Saint Helens, OR

We drove into the town of Saint Helens and right off found some of what we call "little shops" (Thrift stores).  And one very good one too.  After checking in with Jerrie and Diane we parked at the Elks lodge and rested.  Then we were picked up and given a tour of the twin Bagos that Jerrie has collected and their house on the hill.  I will say he has his work cut out for him with those 2 .  But he just might build one good one out of the two.  Then it was off for a tour of town and dinner.  Very nice town and a great meal.  Then it was back to Wilbur for some more good conversation.  We sure like talking with good friends.   To bad Jerrie didn't get a MH they could use without so much work (sorry Jerrie) then we coulkd have more friends to vacation with.

6/24/10

It was kind of hot weather yesterday and the Elks RV area was so quite we sleep in until after 9 AM.  That was really sleeping in.  And we have only been retired less than 2 weeks,lol. 

This was shower day and it was noon until we got going.  Parts of the Twilight movie were shot here and since Sophie and Steph have read the books and seen the movies we had to buy a book  of the different things that were filmed here.  So after looking in the book and touring the town we took in the local concert in the park on the river with Jerrie, Diane and Diane's mom.  It was fun to listen to the music and watch the huge cargo ships go up and down the river.
After some listening we went over to Diane's mom's house.  Park like back yard on a creek.

During the concert in the park.

Mount St Helens in the background. We were told this is a car hauler.

Beaverton Elks

Beaverton Elks 6/22/10

Drove to Beaverton where our daughter lives.  It was her 22nd B'Day and we thought we would try out the local Elks lodge RV park.  Kind of nice with workout rooms and sauna.  They have a park at the lodge that looks like a great place for family fun.  The RV lot was not very level but had some large ramps to drive up the front wheels up on.  Electric and water at the sites.  They have some wifi but since we got in at closing we never figured out how to use it. 

Moving again

Lucky me.

When it comes to pulling a Uhaul trailer, the big one, my van works good.  That is until yesterday.  My future SIL is moving to Beaverton from Corvallis after graduating from OSU.  He starts a real job Monday.

So with a loaded trailer we left Corvallis headed to Beaverton.  Only 5PM or so we hit I-5 and I notice the battery gauge is lower than it usually is.  I turn off the lights and it goes up some.  As we drive on I notice it going lower.  Off goes the radio, GPS, fan and anything to save power.  As we get closer to beaverton the gauge is getting very low.  I guess the lowest mark is 8 and so when does this thing die.  We have people arriving to unload the trailer so I will keep driving until it quits or we make it.  Well we did make it and then I took the battery out and off to get another one.  Great thing about GPS is finding a store.  The closest Autozone was about 5 miles away and I bought a battery and off we drove.  Installed the batt and it looked like everything was AOK.  But then the battery light came back on.  We made it home and I charged up the batt before returning the Uhaul.  Removed the alternator and had it tested and they said it was good.  Installed new belt but when I started it up the same battery light came back on.  Oh well another thing to work on...........

I'm Retired, week one............

It has been a full week since I have retired and now I know why people say about retirement, "I am busier now then when I worked full time". 
I guess it was the Memorial day weekend when we were on the coast that we turned off the brain and relaxed.  I told Sophie that we were relaxing and decomposing, lol.  I meant to say decompressing, but if the word fits, use it.
So this first week off I have moved my daughter home from Corvallis, helped my wife move 20 years of teaching materials from her school to our house, That took 2 days and some of it is still needing to be put away, picked up son and GF from the airport and took them back a few days later, dealt with parents doctors, attended OSU's graduation for my daughter and her Mr right and the proposing to of my daughter following that, OH she said yes, had one open house to celebrate the graduation and then went to another open house, Had to hear about all the planning it takes to get married, NO I did not go look at dresses, and I know there were several other things done during the first week of retirement, but you know the mind is the second thing to go................... And tomorrow I get to pick up another U-Haul trailer to move someone from Corvallis to Hillsboro.  And of course my little someone is going there too.
 
Let's see fathers day is coming up and maybe another day off.

Memorial Day weekend 2010

Another great getaway for us was a trip to the Oregon Coast.  Things around home have been way to busy lately.  But all that was put behind us as we loaded up Wilbur and drove to Lincoln City Saturday.  The weather was pretty good Saturday when we arrived at the coast.  Then we went to the Fab Four concert.  It was a very good time.  I almost forgot how good the Beatles were.  This was a way to forget about a busy life. 

Did I tell you only 9 more days of full time work.   Yes retirement is close, very close and we are ready......