Gin & Tonic

May 31 - Jun 13, 2013 (2 weeks) - Diamond Lake RV Park, Diamond Lake, OR

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RV LIFE:
I could stay here for a long time if only there was a grocery store nearby.

I've been reading Suzi's blog, Beluga's Excellent Adventure. She is currently in Eugene, OR where we are heading next. She's been posting about all the great restaurants they've been too. I think we'll be eating out a lot in Eugene.

While walking the dogs yesterday chilly morning (31°!), I passed the Boyinks 5th wheel.  Hmmm, are they following us in a roundabout way? I saw them visiting when we were in Dead Horse Ranch and here they are in OR in the same park. I'm so glad Scott recently bought a mini baseball club for protection. Yes, I'm kidding about needing protection. But Scott did pick up a fish basher (that's what it was called), that he keeps by the bed. It gives him some sense of being able to protect us.

Back to the Boyinks. The reason I noticed they are here is because they have a vinyl sign on the back of their RV with their name and blog address. I also have vinyl signs on our RV and truck. I think it not only encourages people to check out our blog, but also makes it easier to spot fellow bloggers. I would really encourage fellow bloggers to get a sign made and display it. It really makes it easier for folks to approach you.

We also have this same sign on our rear window of the truck.

This morning around 9:30, we hear Knock, Knock,Knock. Huh? Uh oh! Are we going to be told to not keep our dog out on the tether? Devin has been really good tied outside. I have been awake for 2 hours, but I'm still in my English Setter Flannel jammies. I open the door and lo and behold, it's Mike & Crissa Boyink! I came out so we could talk a while. No shame wearing jammies outside while in an RV park in the morning. Conversation was pretty easy and they are really nice folk. I'm so glad they stopped by. I can add another RV blogger I've met. Very cool!

Tomorrow (Friday), we head North 140 miles to Eugene where I expect a Gin & Tonic waiting for us at happy hour at the Big Beluga! 

Suz, I know you've been following my blog, so you KNOW, my pantry is low. So I will have to "suffer" and opt to have lemon in my gin & tonic instead of lime. I can supply the tonic and Tanqueray if needed.

While looking for a gin & tonic photo, I came across this version of Gin & Tonic. First, I'll have to try some Hendrick's Gin.  Then make this recipe.

Gin, Tonic, Cucumber, Rosemary

And here's an even better idea, since I love cucumber and dill!

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RV MODS: 

We are considering setting our RV up with solar panels. Scott has been on the internet for two days researching. He found a blogger, Handy Bob's Solar, who has been boondocking with solar for 10 years. I've been wanting them for a while, but never thought Scott would consider them. He won't stay in Walmart parking lots, truck stop parking lots, or even at Harvest Hosts wineries and farms, so why would he boondock without the safety of being in an RV park? Well, he probably wouldn't boondock alone. He is thinking of all the nice quiet, spacious campgrounds we miss out on because there are no hook ups.

All around Diamond Lake RV Park are even more beautiful and almost empty campgrounds. Sites are large enough for big rigs, but no hook ups.  So now Scott has the itch for solar energy. Yeah!

I've avoided reading blogs of RV'rs who boondock all the time, since I never thought we would. Now I will have to review them again. I'll also have to review past Wheeling It blog posts. I skipped over their reviews of boondocking sites. Some sounded sooooooo wonderful, but I never thought we would be able to hang out there.

What REALLY got me the itch was when we walked through City of Rocks RV Park in New Mexico. Some really cool sites even our 35' Fifth Wheel could fit into. With the rocks around as a natural awning, this would be wonderful place to boondock! City of Rocks does have a decent W&E area, but it is a typical couple of rows of sites along side each other. 

We saw an RV with those portable suitcase type solar panels. I thought maybe we could at least do that...Scott agreed...until...he started researching. If we're going solar, we should go all the way. This RV is our HOME, not just a vacation home. So we want to be as comfortable as possible, even when boondocking. We want to be able to use all of the RV, not just certain areas powered by portable solar panels. So now our plan is to solar energize the whole rig! Or, maybe not. Now Scott is thinking of going simple with the suitcase solars again.

We're heading to Eugene tomorrow where there is a company, AM Solar nearby that comes highly recommended for all things RV solar.

Because we are now seriously thinking, two or three solar panels on the roof, we will also need more batteries, an inverter, etc. The batteries and inverter are the REAL expense. Before committing to this I had to ask Scott if he planned on RV'ing for at least a couple of more years. He said yes! Good! We're both still thinking along the same lines. I don't want to spend all this money to just settle in a house in a year. I think Scott doesn't want to settle in a house because we may never travel again. Once we get a house, I will start fostering dogs again, maybe more than one at a time. I will probably foster little critters also, like guinea pigs or rabbits also. That will make it difficult to travel.

Feel free to comment or email me (njnomore at gmail dot com) with suggestions, tips, or resources about solar purchasing, installing, living.

Since that wasn't a real mod that we've done, here are just a few photos of some of the little things we'd modified to make our RV more efficient.

3M Command strips and museum/earthquake putty are an RV'rs friend!

