The Ray Adventures: Trinlidad, Bandon & Salem April 13

After six weeks travel from Rockport we pulled into Salem April 15th. We had an interesting trip and needless to say challenging. If anyone asks, "If a tree falls in the forest and no one sees it does it still make a sound?" You can answer "Yes".

Wednesday, April 13 Today is our last day of sightseeing for several months. We drove from Trinidad to the National Redwood Forest about 20 miles north on 101. We talked with the Ranger at the Visitor Center about hikes in the forest and watched a 12 minute video about the Redwoods before heading to the Tall Trees Grove Trail. Over a 5 mile hike that takes you down & down to a loop around the Tall Trees Grove, about a mile and a half around. The 1 1/2 hike down is an 800 foot drop in elevation (you know what that means, 1 1/2 miles UP) The Ranger "inferred" it wasn't a difficult hike back up, HA! It was just a beautiful walk down, the sun was out with only a slight breeze (to begin with) The video warned you about walking in the Redwoods when it is windy, limbs tend to break off and blow down and the trees have a shallow root ball only 10-13 feet so can topple easily. The ancient trees, more than 2,000 years old are the tallest in the world growing to 380 feet. They have the smallest cones of all the conifers, about the size of an olive, they don't depend on the cones solely for reproduction, (if that's the right term) they grow shoots off the fallen trees, which in turn generate new trees. The bark is about a foot thick to repel insects and shield them from forest fires. The coastal Redwoods get about 100 inches of rain but the summer fog supplies more then half of the water necessary for a healthy forest. We met a younger couple from Seattle at the top of the trail head, we walked with Gabe and Anna most of the way. They are staying at the same park as us but in a cabin, they're headed south as far as Santa Barbara. Just as we were starting our hike up, the wind picked up, we could hear the trees "groaning", then about a half mile up the trail we heard a loud bang, like a rifle shot, the sound is a little hard to describe, then a crashing and BANG! Shortly after the noise we met a fellow coming down the trail, he said he's seen a tree bending way over, he was lucky (as we were) just a short way up we saw the tree (not a Redwood) laying across path. Scary! It was a challenge to get over the tree, we could have crawled under but we didn't want to get muddy. Gary walked down to the base he said it was almost completely rotten. The next mile up the path every time we heard a "creak" we looked upward. We were good stewards of the forest, we stopped at the Ranger Station to report the downed tree. Dogs are not allowed on the trails in the Redwoods (as most National Parks), she was cooped up in the coach most of the day. Gary took me to Eureka, about 20 miles south of Trinidad on 101 for dinner at the Lost Creek Brewery, I don't care for most beer but Lost Creek makes Downtown Brown, my favorite. The food was DELISH not your usual brew pub food. Our waitress, a lifetime local girl, was a lot of fun. While we were eating the rain started pouring and the wind picked up. YUK, reminded me how much I hated living on the Oregon Coast.

Thursday, April 14, It was a rainy, windy night, since we parked among the Redwoods I kept remembering the tree that fell in the trail. After a fitful nights sleep we got up early for our 166 mile drive to Bandon, leaving about 8:45 in pouring rain. It was pretty wet while we disconnected utilities and hooked up the car, we had to change into dry clothes before we left. The drive was pretty nasty with wind and rain, and 101 isn't the straightest road. The ocean was angry, the surf was white with foam. When we arrived at the Bandon by the Sea RV Park about 1:00 the sun was out. The park is nice, no dirt, needles or mud. We have full hookups, 50 amp power and satellite TV. Wahoo! We didn't even disconnect the car, neither of us felt the need to go into Bandon, been there, done that. I caught up on laundry, the last two parks we were in didn't have sewer.

