Cleaning out the Motorhome

One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life.

We moved a few days ago into our son’s driveway. Our work was cut out for us. It was clean-up time. The end of the summer was here, we had been in nice weather and also wet and rainy weather which meant lots of mud. His driveway was the perfect concrete pad for cleaning up the motorhome. Besides that, it was a great place to stay while in the Pacific Northwest for a week before we started our trek slowly south.

We said goodbye to the deer, the squirrels, the birds and even my little kitty. Actually my niece probably would have taken the kitty and fed it. However, the kitty had friends where we were at, had been there over a year already and wasn’t street-wise. I was afraid he/she would probably have a better chance of survival in an area it was familiar with.

I know I’ve said this before but I’m going to say it again. It just amazes me how weathermen can be wrong so often, still keep their jobs plus get wage increases when they can’t even do what they are hired to do …. predict the weather. Predicting weather is a science. Thus, with the same thought in mind how can scientists be so sure of what happened a million years ago when they can’t even be sure of what’s going to happen the next day?

The day of our move the weather was supposed to be fantastic. It was once we got parked and the clouds blew away. Actually even the next day was supposed to be better. The prediction was for gorgeous blue clouds and warm temperatures pushing 80. It wasn’t! It rained most of the day. Thus, making it difficult to even clean out our bays and get “stuff” dry before putting it back. We cleaned, we tossed, bought new storage containers and organized. Now we feel better but still have more to do. And, that’s what we’re up to.

Today we’re going back to the cabin for one last check on it to make sure everything is clean and set for winter. We have a couple tarps to cover tables and benches . It's just another work day. Of course, we’re also going to feed the animals.

End of Season Shindig

Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

We had a shindig at our little cabin on Saturday. It wasn’t a lot of people but a few. Not counting all the deer, squirrels, birds and kitties, we had 21 folks here. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and topped out at about 80 degrees. We’re certainly glad we had the event yesterday and not the day after because it rained like crazy on Sunday. Matter of fact we had so much rain it messed with our TV reception!! The prediction for the rest of the week …. a perfect, sunny week with temperatures in mid-70’s.

It was a great time and a great get together. We had first cousins, second cousins and even fifth cousins. Not only was the food a potluck affair even the people were potluck. Lee barbecued the hamburgers and hot dogs. Sabrina made the patties and the salad. Michelle did the watermelon and more salad. Larry sang, Judy organized gifts for the Chinese gift exchange and baked the cake for the birthdays. Terry was in charge of something but not sure what. Justin and Jordie brought “friends” …. if you know what I mean. Larry got the kids playing soccer. And, those under six fed the deer. I fed the cat. In other words, we had a great time.

The kids loved the deer. After all of them we had visit over the past few days, we were beginning to wonder if any would show up. They stayed away. We figured it might be because of all the people that were up over the weekend. However, eventually, they started wandering in for the feed. The kids obliged them.

This was our end-of-season get together. It’s time to close up camp now and put away everything until next spring when we return. Actually, that was supposed to be on the agenda Sunday but since the rain came first, it didn’t get done. We decided to wait until Monday when the sun comes out and the rain goes away … we hope.

When I look at all these pictures I realize how lucky I truly am. What a fabulous family I have and I love them all to pieces! And, then to think of it … I didn’t even make the big reunion in Port Angeles because I was back east visiting my daughter and her family. Judy made a cake for the four who celebrated birthdays within a 2-week period. The cake had little deer on it .... just like we have.

Food and RV’ers

The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.

Why is it whenever you meet up with any RV’ers the first thing on their mind is food? And, that’s where you usually meet them … a restaurant. It happens all the time. Actually it’s not just RV’ers. It’s every get together is always put together with food … lots of it. And, that’s just what this weekend has been about!!

Terry’s checking out buffet

First of all we met Joe and Linda for dinner at the Oak Tree in Woodland on Thursday. Bankrupt Stew is their specialty in our mind. And, boy is it ever good. Matter of fact, it is the best stew in the whole wide world. Actually, it’s not that we’ve had stew every where. Why would we when it’s so good here? A second helping is even included in the price with a small loaf of bread and a super salad. Anyway, we had just eaten there a couple days before with my cousins. It seems this is the place to meet.

On Sunday we met up with them again at the same place since they were close and getting ready to leave town. This time it was for the Sunday Champagne Brunch Buffet. What a spread of food and desserts they have! However, none of us had champagne but just food. I tried to be a little good.

Desserts for breakfast

I need parties and get togethers to go away in order to get back on my stupid diet. And, this Sunday was just after our mini get together with family the day before where there was even more food. You’ll hear about that later. One thing I’ve learned is diet when you can to make up for all the food you eat in between. Well, it must be working a little because I’ve shed 16 slow pounds (since August 9th) but a bunch more to go! (Maybe 16 more ??)

Anyway, we’ll see Joe and Linda down the road so it wasn’t a goodbye but just a “see ya” thing. And, then …. we’ll probably gather at another restaurant!

Largest Fabric Store in the Country

Life is all about how you handle Plan B.

