After running around finishing Trailer Mods, Servicing the Tow Vehicle, and oh by the way WORK!... Friday finally comes!

Saturday, July 11, 2009
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Alarm goes off at 6:00 AM and we get up. Coffee & Breakfast. Then and pack all of the stuff that has been gathered in the living room. Then go to the storage yard to hitch up the trailer and shift the load. Actually get underway at 8:30 AM.
C-r-a-w-l-e-d thru LA. C-r-a-w-l-e-d up the grapevine. Stop for fuel and lunch at Gorman, CA at 12:30. I-5 thru the central valley of California id B-o-r-i-n-g. Made it to Dos Reis County Park just south of Stockton, CA by 7:00 PM. Went to Denny's for supper. TIRED! go to bed.

Sunday, July 12, 2009
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Light streams thru the open Fan-Tastic Fan Vent. It's 6:00 AM. This time, we make it on the road by 8:00. We miss a chance to stop for lunch south of Redding at 12:30 due to indecision... can't find a suitable restaurant north of town so we just press on. Finally stop to eat in Weed, CA. Wonderful Mexican place with Asian ownership & staff. Go figure! Then we find out by cell phone that Robert's sister cannot host us tonight. So we search for a KOA, and find one in Medford, OR. And we find out that it is not an original idea!

We FiberglassRV people tend to congregate.

A pre rally mini rally!

Have fun, stay safe!

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Our campsite at the Medford, Oregon KOA.

After this picture was taken, the camera's battery went dead.

You did some driving.Nice shady spot . It looks real tight ,your fellow camper is right on top of you.
Maybe its the angle of the shot.
Bill

Hi guys! What a hoot to connect with other 'eggs' at the KOA ... especially Lex & Rita. Sure wish we were going to this year's Gathering so we could meet them Please keep up your travel journal if time permits - we love following along on your adventures. Safe journeys, L 'n D

Those spaces are kinda close. The gravel area to the right of my rig is an unoccupied site.
Since I generally only use KOA's as an overnight stop during long trips, and rarely spend more than 12 hours at a time,
it doesn't really bother me.

The last map I posted had us going to Cave Junction, OR. But we didn't wind up there; Robert's sister wasn't home.

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Monday, July 13, 2009

6:00 AM I see a trend here... If this is a vacation, why am I getting up at the same time I do to go to work?

Travel Trailers are compact abodes. I can reach out and turn on the Coleman Stovetop Coffeemaker without getting out of bed. After having set up the thing before going to bed, all it takes is lighting the stove burner under it, and I can roll over until it stops brewing. CHEX ^® cereal with blueberries and milk on a tray for breakfast-in-bed: priceless.

Since we didn't unhitch last night, getting underway this morning is quick and easy. By noon-ish, we are in Bandon, Oregon. We go directly to our internet/coffeehouse/restaraunt: "Brewed Awakenings" for the Fish & Chips special, and the free WiFi.
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Great report Fredrick, we will see you tommorrow, I am going to weigh on the hwy30 scales and recheck with your jump scales.
The Oregon Gathering is here

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After lunch we head on to the campground. We are a whole day ahead of schedule, and we ask at the booth if they have a space until our reservations kick in tomorrow. The ranger says that the site we reserved (A16) is occupied until tomorrow, but the one right next to it (A13) is vacant. It will be an easy move into our site.

Across the road is Donna D. in full relax mode.
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We unhitch and drive to Coos Bay. Shopping and preliminary sight seeing.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 (6:00 AM)
Check-out time is 1:00, so I expect we'll have to wait 'till at least noon to move to our reserved space. Go to "Brewed Awakenings" and spend all morning online. Lots of email to catch up on.

When we get back to Bullard's Beach, our reserved site is vacant! An easy hitch-up and move. This time we set up the awning and put out the "Patio Furniture."

Other "Early Birds" are showing up. Lex & Rita and Brett & Ellen show up from the Medford KOA. There is lots of visiting amongst us. After supper in the evening we congregate at Bret & Ellen's site. Eric B. shows up. We talk through the twilight, and it finally gets dark about a quarter to ten... much later than in Southern California.

Thanks for the report. Nice camp.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Open one eye... Get up and take 2 steps to the bathroom. The clock on the Microwave says 7:00. Hmmm. Finally in vacation mode? Upon return, light the stove burner under the coffee maker before crawling back into bed.

