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Whale Watching Tour – Marking An Item Off Our Bucket List – Day 54

Before we left for our trip we often were asked what we were looking forward to doing the most, and I have to admit, going on a whale watching tour was definitely one of those items.

And on day 54, we were able to do just that. It all started just 25 miles north of Seattle in the city of Edmonds.

This is where we were able to board the ship for a half-day cruise. And I have to say, that the boat itself was simply gorgeous.

The heated, first floor cabin held enough seats for over 100 people. In the back of the cabin there was a galley where you could purchase hot beverages, snacks and sandwiches.

whale watching tour boat
The boat that we took on our whale watching tour.

And in the front of the cabin were 3 large screen televisions that you could follow the route of the trip. Plus, the screen also showed you the depth of the water below.

There were several outside decks that were layered and designed for optimal whale watching tours.

As we headed out through the port, there was a harbor seal near the side of the boat that seemed to be there just to send us off.

jim and mary whale watching
We headed to the front of the boat for a quick selfie in the middle of Puget Sound.

It was then that I knew that this whale watching tour was going to be simply amazing.

Whale Watching Tour Route

As we headed north along the waters of Puget Sound, we had no idea what to expect.

The Captain informed us that depending on the day and the season, whales can be spotted at any time.

whale blow hole
We kept looking for a large spout of water that comes from the blow holes of whales.

We had our eyes peeled out the windows for any signs of marine life. They even provided us binoculars to watch for sprays from blow holes, dorsal fins, and whale tails in the distance.

About an hour into the trip, we stopped at a location that was known for whale watching.

Everyone gathered along the decks with binoculars and watched for any signs that whales were present. The crew was perched on the top deck and had their trained eyes searching as well.

international waters
We headed into international waters in order to find whales.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t a whale in sight.

So after about 30 minutes, we headed back to the cabin and continued our journey north towards Victoria, Canada.

Within the next 30 minutes we crossed into International Waters where there were current reports from other ships that there were whales ahead.

Orca (Killer) Whales

As soon as the ship slowed down, everyone quickly gathered outside in anticipation of what we might see.

orca whale
We spotted a killer whale. Behind the dorsal fin you will see a unique marking which identifies each individual whale.

Off in the distance, past another whale watching boat, we saw our first glimpse of a whale.

The dorsal fin of a large Orca whale appeared above the water. The fin itself was greater than 5 feet tall. As it dove back under the water, we kept our eyes focused in the same area, knowing that it would probably reappear at any minute.

Then in the distance, we saw the spray of water shoot upward from the blow hole of another Orca whale.

We scanned the area and within just a few minutes, we were watching 5 different Orcas splashing in and out of the water. Each killer whale have unique markings around their dorsal fin and can be identified by name from the trained staff.

whale watching tour
You can see how large the dorsal fins can get on these killer whales.

The captain informed us that we were watching Mike, an Orca whale that was born in 1991.

We were both in awe at the beauty and the graceful movement of the whales as they moved above the water.

Humpback Whale Sightings

And within minutes, off in the distance, on the other side of the boat we saw two humpback whales. Although they have a small dorsal fin, the sheer size of them were breathtaking.

humpback whale
On our whale watching tour we got to see up close the sheer size of humpback whales.

Spanning nearly 60 feet in length, we saw a mother humpback whale swimming with her smaller calf.

But the most majestic view of the trip was seeing the tails of the whales appear out of the water and splash down on the surface of the water.

Here is where you can identify the name of each humpback whale, as they are named by the markings on the underside of their tails.

We were so lucky to view over a dozen humpback whales and 9 different Orcas while we were on our whale watching tour.

humpback whale tail
A humpback whale mother and her calf.

Honestly, we could have watched them all day long. They were so beautiful and to see them in their natural environment is a view that we will always cherish.

Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 54 of 365
  • States Visited 9 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments Visited : 10
  • Stayed In : Issaquah, Washington
  • Miles Driven : 68.9
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 6972.7
  • Total Gallons Used : 520.35
  • Biking Miles : 0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 128.4
  • Hiking Miles : 0
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 132.2

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

Seattle’s Iconic Pike Place Market – And A Bubble Gum Wall? Day 53

If there is one place we have both been looking forward to taking in during our time in the state of Washington, it was the Pike Place Market.

Located on the edge of Elliot Bay in Seattle, the public market has been in existence since August, 17th of 1907. Not only is it one of the oldest continuously operated farmers’ markets in the United States, but one of the largest and most vibrant.

