The Pacific Northwest 2018 -- Let the Adventure Begin!

We left the heat of Tucson and set our sights on the Pacific Northwest for this fall's adventure. Our first stop was in Needles, CA, at Calizona RV Park. Was it hot? Oh yes! But the place was just what we needed for an overnight stay before heading out to our second stop in Fresno, CA. Blackstone RV Park is in the heart of Fresno, and the spot they put us in was actually a drive thru between two sections, though it did have electric and water hookup. Only problem was that our 60-foot rig could not pull forward out of the drive because another trailer was parked on the opposite side which made the turning radius impossible. Erick backed us out like a pro, avoiding an out building, postal boxes, low power lines, and the grassy area. He's a professional!!! Once we hit the road again, we aimed for Redding, CA, despite reports of lots of smoke from the forest fires. We checked in at Win-River Casino's RV park for two nights and had a delightful stay for a very reasonable rate. The food at the restaurant was very good, the RV park was quiet, and the casino is fun if a little smoky. Only had a lot of fire smoke the second morning, but breezes cleared it out by noon and all was well. Feeling refreshed and ready to roll, we were glad to have taken the extra day for recovery. Day five got us into Myrtle Creek, OR, at On the River Golf and RV Park. Another great find thanks to Campendium that was a perfect stopover for the night. Got out by 9 a.m. and headed to our Raymond, Washington, home-away-from-home at Willapa Golf and RV Park. After picking a spot and getting set up, we met a few of the neighbors and walked the 9-hole golf course with the dogs. The course needs some work, but the dogs loved having the open space to run. They have enjoyed morning, afternoon, and evening walks there ever since! We just plan our route around any golfers! The Willapa River run through the back of the course and there are pines and wooded areas all around. Our adventures have taken us on motorcycle rides up Highways 101 and 105 here in Washington to Aberdeen and over to the Little Creek Casino for indescribable king crab legs, crab cakes, and crab bisque; over to the Mt. St. Helen's area where they have an amazing Visitor's Center; down Highways 101 and 103 to South Bend, Long Beach, Ocean Beach, and Oysterville. We had fresh catch fried oysters and wild caught cod fish fry from Linda's Fish & chips! Unbelievable! Our neighbors here are delightful. Rod and Jill are from a nearby town in Washington and have given us invaluable information on where to go and what to see. Virginia is from San Francisco but has been full-timing for 8 years and goes from golf courses with RV parks one to another. There are two families with little kids (aged 4-11) who play outside all day long and squeal and delight in the most simple things. Most of them will start school on Wednesday this week. Pictures will be uploaded as soon as I figure out how to do it! God has blessed us immensely by providing a means for us to take this journey and see this part of his creation. We are thankful every day and we are making the most of this opportunity.