4/24
160 miles to Kamp K.
Connie drove the first 90 miles of the way to Kamp K.
I should have slept but kept seeing things pass by that made me think about beauty and how subjective it is.
You know what I mean?
Beauty seems to have to have 'new' attached to it. The locals up and down 101 see what I am now seeing, but they see it everyday. To me it is special, new and breath taking. To them it all registers as 'things they have seen before,' and not dangerous so they pay little or no attention.
Exit 768, off of 101S, to Kamp Klamath is a hairpin exit, 15 mph, then to the stop sign. Kamp Klamath sign at the intersection points left and reads 2 miles. This is 2 miles of bad paved road, patched, pitted and potted. 25 mph seems too fast.
The 2 miles seem like forever and I start thinking of scary movies that start this way.
"Are you sure this is the right way?"
"Hey, the GPS says to stay on this road. GPS's are never wrong."
About now the scary music would start and some creature of nature would dash across the road in front of them.
Just a squirrel, but it made them miss seeing the partially obscured sign for the turn off to the Kamp. The pavement ends and the crunching of gravel under the tires underscores the scarier music.
Back in the real world. We just shake rattle and roll to the sign at the entrance of Kamp Klamath and pull in to get registered.
I walk up to the office. The door is locked, but the window is open. No one visible.
I start walking around the office to see if another entrance presents itself.
No.
I start reading the signs on the door and a hand written note that says, "push button and attendant will appear shortly..." with an arrow pointing to the button.
I pushed the button and waited.
I look left then right and nobody is coming.
I look left again and a man is walking towards me now and is only about 4 feet away.
Unsettling.
Scary music riffs in my head.
He unlocks the door and gets my info and uses an orange highlighter to show me the campsite and point out facilities on the map of Kamp Klamath. He points out the baths and showers at the other end of the park, and a meadow where the dogs can run without a leash.
The site was a pull thru, making me happy, and we set up with little trouble.
The next morning I had reason to visit the bathrooms and noticed the door on the Mens did not close, so as I was sitting there doing my morning business I imagined a bear snuffling about just outside the flimsy stall. Not a relaxing morning constitution.
The next day from Kamp Klamath we drove back up 101 to the Trees of Mystery and did the tour.
It was all that I had remembered, chainsawed dioramas purporting myths as truths .
A thirty foot tall Paul and twenty foot tall Babe were still on guard, watching cars park in the lot and zoom by on the 101. Not a trace of boredom on their faces.
We paid for the tour, only humans have to pay, dogs are free. Shadow and Bentley pulling eagerly on their leashes lead the way sniffing and snufflng at all the new smells.
It is cold, not the uncomfortable kind of cold that makes your breath visible. Just the coastal grunge kind of cold. The extra layers of clothes kind of cold. Like in a hoodie sweatshirt over a sweatshirt over a tee shirt kind of necessary yet non Seattle fashion way.
We took the tram ride to the top of some ridge where we would be able to see the ocean. The ride to the top was fun. We had to carry the dogs on and off the tram as it never stopped, only slowed a little at each end. Upon disembarking the tram we walked to the rail and looked out over a vista that was clothed in fog, ocean nor mountains were visible. A few moments of this and back down we went to finish the self administered tour.
Into the shop at the bottom. Did not buy anything. Where would you keep stuff? It is not like we are going home in a week.
Friday, May 11, 2018
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Mile Post Marker: Mill Casino RV, Coos Bay 1.1
4/24
Mill RV has very nice showers.
We just got back from them and are now clean of body if not mind.
Breaking camp this morning then on to Kamp Klamath.
S on 101 for 160 miles it is a little over 3 hrs driving time.
But first we have a coupon for eats at the Casino so we will break our fast first, then drive.
I fueled up the truck last night at a nearby Shell station with one of the $50 Shell gift cards. Thanks to whomever was thoughtful enough to buy that for Connie.The attendants name was Butch, a large man that fit the name comfortably.
Getting ready to go eat.
Will continue this later...
Mill RV has very nice showers.
We just got back from them and are now clean of body if not mind.
Breaking camp this morning then on to Kamp Klamath.
S on 101 for 160 miles it is a little over 3 hrs driving time.
But first we have a coupon for eats at the Casino so we will break our fast first, then drive.
