Well, it happened... you know the "shit" I said would happen. The water heater wouldn't work this morning...guess the propane is too low. So I couldn't shower. Then, dumping the "black" water today at the site...the camp's system musta been a bit overloaded and when it was almost done, it backed up onto the ground. Ugh! So I couldn't dump the "grey" water...took the hose and cleaned the dang sewer tube and got the heck out of town. Found a place to fill the propane and decided to hike.

Had a great hike through Ecola State Park down to Indian Beach. It was really muddy and I had to climb over and under trees on the trails. So, I was really muddy...needed a shower...water heater works...grey water is too full to shower. Seriously? So I drove to Astoria cuz per the internet...mmhmmm...there's a dump station there. Um, no dude, whoever you are who posted that...the dump station was nowhere to be found. So I headed over the Astoria-Megler bridge into Washington...dang that bridge is so high...so cruise ships can get into port...it was a trip! So I'm on my way to a RV camp I had picked out and I pass by one close to the bridge...I could go back to Astoria for dinner being that close...nope, closed. But the nice lady said go into Long Beach and go to the Driftwood camp. I pull in there and I'm immediately not feeling comfortable...its pretty run down. So I go in the office and the little man there talked my ear off...not you know, conversational, nope he's just a talkin. I'm backing out slowly...I'm out the door and the dude is still talking. Finally I make my get a way. Get the RV backed in just fine, hook up the electric, take a shower! I get out of the shower and plug in the blow dryer...it doesn't work. And with my crazy curly hair, you gotta calm the shit down with a dryer. I go out and flip the switch...nope, go out flip the switch the other way...just in case...nope. I saunter over to the office: closed. No one in sight...well no one I wanted to talk with. Grrrr! I put on my visor over the curly mass, packed up my gear and went down the road to the camp I originally chose. Beautiful. Right up to the dunes with the ocean waves crashing...can't see em, can only hear em. 

So, really...shit happened today! And I'm okay. Cooked a fresh salmon filet, opened a beer, life is good! 

Here's a picture of Astoria across the bay, and one taken in Ecola State Park. 

Tomorrow, after going to the Wildlife refuge at the north end of Long Beach Peninsula, I'll drive into Seattle for the night! Can't wait to see my baby girl! 

Peace, love, and good plumbing to all!

Thank You Portland Friends of Kevin

Thank you to all you Portland Friends of Kevin (and Quirrel.) He loved the Malibu outfit and all the gear and toys you provided for his stay at Sally and Bob's cabin. And thanks Bob for letting Kevin hang out with the gnome at your pond...he really wanted to put in a line and catch one of those pretty Coi. 

We'll be back sometime for some fishing and sunning on the Sandy!

Peace, love, and cheers!

Drunk Posting

Hahaha! I just read my last post...I don't remember writing it...I had way way too much fun yesterday! Thanks Sal!

I finally climbed back in the RV today and headed back to the coast. It pretty much rained for 7 days every where in Oregon that is west of the cascades. I am so glad I could stay warm and dry at the cabin. I do love the parts of the state I have seen...it is lush and picturesque. Today I hiked to Short Sands Beach through giant Spruce trees...many of them as large as a Redwood. Short Sands is a surfer paradise. 

I made a stop in Tillamook for cheese and fresh seafood. Yum! Now I'm camped in Cannon City, OR (thanks Ryan W!) I'll probly ride my bike downtown in the morning to check out some shops, galleries and cafes...I can't go this afternoon...Kevin was really pissed at me last night and the crabby guy grounded me from any additional fun tonight. 

One more day in Oregon and then I'm driving to Seattle to pick up my daughter Allex. We're going to spend 4 days on the Olympic Peninsula! Lots of adventures yet to be had.

Hope everyone is well. Stay sober! Hahaha!

Where's Sally

Sal and I took a journey today..

 Columbia River Gorge. We just sat in awe. Right? Who the fuck gets to go to these places? Let alone live within them each day. Some of us do and some of us realize .... wow... we got lucky...we got blesssed.

Breathe in, Breathe out. I am here. So are you. :) Watson

Hiking in Brightwood

Besides eating really well and drinking lots of excellent wine, Sal and I have been taking short hikes in her neighborhood and in the Cascade Wilderness Area. The Salmon River runs through the wilderness area. Here's a photo of Sal, Ursa (black) and Estrella. Jasmine was running ahead as usual. 

Today we drove up and around Mt. Hood to the town of Mt. Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge. Here's Mt. Hood. 

