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As some of you already know, Twist and I have just returned to the mountains of Western North Carolina (home) after a two month trip to Wyoming for some fly fishing. We spent time at Boysen State Park, the town of Meeteetse, west of Cody on the North Fork of the Shoshone River, north of Cody at Dead Indian, Sunlight and Hunter Peak. Then nine days in Yellowstone at Pebble Creek Campground before hitting West Yellowstone to do laundry and restock the pantry and fridge - plus get something actually cooked by someone other than myself. Then it was off to Falls Campground and Brooks Lake off highway 26 west of Dubois. Getting towards our final legs of the trip, we went to Horse Creek and Double Cabin north of Dubois where we actually did see fresh Grizzly tracks at the edge of Horse Creek. Then we ended up at Ring Lake and Torrey Creek where we caught our biggest fish of the trip (an 18 inch brown trout) and found a fair amount of Native American rock drawings right across from camp. A few hundred trout, numerous deer, pine martins, ground squirrels (or pocket pens as the locals call them), buffalo, elk, mountain goats, moose, antelope, wolves, and, hawks and falcons and right at 5,000 miles later we returned home. Twist was a great companion who never let me down, kept me safe, warm and dry and comfortable. I never really believed Anita when she told me that people would actually follow you into gas stations and/or rest stops in order to inquire about the Oliver. But, she was more than right! And, just try getting out of a commercial campground without at least on person wanting to know all about it. I even had two un-related couples waiting for me in the parking lot of the Cody WalMart to return from shopping so they could see the interior. I may have mentioned this before, but, if you are planning a trip west for 2017, be careful. Due to the total eclipse that is scheduled for next summer, I was told that for at least the two weeks either side of the eclipse all hotels and camp grounds for virtually the entire length of highway 26 (think from Jackson through Dubois and down toward Rawlins ) are already booked solid. Here are a few pictures from the trip:

Bill, Can't say that I spent a bunch of time in laundromats, but, that laundry is one of my favorites. While I wait for the machines to get done I can catch up on email with their free WiFi and its clean with an attendant always on duty if you have a problem. Another thing about Cody is that at the water works/sanitation department on the outskirts of town they will let you dump your tanks and fill with fresh water. Bill

Coy, Thanks for starting this thread in that I too have been interested in knowing more about what's out there. Randy - good comments on the basic insurance part and it would seem that your conclusions on coverage would be correct. In any case, there is simply too much at stake to NOT make sure as to exactly what is covered and what is not covered and under what circumstances is it covered. I too have been using AAA's RV trip insurance. However, I've been thinking about changing - a couple of years ago with my old RV I had a wheel problem which required me to be towed a total of five miles. AAA only covered $100 of the towing charge and would not arrange the details of the tow even though I was stranded on Interstate 70 one mile east of Hays, Kansas (not exactly out in the middle of nowhere). Therefore, I had to find a towing company, and pay the bill (thank goodness they took plastic). Thank goodness a State Patrol Officer stopped and had the phone number of a towing company and kept me a bit safer on the side of the interstate as the semi's roared past. Bill

Everyone - Thanks for the comments - glad you enjoyed it. Randy - the orange Harbor Freight suction cup is used for hanging my fishing waders out to dry. It really works great and the orange reminds me to take it off prior to moving. The sticker on the back is a Yeti carrying a fly rod - a bit of a self portrait. Bill - That "brown" trout is actually a nice Brook Trout who lives in prime Grizzly bear territory. Bear spray and a sidearm were always at the ready! Trumpetguy - Yes, Brevard really does like dogs and beer, or, is that beer and dogs? Anyway, if you thought it was hot and steamy here you should live in Florida? Seriously, my wife didn't exactly appreciate me telling her about 10% humidity and 75 degree daytime high temps. But, someone just had to do it! Hopefully, someday, I'll be around while you are here so we can share a tonic or two. Bill

My auto insurance is Amica, and if it is covered under your tow vehicle then it is probably only covered while being towed, this if while towing you roll and it hits something your covered, if it detaches and does something your not, if it isn't attached to your truck and a tree falls on it your not, if you out travelling and you go for a hike and come back to it being gone your not. Amica spelled it all out for me for the different scenarios so that I would understand it. If your cost did not increase for three insurance, then your Oliver is NOT covered for when you will need it the most. Please double check and have them spell it out, it's not worth just going by what one person said "don't worry about it your covered" its not his loss or coming out of his pocket. I believe the trailer added about $500 to my policy for full replacement coverage and all circumstances. Otherwise, I use AAA and still need to up it to the RV plan. I've never used it and hope I never do, so I can't say how satisfied I am with it.

Don, I know that there are "caps" and/or "plugs" available for these quick connectors. The only problem would be that they would not be on those nice little chains like the originals. But, I'm guessing that if you are really OCD even that problem could be overcome. Bill

Marc's windows flipped