TrackTown, USA: Yeah! We are on the road. California, Here We Come...
The TV situation was not resolved before our departure, despite one last (THIRD!) visit to the cable company, so one TV in our house is out of service. (I am not there and do not care.)
The best part of being away for the winter is being so close to our grandchildren. Lucy went on her first father-daughter dinner date this weekend. 14 months old, to a sushi bar. This girl loves food.
The worst part about being away for the winter is missing family and friends - especially because we now have so many babies in Portland. Mary and Steve became grandparents for the first time last week. Their #3, Chris, and his wife Laura, delivered a healthy baby boy - Cole Joseph.
Now all three of the Family of Friends are grandparents! Cole is, of course, incredibly cute, super intelligent and will never run out of willing arms to hold him. Dave and I can't get over how teeny newborn babies are... and how can they go from a completely helpless six pounds to walking in only a year?Our London friends, Shirley and Martin, now have a daughter living in Portland (due to a job transfer). Emma and Matthew have a two year boy, Thomas, and a 13-week-old daughter, Lucy. (Another Lucy! Yes!) Before leaving town, we made time for a visit with all the babies:
Bubbe with Cole - and with Lucy, Thomas and EmmaI know, it's like we are surrounded with beautiful healthy children - so blessed. Dave and I are going to so enjoy watching these kids grow up.
In the summer.
Our neighbor's gorgeous treesAfter taking only two trips to the motorhome last week to pack the RV for the winter, we put a few last things in the Jeep this morning and drove to the RV storage facility, hitched-up the car and hit the road south.
I guess the "third time is a charm", as this was only the third time we have towed the new Jeep and everything went very well and my confidence level is nearing 75% regarding the towing procedure. It is quite a complicated series of about a dozen steps - so it will take a while before I will be fully trained. (The Honda was soooooo easy to tow, but the Jeep is such a nicer car.)
Coming Soon to an Interstate Near YouThe first stop on our winter adventure is our usual first stop: Eugene, Oregon - 100 miles south of Portland on I-5. Our tech, Brian will (hopefully) check a few things off our repair/maintenance list and the RV will have her annual lube/oil/filter. My Driver has several meetings.
We checked-into our campsite. The TV satellite dish locked on to a signal. The internet satellite locked on to a signal. The planets aligned! Our traditional First Supper - lasagna - went into the oven. A cork was pulled.
Made ahead - my Turkey Lasagna
So deliciousUntil my next update, I remain, your traveling correspondent.
RV PARK: Premier RV Park. I-5, exit 199. Large paved pull-throughs. Back-in sites line a small lake. Laundry, fitness center, club house, bath house, recycling, small store. 50 amp, free wifi. This park is very popular with campers in the area for repairs/maintenance at the many nearby RV facilities. We paid $51 per night (and had one night free via our frequent-flyer punch-card).