We're leaving tomorrow : (

We've had a busy couple of days.  Monday I took The Palms to Quality Coach Services in Eugene, OR (thanks for the referral, Sharon!) for an estimate on doing the work I want done.  I decided to have them do the work, so the parts are ordered, and I'm waiting for a call.  I'm working with Jason, and he said the parts would probably be in by Wednesday, and if so, then the work can be done on Thursday.  Everything but the back-up camera install can be done in one day.

He thought it would take longer for the back-up camera to come in. I've decided to have a built in camera rather than a wireless one, so it will take longer to install.  I'll have to come back next week to have that done.  I'm looking forward to having it all completed.

I stopped by Best Buy to check out Sirius Radio receivers, and will probably have one installed and start that service this week, too.  I had a good referral for a company in Springfield, but I called yesterday and haven't received a call back, so will probably go with Best Buy.

I also called the solar company, AM Solar, in Springfield, OR, that was recommended by Donna K.  They are super busy and could give me an estimate soon, but the work couldn't be scheduled until the end of the month.  We had quite a long conversation on the phone, though, and he asked me a lot of questions about how I travel, what I use as far as electricity, if I have a converter, how many batteries I have, if I mind using my generator, etc.

At the end of the conversation, it was obvious I don't need solar panels.  At least not yet.  I've been doing fine without hookups so far when I'm not in an RV Park, and he said I should probably wait a while and see how I do. I really appreciated his honesty, and not installing the solar panels will save me a lot of money.  So,  for now, no solar panels.  Thanks for the referral, Donna.  I was impressed with AM Solar.

Today I cleaned house, vacuumed, did laundry, changed sheets, etc.  It's always so nice to do everything in one day and have it done.  Katie really sheds, so I have to vacuum often, but the rest of the cleaning - once a week seems to do it.  I have a little hand vacuum for the dog hair, and mainly have to do the couch and floor.  Very small area.

I also had the cooking bug today, and made hamburger stroganoff and spaghetti.  I had some stroganoff for lunch, and have enough left for two meals, and enough spaghetti for three meals.  I packed it in small freezer bags, one per meal, and froze them for later. 

I went over this morning to talk to the woman running the office, and I can't stay here in this site after my week is up, it is reserved by one of the permanent residents, and they are now ready to move here.  There is only one other site available, and I went to look at it, and told her I'd take it for a month.  The monthly rate is only $425, plus electricity, and that's the best rate I've found yet. 

But I've changed my mind.

Katie and I had an incident with a dog a couple of days ago, and another today.  The first dog lives three sites down right near the swimming area, is often off his leash, and he came after Katie.  Now...this dog may have been very friendly, but when it's running at full speed toward us, I don't know what his intentions are, and I freaked, scooped Katie as fast as I could, and kept walking.  His owners were sitting outside, and came to get him, but I kept walking and didn't talk to them, and they didn't call to me.

Here is a photo I snapped out my screen door tonight, as you can see, he is not on a leash.  I don't know what kind of dog he is, just BIG and off leash:

Then... this evening when Katie and I were walking along the water's edge on the lawn three sites on the other side of our site, coming back from the laundry room, a big black dog came charging at us - it had slipped it's collar, and luckily the owners were there, but this dog is one that is often outside by itself with a rope tied to its collar, and always pulls at the rope trying to get loose when we walk by.  I freaked again, tried to scoop Katie up, dropped her, got her again.  It was awful.  Katie was screaming in fright, trying to climb up on my shoulder.

The people came running and said their dog is really friendly, and has never bitten anyone or any dogs.  That might be true, but there are rules here, leashed dogs only, and no dogs outside without their owners even if on a leash.

The husband and wife were upset about what happened and apologized, and I told them I had really been scared because of  some recent stories of dogs killing small dogs that had  been in the news, that pit bulls were in one story, other dogs in another - you never know, even with "friendly" breeds, what they will do.  He said his dog was kind of "pitty."  Black lab and pit bull.  The dog jumped in the lake to swim, and seemed like a nice dog.  But I didn't know that when it was charging us barking like crazy.

When we got back, I noticed blood on my leg from where Katie's claws punctured my thigh in two places when she was trying desperately to climb up my leg to get away from the dog.  I felt so bad for her.

Katie is doing fine now, but about 15 minute later, we were sitting on the couch, and she started barking, and I looked out the window and the pit/lab was walking down the lawn between us and the water, the dog and the owner were heading to the children's area, where they both went swimming.  (No dogs are allowed in the swimming area.)  The dog was not on a leash.

After seeing that, and then a few minute later seeing the dog pictured above unleashed, I decided I don't want to stay here.  We are right in the middle of them, so I can't walk Katie along the lake without passing in front on one site or the other.   I just don't feel it's safe to walk Katie here anymore, and we love talking long walks.

I'm soooo glad I didn't pay for the next month yet.

