Blustery cities and serene wilderness

Leaving Vancouver Island for the mainland felt like the beginning of a whole new journey. The flying Snowbirds were doing their practice manoevers giving us fabulous viewing from the ferry.

The journey down the "Sunshine Coast" was interesting as it required 3 more ferries along the way. I drove from Powell River to Saltery Bay where I stayed at a Provincial park. It was not open for the season yet, and with no services it was free for campers. It was a beautiful forested park right along the water. There were only 3 of us camping amongst the 42 sites. 
The next ferry to Earl's Cove took less than an hour and that followed by another short drive to Creekside RV park where I stayed 2 nights. It was a cozy place with many blossoming bushes. There were several people parked there long term as the monthly rate was about $550 including water, dump site, electric, and WiFi. They had showers, laundry and garbage disposal. No wonder so many RVing Snowbirds stay at such campgrounds all winter!
It took only about 20 min to drive south to Gibsons to catch the ferry for Horseshoe Bay. I did not have reservations for any of the ferries and got on without any problems. It helps to get to the terminal early and I'm sure it will be much busier in the summer.

Views from the ferries along the Sunshine Coast.

The drive from Horseshoe Bay to my friends' place took me over the Lion's Gate bridge, past Stanley park, and through downtown Vancouver. The drive was quite nerve racking due to the heavy traffic, narrow streets and numerous stoplights. The city streets are also lined with trees on both sides, often overhanging the road and I had to be careful to avoid scraping my roof.
It was a relief to finally reach a quieter area of the city where I had a very happy reunion with my friends Maddy and Steve who I have known for many years.
I parked on the side of the street and stayed a few days, sharing stories, eating fabulous meals, and exploring the city. There is a lot of construction happening, with many of the smaller homes being torn down to make room for larger homes or condos. Despite the growth of the city, ( in 2011, the pop of Vancouver and greater area was 2.3 million), I was impressed by the many parks and green areas. Being there during the spring blossoms made it even more spectacular.

We spent one day visiting Queen Elizabeth park:

 

A beautiful sculpture

I happened to be there in time for the annual "Vaisakhi" festival on April 24th    ( an important Sikh celebration) in Surrey. This year had a record turnout of 350,000 people! Maddy and I decided to take the Sky train there and had to walk several blocks to catch up with the parade which was moving extremely slowly due to the crowds. We felt like a minority there as most women wore saris and the men turbans. It was very colorful and the atmosphere festive and peaceful. I was impressed by how well everything was organized. There were many food stalls lining the roads and the food was given out free as per their custom. Some people went around with garbage bags and we could not see any litter on the road.

It was quite the experience to be among such a large crowd of people celebrating!  

The founder of the Sikh religion was Guru Nanak ( 1469-1539). He saw the many problems that existed in the state of Punjab with the people being persecuted.

He taught that God is one, the father of all, and that all humans are brothers and equal. His followers were called Sikhs, or the disciples. 

Punjab is in northern India, bordering on Pakistan, and is the seat of India's Sikh community.

The experience gave me a deeper appreciation of their culture.

After a good visit in Vancouver, I was ready to drive east on the trans Canada hwy, stopping at a rest stop near Abbotsford for the night, then on to Chilliwack and a Walmart for the next night. The traffic eased as I drove east and the scenery was pretty along the Fraser Valley. I then decided to visit Harrison Hot Springs on Harrison Lake, a lovely village with many intersting shops, restaurants, the hotsprings resort and a public hot springs pool. I stopped in at the visitors' centre and was given all kinds of information about the area, including stories of Sasquatch sightings. I was given a sheet with the warning that " You are entering Sasquatch country" and what to do if you see one. It stated that the Sasquatch are generally shy and will avoid contact with people. It warned that if you provoke them, they may throw rocks and howl or scream. On the wall there was a framed photo of "a female Sasquatch". It was quite a fuzzy picture and I was told that the photographer tripped while he was trying to take the photo...........

