2008 Where we went

First trip  March 2008, spring break.  Loaded up the motorhome for a  short getaway.  Decided to visit Oklahoma City.  The drive down I-35 wasn't bad, a little rough, a little construction, a little mixmaster through the interstate system of Oklahoma City and then a lot of confusion finding the truck gate at Tinker Air Force Base, http://www.militarycampgrounds.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=178&Itemid=38 , only took three hours and I asked a lot of people how to get to the campground.  Very nice campground.  Did the set up thing, oops, found a water leak.  Seems I had a busted heat exchanger for the hot water system.  Oh well, take showers at the bath house.  Next morning off we went into Oklahoma City to visit the Murrah building, the OKC bombing site. http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/  , I think everybody should visit this place.  What with the water situation, the weather, and a not feeling well MiL we packed up and went back home.  All in all, a good first shake down cruise.  Found some problems that needed fixing and learned a few things about motorhoming.

First real trip in our new to us motorhome  In June 2008 we took off for Wyoming and the Escapees Escapade, our first rally.  We left fairly early, bout 0900 or so and headed north.  We made Hastings Nebraska before dark and set up camp.  Ate at a local watering hole, not bad.  Next morning back on the road going north toward Grand Island then west on NEB highway 2, stopped off and looked at the old house in Cairo, and made it to Alliance.  Set up camp and went to Walmart, don't know why we didn't do this in Hastings, must have been to tired I guess.  Next morning going north.  Stopped at Carhenge, very interesting.  Back on the road heading north, down hill with a tailwind, got 36 MPG.  Pretty cool huh? 

Crossed the South Dakota state line and got a nice surprise.  Buffalo headed in for supper, way cool.  Had to stop and take a couple of pictures.  

Pulled in the brand new campground not to far from Devils Tower in Wyoming and set up camp. http://www.nps.gov/deto/index.htm   Had dinner in the restaurant there and had a view of the tower.  Tried to call home, not up here.  Drove down the mountain till we got a signal.  There we were on the side of the road with every car stopping to see if we were ok.  Talk about a fun evening.  In the morning  we were off to Gillett and the rally.

http://www.ci.gillette.wy.us/special/visitors.html

The rally  Got our parking place, kind of tight but doable.  Hooked up everything, electric, sewer, and water.  Didn't know that the fresh water tank didn't have a "I'm full switch".  Went into town to get something to eat and when we got back there was a lake where we parked.  Luckily one of the neighbors shut off the water before everything floated away.  Got everything setup the way it should be and went to the pavilion to check in and get our goodies.  Signed up for the Motorhome Defensive Driving Course, and wandered around looking at RV stuff.  This could get expensive so we controlled ourselves.  Back to the camping spot and had dinner.  I had signed up for RV Boot Camp so away I went Thursday morning, back to school.  During the ten days were were attending the rally we met some very nice folks and exchanged email addresses, now where did we put those things???  The only bad thing that happened was the TV antennae broke which I got fixed fairly quick and getting a signal for the puter.  A wonderful ten day first long outing.