We got up at 8 today, did the pet stuff, and didn't have breakfast. The first order of business was to get a refrigerator. So we got the car started and went to Home Depot and Lowe's. They both had the refrigerator we ended up buying. Lowe's was cheaper, but Home Depot could deliver it sooner.
I got a doctor's appointment at 12:45. The car's license expired today, so we went to the oil change place for a safety certificate. We barely made it to the doctor on time.
The doctor basically said that there was nothing he could do. he gave me some prescriptions that might help mitigate the symptoms.
After that we had a late lunch and went to Harbor Freight to buy a new tarp for the truck shelter. Buy that time it was beginning to rain heavily. We got half an inch today.
When we got home it was reading, surfing, and watching a movie for the rest of the afternoon and evening.
It's supposed to rain again tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Monday, October 30, 2017
Day 748
Today could have been better, but it wasn't horrible. We got up at 7:20 and had breakfast. Hooking up was slow because I had to dump the tanks. We got out of the park about 8:45.
We went to the tire place to get the trailer inspected. They told us it would be at least half an hour. I walked down to the oil change place (.6 miles). They would do it right away. So I walked back and drove there. They did it immediately without even looking at the trailer.
After that we drove to Dripping Springs. That's where I found out that the trailer license isn't due until January. Crap. Hours wasted. We did get to vote though.
We got home about 11. It took an hour to park the trailer. I had to move most of the rocks in the front yard. I also scratched up the trailer on the trees. Of course Ellen was absolutely no help. When we were done we unloaded the truck and then went out to get the mail and lunch.
On the way back we stopped at Tomlinson's for cat litter and HEB for some food.
Several things went wrong when we got back. The tire pressure monitor for the trailer died. We ran out of water (I forgot to turn on the pump). The batteries in the weather station had died (which meant it didn't register the rain from the hurricane. The tarps on the truck shelter are toast. The yard light doesn't work. Of course the water stinks to high heaven. The satellite dish was out of alignment and I had to get out the ladder and fix it. Finally, the refrigerator died about 2 hours after we turned it on.
We spent hours after lunch unloading the trailer. I got everything out of the bedroom (including under the bed) and some of the living room stuff. Ellen cleaned out the kitchen. Of course she had to load all of the stuff from the refrigerator back into the trailer when it died. There's still quite a bit of unloading and cleaning left to do. After that it's put away everything we unloaded.
We are both sick with this stupid cough. I'm calling the doctor tomorrow. I should have donel it today.
The evening was spent reading mail, watching football, and looking for refrigerators.
We went to the tire place to get the trailer inspected. They told us it would be at least half an hour. I walked down to the oil change place (.6 miles). They would do it right away. So I walked back and drove there. They did it immediately without even looking at the trailer.
After that we drove to Dripping Springs. That's where I found out that the trailer license isn't due until January. Crap. Hours wasted. We did get to vote though.
We got home about 11. It took an hour to park the trailer. I had to move most of the rocks in the front yard. I also scratched up the trailer on the trees. Of course Ellen was absolutely no help. When we were done we unloaded the truck and then went out to get the mail and lunch.
On the way back we stopped at Tomlinson's for cat litter and HEB for some food.
Several things went wrong when we got back. The tire pressure monitor for the trailer died. We ran out of water (I forgot to turn on the pump). The batteries in the weather station had died (which meant it didn't register the rain from the hurricane. The tarps on the truck shelter are toast. The yard light doesn't work. Of course the water stinks to high heaven. The satellite dish was out of alignment and I had to get out the ladder and fix it. Finally, the refrigerator died about 2 hours after we turned it on.
We spent hours after lunch unloading the trailer. I got everything out of the bedroom (including under the bed) and some of the living room stuff. Ellen cleaned out the kitchen. Of course she had to load all of the stuff from the refrigerator back into the trailer when it died. There's still quite a bit of unloading and cleaning left to do. After that it's put away everything we unloaded.
We are both sick with this stupid cough. I'm calling the doctor tomorrow. I should have donel it today.
The evening was spent reading mail, watching football, and looking for refrigerators.
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Day 747
Got up at 7:50. There was no need to, I just had to piss and couldn't get back to sleep. After pet stuff and breakfast just surfed to kill time.
About 10 Ellen called the park. They said there would be a place open by noon, so we hooked up and left for Fredericksburg. We got there about 11:30.
We unhooked and set up. Then we went to town. We walked about half a block and then I stopped for a snack. Big mistake. Ellen went in and got a big lunch. She sat outside and ate it. Of course about 15 minutes later she got the shits. I spent the next half hour sitting outside the toilet.
When she was done she wanted to go home. We started back, but she shit her pants before we got to the truck. More time spent outside the toilet. This time I took her directly home.
I went back to town. I wanted to got to the restuarant to listen to music. Unfortunately their kitchen had just closed. The music stopped 10 minutes later. I had a beer and left to go back to the park.
I dumped the black tank. That way tomorrow it will be quick to dump everything. The rest of the afternoon was reading and surfing.
The evening was football.
About 10 Ellen called the park. They said there would be a place open by noon, so we hooked up and left for Fredericksburg. We got there about 11:30.
We unhooked and set up. Then we went to town. We walked about half a block and then I stopped for a snack. Big mistake. Ellen went in and got a big lunch. She sat outside and ate it. Of course about 15 minutes later she got the shits. I spent the next half hour sitting outside the toilet.
When she was done she wanted to go home. We started back, but she shit her pants before we got to the truck. More time spent outside the toilet. This time I took her directly home.
I went back to town. I wanted to got to the restuarant to listen to music. Unfortunately their kitchen had just closed. The music stopped 10 minutes later. I had a beer and left to go back to the park.
I dumped the black tank. That way tomorrow it will be quick to dump everything. The rest of the afternoon was reading and surfing.
The evening was football.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Day 746
Last night sucked. I went to bed early and it took awhile to get to sleep because of the coughing. Then I woke up in the middle of the night coughing and had to go sit in the chair. It was hard to get back to sleep and uncomfortable when I did. I also had to go out to piss. Later on I woke up again having to go out to piss. I didn't wake up until 9:45.
We did the pet stuff and had breakfast. We stopped at Target to get stuff to clean the toilet with. We didn't get to the club until almost noon.
We shot some 5-stand practice. It was fun, but we both shot poorly. I shot much better yesterday at the super sporting. There was a stock maker there that lives just a few miles from us in Austin. I'm going to have them touch up the checkering on my stock. It's been worn smooth.
We had lunch at the clubhouse and then spent the afternoon surfing. It was sunny, but cold. We struck up a conversation with a couple of people which made it interesting.
In the evening we ate at their dinner. It wasn't bad. Then we watched shoot offs and the pro shoot. It was fun, but very cold. We didn't get home until after 9. Then it was a little surfing and bed. Tomorrow we leave.
We did the pet stuff and had breakfast. We stopped at Target to get stuff to clean the toilet with. We didn't get to the club until almost noon.
We shot some 5-stand practice. It was fun, but we both shot poorly. I shot much better yesterday at the super sporting. There was a stock maker there that lives just a few miles from us in Austin. I'm going to have them touch up the checkering on my stock. It's been worn smooth.
We had lunch at the clubhouse and then spent the afternoon surfing. It was sunny, but cold. We struck up a conversation with a couple of people which made it interesting.
In the evening we ate at their dinner. It wasn't bad. Then we watched shoot offs and the pro shoot. It was fun, but very cold. We didn't get home until after 9. Then it was a little surfing and bed. Tomorrow we leave.
Friday, October 27, 2017
Day 745
Up at 8 again today. I felt like shit, literally. As soon as I got out of bed I quickly put on sweats and hurried to the restroom. There I had a great bout of diarrhea. When I got back I felt too sick to eat breakfast.
We put everything in the truck and went to the club. There was a 20+ mph north wind. If we'd had it yesterday it would have made the 20 ga easy. I had a little breakfast before we shot, and that made me feel better.
The 28 ga was on both sides of the road. That meant the wind helped half the time and hurt the other half. The targets ranged from OK, to dumb, to too hard. We had fun though. The guys we were shooting with were really fun. Ellen shot OK, I had fun but didn't shoot well.
We ate lunch when we were finished. We ate at the clubhouse because Ellen had some much stomach trouble last night. After that we went over to pick up my gun. The cost was $525. He said to go shoot it to make sure it was OK. So we went over to the office and I signed up for super sporting.
The super sporting was right along Culebra. That's a long walk from the parking lot. Luckily one of the course workers gave us a ride. When we got there the two guys we shot 28 ga with were there. That was cool.
We were there half an hour early, so we had a good talk. The course was set up so that the 20+ mph wind blew ALL of the targets away from the stand. This made for some very hard shots. One chandelle landed at a good 100 yds. I still shot it IC and LM. I was too lazy to change. I had fun though. I hit some targets I wouldn't have thought I could ever hit - and it wans't luck either. My score wasn't high, but it's the most fun I've had.
