We'll be leaving Tillamook County today. Our route, like Lewis and Clark, will retrace our pathway out here. Our first stop will be at Cape Disappointment where we will visit our friends who are working as park hosts there. We will only stay one night though then head back to Big Fir campground near Ridgefield, Wa. That will be a two night stay so we can see our son and granddaughter again. Thursday we will move to Rufus for an overnight along the Columbia River before heading the rest of the way to Wallowa on Friday.
The Wallowa County Fair begins on Saturday and our grandson will be showing his 4-H horse which, of course, we must see!
We won't have internet access while we travel since we use a Hughesnet Dish and I won't be able to set it up until we get back to wallowa.
It will be interesting to see how we do now that the trailer has all new bushings in the suspension. I've noticed that a squeek we had is gone but we have more sway back and forth as one of us walks around. I'll need to use my tire chocks. Watch for a blog about these in my other blog about RV tips.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Dogs and Choices
We've been on the road for the past week. We stayed the first night along Highway 84 near Rufus. The next two nights were at a little "Passport" campground near Ridgefield Washington called "Big Fir Campground." Then the past two nights were spent at Cape Disappointment State Park. I'll talk about each of these later as I have time to edit my photo's from them and do a good job of describing my impressions.
What I want to talk about here has to do with dogs and choices.
At Cape Disappointment there was a fairly large group of people camping together just a couple of sites away from us. They had five or six tents in their site and on the first night the kids played and everyone was smiling and exited to see one another. One of their group had brought along is two dogs though. Both large Pit Bulls. These dogs had begun to act up as we were moving our rig into our site but the owner was quick to quiet them. As time went on it became apparent that this dog owner had to be on his toes with these dogs as he constantly had to watch them and keep them under control. They were tied though so were not loose and running about on their own. Everything went smoothly for them and us the first day and we went about our business with out incident. We visited friends who were hosting in the park then came home late and went to bed. It had begun to rain anyway so no point in staying out and getting wet.
Next morning as everyone was getting up and preparing coffee and breakfast we suddenly noticed running and excited activity in the campsite with all the tents. One woman ran carrying a small boy to a car and it immediately left for help. Others were running about as well and some were using cell phones to talk to people someplace. That was amazing to us since our phones didn't even pick up a signal at our location. At first I thought the boy had fallen in the fire or had otherwise gotten a bad burn. Almost immediately a park ranger arrived with his lights flashing. he began talking to people from the campsite and then the owner of the dogs arrived as well. He had been off somewhere. That's when we heard what had happened. One of the dogs had bitten the boy, a nine year old, in the face. From above his ear to his throat.
Suddenly what was to have been a wonderful weekend with friends now turned into a very tragic one. One in which everyone there will be scarred for life. All because somebody had to bring animals he knew he had to watch closely. What will happen to the dogs now? I don't know, they are known to be unpredictable, but until they attack someone, virtually every owner I know will say that his dogs are safe. How many times a week do we hear about someone being attacked by these dogs? Why do people insist on keeping and having them, especially people who are not prepared and who do not know how to handle them? A nine year old boy will carry those scars for life and what about his emotional side? I hope the dogs owner has had his macho attitude sufficiently rebuffed.
Later, as the dogs owner was letting them relieve themselves on the posts at the water faucet that everyone uses for fresh water, I could see the pain in his face. He knew he had screwed up bad, yet he still protected his dogs. Shortly thereafter he pulled his tent and left, with this dogs. I feel sorry for him and his dogs. But not as sorry for him as for the little boy and his family and friends. All because of one mans choice to bring those dogs to a camp with children present.
What I want to talk about here has to do with dogs and choices.
At Cape Disappointment there was a fairly large group of people camping together just a couple of sites away from us. They had five or six tents in their site and on the first night the kids played and everyone was smiling and exited to see one another. One of their group had brought along is two dogs though. Both large Pit Bulls. These dogs had begun to act up as we were moving our rig into our site but the owner was quick to quiet them. As time went on it became apparent that this dog owner had to be on his toes with these dogs as he constantly had to watch them and keep them under control. They were tied though so were not loose and running about on their own. Everything went smoothly for them and us the first day and we went about our business with out incident. We visited friends who were hosting in the park then came home late and went to bed. It had begun to rain anyway so no point in staying out and getting wet.
Next morning as everyone was getting up and preparing coffee and breakfast we suddenly noticed running and excited activity in the campsite with all the tents. One woman ran carrying a small boy to a car and it immediately left for help. Others were running about as well and some were using cell phones to talk to people someplace. That was amazing to us since our phones didn't even pick up a signal at our location. At first I thought the boy had fallen in the fire or had otherwise gotten a bad burn. Almost immediately a park ranger arrived with his lights flashing. he began talking to people from the campsite and then the owner of the dogs arrived as well. He had been off somewhere. That's when we heard what had happened. One of the dogs had bitten the boy, a nine year old, in the face. From above his ear to his throat.
