Fall 2023: Back in the US, and on to Oregon.

Sunday 10/1:  Crossing the border.

I checked online this morning and the wait at the US border crossing, 8 miles away, was listed as 60 minutes.  UGH!  However, when we arrived, 8 lanes were open and we only waited about 30 minutes.  The US Customs Agent that greeted us was the the most friendly we have ever dealt with.  I know their job is important and they have to be thorough, but he actually was impressed with our trip across Canada, was friendly, and made us feel welcome to be home.  A pleasant surprise.

Peace Arch Memorial at the Border.

Eight lanes of traffic at the border.

205 miles,  Midway RV Park, Centralia, Washington.  After crossing the border it was a simple drive south on I-5.  There was a bit of traffic through Seattle, however Judy did manage to catch a photo of the Seattle Space Needle landmark.

Midway is a small, but very nice and probably one of the most immaculate parks we have ever seen.  Even the long term residents were immaculate and had absolutely no clutter.

Monday 10/2: 200 miles, Armitage Park Campground

Interstate 5 all the way.

Site 30.

Armitage Park is a country campground and has always been our "go to" when in Eugene.  The sites are large and the surrounding park area, which borders the McKenzie River, is huge with lots of dog walking areas.  We have a 7 night stay planned here.  My son Cory lives and works is the Eugene/Springfield area.  My sister Karen  and her husband Bob are driving up from the Oakland area to visit for several days as well.

National Taco Day (Just who determines National Days anyway?)  was October 4th, which was on a  Wednesday this year.  So Cory, Karen, Bob, Judy and I headed out to a local taco joint to celebrate. Tacovore was a busy place, with long lines eventually stretching out the door.  And the assortment was out of this world, Shrimp, pork, chicken, mushroom, vegetable, cod, and on and on.  And all the ones we tried were very good!  You can check out their assortment HERE.

Thursday we went wine tasting at Sarver Winery.  Our hostess was really nice, and we struck up a conversation and discovered she went to college at SUNY Plattsburg in Northern NY.  We each had a glass of our choice and enjoyed cheese and bread on the patio, overlooking the valley below.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day.

One evening we dined out at Ninkaski Brewery, which was a unique experience.  We have been to Ninkaski many years ago, and it was small and quaint.  Now,  they have apparently been very successful and have built a huge new dining area.  We were seated, and then left on our own.  You ordered by QR code on your phone.  You paid by QR code on your phone.  I found the experience very very impersonal and sterile.  Wave of the future?  I hope not!

Friday we had a dinner of sausage, peppers and onions at the campground. 

Karen and Bob were leaving Saturday morning, so we met at Cory's for coffee and to say our good byes.  We will see them next year when they plan to visit Gouverneur.

My sister Karen and I.

Saturday afternoon we took Parker back over to play with Cory's dog, Porter.  They played and played until they finally dropped.

Parker continues to think he is a lap dog, even at 75 pounds.

Sunday, Cory and his friend Jonas, a co-worker at the BLM, had planned a fly fishing day.  We met them in Corvallis for dinner at a brewery called Block 15.  And thanks to Jonas, we even got to bring home a few samples to pass on as gifts for some of our beer loving friends.

My son Cory in his element!

Cory had the day off, so we stopped over for a quick cup of coffee and the dogs had some final play time.  We'll see Cory again next summer when he comes to Gouverneur for a family reunion.  What a wonderful week we had in Eugene.  Armitage Campground is a very special place.

Who's that doggie in the window.......

Monday 10/9:  119 miles,  Sisters for 2 nights:  Bend/Sisters RV Resort

I-5 to OR-126 to US-20.

It was a beautiful drive up the McKenzie Highway today. It was overcast, and occasionally rainy.  The autumn colors were stunning and we saw evidence of forest fire damage too.

The Bend/Sisters RV Resort is beautiful.  We have never stayed here before, but absolutely will again.  The sites were large and the landscaping was gorgeous.  The resort borders National Forest on one side and the Sisters Rodeo grounds on another.

Back in site 89.

National Forest land.

Rodeo grounds, great for dog walking.

Pond in the middle of the campground.

Tuesday the weather was a bit nicer, so we worked on our souvenir shopping project in a few of the many quaint shops in Sisters.  

Wednesday 10/11: 282 miles,  River Point RV Park, Ontario, OR

US-20 to Ontario, OR.

US-20 was smooth sailing today.  The high desert is desolate, but has a certain beauty that I can't explain.  As we got close to Ontario, huge potato and onion farms began to appear, and the potato harvesting was well under way.  

The 3 Sisters Mountains are obscured by clouds.

Site 282.

River Point is a large park with very little grass.  Each site has a small strip of astro turf synthetic grass.  There were many long term campers here.  It is a very nice and clean park for an overnight stop with long pull thru sites.  I had a wonderful chat with the next door camper, Gary, a retired AF helicopter pilot after 41 years of service.  He lives in Bend area and we discussed the influx of NY and LA buyers driving up the Real Estate market.  He is an avid motorcycle rider and recently rode with a large group to Washington DC for a Memorial Day Ride.  We had some slight political differences, but we got to have a great visit.  Too bad more of us with differences can't do that. 

Next up, Fort Collins, Colorado.