FOUND IT! Holland's Collapsible BBQ ~Hoquiam-WA

September 1st: The entire day was a good start to a new Sabbath Rest :-)

First off, I called Becky, to see how's she's doing … and she mentioned the possibility of us getting together at this RV Park when we get back this way in 2024. That will be fun! We are full-time RVr's - and she and Bobby like to get out and use their RV when they can: Graysriver-WA is not that far from Hoquiam-WA. What a fun event to look forward to ;-)

Then, we drove into Aberdeen, to do some grocery shopping.

While there, I suggested we troll Wal*Mart aisles to see if we could find the BBO Grill Holland has been wanting - he saw a guy using it in Wyoming, and said he used to have one … and would like to have another one. He described it to me, and I'd never seen anything like it; so, I was curious ;-)

While we were trolling and talking, he spied it!

So, it came home with us :-)

You would have thought Holland had struck gold. LOL; Aberdeen-WA Wal*Mart.

On the way back to our 5th wheel, Holland stopped at the Office to see if the battery he ordered has arrived: it hadn't yet. We collected it later on in the day.

Holland picking up the battery for the Big Generator; we like this RV Park - we'll return, here.

Labor Day RVr's gone; there wasn't an empty lot over the weekend … we'll pack up & move on, Monday morning.

We like it here.

We will return, when we are back in this neck of the woods.

FINALLY! He's only been looking for this type of BBQ Grill, ever since Wyoming.

Holland BBQ'd steaks for Supper: YUM!

HALLELUJAH! Holland got the Generators working ;-)

August 29th: Holland has been working real hard to get everything done, and set, before we head off to Arizona in September.

The big generator has been a trail ever since we bought the darned thing - so, he ordered a smaller one that weighs a quarter of the big one's weight: it will be much easier for him to move when we need it … and he claims that I can lift it, too ;-)

That's important if - for any reason - he is unable to get it up and running, he wants to make sure I can; he is always planning for future happenstances (whether they materialize, or not; he always wants to be prepared).

So, this morning, while he was dinking around with the generator - Bleu dragged me into the forest -  and I was easily led :-)

We'll only be here a few more days and then he'll be cooped up again inside the truck and 5th wheel, while we take care of business in Longview-WA before heading to Longbeach-WA on our way south to Arizona. I know Longbeach is off-track, but we have business in Longbeach also … and Holland would like to spend some time on the beach before heading South to settle in for months, in the desert 'til Spring 2024.

There aren't many RV Parks that have spaces where dogs can explore: this Park is a blessing all the way around. We like it - and Bleu likes it. The atmosphere is low-key, friendly, and refreshing to the body and soul.

I let Bleu off leash this morning. There was no one on the trail as early as we were out there … and I want Bleu to understand certain behavioral commands; that can only be accomplished by off-leash training.

He's a smart dog.

He is by and large, "a good boy", too.

And, he is a quick learner … especially if snacks are part of the program ;-)

Bleu off the leash; I'm putting him through command paces.

Dierks Bentley - "Free & Easy Down The Road I Go" song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsX4-7yEFNk)

Leading me to the back-end 'boneyard'.

 A.M. low tide; not sure what used to be here - but Bleu likes the river slime. He's fascinated by the muddy muck; I want to know the History.

1 single Holly Berry on this whole 6-ft. tree …

Bleu keeps leading me on.

These clumps of grainy grass are taller than I am - I am 5'2"

Morning Glory greeting the sunshine.

We both got a bit of a workout, and we both enjoyed the early morning exploration :-)

When we got back home, I could hear a generator running: I prayed it was that bulky hulk (it weighs 300-lbs when filled with gas - very difficult to move around) sitting in Betsy's back bed. Holland has been working on that thing pretty steadily since we bought it at Home Depot in Warrenton-OR, in May; this was it's last chance to get up and run properly before being junked.

I also saw, as I rounded the 5th wheel, that the 'Baby Generator' (it only weighs 50-lbs) had arrived - and he also had that one up and running :-)

The Big Generator is up and running - more than 5 minutes; Holland found a way around that touchy trip-trigger that was rendering it worthless. ((((YAY))))!

The Baby Generator has arrived; and it's not kicking off. NO carbon monoxide trip-trigger. Praise The Lord :-)

It uses propane - and it's a pull-start; YAY PLUS!

The Cars - 'Let The Good Times Roll" song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJwTcvO5Jbc)

We are over the moon with these gracious victories.

The generators (main one - and one spare) will make our boondocking experiences more enjoyable. Either one of them will power the slide-outs, air conditioners, the microwave oven, the coffee pot, hair dryer, little space heater if we have a chilly desert morning, and the air purifier in our bedroom while we sleep. The big generator also has a remote control that allows us to turn it on/off from inside the house.

We just need to buy a top-notch battery for the big generator - and we're "good to go!"; we'll replace the 5th wheel acid-type-battery, and outfit the 5th wheel for solar energy when we get to Arizona :-)

Hoquiam-WA ~ Thank You!

August 23rd: Blue was anxious to get outside this morning - he enjoyed his trail time yesterday afternoon, and wanted to get back at it again, this morning.

