May – Aug 2018

Let’s Travel-Picking Up the RV

Rosie and I head west to Portland, OR for the RV pickup on Monday, June 6th. Sue joins us on June 10-11 and we'll take our time coming home. Read more

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Trip start
May 28, 2018
Let’s Travel-Picking Up the RV Traveler
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Day 1
Monday, May 28, 2018 at 7:00 AM
☀️ 73 °F
Altitude: 46 ft
United States Avery Island 36.881538, -76.0598636°52’54” N 76°3’35” W
1
Car is PACKED
May 28, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
Got as much as we could into my car, leaving a bit for Rosie and I to drive. Heading to Lexington, KY. Sue will ship anything else.

My plan is about 600 miles per day; that puts us into Sandy, OR on Friday afternoon (time changes help in this direction).Read more
TravelerSafe travels
5/28/18Reply
Traveler Daily Stops
5/28/18Reply
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Day 1
Monday, May 28, 2018 at 6:39 PM
⛅ 77 °F
Altitude: 965 ft
United States Highlands 38.100135, -84.4819438°6’0” N 84°28’55” W
Lexington, KY
May 28, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
Not too bad for the first day....

HOWEVER, LOOKY WHAT I FOUND FOR DINNER!!! (see pics). OMG

Next up, Kansas City, MO tomorrow....

In boating (cruising), going where you've been before is called "crossing your wake".... Tomorrow, I make new wakes.....Never driven past Louisville.....Read more
TravelerHave Fun be safe...
5/28/18Reply
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Day 1
Monday, May 28, 2018 at 8:33 PM
🌧 70 °F
Altitude: 978 ft
United States Highlands 38.100187, -84.48190838°6’1” N 84°28’55” W
Alberto is Here
May 28, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 70 °F
I'm a VERY lucky guy in at least two (2) ways:

1. I have a friend that gave away Monarch Bank Golf Umbrellas on our Bourbon trip.....
2. I have a wife who is always thinking and shoved one in my car before we left.

Alberto showed up in Lexington with emphasis but Rosie doesn't seem to care....... I finally gave in after the barking was disturbing the other roomsRead more
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Day 2
Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 4:38 PM
☀️ 90 °F
Altitude: 761 ft
United States Avondale 39.147144, -94.55873939°8’50” N 94°33’31” W
1
"Kansas City Here I Come"
May 29, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 90 °F
7AM departure; the time change to Central time helped a bit.

“Crossed my wake” at 8:10 EDT.

Arrived at hotel at 3:30..... Nice to just unpack and relax. Rosie was anxious to get out and "stretch" her legs (and mark everywhere). Got a quick shot of St. Louis Arch as I went by...beautiful. It's a bucket list return.

Ran into Alberto as soon as we left Louisville and headed a bit north. Immediately went into Indiana and rain/fog was pretty heavy until Illinois.... Cloudy until Missouri. Then 95° and sunny....

Gas prices are up 45 cents...,.

Rosie immediately resumed her nap once in hotel.Read more
TravelerHow do dogs sleep so much?
5/29/18Reply
TravelerI’m envious
5/29/18Reply
Traveler Very cool!!!!!
5/29/18Reply
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Day 3
Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 11:50 AM
☀️ 72 °F
Altitude: 2,208 ft
United States South Channel Platte River 40.677738, -99.27240840°40’40” N 99°16’21” W
Half way
May 30, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
Clicked here just to set a footprint as my mileage his the half way point.

Interesting being on I-80 as I spent so much time on it in NY, NJ and San Francisco. I-80 starts at the George Washington bridge and ends at the Bay Bridge in San Francisco.Read more
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Day 3
Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 2:41 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 5,984 ft
United States Altvan 41.141275, -104.69331241°8’29” N 104°41’36” W
Rockies in sight!!!
May 30, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
TravelerBeautiful area!
5/30/18Reply
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Day 3
Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 5:01 PM
🌧 59 °F
Altitude: 6,119 ft
United States KVWO Radio Tower (Cheyenne)41.121094, -104.84738941°7’16” N 104°50’51” W
1 1
Cheyenne, Wy
May 30, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
Glad to cross another time zone (mountain). Makes arrival time better. However, Rosie hasn’t adjusted so she wakes me up at 6:00am EDT no matter where we are. Gotta work on that.

Big thunderstorm cleaned off all the bugs on arrival.

Nice 80mph area on I-80 on way here.

Sights are incredible from Kansas City. Pass miles and miles of plains, rolling hills and then the hills get bigger, leading to the Rockies.

Anyone that thinks our country is overcrowded needs to get on I-70/80. Miles and miles of open country. Incredibly beautiful. The return trip will be more of a sight-seeing trip and we’ll have more pictures.

Cheyenne is full of refineries....not very attractive but prosperous.

