Hey! We’re ready to roll!!

[Me!]

      Well, ‘lucky day, lucky day’!  As I think that we are finally and hopefully, ready to hit the road once again.

      As I told Tom Halter, the Service Manager for Beaver Motor Coach Service Center, “this has been the longest year in Bend that I have spent over the last month!”  But really, it was not all that bad.  If you have to be stranded somewhere, Bend really is not too bad a place to be…some great sights, good eats, a relaxing river, good local beer, and super weather overall.

      The tech’s started the re-assembly on Friday afternoon, and continued with it at 6:00 a.m. this morning, and coming to a finish after testing and making a few minor adjustments, at 4:15 p.m. this afternoon.  The new custom slide-rods are now larger and heavier than the originals (…not to mention ‘straighter’).  It all works like a charm now and we are a couple of happy campers let me tell you.

      I must give kudos to the Beaver Motor Coach Service tech’s and staff in handling this issue for us.  I know we grew impatient and overly anxious as time flew by, but in retrospect these guys did what they could as fast as they could, and in the end it was a matter of virtually having to re-design and work the bugs out of the design, so as to have parts that were finished and ready to be installed for optimum operation.  I would definitely use this shop again in the future, especially for anything major (including paint and body work, as I saw some of the “before” and “after” work that Bruce did on a couple of damaged coaches. The final evaluation is that the finish work was like ‘new’; very nice and professional.  We are quite happy with the crew at Beaver, and the quality work that they performed for us, in spite of all the set-backs (out of their control) and delays caused over the past five-weeks, of which was through no-fault of Beaver Motor Coach.  We watched them do the assembly, make the adjustments, test, and re-test.  There were no ‘shortcuts’, but rather a high level of quality work, performed in a most professional manner.  Very satisfied with the work and even with the final bill (yes, it was rather sizable, but less than we had figured it to be; plus they cut me a good discount, which helped immensely I may add). 

We are so happy to be back in our own home once again (and with a ‘mended wing’).

      Our plans now, that we are basically ready to roll once again, is to stay over tonight in the Beaver RV park, and then beat a trail out of here come bright and early (…you know, at least by the “crack-of-noon”; no, seriously, it will be fairly earliesish (hmmm, is that a word?  It is now...kinda anyhow), around 7 or 8 a.m.).  We are headed south from here in the direction of Visalia, stopping tomorrow afternoon in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and then turning southeast to Susanville, CA on Wednesday to make a visit to our grandson Billy, and his wife Erica who have a new home in Susanville.  Then on Thursday we will continue south on US-395 through Reno, Carson City, Nevada and then back into California, through Mono Lake, Lee Vining, June Lake, Monmouth, Bishop (as in Mule Days and the old historic Bodie ghost town, Lone Pine (think we may be just a wee-bit late for the rally…unfortunately, but hey,we will be rolling!), and then on over to Ridgecrest, Tehachapi, Bakersfield and up through ‘America’s Breadbasket’, the San Joaquin Valley, to Visalia.  We are looking forward to it, and for certain, we will keep you posted here on our traveling blog.

      P. S. I should add that Kalua, who stayed with the two of us in the motel (and she is a real ‘trooper’, and such a good dog, albeit that she is old and in her twilight years now; she does take a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’!), and our Bailey-cat stayed with the coach (easier for the ‘putt’), and she had plenty of food, water, and her own potty.  But we made a ‘Bailey-visit’ (also known as a “okay guys, where are we at now?”, visit) every work day, so that helped Bailey as well as the two of us also of course.  The ‘kids’ did very well, in spite of the circumstances.

Did you know?:  Oregon is the only state flag in our nation of 50 states, with a different front and rear to their flag;  the state seal is on the front of the flag;  and, the Oregon beaver is on the rear of the flag.

I think we see light (or more accurately, our coach) at the end of the tunnel (SOON!)…

     We got some good news Friday afternoon – all the parts are now in, including the new slide rods (which had to be re-done) and the new ‘longer’ bolts, as well as the new ‘shorter bolts’.
The word now is that the assembly (‘re-assembly’?) was began on Friday afternoon and the anticipated completion should be on Monday afternoon.  We’ll see, and I will believe it, when I see our coach out of the service bay.  We are keeping our fingers crossed!

