You Scream, I Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream

So, what is this Post all about?

It's all about the Dairies that we have come across, which produce Ice Cream.  

Moline, Il.

2013, is when we first met, Wayne and Kathy Taubman. It was they who introduce us to Whitey ice cream. 

 

Whitey Ice Cream 

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Of course, when we ever came near a Whiteys, we would stop in and buy some and bring it to Wayne and kathy.

It was also 2013, while we were in Montgomery, Illinois, that Susan introduced me to Oberweis Dairy

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Elkton, Oregon

In 2015, we were on our way to Alaska. It was in a little town name, Elkton, Oregon. We can across this little coffee shop as we drove thru. As we were getting our morning coffee brew, the young lady, suggested a scoop of Umpqua ice cream. She also suggested a shot of espresso for me, along with chocolate roasted coffee beans on top of our coffee drinks.

 

 

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It was also 2015, that we found a dairy located in Washington, just a short hop across from the Canadian border called Edaleen. In a town called Lynden, Wa.

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Now, there was 1 additional Ice Cream place, but for the life of me I cannot remember where. All I do remember, it was some far out place in the county. 

Now you may be wondering, why I am going thru all this Ice Cream Business. As we were traveling on I-90 thru Montana, we received a phone call from some friends. They were going on about this Ice Cream, that they had found in a small town, called Livingston. They were going on and on about this ice cream. Which they could not even remember the name. But, they said we just had to stop there, go to a small store and get some. 

Well after a little searching, I found the Ice Cream they were raving about was Wilkerson Dairy. 

So to humor them we stopped, purchased 3 pints, took a few photos, of course I texted the photos to them. Saying Eat your heart out. 

So, this whole post can be blamed on Kathleen and Pat Bustamante.

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Oh, you were wondering which was the Best Ice Cream?

Safe Travels and Journeys

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

DaGirls Rv

3 W's

Heat Wave

What, we are in a Heat Wave all through the Northwest area.

Yes, heat in the low 90's have broken out and we have to take measures to reduce the heat getting in.

So, to help with this we have installed our sun-screens on the the front (we are facing south), we have placed our Reflectix between window and screens, as this reduces most of the heat getting thru. 

Cost $25 for Reflectix R 21 50-sq ft Unfaced Reflective Roll Insulation (24-in W x 25-ft L). It can be bought online or thru Big Box stores

We have been using reflectix since 2007 in our Alfa, especially since we lived in Az. It is amazing how much heat is reduced by placing it on the outside Vs. inside. And of course our current prices are well over 5 years old and it is time to replace due to there age. 

Photos well, not really, our first storm in the area

Be on the Look-out for a Special Edition on 

You Scream, I scream, We all scream 

for Ice Scream

Safe Travels and Journeys

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

DaGirls Rv

3 W's 

Day Off - Hauser Dam

So, Tuesday was a day off, we decided to take a Road Trip and see the sights.

Specifically, Helens Reservoir, Lake helena and go upto Hauser Dam.

Hauser Dam Red Marker to Canyon Ferry

 

Anyway, if you would like, here is a little reading material:

Hauser Dam (also known as Hauser Lake Dam) is a hydroelectric straight gravity dam on the Missouri River about 14 miles (23 km) northeast of Helena, Montana, in the United States. The original dam, built between 1905 and 1907, failed in 1908 and caused severe flooding and damage downstream. A second dam was built on the site in 1908 and opened in 1911 and comprises the present structure. The current Hauser Dam is 700 feet (210 m) long and 80 feet (24 m) high.^[3] The reservoir formed by the dam, Hauser Lake (also known as Hauser Reservoir) is 25 miles (40 km) long, has a surface area of 3,800 acres (1,500 ha), and has a storage capacity of 98,000 acre feet (121,000,000 m³) of water when full.^[4]

The dam is a "run-of-the-river" dam because it can generate electricity without needing to store additional water supplies behind the dam. The powerhouse contains six generators, bringing Hauser dam's generating capacity to 17 MW.

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Now for Some Photo Ops: Welcome to Hauser Dam 

Yes there is Fishing 

Along with Photos of the Dam:

Of Course the Mighty Water Flow from the Dam:

And of Course the Dakota Shot:

Safe Travels and Journeys

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

DaGirls Rv

Remember the e "W's". 

