July 31, 2015---Elks Lodge, Walnut Creek, California

July has ripped by way too fast.  2015 is more that half gone.  Yikes!

Lori went to the Oakland Airport this morning to fetch Natalia and get her a rental car.  Natalia came to take me for a manicure and pedicure.  We met Lori at the shop.  We all left with painted toes and nails.  That was a treat.

After a quick stop at a dressmakers to see about alternations  on Natalia’s bridesmaid dress, we went to lunch at In-N-Out.  We left there at 3:00 and there was still a crowd.  Wow!  Business is good!

I went back home and rested for about an hour.  Bill and I had barbecue sandwiches for supper and watched TV for the rest of the evening.

I had two adorable pictures of Natalia with Tucker and Maddie, but I couldn’t get them loaded using the Firefox instead of Safari.  I will keep trying.............................

July 30, 2015---Elks Lodge, Walnut Creek, California

I got some extra sleep this morning.  I really needed it.  Last night’s computer problems took its toll on me.  I am getting more and more “dense” about technical things.  Sometimes, I amaze both Bill and myself with the things I can recall.

Lori helped me with my computer challenges today.  Thanks, Lori!  She is an expert when it comes to things with a MAC.  And the whole family is way past me! 

I remember when Natalia was 14 months old and wanted her turn on their computer.  Lori got her a child’s keyboard and would put it on her high chair tray, and put her in front of the MAC.  She wouldn’t spend much time at it, but it was a beginning.

It was fun to spend some time with the pups while she was helping me.  I am a good grandma all the way around.  Hapa is getting where she doesn’t want her picture taken.  I call her “Princess” sometime.  You know how famous people don’t like the paparazzi always sticking a camera in their faces.  Well, Princess Hapa doesn’t like the “pup-arazzi,” either!

Lori, Bill, and I went to In-N-Out for lunch.  It was a yummy place to eat, and a lot of other people must think so, too.  It was very crowded.  Natalia arrives tomorrow.  She and I have already discussed eating there numerous times.

Late this afternoon, Bill and I took a 20 minute walk around the Lodge property.  It was a good place to walk because we didn’t have traffic to worry about, and we had hills and steps to contend with.  I know I got a good workout because when we got back to the MH, Bill had to help me up the steps.  Lately, I haven’t had to have help, but today there was no way I could manage by myself.

July 29, 2015

July 29, 2015

The computer is fine.  It is me who is breaking down.  Please be patient.

July 28, 2015---Elks Lodge, Walnut Creek, California

This morning, Bill and Lori went to Fairfield where she is helping build a Habitat for Humanity house.  She wanted her dad to see her work.  He was very impressed with what she is accomplishing.  It is the type of thing he would like to be involved in if we ever stay in one spot long enough.

I stayed in the motorhome and got some extra rest.  That is always something I need to do...rest!

JP and Rosie came for a visit this afternoon.  They stayed about 45 minutes.  We had a nice visit.  They are so busy with wedding plans and their jobs.  We may not get a chance to have some time just the four of us very often again.

I went to Lori’s at the middle of the afternoon.  She had not only their two dogs, Tucker and Maddie, but she had a friend’s Great Dane.  Maddie is very tiny and Bochi is a large Great Dane.  Six pounds for her and 145 for him.  Today, they mostly napped, but Lori said sometimes Maddie tries to get Bochi to play chase.  That must be funny to see!

I had hoped to go on some short walks with them while we are here, but so far I haven’t felt like it.  Drats!

July 27, 2015---Elks Lodge, Walnut Creek, California

We hung around the “house” all morning.  I finished reading a book by Tony Hillerman.  I have two books written by him for Mario.  I like his writing.  He tells interesting things about Indians, mostly the Navajo.  My brother, Jim, has met him and photographed him and his wife.

Mario came for a visit.  He loves to talk cars with Bill.  After a long chat, Mario took me to Lori’s.  I had some time to play with Tucker and Maddie.  Bill came and we all went to a place, The Greenery, to eat tacos.  Monday night is their special night for tacos...$1.25.  They make a variety of kinds.  They were really good.  Bill and I both brought home a taco.  We were too full after eating one so we each brought one home.

The weather is predicted to be warmer tomorrow...maybe over 100°.  We are glad we have an electrical hookup here at the Elks Lodge.  We will probably need the air conditioner for the next several days.

July 26, 2015---Elks Lodge, Walnut Creek, California

We stayed home this morning and took care of some tasks around the motorhome.  

After lunch, Lori, Tucker, and Maddie came for a visit.  The pups were quite content be in a new environment, as long as someone familiar was around.  Tucker knows he will get in trouble if he barks unnecessarily, so he makes noises.  Natalia calls them his huff and puff noises.

