Thanksgiving 2011

I really am thankful for many things in my life.  Friends and family are important.

A new project for me is a '93 Subaru.  This was something I wanted for my hobby of RC airplanes and to tow behind my motorhome.  I don't know for sure about the towing part but it sounds good sometimes.

I had it delivered.............that sounds better than having it towed home.  Oh it is a $300 fixer upper but I have now driven it 100 miles or so and like it too.

A couple of weeks ago I meet up with some other "Classic Winnebagos" for a weekend.  Kind of a last minute outing but fun was had by all.

Kind of a wet outing but 2 '73's and a '70.

Watching the sun set 8/15/11

Monday 8/15/2011

How can a great sunset make one feel so good.  And even though I have seen many sunsets, each one is good.

And as the sun goes lower

                                                                       And lower

It's going, going gone

This is from our deck at Schooner Landing.

My mom 1924 - 2011

I have put off posting anything on my Blog for sometime and thought I should explain.

My mother passed away from stomach Cancer this June, and my life kind of stood still.   My 90 year old dad is adjusting to life without his wife of 68 years, but he needs some help. 

Life is returning for our family and I just thought you should know this.

Now back to my Blog..............................

The First outing of 2011 Presidents Day weekend

Friday 2/18/11
Oh the weather outside is frightful..............NOT.  So we headed out to see Engelbert Humperdink at the Spirit Mtn. Casino.  This casino is about 30 miles from home and they have a large RV dry camping area, with a great dump station, and it is paved, level, with a shuttle bus and plenty of security that my wife likes it.  So we head out from town around 3:00PM and take a nice drive to the casino where we check in with the security desk and get our parking pass for the night.  Did I tell you it is FREE.  We walked around and picked up the coupon book they give out on Tuesday and Friday.  With our $3.00 off food we had a bowl of Clam Chowder.  Nothing fantastic but it was hot and priced right.  The show started at 8:00 so we went back to Wilbur and kicked back before the show.
The show was a sell out, plenty of grey hair, I know mine is getting there, and walkers.  We joked about women throwing panties on stage might be depends......Oh that is bad...........
The concert was really good.  He still has his voice even if his face looks old.  I made some points by holding hands during some of the old love songs. 
Englebert told a couple of jokes that really hit home and maybe Sophie can tell you one sometime.

After the concert we took a slow walk back to Wilbur where I lit the furnace.  I knew it would get down to freezing tonight and heat would be nice.  Last year I figured out how to adjust the mercury switch so it wouldn't go out during the night and all worked good.

Saturday 02/19/11
It got icy outside and I wanted to charge the deep cycle batteries back up so I went out, sliding around to the gen and took it out.  Oh yes I did dump out the gas last year and have a 1 gallon can with me so a short walk over to the gas station I have fresh gas and the Honda is purring away.  A short walk over to the casino for coffee and some creamer and we are back to Wilbur for hot oatmeal.  The plan was to wait a couple of hours for the road to thaw out before we headed to the coast.  Put the Honda away and took off.  The roads were just fine and before long we were at the Chinook Winds Casino buying tickets for the Comedy on the Coast Show for tonight.  I do prescribe laughter to be the best medicine and these shows seem to fill the prescription just fine.

We drive to the beach and watch the water.  It is nice to look at but still to cold to walk on the beach with the wind blowing.

Roads End State Park

The Casino in Lincoln City has free dry camping with a view of the ocean, OH WIFI too.  So we find our spot for the night after spending some time at the outlet Shopping center.  I did buy some new shoes and Sophie bought some shoes too.

After a nice supper I feel the heat from the furnace is kind of cool.  We did finish off one tank of propane last night but the thought of running out tonight made me take a drive to the gas station where we still had a full tank but now we have two full tanks.  Back at the casino we go inside and get in line for the show.  We got nice seats close to the front but not to close.  And after laughing all our worries away the show ended.  A short walk back to Wilbur and we were home.  The furnace was lit again, I turned it off at the gas station, and the heat was going.  I did some surfing on the net and after awhile it was bed time.

Sunday 2/20/11

Boiler Bay State Park



Happy B'Day Rob.

Yes our son is turning the big 2010 today.  He informed us that after 29 comes 2010, whatever he is 30 now.  So we take a walk to get coffee and enjoy another dry day at the coast.  A favorite thing to do is drive to Boiler Bay State park and watch for whales.  Now this is not the time of year for whales to swim by but we have a look while we eat B'fast.  A short walk and talk to some fishermen and we are ready to drive into Newport where our daughter is spending the night and we have lunch with her.
A drive by the Elks where we plan to stay shows no one there.  It is a first come no reservations place with cable, WIFI water, elect and even a view when we get our favorite spot.  There are a few little shops we visit when in town so we check them out.  The day fly's by and back at the Elks there are now 2 other RVs there but we get our spot with a view.  Now we have all the electric we want so the elect heater runs more than we need.  TV is good after a couple of days without.  Life is good.

The Newport Bay South Jetty looking towards HWY 101 bridge.

Click a couple of times to see Wilbur and the bridge better.

