Ely Nevada in the Rain

Posted by Rich

We drove to Ely yesterday, The scenary is so different to us. The road is as straight as an arrow at times and it just dissapears into the mountains ahead. Then it gets twisty and you drive up and down through another mountain range. The passes are all over 7400 ft. but the Monaco handles them just fine. We drove for many miles without seeing another vehicle. This is an awesome trip.

This morning we woke up to some heavy rain. People around here were acting like folks do at home the first time it snows (I guess it hasn't rained in months). Gorgie saw a guy in a four wheeler runthrough a mud puddle, turn around and do it again.

We are staying in an RV park that is part of the Prospector Hotel and Gambling Hall. It's not much but we have full hookups and are comfortable.

In the morning we start heading south on US Hwy. 93. Our next stop will be at Cathedral Gorge State Park near the town of Panaca,NV. There are no hookups available so we will be boondocking on our batteries and generator for two nights. Also there will not be any cell service as well. The Verizon broadband card we bought to have internet access has worked great we had more bars on it than we did on our phones.

More Later, Rich

On The Road Again

Posted by Gloria

I am posting at 60 mph somewhere between Fernley and Fallon Nevada. We will soon be on Hwy. 50 which is called the lonliest highway, it's 176 miles between towns with just a few ranches but mostly just good old desert. We will lose cell phone coverage and internet capabilities which is scary in the event we break down. We stopped to fuel up at a truck stop which was an education, we didn't have an ICC number so thought we may not be able to buy fuel there but as it turned out we were able to. The smell of urine was so bad, I guess the truckers empty their "pee bottles" in the drains-yuck. I saw a few female truck drivers and had to wonder what they do-wear diapers? We have no specific plans of where we will stay tonight, we're winging it.

Until next time,
Gloria

Reno, Extra Day

Posted by Rich

The picture is of our rig at the Shamroch RV Park in Reno

We decided to stay one more day in Reno. They have the streets blocked off downtown for "Street Vibrations". We watched them set up displays,tents, & food booths, for all the motorcycles coming in today. We thought it would be fun check it out. Someone said to take alot of pictures but we don't want to carry the camera all day, we'll see.

Thanks for the comments it's nice to see people are actually reading our posts.

More Later, Rich

Reno, The Biggest Little City

Posted by Rich

The picture is of Goose Lake from the Highway.

Yesterday we drove down from Goose Lake. It is sure a nice drive, easy driving, and wonderful scenery (except for the construction). Last night we went to Fitzgeralds Casino and had a nice dinner and gambled some. You won't hear about any losses from me, but if we win I'll tell you all about it :-). This morning we lazed around and Gloria went for a "Power Walk" Debby loaned her some smaller weights so as to not kill her. We are going to lunch soon and see what adventures are available for us today.

More Later, Rich

Wildlife at Goose Lake

Posted by Gloria

Upon arrival at Goose Lake we were greeted by several deer, hawks, geese, herons and a variety of birds. I even met a German Shepard dog that had a customized wheel chair apparatus for his hind quarters so he could walk again.

Goose Lake

Posted by Rich

We had a very nice evening here at Goose Lake. We chatted with people in the campground everyone is so friendly. I made shrimp tacos with chipolte cole slaw last night and they were yummy. Today we are pressing on to Reno for two nights. It's about 200 miles so we want to get going by about 9:00.

If you leave a comment be sure to put your name on it so we'll know who sent it. It's unlocked so you don't have sign in now.

More Later, Rich

Oregon's Outback

Posted by Rich


Highway 31 from La Pine to Lakeview is a scenic highway It's named Oregon's Outback. It is a long and mostly unpopulated road. There are two small towns along the way, Silver Lake, home of the world famous Cowboy Dinner Tree Restaurant (we ate there last year). Another wide spot in the road was Summer Lake but other than ranches we didn't see any "town". Paisley is a small friendly place people actually waved at us. We had stopped at wide spot and had a sandwich. This part of Oregon needs some more exploration.
We arrived at our planned destination of Goose Lake State Park at about 3:30. This is a beautiful park it reminds us of the now closed Crow Butte State Park in Washington. There are deer everywhere and they don't seem to mind the few campers in this park. We wish we had planned more time here.