Dog figurines never come off the molding on the slide. They stay put with museum putty. Photos stay put with 3M Command strips.

Our dogs that have passed are held up  with 3M strips. All the dog memorabilia stays there by quilting straight needles stuck into the fabric. We never take any of these down.

Kitchen utensils take up way too much room in what little drawer space we have. Picked up this sliding hook thingy at the Dollar store.

More kitchen gadgets are hung up with cup hooks.

 No space wasted. The pipes under the kitchen sink hold our colander which is light, but bulky.

A wire shelf is attached above where the pots and pans are, and holds odds & ends

Another dollar store item . This sticks to the inside of the cabinet door. It holds coffee pod packets, spice packets, dry salad dressing packets, etc.

Again, the inside cabinet doors. Silicone collapsible measuring cups and funnel, plus measuring spoons all hung up with hooks. You just have to make sure you space them so they do not hit the shelving and prevent the door from closing.

 Lucite wine glass holder from Camping World installed under cabinet. The black thing between shelf and glasses is a piece of foam which prevents the glasses from moving around during travel.

Rubbermaid storage containers

 Throw out your old tupperware. I don't know about the new tupperware, but my 25 year old tupperware did not stack or pack into cabinets well. Think square/rectangle. Round is a big no-no! I started out with Oxo storage containers (below) and at first thought they were great. But after a year's use, I do not like them. The lids are supposed to be a vacuum seal, but if you pick up the containers by the lid, they pull off. PIA to clean the lids also.  I have since begun converting to Rubbermaid storage containers (above). I LOVE them! They fit nicely near each other, they fit well in my RV cabinets, the lids are easy on easy off, similar to a tupperware lid. They come in a variety of sizes so space is not wasted on the wrong sized container. I purchase mine at Walmart.

Oxo storage containers

Under the storage containers are sliding panels that I installed into the pantry cabinets. They were formally just very deep cabinets. There was no way to reach my arm all the way to the back and try to figure out what was back there.

There are other mods in past posts. Just click on the label in the left column that says "mods".

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CRAFTS:
Finished Treads, fingerless gloves that will keep my hands warm while on the computer.

This was a fairly easy pattern in which I learned a couple of new techniques with this project. I learned how to knit in the round with two circulars. You tube is a great resource for learning knitting techniques. Here's a video for knitting on two circulars. Once I got the hang of it, I like it a lot!  I've knitted in the round with the magic loop method, which is fine, but a little more awkward to do. I don't like knitting in the round with double pointed needles. That just seems too cumbersome. I can see me using this easy two needles in the round method often.  You do need to have two sets of the same sized circular needles though, which I do have. I have a set of Knit Picks Harmony Circulars, a set of Knit Picks Zephyr Acrylic Circulars, and Knitter's Pride Dreamz circulars set. I never knit with straight needles.
With this fingerless pattern, I also learned how to make a thumb gusset, (which is not a finger?). Making the thumb was surprisingly easy. I may have to try to make some real gloves.
Side note: Is a thumb a finger?
What a controversial subject. I've seen some very heated answers. There are a number of ways of thinking.
Not a finger:
1. A thumb is not a finger. It is an opposable digit.
2. A thumb is not a finger because a finger has 3 joint and a thumb has only two.
3. A thumb is not attached to the fingers.
I feel sorry for all those parents that state their newborn is healthy and normal with 10 fingers and 10 toes. I guess that means their child has no thumb? or has 6 digits on each hand?
Yes a finger:
1. 10 fingers=
Two thumbs- very important in holding items. Also the thumbs up sign I use for our deaf dog, Lyla meaning "Good Girl".
Two index fingers, or pointers- Don't you point that finger at me!
Two middle fingers- New Jerseyans need that finger to drive a car!
Two ring fingers- I always kept my left ring finger a "virgin" until my first "pre-engagement"(friendship) ring.
Two little fingers or pinkies-How else could we "pinky swear"?

From Wiki Answers: Why is the little finger called a pinky?
Answer: Derived from a Dutch word 'pink' relating to 'small' and ultimately from a Indo-European word 'Penk e' referring to 'five' the fifth finger
There are many, many resources on the net to learn to knit, or to learn new techniques. Here's just one with a slew of knitting videos-Knit Freedom.
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WHERE WE'RE GOING:
June 14 -24, 2013 Armitage County Park, Eugene, OR
June 25- July 8, 2013 River's End RV Park, Chinook,WA
July 9-17, 2013 Port. Hudson RV Park, Port Townsend, WA
Tentative:
Neah Bay, WA
La Push, WA
Coeur d'Alene, ID
WA, ID, MT, ND, SD, WY, then south for the Winter of 2013/214

Congrats to Cozy!