Cool trains though. 4 engines in front, 1 in rear and over 100 double decker cars.Read more
TravelerTrump country!
5/30/18Reply
Traveler Such a sweet face
5/31/18Reply
Traveler Cool!!!!
5/31/18Reply
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Day 4
Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 4:16 AM
🌙 45 °F
Altitude: 6,115 ft
United States KVWO Radio Tower (Cheyenne)41.121228, -104.84715141°7’16” N 104°50’50” W
Ugh....Time Zone Change
May 31, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 45 °F
Love time zone changes as we travel West (it will be bad returning) as our arrivals get earlier and earlier; passing into a new zone daily.

However, Rosie doesn’t adjust, awaking one hour earlier every day.

This morning we’re in MDT (Mountain time) and she’s ready to go at 3:55 AM. Oh wellRead more
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Day 4
Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 6:58 AM
⛅ 55 °F
Altitude: 3,632 ft
United States Perrine Coulee Falls 42.593196, -114.46950742°35’36” N 114°28’10” W
Mileage
May 31, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
Took this picture as my trip hit 2,000 miles.

Interesting facts:

•. From home to Kansas City my gas mileage was 29GPM.... not bad

• From Kansas City to Cheyenne it dropped to 23.4MPG.... very subtle climb that costs a lot in gas mileage.

• From Cheyenne to Twin Falls, GPM increased again to over 27GPM.

Twin Falls elevation is 3,745' ASL and Sandy, Or is only 1,000' ASL so it's all downhill from here.Read more
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Day 4
Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 8:05 PM
🌧 54 °F
Altitude: 3,632 ft
United States Perrine Coulee Falls 42.593278, -114.46937842°35’36” N 114°28’10” W
1
Arrived Twin Falls, Idaho
May 31, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 54 °F
As Rosie gets me up at 6:00AM EDT (which is now 3:00AM PDT) we arrived Twin Falls at around 2:00 PDT. She's having eating issues (not eating) so I spent some time getting some things to help.... Chicken & rice (bland) are always successful.... So she's on her way back. She seems to shut down a bit when we travel.

As I was leaving Cheyenne this morning at sunrise, I had a number of thoughts that I wanted to jot down as I considered them, so I made notes:

•. As I entered I-80, I noticed something I haven't seen before on my GPS. It said "378 miles to next turn"...wow

• As the sun rose, about 65 miles west of Cheyenne, there was a dead moose (yep, a MOOSE) on the side of the road, covered by vultures....who couldn't care less that they were being passed at 75-90mph...

•. This country is incredibly beautiful, stunning in the long, uninhabited stretches....when you get to the towns, not so much...

•. As I entered Utah, I was interested In signs announcing "Devil's Slide"...so I had to stop for pictures (below)...pretty amazing

•. There are miles and miles of snow fences (6'-8' high), a hint of the magnitude of the winters.

• I lost count of all the windmills...all hundreds of feet tall...

•. Many exits included signs announcing "I-80 closed; exit here". I have a feeling it's for snow "events"

•. Many over passes/bridges included wind socks and notices about high winds.... I want to come back in a winter event....Read more
Traveler Neat shot😊
6/1/18Reply
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Day 4
Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 8:25 PM
🌧 54 °F
Altitude: 3,632 ft
United States Perrine Coulee Falls 42.593278, -114.46937842°35’36” N 114°28’10” W
Counting Down
May 31, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 54 °F
So tomorrow, Rosie and I have one leg left; only 553 miles (shortest leg). We will head straight to the hotel and settle in for 3-4 days (a welcome change to our schedule).

I'll get Rosie into day care in Sandy, Oregon on Sat and meet with our broker and get to finally see the new "Rosie Bus" RV (naming rights still exist)..... Sunday, we're on our own.

Monday morning, check out of hotel, back to day care for Rosie and I'll go thru orientation then we move into the RV, spending the night on the dealer's site.

Tuesday, we take the RV to Portland and settle into the park awaiting Sue's arrival....

In the mean time while in Portland, we get to hassle Nathan ;-)Read more
TravelerAlmost there. Go Jerry and Rosie
5/31/18Reply
TravelerExciting! The Plan came together well! Yay!
6/1/18Reply
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Day 5
Friday, June 1, 2018 at 6:22 AM
☀️ 46 °F
Altitude: 3,327 ft
United States City of Wendell 42.815048, -114.78046742°48’54” N 114°46’50” W
New Record
June 1, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 46 °F
Got on I-84 to Final destination , Sandy, Or.

