In Jello.

We are at Folsom Lake now in site #64. Wednesday night we stayed at "Win River" Casino in Redding. A nice place to boon dock. They park you and the security guard registers your rig and patrols the grounds so you feel totally safe here. We got set up and went to dinner in the casino. Great food and very reasonable. We will be back.
After dinner,(and donating to the slots!) we headed back to the RV. As I opened the door Jeni noticed that the rear outside tire was flat. I called our emergency road service and had them come out the next morning. They were here at 8am sharp and had the tire off in no time.The tire guy noticed that the tire had a "gouged" hole in it so he couldn't fix it. it was ruined,luckily when I bought new tires in 08 I kept one of the old ones just in case. He put that baby on and we were on our way by 9;30am. I must have ran over a piece of metal or something but we are very lucky to have made it to the casino. Who knows where the tire went flat. good thing it was on the back where we have dual tires.
Friday afternoon we got in to" Camping World" in Rocklin where we will have them put new shocks on the RV. We got set up and went to dinner and a movie. (Date Nite) Dinner was at the "Islands" a tropical bar and grill sort of place. We have eaten at one before and they have these "killer" tacos called "Baja tacos". I had the tacos and their "tortilla soup. Jeni had the "Island wrap" with fries. It was all good except Jeni's fries...Bad!
After dinner we went to the movies and saw "The American" with George Clooney. I think ole George was going for the old Sean Connery 007 look....Bad Choice! We almost left early but we stayed to see if it could get any worse....it did!
We got back to Campworld and settled in for the night.....or so I thought. At midnight the "Islands curse" hit me at both ends! I was up the rest of the night.They must of gave us water from Mexico or that wasn't chicken in my tacos! Jeni ate one of those tacos and she was fine. Maybe it was the soup who knows, but I'm sure I'm 10 pounds lighter!
By Friday afternoon I was feeling better so we went over to our Daughter's house for dinner.Saturday night we babysat DJ to give our daughter and her husband their "date nite." I hope they have better luck than we did on ours.
Today we are resting up from our travels and DJ. Per our plans,we were going to leave for Park Sierra tomorrow but, our plans are set in Jello! I need to get a new tire for the RV and Camping World doesn't carry Michelin's any more so I got hold of Les Swabb, down the street from the park, and they will have one for me Wednesday morning. At a great price too! We will get the tire on Wed. and head to Park Sierra.
We have firmed up our plans for next spring. We spoke with the ranger here and we will be back Camphosting next April-June here at Folsom Lake. We like it here and it is close to our Daughters and their families. Then we are booked July-August back at Deschutes State park in Oregon. That is the best place we have hosted at so far. But as we have said before nothing is "set in stone",just "JELLO".

Headed south.

Sunday we loaded up ,hooked up,and headed south. Its been a great summer in Oregon and Washington,but its time to head home.

We took hwy 3 down through the "Tacoma narrows" which is a toll bridge over the bay that gets you to I-5 in Tacoma.

We stopped for the night at Champoeg State Park in Oregon, just south of Portland.We stayed at this park on our way from Cape Blanco to Deschutes in June. It is a beautiful park like all of Oregon's parks. We covered 247 miles today.

Monday we enjoyed the park and hiked along the Willemette river which runs through Champoeg. Finally, at 11;30am we pulled out south on I-5. We passed through Salem,Eugene,and Roseberg. Traffic was a lot lighter Monday than Sunday as we rolled south. We made it through Grants Pass and stopped for the night at "Valley of the Rogue State Park Ore.

Like some of the State Parks in Oregon, the park entrance is in a state rest area right off I-5.

We have decided that we will stay 2 nights here instead of Redding. It is so peaceful and beautiful here.Nice large sites with 50amp elec.The Rogue river runs through the park.

After a restful nights sleep, this morning we hiked the Rogue river through the park. Then we hit our favorite place, Walmart, for some supplies.Its been 5-6 months since Jeni and I have gotten our "Taco fix." So we hit Taco Bell for lunch. Yum! I'm not much for their menu but they have the best tacos bar none. We made 242 miles yesterday,which leaves about 175 miles to Redding. We will stay the night there then on to Sacramento, another 175 miles Thursday.

