Adios Geezerville

We made an early morning escape from Geezer-ville, abandoning the WIT rally and heading northeast to Silverton on Highway 22. I suppose I should halt the snickers, as we really got a preview of what our life may be in 10 years. After a game of bean-bag baseball ("Yer out!" if you run.) the folks enjoyed many guffaws last night as an 80 year old country western singer entertained. Lotsa group participation, including everybody wearing pie-plate chicken hats and doing the chicken dance.

Priot to dinner the sponsoring Winnebago dealer hosted wine and cheese. As a sign of the times, the wine was poured from Franzia wine-in-the-box, even though we were deep in the heart of Oregon’s most fertile vineyards. The wine was poured in 4 oz paper cups---some less than half-filled---an amount appropriate for communion maybe, but not to kick off happy hour. We retreated the rig for Scrabble and 3 buck Chuck.

Arriving at Silverton’s Silver Spur RV Resort (a good one) by 9:30 a.m., we set up camp and then had an early lunch before biking to he nearby Oregon Gardens, a horticultural oasis last visited a couple years ago on on a hot day with Carly—as we recalled. Hopped on the tram for a quick once-over and then rode the bikes through Silverton and then north to Mt. Angel. I spied a peleta vendor peddling his goodies in front of the local church (see lower left of church photo), and was able to treat myself to a cocoanut peleta---first one in about 10 years. The return trip took us through hill and dale of rolling farmlands and finally the Gallon Bridge, so named for its location on the route of former moonshiners. A 15 mile ride. More Scrabble upon our return. It’s a cozy warm evening. Dinner outside.

Not a geezer---yet!

I pen this ‘issue’ risking my long-term membership in the Witasca Travelers (WIT) , an organization made of Winnebago and Itasca motorhome owners. We are currently attending the Oregon State Witasca Rally, where approximately 80 rigs from Oregon, Washington and California are gathered at the Polk County Fairgrounds (i.e. gravel parking lot with electricity and water hookups).

Janice is presenting information about traveling through Oregon in 2009, as Oregonians celebrate their 150th anniversary of statehood. This is not just a noble undertaking, but done in the hopes of promoting interest in (and perhaps selling a few of) her new book, Oregon 1859. The book is doing very well in Oregon bookstores, and appears to be a mover in Oregon’s Costco stores as well.

The folks attending this event are graciously described as senior citizens, with most in the 70+ range. It is a ‘blue-hair’ event. With the exception of one other couple, Janice and I feel like kids here. We passed on tonight’s entertainment---a barbershop quartet—since they were arriving ½ hour later than scheduled. Didn’t want to spend the waiting time hearing the old yarns.

One of the mysteries---how did many of these folks get here with their 40 ft rigs? Is there a driving service for geezers that I haven’t read about in RV magazines??? One frail gent, hunched over and steadying himself waveringly on two canes, announced to a friend, “I’m 93, but I may have to give up driving the rig this year.” I thought, “Just let me get on the road before you leave the lot!”

These seniors own beautiful motorhomes and no doubt have golden memories of cross-country trips, and these events allow reconnection with old friends and old memories of the road.

Tonight’s dinner: baked potatoes with chili sauce filling. Oh boy! I am fearing a post-midnight flatulence attack that will have the blankets hovering over the bed. Hopefully they put a few drops of “Beano” in the chili mix, or Janice may be a non-show in the morning’s feature event.
The dinner contrasts with our 'night out' last night at the Joel Palmer House, a converted 1860 residence now a restaurant in nearby Dayton. Simply the best restaurant meal we have enjoyed. Janice's scallops were scrumptious (I got a meager bite). My duck was super. The soups, mine a Japanese -wild mushroom medley and Janice's, a lobster bisque, were rich and satisfying.

If she does show for the 9:00 a.m. event, I warned her: These folks don’t appear to be early risers, unless their yappy dogs are threatening to pee in their 40 ft rigs.

Photos are coming.

