Friday morning, Tom, the dogs, the trailer, and I set off on a four week trip. Several weeks ago, I purchased a tire monitoring system for the trailer. The system needs each axle to have the same size tire. Since my trailer accident in October 2018, one new tire was a 10-ply. Tom made arrangements with Big-O Tire in Flagstaff to have another 10-ply tire put on this same axle.
While the new tire was being mounted, the technician noticed that the wheel bearing needed to be tightened. It was recommended that all four wheel bearings be repacked. Since we were going to be "on the road" for thousands of miles, we asked Big O Tires to make this happen.
While our trailer was being serviced, we unhooked the truck and went to nearby Bushmaster Park. We knew that this park had a number of pickleball courts. And, we found them!
With the dogs, we walked throughout the park.
We even had a picnic lunch there.
Big O Tires underestimated the time it would take for them to perform the full bearings service. So, we did not get back on the road until 2pm. We still had 4 more hours to get to the Panguitch KOA in Utah. Fortunately, it was still daylight when we pulled into our site.
We made a decision to bring prepared dinners for the three nights it would take to get to McCall, Idaho. That night, we had corned beef brisket.
Saturday morning, we began our trip further north. We still had to drive 300 miles to our next stop, Brigham City. We arrived at the Golden Spike RV Park at around 4:00 pm. The RV park is in the town of Brigham City --- walking distance to shopping and restaurants.
Tom and I liked the "mom and pop" feel of the park. It was neat and tidy. For dinner, we decided to pick up something at a local restaurant. With Covid-19, there are very few "dine-in" options. On Google, Tom found Asian Fusion & Sushi Burrito. It was just across the highway from where we were staying. I ordered our food online and I walked over to the restaurant to pick it up.
Surprisingly, the food was very good. I ordered a soft shell crab burrito. It was fairly large. Rice and a seaweed wrapper surrounded the soft-shell crab and shrimp tempura. It had a delicious sauce. We had edamame, egg roll, a soft shell crab roll, and a specialty roll called the Kamikaze roll. Of course, it was too much food. So we had some more of it the next day.
In the early morning, I walked to the Brigham City Train museum. This area houses the Golden Spike National Historical Park, where 151 years ago, the First Transcontinental Railroad was completed.
Tom did a great job setting up the tire monitors for the trailer. When Richard and I were full-time RVers, we bought a tire monitor system to know if any tire was losing air pressure. It was a nice "peace of mind" acquisition. My truck has a monitoring system built-in. Now, the trailer has its own system.
The next morning, we left Brigham City for Boise, Idaho. It was another 300 mile drive. We spent the night at Hi Valley RV Park.
This park was conveniently located for our trip continuation to McCall, Idaho. The next day, we only had a 108 mile drive. Most of the route to McCall was Highway 55, along the Payette River.
We made several stops to enjoy the rapids.
We arrived at the McCall RV Resort around 3:00 pm. It had been five years since I was last at this park. It remains a beautiful setting.
There is a very nice lodge on the property.
We were assigned a great site, number 25.
The park had expanded the number of sites since I was last here. But, they did it nicely. There is still distance and space between each site.
Tuesday morning, I walked the dogs along the bike path to the downtown area. The views of Payette Lake are still outstanding.
It was fairly warm, so the dogs appreciated some stops for water.
In the early afternoon, Tom and I went back downtown. We happened upon Ice Cream Alley.
So, of course, we had to have several scoops of ice cream --- pineapple coconut and huckleberry cheesecake.
We had dinner reservations at The Sushi Bar. It was a different name --- but the same location --- as a sushi restaurant from five years ago.
The food was very good --- sake, too!
McCall is the first place I have been to where most businesses are requiring masks.
Tom and I have simple masks that can be tucked away in our pockets. After dinner, we drove down the street to Shore Lodge for an after dinner beverage.
A friend of mine from my Thousand Trails days lives in Donnelly, Idaho. It is eleven miles from McCall. She and her husband, Dave, worked almost ten years to bring pickleball to their area. They succeeded last year. So, Hope Ayres "Facebook messaged" me about playing pickleball on Wednesday. I agreed.