If Blogspot would cooperate, I would add a picture of the Columbia river. 

So Sal and I spent the afternoon drinking then shopping, and then some more drinking and a little more shopping. We had just enough money left for dinner at the Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood which was built in 1937 and is now a National Historical Landmark. Pretty amazing structure. 

One more day with Sal and then I'll drive back to the coast and continue my drive north. 

Friends of Kevin

Portland loves Kevin and his lil friend Quirrel. They dressed him in Malibu clothes, gave him a chair, a laptop, dishes and a tool belt. Quirrel got a red wagon to ride in. And they both got a maraca. 

Thank you to Portland and all you generous friends of Kevin!  

Sally

You guys...men...might want to tune out. It was a girl's day. Sally and I and her three dogs...german shepard/wolf mix...beautiful dogs...did only what we wanted to do in the moment. Sal and I have known each other since 4th grade...do you remember who you were then and through your high school years...the people who touched your lives...the life that took over as you raised your kids...the things that you wished you could change but know if it did, you would not be who you are?  Sal and I relived all of that and so much more today. 

Sal had to go back to Portland tonight...I miss her already. Thank you Sally. I am all peace tonight...I wanted to find that on this trip...more than anything, I wanted that. 

Peace. 

Watson

Sally and the Cabin

Correction....Sal and Bob's cabin sits on the Sandy River, not the Salmon...the Salmon River is a bit down the road. Here's a picture of the backyard and the Sandy. 

Yeah...like I said, a slice of heaven for the next few days. 

Sal and I emptied a couple bottles of Oregon wine last night...cheers to you Joanie!

Here's the lil puffin I mentioned yesterday. He can do somersaults in the water. I loved him....Kevin didn't like him...jealousy is ugly Kev. 

The rain has stopped and the sun is peeking through the clouds! On to the next adventure!

From Suislaw Lake to Mt. Hood

Wow...its been two crazy days.Yesterday was gorgeous, so I hiked the dunes at Honeyman State Park and around the Lake...Lake uh, yeah...Lake I Can't Remember. Standing on top of a dune, lake in front of me, Pacific behind me...crazy. 

As I walked around the lake I was thinking that Honeyman must be Oregonian speak for Sugar Daddy...and then I see a grizzled old guy fishing with what must surely be his mail order bride...I'm just sayin. So I looked around to see if I could find a sugar daddy. Shall we say, slim pickins...

Stopped in Old Town Florence for a lunch of fresh salmon and clam chowder. Then drove up the road to see the Sea Lion Caves...200 feet down I went in an elevator in front of which was posted this sign: 

Ya gotta think twice about that warning before hopping aboard. So there were about 200 sea lions hanging out in the cave...they all kinda looked mournful...cept the little one that was swimming.  Hmmm. Hope I don't come back as one my next time around. So I got back in the RV and listened to Kevin bitch about being left behind until I told him about the "Notice". He shut up pretty quick after that. (Anyway, thanks to the Kable's for giving me the heads up on the caves...it really was something to see.)

Got out at Cape Perpetua and hiked around Devil's Churn, the tide pools, the Spouting Horn and finally a hike into the forest to see the Giant Spruce. All were amazing. I got a little freaked out in the tide pools...the tide started coming in with a vengeance...so I scampered right outa there. 

Last night I camped at Beachside State Park...the ocean was about 50 yards from my kitchen window (yep, I got one in my lil RV.) And a storm was brewing and the tide was slamming into the beach. It rained all night and all night the Pacific sounded like a train rolling down the tracks shooting cannons from its windows every minute or so. And...I was in a Tsunami hazard zone...evacuation route plainly posted all over the park. I didn't sleep well last night and left pret near first light. Nice place, bad timing. 

Today I went to the Oregon Coast Aquarium (again thank you to the Kable's for telling me about it.) Super cool and I wish I had gone to the aquarium before I went to the tide pools...I would have known what I was looking for. I got a kick out of this puffin...he was having a great time all by himself...reminded me a little of me. Hahaha. Well...stupid blog. I'll post the little guy later. 

So its been raining like hell and I been sleeping with footies on my feet and my hands and sweat pants and thermals. I got heat, its just not adequate for the current weather. I decided to head inland to Sally's cabin near Mt. Hood...Sal and I went to high school together and she lives near Portland. I'm hanging out here through the weekend. I think Sal and I are gonna get a bit crazy. Her husband Bob...I already feel sorry for him. The cabin's back yard hosts the Salmon River...its a really nice place. A little slice of heaven for a few days!