The Final Leg: Back in Oregon

We returned to Fern Ridge Reservoir yesterday, making the 520 mile trip from Sacramento in about 10 hours, which included 2 pit stops, a gas stop at the Medford Costco (where we enjoyed a $1.50 polish sausage and diet coke), an ice cream cone stop at Peggy’s (Rice Hill) and an sight-seeing excursion around Cottage Grove. We were relieved and thankful that the rig was intact and that all systems were ‘go’. No break-ins---the case of three-buck-Chuck was safe. During our few days away, the early footsteps of fall have crept in, with night temps in the 40s and some foliage change. Lotsa rigs on I-5 heading south.

During our time away, Janice spent her time in Sacramento sorting the mail and ‘balancing the books', in addition to preparing a new presentation for this week’s stay with the Oregon Witasca group (these are folks who own Winnebago-Itasca RVs).

I spent my time at the 10th Annual Men’s Mountain Golf ‘Retreat’ in McCloud, where I enjoyed my re-connection with the fellas, but performed horribly on the golf course. It was so bad that I have declared a golf vacation for this last leg of the trip, leaving my golf bag in Sacramento (though I brought a few clubs and a putter in the event I need a ‘fix’ at the driving range). I am in need of a lesson to put my swing back together.

After returning to Sacramento, I enjoyed a visit with grandson Jonas and his parents, Jason and Lori. Janice and I both enjoyed a BBQ flank steak dinner with neighbor Liz.

Janice is in Eugene today doing a book signing at bookstore. A day off for me!

Catching Up---again

Circle Creek RV Park offered up a few good adventures: A hike in Ecola State Park up a steep mountain through lush green forests. This was a path that Mr. Clark of Lewis & Clark once trod; a round of golf at the Seaside Muni Course, which was halted after 9 when an onslaught of teens entered the course (to play). It was obviously the first round for many of them, so Seaside owes me nine holes—next time. Janice met the Cannon Beach historians.

After a mandatory stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory, it was a one nighter in Lincoln City where we missed a sunset due to the staffing shortage at the restaurant we dined at. Slow to serve us and slower to get us the check. This was the replacement bistro for the now burned Dory Café.. Chowder was good, though.

The next day I departed in the rig for Florence, while Janice remained to inform the folks in Lincoln City. I had a date with Sandpines Golf Course, (over) rated as one of the best public courses in the state. Fortunately I downloaded a discount coupon on the internet and saved $40 off the standard $110 price. Nice greens, but a fairly boring course. The last 6 holes were gale-force conditions as the sea breeze moved in. Won’t be back to this one.

Finally meeting Janice after golf and filling the rig with $3.43 gas, we set up camp at Harbor Vista campground, a lane County Park (water and electricity). Good internet fix down a slot in the woods, but no TV ,which probably saved us from endless “Huuricane Ike” disaster videos. After visiting downtown Florence the next day, we decided to move out and dry camp along the waterfront, where we would be adjacent to the action at the Old Car fest over the weekend. For $22 a night, we were parked at the shore of the Siuslaw River and enjoyed watching the salmon trollers working the river. Of course, there was the matter of the $40 we had already paid at harbor Vista, but we reckoned that the crab dinner “in” would save us that much over a dinner “out.”

The car show was great, as old souped up hot-rods meticulously restored cruised the main drag Saturday night. Many geezers were reliving the good ‘ol days.

We purchased a couple of crabs and enjoyed a crab-fest in the rig, with French bread (and Chardonnay, of course). Later we sat in the front seats and just enjoyed the night-time river view as the moon rose. Janice did a gig in nearby Reedsport while I enjoyed the campsite and went for a bike ride. Very nice neighbors—Chuck and Betty Kaiser from Cottage Grove, who were also Suncruiser owners. They were battling the dead-batteries-no refrigerator blues that we suffered once in Mexico. As they departed, they were headed to Coos Bay to buy 6 volt golf cart batteries, the only way to go.

