We're home

Rick posted today about how they never envisioned staying in a Walmart parking lot as part of their RV'ing experiences. Ok, we're guilty! In fact, we stayed in the parking lot at Canadian Tire in Salmon Arm, which is allowed, on our last night before home.  There are no RV camping spots in Salon Arm that we like, and this 'site' has an awesome dumping station where we can do a super job before we get to the lot.  Our arrival back home is only about an hour away, and we arrived about 10 am.

We knew that our gazebo had collapsed over the winter due to the extreme high snow load in the Shuswap, so this morning Donald is trying to salvage what he can, see what can be fixed and whether the fairly new gas bbq that we stored under the gazebo can also be salvaged. It's all pretty much flat, so there is not too much hope!  On the bright side, we left the car out all winter with only a car cover and after hooking up the battery, she was ready to go! Luckily the collapsed gazebo missed hitting the car.

So, today is more unpacking the 5th wheel and starting on cleaning up the gardens.  The weather has warmed up and it's sunny and so away we go!

The gazebo WAS nice

Not smart yet.

We have left that rooster and all his crowing and made it across the border about 10 a.m. this morning.  Quite a few more questions than other years, but we were soon on our way.  Since we needed to get all " hooked back up" to some sort of internet and cell, we decided to stay a couple of days in Penticton to visit Rogers and Telus.  We don't even consider Bell, because of the way that they treated their satellite t.v. customers this past winter.   You may wonder why we are doing all this, but we do not have cable provided internet at our summer place, and rely on a portable wifi device, and our previous system was stopped in November before we left, so we didn't have to pay through the winter.

Now we are big time ( for us ) with I phones. I don't think we will be very smart with our smartphones for quite some time.  We do know how to turn them on. Oh, and have almost mastered how to call someone.  I called my mother.

It is good to be back in Canada, even if it is a little cooler. The blossoms were coming out on the fruit trees, there is green grass, people are golfing and the tulips and daffy's are very lovely.

Home in a couple of days.

Brrraaaccckkk and an RV problem

What started out as an early get go from Pendleton was not to be.  When I started to pull in our biggest slide ( table chairs and couch ) only one side of the slide would pull in and it seemed the motor would not engage the other side. Donald managed to push as hard as he could on the outside and since it was the rear and not the front, we limped out of Wildhorse RV Park to the nearest RV dealer, Thompson RV in Pendleton.  They, of course, could not fit us in for DAYS, but phoned and recommended the nearest RV repair shop, Drake RV.  Up the road we went, as the slide inched it's way further out.....

Drake RV is located at the airport in Pendleton, which was an old WW2  military base.  Their location is inside one of the original old aircraft hangers. Totally cool. They got us looked at right away, and it turned out the little sheer bolt that is a safety, broke away. To fix this, the underbelly had to be removed, but luckily that's all that it was and we were on our way in one hour, minus the one hour shop rate of $85 cash. Lucky Lucky. HIGHLY recommend these guys, they really know their stuff. Even if you need parts, give them a call.

The day's drive turned out to be later than anticipated, but what can you do. Stuff happens. What was the theme as we drove up from Pendleton, through the Tri-Cities, Moses Lake and onto Riverside, WA? Yes, it is farm country and all the way we saw" The Chicks are in ", " Baby chicks here "....
I do remember when we took delivery of our baby chicks many years ago, delivered by Greyhound Bus to the Feed Store.

Speaking of chickens, we are parked for two nights at Margie's RV Park in Riverside, Washington ( not recommended ). There is a rooster who seems to be quiet in the day, but crows all, yes all, night long. zzzzzz.  Border crossing tomorrow morning.

This rooster is not the culprit - image from Wikipedia

Rocking and Rolling in Pendelton

Wildhorse RV sites

Russ and Donna at Main Street Cafe, April 2012

Now, previously we thought that the biggest winds we ever encountered were at Senator Wash outside Yuma, but nope, Pendelton, Oregon is presently enjoying 50 mph wind gusts. The good thing about Oregon wind, is that you do not get the joyful experience of sand and dirt coming in every nook and cranny of the rig, that you do get in Yuma.

The plans are to head off early in the morning with the destination of Riverside, Washington in mind. That will be a longer drive day, so we'll have to see how it goes.  Today I got our receipts for purchases organized for the border. One job done. Now if I could find my Verizon papers with my account number to put that on hold.....

This morning we went downtown to Main Street Cafe, the same place we had breakfast with Russ and Donna almost a year ago. It was just as good.

