Lake Chelan WA

Lake Chelan has the clearest, bluest water I’ve ever seen. No that’s not true, Ash Meadows near Death Valley had the bluest, but Lake Chelan comes in a close second. In Salish, the local Native American language, Chelan means lake and blue water so I guess nothing has changed much.
We arrived at the park after a leisurely trip from Cle Elem. After fitting the RV into a tight spot we walked around to explore our new home for the next few days. Lake Chelan State Park has close to 150 camping sites. The utility sites where we parked is pretty much like a back in parking lot, but tent sites are scattered about in the woods, on the beach and even some on the expansive lawns.
Saw my first marmot. It’s a member of the rabbit family but they don’t look like it. These little guys had very little fear of people, Roy about 3 feet from one of them before it moved off.
The park added to my bird list. Ducks, robins, black birds and a new symphony of chirps, songs and calls.
After a night of rolling off the bed, Roy and I came to the conclusion the rig wasn’t level so after breakfast we went out to re-level, we saw that we had a low tire. Dollar signs go off. The park doesn’t have air, but we can’t find the valve stem so we drove, slowly, to town and found a Les Schwab. We are all prepared to purchase 6 new tires but the manager checked them and told me not to worry about it, added some air and charged up the cost of new wipers which we also needed.
Since we were in town, and Wal-Mart was over the hill, we stopped and spent some money there. Roy bought another level and I bought some DVDs. (They were cheap ones and now that I have seen them I know why….. pretty terrible)
Wednesday woke to overcast skies and the news that Obama had gotten the votes. I guess that I was hoping for a miracle for Hillary, and I really resent Obama for having an ego big enough to think that he is “president worthy”. Oh well, again like all of my life, I will vote for the lesser of two evils, but I wish that just once I could vote for someone I really thought would make a good president. I believe that another miracle will be needed to put Obama in as President. Middle America is still prejudice and that’s just the way it is. Actually, I wanted Richardson for President and still feel that he would have been the best choice. Obama talks a good talk, but being able to make pretty speeches doesn’t make him a good choice for President.
So now were heading to Alta Lake State Park, north of here. Looking forward to a new vista.

Critters and things

So far, our trip has had some great wildlife adventure. Alta Lake State Park had a sign posted that there had been some cougar siting and what to do if you saw on. My answer "run like hell" was wrong of course, but it didn't matter, the largest mammal that I saw was a gray squirrel.

But we did have some encounters...

I was sitting in the bedroom of the RV on the bed and suddenly movement caught my eye. A tiny chipmunk was in the hallway checking me out. I squealed, he (she) squeaked, I ran, he ran and I could only hope that he ran out the way he got in cause I wasn't particularly interested in having a chipmunk for a travel companion. That happened at Teanaway

Roy and I were hiking around Lake Chelan and I saw this animal on the rocks near the beach. It was about the size of a house cat, but looked like a gopher except he (she) had a bottle brush looking tail. Didn't have a clue what this was, and neither did Roy. We walked right up to him (her) and he scampered away when we got about 3 foot from him. Obviously, not afraid of humans. Turned out they are marmots and after I saw the one, we kept seeing them all over the rocks. Even got some pictures.

Alta Lake wildlife gave us a chuckle. We parked and went out exploring the park and returned in about 2 hours. Darn if two little birds hadn't decided to use our refrigerator vent for their home. Roy had to chase them off, clean out the mess of twigs and then cover the vent with paper so they wouldn't return. They were not happy at all as they kept trying to return to the vent...

Roy saw some whitetail deer in Winthrop, WA but so far we haven't had any further encounters.

Teanaway campground

Teanaway always makes me smile as its so far removed from most camps, the adjective primitive might come close to describing it, but even that sounds luxurious. The road in and through the camp hasn't been graded since..well ever. Your vehicle, even at a slow crawl feels like your on the ocean in a wild storm and anything that wasn't battened down is now on the floor.
Campsites are where folks made them. Fire pits are a collection of local rock, added to every year at the good sites, neglected at the not so good. You pull in to take advantage of 'flat" or 'scenic' or 'sunny' or 'shady' depending on ones needs and rig. There are pit toilets but they are usually avoided by RVers and tenters alike..
Tall towering long needle pines (ponderosa?) fill the landscape with not only their majestic size but also with a fresh clean smell in the air. Pine cones litter the dirt and scrubby brush gives each site some privacy.
Wildlife, mostly in the form of birds is abundant. The morning sound like a symphony of chirps, and calls, tweets and peeps. And in the background, the river adds its sounds as it rushes down to join its mates.
We parked, levelled and first rule of thumb is to gather firewood. As the others arrive, meet and greet.
Roy and I hiked along the river and first Roy found a jack knife and then I saw a machete in the water. We retrieved it and while not rusty, it was pretty dull. I wish that I had remembered to buy Roy a gold pan as the river sands looked promising.

Made my first meal in a dutch oven, and that is a whole new chapter.

We'll be off again on Thursday

I told Roy about April that we were going east in June and to make no plans, I even marked out the calander with a big red X to remind him, and so far so good. We leave on Thursday and should be back about the 1st of July.

This is the plan (right now) We're spending this weekend near CleElem WA at a campground called Teanaway. It is completely dry and while there is a vault toilet, its noting I plan on using. We're going to be with friends from the Nomads, a like minded group of RVers. Just for the occasion I bought a Dutch Oven and hope that I can learn to cook in it.

Anyway, I don't think we are going to have a lot of internet access, so if you don't hear from us, just know we will post when we can and take lots of pictures.

Last Day

This WAS a mini vacation....