And after taking in all of it today, we both can say it truly an amazing sight to behold. In fact, we hated leaving it!

the market
The Pike Place Market has every kind of fresh vegetable you can imagine, and so much more!

The market is comprised of nine acres of land that includes parts of Pike Street, Virginia Street, 1st Avenue and Western Avenue.

You name it, and this market has it! Butcher shops, fish shops and market stands with every kind of fresh vegetable and fruit imaginable. And then there are the artist stalls, donut stands, bakeries, musicians and restaurants with nearly any cuisine you could wish for.

The sights, the sounds, and the smells coming from it all are nothing short of intoxicating.

Visiting Seattle's Iconic Pike Place Market - And A Gum Wall
From fresh caught salmon, to every vegetable and fruit imaginable, the market has it all.

And the activity! In every direction, around every corner, there are waves of vendors and customers creating a scene that can’t help but energize you.

For us, with every level and every turn of a corner, there was something new to see and enjoy. And where else can you have a lunch of grilled salmon, fresh green beans and fresh fries made right in front of you? All for $9.99. (And incredibly delicious too!)

Pike Place Market
The sights, sounds and smells were incredible to take it. The market is filled with activity in every direction.

It is probably good we live 2471.6 miles from this place! We might never be able to stay away!

The Famous Fish Throw

A visit to the market wouldn’t be complete without stopping by to see the famous “Fish Toss” at Seattle’s Pike Place Fish Market.

It was great to finally witness the fish flying back and forth over the counter. (We shot a short video of the tossing to share below)

The tradition all started when the original owner decided it took nearly 100 steps to take a customer’s selection back to the scales to wrap up. So he tossed it over the counter instead to a pair of waiting hands.

And ever since, it has grown to a sightseeing spectacle that draws crowds of folks every day.

Seattle’s Gum Wall

Last but not least is the visit to Seattle’s gum wall.

There are beautiful things we get to see on the trip. There are interesting things we get to see on the trip. And then there are the downright unique. The gum wall certainly qualifies as unique!

Just outside of the market district, and in an alley on the brick wall of the Post Alley’s Market Theater – there is massive wall of gum. Yes, old, sticky, chewing gum.

The display is nearly 50 feet long, and stretches to heights that neither of us could figure out how they were ever actually put on the wall.

The tradition stated in the 1990’s, when people started sticking their used chewing gum on the wall. And the collection grew from there.

The gum wall went uncleaned for 20 years until 2015. It was steam-cleaned, and the bricks restored. And then the gum came again.

Today, people come from all over to have their photos taken at the gum wall, and to put their own gum in place.

I am sure you are wondering… The answer is no, we did not touch the wall. Or add any gum to it either. LOL

But it is one more memory and sight we can add to the trip, and we are certainly having fun with all of them!

And remember, if you happen to live in one of the 41 states we haven’t been to yet, head to our State Map, click on your state, and add to the list of things we should see in your great state in the comments section,

Your hints and suggestions have led to some of our best experiences so far. And we certainly can’t wait for more! Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary.

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 53 of 365
  • States Visited 9 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments Visited : 10
  • Stayed In : Issaquah, Washington
  • Miles Driven : 52.5
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 6903.8
  • Total Gallons Used : 519.02
  • Biking Miles : 0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 128.4
  • Hiking Miles : 4.2
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 132.2

A Trip to Snoqualmie Falls and A Washington Flower Farm – Day 52

Today we headed to one of the Pacific Northwest’s greatest natural wonders, Snoqualmie Falls.

This is the site that the Snoqualmie River plunges down 270 feet, over 10 stories higher than Niagara Falls.

And at the top corner of the falls, you can see the Snoqualmie River Hydroelectric Project. The energy generated from the water is powered by Puget Sound Energy.

The power company owns and maintains the popular 12-acre park and observation viewing decks in the immediate area.

observation deck
There are several observation decks at the parking area located at the top of the falls.

Once an area that held deep spiritual significance to this area’s native Snoqualmie people today, it remains a frothing, misty marvel to approximately 2 million annual visitors from around the world.

Snoqualmie Falls Featured On Twin Peaks T.V. Series

Although, you may already be familiar with the scenery. That is because the tumbling slow-motion waterfall seen on the opening credits of David Lynch’s television series Twin Peaks is actually the Snoqualmie waterfall.

Although the lower hiking trail and parking lot were closed due to water damage and construction, we were able to get an up close view from the top of the observation decks.

