Day 2: So there we are, celebrating the arrival of the VW Touareg, and the safe return of our two hardy souls who had gone back to fetch it. We manage to collect our scattered possessions and crew and load up for an almost full day of traveling to our next campsite in Montana–Lewis & Clark Caverns, halfway to Yellowstone.

Everything ready to go, we hitch up AS to Touareg, and as a last test of readiness, check the turnsignals and brakelights on the AS. Yes, all ready to go and—-no turn signals, no taillights! Cannot travel without them. Somehow the Touareg is not reading the AS electrical signal–the plug worked fine for the truck, but not for the Touareg!

What to do? Once again, intrepid thinking on the part of our vehicle chief (Mike) who got VW Spokane to agree to see us right away–followed by the Sprinter, since we had no lights and had to have cover from the rear! Long story short, spent day at VW!! (rest of group went shopping at Winco! Supplies & snacks always needed!) The VW people wanted to order expensive parts which could arrive the next day. Our car dealer back in Kent said to take it to a trailer shop–they would know more about towing than VW. So we did both–ordered the part AND went to the trailer shop.

But that meant another night in the campsite…luckily they had a space for us!

Kids are getting restless, so are adults. But next morning, turns out those guys know what is what and immediately replace a fuse and Bingo! we are working again. They give us a spare, just in case. On the Road again! Jubilant! Then, after 15 minutes or so, Sprinter phone call: lights are out again.

Fortunate event #2: Mike has an adapter for the electrical plug. He hasn’t used it yet because it wasn’t needed. But now he connects it, puts in the spare fuse, and Double Bingo!! we are fixed. And no more problems for the rest of the trip!! That’s just working out the kinks, unfortunately it had to be done on the road, but who knew the truck would blow a line?

YES, another night spent in Spokane…this time at a KOA campground, which was shoulder to shoulder and nary a tree in sight! We decided the kids needed a break and took them off to a nearby amusement/water park for 4 or 5 hours, which may have been the highlight of the trip for them!

It’s basically all smooth sailing from here on in–we’re 2 days behind schedule, so we have to cut Yellowstone short by 2 days. Still, we do as much as we can, have great campsites there, see all the incredible steam vents, geysers, mudpots, bison & elk we can cram in…and turn around and head back. Stop at Beavertail Hill State Park coming & going, fish in the river, build a campfire, and all the other things that camping in the “real” woods is fun to do. All in all, a great time had by all.

Family experience not soon forgotten!

P.S. The Airstream has been left out of the drama, because it was never a problem! It did everything it was supposed to and did it well–I am a little more advanced now in my driving and parking skills, and look forward to the next adventure–hopefully in September, Glacier National Park, to celebrate my 70th birthday!
But with a smaller crew!
Aloha everyone and thanks for following our Fortunate Series of Events!! Following photos are strictly beauty shots of Yellowstone–if you’ve never been there, it is a MUST SEE!!

Victoria