Return to Portland

Monday, July 29, 2013

Yesterday, as we were on the way back to the rig, we noticed a historic memorial along the road, so Phil stopped to see what it was. This one memorializes the one time the Japanese fired on U.S. soil during WW II. A sub was off shore about 2 miles, surfaced long enough to fire a few rounds, then submerged again. The result of this event was the placement of bunkers all up and down the entire west coast to watch for enemy subs or activity.

A travel day, heading back to Portland where we were camped before, and back along the same road we drove out to the coast on, old Hwy 30 and I-5, but things look a little different from the opposite direction, so it wasn’t a bad drive.

When we started back down the mountain from the 500’ summit, we could see Mount Hood off in the distance again. We don’t have landmarks like that in Arkansas, so it’s different and kind of neat. The mountain has been in our sites, more or less, since we started traveling along side of the river, shortly after coming into the state.

One thing that we really took note of on this trip, after having driven a lot of the northeast coast last summer is the difference in water abodes. On the east coast we found larger luxury ocean going boats that are probably comparable to our 5^th wheel for comfort (on the bottom end). However, on the west coast we take the level of comfort and size of the water abode to a whole new level. On the west coast, tucked along the more quiet rivers, or coves of the not so quiet rivers you will find floating housing developments. These houses are built on a foundation that floats, and there will be several ‘tied’ together, hence a development. They are found in all shapes, sizes, and colors, this development evidently has no restrictions. Generally they take care to use up all of the floating foundation for the living quarters, we have seen lots of houses that are two story with a deck on top of the second story. Even the single level homes have the deck on top of the house. Of course, since these homes are on the water, and environmental laws are much tougher these days, they can’t be dumping all of their waste water straight into the water anymore, so it all has to have intricate pumping systems to get it safely from home to some sort of system on land. No garages or cars parked conveniently close, anything coming in comes by boat, or from the car parked in the parking lot located somewhere nearby. I love the water, but I’m not sure I would want to live on it like that. I would definitely have to give it a test drive first.

Portland doesn’t hold a candle to the L.A. area as far as traffic or crazy idiots on the road, but it was still a good reminder for us that we aren’t in Arkansas anymore!! I would sware that in Arkansas that our traffic lanes are at least 2’ wider than they are on the west coast. The more congested the area, the narrower the traffic lanes seem to get. I’m sure the truckers must be use to this narrow lane game, so it must be something they do out here to fluster all the old people driving rigs 3 times the size they are mentally equipped to handle. I’m pretty sure this is true, if you look around you will see cameras everywhere! So, you see, these cameras are set up to catch these old people trying to maneuver through the craziest layout of interstate system ever designed!

Copper Falls Art Piece

Sunday, July 28, 2013

We got up early for an 8:00 farewell breakfast as a lot of people were headed back home today. This meal was held at the same café as where we had dinner on Friday. We had both admired a piece of metal artwork that was hanging on the wall and done by a local artist. Through the owner of the café we made arrangements to meet with the artist at noon to pay her and pick up the piece. She calls the piece 'Copper Falls'

Copper Falls Art Piece

We spent the rest of the day relaxing and getting ready to leave in the morning, which of course, includes doing a few loads of laundry. I love having my own machine so that I can do laundry on my schedule and not have to worry about going somewhere else to do it!!

CG Reunion Lunch

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Today was the big day for the Reunion with everyone gathering for lunch provided by the host and their committee. They had mounds of food and then some people added to it. We had deep fried fish and fries, pulled pork, burgers, hot dogs, with all the fixings, various kinds of salads, chips, dips, and deserts. No one went home hungry!!

The Coasties

They had really nice door prizes and then a separate raffle. Phil and I each bought $10.00 worth of raffle tickets and I think the tickets must have been stuck together because they called our numbers 4 times before we quit listening so someone else would have a chance to win something.

Spouses

The lunch was held at one of the outdoor pavilions at the park where we were camped, so I decided I would walk back to the rig, Phil wasn’t through visiting and I was tired. Well, I certainly got my 10,000 steps in today, the pavilion was behind campground loop “O” in the south section of the park, we were in loop “H” in the north section of the park. Actually, probably only took me ½ hour to walk it, but it seemed longer! Thankfully, the weather was really nice, here on the coast the highs have been in the mid 70’s. Phil came back about 45 minutes after I got back, so I probably could have stuck it out and waited. Oh well.

This evening we went over to Bruce and Sharon Andrews’ campsite (and their daughter Katie), just around the corner from ours and shared their campfire for a couple of hours. We shared many conversations during this reunion so we got to know them a little better. Very nice people! They are both still working and live in the Seattle area.

Beginning of the Coast Guard TT Reunion

Friday, July 26, 2013

The Reunion starts with dinner tonight, but we had the day free to ourselves, so we went into town to do some shopping. The answer to Walmart up here is ‘Fred Meyer’, which is affiliated with the Kroger chain we know and love from home. I really like Fred Meyer and I think they are better than Walmart, they are bigger, cleaner and have more variety as well as better quality!

Phil was so jazzed to be able to see all of his old Coastie buddies at dinner tonight. I recognized some of the people there from previous reunions, but not my moment to shine. We had a really good dinner at a new café in town. We were served buffet style and had our choice between two different chowders, clam and salmon, loaded potatoes and chili. Phil (of course) had a bit of everything, I opted for the potato.

Portland, OR to Warrenton, OR

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Not a big rush to leave this morning, not a real long drive, so we got to sleep in a bit. Our goal today was Warrenton, OR where we are staying

at the Ft Stevens State Park, in preparation for the Coast Guard.

We left Portland this morning via I-5, north through Washington along the Columbia River. This part of the river is devoted to industry, lots of shipping and lumber mills. At Longview, we took a left, back onto old Highway 30. We are now in Logger Country, which is one of the biggest industries in this part of Oregon and Washington. AXMEN is filmed up here and the loggers are busy, log trucks constantly on this narrow two lane road.

One thing we got a good laugh out of is that there is a long grade on each side of the mountain, and coming from sea level it gives the illusion of a steep climb. When we got to the top of the pass there was a sign at the ‘summit’: Elevation 500’.  We laughed!! It was a Kodak moment and I missed it!!

The State Park system in Oregon is one of the best in the whole country! They are well maintained, the sites are big enough for our big rig, the trees are kept trimmed so you don’t have to worry about running into one, AND they have full hookup sites!! They are also reasonably priced, which is always appreciated. The parks are designed around the trees, so lots of shade…down side to that is that there is no clear signal for the satellite, which means we watch some of our pre-recorded stuff or DVD’s while we are here. No satellite…we are really roughing it!!