“Distance to next turn 537 miles”. Wow
TravelerYay!!!!! Home stretch
6/1/18Reply
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Day 5
Friday, June 1, 2018 at 7:27 AM
☀️ 48 °F
Altitude: 2,149 ft
United States Johnson Island 44.039682, -116.9648744°2’23” N 116°57’54” W
Oregon State Line
June 1, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 48 °F
2,677 miles from home.
TravelerYay!!!!!!!!!!
6/1/18Reply
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Day 5
Friday, June 1, 2018 at 3:13 PM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 289 ft
United States C P City Park 45.518172, -122.39880345°31’5” N 122°23’56” W
Arrived 1:30 PDT
June 1, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Heckuva trip. I’ll post pics tonight.
TravelerGlad to hear your there! Now for some well deserved rest I recommend a nice bourbon on a rock
6/1/18Reply
TravelerYep. Amazing how Buffalo Trace is available, multiple sizes, West of Mississippi.
6/1/18Reply
TravelerIt's a racket we are the pawns enjoy
6/1/18Reply
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Day 5
Friday, June 1, 2018 at 6:34 PM
☀️ 68 °F
Altitude: 302 ft
United States Red Sunset Park 45.515767, -122.41213145°30’57” N 122°24’44” W
Arrival Reflections
June 1, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
•. Next time, I probably would add a day of rest after every other stop. Five (5) straight 600 mile days is tough on me and Rosie.

• La Quinta Inns are "hit and miss"...I've seen really nice ones and really, really bad ones on this trip.
Lexington, KY: Terrible, and I've seen bad..... Sue would've walked away as soon as the door was opened. It stunk.
Kansas City, MO: A step up from Lexington...although a baby step.
Cheyenne, WO: Almost walked away when I drove up, but inside it was much better than the previous two. Turned out to be acceptable.
Twin Falls, ID: Beautiful.... What Sue and I were used to on previous travels. I'd stay there again.

Time Zones: Never thought about how they'd affect Rosie. She has not adapted at all. This AM (in MDT, 2 hrs ahead of EDT) she awoke at 3:55 AM local..... which is 5:55 AM EDT...what she's used to... and once she's up, you're up... We're staying in this hotel (PDT) 3 nights so it'll be interesting if she starts to adjust. She's passed out right now at 6:45 PM local (9:45 EDT) so she's ready for a final, night walk and a "toothbrush" treat... Only problem is, the sun is still way high...

Traveling with a pet:
•. Rosie is a GREAT companion and very used to long days (not our first trip)
•. She "shut's down" on eating when we travel. It's a problem but she seems to be OK. I've tried multiple foods but finally got her to eat some grilled chicken and white rice.... turns her nose up at all her old standards and even new foods. Doesn't even want to touch prebiotics...but I snuck some in...
• I think she would really like to slow down a bit as well, however, she's such a "system" dog, it's almost like she anticipates the process. In the morning, once we get in the car and get started, she "assumes the position", looks around for a bit, stares at her bed and I put her in. She's out for the count until I stop for gas... Then, we walk, take a sip of water and start again.
• Marking in hotels is really not an issue as long as she's walked before we go in and I make her sit while waiting for elevators or at front desks... Once in the room, she's really OK as well (except at Lexington; where I don't think she was the first (or the fifth)

This picture was at 4:02 PDTRead more
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Day 5
Friday, June 1, 2018 at 7:16 PM
☀️ 66 °F
Altitude: 302 ft
United States Red Sunset Park 45.515767, -122.41213145°30’57” N 122°24’44” W
Cleaning Up
June 1, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
Here's the final tally.

•. 135 gallons regular gas
•. 3,049.2 miles from home to hotel in Oregon
• 22.6 GPM (average)

As I mentioned before, I saw 29MPG from home to Kansas City. The trip climbing the rockies, up and down, really kills your mileage.Read more
TravelerYou made it, congratulations. Send us a picture of the new Mercedes ride. Hope it doesn’t squeak and rattle.
6/2/18Reply
TravelerGlad u made it Any Weller along the way
6/2/18Reply
TravelerNo Weller anywhere
6/2/18Reply
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Day 8
Monday, June 4, 2018 at 9:00 AM
⛅ 50 °F
Altitude: 1,175 ft
United States Sandy River Airport 45.385435, -122.23359945°23’8” N 122°14’1” W
Time for the Unveiling
June 4, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F
Well, it's time to pick up the RosieBus.... We're staying in a hotel in Gresham, OR (about 15 miles from Sandy, OR, where the dealer is), I found a doggy-day-care in Mt. Hood (minutes from the dealer) and Rosie seems to love going there and it takes a lot of pressure off me.

So I was to show up at the dealer at 9:00 AM for the orientation. The red carpet was out (seriously) while I was introduced to our new vehicle. My "guide" was Art Ambrose and this clearly wasn't his first. All my challenges to the system descriptions were met with clear, concise and reasonable explanations.

