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Fall and Winter
2024-2025
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Return to "Spring -
Summer, 2024"
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Saturday, October 12,
2024: Gwen and I decided to replace our refrigerator
with a slightly larger Kenmore model from Lowe's. It was
scheduled to be delivered on October 22 but we got a
call today saying they wanted to deliver as early as
tomorrow. The opening for the refrigerator needs to be
5" taller for the new Kenmore. I scheduled the delivery
for Wednesday. I began working on the opening today but
the Oregon Ducks game against Ohio State took most of my
afternoon. The new refrigerator has French doors and
will be more accessible and more storage. Except for the
taller height, it will be the same dimensions as our
current refrigerator to the right. |
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Friday, October 11, 2024:
Our park installed a dog bath last year. We used it once
last year and today used it again. It looks like Abby is
enjoying her spa day. |
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Monday - Thursday,
October 7 - 10, 2024: We had promised ourselves a
camping trip to make up for the camping we missed on the
way south. We chose Pine Grave Campground because that's
the campground we had reservations last September.
It turned out to be a very good choice because it is one
of the nicest campgrounds we have visited. At first I
was not going to make a reservation thinking few would
be camping this time of year. Pine Grove actually closes
for the season on Monday. We are at 6,900 feet looking
for cool air after the weeks of 100+ in Tucson. It is
perect 70s during the day and 40s at night. We are 15
miles from Flagstaff which we visited on Tuesday. Gwen
had some grocery shopping to do while I found a used
sporting goods store and purchased some ski boots for
$39. I guess this mean I must go skiing this winter.
Click these photos for more views. |
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Saturday, October 5, 2024: Gwen and
I bought season passes to the Arizona Football team. This was
our first home game. Arizona's opponent is Texas Tech from
Lubbock, Texas. I purchased the seats opposite the student side
of the field because the band always plays to this side of the
field. My hope was to get a good view of the band during the
pre-show and halftime. As it turned out, our isle seats were
almost always blocked by traffic in the isle and the sound from
the band was always muffled by the fans in the stands around us
always talking. We won't purchase these seats again.
As for the football game, the Arizona offense did not show up
until the 3rd quarter. By that time Texas Tech had a substantial
lead. Arizona actually made enough scores to pass Texas Tech
only to allow TT to score again in the fourth quarter. Click on
these photos for more views. |
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Thursday, October 3,
2024: We planted this Mexican Petunia last year and
fortunately our neighbors kept it watered during the
summer months. It was half this size when we planted it.
It is a marvelous plant, continues to bloom with new
blooms each morning. All blooms are dropped in the
evening but somehow new ones appear each morning. We
purchased a second one this week and planted in the
backyard. Unfortunately some animal ate half of it so it
now has a guard fence around it. |
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Wednesday, October 2, 2024: The end
of our block in the park are Daryl and Mary on the east side of
us. (Single) Mary is on the west side of us. I have been seeing
the ads for the play, "Dial M For Murder" for a month.
I got the idea for all of us to see the play together and
everyone though it a good idea. We chose the matinée because we
didn't want to be out past our bedtimes. :-) Photos during
the play were forbidden but you will see inside when you click
on the center photo.