Suddenly what was to have been a wonderful weekend with friends now turned into a very tragic one. One in which everyone there will be scarred for life. All because somebody had to bring animals he knew he had to watch closely. What will happen to the dogs now? I don't know, they are known to be unpredictable, but until they attack someone, virtually every owner I know will say that his dogs are safe. How many times a week do we hear about someone being attacked by these dogs? Why do people insist on keeping and having them, especially people who are not prepared and who do not know how to handle them? A nine year old boy will carry those scars for life and what about his emotional side? I hope the dogs owner has had his macho attitude sufficiently rebuffed.
Later, as the dogs owner was letting them relieve themselves on the posts at the water faucet that everyone uses for fresh water, I could see the pain in his face. He knew he had screwed up bad, yet he still protected his dogs. Shortly thereafter he pulled his tent and left, with this dogs. I feel sorry for him and his dogs. But not as sorry for him as for the little boy and his family and friends. All because of one mans choice to bring those dogs to a camp with children present.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
On the move
Well we'll be on the move again today. The plan is to head over toward the coast from our location in NE Oregon. We won't have Internet access while we're moving so watch for delayed posts as to where we've been and how the trip has progressed.
Depending on when we get moving we'll either spend the night on the road at Rufus or in a park near La Center WA. We have a new Grand Daughter there and wish to see her. From there we plan to visit friends who are park hosting near Cape Disappointment, then head south to family property near Garibaldi, OR. We will help host a family reunion there. I have a couple of photography projects I would like to do while in that area too so we won't leave right away.
Depending on when we get moving we'll either spend the night on the road at Rufus or in a park near La Center WA. We have a new Grand Daughter there and wish to see her. From there we plan to visit friends who are park hosting near Cape Disappointment, then head south to family property near Garibaldi, OR. We will help host a family reunion there. I have a couple of photography projects I would like to do while in that area too so we won't leave right away.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wallowa River Rv Park
We are now situated in Wallowa at the Wallowa River RV park. There are several other full time RV'rs who spend the summers here with us.
The park is located along the Wallowa River at the edge of the town of Wallowa. The river is available for fishing and the park has about 800 feet of river frontage. The new owners, 
Debbie and Clarence Aherins and their dog Maggie, just completed remodeling the showers and they are beautiful and the best I've ever seen in an RV park anywhere in the country.
They have added a small raised garden area where long term visitors can grow vegetables and enjoy gardening with the other park folks.
Debbie loves a potluck and will often host one in which all guests are invited to participate. Guests can meet one another and make new friends. These are totally at random and anyone or anything can be the catalyst to get one going. Just tell people it's happening and we all show up.
The park is also next to land owned by the Nez Perce Indians where the annual Tamakaliks Celebration is held each July. This is a friendship celebration and everyone is invited. The Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs and other tribes set up Teepee's to live in and have drumming and dance competitions. There are also friendship dances in which everyone is invited and encouraged to participate. Vendors sell jewelry and other gifts and souvenirs.
While all children are welcome at Wallowa River RV park, it is more suited to older campers without kids. It is a quiet setting, with mowed lawns along the river, and all the sites are pull through sites. There are a total of 31 spaces that rent by the night for $30.00 dollars, by the week for $165.00 dollars, and by the month for $300.00 dollars plus electric. A few older sites still only have 30amp power but many are both 30 and 50amp. Time wise, the park is about an hour from LaGrande, 30 minutes from Enterprise, and about 45 minutes from Joseph and Wallow Lake.
If you are interested in staying in a place with beautiful scenery, friendly people, and a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, this just might be what you are looking for.
To get here just come to Wallowa. Take the Whiskey Creek Road turn off at the east end of town and cross the Wallowa river. The park will be on your left just as you cross the bridge. Tell Debbie or Clarence that Dwain sent you!
The park address is 503 Whiskey Creek Road, Wallowa, Or. 97885 PH/Fax 541-886-7002.
Email: wrrvpark@gmail.com. Website: wallowariverrvpark.com
Debbie and Clarence Aherins and their dog Maggie, just completed remodeling the showers and they are beautiful and the best I've ever seen in an RV park anywhere in the country.
The park is also next to land owned by the Nez Perce Indians where the annual Tamakaliks Celebration is held each July. This is a friendship celebration and everyone is invited. The Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs and other tribes set up Teepee's to live in and have drumming and dance competitions. There are also friendship dances in which everyone is invited and encouraged to participate. Vendors sell jewelry and other gifts and souvenirs.
While all children are welcome at Wallowa River RV park, it is more suited to older campers without kids. It is a quiet setting, with mowed lawns along the river, and all the sites are pull through sites. There are a total of 31 spaces that rent by the night for $30.00 dollars, by the week for $165.00 dollars, and by the month for $300.00 dollars plus electric. A few older sites still only have 30amp power but many are both 30 and 50amp. Time wise, the park is about an hour from LaGrande, 30 minutes from Enterprise, and about 45 minutes from Joseph and Wallow Lake.
