The Expedition Begins

We started our expedition by making a short hop to Reno and hooking up at the Grand Sierra Resort. After a day of packing, we got there just after dark, and did a quick set up then hit the hay. We would get an early start in the morning.

On the road finally the next morning, we headed out through Nevada on our first interstate trip in the Ahwahnee. Jeanne's sister Lorie named it that after we sent her a picture. It reminded her of the famous Ahwahnee lodge in Yosemite NP. Actually, I kind of agree. Kim and I were both pretty exhausted, but it felt very good to finally be on the road after all the planning and anticipation. We headed east on Interstate 80 and turned north at Wells, toward  Idaho. Just before the border, we swung into a cute little rest stop and took a nice break. Pretty country, but nothing like what we were headed for.

We hit the road headed through Nevada for Idaho!

This was a rest stop just outside of Jackpot NV. Kim was cooling
her feet, and checking out the "Little Fishies".

As we drove north through Idaho, the vegetation got more lush, and the land more mountainous. The last time Kim and I had been in this part of the country was when we made our 3 month tour in Ol' Jack back in 1976-77. It was very beautiful, and hauntingly familiar. Finally, we pulled into Stanley Idaho for fuel and a leg stretch. What a pretty little town. Checking the map we were only about an hour from our first camp site, Bonneville CG on the Boise National Forest. Knowing Forest Service campgrounds, I was a little worried that we would be able to fit the Ahwahnee in the spot, but Kim the planner assured me we were golden. Turned out she was absolutely correct!

We finally made it to Stanley Idaho and got our first view of
the Sawtooth Mountains. We took a hike the next day up into
these beautiful mountains.

 On our arrival, the camp host was waiting and waved us into or site, which we slid into without effort. Lari helped direct me, and we had the unit set up in less than 20 minutes. Larie and Katie had the coals all going and were just taking some meat off the grill, so we threw on some pork chops, and popped open a bottle of wine. It was great to be settling in after pulling our second home all that way. It trails very nicely, but it is still a big and heavy coach to be pulling.

We made it to camp at Bonneville Campground
on the Boise National Forest. Grilled pork fillets,
asparagus, and black eyed peas! That's Lari's
BMW Dual Sport bike in the background.

Oh yea, and a little vino to wash it all down

Lari has a 5th wheel "toy hauler". This is a cool machine that includes a garage in the back where you can stash all the motorized toys you want to bring along on those vacation trips. Lucky for me, Lari volunteered to bring along my Kawasaki Vulcan 800. All I had to do was supply tie downs, and help load and unload.

This was our friend Lari's (for Larimore) 5th wheel toy hauler.
It had a ten foot deep garage in the back that held both our
motorcycles.

After dinner, we stayed up late around the fire catching up, and planning the next few day's activities. Katie was set on taking a trail hike (about 10 miles) up to a place called Sawtooth Lake. It is right above the town of Stanley, so it would take about an hour back track to get to the trail head. Ten miles sounded pretty challenging, but after they hauled my bike all that way, I readily agreed to the hike. We could get on the bikes another day. 

Here's Big Red and the Ahwahnee all set up right next to the
creek, and within a short distance of some very nice mineral
 hot springs. I still think you can't beat Forest Service campgrounds.

We finally headed off to our luxurious vacation cabin and the full queen sized bed. We slept great, anticipating the next days adventure.

That's All!