A Little R&R

Just over a week ago, I found out I had some heart problems and ended up getting a stint put in. I was off work for 10 days and with my new found energy, was driving the DW nuts. We decided to hitch up and head to Spokane to visit the oldest kid and sister. We took our time and was all hooked up and ready to roll last Wednesday. Only problem was a nasty pacific storm going through with some wind and heavy rain.

We did well watching traffic and taking our time. All was going well. we started to head up Snoqualmie pass in very heavy rain when all the sudden, the passenger wiper quit all the way up, the driver side came down on top and bent the %$@* out of both wiper arms and stuck!

I managed to get off the freeway with almost 0 visibility and after getting drenched, was able to salvage enough parts to make the drivers side work. We called ahead to a Dodge dealer and they welcomed us in. The one wiper worked ok (had to bend the arm back enough for it to partially work) and made it to Ellensburg with no further problems.

We unhooked the trailer and sat outside and ate lunch (much to the amusement of all passing by) while they put our Dodge back together. They didn't have the parts, so after a weather check, we hooked up and continued to Spokane and a Dodge dealer fixed it for us here!

Never let it be said that any of my RV outings are not an adventure! Oh and by the way, we were delayed just long enough for one day of good weather here and now the rain has followed us.

We set up at Ponderosa Falls campground and really like hanging out here. We visited Mark and Aunt Sandy over the next few days. On Thursday, Mark and Aunt Sandy were working, so we headed to Spokane falls park in downtown Spokane. Lots of trails and things to see. We walked so much with my new found energy that Walt almost stroked out on us. I thought I was going to have to carry him at one point as he was so exhausted! We went to Red Robin and had a great salad for lunch, walked some more and headed back to the trailer.


Friday night as we were wrapping up out trip, met everyone out at the Casino (Northern Lights) for dinner and some fun. After a great dinner and visit, I was getting the itch to 'pay' for my trip. As we walked through the casino, Mark and I stopped at the Craps table. He wanted to learn how to play and we went over a few rules and put some money down. In just over an hour, both of us had an incredible tie and walked away with alot of their money ( well alot to us!)

We met the crew Saturday morning for coffee and Lori and I headed for the sun. It was off to Yakima and the Casino in Toppenish. We got to town after a pleasant drive and along with Walt, sat and enjoyed the sunshine for the day.

As evening set in, Lori and I had dinner, closed up and walked the half mile to the casino. We bummed around and while I lost a little of my earnings from Spokane, she won enough to make us even again. Back to the trailer and sat outside to watch the sun go down. It was still warm as we went to bed. What a great day.

Vacation 2009

Greetings from somewhat sunny southern Oregon. Lori, Walt and I are having a great time so far. Things got off to a shaky start the other night (Thursday) when we found tornado like conditions just south of Longview. We missed the real bad weather, but found 30mph winds and heavy rain for over 30 miles. It was not a fun time, but the wind was on our tail so we got great gas mileage.

We finally made it to Woodburn RV park at about 10:30. I left the trailer hooked to the truck, dropped the front jacks and hooked up water and cable (Cant go without TV). Soon we were asleep and slept real well. I woke up once to steady rain, but the sounds seemed to make us sleep better. Friday morning, we had a great breakfast of french toast and soon were on the road again. It poured from Salem south quite a waqys, but we did fine. Around 1 pm, we decided to stop for lunch. This is no easy feat with a trailer. We stopped at a nice little cafe and was able to get and parked with minimal backing. I was pretty proud of myself as I continue to learn more and more about how the trailer handles.

We arrived in Canyonville about 3:30 and as we were checking in, a lady walked up and handed us our MOC rally ID tags, book and info packet, greeting us and welcoming us to the rally. We thought this was quite the feat until she told us we were one of two Mountaineers at the rally and the other one was already here! Oh well. What a beautiful park. I almost felt we should not be here as we were a little out of our trailer trash element!!!. Soon people were introducing themselves and making us feel at home. We have done a few activities, but are enjoying being on vacation more that being at a rally.

Saturday am, I woke up first and let Lori sleep. She had set out Cinnamon rolls the night before and I baked them filing the trailer with cinnamon smells. Soon she was awake and with a good cup of coffee, we were talking about how rough it is to be warm, dry, and have great food all at our fingertips.