Traveling Highway 126 to Fern Ridge reservoir outside Eugene, we again enjoyed the canopy of trees covering the roadway. I commented that “Carly liked this stretch of road” to the amusement of Janice. Just one of many moments on this trip where the old yellow dog entered my thoughts.

Fern Ridge is fairly deserted except for a group of (apparent) mental patients on a camping outing, some walking the streets talking to themselves. We hope that all stay on their meds while we are here. This is also a Lane County Park, and we were credited the 2 days we abandoned at Harbor Vista. Wahoo!

Getting ready for a brief hiatus Wednesday, with Janice dropping me off in Mc Cloud for the 10th Annual Mens Mountain Golf, while she scrurries to Sacramento for a reunion with grandson Jonas.

Oregon Coast

Starting off, I owe the Vernonia bike trail an apology. The leg close to town is no big deal, but it stretches all the way to Stub Stewart State Park (old RR bed) and beyond. Easy grades, trees, ferns, green, green. Might be worth staying in this park and hopping on the bikes.
And speaking of Stub Stewart S.P., Janice had a nice campfire turnout and peddled a few books. By the next morning, it was drizzle, but this gave way as we drove to Ft. Stevens SP on the NW corner of Oregon. (This is a former miltary post dating back to the Civil War!} After another campfire presentation, we did a day trip to Astoria which was radiant in 80+ degree weather. Janice sold books for the Maritime Museum, while I cruised unsuccessfully looking for a driving range or a golf course. The only driving range was a 5- acre cow pasture and about 25 cows huddled in the driving stalls. No bull. I paused briefly to stop next to some apartments where I pirated a wi-fi signal, since our campsite was buried under a canopy of trees—no satellite view. We followed this with a bike ride along the Astoria waterfront (good ride—where were all of the other bikes??) interrupted by a beer stop at the Rogue brewery on the waterfont. $5.00 a beer!
We finished the day at the Baked Alaska, our ‘former‘ favorite restaurant in Astoria. Located on the Columbia riverfront, we had railing seats on the water, and a glass of Pinot Gris (Janice) and good ‘ol Chardonnay for me. The table was set, so to speak. Unlike three years ago, when we were attended by a charming waiter dividing his time between us and the TV, where Oregon State University was winning the college BB world series, our waitress this time merely flopped our food in front of us. Just doin' a job. And dessert—where the only choice of cheesecake was peanut butter-chocolate, well, we headed into the night searching unsuccessfully for an ice cream cone, but Astoria had rolled up the sidewalks.
We sped back to the beach in time to see the sun dropping out of sight, next to the corpse of the SS Iredale.

A new day, heading downcoast, we landed at Cannon Beach RV park, where again, trees blocked our internet access. However, we have tapped their wi-fi signal, which is somewhat diluted by the 100 other rigs. After setting up camp, we headed back up coast to explore Seaside.
We hopped on our bikes and cruised the promenade along the shore. Beautiful day. After securing a souvenir magnet, Janice went to work, visiting the town’s two bookstores. She was advised at the second one (Beach Books) that her book was selling very well, and they gratefully accepted her offer to sign the remaining 2 copies in the store.

The best $3.00 we spent this trip was for admission to Ecola State Park. Stunning beach views and we are planning a return for a coast-cliffs hike. Final stop of the day was Cannon Beach downtown. It had a Carmel feel to it, and we were stunned by the prices at the local grocery store and at the fish market. The local folk must have some kind of code they use at the cash register to get a ‘local’ discount, while the merchants stick it to the tourists. Crab for $7.99/lb and salmon for $17.99/lb? Where are the fishermen on the Oregon coast? How about some cheap, fresh fish? Looking forward to our next stop at Safeway.
















Early morning flash: We bailed out of the Cannon Beach Park due to the poor quality of the wi-fi signal and have moved to the Circle Creek RV Park. Janice scooted to the Safeway in nearby Seaside to escape the extortionate grocers in Cannon Beach..

