Whalers Rest, Oregon.

Over the Bridge to Oregon.

As said before, the main reason for cutting short our stops on the way south, is the weather. Yesterday just emphasised the point. We awoke to pouring rain, with no let up in sight, and got a bit of a soaking as we De-camped. No worries though, and we were on the road for just after 9.30am. We got back on the US 101, and for the first 30 miles or so, were on familiar territory, as we travelled along it the day before on an aborted visit to Costco. I say aborted because as we started to walk round the store, we all realised that we just needed normal quantities of groceries, and so we went next door to a Fred Myers supermarket. But I digress.........

The journey was a pleasant one, with the road surface surprisingly good. We made one stop on the way, when Jane spotted diesel at $2.719 in Lincoln City. We didn't need fuel. Mark had said he was getting close to needing some, so when everywhere else was selling it at $2.97, we stopped. We managed to squeeze in 36 gallons. Saving us about 10 bucks. Marks took a little more than ours, so he saved even more. The scenery would have been great I know, as we passed this way 5 years before, but alas, on this day it was all we could do to see more than 100 yards. Still we continued on until we arrived at Whalers Rest, our stop for the next 4 nights. We were quickly checked in and went to the North part of the park. Mark and and Jim soon had the motor homes backed into their parking places, hooked up, and were sitting down to a hot dog lunch within half hour of our arrival, courtesy of Jane.
Mark was unable to receive his satellite Internet, too many trees, and at first was unable to get his Verizon to work either. Though he rectified that by night fall.
We have 50 amp power, water and sewer, and 50 plus cable TV channels, and now wireless Internet. courtesy of Mark. What more could we ask for............a beach. Got that too, just 100 yards away.
That night Jane cooked a great roast beef dinner, perfect.
Today we awoke to no rain, yes that's right, NO RAIN !!! It looked like it might change any minuet though. We had a slow start, late breakfast, and before we knew it, it was mid-day. Mark came round to say he was popping into town, Newport, we said we were going for a walk on the beach.
Its about a 5 minute walk, maybe a little longer, to a glorious sandy beach, that stretches miles in each direction, and to-day, totally deserted. We hadn't been there long when shock of all shocks, blue sky appeared , along with sunshine. Beautiful. We walked along the beach for about an hour, before returning home. Mark arrived back shortly after, and he and Jim went off to play pickle ball. Jane walked down later, and joined in the fun.
Another great dinner, the end to another perfect day "In Paradise".

Heading South - In search of the Sun.

We have decided to cut short our stays at the various Thousand Trails campgrounds we are visiting on our trip south. The main reason, no, the only reason, is the atrocious weather. We have had more rain, both in quantity of water, and rainy days, this last week, than we had all summer. Its also gone quite cool. So instead of 4 night stops, we are doing 2 nights. It was also our plan to stay 2 weeks at Whalers Rest, about 150 miles south of here. That may also change, depending on the conditions when we arrive there.

Jim & Mark.

That me under all that.

Today we are at TT Longbeach, in Seaview, Washington, about 98 miles south of our last stop, Oceana. This campground is also on the Pacific Ocean, and the rear of the property backs right onto the beach. On our arrival, the sun came out to play, so the three of us bundled up and took a walk. Once on the beach the wind really picked up, and it became quite difficult to walk into it, which we had to do on our return to the campground. It is a gorgeous beach though, and it is not difficult to imagine how wonderful it would be to be here, at the height of the summer.

STAR WARS

Dan you would have loved this shop, Jim and I spent an hour or so in there. I purchased 5 things. You will have to wait till we get home to see what they are !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Click on Photo




THE ONLY STAR WARS SHOP IN THE WORLD.
Its in Aberdeen, Washington.


Any one for "Hot Dogs"

Oceana WA

Ocean City, Wet Windy Wet Windy.............

We have cut our visit short.

We need sun & heat.

