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.

COASTAL JOURNEY; CA to WA ~ Cool Art Deco Era Bridges

August 21st: In the morning, we traveled onward, the Redwood Highway-CA

We went through Orik-CA: a small community with the grand total of {357} people; it's seen better days, but I want to see rural America; thank you Holland, for this adventure ;-)

On our way to Crescent City-CA

Holland is always thinking of my best interests - he's a good guy: a Keeper :-)

 

Redwoods National Forest-CA; yellow haze from wildfires does not make for good photo shoots.

Redwood National Forest … Crescent City is today's goal.

The little brat! Bleu hates his leashes … so, he's made this one ineffective. Into the trash it went.

A little further down the road, the cat was out of the bag ;-)

Holland is the sweetest guy … when we got married, the Plan was to go back home from Reno over the coastal route - but, we were chased out of Nevada and California by a winter storm, so our Honeymoon Venture was cut short when we decided to come back home via the freeway. So, now, he says he is going to pick the route back up at Crescent City-CA ... and finish that coastal route for me.

Staying abreast of the storm's progress.

Holland would rather be on the freeway - and far, far away from calimexarabia.

I like listening to Holland's interesting stories about each State, in relation to the life he's led so far; if you want to get to know about your spouse - buy an RV and hit the road ;-)

Nowhere to boondock near the ocean, and the strong smoke swathes the inland hills.

Bridge work along the route …

Holland has planned something special for me; he's the sweetest man!

He spoils me rotten, and I don't deserve him: but I'm glad he's in my life :-)

We both laughed when we crossed over a Pass and saw that we were passing through the same road work this trip, as we did when we passed through in January, on our way home from our Reno Wedding.

It seems to both of us, that in traveling across America we cross more Passes than anything else - but, thankfully we have only crossed over three really hard Passes: "the Ike", "Mt. Rushmore", and "The Bighorn National Park" - and that one will give you white hair in short order. But Holland did it, and I'm proud of him :-)

We also noticed that coastal oregon businesses apparently do not open before noon; closed restaurants, closed mini marts, closed fuel station warmers - absolutely nothing serving hot food was open.

Nada :-(

There were plenty of scenic beauties to tantalize our eyes … but there was no where to pullover to capture it on camera, or video moments.

But, we can capture those lost photo shoots in our memory - and that's what we are doing: spending time together, making memories :-)

Road crews are still at work on the same spot they were dinking with in January '23.

Getting closer …

Touched down in Crescent City - and moved forward.

The sun is a red orb in the yellow clouds of wildfire smoke; very pungent odor.

Another on-the-go-candy bar breakfast.

Road designers do not take into consideration scenic photo shoots. UGH!

The 'scenic view' pullovers are ridiculous. WTHeck

Unbelievable - coastal towns are still closed after 9 AM.; Brookings-CA

We'll just do what we've always done - 'we'll do it ourselves!'

Wave watching.

We have to be wisely selective about where we set up …

Beautiful.

But we missed our moment in time, thanks to the smokey overhang :-(

Spending time together is the main goal.

Bleu makes sure he is included, too. LOL

Dan Hill - 'Never Thought That I Could Love' song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpejuT4uip8)

As we traveled along the coastal 101 highway, through coastal towns, we saw some pretty cool old bridges.

We also saw flashing lights that held traffic up, and was thinking maybe there is a wreak ahead … but as we get closer, we saw that a man was putting gas in his tank from a gas can! That's what all the flashing lights is about???? NO car off the road - NO mangled vehicle … but there were three police vehicles with flashing cab lights, and at least six police people standing around with hands on holstered belts, "keeping the peace" … and traffic crawling forward at a snail's pace. All that for a man putting gas in his gas tank.

The entire  upper Western States are engulfed in wildfire smoke. E.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.

A pretty neat bridge is about all there is to see in Gold Beach-CA

Rouge River Bridge; Gold  Beach-CA.

Rouge River Bridge:(https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/rogue_river_bridge/)

We thought there had been a wreak - instead, there was questionable nonsense happening.

Coos Bay-OR

When we got to Florence-OR, all I saw was sand dunes everywhere. Holland laughed, when he saw my surprised expression. I didn't know that Florence was all about sand dunes and 4-wheeling - and that's what it's known far and wide, for; but Holland knows all about that. He said people come from all around the NW - and the country - to see and play around in the dunes, here. Holland has done his fair share of dune jumping with 4-wheeling vehicles ;-)

I just saw {Florence} on the map one day, and thought the name sounded adventurous - and planned an overnight trip (which never happened until now); coming down here to play around in the sand wasn't even a seed of an idea in my mind, when I planned my route down here 2 years ago. I'm glad I came with Holland - I don't think I'd have had much fun by myself: it's an eye-blink town; there's nothing much to do, here. There's just the dunes.

Now, I've been to Florence; and Holland said, "You can scratch that off your Bucket List of 'Things to Do', Baby."

God always answers your prayers - always. He may not answer you the way you want to be answered ... but, He always answers. And His answer is better than anything you had hoped for ;-)

From Florence-OR, to Newport-OR, we saw some pretty cool Art Deco Era designed bridges.

Conde B. McCullough Memorial Bridge, North Bend-OR, on my way to Florence-OR. It took time, but I'm getting there ;-).

Conde B. McCullough Memorial Bridge:

(https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/conde_b_mccullough_memorial_bridge/)

A banked highway running across the water, coming into Florence. Holland says I'll see a lot of that down South.

Holland knew a LOT about Florence - he's been here before, in his younger years, tearing up the dunes.

Mix-match-Umpqua River Bridge; Reedsport-OR.

Umpqua River Bridge:

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umpqua_River_Bridge)

Road work is happening all over the PNW; Florence-OR.

Siuslaw River Bridge; Florence-OR.

Siuslaw River Bridge:

(https://zoomeboshi.com/2013/06/15/conde-mccullough-and-the-siuslaw-river-bridge-florence-or/ & https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siuslaw_River)

The Siuslaw River Bridge is a Draw Bridge (internet surfing pic.).

Alsea Bay Bridge; Waldport-OR.

Alsea Bay Bridge:

(https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/alsea-bay-bridge-replaced-waldport-or/)

Yaquina Bay Bridge; Newport-OR.

Yaquina Bay Bridge:

(https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/yaquina-bay-bridge-newport-or/)

We drove straight through oregon; and didn't sleep at all until we got to the Dismal Niche Rest Area-WA, well after midnight, and set in for another night of boondocking ("dry camping"): which is the long-term goal.

Boondocking means setting up with no services - which is fine with us because we started this lifestyle prepared; our RV and 4x are outfitted for the boondocking lifestyle. We did have a washer & dryer installed in the RV, and budgeted to stay at an RV Park periodically to make use of the electric and water to do our laundry.

The issues we have encountered so far is (1) that the generator came with a carbon monoxide sensor that turns the thing off after 10 minutes! So, we have to find a way to modify that - or the generator is useless (2) most boondocking locations are on BLM land, National Forest Land, and State Parks land … none of these locations have a parking area big enough for us; the parking/camping spots were carved out and set up for tents, camper vans, and 30-foot RV's - no National or State Park designer took into consideration to plan for future RV's that would exceed the set limitations :-(

So, while we have the desire to live foot-loose and fancy-free, it proving to be more challenging than we had anticipated.