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

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

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

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)

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

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

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.