Back on the road after a month in Arlington, Oregon. Had a good time there but was looking forward to moving on.
Heading West on I-5 towards Portland. Next to the Mighty Columbia.
As you can see the weather was a little gloomy but I’m use to it having lived in Portland suburbs for 33 years. Once I got to Cascade Locks, I pulled off the freeway and stopped at one of my favorite restaurants, the Char Burger. It’s a buffet with a kitchen where you can get most anything hot off the grill. The view from the dining room is spectacular. The legend of the Bridge of the Gods is very interesting.
Sorry about the pink overcast, my camera does this every once in a while for some reason.
Looking East over the Columbia.
The Char Burger. Entrance around the corner.
Hey, there's something new...I don't remember seeing those paintings before...
After a nice brunch, I wander back out into the parking lot and spot these murals. They look fairly fresh so I think they’re either new or just cleaned since I don’t remember seeing them on my last visit. Or I’m just getting forgetful.
Nice work.
Love this bridge.
The long view.
Off to the West.
Then headed on down the road to Portland. Miles later I started to worry about my differential leak, and pulled off at Multnomah Falls to take a look under there. It had rained so it wasn’t that comfortable climbing under the rig, but it didn’t appear that the differential was leaking at all, so I headed on a little less worried.
The Falls from the parking lot.
Later that day, I pulled into an Rolling Hills Mobile Terrace & RV Park on Sandy Blvd, just a couple miles from my friend TJs house and right next to a nice bar, The Stage Coach.
All parked and plugged in.
When I arrived, I signed up for a week at the park and asked for a space with good WiFi. It was obvious from all the trees that it might be necessary to ask. I also asked if I’d be able to roll my weekly rate into the long term rate or could otherwise get a discount if I stayed longer. Sure, I was told, after 3 weeks I’d get a senior discount. Hanging out in this area suits me because it is right on Sandy Blvd. so I could take the bus downtown Portland or over to the Max train station if I so desired. And the Stage Coach had all these fabulous specials. Like taco night. Two for a buck. Breakfast special, dinner specials, etc. And the food was always good. Plus they have beer. And lots of large TVs for watching games.
A week later, just before I planned on paying for another week, I found a notice on my door that my space had been reserved for someone else. So I wander over to the office and they assign me a different space down the hill where I’m told most of the long term RV’ers are parked. I ask about the WiFi and I’m told that there’s a transmitter right on top of the restroom/laundry building. I park where I have pretty good line of sight and hook up. I soon discover that the WiFi is awful, I’m thinking it’s because of that large tree between me and the restroom. But I spend the night there and next day ask if I can move to a better spot. The next spot is right next to the restroom but on a bad hill so it’s uncomfortable to live there. Try another spot. Still bad reception. So I turn the RV around so I’m facing the restroom just 25′ away and have direct sight of the antenna. Finally got a decent signal, but far from a good signal. It’s torture waiting for stuff to download. Upload isn’t any better so I don’t try to post any blog stories. Anyway, I decide to tough it out there and in talking to the manager, discovered that the equipment at the restroom isn’t wired, but rather a WiFi repeater. That explains the slow up/downloads. It’s older equipment and the link back to the main office transmitter is quite far. They’re not in a hurry to replace that equipment since it’s working. I’d be surprised if they’re not getting complaints from the long term guests though. The manager seemed to have lots of rehearsed excuses, some of them off the wall.
But anyway, it was so convenient to be staying there that I put up with it. The bathrooms are nice, the park is quiet, except when the train rolls by right behind the park, the bus stops right in front, and it’s within walking distance to the Stage Coach. Where I met with Lee & TJ, Jackie, & Margie on numerous occasions. I’d hoped to visit with my old friends & neighbors Kathy & Bob but I guess she was shy and didn’t come in for the free breakfast I’d offered when Bob dropped in with my mail they’d been collecting for me.
So one day, Jackie comes down to the Stage Coach for breakfast and offers to drive me around for a bit of shopping. So we wander around a while and end up at her house for a visit with Maddy & Jeff.
Jackie and I visit...
Checking me out. She can't remember who I am.
She's walking now. Quite well too.
Always giving me the curious look.
We had a great time catching up. Had dinner and watched some TV while working on cleaning up their computer. Spent the night on the couch. Jeff gave me a ride back to my RV and then that night, Jackie came to visit since TJ & Lee were coming back to town. We all met up at the Stage Coach. Later, Jackie and I went to one of her favorite bars on Sandy, The Big Apple? Can’t remember. Had a great time though.
Another evening at the Stage Coach with TJ, Lee & Jackie.