The Valley County Pickleball Club has four pickleball courts placed on one of the public tennis courts. There was great play there. A nice mix of player levels, too.
One of my UCSB Delta Gamma sorority sisters lives in McCall. She has had property for 25 years, but moved to McCall permanently five years ago. Linda Sundstrom was our sorority president the year before me. She came over to our RV resort and I made sandwiches to eat outside. We caught up on 45 years!
There is a lot of wildlife around the park. I have seen two bucks, three does, and one fawn. This buck was just a few sites from our location. His antlers are still growing and have lots of velvet.
On Thursday, I attended the the Valley County Pickleball Club "Skills and Drills" clinic. Club President Larry conducted the class for eight of us.
There was open play after the clinic.
That afternoon, Tom and I drove to Brundage Mountain Ski Resort. It is only 20 minutes from the center of McCall.
During the summer, the area caters to mountain bikers and hikers. It was another location that required masks.
We had lunch and adult beverages at Smoky's Bar & Grill.
It was a very nice setting.
Friday, Tom and I biked to downtown McCall.
The town has a lot of road construction, so we cut our ride short. Tom went back to our trailer and I biked through Ponderosa State Park.
When I got back to the RV resort, I suggested to Tom that we drive around Payette Lake. It is a 20 mile loop. On the northwest side of the lake, there were a lot of kayakers.
That evening, we had barbecued lamb chops for dinner. The local Albertsons has a nice selection of meat.
Saturday morning, I did the usual early morning walk with the dogs. The McCall RV Resort Northfork Lodge has a nice back patio area.
I went to play my final morning of pickleball at Hope and Dave's pickleball club. There were some challenging players. It was good for me.
That night, we had dinner at Rupert's Restaurant at Hotel McCall. We started out with adult beverages. Tom LOVED his Old Fashion. My Huckleberry Martini was delicious too!
Our table had a nice view of Payette Lake.
Sunday was our last day in McCall. There was a cute deer laying down in the forest behind our site.
Rain was expected in the late afternoon, so I took the dogs on a nice walk on the North Valley Rail Trail --- just south of the park. The clouds were getting darker. In anticipation of a wet 24 hours, we hooked up the trailer to the truck.
Kelsey and Jamie are traveling well on this trip. They usually sleep together on the love seat.
Monday morning, I got the dogs up early and we walked to a bridge over the river. I brought Ramsey's remaining ashes. He had been to McCall twice in his life. It was fitting to leave the last of him in the North Fork of the Payette River.
And, there he goes...
This day, we were driving to Bend, Oregon. It was going to be a long day --- over 350 miles. But, I packed sandwiches for lunch and we knew we could get gasoline in Burns, Oregon. We arrived at the Scandia RV Park around 3:30 p.m. A year ago, I reserved site #322. It was a more isolated site, adjacent to a wood burning outdoor fireplace.
Upon our arrival, my sister Wendy had texted me about coming over to my sister Carrie's home for drinks and hors d'oeuvres. We declined, as Tom and I were tired from the long day. Instead, we barbecued hamburgers for dinner and unwound.
The next morning, I texted my sister Carrie. Her home was only 1 1/2 miles from where we are staying. I thought it would be fun to walk the dogs there. Also, Carrie's brother-in-law, Greg, and his wife Fiona, had their Lance travel trailer and they were camped one night on Carrie's property.
Greg and Fiona have a dog named Mac. So, Kelsey and Jamie had a playmate in Mac. The five of us --- and three dogs --- walked down to the historic Mill District. In Carrie's neighborhood, there is a staircase down to the area. We walked along the water.
We walked through several parks.
And we crossed over a bridge to watch the Deschutes River surfers.
It was a very nice walk and visit! Later in the afternoon, Tom and I went to Jerry's RV Center to purchase new covers for our three steps. The old covers were getting too worn. The new covers better match the trailer colors.
That evening, I had made dinner reservations at 5 Fusion and Sushi Bar. We decided to go to downtown Bend a little early and have cocktails at the historic Pine Tavern.
With the Covid-19 guidelines, all the bars and restaurants have separated tables by six feet. The same in Bend. 5 Fusion and Sushi Bar had some good sushi. One special roll was the Rising Sun Roll. Yummy!
