Day 1 on the Mickelson Trail: Deadwood to Rochford

What a lovely day!!! We drove to Deadwood to let off three of us: Kim, Deb, and Leslie. Then the next three drove down to Rochford to ride towards us.

Kim, Deb, and Leslie rode all the hill climbing turns to arrive at each false summit to continue rolling on. The scenery was delightful with ponderosa pines, aspens, green fields, wild flowers, red wing black birds, and even a white tailed doe that jumped across the trail in front of Kim.

We met Tam, Barb and Paula when we were about 8 miles from our endpoint. We shared a lunch and hints on what to look for as we each continued in the direction we were heading.

Gillette, Wy to Hill City, South Dakota

Well yesterday morning arrived to a major wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour. We tried to depart only to have a sign on I90 read that RVs under 20,000 lbs should EXIT the freeway. Since we weigh 11,000 we returned to the campground.

Deb, Tam and we played a couple rounds of Rummycube while watching the weather and WYDOT. 90 minutes later it had calmed down and we started again. This time we started on state route 51, which is a two lane road that parallel’s I90. We figured it wasn’t at the top of the plains, so would get less wind. We were right.

We rolled into Hill City around 1:30, followed by Tam & Deb. Then, not a half an hour later Kim & Barb arrived from Colorado. We are now six! Great fun. After catching up and discussing our bike riding we headed out to dinner at a steak place. Yummy dinner!!

Today we do our first bicycling on the Mickelson Trail. More soon…

Billings, Montana to Gillette, Wyoming

 240 miles today across rolling green hills filled with cattle and pronghorn.

We had planned to stay at a Mead/Brewery in Gillette, but the parking was a bit tight. So we went over to the High Plains RV Resort. Not a bad price, and a pull thru space for Tam & Deb. They unhooked their Jeep, and we all headed into town to explore. First stop was ice cream — yummy! Our shopping attempts were thwarted because it’s a Monday so most of the shops were closed. Next we went over to the Big Lost Meadery which is where we had hoped to stay as Harvest Host guests. Tam, Paula & I had a beer, which Deb enjoyed her Mountain Dew.

While we had been on the street, we asked a local where the best Mexican food was. She directed us to Freda’s House. Everything was delicious! We even had sopapillas for dessert. A first time for Tam & Deb — two new converts!

Here are some photos we took in town:

 

Food Coma!!

Three Forks, Montana to Billings, Montana

Today’s route was only 172 miles, but unfortunately it felt longer. Paula and I determined that our RV will only charge the coach lithium batteries when we’re plugged into shore power. When we’re driving or when the generator is running, the batteries are not being charged. We suspect a relay/solenoid has failed from the chassis to the coach batteries, but we’re a bit stumped. Tomorrow we’ll try one more thing, and then put a call into Thor.

We arrived at our Harvest Host overnight site, Canyon Creek Brewing, that we realized we had stayed at in 2018 on our cross country trip. Then we decided that we should go to the local KOA so that we could have shore power to recharge. Darn! Not money we wanted to spend.

Thankfully Tam & Deb had unhooked their Jeep from the motorhome, so they came to the KOA to get us so we could all enjoy a brew and an exciting round of Five Crowns. Of course I lost famously, earning over 100 points more than the closest other competitor; low score wins. Ah well, they got all the wild cards!

On their way to pick us up, we all watched the skies get darker and darker. Just after they picked us up, the heavens opened up for a short hail storm. This was a first for Tam & Deb. Not one they would prefer to repeat. 

So far on our trip we have traveled from Sequim to Vantage, Wa to Cataldo, Id to Three Forks, Mt to Billings, Mt. Here’s the map… Tomorrow it’s on to Gillette, Wyoming.

Cataldo, Id to Three Forks, Montana

314 miles today over multiple passes, through several one-lane construction zones to a reward at Bridger Brewing in Three Forks. The adage that there are only two seasons in this area — Winter and Road Construction —was definitely in evidence. Once we arrived at the brewery, the beer was good, and the dinner delicious.

Our departure from Cataldo was uneventful, and we climbed up to Mile 0 where the Hiawatha trail starts. We’re doing this trail when we four are joined by Kim and Barb, Diane, and Ann and Sandy after our Mickelson Trail adventure.

Not many photos today — will try for more tomorrow…

Vantage, Wa to Cataldo, Id

 The previous evening and night heralded super strong winds — so forceful that even though we parked facing into the wind, the RV shook through most of the night.  It felt like we were on a rough sea with strong waves. Not much sleep was had.

But the sun rise was gorgeous!

Poor Tam & Deb had trouble getting one of their slide-outs back in this morning. After some research and troubleshooting Tam found a connection that had gotten loose. By reconnecting it, the slide came back in. Whew!

We drove 207 miles today to arrive at the Coeur d’Alene RV Park in Cataldo, Id, with a stop in Spokane at a truck wash. Our RV had endured the trip north from Arizona, and Washington pollen season, so the full wash was necessary. It looks much better now. We’ll wash it again upon our return. Money well spent.

Our stop for the night is at the Coeur d’Alene RV Park. We’ve stayed here before when coming to TOT. I believe they have either changed hands, or invested in a huge remodel. All the streets are now paved, and the restroom/shower rooms have been completely redone. Much, much better!!

Tomorrow we’re off to Three Forks, Montana, a trip of 314 miles.

Next Biking/RV Tour

 Welcome All! This is day one of our 2026 adventure. The goal is to ride the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota, the Trail of the Coeur d’Alene in Idaho, the Hiawatha in Idaho, and whatever else pops up.

We’re traveling in our Thor Compass Go, with our Trek Marlin +8s nicely stowed in the inside cargo area under the bed. No trikes on this trip, but we’re still riding them in the Pacific Northwest.

Our friends, Tam & Deb, are traveling with us in a beautiful class A that is nicknamed ‘The Mother Ship’. During inclement weather we’ll all be in the Mother Ship playing games waiting for the weather to clear.

In South Dakota we’ll meet up with Barb & Kim. They too have a ‘Mother Ship’, so we’re the little RV in the mix. And in Idaho we’ll have Ann & Sandy and Diane join us. Can you say bike and party all the time?!? We can!

Today we traveled from Sequim to Vantage, Wa. for about 240 miles. We’re staying at the Wanapum State Park which is 2.5 miles off of I90. Lovely campground on the water. Very quiet except for the strong winds. Thankfully we’re parked into the wind. More tomorrow as we head for Cataldo, Idaho.

 Of course I brought homemade cinnamon rolls. We baked them in Tam & Deb’s oven, and had to have one for dessert. (We couldn’t wait for our morning coffee, although I’m sure we’ll sample some more then.)