LOOKING FOR GHOST TOWNS

What is a ghost town?  When I think of a ghost town I'm thinking about old abandoned buildings and tumbleweeds blowing down the street and no one else around.  Well yesterday I learned that many times all that is left is a few bricks and broken bottles.

Wednesday our friends Bob and Linda played tour guide and took us to several settlements and abandoned cemeteries.  Even Mollie came along.  Our first stop was Eureka, Utah.  Not officially a ghost town as there are still people living there, but the downtown certainly was abandoned.

We then headed off to see if we could locate an old  cemetery. After backtracking down several roads, we were fairly certain we were in the right area so we stopped and pulled over.  With Bob pointing his gps towards the woods, we scrambled through barbed wire fence, trees and brush, and there it was, the Fitch family cemetery. I was so impressed with Bob's discovery that I forgot to take pictures.

We repeated this exercise several more times that day.  Stopping, heading off into the brush to look for pottery and artifacts.   Bob saved the best for last.  We headed up an old railroad grade and after crossing a fill barely wide enough for the explorer, we arrived at an old abandoned railroad tunnel.  Even though you could drive through it, we elected to explore it by foot.  

By now it was time for happy hour and dinner so we headed back to our RV.  Judy made a wonderful Indian curry for dinner, and we all enjoyed a glass of Opolo Tempranillo.  We then spent the next few hours hearing about Bob and Linda's adventures in Alaska this summer.  I have a feeling we will be heading in that direction in the next couple of years.  Maybe even by water!  

Yesterday we hitched up and headed down the road to Page, AZ. We took our time heading south on I-15 then cut over to I-89 through Kanab and finally arrived at the Wahweap campground on Lake Powell.  I have been bragging about the cheap parks we have stayed in recently.  Well I think we blew the budget this weekend. This park is $38. a night.  But with full hookups, paved level sites and a view to die for, well, I think it is worth it.  We were surprised to find that our phones and air card work here.  So it's all good.

I am meeting a photographer friend of mine here.  Rich Charpentier lives in Prescott and is an accomplished photographer and printer.  He has a business reproducing art work and original photography on canvas and other materials.  I'll try to post a few pictures on Monday.  

On the weight loss front.  I am happy to report a 2 pound loss.  13 more pounds to go.  8 more weeks.

Travel Day

This will be a short post.  We had a nice drive from southern Utah to Nephi, Utah which is south of Provo.  We are here with our good friends Bob and Linda and tomorrow we are off to explore some ghost towns in the area.   The weight loss is off to a slow start.  I have not lost any weight since Friday.  Next weight loss report on Friday.

Until later

Oregon Trail Interpretive Center and other thoughts.

How far did you walk today?  I thought about that question when we were watching a movie about the Oregon Trail this morning.  For most of us a couple of miles, maybe even 5 or 6, is a good walk.  Now imagine walking 15 to 20 miles every day for 5 or 6 months straight.  By the way leave your fancy running shoes, water bottles, ipod, gps and power bars at home.

I don't know about you but I am soft, too soft.  10 years ago Judy and I participated in the Disney Marathon.  We speed walked it.  26.5 miles later I sat down and couldn't get up.  The next day I could hardly get out of bed.  If Judy hadn't dragged me the last couple miles I wouldn't have finished.  I know today I could not even walk a half marathon.

It is amazing that whole families walked from Independence, Mo. to the Willamette Valley in Oregon.  Yes, they had a small wagon pulled by either Oxen or Mules.  The wagon was for all of their stuff.  So they walked, and walked, and walked some more. All in search of a better life.  These days I get upset if the internet is too slow, or if we park under trees and our Direct TV dish won't work. This afternoon we drove across the corner of Idaho in just a few hours.  They walked for days.  And when they weren't walking they were cooking or feeding livestock or fixing their wagon so that tomorrow they could....walk.