I then went for a relaxing soak in the public hot springs pool, a pleasure after all my driving. Later I had a very nice walk along the beach, watching some geese and admiring the mountains.

View from Harrison Hot Springs

The only places to park overnight were rather expensive campgrounds so I decided to carry on to Hope and found the more economical Telte-Yet RV park just a few km from the city. I needed to dump my tanks and it was a relief to be hooked up. From my campsite I had a fantastic view of the mountains. I stayed only one night as was eager to visit friends in the Okanagan Valley.
From Hope, I had the choice of taking the Coquihalla Hwy (#5) NE to Kamloops or the Crowsnest Hwy ( #3) SE to Osoyoos. I was tempted to go toward Kamloops but was eager to get to Osoyoos, so SE I went.
Along the way, I came across the Pickard Creek Rec area which allows overnight camping. I found out that many recreation areas allow free camping but most are in the forests quite far from the highways. This one was just off the highway and along a river,  a very pleasant place to camp. There were no hook ups and I could see a few other RVs nearby.
The highway then led through a valley between 2 mountain ranges and over a pass where I could see snow on both sides of the road. Signs earlier had required truck drivers to carry chains and I was happy to have a set. Luckily,the road was clear and I didn't need to put them on.

The countryside became more lush as I arrived at the Okanagan Valley. I passed by many vineyards and fruit orchards. Apple,pear, peach, apricot, and cherry trees covered numerous acres of land on both sides of the road. Every few km I saw a fruit stand but they were all still closed. It would be good to drive through there when the fruit is ripe.
The weather had been warm and sunny ever since I left Vancouver and I enjoyed the sunshine and scenery of Osoyoos.

The road to my friends' place was steep and windy and it took me about 20 min to reach their place high up on a mountain. It was fun connecting again after last seeing them at the "Sleepy Hollow" campground near Yuma, Arizona. Since then they had spent the last part of the winter in the Baja peninsula. Wolfgang and Lolita are a hard-working couple in their 80s, having come over to the US from Germany many years ago. They bought some acreage and built their house which looks out over snow capped mountains in the distance. I spent a few days there enjoying the German style cooking, going for walks, and helping in the garden. I have always loved weeding, particularly when there are no mosquitoes!

From there, I drove north on Hwy 97  through the Okanagan Valley with its lush orchards and vineyards, following along the small lakes. I stopped at a rest stop one night then I finally reached Kelowna, a pretty city of about 100,000 on the shores of Lake Okanagan. I was grateful to be able to park at a friend's place and we had a few days to catch up on our lives and prepare for my journey east. I had decided to leave my RV in Kelowna and fly to Nova Scotia and Ontario. It is such a long distance to drive and I want to spend the summer exploring BC.

So now I am cleaning my RV and packing for my trip, leaving on May 11. I'll be back in time for a 3 day RV seminar I have registered for at the Okanagan college in Kelowna. It will be a good opportunity for learning more about the various aspects of RV living and maintenance. I definitely want to get my electrical system sorted out.

 I'm looking forward to visiting many of my family and friends over the next few weeks and then continuing my RV journey after I return.

Kelowna, BC

"I am only one, but still I am one.

I cannot do everything, but still I can do something;

And because I cannot do everything, 

I will not refuse to do something that I can do."

---  Helen Keller

" Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak.

Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."

--- Winston Churchill

"Start by doing what's necessary;

Then do what's possible;

And suddenly you are doing the impossible."

--- St Francis of Assisi

   Don't forget to laugh every day!

Maria

whyknotrvmaria@gmail.com

                                                                                

Island Sojourn

Victoria's waterfront

Vancouver Island is the largest of 6000 islands in BC, at 460 km long and 50-80km wide. Several ferries provide access to the mainland.
Arriving in April was perfect timing since the tourist season was just starting and the spring blossoms were in full bloom.

