Destination: Bend

We haven't been using the RV this year because our old dog, Tule, can't get into it anymore, even with help.  But this weekend was our nephew's HS graduation and we just had to go.  So we hired a doggy-sitter and headed out with just Elsie accompanying us.  Our new dog, Rosie, couldn't come, either, but that is a long story that will wait for another time.

We headed out I-5 until we got to Weed where we joined Hwy 97.  We spent the night in Klamath Falls and had a lot of time to kill before we needed to be at my brother's.  We spotted the largest logging museum in the USA and spent an enjoyable hour or so touring it.

We got to Monte and Brenda's  in plenty of time to visit with the boys and their folks before my Mom and oldest nephew showed up.  Here's the whole Clouston group (except me, I'm taking the photo):

Saturday was graduation day.  Bend sure does know how to treat its graduates!  What a difference from our kids' experiences as well as ours.  We got to the community center in time to see the caravan of 7 school buses arrive carrying the whole class, horns blowing, accompanied by 7 police cars, lights flashing,sirens blasting.  Josh told me they drove the whole 11 miles that way, stopping traffic thru town for the graduates, zig-zagging down the streets, as noisy as they could be.  That scene really choked me up--it was soooo cool!  And I completely forgot to take a photo.  Here's Josh the graduate.

The ceremony was very nice. The principal's speech acknowledged everybody in this amazing group.  They had severals sports where they went on to Championships.  They have 87 % going on to higher education.  She even acknowledged the kids who struggled just to graduate.  And on and on  and on. The music was incredible, done by the students.  And they all were so well-behaved.  One thing that struck me was the fact that this class had not one handicapped student, not even one on crutches from a broken leg!

The view from their house is fantastic.

But as we left for the ceremony we couldn't help but notice a fire had started across the valley.  By the time we got home it looked like this:

A few of Josh's friends had to evacuate their homes.  The horses that lived near the fire were being brought to the fairgrounds and a rescue shelter.  By this morning the fire was still 0% controlled. It covered 10 miles (6200 acres) by the time we left.  The wind was blowing away from my brother's place, but the smoke was very thick.  We're praying they'll be able to contain it soon.

Now we're in Redding, on our way home, back to the nasty heat.  The cool weather was nice while it lasted.

Running Between the Raindrops

Our day started with sunshine as I took the dogs for their morning walk.  Then it was off and on rain, but never as hard as yesterday.

The scenery as we drove thru Oregon down I-5 is gorgeous as long as you like trees.

It was pretty funny that as soon as we hit the California border, the rain stopped.  The sun seemed like an intrusion on a peaceful, easy-on-the-eyes day.

Then we arrived in Yreka and let the dogs out for their walk.  Within minutes the rain had begun again and with it came wind.  Brrrrr.  I finally got some use out of the scarf I brought along.

Our neighborhood had some problems last weekend--two cars were stolen, one from inside the garage, and one other suffered a break-in where everything in it was stolen.  We're anxious to get home and make sure everything at our house is intact.

Heading Out

We left Mom's about 11 a.m. today.  We'll be back in 6 weeks for her 99th birthday party.  I think she needed a rest after all the activity while we were there.  It was a lot of fun, but I am totally pooped out after all the meal prep and clean up.

As we headed south, we saw this interesting bridge near Nisqually Flats.  Gary figures they have tented it to paint inside the plastic.  Intriguing looking bridge.

We drove in and out of some beautiful rainstorms and a couple of very scary ones where we could barely see the road.  Not as bad as Colorado is experiencing, but still didn't feel great to be driving in it.

We are now at Hee Hee Ilahee again--Gary loves this place. It is clean and easy to park and the hot tub feels great after a long driving day.  As we got here the sun was shining on this park, but there were dark clouds all around us.  Just as I finished walking the dogs, the sky began to darken.  We'll see what tonight brings.

I met a man walking his dogs and saw my first white Scottie!  She was so cute, but really didn't want to pose for this photo.  They did what we did when Tule first became an only dog and was miserable. They got this Scottie her own pet, a rescue Westie.  We got Elsie for Tule.  It worked--all these dogs are happier for having a housemate so they are never alone.

Tomorrow--Medford or maybe Yreka if Gary isn't too tired from driving.

Thunder, Lightning and Rain!

My idea of the perfect evening.  It was a gorgeous day--overcast, then sunny,  then the storms.  I really enjoyed it.