Monday 2/21/11

We end up parked out on the South Jetty of the Newport bay.  It is a great place to watch the boats go in and out and take walks.  How can the day go by so fast.  We are heading home today since Sophie is putting her weeks work in tomorrow, 4 hours a week.
The trip home is fine after spending 3 nights away.  We plan to stop in Dallas at the Safeway for gas.  This seems to be the best buy for gas when we are in the area. Florence OR is out favorite spot but not on this trip.



Christmas 2010 is over. HAPPY NEW YEAR....

OK I guess one last post for 2010 is in order and what better to talk about than Christmas.  Everyone says that I am hard to buy a present for but this year the presents were really so good that I have a hard time to pick the best one.  Let me start off with them in no particular order,
I got a Winnebago bird house,

Marshmallow blaster (gun),
tool bag (for under the front seat of Wilbur),
Lego leveling blocks and of course new socks.  There were some other things I got, but they were probably things I needed or were useful.

And so the end of 2010 is a few hours off, and the past year was the same length as every other year, but there were times of great joy and some sorrow this past 12 months.
Our son gave up on J.P.Morgan Chase Bank and moved to Phoenix, AZ. (that was the sorrow)
 My wife and I decided to retire, our daughter and her boy friend graduated from OSU and then were engaged to be married that same day during my salad at the Red Lobster.  (and that was on my wedding anniversary)
Our daughter was accepted into her first choice for Nursing School in Portland, OR.
My wife and I spent several days in Wilbur seeing the great Northwest.
We took a road trip in the car to Southern AZ where we visited with our son, his girlfriend and some old friends who retired about 70 miles from the Mexico border.  We saw the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park and places we didn't even know were there.
So now we have been home for a month or so and are thinking of hitting the road for someplace.

A Coast trip with time in Eugene Oregon

8/11/2010
We were home for a week doing stuff and now it's time to travel.  We head South on I-5 and stop in Eugene to check out the Elks.  The weather was warm and since we don't have AC in Wilbur we are not sure how long we will stay here.  Since we enjoy checking out little shops we do that for awhile.  The life in Eugene is fine for a Motorhome from the 70's.  Most of Eugene is stuck in the 70's.  You can find recycled hippies everywhere, not that it's a bad thing.  So for the night we park in the Elks parking lot away from the building in hopes that there will be a breeze to cool us off only to find they are doing some road work at night on the street.  Jackhammers do make noise at night.  Anyway we stayed all night.  Since we have WIFI we watched some movies and old TV showes on HULU.

8/12/2010
Before leaving town we checked out some more little shops but as the weather warmed up we headed West.  In Florence, OR we stop at the Casino for a $7.77 buffet lunch.  Parked by the beach for a nap and some walks in Old Town before staying at the Elks for the night.

8/13/2010
This Friday the 13th is my brothers birthday and he and his wife are driving to the coast for the day.  We meet up with them and spend the day around town.  Back at the Elks there is dancing so you know where we are.  Sophie likes to dance but there is dance floor room because several line dancers.

8/14/2010
There is an Elvis tribute/sale in town.  Not really a big deal but we went.  Had more fun at the local roadside Saturday market thing.  Bought some fresh veggies and fruit.  A slow relaxing day.

8/15/2010

Sunday morning I walk to Safeway for a newspaper.  I am not sure how the day can just go by so fast but we do enjoy taking walks and watching people.  Down in Old Town there is a market setup with several tents both Saturday and Sunday.  Lots to look at.  We go back to the Elks for another night.  It's quiet and in town so we can walk places.

8/16/2010

We fill up with gas at Safeway in Florence.  This seems to be the cheapest place in all of Oregon and always try to time it when the tanks are empty.  $100 is a good start.  Heading North we stop at Heceta Head lighthouse, even take the full tour of the lighthouse.  As we get to Newport we dump the tanks and drive by the Elks to find the RV lot full.  This is something we hardly ever see, no room for us.  On the Lincoln City we stop by the casino and see the upper lot with plenty of RV's so we plan to stay there tonight and we drive to Roads End S.Park to watch the sunset then drive back to the casino for the night.

8/17/2010
Something we like to do in Lincoln City is to drive to Roads End S.P. for B'fast when staying at the casino for the night so we do that.  Some surfers are in the water and that is a good B'fast show. 

After some time we head towards home.

A trip to Seattle

We never thought of going to Seattle with Wilbur but then when we take off we don't really know where we are going.  No real plans and no reservations, but there is always a casino or Elks lodge around when you want to stop for the day.

7/26/2010
I back Wilbur out of the garage and go to light the fridge when I find out that the fridge was not cold.  Somehow the electric part of the fridge did not keep it cold when plugged into electricity so add that to the list of things to do.
We put our food into coolers with ice until the fridge cools off while we drive.  On our way West towards the coast we decide to head North and call Whalen Island (just North of Pacific City) to see if they have any spots open, one left on the water so that is our plan for tonight.  On the way we check out a couple of little shops and arrive at WI where there is fog and some sun.  Much cooler than the weather back in the valley.

