Northwood Mfg. made a new Friend, and hot cities.

Traveling west again to the Coast where it will be cool, it's too hot here. I was in LaGrande, Or. (96F) at Northwood MFG. getting the hole in my Nash trailer repaired, I got a new front end.... they did a super job for about 1/4 the cost they quoted and in 1/4 the time. It's always great when a company goes "beyond expectations." They also manufacture Arctic Fox and Desert Fox toy haulers, campers, and trailers. I got the trailer to them about 8 am, met with Matt, went and got some donuts, I was just getting ready to get on the internet near a Starbucks, when I got the call about 1030, "It's done" a voice said, "Already, I didn't even get my nap yet" said I, "Come on in and we'll lighten your wallet" says the voice. I checked out my trailer, it's looks better and brighter than when I bought it... I walked into the office and met with the voice (Matt), he lays down a sheet with the price, my jaw drops, I'm in a quandary at this point, you see, I filed an insurance claim after getting the quote. and the price for the repair is the same as my deductible. (way less than the quote.) I'm hopeing that I can cancel the claim and my State Farm insurance will just forget about it and NOT RAISE the cost of my insurance...

I happily pay my share, wave goodbye, (blow kisses at the women) and sail into the sunset.. (oh... thats another story)

On the way from Seattle to LaGrande, Or. I had planned on boondocking, casino-docking or whatever so I could hit Northwood Mfg. early Monday morning for my appointment. While in the planning stages, I got an invitation from a new friend, he said I could stay at his place in Cove, Or. just 12 miles from the Nash factory. I gratefully accepted and was amazed at the little slice of heaven, he and his wife have carved out for themselves (and wandering AFP's*.) Phrases like "salt of the earth" and "good people" do not do justice, they fed me, gave me wonderful well water, powered the trailer, let me wash my trailer and truck and many other things. We laughed, fixed things, and watched nature take it's course. Deer and birds abound and wander around his place. The last evening dropped a gorgeous sunset on us as we looked out over the valley. Truly wonderful people and "Thank you"

It was 102F in downtown Pendleton, Or. 100F in Hermiston where I stopped for lunch, and 108F at Three Mile canyon near the Columbia River. I'm at TT Sunriver-Bend for a couple of days before I hit Coos Bay, Or.


*AFP's =Arctic Fox people (and other Northwood products too)

Near the beach,.. and Rats with wings???

Went down to the beach and the truck gets checked out

This seagull walked along the bed rail checking out everything in the bed of the truck.

One pigeon jumps onto the mirror, I asked the pigeon what it wanted and it just cocked it's head, I told it, you want something? just come on in, and it did! Another took it's place on the mirror. How bold can these rats get?

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Pacific Dunes RV resort, close to the Pacific Ocean and right on Pismo Dunes National Preserve

CatSpa

Catalina Spa and RV park for those "in the know." A wonderful place, not too far from Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs. Luxurious spas with hot tubs and warm pools, quiet neighbors and little fellows.


The hummingbirds and other birds in the area eat all the bugs, like this one is. I stayed for a week and could have stayed longer. My total cost for the weeks stay? $56 including water, electric, sewer and wifi. This is one of the best places I've stayed at, even if it was in California.

Birds of a feather?

A great egret at Fort Clinch

Little blue heron stationed under the above egret

Surveying his kingdom, outside my fifthwheel. (Coopers Hawk)

A pair of great egrets on Tamiami Trail

The most fascinating bird, the American Darter, aka anhinga, when I first saw this, I thought it was a snake in the water until it climbed out totally wet and dried off the wings to fly.

Check out this four in one photo. I'm not sure what the bottom bird is, American darter on the top, great blue heron in the second position, snowy egret in the third center position.

Looking for dinner?

Stayed for 3 weeks in this neat state, taking my time to watch birds from Fort Clinch to Tamiami Trail.