Click to Return to RVeCafe Homepage

 Fall and Winter
2024-2025
Return to "Spring - Summer, 2024"



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.



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.







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.





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.  



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.






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. 


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.




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.




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.



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.




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.



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.




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 :-) .




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.




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.




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.





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.






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.


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.




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.




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.




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.




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.





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.




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.








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.







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.




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.



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.






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.



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.  :-)




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.



 
 
 


 

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.
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.
 

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 selling the
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.

 
 

eturn to RV Trips Copyright, 2024 by RVeCafe.com