• Jerry Cox
  • Jerry Cox

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. Leer más
  • Really Nice Walking Areas

    14 de junio de 2018, Estados Unidos ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

    I would rate this camp as a solid 7. Nice, clean bathrooms and sites. Good parking for towed vehicles. Spaces are a bit tight but they’re fine.

    The walking opportunities abound so I can keep Rosie tired out.

    These pics are along the Sandy River, running right along the campsite.

    This morning, we saw a momma duck and more babies than I’ve ever seen.... looked like a duck day care.

    Troutdale is the small town, an easy walk away. They have a few restaurants, antique stores, etc as well as a soggy groomer
    where Rosie finally got a much needed bath.

    Unfortunately, HP spaces were being added along the storefronts so lots of noise, dust and const vehicles kind of messed up the experience.
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  • Dike Road

    17 de junio de 2018, Estados Unidos ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    This park, right on the Columbia, is right at “sea level”. I’ve seen signs that the river has captured a lot of the beach, with irrigation heads 4’ above the sand (where grass used to be).

    So the name of the road to get here makes sense. “Dike Road”.

    Walking Rosie this morning, the “dike” is clearly visible; with the farmland being a good 10’ below the dike.

    The park is also way below the dike, BUT, it’s on the wrong side. So the infrastructure in the park is at risk, not a lot of structures.

    Also, a sea-going tug came down the river, heading into Portland. About 5minutes after it passed, massive waves (wakes) hit the beach. It was easy to see how the erosion occurred.
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  • From Portland Along the Columbia (1)

    17 de junio de 2018, Estados Unidos ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    The trip north was pretty cool. There are multiple bridges over the Columbia River and as the river is so wide, the bridges are incredible. The most exquisite was the "Lewis & Clark" bridge. Very detailed and VERY high (as are all of them to allow the passage of massive ships (containers, Coast Guard and Navy...)

    These pictures are in no particular order...

    On the left sin as we crossed the bridge, there were acres and acres of redwood logs, ready for the mill. The smell of sawdust was everywhere and the bridge was covered with chips from de-barking.
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  • Beautiful Sunsets

    17 de junio de 2018, Estados Unidos ⋅ 🌙 66 °F

    N1 came north for dinner (our kids know who that is - Nathan). After dinner at a less than five star establishment, we grabbed a bit o’Bourbon from Portland (thanks Nate) and took a walk along the river.

    Nate complained about the humidity (45% - a far cry from the 95% in Va Beach) but the night was pretty stunning.

    Rainbows over Mt. St. Helens; Mt. Hood in partial visibility and incredible colors.
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  • Arrived Astoria, Oregon

    25 de junio de 2018, Estados Unidos ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F

    Here for a week and most importantly, Bill Timmons’ (Sue’s cousin) retirement from Coast Guard.

    GPS brought me thru town and up some INCREDIBLY STEEP hills. One, I wasn’t sure the RV could make, with a tow car. With coaxing, and a floored gas pedal, the engine dropped into low and made it. If it didn’t, it would’ve been BAD as I can’t back up with a towed car.

    Picture is from Oregon side of Columbia, looking at Washington. Notice quantities of logs. Incredible volumes... bark and sawdust is everywhere, in the air and on the ground.

    Campground is fairly small, with a limited doggy area; lots of signs “no dogs in this area”. However, the approved area has their own personal fire hydrant.
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  • Want Sturgeon?

    29 de junio de 2018, Estados Unidos ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    Chartered local captain (27’ center console; all aluminum) with local knowledge, to introduce us to Sturgeon fishing. It’s all “catch and release” as it’s out of season.

    These are very old fish. We caught 24 averaging 50 lbs each. A couple were 6’ long and weighed around 75 lbs. That fish was close to 100 years old.... all that we caught were at least 20-30 years old.

    We’re told that Surgeon taste better than lobster so bucket list is to come back for “keeper season”. You can only keep fish that are 48”-56” long even in season. Dana Christian, Chris and Mark Santae went too (all Sue’a side)
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  • Camp Disappointment

    30 de junio de 2018, Estados Unidos ⋅ 🌧 57 °F

    Evening trip to see the Coast Guards light house at the mouth of the Columbia, referred to as the most dangerous one in the United States.

    The “bar” showed and shifts and is relatively shallow but has the most grain exports in the US, not to mention wood.

    Ships are constantly needing assistance.
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  • Lake Diamond RV Park

    2 de julio de 2018, Estados Unidos ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    Left Astoria and taking the 101 Oregon Coast road, we headed south past Eugene and then east to Lake Diamond RV Park. From here, we can make trips to see Crater Lake. Lake Diamond is at El 5,500.

    This will be a first for us since the early 80’s as there is no cell service, no internet, no wifi, no cable, no communications with outside. I have generally been able to figure something out, but not here. It’s also making planning difficult, if not impossible as we have no reservations at next stop.... July 4th. What me worry?

    Also, it dropped to 39 degrees our first night. Neither of us brought winter clothing or blankets.... oh well.
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  • Sisters, Or for a couple days

    4 de julio de 2018, Estados Unidos ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Got up bright and early to head out of Lake Diamond. Three reasons we left....

    1. No internet or cell service; nothing.
    2. Mosquitos... as bad as Minnesota.
    3. Sue’s dad, “Daddy-O” had emergency surgery last night and we needed to be in-touch.

    About a three hour drive but glad to have a full hookup site on the forth with no advance.