I fueled up the truck last night at a nearby Shell station with one of the $50 Shell gift cards. Thanks to whomever was thoughtful enough to buy that for Connie.The attendants name was Butch, a large man that fit the name comfortably.
Getting ready to go eat.
Will continue this later...
Monday, April 23, 2018
Mile Post Marker: Mill Casino RV
4/23
We are at Mill Casino in Coos Bay, OR.
Arrived noonish and the truck says it is 72 degrees.
We have site 71, pull thru.
Cool.
Set up went smoothly
Fed the casino portions of our childrens' inheritances.
Had fun.
Connie got two $20 coupons for food and we used one of them at the Cross Cut or Buzz Saw or Saw Tooth buffet. Food seemed salty.
I came back to the trailer and let the dogs talk me into taking them for a walk. They are not very persuasive but they are very very loud. And inside a trailer, loud trumps persuasion although either way leads to a walk in this world of poodogs and trailers.
Leaving in the morning, head for Kamp Klamath in CA.
We are at Mill Casino in Coos Bay, OR.
Arrived noonish and the truck says it is 72 degrees.
We have site 71, pull thru.
Cool.
Set up went smoothly
Fed the casino portions of our childrens' inheritances.
Had fun.
Connie got two $20 coupons for food and we used one of them at the Cross Cut or Buzz Saw or Saw Tooth buffet. Food seemed salty.
I came back to the trailer and let the dogs talk me into taking them for a walk. They are not very persuasive but they are very very loud. And inside a trailer, loud trumps persuasion although either way leads to a walk in this world of poodogs and trailers.
Leaving in the morning, head for Kamp Klamath in CA.
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Mile Post Marker: Whalers Rest Rv Resort
4/19
We left Mt. Hood Rv Resort minutes before 10am and had enjoyed our time there.
OnStar downloaded the directions to Whalers Rest and we were on our way driving W on 26.
The route was W-26 to 212 to 205 to S-5 to Exit 228 and W-34 then left at 101 to head south through Newport and turn left at 123 St. to reach our days destination Whalers Rest RV Resort.
Easy peezy.
Within that mishmash of hwys, byways and towns we went through Boring, Or. and past the one and only Not So Boring Bar and Grill. It was a hardship not to stop and find out who won last nights karaoke contest.
We arrived at Whalers Rest around 1:30 The desk clerk at the store gave us a site map and we picked up our packet with the gate pass code #'s, and he said we could pick our own site as long as it was empty. The best (almost only) wifi was at the lodge/game room and that site 91 (a pull thru) got some wifi reception too,
I made site 91 my destination on the basis of the words 'pull through' and 'wifi'.
We fumbled with the gate code and drove into the park. At around site 34 the road turns sharply to the left and I was not thinking about the dreadnought that I was pulling behind me.
I did not swing wide enough to allow for the trailer to make the turn without cutting the corner close. Suddenly I hear this grinding noise and look out my mirror to see the top of the trailer no more than a foot from a lamp post and tires in a pothole making the trailer lean towards the post. The grinding was the back bumper scrapping when the tires dropped in the pothole. My thoughts were just an almost continuous stream of 'Oh shit'...'Oh shit'...'Oh shit'... punctuated with a 'I fucked up.' and visions of tow trucks blocking the road for hours.
I get out and look things over.
One of the other persons around there walks up and looks over the situation.
"Seems to happen quite often on this corner."
Does not make me feel any better.
I cannot continue the turn or I will own the light post.
The truck is turned in relation to the trailer.
I need to go straight ahead.
There are large garbage bins across the road that if moved would give me enough room to go straight then continue the turn.
I move the bins.
I need to back up and get the truck straight.
More scrapping as I back up a little to straighten the truck.
With the truck straighter, I swing wide to keep the trailer straight until past the apex of the corner.
'Whoopee! Made it.'
On to site 91, the road has no more sharp bends according to the map that I now have taken out and perused minutely for trouble ahead. I pass the 60's sites, the 70's sites, the 80's sites looking for #91.
I see it. It is empty. To my left and uphill, bordered by trees on the right and hookups on the left with a 50' concrete pad down the center.
'Yup, doin' it.'
I again do not take the length of the trailer into account and end up on the pad crooked. We walk around and figure good enough. and unhook. Then Connie notices that the kitchen slide is too close to one of the hookup posts.
'Damn.'
Hook back up.
