We won again!

There was another raffle at the Rally dinner tonight and Gary won again! This time it was an adapter for 50 amp to 30 amp electrical. It was another fun night. We sat at a table with a couple from Folsom! As you can see in the photo it was a huge group--over 400 rigs and with the grandkids some people brought it was over 800 people. Considering it was the first rally ever for this group, we were all very pleased. Good entertainment, nice conversations. Lots of fun.

Today was windy and rainy. I was out buying groceries when the wind came up, full of dust. I opened the back of the CR-V to put the groceries away and my fabric grocery bag was sucked out by the wind. A nice young man caught it for me and I put it back in, way in the back this time. By the time I grabbed my first bag to put in, the pink bag had blown away and was moving so fast nobody could catch it. I looked for it as I drove away, but it was nowhere in sight. I’ve never seen wind that would grab things from inside and take them away. By the time I got back to the RV Gary had taken photos of the wind blowing the dirt up into the air and the rain coming down to meet it. Sure glad we got the car washed yesterday. Duh.


Right now I am watching a lightning show above the grandstand that we can see from our door. Elsie is helping me watch for lightning. It is far away as the thunder isn’t loud and comes long after the lightning strikes. It is beautiful!


We had a great time at this rally--didn’t hurt that we won two prizes! Tomorrow we are back on the road, heading in the direction of the Grand Canyon.

We Won!

At these Fleetwood rallies they always give you a raffle ticket and usually we don’t win. Today we won! Our prize was a Breeze fan that can adapt to a dog crate or just be used in the RV. It is great!

Many of you noticed when the Bee reported that Fleetwood filed for chapter 11--we were all wondering what was going to happen to the company. Today we found out. AIP is buying Fleetwood and it will become a smaller private company. The deal should go thru by the middle of July. When AIP heard there were 400 Fleetwood RV’s here in Gilletter at the first Fleetwood Motorcoach Association national rally, they told the new president of Fleetwood to get out here. So he came and spoke very eloquently about the future of Fleetwood. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. We do know there will be changes, but the name will still be there and there will still be motorhomes. Maybe not Southwinds like we have, but something will exist. We didn’t know that Fleetwood has been number one in retail sales for Class A motor homes for 21 of the last 22 years. It was a very interesting meeting.

Last night we looked out the window to see out next door neighbors in this pose. I had to ask if I could take their picture. The big lab was so happy to be sharing the lawn chair. It outweighs our dogs by quite a bit.


Tonight was one of the banquets. The food was good and the entertainment was great. They were two guys who sang oldies from the 50’s and 60’s so many of us sang along. The best part of the evening was the very end when they sang “I’m Proud to Be An American” and the whole Fleetwood audience stood and held hands and raised them to sway with the music and sing along. It was a very moving moment. This is a patriotic group and we are happy to be part of them.

We all got back to our motor homes at the same time so there was a real party at the enclosed dog park. The dogs had a ball and so did their owners. Now it is time for bed where I’ll be singing (in my head) “I’m Proud to Be An American”.

A Million Dollars worth of RV's

As we walked the dogs along the row of RV's, Gary asked me to take a photo of just a few of the RV's in this park. This photo shows over a million dollars worth of RV's even in today's dollars!


I told you the restrooms are pretty primitive--the photo of the cream and grey building shows the restrooms and showers at this RV park.





Note how red the dirt is on the roadway. The freeways we traveled in Wyoming were all this red color, too.






Gary and the dogs are standing in front of the dog park. It is large compared to most RV parks.

After buying a lot of great stuff at the rally, we drove around Gillette which has a population just under 20,000. It was interesting. Then we got home to walk and feed the dogs and watch them play with the chew bones (after dinner treat that is like brushing their teeth, only louder). They are playing tug of war with one of them in this photo.

It was warmer here today, but we are so glad we are not in Roseville. Gary saw that it was 109 today. We were only about 85. Phew!

Gillette, WY

We made it to Gillette and the Rally. The trip here was beautiful--more green, but not many places to stop along the way.

When we got here we were a bit dismayed to see how crowded this RV park is. It is basically a parking lot. The rest of the facilities are nice for meetings, though. We have seen a few people we met in Pahrump in February.


An interesting thing we saw yesterday was a fellow who was doing a long bike ride--from Indiana to SF--all by himself, staying in the smallest tent I have seen. He said he usually eats the powdered meals, but was splurging on a tuna steak the night we talked with him in Sheridan. I told him about Dennis and Keith J.'s trip and he was fascinated.



