Westward Bound - Glacier NP & Idaho Pre-Trip Planning
Welcome Back!
I want to give a big plug in for RoadTrippers, an online trip planning app that can be used on your laptop or mobile device, that has made route planning much easier and more enjoyable. I'll include a link to our overall route, as well links to the individual side trips in this blog.
Before we get into the daily blog posts, I thought I'd share my Pre-Trip Planning and Prep, which includes the trip overview, this year's transportation selection, weather/temperature expectations (for clothing choices), and the ever popular meal plan.
The Route - Technology Enhanced
We will start our journey from our home north of Houston, travel up through Montana and over to the west side of Glacier National Park, and then south through the eastern side of of Idaho. We'll stop between Idaho Falls and Pocatello for a few days and then continue southeast through Wyoming and Colorado. Along the way we will use several different overnight options, including some that are very low cost or even free!
I cannot say enough about RoadTrippers (not a paid endorsement). The free version is available to everyone and you can set up to five waypoints per trip. If you do frequent road trips, spring for the $29 annual fee. The application gives you the ability to see outdoor recreation options, attractions, shopping, dining - everything you could possibly want within the specified distance from your main route. You can also see what your expected fuel costs will be based on the type of vehicle you drive.
Along with RoadTrippers, we are utilizing some additional software options to help us find the best fuel prices. With a Class A motorcoach that sports a 130 gallon fuel tank, but only gets 7 miles to the gallon, this is very important. We signed up with TSD Logistics, a Texarkana based trucking company, for their Fuel Program where they have invited RV'rs to join their "fleet". By doing so they benefit and are able to negotiate better bulk diesel contracts, and are able to pass on those fuel savings for to both commercial drivers and RV owners. We have already found that we can save anywhere from $0.15 - $0.30 per gallon on our trip by using their designated fuel partners. We also utilize GasBuddy to check the rack rate - which is sometimes better than the TSD fleet options - and act as a supplement in areas where there is no TSD fuel partner.
Last but not least, I've made extensive use of Campendium - again another web based community organized resource that is free for use. Campendium is a one-stop-shop for locating all varieties of camping options, and allows you to narrow your search by location, amenities and cost. Even better, you get real reviews from real campers that are not shy with their opinions, fact checking and picture sharing. Want just a quick overnight stop that doesn't cost anything? Campendium will give you the free options - whether that is a rest stop, municipal park that allows camping, or even an RV friendly Wal-Mart parking lot. Feeling a little more boujee? Campendium can give you the low down on the nicest camping resort complete with full color photos. Highly recommended!
So as I've learned, even the best plan rarely survives contact with the enemy. No enemies, but change in the plan is inevitable. We have about 2-3 days of slack that we can reschedule in case we find an area that we just really want to explore. In spite of being a "planner", I am learning to be more open to serendipity and unexpected changes.
The Transport - New & Improved
For those of you that joined us for last year's journey, you recall that we rented a bumper pull travel trailer from a local Houston dealership. If you are not travelling frequently but have a vehicle that can safely pull a trailer, this is a great option. Our motorcoach was still in the renovation process last year so we had to rent in order to take our trip. Thankfully, our motorcoach is now 98% complete, and definitely to the point that we can take her out.
We have lovingly dubbed our completely remodeled 40' motorcoach "Smokey" as an homage to how she started her life with us, her exterior paint scheme, and for those old enough to remember - the Burt Reynolds series. "Bandette" is our 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee that we are towing four-down behind the coach. More on Smokey and Bandette is to come as they really need an episode of their own.
The Pack - Weather, Climate & Clothing
Packing for this trip is definitely presenting some interesting challenges, as we are not only traversing different climates, but also spanning different seasons. August in Montana is not the same as August in Texas. While it's not predicted to be particularly "cold" while are there, we've been warned that weather can turn on a dime as they move from high summer to early fall. We are planning on average highs in the low 70s and lows in the mid-40s in Montana. Extremely nice weather for sure.
West Glacier, Montana
As you can see the weather just outside of Glacier National Park will be warm and sunny in the day and cool at night. However, the temperatures inside the park can vary up to twenty-degrees depending on your location and elevation in the mountainous terrain. Even at a zero percent chance of rain, it is suggested that visitors plan for some type of precipitation, pack plenty of water, and wear clothing and footwear that dries quickly.