Flowers near the museum

After reconnecting to my sister Trudy in Victoria, she found a beautiful campground near the city that I could stay at a few days since there is very limited parking for an RV in the city. It was good to hook up again, drain the RV tanks and get my laundry done. The location was right by the water and I enjoyed going for long bike rides along the shore. It was also good to be close to Victoria and to explore that beautiful city with my sister.
An afternoon at Victoria's museum was a real treat since they have fabulous displays and also happened to have a wildlife photography exhibit at that time.

Another memorable experience was a visit to the Butchart Gardens, a few km from where I was camping ( Saanich peninsula).
In 1904, Robert and Jennie Butchart moved from Ontario where they had a cement company, to settle near a quarry on the Saanich peninsula.
A few years later, when the quarry work was finished, Jennie had the 
dream of turning it into beautiful gardens. Those gardens grew to cover an area of more than 55 acres and are now still owned and operated by the family and visited by about a million visitors each year.

The next day, we drove to Sydney, a pretty coastal town where my ferry had arrived. After wandering around, we stopped for dinner at a Swiss restaurant. It was fun to be in surroundings with Swiss drawings and cow bells hanging from the ceiling, bringing back memories of our childhood years in Switzerland before our move to Canada. We were able to practice speaking our native dialect of "Schwitzer Duetsch" with the manager. The food was Swiss style and delicious.

After a night at a Walmart and stocking up on groceries, I left on April 8 to continue my journey north on the island. 

Fantastic scenery along Hwy #1

 I drove on to Chemainus, a lovely town on the east coast of the island and known as the island's "Arts Town". Besides a theatre and museum, it is also famous for its 40 famous wall murals. Footprints painted on the sidewalks guided you on a tour of those murals based on old paintings in the museum.

The streets were lined with blossoms and it was a delight to wander through another paradise on earth.
The weather was pleasantly warm and sunny and I felt a deep contentment.

On to Nanaimo where there is a ferry to Vancouver, then stopping to check out an RV show at Nanoose Bay. It's always fun to go to these shows to see what the new RVs are like, get information about campgrounds, and get RV supplies. I got a few better LED lights as the ones I had were not bright enough.
While there, I found out about an RV seminar to be held in June at the Okanagan College in Kelowna and decided to sign up. They offer 3 days of classes on various aspects of RV living including maintenance, so I think that will be very helpful. I want to get advice on adding more batteries to increase my electricity and to learn more about how to fix things eg my oven does not work right now.

I found out about a provincial park near the RV show and spent the night there. It was a lovely park with a very good hiking and biking trail along the sea. I enjoyed a long bike ride and slept well that night.
It was a short drive north of there to Qualicum Bay where I was fortunate to discover an RV resort that honored Passport America members. $21 for full hook ups, WiFi, laundry facilities , and showers was a very good deal. It was just across the road from a beach and a few minutes' bike ride to a nature trail. I decided to stay 3 days. This provided me with the opportunity to relax and think about my life.

Loving those happy dandelions!

It felt really good to be in one place for a while, yet, I want to explore many parts of BC. 
Travelling in Canada is very different than in the US. When I was south in the winter, I had a clear identity as a visitor from Canada, a snowbird. There were thousands of people like me and it was relatively easy to live the RV lifestyle, feeling like I was a part of the RV community.

Back in Canada, it's another story.
 I am in my own country and because it is spring, there are very few RVs on the road. Here, I am not a snowbird or a visitor. What am I?? A wanderer, a searcher, or maybe a pilgrim?
Do I want to keep on RVing or is it time to settle somewhere? How does a gypsy settle?
I love driving and seeing new places, meeting all kinds of interesting people but there will come a time when I won't be able to do this. Then what??
Pehaps, getting older brings with it questions of our existence and what our purpose is. It's really quite a fascinating experience!
 Again, I reminded myself to "Trust the process" and that it's all right not to know where the road will lead; to follow my heart and just go where the wind blows me. That's so much easier than trying to figure it all out.

