Arrived in Estacada, Oregon

We arrived Tuesday at our friend's campground of three spaces.  We got all set up in time to attend a get together of present and past workers of Stanley Hydraulics in Portland.  Craig worked there about 9 years before we moved to Washington in 1998.  He really enjoyed catching up with all the guys.  We then went into Portland for a great Tex Mex dinner.

Craig has been spending his days here going on motorcycle rides with John, doing ride alongs while John is making dump truck deliveries and the two of them are working on the trailer - adding a pulley system to help with lifting the kayaks.

Lynn and I, along with two of her daughters and granddaughters, made a trip to Costco and I have been taking the time to make phone calls, send emails and update the blog.  Last night I really enjoyed watching the last pre-season game for the Seahawks - they are really looking good.  Go Seahawks!!!

Tonight we'll attend their grandson's high school football game in Estacada.

Off to Pacific City

We both love the Oregon Coast and so we were able to stay on plan and be at the Oregon Coast, the park that we bought into the Thousand Trails system back in 1979 - Pacific City.  We were at Oregon MotorCoach getting items finished on the RV until Thursday afternoon and then we drove to the beach.    They still didn't have all the info for the security system, so we'll pursue that later.

We left August 15th and were able to stay til the 27th.  Overall the weather was great, only one day of a little wind and the day before we left it felt like winter - wind and heavy rain.

We did have quite a time finding a place large enough with good power - so we ended up moving twice while there, but on Tuesday the 20th, we found a great site that also had 50 amp service.  It's amazing the things you have to be concerned about - power, water, no sewer at this place, limited satellite service, length, somewhat flat so the motorhome will level up correctly and then lastly a strong enough phone/wifi connection.  The entire time we had very limited service and if we wanted to send emails or make phone calls, we would go into town.  Therefore, I'm a little behind in updating the blog.

We again just relaxed - Craig got the motorcycle out a few times, we spent time on the beach, if there was enough wind, he would fly his kite.  The "girls" would just sit wherever there was shade (Kyna in the grass trying to stay cool below).  We went on lots of walks, played miniature golf, etc.  It's amazing how fast the day goes bye doing whatever you want to do - and probably not really accomplishing a thing. It really is so much fun. We tried out a few of our favorite eating spots and a new barbecue place, went to the Air Museum in Tillamook, went to the Pacific City and Lincoln City Farmers Market, buying fresh salmon, flowers, berries, vegetables, etc. and then spent the last day in Canon Beach.

I've also spent time learning to do baking in the motorhome.  I didn't do much real baking when we went out for just a week or so.  So I baked a carrot cake for the picnic while in Salem and while in Pacific City I baked a blackberry cobbler.  The carrot cake turned out great (good recipe) but didn't quite get done in the very middle but still edible.  The cobbler cooked great and I'm ready for the next baking project.

Wish we could have spent longer - but that will hopefully be next time.

Off to Oregon

We came to Oregon on Friday, August 9th.  Took a little bit to get the motorhome, trailer and Explorer onto the road.  Our first stop was just west of Salem to a RV Premier Resorts.  They thought they had a site long enough for us so we would not have to unhook but unfortunately their sites were only 55 feet long and with the trailer we are 60.  So we had to unhook trailer from motorhome, park motorhome, take bikes off the Explorer, hook trailer to Explorer, maneuver trailer and then unhook from Explorer so we could have vehicle at site.  The joys of taking all the toys!!!

The RV Park that we stayed at did allow washing of vehicles, no charge.  For those of you who do not travel via RV, that's a big plus.  So as I was off having lunch Craig washed his bike and the Explorer.  I was going to help him wash the motorhome, but when he was ready it was pouring down raining, thundering and lightening - so I stayed inside and he washed by himself.  He was totally drenched.  Once it quit raining, I did go out and helped him finish and clean - up.

We saw family and friends to include a yearly picnic with the Larson's and then on Monday we went onto Eugene.  We stopped first at RV Glass to get a window which had broken a seal replaced and then today we came to Oregon Motorcoach to get a few maintenance items done and we are looking at having a security system put on coach and trailer.  We met a fun couple in the "sites" that we stayed at in the parking lot who had two 7 month old puppies - very well behaved.  Got lots of visiting in during the evening once they brought our coaches back to the sites.

Yesterday we took the "girls" to their first self-dog wash in Eugene.  In 1 1/2 hours, "girls" were bathed, blow dried (which they never had been blow dried before) and then brushed out.  They took it really well and the best part of it was that we had no wet towels to deal with (as we used all of their supplies) and no mess to clean up.

Getting Prepared for trip to Oregon

We had a great weekend watching the Wenatchee Youth Circus with the Marty family as well as camping with them.  Great to catch up on everything going on with everyone else.

We then spent a couple more days getting ready for the big garage sale at Craig's parents.  This also gives me a very convenient way to catch up on laundry.  Then a day in Puyallup to do appointments and one day for Craig to get his trailer set up to haul.  He still hadn't had a chance to secure his two tool boxes into the trailer and then I gave him the extra challenge of asking him if he could haul by pot of lilies as the pink ones were just coming out.

Maintenance and Upgrades to Motorhome

We've now been retired just two months and have spent approximately 6 days in maintenance and RV shops.  Mostly minor adjustments, but this is something that goes along with having a RV.  There is always some type of leaks, adjustment, upgrades, alignment, etc. that needs to be done.

Of course it's great when you have a great shop to work with.  One of our favorites is Brazel's in Centralia.  We just spent three days there this week, luckily they have an RV park at the site that we can stay at.  We get out of the RV around 8:00 am in the morning and they bring the RV back to the site about 4:30.  In the meantime, we either sit in the car, do errands, etc.  Craig enjoys watching what they are doing and getting involved in the repair process.  Of course this gives me time to catch up with phone calls, updating blog, and reading.