As you can see from the previous post, we are at TT La Conner. It is a great campground, and if it would only stop raining for a while we would be able to walk some of the fabulous trails here. We arrived, in the rain, on Wednesday quite early, as we had made arrangements to meet Gary and Marsha, Darren's brother and his wife, at a casino some 30 miles south of here at mid-day for lunch. We left poor Mark trying different sites in order for his new satellite dish to work.

TULALIP CASINO

We had a good visit with Gary and Marsha, and a good all you can eat buffet lunch. They had to leave after a couple of hours, as Gary had to return to work. Some of us have to I suppose.
We stopped off at the Premium Outlet Mall, next door to the casino, and walked round the mall a few times, trying to walk off some of the great food we had eaten. It actually stopped raining while we were there, and the sun shone. WOW!!!!
We then started the drive home along the I5. After a couple of miles, the sky went very dark, and the heavens opened again. It rained all the way home.
When we got home we had to do a search of the campground to find Mark. He had found a site not far from the rangers station. But alas, still no Internet. He told us this was his tenth attempt at finding a site, and even if he couldn't get it to work, he was staying put. Thankfully, following a call to his tech support, he finally got a connection.
Thursday started bright, cloudy and cool. About mid-day we decided to go into La Conner for a mooch. Mark had gone into Mt Vernon. He needed to revisit Camping World, and Wal-Mart for some stuff he didn't get on our last visit.
So we parked the car at one end of the town and walked up one side and down the other. It is a pretty little town, and despite the weather, cool and damp, we had an enjoyable walk.
Dinner was at our place, Jane had the slow cooker doing its thing all day, so we all enjoyed pork fillet, mashed potatoes and lots of veg. Mmmmm.
The rain started just after Mark left us for his place, shortly before 8pm I think it was. It rained, and rained and rained all night long. Heavy rain, bouncing off the RV roof. Then it rained some more. I have never known it rain so much. In the morning, still raining, I send Mark a text, and tell him we will pick him up around 11.30, if he wants us to, as we have decided to return to the casino for lunch. After some arm wrenching, he agrees to come with us.
Another great feast, followed by yet another walk round the outlet mall. I bought a hooded quilted jacket I liked, perfect for when we get back to the UK. NO!!!Perfect for Washington State
The weather here is just like home.......SO WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE????? We are supposed to be following the sun !!!! Oh well.....
We dropped Mark off at home, and we drove round to the adult lodge, in order to use the Internet. The rain has stopped, but now the wind is blowing so hard the building we are in is creaking with the gusts. Lets hope it blows the clouds and rain away.

A Trip into La Conner WA.

It is 5 years since our last visit.

This road sign made me smile 5 years ago.

These are new, and I bet they look even better

when the sun is shining….

 

Jim love’s this hat rain or shine….

 

 

Who need a fishing pole.

Boardwalk garden.

Joe up date.

Little Joe will be having an operation on the 2nd November.

Who live's in this?????

Can any one tell me WHO'S nest this is??????????

Time at Birch Bay, WA.