Lori and her furry family went home at about 3:00.  I immediately went to my napping place...the bed.  I got up at 5:00, in time to get ready to go out to dinner with JP and Rosie.  Lori met us at a barbecue place.  The food was good, and after eating we sat and talked for quite awhile.  The place wasn’t crowded so we weren’t in their way.  

We always have lots to talk about when we are with JP.  I thought I saw Rosie’s eyes glaze over once or twice.  I think she had heard some of the stories before.  I like Rosie a lot and I don’t ever want her to feel left out.  Several times, Bill’s mother would tell me something wasn’t any of my business when I would ask a question.  “It was family business.”  I don’t ever want Rosie to feel unwelcome in our family.

Lori took us home after the gathering.  It was getting cool and I was glad I had taken a sweater.  In July, no less!

July 25, 2015---Corning to Elks Lodge, Walnut Creek, CA

Bill headed the motorhome toward Lori’s at 6:30 this morning.  After about an hour, we stopped at a Rest Stop to eat breakfast.  Bill fixed French Toast while I got dressed.  I had stayed in bed to get a bit more sleep as he drove.

We drove on to get fuel at a station just before getting to I-505, which cuts over to I-80.  When we got to Interstate 80 at Vacaville, traffic was terrible.  I don’t think we have ever seen so much traffic.

We drove to the Elks Lodge in Walnut Creek to see if they had motorhome parking available.  We have parked at the Lodge before, but their parking lot but their lot is small.  Our usual spot was taken, but we were able to park by the building.

Lori came to see us.  Tucker and Maddie were with her.  After some visiting time, we left Bill to inspect the insides of his eyelids.  We got lunch at Taco Bell and went back to Lori’s home to eat.

Maddie had gotten her little self in goose droppings on their morning walk and had to have a bath.  Tucker got a bath, also, even though he hadn’t done anything disgraceful that we knew of.

Lori had plans for the evening, so Bill and I took Mario out for supper...to choice.  

We drove 152 miles today. Considering a stressful day yesterday and the early drive this morning, we were ready for bed time.

July 24, 2015---Medford, OR. to Rolling Hills Casino, Corning, CA

Bill spent most of the morning trying to solve the motorhome’s problems.  He was on the phone with HWH.  The technician suggested it might be the ride height adjusters.  HWH doesn’t make that part, but he thought it sounded suspicious.  Bill happened to have an extra one of those (Go figure), and sure enough, it worked.

We went into the hospital to say goodbye to Susan and the guys.  Susan is making a speedy recovery and plans to go home tomorrow.  Sounds good!

The ride through the Siskiyou Mountains was beautiful.  We always enjoy that part of the trip.  And we got to greet California with much honking and yahooing.  As we came out of the mountains the beauty diminished.  Very dry land in that part of the country.  When we got to the Lake Shasta, we were surprised at the amount of water in it.  We have seen it much lower at times.  Quite a few boats were out enjoying it.

When we got to Redding, we left the Interstate and made our way to In-N-Out.  Wow, what a treat!  It had been a long time since we have eaten there.  And it was just as good as we remembered it.

Natalia and I have discussed how many times we plan to eat there when we are all in California for JP and Rosie’s wedding.  Lots!  Yum, yum!

We drove on to Corning and got fuel at the Rolling Hills Casino.  We parked in the truck parking lot for the night.  Rolling Hills has a campground, but we just wanted to dry camp.

We traveled 200 miles today.  Tomorrow we will finish our journey to Walnut Creek where Lori lives.  JP and Rosie are in the same area.  It will be great to get to see all of them.  We’ll also get to see Mario, Tucker, and Maddie.  I can hardly wait!

July 23, 2015---Seven Feathers Casino, Canyonville, OR to Rogue Valley Medical Center, Medford, OR.

Today was an “Oh, crap,” day for Bill.  In other words, things went wrong too often.  

Before we even left the dry camping parking lot, we had a problem with the steps.  Actually, I had the biggest problem.  I had to have extra help going in and out of the motorhome.  Bill was very frustrated.  When he finally figured out a solution, he felt better.

The air suspension acted up.  I began to think we should have stayed in Eugene to wait for the front air bags to arrive.  Well, too bad!  We have a wedding to attend in California.  Not to worry!  Bill circumvented the fuse that was causing the problem.  He will work to solve the problem tomorrow.

We are parked in a small RV campground here in the Medical Center complex.  There is no charge for full hookups.  Bill claimed Susan, Ron’s mother as his sister(-in-law).