But mama needed coffee first.

And daddy added breakfast … which made him wait a little longer ;-)

When he finally got me away from Holland's attentions; and out of the house - he led me on a merry chase up one trail, and down another.

A Queen's Breakfast ;-)

Bleu barked a 'thank you' as he joyfully took me for a walk …

He led me down a path that wound through moss draped trees.

Down a new trail; we didn't have time yesterday to explore this option.

A patch of sword ferns.

Checking out the river.

5-ft. sword ferns! This fern tip is at the top of my head.

Jerking me along, 'com'on Mom!' ;-)

Sniffing around - and bouncing me along, he found a barely visible trail on the opposite side of the main center trail: so he took it.

A loop trail.

Smart Bleu ;-)

He finally wore himself down, and we dragged our tired tails back home - where another surprise awaited us: while we were gone, Holland had been busy :-)

While we were gone, Holland put his love in action!

Exile - Super Love

(Live at Farm Aid 1986):(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5gICfVPIq0)

Super Duper!!

A months ago, the Washer & Dryer had violently been shifted from their place; they still worked though even sitting cock-eyed … but leaning as they did towards my side of the bed, they made me nervous even though Holland said they were "solid".

Holland said he could "fix it": we just needed to sit awhile in order for that to happen ;-)

And he always surprises me with new foodie ideas; BLT with spinach, instead of lettuce. YUM!

I love my super-duper man.

I love my God, Who continually favors me - and gifts me with unexpected blessings.

Holland, is by far, my best and greatest gift in my new life.

HOQUIAM-WA ~ Our Morning Miracle-Bleu's Afternoon Exploration

August 22nd: We had driven the coastal route from calimexarabia straight through oregon with periodic pit stops and short naps, because of the wildfire smoke that has literally chased across the upper States of America.

It was well past midnight when we pulled up and spent the night in the parking lot of Dismal Nitch - this side of Astoria. Thankfully, there was no lingering smokey odor … and the Rest Area was not in a high altitude region; there were other RV's parked there too, as well as cars with motors running and windows opened a bit to ventilate: we parked in one of the 8-hour parking spaces near the highway, and snoozed those 8 hours away. It felt good to get a full night's rest.

We were back in the PNW waaaay ahead of schedule. While drinking our morning coffee, and clearing the cobwebs from our thoughts, we decided to drive to Forks-WA. I personally like the primitive wildness of the ocean area there - and Holland has never been there, so we pulled the bedroom slide in, pulled out, and headed off on that direction.

We were driving along feeling the peacefulness of a crisp early morning; Bleu was happily chirping (his high pitched bark sounds like a bird chirp), Holland was looking for the road sign we needed to make our turn, and I was chattering on about the beautiful wildness he was going to experience when we got to Forks.

And then … our hearts got a serious workout.

A bang-up start to our morning …

A tragedy was avoided, thanks to Elohim's grace and favor.

There's no way she would have survived …

This morning was a high blood pressure morning.

Thank Elohim that disaster was avoided.

My graying head got a few white hairs thrown into the aging mix (I had 10 years of life scared out of me!)

Bleu stayed subdued for a couple hours; it wasn't a fun moment for him, either.

Holland kept a calm attitude, though he too, had had his senses rattled back there at the intersection.

By the time we reached Nemah, laughter was filling Betsy's cab :-)

The rest of the day went much better - thank You, Lord!

Rod Stewart - 'Have I Told You Lately That I Love You' song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b96d6-dMi7A)

When we passed through Artic, we started looking for a place in Aberdeen, to sit Independence for the night. I pulled out my tablet and did an internet search: we settled on the Hoquiam River RV Park (1) I really do not like the Aberdeen vibes, and Hoquiam is on the other side of Aberdeen - kinda like Longview and Kelso (2) Hoquiam is close to Forks.

I have family that lives in Aberdeen and Hoquiam (though we have nothing to do with each other - their choice); and I have lived in Hoquiam for a couple months in 1994: I wasn't expecting much from the RV Park.

I was pleasantly surprised :-)

Elohim sent us to a very welcoming place with a peaceful atmosphere; after our hair-rising morning experience, it is a true blessing.

Artic-WA

Where we will be parked while running up to Forks-WA, to kick around a while.

It's not fancy, but it's tranquil, and has soothing vibes.

After Supper, Bleu and I checked out the main trail.

Bleu is loving the time out of the 4x and RV; he hasn't been able to do this at other RV Parks.

There are benches strategically placed along the trail.

Bleu loves people, but he's too enthusiastic for most; this trail is a good place to teach him People Interaction Etiquette.

Curious George had to check out every nook & cranny ;-)

It smells like Fall is on the breeze …

The trail runs along an old railroad track.

Not impressed by the end of this trail; I don't think we'll do this trail branch again.

A sign Fall is coming.

A very worn-out Bleu.

Bleu loves that he can get out and explore the forest.

I like that I can get out and walk the short trails along the lazy running river.

Holland likes that he can kick back and relax in a soothing atmosphere;  with a worn-out/content puppy, and a happy-minded/content wife ;-)

Holland booked us until the first week of September.