WOW We toured the Evergreen Aviation Education Institute in McMinnville Oregon and it you are ever in the area (west of Salem, south of Portland) check this place out. It is awesome.
It is an Aviation museum that rivals the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum with dozens of displays including replicas of the Wright Bothers plane, up to the 1990ies. The piece de resistanceis the Hughes Flying Boat aka the Spruce Goose. OMG it absolutely fills up the hanger. There are Helicopters and commercial and military planes like the famous Flying Fortress and Spitfire and even the Gooney Bird. Around each corner there are videos that tell the stories of these wonderful planes and also great volunteers who will answer any question, give you a tour or tell of their experiences.
And if thats not enough, there are more displays of antique cars, helicopters and tanks. (In summer they give the kids rides in the tanks)
I am hardly an aviation buff, but I did enjoy this place. The admission was $13.00 for seniors but absolutely worth it. It takes about 2 hours to see and do it all, and thats not sitting thru all the videos.
http://www.sprucegoose.org/

Second Day NW Oregon

WIND STORM DAMAGE ALONG THE OREGON COAST
Wednesday was overcast, windy and darn cold, but we had places to see and things to do, and so armed with an umbrella we got an early start and our first stop was Ft Clatsop, home of Lewis and Clark during the winter of 1806. The Corp of Discovery built this temporary stucture and then just left it. The Clapsop tribe used it and eventually it disappeared. The site where it stands now it pretty close but they are unsure where it really is.
A few years ago the first "replica" burnt down, and this one was just recently rebuilt. With all the fallen trees in the area due to last winters storms it is amazing that the fort is still standing.


We drove out to Ft Stevens, an old military base, now reduced to 'sites' and concrete foundations. The museum was interesting and the camping sites look great so we plan to return. Ft Stevens was bombed by the Japanese during WWII and the big mystery is why the base never fired back. Some say it was because the officers were drunk and other theory is that by the time they were ready the Japanses sub was long gone. Wonder now if it was the Japanses at all, could have been friendly fire....

A little further on was the shipwreck of the Peter Iredale, a British ship which wrecked in 1906. It was a bad year for shipwrecks as a total of 6 were lost that year.

Northwestern Oregon Trip

Looking through my pictures, decided that few were really 'blog' worthy and when it came right down to it, the first couple of days of our mini spring vacation was pretty much a-wash. Monday we drove to Beaverton to pick up George, hiked the Tualatin Hills Nature Park after a pretty decent Mexican Dinner at Azteca.

Tuesday we took Hwy 26 out of Beaverton but then cut across to Astoria on a little used road that milage wise was probably a shortcut, but time wise probably doubled. We hit road construction a couple places. After passing the little town of Jewell, we came to the Jewell Wildlife Area and amazingly we saw a herd of Elk grazing right along side the road. Watching Roy try to get their pictures was more amusing than the elk as they were having none of it..He would move forward and they would move away.

The bridge over the Columbia looked so inviting and since George hadn't been to Cape Disappointment, we took another side trip.

First Trip of the year

Belong to a club of campers, well RV'ers actually and this weekend we went on our first trip of the year to Toppanish WA, just south of Yakima, on Hwy 97. Roy couldn't come because of a prior but that never stops me. I filled the refrigerator with legal (my diet) foods, packed warm clothes and headed out on Thursday about noonish.

Trip over the pass was uneventful and in no time I was pulling into the Yakama (spelled differently) Nation RV Park and easily found my friends actually sitting in the warm sun. It was absolutely beautiful weather but that wasn't going to last as I would find out.
The last time I solo'ed we dry camped but this campground was full service so I had to hook up the water, electricity and sewer. Plugging in the electricity, and screwing on the hose takes little talent, and even the sewer didn't pose much of a problem. I didn't get the water on all the way so there was some worry as I didn't have any water, but it just took a double check. Flipped on the water heater and the propane heater and I was good to go.
Lola and Ray introduced me to Roy and his lovely wife with an equally lovely Korean name I can't pronounce let alone spell. She and I had a great time talking about Korean foods and laughed about at how hot (spicy) she ate her foods.

Friday morning the other rigs were quiet so I dressed warmly as the cold front had now moved in including a strong wind. I decided to walk to Toppanish to check out the "famous" murals. There are about 50 of them and new ones are added each year to the walls of the local businesses. Some are historical, others whimsical, and all are interesting. They are scattered all through town, so I missed many of them and ended up walking nearly two hours. Got home just in time to join the others for lunch at the Casino across the street. I also won $65.35 on a slot machine that I didn't have a clue what I was doing. It said I won 1000 points but didn't have a clue what a point was worth. Couple more wins and I cashed out. Didn't want to press my luck.

Becky and Rob pulled in and it was really good seeing them again. We were now up to 4 rigs, but unfortunately Roy and his wife were going to have to leave early Saturday.

Saturday we decided to drive to Ft Simcoe, an 1850ies Army post that was only active for about 3 years and then turned over to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It had some restored building and the Colonels home was furnished in period doings, but unless your a real history buff or have nothing better to do, don't make a special trip. It was cold, windy and threatening snow and rain so we didn't say long.

(I took pictures of all this to show you but for some reason, I get an error message when I put the card in. Don't know what I'm going to do about that. )

Sunday we had a leisurely breakfast and then I unhooked and got ready to go. Unhooking was as uneventful as hooking so think I'm ready for anything. Before heading home, Toppanish has a wildlife refuge just about 3 miles out of town and since I love to check out these places, I headed here. Well, it is small and not much. I can't add many birds to my list. A magpie, but they are all over the area, a Cinnamon teal, okay that was cool and I heard blackbirds. Oh also swallows but don't know what kind as the fly faster than the eye can see.

I was rather concerned about the pass over the mountain as snow and rain clouds were all around by this time. Called 511 and found out that while the road was wet, conditions were fine and the only thing that happened was that I found out we need windshild wipers.

Victoria

Wow, did I pick a beautiful weekend or what. Sharon and I headed out on Thursday for Victoria BC and we had an absolutely great time. We took the Coho out of Port Angeles (25.00 round trip)and I was shocked at the number of motorhomes and 5th Wheels that were going across.

We didn't take our rig thought, and found a cheap motel called Pauls Motor Inn that was about a mile from the ferry dock. It wasn't bad, the room had a fresh coat a paint (and someone forgot to remove the painters tape on one wall), the rugs weren't the cleanest and kids ran up and down the hallway until late at night, but still, the price was better than most, so we put up with the rest. It was just for sleeping anyway.

