We talked it over and we've decided to head home. We had trouble finding a motel last night - Rapid City was full! The staff at the Cambria Suites in Rapid City were wonderful to work with - they gave us a big discount after hearing a very brief version of our story even though they only had 3 rooms left. The motel prices are high right now our bill was still over $200. We really didn't want to pay a fortune to stay in the Black Hills. We've been there before and didn't have a lot of special plans.
So we are headed home to Illinois. Tonight we are in Albert Lea, Minnesota. We made a motel reservation before we got on the road this morning and all is well. We just got back from eating right next door. During dinner a heavy rain storm went through; we walked back to the motel after the rain let up.
We made all of our reservations for our Great Adventure last January and February. We got great deals on our rentals and ALWAYS paid less than a motel. I want to share the rentals and our comments with you.
The first place was a condo in Canmore, Alberta, Canada.
This was very nice, clean, comfortable, and secure. It was a condo with underground parking. A code was needed to get into the parkade and to use the elevator. We'd happily stay there again but will probably choose something closer to Jasper.
http://www.vrbo.com/424488
The West Glacier cabin was very nice but the Internet and TV were iffy. Come to find out, the owner had us logging into the neighbor's internet account! The owner was also a little OCD - she had very nice furnishings but everything was covered. She also had sticky notes on everything. Patti and I talked about removing all of the notes and putting them on the fridge but we didn't. This cabin was VERY convenient to Glacier National Park. We'd pass next time. After giving the cabin a 4 out of 5 star rating, the owner contacted me and asked that I rewrite or remove the rating - she couldn't handle anything less than perfect. I removed the rating.
http://www.vrbo.com/456889
On to Idaho. This house was much older but on a beautiful lake. It was very comfy and we had enough room. The layout wasn't the best but it worked fine. The owner left us yummy chocolate chip cookies. It was a great house to just kick back for a couple of days. We'd probably pass next time and find something a little more modern and a little closer to a town.
http://www.vrbo.com/75512
The first house on the Oregon Coast was a cottage at Rockaway Beach. It was cute, comfy, and clean. We loved it! We were close to the beach and to everything in the tiny town. The enclosed laundry was in the back of the cottage down some steps but it worked out fine. We'd love to go back.
http://www.vrbo.com/240607
When we moved down the coast to Yachats, we found our favorite house on this trip. It was clean, comfortable, and roomy. We were very close to the beach and about 1 mile north of town but we could walk to town on the 804 trail, 1/2 block away. The yard and gardens were beautifully landscaped. We'd definitely go back.
We stayed at Rocky Point on Klamath Lake when we visited Crater Lake National Park. This was the little cabin with the Murphy Bed. The house was clean and comfortable as was the Murphy Bed! Some of the writeup was misleading but it all worked out well. This property is very removed from everything. Next time we'd choose something closer to a grocery store.
http://www.vrbo.com/567544
When we were north of Yellowstone National Park, we found our second favorite cabin for this trip. It was clean, cozy, comfortable, and the views were amazing. Whenever, we were 'home', I just wanted to sit on the couch and look out the windows! It was a 1/2 - 3/4 hour drive to Yellowstone but we were in a quiet area - wonderful to return to after a day in the Park. We'd definitely return.
http://www.vrbo.com/379088
Our last rental was the one with the problem. Evidently the cleaning lady forgot to clean it - she got mixed up. However, after seeing the place, we think the owner (who lives in another state) is being taken. The place was NOT clean. The laundry wasn't done, there was still food in the fridge... but there were cobwebs and other signs that someone was not really cleaning the place on a regular basis. It was the only rental I was really concerned about when I made the reservations. We would definitely not recommend it.
http://www.vrbo.com/52908
Our Great Adventure is almost over - it was great; we have had a wonderful time. We should be home mid-afternoon tomorrow in time to unload and pick up a few groceries. I'm thinking by Wednesday, I might get in my sewing room...
So we are headed home to Illinois. Tonight we are in Albert Lea, Minnesota. We made a motel reservation before we got on the road this morning and all is well. We just got back from eating right next door. During dinner a heavy rain storm went through; we walked back to the motel after the rain let up.
We made all of our reservations for our Great Adventure last January and February. We got great deals on our rentals and ALWAYS paid less than a motel. I want to share the rentals and our comments with you.
The first place was a condo in Canmore, Alberta, Canada.
This was very nice, clean, comfortable, and secure. It was a condo with underground parking. A code was needed to get into the parkade and to use the elevator. We'd happily stay there again but will probably choose something closer to Jasper.
http://www.vrbo.com/424488
The West Glacier cabin was very nice but the Internet and TV were iffy. Come to find out, the owner had us logging into the neighbor's internet account! The owner was also a little OCD - she had very nice furnishings but everything was covered. She also had sticky notes on everything. Patti and I talked about removing all of the notes and putting them on the fridge but we didn't. This cabin was VERY convenient to Glacier National Park. We'd pass next time. After giving the cabin a 4 out of 5 star rating, the owner contacted me and asked that I rewrite or remove the rating - she couldn't handle anything less than perfect. I removed the rating.
http://www.vrbo.com/456889
On to Idaho. This house was much older but on a beautiful lake. It was very comfy and we had enough room. The layout wasn't the best but it worked fine. The owner left us yummy chocolate chip cookies. It was a great house to just kick back for a couple of days. We'd probably pass next time and find something a little more modern and a little closer to a town.
http://www.vrbo.com/75512
The first house on the Oregon Coast was a cottage at Rockaway Beach. It was cute, comfy, and clean. We loved it! We were close to the beach and to everything in the tiny town. The enclosed laundry was in the back of the cottage down some steps but it worked out fine. We'd love to go back.
http://www.vrbo.com/240607
http://www.vrbo.com/273857
We stayed at Rocky Point on Klamath Lake when we visited Crater Lake National Park. This was the little cabin with the Murphy Bed. The house was clean and comfortable as was the Murphy Bed! Some of the writeup was misleading but it all worked out well. This property is very removed from everything. Next time we'd choose something closer to a grocery store.
http://www.vrbo.com/567544
http://www.vrbo.com/379088
http://www.vrbo.com/52908
I really enjoyed following along with you. Thanks for being so diligent in posting. So much fun!
ReplyDeleteHave followed in the shadows and enjoyed your trek immensely. We have never done a "VBO" rental but know many who have (with mixed reviews). The fog this morning is a tad treacherous here (Houston, MN) and with more rain in our future, I'm sure humidities will remain high. It's always good to be home again and resume the "dailies", don't you think??
ReplyDeleteWe'll continue using VRBO - we've always had great luck before this place in Lead. We'll probably never rent a place again if we have any concerns. It really is nice to be home. We've gone through the mail and will leave the unpacking for tomorrow. Time to rest! ~Jeanne
DeleteI have really enjoyed reading about your trip each day. Safe travels home and enjoy sleeping in your own bed soon.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice following along on your Great Adventure! I really enjoyed all the beautiful pictures you shared!
ReplyDeleteIt's disappointing that you had to end your Great Adventure a little prematurely but only by a couple of days, right? We've had mixed results with VRBO, mostly not great (but not horrible). But renting a condo or house certainly beats staying in a hotel!
ReplyDeleteI have really been having fun traveling along with you!Your posts are always filled with such excellent photographs. Nice review today!
ReplyDelete