Start to back out to get a straighter run at it when a fellow RVer walks up and ask if he could help. I told him my plan to just back up an try again and he said I did not have to do that. He could get me straight.
'What the hell, sure.'
I later learn his name is Tom and his wife is Tina.
Well, Tom has me pulling forward and backing up 4 to 6 feet at a time, while crimping the wheels sharply left or right each time. Pretty soon the trailer is squared up on the pad and there is room for the slideouts to extend.
Setting up camp followed.
One propane tank is almost empty and I found out that propane is only sold between 2p and 3p so I take the tank down to the fill station.
I invited Tom over later to sample some Rye whiskey that we had received as a going away present from Toby and Jeanna. Tina was on a grocery run and not home. Tom and Tina have been fulltime RVers for 12 years now. We talked music alot, Tom is a musician and 68. I thanked him several times for his help
Later, Connie, I and the poodogs head to the beach. A walk across the park, to the pathway that leads west to 101, look left, look right, no traffic, crossing the highway to a viewpoint that has a path down to the beach.
Once on the windy beach, Connie, takes the dogs off the leases and immediately they begin to run.
Chasing...being chased...sniffing...poo and pee pitstops...more running and chasing.
We laugh at the antics.
Back to the trailer.
Up the trail to the parking area. There are more cars at the viewpoint now. The sun is about 2 fingers from setting and the cars seem to be drawn to it like moths to the flame.
Crossing 101 I look back over my shoulder. No golds or reds bleeding through clouds, just a yellow sun setting, in this here, and this now, for one more day.
The trailer beckons.
Calling it a day.
We left Mt. Hood Rv Resort minutes before 10am and had enjoyed our time there.
OnStar downloaded the directions to Whalers Rest and we were on our way driving W on 26.
The route was W-26 to 212 to 205 to S-5 to Exit 228 and W-34 then left at 101 to head south through Newport and turn left at 123 St. to reach our days destination Whalers Rest RV Resort.
Easy peezy.
Within that mishmash of hwys, byways and towns we went through Boring, Or. and past the one and only Not So Boring Bar and Grill. It was a hardship not to stop and find out who won last nights karaoke contest.
We arrived at Whalers Rest around 1:30 The desk clerk at the store gave us a site map and we picked up our packet with the gate pass code #'s, and he said we could pick our own site as long as it was empty. The best (almost only) wifi was at the lodge/game room and that site 91 (a pull thru) got some wifi reception too,
I made site 91 my destination on the basis of the words 'pull through' and 'wifi'.
We fumbled with the gate code and drove into the park. At around site 34 the road turns sharply to the left and I was not thinking about the dreadnought that I was pulling behind me.
I did not swing wide enough to allow for the trailer to make the turn without cutting the corner close. Suddenly I hear this grinding noise and look out my mirror to see the top of the trailer no more than a foot from a lamp post and tires in a pothole making the trailer lean towards the post. The grinding was the back bumper scrapping when the tires dropped in the pothole. My thoughts were just an almost continuous stream of 'Oh shit'...'Oh shit'...'Oh shit'... punctuated with a 'I fucked up.' and visions of tow trucks blocking the road for hours.
I get out and look things over.
One of the other persons around there walks up and looks over the situation.
"Seems to happen quite often on this corner."
Does not make me feel any better.
I cannot continue the turn or I will own the light post.
The truck is turned in relation to the trailer.
I need to go straight ahead.
There are large garbage bins across the road that if moved would give me enough room to go straight then continue the turn.
I move the bins.
I need to back up and get the truck straight.
More scrapping as I back up a little to straighten the truck.
With the truck straighter, I swing wide to keep the trailer straight until past the apex of the corner.
'Whoopee! Made it.'
On to site 91, the road has no more sharp bends according to the map that I now have taken out and perused minutely for trouble ahead. I pass the 60's sites, the 70's sites, the 80's sites looking for #91.
I see it. It is empty. To my left and uphill, bordered by trees on the right and hookups on the left with a 50' concrete pad down the center.
'Yup, doin' it.'
I again do not take the length of the trailer into account and end up on the pad crooked. We walk around and figure good enough. and unhook. Then Connie notices that the kitchen slide is too close to one of the hookup posts.
'Damn.'
Hook back up.