I think everyone who is travelling is encountering cooler temperatures,wind and rain.  How does it go? April showers bring May flowers? Hope so.

Tulip in our garden upon arrival April 2012

Where did I pack our long pants?

We left Wells, Nevada at 6:30 a.m., yesterday, which was almost a record for us to leave that early.  Donald didn't sleep well thinking about the weather that was coming to the area, and it turns out all across the west.  So, off we went as we had already fuelled up the night before.  Even though we were expecting a horrendous windy/sleety drive, the only wind of significance we encountered was just leaving Wells and just before we pulled into our RV spot in Caldwell, Idaho. Thank goodness.

A highlight of yesterday's drive was discovering a new ring road through Twin Falls, which our GPS did not know about and which we discovered only because we missed the turn onto SR 30 to go through Twin Falls.  If you keep on highway 93, even though there are no signs, it turns through farmland and past a new housing development/hospital straight to the bridge over the river. Awesome route, very very quick.

The weather today through the pass and down to Pendleton looks ugly, so we are waiting here in Caldwell, relaxing and maybe a trip into Boise to look around.  John and Aileen decided to take a different route home to the border but also encountered some wicked winds. So, we're not the only ones! Travel safe everyone.

Onwards to spring weather, goodbye warm weather.....

What a wonderful day yesterday.  We headed off to Henderson, and picked up some muffins and coffee on our way to our friends.  I am not much of a shopper, so the quilt shop tour of the day before was more than enough, except for checking out Henderson's Joanne's store. It's like Home Depot - don't you have to make sure they are all the same? Ha.

We met the guys for lunch at Panera Bread, as they had gone their own way on a quest for pool noodles and an outdoor clock with a second hand to put near the pool at B and J's. Those tasks were accomplished, but not before three pool stores were visited.

In the afternoon, we floated in the pool, enjoying probably our last day of " summer " weather before our trek northwards. We say thank you to our friends, it's been a great couple of days and onwards we go early this morning, with a leisurely drive along Lake Mead to Overton, rather than through the morning rush hour of Las Vegas. The view is so much better!!

friends, quilt stores and fishing?

We had a great time yesterday with friends in Henderson, NV, with the gals heading out to 4 quilt stores and the boys looking for Cabelas, and settling for Bass Pro Shop.  Afterwards, we all met together at their home for a wonderful chicken dinner.  Mmmm. so good. Joanne made chicken breasts with avocado and cheese broiled on top, cucumber salad, and roasted bbq'd vegetables. Outstanding.

Today's plans are to do a few more things in Vegas, get some fuel just prior to coming back to the campground, and then heading off early morning, along the lake, to Overton, because it is a beautiful drive and we have the time.  Our destination is Ely or Wells.  Looks like a bit of a weather window heading north, so off we go.

Wow, 2 posts in one day....

This is just a quickie to say we have arrived at Las Vegas Bay Campground, in Lake Mead National Park.  We usually stay at the Boulder Beach campground, on the west side, however, we pulled in and the host informed us that the last spot was just taken! What!!! We were early afternoon and everything. Turns out, a major renovation was taking place with over half the campground unavailable, as those sites were totally re-done, trees and brush cleaned up, and it looked like all the sites were made bigger. Well, we all know rigs are not getting any smaller, and very few people are tenting or tent-trailering, so perhaps this was the reason.  The attendant let us know that some sites were still open at Las Vegas Bay, 8 miles up the lake. Whew! Yep, there were a couple of sites only, and these are very small. Our new neighbour let us know that this campground is slated for renovations as soon as Boulder Beach is fully back open.  Bob, if you are reading this.... we know you like to stay here, so you are forewarned!

We booked for a couple of days, and will try to contact friends in Henderson for a visit. Then, maybe some quilt shops, antique shops.........

We had a great drive, from Desert Hot Springs, up into Yucca Valley, then to Amboy ( huge crater, National Natural Monument thing, amazing! ) then old route 66 to catch Highway 95 up into Nevada.
We could drive as fast as the interstates, without the hassle of the interstates. Gotta love it.

On the Road Again.....

I can't wait to get ' on the road again".... you can just hear the tune in your head.  We have had a wonderful winter season down in the south this year, but alas, the time has come to leave and start heading it north.

Last evening we enjoyed a wonderful supper with our neighbours, Ken and Jan, who bbq'd up a great meal for those who were leaving the next morning - ourselves, Rick and Paulette, and Jenifer and Tom. All of whom we will see again next year.

We may take a couple of different routes homes this year, just to see something new. At least that howler wind of the last couple of days has died down.... shhhh... don't bring it back!

ttyl