The downside

July 28-Aug. 3, 2013 Riverview RV Park, Forks, WA

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Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, but only saps today of its strength.”

― A.J. Cronin
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RV LIFE:
Yes, there are some downsides to Full Time RV'ing, but overall, the overwhelming good makes the bad well worth "suffering" through.
Always moving. Most times I seem to get very stressed on moving day. Devin feels my stress and he tries to hide in the bedroom or under the RV while I pack. 1st, I usually don't want to go. 2nd, PIA to pack everyday use things away so they don't slide around while traveling. 3rd, opening the RV upon arrival, only to see I forgot to secure the wine cabinet and yes a bottle is broken all over the floor. Before we can open the slides, I need to clean up the mess and try to get the glass out from under the slides before letting them out. Or, thinking my ceramic pot with my shamrock plant is safely snuggled on the easy chair wrapped in a blanket. Nope, that bounced off the chair onto the floor and breaking the pot that I've had for 30 years from a vacation to Stone Mtn., GA. This is the second time I've lost this plant. The first time I could glue the pieces back together and added good potting soil. This time...in the garbage. One less thing to secure while we travel.

Every time we arrive at a new place we have to adjust our attitudes as to what is a good site. We have to make the best of any site we settle into. I also worry, will the slides come out? We've never had a problem, but I still worry. Scott feels my stress a lot. He points out that I need to relax, which makes me realize that I'm more stressed than I realized and need to adjust my attitude. How? My wonderful hubby offers me a shot of 100 proof Rumpleminze. Ahhhh. Just enough to take the edge off and I'll be fine.
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RV MOD:
Just a small mod that makes me happy. We saw someone else with this set up and thought it was a good idea.

We didn't want the stair treads. We wanted something that would cover the spaces behind the stairs. Our dogs do pretty good climbing up and down the stairs, but sometimes Lyla has a difficult time getting started. Now that we've put this 24" wide x 60" long carpet runner on the stairs, she goes up them much quicker. And for the humans, I like the way it feels on my feet going up and also it helps catch some dirt, so less dragged into the RV. When we move, we just unhook the bungees and shake out.
Anyone have suggestions for improvement?

Mom, I don't want to go back inside.

Sometimes she still will refuse to go inside, but that's not because of the stairs, it's just that she doesn't want to go back inside. Yes, she can be a stubborn B - - - -! (Please, no comments about just like her Mom)

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SIGHTS & SOUNDS:
We had the unique opportunity to hear the Indian drum songs from different tribes. The Makah Tribe is located in Neah Bay, and the Quileute Tribe is located in La Push. This past weekend was the Tribal Journeys 2013 Paddle to Quinault. There is not much info about it to the public. It's definitely a Native American celebration. There were about 100 of those long wooden canoes. I'm still not sure where from and to they traveled. I never actually saw them take off. Neah Bay, WA is on the Northern part of the peninsula and Quinault a lake inland and La Push, WA is on the opposite side of the peninsula.
What we did hear around town, is that this was a rare occurrence to have so many participants.

While staying both in Neah Bay and Forks, we could hear the drum songs while inside our RV. One night they lasted until after 1:00am. But, it wasn't annoying. It was quite soothing, interesting & reverent.
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COFFEE REVIEW:
Cape "D" Blend (Cape Disappointment), Dark Roast by Long Beach Coffee Roasters

My rating 4 out of 5
A nice bold flavor, but smooth.
From their website:
"Roasted and blended especially for the USCG Motor Lifeboat School at Cape Disappointment.
This coffee is smooth, sweet and dark: Lots of character!"
Only available through mail order or Long Beach, WA.

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BOOK REVIEW:

Against the Night by Kat Martin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Definitely a mystery for the Ladies. Muscle toned, confident, independent male PI & petite, sweet schoolteacher with a sexy alter ego that she is learning about and exploring. Lots of romance and a very good mystery.

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Alien Autopsy

CRAFTS:

Biology 101

 Someone has too much time on their hands, or they are tired of making shawls! These patterns are created and knitted by Emily Stoneking. She sells these on the internet in her Etsy Shop. You can check out her other projects if you are a member of Ravelry.