After breakfast, get out the camera:
Click to view attachmentLex & Rita's European BIOD
Click to view attachmentEric's PERRIS PACER
Click to view attachmentBill & Jacquie's TRILLIUM
Click to view attachmenta CASITA LIBERTY waiting to check in.

Then we get in the van and drive back to Coos Bay. I wanted to stop at The Oregon Coast Historical Railway. As luck would have it, they are open on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
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We spent a lot of time swapping stories with the volunteers.

Across the street is a bank building with an interesting mural built into the brick wall; I think it's their Logo.
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Then we find the local Super WalMart...,
and the Fred Meyer's. $3.48 for a 2 Lb. tub of Blueberries; of which we buy 3. Our Potluck contribution is gonna have Blueberries in it.

After shopping and a light lunch, we head off to Brewed Awakenings for internet access.
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After checking eMail and other websites I log onto FiberglassRV.com.
I furiously download pictures from my camera onto my laptop; then re-size them for posting, then try to compose a proper narrative for the pictures...

... Just as I click "add reply" to Post #13, the Owner of Brewed Awakenings says from behind the counter:"We're closing in 20 minutes. Please finish up. I want to go home."

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Today is a busy Day! It is the "Official" opening day of the Oregon Gathering. No time to go back to Brewed Awakenings for more WiFi access; it will have to wait for Friday.

We will be Weighing Trailers from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Click to view attachmentSign along the road to the Beach
Click to view attachmentSign at the Beach Restroom Parking Lot

This year we will be doing it differently. Robert and Eric B. have two Wheel Weighers in the parking lot next to the Beach Restrooms. Before a Gathering participant enters the campground to check in for the Rally, they may select to drive their rig to the beach to weigh their axles.
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I will have one Wheel Weigher and a Jack Stand in my car. As the participant leaves the Beach Parking lot, Eric will call me on my cell phone to dispatch me to that person's campsite. After he unhitches, I will weigh the tongue at the coupler.
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Last year we weighed 16 trailers at the beach. I figured on a similar turnout, but printed out 20 Weigh-in forms.

Thursday, July 16, 2009
6:00 PM
I feel like I've worked harder on this vacation than I do at work! In the afternoon we stopped making carbon copies to keep, so we could stretch our supply of forms. We ran out of forms, and had to use scratch paper for the last 3 customers.

We weighed 25 Trailers

Fred - Sorry for the off-topic question but do you weigh each trailer wheel or only one side and double it?

BTW, good job keeping us up to date on the your travels. I enjoy reading your posts.

Yes, you'll see when I collate all of the weight data in my weight post.

It is now Monday, July 20th, and we are in a KOA in Mountain Home, south of Boise, Idaho.

I took some pictures during the "Open Trailer" time on Saturday, July 18th, at the Oregon Gathering:
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Escape 19'

Click to view attachment Click to view attachment U-Haul 13'

Click to view attachment Click to view attachmentScamp 19' "5th wheel"

Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Oliver 17'

Open Trailer was divided into 2 parts: 1:00 to 3:00 for A loop, and 3:00 to 5:00 for B & C loops.

This is a path between A and B loops. Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment Bigfoot 20' (5th wheel)

Click to view attachment Trillium 13'

Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Bigfoot 17' gaucho (Rear Bath)

Click to view attachment Click to view attachment 16' Northern Lite

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Click to view attachment 13' Boler

This was the prize winner for the oldest trailer.

Click to view attachment Bigfoot 25' (Rear Queen)

After I took this picture, my camera's battery died.

So let's see, Thursday, we weighed trailers...

On Friday, July 17th, we accessed the internet at Brewed Awakenings in the morning, and went shopping in the afternoon. I relayed to Robert that for "Hors D'overes" night there were many requests for him to do the Hand Rolled Chocolate Truffles like he did last year...

Hand Rolled Truffles:

1. 3 pounds of semi-sweet chocolate morsels
2. 3 cups of heavy whipping cream

Melt the chocolate over medium low heat. When the morsels are completely melted, remove from heat and g-r-a-d-u-a-l-l-y stir in the cream, a teaspoon's worth at a time; stirring constantly. Once the cream is all stirred in, continue stirring. Stir some more. Keep stirring. When your arm is about to fall off, hand it to your partner (that would be me) and tell him to stir it.
Keep stirring. Take it outside so it can cool and thicken, but keep stirring! Stir some more. Don't stop stirring! It must thicken evenly and smoothly as it cools, KEEP STIRRING!