Thanks everyone for the comments and emails. I really love reading them. I hear some people are having trouble posting comments, so Joyce or Paula...would you comment with some helpful tips? Thanks!

Peace, love and recycle!

Watson

Off the Grid

Saturday and Sunday, I was camped at Sunset Bay State Park...so remote I did not have internet access nor could I get phone calls. (Except on the trail...thanks for the call Darcy and Ross...and the Sunset Bay suggestion!) I have a beautiful photo of Sunset Bay Beach....at sunset of course. But, Blogspot isn't recognizing it...grrr. Stupid Blogspot. But hey, what can I expect for free? 

Sunday, I hiked 5 miles south on the Oregon Coast Trail from Sunset Bay to Shore Acres to Camp Arago State Parks. Holy crap...I took about 50 photos of the waves crashing against the rocks. The spray was freaking crazy...one of the locals said the spray will go up to 200 feet high. All I know is I was getting wet and I was really high up from the rocks and waves. I don't think a tiny photo can truly capture these crashes and sprays but here are a couple. 

Here's just a picture of the waves as the tide was coming in. 

The Oregon Coast Trail isn't the best marked path. Twice, the path obscured and I ended up following a path to nowhere. At those times, I listened for the ocean and walked that way until I happened on a road or...gees, Cape Arago state park... unmarked. I guess the State Park staff don't give a rats ass if they lose stupid tourists like me on the trail. At least I knew that if the ocean is to my right, I'm going south. To my left, I'm going north. I finally just took the road on my way back. Just 3 miles by road versus 5 miles by the trail. 

Saw some sea lions on an island quite a ways off shore. No whales to be seen. 

I was so tired when I got back, I sat my ass in a chair and soaked up the sun for a few hours. I had bought this 6 pack of Rebel IPA...supposedly an IPA done right for west coasters...pretty sure I sucked down one too many. I did get my dinner cooked... fresh pacific snapper (yum)...but the fire alarm went off. Huh, musta been all that butter. Kevin started coughing...but I'm pretty sure he was faking it. He's just pissed off that he's a stuffed deer and can't eat fresh seafood.

Today started out a warm sunny day. Said goodbye to Ekkie, one of the "Yurt Hosts" who I met. He likes to talk. Yeah...yurts at Sunset Bay State Park...really cool. Check em out online. So, I hit the road. Did my laundry in Coos Bay. And then the rain started...supposedly for the next 5 to 7 days it is going to rain! And its not a warm rain...and I am a pansy when it comes to rain. I don't even really like clouds...maybe I should ask myself, "What the hell you doin in the Pacific Northwest?" Plan B is now being formulated. 

I'm parked at "Darlings" RV camp...lakeside at Siltcoos Lake south of Florence, OR. Darling Sue gave me a 50% discount and picked me up some milk when she went into town. Everywhere I go, the people are so nice and helpful. My stupid Google Maps quit working today...decided my destination was Seattle no matter what town I entered. So I found an Enterprise Car Rental place and thought, why not, they were always really nice to me on all my trips to Dallas...yeah, I'm a goon. So, Enterprise Car Rental in Coos Bay is kinda like a coffee clatch for old men. Who knew? One of them gave me directions to the Verizon Store. Found my way to Verizon and a nice young man, Waylen (he says like Jennings...well he's to young to know that would be Waylon with an O) he figures out that Gmaps is overloaded...1900 miles thus far. He resets the app and writes down step by step instructions for this old lady in case it were to happen again. Thanks Waylen! 

Well, I am safe for the night. Not sure where tomorrow will take me. It will be adventure I am sure. 

Thanks for following along. 

Watson

Bike Ride through the Giants

There are few words to describe riding through this forest of giants. Silence is one...riding slowly so I did not make a sound, I could not believe how silent the densest parts of the forest became. I was in freakin awe and wonder all day. I only rode about 30 miles or so over about 6 hours, but that Avenue kicked my old ass. Here's a picture on the Avenue...a couple other riders were coming up the road. 

And I laid right at the bottom of one and took this picture. 

I'm too damn tired to write much tonight. I'm packing up tomorrow and heading to Coos Bay, OR. Back to the coast! (Darcy, I'm camping at Sunset Bay Park!)

My dear friends here at Redcrest Resort just visited and gave me the total of the lamp post damages...Kevin's givin me the evil eye. WTF. It's just money.

Oh yeah...gotta give a shout out to Joanie and Nisi for giving me a call last night. Thank you!

Rock on dear friends. 