Week 2 and counting

We arrived on the afternoon of July 8. Here it is July 20th., and it has been 12 days, since arrival, 9 days on the job, and 2 weekends on duty.

So, what can we say about Court Sheriff CG? 

The people are great, easy to talk to and get along. They police there sites upon leaving. The vault toilets are nothing like the ones at Spillway Campground in Woods Canyon Lake area in Arizona. 

We explain the rules they signed up for, no one complains, as we say, we choose our battles wisely. Our battles are based on safety of the individuals and property. 

Vault Toilets, many people would say I'm not cleaning those terrible things. The units here are cleaned twice and checked. People here do not mess them up nor do they intentionally, leave them dirty. So, how long does it take me a set of vaults? I could be in and out in under 5 minutes if I choose to, however, I spend about 20 minutes and it takes about 3,000 steps to complete the CG circuit. 

The rest of the day will be spent in cleaning the sites, once they are vacated. Specifically, fire pits. That's it, that is all I am required to complete. However, I need to keep busy, so I have taken to picking up the small pieces of trash (paper, cigarette butts) and other items on the ground. 

So, Do You Have What it Takes to be a Camp Host Volunteer ?

Safe Journeys and Travels

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

DaGirls Rv

Remember the 3 "W's"

Thursday July 16

It has been 1 week, since we arrived in Court Sheriff CG.

On Friday, the 17th, it will be 1 week that we have been on Duty. 

Tues. and Wed. are our days off, which we took advantage of. Tues, was spent in Helena, driving around and checking out the local areas. One such place was Bert & Ernies. In 2014, we had a 3 week adventure with Kathy, Wayne, and Tungor Taubman, unfortunately Wayne & Tungor have passed away to that Big Rv in the Sky. He and Kathy were true wanders in the Rv world. He always stated: I want to do it all.

Anyway, we plan on going back and have one for Kathy, Wayne & Tungor. 

This photo was at Helena City Park. 

The last time there were 4 of us in the photo with the City in the Background.

So, that was Tues. 

On Wed., we picked a spot north of us, near a place called Wolf Creek. Let me say, some people, will say this is a blip on the map. Wolf Creek, does NOT even deserve a blip on the map. So, photos, we blink and it was gone. However, our drive took us to 2 places. 

Add caption

Our next spot for lunch and viewing was Holder lake. Roughly 7 miles down a paved then to dirt road.

See that little Dot. That is where we were. 

Departure Point Campground and Day Use.

We had packed a picnic basket and of course Dakota & Tilly, so while we were enjoying a walk on the shore. Dakota decided to try her paw at swimming again. Luckily I had a very long cord, which I attached to her, since I did not have her swimming vest. 

As you can see, she is doing very well at swimming out and back.

Anyway, Thursday came and we are back at work. Today, was a normal day, most campsites were filled, and took me about a hour of cleaning and walking around. This time I may it a little different. I brought along a pickup stick and picked up trashed that had been blown around and the dreaded cigarettes butts. So, I really walk the campground 3 times, just to keep busy. 

However, the first thing we do is walk Dakota and Tilly, while I check out the Vault Toilets. Specifically the toilet paper and how cleaning maybe needed. I spend about 15 minutes at the Vault Toilets. I just take my time. I'm retired and in no hurry.

Susan on the other hand, she is busy, seeing the check ins and checkouts. While making the plackers for future arrivals at the sites.

Now, let me say, Camp Host Volunteering, is not for everyone. As you read above, the hours and amount of time spent is terrible. 2 hours in the morning and maybe an hour in the evening. Terrible, new people to meet, new journeys and adventures in the surrounding areas. 

This is not for everybody. 

Even Dakota is not enjoying her time here.

View of our Campground from across.

Remember if you single or double click on the Photos they will be enlarged.

Safe Travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Remember the 3 "W's".  

 

First Weekend

Well, we completed our first weekend here at Court Sheriff, as campground host's. 

So, how was it ?

Well to say the truth ? Very easy, and quite. 

