OK, sometimes what seems like a good idea just blows up in your face. This might have been one of those times. In a moment of weakness, I agreed to allow Lori the opportunity to again go to the outlet mall in Woodburn, OR. We had been trying to find a camping spot for the rare weekend of freedom we were facing. I called hoping the RV park would be booked, but no, they had plenty of room. I had to take four days vacation or lose it by the first of the month. I was happy to take a six day weekend to accomplish this.
We packed up and hitched the trailer. During my final walk around, I routinely pull the handle of the pull rite hitch to insure it is locked. To my surprise, it opened! I had to set the front jacks and re hitch the trailer. Again with all the weight on the trailer plate, I pulled and it again unhitched. I again re hitched and this time put a lock on the bar opening to prevent the hitch from opening. I called Tacoma Rv and they scratched their head as to why it would unlatch with weight on the hitch. I pulled ahead slightly and rechecked. It was good now. I locked it and manually checked it again to be sure. I later found, the latch keeper was just a little tight from weather. Some WD 40 solved the problem.
I was nervous for some time and it didn't get much better as we neared Portland. Construction brought traffic to stop and go right as you exit the bridge. We crawled through town without incident and after three hours, were pulling into the RV park.
Neither Lori or I were sure what we did wrong, but in no time, everything was set up and I was cooking dinner. It was clear but clod and a nice dinner was in order. A walk around the park after dinner and we settled in for the night. Walt was doing very well so far as we have a ramp now for him to enter and exit the truck. I am pretty sure, he was getting hurt almost every time he jumped down on his front legs.
How many of you have seen a cat start twitching and making weird sounds when they see a bird through the window? This was Lori as she looked across the fence at the stores. A sigh and she soon slumbered off to a restful sleep with visions of clothing stores galore as well as any other store she could find an excuse to go in. I layed there in a cold sweat wondering how expensive this weekend was going to be. You see, Lori is a champion shopper. She has felled some of the best. Most people only shop with her once. Some develop physical problems from the pace, others find that their minds go...never to be seen again.
Saturday morning is here. I always love camping in the trailer because Lori has coffee going and a great breakfast is in store. We always eat good. OK, it should read usually. Today, she tried out the George Foreman grill with the waffle attachment. Two quick waffles, a half cup of coffee and she was dancing at the door as if needing to go out and go potty like Walt.
The door opens and like a uncontrolled child, she sprints for the gate. I give her credit, she was full stride till she lost the sole of one shoe. Lori paused, looked at it and shrugged her shoulders, advising me that we will be looking for shoes now. Just kill me now!!!
Soon she was running in circles trying to figure out what store to go to first. I showed her a map and suggested the stores we were planning on purchasing items be last, so we would not have to carry alot with us. Okay that worked for a couple stores! Within half of the first of four sets of buildings, both hands were full of bags of apricot jellies to 'special' candy bars, to baby clothes. Oh God, I promise to be good if you just get me though this day! After a brief lighting bolt scare, we continued to another store.
The weather was cold, mixed rain and snow. Very cold outside, but very warm inside. This made for interesting stops in the stores. After we made the half way mark, a good Samaritan stopped and asked if we would like to use his truck to haul our stuff? Lori didn't hear the guy as she was turning to enter the factory outlet stores for shoe laces and insoles. Fascinating I must say, and amazing how she could spend so much time pondering corn pads.
After a few brief hours (nine) we were finishing up and had successfully perused all 100 plus stores, some many times. A few clerks knew her by name and would ask how the family was. I went through one pair of shoes and ya, you guessed it, she made me go to the Nike store and bought me another pair. I am not sure about these yellow and pink running shoes, but she said they were a really good price...I know, I will hit a couple mud puddles on the way back and they will be fine.
I forgot how much stuff we had purchased. As we walked back to the trailer, the wind and ran proved to us that winter was not done yet. We were soaked by the time we got back. I had to walk to the office to pay for our spot and then across the street for a Starbucks coffee. I forgot about the shoes, but as I entered the office, the clerk asked if me and my 'partner' were enjoying our stay? I said nothing and paid. Suddenly I didn't want coffee. My official story is that I was held up by gang members who took those 'fancy' shoes leaving me to walk home in my socks...
We had a nice dinner and the next morning was nice. Lori wanted to return for another pair of shoes...I told her I was too traumatized and put my old shoes on. She ran off for last minute shopping in case anything new came in in the last seven hours. Walt and I hooked up the trailer and I walked over and got coffee for the trip home. I found the garbage man had removed the yellow shoes from the dumpster...I pushed them behind and continued.
We had a nice drive home and all kidding aside, Lori and I had a great time. The nice thing about the RV is we are not held back by weather like we are on the bike. We have been able to go out during the off season and save the bike for spring and summer. A nice addition to our toy fleet.
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