Ron and Matthew arrived in Medford and were able to see Susan... aka Grandma Susie...who had hip replacement surgery this morning.  Usually, when we drive South on I-5, we are flagging on toward California.  Today, we stopped to make a hospital call!

We also got to see Ron and Matthew for a few minutes.  And maybe tomorrow, too!

July 23, 2015---Seven Feathers Casino, Canyonville, OR to Rogue Valley Medical Center, Medford, OR.  

July 22, 2015---Elks Lodge, Eugene, OR to Seven Feathers Casino, Canyonville, OR.

We left Eugene at 9:15 this morning.  The drive south on I-5 is really pretty...lots and lots of trees, with blue sky as the back drop.  Some of the fields were rather brown, but the ones that were irrigated added color to the landscape.  

We traveled 100 miles from Eugene to Canyonville.  Usually, we would have continued on down the road, but we need to stop in Medford, probably for most of the day.  Ron’s mother has hip replacement surgery tomorrow morning.  We want to check in on her.  Ron and Matthew left Loveland this morning and should get to Medford late tomorrow.  Hopefully we will still be in Medford and can see them before we continue our journey south.

We are parked at Seven Feathers Casino dry camping lot.  There are probably about twenty rigs here.  Today we drove around the entire complex, which consists of a large convention center, the casino, at least two restaurants, and a hotel.  Across the Interstate, is a large Truck Stop, with a restaurant.  A very nice RV park with 190 full hookup places, and an indoor swimming pool.  

Their landscaping is all beautiful.  They have many hanging baskets of flowers as well as borders made of the same variety of flowers.  One of the employees told us they have the flowers year round.  It is an amazing complex.  I don’t know which Indian tribe owns it all, but they didn’t scrimp on the facility.

If I could send pictures, (which I can’t seem to do lately) I would send the picture of the enormous bronze statue at the entrance of the casino.  It is an eagle landing.  The talons and beak are gold...very impressive.

July 21, 2015---Elks Lodge, Eugene, OR.

We woke up to cool weather this morning.  Overcast skies, a wind blowing and lower temperature than yesterday.  It was a good day to wear jeans and a fleece jacket from Estes Park.  

We had some paper work that needed to be mailed today.  Some of it needed to be notarized.  Everything needed to be “signed, sealed, and delivered” according to “the law of the jungle” or whoever.

After getting the motorhome settled into a parking space at the Elks Lodge and “signing our life away”, we went to Taco Bell for lunch.  We needed to be well fortified for our last day of shopping in Eugene.

There was a US Bank not too far away from where we were parked.  A very nice young man took care of our business needs.  Over the years, we have learned to appreciate US Bank.  They don’t disappoint us.  Sometimes, our problems are strange because of our mobility, but they always help us meet our needs.

We were able to find the FedEx office, and get our paperwork on its way in a timely manner.  Our next stop was at Cummins.  We took a back road to get there.  We saw some some beautiful areas around Coburg that we hadn’t seen before.

We took the Beltway around to Super Walmart.  I finished my Oregon Duck shopping.  That may sound like an easy task, but let me tell you, it wasn’t.  I think my shopping skills have diminished over the years.

Tomorrow, we do our Willie Nelson imitation!

July 20, 2015---Oregon Motor Coach on Air Port Rd., Eugene, OR.

We had planned to move back to the Elks Lodge in Eugene this morning.  Oregon Motor Coach told us to wait for the carpet cleaning guy to come at 12:00 to clean our carpet.

He came at noon and we left the coach in his care.  We went to Costco for gasoline, lunch, and Kleenex.  We went to Walmart for a Rx and a few groceries.  We got back to OMC at 3:00.  One of the office workers told us to stay for the night.  That was fine with us.  We will go to the Elks Lodge in the morning.

I still have a little bit of shopping to do.  Bill needs to go to Cummins for antifreeze.  I also have some papers to sign and return to US Bank. 

It looks like we may not start our southward journey until Wednesday.  The last couple of days have been a “scramble.”  It makes me tired just thinking about it.

Bill figured that we are 325 miles from the closest In-N-Out.  Yippy, Skippy and Yum, Yum.  We can hardly wait.

July 19, 2015---Oregon Motor Coach on Air Port Rd., Eugene, OR.

Hopefully, I won’t push the  wrong key today.  It was really discouraging to pull a stunt like that, yesterday.  Oh, well!  That’s life in the fast lane, I guess!

We didn’t do a whole lot of running around today.  Tonight, we went to KFC for dinner and then to Winco for a few things.

