Monday morning...Mountain Home.
The rally is over. We finished Friday evening. We spent Saturday and Sunday sleeping in and taking care of a few chores. So, what is a rally? Several have asked. It's a gathering organized by the owners of New Horizons RV's. Other RV brands have similar groups. We get together every eighteen months for fellow ship and exchange information about a variety of topics. Presentations are made by vehicle owners. Topics this year included tire safety and maintenance, use of solar panels, internet and cell phone communications and plumbing. All exciting stuff :-)! But critical pulling a rig like this and depending on all of these systems.
In addition, we plan visits to local places of interest. This year we spent a day at Mountain Home Air Force Base, visiting the 391st Fighter Squadron. The 391st flies F-15E Strike Eagle fighters. Pretty amazing aircraft that have dominated the skies for over three decades. During our visit to the base we were also given a demonstration by the canine security team. In addition to providing security for this base, these dogs and their handlers are deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Near the RV park's entrance we found a nest of a pair of red tail hawks. They were very skittish, but yesterday I was able to get close enough to take a few photos. These photos, together with photos from our visit to Mountain Home AFB can be found at
http://fbuhler.smugmug.com/Travel/New-Horizons-Rally-2010/11967383_9EpWC#861725355_Yej5a
We are still working on building the photo blog, but this page should work.
The news on our damaged slide isn't good. Since we haven't been able to figure out how to fix it with resources available in Idaho, we will head for the factory in Junction City, Kansas. That will add 2400 exciting miles to our journey! We will drive to Ogden today, and then decide whether to go through Denver or Cheyenne. Weather reports project snow around Denver and rain and thunderstorms around Cheyenne. Neither sounds attractive, but the grades along I-80 through Cheyenne are easier to handle. We'll make a decision tonight when we get to Ogden.
Our appointment at the factory is for next Monday, so we'll take a slow drive. Hopefully we can get everything squared away next week, and get back on the road for Alaska.
We hope that you will miss any extreme weather going and coming from Kansas. And that the Horizon experts can solve the slide problem.
The weather here is spring like, ie unpredictable. Today is 90% chance of rain, with a high of 43. Yesterday was nicer than predicted- clouds, some rain, but some blue sky, too. Nevada County is so beautiful.
Enjoyed your photos. The Red Tailed Hawks are lovely- especially enjoyed the in flight photo against a blue sky.
Travel safe, and Enjoy !
Posted by: Ellen | May 10, 2010 at 07:27 AM
Hi you guys!!! LOve seeing all your adventures, and sure hope you are being careful....Chris loved the Red Tailed hawk story!! We are jealous...it just started raining here after threatening all day on Mother's Day!!! Show is going great, and we are so grateful you were there...keep us posted on your travels!
Sue & Chris
Posted by: Plegate | May 10, 2010 at 07:38 AM
Enjoyed the Red Tailed Hawks (great resolution!) and the not so red tailed F-15's... shame that time's doing it's thing on them re performance and logistics!
Safe onward trip and fingers crossed on your visit to the Horizon people!
Louise + Werner
Posted by: Werner + Louise | May 10, 2010 at 08:23 AM