May 31 - Jun 13, 2013 (2 weeks) - Diamond Lake RV Park, Diamond Lake, OR

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RV LIFE:
Whoo hoo! I just heard from CJ of Cozy Be Gone blog that she has a contract on her house!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!They will soon be full timing in a CASITA! I give her credit. I could not do that unless I had no other choice. My RV is my home and I can't imagine living in that small a space with someone else. If I was by myself, I could live in a small space, but with another person? Uh, uh, no way. I need my own space.
Speaking of living in a small space, I am fascinated to see how others do that. I have friends, Sharon & Marian who have been living in a Casita FT for a couple of years and loving it! I have researched smaller RV living, in case something happens to Scott before me. I hope that does not happen, but good to have an alternate plan. I don't think I'd want to drag around this 35' 5th wheel, just for me.
I just borrowed a book for my kindle, "How to Live in a Car, Van or RV--And Get Out of Debt, Travel and Find True Freedom". This is written by Robert Wells from Cheap Green RV Living blog. He's been living in a van for over 10 yrs!!! And no, he doesn't look like some oddball homeless scruffy guy.
I think I could be happy in a small RV, but I think I'd like one slide out. Maybe an R-Pod?

I am getting quite spoiled by our last 3 stops. Great campgrounds, lots of green, lots of places to walk the dogs, and quiet. As the school year comes to a close, my nightmare begins....kids! That is why we try to go to campgrounds without a lot of amenities. No pool? Great No game room? Great. Less things for kids to keep busy with, the less likely they will stay at that park.
We have had a nice quiet week with very little fellow RV'rs. With the weekend, it has filled up, but they are all keeping to themselves and I've only spotted one kid and he's been very good.
We...well... I have been planning our route for the next month. I was worried about not finding someplace for the 4th of July holiday week. In the past, we have rarely planned more than a week ahead. When we arrive at an RV park, after a couple of days, we start looking where we want to go next. But lately, we've been planning about a month ahead. I like the security of knowing we have a space to hang our hat, but I miss the adventure of who knows where we'll be next week. It's really time consuming trying to figure out where to go. We each have a list of where we want to go and I start to plan accordingly. The most time consuming is looking for the best RV park for us.
Location, Price, not too kid friendly, but very dog friendly. We used to look for DDD's (Diners, Drive-ins & Dives) places and then an RV Park. But we've realized many of the DDD's aren't as great as they seem on the show, or they are in cities which we try very hard to avoid.

Looks like we won't be heading as far East as we thought this summer. We won't be leaving the West Coast until August. I don't think we'll make it to the Dakotas this year & maybe not even to Montana! I want to visit Michigan, but that won't happen this year either. That means another year or TWO of full timing!

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WHERE WE'RE GOING:
June 14 -24, 2013 Armitage County Park, Eugene, OR
June 25- July 8, 2013 River's End RV Park, Chinook,WA
July 9-17, 2013 Port. Hudson RV Park, Port Townsend, WA
Tentative:
Neah Bay, WA
La Push, WA
Coeur d'Alene, ID

WA, ID, MT, ND, SD, WY, then south for the Winter of 2013/214

Crisis!

May 31 - Jun 13, 2013 (2 weeks) - Diamond Lake RV Park, Diamond Lake, OR

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RV LIFE:

Crisis!  I have no more peanut butter!!!! Horrors!!!! 99.9% of the time, my breakfast consists of coffee, whole grain toast with natural peanut butter and some kind of jam.

Crisis definition:
1: an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person's life. 
Breakfast is the stabilizer of my day. I so look forward to coffee and my toast with PB. This could cause me to lose sleep with nothing to look forward to in the morning!
2: an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending; especially : one with the distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome.
Highly undesirable outcome? You betcha! This could cause my day to start off bad and I may not recover. Then I'll take it out on Scott, and yell at the dogs, and so on.
3 : a situation that has reached a critical phase 
I'm definitely at the critical stage. No PB and no way of getting any!
Oh, woe is me!
If only I hadn't made a second piece of toast and PB&J those times I pigged out at breakfast.
If only I hadn't made an extra piece  of toast & PB for the dogs to enjoy.
If only I hadn't made that PB&J sandwich for lunch the other day.
If only I hadn't mixed my precious PB with water and warmed the mixture to make a gravy to pour over the dog's dry kibble dinner because we are also out of canned dog food and canned tuna.
Ohhhhhhh, what a miserable life I have. How can I survive a week without my dear friend Mr. Peanut Butter!

Wait! Is there hope? I have an idea! I can take our Swayze's (our African Grey Parrot) peanuts and process them in the Vitamix, I've never used! Hmmmm. Or maybe I could ask for a tablespoon of PB, like you'd ask for a cup of sugar from one of our neighbors? Nope. I'll just suffer and work through my emotions and cravings. I will survive!

 I don't need no stinking phone! I need a grocery store!!!!

We'll definitely be doing some food shopping when we get to Eugene...in what will be a long 4 days!