We walked back when it was over. That, plus being sick, plus shooting 200 targets in a day, made me pretty tired. We went back to the clubhouse and ate their dinner. The food was OK, but cold because the wind was still blowing and the temperature was 60. We left when we were done eating.
When we got home I packed the subguage guns away and then took an early shower. The rest of the evening was surfing and TV.
We put everything in the truck and went to the club. There was a 20+ mph north wind. If we'd had it yesterday it would have made the 20 ga easy. I had a little breakfast before we shot, and that made me feel better.
The 28 ga was on both sides of the road. That meant the wind helped half the time and hurt the other half. The targets ranged from OK, to dumb, to too hard. We had fun though. The guys we were shooting with were really fun. Ellen shot OK, I had fun but didn't shoot well.
We ate lunch when we were finished. We ate at the clubhouse because Ellen had some much stomach trouble last night. After that we went over to pick up my gun. The cost was $525. He said to go shoot it to make sure it was OK. So we went over to the office and I signed up for super sporting.
The super sporting was right along Culebra. That's a long walk from the parking lot. Luckily one of the course workers gave us a ride. When we got there the two guys we shot 28 ga with were there. That was cool.
We were there half an hour early, so we had a good talk. The course was set up so that the 20+ mph wind blew ALL of the targets away from the stand. This made for some very hard shots. One chandelle landed at a good 100 yds. I still shot it IC and LM. I was too lazy to change. I had fun though. I hit some targets I wouldn't have thought I could ever hit - and it wans't luck either. My score wasn't high, but it's the most fun I've had.
We walked back when it was over. That, plus being sick, plus shooting 200 targets in a day, made me pretty tired. We went back to the clubhouse and ate their dinner. The food was OK, but cold because the wind was still blowing and the temperature was 60. We left when we were done eating.
When we got home I packed the subguage guns away and then took an early shower. The rest of the evening was surfing and TV.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Day 744
We got up about 8 this morning, but there wasn't any urgency. After pet stuff and breakfast we headed to the club. On the way we stopped at Home Depot to get a handle for the power cord container. We also stopped at HEB for some water.
When we got to the club we activated our practice target cards. We also bought a choke tube wrench at Caesar Guerini. We were going to get the gun camera reprogrammed, but the guy was gone.
We went out and practiced with the 20 ga. We both shot like shit. I couldn't hit the side of a barn. Afterwards we had lunch at the Mexican roach coach. It was good.
After lunch we did a little bit more practice - still couldn't hit anything. Then we just hung around until 3:30 and time to shoot.
The 20 ga was on the skeet fields. The wind was blowing pretty hard from behind us. That meant all of the targets were being blown away from us. It was a hard course to begin with, that made it a lot harder. We both shot poorly.
They were supposed to have a wine tasting after the shoot, but lit didn't happen. So we took the dog home and fed the pets. Then we went to Longhorn for dinner. It was just as good as we expected it to be.
When we got home it was TV and surfing. I ordered something online for the first time in weeks. We'll be home before it can be delivered.
When we got to the club we activated our practice target cards. We also bought a choke tube wrench at Caesar Guerini. We were going to get the gun camera reprogrammed, but the guy was gone.
We went out and practiced with the 20 ga. We both shot like shit. I couldn't hit the side of a barn. Afterwards we had lunch at the Mexican roach coach. It was good.
After lunch we did a little bit more practice - still couldn't hit anything. Then we just hung around until 3:30 and time to shoot.
The 20 ga was on the skeet fields. The wind was blowing pretty hard from behind us. That meant all of the targets were being blown away from us. It was a hard course to begin with, that made it a lot harder. We both shot poorly.
They were supposed to have a wine tasting after the shoot, but lit didn't happen. So we took the dog home and fed the pets. Then we went to Longhorn for dinner. It was just as good as we expected it to be.
When we got home it was TV and surfing. I ordered something online for the first time in weeks. We'll be home before it can be delivered.
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Day 743
We got up at 8 today, did the pet stuff and had breakfast. Then we went to Walgreen's to pick up my drugs. It cost $20 WITH insurance. Wally World would have sold them to me for $12 w/o insurance.
Then we went to the club. We looked at a couple of vendors and then went to shoot. The targets were great. My shooting wasn't too good. I shot several 7's, and cluster fucked 2 including one easy one.
During the shoot my gun didn't eject the top shell a couple of times. So I took it to Pylinski after. He said that the top firing pin needed replacing and thatg the timing was off. He has to take it apart to figure out what's wrong. It should be done by Friday afternoon.
We ate lunch art the roach coaches and then hit the vendors. We got the vendor lists signed. Then Ellen did demos of the new Women's guns from Blazer and CG. We also talked to Jason about him taking over the Western. I tried to talk him out of it.
I needed some 20 ga for practice because the 12 ga will be in the shop. Ellen went over to the ammo building and bought a case of 9's. Go figure.
We sat on the veranda for awhile and then went home. On the way we stopped at HEB and Academy (for 20 ga).
After dinner we watched TV.
Then we went to the club. We looked at a couple of vendors and then went to shoot. The targets were great. My shooting wasn't too good. I shot several 7's, and cluster fucked 2 including one easy one.
During the shoot my gun didn't eject the top shell a couple of times. So I took it to Pylinski after. He said that the top firing pin needed replacing and thatg the timing was off. He has to take it apart to figure out what's wrong. It should be done by Friday afternoon.
We ate lunch art the roach coaches and then hit the vendors. We got the vendor lists signed. Then Ellen did demos of the new Women's guns from Blazer and CG. We also talked to Jason about him taking over the Western. I tried to talk him out of it.
I needed some 20 ga for practice because the 12 ga will be in the shop. Ellen went over to the ammo building and bought a case of 9's. Go figure.
We sat on the veranda for awhile and then went home. On the way we stopped at HEB and Academy (for 20 ga).
After dinner we watched TV.
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Day 742
We got up at 7 again today. It was made harder by yesterday's long ride and loss of an hour. At least it was easy to get started because I didn't unhook last night.
The drive was the standard west Texas/hill country. We finished the book on tape that we started last spring and started another one.
Road construction on I10 started just south of Boerne and lasted all the way to 1604. Some of it made for really narrow lanes, but there weren't any slowdowns. 1604 was OK. I managed to do 70 on most of it.
We were unhooked at the park by about 1. I stopped by Walgreen's to get pills and then we went to the club. We paid our entries and bought 4 cases of 12 and one case of 28. We decided to shoot the 28 on Friday.
We had to go back to the park and get Ellen's 12 ga. Caesar Guerini had a gunsmith and she wanted him to check out why it was doubling. After we got back we left the gun off and went shopping. We each picked up a couple of t-shirts.
We picked up the gun and went down Culebra to In-n-Out for dinner. They are still working on Culebra and the westbound traffic was backed up for over a mile. As near as I couild see they hadn't made any progress the whole summer.
After dinner we went back to the park and did the wash. It's Tuesday after all. That pretty much took the rest of the evening.
The drive was the standard west Texas/hill country. We finished the book on tape that we started last spring and started another one.
Road construction on I10 started just south of Boerne and lasted all the way to 1604. Some of it made for really narrow lanes, but there weren't any slowdowns. 1604 was OK. I managed to do 70 on most of it.
We were unhooked at the park by about 1. I stopped by Walgreen's to get pills and then we went to the club. We paid our entries and bought 4 cases of 12 and one case of 28. We decided to shoot the 28 on Friday.
We had to go back to the park and get Ellen's 12 ga. Caesar Guerini had a gunsmith and she wanted him to check out why it was doubling. After we got back we left the gun off and went shopping. We each picked up a couple of t-shirts.
We picked up the gun and went down Culebra to In-n-Out for dinner. They are still working on Culebra and the westbound traffic was backed up for over a mile. As near as I couild see they hadn't made any progress the whole summer.
After dinner we went back to the park and did the wash. It's Tuesday after all. That pretty much took the rest of the evening.
Day 741
We got up at 7 today and were on the road by 7:45. We had a long way to go today - more then 400 miles.
The first 140 miles or so brought us to the Texas border. It went pretty quickly as the book on tape we are listening to was pretty entertaining. We fueled up at exit 0 with the first reasonably priced fuel I'd seen in months.
Then it was time to go through El Paso. The next thirty miles were bad road and traffic. Fortunately the traffic was only heavy, not really slow. The west bound lanes weren't as lucky. There was a three car collision that had traffic at a standstill for miles.
The rest of the trip was just driving across west Texas. We got to the park about three, even with losing an hour.
The park is pretty nice. It has a restaurant, so we ate dinner there - real Texas food.
The evening was Monday night football.
