DSCN0075We had just driven about 12 hours, from Laramie, Wyoming to Boise, Idaho.  The scenery was lovely and unexpected.  I guess I thought Idaho would be more like PEI, all green and full of potato fields.  It was a lot drier there, with mountains in the background.  And it was soooo hot!  We stopped for dinner at a rest area where we barbecued some steaks, then made our way to the nearest Cracker Barrel in Boise.

We spoke to the Manager about parking for the night and he seemed a bit cautious in his answer, stating that they were not responsible for any damage.  Of course, we figured we would be in the camper, so how much trouble can a little camper get into?  It was too hot to get to sleep that early, in spite of our fatigue, and it was still light out, so we walked over to the neighbouring bar and had a long cold one as we sat on the patio.  After sunset, somewhere around 10pm, we returned to our camper and I sat and blogged a bit.  About 30 minutes later, it was time to call it a night.

The camper was like a tin can left in the sun, so I grabbed a damp facecloth and moistened my neck and chest area to cool myself.  I had been overheated since we left the dinner area, in spite of the air conditioning while we drove.  I was still so hot that I had to keep the cloth on me until I fell asleep.  Leon, of course, was already in zzzzland.

About an hour later, I was awakened by the sound of firecrackers in the parking lot.  I checked the window to see a couple of young adults, possibly employees of the restaurant, having a cigarette and a bit of fun before they drove off.  I tried to get back to sleep and was disturbed again by a noisy car pulling away.  By then, we were pretty much alone in the parking lot behind the restaurant.  I sort of dozed off again but was feeling apprehensive about our choice to stay there for the night, rather than find a safe, cozy campground.

Once again, I was startled awake by some voices and the sound of firecrackers.  But this time they sounded like they were right outside our camper.  I started imagining they were plotting to throw a few explosives under our camper to scare the old folks to death!  Enough was enough!  I woke Leon up to tell him I felt unsafe.  We quietly dressed in the dark and Leon moved to the front of the camper to open the drapes and drive us out of there.  As we came around the corner of the parking lot, we saw 3 punky young adults standing around, ready to resume their fun.  Then they walked away, back towards the hotel that was adjoining the parking lot.

Leon figured that perhaps we needed a few more campers as there is safety in numbers.  We consulted our GPS, Bruce, and found the closest Walmart, which happened to be open 24 hours.  There was another camper, all tucked in for the night, from Quebec, a school bus and a security car making his rounds.  There was also a homeless guy with a dog, sitting on the curb, having a meal, but we didn’t let that deter us.  It was almost 1am by then and we needed the sleep.

In the end, we slept very well and woke up refreshed enough to make it to the coast the next day.  I don’t know… I think that might be the last time we attempt to stay in a Cracker Barrel parking lot, unless Lucien and Helene are parked right beside us!