See? It's happening already!!!
What a crappy morning! Through my eyes anyway.
No PB. No whole grain bread. Just potato bread and jam. Did not satisfy.
Devin is usually good tied outside in the morning. This morning he started to bark. Ugh.
Had to take dogs for a walk before I finished my first  cup of coffee.
Devin is STILL PULLING! I don't have the patience this morning. We've tried a prong collar, which sort of works, but sometimes when you do the quick tug, it comes undone and we have a loose Devin. We've tried two different no pull harnesses. One is too difficult to put on, the other loosens and doesn't work & besides Devin is strong and just pulls anyway, just not as severe. We've tried the gentle leader and he still pulls! How can that be? I am so frustrated. Do I resort to the e-collar? Devin shuts down with that. I'm now wrapping his leash around my waist, so there is not so much strain on me when he pulls. I'm making him heal the whole walk. How much fun is that for him or me?
Lyla pooped 3 times. At least I had enough bags. But the damned dumpster has metal lids and they are soooo heavy to lift, especially while holding two active large dogs. Why don't they have the plastic lids like most campground dumpsters, or the side sliding door? Grrrrrr!
Lyla is frisky this morning and she suddenly pulls me in the opposite direction to smell something (she usually doesn't pull). Ow! That can't be good for my shoulder.
The 5500' altitude isn't helping. I'm having a difficult time breathing. This sucks! I'm ready for a small dog.
This is all through my unappreciative, mad mood eyes. Get a grip Deb!
How can any morning be crappy when I'm retired, living free, healthy, happily married and have two healthy sweet dogs who occasionally act up? How can I be so miserable when I have a great life. I think I'm calming. Still tense, but on my way to a better mood. Damn that PB!
As I was cruising the net yesterday, I stumbled upon Face Transplants. I've only been hospitalized twice. One was voluntary in my earlier twenties. I had a breast reduction. Yep, I had a size 6 body with a large size chest. I did not like the unwanted attention I got. I did not like trying to find a one piece bathing suit, I did not like that my tata's came down almost to my waist (I am short waisted). For 30 years those reformed breast were good to me. Now that I've gained 50#'s, my breasts are that of my 20 year old self. Normally, that would sound good, but in my case...not!
My second hospitalization was only the ER overnight. I had anaphylactic shock from shrimp. Just after I told Scott I didn't want to go to the hospital, I fainted.
Back on topic. The physical and mental suffering these people with facial trauma have gone through. First the horrible pain of the incident, then the operations, their previous normal life taken away, their multiple operations and then to deal with having a new face. To have the mental strength to keep going is impressive. Thankful for the gift, for the talent of the Dr.'s, but still struggling to accept your old face is never to return and be thankful for the new face. I'm in a much better mood. Thank you all for "listening". Sorry.
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AUDIO BOOK REVIEW:
Solomon Vs. Lord by Paul Levine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Probably more like a 3.5 rating.
Narrator did an adequate job.
Murder mystery. Started out kind of slow and I almost gave up. But once I got into the characters and becoming really interested in who murdered the victim, then I really enjoyed the book. Quite a round about way of finding the "killer".
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WHERE WE'RE GOING:
June 14 -24, 2013 Armitage County Park, Eugene, OR
June 25- July 8, 2013 River's End RV Park, Chinook,WA
July 9-17, 2013 Port. Hudson RV Park, Port Townsend, WA
Tentative:
Neah Bay, WA
La Push, WA
Coeur d'Alene, ID

MT, ND, SD, WY, then south for the Winter of 2013/214

RV Park Review: Diamond Lake RV Park, Diamond Lake, OR

RV PARK REVIEW:

May 31 - Jun 13, 2013 (2 weeks) 

Diamond Lake RV Park, Diamond Lake, OR

Site# W44  Price $31./night (with weekly discount) They do accept Good Sam
Our rating 4.5 out of 5
SITES: Most have nice grassy and shaded spacing between sites. Most sites are difficult to get satellite reception because of many trees.

HOOK UPS: FHU (30amp)
BATHROOMS: There are two bathroom buildings. Only 2 stalls and 2 showers each. But, they were in great condition and very clean. Showers were fairly private.
LAUNDRY: $1.25/wash $1.75 dry. Good amount of regular washers and dryers. Average laundry. There is an area to hang out your clothes outside if you'd like.
PETS: Pets welcome. Lots of dogs at sites. Limited to 2 large or 3 small. Very pet friendly. Plenty of areas to walk the dogs. Doggie bags provided.
WIFI: Tengo WiFi free, but slow.
VERIZON INTERNET: Worked well.
SPRINT INTERNET: No signal
VERIZON PHONE: Worked well
AT&T PHONE:No Signal
BOOK EXCHANGE: Very small book exchange in the office. DVD rental for $1.00
ACTIVITIES: I think there is a small playground. Plenty room to hike.
MAIL DELIVERY ACCEPTED: I think so.
MISC: There seems to be 3 camp host couples. The men are very nice and constantly driving through the park to make sure everything is ok.
AREA/TOWN/SIGHTS: Nice bike trail around Diamond Lake. Dogs are allowed on the bike trail. Swimming, fishing, boating on Diamond Lake. 3 miles up the road is Diamond Lake Lodge where you can rent small motorboats to nice pontoon boats.
Crater lake 10 miles away.