The first 140 miles or so brought us to the Texas border. It went pretty quickly as the book on tape we are listening to was pretty entertaining. We fueled up at exit 0 with the first reasonably priced fuel I'd seen in months.
Then it was time to go through El Paso. The next thirty miles were bad road and traffic. Fortunately the traffic was only heavy, not really slow. The west bound lanes weren't as lucky. There was a three car collision that had traffic at a standstill for miles.
The rest of the trip was just driving across west Texas. We got to the park about three, even with losing an hour.
The park is pretty nice. It has a restaurant, so we ate dinner there - real Texas food.
The evening was Monday night football.
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Day 740
We got up at 7:30 today. We had breakfast, hooked up, and were out of the park by 8:15.
The drive was uneventful. We made one gas stop because I didn't want to have only 6 gallons in the tank when we got to Lordsburg.
One nice note. I didn't listen to the book on tape we have all of yesterday because it had gotten boring. I turned it on today and in a little while it got interesting again. Listening to it makes the drive a lot more enjoyable.
We got to the park a little after noon their time (11 our time). We immediately unhooked and went looking for a grocery store. We've run out of lunch meat (poor planning). The only grocery store in town is closed on Sunday's. Fortunately there was a Dollar Store that was open. We got what we needed there.
On the way back we fueled up. Across the street form the station was a local restaurant. Of course we had to eat there. The food was really good and very inexpensive.
After that we went home and hid out from the afternoon heat. The evening was nice though, fairly cool so no need for AC.
The evening was football. They have cable here, but lousy internet.
The drive was uneventful. We made one gas stop because I didn't want to have only 6 gallons in the tank when we got to Lordsburg.
One nice note. I didn't listen to the book on tape we have all of yesterday because it had gotten boring. I turned it on today and in a little while it got interesting again. Listening to it makes the drive a lot more enjoyable.
We got to the park a little after noon their time (11 our time). We immediately unhooked and went looking for a grocery store. We've run out of lunch meat (poor planning). The only grocery store in town is closed on Sunday's. Fortunately there was a Dollar Store that was open. We got what we needed there.
On the way back we fueled up. Across the street form the station was a local restaurant. Of course we had to eat there. The food was really good and very inexpensive.
After that we went home and hid out from the afternoon heat. The evening was nice though, fairly cool so no need for AC.
The evening was football. They have cable here, but lousy internet.
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Day 739
Last night sucked. I've had a bad cough for the last 3 or 4 days. Bad enough to give me a sore throat. When I went to bed last night I couildn't stop coughing. I had to get out of bed, put on sweats, and sleep in the living room chair. It wasn't comfortable. Halfway through the night I woke up with cold feet. I decided to see if I could go to bed. Fortunately it worked.
We woke up a little after 8. After pet stuff and breakfast I put the guns in the truck and we went to Picacho Sporting Clays. I took a long way around just to see the area. That was OK, but most of the road was unpaved. There's actually a lot of agriculture to the east of here because the farmers have access to irrigation canals.
The club is at the end of this road, it looks like it is someone's back yard. There were 12 stations and the presentations were good. What wasn't good were that machines. There were at least 4 of them that didn't work well. We ended up with 12 unused shells from 200 targets. It seemed that the machines that didn't work were on the most interesting stations.
We drove a different route back (that was the plan). When we got back we fueled up the truck. I lined up the truck at the trailer so that it will be easy to hook up tomorrow. We did a little surfing and then I went to the clubhouse to play pool. I'm really rusty, but it was fun.
After a couple of hours of pool I went back to the trailer. We watched TV for awhile and then took the dog to the dog park. There were two other dogs there and Lucy had some fun socializing.
After dinner it was more TV and some reading. There's no internet here and we're using a lot of Verizon data, so surfing is limited.
We woke up a little after 8. After pet stuff and breakfast I put the guns in the truck and we went to Picacho Sporting Clays. I took a long way around just to see the area. That was OK, but most of the road was unpaved. There's actually a lot of agriculture to the east of here because the farmers have access to irrigation canals.
The club is at the end of this road, it looks like it is someone's back yard. There were 12 stations and the presentations were good. What wasn't good were that machines. There were at least 4 of them that didn't work well. We ended up with 12 unused shells from 200 targets. It seemed that the machines that didn't work were on the most interesting stations.
We drove a different route back (that was the plan). When we got back we fueled up the truck. I lined up the truck at the trailer so that it will be easy to hook up tomorrow. We did a little surfing and then I went to the clubhouse to play pool. I'm really rusty, but it was fun.
After a couple of hours of pool I went back to the trailer. We watched TV for awhile and then took the dog to the dog park. There were two other dogs there and Lucy had some fun socializing.
After dinner it was more TV and some reading. There's no internet here and we're using a lot of Verizon data, so surfing is limited.
Friday, October 20, 2017
Day 738
We didn't get up until 8 today. Then after pet stuff and breakfast I went out and drained all of the tanks. The black tank took 6 flushes. It was dirty. After that we surfed for about half an hour waiting for rush hour to be over. Then we hooked up and left - a little before 10.
Traffic was pretty light most of the way. There were a lot of cars in Phoenix (surprise), but traffic was going the speed limit or faster. I'm glad, because for some reason I found driving today really wearing.
We were at Picacho a little before noon. WE checked in and unhooked. Then we went to the ostrich farm down the road. I've always wanted to go there. They have donkeys, rabbits, ducks, parakeets, lorikeets, goats, ostriches, stingrays, and deer. They give you a couple of cups of food to feed them. You walk around and feed them.
All of the animals were really interested in food. The lorikeets were fun because they would land on you (arms, shoulders, and head). Of course the ostriches were fun. You couldn't feed them by hand because they would bite you. Instead you put the food in trays. Then they would battle each other for them. The stingrays were fun. You put your hand in the water and they sucked the food off of it.
After that we went to a couple of tourist traps across the freeway. It was fun walking through them. Then it was back to the trailer for a nap, surfing, and dinner.
After dinner I went over to the clubhouse to play pool. I managed most of one game before the night watchman came by. He's work camping. H talked my ear off - maybe an hour and a half. I never got to play anymore pool.
The rest of the evening was surfing and TV.
Traffic was pretty light most of the way. There were a lot of cars in Phoenix (surprise), but traffic was going the speed limit or faster. I'm glad, because for some reason I found driving today really wearing.
We were at Picacho a little before noon. WE checked in and unhooked. Then we went to the ostrich farm down the road. I've always wanted to go there. They have donkeys, rabbits, ducks, parakeets, lorikeets, goats, ostriches, stingrays, and deer. They give you a couple of cups of food to feed them. You walk around and feed them.
All of the animals were really interested in food. The lorikeets were fun because they would land on you (arms, shoulders, and head). Of course the ostriches were fun. You couldn't feed them by hand because they would bite you. Instead you put the food in trays. Then they would battle each other for them. The stingrays were fun. You put your hand in the water and they sucked the food off of it.
After that we went to a couple of tourist traps across the freeway. It was fun walking through them. Then it was back to the trailer for a nap, surfing, and dinner.
After dinner I went over to the clubhouse to play pool. I managed most of one game before the night watchman came by. He's work camping. H talked my ear off - maybe an hour and a half. I never got to play anymore pool.
The rest of the evening was surfing and TV.
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Day 737
We got up before 8, then pet stuff and breakfast. Then we did some surfing waiting until what we thought was the end of rush hour. We left for Rio Saldado about 8:30.
Rush hour was definitely not over. 101 was backed up in several places, and not running at speed for the 20 miles we were on it. Fortunately there was an HOV lane. It allowed us to go the speed limit or a little above. In general everyone was doing 75 in the 65 whenever they could.
The club itself was great. It has plenty of terrain and four machines at each of the 12 stations. We were able to make up challenging pairs at each station. It was a lot better than Ben Avery.
When we were done we drove back home. There was virtually no traffic. We stopped at the I17 intersection and got fuel. we also stopped for bananas, In-n-out, Home depot, and a dog wash place.
When we got home we left off the dog and went over to the pistol range and shot 100 rounds. I got the Sig sighted in. It's fun to shoot. We met a guy there that invited us to watch a pistol match that evening. we went home, had dinner, and then went there.
The pistol match was fun to watch, but we didn't stay long. Ellen had a board meeting. Before that Vandy call and said Caesar Guerini had a sale on round body guns. Unfortunately it isn't the model I want.
I drained the tanks while Ellen was on the phone. The b lack tank was really dirty. l had to flush it 6 times. After that it was football and surfing.
Rush hour was definitely not over. 101 was backed up in several places, and not running at speed for the 20 miles we were on it. Fortunately there was an HOV lane. It allowed us to go the speed limit or a little above. In general everyone was doing 75 in the 65 whenever they could.