 From Qualicum Bay, I drove north to Comox where some friends live. Because of the small street, I stayed at the Kin Beach  provincial park, on the outskirts of that town. It was a warm feeling to see my friends again as it had been about 12 yrs since I last saw them. We spent a lovely time catching up and they tried to sell me the idea of settling in that area! (It's nice to be wanted!)

The park where I stayed was right on the water and you could see the mountains on the mainland, a short distance across the Strait of Georgia. It was a small campground with just a few RVs as it was still off season. A friendly couple managed the park and I was able to get some good information about camping on the Sunshine coast.

View from my campsite at Kin Beach

An unexpected surprise awaited me the first morning when I heard some very loud planes flying overhead. I found out it was the Snowbirds doing their annual practice manoevers. I was just watching from the front of my RV when I saw 2 of them create a the shape of a giant heart over the water. Many other manoevers followed and I had a difficult time comprehending how several very fast flying jets could fly so precisely together in loops without crashing into each other. 
After the Snowbirds finished, an F-18 thundered by doing some practice. Their flights were repeated again in the afternoons.
They practice in this area every spring for 3 weeks before travelling throughout North America to perform at air shows.

I left the island on April 16 by taking the 1 1/2 hr ferry over to Powell River on the mainland of BC where I am now in their public library. On the way over, the Snowbirds passed over us again. It took them only a few seconds to fly across the strait.
After many days of warm sun, today is rainy and overcast, rather ironic that it is a day like this when I am travelling to the "Sunshine Coast"!
It's a perfect day though, to catch up on my blog.

Remembering some cheerful tulips

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving"

--- Albert Einstein

"A year from now, you will wish you had started today."

--- Karen Lamb

"Nature does not hurry. Yet everything is accomplished."

--- Lao Tzu

Maria

whyknotrvmaria@gmail.com

Spring into Canada

From Astoria OR, I drove for just over an hour east to Longview, Washington where I stayed at a Walmart. It was still raining on and off and there were spring blossoms and trees just putting out their new leaves. Everything felt like it was waking up after winter.

The next day was finally sunny. I  drove north on hway 5 ,then a short drive east to the Mount St Helens Visitor Center. I remember when that volcano erupted and was surprised that it has been almost 36 years since that happened
( May 18, 1980). I had a friend who lived quite far from the site and talked about the many pounds of ash she had to clear from her house and lawn. At the time, I had seen some vials of ash being sold in a gift shop!

Mt St Helens is the snow covered peak

The Visitor Center was impressive with its displays and stories. Their film was quite moving and reminded me of how powerful nature can be.
For 2 months before the eruption, there were a series of earthquakes. 
Despite most people being evacuated, approx 52 were killed including a photographer and some hikers.
Outside the center was a lovely hiking trail that led around part of a small lake.

That night it rained again as I stayed at a very nice State Park ( Ike Kinswa) in that area. Given all the rain, it felt good to be hooked up to electricity. Fortunately they had showers available and it was a pleasure to have a shower that was more than 1-2 minutes long! ( in the RV water is limited).
It rained on and off during the 2 days I was there but the sun did come out for brief periods. I took advantage of the dry spells to go for a bike ride or hike their trails. Along one trail I was delighted to come across 2 deer grazing beside the path.It was a wonderful way to celebrate the first day of spring.
I spent a restful 3 days there and was happy to see the sun for those short periods.

Instead of driving west to Hwy 5, I decided to go north to Tacoma using #7 which was slower but more scenic. This road hooked up with #5 again which took me past Seattle. Despite many lanes, the traffic was extremely heavy and congested. It took me 1 1/2 hrs of stop and go driving just to get around Seattle and I wondered how so many people can manage to commute that stretch twice daily for their jobs. Although I love cities for brief visits, I doubt I could ever live in one.
I finally found a good rest stop just north of Marysville and spent the night there along with many transport trucks and a few RVs. It was rather noisy with the trucks coming and going all through the night but I was tired and slept fairly well. It rained all night again. Don't the clouds ever run out of water??