     This weekend our biggest regret is not being able to attend the Discovery Club rally in Lone Pine (CA).  I am sure that everyone there is having a grand old time, eating a juicy steak, and playing L-R-C of course.  Anyway, we hope to see all in January 2011 in Desert Hot Springs.

     We will let all know where things are for us come next week
.

 
Beaver Motor Coach Sales and Service Center
Bend, Oregon

14-Service Bays / 1-Paint-Body Work Booth-Bay / 19-Tech's / 2-Writer-Advisor's

Bend still? Ahh yes, we are still in Bend. . .

 City of  Bend from atop Pilot Butte

     Well today (Wednesday, September 1st) marks 18 days that we have been in Bend, Oregon.  Our coach still sits here at the Beaver Motor Coach Service Center, in Bend.  We are (have been) waiting for parts to arrive so that the tech’s can finish up with the forward driver’s side slide.  The good news is that the parts (well, a couple of them anyhow) are on their way, and the rest should be here by the end of this week (maybe???), or the beginning of next week, is the last word that I got today.  We have been basically in a “holding pattern”, if you will.  We like Bend, and it is not really a bad place to be, all things considered, but after a couple of weeks, we have just about seen (and eat) at all the places and ‘spots’ in the Central Oregon area, so we will be ready to move on when this is finished up.
     The weather, well that is another story, as we have had very nice weather, up until last Friday, when the temps dropped and over the past weekend we had lows in the morning at 33F, and highs in the day of 52F; cloudy off and on (and mostly on); and a cold stiff wind blowing that made it all that much worst.  Monday we awoke to very cool temps and heavy overcast, followed by heavy rain (and snow in the higher elevations.  Of course, that is a misnomer in itself since Bend sits at an elevation of 3,600 ft. (locally Central Oregon is described as “the high desert”), and the snow was down to about 4,000 ft.).  There was about 3” of that ‘white-stuff’ in Sisters (20 miles northwest of Bend, at 4,150 ft. elevation).  It feels more like winter to us ‘fair-weather-birds’.  But yesterday was a definite improvement, and today is down-right nice, with a high temp of 78F and party cloudy skies.  We are supposed to have fairly nice weather for the next week or so.
     We have met some very nice people here at the Beaver Motor Coach Service Center, from all over the U.S.  They are real busy here, that is for sure. 
     Now, we just wait for the arrival of our parts, and then the pau-hana (finish work) word on our coach.  And hopefully that will be sooner than later.

       Downtown Bend, Oregon


 

     Mill District in Bend





“Bend-cycles” (rentals @ Old Mill)



 
Marilyn at the Pine Tavern on the Deschutes River

Pine Tavern in downtown Bend

  
  Marilyn prepares a delicious roast-beef dinner

    

Jim “taste-test” one of the                    Marilyn at Deschutes Brewery

Deschutes Brewery beers                      downtown Bend

  

Good-bye Redmond (…its been fun!), …and hello Bend!

                      
     It is time to bid a farewell to the FMCA 84th International Convention, hosted in the city of Redmond this year.  We saw the new coaches, lots and lots of new “toys”, “gadgets”, and “gotta haves”, along with some seminars, entertainment and of course, good friends and fellow RVer’s from different points in North America.  And the good news is that we got a number of coach items serviced, adjusted and repaired by factory technicians on our coach, which is always a real bonus at a large rally such as these.  So, we are set to go, and ready to roll for the Sunday departure.  The weather has been very pleasant, with weekly temps in the 75F to 85F range and lots of sun and a nice, cool breeze.
     Saturday afternoon we took time to drive a couple of miles over to Redmond High School and visit the “Traveling Wall”,  a 3/4 replica of the original Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.  As we have both visited the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington in the past, this was a special treat to have the opportunity to visit and pay our respects to the those who were not as fortunate as some of us who able to return home after serving on combat duty in Vietnam.  I have personal friends and former high school classmates who gave their all in ‘Nam and did not return.  As a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Jim appreciated this opportunity to pay his respects to those who lost their lives in Vietnam.  May God bless and keep them all in his infinite glory.  God bless America.

