June 30, 2016 - Port Susan

Septic Tanks

Well we've been here a week and now it's already time to pump out the septic tank. Rule here in Port Susan is the septic has to be pumped out after 365 day of use. We left last year with just a few days left so we had to face this task right away.  First schedule the honey truck. Then move Horizon, which is covering the access port. Next locate where the port might be located. Now start digging and try not to damage the wood box.  Luckily I was right on target.  Now wait for the truck to arrive.

June 20, 2016 - On to Port Susan

Monday - Yakima to Port Susan

This morning we headed out to our lots in Port Susan and our home for the summer.

We arrived around 3pm, parked the Horizon and hooked up the utilities.

One of  the first tasks on the list is to open up the sheds and bring out the tables, grass rugs, popup gazebo, etc.
Unfortunately, over the winter the padlocks became corroded and I couldn't get the key in.  As much as I tried, it would only go in about half way.  I. tried WD-40 and tapping the key in with a hammer but the key would not go all the way into the lock.
Plan B. I decided to cut the lock off and I tried to find someone with bolt cutters I could borrow but nobody had any.  Plan C. rent bolt cutters. Finding a tool rental then one that had bolt cutters was a problem. Finally found them twenty miles away in Arlington. An hour later I carefully placed the bolt cutter on the lock a squeeze away.  I applied as much pressure as I could and they only cut into the lock an eight of an inch or so. I set down the bolt cutters and discovered a half moon in the cutting blade but the lock was unscathed. Photo above.
I was afraid I would have to pay for the damage of three (slow learner) half moon in the cutting edges but there was no charge.
Plan D. next attempt. I had a used cut-off wheel for an electric drill and decided to give it a try. I didn't hold much hope. I last used the wheel to cut off a small master padlock. I started with a five inch wheel and an hour later when it cut through. Now it was less than two inches and out of round. Success. To my surprise it cut through both locks like butter in less than ten minutes, and these were 3/8 inch diameter!

June 19, 2016 - Yakima WA

Sunday - Yakima Elks Lodge RV Park

This morning the Elks restaurant was serving breakfast so we walked over and enjoyed a great breakfast.

Elks Dining Room

Staying one more night in this beautiful Elks RV park.

June 17, 2016 - Yakima WA

Friday - Elks Lodge RV Park

Today was planned to be another long drive but we encountered a road crew gluing bots dots down the center of the narrow two lane mountain road which cut the road down to one lane with traffic control. We sat for over half an hour waiting for our turn to go. This unplanned delay made the day even longer.

This Elks Lodge is also a golf course. The Golf Course is along side the Yakima River in the gap between Yakima and Selah. It is a private course open for Elks and their guests, year round as long as there is no snow cover. As Californians, the sight of bright green grass brought back fond memories of years gone by.

The RV parking is right on the grass. There are 30 sites with electric and water.

Here is another view from the opposite side, the driving range is in the background and also the main course.

We are not on the course so we didn't any clunks, however in front of us is a pitching practice green and sandpit. Also golf cart garages with garage door openers!

June 15, Wednesday - Madras, OR

Jefferson Co. Fairgrounds
We drove for about four hours, a little longer than we like, to Jefferson Co. Fairgrounds in Madras, OR.  They have 65 spaces with full hook-ups most with 30 amps, few have 50 amps and we grabbed one of those which also happened to be a pull through. All the sites are level. A big negative is the gravel covering the campground.  Its very dusty and the wind easily blows it around and any traffic kicks it up.

June 16, Thursday
We went to the Black Bear Dinner for breakfast, one of only two options. We explored the town a little bit, most of it located along either side of US97.

Tomorrow we'll head up to Yakima, WA.

June 14, Tuesday - Collier Memorial State Park, Oregon

June 14, Tuesday Still in Collier SP

We ran down to Klamath Falls to Nibbley's Cafe for lunch today.  On the way down, we drove through Chiloquin so Debbie could stop at the Post Office to drop a birthday card in the mail. The businesses in town were mostly closed or boarded up but the post office was open and there was a big hardware store that was open and look new. It was an average lunch but the 45 minute wait for food was way above average.

After lunch we walk when walked around the campground she only attracted a few mosquitoes. . Debbie took a rest at the amphitheater. 

Tomorrow morning we'll be heading on north to the Jefferson Co. Fairgrounds in Madras, OR

June 12, Sunday - Redding, CA
We left home today heading to Port Susan. We’re taking the scenic  route up Interstate 5 to Redding for a night and then on to the US 97 turnoff.

We left Concord about 10:30 and arrived at the Redding Elks about 2:30. There were only five spaces left and the host advised the sites on the south side got afternoon shade so we parked in south side, space 8, because it was really hot, around 97 degrees, and we were getting warm in the motorhome, even with the air conditioning running. I hopped out and connected the electricity to keep it running and we went up to the bar to pay our 25 dollars for the night. Since it was cool inside the lodge we had a bloody Mary and then a second one as the bar tender said we received a free drink on our first night, yea! We stalled until we thought the shade should be shading our motorhome but when we returned the shade was nowhere close. It extremely warm inside and we suffered until bed time and we finally fell asleep. The shade never made it to the south row of motorhome. He seemed like such a friendly, kindly old man.

June 13, Monday - Collier Memorial State Park, Oregon
This morning we were up early. I went out and washed the windshield. The temperature is already 75 degrees at 9 am and hot in the sun. We got off about 10:30. We stopped in Klamath Falls  with the fuel gauge on half full  and filled up in the RV lanes at the Pilot Truck Stop north of town.

Although information on the Collier Memorial State Park reservation stated check in was 4 pm and after, we arrive around 3 pm and had no problem. Site B24 was a pull through, turn out, and turned out to be prefect.   Because of the trees we couldn’t connect with the satellite and we’re too remote to receive any TV signals……..so we’re going cold turkey.

Site B24 in Collier State Park

June 12, Sunday - Redding, CA

June 12, Sunday - Redding, CA
We left home today heading to Port Susan. We’re taking the scenic  route up Interstate 5 to Redding for a night and then on to the US 97 turnoff.
We left Concord about 10:30 and arrived at the Redding Elks about 2:30. There were only five spaces left and the host advised the sites on the south side got afternoon shade so we parked in south side, space 8, because it was really hot, around 97 degrees, and we were getting warm in the motorhome, even with the air conditioning running. I hopped out and connected the electricity to keep it running and we went up to the bar to pay our 25 dollars for the night. Since it was cool inside the lodge we had a bloody Mary and then a second one as the bar tender said we received a free drink on our first night, yea! We stalled until we thought the shade should be shading our motorhome but when we returned the shade was nowhere close. It extremely warm inside and we suffered until bed time and we finally fell asleep. The shade never made it to the south row of motorhome. He seemed like such a friendly, kindly old man.
June 13, Monday - Collier Memorial State Park, Oregon
This morning we were up early. I went out and washed the windshield. The temperature is already 75 degrees at 9 am and hot in the sun. We got off about 10:30. We stopped in Klamath Falls  with the fuel gauge on half full  and filled up in the RV lanes at the Pilot Truck Stop north of town.
Although information on the Collier Memorial State Park reservation stated check in was 4 pm and after, we arrive around 3 pm and had no problem. Site B24 was a pull through, turn out, and was a little tight turning into but was prefect when we finally got settled.   Because of the trees we couldn’t connect with the satellite and we’re too remote to receive any TV signals……..so we’re going cold turkey.