Hi all, time to catch up now that we are back in the digital world. Quiet time was nice, at least for a short time.

Day 43

Travel day headed to Bly, OR and the Lone Pine RV Park. 

Lots of mountains, clouds, some rain and beautiful views. The Aspens were in full color and were a bright spot in a dreary day. No problem finding the RV park and did not even need to disconnect from the truck. So we plugged in and had a great talk with Josephine and Carissa on a video call. Then a short call with Chelsey. Simple supper and with good cell service getting the blog caught up. Soon to bed then up and off to Virgin Valley Campground and some more days off grid. Soon to bed and rest up for another travel day, but shorter.

Day 44 (Oct 27)

Shorter travel day, just with the narrow curvy roads it did seem much longer. Drove slower and with little to no traffic was a pleasant, scenic drive. Made it to Virgin Valley Campground on the Sheldon National Antelope Refuge. Absolutely no cell service, tv or radio reception. I think the guy with satellite TV may get something. Millie took advantage of the hot spring and we both enjoyed the warmer, drier weather. A spectacular sunset and twilight finished off the day. 

Tried the fire pit around dark, but for some unknown reason the gas flow seemed low. Will have to investigate. Nice evening with LOTS of stars, a little DVD watching and early to bed.

Day 45

Up early and watched the sunrise, not as spectacular as the evening before, and happy to see a clear sky, calm yet cool day begin. Millie got to sewing and I got lazy and read my book. Day warmed up to 65⁰ and the wind did not pick up until afternoon. Millie made bread and I made a batch of chilli. So supper was great. Took the Boyz on a good walk, exploring the campground and nearby structures. 

Visited with a couple from Florida and shared some travels and places between us. I took advantage of the hot spring and with the stiff breeze, 65⁰ and lower humidity, it got down right chilly until I got dried off. Still felt good. The spring pool is around 85-90⁰ and the same spring provide continuous warm showers and drinking water. Pretty amazing place and other than the campground, treeless. Beautiful in it’s own way and so different than west of the Cascade mountain range. Great supper, as I mentioned earlier, a bit of DVD watching and off early to bed.

 Day 46

Again up early, to a great sunrise, I guess that goes with getting to bed early. 

Lazy morning, coffee, breakfast and walks with the Boyz. After noon we fired up the truck and decided to explore the dirt roads. Drove, very slowly in 4 wheel low, up to the Virgin Creek Gorge Overlook. On the way we found a hill with cell service and did a video call with Carissa and a phone call with Chelsey. 

Was great to check in and find all is well at home. Was able to send them a video and a couple of pictures from the “hill in the middle of nowhere”. From there we went to the overlook. WOW, Ma Nature sure did some work there. A big crack in the mountain and a creek flowing through. Very much a hidden gem in NW Nevada.

 

After the overlook we headed to the mouth of the gorge. Was not as impressive comparatively, although still a great view.

  

Worked our way back to camp and got a snack then headed, in the other direction, to see what the Opal mines were like. The hills and valley were scenic, but, the Opal mines looked like RV junkyards. Could not actually see any of the operations and all were closed. Back to camp and a dip in the hot spring. I then made an adult beverage and walked up to visit with Prescott and Tom from Florida. After talking with Tom, I realized that we are Nooby’s compared to their travels. Although, this was their first time at this campground and we have been here before. Back to the RV and Millie had supper ready to sit down to. A bit of DVD viewing and off to bed. Tomorrow is a travel day and it could be a long one.

 

Day 47

Yes, it was a long travel day for us. Pretty much all the way across Nevada. 

