Last Night

We left Chowchilla this morning around 9AM and made it to Adelanto around 2PM. The route via Hwy 99 and over Tehachapi is preferable to going over the Grapevine on I-5 although Hwy 99 is in need of major repairs in most places.

There is not much in Adelanto,however we did see that they are building a Target and Walmart. There are hundreds of newer looking homes here and we are wondering what they do for work.

Tomorrow will be an easy drive home....around 100 miles. Tonight will be our last night on the road and in the 5th wheel before we sell it. We are celebrating with Stater Brothers Deli salads and watching the WSU Cougars on ESPN.

Summer Tour 2013 Almost Over

We have one more night here in Chowchilla,then on to Adelanto where I don't believe they have wifi,and then home. I woke up this morning and realized that we'll be sleeping in the 5th wheel two more nights and then no more.  http://www.adelantorvpark.com/services.html

Next Summer will be a totally different kind of adventure in the cabin in Sequim.

Anyone looking to buy a 5th wheel call me or Jack!

Whiners Territory

We are currently in Chowchilla CA at The Lakes RV Park. This is the nice park where we played free golf on our last stay. Chowchilla is about 150 miles from San Francisco, and we're in  49'er territory now.

Yesterday after a rainy trip over the Siskiyous we got to Red Bluff early and decided to travel down I-5 a bit farther and landed in an RV park in Dunnigan. As Jack put it....it was a step above a Walmart parking lot, but they had full hookups and it was quiet. There were quite a few permanent live-ins. There used to be a golf course at this park but it was overgrown and not in use.

We are here for two nights then on to Adelanto one night and home Sunday.

Canyonville OR

                                              WA Natives will appreciate

Jack arrived in Canyonville OR (7 Feathers RV Park) about 45 minutes ahead of me and set up the 5th wheel. I was kind of surprised, since he got a 2 hour head start on me leaving Tacoma. I don't drive like a bat out of hell, but I  towing the 5th wheel makes a big difference in how fast you can a go.

It rained hard for about 20 minutes. Still cool and showery.

Stormy Sunday

                                            Stormy Day in the Bay

 Woke up to overcast skies and the threat of rain. The wind picked up in the late morning as well.Today is our last day in Sequim. We'll leave in the morning and spend the night at Katie and Derek's in Tacoma before heading south on Tuesday.

Mike and Patty C drove up yesterday to say goodbye and share one last dinner. We paid one last visit to 7 Cedars Casino and Patty won $400 + on a Michael Jackson slot! We dropped off the scooter at The Clam Digger (cabin) and they will store it for the winter for us.We gave Mike and Patty a quick tour of the inside of the cabin and they agree it will be a sweet spot to spend next summer.

Today is a good day to stay inside and watch golf and Seahawks football.

Followup: Jack and Gary caught their limit of Silvers last weekend and they were also able to finish watching the Seahawks football game. The weather cleared up for them Monday for a nice finish to their fishing trip.

                                            A rainbow over Sequim Bay in the Evening

Short Timers

Back in Sequim after spending the weekend with Katie,Madison and Rowan.  Jack is fishing is Seiku with Gary L.  and his son, and Derek made his second attempt to summit Glacier Peak. The climbers turned back short of the summit due to reasons still not totally clear to me.

Jack said they went out in the boat Sunday afternoon and had a few bites but a storm blew in with thunder,lightening and heavy rain so they retreated to the motel to watch the Seahawks game and lost the satellite feed during the game. I don't know if they were ever able to watch the Hawks annihilate the  Forty-Whiners.

We'll be leaving Sequim for our trip south on Monday the 23rd.

Warm Days

                                             Waiting for Mom

 I took the Ferry across to Edmonds on Tuesday and best friend Denise picked me up for a relaxing day at her house enjoying the sunshine.  We walked on the beach by the ferry landing and saw this baby seal. It was being monitored but not fed, and the watchers were hoping it's mother would return to claim it.

Today is also a beautiful sunny day with temps reaching 93 in Seattle...very warm for this time of year. Unfortunately the weather is suppose to change on Sunday when Gary L. and Jack head to Seiku to fish.
.

Sequim Saturday

                                                  Our cabin next summer!

                                            A great dock for crabbing

Jack's brother Gary drove up for the day and we scouted out a church bazaar and the Pumpkin Patch Swap Meet.  Stopped at Sunny Farms for oysters and pistachios.....then on to GreyMarsh Farms for fresh Blueberries and corn on the cob.The tamales at the Pumpkin Patch are the main reason we go there. Gary bought a Coleman stove for $10 and Jack bought a WWII canteen for $1.00. Jack bought  me a silver bracelet that has a goat on it! Not sure where that canteen will wind up but I'm hoping the garage somewhere. :)

The fog finally cleared and it turned out to be a nice day. Mid 60's and some sun.