We will pull in to Camping World in Rocklin and stay Thurs. night. Fri. morning we have an appointment to put Shocks on the coach,then on to Folsom Lake State Park where we will stay the weekend to see all the kids and grand kids. We are so excited!! Monday we will head home to Park Sierra.

Well that's our itinerary to put the final finish on our summer of 2010.We have been kicking around a lot of ideas for next year,but like our travels, their "set in Jello" nothing firm.

Well, all for now as we continue our travels south.

Seattle!

Were headed to Seattle today on another sight seeing adventure. we drove over to Bainbridge island where we boarded the ferry for a 40 minute trip across the Puget Sound. The ferry was huge. I don't know how many vehicles it holds, but its like a floating airport terminal! It has a restaurant, snack bar and deli on board. lots of comfortable seating,and TVs everywhere.

The views into Seattle from the ferry were spectacular. The space Needle towers above the skyline.
It was a beautiful day. when we left Chimacum in the morning it was foggy but it cleared nicely. Puget Sound has a lot of ship traffic and the ferry captain has to be on his toes to thread this "behemoth" through all of it.




If you put both pictures together that makes up most of the Seattle skyline. "Quest"and "Safeco" stadiums where the Seahawks and Mariniers play are at the far south end of the skyline just out of view.

Mount Rainier at over 15000 ft. elevation is visible from the ferry. We didn't get a chance to go there this year, but we will try to make it next year. We also didn't make it to Glacier National park either. There are 3 Glaciers over 14000 ft. elevation. The park is northeast of Seattle.

once we got off the ferry and experienced Seattle traffic, we hit the first parking garage we could find and ditched the car. hey, Seattle is a "walking" city. And walk it we did. Our first stop was " Pike's Market". The oldest market on the west coast.

Fish is a major draw to the market. You name the sea creature you want and I bet they have it. All fresh and ready for you. You have heard about the venders that throw the fish back and forth across the market, well Jeni and I saw it first hand. The Boston Red Sox were in town to play Seattle, and the Red Sox fans were at the market where the fish venders decided to see how good the fans could catch.

Fish was flying through the isles. It really draws a crowd.

Jeni and I were getting hungry, so Jeni found a little place that served crepes. We had a ham and cheese crepe and a drink. It tasted like a ham and cheese quesadilla. Not so french!

Fish, Fish, Fish. Its everywhere you look. Salmon lingcod,rock cod, steelhead, and I don't know what else.

Jeni and I walked every inch of the Market. Then we decided we would walk the city and end up at the Space Needle.

Jeni loved the many flowers stands at the market. One thing here, they can grow pretty much any flower in this climate.

You know when you look at those little "city tour maps, everything looks real close. So you say to yourself "hey, its not far." "We can walk it." and after a couple of miles uphill, you realize that 1/8 of an inch equals 1 mile not one block!






Well we finally made it to the "Needle."We strolled through the gift shop but decided to pass on the trip to the top. When we were in Astoria, we climbed to the top of the "Column."and we got some great shots of Seattle when we came in on the ferry.Maybe next year.

The area around the "Needle is an arts and entertainment complex with a food court and theatres. There is also a children's theatre and Key arena where the basketball team the "Sonics" used to play.

When it was time to go, we decided to take the monorail. $2 and it takes us 5 blocks from the market. What a deal! I was one tired happy camper.

The Monorail ended at Pine st. so all we had to do was walk 5 blocks downhill to the market.

On our walk back, Jeni found a couple of friends that she loved. Oliver and Olivia. I was worried that Jeni was going to "barter" the owner and those "Darlings" would have a new home in our RV! NOOOOOO!

Jeni and I loved the shops, cafes, and coffee houses as we walked the city. Seattle really is the "magical emerald city".
We made it back to Pikes Market for dinner. We found a little cafe overlooking the bay. We had "Clam Chowder", and salad with a blue cheese vinaigrette dressing. Yummy!