   

 

We are making a stop-over just a few miles down the road in  lovely Bend, Oregon, where we have an appointment with the Monaco Beaver Motorcoach Service Center to make a repair and adjustment on our left-forward ‘wing’ (okay, slide).  That is set for Wednesday, so once that is complete we look forward to heading west over the Cascades and to the Oregon coast, which has always been a nice treat for us on our numerous visits over the years.

     We were seriously considering a return back to Montana and the Glacier country, but with another rally set for mid-September, that does not give us the time up there in “the last best place” that we would like, and that would justify the distance.  Our next rally is a California chapter rally that is set for Lone Pine, California, along US-395 in the eastern Sierra (between Death Valley and Mono Lake, south of Bishop).  It should prove to be a fun rally for all.

It's Convention time!

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Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center, Redmond, Oregon

We made our timely trek from Montana down through Idaho, Washington and into Central Oregon this past weekend.  We stayed Saturday night at the Prineville Elks Lodge, once we got into the Redmond, Oregon area.  Prineville is a neat little town that we have had the pleasure to visit on a couple of prior occasions.

Columbia River Gorge, Washington
(1st crossing - with 2nd coming up, as it loops)

Columbia River, Washington into Oregon
(2nd crossing; about half-hour after 1st, above)

Sunday we made the short drive over to Redmond and the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center, and got our site and set-up for the weeks activities.
Monday has been spent taking care of a few minor details along with running a few errands and of course some reading off and on.  And oh yes, I did get a short nap in.  Need to recharge 'me batteries'.

And I should mention too, that all that work on making the changeover with the TV seems to had paid off very well, as our new TV is great!  ...and working well for us (...knock on wood!).  I inadvertently overlooked the contribution that Harry Salit made with his help and assistance in the installation of our new TV.  Thanks Harry!

And speaking of the Salit's, we found them parked (they just came in this morning (Tuesday the 10th)) not very far from us.  Tuesday has been another day of wanton leisure, but a few minor chores were accomplished nonetheless. 

Mt. Bachelor, Oregon from Prineville Road

Downtown, Redmond, Oregon

The weather has been the biggest surprise for us on this visit to Redmond, as it has never failed to be over 90F every day on the several prior visits here, but it has not been over 83F so far (since last Saturday anyhow to present).  There is a nice, albeit almost cool, breeze which makes it all that much better.  Lots of sun, and with some high clouds scattered about, it is all-in-all, some very nice rally weather.

Tomorrow is a full day of Governing Board meetings, and I look forward to seeing that behind me, come Thursday.

The coaches continue to arrive, a good number of them coming in caravans.  Today will be the biggest day for coach arrivals and placement onto the grounds.  One official told me a little while ago that there are already close to 3,000 units in place, with a couple thousand to finish out by tomorrow morning.  It looks to be a successful rally for all concerned.

FMCA 84th International Convention

Motor coaches parked at FMCA Rally

Home, sweet home!

We're b-a-a-a-a-back!

Where has the time gone!? Gee, it’s been almost two-weeks since I last reported in here, and it seems like only a few days ago. Guess that happens when you are having fun.
We returned from the North Fork intact, and we have been busy taking care of some of our errands and seeing old friends and family here in the Kalispell/Flathead Lake area.

We took a leisurely drive around the lake (Flathead) one day.  Started out at Bigfork, then on down the east side of the lake where we saw the many Flathead cherry orchards loaded with prime fruit (or course we had to stop and get some too!).  We continued on down to Polson, and then started our return up the west side of the lake.  There are a number of changes and some growth, but the beauty still remains and it is still a very nice and scenic drive.

Our good friends, and fellow Discovery Club members, Harry and Susan Salit joined us last Friday, on their travels back down from Canada, and it was very enjoyable seeing them again and having the pleasure of their company. They were parked next door to us, so “happy-hour” was always just a whistle away. They had a lot of interesting stories to share with us about their travels through British Columbia and Alberta, including the Lake Louise, Banff, Jasper areas, as well as the Calgary Stampede and seeing the world’s largest shopping mall (well, so they still say anyhow) located in Edmonton, Alberta.