                                               Seagulls taking a bath in the creek flowing into Sequim Bay this morning

Foggy and Soggy

While Jack did manly RV things today I did some Christmas shopping for the grand kids. I tried to find a particular lavender farm up Lost Mountain Rd but the fog was so thick I couldn't see anything!

I also took a trip up to Ediz Hook in Port Angeles....and Jack if you're reading this I was looking for the kitties and didn't get (m)any rocks so there is really no need to look in the trunk of the car.

Rainy Movie Day

                                                  Garden at the Office

                                          Veggie Garden at the RV Park

Woke up to rain again this morning so we watched a movie about the takeover of the White House by terrorists...but since it starred Morgan Freeman you can guess the outcome. It was a good movie but very violent.

Stopped by to talk to our future landlords at the cabin down the road and get a receipt for our deposit. They are an interesting couple with a long family history in Sequim and lots of tales about the area. Actually enjoying the cooler weather and rain. Looking forward to possible thundershowers.

The Hillbillies next door are rather loud. No banjo music but they are loud talkers....or their motor home walls are paper thin.

Labor Day

We woke up to rain on the roof this morning. Love it.

This RV park is full. People coming and going and parked all over the place.....tents,extra cars, guests....the previous management would be having a cardiac about now. The new managers are friendly and accommodating.  Here is the new web site. http://www.johnwaynewaterfrontresort.com/

 A couple of friendly hillbilly types moved in next door. (Men) One wears a knife strapped to his waist. If I hear banjo music I'm locking the door. Jack's fireman friend from San Diego is back here as well.

Not a real exciting day...laundry,grocery shopping,watching golf and a quick visit to the 7 Cedars Casino.

Have to post a new picture of grandson Rowan, who is two weeks old. He is adorable.

Back to Sequim

We had an uneventful trip back to Sequim this morning. It's nice to be back to our view of Sequim Bay and the John Wayne Marina. Beautiful sunny day, temps in the 70's.

Jack's Back/Cat's in the Closet

Rufus hides out in the closet.

Picked Jack up at SeaTac yesterday afternoon after his run to Palm Desert with the Lincoln. He said his only glitch was spending two hours at the top of the Grapevine in traffic due to a wreck. The Grapevine is the DEVIL. Also the car won't fit in our garage due to all our stuff...so it's at Dick and Sue's....(We'll get it our before you get home D and S!)

We'll b e moving back up to Sequim for a few weeks and then heading south. We've really enjoyed our time with family and friends and especially new baby Rowan.

Trip South

Rowan Day 8

Jack got up at 3AM and headed out the door around 3:30 to begin his trip south with the Lincoln. He'll arrive in Modesto this afternoon, stay with Dorothy and Mervyn, then make the final push home Tuesday afternoon. The car is packed with stuff we figure we don't need for the next month and will sit in the trunk,in the garage until we get back. Jack will fly back up to SeaTac Wednesday afternoon.

I drove up to Tacoma to visit  8 day old Rowan. In this picture above I think he looks like Derek. He is eating and sleeping well. Mom and baby are both healthy and sister Madison is an expert diaper changer already.

***************Update****************

Jack made it to Modesto after about 12 hours on the road. He'll have a shorter day tomorrow to reach the desert.

Lost Lake Bash

We had a great visit today with friend David who was on  his way to Olympia for a wedding. He and I braved the crowds at Wal-Mart AND Cabellas.
This evening the management here is hosting a big bash at "Shangi-la"..sorry for the blurry picture..

They are providing a band and barbecue. I'm not sure we'll attend. Wal-Mart was plenty of excitement for today.

Birthday Boy,Buffet and Ballcap

Jack's brother Gary came out last night to spend the night and celebrate with the birthday boy. We went to the Red Wind Casino for their buffet which included crab!

Also paid a visit to the huge Cabella store out here in Lacey. As a promo,if you sign up for their credit card,they give you a $25 gift certificate and a Cabellas hat. Gary and Jack both applied. Now when you see someone sporting a green Cabella hat you know they took advantage of the promo!

Jack took delivery of his new (to him) Lincoln Town Car. He'll be driving it down to Palm Desert Monday and flying back to Sea Tac Wednesday.

Baby Rowan is ready for some Seahawks tonight!

The Grandkids

Pool Rescue

Jack and I visited the pool here today. They say it is heated but their idea of a heated pool is a bit off from ours. It felt cold, but we braved it anyway. Jack rescued a tiny little mole that was swimming around.  ( We think it was a mole, it had a little pointy nose and fuzzy body)There was no way he could have climbed out on his own. Jack scooped him up with a pool noodle.