Start to back out to get a straighter run at it when a fellow RVer walks up and ask if he could help. I told him my plan to just back up an try again and he said I did not have to do that. He could get me straight.
'What the hell, sure.'
I later learn his name is Tom and his wife is Tina.
Well, Tom has me pulling forward and backing up 4 to 6 feet at a time, while crimping the wheels sharply left or right each time. Pretty soon the trailer is squared up on the pad and there is room for the slideouts to extend.
Setting up camp followed.
One propane tank is almost empty and I found out that propane is only sold between 2p and 3p so I take the tank down to the fill station.
I invited Tom over later to sample some Rye whiskey that we had received as a going away present from Toby and Jeanna. Tina was on a grocery run and not home. Tom and Tina have been fulltime RVers for 12 years now. We talked music alot, Tom is a musician and 68. I thanked him several times for his help
Later, Connie, I and the poodogs head to the beach. A walk across the park, to the pathway that leads west to 101, look left, look right, no traffic, crossing the highway to a viewpoint that has a path down to the beach.
Once on the windy beach, Connie, takes the dogs off the leases and immediately they begin to run.
Chasing...being chased...sniffing...poo and pee pitstops...more running and chasing.
We laugh at the antics.
Back to the trailer.
Up the trail to the parking area. There are more cars at the viewpoint now. The sun is about 2 fingers from setting and the cars seem to be drawn to it like moths to the flame.
Crossing 101 I look back over my shoulder. No golds or reds bleeding through clouds, just a yellow sun setting, in this here, and this now, for one more day.
The trailer beckons.
Calling it a day.
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Mile Marker Post: Mt. Hood Village Rv
4/17
Leaving Columbia Sun RV just before 10am we head for our first stop on this southbound adventure,
Mt. Hood Village RV.
The NOAA weather forcast for Welches - Mt. Hood RV is rain/snow.
Really? How does heading south make snow possible?
We used OnStar to get directions to Mt. Hood Village RV resort. This is a Thousand Trails resort
so we will be staying free because we have joined Thousand Trails Pass. You more or less pay up
front for your stay at these resorts.
We are directed to head south on I-82 / I-395 for 34 miles to connect to I-84 E on the Oregon side
of the Columbia River. I-82 / I-395 is uphill for what seems to be miles and miles. The truck seems
to take this in stride.
Wind! I forgot the wind that came out of the west. We would be heading straight into it when on 84.
The drive east on I-84, was windy still but the drive down the Columbia Gorge was comfortable and
very very scenic.
Cue:
‘Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Your power is turning our darkness to dawn
So roll on, Columbia, roll on’ (Woody Guthrie).
This being April, the gorge is greening up beautifully. The cliffs both north side and south side of the
Columbia have smatterings of greens on their anceint weather worn faces. The southern side cliff
faces being close to us on our left, are simply springtime beautiful. The scenery changes second
by second, constantly envoking an internal dialogue of Ohhs, Ahhs and Wows.
I feel that anytime you mix river, road and canyons you have beauty that cannot be described by
words only and incompletely by photos.
We stop at the Memaloose rest stop about 9 miles from our turnoff south on SR-35. Very much needed
stop. Dogs and humans took advantage of grounds and facilities. Beautiful rest stop, which is really not
saying much as every vantage point along this drive down the Columbia Gorge has been beautiful.
At the junction of 84 and 35 we head south on 35, OnStar says we have 37 mile to the junction with 26 E.
Again we gain altitude, I set the cruise at 55 and again the truck and trailer handle great with no sign of
struggle.
Pear orchards are in bloom along 35 and we keep climbing.
About 20 minutes into the drive south we pull to the shoulder to let an ambulance go blaring by. Its
destination was revealed a couple minutes down the road. Looked like a collision at an intersection.
Hope for the best to all involved.
The shoulders of the road start turning white with skiffs of snow. At times snowflakes are visible falling
from the lead grey sky. I am getting grumpy and white knuckled. Warning Signs keep appearing to telling
me to be sure I have chains or traction tires. The truck is 4WD but the 16000 lbs of trailer behind me
will not care, if conditions get to ‘must have chains’ point. The snow on the shoulders get deeper and the
now rain is now visibly laced with snow. We keep climbing and I keep getting grumpier and more white
knuckled. About 5 miles before the junction with 26W we start down and patches of slush are disapearing.