Diamond Lake within a very short walk

Boat docks on Diamond Lake

WARNING: There is really no place to purchase groceries. The Lodge (3 miles away) has basics at a high price. The closes grocery store was 45 miles away, but had to go through Crater Lake Park for that distance. Otherwise, closest grocery store is 60-80 miles away. The only convenience store is at the lodge.
Not a perfect rating because of no grocery store nearby and some sites are too close.
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WHERE WE'RE GOING:
June 14 -24, 2013 Armitage County Park, Eugene, OR
June 25- July 8, 2013 River's End RV Park, Chinook,WA
July 9-17, 2013 Port. Hudson RV Park, Port Townsend, WA
Tentative:
Neah Bay, WA
La Push, WA
Coeur d'Alene, ID
MT, ND, SD, WY, then south for the Winter of 2013/214

2 1/2 feet of snow in June (Crater Lake)

May 31 - Jun 13, 2013 (2 weeks) - Diamond Lake RV Park, Diamond Lake, OR

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RV LIFE:
I find I am most happy sitting outside in the shade. Once the weather warmed up here at Diamond Lake, the bugs came out and I was forced to stay inside on beautiful days.  These are the times I wish we had the screen room attachment for our awning. After a day of sight seeing and a day indoors, I was ready for my time at the picnic table. I tried some natural Mosquito Guard made from plant extracts.  That worked fine to keep the midgets away, but for the flies, bees, & mosquitos, it just did not win the battle. So, I've resorted to spraying Off! on. I hate doing that, knowing it's basically a poison.  I can only hope the rare times I use it will not be harmful enough to cause any ill effects.

So now I have buzzing all around me, but they are not landing on me. I feel like I'm surrounded by drones! These bee/fly things just buzz and hover in place around me. Are they gathering info about me and sending it to Big Brother?

The longer we are Full time RV'ing, the less I want a house. I'm enjoying a life of leisure. I'm not saying I may not want to settle down somewhere, but I really don't want all the baggage that comes with a house.  It's seems to be our nature, that the more room we have, the more stuff we accumulate! 

Crafts: I had a whole craft room of someday projects in which someday never came. 

That's only half the room!

Living in the RV, I am forced to limit my hobbies and craft supplies. Which means, I am more likely to start and finish a project. I have yet to work on my embroidery machine or my knitting machine or create with polymer clay. But at least I'm limited to just those someday projects instead of a whole room full of yarn, fabric, projects, supplies, etc. 

Chores: Chores are minimal in an RV. There still are chores, but usually not too expensive, or too time consuming.  No mowing of lawns, no gardening (which I miss the results), no repainting, no cleaning 8-10 rooms that are mostly unused or just stuff collecting rooms.

Finances: We can control our output, which I find very comforting. As long as money and health are ok, we can travel as we please, where we please. If our finances ever get tight, then we can stay put and save money with monthly park rates instead of daily or weekly, no traveling means less gas used, we can go even cheaper, by staying at cheaper RV parks. 

We have no property taxes. That was a HUGE expense in NJ. We don't have nosy neighbors that are concerned whether your property/house is up to their standards. If we don't like our neighbors, we can just move! The majority of the parks we've been at have been very quiet and I feel comfortable and private while sitting outside.

I really dread the thought of having to clean a house again. Nagging Scott to mow the lawn. Sometimes it's just easier for me to do it and have it done. 

I love having all our belongings contained in this small space, no accumulating. Something comes in, something goes out. No stocking up.  I love this simpler life. I love knowing we can move and find a nicer place, or a more populated spot, or a more remote spot, or move closer to family and friends, or move away from people we don't want to have a part in our lives.

I must apologize to a former co-worker, Carolyn H. She has lived in a trailer for many years. In NJ, living in a trailer sends images of poor people living in poor conditions. Unless of course you are in a retirement community. I told Carolyn for many years I couldn't understand how she could live in such a small space. She would continually tell me she was perfectly content in her trailer. NOW, I understand. I am perfectly content in our RV.  

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SIGHTS:
While following other RV'ers blogs, I've come across time and again, the beautiful photos of Crater Lake. Oh my gosh! It did not disappoint. Crater Lake Nat'l Park is about 10 miles from our site. Then, once you're in the park (where we purchased our Annual Interagency Pass for $80.), there is still a drive of about 13 miles. As we're driving and enjoying the views, all of a sudden I scream "Look! Snow!" And there was lots of snow. I love snow! We HAD to get out and walk around in it for a while.

We cleared a spot for Devin do eat some snow.

See only the tops of pine trees showing?

We continue our drive toward Crater Lake. We see pine trees all around. Along the edge of the road are little pine trees growing like weeds. There has been a lot of thinning out of trees.
Scott has to point out to me that there is no guard rail to protect us from the cliff. Thanks a lot Scott.
We pass this huge field that is desert like, which seems so odd amid all these beautiful pine trees. This area is called Pumice Desert. This area is where the ash & rock landed after the explosion of the volcano Mt. Mazama. It was 200' deep of this ash/rock combo, which smothered all organic life and has yet to be able to grow anything.
We finally see a few cars parked and assume they are viewing the lake, although there are no signs stating that. We trudged through an unshoveled layer of snow to get a look at the lake.

I was in sandals, and yes my tootsies got very cold and at one point a couple of toes were numb.
And our first awe inspiring view of Crater Lake!

