Author: Mike Marlowe

“VOX” = VanDOit Owners Experience

We took a 3-week trip in May & June 2022 to attend VOX#5. This particular VOX was put on by the VanDOit company. Prior VOXes have been self-organized by fellow owners at various locations around the US. Since this one was in Bentonville and close to the VanDOit factory in Kansas City, VanDOit wanted to be a part of it. This was the first VOX we have attended so I can’t compare to others, but they did an excellent job. For us coming from Seattle, the journey there and back was just as interesting.

Day 14 (6/7)

Had breakfast on the balcony. Lorretta provides guests with bagels, honey buns, and other goodies.

As we were leaving, Loretta asks Alexa to play soothing music for the dogs!

Went on a tour of Lubbock. Prairie Dog town. WW2 glider museum.

Drove around Texas Tech and kept getting lost. We went through a drive through Starbucks for lunch.

Out to dinner at Uncle Julio’s Mexican restaurant. Loretta accidentally started her keychain alarm and none of us knew how to stop it. Mike put it in his hands and then sat on it. Finally, we drove by a cotton field and Mike threw it out the window. It’s probably still going off.

Day 15 (6/8)

Ran some errands. Outdoor Chef, Costco, HEB. Had lunch at the Texas Tech Club at the stadium. Made pizza at home on the Ooni pizza oven.

Dogs got to listen to Reggae music. According to Loretta, there was a study that said that they liked it better. We weren’t sure how they knew this.

Day 16 (6/9)

Stopped by the Tortilla Factory and stocked up with a couple dozen.

West Texas is ridiculously flat! Heading to Colorado Springs. Drive through a thunderstorm in New Mexico.

Stayed at the Golden Eagle 🦅 Campground. It was nice! $44 with power and water. We were going to stay at Cheyenne Mt. State Park but it was full (and more expensive!) As we were driving in, we had to break for a Prairie Dog!!!🥰🥰

Very nice people running the Golden Eagle!

Day 17 (6/10)

Went towards Pike’s Peak and drove through the Garden of the Gods. Took pictures at the Balancing Rock with BunBun and Nut. Stopped at a Planet Fitness in Laramie and did a 30 min workout and took showers. Then drove another 3 hours to Lander WY. Stayed at Twin Pines RV Park. It was really nice. Camped in a tent space right on a little lake. Had to use our leveling blocks for the first time. Saw the most gorgeous sunset.

Day 18 (6/11)

Drove to Grand Teton National Park. Saw a moose on the way. Walked around Jackson and bought some t-shirts. Drove up to the Jackson Hole ski area and walked around. Then drove thru the park. Hoped to see some animals but didn’t. Set up camp at Gros Ventre campground. Used the hammock. Cooked pasta with pesto for dinner.

Day 19 (6/12)

Rainy morning. Went to the visitor center and watched a 30-minute movie about Grand Teton National Park. Waiting for rain to stop. Went for a hike at Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls. It was really nice. Lots of signs about bears and foxes but we didn’t see any. Ate lunch in the van and played Wordle before leaving. On the drive to Jackson we got caught in a hail storm. All cars pulled over and stopped. It was a lot of hail. We went to Albertsons and bought more groceries.

Camped a 2nd night at Gros Ventre. On the drive in we stopped and watched 2 moose eating by the river. Finally saw some animals. This campsite was really far from the bathrooms. It rained and thunderstorms all night.

Day 20 (6/13)

Slept in until 10am. It was rainy. Went to North Jenny Lake and hiked the String Lake loop. Heard from a ranger that Yellowstone was closed. Not sure of details. Went to Jackson Lake Lodge and looked around. Then drove to Flagg Ranch. Yellowstone is closed past Flagg Ranch. Campsite was nice. It got cold at night. We made penne pasta with tomato sauce and andouille sausage. It was really good.

Day 21 (6/14)

Snow flurries in the morning. Ate breakfast in the van. Took showers and bought some stuff at the Flagg Ranch store. Since Yellowstone is closed, we have to go south thru Jackson and over Teton Pass to Idaho. Google maps routes us over Grassy Lake Road, but it is a 50-mile dirt road with snow. Don’t think so google.

Saw cars pulled off road near Coulter Bay. So, we stopped. It was a large bull elk laying in the forest.

Drove to Jenny Lake and checked email (didn’t get good cell service anywhere else) then drove south to Moose Junction. Saw more cars pulled off road then saw the big black bear walking by. Stopped and got a few pics.

Went to Moose Junction visitor center and bought a new national park pass since our old one expires at the end of June. They started requiring masks again since Teton county is now in a high Covid level.

Got gas in Jackson then headed over Teton pass.

Stopped in Driggs for lunch and bought some wine and beer for the Benton’s since we stayed with them at a cabin their family rented at Henry’s Lake. Had a nice dinner with trout that they had caught earlier that day. Learned how to play the Monopoly Deal card game. Then we played Pass the Pigs before bed.

