Sunday, May 31, 2009

Last night at Bend

Today we had a few little rain drizzles, but it was still warm. A lot of the day was spent getting ready to take off in the morning. I did laundry this morning and some indoor organizing, Dave packed up the outside stuff. We also watched part of the NASCAR race, great finish!! (Yea Jimmie) We also managed to fit in time to just sit and enjoy this park for one more day. Definitely a place we will come back to.

In the slide show I have some photos taken over the two weeks we have been here. The slides of the buildings are an area of the park that is made to look like an old west town. Kinda cute.

Photos
Top: Cheye at our site
Bottom: some pretty blue birds at their home here in the park

Friday, May 29, 2009

Still loving Bend

I know I‘ve said this before, but….we are sure enjoying our stay here at Thousand Trails Bend. The weather has been fabulous, cold nights good for sleeping and warm sunny afternoons. Yesterday evening we did have a little thunder storm, very short lived but it came with a little bit of rain too. Made everything smell nice and fresh.

Today I went in to Sunriver to and got my hair trimmed, I also picked up our mail while I was there. I managed to miss one turn on my drive back to the campground so I took the “scenic” route. Our GPS is acting very strangely since we got here. Not sure if it is the area or if Maggie (what we call our Magellan) is loosing it. Guess we will see!

Besides that it was a pretty typical day for us. I worked on my cross stitch, played on the computer, etc. Dave took Cheye to the river for a swim this afternoon, which she loved.

Photos
Top: Thousand Trails Bend
Below:
1. Our site with Dave using a wide angle lens
2. A happy wet dog!


Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Pool Day

The past couple days have been great. We’ve had wonderful weather and have been able to spend our days outside. Today we took advantage of the pool and spa, very refreshing! I’ve been working a lot on my cross stitch project and Dave has been doing a little rearranging of the outside storage area. Both of us have been doing our usual internet surfing and reading. Just enjoying life as full-timers!

Photo: our site at Thousand Trails Bend
Video: slide shows of vistas around the park

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Day 7 at Thousand Trails Bend

It’s been a pretty quiet day. I went into Bend and did some grocery shopping and picked up some KFC for lunch/dinner. Dave hung out at the campground and did a little TV watching, internet surfing and reading. Once I got back we went for a walk over to the river and let Cheye swim. She loved it of course. On the way back she saw a gopher run down it’s hole so she had to inspect that. Later our neighbors came by and joined us for “wine time” before dinner. Very nice couple from Oregon City, OR. Pleasant day!
Photos:
Cheye in the water
Cheye and the gopher hole
Dave & Cheye
Lori & Cheye





Saturday, May 23, 2009

Canoeing

The other day we noticed they rented canoes here at Thousand Trails Bend which sounded like fun. We checked on it and they also did trips. The trips are unguided, you canoe for 2.5 hours to a designated point and they pick you up and drive you back, so we signed up. We were the only ones there but we had a fun trip. Probably the worst thing was the gentleman giving us directions for the trip. He isn’t the one that usually does that and he was rather vague, happily we found our way and found the meeting place. We also didn’t understand how far we were going and didn’t paddle too hard. We knew we were supposed to go under 5 wooden bridges and after one hour we had only been under one so we picked up the pace. Sooooo, my arms are really sore, I can only imagine how they will be tomorrow. I see ibuprofen in my future!

Photos - Taken today while we were canoeing
Video - Also taken while canoeing today.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Lovin’ it in Sunriver

We are so enjoying Thousand Trails Bend we extended our stay for one more week. As I mentioned last time the sites are really large, at least where we are parked. With pine trees surrounding us (yet we can still get satellite coverage) it is really peaceful. I was told that there are supposed to be around 160 RV’s coming in for the holiday weekend, so I may have to retract the “peaceful” part later! ;o)

We’ve been relaxing, reading, surfing the net and going for walks, kinda our usual stuff. The other day Dave got a wild hair (well perhaps that isn’t the best phrase but you know what I mean) to get his hair cut really short, so off it came. Normally I don’t cut his hair but I thought I could handle “really short“. We both think it turned out just fine. Don’t think he has had it this short since he was in the Marines! Even though it saved some $ I don’t think I’ll have him do my hair anytime soon!