I am all packed and ready to go in the morning.  After getting dressed and getting coffee ready to travel, I'm stopping by the office and checking out.  Tomorrow I'm going to check the campgrounds on the other side of the lake.  There are many places to camp here in the area while I have The Palms worked on.  The Walmart here lets RVs stay overnight, and there are Rest Stops on the freeways and nearby casinos, so I have a lot of options. 

It's pretty bad when I feel Katie and I are safer in a Walmart or Casino parking lot or a Rest Stop than I do in a beautiful area like this, but if the managers aren't enforcing the rules, then I'm not comfortable. I've only been here five days, and have had two incidents and seen both these dogs off leash or alone many times, so they must be aware, too.

Katie's actually been doing really well socializing with other dogs since we've been on the road, as long as it's controlled and she feels safe.  Most people are great about making sure the dogs are okay with each other. I don't want her to be afraid of other dogs.  I hope I'm not over-reacting. 

Last photo of Katie by the lake taken yesterday:

Tomorrow we're on the road again, and that's okay.  A month here would have probably been too long, anyway.   I'll keep you posted.

From Me and My Dog, Katie, have a good Wednesday tomorrow, everyone!  : )

Deer sighting - quiet days in The Palms

Saturday evening

When Katie and I took our afternoon walk, we met up with a neighbor walking his dog.  His dog is a 5 pound Deer Chihuahua, sooooo cute - like a miniature Katie.

While we were talking he said to walk over by the fence at dusk and we'd see deer, and sure enough, we did.  There was only one, she looked like a female, no antlers, and kind of smallish.

She saw us coming when she was behind the fencing in front of the bushes, so I snapped her through the fence, then we walked around behind her to get a clear shot. 

 She's really watching us.

She just stood there for a long time, and then finally walked slowly through a hole in the bushes.  I don't know what's on the other side, but it sounds like water, like a creek.

Slowly walking through the bushes.

These aren't the clearest photos, but they are the best of what I got.

Another view of the campground, on our walk back.  The Palms is in the middle.  Two coaches away the people had guests all day, and they had lawn games and ran remote control cars on the lawn.  They were quiet, but looked like they were having a good time. 

We're in the middle - there is another Sunseeker across the road from us. 

I noticed this plant growing in the rocks on the edge of the water - I think it's a lily of some kind?  I wonder if someone planted it here, or if it just landed in the rocks and started growing.  The waves constantly hit it.

Other than taking a couple of long walks around the "neighborhood," it was a quiet day in The Palms.  I listened to a book on tape downloaded from the library while I played computer games, then sat outside with Katie and read my Kindle while the sun went down.

Since nothing was defrosted, I made an avocado and cheese omelet for dinner.  I put a little ketchup and sour cream on top, and it hit the spot.  Cookies and coffee for desert, and a little TV and ... that was our Saturday.

Sunday morning

This morning I was up early, and Katie seemed to be having a problem deciding whether to get up or go back to sleep.

She went back to sleep.

About an hour later she was ready to get up, and when we went outside, we saw a flock of Canadian Geese on the grass at the pool area.

It looked like some were sleeping, and three in the back had their necks up, watching out for the rest?

A bit later, they went into the water and seemed to be drifting by our campsite in a single line.

And they drifted away.

We're going out on the deck now, a little Kindle reading and sun, and then lunch. 


From Me and My Dog, have a great Sunday, everyone!  : )

Checking out the campground

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KRISTY!

When I had my word processing business, Kristy was in high school, and when I had a job that included a lot of numbers, like address lists, I'd hire her to find typos.  She would get ten cents for every typo she found.  I'm  good at proofing, but she is even better, and she always found something.

Since I posted that her birthday was coming up, I've gotten a couple of e-mails from her with the Subject:  Typo.  The first e-mail said her birthday is on the 30th, not the 31st.  Then I got another one today, same subject, saying she was going to be 38, not 39.   Oops.  Sorry Kristy - but I'll never forget that wonderful day.  After having your own kids, you know how happy your birth day was for me.  : )

We walked around last evening and checked out the rest of the campground.  I met up with a couple of women in the library, and it is really a library, not just a shelf of old paperbacks. There is a wall of shelves full of books.   I asked them about the campground residents, and they said about 75% of the people live here full time. 

The entire grounds are kept clean and neat, and the buildings, too. 

        Nice spot to stop and enjoy the view

Here's the laundry room:

Large table for folding clothes and a nice magazine rack.  Makes sense to have magazines in the laundry room instead of books.  When I checked in, Virginia said the cost for a load to wash and dry is cheap, so I'll check out what it costs in a few days. 