At that stop there was an interesting display of a cedar stump.
Giant cedar trees once grew in this area. This huge cedar stump is over 20 ft in diameter, from a 1000 yr old tree, and discovered by early settlers.

As in most places I stopped at, I met other RVers. They were usually from the US but also quite a few from Canada, just about always from BC or Alberta. It was interesting to share stories.

It was now March 22 and the next stop was a short drive of only 15 min. It was to a casino near Arlington which had an official RV park along with some hook ups (fee charged) ,a dump station, and very nice landscaping. I went to the free dry camp area where there were a few other RVs. The "Angel of the Winds" casino was very well run and the staff helpful and friendly. I go to casinos for the free parking and good food rather than for gambling. I have worked too hard for my money to lose most of it! Besides, I dislike the noise but had to walk through the casino to get to the restaurants. Some good take-out food meant I didn't have to cook or wash dishes which, in an RV with limited space, is always a challenge.

It rained on and off for the 2 days I was there and my slideout was leaking again in the same corner as before I had it fixed over a year ago. Frustrating! I took a deep breath and reminded myself that compared to a lot of life's problems this is fairly "small stuff". Rolling up a towel in that corner was a temporary solution and I'll get the seals checked after I'm back in Canada.

The RV next to me belonged to a couple from Washington. It was the woman's birthday and in the evening she knocked on my door to bring me some of the fancy cupcakes that she got for her birthday. It was a very nice gesture.

The 2 days went by quickly. I had wanted to go to the tulip festival in Mt Vernon.
and found out that the daffodils are in bloom now but the tulips are just starting to open up.Besides, it was raining so I decided to wait a few days. 


I stopped at a Walmart in Arlington to get some groceries and also look for a replacement toilet seat as the hinges of mine broke. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the size I needed, realizing that many things in an RV are not routine sizes and may require going to an RV store.
Hinges and latches often loosen or break due to the vibrations caused by driving. I've had to replace a couple of these on drawers so far. 

Spring buds

I turned off #5 and drove about 2 1/2 hrs NE on #530 tocaptionbhead in the Cascade mountains. The route was scenic with mountains all around. The disadvantage was that it was raining and there were low clouds obscuring some of the mountain peaks. A sign on the road warned that shortly after Marblehead, but before the campground entrance, the road was closed due to snow. I could see snow on the mountains. It rained most of the way because the road was at a lower  altitude. Oh, that rain!!                                                                                                                                                                      

In the town of Marblehead, I stopped to top off my propane and shortly afterwards, arrived at the Alpine RV park. I chose this park because it gives a discount for Passport America members but mainly because it is surrounded by the Cascade mountains. I have always loved mountains and it seemed like the perfect place to spend Easter.
 I was greeted by the manager and given a site close to the office in order to get their WiFi signal. This was important to me as there was no cell service in that area.
I could see the nearby mountains in every direction but the farther ones were cloud covered and there was a drizzle which lasted all night.

I woke the next morning to SUNSHINE! Oh, how good that felt.My heart was filled with gratitude for our sun which heats us and makes our food possible. It also provides me with electricity through my solar panels. ( my panels still pick up a small amount of energy from the sun even when it is raining and with dark clouds, which I find amazing).

The sunshine lasted 2 days and I was able to go on some long bicycle rides. It was wonderful to see so many mountains, often with snow on their peaks. All along the highway were signs of spring and there were many birds singing.

One of my stops was at a fish hatchery,  arriving there just as one of the staff was feeding the fish. "Leroy" invited me to see the fish more closely and took some time to explain the work there. The fish at the hatchery were Rainbow trout and various types of salmon. They sedate the fish for a brief period then catch them and squeeze them to get the eggs which are then hatched. When the fish are old enough , they are returned to the river. The hatchery protects and feeds the fish so that the stocks can be increased.

As I rode my bicycle along the highway, I marvelled at the many mountains surrounding me. These mountains are a part of the Cascade range.