If you are interested in staying in a place with beautiful scenery, friendly people, and a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, this just might be what you are looking for.
To get here just come to Wallowa. Take the Whiskey Creek Road turn off at the east end of town and cross the Wallowa river. The park will be on your left just as you cross the bridge. Tell Debbie or Clarence that Dwain sent you!
The park address is 503 Whiskey Creek Road, Wallowa, Or. 97885 PH/Fax 541-886-7002.
Email: wrrvpark@gmail.com. Website: wallowariverrvpark.com
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Thinking About Moving On...
In about two weeks we will be leaving Wallowa for the Oregon coast. We have two family reunions to attend. We will be staying near Garibaldi, Oregon. While there we will try to see family and friends.
We are hoping to travel to the Washington coast to visit friends who are park hosting at Cape Disappointment before attending the family reunions.
We had a propane leak and lost almost 2 propane tanks of gas. Dwain was able to fix the leak. Must refill the tanks tomorrow.
We are hoping to travel to the Washington coast to visit friends who are park hosting at Cape Disappointment before attending the family reunions.
We had a propane leak and lost almost 2 propane tanks of gas. Dwain was able to fix the leak. Must refill the tanks tomorrow.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Wallowa
We are spending a couple of months in Wallowa, Oregon. Wallowa is located in NE Oregon. Our daughter Heather and her family live here. Know what that means...GRANDCHILDREN! Our grandsons, Patrick and Joshua are a great way to spend the summer. We are in the middle of baseball season.
The weather has ranged from 70 to 90 degrees, with some rainy days, thunder and lightening. Such is spring in Wallowa County. It will soon be too hot!
Wallowa Valley is a scenic area with beautiful snow capped mountains, the Eagle Cap Wilderness that provides many hiking adventures. It is the home of Wallowa Lake and Wallowa Lake State Park. The lake freezes over in the winter. Fishing is GREAT. The community of Joseph is home to several bronze foundries and is an art-filled area. There is not one stop light in the county.
We stay in Wallowa River RV Park located at the east end of the City of Wallowa on Whiskey Creek Road. The owners are nice folks and dedicated to their patrons. The park has 31 sites with an additional area for tents and storage of your RV. It is located along side the Wallowa River. Fishing is GREAT here too.
From here we plan to spend about a month on the Oregon coast near Tillamook.
The weather has ranged from 70 to 90 degrees, with some rainy days, thunder and lightening. Such is spring in Wallowa County. It will soon be too hot!
Wallowa Valley is a scenic area with beautiful snow capped mountains, the Eagle Cap Wilderness that provides many hiking adventures. It is the home of Wallowa Lake and Wallowa Lake State Park. The lake freezes over in the winter. Fishing is GREAT. The community of Joseph is home to several bronze foundries and is an art-filled area. There is not one stop light in the county.
We stay in Wallowa River RV Park located at the east end of the City of Wallowa on Whiskey Creek Road. The owners are nice folks and dedicated to their patrons. The park has 31 sites with an additional area for tents and storage of your RV. It is located along side the Wallowa River. Fishing is GREAT here too.
From here we plan to spend about a month on the Oregon coast near Tillamook.
What to do when it's raining!
If you've been on the road on a rainy day, you know that it can cause a number of problems or situations you will need to deal with. These include getting your rig really dirty if you're towing, newly discovered leaks, difficult driving conditions, and so on.
Personally I prefer being parked someplace and just relaxing in my rig while watching it rain. It's a perfect time to enjoy a book, or maybe a favorite movie. Most rigs nowadays have entertainment systems that allow music or video that is better than or at least equal to what you have at home. When we still had our house, I used to go out to our rig on rainy days and just sit and watch out the windows.
One of my favorite places to park my rig in foul weather is in one of Oregon's beautiful state parks. Especially somewhere along the Oregon Coast. The Coastal towns and communities are used to wet weather and it is perfect for the RV'r to visit these places. Most of the other tourist traffic is not in town on wet days so you can visit shops and restaurants at your leisure. Sitting inside a big picture window in a nice restaurant and watching a rainstorm on the Oregon Coast is a pleasure.
Personally I prefer being parked someplace and just relaxing in my rig while watching it rain. It's a perfect time to enjoy a book, or maybe a favorite movie. Most rigs nowadays have entertainment systems that allow music or video that is better than or at least equal to what you have at home. When we still had our house, I used to go out to our rig on rainy days and just sit and watch out the windows.
One of my favorite places to park my rig in foul weather is in one of Oregon's beautiful state parks. Especially somewhere along the Oregon Coast. The Coastal towns and communities are used to wet weather and it is perfect for the RV'r to visit these places. Most of the other tourist traffic is not in town on wet days so you can visit shops and restaurants at your leisure. Sitting inside a big picture window in a nice restaurant and watching a rainstorm on the Oregon Coast is a pleasure.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)