Day 22 (6/15)

Got up and left for Coeur d’Alene. Got there at 3pm and went to Planet Fitness. Walked on the treadmill for a bit to loosen up and took showers. Decided it was early enough to just drive on home instead of camping one more night. Got gas here and it was the first time we had to pay over $5/gal. $125 to fill up. Stopped in Moses Lake and got some chicken strips at Dairy Queen. Then drove on. Stopped for gas one last time in Ellensburg. Got home by 10pm. 14-hour travel day (with several stops, ~11 hours driving). About double our previous longest days.

Day 23 (6/16)

Back at home. Refilled the empty bird feeders, Drained the hot tub to put in fresh water and need to mow the grass that is about one foot tall. But a bunny seems to have moved into the back yard so trying not to disturb her.

Emptied the van and cleaning it out in preparation for our next trip.

• States covered in this leg
  • Texas
  • New Mexico
  • Colorado
  • Wyoming
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Idaho (again)
  • Washington

“VOX” = VanDOit Owners Experience

We took a 3-week trip in May & June 2022 to attend VOX#5. This particular VOX was put on by the VanDOit company. Prior VOXes have been self-organized by fellow owners at various locations around the US. Since this one was in Bentonville and close to the VanDOit factory in Kansas City, VanDOit wanted to be a part of it. This was the first VOX we have attended so I can’t compare to others, but they did an excellent job. For us coming from Seattle, the journey there and back was just as interesting.

Day 8 (6/1)

Went to the VanDOit headquarters for a factory tour and lunch. Then ~10 vans caravanned to Bentonville.

When we arrived, there were ~40 vans at the campsite. The campsite was in a field right next to the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. Great location.

We did a 4-5 mile walk then ate dinner at the van.

Day 9 (6/2)

Tracey slept in until after 9am.

Got up and had some breakfast (oatmeal for Mike, grape nuts for Tracey).

Did our Wordle for the day then went for a mountain bike ride at Coler Mt Bike Preserve. When riding from the campsite to the bike park, we saw a big snapping turtle.

Back at the van we ate some lunch (turkey sandwiches) then packed up and went to Planet Fitness for showers.

Got gas then went to downtown Bentonville to look around.

Cool store called Moosejaw where we each bought some new shorts. Walked around and went to a bike shop and the Walmart Museum. They were having a special event and there were a bunch of Walmart associates in town for it. I don’t think we were supposed to go in the museum, but we did and got to see some of Sam Waltons old junk (old desk, old truck). It was kind of cheesy. But not as cheesy as the associates singing a Walmart cheer in the museum.

Walked to the Crystal Bridges art museum. It was really nice (inside and out). Saw a couple of deer eating in the stream on the walk back.

VanDOit provided dinner at the campsite. Food trucks that served pork tacos and bratwursts. Good food.

Then back to the van to have some wine after dinner.

Saw some fireflies as we packed up for the night

Day 10 (6/3)

Got up and ate breakfast. Drove to the “Slaughter Pen” trailhead. These are some pretty nice trails. Rode around for 1.75 hours (~1 hour of ride time) got turned around a couple of times but had fun. These trails are smoother than Coler park trails. I like them better.

Sat in the park where we parked the car and had some snacks in the shade. Went to Planet Fitness for showers.

Went to the Bentonville Brewery where VanDOit hosted a party. Got to try some good beer. Ate dinner at Beef O’Bradys. Had a burger and a French Dip. Then back to the campground.

Day 11 (6/4)

Tracey’s birthday. Got up and watched Below Deck. Then ate breakfast. We for a mt bike ride at Slaughter Pen. Mike biked while Tracey hiked. Then we had a picnic lunch. Went driving around and looked at a couple of houses for sale. One was a really nice lake front home. But the driveway was so steep it didn’t seem like any car could go in or out. Went to Planet Fitness to shower. Then we went to a Walmart super store (on Walton Ave in Bentonville) to get a few groceries for the next 2 days. It was the nicest Walmart I’ve ever seen. Huge, super clean, organized, and tidy (unlike most). They even had a wine tasting going on. Got our groceries and went back to the campsite. Had a catered BBQ dinner that was really good. We won a prize for “the furthest traveled”, an EverShower! Sat at our campsite and had some wine and watched the lightning bugs. Tracey kept playing the “Sam the firefly” song on her phone.

Day 12 (6/5 Sunday)

Got up late-ish (~9am) and had some breakfast. Started packing up just before 10 and it started raining. We left the campground by 10:20 and we were the 2nd to last van to leave. Everyone left pretty early. We went to Planet Fitness and showered before leaving town. Drove ~5 hours, mostly thru Oklahoma. Went thru about 4 different toll roads. I forgot how many tolls there are in OK. Camped at a KOA in Burkburnett outside of Wichita Falls TX. Had to opt for a pricier campground because there aren’t many options and we definitely needed power so we could run our air conditioning. It was ~95 when we parked. Lows are still in the 80s. They have a pool, but it wasn’t open. Otherwise, it is a nice campground. Very clean.

