Three Islands Crossing
Trip Start
Nov 19, 2007
1
90
165
Trip End
Ongoing
Loading Map
Glenns Ferry,
Idaho,
United States
Saturday, August 23, 2008
We pulled into a rest area to stretch our legs and I noticed a classic Airstream aluminum motorhome (not a trailer) parked a dozen spaces down from us. We were having a cup of coffee in the shade and decided to walk over and have a closer look. The driver noticed us staring and opened his sliding window to say hello. After a short chat, he invited us in for a tour. Jerry appreciated that I knew something about the rarity of his rig and he confirmed that there were only 4 of them in the entire U.S. when they got it 4 years ago. They are full-timing it and work on call (part time) for the military. They are assigned as a support team to a single helicopter where he is the mechanic and she drives the fuel truck. He and Sam (his wife) were on their way to southeastern Idaho where a "controlled" forest fire had gotten out of control and helicopers were being deployed to contain it. We hadn't realized that the truck towing a huge plastic fuel container parked next to the Airstream was part of their 2 vehicle convoy when we pulled up.
After answering our questions and showing us around, they eagerly accepted a tour of our RV and while I envied the cool classic lines of their Airstream, they envied our pop-out (more interior room) and 20 m.p.g. We exchanged stories about some of the places we had visited but they had already stayed too long and had to hit the road to meet the helicoper. I wish we had met them when they had more time to stick around, what an interesting couple!
Route 84 follows the Snake River at this part of our journey, so we are once again parked only a stones throw from the great river. This is a beautiful park with a museum that focuses on the flow and experiences of settlers traveling over the Oregon Trail and the impact they had on the native Americans and the land.