On the way back to the campground, I stopped to take a photo and a cyclist coming the other way stopped to chat. He seemed a bit strange and told me about research he was doing on the Sasquatch. He said he lives in the woods and has seen several of them but was vague about details. I thanked him and was relieved to be on my way. It seems this part of the country  is known for its interest in the Sasquatch. I wonder if they actually exist!

A Sasquatch greeting visitors to Marblemount

After the 2 sunny days, the rain came again, just in time for Easter. That should make the flowers grow! It was too wet and cold for a bike ride so watching a movie and reading was on the agenda. I also got things ready for leaving the next day and was looking forward to meeting my friend Barry from BC who was visiting relatives just an hour north of there. 
We decided to meet at the Walmart in Mt Vernon and go check out the tulip fields near that city.


On Easter Monday, I left Marblemount for the drive west to Mt Vernon. It was a glorious sunny day and the mountains were fantastic. Numerous blossoming trees and bushes lined the highway and I was singing as I drove.
Spring is such a joyful season!

I arrived at the Mt Vernon Walmart right on time and Barry was already there waiting. It was good to connect again as it had been quite some time since I last saw him. We had a buffet lunch that lasted about 2 hrs while catching up on our lives. The manager at the hotel he was staying at gave me permission to park in their lot which was great as Walmart would not allow overnight parking.
We then drove to the tulip festival area to see the flowers. The festival is officially during the month of April and coming a little before that meant less crowds. I had no idea the flower fields were so extensive and had never seen anything so colorful over such a large area.

 

Besides having beautiful flower displays, they are a major producer of flowers and bulbs which they ship all over the world.
                                                                         

The next day we drove to Anacortes to see town and the ferry terminal so I would know where to go the following morning. Later on we said our good byes and I drove about 15 min north to stay at a casino. On the way I stopped to fill up with gas which, at $2.04/gal was less expensive than the gas in Canada. The casino was just a 20 min drive to the ferry at Anacortes and that was good because I had to be there by 7:30 in the morning.
Warm sun followed me to the ferry and I could see snow capped mountains on the horizon, including Mt Baker. I was surprised to see only one other RV in the line and about 2 rows of cars. It was still early in the season.

Last one on the ferry!

The crossing took 2 1/2 hrs on very calm water. We passed by the US San Juan Islands briefly stopping at one port.
I had never paid attention to this group of islands and they looked exotic. 

San Juan Islands with snowcapped mountains on the mainland 

I felt emotional when first seeing the coast of Vancouver Island, knowing I was back in Canada and how much I love it.When hearing about the wars and problems of some other countries, I am always grateful to call Canada my home.

The ferry arrived at Sydney BC on time and I ended up being detained by a friendly customs agent informing me I would need to pay some tax because I was over the allowable limit for things bought in the US ( I had bought a bicycle and rack, a ceramic heater, and some RV supplies.) It's the first time I have ever had to pay tax.

It was a pleasant 1/2 hr drive to Victoria and further on to a Walmart just west of the city where I was told I could park for 2 days. Victoria does not have much space for parking so that worked out well.
The next day I met one of my sisters who lives in Victoria and she took me on a walk then lunch at their beautiful waterfront. It was good to catch up as it had been a while since we saw each other.
The weather was sunny and warm with blossoming flowers, bushes and trees.

Now I'm still at the Walmart with plans to see Victoria's downtown and some other areas of interest. I found out I can park at their casino for free and will go there tomorrow. I had a brief visit to this island a few years ago and am looking forward to exploring more of it.

My RV journey continues.

                                        "Creativity is intelligence having fun"
                                                          --- Albert Einstein

         "You must find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible"
                                                             --- Deepak Chopra

                          "Others have seen what is and asked why.
                                                      I have seen what could be and asked why not."
                                                                            ---- Pablo Picasso

                          "Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties."
                                                           ---- Erich Fromm


Happy Spring!