Day 13 (6/6)

Had breakfast at the campsite, then drove ~ 20 minutes into Wichita Falls to go to the Planet Fitness. Did the treadmill and then the 30 min workout circuit. The Planet Fitness was in a strip mall next to a doctor’s office that performs “Brain and Complex Spine Sugery”. Not sure I’d go to a strip mall for that kind of procedure.

Then drove 3.5 hours to Lubbock TX.

Stayed in Lubbock for a few days visiting friends and showing Tracey Texas Tech (where Mike went to college). Sat on patio and visited with the Warnick’s (JQ & Loretta). Watched Lorretta scare grackle birds away with her pistol pellet gun. Played with Baxter and Tucker (their dogs). Jay and Ericka came over for dinner. Had a brisket that Lorretta smoked. Good times.

• States covered in this leg
  • Missouri
  • Arkansas
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas

“VOX” = VanDOit Owners Experience

We took a 3-week trip in May & June 2022 to attend VOX#5. This particular VOX was put on by the VanDOit company. Prior VOXes have been self-organized by fellow owners at various locations around the US. Since this one was in Bentonville and close to the VanDOit factory in Kansas City, VanDOit wanted to be a part of it. This was the first VOX we have attended so I can’t compare to others, but they did an excellent job. For us coming from Seattle, the journey there and back was just as interesting.

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Travelogue

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Day 1 (5-25)

Got a late start leaving home.  Took forever to pack.

Stopped at Costco in Kirkland for gas, salt, bug spray, beef jerky and reading glasses. Also got a slice of pizza and a churro for lunch. Finally hit the road at 2pm.

More gas at a Loves truck stop in Moses Lake WA. Mostly just needed to clean the bugs off the windshield.

Stopped and camped at “50000 Silver $” gift shop in Haugan MT. They have free camping, pop, gift shop, restaurant. It isn’t bad for free.

Day 2 (5/26)

Slept in, saw a horse in the corral next to our campsite.

Drove to Missoula MT and took showers at Planet Fitness.

Went to Costco to get a chicken and salad for dinner

Stopped in Butte MT for gas.

Stayed at Connor Battlefield State Historic Site in WY. Nice site right next to a river. Had salad with chicken for dinner. Phone fell out of my overhead bungee storage at 2:30am and slid thru a small gap in the house battery cabinet. Luckily Tracey could reach it. Need to plug that opening.

Day 3 (5/27)

Stayed at Devils Tower National Monument

Hiked up to the visitor center and around the tower. Went to the gift shop and got tee shirts and a fanny pack for Tracey. She uses it to carry her wallet and phone into stores with BunBun.

Saw magpies, turkey vultures, yellow birds and best of all PRAIRIE DOGS! There was a whole field of them squeaking and barking their warning signs. There were singles and families. Super darling. We took BunBun and Nut to get pictures with the PD’s (Pete and Petunia). We came back to the van to get washed up and sat by the site reading. Tracey talked to one lady who had a mini dachshund and a rat terrier. Before dinner we walked out into the field and took more pictures of the Prairie Dogs. We couldn’t get enough of them! We went back to camp and had pesto pasta for dinner.

Day 4 (5/28)

After breakfast we went back to see the Prairie Dogs one last time! A prairie dog couple came out to say hi and a PD family watched us from afar! We are headed to Mt Rushmore where BunBun will want her head carved into the rock.

Stopped at a gas station in Spearfish and there were tons of people buying a lot of fifths of alcohol!! I guess they were stocking up for the Memorial Day holiday.

Drove thru Deadwood. It was pretty cool.

Went to Mount Rushmore. Did a little hike and took lots of pictures. The bathroom was disgusting and stunk.

Drove to Interior SD (just outside of Badlands NP). The road was super bumpy from frost heaves. I think we caught air in the van.  Need to upgrade the suspension.

Stayed at Budget Host Inn & RV park and campground in Interior SD . Reminded me of the cabins in the “Vacation” movie that Chevy Chase rented. There was even an above ground pool. Took showers, used their free Wi-Fi to watch TV, ate bierox for dinner.

