August 31, 2013---Junction City, Oregon to Pleasant Hill, California

We left Junction City at 9:00 this morning.  After some concerns about a warning light on the dash, we decided to go south and hope!

Traffic going toward Eugene was heavy.  People were probably on their way to the Ducks game.  When we were past the Eugene turnoffs we had very little traffic.

At Cottage Grove we stopped at a Dutch Brothers coffee place.  Lori had heard about their coffee so it was a good time for her to try it.  We also got breakfast at McDonald’s and ate on the road.

We stopped in Medford for gasoline.  The warning light went off and stayed off for the rest of the trip.  Redding was the lunch stop because there was an In-N-Out there calling my name.  

Meredith suggested that I keep count of In-N-Out visits like I sometime count ticks, critters,  and geocaches.  I will try to do that, but if I get confused you might assume (incorrectly) that I’m going hungry.

We went to JP and Rosy’s in Benica to deliver Voodoo Doughnut boxes.  JP had made chili in the crockpot and baked cornbread muffins to go with it.  It was really good.  Natalia and Mario were there also, with a pizza to add to the feast.

After some good visiting time, Lori, Tucker, and I headed to Pleasant Hill.  It was a long day, but I’m glad to be here with our California family.  I owe Lori and Tucker a great big “thank you” for coming to fetch me.

August 30, 2013---Eugene to Junction City, Davis Cabinets

Lori, Tucker, and I had a really busy day today.  And it was a donut/bakery kind of day.

On our way to the recreation trail to pick up pine cones for a project, we stopped at a donut shop less than a block from the Elks Lodge where we have had the motorhome parked.  With well fortified tummies, we went on our pine cone expedition.  

On our way back to the van, we met a couple walking a Golden Retriever.  He was about Willie’s age, but not as big.  I thanked the people for sharing Dakota with me and letting me have my “Willie fix!”

As we were on our way to another pine cone area when we saw two thrift stores.  We spent some time in each one before continuing our quest for cones.  The area was a disappointment.  Nothing to pick up and haul off.

We backtracked and made a Super Walmart stop to get some last minute tax free things before we head south tomorrow.

Our next stop required us to hunt around several blocks for a parking place in downtown Eugene.  We were on a mission to Voodoo Doughnut.  Our friends, Dwight and Sheila, had told us about the shop in downtown Portland and how long the line was to get in every time they went past it.  Voodoo Doughnut has been featured on several TV channels and is becoming known in this part of Oregon.  We didn’t have to wait in line.  They had some rather strange flavors.  Lori bought some to take to JP and Natalia.  I bought six, which we sampled as soon as we got to the van.  I can’t really say they tasted any better than any other donuts.  I think it is kind of a cult thing, like In-N-Out!

We went to Costco for a couple of things, including Polish Dogs, before taking a back road to Junction City.  Bill asked us to check on the MH parking situation at Davis Cabinets.  He wanted to move the coach in anticipation of having our desk/table installed next week.

After calling Bill and telling him to “get a move on it,” we went in search of a bakery run by a Mennonite woman.  It was out in the country and took quite a long time to find.  It was worth the effort.  We bought a cream cheese pie topped with fresh peaches, some dinner rolls, and a bag of molasses cookies.

When we got back to Davis Cabinets, Bill was there.  Yippy, Skippy!  We had peach pie for supper!  Yum, yum!

August 29, 2013---Eugene Elks Lodge

At 8:45, I sent Lori a text to see if she and Tucker were on the road yet.  I didn’t hear right back and that didn’t concern me.  I hoped she was on the road and couldn’t respond.  At 9:00, she texted “yes.”  A minute later she pulled up in front of the coach.  She had left Pleasant Hill at 1:00 a.m.

It was so good to see her and Tucker, too.  He’s a good little dog.  Sometimes, he growls when he sees someone unfamiliar.  Neither Bill nor I got that greeting.  He was wanting on my lap, so I sat on the sofa and that was to his liking.

Lori and I went to Springfield to take Sally out to lunch.  We had a really good visit.  It had been several years since they had seen each other, so they had a lot of catching up to do.  

On our way back to Eugene we went to a couple of thrift stores and a craft store, but didn’t spend much time at any of them.  When we got back home, Lori took Tucker for a long walk.

