Bend, Oregon: Our RV was deposited to Matrix Integrated before 8a to have the front and rear suspension beefed up. I really do not know exactly they did, but it only took the morning and wasn't very expensive. We will see if there is any improvement, as Dave only had to drive the Petit Peregrinus the few miles back to the RV park on smooth highways, so he can't say if there was a big difference in the ride. This long trip will be the test.
While we were idle (remember, we have a rental car), we busied ourselves at Fred Meyer. This grocer + everything else store is a wonder. Part of the Kroger group, we found the hook we needed for our fly swatter (we bought in Yellowstone more than 20 years ago and has GRIZZLY SWATTER printed on the handle), and DT loaded up on some of his favorite Oregon Rosé wines - Stoller and Kings Estate. Buy 6, get 10% off, plus Oregon is sales tax-free and attendants fill your tank at the gas station. We rounded out of shopping trip with finding a new outdoor entry rug. Try to contain your excitement.
Then back to the campground and setting up camp once again. I have crossed over to the dark side and purchased a Starlink internet dish. We call it Elon. Remember 100 years ago when we spent thousands to install an internet satellite dish to the top of our motorhome? It was so temperamental and worked about 75% of the time? The phone techs recognized by voice. Dr. Evil has figure this stuff out. I found a deal to purchase the mini for a bit under the usual $199, but said the delivery time was six weeks out, and that was close to when we were leaving on this trip. It arrived three days later. Unlike the larger, stationary/mounted Starlink dishes, the mini is about the size of a laptop computer, weighs very little and has the modem/router built in. Seriously, it comes with the dish and an electric cord. That is it.
After opening the device, and downloading the app to my phone, I followed the instructions: POINT THE DISH NORTH (it has a built-in flip-out stand). 20 seconds later, it was working. Freaky fast. Freaky easy. And that has been the same routine while we have been camping his past week. I set the dish on the ground or picnic table, point it north (compass app on my phone), plug it in, and by the time I get back in the RV, we are online. I bought the unlimited data package while we are traveling, so we can stream on the "smart" TV. When we get home, our service will be doged paused until we travel again.
While on the subject of RV stuff, can I complain again about the terrible design of the Winnebago Navion passenger/driver chair situation?
The above photo is the passenger seat, turned around for use while camped. I know this complaint has been addressed here once before, but who designed this seat cushion? The (wrong colored) cushion is stored while traveling, then can be placed on top of the passenger or driver seats to raise the level of the seat to a more comfortable level (as there is a 8-inch drop down to the cab). But why didn't they make the skirt long enough to cover up all the "guts" under the chair? Why didn't they make a black cushion for a black chair?
Carriage Return. New Paragraph.
My cousin, Rachel - and her husband Dave - invited us to their home for dinner tonight. They grilled fresh-caught salmon (always a treat) and chicken and we had roasted potatoes and she made a Marionberry cobbler for dessert (Lisa's favorite) while watching the USA v Turkey World Cup match. It was so nice to see them again and see her new kitchen remodel.
The weather has turned. It rained. The temperatures are in the 50s overnight. But as the overnight low at our house is in the 70s, there will be no complaining from this girl. (If you need complaining, read above.)
I know four people who would love an overnight temperature of 50. The 4L's are sweltering in Italy.
Until my next update, I remain, your beefed-up correspondent.
Campground Information: Bend RV Resort