They had the opportunity to tour Glacier National Park, and we made some brief tours of the Flathead Lake area as well as Bigfork.

(And of course, we all have to make our ‘necessary’ Costco runs!)

Harry and Susan departed yesterday morning for a rally in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. We expect to see them again in Redmond, Oregon at the FMCA rally next week.

Our big “task” over this past week has been the replacement of our main TV in our coach. It seems that the power supply gave out on our original set, and so I figured that I could make the replacement of it, and while at it, I figured that I would move us up from our current (non-working) 32” set to a 37”. In fact, I even toyed with the idea of going with a 40” set, but in the end, sensible reasoning set in and I opted for the 37”. Good thing too, as it was indeed quite a project for me. But, in the end, I got it in and up and running, along with the correct connections to the satellite box, the DVD/VCR and surround-sound system as well. I am only left with some fairly minor finishing wood work which I intend to have our local (as in Visalia in this case) carpenter friend take care of upon our return to Visalia. The new set is certainly nice, and should serve our needs very well in the years ahead.
Our weather has been …err, well ‘weird’ I guess would be an ample description here. We have had some of the typical, beautiful Montana weather until the last week or ten-days or so, and it is a mixture of cooler (warm days in the low 80’s; nights in the low to mid-50’s) days with more clouds, off and on thunderstorms, high cloudiness off and on, and of course with the numerous (over 350 at last count) forest fires just up north of us in B.C., Canada, the air has been more ‘murky’ and ‘smoky’ instead of the crystal clear views normally experienced. The prevailing winds (albeit slight) are from the north-northwest, and this continues to bring in a lot of the smoke at this time from these forest fires unfortunately.

Last Sunday, we went to what was billed as the nation’s largest equestrian event. It was a championship tournament of several various equestrian competitions held out at Rebecca Farms, northwest of Kalispell. It was a beautiful day for the event, and it was very well attended, and included entries from several states and a couple of other countries. The horses were majestic and were obviously well trained for their competitive tasks. Marilyn and I enjoyed it. An interesting side-note here as well, is that there was no admission fee, no parking fee, free bottled water and fountain sodas, as well as crackers and ‘finger-foods’. There were a number of food vendors also who were doing a brisk business though.
In our local news, (and other observations) there has been a couple of grizzly bear attacks of note (this seems to be an annual happening up this way though. And of course, since some tourists do not use good sense and logic in their camping and/or hiking mode, they only invite danger upon themselves.); A Model T club is present and made their pilgrimage up the ‘Going to the Sun Road’ and Logan Pass (they have a car-show in Whitefish); Tourism appears to be up from last year, based on preliminary numbers from Glacier; Nickel Charlie’s (an old-time eatery in Kalispell) still serves up a ton of great grub and coffee, and all the gals serving have the usual big smiles and cheerful attitude; the US-93 By-pass is well underway (finally) and should be complete by the end of 2011 (with the first half opening in November 2010). This will help greatly with the summer tourist traffic that currently goes right through the center of town (Kalispell); and of course, it appears that every other license plate is from Alberta (I come to the conclusion that Alberta, Canada is to Montana, as New York is to South Florida in the winter!). And then too, those folks from Washington State seem to have a good number of vehicles here also. Over the course of a month and a half or so, virtually all states are noted along with most of the Canadian provinces as well.

We had dinner last night with some longtime, local friends (who were childhood school mates with Marilyn back in Westby during her early years) where we met to break some bread at the new Montana Club in Kalispell.  Earl and Elaine Strand are dear people and we throughly enjoyed the pleasure of their company as well.

Then tomorrow is a “get-ready-to-roll” day, as we will be leaving the Flathead on Friday morning as we make our trek southwest toward Redmond, Oregon. We expect to be in Redmond late on Saturday afternoon and then the FMCA International Convention which begins next Wednesday and runs for five-days, with us out on Sunday morning. Hopefully, I will not be quite as long in getting our next blog posted. Hopefully, anyhow. We’ll see. . . . .