Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:30:10 -0700
Reply-To: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Trip Report. WA, ID, and MT. (Long but not pointless!)
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Hi all.
From Aug. 22 to the 29th, I stayed at Forestry Service sites along hwy
9 - Whatcom/Skagit, 20 - Cascades and Okanogan and Colville National
Forests, and Idaho. They were clean (nice pit toilets) and affordable
(my beer bill was higher!). In Montana, Hwy 56 (scenic) is great.
Forestry sites on 56 weren't always clear re: distances and if area a
camp ground. (CG) I had found this elswhere. Maybe signage is fine. A
map would have helped. Anyhow, most were too out of the way. The one
clearly marked accessible CG I saw, was crowded. Went West to Yaak CG
in Idaho. Next night, Shepard Lake. Yaak and Shepard had train noise
at night. Particularly Shepard. Shepard was scenic and uncrowded
though it only has 8-10 sites. I spent first and last night at
Goodwell. (Coldwell?) Can't recall exact name. Just West of Newhalem
on 20.
My "door" mat story.
Left it at Nile Lake. Bought a new one. Promptly left it at Shepard.
Went back, but it was gone. Likely taken by motorhome owner. Having no
proof it was mine, I headed East, stopped off at Nile and found my old
brown mat right were I left it!
"Circle of life. Circle of life...."
Van ran well but head temps high on long hills. A scary sight on
checking timing; a fuel leak. (it wasn't there before) Because of
higher alts I thought engine might benefit from different engine
timing. To statically double check timing, I had ignition and of
course fuel pump, on. I saw a leak at fuel line(s). In replacing
suspect hoses, I removed an injector, but damaged its' plastic tip. I
had 2 unknown working spares. Picked cleanest one and installed all. A
helpful fellow Jay, chatted with me about van heater/furnaces and
previous ownership of his 71' Bus. He kindly checked back as I was
about to fire up the bus. It did right away. Turns out he's a Honda
mechanic. Was nice of him to check in. We had a good chat. I kept a
nervous eye on new hoses. They were fine.
Favorite campsites:
Loup Loup:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/oka/recreation/mvcamps.shtml
$8, quiet and only 4-5 sites occupied. Pretty sweet. Did a little
trail riding, and enjoyed a *small* fire.
Nile Lake:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/fishing/forests/col/lakes/nile.html
Free! Considered "lake side" spot but saw cattle droppings. I don't
share grazing space well, so parked at spot overlooking lake. Great
view, and all to myself. I played my trombone. I had ice coffe. I left
behind my "welcome" mat.
Shepard Lake (not Forestry Service but Game ??)
South of Sandpoint Idaho. It's on the map. Easy access. Look for sign
saying (IIRC) "sportsmen entrance". For sure there's a sign. You can
camp up to 3 days. Another free lake side site!
Favorite towns:
Winthrop. Great grocery store on left as you leave town Eastbound.
Sandpoint. Touristy, but quaint. Nice public library. (of course every
town had one. Almost all had AC. All had internet. Sweet. Winthrop
internet is dial up)
Heading home, I made a long, pointless, switchback climb (sun was
going down) on narrow logging road. Useless wear and tear. A poor
choice. I kept going looking for "Trout Lake". None was found though
maybe I didn't go far enough. Anyhow, this spawned a new rule:
"If you don't know, don't go".
Of note, young punks left a fire burning at (can't recall name) camp
ground on #20 East of Republic. Couldn't believe it! There were NO
fires allowed! I pumped my precious water and doused what I could. Saw
2 men on way out and asked them to check later to make sure fire was
out. One pointed out that there was a "crick" right there. (like 20'
away Duh!) I filled my bucket and soaked that fire pit but good. Damn
kids..... ;^)
Well that's more or less it. Had a great time, and again, saw some
great country. Rode my bike, played trombone and enjoyed the quiet
time.
I look forward to more power next camping trip for those mountain
passes though and better tires, fiestier brakes,........ ;^)
Cheers,
Neil.
--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia -
"Jaco" (Bustorius)
http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
Please send me your Vanagon/Westfalia links!
http://vanagonlinks.googlepages.com/home