So where does that leave me?  About a month ago I wrote a footnote on a post about an upcoming 30 day challenge.  Well life got complicated and I didn't get back to my plan.  I have lost 35 pounds since January and want to lose another 15 by the end of the year.  So I am going public.  I will share with you twice a week whether I have gained or lost weight.  And I'll tell you how far I have to go.  And at the end of the year I'll even tell you my starting weight and my ending weight.  I am doing this to give myself an added incentive (embarrassment).  It's one thing to tell you I had a "good" or "bad" weigh in, it's another to put the actual numbers out there.  Your job is to help keep me honest.  So every Tuesday and Friday you'll get an update.

Until later.

SAD GOODBYE TO THE NORTHWEST

The last 3 months have passed very quickly, and we have thoroughly enjoyed our stay here visiting with family and friends. We are feeling the need for sun and warmer temps and so it's time to head south.

This morning we pulled out of the Lake Pleasant RV park just north of Seattle around 8:45.  Leaving on Sunday morning allowed us to have very light traffic as we headed south on I 405 to pick up I 90 going east. 

With sunny skies and beautiful scenery we made good time today and are spending the evening at the Oregon Trails RV Park in Baker City, Oregon. It's a nice park, not very full, and with our Camp Club membership it only cost us $12.50 for the night.

In the morning we want to visit the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center before hitting the road again.  We are planning a short rendezvous with our friends Bob and Linda who are waiting for us in Nephi, Utah.  If  all goes well we should see them Tuesday afternoon.

Until later.

LUNCH WITH BLOGGING FRIENDS

Our stay in the Pacific NW is winding down. We are moving down to the Seattle area tomorrow and then heading towards Arizona on Sunday. We have enjoyed our stay in Anacortes visiting several local shops,  galleries and a return to Adrift, our favorite local restaurant.

Judy has even mastered the art of knitting socks during our stay here.  There is a wonderful knitting and cross-stitch store here in Anacortes and she has taken advantage of their generous help.  This is how a local business can beat out any online store.  By providing exceptional hands on support, they won a loyal customer and we helped the local economy.  We also discovered a local store that smokes salmon.  They also sell online, but I doubt I would have ordered from them without first being able to taste their product.

We also enjoy staying connected on the Internet.  Whether it's keeping family and friends informed, or making new friends with common interests.  We enjoy keeping up with fellow RVers through their blogs.  Occasionally we even get to meet in person.  Last summer we got to spend a day with  Randy and Pam and showed them around our hometown of Grand Rapids.  Next month we are looking forward to seeing our friends Bob and Linda somewhere in Texas.

Today we had lunch with Ron and Alice.  Alice commented on our blog a month ago that they were from the NW and had just been to Port Townsend.  One email led to another and it worked out to meet today for lunch in Bellingham.

 Ron and Alice had a scare this week when the engine in their RV caught fire. Thankfully they are okay and it looks like the damage can be fixed without too much trouble.

We had a great time over our leisurely 2 hour lunch.  It was fun to hear about their workcamping experiences.  When work for Ron, a licensed plumber, dried up they knew they needed to find something else to do. So they spent the last several months working the carnival circuit.  They did everything from taking tickets, to helping setup and tear down, to running the rides.  It was hard work but they both seemed to enjoy it.  With carnival season over until spring their next project will find them selling Christmas Trees.

In this difficult economy it's always inspiring to see how fellow RVers are making ends meet. While some RVers seem to think the answer is to put a donation button on their blog, others like Ron and Alice aren't afraid of hard work.  Wow, what a concept.

Until later.

Our RV Floats

Yesterday it time to say goodbye to Port Townsend and the Olympic Pennisula.  After enjoying a couple of beautiful sunny days on the water, we awoke to thick fog.  After morning coffee and a quick walk for Mollie, it was time to hook up the explorer and head to the ferry dock to get in line for the 12:45 ferry to Coupeville.