Wednesday we awoke to heavy rain, typical as its moving day. Mark and Chris were still up at Cultus Lake, so we arranged to meet them at 10am on the slip way at junction 109 on Hwy 1. We were there just a short time when I saw them approaching, and managed to get onto the freeway just ahead of them. Perfect. We had an uneventful drive to the Peace Arch border crossing, and had a wait of about 30 minutes or so. The actual crossing was a breeze. It was the easiest, stress free and quickest we have ever done, when travelling from Canada into the States. We didn't even get out of the motor home. BUT, we had just one problem. As we were driving into Blaine, minutes from the border, Jane says "I can't see where he stamped our passports" Sure enough, no stamps in the passports. We pulled over to the side of the road, to await Mark and Chris, and discuss what we were to do without a stamp. The last stamp says we must leave the US by January 7 th 2010, from when we first crossed into Alaska from Yukon. We waited about 20 minutes, still no sign of M and C. We decide we will carry on to the campground, just 4 miles according to Tom Tom, and then if we don't hear from them drive back in the car and see whats happened. We send them a text to that effect. After we checked in at Birch Bay TT, and unhooked the car, we drove to our site, and as I was backing in, PP drove through the gates. It transpired that "Scar Face Jones" reared his ugly head again as he had his passport scanned, and they were ordered into the office for further screening. Mark even heard one of the guards say, "Yea, that's him" Needless to it wasn't him, and after short while they were free to go.
After setting up, we decide we need to get groceries etc. We also decide we need to sort our passports out sooner rather than later. M and C go off in the direction of Bellingham, and Costco, we go into Blaine and try and return to the border crossing, without having to go back into Canada. Found that to be impossible, so go to the Police station and get a phone number for them. Jane speaks to a crossing guard there, who tells us we don't have a problem, that when January 7 th is nearer, go to a border crossing and ask them to give you an extension, there shouldn't be any problem with that. Hmmm. Well, we decide that's what we will do. Whats the worse that can happen, sling us in Jail????
That sort of sorted, we drive to Bellingham, and Wal-Mart, text M and C, and arrange to meet in the car park of Costco. All shopping chores done, we drive back to Birch bay. Dinner at M and C's
and then the boys give the girls another lesson in Canasta.
Poor Chris then tells us she has decided she must fly to Nova Scotia, for a family problem. She has her ticket booked and will leave from Abbottsford airport Friday morning. We hope that everything turns out well, and that she is back with us soon.

Friday the rain is back with us, but we decide to take a trip to Lindel, a Dutch inspired town about 10 miles from here. There is an antique and craft fare on that Jane wants to go to, so the three of us decide, despite the weather to go. Quite a neat little town, though it too seems to be suffering economically, with numerous stores not only closed, but empty.

The colours are out of this world up here at the moment.

The Bay, at Birch Bay

Lindel. A small Dutch town.

All the shop's had a manikin outside for Halloween.

Welcome Home Mark and Chris.

We had it all planned, the last communication we had from Chris was that they would be back at Cultus Lake mid-afternoon Sunday. Jane was to go up to PP at TT Cultus Lake, in the morning with some essentials, milk, bread etc, and she was going to take our slow cooker up and leave it on so they would have a meal ready for them when they arrived home. Alas the best laid plans etc.... 8.45am, I have just exited the shower, Jane is watching TV in bed, when we receive a text message. Its from Chris, they are just passing through Hope, will be stopping in Chilliwack for essential shopping, and will be home soon. Oh well !!! As I say, the best laid plans....
So around mid-day we go on up to Cultus Lake, and have a great visit with them. It seems they had a great time in Blighty. They even found time to bring us some goodies back with them, some Fry's Turkish Delight for Jane, Tate and Lyle syrup, and some puddings you cant get this side of the pond, and a bottle of Gin. yummy yummy. Thanks both, much appreciated. Above all, glad to have you back. We missed you.

Visit to Hope

Some of the many carvings around Hope.

Up date on Joe.

Some of you know we have been very worried about our grandson, little Joe. Georgina, our daughter, was concerned about a swelling on his knee, so to the Doctor they went. He was sent to the hospital for an MRI scan and to see yet another Doctor. We were told he has Synovial Chondromatosis which is very rare in children. Synovial chondromatosis - My Child Has - Children's Hospital Boston It normally, though rarely, affects overweight males in their 40's. Almost unheard of in someone so young and small as Joe. This coming Wednesday he has an appointment with the head surgeon and his whole team at the orthopedic hospital in Birmingham. So keep him in your prayers.


Joe at sport's day this summer.

NEWS FLASH !!!!!!!!

We are finally calling it a day. March will see us going home for good. I think a lot of you know how much I've missed the girls, and their little one's. We will have been on the road 6 years in March, so we have had a good run. We will be heading back towards Florida, but won't get there till Feb. We hope to see as many of our friends before we go. We also have to try to sell the RV & car, so if anyone knows anyone..... you know how it goes.....and we need to get rid of "STUFF, ROCKS and FOSSIL'S etc...... Will keep you posted.

