As much as I looked at the weather before I left, you would think we would be prepared. However, packing for cold weather when it is 85 degrees outside is hard. We packed way too many shorts and t-shirts and not enough warm clothes. So, we have had to wear the same clothes multiple times and layer! Plus, we have made a few extra necessary purchases: two blankets, one fleece, and long underwear for me!

The weather has been crazy. It was 80 and sunny in Billings. Once we got on the road, it changed dramatically. We have experienced snow, sleet, sunshine, wind, rain and temperatures ranging 40 degrees – all in the same day. With this range of weather, we have certainly been glad we had an RV. We have always loved to tent camp, but have felt sorry for the tent campers this week. We certainly are loving the RV life!!!

Speaking of the RV, we have learned a lot. It is a Winnebago named Minnie Winnie. So, we call it Minnie Winnie Mouse! Early in Yellowstone, we heard a lady from the North Dakota area say, “Win-na-bay-gah” so we have been using her accent every time we talk about our rolling home. Josie changed it a little so she says, “want-a-bagel?”

Each day we have learned more about how to handle the RV. The man at the rental place gave us a quick run through of the mechanics behind it, but we barely retained any of it. There is a manual, but Hubert and I have read it 10 times now and still don’t understand it much. So, we have learned by just trying something and crossing our fingers that we are not about to explode the RV! But, we are getting more confident.

The first day at Hunter’s Peak, we did not try anything. There were no hookups and we were relieved. We used the oven by lighting the pilot light as it ran on propane. That was successful! The next morning when it was 30 degrees in the RV, we turned on the generator for 10 minutes to heat up some water and make coffee. We felt triumphant! At the Madison campground where we stayed 2 nights, we began to be a little more adventurous. We turned on the generator and used the water pump so we could shower. It was amazing!! We became sold on this camper life! Yet, looming over us was the dreaded first time at the “dump station”. As much as we read the manual about how to handle the “dump,” we were very nervous.

As we were leaving Madison, we drove through the dump station. Josie was ready with her gloves on as she wanted it to be her job. Hubert did not wear his gloves and was sorry later. There was a family from Australia next to us at the station and I asked for help. They were so kind to comply. They promptly told Hubert that he needed gloves (but it was a little late)! Then they guided us through it. They were in the States for a three and half month journey. It was grandparents with their 11 year old grandson. They were so kind and interesting. It is amazing where you can strike up friendships; who knew even at a dump station! Well, we made our dump and then filled up with water. However, the water level on our tank never rose. Finally, Hubert figured out that he did not have the water turned on! It went much quicker once we did! But we realized that the “gray” water did not dump right as our gauge told us it was 2/3 full. We had no clue what went wrong but there was a long line of RVs behind us so we decided to just go forward. 

When we arrived at Colter Bay Campground in the Grand Tetons, we were nervous as it was a full hook up campground. At the check-in, we asked the lady about where a dump station was so we could dump the gray water. She said there was no need as we had our own “dump” station at our site. Who knew!! She also helped us understand that the newer RVs have an extra button to pump out the gray water. We have a prime site here on Jackson Lake overlooking the Teton Mountains. It is beautiful and Hubert and I quickly felt confident with the hook-up arrangement. We dumped the gray water and set everything else up! We feel confident and accomplished, like we can do anything! This morning, we even turned on the heat for 30 minutes (but it smelled like propane so we couldn’t endure long and we still have a nagging worry that we might explode!)

This is certainly an adventure! A trip of a lifetime! One that will forever be in our memories. I have thought of both grandparents daily. I think of MeMe and PaPa and how they loved camping out West. I have great memories camping with them. And nightly, we play Uno which reminds me of Grandmama and Pop! These moments are making the trip. As amazing as the scenery and locations are that we are going to, it is the small moments that we will remember! I feel blessed indeed!