How did our day start. Like normal, I got up early, and did normal duties. Around 8 am raising of the Flag, then, grabbing toilet paper, towels, gloves and sanitizer, I headed out to the 6 vault toilets. I was amazed how clean there were, especially since the campground was full. So, replaced TP, where there was a partial rolls, sprayed sanitizer on toilet seat, cover, handrails and all the door handles. I allowed a good 5 minutes, before wiping anything down. In all, it took me 45 minutes, from the lower side to the upper side of the Campground (CG).  

By that time I was heading back to our site, and then meeting up with Susan and the girls out walking.  

After breakfast, we all went out and Susan took a count of Rv's that had arrived, collect license plate information and talked to many of the arrival's. 

We also learned that 2 large grounds were arriving. One at the North end, other at the south end. This all started on Friday.

During Saturday, we met Tyler (deputy sheriff), Mike the local biologist for game and fish, and Mike maintenance worker. We learned alot about the previous CG host. Let's just say this. Being a CG host means there are alot of gray areas. We all have to be flexible in many ways. 

By the end of day, we met most everyone camping, made a few more rounds, check the vault toilets, at least twice and then started dinner. 

In all, we worked a total of 4 hours, maybe, and they were easy hours. Sunday, was going to be busy, over 30 sites were turnovers. Going out and coming in. Again, say routing, and about 4 hours of work. Also during this time, we completed setting up our site.

One of the nicest thing going is the communication between people, Supervisor, Law enforcement, and campers. So different,, I am not saying working is different, as whether in Custer or here, when you are actually working with someone you learn to respect them. Communications in our previous volunteering job was ok, but there were too many things not said. 

So, before you accept any, volunteer jobs, make a list - good and bad and ensure you discuss them prior to starting or accepting a position. 

Safe Travels and Journeys

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Remember the 3 W's during these times.

Where did we land ?

Temperature: 44 degrees.

In the last post, you read what possibilities we were in discussion. 

Well, we drove into Court Sheriff Campground located in the Canyon Ferry Reservoir. We discussed the many possibilities of what we were looking for, and many questions. The minute we drove into the campground, did a small walk, we knew Court Sheriff would work out. Even if it meant cleaning 6 single vault toilets. Following are a few photos.

So, what are duties, time, etc:

Time: 5 days on, 2 days off. So really what does that mean. On our days on, we are to be available to the campers for questions, and explain rules. Clean fire pits and vault toilets. Does this really require 8 hours a day work ?  No, in all maybe 2 hrs a day. Can we leave the campground on our workdays ? Yes, complete your assignment, check on campers, inform our supervisor, and let them know we are leaving and about what time we will return. 

Now are we law enforcement ? NO ! WE ARE NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT. If it pertains to someone breaking the LAW, that is law enforcement responsibility. Since this is US Government property, this would be Federal Enforcement. Something you do not want to get into. 

Then what is it, we do ? What we do is provide information to the campers on the rules and regulations, that they had agreed to, when they made there reservations. And inform them or remind them. Ensure everyone is having a good time.  

This is our temporary spot for now.

So, how about Cell Phone ?

For up to 480p video, 400 to 1,200 kbps is recommended. With 160 kbps of audio and at 20-25 frames per second, you should have an upload speed between 672 kbps and a bit over 1.6 Mbps. For 480p video at up to 60 frames per second, you should use a bitrate between 1,500 and 3,000 kbps.

Verizon ?

Download 13,700 Kbps

Upload 9,500 Kbps

AT&T ?

Download 25,700 Kbps

Upload 6,900 Kbps

T-Mobile ?

Unknown

OTA = Over the Air TV ? Unknown

Satellite = Sky View excellent

Rüdiger, WoW

Which goes good with Rudy's Chips

Pat & Kathleen Bustamante, Ok, so we followed your suggestion. 

EAT YOUR HEART OUT

or in this case

Your Waist Line

More on the above subject later - much later, after many experiments have been completed and the data analyze.

 Jeff Venable - Many Hiking Trails in the Area, including Hiking up to Mount Helena - Press Here for Information 

DaGirls Rv

Safe Travels and Journeys

Remember the 3 W's

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me.