Beautiful scenery, generally good roads and a lot of time behind the wheel. During our drive, Millie, Carissa, Chelsey, Josephine and Levi had a video chat as we sped down I-80. Was great to hear Jo sing Happy Birthday to her Grandma. They had chocolate cake with candles and ate some in front of us. Guess we need to get some for ourselves. Plans were made to have a birthday supper out after we return home. Tonight we decided to get an RV Park in West Wendover, Nevada. I think we will be in Utah as soon as we get back on I-80 tomorrow.  Adult beverage, chilli and Millie’s homemade sourdough bread. During the drive the truck decided it needed attention, change oil soon, change air filter and DEF fluid needed. Best part is tomorrow is Sunday and there isn’t a Ford garage open. Called Chris and Rob for a reservation in their driveway and they said yes. So at least one more day added to our return home trip. Lost an hour moving from Pacific time to Mountain time, making early to bed a little later.

Make your day great and share your good fortune with others.

Tom and Millie

 Hi all, time to catch up, so here goes.

Day 38 (Oct 21)

Slow morning with the wind and rain expected. Since it didn’t come as expected we headed out to the last remaining thrift stores. In between we went to Novelli’s Crab and Seafood for a Crab Chowder snack. Wow! Later went back and picked up a fresh cooked crab and a quart of Crab Chowder to go. We also went to a kitchen store and found some Christmas gifts. During our short trips the rain and wind showed up. Headed “home” during a break and started getting ready to travel tomorrow. Had a nice video call with Carissa and Josephine, starting to miss all our girls. This is the turn around as we will be generally heading toward home. Lots to see and do on the way. Finished the day with a nice salad and a bunch of crab on top. 

A bit of TV and off to bed.

 

Day 39

Good travel day, no issues and we made the trip in about the time anticipated. 

Stopped in Elkton, OR and visited a winery and bake shop. 

Wines were not all that impressive, but the bake shop was great. Finished the travel day to Canyonville, OR at the 7 Feathers RV Resort and Casino. All set up in between rain showers. Enjoying a beautifully landscaped RV Park with most of the trees in their fall colors. 

Been a good day.

 

Day 40

Coffee and a bake shop cinnamon roll. Then after a bit we headed to the Casino for breakfast and to do a bit of adding to the Tribes coffers. We then visited the local museum. 

We checked the weather and with high wind warnings we decided to extend our stay here for 2 more nights. Back to the RV for a nap, some book reading and Millie quilt making. Walking the Boyz and enjoying the colors, in between light rain showers. Supper was pasta alfredo with the remaining fresh crab. Some TV and off to bed.

Day 41

Dreary, rainy and now windy day. So we did laundry, checked in at the office and finally headed to Falk Estate Winery. Tasted some good wines and enjoyed the view, with the Turkeys.

Fueled up the truck and headed “home” for a nap. Light supper and some TV along with updating the truck fuel records and image editing. Starting to want for some sunshine.

 

Day 42

Today was a stay at home day as I did not feel well for a good share of the day. Don’t know what was up, and felt better by bedtime. So not much happened other than the Boyz getting walked and a few naps. Millie sewed up a storm all day. I think that helped her relax and enjoy staying put due to weather.

 

Day 43

Travel day headed to Bly, OR and the Lone Pine RV Park. Lots of mountains, clouds, some rain and beautiful views. The Aspens were in full color and were a bright spot in a dreary day. No problem finding the RV park and did not even need to disconnect from the truck. So we plugged in and had a great talk with Josephine and Carissa on a video call. Then a short call with Chelsey. Simple supper and with good cell service getting the blog caught up. Soon to bed then up and off to Virgin Valley Campground and some more days off grid. Soon to bed and rest up for another travel day, but shorter.

Make your day great and be kind.

Tom and Millie

 Hi all

Got a bit of cell service that is not capable of uploading photos,

so this blog will only be informative and sooner or later I will get some decent service.

We are moving to Bly, OR tomorrow for one night, don't expect much for service there.

Then off to Virgin Valley Campground on the Sheldon National Antelope Refuge and I know there will be no service there. Unsure how far we will have to drive to get out a text message.

After a few days of (hopefully) sun and soaking in the hot spring, we will head across Nevada. Unsure as to what actual direction we will go. East toward home faster or south for warmer weather. 

All said and done, not likely to find adequate service to post a blog with photos.

Make your day great and enjoy your own adventure.