We had heard about it but we had never been there. It was really close. I couldn’t believe we hadn’t been there. Obviously, it was time to go. So, we did and off to Portland we went.

The Fabric Depot advertises itself as the largest fabric store in the country with 1.5 acres of fabric. We wanted to see if that was true. It’s not that I would actually know if it was the largest or not but I still wanted to check it out. We had been to some stores that were big. However, mostly if we were looking for craft things we ended up at Micheal’s and if we were looking for fabric, we’d go to Jo-Ann’s. I’m sure you’ve all been in both those stores. Some are big and some aren’t so big. Then, of course, there is always Hobby Lobby territory but that hasn’t been too often recently. We’ve not been in Hobby Lobby land.

The Fabric Depot wasn’t just fabric. It was loaded with unique gifts and many types of crafts. It was a fun, fun store to visit. The problem was that it was so large it was overwhelming. I’d like to go back sometime when I have some idea of what I might be looking for. I certainly wasn’t prepared for it this time.

Did I buy anything … no. Did Terry? Of course.

Animals Are So Funny

Indecision is the key to flexibility.

My cousins, Larry and Judy, showed up on Sunday with their camper. It was a rainy afternoon but it didn't matter much. We just ate and played cards after taking a few breaks to feed our neighbors ... the deer. On Monday we had several spurts of heavy rain and several spurts of long dry periods. Obviously, we much preferred the long dry periods. Terry had taken the room we attach to our motorhome down the day before to wash and hope to dry before we packed it away for moving. Now it's clean but getting it dry is something else.

Check out the deer trying to eat the bird seed in our bird house feeder. Actually all the food was put out for the birds and squirrels but the deer seemed to think it was for them.

At one time four of them had their necks twisted and front legs on our little outdoor fireplace. It was really a funny sight. Obviously, with all the critters we have ended up feeding around here, our grocery bill is growing. I wonder if they give food stamps for families with this many kids.

A couple more little kittens have been discovered around the area. However, we did learn that these same ones were here last year and several folks around here feed them. There's lots of places for shelter underneath porches and decks. Last year several of them were gathered up and taken to the vet and given shots. So, I guess things are okay with them and they'll be fine. While we're here, we certainly have a lot of mouths to feed!

This is a new 3-point deer we had visit. We hadn’t seen this one until the other day. Most of the deer we have visit have been around before but not this one. Evidently the word has gotten out that the buffet table is open. These are the two characters that were looking on to all the activity.

These are the two characters that were looking on to all the activity.

Then this is the whole picture with the automatic panorama setting on my camera! Don’t you love it? Well we certainly do. This has been fun with all the animals and birds. We never can tell what critter is going to be asking for a handout next.

Fort Vancouver

If you're living on the edge, make sure you're wearing your seat belt.

Here we are another summer almost gone and we’ve been parked in a location that was pretty much my backyard for 25 plus years. It’s amazing how you don’t take the time to really visit when you’re close by. We had done just that.

Terry had a doctor appointment and we just happened to be traveling down I-5 very close to the Old Fort Vancouver and the Vancouver Barracks. We decided to swing by. We had been here before but it was quite some time ago.

A fort was built by Hudson's Bay Company in the 1840’s to protect their fur trading business. This fort has been reconstructed and can be toured south of the Vancouver Barracks and Officer Row.

Even a garden is maintained behind the fort probably just where it was before. When we toured it the other day the pumpkins and gourds were nearly ripe. You could certainly tell that fall was in the air and Halloween and Thanksgiving not far off.

The old Vancouver Barracks have been around since about 1849 when the army arrived. The main reason for the army arriving at Fort Vancouver was to ensure the orderly settlement of the Oregon Territory. The military post had been in use for 150 years when it was closed in 2000. Today many of these old buildings are still in use.

The base is no longer an active base. It is the home for Reserves.

Fort Vancouver Barracks

There’s actually a lot to see in this area starting with Officer’s Row and working your way south to the Fort. Many old homes have been restored and are currently in use either as residences, offices and even a restaurant. A couple of these homes have been named after well known generals who served at Fort Vancouver.

Quite a few years ago the city was trying to decide what to do with these homes as none of them were up to code. It took a lot of money to bring the electrical systems up to date and in addition to that none had been properly insulated to today's standards. It was like heating the out of doors. Now most have been restored and are beautiful homes to visit.

The parade grounds by the barracks are still in use for many social events in the area. Usually on the 4th of July people from all over congregate here for one of the largest firework displays in the area. We used to crowd into the area just like everyone else.

Officer’s Row

One home was the residence of General George Marshall. He was the commander of the Vancouver Barracks for a couple years in the mid-1930’s.

George C. Marshall House

The oldest home (1855) is that named after Ulysses S. Grant. Even though Grant never lived in the home, he was stationed here prior to becoming President of the United States. Today it is a restaurant. And, you know how much we love to eat at unique restaurants. We’ve eaten here before but many, many years ago. It is now back on our virtual schedule to try to visit before we leave the area.

