August 27-28

We spent the last 2 days in the Panguitch Lake area scouting for a good hunting location for October. We drove several different FS roads, got the Jeep full of mud and saw lots of deer, mostly the does, but we did run across a great looking buck just standing on the side of the trail and he was good enough to stand there while I took his picture.  We also saw several nice legal bucks along the way.

We fished some, but Steve is still not to good with the fly rod so any fish caught spit out the fly and laughed at him.

We had the most amazing trip.  We met lots of great people and the scenery was amazing.  The only time we had any stress was when the motor home failed, but it was fixed in a couple of days and we were on our way again.

After 45 days and 3500 miles later we are home.  The motor home is emptied and everything put away.  The laundry is in and I am typing the last entry on the blog.

I received my woven samples from my class and I must say they turned out beautiful.

August 23-26

Great Basin National Park and the Lehman Caves are definitely worth seeing. We took the scenic drive in the park which found us at an elevation of over 10,000 ft.  Beautiful country, high desert terrain.  We were not able to camp in the park because it was full so spent the 2 nights in Baker NV.  Believe me there is nothing in Baker.

We found a 4 wheel designated trail, Pole Canyon Trail, in the park that we took.  Very easy but a pretty trail that followed along a nice creek.

We toured the Lehman Caves in the park.  These caves are estimated to be 1 million years old.  Lots of stalagmites and stalagtites which are referred to as "decorations".  The caves have a lot of history and were amazing.

We left Great Basin Sunday morning headed to Panguitch Lake to meet up with Orin and Melinda from St. George to do some fishing and scope the area out for deer hunting.  We spent a great evening and all day Monday with them and then the weather moved in and since they were tent camping they decided to pack it in and head home.  We got some lessons in fly fishing and drove around the area.  We saw lots of deer, doe and fawns, and a herd of antelope.

Mammoth Creek supplied us with a nice trout dinner.

We are once again cell challenged so are sitting in downtown Panguitch using the net.

Steve and I are out scouting today and plan to be home by Thursday.

August 19-22

We left the Rogue River camp and started the trip East on Hwy 140.  Man,  you would think there is not another person traveling on the hiways.  I think in 6 hours of traveling we ran across 6 rigs.  At about lunch time, 2 ish, we found our selves in Bly, Or.  This is a little berg with 400 people.  1 gas station, two small Stores, and a deli.  We stopped at the deli and were the talk of the town.  Fantastic lunch and we had some great conversations.  Obama came up about every other cuss word :)  So, Renie asked where the locals go to get out of town and we got directions to a Lake in the National Forest called Lofton.  This is a cluster of lakes that were created in the depression for capturing water for the farmers that have turned into great fisheries.  As you leave Bly, heading East, you climb to a snow staging area about 14 miles East.  A right turn and 9 miles later, you are at the lake.  Seniors, with a pass are $3 a night.  RIGHT ON!  But, the drought has wrecked it's havic.  No fish are biting.  We did several lakes but at Holbrook Lake, I found a fly that killed the fish.  The only problem was the fish were about 2" long.  We spent 2 days and 2 nights there.  We met another couple that were in their 80's that were just married 3 years ago.  Had a great time talking with them.  Man the stories.  They sometimes forgot whose wife, or husband they were talking about:)

Thursday we headed out.  We made it to Elko and found the State Camp there.  Called South Fork State Lake.  Nice place.  Pretty high.  Over 5000'.  This camp was $14.  Not bad.  I feel like Gil and Willa in finding all the inexpensive places to stay :)  I love them.

Today, we leave for the Great Basin, Lehman Ice Caves and leave for Panguich Lake, UT Sunday.  Almost home.

August 10-17

Did we mention that we had no Sat. TV, Cable, or Cell at our camp.  It was like we had a silo over our camp where there was no communication allowed in our area.  Sort of like the TV program on now that I have never watched.  So, off we went to get our fishing licenses and to find a sports bar to use our cell, jet pack, and watch the NASCAR race.  We went to Flyers, down town Oak Harbor.  Nice place, and terrific food.  Chowder and Crab Cocktail for Steve and a shrimp salad for Renie.  We have found that all we want to order is seafood for some reason.

Then off to the bay for some fishing, where Steve found that Renie had also destroyed his Fenwick.  No fishing for him.  We did not catch anything anyway.

Monday AM found Steve gone to the Charter fishing boat and Renie on the bus to the Weaving Seminar.  We are finally at our destination.

The class is a lot of fun and Renie is learning a bunch.  Every day until Friday for 8 hours a day.  Steve fished 3 days and got no Salmon.  The only good part was the captain stopped off at one of his crab pots and gave us 2 Dungeness crab.  Fantastic dinner.  One day he gave up and bought a new spinning fishing rod at the local Ace Hardware and off to Erie Lake for Trout.  6 hours later, no fish.  This is beginning to get to be a habit. We bonded with our next door neighbors right away.  Their names were Tim and Sheryl and were locals, getting away in a new trailer.  And they were going crabbing.  At least they were successful and we had a fantastic dinner and wine that night.  Friday Renie figured she had enough class and decided we should be leaving the area by noon.  At 1:00, we found our selves on the Ferry heading off the island and to the Port Townsend.  We ran into the famous Seattle traffic when we hit the 5 but kept going until we found the rest side rest we remember on a previous trip that had overnight camps at the back side of the rest.

Saturday AM found us pulling into our next night stay at White River Ranch in Leaburg, Or.  This is Willys Tech invite that Steve was invited to.  Nice place and we met more new friends.  We where hosted to lunch and did an off road trip around the ranch.  This is a working ranch that has timber that is harvested and replanted, blue berry fields, and Christmas Trees.  The Christmas trees are slowly being replaced with blue berrys as there is no money in the little trees.  That night we were again hosted to Dinner.  We had BBQ Salmon and salads.  Fantastic.

Sunday we had breakfast at Vida Cafe.  This is old school cooking.  We did not need lunch if you know what I mean.  At about 2:00 we pulled into the Rogue River State Campground.  Steve's sister and brother in law, Deb and Scott showed up for a visit, BBQ, and drinks.  And another stop at Cabela's for another fishing rod.  He hated the one we bought at Ace.

Today, Monday the 18th is laundry day, grocery store time, wine, booze, and a visit to Deb and Scott's house this afternoon.  Tomorrow, we are off again, this time wiggling our way toward home.  We will see if it will really take us until the 28th to get home. :)