Tom and Millie

 Hi all, looks like we will be pretty much off grid as far as internet is concerned. It does appear we will get texts and even phone calls, but campground wifi is PAINFULLY slow and cell service data is about the same. Will post again when we have some service.

Make your day great and be kind.

Tom and Millie

 Hi all, been so loving the seafood options on the Oregon coast. 

Walks on the beach while waiting for the rain. Here is our latest adventures.

Day 36  (Oct. 19)

Beautiful sunrise this morning. 

Coffee and breakfast then out to find a beach. Drove about 15 miles back up the coast and found a nice, somewhat secluded, beach. We walked in the sunshine, mostly out of the wind and just enjoyed the sound of the surf. 

With no one else on the beach we let the Boyz run. They loved running in the sand and chasing each other, After they just started walking with us and wandering around sniffing the new smells. Next was a small State Park with a great view of one of the Highway 101 iconic bridges. 

As we worked our way back toward town we stopped at Sea Lion Caves. Took the tour and the Sea Lions forgot to show up. OK, was not the time of year they typically inhabit the cave. Was neat to see and I did get some good photos of Heceta Head Lighthouse. 

Flowers along the path the cave.

In town we stopped for a beer and more seafood. 

Then “home” and watched some TV, edited some photos and off to bed.

 

Day 37

Less than stunning sunrise.

Late start and after coffee and brunch, Millie started laundry, I did some shopping at the hardware store and fueled up the truck. A hundred bucks and it still wasn’t quite full, yep $3.96 a gallon for diesel. Finished up the laundry and shopped at a thrift store. Bought a few books and a couple of DVD’s. Then went to supper, and you guesed it, more seafood. 

Old Town Florence on a busy Wednesday eve.

The restaurant for supper.

One more full day at the coast and the seafood binge will be over. Probably have to work on salads for a while. “Home” after for a couple of good walks with the Boyz and some TV time.

Make your day great and be kind.

Tom and Millie

 Hi all, fun visit at the Washington coast right at the mouth of the mighty Columbia.

Day 32 (Oct. 16)

Coffee and breakfast then over to visit with Ed and Carol for a while. Then Millie and I headed to Oysterville, WA. 

Quaint old village with historic homes and quite a few newer homes at the end of the Long Beach peninsula. Cool and rainy with a bit of a wind, and that did not stop us from having a good time. Sampled some local clam chowder. Our third one since we got to the coast and each have been great and different. 

Took a walk on the beach at Long Beach, WA.

Wandered back “home” and visited a couple of thrift stores and a distillery on the way. 

Leftovers for supper and visit with Ed and Carol till time to walk the boys and head for bed. Been a great day and no plans for tomorrow.

 

Day 33

Relaxed morning with usual fare. Helped out around Ed and Carol’s, getting a few punch list items on their new living quarters completed. Was fun to do some little projects, that needed doing, completed. Visited with Laine, Chris and family for a while and finally finished the day taking Ed and Carol out for supper. 

Ed had the burger, for supper and lunch tomorrow!

Another great seafood meal, Millie and I had the Halibut & Fries basket. Then it was “movie night” at Ed and Carol’s. Old 8mm family movies, most around 60 years old. Boy, did that stir up memories. Early to bed as we will be early to rise for a long travel day to Florence, OR.

 

Day 34

Up and ready to go early, for us. On the road by 9:30AM for what ended up being a 7+ hour travel day. Of course we had a few stops as the entire day was US 101 along the Oregon coast. Not the fastest way to go 196 miles. OK, we stopped in Tillamook to check out the cheese and in Lincoln City to enjoy some time on the beach and one more stop near Yachats for a walk with the Boyz and to just stop for a bit. 

Birds of a Feather.......must be visiting his cousin!

Rugged Oregon coast

Highway 101

Oregon Dunes

Set up camp at the Port of Siuslaw Campground in Florence, Oregon. Adult beverage, tasty supper and a little TV before bed. Gonna hit the beach tomorrow before the rain comes.

Make your time today productive and be kind.

Tom and Millie