Thursday, May 17, 2012

BACK IN BOISE, IDAHO

BASE Jumpers in Twin FallsOur summer travels have gotten off to a slow start, thanks to a few mechanical problems.  Our blowout on the way to Twin Falls was certainly the most bothersome (read: scary) of these, but not the most costly! 

As we left Wells, Nevada, on our way to Twin Falls, we noticed that our air tanks (for our air suspension  brakes) were losing air whenever we stopped and turned off the engine – we could hear it escaping near the back of the motorhome.  Of course, the tanks were losing air as we drove, too – but our compressor was able to keep up with the loss when the engine was running.  We’ve experienced this same problem in years past, and knew it was likely to be a faulty ride height adjuster valve. 

Though it was safe to drive, we didn’t want to tackle any mountain passes (especially the downhill slopes!) until we had it repaired.  That meant a detour in our plans and, instead of heading to Missoula, Montana, from Twin Falls, we diverted towards the Cummins repair facility in Boise, Idaho. 

Since we left Twin Falls on Saturday and didn’t have an appointment in Boise until Tuesday, we stopped along the way in tiny Glenns Ferry, where the Snake River posed a significant obstacle to travelers on the Oregon Trail at Three Island Crossing.  Being a weekend, the pretty campground at the Three Island Crossing state park was completely full, as was the campground at Carmela winery, next door to the state park.  Lucky for us, we settled in at RV Camp and Cabins (click here to read our review), a comfortable little campground that participates in Passport America. 

Three Island Crossing of the Snake RiverBesides visiting the Three Island Crossing Interpretive Center and catching up on our laundry, we tackled yet another minor problem, our Brake Buddy.  After over nine years of excellent service, this little auxiliary braking system needed a new 12 v. plug.  Odel took care of that problem, and when we left Glenns Ferry on Monday, the Jeep and its braking system seemed back to normal.

Our campsite on Monday night was the parking lot of the Cummins repair facility just off the interstate south of Boise – where we were happy to have a 50 amp electric hookup to deal with the 85 degree sunshine!  Scoopy was into the repair bay at 8 am on Tuesday, with a diagnosis around 10:30: new ride height valve needed; radiator steam cleaning recommended; update of our EMC (engine monitoring computer?) software recommended.  We said yes to everything and pulled out of the repair lot around 2 pm, $500+ lighter and ready to roll!

Map Boise to MissoulaFrom time to time, readers or email correspondents ask about budgeting for fulltime RV travel.  My opinion?  The budget item most likely to be underfunded is the kitty for RV repairs.  Things break down all the time!  It might be mechanical (like the ride height valve), a broken slide mechanism, wind/hail damage, or an air conditioner that poops out on the hottest day of summer.  Minor things (the step cover motor quit working several years ago; we never DID fix that) or major things (replace the U joints; repair the refrigerator).  There is always something that needs attention;  we’re happy when the “something” doesn’t keep us from moving.  :)

So here we are in Boise, staying once again at Hi Valley RV Park, where we first stayed last September (click here to read our updated review).  We’ve enjoyed a few of the brewpubs in town, and today we visited the educational World Center for Birds of Prey (where they raise the California Condors that are released near the Grand Canyon).  Odel fit in a round of golf, and we’ll stay long enough to visit Boise’s downtown farmer’s market on Saturday.  Sunday, with all systems now functioning, we’re heading off into the mountains of central Idaho, the Sawtooths and the Bitterroots, through Stanley and Salmon, then north to Missoula.  Now, that sounds like summer!

18 comments:

  1. Had to put new paws on our truck today and buy a new toilet. Like you said, the RV kitty has to be fed on a regular basis. How long will you be in Missoula? For the summer?

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    1. Just a week! We don't stay anywhere for a whole season. :) We plan to visit lots of places in the area: Helena, Kalispell, Whitefish, Glacier NP. We'll be in Colorado in July.

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  2. Maintaining a home whether it is a stick or brick or has wheels always needs upkeep... At least not having a mortgage is some comfort. Although the repairs always seem to come at the wrong time. (Not sure when a good time would be. lol) Yup, Best to have a repair fun and adds up every month.