This morning, we were watching the NASCAR race from New Hampshire.  All of a sudden, I looked at the screen and it was already lap 14.  I fell asleep before the green flag even dropped.  I often nap through things these days.  I have been more tired this past week than for the few weeks earlier.  I know that I am going more places, so I guess my body is trying to catch up from the extra activity.

Brent, Courtney, Coleson, Sara, and Sara’s friend went to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, for a four day getaway.  Brent was stationed there at Eglin AFB for several years.  It is a beautiful place to live, or just visit, if that’s the best you can do.

Tomorrow, we plan to leave our parking spot at Oregon Motor Coach and go back to the Elks Lodge in Eugene.  If all goes as we plan, we will head south on I-5 sometime Tuesday.

July 18, 2015---Oregon Motor Coach on Air Port Rd., Eugene, OR.

I finished my blog for today, and pressed the wrong key.  Everything went blank!  Ugh!  I haven’t done that in a long time.  I am too tired tonight to rewrite the whole thing.  I will catch up tomorrow...maybe!

July 17, 2015---Oregon Motor Coach on Air Port Rd., Eugene, OR.

Once again, we had to be out of our motorhome by 7:45.  After discussing the things to be done, we determined that we needed to order the front air bags and something to do with the oil in the engine.  It has a small leak, but you can tell that I don’t know what it is going to take to fix it.  We will order the parts and have the work done somewhere down the road.

Today was Willie’s 7th birthday.  He got a rawhide chew toy and something that squeaks when he chomps down on it.  They didn’t sing Happy Birthday to him, but he knew something special was going on.  He thinks any celebration is for him, and this one was!

We plan to stay parked at Oregon Motor Coach until Monday, even though we won’t have anymore work done on the MH at this particular time.

We have received two recent pictures of Sara.  She is a very pretty 15 year old.  Brent’s sisters are going to buy him a shotgun.  He said to tell them to send two in case the first one doesn’t work!

There is a new thrift store in Junction City.  This morning we drove over there to check it out.  It is very well arranged, but I thought their prices were kind of high.  I miss being able to shop at the Habitat Thrift Store in Loveland.

July 16, 2015---Oregon Motor Coach on Air Port Rd., Eugene, OR.

We had to be ready to relinquish the motorhome to the workers at 7:45 this morning.  I was hoping they would be tardy, but no such luck.

Bill had made an appointment with Walmart for new tires for the Honda.  We went on into the service department to get our name on the list.  We didn’t have to worry.  We were their first customers. It is a very big store and after leaving the CRV, we walked to the opposite corner of the store to McDonald’s for breakfast.

We did some shopping before we got the car back in our possession.  It was just about too much walking for this old body.  Our next stop was at Penney’s at the Mall.  That involved even more walking.  By the time we headed back to the coach, I was dragging.  Since the MH was being worked on, we couldn’t take naps in it.  

Our only choice was the customer waiting room.  Bill managed to do a very good job of inspecting the insides of his eyelids while sitting upright.  I dozed, but it wasn’t a very satisfactory rest situation for me.

I has seen an El Toritos at the Mall so that was our choice for lunch.  I had tortilla soup that was really good.  We both took home enough for supper tonight. 

As soon as the workers were through with our motorhome for the day, I took a nap.  We are so use to having our MH handy for when we need it, that today was hard on us.

Tomorrow will be more of the same.

July 15, 2015---Oregon Motor Coach on Air Port Rd., Eugene, OR.

I slept late this morning.  I was really tired yesterday so I was lazy.  Meredith called at 10:00 and woke me up.  And she and I talked for about an hour.  I have told our four kids and seven grandyoung’uns (and anyone else) that I don’t mind calls at any time.  I would rather talk than eat or sleep or just about anything else.  

This is a story from my archives:  Sara loves to talk.  (Maybe she got that from me.)  I think she probably had a 50 or 60 word vocabulary when she was born.  When she was about four, we were riding somewhere.  She was talking nonstop.  All of a sudden, she stopped and said to the rest of us, “You’re humans.  You can talk.”  As usual, we laughed so much we couldn’t talk.  

Well, I was “human” this morning and enjoyed my visit with Meredith, and with Michelle tonight.

Before leaving the Elks Lodge at noon, Bill talked to people we had met there two years ago.  Denny and his wife have a Country Coach, also, and were in the area to have work done on it.

We took the motorhome to the cabinet shop in Junction City early this afternoon .  Davis Cabinets had made our new desk about two years ago.  Some of the ball bearings had come out of the drawer sliding mechanisms, so they repaired it and put a lock on the drawer so it won’t slide open as we go down the road.