I'll leave you with a photo of the last of a beautiful sunset. It'll be a fun few days, even if it is a bit crowded.

We drove through beautiful scenery on the way from Bozeman, Montana to Sheridan, Wyoming. Saw a few raindrops but mostly green pastures and lots and lots of horses. Idaho and Montana qualify as horse country.



We drove past Little Big Horn where we were refused a reservation because it is the re-enactment of Custer's Last Stand this weekend. Everything was full.

It turns out we were lucky to get a reservation in Sheridan this weekend. It is Buffalo Bill Days and the KOA is packed. This place is nice and has cute little bunnies that live under the cabins. Elsie really, really wants one of them!


It was nicer outside than inside so Gary and I sat at our picnic table and played Cribbage for the first time in years. I used to beat Gary with no problem, but he wants it documented in this blog that he beat me two times in a row. Of course, this means there will have to be a rematch when we have time.

Tomorrow we will arrive at the Rally in Gillette, Wyoming. It will be a busy few days, so not sure if there will be time to blog. I'll try.

Green, Green, it’s green they say . . .

It was green all the way from Pocatello to Bozeman. Lots of irrigating going on in every field. It was beautiful.


The rivers were all totally full to just above flood level. I’m sure that helps keep all the fields green.


As Gary took the dogs for the final walk of the evening last night in Pocatello, he discovered a wonderful farm next to the RV park. There were donkeys, a burro, llamas, an emu, goats, a horse, a dog. A little girl and her grandma came to feed them and they all came to the fence.




This morning as I took the dogs for their first walk of the morning we saw the goats gathered near the snow plow/mini-bulldozer (not sure what it was) and the biggest goat was sleeping in the bucket! I rushed the dogs home and grabbed my camera, but it was too late, He had gotten out and was waiting at the fence by the time I got back. The smallest one was still resting under the bucket. It was such fun to see all the unusual animals--and the dogs were so good! Sometimes they amaze me.



We finally did get the A/C working last night. Tonight is perfect inside. It was VERY windy today and a teensy bit of rain fell here in Bozeman. It is nice and cool outside. Someone is shooting off fireworks in the field behind us and Tule does not like it one bit. You'd never know she is a hunting dog.

It has been a very sad couple of days with the passing of Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Their families are in our thoughts and prayers.

Pocatello

Today started out looking a lot like driving up I-5 through N. California. Then we started seeing lots of plateaus off in the distance.


When we made a dog potty stop I saw the biggest dandelion head I’ve ever seen.




And it was beatiful up close.

All you former farmers--is the last photo a horse-drawn plow? Gary thinks it is. It was a decoration at the RV park where we stayed in Nampa, Idaho.


We have been spoiled by all the cool weather. It is 82 outside and 92 inside the RV right now. Our A/C is not working right, might be the electricity at this RV park. I think we’ll sit outside and play cards while the open windows in the RV cool the place down a bit. Then we’ll turn on the generator and see if the A/C will click on.

More family time--

We had a great time with my brother and his family in Pendleton. The dogs were in their glory because Josh and Alex don't have a dog and would like to have one, so they showered attention on Tule and Elsie. Those boys are such nice kids--we hated to see our time together end. Today I remembered to take lots of photos and Josh took a few with my camera including one with the timer. If you look hard you can see Elsie licking Josh's ear after he rushed back to be in the photo of the whole group. When he was setting up the camera, the dogs were posed perfectly, but both moved to greet Josh as he rushed into the shot. Josh is the one in the hat and Alex is the blonde one.











Tonight we are in Nampa, Idaho. We are just a bit past Caldwell which has the distinction of being the furthest west Gary had ever been when we got married. He had gone to Caldwell as a junior in college with the PLU team to play in a basketball game (he was a center with a great free-throw record). The photo shows what it looked like as we traveled from Oregon to Idaho.


Tomorrow is Pocatello, Idaho--will blog again if there is a signal.

Pendleton

Today was a long day on the road-took 6 hours to get here, plus time for a couple of stops for the dogs. The trip was beautiful until we got past the Columbia River Gorge. This photo is typical of the scenery along the gorge. When we left the gorge area we encountered large flat areas of farmland that looked pretty much the same for miles and miles.