The club itself was great. It has plenty of terrain and four machines at each of the 12 stations. We were able to make up challenging pairs at each station. It was a lot better than Ben Avery.
When we were done we drove back home. There was virtually no traffic. We stopped at the I17 intersection and got fuel. we also stopped for bananas, In-n-out, Home depot, and a dog wash place.
When we got home we left off the dog and went over to the pistol range and shot 100 rounds. I got the Sig sighted in. It's fun to shoot. We met a guy there that invited us to watch a pistol match that evening. we went home, had dinner, and then went there.
The pistol match was fun to watch, but we didn't stay long. Ellen had a board meeting. Before that Vandy call and said Caesar Guerini had a sale on round body guns. Unfortunately it isn't the model I want.
I drained the tanks while Ellen was on the phone. The b lack tank was really dirty. l had to flush it 6 times. After that it was football and surfing.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Day 736
We got up at 7:30 today. After pert stuff and breakfast we were out on the course by a little after 8. It was nice and cool, just over 70.
We shot the Rattlesnake (intermediate) course. It was an OK level of difficulty, but the targets were a little boring. Most of the course has little terrain, about like Salem. There were a couple of challenging stations, including one with a quartering away chondelle that started at 40 yds.
When we were finished there we went to the master course, Road Runner. It was a bust. There was only one or two targets that weren't dead easy. They were boring presentations, too. It looked like they were changing the course over and just had place holder targets out right now. We quit with 40 targets left that we decided to use later on the Rattlesnake hard targets. By then it was 10 and too hot to shoot.
We went back home and hid from the heat in the trailer. We had lunch and surfed until about 4. By then there was a breeze and cloud cover. We went out and shot up the 40 targets.
When we got back we got in the truck and drove about 5 miles south. There's a big commercial area there. We ate dinner at P. F. Changs. It was expensive, but really good.
When we got home we took the dog for a walk. We went over and watched the trap league for about half an hour.
The rest of the evening was surfing, TV and reading.
We shot the Rattlesnake (intermediate) course. It was an OK level of difficulty, but the targets were a little boring. Most of the course has little terrain, about like Salem. There were a couple of challenging stations, including one with a quartering away chondelle that started at 40 yds.
When we were finished there we went to the master course, Road Runner. It was a bust. There was only one or two targets that weren't dead easy. They were boring presentations, too. It looked like they were changing the course over and just had place holder targets out right now. We quit with 40 targets left that we decided to use later on the Rattlesnake hard targets. By then it was 10 and too hot to shoot.
We went back home and hid from the heat in the trailer. We had lunch and surfed until about 4. By then there was a breeze and cloud cover. We went out and shot up the 40 targets.
When we got back we got in the truck and drove about 5 miles south. There's a big commercial area there. We ate dinner at P. F. Changs. It was expensive, but really good.
When we got home we took the dog for a walk. We went over and watched the trap league for about half an hour.
The rest of the evening was surfing, TV and reading.
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Day 735
Up at 7:30 for pet stuff and breakfast. Did the rest of the wash (bedding and underwear). Then it was hook up the trailer and leave.
I really hate I17. The road is a bitch when hauling a trailer. Between Camp Verde and Phoenix there's a couple of up 500 to 1,000 feet followed by down the other side episodes. It climaxes with a long 1,500 foot down grade.
Fortunately the drive was only 60 miles long. We got to Ben Avery before noon and checked in. We parked at our assigned spot and then found out that there was no power. I made sure it wasn't us, and then we contacted the club. A guy came out to debug it. After messing with it for awhile he found out that the master circuit breaker was off. He turned it on and everything was fine.
The fun had just started. By this time it was 98 degrees in the shade and we were in a treeless parking lot. The hitch wouldn't unhitch. After fucking with it for 20 minutes in the sun I used the hammer. That worked. It's the first time I've needed to do that.
When I went to unfold the BakFlip it broke in two places. I had to search out the right sized screws and fix it. That involved drilling holes and putting in screws. Everything I touched was hot enough to burn.
I finally got the fix done and went inside for lunch. The AC was going full blast. After awhile the main circuit breaker blew. The combination of the AC, water heater, and refrigerator was too much of a load. I turned off the water heater - it still blew. I had to read up on switching the refrigerator to gas in order to get it to quit blowing.
We hid out from the heat in the trailer until about 5. Then we got out the guns and went to shoot. We got off about 5 rounds before someone showed up to tell us that they closed at 3 and we couldn't shoot. Great. Apparently if we want to shoot when it's cool we have to get up early and staert shooting at 7 AM. Fuck.
After dinner I walked over and watched some kid's league shoot trap and skeet. Apparently the place is open for them.
The evening was TV and surfing. This place sucks, I don't think I'll be back. It's supposed to be 97 tomorrow.
I really hate I17. The road is a bitch when hauling a trailer. Between Camp Verde and Phoenix there's a couple of up 500 to 1,000 feet followed by down the other side episodes. It climaxes with a long 1,500 foot down grade.
Fortunately the drive was only 60 miles long. We got to Ben Avery before noon and checked in. We parked at our assigned spot and then found out that there was no power. I made sure it wasn't us, and then we contacted the club. A guy came out to debug it. After messing with it for awhile he found out that the master circuit breaker was off. He turned it on and everything was fine.
The fun had just started. By this time it was 98 degrees in the shade and we were in a treeless parking lot. The hitch wouldn't unhitch. After fucking with it for 20 minutes in the sun I used the hammer. That worked. It's the first time I've needed to do that.
When I went to unfold the BakFlip it broke in two places. I had to search out the right sized screws and fix it. That involved drilling holes and putting in screws. Everything I touched was hot enough to burn.
I finally got the fix done and went inside for lunch. The AC was going full blast. After awhile the main circuit breaker blew. The combination of the AC, water heater, and refrigerator was too much of a load. I turned off the water heater - it still blew. I had to read up on switching the refrigerator to gas in order to get it to quit blowing.
We hid out from the heat in the trailer until about 5. Then we got out the guns and went to shoot. We got off about 5 rounds before someone showed up to tell us that they closed at 3 and we couldn't shoot. Great. Apparently if we want to shoot when it's cool we have to get up early and staert shooting at 7 AM. Fuck.
After dinner I walked over and watched some kid's league shoot trap and skeet. Apparently the place is open for them.
The evening was TV and surfing. This place sucks, I don't think I'll be back. It's supposed to be 97 tomorrow.
Monday, October 16, 2017
Day 734
We got up at 7 today. We didn't have to go any place early, we just didn't want to get in the habit of sleeping in. After pet stuff and breakfast Ellen called a lot of places to set up the rest of our campground reservations.
When we were finished we left for Cottonwood. We left the dog at home. We stopped at Wally World on the way for ammo. Then we stopped at "old town Cottonwood". It's a couple of blocks of tourist shops. We bought a couple of small items.
We then went over to the ranger station south of Sedona. I wanted Ellen to get a cheap park pass. Unfortunately we were a month too late. She ended up having to spend $80 for one.
We stopped at a Thai place on the way to Sedona for lunch. It was pretty good.
We drove to downtown Sedona and walked several blocks looking in shops. Ellen had the shits, so part of the time was spent dealing with that. She bought a pair of earrings and I bought a road runner yard art piece.
After a couple of hours we got in the truck and drove back to the high end shops by the river. We were both tired of looking at cheap tourist stuff.
Ellen found another pair of earrings she liked and bought them. I found a really cool lamp in an art gallery. It's made out of a cam shaft and some gears. It will be hard to get home, but we'll manage. All total we probably went through a grand today.
Lucy was really glad to see us when we got home. After dinner we did all of the wash except the sheets and underwear.
The evening was TV and surfing.
When we were finished we left for Cottonwood. We left the dog at home. We stopped at Wally World on the way for ammo. Then we stopped at "old town Cottonwood". It's a couple of blocks of tourist shops. We bought a couple of small items.
We then went over to the ranger station south of Sedona. I wanted Ellen to get a cheap park pass. Unfortunately we were a month too late. She ended up having to spend $80 for one.
We stopped at a Thai place on the way to Sedona for lunch. It was pretty good.
We drove to downtown Sedona and walked several blocks looking in shops. Ellen had the shits, so part of the time was spent dealing with that. She bought a pair of earrings and I bought a road runner yard art piece.
After a couple of hours we got in the truck and drove back to the high end shops by the river. We were both tired of looking at cheap tourist stuff.
Ellen found another pair of earrings she liked and bought them. I found a really cool lamp in an art gallery. It's made out of a cam shaft and some gears. It will be hard to get home, but we'll manage. All total we probably went through a grand today.
Lucy was really glad to see us when we got home. After dinner we did all of the wash except the sheets and underwear.
The evening was TV and surfing.