After dinner,we got the car and headed to the ferry. Trying to find the terminal was a lesson in futility! We tried to go the same way we got off the ferry but no. they had as median so we could only go right or left not straight ahead to the terminal. We went right and pulled a "U" turn but as we approached the terminal, AGAIN, we could not turn right! What the heck is going on here! Finally we tried one last attempt. We headed out toward the stadiums, turned around , and headed back toward the terminal. At last we could turn left into the terminal. Hooray! What a screwy system they have.

We headed back to Chimacum tired but glad we saw Seattle.

Oh yea, meet my new buddy. the "hot dog guy". we saw him in Port Townsend and had to say hi. If he only new how much i love hot dogs.......yummm!

It was a long day for us but it was a beautiful day and a beautiful city.

another week in Washington

Well we are back in Port Townsend doing some more sight seeing around town.
The harbour is always busy with boats coming and going. The bay is like glass as the overcast gives the area a small fishing village feel.Coffee and sweatshirts are the order of the day.

The old and the new come together at this port as modern cruisers mingle with ships from days gone by.

The weather has been great and we have loved the downtown area of Port Townsend with its historic feel, the many quaint shops, and the food! Probably the best place we have enjoyed dining at, the"Bay View Cafe". Its right on the bay, The view is magnificent!

Even the wildlife enjoy the view. This little guy is a resident of the area. The "belted"Kingfisher. We stood right beside him on the wharf and took his picture. He didn't care as I'm sure he was enjoying the views too.

Port Townsend is known for its many "Victorian" homes. This was Jeni's favorite. It sets above the waterfront looking down on the city. It is visible from most of the area.

This building is right downtown and dates back to the 1800s.If these walls could talk,the stories it could tell about the era it thrived in.The way I see it, history is a collection of facts and stories handed down from generation to generation. Some things get lost or embellished or "slanted"and sometimes we don't get the whole story.

As we shopped downtown, I lost Jeni to "the puzzle"! She loves jigsaw puzzles and at Park Sierra they always have a "running puzzle" going in the clubhouse.Anyone can work on it.It is usually one of those 1000 piece ones.she is always up there working on it. At this shop they had one going, so Jeni just couldn't resist. I like the name of the shop..."Completely puzzled," Just like Jeni.

Port Townsend has a Ferry that takes you over to Widbey Island and Oak Harbor. We walked on and rode it over to the island.up here in the Olympic Peninsula there are numerous Ferries that take you to places like Seattle, Brimmerton, the San Juan islands, and Victoria BC. We would of loved to go to Victoria but we forgot our passports.(senior moment!) It is about a 30 minute trip over to the island. right next to ferry landing in Widbey, there is Fort Casey State Park. I like how Oregon and Washington has taken these old military forts and made them into state parks.
Fort Warden ,which is near Port Townsend, is another example of how State Parks has restored these old Forts to their glory days and tells the story of its presence here. all the buildings are utilized by the parks,renting them to organizations for various functions, as hostels for visitors, and as educational facilities for the school system. My hats off to the State for their novel approach to preserving our history. California should take a Que from them!



One of the old bldgs at the fort. It is like a school campus with its layout but then you stroll out to the "Battery bldg."where the big guns used to be stationed and you know its not a school but a military fort.

That's Jeni on top of of one of the "Battery compounds"at the fort. it is an assume site. The massive guns they used to have here at one time were shipped over to France during the height of WWII.

Another day trip we took was over to Indian island and Fort Flagler State Park. Another example of how State Parks utilized these old forts for the better good. Here besides the fort itself, they had full hookup RV spots right on the Ocean. "We want to camp host here!" We love this place. You don't need to take a ferry over as it has a bridge you cross. Its about 20 minutes from Port Townsend.







Even the deer like to picnic here at Fort Flagler. This is one of the prettiest parks we have seen up here. The fort is right on the bay. Again, State Parks utilizes all the bldgs for various functions. "We want to camp host here!"

Fort Warten, Fort Casey, and Fort Flagler were vital in the defense of the bay from aggressors during the Spanish American war, WWI, and WWII.When we were in Astoria Oregon, the forts there,Ft. Stevens, Ft. klatsop, and Ft. Columbia in Washington, Protected the mouth of the Columbia from passage by aggressors. Ft. Stevens

was the only Fort fired upon on the

northwest coast. that was in WWII.