As you walk down the trail and even before you even can see the falls, you can hear the roar of the water crashing down to the river below.

snoqualmie falls trail
It is so nice to see the greenery around the trails at Snoqualmie Falls, even in late October.

Although, with just a short walk down a paved trail. the falls seem to appear out of nowhere.

The sheer power of the water toppling down over the rocks is simply breathtaking.

And off in the distance, you can see another area where water pours out from the bottom of the cliff into the river below.

Here we came to learn that this is the residual water that is recycled from Hydroelectric Plant One.

The leftover, clean, gushing water pours back into river and provides it’s own unique sense of beauty.

snoqualmie falls
If you look to the right of the main falls, you will see a gush of water falling out at the bottom of the rock. This is the recycled water from the hydroelectric plant one building.

The upper observation trails and deck also leads you above another smaller, but still majestic waterfall. Although you can’t get a great view of this smaller falls, it is amazing to hear the sound of the force of the water as it cascades below.

A Flower Farm

As we left the Snoqualmie Falls, we decided to stop at a local Flower Farm not too far from the Falls themselves.

We noticed the beautiful flowers that were planted in a low lying farm field as we drove through Fall City.

flower farm
The Kale Flowers are the only flowers left in bloom. As pretty as this sight was, it is hard to imagine how beautiful it would be to see in full bloom.

Both of us were amazed at the beauty and curious as to what the variety of flowers were, so we decided to stop and take a look.

Outside of a small red shed sat beautiful bouquets of flowers that were for sale.

We introduced ourselves to the polite young lady inside and asked if we could take a closer look at the flowers that were still growing in the field.

She informed us, that the only flowers left for the season were Kale Flowers. All of the other flowers were finished for the season and it was time to dig and work the soil in preparation for next year.

She graciously gave us permission to walk the fields. And in the back corner we came across the still growing, and absolutely beautiful Kale Flowers.

kale flowers
Kale flowers would make a great additional to any cut flower arrangement.

The flowers held various shades of white and purple hues that were simply gorgeous. Then the final row housed what looked like more traditional, purple kale leaves that were most likely used for ‘greenery’ in the bouquets.

Although these rows looked beautiful today, we both could only imagine what this Fall City Flower Farm looked like during the peak summer season.

However, this is the exact reason why we travel along the back roads of America as often as we can!

Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 52 of 365
  • States Visited 9 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments Visited : 10
  • Stayed In : Issaquah, Washington
  • Miles Driven : 50.9
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 6851.3
  • Total Gallons Used : 515.15
  • Biking Miles : 8.6
  • Biking Miles To Date : 128.4
  • Hiking Miles : 1.1
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 128.0

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

Starting Washington Off With A Drive Through Apple Country! Day 51

Although Mother Nature forced us to change our plans a bit again, at least it gave us the opportunity to drive through the heart of Apple Country in Washington on a beautiful sunny day!

Our original plan was to leave Idaho and enter Washington on Wednesday.

That of course all changed when the newest, latest and greatest “unprecedented early winter storm” came knocking.

the rolling hills of Washington
The drive from Clarkston, Washington to Issaquah, Washington was filled with every kind of scenery imaginable. From rolling mountains, rivers, streams and a bit of snow, to these sun-kissed beautiful farmlands in the Columbia Basin.

This storm has now pummeled the last 3 states we visited, including nearly a foot of snow in Denver. I guess we are quite fortunate those states are in our rear-view mirror now!

But with temps predicted in Idaho and eastern Washington to fall as low as 5 degrees in the coming days, it was time to move our camper (and us :)) to the warmer and safer pastures along the coast of Washington.

Going With The Flow

The good news is, that by leaving today, it allowed us to enjoy an incredibly sunny drive through Washington. And what a beautiful drive it was!

Washington apple country
We passed field after field of apple trees in the heart of Washington’s apple country. And with the leaves just turning on the trees, it made for quite the scenic drive.

The drive began with a little snow in the mountain pass just outside of Clarkston. But as we rolled through Columbia Basin & Wenatchee Valley, the skies couldn’t have been any more blue for our drive through apple country.

Apple season is of course coming to a close here, but the trees are magnificent to see sporting their autumn colors. The trees might be picked, but the processing and storage facilities are buzzing with activity.

As we drove along, you couldn’t help but be impressed with the massive amount of apple crates being shipped and stored.