Wednesday morning, I took the dogs on a long walk to the Historic Mill District and the Deschutes River. The paddle boarders and kayakers were already active.
Tom's niece, Christie Warner-Gonzales, lives in Palo Alto. She and her husband and their two children were taking a road trip up to Shelton, Washington. Tom reached out to Christie a few days ago --- with the thought of having a reunion in Bend. Christie and her family wanted to visit Crater Lake, so Bend was a convenient stop. We met for lunch at Pastini, an Italian restaurant in the Historic Mill District.
The governor of Oregon, that morning, deemed that masks are to be worn in public places. Fortunately, outside dining is easier to get around this ordinance. You do need a mask if you wanted to use the indoor restrooms. Being residents of California, Julio and Christie are much more in tune with wearing masks. It was a fun lunch and a good visit.
Later in the afternoon, my sister Carrie invited us for dinner at their Bend home. She had made lasagna. In attendance was Carrie's husband Brent, Fiona and Greg Carroll, my sister Wendy and her husband Kai, and Debbie, one of Fiona's friends who lives in Washington state.
Brent and Greg built a wood fire in a special container that Greg brought.
It was a nice evening with the glow of a fire.
Carrie and Brent bought this home last year. It was rented to some Bend brewery workers until March. Carrie and Brent are going to do a HUGE remodel of the home beginning in September. For the most part, they are taking the home down to the studs and starting over.
On Thursday, a group of us wanted to play pickleball. Greg and Fiona were staying at Crown Villa RV Resort. They were able to reserve courts there at 3 pm.
Carrie, Brent, Greg, and Fiona have not played pickleball for very long. But, they all have terrific eye-hand coordination. Carrie formally played racquetball, and the others were tennis players. It was a fun time!
The outdoor fireplace next to our site is rarely used. We'll have to make a fire at least once while we are here.
On Friday, I took the dogs on the Central Oregon Historic Canal Trail.
It is a three mile trail along a canal. The most picturesque part is from 3rd Street to the west. Later, Tom and I rode our bikes along the canal.
We even ventured all the way to the Deschutes River.
It was a very nice ride. And, we did not have to get on any automobile roads.
That evening, we sat outside and enjoyed our adult beverages.
Saturday was the 4th of July. I decided to walk the dogs on the Deschutes River Trail. Due to Covid-19, the trail is now one-way --- starting at Farewell Bend Park. It was less than a 3 mile loop. Very pretty!
The dogs were happy that I brought water for them.
Wendy and Carrie wanted to play more pickleball. So, reservations were made at Widgi Creek Golf Club. This facility has eight indoor courts. The courts were built with outdoor court surface. Neat!
There were six of us playing until 3:00 pm.
We were going to regroup at the Kuwata house at around 5:30 pm for a 4th of July barbecue.
Once again, Kai and Brent were the cooks for hamburgers and hot dogs. It was very tasty!
My niece Katelyn and her boyfriend Dan were also in attendance.
Someone made sure that a photo was taken of me and my two sisters --- Carrie and Wendy.
We left the Kuwata home at about 9:15 pm. The City of Bend was hosting fireworks from Pilot Butte at 9:30 pm. Tom and I sat in the truck in a nearby parking lot and watched the display.
On Sunday, I took the dogs downtown to park and walk along Mirror Pond and walk further down the Deschutes River. It was not very crowded, but a little hot for the dogs. Tom and I decided to look at a property in Bend that was in a 55+ community. The home was in a manufactured home complex, but it had a view of the mountains.
We did not proceed further when it was determined that Cascade Village does not allow dogs over 45 pounds. Kelsey and Jamie are larger than that!
The climate and scenery of Bend reminds me of Williams. Only, it has more culture, activities, and retail stores. It even has a Costco and a Trader Joe's. Part of me is thinking that I would like to be in a more cosmopolitan environment. But, my Williams home is so special. The scenery in Williams is so beautiful.
Tuesday morning, I had a nail appointment at Freshly File Nail Salon with Breanna. That afternoon, Tom and I drove down to Sunriver Resort. We had cocktails at Carol and Terry Thomas' home. This was the third year in a row that we met them for a meal. Terry was a fraternity brother of Richard's at UCLA. He and his wife retired to Sunriver in the 1990s.