The Empress Hotel would have been a better choice if we were rich.$239 Canadian as opposed to $64. at Pauls. But look at that place. Isn't it awesome.

After dropping off our luggage we walked back down town and get directions to take the city bus out to Buschart Gardens. DD warned me that it might be to early for any flowers. OMG, the place was not only full of blooms and the sweet smells were delightful. Buschart is the most beautiful garden that I have ever been to and I have lived in Japan where gardens are fantastic. Warning -- it cost $25.00 to enter the place. A little on the pricy side I think, but then the dollar is way down so that made it worse.

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Tree is down, company had gone home, job is finished

And its time to think about getting the old lady (RV) on the road

Red Cross called and asked if I could work Thursdays nights, 1000-0800 cause they had a volunteer quit and I told them that I would, but with all this rain and cold and wind that we have been having, I am seriously thinking about heading south so they better hurry and get someone else trained.

Today I'm on a diet again and I really have to get serious as I put on 5 lbs over the holidays eating so much holiday food. Also I need to start exercising.

I just have to share this with you

While on Ebay I found a Red Cross Magazine for sale dated Sept 1918 and I thought it might me fun to read and see. Well, it was pretty much a lot of Red Cross propanganda, but I found some advertizements that were just so funny, particularly this one. "Your Boy Must Fight Cooties".

Tomorrow if I have time, I am going to post the best one, White Cross Electric Vibrator. Our outfit gives you the greatest curative agents - Vibration, Faradic and Galvanic electricity.

Hummm, we're getting the itch and it isn't even Spring

Some of you know I took a 6 week job just because I didn't have much else planned and I figured why not. Well, it took me a full week to get use to getting out of bed I still forget to turn on the alarm clock. While working is okay, and the money is nice to have, I just think, I like retirement better. I like it when its cold in the house and I can pretend I'm asleep and wait til hubby gets up to make the coffee and bump up the heat. Of course, some of the time, he out-waits me cause nature calls.
Anyway, I am so ready to get into the old RV and head out. Both Hubby and I are getting pulled in to things I really don't want to be pulled into. The Masons are asking more and more of him, and since he has nothing better to do, he does it, and the same with Red Cross. I love helping our troops and what I do, but I would sure like to be on the road.
And why not. I keep thinking we'll go in March, but whats wrong with January. The weather might be the pits but we have a heater and warm coats. If we get caught in a storm, well just park it.
So anyway, while March was looking good, January is looking better.

Bye, Ian

I heard about a death of a friend of mine. I have known this kid since he was a snot nose little bundle of joy with the widest grin on his face and a smile for everyone. We use to go hiking, and I was never sure that he really enjoyed the hikes (his brother didn't and would vocally complain) but not Ian, he would walk along and talk to me about just about anything and everything. As he grew up, hiking with the old folks just didn't have the same appeal and we saw less and and less of him, but he always came and said hello and we were always so comfortable together, even though we were a generation apart.
He was built like his dad, tall, broad shoulders, good looking. I never understood why some gal didn't snag him. He was shy around girls I guess. They could never compete with his Mom anyway. He adored her and his Dad also. Maybe he was trying to find someone who could cook better than his mom. That would make sense, that would be almost impossible.
He was artistic, and his mom would send us his cartoons. I never understood them, but it was again a generation thing I think. But I certainly was amazed at his talent, that was something you saw right away. And intellect. The boy was a genius.
I remember he use to take me to see his computer, and he'd tell me all about the new program and some awesome thing it could do. Damn, I never understood a word he was telling me, but that didn't matter to either of us. He was just a good kid and I was just the old lady and we were friends.
And he died. He shouldn't have died. He was to damn young. Us old folks are suppose to go first, we shouldn't have to bury our children. Its not fair. Not to him. Not to his family or to his friends. He's leaving to many of us behind.
But he will always live in our hearts. We will always remember that silly grin. We will always remember his talent, his art, and I guess as long as your loved, your still alive.
Will miss you Ian. We had more mountains to hike and you had more pictures to draw.

Easy Sunday

It's so cool to be retired. While most of the camp was packing up to go home, we still had another full day ahead of us to explore. There was only one beach that we hadn't been to and that was maybe a mile or so down the road.
Now, of course, my feet are covered with mole skin to protect the blisters but I am determined that I am not going to let my tired dogs keep me from seeing the world. The beach was beautiful and we spent about an hour watching some folks learn to kayak in the surf. One tipped over but came right back up. I think it would be fun to try, but Roy said that even in wet suits you get cold so I don't think I'm that interested.
Anyway, on the road back we met one of the park workers and we struck up a conversation. He was very nice and told us a little more about the park. Since most of the folks were now gone, the deer were out enjoying the lawn, and eagle flew overhead and an assortment of little critters darted about.
It was a leisurely day and our luck was holding with the weather.

27 Oct, More hiking, Oh my aching feet.

Surprisingly, I woke up feeling no pain after yesterdays 12 mile hike, (okay so Im exaggerating a mite)so after breakfast we decided to take the 2.8 mile hike to North Head Lighthouse, the one we saw from the beach yesterday. The sign said "moderated" but I would have added "to strenuous" at least for us old folk.
It started off pretty flat but we knew that couldn't last and soon we started to climb. The trail was really pretty, but it was so shady, most of it was mud and dead leaves and tree roots, all trying to trip me up. I had visions of landing on my butt and spending the day with a big old mudstain on me. There were many of these old growth trees but this one seemed to be one of the larger


The vistas were beautiful, but I didn't like looking most of the time



Up close the lighthouse looked a little sad. The white paint from afar was a dirty yellow up close, the paint was peeling and the plaster cracking. For $2.50 you could climb to the top, but they weren't getting many takers and you can bet I didn't feel the urge. It was a ladder up, not stairs
Not looking forward to the return trip on the muddy trail we took the road instead, which probably added a mile or so to the hike and my dogs were now complaining loudly. Also I felt a blister developing but it was worth the trip as I can add another lighthouse to my collection.
Tomato soup for lunch and maybe a little nap.Then we talked out to the beach and headed south toward the Jetty

26 October, Friday at the Beach

After a quick breakfast of pancakes that mostly stuck to the pan, and a leisurely cup of coffee, we walked out to Benson Beach (named for a ship that sank in the area) and to the right saw North Head Lighthouse sitting high on a bluff above. Roy thought there might be a trail up but I knew in my heart I wasn't going to try any trail that steep. As it turned out, there was no trail but we got some good pictures.