We are now back at Royalwood Golf and RV park, on Hwy 1, Abbottsford, Free Hi Speed Wi Fi, and cable TV, full hook ups with 50 amps. Not bad for 165 bucks a week. We got the slide fixed, it had got "stuck". A lot of pushing and heaving, and using a wrench on it all at the same time, and in it went. Loads of silicone spray to follow, and the problem seems to have gone away. I also managed to fix the huge water leak we had on the hot water tank. So fingers crossed, we are all back in shape. Because we had an enforced extra few days stay in Cultus Lake, we will stay here now 'till we leave to cross the border next week. No sense in travelling back to TT for one night.
We were just driving out of here this morning, going to Mission, BC., when we saw a familiar looking motorhome and tow car drive in. We waited to see the occupants, just to make sure, and surprise surprise, its Tom and Sharon. They are a couple we first met in Florida last winter, and met up with them again last week in Cultus Lake. They hail from Ontario, Canada. They will be staying here for a week also, before they too head south for the winter. Small world.
Our weather here has gone a little cool over the last week or so, highs in the upper teens cent., but its still sunny and dry, so cant complain. If it could stay like this until we cross the border and start south, then we couldn't ask for more. We are surrounded by mountains here in the Fraser Valley, and only one had any snow visible when we arrived in this part of BC at the end of August. Now we are surrounded by snow capped mountains, its really beautiful.

We had some sad news this morning from Grace, our 6 year old granddaughter in England. She called to tell us that her beloved hamster, Elizabeth, died last night. Lots of tears as she told us all about the burial, where and what plants she planted at the grave site in the back garden.
Then she brightened a little as she told us of her visit to the pet store after school tonight, and about "Sophie", Elizabeth's replacement. Though she kept on repeating that "Elizabeth could never be replaced."

Grace and Elizabeth

So. What a weekend. As mentioned before, we had a service appointment at O'Connors RV here in Chilliwack on Saturday morning at 8am. So we were up early, had everything packed away, and ready to go. All we had to do was bring the slide in. Yep !!! you've guessed it, the darn thing refused to come in. The long and short of it is we are still here at TT Cultus Lake. Of course no one in the RV mobile repair world seems to work weekends here, so we were stuck. We've had all the usual helpful folks come to take a look, (sometimes that actually works, and you get whatever has broken fixed) but on this occasion, no one knew what was wrong. At least they tried, and for that I thank them. So now, Monday we are waiting for "Adventure RV" to arrive, and hopefully get us repaired. Because we were a little annoyed with things in general, our RV in particular, we decided to drive into Vancouver for the remainder of the day. We had quite a nice day, the weather was gorgeous, and as it was a Saturday, not too busy.

The great weather we have been having here in Chilliwack finally broke this week. Yesterday and today it has been been pretty wet most of the time, although we took a drive into Abbottsford, a distance of a little over 20 milers from here, and it was sunny, with clear blue skies. We got back to Cultus Lake and ran into the rain again. It transpires its hardly stopped here all day. Just 20 miles apart, amazing. Because of the weather, we haven't ventured far from the park this week. Instead we "stayed local", and have been doing a lot of walking the trails, of which there are many, and going to see places in and around Cultus Lake that we have been meaning to go and see, but never seem to get round to it. It really is a pretty place.
The water leak we have from our hot water tank has got worse, with the bathroom carpet getting wet now, as the water soaks through, but the RV dealer we are booked into, O'Connor, of Abbottsford and Chilliwack, cant see us before our appointment time of Saturday morning. So we are working off the pump, and turning it off when not needed, so relieving the pressure. Seems to be at least slowing the leak.
Mark and Chris's Internet satellite dish has finally been installed, it was working when the installer left on Sunday, so trust it will be good to go when they return from the UK in a couple of weeks.
We have been here now for a little over a month, and I think both Jane and I are ready to hit the road again. I suppose once you have done all the trips out you had planned to do, and done any little jobs on the motor home that needed doing, its time to move on.