Sunny again today and mid 70's.

Rowan Spooner Ebert

The day we have been waiting for finally arrived on Sunday august 18th at 11:21 AM!  Rowan Spooner Ebert was born weighing 9 lbs 5 ounces and 21 inches long. His feet alone are 3 inches long. He and mom are healthy and doing well. Katie called us at 6AM to say she was leaving for the hospital and we arrived shortly after. Delivery was fast. Me and dad were both in attendance.

Technology at St Joseph's in Tacoma is interesting. Mom, dad and baby all have name tags of course, but in addition to that baby has a "tracker" on the umbilical cord. If the baby is taken within 10 feet of an exit door or elevator the doors and elevators lock down and an alarm sounds.No baby stealing going on there.

LeMay Car Museum

Jack and I visited the LeMay Car Museum today  http://www.lemaymuseum.org/vehicles.php

in Tacoma. There are close to 300 vehicles and some  models I had never heard of. It's a huge building next to the Tacoma Dome and 5 minutes from Katie and Derek in case we get the call that baby is on the way.

Had a couple days of nice rain and now it's back up in the 70's and sunny.

Still Waiting.....

The grandson is due tomorrow but I'm not sure he knows that.

Took another nice walk this morning around the 'loop' which is about a mile. It is paved but winds through the heavily forested park.

Another sunny beautiful day...temps around 80.

Waiting......

Today we watched some golf, Tiger and Phil.....really?? and spent a couple hours at The Red Wind Casino. Still waiting for Baby Boy to arrive. Not being told his name and apparently it won't be Henry. He is due on the 13th and looks like he might wait until then, although Jack is betting on tomorrow, the 11th of August, which also happens to be my nephew Eli's birthday.

This park continues to please us with it's convenient location to Katie and Derek as well as shopping...Walmart,Winco,Walgreen..our three W's.

Thunder and lightening last night, which NW folks know is rare,  turned into a warm,nice day around 78 and somewhat humid.

Here is hoping Baby What His Name waits until tomorrow daytime for arrival. We are taking pizza to their house for lunch and a visit.

NW TREK

We drove out to NW Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville today and walked around then took the tram tour. It has been years since I visited the park and Jack had never been there. We saw Elk,Buffalo, Deer, Caribou, Eagles,Bear and Bobcats.  We learned that the male Buffalo will do certain rituals to attract the ladies:  rub their heads on tree pitch to get nice and sticky, then pee in the dirt and roll in it.....sexy guys!

The sun finally came out and it is currently in the 80's. Seahawks preseason game tonight against San Diego. Maybe baby boy will make his appearance...hopefully at halftime.

There Really is a Lake....

There really is a lake here. It is about a mile down a steep road from the RV spots. Quite scenic but not really someplace I would swim since there is also an indoor/outdoor pool here. People fish in it and you can rent paddle boats.

Jack and I made a trip to Cabela's today so he could get some fishing equipment for his trip in September. The Cabela's in Lacey is about 10 miles from here and has EVERYTHING with a heavy emphasis on Duck Dynasty apparel.

After Cabela's we had the lunch buffet at the Red Wind Casino just up the road. It was good and seniors get 25% off.

We are enjoying this RV spot despite the road noise. Jack bought ear plugs and as I mentioned before I can't hear the noise anyway.....one advantage to being half deaf. Our spot has nice shade which we have appreciated on these 80 degree days.

No grandson yet. He is due next week and seems to want to wait until then.

Lost Lake RV Resort

Checked in to Lost Lake yesterday and we have a nice spot near the entrance, however the road noise can be bad at times. We found out this road outside the park is a shortcut between Yelm and I-5, so it is quite busy. Fortunately, I can't hear very well and the noise hasn't bothered me.

This park is beautiful. Some of the pictures show the Park Models and RV spaces. People have really outfitted some of them beautifully with hot tubs,brick barb ques,flowers,outdoor patios and decks etc. We are across the street from a mini golf and play area for kids. There is a real lake with fish. This morning I went for a nice walk around "The Loop" which happens to be exactly one mile.  It is a secured/gated entrance with a clean laundry facility,indoor/outdoor pool and close to shopping in Dupont or Yelm.

The best part is that it is only 20 miles from Katie and Derek's so when we get the call that Baby Boy is on the way we'll be close by.

