Oregon Coast 7/19/08 -7/23/08

Saturday July 19, 2008
This is another vacation on the Oregon Coast. We drove here for an ELVIS contest at the Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City, OR. Now I am not a big fan of "The King" but my better half is so we went. Wow some people should not wear polyester. Anyway Sophie ended up with a scarf from one of them, whatever that means. We dry camp in the parking lot of the casino for free along with every other kind of RV. The first spot we pulled into was close to one of those 40' DP made by Winnebago. And the guy comes over to talk about how nice Wilbur is. Must be a good place huh. The wind was blowing pretty hard but the view was great so we stayed.



Sunday July 20, 2008
After a good nights sleep we drove the 1/2 mile to Roads End State Park. It was a very low tide so we took a walk. Two hours later we returned to have breakfast. Wow with all the rocks exposed we were able to walk a long ways and see hundreds of star fish and other creatures and plants. Later we did go look around at some stores but no great buys. the sun set was really great. Spent several hours at D River State Park watching the kites and kids. Overnighted at the local casino.

Monday July 21, 2008

Got up and drove back to D River SP for breakfast and a long walk or two. We did find some candles at the local grocery store on sale and Sophie thought they would make good gifts for co-workers. Then on the way back to Wilbur we go past the Library and have to go in. Of course Sophie finds kids books she uses in the schools. She loves to give books to her kids to take home. After supper we decide to drive back to the casino for a movie night. The movie tonight is "Wild Hogs". Popcorn and a movie sure is a good way to end they day.

Tuesday July 22, 2008

It's bath day today. I can still remember the first time we used the shower in Wilbur. Now I have used several places to clean up but the Mrs. thinks everything needs to be just right. You knoe she has me, lol. But she learned that you only get so much hot water before it cools off. She is a pro now. After getting all clean we drive to the Taft area of Lincoln City. This area is an a large bay. We go for a walk and on the way back we past the Mo's resturant. Now they are well known for the fish and chowder they serve so in we go. Usually there is a line out the door, but not this time.

My Kipor generator died today. After the showers someone needed to blow dry her hair so I started up the Kipor. When I went to turn it off the knob was loose and gas was leaking out. I shut it off and layed it on it side so the gas was not leaking. Will look at it later. No movie tonight back at the casino.

Wednesday July 23, 2008

Decided to look for whales in Depoe Bay today. No whales were seen so we checked in with the whale center and it seems like the whales are not to active yet.

Good day for a nap. After a nap life is all good again. The clouds are comming in and some moisture is felt. We drive around and think maybe we should go home to take care of the Kipor. Then it starts raining, more and more rain. Guess this would be a good time to head home. Everything is going good untill one time when I turn the wipers back on they don't move. This is one of those watch this moments. As my co-pilot watches I give the dash a few gentle whacks with my fist and the wipers work just fine. You just have to get Wilburs attention sometimes. We make our usual stop at the Spirit Mtn casino to dump the holding tanks and then on home.

Grand National Rally 2008

I am reposting this info from a friend who is in Iowa. For my daughter, who thought I was pulled over for speeding, it was not me..............

"With headwinds and 3 mountain passes, I got 7.3 mpg. During the trip in SD, I even got pulled over for speeding. Really! I chatted with the trooper who was great and only gave me a warning. I told him the cruise was set at 61. The cruise does fluctuate & maybe the bigger wheels/tires (19.5) speed me up! I personally think he gunned another car and was thinking I was transporting something illegal. But, I wasn't what he expecting. Ha! Pic: Winnie in front of the main plant and the "Big Bertha" assembly lines building. I'll send more pics from the rally! Rally officially starts on July 21, but people are already arriving. I am having a few things tweaked on the Winnie and found an auto body shop that is detailing the exterior & buffing the aluminum trim. It will sparkle! Friday morning, July 18, one of the TV morning shows will be on the rally grounds. Maybe the Winnie will be featured or filmed."

California or Bust

Wednesday July 16, 2008
We are camped about 20 miles from Washington and decide to cross the boarder. Now for those of you who have never been here you find a rather large bridge to cross. So there was some concern but Wilbur had no problems with it. Once in Washington we stop at a visitors center and take some pictures. Then head South and think if we should head for home. This is not to be looked at as the end of a vacation but we like to call it "restocking". So as we drive and stop a few times we think about home. OK we head home and plan to come back Saturday. Of course we have tickets for the Elvis competition at the Chinook Winds casino in Lincoln City Saturday. Then we plan on spending a few days on the coast again. Wilbur should have a new shift cable and we should have clean clothes and more food.
WOW we made it. From California to Washington on hwy 101. That was something I wanted to do for some time now. And with only a few problems Wilbur came thru.

California or Bust

Tuesday July 15, 2008
We leave Newport Elks, but not before going inside for a tour of the lodge. I think we will be back to visit Newport soon, since we will be Condo camping in a couple of weeks close by. The main stop this morning will be the factory outlet stores in Lincoln City. Sophie loves to find a bargain. We drive on and are thinking of where to stop for the night. There is a cheese factory in Tillamook that lets people park for free in a grass area and we look at it, but then decide to drive on to Seaside. There we look at a place I have seen on the freecamping.com site. It's now $15.00 but we decide to stay. A short drive from the beach where we watch one of the better sun sets of the trip. The fog can cover the sun asw it sets but tonight is good. We walk on the famous boardwalk in Seaside and life is good. Only 15 miles from Washington.