Speaking of pictures, the trail to the beach was lined with beautiful red mushrooms. I looked them up and they are called Amanita Muscaria or Fly Agaric and while they are poisonous, they are also hullucinogenic. Thats probably why we saw folks picking them even though there were big signs that it was a criminal offence to pick the mushrooms.

They werent the only muchroom we saw, but these didn't look as pretty.


From the beach we walked back through the closed part of the park and saw a cayote who stared at us as we stared at him.


We wanted to check out the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the other near by lighthouse called Cape Disappointment but it took some doing finding the trail. Once we did it was rated moderate to strenuous but only .6 miles so we took it and started the climb up. What a treat,the vistas of the beach below were beautiful and I didn't have to get close enought to make my fear of heights kick in. We scared a young deer and actually I think she scared me more than I her and we were so high in the trees that a young woodpecker pecked away at an old growth just within feet of us.
The Interpretive Center was awesome, but the $5. charge per person was a little steep. We heard an interesting talk by a docent on the maritine industry and the lighthouse



The Cape Disappointment Lighthouse was built to mark the entrance to the Columbia River and even with two lighthouses, since 1792 about 2000 ships have sunk in the area. ITs not surprizing, sand and silt clog the waterways, and shift around at will. Storms with up to 25 foot swells are common winter occurrances and fog is a year round hazard. One ship we read about the first mate kept hearing this strange noise, it sounded like a rooster, but according to the Captain they were 6 miles out to see. Unfortunately, it was a rooster and they were shortly joining him on the beach.
The trail from the Interpritive Center to the Lighthouse was closed as the Coasties were having live fire practice. I had been willing to try but I was secretly pleased as I didn't think my feet would make another mile and a half and we still had a couple mile jaunt back to camp. I know we ended up walking 5 miles, 6 would be more accurate.

25 October Off again

Truisms like the best-laid plans of mice and men go oft awry, could have applied to our Thursday. We planned to leave early but on Wednesday the cargo-haulers hired to deliver our new electric bikes called asking if they could deliver them some time on Thursday. They promised by noon, but we just knew that we'd be waiting until mid-afternoon. BUT much to our delight, they managed to make it before hoon and about 1pm we were off, destination Camp Disappointment State Park, WA, right on the southwest tip of the state.
We drove Hwy 6, a windy road with some very narrow bridges, but beautiful farm-scapes, forests and tiny towns with quaint names like Dryad, PeEll and Frances. Hwy 6 west ends at Hwy 101 which followed the contours of the Pacific and just before it turned east again, we jumped off near Long Beach and followed the signs to our new weekend home, Site 54. Cape Diappointment State Park.
The park is heavily forested with an easy jaunt to the beach. Sites are laid out in a circle so you have space and privacy between rigs. Bathrooms and showers were clean and staff was helpful and friendly.
And much to our delight, the weather looked promising.

End of the Journey

We spent our last night at an Econo Lodge in Prineville, Oregon and it is another town that I would certainly love to return to someday. There is lots of land for sale at a very resonable price and I would love to buy some just to say I have it.

Our last day, we drove to Portland and dropped off George and then headed home. All and all it was a fantastic trip and if I could do it over again, I would park someplace and spend at least a month.

But we have lots of places to see yet and I if I didn't mention it, I think this winter we are going to head south to Yuma and snake our way north, checking out all the National Parks. There are a ton of them, Grand Canyon, last time I was there I was 15. Then Utah has a few, Brice, Arches, etc. Neither Roy or I have been to Yellowstone so that would be on our list and lastly Glacier.

Hope the price of gas goes down.

John Day Fossil Beds/Cant Ranch

Next to the last day and all of us are both kinna sad that its ending and maybe a little tired of the travel. We took Hwy 7 out of Baker City and then caught Hwy 26, stopping at the amazing John Day Fossil Beds and the Cant Ranch.

This is a few of the mountains of the John Day from the Cant Ranch.

The Cant Ranch House. Mrs Cant said that when she went to heaven she would have a dishtowel in her hands. It was a big sheep ranch and not only did she have lots of hand on the farm to feed, the family also had lots of guests. Poor woman fed them all.

There are three sections to the John Day Fossil Beds. This area is called Painted Hills area. They were amazing and very very red.

Baker County

Got ta tell you about the Motel. On our trip we stayed at one, count em, one corporate motel, and the rest were all Mom and Pop places. I gotta tell you, I love thoes Mom and Pop places. They seem to try harder, like the microwave popcorn in Joseph and the friendly staff at La Grande, the cute little rooms in Condon with a warning not to wash your birds in the sink. (That really got to me cause I couldn't imagine why anyone would travel with a bird, let alone want to wash it. Roy had to explain about hunting birds) Anyway, when we got to the Bridge Street Motel in Baker City I was more than impressed. The price was just at $50 a night, and they had free daily newspapers, tons of great food at the Continental Breakfast, free WIFI, and a badly needed laundry. I gave it a great rating, but then I got all bit up and I swear they had fleas in the room. Could have been worse, could have been bedbugs, but I rather think it was fleas as they allow dogs.
Okay, we stayed two days in Baker and we could have done more. We drove north to the little town of Haines, Or and they were having Pioneer Days. The ladies were all decked out in pioneer clothes and the men in their jeans and cowboy hats. They squared danced in the street and you could pan for gold and drink homemade cider and visit their museum. They also had a historic park where they brought in and restored old cabins and area building.

Chandler Cottage, The first cabin known to have been built in Baker County about 1861.