The restroom looks large and clean, too.  I had Katie with me, so I didn't go in and check out the showers, but I use my own shower in The Palms, so I won't be using this one.  I've been surprised at how many Rvers use the campground showers when they have one in their rig.  Some people told me they use their shower for storage, and it is a large area, volume-wise, to store things in.  A tension rod for clothes above and the floor for other items makes a nice extra closet.  I only use mine for storage when I'm driving.  I'm just too lazy to walk over to the showers!

 Large clean bathroom

 Harbor

 Catamaran launch area

 Looking up into one of the huge trees

 Warm, clear, breezy - perfect sailing weather

Katie loves getting treats out of her Kong

I've never studied lakes or water movement, and I haven't spent much time by a lake.  A little fishing, but that's all.  I'm sitting here at my dinette this morning looking out the window and enjoying the view of the lake.  The waves keep coming in.  Where do they go?  Are waves coming in all around the lake?  Is the other side of this large lake getting waves, too? I guess it must be.  It's like a mini ocean with continuous movement.  I remember  lakes I've seen before being calm.  Maybe it's the breeze moving the water to shore?  How can I be 66 years old and not know this?  

Look at the sun shining on the water this morning:

Awesome view to wake up to in the morning.

It's almost 10:30 - time to wake Katie up and get going with our day.

Have a wonderful Saturday, everyone!  : )

I'm in Heaven - RV Heaven

For everyone who was worried about Katie - she's fine.  She was only sick a little bit, and seemed fine right afterward.  I thought it was nice that she waited until we were stopped and I could quickly get the carpet cleaner and a towel and clean it up immediately.  Such a good girl!

Katie loves her treats and chew toys!

Last night (Thursday) we were near Eugene, OR when I saw a Walmart right off the freeway.  I pulled into their parking lot and saw this:

I had heard that some Walmarts will let you stay if you call and ask for permission, so I did.  And they said I could stay at the end of their parking lot - so I did:

The Walmart I stayed at on Wednesday night was a Super Store, and I think it was open all night.  It was very bright and had lots going on - lots of RVs staying all night, as well as cars with people sleeping in them.  Noisy.

The Walmart last night was quiet.  They closed for the night and there were still lights on in the parking lot - good for safety - but no traffic.  One truck with a trailer came in late and stayed, but that was it.  I slept much better last night.

So, on the way to Eugene, I called Quality Coach Repair, a referral from one of my followers, Thank You, Sharon!, and I have an appointment to see them on Monday to get an estimate on what it will cost to add the vent covers on the roof and the back-up camera, and fix a few things, and when they can take The Palms.

I talked to Robert, and asked him for a recommendation on somewhere to stay that would be cheap, and he recommended Fern Ridge Lake, just west of town.  I checked on my Droid 2 for Fern Ridge Lake, and it directed me right to it.  And here I am:

 Lakeside.

I really lucked out - this site just became available because the prior "camper" just retired and moved away.  I had the impression that he lived here.  It was just now available, so I have it for a week, and I'm hoping to get another week.  I need to talk to the office lady on Monday to see if it's free for the  next week, too.

It has two decks to put chairs, etc., on, and a small storage building at the end of the driveway, which I don't need, but if I was here long term, it would be nice.   

 View across the lawn of the swimming area to the left.

 View from my kitchen window

 View to the right.

This park is called Fern Ridge Shores and it's on Fern Ridge Lake, one of many areas in the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area.  The weekly rate is $200 for full hook-ups, and it has restrooms, free showers, a library, a marina for non-motorized vessels, a swimming area (three sites from my site).  There isn't anything close by within walking distance, but there are some small towns with good restaurants and bars, according to Virginia in the office.  

My Verizon kept dropping calls, so I updated my roaming capabilities, and it was better.  My Internet works fine, and I was really happy to see I can get quite a few antenna TV channels.  I haven't watched TV since I left Vacaville, so this is nice.  

It's warm here, but there are wonderful breezes coming off the lake, and I can hear the waves lapping up on the shore.  

The first thing I did after getting hooked up was put my chair on the deck.  I haven't really used it except a few times at Santee Lakes, but this is the perfect place to sit in the sun and read, or just look across the lake.  I attached Katie's leash to the chair, put her water bowl outside, and her new bed, and she's as happy as a clam.

I warmed up leftovers for lunch and took it outside with my drink to enjoy the lake view.  Then I read my Kindle until I had enough sun.   After a while Katie jumped into The Palms and got into her other bed and went to sleep, still attached to her leash which was attached to my chair.  This traveling is such tiring work!

I'm thinking we're going to be very happy this next week, and as much as I love FREE overnights, I'm looking forward to being here for a week or two and enjoying the amenities.  

And now Katie and I are going for a walk to check out the neighborhood.