At Fort Flagler, they had the Navy band doing a concert right in one of the battery bunkers. We grabbed our chairs and enjoyed the music. "We want to camp host here!"

We love it up here on the Olympic Peninsula. Lots to do,so little time. Tomarrow we are headed for Seattle. We have decided to ferry over with the car from Bainbridge so we can get around the city.

They had a "Spaghetti dinner here at the park for the Emergency responders from the local fire dept in Chimacum. We decided to go as we have been sight seeing so much we haven't got involved with the park . when your an "Escapee" its your job to get involved, we went. The dinner was very delicious and we met some wonderful people. As with all Escapee parks, this one is "top Notch". Any way, back to the dinner, They had an auction where they actioned off the EMT's to raise money for them as they are all volunteers. What a hoot! Our table pooled our money with another table to bid on one of the EMTs lovely girlfriend!I knew I liked these guys! After some "spirited" bidding ,we WON!! we got to have her dine with us at our table. Her name was Roz. Being the gentleman that I am, I jumped up, brushed aside a couple of my table mates, and offered Roz the seat next to me. After a blow felt from Jeni's elbow to my ribs #$@%* I let Roz set next to Jeni. All in all they raised $1900.00 for the EMTs. Our hats are off the the park members. Jeni and I might pitch this idea to the members at park sierra when we get back.

I guess it is true what they say,"too much of a good thing is not good" We are growing weary of all the "go go go"and sight seeing the last couple of weeks so we will take a couple of days off before we head to Seattle. You know football season is upon us and this weekend will be a great time to relax and unwind by watching the NFL. My daughter Jackie and her husband got the NFL package again this year so I get it too. I love the "RED ZONE" channel where they show you action of all the games as it happens, so no channel surfing for action. I love this time of year. The baseball races heating up, college and NFL football starting, and the NBA just around the corner. It is truly the most wonderful time of year. Wait a minute, Jeni tells me Christmas is the most wonderful time of year. Well, that a story for another time and blog.

sight seeing in Port Townsend

Well the gremlins are messing with our computer again. We are so "computer illiterate"! The pictures are not in order so be ready for a "rambling blog."
Were staying at the escapee park in Chimicum Wash. another great park in the escapee system.
Jeni and I visited Port Townsend which is on the northeast tip of the Olympic peninsula.
We enjoyed the many sailboats and yachts in the harbour.

they have a "wooden boat"work shop in town that we toured.It was very impressive. The craftsmanship of these boats was a "time honored" tradition of the way boat building used to be. No mass production here.

There were sailboats,

canoes,

and, kayaks. It was an amazing place.

After a morning of sight seeing, it was lunch time. We had a hankering for "chowder" and we found a nice little place "Point Hudson Cafe" right on the beach. They had clam chowder and a seafood chowder. we took a chance and went with the seafood chowder.

It was a Delicious blend of fresh clams,scallops,oysters, and potato's in a yummy cream sauce. I could have eaten 3 bowls! Jeni was a little upset when I licked the bowl!

The chowder came with home made bread.It was heaven! We will be back.

This week we also took a trip to "Olympic National Park. The first stop was the visitor center where we watched a short film about the park. Then we headed up to "hurricane Ridge for some fantastic views. as we headed up from sea level to 3or 4 thousand feet, we were socked in with fog and low clouds. Jeni and I were wondering if this was a good idea. right before we got to the top, we climbed out of the fog. They had another visitors center here and a snack bar,so we got some coffee, and watched another short film on the park. The views were "unreal", and we took an amazing hike that had just one fabulous view after another! The picture is Mount Olympus.




We also stopped in at the Crescent lake area of the park. It has a beautiful lake that is crystal clear. We hiked through the forest and gazed at the century old Doug Fir trees, and some of the rain forest.A truly amazing park.

We really enjoyed our day at Port Townsend. We will be back.

Tomorrow will be a "chore Day" as Jeni has laundry and I have some minor repairs to do.

