Hanging out in Cloverdale...

I think I'm getting the hang of this blogging business finally. I don't have any photos because I haven't taken any! We didn't get the camera out at Clear Lake because of all the smoke from the fires. And now we're at the Russian River Thousand Trails Preserve and it's also not exactly worthy of photographs. It's an okay campsite for us to spend the five nights we need between camping with friends - especially at $10 per night for hookups. I've got everything except TV reception and the WIFI is at the lodge. This area is along the Russian River, but the scenery is a lot like home with oak trees and poison oak - and yes - snakes (not that I've seen any yet..)
We went wine tasting which was great as there are hundreds of very large wineries here. I'm just getting over a four day cold and Steve has now officially caught it so he's in the trailer moping. I'm very glad our trailer isn't any smaller or there would be murder to report.
Saturday is a big day here at the campground, which for a Thousand Trails, hasn't been very lively. There's a pancake breakfast, ice-cream social and a "candy bar" bingo game in the evening. What this park needs is a POOL!

On the road again, Clear Lake

We're at Clear Lake in a RV park very close to the lake. Clear Lake is anything but clear this time of year. We came with friends to see Lynyrd Skynrd at Konocti Harbor and the concert was very good. It was in an outdoor arena and the weather turned out to be pretty nice. The smoke has finally lifted a bit and we can actually see the other side of the lake. Turns out I am coming down with a cold - been feeling a bit off the last two days and now I know why... darn! The campground is okay. Some of the spots near the lake would be nice, but might be a challenge for us with our rig. I'll post some pics when I actually take some. We had challenges when we arrived with a flat tire and electric issues, in addition to the fact it was 108 degrees... a very bad mix of conditions.
Next we head on to Russian River Thousand Trails for five nights then on to Fort Bragg to meet with fire dept. friends. Since we're RPI, the cost is only $10 per night - which probably means we'll be regulated those "cheap" sites... No matter. We're in "Kris's palace" according Steve.

Catching Up

We didn't have internet for the other two weeks of our June trip. We were at Riffe Lake with family for a week and then cut over to Bend, Oregon on our way home. Riffe Lake had a very nice campground and great fishing. Brother-in-law Bob brought his boat and we caught 15 fish in less than 2 hours. We picked Cara up at the Portland Airport so she could spend a few days with her grandparents and cousins who showed up for the weekend. Cara loved the fishing. The fish were "nice" meaning that they were averaging 20 inches long... Lots bigger than we're used to catching in the great state of Cal. AND the fish loved shrimp - go figure! While it rained for the first couple days, it cleared up to be great weather. Our only casualty was one hubcap over 2700 miles.

We stayed two nights in La Pine Oregon and visited with an RV net member who came over for wine around the fire. The next evening we had dinner at their house and it was great. A very nice couple who have also retired and are working hard on their house. We really liked the LaPine area as there were about 30 beautiful lakes within a 20 mile radius and lots of volcanic parks to visit. However, the Bend area isn't exactly inexpensive.

We stayed for two nights at Lake Siskyou near Shasta. It's a great little lake and we had a nice site. But for some reason, we weren't in their computer and they tried to reassign our site about five times until the security guy showed up to confirm our recept. Otherwise, this is a great lake for sitting on the beach, but then we didn't really have time to relax! We drove into McCloud and Steve really enjoyed the museum and the town. It's one of my favorite towns.. Next time we would like to take the dinner train up Shasta.

Okay, this blog is a bit scattered because it won't let me put photos anywhere but the top apparently. And the photos are using up all my storage space.. Guess I could read the directions..

rain and more rain...

We're in Washington at the Outback RV Park for a night before linking up with family at Riffe Lake. It's raining and drizzling and raining and windy.... Apparently it's historic unseasonable weather and we're here to enjoy it. No leaks in the trailer, although the wind pushed some rain in through the air conditioner to drip on Steve's sister. Probably won't be able to post from the campground unless there's wifi by some miracle... but I doubt it.

Alpenlites as far as the eye can see...

We're at the Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Oregon for Alpenfest with nearly 100 other rigs. Sometimes you have to look carefully before climbing into your rig to make sure it's yours and not a neighbors...

This resort is plush to say the least. It's in a beautiful canyon and away from both the casino and I5. Wireless internet, wonderful heated showers and bathrooms, nice pool and spa... nearly everything one could want in a campground. There are group fire pits that the staff have to light but they supply all the wood, so it's okay. It's been pretty cloudy most of the week, but only rained a couple of times. Typical Oregon weather.

Everyone here has been most welcoming to us as "the newcomers." They are at a crossroads since Alpenlite (WRV) is no longer in business and the club itself is in need of more members - and younger ones too. We've learned more about our trailer from members who have had these trailers all their lives apparently. They are VERY brand loyal.

A dealer brought up several of the last units including four Alpine motorhomes which have a MSRP of close to $300,000. They were pretty neat. But even if it was half price - that would be way to expensive considering the price of fuel. I don't think they've sold any...

It's been an interesting week with lots of the usual camping activities - eating, drinking, more eating and of course, more drinking. Anyway, today is laundry day as we're getting ready to go to Washington for a fun-filled week with Steve's family. I probably won't have internet so this will be the last post for a bit. And then today I've got to get everything packed up so we can leave early for the long drive. Tonight is the big seafood buffet at the casino - our last dinner. I haven't had to cook so far this week which has been nice.

Unfortunately, I messed up my eye again with something under my contact lense. It's pretty red and irritated, but not as bad as the last time this happened. I'm trying not to go to Urgent Care because I just don't want to deal with it. I think if I'm careful, it will heal quite nicely on its own.