 We realized it had been almost 6 weeks since we actually towed the explorer.  The explorer has 4 wheel drive and an automatic transmission, and has a couple of steps to go through before towing.  First push the 4 wheel auto button, then put in in neutral, then turn the key to off, then press the brake pedal while pushing the 4 wheel drive button and wait for the indicator light to quit blinking and stay on.  Then check to make sure the brakes are activated by the SMI AirForce One system, then check the turn signals, and brake lights.  Then we were ready to tow.  Good thing I have a checklist

We had decided to take the ferry rather than drive all the way back down the Olympic Pennisula and back up thru busy Seattle.  The ferry cost 53 dollars for our 30 minute ride.  Considering we probably saved at least 3 hours and fuel which is 3.50 a gallon here, we thought it was worth it.

The ferry crew are experts at loading and we were soon on our way.  The crossing was smooth and it didn't take long to be back on dry land on Whidby island.

We then headed north through Oak Harbor and across the beautiful bridge at Deception Pass.  20 minutes later we were at our destination. We are at the Fidalgo Bay Resort which is owned by the Samish Indian Nation.  In  prime season this is an expensive park and we would probably not stay here.  But they lower the prices in the fall and also honor Passport America so it becomes a bargain. So we once again have a nice water view at a reasonable price.  Not as nice as Port Townsend but still a very pretty place. We are looking forward to getting out and exploring this end of the island.

Until later.

Staying at Port Hudson Marina and Rv Park

Our first day here has exceded expectations.  First, you should know that this is not a deluxe paved site resort with pool, clubhouse and tennis courts.  It does have water, sewer, and 30 amp hook-ups but it's a little scruffy and the sites are close together.  The place has a worn look to it, but we don't mind because we are here for the view and we love it.  This is certainly on the top of our list of places we'd come back to.

When we arrived yesterday we checked in at the marina office, and got asked the usual question.  Where are you from?  We are still struggling how to answer.  Even though we now have the same street address as several thousand other full-timers it just doesn't feel right to say Sioux Falls.  So I usually say we are from Michigan, but now have a SD address.  Maybe we'll figure out a better answer as we go along.

This morning we awoke to fog, but it has burned off and we have been on our first walk of the day.  Mollie  joined us as we took a leisurely walk around the marina and harbor.  Like I said before, "nuthin better than messing around with boats".

On another note.  I'm a sucker for the Geico ads.  Do you remember the tongue twister about Woodchucks?

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
He would chuck, he would, as much as he could,
and chuck as much wood as a woodchuck would
if a woodchuck could chuck wood.




Yes I'll admit it, I'm easily amused.

Until later

A CHANGE OF SCENERY

Yesterday we took Mollie on a walk around Evergreen Coho SKP Park.  Lots of owners have already headed south for the winter.

This morning it was time for us to move on as well.

We traded this view

 for this view.

We have been staying at the Escapees Park in Chimicum for the past 6 weeks and it has been a great base for us to use while we explored the area.

We only have a few more days here on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula and decided to move to the Port Hudson Marina and RV Park in downtown Port Townsend for our last 3 nights here.  We are right on the water and enjoy watching the boat traffic and being next to the marina.  This is the view out the front of our coach.

It's nice to be able to walk around the boats and also walk downtown which is only a few blocks away.Later this week we will load the motor home on to the ferry and spend a week in Anacortes, before we start heading south.

I've been pondering a question for the last couple of days.  The question is one word, and the word is: WHY?   A simple word, but loaded with implications.  I remember when our kids were young they always wanted to know why... and it was our job to come up with an explanation.  I'm sure if you have kids you know what I am talking about.  As we get older I think we sometimes stop asking those questions.

This last weekend two rv fulltimers lost their lives.  We didn't know Marjorie and Bruce personally but we faithfully followed their blog.  After awhile we started to feel a part of their family.  Bruce and Marjorie, vacationing in Pismo Beach, left their motor home on Saturday morning to go for a walk.  They never returned. According to police reports a distraught 19 year old man who had a failed love affair, tried to take his own life, he didn't, but he killed Bruce and Marjorie in the process.  Why?.....  Having been raised in a conservative Christian home, my dad was a country preacher among other things, we were taught that everything is in God's hands and everything happens for a reason.  But here's the thing.  Knowing that, believing that, still doesn't answer my question.

WHY?

Our condolences go out to the families of Marjorie and Bruce, and all those who knew them well.

Until later.