Just returned from picking up our camper in Talent, OR. We met Beto in the Talent walmart parking lot an hour ahead of scheduled meetup of noon. We were done by 12:30 so headed north along Rogue River highway at a slower speed than freeway to check for any problems and if Ride-rite airbags/tires needed more air. We stopped at a gas station to add air to both. Ride was fine so we hit I5 to connect with Hwy 42 to the coast and Bandon. This part of I5 is curvy and a climb but we made it. there are passing lanes so we stayed with the semis some. We stayed overnight at Bullards Beach State Park north of Bandon where we got the fourth to the last spot. We drove out to Cape Arago then we went up the coast to overnight at a Good Sam's RV camp just past Depoe Bay for about $10 more than the state park. It was very quiet as people respected quiet hours. Very clean deluxe bath and close to beach where we found handfuls of agates. Beverly Beach was full so this was one of the few that had space. We spent the next morning at Fogerty Creek park where our agate beach was turned to more sand than rocks. Grabbed a few shots in the overcast morning. Headed north to stay over in Millersylvania State Park near Olympia where we got a a space due to last minute cancellation. We arrived home this morning after less than 3 hours on the road due to light traffic at 6am. I5 from Olympia through Everett can be a quagmire but Saturday AM was smooth sailing. The camper shows good craftsmanship and is fairly simple to use. We did have one problem: the latch on the 3 way Dometic fridge was either not secured or one of us brushed up against it on exiting so the door opened and food fell out. Hubby didn't check closely but a salad dressing cap was shattered and the next time we stopped, there was balsamic vinaigrette everywhere. Then we lost battery power because we were not aware that the fridge uses lots of battery to run. And, maybe the dressing gave off an odor that made the propane/ CO detector stop the power? Not sure? Anyway, after he read more on the info sheets and pushed a few buttons, it worked again as there was no 110 power supply in Millersylvania.
Anyway, now that we are home, we will go down to Anacortes this Saturday to watch a band we like (on the guest list) and stay over in a park rather than drive home or stay in a motel.
During the last week of August, the wheat fields around the Palouse region are golden and the vistas of undulating fields of grain and rolling hills make for gorgeous photos, not to mention the huge machinery at work harvesting which is a favorite subject of mine. I have a map of places to go from last year's June photo workshop and have a local contact there. It is about a 5 hour trip over scenic Highway 20 to camp in the national forest near Winthrop. We met some really nice hosts in a hosted camp. And, hopefully we can get access to Ladder falls at the power station in Newhalem. Then, it is miles driving lonely back roads to the Palouse. I would like to stop at Palouse Falls, a gorgeous waterfall out in the middle of nowhere. Rattlesnakes frequesnt the place, even on the picnic grounds so we are investing in snake chaps and will be very careful.
After Labor Day we plan to head back to the Oregon Coast via 101 down Washington's coast for a week or so maybe exploring around Cape Kiwanda and vicinity. And Fogerty Creek, again. We may join Good Sam Club and stay at that same RV park for a few nights. There are so many places to see and photograph.
We are somewhat cramped but not too much. Our dinette works well. The bed is not actually that hard and a sleeping bag kept us warm. We may get 2 twin sized 2" memory foam pads. That heater does heat up the camper quickly.
Spent yesterday figuring out what to permanently store in camper. The go anywhere package was a big help. We have decided to use these super clamping tupperwares to store items in fridge. Maybe get some velcro to more securely fasten door to fridge. Or, see what you guys have figured out. And, the step stool is a pain so we will use a diamond plated step that secures to the trailer hitch. We pack light which is a good thing as storage is tight.
Gotta get ready to help a friend shoot a wedding today and will be on my feet all day so gotta go.
Attached is a photo of Fogerty Creek and a photo of our truck with camper. If I did everything right.
