Washington to Ohio — Travel Diary Day 1

Monday, June 13, 2022

Disclaimer — I documented our travels in June 2022 as we drove to Ohio from the state of Washington in the old Winnebago Sightseer RV. As I read through it, I thought it was a great documentation of the ups and downs, trials and successes of daily traveling in an RV full-time. I hope you enjoy it.

Monday, 6/13/22

Today we leave the beautiful state of Washington and head home to Ohio. It was not a good start to the day. Last night when Rich loaded the car on the dolly, he must have accidentally hit the emergency brake in the car cause when we started to pull out of the campsite we were literally dragging the car. The brake was stuck and it took him several tries to release it.

As we took off with a bit of a jerk, his coffee spilled on his lap. We have to get him a new cup holder for his side. He was not happy.

We pulled into the Costco down the road because some people had recommended it and said the gas was much cheaper at only $5.19 instead of $6 per gallon. It was difficult to get in there only to find out you have to be a member to get gas there. They failed to mention that we had to be a member.

When we left Costco he missed the turn back to the highway and had to go around the block on pretty small roads to get back. A few tree limbs rubbed along the side of the motor home and sounded like they were scratching it.

Once we got back on the highway he tried to get into a 76 gas station and almost missed the driveway hitting the curb and running one tire of the motorhome and the dolly right over the curb. That didn’t sound so good. And holy cow, the price of gas was $5.97. Maybe a Costco membership would be worth the price.

I hope that is the end of the issues today. Gas was $110.00 to fill up.

Highway 16 South from Gig Harbor, Washington over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge which cost $12.50 toll to cross one way, then to 5 east, to 18 east, to I-90 east.

Finally on I-90 east at 9:00 am. Traffic was slow and horrible around Seattle.

It is raining so that makes it worse. We pulled over at the first rest area we saw at 9:30 am. I can’t take any photos.

The snow capped mountains are absolutely gorgeous east of Seattle and I-90 is filled with amazing views. I didn’t take any photos because it is raining so hard and the windows are fogging up. The road is torn up quite a bit, full of little holes, and bumpy. Rich says it is probably because of the chains they have to put on their tires when the road is snowy and icy.

I’ve noticed the taller mountains are getting further away from the highway now and the sun is beginning to shine. The gray skies seem bright. Too bright. I had to put my sunglasses on.

Oh my gosh, the roads are so bumpy! It is ridiculous. We are going to have to put a bungie cord across the front tv to hold it in place. It sounds like it is going to fall off the bracket.

Wow, the road just curved and opened up to beautiful rolling hills, cattle ranches, lots of grass, and very few trees. But a lot of windmills.

Man, I wish he would stay out of the right lane. It is terrible with pot holes and it looks like they have deliberately grooved the lane for traction maybe. It has been constant. It is driving me nuts.

Finally, the ruts in the road are gone. We have left the mountains totally behind us. Maybe that’s why.

10:45 am — We pulled into a Pilot truck stop and Rich had trouble getting into the gas pump the correct distance away. He couldn’t reach the gas tank, can’t back up, and had to pull around again. I know we are new at this, and he is still learning, but I am so frustrated today. Some days we have no problems, and then some days are like today.

At least gas is only $5.19 here. Total cost $114.00

Oh my God!!! He pulled out of Pilot and missed his turn again. I wonder what he is thinking. Oh well, back on I-90 at 11:05.

We are stopping at Wild Horses Monument in Quincy, Washington to take a break. It is so windy. I can’t believe how windy it is. I downloaded a wind-o-meter app and it says the winds are gusting to 30 mph and they are blowing from the side so it is hard for him to steer and keep it on the road. This motor home is like driving a box down the road. His arms are tired and he needs a break.

Western Washington is completely different from Eastern Washington. It seems like a whole different topography, climate, and views. Different environments. I can’t get over the complete lack of trees here. Maybe trees would help block the wind.

What now — the awning came unhooked somehow from the wind blowing so strong and Rich climbed up on the roof to look and try to fix it. We went ahead and ate lunch here. The monument is cool.

He said it looks like the awning is torn, but he got it hooked and it should stay. Left Wild Horses Monument at 12:15 pm.

I am so glad that Forest has finally gotten to the point where he will lay down as we travel down the road. He isn’t pacing near as much today.

The wind has finally died down and we are booking it at 70 mph. Nice driving and making some good time.

We met some really nice people in Washington and made some friends. I am glad we friended each other on Facebook so we can stay in touch. I really liked them. If we lived in Washington full time we would spend a lot of time with them.

Finding new friends is one of the best things about living in the RV full time and traveling. Maybe we will make friends in every state. That would be cool.

Stopped at Schrag Rest Area Eastbound at 1:15 pm. Back on the road at 1:30. I dumped all four of the ice cube trays in the toilet to see if it will clean it out. I remember some people recommended doing that and we forgot to do it when we left.

Raining like crazy again as we go through Spokane. Made it to Idaho at 3:15 pm. Still raining.

Taking Exit 2 to get gas again at Love’s. Only $5.04 but it cost $124.00 to fill up. Stayed in the parking lot to cook supper. Had cheddar brats with onions and mustard, and warmed up some leftover broccoli and rice.

Pulled out of Love’s at 4:50 pm. He wants to go another hour or so down the road. I think we should stay at Love’s. He is tired and it’s still raining. The rain seems to just be following us.

I-90 in Idaho is beautiful. I wish it wasn’t pouring down rain. The windows keep half fogging up and it is difficult to see. I can’t take hardly any pictures.

We just hit the Montana State line at 6:20 pm and now it is snowing. What the crap. We stopped at the first rest area in Montana. Dena Mora Rest Area Eastbound. What is wrong with him? It is 6:50 pm and he wants to keep driving. Now the snow is more of a rain with snowflakes in it.

I just got a signal and it says that all the entrances to Yellowstone National Park are closed because of the rain. Water and floods have washed out bridges and roads. Oh well. We are still going to go to the campground cause I already paid for it. I’m sure we can find something to go see.

We just lost an hour and instead of 7:50 pm it is now 8:50 pm. Finally, he agreed to stop. I don’t like driving after dark. We pulled into the Quartz Flats Rest Area Eastbound. Sleeping here for the night.

Stay tuned for Day 2 of this trip. Thanks for reading. If you would like to read more of our travel stories you can find them all in the following link.