Haines Museum, Old time truck. They also had a restored backsmith forge, carriages and slays plus a building full of "stuff". They had a lady who made apple head dolls and one who demonstrated tating.

This isn't a real mine, but it looked like one. Part of the Historic Park.

Baker City

Now I told you that I liked Joseph, but Baker City runs a close second. The town is right off I84 and while I understand from the residents that a few years ago it was on the dead or dying list, it's being rebuilt and restored one building at a time. We found a place to park and immediately went to check out the gold display at the US bank. They had a 9 pound nugget, plus lots of smaller pieces on display. Right across the street is the Geiser Grand Hotel probably Baker City's most recognizable historic building. We met another couple who had just eaten lunch there and they said that the Holel was grander than the food, so we passed on that. But we did check out the walking tour and saw some amazing homes and buildings.
The town is coming back to life due to the determination of the folks who live in the area. We checked out their museum. It was in the Baker City Municipal Natatorium. Now I didn't even know what a Natatorium was but it was built in 1919 and had a indoor Olympic size pool and room for dances etc. The building fell to ruin after WWII but eventually the residents talked the city into buying it and they restored it, filling in the pool, and turning it into a museum. It is awesome and fun and very interesting.
Baker City is on my keeper list.

Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Baker City

I just don't know where to start when it comes to telling you about Baker City Oregon. First, its right on the Oregon Trail so lots of history in the area. We stopped at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center which is about 10 minutes out of town and it was awesome. It told the history of the trail mostly in the actual words of the pioneers themselves. They had wagon train displays, Native American displays, etc. Its right off I84 so if you are ever out that way, you need to stop. There is a fee, but for those of us who are lucky enough to have Golden Age passes, its free.

Joseph City Oregon

Joseph was probably our favorite of the little towns we visited. Nestled very close to the Idaho border in a small valley, Joseph has become a large artist colony that particularly deals with bronzes. The lady above is one of our favorites.

I gotta tell you about the motel that we stayed at. When we checked in the man gave us keys but told us that they never lock anything and when we leave just leave the door open. Then when I went to check out the coffee pot, I found not only coffee, but cocoa, microwave popcorn, lots of flavors of tea and on the deck outside there was a barbeque for us to use, a table with umbrella and our own little deck. What a great spot. The place was the most expensive of all, but we all enjoyed our stay.

Train ride through the wilderness

Thursday morning we got up early and drove to the small, quaint little town of Elgin to board the Eagle Cap Railroad for a 4-hour tour of Northern Oregon's Eagle Cap Wilderness. The train, run by volunteers, was full, but we found seats together and really had a great time. The railroad followed the Grand Ronde River for most of the trip and while everyone else saw bear and turkeys and eagles, my claim to fame was seeing one lone white tail deer. Oh well, it was a fun trip and I would love to do it again in the winter.

From Elgin we continued east to the small town of Joseph. What a great little town. If I ever descide to run away thats where you'll find me.

Travel Day, Condon to La Grande (Hardman)

Wednesday was a travel day, Condon to Heppner (with a side trip to Hardman) Heppner north to Lexington and then to Hwy 84 to Pendleton and finally spending the night in La Grande.
Hardman is listed as a ghost town but there were some very alive residents and we were lucky enough to meet Charlotte, a long time resident who actually had a key to the Community Center/museum and she let us in and gave us the nickle tour. There was a small typewritten story about the area which I found interesting enough to take a picture. I won't quote it all, but it is fun to read.
Sometime around 1870 a man, whose name cannot be recalled by the old-timers, stopped for the night beside a spring in the hills. Looking around him at the rolling hills leverling off to plateaus covered with bunch grass and sage bush, he must have envisioned the rolling wheat fields and peacefully grazing cattle which were to come, because he stayed. He stared Hardmans first settlement, building a cabin and barn and raising a garden here. Later he started a dairy and made cheese to sell.
Around 1879 two towns started, one about one and one half miles from Hardmanand one where Hardman now stands. One was called Yellow Dog and the other Raw Dog. Great rivalry ensued between them. Later by order of the courts, the Dog Towns were consolidated into Dairyville, but were still commenly called Dog Town by the settlers.
As one old-timer put it, "The towns first boss was William Royse. He operated the first hotel. One old timer tells the story that when the meal was ready, the Mr Royce would ring loudly the three-cornered dinner bell. He also had 5 or 6 hounds who howled loudly whenever the dinner gong sounded. One one occasion a drummer yelled at these hounds, "Shut up, you so and so's, you don't have to eat it."

Fossil, Oregon

The road to Fossil was easy and wonderful compared to our last one that still has me shuttering when I think about it. Fossil was named after the John Day Fossil Beds in the area and it had quiet a fasinating history. Unfortunatedly, the Museum had a sign that it was closed for the winter (It's mid September in the rest of the world) so we were unable to visit, but the town still had a lot going for it. The museum was in the first Masonic Building.
The county building with its blue tower was built in 1901 and there was also an old sheepherders wagon (original RV?) and one-room school house. (I ordered DSL and will post some pictures after I get it. Dial-up is just to slow)I can't tell you about the blue tower, but its colorful if nothing else.

Lonerock, Oregon

Our plan was to explore the Condon area and that included a little town that I read about in the Oregon Travel magazine called Lonerock. I knew there was an old church and a jail but they didn't tell us about the road in. Oh my, you all know that I have a "thing" about heights and suddenly I find myself on a dirt road looking straight down into this beautiful but terrifying valley below? Am I going to slide on the gravel to my doom? Am I going to meet an eighteen-wheeler who will want to pass? Is this going to be the end of me? Roy offers to drive, but that would be worse as I wouldn't be in control. Well I had no choice cause I certainly wasn't going to turn around up there with narry a guard rail in site and so, I inched my way down and at the bottom reminded myself to breath. I'd made it! The only problem was, I had to go back the same way I came and the thought was making me nauseous.

So was the little town of Lonerock worth the drive, well won't be doing it again any time soon but it was a cute little town. We talked to one of the residents and he said that Condon was the closest town (20 miles up that road)and so when one of the residents went they checked with everyone to see if they needed anything. Imagine living is a small town like that.