We take 26W and OnStar tells us there is 17 more miles to go and we start climbing again. My internal
dialogue is laced with blue colored words about snow in April and RV resorts in the middle of nowhere.
We did not climb for long before the desent began.
Did I say steep desent?
I had to use the exhaust braking quite a lot on the way down. The whole save your brakes theory in
action.
Anyway, we found our RV resort around 2:30 and got checked in. Our site, #83, was a backin site and we
finagled ourselves into the site and set up with little trouble.
Later in the evening we go to the Lodge because all wifi is in the lodge and Connie sets up the rest of the
trip down 101.
Below is our scheduled stops so far :
State
|
Arrive/Leave
|
Date
|
RV park
|
Washington
|
L
|
4/17
|
Columbia Sun RV resort
|
Oregon
|
A
|
4/17
|
Mt. Hood Village RV
|
Oregon
|
4/18
|
Mt. Hood Village RV
| |
Oregon
|
L
|
4/19
|
Mt. Hood Village RV
|
Oregon
|
A
|
4/19
|
Whalers Rest Rv, South Beach
|
Oregon
|
4/20
|
Whalers Rest Rv, South Beach
| |
Oregon
|
4/21
|
Whalers Rest Rv, South Beach
| |
Oregon
|
4/22
|
Whalers Rest Rv, South Beach
| |
Oregon
|
L
|
4/23
|
Whalers Rest Rv, South Beach
|
Oregon
|
A
|
4/23
|
Mill Casino, Coos Bay
|
Oregon
|
L
|
4/24
|
Mill Casino, Coos Bay
|
Cali
|
A
|
4/24
|
Kamp Klamath, Klamath
|
Cali
|
4/25
|
Kamp Klamath, Klamath
| |
Cali
|
L
|
4/26
|
Kamp Klamath, Klamath
|
Cali
|
A
|
4/26
|
Russian River, Cloverdale
|
Cali
|
4/27
|
Russian River, Cloverdale
| |
Cali
|
4/28
|
Russian River, Cloverdale
| |
Cali
|
L
|
4/29
|
Russian River, Cloverdale
|
Cali
|
A
|
4/29
|
Morgan Hill RV, Morgan Hill
|
Cali
|
4/30
|
Morgan Hill RV, Morgan Hill
| |
Cali
|
L
|
5/1
|
Morgan Hill RV, Morgan Hill
|
Cali
|
L
|
5/2
|
Morgan Hill RV, Morgan Hill
|
Cali
|
A
|
5/2
|
Rancho Oso, Santa Barbara
|
Cali
|
5/3
|
Rancho Oso, Santa Barbara
| |
Cali
|
L
|
5/4
|
Rancho Oso, Santa Barbara
|
It was a good day.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Mile Post Marker: Columbia Sun
4/17
It is 8am. Wind blew all night and the big gusts rocked the trailer.
Our furnace worked all night, a good thing.
The entry door works very easily.
We will try to be on the road by 10 and will be heading for Mt. Hood Village resort. The weather reports say possible rain/snow there. What was that Johnny Horton song? North to Alaska that's it. There is a lyric in there...Spring time in Alaska it's 40 below.
I am going to the store here to get a cup of coffee and then see about getting us on the road.
It is 8am. Wind blew all night and the big gusts rocked the trailer.
Our furnace worked all night, a good thing.
The entry door works very easily.
We will try to be on the road by 10 and will be heading for Mt. Hood Village resort. The weather reports say possible rain/snow there. What was that Johnny Horton song? North to Alaska that's it. There is a lyric in there...Spring time in Alaska it's 40 below.
I am going to the store here to get a cup of coffee and then see about getting us on the road.
Monday, April 16, 2018
Mile Post Marker: Happy Birthday Mom!
4/15
Yesterday a group of us went to Snoqualmie Casino to celebrate Mom 's 86th anniversary of her birthday by having a get together at their buffet, and yes, Mom went also. When the word first went out it was just a few of us (Diane, Lori, Connie and I) who planned the initial get together. When yesterday at the buffet happened there were 25.
Mom is like a family magnet.
I will not attempt to name all that were there, but Kaleb and Tawnie announced that a great grandchild was expected in the future. It was a loud and happy group that joined in on the Sno Buffets Happy Birthday sing along, focused on Mom.
Happiness in found in the moments.