Avenue of the Giants

Movin on to the land of the giants...Redwoods that is. Kevin and I are nestled in a forest of Redwoods at Redcrest Resort on the Avenue of the Giants. Left the Pacific Coast Highway where it ends and Highway 101 carries us northward. Loved the PCH and will miss driving so close to the sea. Looked for the gray whales today to no avail. I stopped on the way to visit the Chandelier Tree just outside of Legget. Cars can drive through the tree...this lil RV was too big. Here's Chandelier...in 2 shots.

So, I've had pretty good luck driving the RV...until now. As I pulled into the drive of the Redcrest Resort and was scouting for the office/gift shop to register...um well this lamp post got too close to my mirror. The mirror won and the lamp post went down. Huh. Bummer. I think Kevin rolled his eyes...the bastard. Yeah, so I'm waiting for these folks to let me know the damage amount...am I too old to say, "Mom, please send money?" Oh, that's right, my mom's got no money. I'm sure they'll let me work in the gift shop for a couple months...right? More to follow. 

It started raining shortly after I arrived, so I'm kinda stuck inside the RV. I feel a little isolated and lonely...so call me...if anybody is out there. :(

Kevin wanted to hang out at the picnic table for awhile...in the rain...he looks kinda sad, don't ya think? (Now, lil bro, you can feel sorry for Kevin.)

Well, the forecast for tomorrow is 70 and sunny. I'll be riding my bike up and down the Avenue of the Giants and hanging out in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. 

Toodle loo. 

Watson

Mendocino 2

Here's a cove on the headlands trail.

After a long day of shopping, hiking and biking, Kevin needed to kick back with a beer. 

I guess they put me next to a pile of mulch so no one had to be neighbors with the crazy lady traveling with a stuffed reindeer. Poor Kevin, he takes a lot of shit. He does so with grace...although under his breath I heard him say, "blow me." 

Enough beer Kev, say goodnight. 

Bike Ride to Mendocino

Here's the picture of Casper Beach I tried to load last night. 

Today, I bicycled into the town of Mendocino...about 3 miles. Mendocino is built on these craggy cliffs that are slowing eroding into the ocean. The view when I was just entering town was this amazing sea of blue. 

Mendocino is an artist colony and the rich folks from the valley flock here in the summer. Oh, and Murder She Wrote was filmed here. :) High end shops and art galleries abound. Weez and Susan, they use so many different mediums in their art...I think you both would love to visit. So I went to a few stores and galleries and the art center and talked with the locals. Each of them had somewhere they thought I should go, so I did. Here's the shops on main street that face the headlands. 

An artist doing her residency here told me to walk the headland trails...pretty amazing. 
Stay tuned to Mendocino post #2 for more photos and the end to my daily adventure...cuz of course blogspot is over loaded...technical difficulties...I musta cursed myself with that post. 

Movin on to Mendocino

I slept in this morning and then I just stayed in bed...with dread knowing today was the day I had to empty the damn sewer tanks. I finally drag my ass out of bed and suddenly I decide I am done with Bodega Bay, I'm going to Mendocino. So I make a reservation at Casper Beach RV park, pack up my gear and drive to the "dump" station. Luckily, a nice man was emptying his tanks from his humongous RV, so I parked and went over and asked if I could watch explaining that I am a novice. He was so nice and helpful...turns out he's a California Highway Patrol man. So, I did it! I dumped those damn tanks like I been doing it all my life. Rockin on with my bad self...yep. 

I hit the road to Mendocino choosing Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway...known to be a scary adventure for RVers. I probly have the tiniest RV on the road, so I said screw it, I am not going to be a woosie. There were a few hairy places and after one in particular, Kevin was so scared, we had to stop by the roadside. 

I stopped for lunch in Gualala at Bones Road House for BBQ pulled pork. Yum! Here's the view from my table. 

And now I'm sitting in my RV across from Casper Beach listening to the waves hit the shore. Its a surfer's beach. There's a couple of em out there in this pic. Oh crap...the blog can't access my most recent pictures on my phone...I'll add it tomorrow after I get to a part of the world with better reception. 

So, I'm spending 3 days here and going to explore the area on my bike and laze on the beach in the sun. Woo hoo!

Bodega Bay Camping

I am in love with Lake Tahoe. I left early this morning on US Hwy 50 heading to Sacramento then to Bodega Bay. Holy crap US 50 climbed out of the Tahoe Basin and hugged the edges of the mountains...I was a little freaked for awhile. The whole drive was picturesque, but when I got onto highway 37 and went through Sonoma County...oh man, that place looks like the cover of a story book. Google maps took me winding through the countryside on a bunch of teeny roads to get to the coast...for awhile I was sure gmaps was just messin with me and I would never get to Bodega Bay. 