We all enjoyed the play from the Arizona Theatre Company with a
bit of a twist at the end. They we took ourselves to Rose's for
an early dinner afterward. This was recommended by (single)Mary
and she surprised us by paying for our meal! It was great
Mexican food from a restaurant owned by one family for many
years. Click on all photos for more views. |
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Tuesday, October 1, 2024:
While on my bicycle ride this morning I came across the
Praying Mantis and Grasshopper. I'm not sure if
the Mantis is thinking this of a big meal. I suspect the
grasshopper would be too big of a bite. |
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Monday, September 30,
2024: Yesterday, while shopping at Costco I
spotted this cordless Spin Scrubber. Today I used it on
the shower tile, walls and floor. I was really impressed
with the quality of the tool. I always day of my
woodworking skills, if I don't have a power tool to do
the job it generally doesn't get done. Now I can say the
same for my cleaning tools. |
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Sunday, September 29,
2024: On this hot day I first drove to the car wash
followed by a visit to Costco for gas plus a few items
from inside. My Oregon Costco in Roseburg would love to
have half these customers over a week. Our Tucson Costco
was very crowded. After Costco I drove to our water
store for five gallons of water. The water store
sits only a few feet from Fry's grocery store. I
needed creamer but also found some Greek Yogurt. |
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Saturday, September 28,
2024: Tonight we participated in a catered lasagna
dinner followed by September trivia. Nate's, a local
restaurant, made two lasagnas for us. One with meat and
the other meatless. Both were very good. This was
followed by a 30 question trivia challenge concerning
"Italian Night". Gwen and I were surprised by how much
we knew about Italy. |
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Friday, September 27,
2024: I walked to the Rincon Country East office
today to pay our annual rent. A couple of landscape
workers are preparing the ground for all new landscaping
around the new fountain. I saw this person working in
the sun with no hat and a heavy shirt or jacket over
another shirt. It is 108 degrees our warmest day since
we returned to Tucson. I was wondering what his secret
is. |
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Thursday, September 26,
2024: Today is a SPA day for Abby so Gwen and I
celebrate by taking ourselves to First Watch breakfast.
I like their coffee and Gwen likes to break all the
rules by ordering biscuits and gravy. |
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Wednesday, September 25,
2024: This Lazy Boy recliner is going to the thrift
store on Monday unless you come and get it before then.
Gwen decided she wanted to save the cover so you will
get it coverless :-) . |
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Tuesday, September 24,
2024: We purchase some new plants because we wanted to
get them in the ground so they would have 3/4 of a year
of us taking care of them to get them established before
the next summer heat. We bought a Mexican Petunia last
year which has done really well. It was planted up
front. These are planted behind our house. We are hoping
they will attract humming birds, butterflies and
bees. I hope they do as well as the Petunia. |
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Monday, September 23,
2024: We did go shopping today at Hobby Lobby for Gwen
then Costco for the both of us. We also bought some
plants at Home Depot.
The big deal for us was a 5 gallon water dispenser and
our first 10 gallons of water. We have never purchased
water this way so something new for us. Very interesting
water company. It is drive-up with the bottle in the
trunk. A hose reaches the bottle so you never have to
pick up the 5 gallons until you get home.
The water is very good.
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Sunday, September 22,
2024: Gwen and I hired Mark and Angel to pressure was
the entire house to get rid of all the summer dust,
spider webs, leaves and debris. They also washed the
outside of the windows and pressure washed the carport
and patio deck.
Later, I hired our friend Wilson to repair the
insulation which was dropping from under the floor of
the dining room.
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Thursday: September 19,
2014: Abby and I started early this morning with three
tricycle rides to the garbage bins. Three loops around
the park for Abby is more than she normally does. Click
the left photo to see the load.
This is Thursday night football night. I'm anxious to
see Aaron Rogers in action. His first half performance
was very good. Even the commentators admire his return
to football. Click on Aaron for another photo.
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Wednesday, September 18, 2024:
Every Wednesday the residents in Rincon Country East meet for
announcements, music, and sometimes food and drink. The "Summer
Buddies" continue on Wednesdays in the summer but in a more
intimate setting. Today we joined with the Summer Buddies for a
breakfast potluck. There was plenty of food, visiting, jokes and
a 50/50 raffle which we did not win. This morning it was 60
degrees and several were complaining about how cold it was.
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Monday and Tuesday,
September 16 & 17, 2024:
We arrived home about noon on Monday. We parked in front
of our neighbor (they aren't home) to make it easier to
unload the trailer. It wasn't long before we learned our
air conditioning was not working. The same as last year.
It cost $500 to fix last year. Everything you see on top
of the car is for Tucson. The car was grateful to have
it unloaded as well as most from the back of the car.