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Day 733
We got up at 7, hooked up, and left by 7:45. I did all sorts of things wrong hooking up. I got the wire caught in the hitch so it wouldn't latch. I dropped the front leg too low and got it stuck so I had to back the trailer back up on blocks. I raised the legs instead of lowering them - I thought I'd broken the mechanism. Finally, I locked myself out of the truck while it was running.
Fortunately the trip went a lot better. The road was really rough in places, which sucked. It rises 2 - 3 thousand feet and then goes back down at least three times, but the truck and trailer ran like a top. That's a win in my book. Gas mileage was amazingly good considering. It was probably 10 - 11 mpg, maybe a little more.
We got to the park really early, before 2. We unhooked and took the dog for a hike along the creek that borders the park. Unfortunately it isn't deep enough to swim in. Then we left her in the trailer while we explored the nearby town.
The town, Camp Verde, was having a yearly celebration. It was like a small scale fair with food and trinket vendors and some carnival rides. We walked around it, but didn't buy anything.
After that we went to the visitor center and got some brochures. The next stop was the Indian casino one mile away. It was a nice place, but didn't have any games we wanted to play. The last stops were a grocery store for milk and bananas and a Walgreen's for pills for Ellen.
When we got home we had dinner. The park doesn't have cable. There are plenty of on air channels, but not the one with Sunday night football. The rest of the channels have crap.
The park wi-fi doesn't even show up on our machines. Fortunately the Verizon works well. So the evening was surfing.
Fortunately the trip went a lot better. The road was really rough in places, which sucked. It rises 2 - 3 thousand feet and then goes back down at least three times, but the truck and trailer ran like a top. That's a win in my book. Gas mileage was amazingly good considering. It was probably 10 - 11 mpg, maybe a little more.
We got to the park really early, before 2. We unhooked and took the dog for a hike along the creek that borders the park. Unfortunately it isn't deep enough to swim in. Then we left her in the trailer while we explored the nearby town.
The town, Camp Verde, was having a yearly celebration. It was like a small scale fair with food and trinket vendors and some carnival rides. We walked around it, but didn't buy anything.
After that we went to the visitor center and got some brochures. The next stop was the Indian casino one mile away. It was a nice place, but didn't have any games we wanted to play. The last stops were a grocery store for milk and bananas and a Walgreen's for pills for Ellen.
When we got home we had dinner. The park doesn't have cable. There are plenty of on air channels, but not the one with Sunday night football. The rest of the channels have crap.
The park wi-fi doesn't even show up on our machines. Fortunately the Verizon works well. So the evening was surfing.
Day 732
We got up today at 7 and were on the road by 7:45. The trip itself was just a long day on the interstate.
Interesting fact: the Salt Lake City urban area, from Brigham City down past Prove is about 100 miles long.
One good thing - a hug me sign warned us that road work was causing a traffic jam in SLC. So we took a loop interstate (I215) around the city. It was longer, but turned out to be the right choice. It saved us between 15 minutes and half an hour.
The only place in Hurricane to stay was the crummy KOA. We got there, set up, and unhooked. Then I went into town to a Walgreen's to get my drugs. It's the first place since we left the club that had one. We also stopped at the ACE hardware. It was one of the cool ones with all sorts of stuff. We bought several items.
On the way back we stopped and got Chinese takeout. It wasn't as good as the last time we were there.
The evening was watching TV and reading. The camp internet sucked, and so did Verizon.
Interesting fact: the Salt Lake City urban area, from Brigham City down past Prove is about 100 miles long.
One good thing - a hug me sign warned us that road work was causing a traffic jam in SLC. So we took a loop interstate (I215) around the city. It was longer, but turned out to be the right choice. It saved us between 15 minutes and half an hour.
The only place in Hurricane to stay was the crummy KOA. We got there, set up, and unhooked. Then I went into town to a Walgreen's to get my drugs. It's the first place since we left the club that had one. We also stopped at the ACE hardware. It was one of the cool ones with all sorts of stuff. We bought several items.
On the way back we stopped and got Chinese takeout. It wasn't as good as the last time we were there.
The evening was watching TV and reading. The camp internet sucked, and so did Verizon.
Friday, October 13, 2017
Day 731
On the road again. We got up at 7, had breakfast, hooked up, and were on the road by 8. It was cold and the road was wet, so I drove carefully in to Baker. It was snowing in Baker when we got there, but it wasn't sticking. After gassing up we got on the freeway.
The whole trip after that was boring making miles on the freeway. We stopped in Boise and the other side of Twin Falls for fuel. Over all we got a little less than 12 mpg. That's pretty good since the road goes up and down thousands of feet.
It took about 8 hours to get to Brigham City. We got the trailer set up and then walked over to Wally World. We bought a few groceries and a case of 12 ga ($55). I figure we'll use it since we plan on stopping at 4 different clubs.
Tomorrow is 350 miles to Hurricane. The only place available there is the crummy KOA we stayed in this spring. Oh well. We'll be getting up early in order to avoid as much of the SLC traffic as possible.
The evening was TV - new Gold Dust.
The whole trip after that was boring making miles on the freeway. We stopped in Boise and the other side of Twin Falls for fuel. Over all we got a little less than 12 mpg. That's pretty good since the road goes up and down thousands of feet.
It took about 8 hours to get to Brigham City. We got the trailer set up and then walked over to Wally World. We bought a few groceries and a case of 12 ga ($55). I figure we'll use it since we plan on stopping at 4 different clubs.
Tomorrow is 350 miles to Hurricane. The only place available there is the crummy KOA we stayed in this spring. Oh well. We'll be getting up early in order to avoid as much of the SLC traffic as possible.
The evening was TV - new Gold Dust.
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Day 730
We got up at 7:30 this morning, did the pet stuff, and went to breakfast at Burt's. We wanted to eat there one more time before leaving.
After breakfast we followed Dan out to the far Sportsman's Access. He and Ellen sat by the river while Lucy and I hunted. We went through the field and along the river past the well. The only birds we saw were a rooster and a hen. They flushed out of a big patch of cattails just as we entered the other end. They were at least 50 yards away before they were high enough for me to see them.
We hunted for a little over an hour. Lucy did a great job, plenty of energy. She just wouldn't go into the thick stuff though, which is where the birds were.
After that we went home and started to pack up the trailer. I put away all of the hunting stuff. I also put away some of the stuff in the trailer. Then we had lunch and surfed for awhile. I decided to wait until evening to put away the Directv antenna and drain the tanks (mistake).
About 2 we went over to Dan's. We talked for awhile and gave the dog a bath. She smelled like a dog. Then we went over to Lawrence's and visited with him. He's got real problems with his hands crippling up. We also got the pole he made for Ellen. He'd forgotten about it and had spent most of the last two days working on it.
We went back to Dan's for more conversation and dinner. They had a past president of TCGC over and we had a good talk with him. We also watched football.
By 8 the weather had turned cold and raining. We went back to the trailer and I did the things I'd put off. I packed up the Directv antenna. I also decided to drain all three tanks. That way I won't have to worry about the black tank getting full while we're traveling to Arizona. It will take three days. The whole process was cold and miserable.
I was done about 9:30. I spent some time surfing and then put the computer away. After that it was shower and bed. We'll be getting up at 7 tomorrow.
After breakfast we followed Dan out to the far Sportsman's Access. He and Ellen sat by the river while Lucy and I hunted. We went through the field and along the river past the well. The only birds we saw were a rooster and a hen. They flushed out of a big patch of cattails just as we entered the other end. They were at least 50 yards away before they were high enough for me to see them.
We hunted for a little over an hour. Lucy did a great job, plenty of energy. She just wouldn't go into the thick stuff though, which is where the birds were.
After that we went home and started to pack up the trailer. I put away all of the hunting stuff. I also put away some of the stuff in the trailer. Then we had lunch and surfed for awhile. I decided to wait until evening to put away the Directv antenna and drain the tanks (mistake).
About 2 we went over to Dan's. We talked for awhile and gave the dog a bath. She smelled like a dog. Then we went over to Lawrence's and visited with him. He's got real problems with his hands crippling up. We also got the pole he made for Ellen. He'd forgotten about it and had spent most of the last two days working on it.
We went back to Dan's for more conversation and dinner. They had a past president of TCGC over and we had a good talk with him. We also watched football.
By 8 the weather had turned cold and raining. We went back to the trailer and I did the things I'd put off. I packed up the Directv antenna. I also decided to drain all three tanks. That way I won't have to worry about the black tank getting full while we're traveling to Arizona. It will take three days. The whole process was cold and miserable.
I was done about 9:30. I spent some time surfing and then put the computer away. After that it was shower and bed. We'll be getting up at 7 tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Day 729
We got up about 7:30. After pet stuff and breakfast I did a little surfing. Then I loaded up the hunting stuff, Ellen, and the dog and went to Thorny's for a 3 day license. I also stopped at the hardware store for some screws.