The lone rock was a huge, maybe 20 foot high, boulder behind the Community Church and not impressive enough to name a town after if you ask me. The church had a two-holer, still being used, behind it, and the jail, well it was a shed size building with bars on the one window. I don't think it held many folks cause even in its hayday, there wasn't much in Lonerock, particularly criminals.

Okay so I drag out the map and it looks as if there are three roads out. Just maybe I can take the one south as we are headed south to Fossil anyway. So we try it and the further we drive, the smaller the road gets and finally we turned around as it was looking something like a cart track. We tried another as it forked off to the left, but it ended in a farmers field. There was one other alternative, but it went east and would take us way out of the way, so gritting my teeth, I headed back up the road, again praying that I wouldn't meet anyone else cause I would now be on the outside edge and nothing in this world would make me move close to it.

Obviously, I made it, going up hill isn't as bad as comeing down, but from that day forward, I asked about the roads we travelled and eyed the map very carefully.

Day 2

Photobucket Album

Day Two

We've gone from the ocean, over the mountains and as you can see from the picture, miles of nothing buy rolling hills.

I got ta tell you, lunch at Grand Lodge started a trend as at every town we are finding Masonic symbols in just about every town.

Our day started with a big breakfast at Black Bear Restaurant. Even their senior menu has big portions and more than any of us could eat.

Traffic in Portland was tough, even after 0900 but we found our way to the Historic Columbia River Hwy from Troutdale and for the next 20 or so miles we enjoyed the scenic and beautiful drive.

There are some must stops and the first was the view from the Portlands Women's Fourm, (frist shot) It was even better than from Vista House, a mile further on. We also stopped at 3 falls, Latourell, Bridal Veil and Multnomah before we returned to I 84.

Forest slowly turned to rolling hills, devoid of trees completely. We stopped at The Dalles for gas and passing turn town we found the Masonic Hall

From I84 we turned off at Hwy 206 and stopped and took a picture of this old church built in the late 1800s and last used in 1914. It was sad to see it rotting away. Stopping at Wasco to ask about the church, I pulled around the corner and parked right in front of the second masonic building.

Condon was our last stop. We came over the hill and there was this patch of green. George couldn't believe it was our destination as it looked like a dot, but it was .

First Day

Can we pick em, the weather was not only glorious, it was spectacular as we headed out today, and the weatherman promises more of the same for most of the week. Our trip to Portland was without incident and George was waiting for us in his driveway when we arrived. After hugs and a few minutes of chats, a quick tour of his garden, we headed to "Grand Lodge" for lunch.

True to Georges prediction, Roy enjoy looking at and touring the old building and we all enjoyed the hamburgers. While Roy explored, I waited in the car and played with the GPS system. Hum, the town of Tillamock was just 39 miles west and the Tillamock Cheese Factory with its awesome ice cream was just the dessert we needed. It took nothing to convince the men and shortly we were off.

Hwy 6 goes from quaint farms, then up and through the Tillimock National Forest and then down to the ocean. After enjoying our 2 scoops, we drove out to Camp Mears Lighthouse and checked it out. George pointed out that last summer we went to the tallest lighthouse in Washington and this one surely is the squatiest.

Good Morning USA

It's very early on Saturday morning, hubby is still in bed and only a hint of light is reflected in the morning sky. I don't know why I am up so early, excitement maybe as tomorrow we start on a small, but great adventure and I have lots to do.
I checked my list for the 10th time and wondered if the car will hold everything. Do I really need all this stuff!!. We're only going for just over a week and surely the weather will cooperate. Or will it, it's September and you just never know, so I'm tossing in a jacket and an umbrella just in case.
We're taking the car, mostly because our friend George is coming with us and motels just seemed to be a better idea. We're also taking ice chests and food and do a lot of picnicking as some of our destinations are what one might describe as wilderness, rural, middle of no-where. Just in case I'm packing a lot of emergency gear also as we will be hiking in the wilds and exploring old ghost towns and well you just never know (Hey! I watch Survivorman!!!)
So here is the plan if you want to follow along.
Day One: We are going to Beaverton to pick up George who found a new restaurant in an old Masonic Temple. Hubby should enjoy that and George said it will add to our quest; finding the best Oregon hamburger. We'll spend the night and then get an early start on Monday.
Day Two: While we are heading east, we decided to bypass as much of the freeway as we can (I84) and take the very scenic Historic Columbia Byway, Hwy 30. (Very scenic, very narrow and switchback'ie) There are lots of 'view points, photo ops and I understand lots of waterfalls, Multnomah being the most famous (Add to list, more film for camera)
Then a drive thru of The Dalles. I am not sure why but they have a walking tour of town and some old historic homes that are well worth seeing. We'll continue east for a bit more on the freeway and then at mile 97 we will start our southeastward trek on Hwy 206 to the small town of Condon, OR.
Hey Condon has a claim of fame, a turn-of-the-century hotel (aptly named Hotel Condon) and the one and only annex of Portlands famous Powells Book Store. Also it is said you can buy a great old fashioned soda there. We'll be staying at the not so famous Motel Condon for the next couple of nights.
Tuesday is going to be a real adventure. We are going to a ghost town called Lonerock. Lonerock has a church, a jail, and a lone rock. People still live there so I am not sure why its called a ghost town, but Ill let you know. From Lonerock we are going to the John Day Fossil Beds, Clarno Unit for some geological lessons. The pictures I have seen are spectacular and the hikes are all under a half mile. Afterward we'll return to Condon and maybe treat ourselves to another soda.
Day three is going to be a travel day, Condon to Hardeman, another ghost town and this time I understand its a real ghost town, to Heppner that shows it's heritage with a great big shamrock in the middle of town. Unity is our lunch stop, its mid-point of the Blue Mountain Scenic Hwy and then we'll overnight in LaGrande.
The whole point of our trip was to go on a train ride thru the Eagle Cap Wilderness area. It starts in a small town just east of La Grande called Elgin and for 4 hours we will wander through the wilds. I understand they are going to feed us lunch. It sounds like fun, but we are going to continue to the town of Joseph for the night.
Friday we are going to Baker City and Saturday we are going to kinda play it by ear as there is so much to see and do in the area, we are rather overloaded with ideas. Whatever we do should be fun, but we think we will check with the locals for ideas.
Sunday we are heading west again. Hwy 26 passes through two more areas of John Day and each has something great to offer. Night will find us in Prineville and the on Monday we are going to head back to Portland.
Now, lets see how close we come to following our itinerary.