Oh my gosh! It's beautiful! The water really is that blue. The water really is that still. The water really does reflect a perfect mirror image of the mountains.

Snow everywhere!




See the flat snow covered area behind the pine trees and in front of the mountains? That is the flat land of Pumice Desert.



Beautiful, beautiful sight to see.

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CRAFTS:
I've finished one mitt and am ready to start the other. Need to keep my fingers cozy on cold mornings on the computer.

Isn't this tote bag adorable??? Sometimes I really do miss my knitting friends back in NJ. I gave a knitting buddy my old Husqvarna Iris  Embroidery Machine. It's such a pain to sell stuff, plus it was so long since I used it, I couldn't gurantee it's working condition. Kate sews for her business, so I thought this would come in handy. Anyway, she gave me this tote to say thank you.  It's a tote to hold your knitting project. The needlepoint dog is a pocket for the tote. There is a drawstring closure.

This is the other side. It is a clear vinyl panel, so you can see your pattern that you are knitting. Very nice. Thanks again Kate.












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MODS:
This isn't really an RV mod, but it still has to do with figuring out how to make something better while we RV. We are almost at the 2 year mark of FT RV'ing. In that time we are on our 5th, yes FIFTH satelllite dish. 3 broke being blown over by the wind. We tried staking them, putting rocks on the feet of the tripod, and gallon jugs filled with water. One...gone, Two...gone, Three...gone! Our fourth was the Winegard Carryout all in one that we purchased at Camping World. It worked sufficiently, but Scott wanted high definition. I said he has to have a plan for preventing it from blowing over. We have been about 10 months with our HD Direct TV dish with no mishaps!

He uses free weights screwed into the feet of the tripod, plus he has 3 tie downs.


He was tying the tie downs and what a pain to tighten, loosen, adjust. So he took a dowel, drilled a couple of holes and this little device works great for adjusting the tie downs and they don't slip out of place.






AUDIO BOOK REVIEW:
Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is the last book of the Soulfinder Trilogy. I'm so disappointed. Not that the series is over, but that the book was a drag to get through. I rated Poison Study, Book 1 and Magic Study, Book 2, both 5 stars. I loved them!
Poison study caught my interest educating me to the world of a King's food taster.
Magic study, we have a vested interest in Yelena's character and wish her the best in her education, taming and skill of magic.
Fire Study, was all about fear, battle, enemies. I only finished it because of my love for the first two books.

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June 14 -23, 2013 Armitage County Park, Eugene, OR

WA, ID, MT, ND, SD, WY, then south for the Winter of 2013/214

It's good to be back on the WWW

May 31 - Jun 13, 2013 (2 weeks) - Diamond Lake RV Park, Diamond Lake, OR

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RV LIFE:
Oh, it's good to be back connected to the Web! We are still in the middle of "nowhere"! Even more so than we were on the Coast in Port Orford.  There are no convenience stores close by. The only close restaurant is at the Lodge and they just sell pricey sandwiches. The nearest grocery store in 45 miles away and the nearest Walmart is 85 miles away. But who cares? I've got WiFi internet!
Since we are not near a grocery store, this is a good opportunity to clean out items in our freezer. Since Scott does the majority of the cooking, he gets the majority space in the freezer. So my little section has 2 boneless chicken breast, 2 bubba burgers, and 3 pieces of salmon. I cooked Black Bean Chicken (from a sauce packet) & over beet pasta that I purchased back in Mammoth Lakes. Last night was a Bubba Burger...yum. I've still got 4 meals in the freezer.
I always have broccoli in the fridge. I love to steam it in the microwave and add it to salads. Only one more meal of broccoli left. Then on to canned veggies. We'll head out to the grocery store when we visit Crater Lake, since that will put us almost half way there. I could last quite a while with just items on hand. I can just pick through things and that's dinner. Scott likes DINNER, meaning sit down to a meal with protein, veggie, starch. But I've got internet!
This morning I was trying to catch up on blogs I follow, I find I'm starting to comment more on blogs. I like getting comments, so I assume others like it also.
Merikay of Merikay's Dream blog is just about ready to start Full timing. She asked for opinions about memberships. So I guess that's an opportunity for me to let you know about what groups we belong to.
Good Sam: Only $25./yr
This is our most important membership (besides Escapees). Cheap membership, many benefits. 10% off park fees & we find the majority of parks accepts Good Sam, up to 30% off Camping World and many times free shipping! But our best part is the RV Plus card! Read my review and description on my 2/15/13 post.
Harvest Hosts: Only $25./yr.
Free overnights at approved wineries & farms. Some have basic hook ups and others are boondocking. I love visiting wineries and farm markets and this is a great opportunity for a free overnight. I'm no longer a member, because hubby prefers campgrounds. Sigh.
Passport America: $44./yr
50% discount at parks, but usually many restrictions such as discount only weekdays, or discount only good for 2 nights, etc. Many parks accept Passport America, even if they don't advertise it. Best to check Passport America website. PA website can show participating parks along your route also.
Nat'l Forest Annual Pass: $80./yr , $10./yr if over 62, Free for military and disabled.
Whether you camp or just visit Nat'l parks, this comes in handy. To enter Grand Canyon is $25. Many other parks are $10-$15. It all adds up.
Escapees: $70./yr  But until July 31 the membership is 1/2 price to celebrate their 35 yr. anniversary. You can also receive a discounted rate if you are a member of GS, PA, or Woodalls.
We domicile in TX and use their mail forwarding. If you are joining just for the camping discount, probably not worth it. There are quite a few campgrounds that discount 15% for Escapees. Escapees also have a few of their own parks with a deeper discount, but I haven't been impressed by them so far. Have only been to a couple. And another reason we are Escapees members is because they have lobbyist fighting to keep our lifestyle legal. Meaning, with Homeland Security, our nomadic lifestyle is at risk because we don't have a physical address.The Dahl's (RV Sanity) commented,  "I feel I need to add to their numbers for their legislative efforts on behalf of fulltime RVers." Escapees has fought the gov't to enable certain addresses be acceptable as a "physical address".
CCRVOC (Cedar Creek RV Owners Club): $25./yr.
If you own a Cedar Creek brand RV, this is a great club to join. The members are friendly without being pushy. They are very helpful! They have great rallies. Shout out to Ray, Lee & Lee, and AG & Maryanne.
Whatever brand you own, it's a good idea to join their owner's club. Wealth of information, good contacts, and usually fun times.
BROWSING THE WWW://
Brad & Suzanne of RVing & Travels blog, are exploring NC and mentioned fog on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is a beautiful area of the country and well worth a trip out there if you have plans to head East.
This brought back memories for Scott & I. I guess fond memories now that it is so long ago.  We drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway for our Honeymoon in 1994. We rode our motorcycles and tent camped. Ahh, to be young...well, we weren't that young. We married when we were 38 years old. We had a small tent, sleeping bags, tarp, one burner stove. It rained a few of the days and we hit some terrible, terrible fog. When riding, Scott would lead and I would follow. I couldn't even see Scott's rear light, so just imagine trying to ride a motorcycle on winding and sometimes hairpin turns along the ridge and not being able to see what's ahead of you. We stayed at a different campsite every night, so that meant unpacking, setting up camp, sleeping on 1" foam mattresses, then breaking down camp and packing it all back on our Suzuki 800 Intruders with canvas saddle bags and lots of bungee cords.

