Made It To Arcata...........

shortly after 1600 today. Found my friend's house, set up the M/H, shot the crap with "Fergie" Ferguson and then we headed to the local casino for dinner. B and I tried out their Buffalo Burgers, can't remember what they called them, and they were pretty decent...........however, don't try the clam chowder at the Blue Lake Casino. Fergie had some chicken with an exotic name and it was kinda dried out.........at least the grub filled our tummies.

We played the slots for a couple of hours and this evening they had drawings every half hour from 1900 to 2100.........our names were never called. Imagine that.

I think I broke about even and Becky gave them a few dollars........at least we were able to play for awhile before they took all our money.

Nice and cool when we arrived..........and downright COLD when we left the casino. Don't know what tomorrow will bring, Fergie has his routine on Sunday morning so we told him to continue and wrap on the door when he got home. We can get up anywhere from 0700 to 0900.

Nothing planned for tomorrow so I downloaded some local geocaches, he's kinda interested in learning about caching so we'll give him a little sample tomorrow and then he'll probably give us a cooks tour of Arcata. Getting late........maybe we'll have some pics to post tomorrow.

W&B

Heading for Arcata California..........

in an hour or so. Originally planned to make Woodland trip; but, decided that 63 degree weather is probably better than mid 90s.

A friend I bummed around with in High School is retired and living in Arcata.......guess now is the time to make it to the coast. Been looking at the highway to the coast.........hilly, steep, two lane and I've talked to others who made the trip........they say it's looonng but quite scenic. We'll just take it easy and hope to get there around 1700 or so.

That's it for today........maybe I'll even break out the camera since we've not been to Arcata before. "Frog" ses they have several casinos in the area too. Hope they are kinder than our own has been. W&B

Had Pre-Op Appointment Today............

EKG, more xrays and info gathering. They'll let me know if I'm too old and worn out to continue; otherwise, August 9 is surgery day. They had the nerve to tell me that I had to be at the hospital at 0530............0530!!! The damn sun isn't even up at that time........at least I don't think it is.

Gotta see rheumatologist tomorrow.....will this crap ever end. Just a follow up, the doc changed one of my meds and wanted to see how I'm doing. I haven't noticed any difference either good or bad with the med change.

Weather hasn't been too bad this week, at least it hasn't reached triple digits. Casino beat both of us up today so maybe we outta stay away for a while. Other than Dr. appointments and casino runs we haven't been doing too much lately. This will be the last weekend we might have a chance to leave the area for awhile so we kinda mulled over driving down to Woodland; but, no decision made on that. I do need a biscuit and gravy fix at Don's Diner so that might be a reason to travel South. Time will tell.

Later. W&B

Not So Hot Today.............

I think it made it to the mid 90s so washed up the Rhino and put it away. Not much else going on; but, did make it to the casino later in the afternoon........it cost me $16.00 for a hour or so of entertainment. I think Becky came out a little bit ahead..........she didn't offer to buy lunch though.

Sunday we headed for Woodland and got there about 1000. Shortly thereafter "B", Rhonda and the twerps headed for Davis and "shopping". That didn't sound too interesting to me so I hung around the A/C and napped until after noon. I hadn't contributed to my Red Brothers at Cache Creek Casino for some time so I drove out there to try my luck. Getting beat up pretty badly until I found a "lucky" slot machine. It got me well and I finally left with $35.00 of their money. Had lunch and then back to my MTV and A/C. Jace had a guitar practice session in Davis and the troops finally got home about 1800. We left for Corning shortly thereafter.

Weather should be in the mid 90s the rest of the week..........beats the heck out of the 103 we recorded a few days ago!

That's about it for the last couple of days..........old folks day tomorrow so maybe we'll head to the casino for 1/2 price breakfast. That's about the best deal they have when it comes to food.

Later. W&B

Friday............

It's HOT today and it hasn't even reached triple digits!

Not much doing today, put Rhino away, gotta wash it tomorrow if I get up before the heat starts, put trailer away and washed the M/H (I took it to the truck wash), went to Chico for some meds and even skipped stopping to make a contribution at the casino.