Day 5 (5/29)

Tracey got up early to read outside. It was windy but getting warmer. We went to The Badlands National Park. Hiked up A VERY steep and loose but short 1/4 mile climb to get on a trail (Medicine Trail). We were supposed to go right but went left to another trail. I asked Mike why we were going to the right when medicine trail pointed another direction, but he said it was the right trail, so off we went. After two and a half miles we were close to the fossil exhibit which we wanted to see anyway but confirmed we had in fact went the opposite way. It was still a stunning view hike. When we returned to the fork in the trail, we went on Medicine trail for about a mile total and back down the steep part and ended up getting in a good 6-mile hike. We brought BunBun and Nut in our packs so that they could have adventures and would look out for the rattlesnakes that we were warned of frequently along the route. A lady approached us to say that at first glance she thought BunBun was real.??!!? Yes, we have an adventure rabbit. There were a ton of families walking down the steep hill with kids in tow. We were nervous going down with poles!

We then headed to Wall Drug to say we’d been there. I didn’t know what to expect but it was basically rows of smaller stores filled with touristy, kitschy stuff. BunBun was not impressed.

Bought some salad fixings for dinner at a little grocery store in Wall SD.

Driving on I-90 and just saw a turtle crossing the highway! Saw 3 more turtles trying to cross I-90. Hope they all made it across.

Stayed at Pioneer Park campground in Montrose SD. Cheap ($25) with electric and water and bathroom with showers. 30 minutes west of Sioux Falls. Nothing fancy but it worked.

Ate dinner and snooped on the teenage “locals” who were camping a couple of sites from us for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. A lot of drama with them.

Throughout the night there were huge thunderstorms! Lots of wind and flash and bolt lighting. Before we went to sleep, we decided to dry out our towels from our shower (the showers were a nice addition- certainly very campy but warm!). Not a bright move leaving the towels out overnight to dry as they were both on the ground and muddy! We had to leave one towel at the campsite and will buy more at Costco if necessary.

Day 6 (5/30)

Short drive to Sioux Falls. Went to Planet Fitness. Did the treadmill and the 30 min workout circuit. Then took showers. Skipped the massage chairs.

We had lunch at Firehouse Subs.

Drive to Omaha was super windy. Speed limit was 80 but only went 65 and still had trouble staying in my lane. Another reason for better suspension.

Tried to get gas and food at Costco but forgot they are closed on Memorial Day. So we went to the HyVee grocery store, liquor store, and gas station. Very nice grocery store. We were restocked.

Camped at Walnut Creek Lake and Rec Area. Very nice campground with electric. Only $16 but no showers. Lots of birds. Lots of big fancy RVs. 

Omaha was much nicer than I thought it would be.

Day 7 (5/31)

Drove to Kansas City. Not windy like yesterday.

Stopped at VanDOit and picked up a new water hose and bug wall. Then went to Planet Fitness for a workout and shower. Camped at Blue Springs Lake campground. $30 w/electric. Got a spot near the restroom for Tracey and it also had a laundry, so she had to use it. I think she was having withdrawals from not doing laundry for a week.

• States covered in this leg
  • Washington
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Wyoming
  • South Dakota
  • Iowa
  • Nebraska
  • Missouri

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Travelogue

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Pouring rain on drive to Ellensburg

Stopped at Yakima Costco for a Ceasar salad and roast chicken and bought some kitchen knives and cutting board for the van.

Stopped at Stonehenge replica / war memorial.

Stayed first night at Maryhill State park in Washington, on the Columbia River. Fun first night actually sleeping in the van. Very comfy. In the morning Tracey got pooped on by a goose! We had to leave by 10am because the arborists were coming to trim trees in the campground.

2nd day we went to Smith Rock Oregon for a hike. A number of new birds we had never seen like a magpie, raptors and a cute yellow bird. We saw a huge blue heron in the river. Saw some people slacklining between Monkey Face and the rocks near the trail. No way!

2nd night we stayed at Skull Hollow campground. They had decent toilets! No pooping birds. At around 1:00 in the morning the compressor went off.

We had a nice slow morning sitting outside eating oatmeal and Tracey having tea. This didn’t suck at all!

We went to Bend and mountain biked for the first time since pre Covid. It was great getting back into it. When we were done a group of guys from Seattle need some air for their tires.

Then we headed to Planet Fitness for showers and the massage chairs. Tracey took 30 mins longer than Mike to get ready but her hair looked great!

Headed to La Pine State Park. On the way we passed a forest fire in the Deschutes National Forest. VERY smokey. I had a N95 mask in the car so used it. It seemed to work ok!  Found out it was intentionally set to clear out dead stuff before the real fire season starts.

Stayed a 2nd day at La Pine. Cold but nice!

Tried out their showers and WARM! We hiked for about 4.5 miles on a trail near the river

Mike taught the chipmunks to eat walnuts from his lap with the blanket on!

Lots of little chipmunks.

🐿

Our first outings with the van have been on several day trips to Wallace Falls, Lake Serene, and Deception Pass. They are relatively close to home and have hiking trails that you can access year-round.

Going in the van is so much more fun. Much easier to haul gear. And much more comfortable to change clothes and relax when you are finished.

On this trip, we got to see a baby Elephant Seal born at Deception Pass.