Afterwards, we took the MH to Oregon Motor Coach in anticipation of work to be done tomorrow.  They furnish RV parking for those waiting for service and knew we were coming.  Denny told OMC that we were on our way so they were ready for us.  I don’t know why we need a cell phone when other RVers announce our arrival!

Bill did a lot of visiting while I was working on my blog.  He loves to talk to other motorhomers.  

July 14, 2015---Eugene Elks Lodge, Eugene, OR.

Our friend, Sally, came to get us at 11:30.  We went to lunch at a Mongolian Grill.  We like going there because we can put exactly what we want in our bowls.  I think it is very clever how they keep all the orders in line.  There were a lot of people eating there today and I am sure I got my order.  I dipped my pieces of meat in hot mustard and then in sesame seeds. I really cleared my sinuses.

It was nice to visit with Sally.  We had a lot of catching up to do.  So many of our mutual friends have died this past year.  We have commented that so many our age are no longer here.  I am glad I didn’t fall into that category this past winter.

Bill and I went to Arby’s for supper.  Afterwards, we went to Fred Meyers for a little shopping.  We like to buy socks, etc. in Oregon so we can avoid the sales tax.  It all adds up over the years.  Bill use to say that a penny saved is a penny earned.  Now he says a penny saved is a government oversight!  That’s sad!

July 13, 2015---Eugene Elks Lodge, Eugene, OR.

Happy Birthday, Natalia!  I was in the delivery room when she was born.  That was a lucky day for me.  I not only acquired a granddaughter that day, but I got to see the miracle when she took her first breath.

Bill and I had a bunch of errands to go on today.  We went to Penney’s at the mall.  Bill needed a new pair of shorts to wear to JP and Rosie’s wedding in Monterey in August.  With that accomplished, we went shirt looking.  We’ll have to keep looking, but the hard task is taken care of.  The shorts are purchased.

I have been very depressed about my hair.  With all the medicine I am taking now, things have gone from bad to worse.  I have let my hair grow for a year.  I like it longer, but when I have it fixed. it only last a day or two.  After that, I am right back to my Christopher Lloyd hairdo.  Today I went wig shopping.  The one Bill and I chose is the color of my graying hair.  And it looks like I have been to the beauty shop.  It is very comfortable.  Every time I look in the mirror, I don’t recognize myself.  Just so Bill knows who I am!  That’s all that counts.

We went to Trader Joe’s.  Michelle wanted “Oregon bags.”  Now we have Oregon, Colorado, and Boston reusable bags.  We also have some generic bags, too.  The girls use them every time they go grocery shopping.  Bill and I try to remember to take them with us, but sometimes we forget.

One of Bill’s favorite responses to a clerk who ask if he wants paper or plastic, is “It doesn't matter.  I’m bi-sack-ual.”  I’ve told you before that he is bad to the bone.  Now you know I speak the truth!

Our last errand was to Costco.  They were as crowded as they were yesterday, but we toughed it out and stood in line.

July 12, 2015---Eugene Elks Lodge, Eugene, OR.

Today started out very relaxing.  Neither one of us was very anxious to get going.  When we did, we headed for Junction City.  There were some things at an RV store that we wanted to check out.

When we were ready to go back to Eugene, we took a back road.  It went through farm land, past fruit and vegetable stands, and between two rows of very large evergreens.  

Our destination was Costco.  Bill and I shared a chicken wrap.  Before leaving, Bill checked on a dash cam.  The store was very crowded.  It was hard to push a grocery cart through the aisles without running into someone.

We left without buying anything and drove to Winco.  It was also packed with people.  We did buy some fruit and candy from the bulk section, but didn’t hang around very long.

Bill took me to Super Cuts to get my “sticking out ever which way Christopher Lloyd hair style” trimmed.  He went to Walmart for just a few things, but was back almost immediately...the lines were too long.  He has very little fighting spirit when it comes to shopping.

Our last stop was Dollar Tree before going back home for naps.  Bill woke me up to set my iPhone up to take pictures of a red 1959 Teslarossa Ferrari.  It belongs to the man who owns the body shop next to the Elks Lodge.  John took Bill for a 20 minute ride.

Grandpa was so excited when he got back I thought I might have to take him to the Emergency Room to lower his blood pressure.  He called JP who was assigned the task of finding out how much a car like that would cost.  He called Guy to share the excitement, and Brent, also.  I sent all three of them a picture of the car.  Guy was very impressed that I could send a picture and wanted a follow up on the price.  JP, we are waiting on word from you.

I wonder if an 80 year old man can stand so much excitement! He’s still breathing and his heart is still beating, so I guess the answer is “Yes.”  And I didn’t even have to “loan” him one of my nitro glycerin pills!  Yippy, Skippy!

