Leyte Gulf Decomm

 September 5 - 22, 2024

We left South Dakota and headed toward Norfolk, VA, where the USS Leyte Gulf (55) was being decommissioned. Our first stop along the way was Spartan Service Center in Charlotte, MI, where we had our chassis inspected and our tires realigned. After the AK roads, it seemed prudent. 

Our next stop was Showalter RV in Nappanee, IN, where we had our roof inspected. A couple of tubes of caulk later, we were good to go. 

Next we stopped at the FMCA campground in Cincinnati, where we joined a mini-rally for a couple of days. We had met most of the group the year prior in Michigan. So it was good to catch up, however briefly. We hope to see most of them again in October.

We reached the JEB Little Creek campground in Virginia Beach without incident, ready for the reunion weekend. Harold so enjoyed catching up with shipmates he hadn't seen in decades. We'll have to do better about staying in touch. 

The ceremony itself was on Norfolk Naval Base, Pier 2. Quite a few plankowners (those who pre-commissioned the ship) were on hand for the event. They helped man the rails one last time. Leyte Gulf will now join the Ghost fleet. 

USS Leyte Gulf

Contemplation

Remarks from Vice Admiral Black

Officers of the last deployment

Plankowners

Where Are We Going Next? 

What Happened to August?

August 5 - September 5, 2024

Sometimes the month just flies by. August was that month for us. We deliberately didn't do much sightseeing until after the Sturgis Rally. We eventually made the Needles and Iron Mountain Loop one afternoon. 

It was our month for doctors and dentists in the Rapid City area. This year it seemed we had more follow-up visits than usual. We felt like we were running into town just about every other day. 

On top of the medical visits, we had repairs and some deep cleaning to do after the Alaska highways. The windshield replacement was an overnight at the only glass shop in Rapid that handled motorhome windshields. We had, and still have for that matter, a rear jack that's giving us trouble. 

Then, our campground was hit with hail during a storm. Just about everything plastic on the roof had to be replaced - A/C covers, fan covers, TV antenna, and vent covers. Our 360 camera housings took a hit too. We were in town during the storm, sparing our Jeep. There was more than one cracked windshield. The insurance agents and mobile repair guys were busy. So thankful Harold is willing and able to get up on the roof! 

The next few weeks will be busy. We're  having to rethink some of our fall plans. Medical issues will mean a return to the area. We really like our doctors here. 

Custer State Park

Washington profile

Out with the old...

...In with the new

Cleaning the AK dust 

Hail carnage (not just us)

Up the ladder again.

Where Are We Going Next? 

The Ride, The Roar, The Rally

We arrived in South Dakota on day four of the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Motorcycles were everywhere. Harold had an outpatient procedure at Ft. Meade in Sturgis during the rally. We scheduled it for the first thing in the morning, guessing that most motorcyclists would not be out and about early in the day. If they were out, they would be on their way for a day's outing to Devil's Tower, the Black Hills, or the Badlands as opposed to a Sturgis bar. We did not have any traffic issues though we noted how quickly those additional, temporary stop signs and stoplights could really slow things down.

Here are a few snapshots that we took throughout the week. Over 470,000 motorcyclists visited the area during the rally. Increasingly, the week before the rally is busy. Hotels and campgrounds are full. Restaurants are busy. We avoid travel on Needles Highway or Iron Mountain Road during rally. The noise alone would be deafening. 

While this year's Sturgis attendance was on the lower side, many expect next year's attendance to be higher - the 85th year of Sturgis Rally.

Rally at Exit 55 - temporary tents at Harley dealer in Rapid

Lots of cargo trailers at Rapid City hotels

Waiting our turn for the temporarily installed stop sign

Looking down Main St. Sturgis mid-morning

Temporary campgrounds along the freeway

Last day of rally

Rain delay 

Where Are We Going Next? 

What's the Road Like?

June - July, 2024  

Having heard much about the Alaska Highway and other northern highways, we really thought we'd be prepared. Harold had mentally planned and budgeted for a new windshield and a new tire. Thankfully we did not need a new tire by the end of our trip. However, a new windshield had to be ordered and was waiting for us in Rapid City. 

The Alaska Highway did not get rough until somewhere around Destruction Bay and Burwash Landing in the YT. The frost heaves do heavy damage to the road on an annual basis. Along the way you'll see several research attempts to combat the heaves. In a motorhome, you have to go slow, or you'll do some serious damage to your undercarriage. Traveling 40 mph at best, you have to slow almost to a stop for a number of the heave areas. Orange flags or road damage signs warn you a fair amount of the time-but not all!

It was the fresh chip seal in BC and YT that did our windshield damage. Semi trucks coming the opposite direction peppered our windshield with large gravel. We cringed every time we saw a truck coming. Harold even found gravel on our roof when we finally made it to an RV wash.

On the plus side of the journey, we saw lots of roadside wildlife and the scenery is incredible. Surprisingly, the volume of traffic was less than I thought it might be, considering the AK Highway is pretty much the only road.

Would I do the Alaska Highway again in a motorhome? Truthfully, probably not. It's a long way. The roads are rather rough in areas and unless you have a satellite phone, you may not be able to call anyone. A roadside assist plan may not be able to help you either. 

We pulled into a turnout in the YT to let our tires cool from all the braking we did. In front of us a guy was under his motorhome. His jacks would not retract. He had called his roadside assist plan. They could not find anyone to come to his remote location. Thankfully with onboard tools and Harold's help, he was able to get the jacks retracted and get back on the road. 

Construction and other hazards plague the roads too. While we were there, the AK Highway was closed completely for short periods of time due to washouts and wildfires. The Klondike Highway to Skagway closed for a landslide. There aren't a lot of other roads for detours either. You wait until the roads reopen. 

Traveling the roads in an auto would probably be a totally different experience. Another year might be a totally different experience. I'm not too eager to try again though. Once was enough for me. If we head to AK again, we'll get there another way. The AK Highway experience is checked. ✓

Maintenance while the brakes cool

Ambling along

Crazy ruts

Slow down again

Desperate measures (not our coach)

Reminds me of Custer State Park

Overnight spot along the road

Muncho Lake

Washout ahead - one lane only

Where Are We Going Next?