I pulled out of Spokane right on time Sunday afternoon and headed east on I-90. I haven’t gone that direction in many moons. I don’t care where I am going, it is just awesome being on the road.  Right off, I had to cross two passes (4th of July pass and Lookout Pass). The section of I-90 between CdA and Missoula is stunning, much like 1-70 across the Rockies in Colorado. Like the old Colorado, before all the resorts and development. And, since most of I-90 along here goes through National Forest, it should stay undeveloped.

I only needed to travel about 150 miles, which would put me close to Missoula and the RV dealer (minor warranty repairs). Where to camp? I planned to figure it out as I go. I know from traveling other Montana highways that I will see plenty of signs that say “National Forest Access”.

Rest area stop

If you have traveled the turnpikes in the Midwest, you know all about rest stop islands that lie between east and westbound lanes (or north/south). They were road trip classics in 1972 when I took my first major trips. Well, along the stretch of I-90 that I followed, I found something even better: National Forest Campgrounds just off the Interstate. They clearly cater to road trippers/RVers needing a quick overnight stop (no hookups). They are super cheap, only $10/night ($5 with my senior pass). We pulled over at the second campground and settled in for a long sleep.

As I mentioned, I am planning to be more observant of the people I see and/or meet on the road. This day, I observed while driving. The best was a couple heading to Sturgis, in SD. I know this because the car window was adorned with a sign: “Sturgis or Bust”. The woman drove the car and was towing a small, motorcycle trailer, and she closely followed the man, who was driving the motorcycle. Such a deal! Driving your motorcycle while wifey pulls the trailer, in case you get tired or it rains.

The other interesting sight was a string of 12 antique cars. They were old, old, like 30s or 40s. Those cars were traveling at a decent clip, up Lookout Pass.  At a rest stop, I met some cute old Marines (think Gibbs on NCIS). They served me coffee and a cookie! Flirt, flirt.

In the non-human category, a female moose takes the prize. I had crested Fourth of July Pass and looked to the right. There she was, unaccompanied, strolling along as only a moose can do.

On this day, I was very happy that I had small bills and quarters stashed in the van console (some machines have V8 now). I also used several phone apps, including the Pilot/Flying J finder, weather finder, and one of my camp finder apps (looking ahead).

Something else to share with people thinking about RVing: have a place for everything and put it there when not in use. I learned this a few months ago. I gave myself time to get things where I wanted them and then decided to leave things as they are. It makes finding things so much easier. Keys go on a hook, dish towels, sponges, plastic bags in a cabinet, electronic stuff in a small cubby near the floor, books on the ledge. Each type of clothes has a spot. Purse goes on a special hook. The outside storage is organized in three cubbies: sewing stuff in one, tools in another, hookup stuff in the other. All of this is to say, without a place for everything, stuff gets lost. That is bad enough when you are home, and enormously frustrating on the road.

Onward!