After a few hours around the outside and inside, we moved the RV to an on-site customer campsite so I could begin the re-packing from my car. I stayed a few hours and went to pick up Rosie. We'll stay here thru Wednesday morning (6/6) when I'll move to a campsite on the Sandy River, not too far from the dealer. This will be the first time I tow my car so I'll take Rosie to day-care again and be focused. Once I have it all set up at the campsite, I'll bring Rosie back.Read more
TravelerOoooo ahhhhh very cool! Looks comfortable and clean😊 yay!
6/6/18Reply
TravelerBeautiful congratulations jerry!
6/6/18Reply
TravelerYahoo you got to unpack the car!
6/6/18Reply
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Day 9
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 10:00 AM
☀️ 55 °F
Altitude: 1,175 ft
United States Sandy River Airport 45.385435, -122.23359945°23’8” N 122°14’1” W
Looky What I Found
June 5, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
When we first arrived at the parking space, it was pretty cloudy. While walking Rosie, look what popped out of the clouds!! Mt. Hood is directly out the window...

What an incredible view.....
TravelerBeautiful
6/6/18Reply
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Day 10
Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 1:11 PM
☀️ 70 °F
Altitude: 23 ft
United States Harlow Creek 45.538769, -122.38098145°32’20” N 122°22’52” W
RosieBus has arrived
June 6, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
With car in tow (first time) we have occupied, with no damages, out first campsite.

Beautiful space, with shade, on a creek directly to the rear, and the Sandy River on other side of site. Rosie will love this.

We’ll await Sue’s arrival next week and start seeing the sights and most importantly, bothering Nathan.

Picked up Rosie from daycare. She was already tired. So after a long nap (both of us), we walked a long 2 mile walk around the park and surrounding neighborhood. She was exhausted and immediately passed out.

LIFE IS GOOD!!!Read more
TravelerSo awesome!😎 nice spot!
6/6/18Reply
TravelerVery cool
6/7/18Reply
TravelerLooks like the place we stayed LMAO
6/7/18Reply
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Day 12
Friday, June 8, 2018 at 5:09 PM
🌧 63 °F
Altitude: 10 ft
United States Harlow Creek 45.53875, -122.38084445°32’19” N 122°22’51” W
Just Relaxing
June 8, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 63 °F
Spent Thursday and Friday relaxing, organizing, setting up TV’s, exploring, etc...

Saturday will be shut in as the rains have arrived. Sue flies in Sunday so the adventure will begin in full.
TravelerBeautiful shots! Looks so relaxing.
6/9/18Reply
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Day 13
Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 8:30 PM
🌧 52 °F
Altitude: 23 ft
United States Harlow Creek 45.538818, -122.38086145°32’20” N 122°22’51” W
Rain and more rain
June 9, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 52 °F
Interesting weather. Light rain; sunshine; heavy rain; sunshine. Nathan advises hail in Portland.

Now, at 8:30pm, rainbow...
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Day 14
Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 10:32 AM
🌧 54 °F
Altitude: 10 ft
United States Harlow Creek 45.538738, -122.38095945°32’19” N 122°22’51” W
We Complete the Occupants
June 10, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 54 °F
Picking up Sue in Portland early afternoon. Rosie bus is ready. It’ll be interesting how we adapt to “Tiny House” living for a little while.

Looking forward to her arrival.

Reservations at this park go thru next Saturday.... Where next??Read more
TravelerWherever you want! Punch any button....
6/11/18Reply
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Day 15
Monday, June 11, 2018 at 6:29 PM
☀️ 70 °F
Altitude: 125 ft
United States Winans Park 45.7094, -121.51071945°42’34” N 121°30’39” W
Mt. Hood and Multnomah Falls
June 11, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Took a day trip to see the Columbia River at Mt. Hood (mainly for PJ Doherty). We’ve been there before buts it’s a nice little town.

Stopped by Multnomah Falls on way back.
TravelerGreat shots! Beautiful!!!
6/12/18Reply
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Day 17
Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at 6:03 PM
⛅ 64 °F
Altitude: 23 ft
United States Harlow Creek 45.538863, -122.38073245°32’20” N 122°22’51” W
Rosie Meets Critters
June 13, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
Lots of long walks end up meeting critters Rosie doesn’t see elsewhere. Generally hard to get pics as it happens so fast.

Rabbits
Squirrels
Ground squirrels
Birds living in shrubs
Slugs (huge). Got a picture of this oneRead more
TravelerToo funny!!!!
6/14/18Reply
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Day 18
Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 10:16 AM
⛅ 59 °F
Altitude: 43 ft
United States South Waterfront City Park 45.505435, -122.67049745°30’20” N 122°40’14” W
Nathans New Diggs
June 14, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
Had dinner with the boy last night. Sue took train into Portland so I crated Rosie and drove in... only 20-25 mins. After dinner, we took Nathan home (He walks to work) and got to see his new place on the river.

Pretty nice views.Read more
TravelerWow!!!! That’s gorgeous!!!!
6/14/18Reply
TravelerYep. Lots of activity on River too
6/14/18Reply
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