Week 933-940 - Cruising the Northwest - 08-25-2024

Cruising the Northwest

After two months of visiting family and friends in the Paso Robles area of California, we have now moved on. We haven't written for two months; it took a while to remember how to create a travelogue!

We like to travel using Craig's Rule. To remind you, it's his 2-2-2 Rule. Craig says "Travel at most 200 miles, get to your destination by 2:00 pm and stay at least two days. If you do this you will enjoy your travel days and not tire from the drive."

Our destination this trip is to our friends Dennis and Jean in Port Ludlow, Washington. That 1,000 mile trip, as Craig's would do it, takes 10 days, at 200 miles each two days. But, due to a deadline, which we could not avoid, we had only 8 days, hmmm!

We decided to log in 382 miles on day 1, then relax a bit for the rest of the route. Here is our descent from the Mario and Melissa's mountain, down the 14 degree grade and on to the Redding, California Elks lodge.

We made that leg, feeling pretty good and stayed two days. The next day we took the JeepShip to Chad and Emily's to visit with them and their five kids.

Day 3 was 218 miles to Seven Feathers Casino in Canyonville, Oregon. Here we are passing the city of Mt. Shasta. (the mountain pictured is not Mt. Shasta).

Seven Feathers Casino is right on US Interstate 5.

They have a beautiful RV Resort for a fee or you can dry camp for free right in the casino's parking lot. Dry camping eliminates the effort to set up and tear down, so even after 200+ miles, we moved on the next day.

Our plan was to stay in Albany, Oregon at Blue Ox RV Park. It is right next to the parking area for the Annual Albany Northwest Art & Air Festival. Because of the air show the RV park was full, one of only a half-dozen times we've been turned away in the last 19 years. We don't make reservations as we are not sure where we might land each day. We had only traveled 118 miles this day, but had not stayed two days yesterday. So, to rest, we moved just 7 miles to the Northbound Santiam River Rest stop. Ah, that replenished our energy and we headed into Portland.

In Portland we enjoyed lunch with Eric, the son of one of Pete's best friends, Paul. Paul, also a good friend to Ellen, past away in 2014. We stay in contact with Eric and his sister Stephanie. This visit we got to meet his lovely girlfriend Erin. And we received a gift of cup cakes from Eric's daughter Meteora, who is wanting to start her own bakery, yum!

The rest of our trip was short driving days. We spent a day at the Kelso-Longview Elks and then onto the Little Creek Casino in Shelton, Washington.

The RV resort sites are huge with a large grass area between other RVs.

RV campers get full use of the indoor pool, spa and fitness center. To finish the 1,000 mile trip refreshed, we spent two days at the casino RV resort.

On the final day we arrived at Dennis and Jean's home in Port Ludlow, Washington.
It is just a little piece of heaven that God created for them.

As you approach the house you see Pudget Sound's Oak Bay in the distance.

We secured RV site No. 1, a level spot with a huge grass patio!

Hot like Arizona? No. Hot like Paso Robles? No. Chilly in the morning, with sunlight breaking through most afternoons. Gorgeous views . . .

. . . and beautiful sunrises to be viewed (if you are Ellen!).

Once again, we proved Craig right. We started strong, exhausted ourselves then ended in comfort. Good, because as soon we are arrived at Dennis amd Jean's, they put us to work! More on that work in a future travelogue.

Dennis and Jean graciously allowed us to park the MotherShip at their home for a week as we headed off on our next adventure. Thank you Dennis and Jean.

With love, Pete and Ellen

Photos from Aug 2024