Now that is a stack of apple crates! We stopped to take this photo at one of the many holding and processing plants along the drive. It is truly amazing to see how many apples are produced from the orchards in the state.

Columbia Basin sits in between the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Acres and acres of orchards are fed by the rivers crystal blue waters, and thrive in the rich soil created from past volcanoes.

As we continued to drive towards Seattle, we drove through the heart of apple country, Wenatchee Valley. Much like Columbia Basin, the valley is filled with apple trees in every direction you look.

A Peek At Mount Rainier

What really made the drive special was that every now and then, with the clear skies, Mount Rainier would come into view. It is hard to describe just how beautiful this massive, snow-capped mountain is.

What a view! We had just enough time to take a bike ride when we arrived in Issaquah, and we were rewarded with this view of snow covered Mount Rainier

We arrived in late afternoon to our campground in Issaquah. It will serve as our base camp for the next few days for quite a bit of sightseeing.

Tomorrow will include a visit to Snoqualmie Falls, and the days ahead will bring whale watching, a trip to the Space Needle, downtown farmer’s market, ferry rides and more!

Should make for some great memories! Here is to happy “warmer” traveling – Jim and Mary.

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 51 of 365
  • States Visited 9 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments Visited : 10
  • Stayed In : Issaquah, Washington
  • Miles Driven : 314.2
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 6800.4
  • Total Gallons Used : 511.31
  • Biking Miles : 10.2
  • Biking Miles To Date : 119.8
  • Hiking Miles : 0
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 126.9

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

You can follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

Filling In The State Map and Taking State Selfies – Day 50

Today we enter our 9th state and soon we will be able to add another sticker to our state map on the back of the camper.

Like most of the RV’s that travel around the United States, we have purchased a Travel Camper Map. This map includes scenic decal stickers of all 50 states.

You place the blank outline map of the United States somewhere on your camper. Then commemorate every time that you stay in a new state by placing that state’s sticker in it’s proper location.

Besides that fact that you actually have to be in that state, there are no set rules on when you are supposed to add the sticker.

When To Add The State Map Sticker

For us, we have decided that we can only place a new sticker on the state map once after spending at least one night in the state.

state maps
We were two weeks into our trip when we were able to add Nebraska and South Dakota stickers to our state map.

And of course, it has to be a night that was spent in our T@b 400 camper.

So that means that the states that we had visited prior to traveling with our trailer do not count. And yes, even if we drove to them.

Therefore, tomorrow we get to add one more state on our map. That is because today we crossed over the Snake River into Eastern Washington.

And I have to tell you, as silly as it sounds, we both look forward to placing the new state sticker on the back of the camper every week.

In fact, we even take turns on who gets to actually do the honors of adding the sticker to the map. And because of Mary’s height, sometimes we put the stickers on together.

filming of the state map
KULR8 news station found our map interesting enough to put on the broadcast about our trip across the country.

But regardless, it feels fantastic to see what once was a blank state map turn into a partially filled one.

However, because we are in the next few states for an extended period of time, it may be another 10-14 days before we can add a new state to the map.

But that is okay, Washington, Oregon and California are pretty large states to get through and we are thankful to have a few extra days to spend in each one.

The State Sign Selfies

Another unexpected tradition that we have embraced along this journey around the country is taking a photo at each state’s sign as we enter.

Washington state selfie
Today we entered the state of Washington and were able to take a selfie with just a little work.

Lucky for us, so far it has been fairly easy. Each state has had a paved, or partially paved area to pull off near the state sign.

So we have slowed down, and pulled off to take a state sign selfie at each one.

However today, as we entered the state of Washington, it was a little more difficult.

As we traveled across the Snake River from Lewiston, Idaho to Clarkston, WA, we actually crossed the state line as we crossed the bridge at the midpoint of the river.

idaho selfie
It always seems to be a little windy when we stop to take our state sign selfies.

Obviously, there was no pull off and nowhere to stop to take a picture. However, once we made it over the bridge, there was a Welcome to Washington sign that was the perfect for a selfie.

Although parking was a little challenge, we were able to find a spot on a side street that allowed us to get our 9th state selfie sign.

I am not sure what we will do with all our state selfie pictures, but I am hoping that someday it will make for a great collage for a poster, blanket or maybe even Christmas ornaments.

Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 50 of 365
  • States Visited 9 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments Visited : 10
  • Stayed In : Clarkston, Washington
  • Miles Driven : 18.2
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 6486.2
  • Total Gallons Used : 484.04
  • Biking Miles : 0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 109.6
  • Hiking Miles : 0
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 126.9

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

The Incredible Beauty Of Idaho – The Surprise Of The Trip So Far! – Day 49

If anyone asked us at this point what the surprise of the trip would be – the answer would be the incredible beauty of Idaho, hands down!

Colorado was sensational, as was Wyoming and Montana. In fact, every single state we have been through so far has had their own style of beauty all to their own. And we really have loved them all.

But Idaho. Wow! We just never knew how gorgeous it was!

This photo was taken this morning on the drive up to Lewiston, Idaho. As we drove through the mountains, we were both blown away by the simple elegance of the rolling streams that followed alongside of the road. The clouds and fog added an eerie but beautiful feel to the entire scene.

The Incredible Beauty Of Idaho!

From the moment we first drove in to the edge of Idaho at Twin Falls, the state has been a wonder to behold.

I guess if you asked us what we thought Idaho would be before our trip began, we would have thought it to be more of a farmland state with a few mountains scattered about.

There are so many crystal clear lakes, streams and rivers all throughout Idaho.

It is, after all, known for the famous Idaho Potato after all!

But, as we have learned time and time again on this trip, seeing something in person is so much better than what you can ever learn, or think you learned from a textbook.

And Idaho is absolutely, without a doubt, so much more than a farmland state with a few mountains!

beauty of Idaho
The Snake River Canyon. The emerald waters, the roaring falls, and the towering walls of the canyon all create one of Mother Nature’s finest scenes.

More than Potatoes…

As we first learned in Twin Falls, Idaho has some of the biggest and most scenic waterfalls around. But it also has mountains, streams, rivers and wildlife galore.

In fact, when it comes to wildlife, you name it, and it seems to be here. Salmon, trout, cougars, moose, bears and elk all call parts of Idaho home.

There is plenty of farmland throughout Idaho. After all, they have to have somewhere to grow all of those potatoes. But what really surprised us both is that in addition to all of that farmland are plenty of mountains, streams, rivers, lake sand more!

And yes, there is also that farmland. And not only is it filled with those world famous Idaho potatoes, but cattle, sheep, corn, wheat and other crops as well.

Yes indeed, the beauty of Idaho has been something to behold.

And now, it’s on to Washington! and our first west coast state visit of the trip! Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary.

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 49 of 365
  • States Visited 8 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments Visited : 10
  • Stayed In : Lewiston, Idaho
  • Miles Driven : 125.7
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 6468.0
  • Total Gallons Used : 482.68
  • Biking Miles : 0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 109.6
  • Hiking Miles : 0
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 126.9

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

You can follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

Camping For Free – Off The Grid Camping Day 48

We have talked about spending the night at various locations on our trip across the country, but some of our most memorable moments have been at locations that we were camping for free!

And last night, we did just that in Riggins, Idaho. And to be quite honest, it was because we were faced with no other options.

We wanted to drive no more than 3 hours outside of Boise. Therefore, we figured we would be staying somewhere between the cities of McCall and Riggins.

As we began to plan our trip up north through the state, our options for spending the night at a Harvest Host location was quite limited in the area.

So instead, we looked at staying at local campgrounds. But unfortunately we ran into a road block here as well.

First of all, several of the small towns that we drove through are summer time tourist towns. And for us, that meant that most of the campgrounds have closed for the season.

camping for free
This isn’t a bad view to wake up to, especially when you are camping for free.

And the few campgrounds that did have an available spot, wanted to charge over 50 dollars for one night.

Although we enjoy staying at campgrounds once in awhile, we were not willing to spend that much for basically a stop over to sleep.

Boondocking

So that forced us to look for a boondocking site. For those that aren’t familiar with camping terms, boondocking is where you spend the night not hooked up to any services.

No electric, no water, and no sewer hook ups. Instead, you utilize your battery power, water tank and your black and gray water holding tanks in your camper.

All you have to do is to find a place to stay. Some campgrounds allow you to stay in one of their spots without utilizing any services. However they still charge you a fee.

dining room
Since today was Saturday, we were able to watch a little college football on our tablet while we were at the free camping area.

However, there are so many other options for camping for free!

Camping For Free

Parking Lot Camping

If you have ever pulled into a Walmart or Cracker Barrel in the evening or early morning, you probably have seen an RV or two in the parking lot.

Most likely they are spending the night. Most locations will allow you to park and spend a night or two without charging you a dime.