We made it to Pendleton around 3:30 for a fun reunion with my brother and his family. Josh and Alex were delighted to help walk the dogs and the dogs were equally happy to see them. Monte and Brenda look great and we talked a blue streak. In fact, it was so much fun I totally forgot to take photos. Tomorrow, I promise photos--Gary said he'd help me remember to shut up long enough to get some family photos.

It was a great day fishing . . .

. . . just not so good catching. No fish again today. Gary is very glad he got one the first day (one a day is the limit). But he still had fun with his cousin and that is what counts.

Interesting weather here today--either it was sunny or pouring down rain. The rain only lasted 2-3 minutes. Every time it was nice, I took the dogs out for a walk and ended up wet by the time we got back to the RV. I love the rain, but would rather not have to clean up muddy footprints from a wet walk. I know, I'm too picky. hahaha!

Every time we drove into Astoria we went past this house. Evidently they have a real fascination with plastic floats. Floats are what you see decorating the tree and telephone pole.


We went to dinner at Pier 11--a cute place on the waterfront in Astoria. From our table we could watch the ships go by on the river. Whenever a ship comes into the Columbia River from the ocean, a Bar Pilot goes on board to guide them through the proper river channel. Then he gets off and a River Pilot replaces him to guide the ship up the river to Portland. As we ate dinner a Pilot boat (small tugboat) went by and pulled up alongside a ship. If you look closely at the small boat next to the huge ship, you can see a black spot halfway up the side of the ship. That spot is the River Pilot going onboard. Looks scary, but it was fascinating to see.





Tomorrow we break camp and head to Pendleton and a visit with my brother's family. I'm looking forward to some serious knitting time as Gary drives.

History

Blogger is giving me a bad time. Yesterday I couldn't get photos to upload at all. Today I can get them on the blog, but can't place them where I'd like to. So--first you see Foxgloves blooming on a hillside.
Second you see the "World" cruise ship.
Third is one of the batteries at Fort Stevens with Gary standing on top as he toured the battery.

Foxgloves are blooming all over the Pacific NorthWest. Lots of colors everywhere.


Today was full of history. We went to the Scandinavian Festival in Astoria--lots of history there--ancestry, etc. While we were there we ran into some of Gary's relatives and some people who graduated from HS with him. Then Gary drove me around Astoria showing me where he and other family members lived when they were kids.

Mike and Julie are volunteers that greet ships that come into Astoria. Today was a big day--the "World" cruise ship docked in Astoria and they spent 3 hours greeting the people on board and directing them to sights to see in Astoria. The "World" is the cruise ship that is a floating condo with VERY expensive suites. People buy their condo on board and can live there year round if they'd like. It sounds like many of them have homes elsewhere, too (plural--"homes" not "a home"). Mike and Julie learned a lot while they were on board today.

It was really interesting to hear their adventures with greeting cruise ships. It boggles the mind to hear that around 3000 passengers and 2000 crew come ashore each time a cruise ship docks here. The population of Astoria is only 10,000.

After the Astoria segment of our day, we stopped at Fort Stevens and toured some of the military batteries which were manned in WWI and WWII. The biggest historical event that happened at Fort Stevens is that it was the only place in the continental USA that was hit by a Japanese shell during WWII. Fort Stevens is very close to the KOA park where we are staying in Warrenton.

The grand finale of the day was pizza at Fultano's Pizza. You get more toppings on your pizza at Fultano's than any other place where we've eaten pizza. Very yummy and on our list as a "must stop" place whenever we come to Astoria.

Last day of fishing is Sunday. Here's hoping!

Raindrops, so many raindrops . . .

Feels like ra-ai-ain drops, falling from the sky-yyy.

I enjoyed the soothing sound of rain falling on the roof of the RV while Gary was out getting skunked on fish today. I spent some time knitting, took the dogs for a nice walk in the cozy rain.

Then I drove in to Astoria. I walked up one side of the main street of town, then back down the other side.

I found a yarn shop and bought one more skein for my "trip" vest. Also got an Astoria t-shirt.

Julie got some clams and invited us over for fried clams for dinner. Gary thoroughly enjoyed stuffing himself. What a treat! And we got to see Mike and Julie's daughter Lisa who came home for Father's Day weekend.

Tomorrow is our day for the Scandinavian Festival. Can't wait!

He got one!

Today was the first fishing day and Gary, Mike and Julie all got a sturgeon! Gary was so pleased. We now have 20 cans of smoked sturgeon. They still cost us over $3 a can, but that beats $12 a can in the store. Two more days of fishing to go--here's hoping! Smoked Sturgeon is the best food anywhere!
Mike, Julie and Gary holding cans of sturgeon.