July 11, 2015----Keizer to the Eugene Elks Lodge, Eugene, OR.

Believe it or not, I was up this morning at 7:00 and dressed by 7:15.  The reason...company was coming at 8:00.  Our friend, Guy, who lives in Bend, was stopping by on his way to Portland.  He knew where we were because he reads my blog every night.  He called yesterday to make sure we were still on schedule.

We had a very nice visit.  It was a good time to catch up on some family news.  Guy had four little girls.  When Bill and Guy were racing sports cars in Portland, Guy’s four little girls would follow Bill everywhere.  It looked like Papa Duck and his four little ducklings.  They were always in a straight line, marching along in and out among the race cars in the pits.  They were all five adorable, even Papa Duck.

When Guy left (Sniff, sniff!) for Portland, we went south toward Eugene.  When we got to Exit 228, Bill knew not to ask if we wanted to get off the Freeway at that point.  As Paul Harvey would say...”and now for the rest of the story.”

Years ago when we were still living in Oregon, we had been to the coast and were going back to I-5.  I was very tired and had gone to the back of the van to take a nap.  We pulled into an Arco station for gasoline.  I heard Bill say he was going in the station to the restroom.  I said I was going in for the same reason.  When I came out, “Mr. Deafness Who Also Doesn’t Listen” was gone.  I sat on a curb and in about 15 minutes he came back, looking rather sheepish.  He thought I was still asleep in the back.  As he pulled onto the freeway, he said something to me.  When he looked back to see why I hadn’t answered, guess what?  I wasn’t there.  He had to go several miles before he could turn around.  Believe me when I tell you that I have made good use of that story over the years.  He didn’t even attempt to turn in today.

We parked at the Eugene Elks Lodge where we have stayed before.  It is a good location for shopping and eating out.  After watching part of the NASCAR race from Kentucky, we made a quick trip to Walmart.  When we got home, we had “Jeff Gordon” supper and watched the rest of the race.  Jeff finished seventh, I think.

Today we traveled 75 miles. The drive between Salem and Eugene was very pretty...past farms with tree covered mountains to the east.

July 10, 2015----Keizer Elks Lodge Campground, Keizer, OR

We had a cloudy sky this morning.  Our first since returning to Oregon two weeks ago.  It is also cool today.  Cloudy and cool is a good combination, don’t you think?

At noon, we went into Salem for lunch.  Bill’s choice was Panda Express.  I think he’s stuck on that.  They do have really good Orange Chicken, which is their own creation. 

After eating, we went to US Bank.  I have been having a problem.  I haven’t been able to pay our VISA on line.  Hopefully, we were able to solve the problem.  I’ll try it after I finish my blog.  I have to do things in order of their importance.  Otherwise, I might get confused.  Heaven forbid, we wouldn’t want that to happen, would we?

We didn’t do much shopping today.  Tomorrow we go to Eugene.  I am use to the stores there.  I have a lot on my shopping list for Eugene and Springfield.  I always do!

We didn’t have any rain today, just clouds.  This part of the country could really use some rain.  The only green fields are the one’s that are being irrigated.  Everything else is brown and dry.

July 9, 2015----Keizer Elks Lodge Campground, Keizer, OR

Grandpa must have been hungry this morning.  After I woke up he went on an errand...and came home with pancakes from McDonald’s.  With happy tummies, we were ready to go shopping.  

We drove to Salem and concentrated on Lancaster Drive.  It is spread out from the north side of town clear to the south edge of town.  It is on the east side of I-5 and has most of the shopping anyone would want.

Some of the bigger stores are located in the downtown area, but we didn’t go that far afield.

We use to go to Taco Time when we lived in Seaside.  We decided to give it a try today.  The food was OK, but a little bit more expensive than we thought it should be.

As we got back toward the motorhome, we decided ice cream would be a good idea.  We spent about 30 minutes looking for a place to get it.  That put us a little late for naps.

I had just fallen asleep, when Bill came in and said we had company.  He might have let me sleep, but he knew I would want to see the dog.  It was a white English Golden Retriever.  I had never seen that breed before.  She was a mellow dog, but she ate rocks.  Since our MH is on a gravel place, she had plenty to choose from.  Her owner didn’t appreciate what she was doing, but I didn’t interfere.  I just wanted to get back to my nap!

July 8, 2015----Keizer Elks Lodge Campground, Keizer, OR

Today was mostly a work day for me.  I must have felt better when I got up, because as soon as we finished breakfast, I started cleaning the closet and top two shelves of our cabinet, and reorganizing things.  