More Later Rich

Debby and Jerry With Their New Rig

Posted by Rich

Do they look happy?

Cleaning Up

Posted by Rich



Today we are going to pick-up, clean-up, while Debby, and Jerry are in Bend looking further into the purchase of the Beaver.
We travel to Lakeview, OR actually 13 miles south right on the border with California. There is a state park there, Goose Lake we are only staying one night then it's on to Reno by Monday afternoon.
I have changed the requirements for commenting to our blog (you don't need to sign in now) let me know if you still have a problem.

Are Debbie and Jerry Buying a Motorhome?

Posted by Rich


Yesterday when we went to Bend we visited the Beaver Coach dealer there, Jerry wanted to look at used rigs. Well they found one, a 1999 37 ft. Patriot. They are going back today to fill out the paperwork. How exciting for them. We are going to clean around here while they are gone.

More later, Rich

Up With The Butt Crack Of Dawn

Posted by Gloria

Last night while enjoying the evening sitting outside the RV, Richard noticed some oil had splashed onto the rear passenger side wheel. Upon further investigation we discovered a pool of oil cradled in the wheel. Needless to say we had many concerns about where the oil had come from. We were pretty bummed wondering if we should continue on our journey, head for home etc. The campground advertised a couple of mobile RV repair services so we were considering calling them in the morning. I wondered if Richard would sleep at all. This morning we decided to call a truck stop in La Pine and found out they are so new that they haven't established a repair business yet but gave Richard the number of someone who may be able to help us. Richard called at 7:30 and the guy said he could see us in 30 minutes, Richard looked up the directions and we scrambled to put everything away and hit the road. I followed Richard in the Suzuki in case we had to leave the RV (our home). We found the place with no problem and upon arrival we were greeted by Merlin who was very friendly but looked like something out of Deliverance. Richard and I both looked at each other like yikes! We had considered leaving the RV and going to breakfast but changed our minds. Merlin had two helpers that were also very friendly but didn't have many teeth and were never without a cigarette. As it turns out they knew what they were doing; they diagnosed it as a bad gasket and sure enough, once they got the wheel off, the gasket was bad. They replaced it with silicone gasket material and put it back together. Richard asked how much the bill was and they charged us $60.00 and we were on our way, we were only there an hour. What a relief it was to have it fixed in such a short time and minimal cost.

My first post

Posted by Gloria

I didn't want Richard to have all the glory of posting to our blog, therefore I will be writing from time to time.

We are enjoying ourselves so far, I went for a walk this morning and was gone a little longer than I thought. When I returned Richard was pacing, worried that I was gone too long, he said he went from worried to mad. I suggest that he join me in the future and then he will not only get some exercise but know where I am at all times-think it will happen?

We're on the Road

We're on the road. Yesterday we left home, and drove to La Pine,OR. We are going to be here until Sunday. Yesterday was our 31st anniversary, what a good day to start an adventure.
I fixed steak and lobster for dinner and we had a great bottle of wine.
This morning we woke up to 30 degree temperatures, brrr. But we warmed the coach had our coffee and tea. Life is wonderful. Gorgie is out for a power walk with her weights. After breakfast she said she would go for a stroll with me :-). More later, Gorgie and Rich

The Mad Scramble

The mad scramble is on. We are running around like chickens with their legs cut off, getting ready to leave on Monday morning.
The river trip with Bob and Annie was great the Columbia is sure a beautiful river. Almost as soon as you leave the harbor it gets rural fast. What a great trip.
Back to our trip we have lists of lists and sub-lists, stacks of stuff to pack,and a fear we'll forget something important. If we do I guess we'll have to do without or pick it up on the way.