A/C going so we're in for the rest of the evening. W&B

Made It To Corning..........

about 1500 this afternoon...............it was HOT; however, neighbor said today was much "cooler" than it has been. It's still hanging in there around 82 outside and it's 2215. Should have cooled down by now.

Got most of the stuff unloaded from the M/H and we went to the casino for dinner since it was old folks day. Over ate as usual at the buffet and it was half-way decent this evening; or, I was just hungry since we hadn't eaten since breakfast.

That's about it.......just letting those interested know that we made it home OK. W&B

Sitting At Seven Feathers Casino............

pulled in here about 1530, gassed up and pulled into their parking lot for the evening. Had a late lunch/early dinner, contributed to my Red Brothers (I think Becky said she won $1.40) and MTV and internet working so hope it cools down quickly when the sun drops below the horizon. Called Valley of the Rogue SP and they had a couple of pull thru spots available; but, they were first come first served and we're still a hour plus away so guess we'll just hang out here.

Got my NEW Honda generator running so will give it a workout. Oh did you catch that.......I said NEW generator. Had the old Honda strapped down on the trailer and attached with a big old 1/2 inch or so cable. I thought it was pretty secure. Anyway, was hitching up the trailer this morning and about 10 minutes later I thought something was "missing"............sure 'nuff, some *$%^&%% had cut the cable, I presume they cut the cable although they took it too, and stole the generator. I also had two gas cans chained down with a smaller cable and they cut that cable and took the two gas cans also. All this while we slept!!

Called Camping World and told them to get a new generator serviced and I would pick it up on my way through. Now I got a new generator.

This has been an expensive trip! Might have to go back into the casino and see if I can recover my monies..........or maybe not.

Should get underway fairly early tomorrow and hope to arrive in Corning in early afternoon.

Later. W&B

Left Paradise Point This Morning............

and are parked in front of Dug's house for the night. Will hook up the trailer/Rhino in the morning sometime and head South..........well, maybe we won't leave until early afternoon. No hurry as we'll probably only drive a couple of hundred miles and either stay at the 7 Feathers Casino or else drive a bit further to the Valley of the Rogue SP near Grant's Pass.

Weather still great in low 70s...........sure hate to head back to high 90s and even triple digit temps.

Went out the farm last night and the kids were working with their cows that they will show at the Clark County Fair. All they were doing were trying to the get the cows/calfs to walk with them with a halter.............some did OK; but, quite a few of the animals were "winning" their tugs of war with the kids. I think there are about 8 or 9 kids in their 4H group. Lots of work to do before fair time in August. Check out Becky's Blog for pics of the cow wranglers. http://havebagdotravel.blogspot.com/

Yesterday Larry and Audrey drove over since we are leaving on Wednesday and we had a nice lunch at Red Robin. Today I had M/H oil changed, secured the Rhino on the trailer and then just kicked back for the rest of the day. Don't want to over do it. Later. W&B

Sunday at Paradise Point...........

The kids gave me an Omaha Steak gift certificate for Father's Day. Ordered the steaks last week and they arrived on Thursday..........so today we cooked a bunch of them up. Everyone had a steak except Trace...........dumb kid.........he had some chicken tenders instead. Mark and Erin showed up also so we had a nice little get together. The kids brought their metal detector with them so they busied themselves with hunting for treasures while I was burning steaks. They didn't find too much..........a few pieces of metal and a few pennies; but, they were all happy with their finds. Ollie was along too and managed to "mark" his territory.

The Omaha steaks were pretty good although they weren't too thick so they cooked up rather rapidly and I managed to over cook mine. Fortunately, we have a few left so I'll be able to practice some more. When I ordered them and went to the check out a window would pop up and say "based on your order, you are eligible for...................", so I ordered some more and then another window would pop and state...."you are now eligible for........". I finally quit and then they added some "free hamburgers and frankfurters". They need to cut their steaks a little bit thicker..............I guess you could order them that way (?). Anyway, I think everyone enjoyed them.

Didcha hear about the shooting in a Washington State Park on Saturday? Well, our friends are camp hosts at the Sammamish State Park so we got a little more info about the shooting then appeared in the news flashes. I think I might be ready to "move on"; but, they said it provided a little excitement yesterday and some stuff still going on today. They like the area and think that they'll go back next year also.