Crescent Lake

We left a foggy Sequim and headed west 17 miles past Port Angeles to Crescent Lake. Crescent Lake is about 625 feet deep and one of the deepest lakes in Washington. It is usually a deep teal blue on cloudless days. We checked out the Log Cabin Resort, which also has camping. There were a few motor homes and trailers there today. On the other side of the lake is Lake Crescent Lodge and cabins. There are two enormous elk heads mounted inside the lodge. Numerous trails lead away from the Lodges but we didn't hike today.

Back to Sequim where it is still foggy over the water but clearing. About 60 degrees.

Crab Cakes

Mike and Patty are back in town and the crab pots went into the Bay last night. Crab count today = 11

Jack made his fabulous crab cakes and we shared them with our neighbors. We always meet such great people while we're on the road along with the weirdos who are equally as interesting. This guy was a Special Forces guy in the 1960's...very covert stuff. We'd like to talk to him some more about his adventures. Then a young couple from Seattle who are tenting came by and we cooked their crab for them. They apparently forgot their cooker. A fun evening with nice people.

Dingo Boy and StarFish Lady are gone from the park. Dingo Boy had two Dingos and a Dobie in a pen...a Toy Hauler with kennels in back, and he rode a Harley. There is a dog show in Sequim this weekend. The Dingos were nasty little snappers.

Starfish Lady had her RV site all decorated with flags "Wine A Little" "It's 5 O'clock Somewhere", a dog pen filled with pillows and a kiddie wading pool with live starfish and clam shells inside. I saw no sign of any kids or dogs at her site.

Another beautiful,sunny day in Sequim...upper 60's

Another Day, Another Volcano

 

Derek on the summit of Mt. Hood

Congratulations to son-in law Derek who just summitted his 5th volcano....Mt. Hood.

Sunny and warm here in Sequim. Jack and I are enjoying Happy Hour and watching the activity on Sequim Bay.

Eleven Days Left

We have eleven days left in Sequim before we head to Olympia.

This morning we took a drive up to Ediz Hook in Port Angeles to collect some rocks for my "beach" in the desert. I prefer the rocks at Kalaloch, but this is much closer and the rocks are pretty good. It was very foggy in the Straits this morning and windy. Stopped at the fish market for some fresh Rock Fish and Jack's famous Fish N Chips are in the fryer at the moment.

New neighbors from Fresno moved in with their brand new Motor Home and we had a little discussion about which Ferry/Road to take to Seattle. Our suggestion (in our heads only).....skip Seattle and stay here.

The Port Angeles Arts in Action Fair begins Friday. We have always enjoyed this event for the food and sand sculpture exhibits.

Here is a shot of the full moon over Mt Rainier that I borrowed from a news website:

Deposit Made!

We went over and made a deposit on the cabin on Sequim Bay for next Summer (May-Sept) We can't wait. The property is right on the water with a deep water dock and beach we'll have access to.

We have also decided to come back to the John Wayne RV Park ,where we are currently, for the month of September. We'll be at Lost Lake in Olympia next month, August, waiting for baby boy Henry to arrive.

Busy Weekend

Maddy and Katie headed to the baby shower

Lots of baby gifts

Jack held down the fort in Sequim while I drove over to Tacoma to spend Saturday and Sunday with Katie, Madison and Derek.  Madison and I went to the movie "Monster University" on Saturday....shopping and out to lunch.

Sunday was Katie's baby shower at her sister in law's house. She really went all out on fantastic food and decorations for a "nautical" theme. Baby Henry has so many clothes,toys and diapers I'm not sure there is room in his bedroom for everything.

Katie, Maddy and I went to breakfast this morning before dropping Maddy off at Splish Splash camp in Tacoma. Hopefully it was warm enough for all their planned water activities. Back to Sequim Monday afternoon and the sun is out finally!

Sequim Lavender Street Fair

This is a busy weekend in Sequim with the Lavender Festival beginning today. Jack and I know from experience to take the side streets and get to the street fair early. He ate a Gyro and I ate a Chicken/Avocado Crepe after we browsed the vendors.  I had to take a picture of this ridiculous dog dressed up in a foo foo skirt with a bow. Once again I can't understand why people drag their dogs along to street fairs like this where they are hot,tangled in people legs and miserable.

Tomorrow I head to Tacoma to spend the day with Madison and then Sunday is Katie's baby shower. Jack will be batchin' it here in Sequim.

Million Dollar Cabin

we think we've found the perfect rental for next Summer. It's on Sequim Bay, spotless,with two decks, dock, huge yard and wonderful landlords. We talked to them at length today and I think we may have our spot for next year picked out!  We're excited! We'll probably sell the 5th wheel and truck. We've had a wonderful 7 years wandering, but have a special attachment to this Sequim area and are ready for the next phase of our journey.