stop for the night as well and find a nice spot at the beginning of town next to a bridge.
Before we leave, I(Jolanda) go empty out our toilet bucket with pee. Hey, my eyes catch something, when I come closer...
It is a hundred USA dollar billet, crumpled up and looks new. Lucky me!
See you next blog!
Comments