Mexican Train kept us busy tonight. Julie won. We sat outside in 60 degree weather, enj0ying every minute. We just finished, Mike and Julie left and the rain began. I love listening to it hitting our roof.

Mike and Julie are volunteers who greet the ships that dock in Astoria. Since cruising to Mexico has been rerouted, Astoria is seeing a lot more ships arrive, so they stay very busy. Do you remember “Goonies”, the movie from the mid-80’s? Well, evidently the people who cruise do. There are more inquiries about where the house from Goonies is than any other question. Now there’s a movie to show at your movie nights, Britta!

Raindrops keep falling on my head--

Wednesday began with a bit of an adventure I’d rather not repeat. I let the dogs out in Mom's backyard before 7 a.m., then Elsie disappeared. I called and called. Then I put Tule in the house in case there was a gate open. I checked all the gates, kept calling and finally found her hiding behind some gladiolas. Goofy dog was playing hide and seek! She acted like she was so pleased about having fooled me. I was not happy!

Rain hit us as we drove from Seattle to Astoria. Chehalis was quite wet--looked beautiful! It was cloudy, but dry when we arrived in Astoria.

Between Clatskanie and Westport someone is growing a lot of cottonwoods as a crop for the paper mill. There are several fields of cottonwoods in various stages of growth. Some have already been harvested. They are grown just like a corn crop. They grow so fast that they work well as a crop. Between 5 and 10 years after planting they are ready to harvest and plant some more. They are planted very close together in straight rows, just like corn. It is a good use of empty fields and no old-growth timber is used (for those who are worried about that). I don’t think I’d like to be here in Spring when they bloom. Hay fever nightmare! But the farmers are delighted to grow a crop that works here when other things won’t grow.

Mike and Julie came over for a visit and to plan the fishing trip for Thursday. More on that when they get back.

I tried to post this Wednesday night, but no signal. This morning the signal comes and goes, so photos will have to wait for a stronger signal day. ??? Oh well. Here are the words for yesterday.

Pacific NorthWest at its best

The weather has been perfect here--in the mid-70's, no rain. Unfortunately there have been just enough clouds to cover the mountains.

Today I took my Mom to the heart doctor (went well for a 94 year old), after which we had lunch with my sister. Then after I set Mom's hair I went to the local yarn shop while she was under the dryer. (yes, I got one skein for my "trip" vest). Gary had fun shopping at a few fishing stores for beads and lures, etc.




Then we went to my nephew, Stephen's, for dinner. He made a great salmon dinner. Steve is a multi-millionaire who lives in a batchelor pad in Bellevue. Check out the view behind Steve and Grandma. Nice. While we were sitting on the deck eating dinner a bald eagle flew over --I sure wish my camera had been handy then!







The last photo is Steve's folks, my sister and brother-in-law. It was a nice visit, if short. Tomorrow we head back to Astoria and some fishing with Gary's cousin.

A Ferry Boat Ride to Poulsbo

Actually, it was a ferry boat ride from Edmonds to Kingston, then a drive to Poulsbo, but we had a great time.








Or maybe I should say Grandma and I had a great time. Gary doesn't really like to do all the shops so he sat outside with the dogs while the two female humans shopped. But this part of the trip was his idea, so he is the hero. And the dogs loved all the pats and attention they got as they sat by Gary waiting for us.

As we waited for the ferry we saw two amazing things--huge lumber trucks leaving the ferry and a bomb sniffing dog. Each time we were in line a bomb sniffing dog came by to check out all the vehicles getting ready to load onto the ferry. We hadn't been on a ferry since 9/11 so it was a surprise to all of us.

There were beautiful flower baskets and pots in Poulsbo, which is a Norwegian community. The Sons of Norway puts on a pancake breakfast once a month and a lunch every Wednesday! This is one active group. They also have a Lutefisk dinner in November, following the Lutefisk dinner put on by the Lutheran Church in October. Plenty of lutefisk in this town! We enjoyed strolling along the waterfront.





Yes, there was a yarn shop--and the owner grew up in Citrus Heights!











When we came home we wandered thru Grandma's pasture. Two trees were killed by bark beetles and she just had them cut down. Can you believe how much firewood she has? Of course, there is a bit of work involved before it can be burned.