The cost of County Parks in Tillamook County is always on the rise.  Can you believe that in the past 3 years of coming to the park the cost has gone from $10 to $20?  That's $5 a year.
It's a nice park with water and a dump station but no elect. and our cell phones don't work here.
Reading and watched a movie before calling it a night.

7/27/2010
When we got up it was low tide so we take a walk around the bay before B'fast.   Took off to Tillamook where we check out some little shops and of course the Tillamook Smoker where they sell the long pepperoni sticks, I love those things.  Stopped in Rockaway for lunch and some walking.  Then off to Arcadia Beach for more relaxing.  We stop in Seaside for the night at Truckies.  Still $15 a night with Elect,water and right in town.  We get a movie at the local Red Box before calling it a night.

7/28/2010
After B'fast and showers we check out the town and find good WIFI at the Shilo Inn.  Sophie finds good stuff at some little shops.   We park at the South end of the board walk and have good walks.  Since we are having a good time we decide to spend another night in Seaside. 

7/29/2010
Before leaving Seaside we check out a rummage sale at a church and head North to Warrenton for gas at the Fred Meyer before leaving Oregon.  The weather is kind of cold and cloudy so when we get to the Long Beach area we headed East to Raymond and while eating lunch along the river I spot a Winnebago trailer on the other side.  It is in someones back yard so I can't get a good look at it.  Drove into Aberdeen where we find some Little shops and then into Hoquim to see what the Elks RV spot looked like.  Just a grass lot with hookups so we decide to drive on to Ocean Shores.  Once we got to the Casino we thought we would come back for the $4.95 supper (from 4 - 6) after looking around town.  Around 5:30 we get back to the casino only to be told we would have to wait to be seated and it would be after 6 so no cheap meat tonight.  Back in Wilbur we have a great stir fry and spend the night in the Casino lot for free.  A movie with popcorn was our entertainment for the night.

7/30/2010
Another damp and gray morning so we drove to the Elks in town and dumped the tanks and filled the water and headed East to warmer weather.  At Hoquim we had lunch and looked around before reaching the blue skies and warm weather of Elma.  At a lake we stoped and walked around just warming up in the sun.  We thought that we would drive to Sheldon and stay at the Elks but just before Sheldon we find a casino.  They have free overnight RV parking and it looks like a nice place to stay but we go to the Elks and find a really nice park like setting for the RV's. 

This is a great place so out come the lawn chairs and books.  A short walk to the lodge and we find card night going on.  Since we are not really into card games it's back to Wilbur for supper and a movie.   Elect, water and a dump station for $15 a night.  They also have picnic tables and fire pits all around.  Very nice place.

7/31/2010
Left the lodge and in town we found a Saturday Market where we bought some fresh veggies.  Since we are so close to Bremerton we decide to drive there.  Made a few stops before getting into Bremerton and seeing some large aircraft carriers.  At the lodge there were several people having burgers and stuff.  We talk to some members and were to to see the town of Pulsbo where we eat lunch at a nice place on the water front.
This town is Finish or something like that..  Kind of a different place but nice to look around. 
On the way back to the lodge we find of all places a mall with a Macy's store in it.  This is Silverdale Mall and Sophie looks around but finds nothing she needs.  Back at the lodge they have a band and dinner so we eat and dance until we are tired and call it a night.  Great lodge.



8/1/2010
Sunday is family picnic day.  Lot's of people show up early to build a fire in the trailer mounted BBQ and set up games for the kids.  I think it was 10 or so when people were already enjoying hot dogs and beer.  We drive into town for grocery's and some shopping.  Kind of a lazy day for us.  Not much driving but plenty to do at the lodge.  We couldn't wait until the crowd left the lodge so we could set out on the patio and watch the sun setting over the mountains and water.  One of the best lodges on our list for visiting. 

Picture perfect views.

8/2/2010
After talking with lodge members of riding the ferry to Seattle we head off to the bus stop at the lodge.  After a long wait the bus came and soon we were at the ferry terminal and on our way to Seattle.  It was kind of foggy until after we got to Seattle where we made a lunch stop at Iver's on the waterfront.  Clam strips and Salmon helped our tour of town.  We got to thinking that this is the first time to Seattle without kids, oh how we miss them.......not.  We hop on a bus and ride along the bay front getting off to go to Pikes market and see more of town.  After seeing the town and buying some stuff we go back to the ferry and head back to Bremerton.  We wait for the bus in Bremerton and see the waterfront before getting back to the lodge.  Kind of tired after doing all of this stuff today but we are looking forward to doing it again sometime.  Supper and setting on the lodge patio was the end of a great day.

8/3/2010
Left Bremerton and drove back to Sheldon lodge to use the dump station and visit the casino.  It was senior day with 1/2 price buffet and since we signed up for the club card we got $10 each.........in cash.  Now that's a nice treat.  Rolled out of the casino towards Olympia and down I-5 to Kelso where we checked out the Brook hollow RV park.  This is where we are to have our Fall Jamboree.  We call Terry and Carolann and stop by there place to visit a few hours.  Then it's towards home for the night.  We drive thru Portland without much traffic and sail on home.  Another great trip comes to an end.
739 miles for this trip.