Oma Loves U!

Saturday, May 25, 2019

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (14)

05/25/2019 / No Travel Day - Westport Winery Garden Resort

Start Location:

Delores’ House
Milton, WA 98354

Start Time: N/A

End Location: N/A

End Time: N/A

Cost per Night: $0.00 per night
Weather: 53 to 72 F Overcast & Cold

Paul and I spend the day with our cousins Joe and Karen. After a homemade, they drove us to the Westport Winery Garden Resort where they are members. Westport Winery Garden Resort and the Sea Glass Grill are located halfway between Aberdeen and Westport (just about an hour and a half from our camp).

We enjoyed a liberal wine tasting and a very informative tour led by Dana. Dana’s family runs the resort and they are working hard to make this winery a tourist “destination.”

Karen generously gifted me with three bottles of Westport Wine. I chose Boom Runner (Sparkling Rose of Pinot Noir); Smoky Nor’Wester (Merlot) and Jetty Cat (a Petite Sirah/Syrah/Cab Sauv Mix).

This winery has acres of gardens to wander through. What a pleasant outing.

Returned just in time to spend a few moments with Delores, Clete and Barbara. We were pretty tuckered.

Paul, Z. Karen and Joseph

Dana led the Winery Tour

Beautiful Gardens at the Westport Winery.

End of the Wine Tour/End of the Day

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

Friday, May 24, 2019

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (13)

05/24/2019 / No Travel Day - Sightseeing around Milton Washington

Start Location:

Delores’ House
Milton, WA 98354

Start Time: N/A

End Location: N/A

End Time: N/A

Cost per Night: $0.00 per night
Weather: 54 to 60 F Overcast & Cold

Slept in until a bit after seven. Then we enjoyed a feast at Delores’s house for breakfast (Cinnamon Rolls; Bacon; Cheesy Eggs; Strawberries (w/Whip Cream); Avocado; Banana).

We spent midmorning sightseeing with Barbara and Cletis (aka Chuck – aka Devon). We explored Barbara’s old neighborhood; caught a glimpse of where they (Clete & Barb) were married 59 years ago; and visited the family burial plot.

Mountain View Memorial Park was patriotically decorated with ‘Old Glory’ for Memorial Day. We also drove by the Admire Beaux Arts Architecture at Union Station, Tacoma Dome, and the Puget Sound.

We ended up the day with visits to the Emerald Queen Casino. Paul and I played for over two hours and lost $32.00 between us. However, since we earned two $25.00 Dining Vouchers, we were actually $18.00 in the black.

Barbara and Clete Infront of Family Plot

Patriotically decorated with ‘Old Glory’ for Memorial Day.

Photo Barb took of me (mid-left) taking photos of the flags

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

Thursday, May 23, 2019

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (12)

05/23/2019 / No Travel Day - Milton Washington – Supplies (Costco & Home Depot)

Start Location:

Delores’ House
Milton, WA 98354

Start Time: N/A

End Location: N/A

End Time: N/A

Cost per Night: $0.00 per night
Weather: 54 to 64 F Sunny

Just ran errands today: Mailed a letter then shopping at Home Depot and Cost-Co. We were going to do laundry but ran out of time. We enjoyed very pleasant meals with Delores (Breakfast and Dinner).

Paul got a haircut; his Asian barber scalped him . . . short but really nice. Of course, just as we were ready to relax for the evening, Paul discovered that the hot supply line to the bathroom sink was broken and leaking.

Poor Paul and Clete went back to the Home Depot to by parts and then spent the rest of the evening fixing it. . . . . . . awe the joys of motorhome living.

'The Beast' Home Sweet Home

Paul's Haircut

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (11)

05/22/2019 / Travel Day – Milton, Washington

Start Location:

Memaloose State Park
Mosier, OR 97040
800-551-6949

Start Time: 8:50 a.m.

End Location:

Barbara’s Cousin’s Home
Milton, WA 98354

End Time: 12:30 p.m.

Weather: 52 to 74 F Sunny

Route:

84 West
205 North
5 North
99 North

Woke up to the sound of Geese and the first sunny day of our road trip. It was super windy which made driving difficult. Of course, always the optimist, Paul commented that with such a head wind – gas mileage should be “killer.” We met up with good-buddies Clete and Barb. We are staying at Barb’s cousin’s house – Nice quiet neighborhood. Weather is warm and sunny.