Knitted brain, etc

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RV PARK REVIEW:
The Village RV Park, Neah Bay, WA
Our rating 1 out of 5
We didn't stay here but passed it many times during our Neah Bay travels. It is a dirty parking lot, with very close sites, and mainly very junky permanents there.

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FOOD/PRODUCT REVIEW:
Dave's Killer Bread, Blues bread
My rating 5 out of 5

"Just say no to bread on drugs"
My Mom introduced me to Arnold Oat Nut, in the Eastern US, which is Oroweat in the West. At the time it was Honey Oat Nut. Now it is just plain Oat Nut. The first couple of years it was wonderful. Oat flakes sprinkled on top, with chopped walnuts and hazelnuts throughout. It was sweet, hearty and good for you. Now it is just blah. I thought maybe the different brand name was the difference, but nooooo, when we came back to NJ last fall, Arnold brand was now just as bad. So my search for a hearty, sweet, good for me bread with a crunch was on.

Dave's Killer Bread

Arnold Oat Nut

Just no comparing. Since I eat a slice of bread toasted with PB&J almost every morning, my bread is important. Besides, Dave's hearty bread helps "The Go" as Charmin TP has coined this phrase.
There is an interesting back story to Dave's Killer Bread. Dave spent 15 years in prison. He made a change in his life and we benefit.
Take care...

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WHERE WE'RE GOING:
Aug. 4-10, 2013 Silver Cove RV Resort, Silver Lake, WA
Aug. 12-18, 2013 Coeur d'Alene RV Park, Post Falls, ID
Aug. 19-28, 2013 Jim & Mary's RV Park, Missoula, MT
Aug. 29-Sept. 1, 2013 Jennifer's Driveway Boondock, Bozeman, MT
Sept. 2-5, 2013 Mammoth Campground, Yellowstone, WY (Tentative)
Sept. 6-15, 2013 Horseshoe Bend Campground NFS, Lovell, WY (Tentative)
Sept. 16-30, 2013 Wheels West RV Park, Custer, SD

south for the Winter of 2013/214

qʷidiččaʔa·tx̌

July 21-27, 2013 Cape Motel & RV Park, Neah Bay, WA

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RESTAURANT REVIEW:

I usually put my reviews near the bottom of the post, but this review deserves top billing!

Take Home Fish Co., Neah Bay, WA

Our rating 10 out of 5

Yes, that is not a mistake! This is the BEST SALMON I EVER TASTED!!!!!!

Scott went inside while I stayed outside with the doggies. He brought me out a very generous portion of freshly smoked (still hot) salmon. O H   M Y   G O S H!!!!

Heaven on earth!~ It is worth spending some time in Neah Bay just to partake of this wonderful delicacy!

The business is a little hole in the wall place. It's just take out and only sells fresh and smoked salmon. 

As the owner/chef says, "Germaphobes stay away"

His hours are sporadic.

His kitchen is unusual

But the end product is perfection!!!
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RV LIFE:
Farewell to the people of the Cape which in Makah is spelled qʷidiččaʔa·tx̌. I could not even being to figure out how to say it. We're on our final day of Cape living. I don't think I'd like to live way out here. This is too far out of the way for me. But I'm glad we came to the most NW point of the continental US.
Guest Post: Well really, I just stole it from Scott's facebook page!
"We wanted to get to the North-west, the end of the road. Well, this is it (without going to Alaska) Neah Bay, and the Makah Nation Reservation, WA. We will be back tracking on our way out. Beautiful area where the Pacific meets the Strait of Juan De Fuca. A major Salmon fishing area, as the first question of a newly arrived camper is, "how's the fishing?" 
Not a lot in the area, but several surprisingly good, little restaurants. Not big menu's, but what they serve is good. We had an amazing walk out to Cape Flattery, the NW tip. Well worth the $10 (good for year) pass. We're glad we came. Next stop, Forks, WA. That may ring a bell to a few of you." 
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SIGHTS:
Cape Flattery, Neah Bay, WA
Our review 5 out of 5
We took the 1/3 mile hike to the most NW point of the continental US up to Cape Flattery. If you are ever in the area, this fairly easy hike is well worth it.
Photos will describe much better than words.