Well, everyone gone so will post this and kick back for the rest of the evening. Think we'll be pulling up roots on Tuesday and drive into Dug's to spend the night and then we'll head South on Wednesday sometime. Gotta get oil changed in the M/H and maybe I'll try to wash it up a bit then.............or maybe not.

Later. W&B

Went To Clyde's Tonight For Dinner...............

and while Dug and Trace were "slowly" waiting for the food to arrive someone was out in the parking lot playing "tag" with Dug's car (or is Tami's car??).

Prime rib was pretty good and meal went over pretty well until we made our exit.........Cass and Trace were kicking a license plate around and none of us figured it out until Cassidy picked the plate up and we then saw it was Dug's license plate. Victim of the old "hit and run" in the parking lot. Someone was out watering some plants around the entrance; but, of course he saw "nothing". Looked around for security cameras..............there ain't none. Guess he'll have to see what his insurance company ses; but, I think it'll be a short and sweet "you're screwed".

Earlier today "B" and I went shopping, had ice cream and called it a day until supper time. That was about it. Later. W&B

OK, Got Set Up At Paradise Point...........

this afternoon............damn internet is acting up; but, still working. I placed my portable dish in the SAME spot I had it before (marks in the grass were still there) and I couldn't find the satellite! Spent over 45 minutes messing with it and getting more PO'd as time passed. Finally, I moved the dish about 2 feet and the signal pops up. Those damn tree branches can't grow that fast..........can they. Anyway I now have my MTV, and an intermittent internet signal, so guess that'll have to do for now.

Think we're in for the rest of the day. Kinda warmed up today; but, fortunately we're tucked back into the trees so with the fan going it's tolerable.

Later. W&B

Arrived Vancouver Shortly After Noon...........

today and we're parked in front of Dug and Tami's house. Will move to Paradise Point tomorrow afternoon. Got my MTV and air card working so we're both happy. Went to Burger King with Dug and kids for supper.........think Tami had a meeting with her 4H Ladies who are getting ready for the county fair in August. We'll miss this year's fair.

Gotta get my driver's license renewed and if I can get up early enough will try to arrive at the license office when they open at 0800. Saw looonnng lines there when I registered the trailer so will try to beat daily rush. Then it's probably laundry day before we head for Paradise Point. Might try to wash some of the crud off the M/H if I got time tomorrow...........shoulda just found a truck wash and drove it through. Maybe it'll wait until we get back to Corning, got about 3 truck washes there since it a mid-point refueling stop between NW and LA.

Nothing planned for the next 9 or 10 days.........we'll just play it by ear and kick back.

Later, W&B

Still Sitting at Tugman.........

but plan on heading back to Vancouver tomorrow. Was going to drive up to Florence for an overnight at the casino parking lot; but, we drove to Florence today so Becky could get her gambling "fix". Three Rivers Casino is pretty nice, remember when it was just a quonset hut, the hut is now a Bingo Hall. The slots were beating me up pretty badly and I finally found a semi-generous machine. Played it for quite awhile and I finally got $5.00 AHEAD. That's when my better judgment kicked in and I quit. Becky was complaining that she was using her "own" money so guess she didn't fare too well. Her winnings from the Mill Casino are rapidly depleating I guess. She had my sympathy.

We had breakfast in Reedsport at a restaurant where we stopped yesterday and found a cache. Wasn't hungry then so we gave their breakfast a try. Not too shabby.........the portions were large. I'd recommend a stop at Bedrock if you're ever passing through Reedsport.

Grabbed a couple of caches on our way back to Tugman so guess we're in for the rest of the day. We're listening to pine cones falling on top the rig.........a really big un bounced off the roof a few minutes ago and it sounded like it was coming through the ceiling.