The day was fun.  Mom wanted one more look at the estate sale we found yesterday.  Nothing left by the time we got there, but on our way home we found this delightful little treasure on a corner in Edmonds.

Then the Peterson family came for a fun gathering.  We always have such fun catching up on each others' lives.  This time my sister and brother-in-law came, too. My sister is in black and white in this photo.  

It was a great day, but I'm still pooped from yesterday, let alone the dinner prep tonight.  I believe I'll hit the sack.  We begin our trip home tomorrow.

Two Days in One

For some weird reason, Mom's wifi didn't work last night, so no post. I'll try to get both in now.

Yesterday we took the Kingston Ferry from Edmonds (love that short ride) and drove to Bainbridge Island. Found Churchmouse Yarns and Teas and both Mom and I did some shopping.   It was a nice, cool, overcast day.

 Then Gary suggested we go to Poulsbo for lunch.  He had an ulterior motive--wanted to eat at the same place we did last time and have more of their clam chowder.  After our lunch/dinner (it was about 3 p.m.), he took the dogs for a walk while Mom and I wandered up to the Scandinavian shop.  I bought a variety of things and Mom got a new lefse griddle.  At almost 99 she thinks she needs a new lefse griddle!  Sounds good to me!  I'm usually the one that makes the lefse at her house.  ; )  The town has amazing murals on the sides of the buildings--very cute Scandinavian community.

Today I made bread for Mom and cookies for my nephew, then took Mom to Costco.  We had Mom's two remaining close friends over for salmon dinner, Buck and Johnnie.  Gary did a masterful job of cooking the salmon and I made the rest of the dinner.  On our way home from Costco, Mom spotted an estate sale and we both did a bit of shopping.  I'm so glad we are in the RV so I can take home our new round oak coffee table.

As I sit here in the RV typing this, a train is passing Edmonds. One of my favorite memories is the Doppler effect as the trains go thru town.  It is a melancholy yet peaceful sound that makes me think I'm at home.  I must have heard that sound at bedtime growing up because now I am ready for bed.

Two Fun Days

We got to Mom's on 9/11 and had a great time visiting with my cousin, Denny and his wife, Sandy from ND.  My sister and brother-in-law came over to collect the fish we brought for them and we had too much fun trying to take this photo. Sandy finally gave up trying to get the perfect photo, so you get a bit of a blur, but it shows how much fun we three cousins had.

Sandy and Denny and Tuffie left this morning in their new car.

Mom and I ran errands and ended up eating lunch at Dick's.  I had heard about how great they are and finally got to taste one of their burgers.  In and Out still has them beat.  : )

Tonight we celebrated 60 years of marriage of Bill and Joanne, long-time friends of the Clouston family.  We ate at Anthony's in Edmonds and watched the ferries going back and forth and a beautiful sunset.

They live in Hawaii and Joanne still dances in the shows for tourists (and she's in her 80's).

Amazing, isn't she? And she is hilarious, too.  We had a great couple of days.

Peterson's Haulers, Day Two

It was 100 degrees when we got to Medford last night.  Phew!  It was nice this morning, but heading for another hot day.  It is 90 degrees in Salem as I write this.  I was hoping we were getting away from the heat.  Maybe it will be cooler
in  Edmonds at Mom's?

So far the only difficulty has been at lunchtime yesterday when the generator decided to quit working--made for a pretty warm lunch inside the RV.  But it decided to start working again when we stopped for the night and today is working just fine.  And the broken freezer door latch didn't like bumpy roads, so I kept having to get up and reload the fish in the freezer that we are taking to Mom.  I should have taken a photo, but didn't think of it. Duh.  I did make a list with freezer door latch repair at the top.

It was fun to see a hay truck as we drove along today--brings back memories of those big trucks delivering a load of hay to our little barn as I was growing up.

Outside of Eugene Gary noticed there was no traffic heading south.  Then we saw why--a terrible accident had happened and was still being cleared.  As we headed north, the line of stopped traffic was over 6 miles long. People were standing outside their cars and trucks,walking dogs, chatting.  I'm sure the line got even longer because the cars were still blocking the road as we drove past.  We were thankful our side of the freeway was still moving and said a prayer for those in the accident.  It looked pretty bad.

Now Gary is enjoying the hot tub at this beautiful RV park--Hee Hee Ilahee--I love the name!  The dogs and I are heading out for our second walk since we got here.  They know this RV park and definitely enjoy walking the perimeter and smelling all the good sniffability.