About 20 minutes before they are supposed to be served, deem them thickened enough. Realize that you don't have any wax paper in the trailer! Spoon a teaspoonful onto sheets of foil. Search the cupboards for coatings. Find Shredded Coconut, Graham Crackers, and Cinnamon. Crush the graham crackers in a bowl with a drinking glass like a mortar & pestle. Sprinkle the cracker crumbs on one sheet, the coconut on another, and the cinnamon on another. Use a rubber spatula to pry the chocolate off the foil and roll it in the coating. Place the rolled balls on plates and carry to the event only 10 minutes late!

Robert says that since I gave out the recipe, he doesn't have to make them again...

On Saturday, after the Open Trailer, we took a Blueberry salad to that evening's potluck. We had found an incredible bargain on 2 pound tubs of blueberries at the Fred Meyers in Coos Bay.

Blueberry Salad

1. 6 pounds of Fresh Blueberries
2. 1 bag (10 ounces) Pecan "Cookie Bits"
3. 2 six ounce cups of Blueberry Yogurt
4. 1 six ounce cup of Strawberry Yogurt

Combine ingredients in a large bowl and serve.

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On Sunday, July 19th we packed up and left the Oregon Gathering at 7:45 AM. We made it to Robert's Brother's house in Portland by 12:30. His Sister and her husband were there with their Semi Tractor Rig. Robert's Brother and and his wife just moved into their house 2 weeks before, and the neighbors put together a block party for the day we were there... We camped in the school parking lot at the end of the block.

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This Morning, Monday, July 20th, we left Portland at 7:00 AM (Pacific Time), and made it to the KOA in Mountain Home, Idaho by 7:00 PM (Mountain Time).

Tuesday, July 21, 2009
6:00 AM Why do I insist on setting that infernal alarm clock? I was up until 12:30 AM last night updating this "blog".

I turn it off, light the coffee, and roll over while it brews.

7:00 AM Robert's watch, which is set on Pacific Time (6:00 AM), sounds it's alarm. Darn. Coffee's ready and has been sitting on the stove for 45 minutes after it finished brewing. Finally get on the road by 8:20. Late.
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Stop for Gas in Snowville, Utah, just across the border from Idaho. It's Noon, so we look for the Diner that had a sign out on I-84: "Mollie's". As I pull into the parking lot behind the building, I have a twinge of Deja Vu. Stepping into the building confirms it: we stopped here going the opposite direction 4 years ago during the Long, Long Trailer Trip, 2005 edition. I didn't remember that until seeing the place; we only stopped here 'cause we needed gas. We select a table as a white haired Lady hobbles over to wait on us. "I'm just back from getting my foot worked on in the hospital" she says, "Been out for 3 weeks, and my Daughter & Granddaughter been doin' it all. I had enough time away to get rusty, and I need to get back to it." as she shoos a younger woman away. We have the honor of being served by Mollie herself. I tell her we are repeat customers from California, and she perks right up. I tell her I might need retraining myself after being on vacation and traveling for 3 weeks...

When she brings the check, she autographs 2 bumper stickers for her place and gives them to us. (They're Red with White lettering and one will go with the Red stripes on the Fiber Stream nicely.)
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We arrive at Rock Springs, Wyoming KOA by 5:00 PM Mountain Time. Time enough for laundry and dinner before updating on the internet.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 5:57 AM Mountain Time

All of a sudden I pop wide awake from a sound sleep. I get up and open the cupboard door to look at the clock on the Microwave. This is where I get the time posted above. <sigh> I think I have the routine down...

On the road again...
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Had an incident on I-80 before Rawlins. Semi Truck Driver was apparently frustrated that I Drive 55. First he tailgates really really close to the trailer. Then he passes, and cuts back into the right lane before his second trailer cleared... Robert was driving and he had to take evasive action. All I know for sure is that it was a FedEx^® rig with dual trailers.

He was gone way ahead of us before I had the presence of mind to think about identifying it. Didn't get a license number or a vehicle ID number.
I calmed down, and tried for the next hour to notice the ID numbers on each semi rig that passed us... Was only successful about half the time; they were going so fast.

We took the I-470 bypass around Denver. I was prepared for it to be a toll road, but they don't have toll collectors anymore.
They had blocked off the cash lanes, and had a crew out dismantling the toll booths.

They photograph your license plates both front and rear as you pass by the toll booth. I guess I'll get a bill in the mail?