Carol and Terry spent over 40 years in Hong Kong and Asia. So, there home is beautifully decorated with valuable Asian art. We went to a favorite restaurant, Marcello's, in Sunriver. We sat in their patio and enjoyed our dinner and our time with the Carol and Terry. They are lovely people!
Wednesday morning, Wendy and Carrie dropped by to see our RV site and meet Jamie, the newest Dalmatian. Both sisters knew that we reserved this particular site a year ago.
I had a 10:00 am hair appointment with Adam at The Cutting Club. Adam does the hair of a friend, Pattie Apregan, who lives in nearby Sisters. I had to wear a mask, but Adam was outstanding!
That evening, Tom and I met realtor Jerred in Sunriver. He showed us a property that was for sale.
The home was in a great location, but it was in need of many repairs and upgrades. We told Jerred that we liked the Sunriver Resort area, but the home needs to be "ready to move in." Again, we are just kicking tires. The market is very active in both Sunriver/Bend and my town of Williams. A property would have to be awesome in Sunriver/Bend to make me want to move.
Early Thursday morning, I took ashes of Libby to the Historic Mill District. She spent some good times in Bend and Sunriver. So, I selected an ideal location --- a walking bridge over the Deschutes River.
Libby's ashes were launched.
There she goes!
Earlier in the week, Tom and I decided to set aside Thursday for a day trip to Crater Lake National Park. It was about a two hour drive each way.
I have been to Crater Lake once. Tom, has been there several times. The color of the water never disappoints!
A very nice Israeli visitor was kind enough to take a photo of the four of us.
There were some beautiful meadows near the Crater Lake Lodge.
The Crater Lake Lodge is open, but, with Covid-19, only lodge guests can enter the premises.
This day, July 9, was a special day in the Shelton family. My niece, Molly, gave birth to the first grandchild in our family.
Molly is my brother Peter's daughter. Mollu and her husband Matt welcomed little Sophie Dudley Kumar to the world. So precious!
My brother Peter and my sister-in-law Terry are so happy and thrilled to be grandparents!
On Friday, my friend Barbara Coad arrived for a three night visit. She booked an Airbnb in Bend. Her cousins who live in Portland drove down to Sunriver for a few days. I made reservations for six people at Pine Tavern Restaurant --- Tom, me, cousins Michael and Sharon Coad, Barbara, and our long-time friend Craig Apregan. We had a lovely outdoor table by the water.
Saturday morning, realtor Jarred set-up some properties to see in the Sunriver area. One of the challenges of homes in Sunriver is that most people do not live there full-time. The high season --- when the area swells in size to 15,000 visitors is late Spring, Summer and early Fall. So, many homes do not have garages, or only one-car garages. I liked one property on Coyote Lane.
It only has a one-car garage. The market is so active that multiple offers are presented very quickly. I am not yet in a position to make this kind of decision. So, I will back-off on this project for now. I am not ready.
At noon, I met Barbara and her cousins at the Sunriver Resort for lunch. We ate at the Twisted River Tavern. Michael treated us. Thank-you, Michael! The resort has a very nice setting!
Tom had dropped me off at the Sunriver Resort Lodge, so Barbara brought me home. On the way home, Barbara showed me where she is staying in Bend.
That evening, we went to my sister Wendy's home for sushi from Market of Choice. Yummy!
The highlight of the next day was tubing the Deschutes River. We met at the Kuwata home. Our friend Craig --- who has lived in this area for 12 years --- had never floated the Deschutes. He joined us. We walked the tubes to the river. It was about a mile walk to where we were launching into the river.
It was a little overcast, so the weather was perfect. For a Sunday, we were surprised at how little river traffic there was.
Here we go!
There were some rapids near the end of our two-hour float.
We had a great time!
Several days ago, Tom and I offered to host everyone for hors d'oeuvres and an outdoor fire at our RV park. Tom did a great job making a beautiful fire.
We had a table and seating for everyone.
It was a very nice setting for our final night in Bend.
The next morning, we departed Bend around 9:00 am. We had about a 350 mile journey to Winnemucca, Nevada.