We met Dan on the way to the Sportsman's Access. He said he'd meet us there with his dogs. Some guy and his 3 dogs were already hunting there. We walked the whole place and saw nothing. Lucy was hunting pretty well, probably because Sugar was there. We met the hunter as we got back to the truck. Apparently he shot a bird that we scared up.
We went back to the trailer for lunch - leftover Chinese. I used the screws I bought to attach a bubble level to the Directv dish. I broke a drill bit when I was doing it - another trip to the hardware store.
After lunch we went back to Dan's. He wanted to take us up Eagle Creek. We drove to the campground and walked up a road that lead to the top. It was a long, fairly steep, climb. It was a lot better than climbing the hills though.
We didn't see or hear a bird, even though both Lucy and Sugar were hunting hard. Lucy was amazing. When we got to the top there was lots of perfect grouse habitat - only no birds.
Dan walked over a ridge and back to the cars. We took the road down. Lucy hunted hard the whole way. We waited 20 minutes or so at the truck for Dan. He said he'd seen one bird, but didn't have a shot at it.
After dinner and showers we went back to Dan's for more TV and conversation.
We met Dan on the way to the Sportsman's Access. He said he'd meet us there with his dogs. Some guy and his 3 dogs were already hunting there. We walked the whole place and saw nothing. Lucy was hunting pretty well, probably because Sugar was there. We met the hunter as we got back to the truck. Apparently he shot a bird that we scared up.
We went back to the trailer for lunch - leftover Chinese. I used the screws I bought to attach a bubble level to the Directv dish. I broke a drill bit when I was doing it - another trip to the hardware store.
After lunch we went back to Dan's. He wanted to take us up Eagle Creek. We drove to the campground and walked up a road that lead to the top. It was a long, fairly steep, climb. It was a lot better than climbing the hills though.
We didn't see or hear a bird, even though both Lucy and Sugar were hunting hard. Lucy was amazing. When we got to the top there was lots of perfect grouse habitat - only no birds.
Dan walked over a ridge and back to the cars. We took the road down. Lucy hunted hard the whole way. We waited 20 minutes or so at the truck for Dan. He said he'd seen one bird, but didn't have a shot at it.
After dinner and showers we went back to Dan's for more TV and conversation.
Day 728
We got up about 8, did the pet stuff, and had breakfast. Then it was wash the clothes. That took until after 10. As soon as that was finished we went to Baker. We left the dog in the trailer.
When we got to Baker we parked on the main street and walked all over downtown. It's about 3 or 4 blocks long. We stopped at a couple of stores and made small purchases. We made sure to stop at the fudge shop to by Dan the fudge he wanted.
When we were finished with that we went back towards the freeway and stopped at the Chinese place to eat. It was as good as we remembered.
The last stops were Safeway for some groceries and BiMart for the hell of it. We ended up buying new silverware and two more ammo cases there. At $10 those cases are a real bargain.
When we got home We got the dog and went to the Shorthorn for a somewhat early dinner. Then it was over to Dan and Patsy's for conversation and TV.
When we got to Baker we parked on the main street and walked all over downtown. It's about 3 or 4 blocks long. We stopped at a couple of stores and made small purchases. We made sure to stop at the fudge shop to by Dan the fudge he wanted.
When we were finished with that we went back towards the freeway and stopped at the Chinese place to eat. It was as good as we remembered.
The last stops were Safeway for some groceries and BiMart for the hell of it. We ended up buying new silverware and two more ammo cases there. At $10 those cases are a real bargain.
When we got home We got the dog and went to the Shorthorn for a somewhat early dinner. Then it was over to Dan and Patsy's for conversation and TV.
Monday, October 9, 2017
Day 727
We got up about 8, did pet stuff, and had breakfast. Then we surfed until about 9. I called the repair guy in Halfway. He was available, so I drove the Bronco there. Ellen followed in the truck. We were in luck, it made it there.
After we dropped off the Bronco we went to Halfway. I was going to stop at the yuppie restaurant, but it was closed. So we went across the street. It was only 11, but we had something to eat anyway. Then we went to the grocery stores and hardware stores buying a few things.
We got home in the early afternoon. I was seriously bored, but there isn't anything to do in Richland. So I surfed most of the rest of the day away. I did one useful thing - I emptied the tanks.
The evening was more surfing and football.
After we dropped off the Bronco we went to Halfway. I was going to stop at the yuppie restaurant, but it was closed. So we went across the street. It was only 11, but we had something to eat anyway. Then we went to the grocery stores and hardware stores buying a few things.
We got home in the early afternoon. I was seriously bored, but there isn't anything to do in Richland. So I surfed most of the rest of the day away. I did one useful thing - I emptied the tanks.
The evening was more surfing and football.
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Day 726
We slept in this morning. I decided not to go hunting even though Lucy was raring to go. At 8:30 or so we got up and did the pet stuff and had breakfast. After that it was surfing until about 10.
At 10 we went to Dan's to get the tow strap. They are going to Boise for a couple of days. We sat around and watched TV for awhile. A little after noon we said goodbye and went home to eat lunch.
It was more surfing until about 3 when I took Lucy hunting again at the Sportsman's Access. Lucy wanted to go, but she wasn't hunting. She acted just like it was a walk around the course. That may be because I didn't put the doggy be good collar on her.
After about an hour of walking she went on point. She held it until I got up to her and then crept forward - perfect. Unfortunately the birds were in a bush below the drop off where we couldn't get at them. I threw a rock and two birds got up. They sounded like quail, but I didn't get a good look. They just flew down about 20 feet and hid in another bush.
After that Lucy was hunting. We worked for another hour and were almost back to the truck when Lucy flushed a rooster out of the thick cover. I shot it and hit it. Unfortunately it came down at the bottom of a steep, brushy canyon. I almost killed myself getting to the place it dropped. It wasn't there. Lucy looked all over and didn't find it. I probably wounded it and it ran off. After that we hunted a little more and then went home. Lucy didn't argue when we stopped.
When we got home I had Ellen help clean up the dog and pick stickers off her. Then we bandaged her legs. I took a shower and then had dinner. Ellen cooked bacon for BLT's. She also cooked the pheasant I shot wrapped in bacon.
After dinner it was surfing. I'm bummed that I couldn't watch football because Directv doesn't broadcast them to our box.
At 10 we went to Dan's to get the tow strap. They are going to Boise for a couple of days. We sat around and watched TV for awhile. A little after noon we said goodbye and went home to eat lunch.
It was more surfing until about 3 when I took Lucy hunting again at the Sportsman's Access. Lucy wanted to go, but she wasn't hunting. She acted just like it was a walk around the course. That may be because I didn't put the doggy be good collar on her.
After about an hour of walking she went on point. She held it until I got up to her and then crept forward - perfect. Unfortunately the birds were in a bush below the drop off where we couldn't get at them. I threw a rock and two birds got up. They sounded like quail, but I didn't get a good look. They just flew down about 20 feet and hid in another bush.
After that Lucy was hunting. We worked for another hour and were almost back to the truck when Lucy flushed a rooster out of the thick cover. I shot it and hit it. Unfortunately it came down at the bottom of a steep, brushy canyon. I almost killed myself getting to the place it dropped. It wasn't there. Lucy looked all over and didn't find it. I probably wounded it and it ran off. After that we hunted a little more and then went home. Lucy didn't argue when we stopped.
When we got home I had Ellen help clean up the dog and pick stickers off her. Then we bandaged her legs. I took a shower and then had dinner. Ellen cooked bacon for BLT's. She also cooked the pheasant I shot wrapped in bacon.
After dinner it was surfing. I'm bummed that I couldn't watch football because Directv doesn't broadcast them to our box.
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Day 725
I got up at 7 today, packed up the hunting stuff and dog, and went over to Holcomb. I hunted from there over to the Sportman's Access. It was tough going through waist high grass and Lucy wasn't really hunting.
As we got to the Sportman's Access Lucy met a GSP. I could hear it's owner yelling at it. Just then a rooster got up and I shot it. I got Lucy's attention back from the GSP and sent her to retrieve it. While that was going on another rooster got up. I missed it because I was concentrating on the dog. The other guy, who I never saw, was really pissed with his dog.
Lucy did a nice retrieve. After that she hunted well on the way back to the truck. We hunted a little around the park and then went to the far Sportman's Access. Lucy hunted well all the way around lit, but there weren't any birds. I 'm pretty sure there was someone there before us. By the time we were finished Lucy was really tired. It was a little after 10.
If I'd shot that second bird I would have had my limit in half an hour of hunting. I'm glad I didn't because it gave Lucy a chance to hunt a lot more.