I believe all that were present had fun. It was a good time.
If you ever want to feel like a 12 year old going off to camp, telling your mother good bye at 64 is a great way to relive that moment.
4/16
Moms' actual birthday.
Happy Birthday Day, Mom!
Connie and I are hoping this day brings what you want.
Love you, Mom.
We got up before 6:00 this morning to get the trailer ready to travel. We are newbies dealing with all the variables that come with full time Rving. It was 7:30 when we wrapped up the breaking of camp.
Broadmoor appeared before us around 9:15 and we pulled in and the process to fix the furnace and front door was initiated.
It is bloody windy today. Seemingly to have lean 45 degrees against the wind at times.
Cold too.
Connie has been focused on being warm for weeks now and this windy cold day at Broadmoor is not making this first day of freedom a happy one for her.
We spent much of the day figuring out and making reservations for our trip down 101.
Broadmoor finished with the adjustments by 4:30 and we had made reservations at Columbia Sun RV resort.
Luckily.
The check in at Columbia Sun Resort was very easy. They gave us a spot that was a back-in, we
used Passport America. It was set up on a corner and the backing in was straight in, so easy peesy.
We hooked up E, water and cable as quickly as possible in spite of the wind and cold.
The trailer has now been expanded and we just finished a dinner of pulled pork sandwiches.
While eating we did the equivalent of watching grass grow. We watched the tv scan for the cable channels available.
This can be very interesting.
Not!
It is what is now interesting at the end of the day.
We are now mindlessly watching the tv.
Again.
Yesterday a group of us went to Snoqualmie Casino to celebrate Mom 's 86th anniversary of her birthday by having a get together at their buffet, and yes, Mom went also. When the word first went out it was just a few of us (Diane, Lori, Connie and I) who planned the initial get together. When yesterday at the buffet happened there were 25.
Mom is like a family magnet.
I will not attempt to name all that were there, but Kaleb and Tawnie announced that a great grandchild was expected in the future. It was a loud and happy group that joined in on the Sno Buffets Happy Birthday sing along, focused on Mom.
Happiness in found in the moments.
I believe all that were present had fun. It was a good time.
If you ever want to feel like a 12 year old going off to camp, telling your mother good bye at 64 is a great way to relive that moment.
4/16
Moms' actual birthday.
Happy Birthday Day, Mom!
Connie and I are hoping this day brings what you want.
Love you, Mom.
We got up before 6:00 this morning to get the trailer ready to travel. We are newbies dealing with all the variables that come with full time Rving. It was 7:30 when we wrapped up the breaking of camp.
Broadmoor appeared before us around 9:15 and we pulled in and the process to fix the furnace and front door was initiated.
It is bloody windy today. Seemingly to have lean 45 degrees against the wind at times.
Cold too.
Connie has been focused on being warm for weeks now and this windy cold day at Broadmoor is not making this first day of freedom a happy one for her.
We spent much of the day figuring out and making reservations for our trip down 101.
Broadmoor finished with the adjustments by 4:30 and we had made reservations at Columbia Sun RV resort.
Luckily.
The check in at Columbia Sun Resort was very easy. They gave us a spot that was a back-in, we
used Passport America. It was set up on a corner and the backing in was straight in, so easy peesy.
We hooked up E, water and cable as quickly as possible in spite of the wind and cold.
The trailer has now been expanded and we just finished a dinner of pulled pork sandwiches.
While eating we did the equivalent of watching grass grow. We watched the tv scan for the cable channels available.
This can be very interesting.
Not!
It is what is now interesting at the end of the day.
We are now mindlessly watching the tv.
Again.
Friday, April 13, 2018
Mile Post Marker 1.3
8/13
Today is Connie's last day at work. She is excited. She says she is throwing away the black slacks that she wears for work as a symbol of her freedom.
Her friends at Berkshire Hathaway are throwing her a little going away party at Cowiche Kitchen downtown after work from 4 - 6.
As far as I know she does not have a clue.
I received a call this morning from Kevin McCormick now of Novalex to let me know that Murphy is planning a "retirement" party for Marshall at Zesta on 4/18.
I will not be able to go.
We are planning on starting our adventure Monday 4/16 by taking the trailer to Broadmoor to get the furnace fixed and if all things go well we will leave Pasco on 4/17. We are heading to Mount Hood Rv for our first night. It will be about 4.5 hours driving, but there are the two of us. Getting away early will be the prime concern.