That's about it for today. If we get underway at a decent hour tomorrow we should be in Vancouver around 1300-1400. W&B

Second Post For Sunday.......

as Blogger wouldn't let me post another pictures. On our way to Reedsport we were speeding along and saw this dude pushing something in a little cart..........he had a sign stating he was "Walk'n Across America". Becky ses, "Was that a Pig??" Hell, I don't know so I said I'd find a place to turn around and we'd check him out. Pulled up in front of him and found that he was trying to walk across America to bring awareness to Cancer victims. He certainly was pushing a pig in his little cart and her name is Petunia. She's 2 1/2 years old. We chatted for awhile and I contributed a little assistance for his walk. He started in Cannon Beach on May the lst. He didn't seem to be quite that "nuts" after talking to him. We wished him luck and drove on toward Reedsport. He has started a Blog which is: http://jason-blanton.blogspot.com/

I'll keep track of him and Petunia to see if he gives it up or not. He's had wind and rain to contend with so it'll interesting to see how he does when it gets COLD. It looks like his cart may give up the ghost before he does..........horrors, does that mean Petunia will also have to walk?

Sunday (I think)................

Kinda published these in reverse order; but, what the hell, nobody but me knows that! We picked up a few caches in Reedsport, Oregon, the easier ones to get to. Didn't find the one near the totem pole so we headed for the grocery store after that and then back to Tugman. Another nice day on the Oregon Coast!!

Found a couple of caches south of Winchester Bay and the last one was on the dock in Winchester Bay. It was close to a little eatery........I suggested fish and chips; but, "B" was complaining about eating a late breakfast so wasn't ready for lunch.........even though was about 1300. End result...........I didn't get to try a new fish 'n chips place! The sacrifices I make!

These are the dunes south of Winchester Bay. We stopped at the Umpaqua Lighthouse and could see the dunes down below us so wandered around and found the right road into the dunes. Stopped a talke to a deputy sheriff and inquired about the dunes. He said it was about 10,000 acres and told us to check out the various campgrounds when I told him we always camp at Horsfall. These pictures we took from the road..........the dunes look considerable steeper and the sheriff said that there weren't as many flat areas as Horsfall.

Pictures taken from the Umpqua Lighthouse viewing platform. This was the jawbone of a humpback whale found on the beach some years ago. We later found a cache down on the beach..........it was getting pretty well battered up due to salt and weather. I managed to "skim" 67 cents from this one!! A Bonanza!

First stop leaving Tugman, we are very close to Eel Lake so drove over to check it out before we headed to Reedsport from some grub. There was a cache located under the viewing area at the lighthouse; but, it hadn't been found some some time. "B" looked around under the viewing platform and came up empty handed also.

That was most of our day today. W&B

Left Casino Parking Lot about 1330..........

and drove up the road to William Tugman State Park. Got set up, just barely fit due to extra length of trailer..........anyway nice to have electricity and water. The air card is working OK with booster, not as fast as in other reception areas; but, better than nothing. I mulled over trying to set up the portable dish as the dome wasn't picking up anything........too many trees. I finally found a little hole in the trees and since I wasn't doing anything else I figured I might as well waste some time trying to try and make it work. I quickly found the 119 sat. since we didn't change any settings from the sand dunes; but, am unable to lock onto the 110 sat. Oh well, half of my MTV is better than nothing.

Tried our luck again at casino before we left and I managed to recoup $52.00.........."B" didn't look too happy so we had some fish 'n chips and clam chowder and left.

Pigged out at the seafood buffet last night...........really pigged out and I felt miserable until about 2200..........such is the price one pays. Buffet was cheaper this year, $35.00 for two and that's because we were early birds so got a $5.00 discount. I filled up two chowder bowls with dungness crab, slopped butter on them and proceeded to stuff myself...........at the same time I was gobbling down fried oysters, shrimp, scallops, crab cakes and then started on round two. Finally topped everything with a chocolate sundae and waddled out of there. Lost some more money and called it a night.

Don't know what we'll do the next couple of days..........maybe some geocaching (???).

W&B

Sitting in the Mill Casino Parking Lot.........

for tonight and then we move out to Tugman State Park tomorrow. Dug and JP5 headed back toward the 90+ degree temperatures of Portland/Vancouver this morning. We're basking in the 70s!

