Arriving back at Pacific Border RV

After having been away for about 7 weeks we crossed the Canadian/US Border today and arrived back at our favourite RV Park. Our summer trip saw us traveling over 8000 kms in Dutchess and about 2000 kms running around in Granny.

We left here traveling east to Calgary via Whistler and the memorable 'Stampede'. From Calgary it was a southerly route through B.C. into Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada ending our southern course at Mission Bay in San Diego.

Daryl and Alexis were married here on the 1st of August right on Mission Bay.

The next day we were heading North through California to Redmond Oregon and the FMCA Rally. From Redmond we headed back out to coast of Oregon and Washington picking up new cushions for Ardmachree on the way.

Thelma will be arriving from New Zealand on Sunday and we are ready for some more adventures this summer.

Highway 101 Bridge over the Columbia River

Stretching from Astoria OR. to Washington State on Highway 101 this bridge crosses the Columbia River very close to its mouth.

Columbia River Maritime Museum

The Museum in Astoria OR. gave us an excellent look at the Columbia River Bar, one of the most treacherous in the world. Prior to modern navigational aids hundreds of ships were lost on this bar. These photos give a graphic presentation of a coast guard patrol boat and an ocean going freighter crossing the bar.

The Columbia River is navigable from Astoria, using an extensive locking system as far inland as Livingston Idaho. River pilots are used from Astoria upstream to Livingston and Bar pilots are on board vessels 'Crossing the Bar'.

Lewis and Clark Museum

From 1804 to 1806 Lewis and Clark led an expedition from the Missouri across the Louisiana Territory to the month of the Columbia River. They wintered over near current day Astoria OR. The Museum and their winter fortress gave us a good idea of the struggles and information they gained on this trip.

Tillamook Air Museum

In 1942 the US Navy began construction of 17 wooden hangers around the U.S. Coastlines to house the K class blimps being used for anti submarine coastal patrol and convoy escort. Two of these hangers were built at Tillamook and served the Oregon and Washington coastal area. Since 1994 Hanger B has been home to one of the finest collections of privately owned WWII flying aircraft.

The PBY-5A Catalina was used in many areas during WWII. It could land on the water or the sea and was often used for coastal patrol and search and rescue. It was well armed with gunners in the bow and both sides of the tail.

An aerial view of Hanger B with her K Class Blimps tethered ready for flight.






The Erickson freighter was a converted commercial airliner. It was used to carry over sized goods including boats and the Pioneer 10 spacecraft.

FMCA Rally

The Redmond Rally was the first major motor home rally that we have attended. We arrived in Redmond late in the afternoon of 9th of August, to late to be parked, therefor it was off to the holding area to be parked the next morning. With excellent organization the group of us were parked in designated areas around the Expo and Fair grounds. This would be 'dry' camping until departure on the 15th.

The rally was attended by over 2200 motor homes, with in excess of 145 seminars being offered, from understanding your diesel engine to Biking 101. Both of us picked our favourite topics and were away each morning by 7:45. The day didn't end until late afternoon, giving us time for dinner and then back to the Fair Grounds for the evening entertainment. In between we found time to arrange maintenance from the suppliers, visited the new motor homes on display and picked up a few parts from the long list of RV suppliers.

The Fair Grounds were extensive with frequent busses and golf carts providing transportation.
























One of our favourite motor home displayed was a 45' Prevost.

On Sunday, the departure day from the rally we were invited to Sue and Tim's for dinner. John and Peggy had driven from Victoria to visit them in Redmond, their summer location, when it is just a little too warm in Mazatlan.
On our first night in the 'holding area' we met Gordon and May from Hope. They are also driving a Dutch Star and we were able to end up parking in the same area.

Highway 101

This highway that runs north and south on the West Coast is a favourite of ours, usually well maintained and much more interesting than the interstates. These pictures were taken north of the Redwoods.

California Redwoods

Along the Redwood Highway are a number of stopping spots that display carving's and local artifacts.

Santa Barbara, California

Mexican Festival

The Santa Barbara beach.

El Camino Real (The Royal Road

In the late 1700's and early 1800's the Spanish/Mexican government and church established 21 Missions from San Diego north to San Francisco. These missions were joined by the El Camino Real, (The Royal Road). In some areas the current Highway 101 approximately follows this route.

Dutchess graphic's repairs

Around noon on Monday after the wedding we packed up camp and left Mission Bay for San Barnadino and our appointment to have some of the graphics replaced on Dutchess. The swirl towards the back of the motor home and the strips across the front were showing effects of sun and weather.

Digital pictures were taken and the old strips 'buffed' off. The new strips were produced from the pictures and 'cut' on a computer plotter.




















We spent 2 nights at the shop and are very pleased with the result.