Today is Connie's last day at work. She is excited. She says she is throwing away the black slacks that she wears for work as a symbol of her freedom.
Her friends at Berkshire Hathaway are throwing her a little going away party at Cowiche Kitchen downtown after work from 4 - 6.
As far as I know she does not have a clue.
I received a call this morning from Kevin McCormick now of Novalex to let me know that Murphy is planning a "retirement" party for Marshall at Zesta on 4/18.
I will not be able to go.
We are planning on starting our adventure Monday 4/16 by taking the trailer to Broadmoor to get the furnace fixed and if all things go well we will leave Pasco on 4/17. We are heading to Mount Hood Rv for our first night. It will be about 4.5 hours driving, but there are the two of us. Getting away early will be the prime concern.
Mile Post Marker: 1.2
4/8
Sunday morning was cold here in the trailer.
Cold night.
The furnace seems to not want to work.
We had inklings yesterday but hoped it would resolve itself. So much for that positive thinking bullshit.
Connie and I went to Legends this morning. Nothing we could do about the furnace until RV place opened. I had enough luck to be a few $ ahead. Connie had no luck.
On the way home we called Broadmoor RV and talked with Ryan (sold us the RV) to see if he had any advice or tricks on getting the furnace back on line. He did not, but said he would ask around and call back if he found something we could use.
We stopped at Walmart to see if we could see if they carried Rose's Sour Apple mixer. Nope they do not. While there I wanted to check to see if Walmart carries wide blade fuses that are used in RV Trailers. They do have them.
When back at the trailer I checked the furnace fuse and it was good.
The truck showed that the DEF was at 28% so I replaced 2.5 gallons that I had on hand. Not really sure how much is needed to fill the DEF reservoir. Will have to find out how much the reservoir holds when full.
Saturday was not interesting, we puttered around. Connie fed the laundromat here at Suntides and it gave her some clean clothes. I took the bike for a ride. Rode down to 40th and Fruitvale.
I did drive to Fred Meyers to pick up odds and ends a couple times.
On one visit I met Steve from Shields and found out that he had had open heart surgery and then later surgery on his neck for some kind of congenital defect since I retired in 16. The neck surgery was not 100%. He ended up with his left arm useless. He is only 53 and had to "retire" last December before Shields was taken over officially by Novalex. Bureaucracy is bureaucracy no matter whether it is business or government. His 401k got caught up in the changing from Shields to Novalex. So he is without any retirement monies untlil probably mid 18, and depends on SSA disability payments to live. A hard working man is slowly falling threw the cracks.
Sunday morning was cold here in the trailer.
Cold night.
The furnace seems to not want to work.
We had inklings yesterday but hoped it would resolve itself. So much for that positive thinking bullshit.
Connie and I went to Legends this morning. Nothing we could do about the furnace until RV place opened. I had enough luck to be a few $ ahead. Connie had no luck.
On the way home we called Broadmoor RV and talked with Ryan (sold us the RV) to see if he had any advice or tricks on getting the furnace back on line. He did not, but said he would ask around and call back if he found something we could use.
We stopped at Walmart to see if we could see if they carried Rose's Sour Apple mixer. Nope they do not. While there I wanted to check to see if Walmart carries wide blade fuses that are used in RV Trailers. They do have them.
When back at the trailer I checked the furnace fuse and it was good.
The truck showed that the DEF was at 28% so I replaced 2.5 gallons that I had on hand. Not really sure how much is needed to fill the DEF reservoir. Will have to find out how much the reservoir holds when full.
Saturday was not interesting, we puttered around. Connie fed the laundromat here at Suntides and it gave her some clean clothes. I took the bike for a ride. Rode down to 40th and Fruitvale.
I did drive to Fred Meyers to pick up odds and ends a couple times.
On one visit I met Steve from Shields and found out that he had had open heart surgery and then later surgery on his neck for some kind of congenital defect since I retired in 16. The neck surgery was not 100%. He ended up with his left arm useless. He is only 53 and had to "retire" last December before Shields was taken over officially by Novalex. Bureaucracy is bureaucracy no matter whether it is business or government. His 401k got caught up in the changing from Shields to Novalex. So he is without any retirement monies untlil probably mid 18, and depends on SSA disability payments to live. A hard working man is slowly falling threw the cracks.