Lyla insisted on walking on the very edge of the left side of the walkway. Poor thing must have slipped off at least 3 times.

 

Foggy, misty day. There is a small island with a lighthouse out in the fog somewhere.

That white paper on the left is a warning of bear and coyote in the area.

Starfish

Lone gull crying for a friend. Sounded like a lost puppy.

Nice photo of my family

Make sure you wear sturdy shoes

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PETS:
We met a sweet "pocket" English Setter in town. Belle only weighs 35 pounds.

I want some cheese and crackers too!

Pretty please?????

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BOOK REVIEW: (Scott)
Thank you to our neighbors in Port Townsend for the recommendation.
The Cuckoo's Egg by Clifford Stoll
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kindle version
Excellent, true story of hunt for 1 of the 1st hackers.

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SIGHTS:

Makah Museum, Neah Bay, WA Only $5.00 admission

Our rating 4 out of 5

Nicely laid out museum with many historical artifacts of the life of the Makah tribe. There's a life size replica of the homes they used to live in and we were able to walk inside to view the different rooms. Very cool. 

Of course there's a gift shop. I picked up a pair of Olive Shell earrings for only $4.00

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BUSINESS REVIEW:

Wasburn's General Store, Neah Bay, WA
Our rating 5 out of 5
Now of course, if this were in a more populated area, we'd rate it less, but this is the ONLY grocery store in the area. So I rate it a 5 to thank them for being here. Washburn's is a combo grocery, hardware and general merchandise store. Prices are a little high, but when I need some peanut butter (yes, I did it again!), I'll pay the extra $1.
This was a 3 minute walk from our site.
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RV PARK REVIEWS:
Not really a rating. We didn't stay here, but just first impression drive through.
Hobuck Beach Resort, Neah Bay, WA
Only 10 RV sites sort of in a gravel parking area. But, since there's only 10 sites and you are right on the shoreline, it's doesn't seem so bad.

Beach right across from the sites

Beautiful cabins the size of a park model with loft space.

This park is way out by Cape Flattery so is about 4 miles from the restaurants.

Hide-away RV Park, Neah Bay, WA
As we were traveling to Cape Flattery, we saw a sign for Espresso and snacks. We turned down the road the painted arrow led to. Hmmm, do you remember the movie Deliverance? Well we went as far as Hide-away RV Park which is also the place for the Espresso...we think. Hide-away has computer printed sheets of paper all over town advertising. They are a brand new RV Park. So new that they are still actually building it. Looks like full hook ups and in a nice wooded area. Well, wooded anyway. Not sure about the neighbors. We were quite nervous and were hoping we didn't end up in a ditch like this truck.

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We will be moving on to Forks, WA which is now infamous for the setting for the "Twilight" movies. And yes, we are fans.
Here's a few photos of the area of Neah Bay, WA.

8 man whaling canoe, getting ready for Paddle to Quinault

Totem pole in the making

Tall ship arriving. I think they are following us!

Marina loaded with working boats, not pleasure boats

Prepared just in case

Take Care,

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WHERE WE'RE GOING:
July 28-Aug. 3, 2013 Riverview RV Park, Forks, WA
Aug. 4-10, 2013 Silver Cove RV Resort, Silver Lake, WA
Aug. 12-18, 2013 Coeur d'Alene RV Park, Post Falls, ID
Aug. 19-28, 2013 Jim & Mary's RV Park, Missoula, MT
Aug. 29-Sept. 1, 2013 Jennifer's Driveway Boondock, Bozeman, MT
Sept. 2-5, 2013 Mammoth Campground, Yellowstone, WY (Tentative)
Sept. 6-15, 2013 Horseshoe Bend Campground NFS, Lovell, WY (Tentative)
Sept. 16-30, 2013 Wheels West RV Park, Custer, SD

south for the Winter of 2013/214