Solo'ing

Took and survived my first solo RV trip and while I had a great time, I don't think Ill do it often as there is just something comforting about having a 'co-piolet' along.
The RV was in the garage right up to the day I was suppose to go depart, delaying me by a full day. To save time, I loaded up the car with all I'd need on the trip and then just transferred it to the rig. Big mistake, I should have brought it home as when I got to the campground, I found the water tank was only a quarter full and well, I won't even try to describe what the refrigerator looked like after 3 weeks of being unplugged..
I was meeting friends at the campground, so it really wasn't a solo event, but the drive up was awesome. I went over Hwy 90 to Cle Elem and then over Blewett Pass to Levenworth and then the camp is about 10 miles beyond town. I thought it was a couple of miles from town, so when it didn't magically appear, I started to get panicky. I kept telling myself the next brown (National Forest Service) sign I would pull in an ask where Tillicum Campground is. Lucky for me, Tumwater Campground appeared and I didn't have to embarrass myself by asking for the wrong place.
Tumwater Campground is a real jewel in the National Forest system of campgrounds as only the Federal government can afford to space out the sites so that you feel as if your alone in the wilderness. Set in the confluence of the Wenachee River, Chiwaukum Creek and Hwy 2, each sites backs up one or the other. Our site wasn't the best as we wanted to be together but we shared a large area and were out of the way of other campers. Since it is dry, all I had to do was make sure the propane was on the refrigerator and since it had never been lit before, it took some doing, but finally I heard it click on and while it took some time to get cold and I worried about the large steak I bought, it was working. Meanwhile, I noticed that I really needed water and there was no place at all to fill up the tank. It has water but the faucets didn't have treads on them so I couldn't attach a hose. I didn't worry about it cause I was sure I had enough to wash and since the park had flush toilets, I would just use that.
That was Friday, Saturday we decided to head into town an we stopped at Heidleburger for a hamburger. Oh yummmmm, I got a mushroom burger and a huge order of curly fries. I really recommend this cool little place if you need a decent burger for a fair price. Next we went out wine tasting and while the place was pretty, a rustic log cabin, the wine was not to my liking.
Levenworth is a great tourist town, done like a little Swiss village and its fun to visit.
Sunday morning we headed west to a great restaurant we heard about. The service was slow, but worth the wait.
Monday I headed home and cheated as when I got home, I conned Roy into coming with me to dump. LOL So I really didn't have much to do at all. Now I am still cleaning the refrigerator in bleach water and hoping to get it back to its sparkle.

Pleasant Surprize

Last night I had a call from Japan. My travelin' buddy Sallie called and I'll be we talked the good part of an hour. (Japan's phone companies charge about 4 cents a minute so she can afford to call the US. I can't even call Seattle for 4 cents a minute. I think we are getting ripped off) Anyway, she said Nick and Fumie, Bev and Berry and she had gone to see a professional Japanese baseball game in Hiroshima and said they had a great time. I remember when she took me to the games and it was just about kicking and screaming cause I am not a fan of baseball unless its sand lot soft ball and my daughter is playing first base. But I had a ball and I guess Bev and Berry also enjoyed themselves. First of all, the fans are exceedingly polite and they take turns cheering for their team. First the one side gets up with their flags and drums and banners and they cheer for about a half hour and then the other side does the same.
Okay you can soon get bored with that, but then the 7th inning starts and your looking around cause suddenly you see a balloon in a fans hands. Not one of those round balloon. but a balloon about 3 foot long. Then someone else has a one and then you notice that everyone in the park is blowing up these balloons and its a sea of color. Then on cue, they are all released into the air sounding like one big fart. LOL
http://www.gonomad.com/japannomads/2007/06/baseball-in-japan.html Here's a blog about the same thing. LOL, with pictures even

Enter at your own risk, lots of rambling goin on

I love blogs and read a lot of them. I told you about the lady RVer who I read a lot. Also there is George. George has a RV and he travels 30 or so miles a day, parks where he can for free and has seen most of the western US and Mexico. I enjoy reading "George" but lately its become a little repetitive. http://vagabonders-supreme.blogspot.com/ so I only check in once in awhile. I love Horses' Ass, a political, left wing blog but its mostly Washington State politics so you probably won't be interested. Then theirs Jamies stuff. I would give my eye teeth to beable to write like that lady. I would give you her link, but you'll have to ask and Ill email it to you privately. She's sidesplitting funny, or stone serious, but I love both sides of her.
So where is this going. Oh yeah I remember. So you can absolutely find anything on the internet and you have to take all of it with an understanding the folks don't have to tell the truth, like Fox News, you need to make a point, make something up. Or like that Savage Nation guy. Roy actually listens to him and a couple weeks ago when the Chief Justice got sick, Savage blamed the liberals for causing his seisure. That man is a sicko.

Speaking of Sicko, the movie. I went to see it and I really enjoyed it. If your a conservative and don't like Michael Moore, see it anyway. Its not like Farenheit 9-11 at all. Its not conservative bashing, its just asking why all other nations have great medical care for their folks, all their folks including the poor. Did you see the study that came out this week about the life expectancy in the US. 48 countries have higher life expectancys than we do, including Cuba, Tiawan and most of Europe have better health care. Its a shame,

Lets kick the bums out and elect anyone else.

I just finished reading this great blog written by a single lady full-time RVer and she was talking about how most women are the co-piolets who help back the rig up and read the maps. She is right. In our circle of friends, the guys do the driving and the gals enjoy the scenery.