Our HVAC guy, Ramon showed up mid-day on Tuesday. After
a good discussion we decided to replace the heat pump.
That will cost more than we spent on the kitchen remodel
last year but you can't live even a few weeks in Tucson
without a reliable air conditioning. |
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Saturday and Sunday,
September 14 & 15, 2024: Traveling from Beatty,
Nevada where we spent the night with full hookups. Very
strong headwinds again but beautiful country. We burned
15 gallons of a 19 gallon tank to drive from Yerington
to Tonopah, Nevada due to the wind. On the drive from
Beatty to Kingman I noticed the "Check Engine" light.
Our plan was to spend the night at the Kingman Elks
Lodge but stopped at Autozone to check the meaning of
the engine light. The report came back with a strange
report of a drive shaft sensor. Click both photos for
more views. Behind the right photo we are sitting next
to the Elks Lodge wall to stay in the shade. After a
short discussion we decided to cancel our planned week
of camping near Flagstaff and drive home. We drove
another two hours to Congress, Arizona where we have an
Escapee Park to get full hookups for a shower. |
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Friday, September 13,
2024: Joe took Casey, Abby and me on a walk around the
Sparks Marina Lake. The length of the walk was at my
limit. It was very enjoyable for the dogs because they
have a lakeside dog park where the dags can swim then
roll in the grass. Click the photo on the right for a
photo of Abby swimming. |
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Thursday, September 12,
2024: Gwen and I have been parked in front of son Joe's
house since Monday. Joe has been on a business trip but
returned this evening. I picked him up at the Reno-Tahoe
International Airport. We had a good evening
dinner together before returning home. Then we watched
the dogs play before turning into bed ourselves. |
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Wednesday, September 11,
2024: Here are two more good reasons to visit the
Reno area. Chloe and Noah got to stay home from school
today due to the wildfire nearby. After I arrived we all
decided to visit Chipotle for lunch. That's where
I got this photo. After lunch it was off to Barnes and
Noble because Chloe had a book she wanted from a
favorite author. Someone mentioned "ice cream" so
the Rolled Mountain Creamery was chosen. However, only
Noah could bring himself to order. Click both photos for
more views.
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Tuesday, September 10,
2024: Here are two good reasons to visiting the Reno
Nevada area. My granddaughter Lucy on the left and
granddaughter Elise on the right. Click both
photos for enlargements. |
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Monday, September 9,
2024: This is a travel day from Klamath Falls to Sparks,
Nevada. Before leaving, however, I has SumoSprings
installed. These are simple but expensive spacers
installed between the coils on the rear suspension.
These help support the load when towing. It only took
about 15 minutes to install on both sides.
The Red Barn was new for us because we took a route
suggested by Lesa. It is in the town of Bieber,
California. Literally in the middle of nowhere, northern
California. It was a beautiful two lane road drive. The
Artisan Coffee shop is about ten miles south of
Susanville, California where we stopped for a lunch time
smoothie.
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Sunday, September 8,
2024: Today is our last breakfast together as a family.
We took ourselves to Starv'n Marvin's because the owner
is one of Lesa's friends. Gwen and I decided to
share a 5 egg omelet. When it was delivered we quickly
learned we should have split a 3 egg omelet. We both had
enough left over for another meal tomorrow morning.
We hope to be on the road early tomorrow for Sparks,
Nevada.
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Saturday, September 7, 2024:
The girls took Abby and me on a 2 mile hike around
the neighborhood and through Sportsman Park. I was wearing
sandles so lagging behind most of the time. |
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Friday, September 6,
2024: To stay cool we drive an hour to Lake of the
Woods. The girls brought a picnic lunch which we are
quickly to spend more time sitting next to the water.
Abby has never had the chance to swim free in a lake but
she took to it quickly. The three of us took turns
throwing sticks for Abby to retrieve in the lake. We
spent three hours staying cool next to the water. Click
the photos for more views. |
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Wednesday, September 4,
2024: Gwen and I do not subscribe to HULU but Lesa
does. I began watching Martin Short and Steve Martin in
the series "Only Murders in this Building". It
turned into binge watching where I made it to episode 10
when there are 12 episodes in the series. Steve Martin
is being murdered by his girlfriend, :-0
Unfortunately that's where I had to stop watching so I
don't know who saves him. Surely someone will save him
since he is a star in the show.