But I did...here's Kevin just hanging in the RV.

So I walked to town cause its not real bicycle friendly here and went shopping at the local market. Not many locals around...lots of campers though. Then I walked over dune after dune to get to the ocean from my camp.

Tomorrow, I have to empty the black and grey water tanks...ugh! Maybe I can arrive at the dump site when someone else...experienced...is there and sweet talk them, or cry to them, to get a little help with this first time. I hope I don't throw up...

With that, I'll sign off. Peace, love and recycle dear friends and family. 

Watson

Lake Tahoe 2

BIG ASS Pine Cone

Incredibly Beautiful Lake Tahoe

Its a great day in Paradise!

Lake Tahoe

Ever since moving to Nebraska, I have complained loudly about the wind...it rarely stops and it makes me kinda crazy. Well, after taking I80 across Utah and Nevada, I have a new appreciation for what wind really is. So, I like those cute little tumbleweeds that blow around in the high desserts, but not so much the cute little TREE that blew over the car in front of me and bounced off the side of my RV. And twice I got side swiped by a dust devil that blew me into the next lane. 

I need to read up on the Great Basin, but I'm pretty sure I was in the basin most of the day. I took this picture on the eastern side of Nevada...snow capped mountains followed me all day. 

I didn't remember Carson City was the capital of Nevada...it was kinda cool...but as I took US Highway 50 out of Carson City past the hills of scrub brush, I found myself in the most beautiful tall pines I have ever seen. Maybe it was just the contrast to the scrub brush...I don't know...but even the pine cones are the biggest I've ever seen and I got a picture to prove it...oops, technical difficulties...dang it. I'll open a new post and try to copy the pictures. So, I've never seen Lake Tahoe...my first look took my breath away, well and almost my RV...don't look at the scenery when you're driving on the switchbacks. So I'm camping across the street from South Lake Tahoe...I can see the lake from my window. So cool. 

Pictures in the next post...hopefully! 

Utah

Packed my gear into the RV yesterday and cruised over the Loveland Pass to Silverthorne, CO. My sister, Doni, cooked scallops and wild rice and her hubby, Mike, served me far too much wine. Well, and their neighbor started pouring shots of Jamieson (sp?) whiskey. Ouch.
I got up early despite the pounding headache and drove toward Salt Lake City. Here's my sidekick Kevin pretending to drive my truck. Reminds me of you Allex.


Found a camp ground in SLC and hooked into the water and electricity. I was feeling pretty proud of myself until I noticed the electricity was not working...note to RV novices: the electricity only works if you flip the fuse at the electric box to the on position.

So, I am camping on the edge of the Great Salt Lake. Its pretty impressive. 

Life is pretty darn grand right now. On to Reno, Nevada tomorrow. 

Cheers!

Day One!

Woo hoo! Just four hours left until I drive west in my little RV. I've been hanging out in Denver with my brother and sis-in-law the last couple days.


Tonight I'll stay in Silverthorne, CO with my sister and her husband. They are experienced RVers who will be able to answer all my stupid questions...I will have a lot of stupid questions. Like, "Ew, do I really have to empty the sewer tank? Doesn't the crap just disintegrate? Are there people at the RV camps who I can pay to empty the sewer thingy?" If I'm lucky I'll be constipated...I'm just sayin.


So, I'm having a bit of trouble loading my pictures from my phone to my blog...when I select the pictures to copy, the application times out....Leslie, or one of you other experienced bloggers, do you have any tips on how to get the dang thing to work? Call me...I'll try to answer...you know, once I figure out how to answer the phone.


It's a beautiful day in Colorado. Can't wait to hit the highway...send good thoughts my way please and be well.


Watson

Technical Difficulties

In the last five days, I have become the owner of a smart phone, a headset and a wireless speaker...all things I'm sure I'll want on my travels. But seriously, from a crackberry to these is greatly challenging my miniscule technical skill set. Well, that and my eye sight...really?...I finally just used a magnifying glass to read the 1 point font on that headset (quit laughing...doesn't everyone own a magnifying glass?) So, after pairing the wireless speaker, the dang thing kept answering my phone. If the headset had been on, would they arm wrestle to decide which one will answer? And how will I know who the victor is? Bottm line; If you call me and hear only mumbling and the occasional f word, hang up and I'll call ya back.


Ten days til take off. Tick tock.