Leaving von Tagen Vista

Our final day at von Tagen Vista found us heading to Portland for lunch. Janice with her editorial director and me with Larry Remmers, a college fraternity pledge brother who has apparently discovered the fountain of youth. During our short lunch (and thank you, Larry), we remembered stupid things we did in our college days and expressed gratitude and amazement that our sophomoric adventures had not derailed us. Other serious folks in the restaurant (Higgins), obviously power-lunching, may not have understood the peals of laughter from our table.

In the evening, we treated ourselves to a reading/book signing by Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain. Julie sent us a copy after Carly’s passing and it was helpful in the grieving process. Even if your dog is not dying or dead, this is a good read. Dinner followed at the nearby Broadway Grille and Brewery where we chomped down turkey reubens—first time for those, but certainly not the last time. Arriving back in camp, Fritz had a campfire going in the back forty, and we enjoyed some stargazing and chatter over the embers, joined for awhile by Fritz’s brother Bill and his wife, Linda, visiting from Idaho.

We’ll be missing Fritz and Dee, our hosts off and on for the last 3 weeks. Hopefully our weekend departures kept our visit fresh for them and did not violate the ‘fish’ rule (i.e What goes bad after 3 days? Fish or a visit from friends/relatives). They are a joy to be with. Can’t wait to see them next time, whenever that is.

This morning we headed west to Stub Stewart State Park, Oregon's newest park, where Janice will be the campfire 'entertainment.' This is located on Hwy 47, about 7 miles from Vernonia.

Went for a bike ride there---a 5 1/2 mile out and 5 1/2 mile back flat track, likely an old railroad bed. This is not a 'destination' ride, i.e., don't drive a long ways for it. However, if you are in the area, it's worth a try. Bring a bag for berries along the way. We forgot ours.

And Vernonia--it's one of those towns that got stuck in a time warp, circa 1955, likely when the old mill next to 'Lake Vernonia '(former mill pond) closed. The kids leaving high school as we biked by looked rather unaffected by the world 'out there.' A well endowed young lady was surrounded by a herd of lads, revved up by hormone overload. Friday night football was on the school marquee, and these fellas were already dreaming about the dance after the game, hoping---well---just hoping. Remember? The hardware store owner chatted up local happenings with a couple of spinsters seeking a replacement belt for their Hoover vacuum, and the local grocery store seemed the social hub for this little town. Nice place-clean as a whistle. If the tumult of the modern world is dragging you down, Vernonia might be THE place for you. And it even has a cozy 18-holer on the outskirts of town.

An Oregon Collage

Our weekend in the Mt. Hood area found us attending the (pioneer) Foster family picnic in Eagle Creek, where Janice held court in the tack room of a barn. That’s authentic. The next day, a trip to the Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, where 36 degree weather greeted us (they received 2 inches of snow later in the day). Lunch there consisted of ham and bean soup, which was perfect to take the chill off. Hiking was cancelled.

Returning to the rig, including a few games of Scrabble, we enjoyed a roof-thumping downpour that lasted over an hour. Fellow campers in tents waited out the deluge huddled inside tents, filled with cranky little kids and stinky-wet dogs as the temperature dropped to 51 degrees.

We headed to dinner at the Rendezvous Restaurant (at milepost 40) near the Wyeast Bookstore. (Bought our third book there, a new Garth Stein novel). Dinner included crab and shrimpcakes (Janice) and fried oysters (me) complimented by the requisite chardonnay.

Returning to von Tagen vista, we set up camp again and then headed to downtown Portland for an 11 mile bike ride around the waterfront with Fritz and Dee. A beautiful and interesting ride on level paths.
Janice got her plane ride with Fritz as he shot some photos of nearby sites. Of course, the flight started out with them buzzing our camp at low altitude. I signaled them with a ‘snow angel’ in the grass. While they were flying, I headed to the driving range to do a little sand-trap work. Golf is on today at Stone Creek with Pete, a friend of Fritz’s, who accompanied me last week during my golf relapse.