Since we need to make time to see The OZ Museum tomorrow, we overshot the KOA in Limon, CO and came to "The Shady Grove" in Seibert, CO. Nice little family run park.
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I got to add the COLORADO sticker to my trailer!!!

And they were AWESOME! Peter and I split two of them so we could try out the different flavors, yum!

--Lynne

Oh no!!!

Thank you for your great reports, Frederick! And thank Robert for the blueberry recipe. It was wonderful and I wanted the recipe. I should have known that Robert made it.

Nancy

Thanks for sharing your trip with us. We enjoy the posts! Doug & Michelle

Last episode, we left our heroes in Colorado.
We are presently in St. Louis, and it is Sunday- 4 days later...
We survived a car breakdown and missing the Oz Museum.
Add my voice to the disappointment in the AAA.

But now we've been enjoying the family reunion...
I'll post a better update when I have more time...
Tune in next time

Frederick, Seibert? Ewwwwwww! LOL................

Wish you two would have stayed in the Denver area. I would have come taken you for some good Mexican food and a few rita's........................... Next time you come thru Colorado, We would love to meet you. Have a safe journey.

We-e-e-e-ll-ll-ll...
We had originally planned on staying in the Limon, CO KOA.

But... back to our story...
Last Wednesday (the 22nd), we raced through Colorado because we wanted to allow time for the OZ Museum.

Thursday, July 23, 2009
Up at 6 AM and on the road by 7:45. We make good time, and by 2:30 PM we're taking the off ramp for the OZ museum. We stop at the stop sign at the bottom of the ramp and it happens:

CHECK ENGINE * flash * CHECK ENGINE * flash * CHECK ENGINE * flash *

...and the once smooth idle becomes really, really rough.

We call AAA... and argue about whether I actually have the RV endorsement that I paid for on my membership.
Apparently, since I am a member of the Automobile Club of SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, it doesn't amount to anything of value in Eastern KANSAS. Since the TRAILER ain't broke, they're not going to do anything about it. They didn't even inform the Tow Truck that I HAD a trailer; even though I specifically told the 3 operators that I spoke with about it.

The tow Driver has me follow him for 3 miles to his garage, engine sputtering and CHECK ENGINE light flashing all the way. (He never hooked up because he didn't have a rig capable of handling both the car AND the trailer.)

He found the problem once he put the code reader on; (bad coil for the #2 spark plug) and replaced it. (Had to send his daughter 20 miles down the road and back to fetch the part).
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We're back on the road by 5:30. After the OZ Museum has closed.

I guess I'm going to join Good Sam's.

So...
We continue down the road to the KOA in Lawrence, Kansas.

...and I can add KANSAS to my Map.

tell triple ey that you are sending flying monkeys

Friday, July 24, 2009
We leave Lawrence, Kansas and arrive at Babler Memorial State Park by 3:00 PM. The Family Reunion is at the Chesterfield Doubletree Hotel.
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Camp B= Babler Campground
Family 3= Doubletree Hotel

Limon? Not exactly another beautiful Colorado town.................... , But I understand your plan to see Oz so that would make Limon a stop. Sorry you missed your museum destination, I bet it would have been worth the visit. Maybe next time. I know how frustrating and time consumning veichle break downs can be in remote areas. But thankfully your experiance didn't turn into days of waiting for parts to arrive. Enjoy you family reunion! And Thanks for the travel saga of the Long, Long Trailer Trip. Safe Journey home.



When we had the resort, our guest seemed to have good experiences with Good Sam as well as Geiko. From what I saw, Geiko really took good care with their customers. I got several calls from Geiko asking if we had a site for one of their customers that had broke down, say over a weekend when repair shops were closed. If I had a space they would tow the rv in, then come back on Monday morning and pick the rv and guest up to head off to the repair shop. Once they towed in a 5er and brought a rental car along and left their customers till their truck was fixed. And with every experience I had with them, they would call the resort and ask me if the rv'ers and the rv where picked up at the appointed time by the tow truck driver. To say the least I was impressed from what I saw. I don't even have Geiko Insurance so I suppose their customers would be better to get info from as it could be a different experience from their end. But as I said, from what I saw they took care of rv'ers. Good Luck! Robin


Robin

The park is beautiful, with a road thru wooded areas that open up to a clearing.
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We look at this point to the right:
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And we continue on our way...
Click to view attachment...past the visitor's center, all the while looking towards the right side of the road for a sign that would tell us where the campground is...