Week 893-894 - Back to Palm Creek - 10-01-2023

Back to Palm Creek

After 70 years in California, we moved to Arizona on November 21, 2022. Palm Creek Resort is now our home for 7 months of each year. We might stay year round if we could learn to enjoy 110+ heat in the summer. Not happening!

We spent the last four months visiting family in California and then Dennis and Jean in Washington. Now it is time to return to Palm Creek, a 1611 mile journey from Port Ludlow. Some RVers might make the trip in three 500+ days. Our friend Jim could do it in two days! But, on our second day of full time travel (Aug 16th, 2006) we met Craig.

Craig had traveled full time, moving constantly, for 12 years. He said that could wear you out and take the fun out of travel. So he implemented his 2-2-2 rule.

Don't travel more that 200 miles in one day.
Always get to your destination by 2:00 pm.
Stay at least 2 days.

We followed Craig's Rule on our entire trip home. It was a lovely 24 days, just the right amount to enjoy everyday.

Washington is a beautiful state. This view from Interstate 90 between Tacoma and Yakima.

You may have encountered a freeway where the Highway Patrol will block all traffic to bring down the speed. This blockage was done by the road crews. Interesting; we have no idea why they were doing this.

Our first stop was the Yakima, Washington Elks Lodge. The RV sites are all grass, sitting next to the golf course.

Next, we returned to 5 Peaks RV Park in Joseph, Oregon. This boutique RV park is just a 1/2 block off the main street.

This darling town is full of exquisite art work.

We took the back road from Joseph, Oregon to the Snake River. Steve, this is the Hells Canyon Rd/NF-454. We have traveled this road twice before, once each way. Funny, how as you get older, the roads get narrower.

If we are in the Northwest, we will always visit Ellen's brother Larry. Here Larry climbs the ladder, trying to keep the birds out of his stove! We enjoyed four days with Larry and Judy with great meals, fellowship and playing card game Swoop.

Leaving Larry's 200 acre cattle ranch, we moved on to Boise to visit Mike. We were surprised and delighted to meet his lady friend Debbie. After catching up and learing about Debbie, we enjoyed pickleball, at a community park and at Mike's home. Of course we taught them the card game Swoop and enjoyed great meals. As often happens we cross paths with those we know. Arriving in Boise the same day was our daughter Melissa. We had a lovely breakfast with Mario, Melissa and our newest granddaughter Bella.

Twin Falls Idaho was our next stop. We had stayed previously at the Snake River Elks. We always like to try new parks. This lovely city park, Rock Creek RV Park, is right in the middle of town. But you wouldn't know it. It is down in a ravine next to Rock Creek. A beautiful stay for just $27.

Further down the road in Tremonton, Utah is Aspen Grove RV Park. We have noticed that many RV parks add pickleball courts even if few people are playing.

For the second time we visited Mountain Valley RV Resort in Heber City, Utah. We rate this resort 5.0, the sites couldn't be nicer. They have added four new pickleball courts and people were playing. We played with them as well as at the city park.

Fall in the Heber Valley is gorgeous. We have yet to learn what the red trees are.

Fillmore, Utah is just a stop along the way. We tried a new park and it was pretty nice. 100 foot long pull throughs on level gravel. Yes, again there are unused pickleball courts. But, without pickleball, will anyone come?

Our next 4 day visit was in St. George, Utah. The Elks settings is fabulous. Each site has 50 amps with water and RV dump close by. At $25 per day, it is a bargain, a private setting just a quarter mile from retail businesses. We played pickleball in town twice and again crossed paths with friends. Wayne and Jean are great pickleball players that we know from Palm Creek.

Moving on we spent two days in Page, Arizona. The Elks Lodge has 2 RV sites with 50 amps and 9 more with 30 amps.

Page was founded to house the workers for the Glen Canyon Dam that created Lake Powell.

The area is filled with beautiful rock formations, Mandy approved.

Wahweap Bay has docks full of hundreds of house boats. From the bay, visitors can travel the Colorado River into Lake Powell.

This was our third visit to Distant Drums RV Park. This pull in site was the one we had in October 2008.

Just 24 miles to Sedona, we spent Pete's 75th birthday in the town. We visited the Sedona Elks where we had planned to stay. However, with advice from others, we decided no. Driving through Sedona in the JeepShip, we were not convinced that the 67 foot MotherShip could have navigated the 12 roundabouts! Perhaps we will detail Sedona in a future travelogue.

From Distant Drums we finished the last leg of our Return to Palm Creek. Each RV stay from Washington to home was from 2 to 4 days, all less than 200 miles. Craig is right, it is a lovely way to enjoy the journey.

Now we are back at Palm Creek for 7 months. But, don't fear, we will still create interesting travelogues created out of thin air! Until then ...

With love, Pete, Ellen and Mandy

Photos from September 2023