Only downfall, we've already tried our luck at the slots.........right now I've given most of their money back to them. Will try again later after we enjoy the Friday night Seafood Buffet. As we were walking into the casino we talked to a guy carving a bear out of a big block of ice........the bear will be the centerpiece for the buffet. I think Becky took a picture of the carver and bear. On our way back to the M/H we saw that there were several blocks of ice melting way. I had a cooler in the back of the Suzy so I scoffed them up and put them in my Pepsi cooler. Ice outta last for a couple of days...........maybe more since we're enjoying cool temperatures!!

Becky headed for the shopping mall...........I didn't think I lost anything there so I'm kicking back with my MTV and waiting for her to get back so we can be first in line at the buffet. They also give you a discount if you arrive the first 30 minutes when the buffet opens.

Maybe we'll try to do a little caching while we staying at Tugman. Looks like we'll be orphans for one day before our reservation at Paradise Point on Wednesday.......maybe we'll chug up the road to Florance and spend an overnight at the Three Rivers Casino Parking Lot..........that is if we have any money left after Coos Bay.

Later. W&B

Made It Through Thursday.............

On Wednesday we headed for our annual trip to Bandon, just Becky, Tami, me and the Twerps. It was the annual "get grandpa to buy everyone sweatshirts day"...............and "get grandpa to buy lunch too" day. Glad it's only an annual affair. We had fish n chips, clam chowder and a crab something or other. Watched the crabbers trying to catch some dungness on the pier but they didn't seem to be having any luck. An old seal showed his head briefly and then we headed back to Coos Bay to do some more duning. See Becky's Blog for more dune pictures..........I can't drive and take pictures at the same time........... http://havebagdotravel.blogspot.com/

Today we headed out to one of the many little lakes and the crazies had to do some wading. Skipped driving to the beach on this morning trip; but, later the Twerps, Lori, Dug and I finally made it to the beach. Beach was overcast and kind cool. Later we found a nice spot on top of the hill and it looks like the troops flaked out on Trace and I.

Later B and I drove into town and hit the casino..........wow, second day in a row we left with more money then we arrived with.

Gonna start packing up tomorrow and the "crazies" are heading back to the land of "HOT" while Becky and I will spend another three days in the area. Will leave the sand dunes on Saturday and then we have a reservation at Tugman State Park. We'll miss the heat wave in Vancouver and we'll be able to take in the seafood buffet on Friday and maybe again on Saturday. Last year it was great and hope it remains just as good this year.

All for now. W&B

Fourth of July and Coos Bay..........

Spent 4th of July and Tami at Dug's friends house............we ate and blew up fireworks!

Finally made it to Coos Bay shortly after noon yesterday and briefly torn up the sand..........our main ride for today took us about 12+ miles through the sand and finally to the beach. Cassidy and Trace's little Polaris RZR did OK in the sand with some sand tires. Worked much better than the tires they had at Sand Lake. We spent considerable time messing around the beach, the kids picked up sand dollars and sea shells and then we went to another campground located next to the beach. There's a little viewing area built on top of the sand which we visited several years ago. Back then I placed a dime into a crack on top of one of the posts.............surprise, surprise........it was still there when I checked it today! We could see the waves bring in OIL onto the beach. One picture kinda shows the oil; but, really doesn't show it all that well. Could the Gulf Oil spill have reached the Oregon Coast already?

After our ride I went back into the dunes by myself looking for some Polaris RZRs to race.........didn't find any. Went back out with the kids later and finally called it a day about 1600. Then Becky, Tami, Charlene and I had to go into town and get our "gambling fix". Becky cashed in a fistfull of monies and I even left with $72.00 of their money. Now if we could just stay away we'd be OK. Fat Chance!

That about catches us up...........weather is great, sunny and the winds have calmed down.......supposed to hit the 80s the next couple of days..........that's unusual for the Oregon coast. We'll have to wait and see what the day brings tomorrow.

We need to make our Bandon run, maybe tomorrow, for sweat shirts and fish and chips........or maybe we'll skip it, if we do it'll save me some money. I won a bit at the casino; but, not enough!