Monday, April 2, 2018
Mile Post Marker 1.1 - Suntides RV Park
Second Setup...Easter Day
Last day in an actual house. Con and I spent the morning cleaning Eightonefive. Vacuuming carpets, cleaning cupboards and emptying closets.
We have way too much shit. The truck is filling up fast. My god where does all this stuff come from?
By noonish we are ready to go get the trailer and start our adventure. Leaving the dogs at Eightonefive, we head for Jeanna and Toby's to hookup to the trailer and move it to Suntides. It probably takes us a half hour to make it road worthy.
Do need to remind ourselves to thank Jeanna and Toby and pick up our extension cord.
It is only 5 miles from Jeanna and Toby's to Suntides and I am in no hurry. We take the Old Naches Hwy to Suntides Rv Park and pull in. Our site is C4. We had reconned the best way to approach the site earlier and parked in the site with little effort. The hardest thing was figuring out the water and sewer hookups. the C3 site was using the C4 water and sewer connections making our connection points longer than was needed. After some adjustment we unhooked from the truck and leveled the trailer.
We divide the work, Connie starts unloading the truck and putting stuff away while I hook up to utilities and then I unload the truck, placing item just inside the trailer door, while Connie put things away. She is magic, stuff disappears into the trailer.
My sister Lori is having Easter at the ranch. I had initially said Connie and I would not come because we were moving that day. About 3:something I went on over, I knew that there would be plenty of food, while Connie waited at Eightonefive for a possible buyer (Jeannas' cousin Derek) for the mattress set. He did come by and the set was sold for pennies on the dollar.
Upon arrival, my sister Lori asked if I had heard about Mom.
No.
She had fainted earlier and was still at her house.
By way of explanation the original Ranch house (Lori), Moms' house and my sister Dianes' house are on the original 16 acres Mom and Dad purchased way back when, and within sight of each other. Connie calls it the Wilson Homestead.
Mom has fainted before, we have sought medical attention and they find nothing to explain them except that Moms age ( she will be 86 this 4/16) and we keep a close watch on her after each. Our brother, Doug, was with her and they were watching a movie at her house.
After grabbing a bite at Lori's I fixed a plate of leftovers for Connie, I wished all a happy Easter, then drove up to Mom's. Doug's daughter Erica and boyfriend Austin were also there. Mom looked fine and we all admonished her about getting enough fluids. Doug told of how he had called Diane about Mom fainting and she thought it an April fools joke. I brought them up to speed on mine and Connie's progress moving. Told them we were now at our first new address, Suntides. Kisses and hugs and I head to the trailer, finding out on the way from Connie that the mattress had sold and was gone. One more thing off the list.
I do not think that it has sunk in that this is now our home. Time will make it a home but for now it is the Trailer.
Tomorrow the carpet cleaners are coming between 10 and 11. I will leave it to your imagination to figure out what they will do.
My sister Lori is having Easter at the ranch. I had initially said Connie and I would not come because we were moving that day. About 3:something I went on over, I knew that there would be plenty of food, while Connie waited at Eightonefive for a possible buyer (Jeannas' cousin Derek) for the mattress set. He did come by and the set was sold for pennies on the dollar.
Upon arrival, my sister Lori asked if I had heard about Mom.
No.
She had fainted earlier and was still at her house.
By way of explanation the original Ranch house (Lori), Moms' house and my sister Dianes' house are on the original 16 acres Mom and Dad purchased way back when, and within sight of each other. Connie calls it the Wilson Homestead.
After grabbing a bite at Lori's I fixed a plate of leftovers for Connie, I wished all a happy Easter, then drove up to Mom's. Doug's daughter Erica and boyfriend Austin were also there. Mom looked fine and we all admonished her about getting enough fluids. Doug told of how he had called Diane about Mom fainting and she thought it an April fools joke. I brought them up to speed on mine and Connie's progress moving. Told them we were now at our first new address, Suntides. Kisses and hugs and I head to the trailer, finding out on the way from Connie that the mattress had sold and was gone. One more thing off the list.
I do not think that it has sunk in that this is now our home. Time will make it a home but for now it is the Trailer.
Tomorrow the carpet cleaners are coming between 10 and 11. I will leave it to your imagination to figure out what they will do.
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