Back to the Mad Scramble More later, Gorgie & Rich

Cathlamet,WA

We spent the night moored at the Elochoman Slough Marina. Last night we had dinner in town and I went to bed early and got a good nights sleep. We spent the night before at Walker Island which is a very beautiful and quiet anchorage. Yesterday during our cruise to Cathlamet we decided a Bloody Mary would be a good thing but we lacked the vodka lucky for us our cruisemates Brian and Corie had some on their boat. Now how to get it transfered while under way?


Well you fasten a mesh bag on the boat pole and have Corie put the vodka in the bag.


Then you make the Bloody Marys and pass one back.

Well I put the pictures in but they are at the top and in reverse order but you get the idea.

You may have gotten the theme of this trip :-) Later Gorgie & Rich

The Mighty Columbia River

Yesterday we had a beautiful day motoring down the river. The weather was perfect in every way; sunny and not too hot. We are on Bob & Annie's boat the "Anne Marie". We are traveling with Brian (Bob's friend) and Corie on their boat the Corina. John & Peg on the No Spare Time started out wth us but had to turn back because of electrical problems. We anchored in some slack water behind Sandy Island which is accross the river from Kalama, WA. After a dinner of spaghetti, and garlic bead by Annie and blackberry pie made by Gloria and a few drinks, we had a wonderful night's sleep. It is so peaceful at night on the river. This morning the sunrise was to die for. The water was like glass. More later ---Rich & Gorgie

New Internet Connection

I turned in all the comcast equipment today. I went to Verizon and bought a broadband card to use during our travels. I'm using it right now for this post. So this is a test of sorts. We leave in the morning for our boat trip. I hope the weather cooperates:-). See Ya Rich

The Mighty Columbia River

On Sat. Sept 1, we are going on the river with brother Bob and Annie. They have a 42ft. Carver that is very nice. We are hooking up with John & Peg, Brian & Cory for a six day cruise. We always have a great time with these folks.

When we return we'll have 3 days to finish shopping and packing for the "Big Trip". The motorhome is all checked out and ready. We are so excited we are beside ourselves. I still have the fear I'm forgetting something. Well if I do I guess I'll do without or get it on the road.

Until next time, Rich

The Big Trip

The last time I said that there may be changes to our itinerary. Sure enough lots of them. We wanted to stay in the Reno/Virginia City area for about a week. Well Thunder in the Streets has all the campgrounds in the area sold out. We were able to get two nights only, then we must move on. So we are going to take the "Lonliest Highway" US-50 to Austin, Eurika, and Ely NV. From there it's south on US-93 were we will pick up our route at Cathedral Gorge State Park. This way we will have six days to see and explore this scenic area. Our departure is getting close :-).
Until next time,Rich

Trip Plans

We have planned our trip to Tucson (subject to change) We are going to spend a week in central Oregon at Cascade Meadows (an ROD site). From there we are going to drive through Oregons "Outback" through Paisley to Lakeview and stay at Goose Lake State Park. Then it's on to Reno for a few days. They are busy because of the air races and thunder in the streets ( a motorcycle rally). So we don't know where we will stay yet. Next stop is Virginia City, we really like this town and are looking forward to spending a few days there. The next stop is Tonopah. This is just a place to stay after a long drive. We plan to drive the "Extraterrestrial Highway" NV-375 to Panaca and a stay at Cathedral Gorge State Park. Our next stop is in Utah at the Western Horizons "St. George Resort" in Hurricane,UT. That stop will probably be for a week so we can take the toad and see Zion and Brice National Parks. From there we go to Jacobs Lake, AZ there is a nice park there that has full hookups so we can explore the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. That stay will probably be for 5 or 6 days. The drive from there will take us across the Navaho Bridge through the Grand Canyon and across the Colorado River. Plans after this are not too sure from there but we'll keep you posted. We plan to be in Tucson around the 15th of Oct. to see my dad. Then we want to stay along the Colorado River up to Bullhead City, Las Vegas, Pahrump, and home through California. Sanger where I was born is on my list of places to see.
This is a general summary of our trip. I'll try to post a map soon.
Rich and Gorgie