As we tick off the miles north, I begin to wonder if we’ve chosen the worst time EVER to take a road trip to this area. The whole purpose of a road trip is to see the country out of your car window as you roll by; to appreciate the qualities and diversity of the land – the height of the mountains, the intensity of the foaming rapids in the cold rivers below, the expanse of the hay fields as they stretch out, away and into the horizon.
Except,
wait…
Yeah, we can’t see any of that. We see…
only smoke. Here we are driving through Moscow, Idaho. Apparently there are some hills back there but they are not to be seen.
We did, however, get to spend some quality time with some quality people – The Frazeys!
I told Julie I wouldn’t post this picture on Facebook (not sure why, because she looks AMAZING – a fabulous momma to a three-week old!) but I’m pretty sure this pictures is safe here, as only family check on us, so Julie shouldn’t mind. This is Brent & Julie Frazey and their new baby girl, Alia Brenlie Frazey. We spent two days catching up with them in Lewiston, Idaho.So, they’re called The Crazy Frazeys but I think that nickname is really reserved for Brent. Because he’s crazy. In a good way though. Brent and Stephane met in flight school ELEVEN years ago. Time…it’s passing.These two are like peas and carrots.Brent grilled us some juicy, flavorful, and – most importantly – healthy meat for dinner one night. He shot a huge elk the season before and so we were treated to some of this tasty animal. Wow. I am ready to go hunting for my own meat now. For reals.After saying our goodbyes to the Frazeys, we continue north, through smoke, to the Kaniksu National Forest where we found a gem of a camp spot. We’re just north and a little east of Sandpoint, Idaho. We’ll go check out the town tomorrow.
There are quite a few fires in Washington, Idaho, and Montana right now. Smoke is everywhere and we have passed more than a few firefighter camps – tents set up in hay fields, helicopters landing at temporary help bases – this area is a war zone. So, yeah, don’t be careless out there..Yeah, like I said.Bullets? Hungry grizzly bear?There’s a trail back there. And I’m going to run it tomorrow – bring it on, Idaho!
The Grizz (Winnebago View - active duty)
1,800 miles and counting
The Hungry hippo (Popup camper - retired)
1,200 miles
The Gruffalo (Tow behind camper - retired):
12,000 miles and counting
The Baby Bison (Tow behind toy hauler - retired):
7000+ miles
Maine > New Mexico + adventures in between
The Great White Buffalo (5th wheel camper - retired):
3,000 miles
Free Range (Slocum 37 sailboat - resting; getting overhauled in Nova Scotia):
Traveled 2,400 nautical miles from Oriental, NC > Antigua (end of the road).