On my bike I painted a flag saying "Just Married" and Scott had a sign saying the same thing bungeed on his packs. We did stay one night at a hotel on the Parkway. That was for our official Honeymoon Night. We splurged and got a room with a fireplace. The next day, back on the bikes and tenting.
On the way home to NJ, I had had enough of bad weather and constant packing and unpacking. The riding on nice days was great though. Sure enough, our ride to NJ was in a Nor'Easter! Lots of heavy rain, high winds. I told Scott that we WILL make it to NJ tonight. He knew what Debbie said goes! Up Route 81 we travel. This is a multi lane highway, but an easy ride, well not in a Nor'Easter. And not once you hit the Washington, DC beltway. We hit that at rush hour. Bumper to bumper in this miserable weather. Very nerve wracking with good reason. That was a very dangerous ride. Our motorcycles only had that one small rear light. We were not very visible to other cars. So even being the experienced riders we were, we had to worry about cars and trucks not seeing us.

So even though we had rain suits and waterproof boots and gloves, the chill still got to us, especially me. But I can be one tough Bi...oops, I mean one tough Lady! We stopped for gas and Scott asked if I still wanted to get to NJ. I said y y y y yes. Scott thought that was a very bad idea and finally started to disagree with me. He said, "Talk to me without chattering".
"I I I  c c c c caaaan't." That was it. He was ready to defy my wishes! Horrors! He's in trouble now! Scott told me I was showing signs of hypothermia. I had a cup of hot coffee, but still couldn't stop ch ch ch chatterrrrring.
There was a motel next to the gas station and we checked in. We had planned to take an alternate bridge other than the Delaware Memorial. We knew on that large of a bridge, our bikes would be blown around. When we turned on the news, we heard our alternate bridge was closed because of the storm. So even if I somehow had persuaded or badgered him enough to drive on, we still wouldn't have made it to NJ that night.
But wait! There's more!
After this stressful, strenuous, miserable day of riding motorcycles, we were famished. Hey, look, there's a Chinese Restaurant next door! I LOVE Chinese food. Now I'm starting to be glad we stopped. We ordered our Chinese food and were told the typical "ten minute". Now remember, we are 38 yrs. old. There is a bar in the restaurant. WE NEED A DRINK!!!! We're not driving tonight, just walking to the motel. Let's both get a shot of something STRONG! We order two Grand Maniers.
"Can I see I.D. please?" Huh????? We are 38 years old. I don't need this "compliment" right now. Scott had his since he needed his wallet to pay. I left all that at the motel. No I.D., no service. That was the end of my rope. I turned to Scott, looked up into his loving face and said, "This has been a shitty honeymoon." Poor Scott, he felt so bad. It was definitely an experience.
But wait! There's more!
Scott just reminded me that through all this, I was suffering from a massive toothache. When we got home, I needed a root canal!
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TELEVISION:
Have you seen, Rock My RV on the Travel Channel? If you're into RV'ing whether big fancy rigs, or smaller used rigs, this is an interesting show.
Scott and I are always imagining a nicer rig, but in reality, we have done so many mods to make it ours, I wouldn't want to start all over again.
This show basically guts your RV and installs your wish list items. They even paint or wrap the outside.
One episode, the RV was used for Charity. They didn't need a bed, so they changed the bedroom into a lounge area. They take out the bed and uh oh, problems. The slide mechanism is in the way. They acted like this was unexpected, which drove me nuts. If you work on RV's you KNOW there is a slide mechanism under the bed slide. I guess they needed drama for the show.
I couldn't watch when our bedroom was gutted to install flooring. It stressed me so bad. Will he know how to put everything back? in WORKING order? Yes, he did and all was well.
Anyway, check the show out.
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PETS:
Devin is again going nuts, NUTS, NUTS, here at Diamond Lake. There are critters all over the place!
1. There are cute little squirrels running all around. The other morning a squirrel was trying to take our cotton tablecloth. He was tugging and tugging. I finally had to shoo him away. But that little adorable critter was determined. I had put the tablecloth away, so the critter decided to try to drag Devin's "dead dog" toy away. This toy was 2-3 times bigger than the squirrel. Scat! Now the dog is put away.
2. There's also Belding's Ground Squirrels, or as one local called them "Go Unders".