On the way home I picked up a 4x8 sheet of plywood and a 4x4 post for Dan and took them to his place. Then I went home. Ellen was in Baker with Dan. I put the stuff away and cleaned the bird. It went pretty well considering I hadn't dome it in years and barely remembered how. Then I fixed the trailer door latch. I took it apart and found that the interior screws were really loose. No wonder it was barely working.
I had some lunch and the attacked the problem with the bluetooth on the computer. As near as I can see the bluetooth transmit function no longer works. I tried to download and install some updates, but the Verizon internet connection is too slow and iffy to allow it. I put the thing away and got out the laptop. Then I had to spend some time getting it set up to live in for the rest of the trip.
While I was doing that Ellen came back, had some lunch, helped me dress the sores on Lucy's legs, and then went to Dan's. Eventually I followed. Lucy was wiped. I sat on the porch reading while she lay next to me sleeping.
About 5 we took Lucy home and fed her. We left her there while we went to the Shorthorn to eat. Then we went back to Dan's for a little while before going to New Bridge to play Bingo. It was oiur night. I won 3.5 games. Ellen won half of the final blackout.
We got home about 10. It was showers and bed. Lucy seems to be recharged.
As we got to the Sportman's Access Lucy met a GSP. I could hear it's owner yelling at it. Just then a rooster got up and I shot it. I got Lucy's attention back from the GSP and sent her to retrieve it. While that was going on another rooster got up. I missed it because I was concentrating on the dog. The other guy, who I never saw, was really pissed with his dog.
Lucy did a nice retrieve. After that she hunted well on the way back to the truck. We hunted a little around the park and then went to the far Sportman's Access. Lucy hunted well all the way around lit, but there weren't any birds. I 'm pretty sure there was someone there before us. By the time we were finished Lucy was really tired. It was a little after 10.
If I'd shot that second bird I would have had my limit in half an hour of hunting. I'm glad I didn't because it gave Lucy a chance to hunt a lot more.
On the way home I picked up a 4x8 sheet of plywood and a 4x4 post for Dan and took them to his place. Then I went home. Ellen was in Baker with Dan. I put the stuff away and cleaned the bird. It went pretty well considering I hadn't dome it in years and barely remembered how. Then I fixed the trailer door latch. I took it apart and found that the interior screws were really loose. No wonder it was barely working.
I had some lunch and the attacked the problem with the bluetooth on the computer. As near as I can see the bluetooth transmit function no longer works. I tried to download and install some updates, but the Verizon internet connection is too slow and iffy to allow it. I put the thing away and got out the laptop. Then I had to spend some time getting it set up to live in for the rest of the trip.
While I was doing that Ellen came back, had some lunch, helped me dress the sores on Lucy's legs, and then went to Dan's. Eventually I followed. Lucy was wiped. I sat on the porch reading while she lay next to me sleeping.
About 5 we took Lucy home and fed her. We left her there while we went to the Shorthorn to eat. Then we went back to Dan's for a little while before going to New Bridge to play Bingo. It was oiur night. I won 3.5 games. Ellen won half of the final blackout.
We got home about 10. It was showers and bed. Lucy seems to be recharged.
Friday, October 6, 2017
Day 724
We got up about 8:30 and did pet stuff. We took the Bronco to Burt's for breakfast. Then it was Thorny's for a license.
We decided to go to Halfway to deposit the check for the Ranger. We stopped at Dan's first to see if they needed anything there. Dan had some checks to deposit, so he gave them to us. The Bronco died on the way back. I pushed it into the gas station. In a feat of utter stupidity Ellen drove it to the pumps. I barely managed to push it far enough to clear them. Much yelling ensued when she insisted that it was my fault for not giving her explicit instructions to move the dead vehicle to a place that wouldn't interfere with the station's operation.
I got the truck and went back to Dan's to get a tow strap. He helped us tow it back to the park. Then we took he truck to Halfway. We did the banking. They wouldn't give us money to take back to Dan, so we just took $50 out of our account. We didn't tell him.
We had a late lunch at the fancy restaurant, and hit every store in town. Ellen bought a cool piece of bunny fabric to make a hanging for Patty.
When we got home we surfed for awhile. I called the mechanic in Halfway and up taking the Bronco to him on Monday. Then it was back to Dan's. I set on the porch and read while Dan ran his dogs. Ellen went off with Patsy. We all got together when Dan got back.
Dan and Patsy ate dinner. We didn't because of all we'd eaten at lunch. We spent the evening talking and watching TV. We went home about 9:30 so I could get things ready for tomorrow.
There was another big yelling match when I discovered that Ellen had put the printer in the trailer, but no ink or paper.Somehow that was my fault, too.
To cap things off the firewall software did an update today that killed bluetooth on my computer.
We decided to go to Halfway to deposit the check for the Ranger. We stopped at Dan's first to see if they needed anything there. Dan had some checks to deposit, so he gave them to us. The Bronco died on the way back. I pushed it into the gas station. In a feat of utter stupidity Ellen drove it to the pumps. I barely managed to push it far enough to clear them. Much yelling ensued when she insisted that it was my fault for not giving her explicit instructions to move the dead vehicle to a place that wouldn't interfere with the station's operation.
I got the truck and went back to Dan's to get a tow strap. He helped us tow it back to the park. Then we took he truck to Halfway. We did the banking. They wouldn't give us money to take back to Dan, so we just took $50 out of our account. We didn't tell him.
We had a late lunch at the fancy restaurant, and hit every store in town. Ellen bought a cool piece of bunny fabric to make a hanging for Patty.
When we got home we surfed for awhile. I called the mechanic in Halfway and up taking the Bronco to him on Monday. Then it was back to Dan's. I set on the porch and read while Dan ran his dogs. Ellen went off with Patsy. We all got together when Dan got back.
Dan and Patsy ate dinner. We didn't because of all we'd eaten at lunch. We spent the evening talking and watching TV. We went home about 9:30 so I could get things ready for tomorrow.
There was another big yelling match when I discovered that Ellen had put the printer in the trailer, but no ink or paper.Somehow that was my fault, too.
To cap things off the firewall software did an update today that killed bluetooth on my computer.
Day 723
We woke up a little before 8, had breakfast (no pet stuff). It took a little longer to get going than I planned, we left at 9.
The trip was uneventful. The fire damage in the gorge was really depressing, but not as bad as I thought it was.
We made good time and reasonable gas mileage - about 10.5. The truck did a great job on Emigrant hill and I really like having trailer tires that allow me to exceed 65 on occasion.
We got to Richland a little before 4. By 4:30 we were all set up, including the Directv antenna. Patsy stopped by to visit a friend and saw us. We decided to eat at the Shorthorn, it was Mexican night.
After dinner we drove over and got the Bronco. It worked OK going back to the park, but died after 200 feet when we tried to drive it back to Dan's.
Back at Dan's Lucy got to meet Sugar. Sugar gave her quite a workout. After some conversation and TV we went to bed.
The trip was uneventful. The fire damage in the gorge was really depressing, but not as bad as I thought it was.
We made good time and reasonable gas mileage - about 10.5. The truck did a great job on Emigrant hill and I really like having trailer tires that allow me to exceed 65 on occasion.
We got to Richland a little before 4. By 4:30 we were all set up, including the Directv antenna. Patsy stopped by to visit a friend and saw us. We decided to eat at the Shorthorn, it was Mexican night.
After dinner we drove over and got the Bronco. It worked OK going back to the park, but died after 200 feet when we tried to drive it back to Dan's.
Back at Dan's Lucy got to meet Sugar. Sugar gave her quite a workout. After some conversation and TV we went to bed.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Day 722
We got up at 7:30 this morning. It wasn't really that necessary to get up early, we just woke up then. After pet stuff and breakfast we got to work preparing to leave. I moved over the valuables: electronics, cameras, firearms, computers, etc. Ellen did the cleanup.
We worked for a couple of hours moving and cleaning. Ellen ran the trailer out of water (by plan). That allowed me to start dealing with the tanks and water. I dumped both tanks and the water heater. I replaced the water heater electrode. It needed it. I was going to replace the water filter, but I didn't have a new one (I thought I did). I drained the lines and blew them out with air. Hopefully that will avoid any more leaks. Ellen kept cleaning.
Then it was time for lunch - eaten in the small trailer. At that point I was finished with my stuff. Ellen still had about half an hour's cleaning to do. When she was done we started to pull in the slide. As we pulled in the kitchen slide water started pouring in. It got all over the floor by the steps. I got a mop and pushed most of it out the door. Then we used paper towels to dry the floor. We have a lot of paper towels left from overbuying for the eclipse.
I turned out that the slideout cover had been full of water. That was because the gutter above it had been filled with moss. The water, and the cover, were very dirty. I had to get out the hose I'd put away and hose off the cover and the side of the trailer.
At that point we thought we were home free. Fat chance. The dinette slide wouldn't go in. We thought it might be the battery because it was the last to go in. I got out the battery charger and hooked it up. The batteries were charged. That's good from the point of view that they don't need replacing, but bad because that was a simple fix. I checked the hydraulic fluid and it was good, too.