From Me and My Dog, have  a great Friday, everyone!  : )

We're in Grant's Pass, Oregon

Wednesday Evening

Katie and I left the casino parking lot around 11:00 this morning and drove north. We ended up on the 199 to Grants Pass.  (FYI - everyone in San Diego says "the" 5 or "the" 101.  I don't know why, but when I first moved down there, it sounded so strange.  Finally I started saying it, too.  Then I moved away and dropped the "the."  I moved back and went through the "the" conversion again, and I'm still doing it.  I'm sure it will fade away when I've been gone a while.)

Along the way I took these shots:

 As you can see if you click on the photo, I had already slowed to 28 mph.

 As we started driving, Katie found the sunny spot and was enjoying the warmth.

Crossing into Oregon:

Shortly after entering Oregon, we were in a small town named O'Brien that had a little store and gas station and post office with a police car outside. I thought this was the post office, and asked the woman.  If you click on it, you'll see the Post Office.  She said it used to be, but now it is next door, so I went over there and mailed a birthday card for my daughter, Kristy, who is 38 on the 30th.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KRISTY!  I hope the card gets to you by Saturday.

I bought some snacks and went outside to take a picture of the police car.  I guess this is what happens when a state has no sales tax. 

O'BRIEN POLICE

I'm not sure these are in the right order, but a few more photos along the way:

The Klamath River

My longest and most memorable vacation was a two-week trip to the Klamath River.  We stopped first at the Pitt River, where I learned how to fish.  Then we went on to meet friends and spent two weeks in the rain fishing for salmon.  It was so much fun, and I've loved fishing ever since.  That was in the early '80s, and this is the first time I've been to Klamath since then - 30 years later!

Driving along from Bodega Bay to Grants Pass brought back so many memories of trips taken in the past with people I think about from time to time.  Great memories.

We stopped at the Trees of Mystery and I took a photo of the front of the store and of Paul Bunyon and Babe, his Blue Ox:

They had beautiful flowers all around the area.  We took a break here, but I didn't take the "mystery tree" tour. 

 Paul Bunyon and Babe, the Blue Ox

I don't know what they had to do with the Mystery Trees, but they were in front, and HUGE.  See the woman under the light post?  That will give you some perspective on the height of these concrete statues.  Paul's right hand waved and he winked and spoke to the people looking up at him.

 Along the 199 - I would have loved to pull over and fish this area.

 A little back-up - Bicyclist in Tunnel?

While waiting in line, I saw a left hand turn into a Rest Stop, so we pulled over and went in.  Took a little break.  As I pulled in, Katie threw up, so we spent some time resting and walking.  That's the first time she's been sick in The Palms, but we have been driving some pretty twisty roads.  Monday when I was talking to the man driving the new Sunseeker rental, I mentioned how I was riding the yellow line bumps on my side, otherwise I can hear vegetation on the right brushing my rig.  He said he had the same thing, also he was car sick from all the turns, and he was driving!  So I guess poor Katie did pretty well to last until this afternoon before getting carsick. 

At the Rest Stop, I started talking to a woman named Dottie, and then her husband, Roger, too.  They have a new fiver, have been RVing for 50 years.  We had a nice conversation.  I mentioned that I was in Santee Lakes in June, and he said that's where he grew up.  They now live one town over, in El Cajon, and know Santee Lakes very well.  Small world.  

When we left the rest stop, we were back in the "tunnel" line up.  When the light turned green for us, we went through, and it wasn't a bicyclist.  It was dark in there, but it looked like workmen were applying a coating to the walls on the opposite side of the tunnel, and that's why it was a one-lane road through the tunnel. 

 My least favorite driving - a barrier on the left and a concrete wall on the right.  

There were workmen on ladders putting a coating

on the walls of the tunnel on the other side. 

We ended up in Grant's Pass and got gas at a Fred Meyer gas station for $3.729/gal - I checked my Gas Buddy app on my phone and it was the cheapest around, and the station was close to where we were, so we drove over.

 Gas Station Attendant - remember when?

Gas station attendant - I had forgotten this job title existed!  I haven't seen one in California for years and years.  They were efficient, quick and polite, and I didn't have to get out of the truck.  Nice!

Then I searched Wal-Mart on my GPS, and there was a Super Wal-Mart right across the street.  I called them, and they allowed overnight parking.  As an added bonus, I just found out the McDonald's in the store has free wi-fi.  Am I hitting the right stuff, or what???  

I dropped $60 at Wal-Mart, and on my trek back to The Palms, I noticed there was an Applebee's a few stores down, so I put away my purchases and locked Katie in the rig and walked over.  I ordered the fish dinner, which was really good and then a hot-fudge shooter. She forgot to put the dessert on the bill, said it would be "on the house," so I left her a big tip. And I have enough fish and broccoli left over for two more meals.

I have a full cupboard, fridge and freezer, so I'll definitely be eating in for a while.  I even got a huge artichoke at Walmart, so that will be dinner tomorrow.  Or lunch, maybe. 

We're settled in for the night, and going to bed early.

From Me and My Dog, have a good Thursday everyone!  : )