Mission Control
I commented yesterday that the truck sometimes feels like mission control. In addition to the two remote thermometers, we have Pressure Pro tire pressure monitoring system and a GPS running all the time. (We plug in other electronics as needed.) One of the jobs of the navigator is to watch the Pressure Pro to make sure that the tire pressure on all the tires is within specifications. Pressure Pro is a nifty system that constantly monitors the tire pressure on each tire (both truck and 5th wheel) via radio waves. The valve stem on each tire was replaced with an expensive transmitter that constantly monitors the tire pressure. The control part of the system is a 12 volt monitor in the truck. Every day before we set out, we check the cold tire pressure in each tire. While driving, if the tire pressure gets off by 10% (too high or too low) an alarm sounds. Many RVers have stories of how they experienced significant damage from a blown tire so we are very careful to monitor the tire pressure constantly. One of the navigator’s job enroute is to watch the display on the Pressure Pro. Because the transmissions are via radio wave, it is not uncommon for the display unit to register a “fault” where it hasn’t received a reading from one tire (usually the rear driver’s side trailer tire) recently. The navigator needs to see the little red dot and move the receiver until a positive reading occurs.
There are so many audible alarms in the truck that sometimes when an alarm sounds we have to take a minute to figure out what system is unhappy. Is it low fuel? BLEECH sound. Is it “Trailer detached from Truck”? Similar BLEECH sound but different display. (This doesn’t actually mean that the trailer and the truck are not attached, it means that the plug for the lights and possibly the brakes has become unattached.) SCREECH. – That’s the CB doing an emergency broadcast test. – even when it isn’t plugged in. It has taken us 25k miles to get used to all these alarms. :-)
Oh, and while monitoring all the emergency systems the navigator also is supposed to read ahead (in the tiny print of guide books and maps) and tell the driver which lane to be in for the next turn. Generally I’m the navigator. While we both drive the rig, Robert prefers to drive. He doesn’t like the navigator’s job at all. I just want new glasses!
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo-Jump
It rained again last night. We got a slow start today but we wanted to visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo-Jump. What???????? Apparently this rock ledge is a site that for nearly 6,000 years people have caused buffalo to jump (fall) over the cliff as part of a buffalo hunt. By traditional legend, a long time ago a young native brave wanted to watch his people drive the buffalo off the cliff. He went below to wait. The hunt was particularly good that day. When the villagers came below the cliff to butcher the buffalo carcasses they found the young brave crushed between the weight of the buffalo carcasses and the hillside. Forevermore the place is known as “Head-Bashed-in-Buffalo-Jump”. The place is an important archeological site. Because the history of native people using the site to drive the buffalo to their deaths goes back so far, as archeologists have dug further, they have discovered tools and traditions of native people far longer ago than previously thought possible. The search was difficult because this site was in such continuous use that hundreds of years of remains were crushed in together. One Information Bulletin said that the “jump point” would have been far higher a very long time ago. As the jump got shorter, the buffalo didn’t die immediately; they were merely injured. During that time period archeologists found more arrows and spears showing the hunters waiting below the cliff to “finish off” the wounded buffalo. Very interesting...
We enjoyed a short hike up the face of the cliff.
Along the road to the Buffalo Site we saw a herd of burros. I've never seen a herd of burros before. Here's one who was near the fence.
FEED ME
After our short hike we returned to town to find a laundromat. Success! We found perhaps the best laundromat we’ve used on this trip. It was a Laundromat & Sweet Shop. As I filled the washers, Robert went to check out the ice cream. :-) We accomplished the laundry task in little more than 90 minutes. We asked at the Sweet Shop for a recommendation for a restaurant in town. The clerk told us we should try the Macloed; so we did. The food was okay and we each have plenty of leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Being from New Jersey originally, I would call the food, “Diner Food” – plentiful and fine but not gourmet.
Tomorrow we will complete one circle. On May 14th we crossed from Montana into Alberta. On September 24th we’ll cross from Alberta back into Montana at the same crossing. We plan to spend a few days at Dick’s RV Park in Great Falls, Montana before heading to Hardin, Montana -- Robert's goal. (more on the Hardin goal later...)
Oh, and I forgot to mention that when we got home tonight my mouse was missing. Apparently someone (some cat) had decided that my wireless mouse was meant to play. Cody ?? I found my poor wireless mouse in a cabinet (where a CAT probably knocked it.)
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