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Old 09-08-2008, 07:17 PM   #1
brenkco
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 856
M.O.C. #8154
Our 1st extended trip

I thought some of you folks might be interested in my very 1st 3 week vacation since I started working at 18. Some that know me might say I was on vacation from 18 to 25 when I got married but that is another story for another time.

We planned this trip for several months. Friday before we were to leave several personal things came up that DW had to deal with. Stress was high so it was decided that the trip was put on hold. We were still going to take the RV to Sacramento to spend Labor day with the our son and daughter-in-law in Sacramento.

Chapter one starts with us leaving the storage yard with the RV in tow, the laptop loaded with our new GPS software (MOC users recommended both Streets/Trips and Street Atlas). Confused and distracted we left the yard with the GPS telling us to turn left, which I promptly did, turning into the iron gate post, popping out the kitchen window, scrapping the side and fracturing the window of the microwave.

My very 1st three week vacation canceled and my brand new Monte a mess. So on we go to chapter 2. You must know that DW is a retired kindergarten teacher with a rather special sense of humor. (She has her own handle on the MOC forum...yamaha_mama...she is a jet ski babe). So here is her version of chapter 2 as written to family and friends.........

Yamaha_mama writes:

Chapter two so far has been equally as eventful. As you know Ken decided that he was going choose our RV destinations. When we first began talking about this trip, I spent a goodly amount of time researching Trailer Life and Woodall Directories for park ratings. Ken "don't need no stinkin' rating." In fact, the first two parks he chose, are not even in the books so to speak....that means they must be less than poor!!?!?!

We left on Friday...it was hot...and we headed to Redding....it was hotter!!! A lovely 106 at dusk. We passed a three nice RV Parks...two right on the river and one next to a beautiful water slide resort. We pulled into Ken's chosen park.......... just a few minutes behind the local sheriff and police. They had one of our "new" neighbors in handcuffs. Oh, this feels safe!!! Luckily our spot was was the next row from his....about 25 feet of safety!!! We locked everything up and headed to Anderson to have dinner with friend. It was at this time that I wished I had one of Mikes bumper stickers that reads Fight Crime...Shoot Back. Note to self....I need to get myself one of those. At least the bad guys might think I have a gun and know how to use it. Might as well get an NRA sticker too.

Thank goodness that Kelsey is an indoor dog. When we got back to the trailer I held her leash on the top step of the trailer and let her out. I felt safer looking from above with access to the Mayflower knife...and old family heirloom that needs to be sharpened after each use...and rusts if it is not dried within 30 seconds. If I don't cut the bad guys....I might give them some nasty disease!!!

As you might have guessed we survived that night and headed north....to our next destination. Ken's choice #2 in Klamath Falls Oregon. Beautiful pictures on the internet....although I liken it to what I would expect of internet dating...not that I have any experience with such nonsense. The pictures don't really tell the real truth!!! Such a disappointment. The golf course has been neglected for the last couple of years. It is more like a hay field....not one bit of grass, the tee's had 3x3 astro turf mats, the fairways and greens were dead. The driving range and practice fairways were closed. They were having a special on green fees, $9.00 for 9 holes or if you didn't want to pay, it was ok, they would let you play for free. We did take a short walk around the first and second fairway. It was enjoyable until I came upon a snake on the green. I'm not talkin' a shady golf pro....I'm talkin real live snake. It was about 2 feet long. I think I heard Ken say it was a gardener snake....but I can't be sure...as I was running...picture that!!!!...back to my trailer. I think gardener snakes and rattle snakes are somehow related and I ain't takin' any chances. We set up and headed into town....Klamath Falls. We tootled around town...a big zero. Looks like not just the RV park, but the town has fallen on hard time. Suffice it to say we had another safe night. We were slated to stay here 3 nights....I don't think so. So we packed up and headed to Diamond Lake RV just outside of the north entrance to Crater Lake.

Well.....third time is a charm. This place is beautiful. In the middle of the Umpqua Forest. The lake is a beautiful mountain lake. Perfectly blue skies, beautiful blue waters. We spent yesterday recovering....not wanting to do much.

I should add at this point, that when I called this resort, the manager said that we are just off Highway 230. "The signs say that the highway is closed...but not to worry, it's closed after our park." I wasn't quick enough to ask why the closure....I will find out soon enough.


