2275 miles to go

Montello check list:
Property - bought
Conex container-bought and delivered
well- done
home- purchased
solar- planning stage
plumbing and sewer- planning stage
composter-purchased
propane- need to be purchased

Our next step was to move the 5th wheel to Montello. After numerous discussions and research, we determine the property was not ready for the 5th wheel. Solar has not been purchased, electricty will not be an option,and our sanitation system is still being finalized.Leaving the rv in Maryland was not a problem. We could leave it parked in our driveway indefinately, but we wanted it closer to our new home. That's when we learned West Wendover has a KOA campground! Lucy is the manager and we were able to arrange a 6 month deal at a reduced price. Now we just had to get the 5th wheel there



To save money we decided to stay overnight at truck stops and shopping centers that allowed overnight rv parking. This membership only web site was a great help in my planning our route, http://www.overnightrvparking.com/.

We left Burtonsville the afternoon of Sept 3,2009 heading to Morgantown,WV to visit JT's daughter. We parked in a Walmart parking lot.



Sept 4 on to Pittsboro,IN and overnight at a Love's truck stop. Home of Nascar driver
Jeff Gordon.Nice place, with friendly people and warm showers.



Sept 5 we are now headed for Iowa. JT did all the driving as I was too nervous to pull the 5th wheel. Plus just before we left Maryland the truck started to have issues. If we let the diesel get below 1/4 of a tank it would stall out. We were forced to refuel after just a 1/2 tank of fuel.

On long our journey (we had planned to drive 400 miles per day max), we saw a brush fire on the side of the road but very little in traffic. Leaving at sunrise was a great way to travel. We made it to Iowa faster than expected so we decided to splurge and spend two nights in a hotel. This was also labor day weekend and we knew we would run into more traffic. Hot shower, comfortable bed, plenty of rest.



We hit the road Monday Sept 7, 2009 heading for Wyoming, one last night on the road and we hope to be in West Wendover. The truck stop in Rawlins Wyoming was full so we decided to park in a rest stop. Some rest stops allow overnight parkng some do not. You need to check with each state individually. As the night progressed more and more truckers joined us. By morning the place was full.

We hit the road ready and anxious to arrive in West Wendover. The truck had a few issues but nothing major until Coalville, UT. We stopped to get diesel and that was it. Truck would not start. If you have to break down. Coalville is the place to be. Just off interstate 80. Everyone at the service station was ready to help. They offered to unhitch the 5th wheel and park it in a safe place. Local mechanics were called for advice. People stopped and tried to help. We were told to have the truck towed to Salt Lake and given the name of a great place that specializes in ford diesel trucks. Thankfully we had AAA and towing 100 miles or less would be free. Just as I was ready to call AAA I heard a wonderfull sound, and JT was smiling and waving. She started. YAHOO!!! Said goodbye to everyone and thanked them for their help and headed towards West Wendover. 170 miles and we were there!!!!


Picked a camp site, paid for 6 months and went to set up our home. We are so close to our dream. YAY!!!

More details on the truck later. Lets just say we had to keep it running alot. Otherwise it would not start and we would be stuck for at least 30 mins or more.