We goofed off for awhile and later caught the shuttle to the casino. Very nice place and pretty big inside. We had some lunch and I hit the blackjack table only to die a slow death. Frustrated, I took the few dollars left and we walked around. There were only a couple people playing craps, but they seemed to be doing well. Soon I was playing and a seven was rarely seen. Lori got in on the action and when this one guy started rolling the dice things got interesting. He went on a 45 minute plus roll and some guys made over a thousand dollars in that short period of time. Lori and I made pretty good money (enough to pay for all our RV sites for the week)...life is good.

We came back to the RV park and bragged alot. I keep telling Lori I could double our money with one bet, but she wont budge...anyway, good times when your winning.

Today, we headed for Medford and area for a nice day trip. We were headed for Harry and Davids. This was supposed to be a place where you can tour the facility and see how stuff is made. We got there to find a store and nursery. I was not a happy camper driving 80 miles for a damn store. Lori twitched and took off running screaming like a little girl...it is getting close for the home!.

We left town and headed on back roads heading towards Grants pass. Just outside Medford, we came across Jackson, OR. A town locked in the 19th century, old shops, people dressed in period costumes and lots to see greeted us. What an unexpected nice find. On up the road, we saw some beautiful scenery and hit a couple vineyards for wine tasting. It was a fun day and to top it off, we had put chicken in the crock pot when we left and had dinner waiting. Are you catching on about what makes a great vacation for us...wine and food and then some more food.

Tomorrow, we head north for a day trip to west of Eugene for a couple more vineyards, then back and start to break camp. We are leaving a day early in order to have an extra day in Spokane with Mark and Sandy.

Tuesday, we head for the Madras area, Wednesday to Tri Cities and Thursday into Ponderosa Falls RV outside Cheney. More later from the road.

Hi, We are back. Tuesday was another first for us and our RV. We had never pulled a mountain pass and I was looking forward to conquering another demon. As we hooked up the trailer, several people stopped by to say goodbye. It was fun and profitable to be here at seven Feathers this time.

We headed north and stopped for coffee. Walt didnt have a problem going right to sleep on his bed and slept most of the way across the pass. We hit the McKenzie Hiway and headed east. Soon the scenery was great and the truck was performing flawlessly. We got to the intersection by the McKenzie bridge and found the road was still closed due to snow. We headed north toward Santium pass and soon were pulling a good incline with a passing lane on our side. I was able to maintain 50 to 60 mph with little effort. Nice truck. Once at the top, a quick brake check and we were headed down. I turned on the engine brake and only needed to use the brakes a couple times. It worked very well coming down. Soon we were in Sisters and while gauking at the town, I missed my turn. rosie told me to make a left and I kept going straight. The reroute took us a long way out of the way and added quite a bit of time. I found a wide spot in the road and was able to make a U-turn with no problem. We turned and were back on track. Soon Rosie had us on back roads and when all seemed lost, we popped out on hwy 97. Soon we were setting up at the KOA in Madras, OR. looking at some very scary clouds. A few minutes later, a worker informed us of svere storm warnings and we locked down for the night. Most of the weather missed us but it rained all night and only stopped after we got soaked hooking up!

On the road up 97 to the interstae and then over to Tri Cities for the night. As we slumbered along the interstae with a good headwind, I checked mileage and found we were down to 8 miles to the gallon. Thats a head wind. Lori fell asleep and I quietly cleared Rosie of our intended route. As we exited the freeway in Pendleton, OR at the Wildhorse Casino, she awoke and I blamed her for the mix up. We got a nice spot in the RV park and off to the casino we went. Again, luck was on my side and we left winners. I love this RV park and Casino. Very well kept up and friendly staff.

It was off to A cross country trek and eventually hit hwy 395 which took us directly to Ponderosa Falls RV park in rural Cheney, WA. The person who assurred us he had made a reservation for us, didnt and although somewhat full, found us a spot. The clerk asked if I was OK backing up? I told her I was and we were off to our site. I pulled up and said to Lori that there was no way we were going to get in that spot. After calculations, conversing with neighbors and a deep breath, I backed down, into a pull through, turned around and then backed up the hill and was able to get right in the spot. Acted like I knew what I was doing!

We got set up and headed out for dinner with relatives who had also converged on Spokane. Mark, the oldest was getting his masters degree on Saturday and we were having a barbecue at his place after the graduation. It was a fast paced three days and soon it was time to say good bye and start for home.

We hit I 90 and traveled west to Lake Easton RV park for the night. The park was clean, but both the pool and hot tub were shut down, office closed shortly after we got there and trees prevented a satellite hookup. We watched a DVD and fell asleep early.

Monday, we hit the road. Not much conversation as we were headed home today. Soon we were backing in the driveway and the trailer was again clean and ready for our next adventure.