Later, W&B

Sitting In Front of Dug's House.........

and kinda waiting for it to get dark so we can start blowing up the neighborhood. Got here around 1100 this morning, loaded up the trailer so we'll be ready to leave Monday. Here's pic of my new trailer........it even had room for Tami's 4 wheeler in back of the Rhino. Had to go get a new drop down hitch 'cause the trailer was sitting too low in the back. Need one that drops a little more than 5 inches; but, that was the only one I could find. It'll work for now.

Cassidy and Trace and two of the neighborhood kids are patiently waiting for it to get dark so snapped a couple of pictures of them sitting in the garage.

Went in the house and Ollie, their Miniture Schnauzer, always comes running, jumps on me and then crashes on the arm of the easy chair. Got a couple of pictures of him too.

We got our laundry done this afternoon so nothing left to do except kick back, pig out for the 4th and shoot off fireworks.

Later. W&B

Friday Comes To An End..........

and we haven't been doing too much the last couple of days except kick back and chow down. We did have some rain off and on; but, overall weather pretty nice.

Did our grocery shopping for our Coos Bay run and all we have left to do is load up the trailer and we'll leave early Monday morning.

Went over to Portland today to visit Otto's...........they make their own sausage, hot dogs, summer sausage and all kinds of goodies and the hot dogs are pretty good. Otto's was featured on one of the Diners Drive-In and Dives episodes when Guy F. was in Portland. Interesting little market and they have a bar b que going outside the store where a guy is grilling hot dogs and frankfurters........we scoffed up on two hot dogs and then went into the store to buy some for the 4th and Coos Bay. I had another one before we left. Pretty good; but, I guess I was just hungry as we did some more up for supper at Dug's house this evening. They were better at Otto's........maybe because they were done on charcoal and I did ours on a Weber gas grill.

Gotta leave Paradise Point tomorrow so we'll camp out in front of Dug's house tomorrow and Sunday. Going to one of their friends house on Sunday for the 4th celebration. We stocked up on fireworks so will take them along. I finally took the Twerps to a fireworks stand and they were pretty easy on me............I even bought some mortars for myself that were supposed to be the "Biggest and Loudest"...........well I found out later that I didn't really buy them. That possibly needs some explanation. I walked in and asked if they were going to give me a "Senior Discount". Some little girl at the door hunted down the boss and the boss lady said "Yes, we can do that". So we loaded up on goodies and then I proceeded to the checkout and I began working on the cashier about my "Senior Discount"...........told her the boss lady said "OK", then they had to hunt the boss lady down and she showed up and said she told me I'd get a discount. In the meantime I'm BSing with the cashier and she rings up the stuff and puts it in a box..........I tell her I got a bum knee and can't carry all that stuff. She looks for someone to help me take the box of goodies to the car. I tell I'll get Dug to haul them out. The Boss Lady shows up and deposits some fountains and other stuff in my box and that becomes my "Senior Discount". I thank them profusely, pay my bill and then I get out of there. It wasn't until hours and miles later that I discovered that they hadn't charged me for my "Big Bad Mortar Shells". I finally came to the conclusion that they were also a part of my Senior Discount. I was very grateful that they were so nice to "Old Folks". As my friend, Larry, would say..........."A little misdirection never hurts". Thanks Larry for the advice.

That's about it for our last two days. Happy Fourth of July to all!

W&B

Damn Near 0300 On Thursday...........

and I'm wide awake.........real bummer! I was watching my MTV and dozed off at some point or other.......now can't get back to sleep.

Yesterday we finally got the trailer in Portland and now it's parked in front of Dug's house. We'll be driving in on Saturday when our reservation at Paradise Point is up and stay at Dug and Tami's for the 4th. Head for Coos Bay on the 5th and will play in the sand dunes until the 10th. Everyone else will head back for Vancouver and Becky and I have a 3 day reservation at William Tugman State Park. It's only about 14 miles or so from the sand dunes so we'll just kick back there with electric and water hookups. Best seafood buffet on the coast is at the Mill Casino so we'll probably do that on Friday and Saturday. Hope it's still as good as it was last year. Can't beat the fresh dungness crab.

Well, would try to get to sleep again; but, have an old Randolph Scott movie on the tube so may as well watch that.........maybe I'll doze off again.

Later. W & B