However there are a some stores that don’t allow overnight camping. Most likely this is due to the size of the parking lot or zoning regulations in certain towns.

walmart camping for free
Most Walmart locations allow you to spend the night, but they ask that you park in the furthest parking away from the building.

Although most of the time signs will be posted if you are not permitted to overnight park, it is always best to check with each location.

Dispersed Camping

Dispersed camping is camping outside of a campground area on public lands. Typically there is a small pull off away from the road where you ca spend the night.

And sometimes there will be existing fire rings, picnic tables and/or even restrooms on the site.

However, depending on your location, it may simply be a dirt, gravel, or paved area off the side of the road.

Bureau of Land Management

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a government agency that manages land primarily in the western United States, and generally in open, desert like landscapes.

blm camping
Camping on BLM land is most popular out west but it is a fantastic and beautiful way to camp for free.

The BLM manages land for a number of uses, including recreation, grazing, logging, and resource extraction. Free camping on BLM is usually capped at 30 days, but can be shorter or longer depending on the location.

National Forests

Camping in a national forest is suited not only for RVs but for tent camping as well.

Most national forests that allow dispersed camping allow you to stay for up to 14 days. However, depending on the exact location the stay limit may vary.

national forests
National forests are a great way to camp for free. Plus, who could pass up this view.

Other Dispersed Camping Sites

While BLM land and national forests are the most common places to find free camping, other types of public lands may offer free campsites as well.

Although more difficult to find, state parks, city parks, and county parks sometimes maintain free camping areas. So do entities like recreation areas, water management districts, trust lands, conservation areas.

Smaller US federal agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation have a few campsites too.

MoochDocking

Moochdocking is generally known as camping on a driveway of a friend or family member. In many cases, an extension cord and/or hose are run from the home to connect make-shift hookups to the rig.

It is a great way to visit without overstaying your welcome!

moochdocking in driveway
Staying in the driveway of our family and friends houses makes for a no-fuss way to visit.

We have utilized several of the above options to camp for free. We have stayed in Little Moreau Recreation Area, the Wal-Mart parking lot in Casper, WY, and last night we spent the night in Riggins, Idaho where we were surrounded by national forests.

Although we enjoy staying at Harvest Hosts locations and campgrounds, sometimes camping for free in a solitude location is refreshing too.

Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 48 of 365
  • States Visited 8 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments Visited : 10
  • Stayed In : Riggins, Idaho
  • Miles Driven : 174.6
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 6342.3
  • Total Gallons Used : 469.8
  • Biking Miles : 0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 109.6
  • Hiking Miles : 1.2
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 126.9

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

The Beautiful Town Of Boise Idaho – And That’s Pronounced “BOY-SEE”! – Day 47

Boise, Idaho is without a doubt one of the prettiest cities we have had the pleasure of visiting so far on our journey.

With the picturesque Sawtooth Mountain Range as a backdrop to the city below, the town is filled with life. And much like what we witnessed in Salt Lake City, everywhere you look, there is growth!

Boise is filled with growth everywhere you look. We came upon this new housing community at the edge of the mountains while walking one of the numerous trails scattered all over Boise.

New houses are going up in every direction, both in the valley, and into the hills as well.

And as we walked the downtown, new construction projects seemed to be on every street we turned down.

But perhaps what really makes Boise stand out even more is the presence of Boise State, a gorgeous university smack in the middle of it all.

The bookstore
Boise State college is located downtown, and adds an extra layer of excitement to an already booming city.

And just like the town, it continues to grow and expand as well.

How Do You Really Say Boise, Idaho?

So you would think with the town being the state capital, and with the national notoriety of the Boise State College football program, that perhaps Mary and I would have known how to pronounce the town’s name.

Boise Idaho Boise River
Our hike along the river path included this incredible view of a fly-fisherman (left) enjoying a beautiful day out in the Boise River.

But that was not the case at all!

In fact, one of the very first things we learned upon arriving in Boise is that we have been pronouncing it wrong our whole life.

As we walked into a local coffee shop to work in the early morning, as I ordered my cup of coffee, I mentioned to the cashier that we were so happy to finally get to see Boise. And, I pronounced it as “BoyZee” – as both Mary and I have for as long we can remember.

The state capital building in Boise, Idaho. The town is

How You Really Say It…

My pronunciation was quickly met with a small chuckle, and a very friendly correction : “It’s actually pronounced BOYSEE”

As we left, I kept thinking about all of the football announcers, and all of the people around me that have always said it the way we did.

