Here we are, on the road: We’re in La Connor, WA

Sunday, July 22, 2012 Lorraine’s Report

It’s raining again, it’s for sure--we are back in Washington. Hello from 1000 Trails in LA Connor, WA. We came a whole 49 miles from that 1000 Trails to this 1000 Trails, and of course we ran into some spotty rain. The temperature outside at 10 am was 64 degrees. We came to attend the Lewis & Clark 1000 Trails Club’s rally this week here in La Connor. It starts Tuesday evening with dinner.

We had a nice cool week back in Birch Bay compared to the rest of the country, being right by the Bay with the constant cooling breeze. But like all the regular people that live here year round, Chuck & I are already tired of the clouds and the gray rainy days. We had enough of the rain while Chuck was working here this past winter.

And what a week it has been again for me. If you recall our blog from last week, Chuck mentioned that I would like a 40^th Anniversary Party sometime in mid-August. Well, nothing was decided until last Monday morning. Chuck and I decided to have an anniversary party; it’s not every year you make a milestone anniversary. And while our actual anniversary is September 22, we would like to be headed south to the drier, warmer climate we tend to favor by then; God willing and our health checkups go well.

So the decision was made to go ahead with the party. We had no location, no food, nothing. I am happy to say that since then I have been extremely busy putting together this affair and it is a go!

I arranged to have it at the Moose Lodge in Bellingham on Saturday, August 18, 2012, from 5 to 9 pm, as an open house style party. I got the E-vite Invitations out, if you didn’t get one, it’s because I didn’t have a correct address or whatever, but if you want to attend, I’m extending you a personal invitation. I just ask that you let me know so we can have enough food.

One day Chuck had doctor’s appointments in Mt. Vernon. I think they went well. I was busy with the party stuff while he saw the doctors. I also arranged airline tickets for our daughter, Susy and granddaughter, Kaitlyn to attend this party. Another day Misty got groomed, but my hair gal moved, left no forwarding work address, so I didn’t get my hair done. If anyone knows of a great color/cutter hair dresser, let me know..Thanks.

One day was spent lining up the food and the rest of the stuff you need to throw a party. Many thanks to Joe & Alice for watching for our party products that are coming in the mail from the Party Store, they are being sent to their address, thanks again.

Friday was our good friends, Sandy’s birthday, and Richard took the day off and we went to the Buffet at the Silver Reef Casino to celebrate. The food was great, as was the company. We had fun Sandy, again, Happy Birthday. This Monday is Richard’s birthday, but we will have to wait to celebrate with him until he completes the project he is on. Happy Birthday Richard! Hope you have a great day.

I got a note from our Canadian friends, Joy and Rick and she said their invitation wouldn’t open for her; I just wanted her to know I got the note that you guys are coming. In case Rob and Norma and Barb and Dennis couldn’t open their invitations, they are invited also. Hope you can make it, let me know. Thank you.

So it’s Sunday evening and it’s raining hard on the motor home. We have no internet or phone service here at the rig. I’m not used to this and I think I’m spoiled to have it here in the rig, so readily available. We have to go up to the club house to get internet and who knows where for the phone service. We haven’t had to do this since I can’t remember when. We also don’t have 50 amp or sewer, pretty primitive for us.

So that is it for me. Have a great week.

Lorraine

7/22/12 Chuck’s report

Yesterday, Sunday, was a travel day so we didn’t get our blog written before we left. We only went down about 50 miles from one 1000 Trails to another but we don’t have internet service here except at the lodge so we can’t post this until tomorrow.

We had a quiet week, didn’t do too much. I did manage to see two doctors but nothing to report from either of them except I’m old and out of shape, ha. I did end up making a couple of new appointments that I’ll have to make before we leave, just add those to the others already scheduled. Late news, just got a phone call from the nurse and she said all my blood test results were in and everything was normal there.

We did manage to visit with Joe and Alice one afternoon. Seems we see more of them when we are on the road than we were are both back here so it was good spend some time with them. We, of course, said we would get together again this summer but that remains to be seen, good intentions and all.

We also got to celebrate Sandy’s birthday at dinner with her and Richard. He has been working nights since the 4th of July with only one day off per week but was able to get off on Friday to be with Sandy. We had a good time with them, can’t say the same about those slot machines, however.

This year, Lorraine will have put up with me for 40 years; it will be our 40^th wedding anniversary on September 22. Lorraine really wants to celebrate this occasion (not sure if I’ll be here for the 50^th I guess) so we’re planning on getting together with family and friends at the local Moose Lodge on August 18. Lorraine has been busy planning this, lots of phone calls and visiting food places. And of course, she wants me to wear something other than shorts or blue jeans so that meant a shopping trip for me, bummer.

So if any of you would like to help us celebrate, please stop by the Moose Lodge in Bellingham anytime after 5 pm on August 18th, we’ll be there. We don’t plan on making a big deal out of it, just want to visit with family and friends so please feel free to stop by. Lorraine has sent out some invites but we hear there has been some trouble with their delivery. If you didn’t get an invite, come on by anyway, love to see you.

We are here for a rally with Lewis and Clark Chapter of the FMCA that starts on Tuesday. We first met some of these folks in Seaside, Oregon three years ago. They were having a rally starting right after we were scheduled to leave but we were able to stay over for an extra week so we could attend the rally. We ended up joining the Chapter because the folks we met were so nice and friendly. We’ve gone to meetings with some of the members while we were in Palm Springs and Yuma; they have fun wherever they go. We came down here for a rally last year too; hope to have a good time with them once again. It’s always fun to visit with folks we’ve met before and to meet new members too.

We managed to snag a spot that allows our satellite to acquire TV signal through the trees after setting up three different times. We only have 30 amp electrical power but because the forecast is for highs only getting to the low 70s this week, we should be fine. And like I said, we can’t get phone or internet service at the site so if you need to call, please leave a message and I’ll check it when we get to a place that has service.

Plus we are here for the rally and should be spending a lot of time with our chapter buddies. They have one day set aside for a ferry trip over to Friday Harbor, we haven’t been over there for at least 5 years so we are thinking of going with them, if we can find a dog sitter for Misty as we will be gone all day.

The weather has been typical Western Washington, rain one day, nice the next. It happens to be raining pretty hard right now and the forecast if for more tomorrow but should be nice for most of the rest of the week. And by nice I mean highs in the mid 70s, cooling off to mid 60s at night. Way better than the 100F stuff we were in a month or so ago. The forecast for tonight is for colder temperatures, down to the mid 50s! Might have to head South earlier than we thought.

Our plans are to stay here until the end of the month then return back to Blaine for the month of August. Joe and Mike are both trying to find a place for us to stay at Latitude 49 when we get back there, hope that works out otherwise we have to move in two weeks from 1000 Trails to Beachwood.

After that, we aren’t sure of our itinerary but should have time to work on that some this week. I do know we are both leaning towards the Oregon Coast once again, that is one of our favorite places, especially in September. There are other ways of traveling down to our daughter’s place, that’s our next firm destination but that’s not until Halloween so lots to see/do before that.

Lorraine hasn’t taken too many pictures this week so I won’t add many either. I’ll get them added and post this in the morning when we go over to the lodge.

Blaine Harbor