Personally, I love to drive and in our family it's just easier for me to drive since I usually know the way to go, where to go and since Roy rarely wears his hearing aids and can't hear my directions , its worked out best for the both of us.

Now, I have to say that it was Roy who taught me to drive something 30 foot long. He explained the wide corner thing and the "straighten out the road" thing and it's a comfort to have him in my rearview mirror when backing up. Also it's his job to hook up the utilities and SEWER and I certainly don't complain about that.

Would I like to do the single thing? End of this month I am going camping with our friends and Roy can't come, so I decided I would go it alone. I think I can figure out the sewer thing, one hose, one hole, stick A into B. I know that I can do the electricity thing cause I usually have to go behind him and turn the switch to the "on" position, he usually forgets and I don't think the campground has TV or Cable so that won't be a problem. But the backing up thing... Maybe I can find someone to guide me in or find a pull through. Maybe I'll find a big empty parking lot and some orange cones and practice a bit before I go.

There seems to be a lot of different styles to RVers and the more I travel, the more differences we notice. The full-timers must be at the top of the list. They live and love, travel and work in their up to 40 footer. Some workcamp, some have jobs that only require internet connections and some are just lucky like us and are retired. Lots of full timers stop after a few years as health or children or just living on solid ground again draws them back. I spoke with a lady at the pool just recently who sold their home on wheels after 5 years on the road, She missed her piano and thats why they quit.

Then there are the snowbirds and their counterparts the sunbirds. The snowbirds geneally live in the north and when the leaves start to turn, they pack up their motorhomes for some warm weather living. The sunbirds (I think I coined that) live in the warm south, and come out during summers and then go and hunker down at home in the winter. Both are like part-time full timers.

The episotic traveler, like Roy and I, come in all sorts. Roy and I like to just set a compass point and head that way, checking out all the sites along the way. Other RVers find a campground they like, and go spend a week or weekend there when they can. That appeals to be also

Recently we joined the Nomads, a group of RVers who meet once a month and spend the weekend camping at one site or another. We dry camped at Cle Elem, we spent a great weekend by the lake at Tanwax and our next trip is going to be in the mountains west of Levenworth. We eat together and play together and have a great time. I think I am going to drag out the Dutch Oven and see if I can find any great recipes.

So, plans for the future. In September we're going to northeast Oregon and spend a week or so over there. George, our buddy and friend is coming with us and I know we will have a great time. There is just about something for everyone. For the History Buff in me, we are going to see the Oregon Trail. Do you know that there are places where you can still actually see the wagonwheel ruts in the ground. We are going to take an antique train thru Hells Canyon wilderness. We're going to explore John Day Fossil Beds and walk thru a couple ghost towns. All in all, its going to be a great time and I am so looking forward to it.

Do you know I was like 10 when I last saw the Grand Canyon and so I think Roy and I are going to just "do" National Parks next year, starting with the Grand Lady and ending at Glacier. I know its going to be fun.

Well that trip note kinna died

From Yakima we headed to the Tri Cities area and spent a few days so Roy could do Grand Lodge and when it was over, we headed north through some of Washington's most beautiful countryside, ending at Grand Coulee Dam. That was an amazing experience. We toured the dam and then spent the night in a parking lot, (with permission from the locals) so we could watch the laser show. (I'm glad we didn't have to pay to see that cause while it was okay, I was pretty bored with the whole thing in about the first 10 minutes)
So our trip was great and now we are off to another adventure.

Yakima

Cherries and Asparagus are in season so we bought both at a small fruitstand and then found gas at Safeway for 3.06. Thats a bargain!!!

Always ask the locals

Roy and I decided to keep heading east and one of our camping buddies told us that if we go to Yakima, to take Hwy 821 instead of the Interstate (I82) The road twists and turns and the speed limit is only about 45 mph but what a beautiful trip it was. We followed the Yakima River for about 25 miles and it was just a spectacular trip.
Spent the night at the Yakima KOA and its pretty, our camp is right on the river and from our door we watch the ducks, turtles and even a few fish swim right by us. Having this site means we don't get Cable but who wants to watch TV when you have this beautiful site to watch. (Besides I am reading Richard Proenneke's More Readings from One Man's Wilderness. You might have seen One Man's Wilderness on PBS about him building his log cabin in Alaska. This book isn't as good, but I am enjoying it. )
We'll probably stay tomorrow also and then head to Tri Cities.

Sing it Willy

On the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again

On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again,
And I can't wait to get on the road again.

On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin' our way
And our way
Is on the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
On the road again

Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin' our way
And our wayIs on the road again

Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
And I can't wait to get on the road again

This was a spur of the moment trip. Some friends invitied us camping and neither Roy nor I had to think about it very long. They were going to dry camp at Teanaway Campground near Cle Elum, WA and it would be a perfect shake down cruise for our new RV.
(I didn't mention that we bought another Motorhome about two weeks after returning from our last trip. This is a newer Class C, Tioga and we love it. )
Directions in hand, we left home about 11am and topped off the tanks, both gas and propane and headed for I 90 and the Snoqualmie Pass. Passed Cle Elum, we headed north for a couple miles and then west for a few more and found this huge free campground right on the Teanaway River. There were about 6 RVs already there and we made number 7. (Eight and nine came later) Teanaway Campground is absolutely free, all that they ask is that you pack out your trash and it was a very clean camp. We were the largest group there, but there were other campers spread around the place and yet we didn't feel at all crowded. There could have been a dozen more trailers and we wouldn't have noticed.
There was a family of chipmunks, well Mom and two tiny ones (sex unknown) who darted around our feet and ate anything we dropped. They were use to humans as they showed no fear at all but they were about the only wildlife we saw. The camp is under towering Ponderosa Pines and they were sheading their cones so the ground was littered with them. The river is pretty small but fast flowing and clean. I used it for coffee water the first day and it was delicious.

We stayed until Monday morning and then we all broke camp and headed off in different directions. We had such a great time, we decided to meet again next month and do it all over again.