But from there on, we both noticed that everywhere we went, that “BOYSEE” is exactly how the locals pronounce it. On the news, on the radio, and everywhere else too!

We of course had to visit the blue turf at Albertsons Stadium. The deep blue and orange turf has become synonymous with Boise State Football.

And so it is…you learn something new every day!

No matter how you say it, one thing is for sure : Boise is a wonderful town, with wonderful people!

Tomorrow, we head farther north into Idaho the Nez Perce National Forest. Soon, we will be in Washington!

Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary.

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 47 of 365
  • States Visited 8 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments Visited : 10
  • Stayed In : Boise, Idaho
  • Miles Driven : 25.2
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 6167.7
  • Total Gallons Used : 456.86
  • Biking Miles : 0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 109.6
  • Hiking Miles : 3.5
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 125.7

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

You can follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

An Amazing Amtrak Trip Planned Due To Inclement Weather – Day 46

It may sound a little odd that we have planned an amazing Amtrak trip due to inclement weather, but that is exactly what happened.

When we first planned our trip around the country, we researched typical weather conditions for each state. Then based on our route to reach all 50 states in 365 days we made our travel itinerary.

However, we all know that sometimes the best laid out plans don’t always work out.

But sometimes the failed plan leads to other, and sometimes better, opportunities.

pacific Amtrak trip
Sometimes plans that don’t work out lead to even better and more exciting plans.

And that is what we are faced with on day 45 of our trip.

Cutting Weeks Short Due To Weather

When we first set out we had planned to spend 1 week in every state. Of course, some of the bigger states we had planned to spend 2 weeks.

See: Our Dates For The States

Our original plan was to move to a new state every Sunday. That would keep us on track to reach all 50 states by next September.

However, Mother Nature had different plans.

We first ran into an epic snow storm that was expected to hit Montana while we were visiting a few weeks ago.

glacier national park winter
Although this is a gorgeous scene from Glacier National Park, we unfortunately can not camp in conditions like this with temperatures constantly in single digits.

And by epic, I mean a snowstorm that was anticipated to break 80 year old snow total records. Not to mention the deep freeze that would lead temperatures into the single digits.

Therefore, in order to stay safe, we made the decision to stay on the eastern part of the state. Although we left Montana 3 days early, we were hopeful that we could visit the western part of the state as we made our way up through Idaho.

Then there was our stay in Wyoming. Although we made it through most of the state with bearable temperatures, we had to cut our trip short by one day.

Cheyenne, WY was expected to have temperatures in the low teens as a cold front and snow storm approached.

snow in Colorado
We even had a about 4 inches of snow in Denver. But luckily it melted the next day.

Planning to Make Up Days In Montana

So that now put us 4 days ahead of schedule. We thought this would give us enough time to get through Idaho and into western Montana before heading west to Washington.

However, those plans changed when we looked at the weather forecast for the next 10 days.

Unfortunately, another cold front is moving across the Pacific Northwest. Not only are they calling for several inches of snow, but the temperatures will be dipping to near 0 degrees in many of the locations that we planned to visit.

So our plans have switched gears. Yes, we are still going to visit all 50 states. However each state may not get a full week. And in some states, we will be able to stay a little longer.

Amtrak trip on double decker rail car
The best views from the Amtrak will be on the upper level of the double deck rail car.

But for now we have decided to use those extra days to take an amazing Amtrak trip that we both have always dreamed of doing.

A Coast Starlight Amtrak Trip

As we finish our stay in Idaho and move to Washington, we have decided to use the extra days that we have accumulated to take a Coast Starlight Amtrak trip.

Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, the Coast Starlight links the greatest cities on the West Coast.

It has a daily route between Seattle and Los Angeles and passes through Portland, Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Barbara.

portland union station
Our Coastal Starlight Amtrak journey will begin and end at Portland Union Station.

This trip has been on our bucket list for a long time. And, lucky for us, as we were on our computers scrolling through social media, an Amtrak advertisement popped up on our screen.

Social Media Advertising For The Win!

Amtrak was holding a 2 day sale for coast to coast trips at 50% off! The only catch was that you had to travel sometime between November 11-29.

We quickly looked at our schedules and as luck would have it, we would be in Portland on November 11th.

We jumped at the dream of a lifetime and booked our trip down the Pacific Coast.

And what better way to make up our extra days lost due to the weather on an Amazing Amtrak ride through Oregon and California.

santa barbara amtrak trip
It is almost surreal that in a few weeks we will be looking at palm trees from the windows of the Amtrak train.