Blackfoot/Arco, Idaho
Right now the weather service has a very similar forecast for the Arco, Idaho area, but these things are always subject to change, and specific locations can have micro-climates that you have to plan for. It will be a little warmer in Idaho with the temps near 85 for the high and high 40's for the low. Always read travel guides, online reviews and talk to others that have travelled the areas to know what to pack and what unique attractions, events or restaurants to add to your trip.
The Menu - Food on the Go
A Class A motorcoach provides much more flexibility when it comes to boondocking. Boondocking is a term used among campers where you are parked in a location where there are no water, electric or sewer hook ups. In order to help keep costs down (and since several days of our journey are just about getting from Point A to Point B) we will be staying at highway rest stops. With the motorcoach, we literally pull into the spot, drop the levelers and turn on the generator - all from inside the vehicle. Now there is some general etiquette when at rest stops that I'll talk about later, but cooking and sleeping are made much easier and cheaper than if we had to find an RV park every night.
So, what's on the menu? I learned quite a bit from last year's trip. Keep it simple. I don't have to cook gourmet dishes at every meal. For the first few days, especially where the routine is wake up - eat - drive - eat - sleep, I'm making full use of some of my favorite one-pot wonders that use frozen or some shelf-staple products that I really like. Last year, we usually ran through whatever local fast food option was on our route for lunch. That's not really an option with a 13' tall motorhome, so I have to plan ahead a little more. The intent is to pull into a rest station or out of the way at a fuel station to eat something prepared the night before that can be eaten cold or quickly heated in the microwave. I typically jooze the recipe with some fresh herbs and seasonings, but I do value convenience in situations like this. I've saved the more labor intensive meals for those days we are actually in camp and have the time to enjoy the cooking process.
I've also added one particular piece of cooking equipment that will come in handy and help take some of the labor out of the cooking process. I'm brining my InstantPot which can be used just like a traditional slow cooker, but also as a pressure cooker if I need to speed up the process. For things like the beef stew, and even baked potatoes, the InstantPot is a lifesaver. I can put the items on to cook for a specified length of time, knowing that it will revert to a lower "holding" temp when the main cooking time is done, thereby giving us dinner as soon as we get back to the campsite. Gotta love technology!
Phase 1
- Breakfasts
- Pancakes and Lil' Smokies
- Blueberry Streusel Muffins
- Bacon, Egg and Potato Breakfast Tacos
- Cinnamon Coffee Cake and Yogurt Parfait
- Eggs Benedict English Muffin Sandwiches
- Buttermilk Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
- Waffles and Bacon
- Lunches
- Garden or Pasta Salads
- Sandwiches
- Soup/Chili
- Tacos/Burritos
- Local Restaurants
- Dinners
- Travel Days (One Pot Meals)
- Shrimp & Sausage Jambalaya
- Beef & Broccoli Noodle Bowls
- Tamales with Rice & Beans
- Blackened Chicken Alfredo
- Camp Days
- Bison Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries
- Fried Chicken Breasts, Mashed Potatoes and Green Peas
- Grilled Trout, Rice Pilaf and Mixed Vegetables
- Beef Roast, Carrots and Potatoes with Cornbread
Phase 2
- Breakfasts
- Sweet Cream Cinnamon Rolls and Bacon
- Ham and Potato Hash with Eggs
- Southwest Scramble Bowls
- Banana Nut Bread and Yogurt Parfait
- Avocado Toast with Poached Eggs
- Breakfast Chops with Grits, Red-Eye Gravy and Buttermilk Biscuits
- Lunches
- Garden or Pasta Salads
- Sandwiches
- Soups/Chili
- Tacos/Burritos
- Local Restaurants
- Dinners
- Travel Days (One Pot Meals)
- Taco Soup with Cornbread
- Beef Stroganoff
- Camp Days
- Grilled Bratwurst, Baked Beans and Potato Salad
- Sweet & Sour Pork, Fried Rice and Egg Rolls
- T-Bone Steaks, Baked Potatoes and Grilled Asparagus
- Shrimp and Grits with Green Salad
Other Gear
Along with the RV and Jeep (which are the main items of "gear" this year), we have a few additional items that we've added to make camping easier and more fun.
- Board and card games
- Books
- Mobile Cable TV Service
- Portable Grill with Griddle Insert
- Hammock Camping Chairs
- Trekking Poles
- Bicycles
- Solar Panels (to keep the house batteries topped off during the drive and for boondocking
That pretty much rounds out the preliminaries, and sets the tone for our upcoming trip. So, I invite you to join us over our 16 day trip and enjoy the scenery and activities that we encounter. Also, drop us a note below if there are some must-see places you know of, or want more info about a place you see on our trip.
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