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  3. I agree on the budget. Something is always breaking. We were way low on what we budgeted for our first year. Repairs and wine- have to adjust that for next year :)

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  4. Yep, something is always broke around here. But if it weren't for the low spots the high ones wouldn't be so great. Missoula is getting mighty close to Dogpound North. Just a couple of hours south of the border then a few more hours through some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet and you are at our gate.

    If you get to Kalispell make sure you go and have the pizza at Moose's Bar, it is the best we have ever eaten!! Used to drive 5 hours just for a slice.

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  5. Ah yes, I remember Boise. One of my breakdown locations. :(

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  6. How interesting. We stayed in Glenns Ferry last fall and also stayed at RV Camp and Cabins...it's a small world. I liked being by the train tracks. Pretty country.

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  7. Since we are skipping Canada, we may be going through Missoula. As soon as we know, we may need your help getting around the area.

    Glad you were able to get all the repairs taken care of. We just keep reminding ourselves that if we had a "stick and brick" house, we would have repairs just as expensive.

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  8. So true that the repairs budget is always the one that doesn't have quite enough in it when we need it.

    Love the country you are going through. Glacier et al in June sounds Divine. Missoula's farmer's market is fabulous!

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  9. I'm sorry for your mechanical problems, but I'm glad to hear about your detour. Sawtooths! Oh, how lucky are you. I absolutely love central and norther Idaho. I stayed in Grainger and took a ride up to Stites--lovely ride. Rich and I used to go to Stanley so I had to stay there for a few days. There's a fairly run down campground up the road from the town where I enjoyed the most wonderful breakfast. Nest to Oregon, I'd say Idaho is my favorite state. I look forward to reading your blogs about your adventure. Redfish Lake, Stanley Lake, Bruce Meadows--oh, I'm green with envy!

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  10. Came back to tell you there's a little campground right on the river just past the town of Salmon. There was a deck right out the back of my site. I could fall asleep to the sound of rushing water. I took the ride up to Big Hole Montana which was a really nice ride. Oh....yer killin' me! LOL

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  11. ah, yes it does, Laurie...definitely sounds like summer. Red Fish lake in the sawtooths is lovely. As wonderful as Oregon can be, I sometimes miss the mountains of Idaho where I worked for so many years. Guess I'll add it to the list of places to go.

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  12. First..thanks for reminding us to renew our roadside emergency service which expires the end of May! Glad your tire and MH problems have been fixed..it sounds like you were satisfied with Cummins in Boise which is good to hear since we're heading there the end of Aug. We stay at the Ambassador RV Park near Caldwell..$345 a month. Loved the pics of Twin Falls!

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  13. Oh, I hope your travails are behind you now and your travels looking great in front of you! Enjoy your summer.

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  14. Repairs happen and for us usually around $500 :-)

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  15. Ooooooh yessss -- I have a vividly wonderful memory of driving 93 from Missoula toward Tetonia in August of 2010. I've been a bit haphazord with my blog reading these past few months but knowing where you two are headed will be a strong impetus to pay attention and 'look in' on you more frequently.

    I have no doubt that you will enjoy your time in these parts -- it sure was an unexpected delight to add Idaho to my top 10 list of states that I, personally, feel are 'gems'!!

    BTW, I just missed the chance to have a little visit with you while you were in the Sacramento area. I just arrived in Yountville last Thursday evening.

    Safe travels and I join with everyone else in wishing you an end to the pocketbook pilfering that Scoopy and Jules have been indulging in!!

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  16. Sounds like a lovely plan. We'd love to be on the road right now. Still home though in Rochester, NY trying to figure out if we are selling our sticks and bricks home or not. It's been a long and frustrating decision. We'll let you know when we know. But hearing about your adventures makes us want to just sell and go!

    We'll just have to live vicariously through you for now. Until our next adventure. BTW...keep in mind that Memorial weekend is coming up. Hope you have a spot already booked!

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    1. Sorry...forgot to mention, next month we have to get our motorhome in for it's annual New York State inspection (gotta love NY and all their fees) and we also are getting our height valve replaced too as we are loosing air and have the same symptoms. Some other friends of ours just had theirs done too. Just goes to show you that having that repair cushion in the bank account really gets a work out.

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