    Decided to drive thru Eugene, Or and see if Aubrey Timmons was around. She wasn’t but touring campus was an experience. An RV with a tow car is great but it has one limitation that most don’t know about...

    It can’t back up while the tow car is connected.

    That limitation make directional decisions Very important. Unfortunately, we experienced a bad decision.

    Turning down “University Avenue” would seem to be safe. Not here. We got to an intersection with a “DO NOT ENTER” and the only option being a left turn...which led to a small parking lot, much too small to do a “U” turn. So we had to stop, unhook, turn the RV around and re-hookup. Thank goodness classes were out and the lot was empty.

    Heading east, we followed thE McKensie river thru the McKensie pass. Nice drive but you can clearly see (and still smell) the wildfire that ravaged the Williamette National Forest 15 years ago. For miles and miles all we saw was toothpick trees. Undergrowth is back but incredible devastation.

    Nice spot to see Mt. Washington and the burned out area though.

    One thing we noticed... millions and millions of butterflies. We must’ve killed a thousand coming down the mountain. The gas station person who cleaned the windshield didn’t touch the front end. I have a lot of work to do.
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  • Fruitland, Id for a one nighter

    6 de julio de 2018, Estados Unidos ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    Decided to head east for Grand Tetons, as opposed to north to Glacier Park. We’re trying “no reservations” method so pressure is off (seemingly so....)

    However, as the day goes on and all parks are full, pressure builds. Sue frowns at staying in a WalMart :-)

    So we finally found a place (basically a truckstop, gravel with hookups) for $20. Not bad but you have to use their bathrooms. Not good so we didn’t. The topper for Sue was it included an A&W Root Beer; her childhood favorite.

    The pics don’t do it “justice”... Fruitland, Idaho and on to the Tetons.
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  • Yellowstone Golf/RV Resort

    7 de julio de 2018, Estados Unidos ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    Originally scheduled to be here on July 4th, so we could access Jackson Hole. However, it’s NOT a “resort” and it’s not close to Jackson Hole (it was as close as I could find for the 4th. Since I had reservations, it was use them or lose them (still have to pay).

    So we got here intending a week, as a base camp.

    However, the space is pretty basic, but acceptable. Gravel drives. So it’s dusty.

    Regardless, Sue’s dad (Daddy-O) isn’t doing well so I’ll get her to an airport, nearest one is an hour drive so she can head home. Rosie and I will either stay here and use our 7 days or relocate to a park where I can get a longer term and drive back to be with the family.

    It’s a fluid situation, but Sue either leaves today or tomorrow.

    Was having issues with my Jeep, which would be really bad right now, so I took it out to “run it” while Sue gets ready. On the way back, I saw why this park is attractive. It actually sits in the middle of massive farm fields, of various crops..... with no trees except for the park. When we arrived yesterday, it was hazy to the east and we didn’t notice the VIEW.

    Also last night, I tried and failed getting rhe grill started (don’t ask) so Sue crafted an amazing meal inside.
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  • Relaxing, progress day

    9 de julio de 2018, Estados Unidos ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    With Sue back at home visiting a recuperating of Daddy-O, I tried to get some things done that I have been avoiding.

    After over thirty seven days of travel and 4,800 miles on the road, my white Jeep was showing a lot of wear....mostly road dirt, dust and BUGS. RosieBus is also in need of attention. Therefore, it’s washday. It took about three hours but all looks great now, for the areas I can reach. Quite a bit remains above the RosieBus windshield, oh well.

    After that, a nice shower and grilled a steak. It is hard to ask for more when you add a big block of ice and a nice helping of Weller bourbon.

    If only this site had TV (over air), good cell service, etc. my WiFi is inop so I have to use my cell hot spot.

    At least I wore Rosie out.
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  • Jackson Hole Day Trip

    10 de julio de 2018, Estados Unidos ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    We're about 1.5 hours away from Jackson (it's actually just "Jackson, WY, but called "Jackson Hole, from cowboy days). Sue and I had planned on multiple trips here but frankly, I'm glad the schedule changed (she's home with her dad). Rosie and I enjoyed the trip they the Tetons (pretty hairy 10% slopes up and down) but once in Jackson, not so much.

    VERY commercialized, 6 lanes of traffic thru "Broadway Street", with on-street parking (that was all full) on either side. Too touristy for me....reminds me of an upgraded Va Beach or a downgraded Vegas....

    I got some pretty good photos on the way and a couple while there. Stopped by a state RV park on the way back - see "Bear's & Bikes Notice" picture..,.,
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  • Got Tetons?

    10 de julio de 2018, Estados Unidos ⋅ 🌫 77 °F

    Took a ride up the "Mesa Falls Scenic Highway" which heads north from Ashton, Idaho....and not only includes incredible views of the Henry's Fork River and Mesa falls, upper and lower, but the Tetons and miles and miles of farmland. It appears to be wheat but its smaller than I'm used to....it may be only cattle feed as there are thousands of bales (BIG bales) being harvested.

    I remain in AWE of the beauty of this country and the incredible calming nature of each turn on the highway. It cannot be emphasized enough..My RV park resides at over 5,000' and the Mesa Falls highway hit 7,800' in places. I've grown accustomed to the high altitude (finally).

    I'll add only significant photos but frankly, its really hard to capture the grander, as an iPhone just doesn't do it justice and the sky changes so frequently. I think these capture the spirit though.... As I'm limited to 10 pictures per footprint, THIS one will take two footprints...
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