Photo: A squirrel by our campsite
Video: Taken on our walk yesterday, mostly following the Deschutes River that goes along side the park

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Sunriver, Oregon

We arrived at the Bend Thousand Trails park in Sunriver, OR yesterday, what a fabulous drive from Biggs Junction south to Bend. The mountains, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, Three Sisters and Mt. Bachelor were so beautiful against the blue sky. I, of course, shot a few photos to share.

We got a bit of a late start leaving Prosser, I had mail sent to us in Prosser that would have arrived Friday, unfortunately I forgot to pick it up!! Oops! (I was busy Friday having fun with my friends Debbie & Sandy) The Prosser Post Office isn’t open Saturday so I was there waiting at 8:30 Monday morning. Once we were on the road Dave suggested stopping for brunch in Biggs Junction so we did. Finally, about 3:00 p.m. we were at the park and getting set up.

Another fabulous Thousand Trails park. It is thick with pine trees and the sites are very roomy. Even Cheye is happy as there are plenty of squirrels and gophers to keep her entertained for hours.

Photos
Above: our site
Below: some mountain photos taken on our drive from Prosser, WA to Sunriver, OR
1. Mt. Adams
2. Mt. Hood
3. The Three Sisters
4. Mt. Bachelor




Sunday, May 17, 2009

Off we go

Being back in Prosser and the Yakima Valley has been fun. We’ve been busy going out with friends, visiting family and just enjoying the area, but we head out tomorrow.

The weather was a bit rough when we arrived, lots of wind, but it has smoothed out and was great today. Made it up to 90! Just beautiful. The park (Wine Country RV) filled up some over the weekend and I expected it to empty out a bit today, but not so. With this nice weather I guess it’s time for everyone to start camping!

Photos
Top: our site at Wine Country RV in Prosser, WA
Below: a happy Cheyenne

Thursday, May 14, 2009

A little visiting, a little tasting

We have been having fun visiting with friends and family while we are here in Prosser, WA. We also managed to fit in a little wine tasting this trip. There are quite a few wineries just down the road from Wine Country RV Park so that‘s where we decided to go. They have organized the area nicely with paved walking paths between the different wineries so wandering and tasting is very pleasant. We visited just 4, Milbrandt Vineyards, Olsen Estates, Airfield Estates, Thurston-Wolfe and we managed to fine something we liked at each one!

Photos outside and inside of 3 wineries

Milbrandt Vineyard



Olsen Estates


Airport Estates


Wednesday, May 13, 2009

One Year!



As of today we have been full time RVer’s for one year. In May of 2008 Dave's last day of work was the 9th, our home was sold and we needed to move out on the 13th, it was a crazy day! Having to finish up all the last minute things, cleaning and getting the trailer packed. We moved into our Salem fifth wheel and drove about 12 miles west to Wine Country RV Park in Prosser, WA and began our new lifestyle as RVer's. It just so happens we are currently at Wine Country RV again, so we are right back where we started our adventure.

We have traveled through 9 states, met a lot of nice people, made some new friends and have seen a lot of beautiful country. Lots of memories and an incredible year. I’m so glad we decided to go full time, I hope this is just the first of many happy years RVing.

Video below: A few photos of places we have visited this year.


Free Glitter Graphics



Monday, May 11, 2009

In Prosser again

We are back where we began our adventure, Prosser WA. About a month ago we were here for a couple weeks, this time we will be here a week and then off we go for another year or so.

I took a few photos while driving through the Columbia River Gorge. It is so beautiful right now, the trees are that new-leaf-green. The Gorge from Portland to at least The Dalles (to Maryhill State Park is even better) is a fabulous drive, if you are ever in the area put it on your list of things to do! I've posted a few links below.