Bill got my storage boxes out for me and I put everything out on the bed.  There was a “method to my madness.”  The job had to be finished before we could go to bed.  Well, I made it and it feels good to have that big chore marked off my list.

I needed to mail a birthday card, so we did that before going to KFC for lunch.  When we got back home, I shoved everything to one side of the bed, so I could rest.  I needed energy to deal with the clothes project.

It was a nice day, but quite windy, so it was a good day for me to stay indoors.  Bill spent part of his day sitting in the sun, using the MH as a wind break.

July 7, 2015---Keizer Elks Lodge Campground, Keizer, OR

While Bill did the laundry early this morning, I got some extra sleep.  I can’t seem to get enough shut eye.  I keep hoping I will win the energy war, but It’s not happening.

At noon, we went to Costco, ate lunch, and shopped for a dash cam.  Lunch was good, but there wasn’t a dash cam like Bill has been looking for.  He is very particular.  He know what he wants, but has yet to find it.

By the time we got back home, I was in desperate need of a nap.  I had meant to spend some time rearranging my clothes and cleaning out my closet, but it didn’t get done.  Tomorrow, we plan to stay home and work on that project while I am not so tired.

We went into the lodge for supper.  Tonight it was hamburgers, etc.  Bill and I shared a chili burger and fries/onion rings.  Even sharing everything, we had too much food.

This lodge serves food every day.  There were lots of people eating tonight.  I asked the greeter if the Lodge made money on that kind of meal, because the price is was so reasonable.  She said they do very well indeed!  

It is the 11th largest lodge in the country...2100 members.  We know the campground, with 42 RV sites, adds to their coffers.  They must be in good financial shape.  But as with other lodges, most of the people eating tonight had white hair.  We see the aging of the membership wherever we go.  A bunch of geezer, just like us!

July 6, 2015---Oregon City, OR. to Keizer Elks Lodge Campground, Keizer, OR

Keizer is just a few miles north of Salem, the state capitol of Oregon.  When I tried to get on line tonight, there was a listing for the Elks Lodge, plus two for FBI-surveillance vans and one for an FBI interrogation van.  I’ve been behaving myself, I wonder what the governor is up to.  Hm-m-m-m-m!

This morning before leaving the Oregon City Elks Campground we had a special treat.  A mother deer and her baby strolled through the campground.  I have no idea how old the baby might be, but it still had the spots on its back.  Very cute!

Bill made French Toast for breakfast.  It was really good.  After eating, I sat in my chair and went to sleep.  Oh, my!  It was time to go back to bed and finish my night’s sleep.  Two hours later I woke up.  This time I stayed up.  

We were leaving today, so while Bill was hooking the Honda on, I went to say goodbye to Todd, Bonnie, and the two dogs.  It has been great spending time with them, and with Dwight and Sheila.  At lunch yesterday, we were talking about the length of our friendships.  We’ve known each other since way before becoming fulltimers.  We have a lot of stories between us.

Bill and I parked at the Keizer Elks CG.  We have stayed here several times before and have enjoyed it.  We have found most of the geocaches around here so we will have to branch out.  We might have to go down to Salem and look around...maybe even check out vans.

I need Joanne, my room mate at Rehab in Mississippi, to help.  I helped her look for Isis in the yard outside our window.  She was very knowledgeable about most things.  The last thing she told me was that that night, she would tell me where the body was buried.  I checked out of the place before she could tell me.  Drats!  I’ll never know!  Maybe the FBI can give me a hint! 

We traveled 40 miles today! 

July 5, 2015---Elks Lodge Campground in Oregon City, OR.

I was up at 6:00, looking out the front window.  I told Bill I was watching two black bears by one of the swing sets.  He couldn’t see what I was talking about and I decided I was seeing things.  That wouldn’t be too unusual nowadays.  I think it might have been some trash bags left behind by the Fourth of July celebration yesterday.

I know it wasn’t bears, but I did see a llama.  It lives in a pasture about a half mile from the campground.  Bonnie said there is sometimes a peacock around, but we haven’t seen it either!

Dwight and Sheila came at 10:00 and the six of us went to Camby to cache.  We found two easy  ones.  Todd and I were both able to use our canes to get around.  We decided to eat lunch at A & W.  They were having a $2.00 special on rooter floats.  Some of us ordered sandwiches, too.  

We went to Wilsonville to a park where a geo-picnic was being held.  We didn’t eat lunch again, but we stayed long enough to be able to count it as an event.  To get back to the Honda, we had to climb a hill to the car.  It was a bit difficult to climb, but I made it.  It was a challenge!