They look like squirrels with very short, non fluffy tails. I thought they were Prairie dogs, but nope, Ground Squirrels. They are really driving him nutso. They dig holes all over.






3. Sightings of what I thought were chipmunks, I've now learned are Gold-Mantled Ground Squirrels.

4. I even saw some kind of Weasel/Ferret!
Then add to all this cuteness, there are the pests.
5. Huge ants
6. Yellow jacket type bees
7. Flies
8. Midges, known as the "blind mosquito" because they do not bite.
Excerpt from: Crater Lake Institute 
"It's early evening, the wind dies, and near the edge of the marsh a few small flying insects rise. Soon joined by others, the swarm increases and increases and increases until the mass of insects forms a long symmetrical top-shaped mass that swirls about emanating a strong, screaming hum audible at a distance of 100 yards. Cows refuse to eat. Automobile radiators clog. People become nauseated and have trouble breathing.
Where could this happen? Belize, the Mosquito Coast? The swamps of the Congo? The banks of the great gray-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever trees? Give up? It's the Klamath marsh!"
Devin certainly crashes at night. Normally the dogs nap during the day except when we take them for walks or hikes. But Devin is on the look out for critters, and then he's trying to catch bugs in flight, or he's swatting them away with his paw or twitch of an ear. No napping for this guard dog!

While walking the dogs, I have to have a really strong hold on Devin. He will suddenly pull to get to a cute little critter. This is a beautiful area and I've enjoyed walking the dogs on the shore of Diamond Lake. Yesterday, I let them do some wading. I love seeing them so happy in the water. Huh?
Deeeeeeviiiiiiiin! COME! Who would have thought he would have left the fun of the water to chase a critter? I did not have a good handle on him and off he went. Lyla is in the water and being the senior girl she is, she was having a difficult time getting out of the water. I'm pulling on her collar. No luck. I may have to jump in a pick her up and out of the water. I finally guide her over to a lower drop and she barely jumps back on land. Now where did that SOB go?!!! There he is about 150' to my left. He sees me and crosses the street. This road is not well traveled, but when there is traffic, it is 50mph traffic. A car is coming. I'm dragging Lyla behind and in the middle of the street, I'm motioning for the car to slow and pointing to Devin. Thankfully, they car did slow and thankfully, Devin did not go back into the street. There he goes, up over the levee towards the campground and also out of sight.  I call him again and say "Come". He pokes his head over and looks down at me. I say "Good Boy" in a happy voice and come, again. Miracles never cease! He came to within 5' of me. But 5' is just as bad as 50' if he dashes away when I get closer. I stayed very calm, and kept telling him he's a good boy and to stay. He laid down!!! Oh my Gosh! I think he sort of came back to me! I'm so excited. It's a slow progress but it is progress.
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BOOK REVIEW:
Play Dead by Harlan Coben
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my gosh! What a great book! I could not put it down. I read all day and the next! I have read 12 of Harlan Coben's books. I have rated all 4 or 5 stars. Nice to have an author whose books are consistently great.
This is a murder mystery, love story, and family saga. The Author knows just when to switch back to another character's story. The book is one cliffhanger after another cliffhanger. I NEEDED to continue to read, so I could return back to the previous storyline with the cliffhanger to find out what happens, only to have the current storyline leaving another cliffhanger returning to resolve the other cliffhanger. His writing is constantly keeping you excited and wanting for more. He then reveals only enough to start all over again and keep you on the edge. Just call me Horse and "Play Dead" the carrot.

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June 14 -23, 2013 Armitage County Park, Eugene, OR

WA, ID, MT, ND, SD, WY, then south for the Winter of 2013/214