We left the two “guys” to spend some bonding time while the two of us “girls” went to Fred Meyer to do a little bit of shopping.  When we left Fred Meyer, we were looking for a place to get dinner to take home.  When Lori saw a Taco Time, she whipped right in.  She remembers Taco Time from Seaside so it was a good place to go...kind of like old home week. 

August 28, 2013---Eugene Elks Lodge

I got all of my office “stuff” packed and ready to be stashed away so the cabinet maker will have a clear shot at the space where the new desk/table will be.  It was quite a job.

I went this afternoon for a manicure and pedicure.  It had been a while since I had either one done.  I also had a facial, which was very relaxing.  Danielle, who gave me the facial, said my husband would probably take me somewhere nice for dinner.  I said probably to Burger King.  She thought that was funny.  She had no idea just how funny it actually was, but I didn’t take the time to tell the whole sordid story.

If all goes well, Lori is driving to Eugene tomorrow.  She is taking me back to her place so I will have some extra time with her.  Tucker is coming, too.  He’s riding shotgun, just like on the old stagecoach journeys.

Late tomorrow afternoon we are moving the MH back over to Davis Cabinets in Junction City.  Bill will stay there while I go to California.  He’ll head south when the work is complete.

August 27, 2013---Eugene Elks Lodge

It was midmorning when we set off for Junction City.  We will do today's errands there instead of in Eugene.  

Our first stop was at US Bank.  No matter where we go to US Banks, they are always helpful, even when I have an odd request.  Today was no different.  Their service was great.

The next errand was to the Post Office.  I had Oregon Duck things to mail to Mississippi and Colorado.  It was good to get that marked off my list.  For several days I have been gathering things.  If any other purchases are made, I will have to wait and hand deliver them.

We went to the place where John and Dee bought their new motorhome.  They hadn’t started to move their possessions in yet, but we were able to do a “walk through.”  It is a really nice rig...four slides and a lot of other nice features.

They had told us about a produce stand so we went to it on our way back into Eugene.  It is called Thistledown Farms.  They had a lot of really good looking fruit and vegetables, and flowers, pots, etc.

After a quick stop at BK we went back to our rig to rest and then start clearing out the area where the new desk/table will go.  It is going to be a big job!

August 26, 2013---Eugene Elks Lodge

With the rain and the humidity higher than usual, there was enough water on the roof that Bill could go up there and clean the dust off.  We haven’t been able to figure out how it gets so dirty here, but it does.  In the desert, we understand it all, but not here.

I had some chores to do while Mr. Clean tramped around on the roof.  We decided to go to Taco Bell for lunch.  From there we made a quick stop at the Post Office and WinCo, we came back home to rest.

While Bill inspected the insides of his eyelids, I went to visit with Dee and John and their dog, Abby.  I had some treats for Abby and she knew it as soon as I walked in.  After snack time was over, she sat on the sofa with me while I scratched her back.  She was very content and so was I.

Dee and John bought a “new to them” motorhome.  It was in Junction City.  They left the Elks Lodge to go park by their new rig and begin the process of moving out of one coach and in to another.

Our evening’s entertain was to watch The Hallelujah Trail.  It is one of our favorites, with Burt Lancaster and Lee Remick.

August 25, 2013---Eugene Elks Lodge

We ended yesterday with Matt Dillon and started today with Gene Autry.  “Ol’ Tex” is a happy cowboy.  So I’m happy, too!

It was raining this morning.  It is the first rain we have had in quite awhile...and this is Oregon!  Maybe we are setting a record.

We had two errands to go on today.  It was well after lunch time before we left home.  Our first stop was at the Duck Store by the stadium.  I wanted posters for the current football season.  There was a special event yesterday as a kickoff for the 2013-14 sports year...a fan appreciation type of thing.  It was not just for football, but for all sports.  The poster was just football, but the special t-shirts were for the whole program. 

Eugene isn’t the easiest city to get around in, so when we left the stadium area we took a wrong turn and ended up in Springfield, across I-5.  Since we were over there anyway, we decided to have a late lunch at a Chinese buffet.  It has been a favorite place of ours for many years.  The food was good, but probably not as good as we remember.

Not long after we got back home, the rain started again.  It didn’t amount to much, but it sounded nice on the roof of the coach.  It was very peaceful.