Photos
Top: Multnomah Falls
Below:
1. Tunnel in the Gorge
2. House in the Gorge
3. Maryhill Museum
4. Stonehenge by Maryhill
5. View of Maryhill State Park along the Columbia River





Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother’s Day

We had a nice Mother’s Day gathering, well it was a combination luncheon to celebrate both Mother’s Day and my sister’s birthday. There were 7 of us present; Mom, Boni (my sis), Dave (her hubby), Sarah (my neice), Michael (my nephew) and Dave & I. We had a fun time and good visit. The weather was perfect so we were able to sit out on Mom’s deck for lunch.

Sarah and I had planned our afternoon soiree via email for the last couple months. We decided to have kabobs and bread. For dessert we had angel food cake with strawberries and ice cream. It all turned out quite tasty. A very pleasant day and visit.

Photos
Above: Mount Hood from Hwy 14
Below:
1. All of us on the deck
2. Dave and Dave
3. Standing: Sarah, Lori, Boni. Seated: Mom
4. Kabobs and some bread grilling
5. Dessert






Saturday, May 9, 2009

Visiting Mom

The weather here in Vancouver has turned to wonderful sunshine! This area is really beautiful when the sun is out, of course it wouldn’t be so beautiful if it didn’t rain so much to make it green.

We are still visiting with Mom. Tomorrow we will have most of my sister’s family with us for a Mother’s Day barbecue. Should be fun!

While here at Mom’s we have some fabulous internet speeds which is needed to use the “instant movie” feature in Adobe Premiere, the video editing program I use. So of course I had to try it out! Kinda fun. FYI, the video is of Cheye (of course). The ball is a toy you can fill with food and there is a little hole that the food pops out of when she pushes it around….

Photo: Cheye waking up (tried to get her sleeping but she heard me)
Video: Cheye and her food ball at Mom's. Works better here than in the trailer...more floor space! :o)


Thursday, May 7, 2009

Back in Vancouver, WA

Yep, we are back in Vancouver, WA at the Van Mall RV Park. Since it is Mother’s Day weekend we thought it only apropos to visit with Mom through Sunday.

Our drive down from Chehalis yesterday was extremely wet. We got in, set up and relaxed just a little before we went over to Mom’s. Today Mom and I did a little shopping and later the three of us went out to dinner at Spaghetti Factory. It was quite tasty. My sister (Boni) and her husband (Dave) were at Mom’s when we got back from dinner, but just for a couple minutes, they were on their way down to Salem so they couldn't stay long.

Boni and Dave have an interesting occupation, Dave is a potter and Boni does the artwork on the pottery. Here is a link to an article about them written in April.

photos
Top: one of Mom's neighbor's home with beautiful flowers
Below: Flowers in Mom's neighborhood


Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Leaving Chehalis

We woke up to pouring rain this morning…nothing like breaking camp in the pouring rain! But we got everything ready to go and left Thousand Trails Chehalis a little before 8:00 a.m.. Our appointment at the repair shop was for 8:30 and they got started on the trailer right away. Didn’t take long to get everything done, about an hour and we were off. Yeah! We drove over to Jim & Kathy’s, dropped the trailer and went into Chehalis for a few groceries. After we got back to the trailer it was a pretty quiet afternoon, a little cleaning and a lot of relaxing.

When we were in town we picked up a u-bake pizza so Jim, Kathy, Dave and I had pizza this evening and some fun conversation. We’ve had a good time in Chehalis and it’s been great to spend some time with Jim & Kathy.

Photos:
all taken at Thousand Trails Chehalis, WA a couple days ago


Sunday, May 3, 2009

In Chehalis a couple more days

We only have tonight and tomorrow night here at Thousand Trails Chehalis and then we move. On Tuesday we will drop the trailer off for some minor repairs we’ve saved up over the year and will spend the night at Jim & Kathy’s. It’s going to seem odd to not have the trailer to spend the day in!

The park filled up some over the weekend but it is back to just a few of us now. I did meet and chat with one couple that was parked next to us. They have been Thousand Trail members for 10 years and hope to become fulltimers in a few years. It really is a great lifestyle, I feel so lucky to be able to live like this. Just 10 more days and we will have been on the road for 1 year…amazing!!

Photos
Top: Cheye and the dog park sign
Middle: the ferns are coming out
Bottom: deer by the dog park
Video: The dog park and some deer.