The Last Week Before Our Alaskan Adventure Begins

July 6-11, 2016

Last Wednesday we moved to Goose Bay Marina and Campground near Helena MT on Canyon Ferry Lake. This is a new campground with a multitude of site types, set up in a typical fashion, either circles or long rows and most sites have plenty of spacing. We took site C7 which was electric only, seeing as we were only there for 3 nights we knew we didn't need full hookups. One of the big reasons we stopped here was it was only about 20 miles from the nearest Costco, we needed to get some provisions before heading north. 

Soon after arriving and getting set up we made the Costco Walmart run, then we never left the campground except on our power walks. Afternoons spent outside reading, campfires after dinner and Dave drowning worms. The last of our kicking back days.

Scenes from around the campground

Scenes from our 7.2 mile power walk 

On Saturday we made the drive up to Great Falls to the caravan rendezvous at Dick's RV Park. We were all asked to be in a few days early so rig inspections could take place. Since we've been here we've been getting stuff done for our international travels. Wifi and phones are set for traveling into Canada, credit card companies notified and insurance stuff done. The truck got it's oil and differential fluid changed and other fluids checked.


Sunday morning the rig passed inspection by the tail gunner and we're ready to go. A meeting with the tail gunner and wagon master's wives to go over a few things, a happy hour meetup with those already here and it looks like it should be a good group of people. 22 rigs including the wagon master and tail gunners, 4 5th wheels and 18 motorhomes of various sizes, 47 people in the group. There's even another Grand Design Solitude 5th wheel, same make as ours,  on our trip, haven't seen too many these past few months. In talking with Shari, one of the wagon masters, it appears we have some mutual friends as they are also owners at Gulf Waters Beachfront Resort in Port Aransas TX, another one of those small world moments.

Sunday afternoon we decided to get a power walk in since we wanted to go out for a Chinese dinner. Looking at the map provided by the rv park showed a bike path that led down to the Missouri River, once we got there we found the Rivewalk loop path, by the time we got back to the rv we had walked 8 miles in just over two hours.

When ever we see old rail yards and train stuff I think of my dad, this rail yard was near the bike path.






We did go out to Maple Garden for a Chinese dinner, what a great choice in restaurants we made, portions are large enough to share or for a second meal. Took care of our Chinese craving for awhile and if we are ever in the area we'll go back, alas no pictures too busy eating the great food.

Monday a few last things got taken care of and tomorrow is the official first day of the caravan. Wednesday we head into Canada.

Until next time...