On The Meandering Road: July 2017

May 10, 2017 - Fort Hall, ID to Three Forks, MT

Even though the weather was beautiful and perfect for our short morning outing before checking out of the RV park we decided not to visit Pocatello, ID and Blackfoot, ID because it would mean arriving Three Forks, MT very late in the afternoon. Besides that, I had to make a videophone call to my bank to have them check on one transaction that was not made by me. The bank advised me to wait until tomorrow morning to call again because the transaction was still pending.

We left Fort Hall Casino/RV Park at 10:45 am. We got on I-15 North toward Idaho Falls, ID, and from there we exited to get on Highway 20 toward Rexburg, ID. On Highway 20 we pulled into a parking area at Mt Two Top area, south of Harriman State Park, to have lunch.

We took Route 87 from Highway 20, then Highway 287 toward Three Forks, MT. The drive was very lovely. The snowcapped mountains delighted our eyes, and we knew we were home!

It was at 3:15 pm when we pulled into Town & Pump Gas Station on Highway 287, so we can unhook the Jeep before we head over to Keri and Dustin’s house. Erwin had no trouble parking our Lil’ Home at the property.

It was good to see Keri, Dustin and their six children again. It had been 5 months that we were away from here, but it felt like it was over a year.

Tonight the full flower moon was beautiful, presented a nice color of pink. It rose above the mountains, making it a perfect background for photography.

~~Edith

May 9, 2017 - Payson, UT to Fort Hall, ID

We slept in this morning. We were not in a hurry to hit the road. Phoebe served us breakfast and we chatted for several hours before hitting the road at 1 pm.

Phoebe told us about the back road to take, so we went on it to get to I-15 N. Beautiful snowcapped mountains along the interstate. It will probably be in early June that the snow will melt. Traffic was not bad after going through several cities including Salt Lake City, UT.

Erwin started to feel tired and hungry, so we pulled into parking area, south of Ogden, UT, to eat lunch. While on a break Erwin made a call to Fort Hall Casino/RV Park to see if they have an available campsite for us, and they said they have it and put us on the list. After lunch I took over the driving, drove for over 40 miles, so Erwin can rest a bit.

We pulled into Plymouth, UT to get diesel fill-up. At that time Erwin was feeling better and ready to take over.

We made it to Idaho State line at 5 pm. 80 more miles to Fort Hall, ID where we will spend the night.

We arrived Fort Hall Casino/RV Park in Fort Hall, ID at 6:30 pm. They had already assigned us to B2 site that is close to the casino. Before pulling into the site we had to unhook the Jeep, so Erwin can get the Lil’ Home in a rather tight space. There were next door campers sitting on the lawn right next to our site. I had to ask them to please move to a better location, so we can get in/get out of the LH. One female camper, with a disgusted look on her face, resented my request and said “Do I have to move?”. I just stood there and said nothing, and she got the hint, moved her chair further away. Some campers have no RV etiquette.

After settling down we went to Fort Hall Casino building to register for the campsite. Regular nightly rate is $27, but with Good Sam discount it came down to $22.50.

After supper we went out for a walk around the campground. The sun was setting while the almost full moon was rising. Tomorrow night it will be a full moon. The sunset was very beautiful.

Sky hook holding up the moon!

We did not go inside the casino tonight because we did not have enough cash on hand and wanted to save it for tomorrow’s trip to Three Forks, MT

May 8, 2017 - Mona & Payson, UT

The sky darkened over the mountain ranges in the West. The weather app called for 20% chance of rain this morning.

Phoebe was away when we were up. I was out taking pictures of the mountains and the sky when Phoebe got back after dropping kids off at school.

Phoebe served brunch before we three went out to visit Young Living farm in Mona, UT. Last night Phoebe's son told her that he thinks the egg he just collected may have double yolks because it was rather big. Sure enough, two yolks came out of an egg.

I was very interested in learning more about Young Living (YL) essential oils. In the past I used Doterra, but found that YL essential oils seem to appeal to me more. Erwin's nieces, Wenonah, Phoebe and Sarah, have been using them.

YL was founded in 1993 by Donald Gary Young, a former CEO and now a writer, is headquarterd in Mona, UT. Donald Gary's wife, Mary Young is now CEO after he resigned as CEO to pursue his other interests. Visitors can come visit the farm anytime of the year. The best time to visit the farm is when lavender are ready to be harvested, processed and distilled between late July and mid- August.

Portrait of Doug and Mary Young

YL was harvesting juniper at the time of our visit. The guide, Rena, took us on a tour, explained the procedure of harvesting and distilling. She took us to the laboratory where oils are tested for purity.

Juniper being pressed in a steamed container

After all the oils are extracted the juniper is removed
from the container and transported to a truck

Rena explained the procedure of pressing

We were led to the floor down below where essential oils
are being separated from water

Juniper Oil

Essential Oils kept cold and tested for purity

Rockingham Castle

Rockingham Castle where annual jousting
event is held at

Lavender Field

Taking a Percheron out for a walk

Percheron

Mama and her foal

Braided Mane

Percheron Stable

Percheron Horseshoe is bigger than Erwin's hand!

Letting go of my sensibilities?

Young Living store

Phoebe explaining about Starter Kit with
12 essential oils

After getting back from the tour at YL Phoebe showed us how to make fresh mozzarella from scratch. She uses Ree Drummond's recipe at thepioneerwoman.com. Erwin loves having caprese salad because he is allergic to all kinds of lettuce. The procedure was not that hard, easy to do. I will have to try make it later during our travel.

Here is your fresh mozzarella!

Erwin and I need haircut badly and decided to go to Great Clips in Payson, UT. While on way to the town the train was stopped for a long while, and we waited like 15 minutes before we noticed some vehicles turning around and driving on a side road. We followed them; however, the route was longer than the one we were one, but we wanted to get moving.