California or Bust

Monday July 14, 2008
We leave Coos Bay and head North. It is still foggy so we drive along and stop where we like. The main stop was at Port Orford where we walked on the beach and ate lunch. There was a guy in the parking lot driving a Toyota MH and he ask a lot of questions about Wilbur. Sure sounded like he would like a Classic Winnebago. After lunch we drove along and spent sometime in Yahats. The weather is improving and Wilbur is giving us no problems, even if the shift lever is hanging from the cable. We decide to drive into Newport and stay at the Elks Lodge. More people are there and some wanted to talk about Wilbur. Seems that one couple even bought a new Indian in '73 just like Wilbur. They even came in for a tour. Same floor plan and colors.

California or Bust

Monday July 14, 2008

Today has been much better than last Monday. That was the day Wilbur had a starter problem. We left the Mill casino's dry camping lot. I did notice several of the MH's using a small Honda generator instead of the coaches regular one. I guess with the price of gas the smaller ones pay off. We use a Kipor 1000 watt for our stuff.

Stopped at Reedsport post office for some 1 cent stamps since our postcard stamps from last Summer need them. But after the post office we found a gift shop on the Umpqua river that had stuff to good to pass up, so we stocked up on the much needed gifts.

California or Bust

Sunday July 13, 2008
A very foggy morning. The plan is to drive to the California border and if its foggy take pictures, then head North. Well thats what happened. We bought some gas in Brookings and then drove to Port Orford where we walked on the beach and had lunch. Its still foggy but we enjoy it. The next stop is Bandon. This time the stores are open. We walk around and look at some stores. Nothing good to buy so it's off to Coos Bay. Once at the Mill Casino dry camping lot we set up the Kipor genset and watch TV. The internet is free from the RV lot.

California or Bust

Saturday July 12, 2008
Put the old cable back in and left the cable thru the dash. It still needs some help shifting but I can help it from the drivers seat without getting greasy. Drove down to the Farmrs market on the board walk but even Sophie didn't buy anything. Not so good shoping but I did find a Habitat for Humanity Tee shirt to buy. Maybe someday I will help them out more.
We found a place to park by the beach and walk. Sophie sure likes the beach even though there is some fog. She finds several rocks to pick up. We might not get over the mountains with all these rocks.
We stop for some smoked Salmon at a nice smokehouse then Fred Meyer for more groceries. Back at the Elks we have a great supper and settle in. Cable TV is good. After a hot day Friday of over 100 it is now about 60. Should sleep good tonight.

California or Bust

Friday July 11, 2008
Got going about 8:00AM and made it to Bandon before all the stores opended, good timing again. We did find a bakery open and bought a good desert for later. Stpped at a place called Ophir State park and walked on the beach picking up rocks and stuff. Then thought we should get to the Elks Lodge in Brookings before they fill up. Boy is it hot in Brookings. Its Friday about 1:30 when we got one of the last few spaces. Guess it fills up on the weekends. One problem developed while driving around town though. I turned around in a steep area and when I shifted down into 1st it didn't want to go into 1st. Then out on the road it was in 2nd. Oh boy another problem on this trip. When I found a place to stop and look at it I was able to move the shift lever on the trans. but the cable was bent behind the shift lever. I oiled it and we drove back to the Elks. Once it cooled of and I cooled off I took the cable out and checked it over. Straightened it and oiled it some more. I will try it in the morning. We called it a day.

California or Bust

Thursday July 10, 2008
Up and drove to the water front for breakfast. We like looking at boats while we make and eat breakfast. The drive to Coos Bay was nice and windy. Guess they could use some wind generators here. Sophie remembered the Macy's store so we stopped for awhile.
Spent most of the day at Sunset Bay State park. The wind was calm and we took it easy. Now back in Coos Bay we check out a couple of thrift stores and kick back. I think we will stay at the Mill Casino lot tonight.
We stop at the Mill casino and it is windy here. After supper we walked around the casino and looked for a game I found last year. It was a Green Acres machine. You know Wilbur likes that show with Arnold the pig. Could not find it anywhere so we went back to Wilbur and made popcorn and plyed cards. Life is good.

California or Bust

Wednesday July 9, 2008
Up at the crack of 8:30. Guess I was tired after the starter changes. It's cold and windy, but we like it anyway. Have a great breakfast and leave for Florence. Once in Florence we check out the Elks Lodge camping area and also the Elks campground 5 miles North of the Lodge. Both places look fine. We spend most of the day at Heceta Head beach, then drive to the casino for a free night of parking. The new Casino and Lodge at Three Rivers Casino is very nice. Lots of overnight parking too.

California or Bust

Tuesday July 8, 2008
The new starter is all in and we are back in Newport for the night. Found the Elks lodge and enjoy the Elec, cable and water. Sophie is very happy to watch TV and blowdry her hair after a shower. For the $12.00 we feel the lodge is great.

California or Bust

Monday July 7, 2008

Today was a bad day, not the whole day, but after 4PM Wilbur had problems. Here we are, on the Oregon Coast doing what we enjoy and the starter acts up. We had just visited a couple of Casinos, bought some tickest to concerts, ate lunch watching the ocean, and after stopping at our favorite thrift store in Newport OR I start Wilbur up only to have the starter continue to run. The key was off, the engine was off but the starter was running. I get the tool box out and the wire off the battery in record time. Now what to do. I put the wire back on, try it again but have the same thing. I knew there was a NAPA close by so off I drive. Stop in front and jump out to pull the wire off the battery. I go inside to talk with the guys and think about what to do. Maybe just let Wilbur cool off, yea on the coast things were in the upper 60's.

As I think about what to do I remember the relay I changed last year so I put that on, no change. There was a lifetime warranty in Wilbur when I bought it so a free starter would be better. I call AAA thinking a tow home would be in order, but they checked it out and removed they power cable to the starter from the relay. One guy held it on the relay and pulled it off when I started Wilbur. All is good as long as I don't turn him off. So we head home. Arived home about 8:30PM and call Shucks. They have the starter so will wait till tommorrow.