Dwight and Sheila went back toward Portland, and Todd and Bonnie rode home with us.  We took the ferry across the Willamette River to Camby and made our way back to the motorhomes from there.

The order of business for the remainder of the day was naps, watching the World Soccer match...USA against Japan.  The USA won.  It was a good game.  The NASCAR race from Daytona was rain delayed.  We ended our day watching part of it and recorded the final laps.  We were too tired to stay up late enough to see the finish.

July 4, 2015---Elks Lodge Campground in Oregon City, OR.

Happy 4th of July.  We are in such a dry area, most fireworks were banned.  We could of watched on TV, but we forgot that was an option.

I didn’t feel very good this morning.  I couldn’t exactly tell my systems...I just didn’t feel quite right.  

Bill was wandering around the campground so I went to Todd and Bonnie’s motorhome for a visit.  I was there for about 30 minutes before Bill discovered where I was.  He stayed a bit and then wanted to go home to get a drink of water.  Did I want to go home with him?  No!  Todd said he would walk me home later.  Now, let me tell you, that would be like the blind leading the blind.  Bill came back for me a few minutes later.  Then I was ready to go home.

Bill has become very protective of me.  And I understand.  He doesn’t want anything happening to me.  Before I got sick, I was an independent person.  It has been hard for me to be hovered over, but I do appreciate all he has done for me.  We both want me well.

Before eating lunch, I took a nap!  I felt some better when I got up.  After lunch, we watched a movie.  A Western, of course.  It was one of Randolph Scott’s early movies.  He’s one of our favorites.

I spent most of the day resting.  I didn’t accomplish much today, but I felt better by dinnertime. 

July 3, 2015---Elks Lodge Campground in Oregon City, OR.

Bill made oatmeal for breakfast this morning.  It was so good.  He has become a really good oatmeal cooker.  It is one of our favorites on the breakfast menu.

We went for a morning walk with Todd, Bonnie, and their two pups.  I had to sit down and rest twice.  Todd has a lot more stamina than I have.  I won’t challenge him to a race until I get stronger.  Maybe by the time we all get to Yuma, I’ll be stronger.

For dinner, we went to a Chinese place named Happy’s.  We had been there a year or two ago.  The food was very good, especially the barbecue beef.  The next time we go there, I will just order that and nothing else.

We were all tired when we got back home.  It was nap time.  After resting, I did some of my book work that I am falling behind in...once again.

The weather today was beautiful.  It was warm, but not sweltering.

July 2, 2015---Elks Lodge Campground in Oregon City, OR.

Bonnie baked Monkey Bread for breakfast and invited us to eat with them.  It was really good.  We sat at the picnic table and enjoyed the bread as well as the nice July morning.

Dwight and Sheila brought our mail to us.  Michelle sent us a batch of letters to their address, since we weren’t sure where we would be staying while in the Portland area.  We appreciated their help in solving one of our problems for us---our mail.

Dwight and Sheila had already eaten breakfast, but sat with us and told motorhome stories.  Dwight wasn’t wearing his sunglasses so we weren’t sure of the truthfulness of the tales he was telling.  Sheila can always be counted on telling it like it was!

At 1:45, Bonnie and I met Val, Bonnie’s daughter-in-law, who drove us into Portland to a bead shop.  The two of them are working on necklace projects.  While they were shopping, I read beading magazines.

We were glad Val was driving because traffic was terrible.  And we had a good visit as we drove along.

I took a nap when we got home.  We ate enchiladas with Todd and Bonnie at the picnic table.  We are surely enjoying that table.  And the weather was beautiful.  We went for a walk before we declared that it was the end of the day.

July 1, 2015---Elks Lodge Campground in Oregon City, OR.

At 11:00 this morning, Bill and I, along with Todd and Bonnie, drove to Woodburn to get my RXs.  They were all ready so it didn’t take long to get to the other side of the store for a few groceries.

While we were in Walmart, we met our friends, Dwight and Sheila.  The six of us decided to go to Subway for lunch.  We all had a lot of catching up to do.  The three couples have known each other for years---way before going fulltime.  The only ones missing were Don and Jo.  Don died several years and Jo now lives in Parhump and take her motorhome out much.  We all see her when we are on our way to Las Vegas.

Jo and Bill have birthdays very close to each other.  “Back in the good old days” we would meet in Quartzsite, get a pie at Sweet Darlene’s, and have birthday pie.  By the way, since the pies were big, we often had pie left over, so what could we do?  Buy another pie, what else?  Eventually, everything would even out, as far as the pies go.

After lunch, we went a few blocks north and found a cache.  We always know how to have a good time.

Those of us who came back to our MHs took long naps after all the exertion of the morning.