Ulysses S. Grant House

Actually, there is also another restaurant we want to revisit in the old city center area before we head south in a couple weeks. It’s in a Victorian home that serves Greek food. Of course, it didn’t use to serve Greek food but now it does. I’ll clue you in when (or if) we get a chance to go.

Red Robin’s Birthday Celebration

At my age I do what Mark Twain did. I get my daily paper, look at the obituaries page and if I'm not there I carry on as usual.

The summer marks the majority of birthdays in our family. It starts pretty much the 17th of July with Jordan and goes through seven out of ten of us ending on the 20th of September with Sabrina’s. It’s a pretty busy time for birthdays. When we all lived in Texas we celebrated each and every one of them together. Now that’s kind of impossible. We still celebrate them but not the same way. Since the majority of the birthdays are during the summer we usually go to Red Robin’s for the birthdays. Needless to say we’re pretty busy going there since we don’t do it just once. At birthday time Red Robin sends each of us a certificate for a free gourmet burger. Why wouldn’t we go there? And, as I mentioned the last time I posted about our birthday visit to Red Robin’s, I’ m stuck on the Bonzai Burger. It’s the only thing I order because it’s so good! Of course, I’d even go there without the free gourmet burger … oh that’s right – we do!

Of course, just because we went to Red Robin’s doesn’t mean we’re through celebrating birthdays. We have another birthday shindig scheduled next Saturday. This time we’ll be celebrating a total of four birthdays …. Terry (again), Sabrina (again), Michelle (niece) and Larry (cousin). Aren’t birthday parties fun? That’s why we decided to celebrate two more birthdays.

This is a busy week leading up to party time. We have a couple cousins coming back with their camper for a few days so we'll party with them. Then, elusive Spiker will be down.

After the weekend ….. we get ready to head south. Normally, September is one of the best months in the Pacific NW. This year it's a little too wet and a little too muddy to hang around. We'll be out of here soon ..... even though we'll certainly miss our family! Hopefully, we'll be able to dry out and clean up before we move.

The Wild One

If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much. ~Mark Twain

We seem to have a kitty (or is it a cat?) who hangs around our motorhome. The first time I saw it I figured it was a wild one. Now I know it is. We started feeling sorry for the kitty. Our thought was that someone dumped it in the area. That’s probably the truth. There are a few others around here but this one hangs around us. And, as you might guess since we were feeling sorry for he/her, we started feeding it. Well, actually, that was after we discovered it trying to get into Duchess’ dog food which was inside our closed awning room. Kitty was starved. Thus, a little food here and a little milk there started showing up when the kitten was around.

The cat would snarl at first when we got too close when it was devouring its meal. However, Terry has been able to scratch it’s ears while it eats. We don’t know the story and we don’t know the kitten. However, now that we’re pretty close to packing up and head south, we’re starting to have some concerns about leaving it to endure the winter here. My guess is that it probably won’t make it. Where we are currently at it gets cold and it snows! We could take it to a vet. However, I not sure they would take care of it. We could take it to the humane society but I think they would probably put it to sleep because it’s a wild cat. Of course, that’s even thinking we could even catch it.

Photo taken right outside motorhome dinette window!!

Oh boy! What to do? What to do?

It’s Great News

My Girlfriends are the sisters I picked out for myself.

(And, you know who you are!)

First of all, I read the little quote above yesterday and loved it. For those of us who have no sisters, it’s the perfect way to have a few …. or even a lot. I have no sisters so I pick YOU.

I passed this bit of news along yesterday to many of you but thought I would post it here also. Terry had his first check-up with the oncologist yesterday. For the first two years after his surgery for colon cancer, he will visit the doctor every three months to make sure the cancer hasn’t returned. Thursday was great news. Next appointment …. December.

Short but sweet today. I bet you can’t believe it!

Party Guests Have Arrived

The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time.

Happy Birthday, Terry!

Here he is …. the birthday boy. He’s bringing his own birthday cake to the party!!

To the darling young kid ……

To the good looking man …..

To the 62 year old man !!

Even 19 rowdy guests came to his party. Better hurry or the food will be gone!

Happy Birthday, Terry

Scottish Festival

If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

Every year in September Kelso has its Scottish Festival. Last year we thought about going but when we saw the lines of cars trying to get in, we decided not to fight the crowds. This year we decided to check it out.

And, of course, I had to check out the flowers on display! I always like taking pictures of flowers and bees.

To begin with we got there about the time the parade was over but got to see part of it as all the vehicles were leaving the area. One car was parked there. We thought it quite interesting.

This is a Chia Car

Check out the dog wearing his tartan to match bagpipe band

Even though Terry and Justin also went with Sabrina and I, they didn’t enjoy it as much as we did. We enjoyed checking out the displays, watching the entertainment and seeing all the interesting items for sale.

Booths were set up with information on many of the Scottish clans, their history and lineage. Folks wore their tartans and played the bagpipes … just as one might expect.

Sabrina checking out Clan Gordon

Sabrina participated in the festivities by running the 5K earlier in the day! And, she even finished it!