Friday, April 15, The last leg of our 19 1/2 month journey, only 205 miles to Salem. The weather was great and the roads were good. It doesn't get any better than that. We drove up 101 to Reedsport then cut over to I-5. We stopped at Allied Recreation in Coburg to check on our appointment Thursday the 21st and to give them our extended warranty information. All set. After a quick bite of lunch we made it to Salem about 2. We will be at Sun Dial Mobil Home Park for the next 4 months. As we pulled in we saw piles of gravel and sand and construction equipment. It seems they were just starting a summer long project putting in new water lines in the old part of the park. What a mess, the only site available for us had a porta potty and a trailer full of water pipe sitting there. The managers were gone and the only maintenance worker there couldn't reach them, she is new and didn't have a clue what to do. Luckily the owner of the park came by to check on the construction. The potty and the pipes were moved, he even helped Gary back in! Since we left Salem September 3, 2014, we've traveled 16,904 miles and were in 40 states and one Canadian province. It has been a wonderful experience, my favorite, visiting Niagara Falls but Gary can't pick any one spot. Chris and Micah had us over for BBQ'd pizza. Last October they bought a fixer-upper house, I got to see it when I was there in October for my class reunion the day after they got their key. They have done an amazing renovation, with Chris's creativity and Micah's carpentry skills it's hard to believe it is the same house. It is nice to be back in Salem

Saturday, April 16, First things first, we had to sign our tax return, they're filed electronically but still need our John H's. We picked up our mail, a grocery sack full plus two packages, it's been a while since we have been anywhere long enough to get our mail. My brother needed some photos of our parents and grandparents for a book he is working on. Our "personal" stuff is at my friend Charlotte's house, besides wanting to see her, I had to search for the pictures. We introduced Luci to Mickee, oh my they had a good time, Mickee is twice as big as Luci but she held her own. Now for the unveiling, we went to our house to see the condition after 2 3/4 years of renting it to a single man. I had horrible visions but was quite surprised, except for the carpeting I swear it was cleaner than I left it. The yard, however, is a mess. Our contract stated he must keep the yard up, we've always had the nicest yard in the neighborhood, in our opinion, and felt it would be the selling point, especially the back yard, it's great for entertaining. We have our work cut out for us. We stopped to visit with one of our neighbors then drove out to Bonadventure Rehab to see our 95 year old neighbor who had a brain bleed a few months ago. Edie is one of those people you're grateful to have known. She is improving but will not be able to go home home to live independently. Even in her condition she has a smile that lights up your heart.

Sunday, April 17, Bright and early we headed off to the house for our first day of work. We have no yard equipment so Chris and Micah brought all their tools and by 3 the four of us

had the front yard all spruced up. We were four very tired puppies. After showering and "prettying up" we met Brian, Susan and Carol at our old haunt, Half Penny for adult beverages and dinner. Such fun people.

Monday, April 18, Off again bright and early to start cleaning up the back yard. We didn't think to take "before" pictures but what a jungle. We left our patio furniture on the decks without thinking about the cushions. Our renter left them outside the whole time, after they mildewed and rotted the squirrels got into them to make their nests in the trees. Argghh! Live and learn. After lunch two of the property management people came over for the final walk through. We were VERY pleased to learn our costs, ie labor will be reimbursed. Ray, our real estate agent came over, we need to know what we have to do to get the best price for the house, Oregon's real estate is booming, I was so relieved we don't have much to do, the decks need to be stained and only 2 walls need painting. Wahoo! We filled the back of Micah's pick up truck with yard debris to take to the dump, we'll have at least 2 more loads. What a job, the temp was in the mid 80's, pulling everything out and pushing it over the edge was a tough job. When we got back, Gary hosed off the outside of the house, a great job in the heat while I cleaned up a section of the yard that was in the shade. We limped home at 6:30 very stiff and sore.

Tuesday, April 19 Gary was sick all night with a nasty intestinal flu, fever, body aches and chills. He'll do anything to get out of yard work. Pretty sick boy, I've never seen him this sick. I worked in the yard, making progress.

Wednesday, April 20, Gary is still sick but the fever is gone. I worked in the yard, almost done! We have to take the coach to Coburg tonight for our 6am appointment to check out the slide issue.

Thursday, April 21, Up at 5am, now it's my turn to be sick. Good news and bad news about the coach. The bad news is it needs to have the warped floor repaired, will take 2-3 weeks. The good news Fleetwood is picking up the tab. We left Coburg about 11, I had to drive the car separately neither of us felt like hooking it up. After getting back I spent most of the day resting, Gary was restless so he went over to house to do some pruning.

Friday, April 22nd We're both feeling up to par. After thunderstorms and heavy rain all night we will be working inside the house today. I finished the painting, fortunately I had paint left over to use. Gary cleaned light fixtures etc. I cannot believe how much we have accomplished in 6 days.

That's it for this week. Not too many pic's.

TTFN

Gary and Pam