All this packing, unpacking, hooking and unhooking, and security has been exhausting. We sat outside and visited with our neighbors as they walked around. Surprisingly, nobody was in handcuffs!!! This morning we scoped out the area and took a beautiful drive around Crater Lake. We stopped at many of the lookouts. This place is spectacular!!! The lake is a deep blue. It was formed when a volcano blew many thousands of years ago. We had a nice lunch at the lodge. It reminded me of Wawona or Ahwanee in Yosemite...but not quite as opulent. Beautiful wood and stone architecture.
As we were driving back to camp from our jaunt to Crater Lake we noticed smoke in the distance. There were a couple of road signs saying. "Don't report fire, Natural burn"

We got back to our trailer mid afternoon. It was beautiful. I took a bit of a nap...and when I woke up, it was real smoky. Needless to say, I didn't report anything because of earlier direction. This evening we headed to the Diamond Lake Lodge for dinner. We were told of the spectacular view of the lake and mountains. By this time it pretty much reminded us of Sonoma County in June after the lightening fires....very smoky and no view. Oh well. We did notice that there was a gentleman walking along the roads posting signs saying Park vehicles facing out. Is that is a preliminary measure to fire evacuations?? I haven't heard any sirens or alarms...but I will stay awake tonight listening. Another restful night in paradise.

On to Bend tomorrow. Can't wait to see what Ken has in store for us there. I think Bend is a populated place....but with Ken in charge....I am never quite sure.

Marilyn

Most of you might have noticed that Glen & Lorraine just celebrated their 36 anniversary. Marilyn & I just had our 33rd.....not sure if I'll survive this trip to see 34 but one can hope.....life is a barrel of laughs!!!!!!!

Ken
 
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Old 09-08-2008, 07:44 PM   #2
snfexpress
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Join Date: Jan 2006
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Posts: 2,499
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Ken and Marilyn,

On our very first extended trip, I made a reservation for a RESORT in Indian Springs, Nevada. I didn't know what I was doing, but thought that I had the brain power to figure things out. Was I wrong! As we were pulling in, I said: "This isn't what I reserved! Call the park and verify the address" to my wife. As she was on the phone with the park manager, I was trying to figure out how difficult it would be to back out onto the highway (very busy!). As I was looking in my side mirrors, a woman came out of a single wide mobile home with a cordless phone to her ear and I could hear her through my wife's phone saying: "Are you in that BIG BEAUTIFUL MONTANA?" At this point I knew I screwed up and I was tired, so, we pulled into a not quite pull-thru next to an 80's era small pickup cab over camper on jacks, minus the 80's era pickup. I went to the manager's office and pulled out my Visa card. She said that they only accepted cash, and if I didn't have the $12 I could go next door to the casino and get it from an ATM. I told her I did have the cash, and as I opened my wallet, she saw my LEO badge at which point she exclaimed that our overnight cost would be a mere $6. It was still difficult paying, not because I didn't have exact change, but because of the two HUGE dogs and the three crumb snatchers (toddlers) on the floor.

Since this (mis)adventure, we have become better at finding parks. But, it is a learning experience.

Since you were at Crater Lake, I hope you got your wife a National Parks passport - this is where I got my wife her first one. Since then, she has put more than 30 stamps in her passport!

Keep on truckin' and having fun!
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Old 09-08-2008, 10:46 PM   #3
stiles watson
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Since you have survived to tell of it, it is a successful adventure.
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Old 09-09-2008, 04:40 AM   #4
exav8tr
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Casa Grande
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Ken, We stayed at Diamond Lake Rv Park last year and really enjoyed our stay, sans smoke, although it was a little isolated. One day we decided to walk to the lodge thru the State campground next to the lake. The lady at the park said it was a couple miles. We thought, OK we can do that. As it turned out we walked almost 7 miles, to and fro, but did have a nice basket of onion rings at the lodge greasey spoon. I do so much enjoy that kind of camping, away from the hustle-bustle or the highways and busy streets and the lakes were beautiful, both Diamond and Crater. We also learned the hard way that a resort RV park does not equate to a REAL resort. We now use every resource available to pick a park including www.campgroundreviews.com. Being members of several camping clubs helps with the expenses also. Good luck and we look forward to your future reporting.......
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