Bozeman, MT

I pulled out of Buffalo at 9:30. There were storms predicted for this morning and I wanted to leave at a reasonable time to avoid them. Buffalo was a nice town, but I might as well have pulled into a parking lot for the stay. The camp ground was too rustic for me. The water was among the worst I've come across on the road. I had to drive across a vacant lot with the rig to get back on the gravel road leading out.

My drive today was 311 miles. About 50 miles more than I would have liked. But places to stay in this part of the country are sparse. Besides, I've never been to Bozeman before. The truck drove beautifully. The fuel filter change made a world of difference. My mileage was up. I was getting 10.5 mpg on this leg. That includes pretty fair cross winds and constant up hill driving on into the mountains.

Storms were all around me. I seemed to have a bit of luck with me because I didn't get any rain until I was going over Bozeman's Pass. By then I was almost to the RV park anyway. The park is called Bear Canyon. The information I had was that it is a pretty good park with good ratings. When I exited I-90 to the road to the park, the underpass height read 13'-6". That's only a foot higher than my rig!

I found the office and checked in. I had reserved a full hookup site and didn't mind if it was a back in. Boy, what narrow tree encroached roads. There are huge Class A motorhomes all over the place. Each site is super tight with trees growing almost to the point of being too large. My back in was clear of trees in all directions. But, it was tight. I jockeyed the trailer back and forth for 15 minutes until I shoe-horned it in with enough clearance all around.

I was getting the blocks out to level the trailer side to side when I noticed there was no sewer hook up. Okay, back to the office. The kid working there noticed the mistake and gave me a full hook up site in another section of the park. The last full hook up available. Okay, let's make another loop and find it.

Tight

Site 21 was a narrow, tree encroached site. I didn't think I could get in as I approached. I had to get out and survey the situation. The Aspen tree at the near corner was grown out and overhanging the entrance. The site next door was awfully close too. I felt if I drove on the far side into the grass I could clear the tree and still get back on the gravel - maybe!?

I plunged ahead. I cleared everything and was back on the gravel. I had only one place on the gravel that I could fit and get my slides out. It was on an up slope though. Anyway, I got level and hooked up AND with no scratches or dents either!

Most parks are nice and you can expect wide open spaces with adequate shade. It seems more so in the northern states that you have to be on your toes more than anywhere else. You never know what you're getting into.

After I got hooked up and settled in, I noticed the tree at the exit end. There is no way I can get around it without problems. I headed back to the office and asked Greg if they could prune that tee before I leave. The kid assured me that would be no problem. ...we'll see...

Bozeman weather is predicted to be full of storms for the next three days!