I decided to lift up and push in the slide while Ellen pushed the button. Luckily that worked. I think that the problem was that the over pressure switch for that slide went off before the slide could get started. At least it was an easy fix.
So the 2 minute task of bringing in the slides took over an hour of real work. Welcome to the wonderful world of RV's.
After that we took the Ranger over and put everything in the dumpster. We stopped at the club to say goodbye. Then we went to Woodburn to by fuel and propane. I also got a couple of more TV dinners.
The evening was surfing because the Directv isn't hooked up.
We worked for a couple of hours moving and cleaning. Ellen ran the trailer out of water (by plan). That allowed me to start dealing with the tanks and water. I dumped both tanks and the water heater. I replaced the water heater electrode. It needed it. I was going to replace the water filter, but I didn't have a new one (I thought I did). I drained the lines and blew them out with air. Hopefully that will avoid any more leaks. Ellen kept cleaning.
Then it was time for lunch - eaten in the small trailer. At that point I was finished with my stuff. Ellen still had about half an hour's cleaning to do. When she was done we started to pull in the slide. As we pulled in the kitchen slide water started pouring in. It got all over the floor by the steps. I got a mop and pushed most of it out the door. Then we used paper towels to dry the floor. We have a lot of paper towels left from overbuying for the eclipse.
I turned out that the slideout cover had been full of water. That was because the gutter above it had been filled with moss. The water, and the cover, were very dirty. I had to get out the hose I'd put away and hose off the cover and the side of the trailer.
At that point we thought we were home free. Fat chance. The dinette slide wouldn't go in. We thought it might be the battery because it was the last to go in. I got out the battery charger and hooked it up. The batteries were charged. That's good from the point of view that they don't need replacing, but bad because that was a simple fix. I checked the hydraulic fluid and it was good, too.
I decided to lift up and push in the slide while Ellen pushed the button. Luckily that worked. I think that the problem was that the over pressure switch for that slide went off before the slide could get started. At least it was an easy fix.
So the 2 minute task of bringing in the slides took over an hour of real work. Welcome to the wonderful world of RV's.
After that we took the Ranger over and put everything in the dumpster. We stopped at the club to say goodbye. Then we went to Woodburn to by fuel and propane. I also got a couple of more TV dinners.
The evening was surfing because the Directv isn't hooked up.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Day 721
We woke up at 7 today and lay around in bed until 8. Then it was pet stuff, breakfast, and leave to do the wash. When the wash was done we stopped at Safeway and bought a few final grocery items.
When we got home we washed the car inside and out. We didn't wax it because the wax we put on in May was still good. Then we put it in the car port, hooked up the battery maintainer, and covered it. I used bungee cords onboth ends of the car to make sure the cover doesn't come off like it did before.
We also move a few more things into the small trailer.
By then it was time for lunch. Hooch showed up with his friend about 2. We shot the course. The weather was perfect and we had fun. I realized when we were done that I should have used the A400. So I got that out and we went around the course shooting targets that looked like birds. That gun is much lighter than the SC3 and I have to shoot it differently. I did good on most presentations, but a couple of fast quartering shots gave me fits.
We surfed until dinner time. After dinner I went out an spread out the Casoron. When I was finished I immediately took a shower. The rest of the night was surfing.
When we got home we washed the car inside and out. We didn't wax it because the wax we put on in May was still good. Then we put it in the car port, hooked up the battery maintainer, and covered it. I used bungee cords onboth ends of the car to make sure the cover doesn't come off like it did before.
We also move a few more things into the small trailer.
By then it was time for lunch. Hooch showed up with his friend about 2. We shot the course. The weather was perfect and we had fun. I realized when we were done that I should have used the A400. So I got that out and we went around the course shooting targets that looked like birds. That gun is much lighter than the SC3 and I have to shoot it differently. I did good on most presentations, but a couple of fast quartering shots gave me fits.
We surfed until dinner time. After dinner I went out an spread out the Casoron. When I was finished I immediately took a shower. The rest of the night was surfing.
Monday, October 2, 2017
Day 720
Didn't get up until 8:30 - there was no reason to get up earlier. After pet stuff and breakfast we both started packing stuff to leave. Ellen moved in clothes, dog stuff, and groceries. I moved in clothes and then finished loading up the truck. I also took over some stuff and put it in the trap house I use to store junk.
We got done with that about 11:30. After lunch we left to get some stuff. The only things we really needed were at Lowe's. However, we ended up going to Sportsman's warehouse, Wally World (Woodburn), and BiMart. I was looking for the latest Recoil magazine. I found it at BiMart. We also stopped at Baumann's to get some fruit and a present for Patsy. The real purpose of the trip was to reduce the amount of gas in the car's tank. We were somewhat successful.
When we got home we put everything away and did a little more moving off stuff to the trailer.
Heppner had come by in the morning and cut up the tree in front of the house. I decided I needed some exercise, so I picked up all of the pieces and stacked them with the other wood. I bet Dave will be surprised when he see's that it's been done.
I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening surfing.
We got done with that about 11:30. After lunch we left to get some stuff. The only things we really needed were at Lowe's. However, we ended up going to Sportsman's warehouse, Wally World (Woodburn), and BiMart. I was looking for the latest Recoil magazine. I found it at BiMart. We also stopped at Baumann's to get some fruit and a present for Patsy. The real purpose of the trip was to reduce the amount of gas in the car's tank. We were somewhat successful.
When we got home we put everything away and did a little more moving off stuff to the trailer.
Heppner had come by in the morning and cut up the tree in front of the house. I decided I needed some exercise, so I picked up all of the pieces and stacked them with the other wood. I bet Dave will be surprised when he see's that it's been done.
I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening surfing.
Day 719
Today was go to Portland to say goodbye day. But first, I had to fix the shed roof. So we got up at 8, did pet stuff, had breakfast, and then went outside. It hadn't rained overnight and it wasn't raining now, so that was as good as it was going to get.
I had Ellen hold the ladder while I went up and down. I would have killed myself otherwise. I used the whole tube of sealant around the vent. Hopefully that will fix it. While I was up there I also cut a whole lot of tree branches that were overhanging the shed. It looks a lot better now.
The timing was as good as it gets. It started to rain fairly heavily just as I was putting stuff away.
After that we got in the car and headed north. We stopped in Wilsonville and bought a cake. Then we went to Hooch's house. We talked there until lunch time. Then Hooch, Ellen, Alicia and I got into the van and went to pick up mother for lunch. She's was crying and complaining of pain when we got there. Hooch talked her down while I cleaned the cat box. He's really good at that.
We went to lunch at this terrible Mexican place on Cornell. Hooch picked it because it was next door to s sports store that Alicia needed to go to for shoes. It sucked. Mom had a $10 shrimp dish that had 3 shrimp in it. Alicia got her shoes and then we went back to Hooch's place.
The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent watching football and playing card games. Martha fixed a good dinner.
We took Mom home about 10. I was really sad to say goodbye for 6 months, and so was she. I hope Hooch keeps coming on Tuesdays.
We had to go home through Canby and Hubbard. The paving is now below Woodburn, but they had both the Donald and Woodburrn exits closed. Of course traffic was backed up down there. It actually wasn't a bad trip. I got all the way through Woodburn without having to stop for a light.
When we got home it was showers and bed.
I had Ellen hold the ladder while I went up and down. I would have killed myself otherwise. I used the whole tube of sealant around the vent. Hopefully that will fix it. While I was up there I also cut a whole lot of tree branches that were overhanging the shed. It looks a lot better now.
The timing was as good as it gets. It started to rain fairly heavily just as I was putting stuff away.
After that we got in the car and headed north. We stopped in Wilsonville and bought a cake. Then we went to Hooch's house. We talked there until lunch time. Then Hooch, Ellen, Alicia and I got into the van and went to pick up mother for lunch. She's was crying and complaining of pain when we got there. Hooch talked her down while I cleaned the cat box. He's really good at that.
We went to lunch at this terrible Mexican place on Cornell. Hooch picked it because it was next door to s sports store that Alicia needed to go to for shoes. It sucked. Mom had a $10 shrimp dish that had 3 shrimp in it. Alicia got her shoes and then we went back to Hooch's place.
The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent watching football and playing card games. Martha fixed a good dinner.
We took Mom home about 10. I was really sad to say goodbye for 6 months, and so was she. I hope Hooch keeps coming on Tuesdays.
We had to go home through Canby and Hubbard. The paving is now below Woodburn, but they had both the Donald and Woodburrn exits closed. Of course traffic was backed up down there. It actually wasn't a bad trip. I got all the way through Woodburn without having to stop for a light.
When we got home it was showers and bed.
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