We met up with relatives/friends of Barb at the local Poodle Dog Restaurant – lots of food, reasonably priced. My only complaint is that while trying to make reservations, we were assured that they would not be necessary – and that in fact they would set up our table now. However, when we arrived, not only was that table not ready for us . . . . we were told that we should have made reservations. While our wait was minor – it was the principle. Our historian, Delores informed that this restaurant is not as good as it use to be.

Small Welcome to Washington Sign

Olympia - the Capital of Washington

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (10)

05/21/2019 / No Travel Day – Starvation Creek Trailhead, Hood River County, Oregon

Start Location:

Memaloose State Park
Mosier, OR 97040
800-551-6949

Start Time: N/A

End Location: N/A

End Time: N/A

Cost per Night: $35.00 per night
Weather: 49/65 F Overcast

We went hiking at Starvation Creek State Park, which is located west of Cascade Locks, Oregon in the Columbia River Gorge. It is right alongside Interstate 84; by the Columbia River.

Hiking the Starvation Creek Trailhead west of Cascade Locks in Oregon.

Selfie at Cabin Creek Falls

Thimbleberries are tart and red when ripe.

Hole in the Wall Falls

The trailhead was named Starvation Creek because a train was stopped there by snow drifts and passengers had to dig out the train. Luckily no one starved there.

However, after our hike, I was ravenous, so we eat at the Sedition Brewing Company in Dalles, Oregon. This Craft Brewery is in a historic icehouse. I had the Tri-Tip Sandwich with a tasting flight of beer. Dark Sky was my favorite. Paul enjoyed his Mac and Cheese. I would recommend this establishment highly.

Our Camp Spot in Memaloose State Park.

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

Monday, May 20, 2019

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (9)

05/20/2019 / Travel Day - Dalles, Oregon

Start Location:

Klamath Falls KOA
3435 Shasta Way, Klamath Falls, OR 97603
800-562-9036

Start Time: 8:00 a.m.

End Location:

Memaloose State Park
Mosier, OR 97040
800-551-6949

End Time: 2:00 p.m.

Cost per Night: 35.00 per night
Weather: 54 to 61F Cloudy

Route:

39 North
97 North
197 North
84 West

We drove almost straight through today. We did stop at the Cow Canyon Rest Area for a quick lunch of bagels and cream cheese.

When we arrived at the State Park, our neighbors informed us that our spot (A10) would be very windy.

We called the Park Ranger Deb and she approved our move to spot B13. B13 is gorgeous. I enjoyed the antics of a big fat grey squirrel.

The spots here are large and we do not have any direct neighboring motorhomes. Just the way we like it.

Beautiful Oregon – On the Road Again

The Beast parked at the Cow Canyon Rest Area

A shame that they must chain down the Benches.

Cow Canyon Rest Area Landscape

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

Sunday, May 19, 2019

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (8)

05/19/2019 / Crater Lake, Klamath County, Oregon

Start Location:

Klamath Falls KOA
3435 Shasta Way, Klamath Falls, OR 97603
800-562-9036

Start Time: N/A

End Location: N/A

End Time: N/A

Cost per Night: $51.00 per night
Weather: 52F Cloudy

Crater Lake is a crater lake in south-central Oregon in the western United States. It is the main feature of Crater Lake National Park and is famous for its deep blue color and water clarity.

We left a bit late, around 10:00 a.m. The drive up to Crater Lake was beautiful. There was not much traffic.

Paul spotted a black bear off the 62 and I was able to get a good photo of it.

Crater Lake did not disappoint. We had a bite at the café and wander around. We could only get to Discovery Point due to weather.

I bought a “Passport To Your National Parks” book and placed my first Sticker (Crater Lake) in it. Got more laundry done while we prepared for our drive to Dalles, Oregon in the morning.

Panoramic View of Crater Lake

The weather was warm enough to melt the ice.

Serviceberries have a berry-like pome,
red to purple to nearly black at maturity.

Paul Threw A Snowball at Me.

Us posing at Crater Lake.
You can see Wizard Island in the background.

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

Stacey Kuhns was born and raised in California. She moved to San Diego County 28 years ago from Los Angeles County. She retired a few years ago from a 21-year career in law enforcement. Stacey has two adult children who also reside in San Diego County.

For the past year and a half she has been volunteering with an animal rescue organization, Animal Rescuers without Borders. She has had a myriad of various animals over the years but now resides with four rescue cats.

Stacey enjoys cooking, baking, reading, traveling, animals, riding motorcycles (as a passenger), writing poetry, and photography. She is excited about being a guest contributor.