Racing the smoke. Day 68, August 28, 2017 - T (touchdown)-minus 3 days

How lucky can a girl get?  Today we left our campground on the Salmon River

Campground along the Salmon River




and  drove along the scenic Salmon River byway in Idaho and mostly endured increasing smoke.  We had planned to camp on highway 21 just the western side of the Sawtooths but as we drove down that highway we just kept sinking deeper and deeper into eye-burning smoke.  I asked Russ, can we turn around and go back to Hwy 75 – which we had passed and where the smoke seemed less (at least we could see that the sky had a blue tint).  He said, "whatever you want. " So we did it and this time it was the right move.  First we stopped at this campground that was called “Glacier View” on the Redfin Lake.  Should have known, there was cell service there, way over-crowded and just not what I was looking for to spend 2 of the last 3 nights on our trip (last one will be in Elko where we can have Basque food and full hookups).



We took another look at the campsite app (Allstays) and found this place called Petitt Lake Campground just 2 miles (dirt road) off of I-75.  Only 13 sites, and no cell service.  For those dry  campers (and if you don't know what that means -- let me tell you, it means no water, no electricity and no sewer) who are inexperienced and want to avoid crowds, there are 3 other things you might want to keep in mind.  1) A few sites, 2)dirt access road (at least 2 miles) and 3) no cell service (usually comes with a dirt road amenity).   What a find!!  Add to that the fact that the elevation is 7200 feet which means that it is not going to get hotter than we can handle without electrical hookups and we have a winner.  But wait.  There is more.  Here there is a beautiful, clear lake with nobody else around.  Remind me that I need to get a blow up kayak – this would be the place.  Oh, did I mention that the cost to camp for us seniors is $8.00 per night?  Staying here for 2. 

Pettit Lake - nothing between it and us



View of the Sawtooths from our campsite


Still thinking of those poor people in Texas and feeling guilty because I am so isolated here to hear their stories. 

The other thing I wanted to mention is the amount of carnage the bark beetles and fire have wreaked on the National Forests here.  Every time we drive around a corner there is another stand of dead or burnt trees.  I would like to give a shout out to the Tahoe National Forest for doing such a good job of preventing these situations.  I hope those of you who have never seen another National Forest will never have to witness what we have seen in the past few days.  I know it is all part of the circle of life but it is just plain ugly and sad.

On a lighter note, we get to stay here, in this beautiful place 2 days.  I will keep taking pictures so that by the time you guys see this, you will see what I mean.

Nitey Nite.


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