Our surprise visitor

Right now the motorhome is plugged in our garage. Besides putting the boost on once a week, we take it out once a month--either driving to Moscow or just keeping it in tune in the driveway if the roads are bad. We went to town last Friday. So, what are fair weather travelers to do from November to April? Today we looked out our window. Just before noon this gorgeous bald eagle stopped to survey our backyard. He stayed about 15 minutes and then continued on. We wonder if this is Glen, the eagle released December 5 from WSU veterinary school. Whoever he is, this eagle was certainly a stranger to our neighborhood. We wish him well on his trip to his home by the river or lake.

Oregon, part two

the duck pond at Fairview RV Park

We returned to Portland in October for two more weeks before heading home and winterizing our home on wheels.











Where's the train?



whatever you say, Grandpa!



Grayson and the ducks



Collins has a clear view of the tabletop now

our second stay at Fairview RV Park

Les Schwab comes to the rescue! A tire stem broke when Roger was checking tire pressures. We're very fortunate this happened here instead the tire failing at highway speed.

And then we headed home before winter arrived on the Palouse.

coming into Colfax, WA



leaving Pullman for Palouse, WA



the view from our deck

one of our tamaracks



Smokey



Tawny

Oregon, part one

Multnomah Falls

We decided that during our third motorhome year, we would go to Portland and live there for a month. Then anyone in our family could drop by our place, and we could easily go over to their homes and visit during the afternoon or evening. Our original plan was to go in May so we could be part of the audience at Sydney’s school spring program and softball games and watch Grayson’s T-ball practices too. We planned on taking day trips to interesting nearby towns during the week when everybody was working or going to school.

Our basic idea was fine, but it didn’t work out exactly the way we thought it would. We finally left home August 10, spending the night at Horn Rapids RV Resort in Richland, Washington. This was our third stay at this very nice park. The next afternoon we arrived at Portland Fairview RV Park and spent at least part of 27 of our 31-day stay with family. We visited and went swimming and worked on craft projects. We went to the school near Grayson’s and Collins’s home for bike riding and sliding and swinging and some hide-and-seek. We went shopping and we had a surprise party and we visited Sydney’s school when we picked her up after the second day of her school year.

One day when we were home alone, we drove to Multnomah Falls. Lots of people had the same idea that Monday. We walked to the lower bridge to admire the waterfall, looked at the Forest Service display in the lodge, and then we hung around on the trail by the rail overpass until a freight train rumbled past. The engineer saluted Roger as the train headed up the Columbia Gorge. Another day we went to lunch at Black Rabbit Restaurant at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale. During the other free days, we read and relaxed and just hung out in the motorhome with our three cats.

Surprise Birthday Party

We weren't all together to celebrate Grayson's fourth birthday on his official date. But Sydney had a plan to fix this problem. She organized a wonderful surprise party for her cousin Grayson. She designed and sent out handmade invitations. Everyone--except Collins (who just stood there looking very cute)--hid, waited quietly, and then jumped out from behind the island and around the corner in Grayson's living room, yelling "SURPRISE! Happy Birthday!" at the appointed party time. Indeed, Grayson was surprised, but he recovered quickly from "HEY! where did everybody go?" to "Hey--where did those presents come from?" He listened to our birthday song, made a wish, blew out candles, and enjoyed his cake. Then he opened gifts: a speedy race car and monstrous dinosaur models. Everyone agreed the party was a huge success.

 

 

At the train

The timber train on display at the Oregon Zoo is a favorite place for Grayson to play and imagine. He enjoys coming here often with his Mom and Dad and little sister Collins, or his Nana and Papa (Julie's parents). We enjoyed riding the Max from Sunset Station to the Zoo to share a very nice afternoon with Grayson and Collins and Evan and Julie. 

 

 

 

 

 

Touring in the motorhome and helping at the fuel stop



Everyone is here to help.



Crew leaders Grayson and Sydney work out on those bugs.

A fuel stop takes about 45 minutes. This window has never been so cleaned.



You're good in the lane, Grandpa.

Collins smiles at her uncle Sean.



Everything's good with Sydney.

Collins helps her Dad close his beverage on the I-5 tour.



We see Mount St. Helens on the horizon.