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Tuesday, September 3, 2024: Abby
and I took a walk around the block and found this giant Weeping
Willow tree. It is significant to us because we planted a
Weeping Willow tweg about six years ago on our lot in Sutherlin.
It is now a full grown tree providing lots of shade and
atmosphere. This tree made me think of our tree and wondered if
it will become something like this some year in the future. |
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Monday, Labor Day,
September 2, 2024: While everyone else is asleep,
Abby and I go exploring and found the Common Grounds
Coffee Shop in downtown Klamath Falls. After coffee we
take a walk across the street into the city park. Abby
enjoyed the most green grass she has seen in months.
I only ordered a large house coffee for $3 but noticed a
refill was another $1. Seemed a little high for a shop
in Klamath Falls. :-)
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Sunday, September 1,
2024: This is moving day from Sutherlin, Oregon toward
Tucson, Arizona. Our travel plan will take us nearly a
month. Our first destination is to Klamath Falls, Oregon
to visit with Gwen's children.
I wasn't going to hang the bike off the back of the
trailer but changed my mind since the inside of the
trailer is already crowded with stuff.
The top of the car also became the place for stuff going
to Tucson. We sent six UPS packages to Tucson already
but the roof cargo would be too difficult to ship.
I stopped at a weigh scale thinking the worst.
Fortunately the trailer is still within the maximum
towing capacity for the Highlander. Once we get rid of
all the Tucson stuff, we will be lighter.
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Thursday - Wednesday, July 11 - 17, 2024: Gwen and I found
the Camp Lite 21RBS in Spokane, a very special light weight
travel trailer. It is special because it is entirely made of
aluminum, frame, floor, roof, sides. No wood, the walls are
a material called Azdel, Azdel is 50% lighter than wood, it
has no mold, mildew, rotting or warping. It is far superior
to wood. Our Highlander is limited to 5,000 lbs so this
trailer is perfect for us. |
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Our trip south from Spokane ended in a fairground near Colfax,
Washington on the first night. We had power and water and a large
field for Abby to run. There was a cow show happening the next day
so the fairground became busy. We continued on our way south
following 395 which crosses 3 states, California, Oregon and
California from Mexico to Canada. Our goal was the Clyde Holliday
(yes, that's the correct spelling) State Park where we spent 3
nights. The Highlander did well pulling the trailer. Click all the
photos for more views. |
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Monday, July 1, 2024: We like our
Tucson Park Model and expect to spend much of our time there
but not yet during the summer months. We still want to
travel. But not in a giant motorhome. We are downsizing by
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motorhome and purchasing a much smaller travel trailer to tow behind
the Highlander. We already have a travel trailer in mind. It's
called a "Camp Lite" manufactured by Livn Lite, a company which does
not exist any longer. The Camp Lite is very special in many ways. It
takes a seasoned RVer to recognize what makes it so special. I will
explain more once we have the trailer in our possession. We are
expecting to have it by July 12. In the meantime, the trailer does
not come with a weight distribution hitch. I searched Facebook
Marketplace and found many. I was lucky to find one for the right
price right here in Sutherlin. I'm cleaning it up and painting. The
hitch in the photo on the left is upside down because it came with
the wrong size ball, much too large. I need to put on a 2" ball. I
need a 1-3/4" wrench to remove the large ball. I don't have one that
large and neither do the friends I've asked. However, I suspect the
park shop will have one, I'll check tomorrow. A weight distribution
hitch is essential for stability with towing. It distributes the
towing weight among all axles including the front wheels of the
Highlander. I would not tow without one. We are needing the trailer
before selling the motorhome so we can unload our personal items
into the trailer then sell or donate what's left.
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