We really love it up here, and the park is fantastic. We have not been disappointed with any escapee park we have visited in our 5 years of full timing. What a great club!

We will be here til the 19th then were homeward bound.

Headed to Washington

We left Deschutes Sept. 1st and headed west. We sure enjoyed our stay and plan on coming back next year. Jeni and Ranger Connie Greenwood had a great time as her and her husband Greg took us fishing on their boat on the Columbia river. Jeni and Connie were a team in the campground as they kept track of the campers and Jeni rode along with Connie when she did her 10pm patrol.

Jeni and I rolled in to Fort Stevens State park and got a site for 3 nights only. Because of labor day weekend, Saturday - Monday were booked. We decided we would sight see in the town of Astoria as the campground was full of of happy campers and the Fort had tons of activities going on.

Jeni loved the Astoria Bridge, which connects Washington and Oregon She said I would be driving the RV over it when we head north! It is 41/2 miles long and is the longest continuous "truss" span bridge in north america.

This ship, the"Columbia", is a 1930s light ship that lit the passage through the entry to the Columbia river. Called "the grave yard of the pacific",the treacherous sand bars,like mine fields,has claimed 2000 vessels and 700 lives. The Columbia was decommissioned in the late 40s and the "red light buoy" was installed at the mouth of the river.

The Coast Guard cutter "Alert" is also stationed next to the Columbia for tours.

They both are docked at the "Columbia River" Maritime Museum. Inside the museum,they have on display a history of shipping on the Columbia, including the "Bar Pilots" which like the "Columbia", helped navigate ship traffic around the sand bars.

We visited an Astoria landmark, the "Astoria Column". Standing 125ft. tall high atop coxcomb hill, the column offers panoramic views of the pacific ocean and the Columbia river.

Built in 1926, the columns artwork, known as "Sgraffito"is an Italian art form that combines carving and painting into the concrete structure.

The view at the top is specular! It has 169 steps to get to the top. Jeni and I were "game" so up we went.

It was just a little windy!!But the views! Jeni was enjoying the experience. Me.....I was on the floor clinging to the rail, crying "I want down!"

That's Washington behind Jeni and the Columbia.

Where am I? Not in the picture but hanging on" for dear life" to Jeni's legs screaming "I want down off of here!"

Looking northwest from the column. "GET ME DOWN!!"

The Bridge from the Column. "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, GET ME DOWN!!"

One thing Jeni loves, good "live Theatre"! We found one in Astoria. Its "Date Night!

We had a nice dinner on the waterfront and then we went to see "Shanghaied In Astoria!"A melodrama that delights audiences with their portrayals of 19th-century villains,heroes, and heroines.

This marks the 26th season this production has been here.

One odd tradition the playhouse has, you buy popcorn and throw it at the actors on stage! You wait for the Villain to appear and as he "spews" his lines, you stroll up to the front of the stage ,your tray of popcorn in hand, and you fling it at the actor or actress. The key is to throw it right at a pause in lines. The actors not on stage, also get into the act. Its a "hoot"!

Saturday, we headed north over the Astoria bridge, got on hwy 101 and headed up to Ocean Park to see our "Camp Host" friends Tim and Shirley.

They have a lovely home just blocks from the beach!

They had a spot for us to park overnight across from their neighbor. They were the perfect hosts, and we had a great visit with them. As always, there were cards! But Tim had a nice big screen TV and football on it. I was one" happy camper"! Shirley made a delicious Mexican dinner that was "to die for"! As always,all too soon, we had to say good by.


I promised Shirley I wouldn't post the picture of all of us, well,.........I Lied!

I took this picture of their home the next morning to show how nice it is. That's Jeni at the door, begging for coffee. "Let me in!"

And a special thanks to "Mona" for keeping us entertained. She is one cool dog!

After coffee we sadly said our good byes and we were off for the Port Townsend area.

We had never been to Washington, so Tim and Shirley, being form Washington, were a "wealth of knowledge" for us. We can't thank them enough.

Per Tim's directions, we had a smooth drive up to the Escapee park near Townsend.

We plan on spending a couple of weeks here,so let the sight-seeing begin!