We first met Don and Kim at an FMCA rally in Gillette, Wyoming in 2013. We were there doing our Geeks on Tour seminars and they were there promoting their company, Harvest Hosts. (they have since sold Harvest Hosts and are now retired.) We hit it off right away and were fascinated to hear their stories of RVing in Europe, Africa, South America, Australia and more. I don't think we've ever met anyone as well traveled as they are. Don would tell how he would just use Google Earth and look at the satellite views of the local landscape when they were RVing in Turkey. When he saw a likely place to park, that's where they would go. What amazing experiences they've had. When they heard we were going to Croatia in 2017, they said we had to visit Plitvice - we did, and how right they were! Whenever possible, we'll follow their advice.
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Plitvice Lakes in Croatia in 2017 |
Don even wrote a book: Americas Overland. The term "overland" is used to indicate driving adventures off the beaten path. They are way more adventurous than us! We've visited them at their home in Arizona and they've visited us in Florida, but we've always wanted to see them in their 'natural habitat' of boondocking somewhere. Our opportunity finally came this summer after the Escapade in Rock Springs, WY. Don and Kim planned a few weeks in their RV heading north from Arizona, and the goal was to meet up with us somewhere south of Rock Springs. That spot turned out to be in the Flaming Gorge area. They sent us the coordinates on Google Maps and we followed the directions from our Google Maps. True to form, they were not parked in any campground, just on a dead-end forest road with a gorgeous view. It was thrilling to follow the directions and find their truck camper RV parked at the end of the road.



After a delightful happy hour, dinner, and generally catching up, we determined that they would lead and we would follow the next few days! Oh boy!
We made one standard stop at the visitor's center, then they took of on a side road - a loop - through the 'geologic area.'
After that beautiful side trip, we went back up to highway 80 and west to Evanston where we took a smaller road headed south thru the Uintah-Wasatch Forest and some pretty high mountains.
There, Don had researched on Google Earth, and iOverlander and maps.me I believe, to find a "dispersed camping" parking spot just off the road. When we first pulled in there were already a few campers already there, but after a while the one by the river left - giving us one of the best campspots ever!
Here is an aerial photo that Don took with his drone. I love how this perspective gives you the true picture of where we are! And, his drone is just so tiny. Jim's is large enough that he doesn't even bother to bring it with us. I told him that he needed to buy one of these little guys (DJI mini2) so we can take photos like this!
Don and Kim even got us on a hike! We used to hike a lot, but it's been years.
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Nice happy hour spot, right? |
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And, great Sunday brunch too. |
Loved it! Thanks Don and Kim. Can't wait to do it again.