The Palouse and Beyond

We stayed at Twin Bridges just before Whitebird Hill sandwiched between Highway 95 and the Salmon River. The kids, never to being subdued immediately asked for baseball mitts and a ball, but exploring soon took precedence. It was a nondescript campsite, and I forgot to take a picture. I didn't sleep well this first night, the bed seemed harder than usual. I hope this isn't an indication of age or how the rest of the trip will be. We forgot a means to light the stove, so no coffee until we hit Moscow. As we cross the Palouse we imagine we are in a boat at sea, at least I did. The rolling hills dwarf our van and Reese states he hates imagination.  Explains his lack of enthusiasm for Legos.

We headed out of Coeur d'Alene today later than expected, some stress alleviated. Yesterday we had stopped in Plummer, ID and needed a jump to get back on the road. Rich spent most of yesterday pulling the alternator, having it checked, charging the battery and having it checked before deciding the issue was out of our hands. Our dear friends the McHughs hosted with love and generosity; Barry accompanying Rich and Teresa introducing the kids and I to the neighbors who shared their pool. The kids swam all day in the 90 degree weather while I visited with some warm, wonderful people. I truly believe that people by nature are generous and yesterday it was exemplified. 

Rich took the van in first thing today--explained the problem and the mechanic turned to his buddies 'remember I said a Westfalia with a Subaru conversion would be coming in with an electrical problem?  Well here it is!' Probably pulling Rich's leg, but he was enthralled none the less. Turned out we needed a new battery. 'O'Reilly's couldn't test a balloon to see if it held air' and after a few modifications and repacking we are on the road. 

We have managed to stay on schedule, more or less, despite Ruby not wanting to leave 'Barry is sweet' but we have discovered the next issue to address. The cooling system. Despite having AC that works we are currently abstaining due to high temperature reads on the gauge. We have already been in touch with a mechanic in Kalispell who knows Vanagons, and I am convincing Rich to leave us in the park while he takes it in. We do have friends in Kalispell we can prevail upon if needed. 

While we were preparing to leave, the worth of the van and notion of selling and getting a Sprinter came up (more head room and more seating). We just passed one on I90--on the back of a flatbed tow truck. I guess we are sticking---for now!

Teresa and Rich modifying

The McHughs

Teresa's art installation for Ketchum!