We are so excited to park the truck and camper for a few days to take in the views of the dramatic snow-covered peaks of the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta, lush forests, fertile valleys and long stretches of Pacific Ocean shoreline.

Then after a few days of being able to enjoy the views while traveling in an Amtrak train, we will return to our camper and resume our travels in the more conventional way.

The only detail to figure out now is where to park the truck and camper! If you have any experience or suggestions, please feel free to comment or send us an email us at livesimple@livesimplenow.com

Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 46 of 365
  • States Visited 8 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments Visited : 10
  • Stayed In : Boise, Idaho
  • Miles Driven : 205.5
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 6142.5
  • Total Gallons Used : 455.0
  • Biking Miles : 0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 109.6
  • Hiking Miles : 1.7
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 122.2

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

Hello Twin Falls Idaho – Snake River, Shoshone Falls, And Evel Knievel! Day 45

Our first full day into Idaho was spent in the beautiful city of Twin Falls, and was filled with a little slice of everything.

From taking in the beautiful views at Shoshone Falls (pictured above), to hiking the Snake River Canyon Rim Trail, we were able to explore a city surrounded by some pretty impressive scenic beauty.

So scenic, in fact, that it once even attracted Evel Knievel to attempt a jump over the breathtaking canyon walls of Snake River.

One thing is for sure, we were both totally caught of guard by Idaho’s natural wonders!

Shoshone Falls

Our day started off with a visit to Shoshone Falls and the Snake River Canyon.

twin falls idaho - snake river canyon
The Snake River and surrounding canyons. it was an unexpected pleasure to see and experience in the town of Twin Falls, Idaho.

Talk about an opportunity to experience an unexpected natural wonder! For us, Shoshone Falls becomes another “never knew about it before this trip” place to put in our memory banks.

Often referred to as the “Niagara Fall of the West”, Shoshone Falls are located on the edge of Twin Falls, Idaho.

At 212 feet in height, the falls are actually taller than Niagra’s. And watching the water flow into the gorgeous Snake River and throughout the canyon below is a sight to behold.

As beautiful as the views were, the locals all told us it’s even more breathtaking in the spring. That is when the snow melt from the surrounding mountains leads to epic volumes of water rushing over the falls.

the falls
The Shoshone Falls are often referred to as the Niagara of the West. And it is easy to see why. No matter where we took a photo from, there was always a rainbow appearing to add a little to the picture.

As beautiful as it was today, I can’t imagine being here to see that as well!

Hiking The Snake River Canyon Rim Trail In Twin Falls Idaho

After taking in the falls, it was time for a little hiking. The trails at Snake River Canyon Rim Trail are honestly among the best we have hiked so far on the trip.

With about 10 miles of trails that showcase spanning views of the canyon, river and lakes, it really offers something for everyone – including walking, hiking, biking, and even kayaking.

We started off with the 2 mile Lake Tour hike at Dierkes Park that included nearly 200 metal steps attached right into the cliff walls.

The Lake Trail is certainly one of our favorites so far on the trip. The rocks, sandy trails and view of the canyons and lakes filled the hike with 360 degree beauty.

The rock formations and canyon walls are all remnants of lava flows from long-ago. It made for a sensational hike.

Evel Knievel, Twin Falls, & The Snake River

And now, for Twin Falls, Idaho’s connection to Evel Knievel.

Growing up, I always remember tuning in with my brother to watch whatever stunt Evel Knievel was about to try.

And it just so happens, unbeknownst to me before this trip, that Twin Falls, Idaho was the site of one of his most famous and unfortunately unsuccessful jump attempts

Lake Trail
The Lake Trail included a series of metal stairs that allowed you to climb and go all around the canyon. Tiring, but gorgeous!

On September 8th, 1974, using a modified steam-powered skycycle – Evel attempted to jump the quarter-mile wide Snake River Canyon.

It apparently went awry with a malfunctioning parachute, but you can still hike to see the remnants today of the earthen hill where he attempted the stunt.

Just another little bit of history we have learned from this amazing trip so far! Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary.

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 45 of 365
  • States Visited 8 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments Visited : 10
  • Stayed In : Twin Falls, Idaho
  • Miles Driven : 37.3
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 5939.7
  • Total Gallons Used : 441.42
  • Biking Miles : 0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 109.6
  • Hiking Miles : 3.5
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 120.5

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

You can follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.