We packed up in Seattle with a freshly replenished supply of Rainier cherries—nature’s candy and now our favorite road trip essential. The weather was perfect, and the truck had just gotten a fresh tire rotation, oil and fluids change, ready to take on the Cascade Mountains with Mosey III’s big ol’ backside trailing faithfully behind.

Our weekend stop in Coeur d’Alene was the perfect mid-journey reset. Picture sparkling lake views, forested backdrops, and a town so charming it made us seriously consider buying matching paddleboards and fully committing to a lifestyle of flannel, log furniture and Saturday kayaking. We didn’t (yet), but we did stretch our legs, breathe in that alpine air, and momentarily forget what day it was. 

Butte, Montana: We Dig It (Literally)

From there, we rolled into Butte, MT—home of the World Museum of Mining, and I am a bit surprised when I tell you it was better than we expected. Built on the site of a former copper mine, this museum is equal parts history, grit, and “what did they use THAT for?!” It has a massive old mine shaft, rusty mining equipment that looks like it belongs in a steampunk music video, and an impressively detailed Old West town that makes you feel like you’re in a Clint Eastwood movie… if Clint carried a selfie stick and a sensible sun hat.

We climbed to the top of the headframe (the giant mine elevator tower thingy) for a panoramic view. Worth it. Not just for the scenery, but for the bragging rights. We now refer to it as “that time we basically scaled a mountain, but with handrails.” 

Virginia City/Nevada City: Cowboys, Parking Perils, and Pizza Perfume

Next stop: Virginia City and Nevada City—real, living Old West towns where history and modern life shake hands over a good slice of pizza. We had just intended to walk through town and maybe grab a cold drink, but the smell of roasted garlic and hot, bubbly cheese hit us like a cartoon smoke cloud with arms. It literally pulled us off the boardwalk and into a saloon-style pizzeria where we made short work of a pizza pie and drooled over huckleberry ice cream floats.  While enjoying our meal we half expect someone to burst through swinging saloon doors yelling, “There’s gold in them thar hills!”

RV Life: Winding Roads and Parking Woes

Now let’s take a moment to talk about driving a 25-foot Airstream plus a tow vehicle through winding mountain roads. It’s kind of like playing slow-motion Grand Theft Auto while steering a parade float through a maze. Every curve—especially the ones where someone decides to pass on a blind corner—feels like a trust fall with gravity. And every successful parking attempt? A small but deeply satisfying triumph, like parallel parking a whale… in front of an audience.

Backing the Airstream into tight parking spots has become a couples’ sport—equal parts communication exercise and public performance art. There were hand signals. There was shouting. There may have been applause from casual observers when we nailed it on the third (or maybe fourth) try.

Next Destination: Red Rock RV Park—Just Outside Yellowstone

We’ve now landed at Red Rock RV Park, nestled in a beautiful valley just outside the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park. We’re surrounded by wildflowers, mountain air, and the gentle hum of other travelers trying to remember if they packed bear spray or just more granola bars.

Next up: Yellowstone, where geysers shoot sky-high, wildlife roams free, and we do our best to keep Millie from making friends with a bison. It’s going to be explosive—in the best way.

Until next time, keep following the Silver Lining—preferably with a decent cell signal, a GPS that doesn’t think gravel goat paths are scenic shortcuts, and someone patient enough to help you back into a campsite that was clearly designed for a tent.