Pasco, Washington

     In 2005 when we took our first long trip to Glacier Park in our new 5th Wheel I had a laptop with built-in modem.  A few of the campgrounds had sketchy WIFI coverage.  Most had some place near the office (laundry room or picnic table) that had a weak signal.  This trip I have found very good access across the campgrounds.  I have only had to use my phone to laptop tether in one spot, but it worked great!

     Today it is much warmer  - over 90 on the high plains of the Tri-Cities in Washington State.  We are running the air conditioner and have the RV closed up.  Usually I love to sit outside, but today it is just hot with no shade.

     We drove over three passes today and through Coeur D'Alene.  We followed several fast moving rivers.  Lots of water still melting from spring snows.  Reminds me of the time we took Boy Scouts to Yellowstone and went rafting on the Shoshone which was just slightly under flood stage.  Yikes!  I am not ready to raft one of these fast moving rivers. 

    Part of the drive today was on what used to be the Mullan Road - built in 1860 by the U.S. government to help pioneers cross into the areas of what is now Washington, Oregon and California to help solidify the U.S. claim on this territory.   Although the scenery was really outstanding, the current roadbed was bad.  Lots of freeway crammed into very narrow canyons which made the road winding, hilly and dangerous when one side was closed for construction so traffic ran in both directions on the other two lanes.  It was beautiful, but hard to appreciate while holding on to keep from bouncing all over inside the truck.

    After driving through Spokane, we headed south towards Oregon.  The road took us out of the mountains and into high plains that remind me of Wyoming.  The road there was much better.  We are tired tonight - especially the driver.  We have a shorter drive tomorrow which will end near the Columbia River gorge where we stay for a few days. 

     Finally, I included a picture with this blog of two folks helping each other wash their big rig windows.  We see so many people in campgrounds who are busy helping each other and seem to be getting along well - whether they are driving big, expensive rigs or little, old ones.  I don't think that traveling makes you nicer to each other.  I think, that if you can't enjoy each other's company through thick and thin at home, you don't take it on the road (at least not for long).