Maria

whyknotrvmaria@gmail. com
                     







, 

Oregon treasures

Oregon ( pronounced orgon) is a state I have never been to. I heard there were many hot springs in this state and it took me a while to find one on the internet that was in the area I was in. I headed about 30 mi SE to Ashland. After a few wrong turns, I finally arrived at Wellsprings, a hotspring and spa. I was happy to discover a little piece of paradise with its blossoming trees, a large tiled hot spring and a huge swimming pool.They even had a steam room which I loved.
I was able to dry camp close to the pools and had a relaxing 2 days. 

It rained most of the time I was there but that didn't make much difference when soaking in a hot spring pool.
I was surprised to discover that they request silence while in the pools.
It was an unexpected pleasant feeling sitting amongst about a dozen people and fully enjoy the experience without the distraction of conversation.

From there, I drove north on #5, not sure where I would be that night.
I found a very good rest stop that appeared to allow overnight parking as there were some trucks there. The rain continued on and off and it got quite cold.
It wasn't until the next morning that I noticed a small sign by the washrooms indicating a limit of 12 hrs stay there but I hadn't noticed any staff.

Driving further north through a small mountain range, there was some wet snow falling. I wondered if I would need to put on those tire chains I now had.
Thankfully the sky cleared a bit and there was no snow or ice on the road.
I stopped at a town to explore several antique stores there. They were filled with all sorts of treasures including depression glassware that I love so much.

There were many colours of glass but I liked this display of blue glass

Later on, I stopped at a campground wanting to hook up to electricity. Because of all the rain and overcast skies, my solar panels were not able to fully charge my batteries. The office at the campground was closed for the weekend and a notice said to dry camp for those arriving after hours. I wasn't about to pay just to park there! I drove back to the highway to the city of Eugene. On my "Allstays" app, I found a place to park overnight. It was the far parking lot of a large mall. A security guard gave me a pass to stay there up to 2 days. What a treat as it was right beside a river. There was only one other RV there but it was a safe place with a security vehicle diving around regularly. There was also a bike/walking path all along the river and I felt that I had found another gem.

Spring blossoms at the parking lot along the river:

About 4 blocks away was a Ford service center where I was able to get the truck part of my Motorhome checked and serviced. The rain stopped for a while and there were actually some moments of sunshine breaking through the clouds.How wonderful that sun felt after all that rain!
The parking lot was that of a big mall and I got a few things I needed as well as visiting a cinema to watch the latest Star Wars movie. It wasn't as good as I had hoped, with too many battle scenes but it was nice to see a movie on a big screen. I've always liked Star Trek much better.

On the way out of the city, I stopped at a community pool and had a long awaited swim. It is one of my favourite forms of exercise and much needed.
The daffodils were in bloom. Spring is a wonderful season with everything waking up after the winter.

It rained again all that day. My RV was getting free washes!

Just south of Salem, I drove east to Silverton where I had found a PA campground. It felt good to hook up to electricity and get my batteries fully charged again. My campsite was very pleasant with blossoming trees beside me.
It was good to be able to dump my tanks as well since I never know where the next dump station will be.
The next day was a boring drive north on #5 past flat farmland but then I turned east and crossed the coastal mountains to Tillamook. That town is know for its cheese factory which I toured and found quite fascinating.

I was able to park overnight for free at a cheese store. They had a small petting zoo and park as well as chickens which roamed freely. 

 I enjoyed the animals but would have slept in a bit the next morning had it not been for a very energetic rooster who crowed his heart out at around 5am!

This rooster was still singing by 8am!
The sky was clear and I was so happy to see the sun, that I didn't mind that rooster.
It was also St Patrick's day and warm enough to be out in my green T-shirt.

I had read about doing "Random acts of kindness" ( in Richard Carson's "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff") and decided it would be a good thing to do regularly. 
I asked a woman at the ice cream counter if I could pay for an ice cream for the next child coming in. She loved the idea and I felt really good. It's a small thing but results in happiness not only for me but for all those involved. Besides, it was fun. There are many opportunities to practice this every day and many don't cost anything. I am often so busy or distracted that I don't think about it. Can you imagine our world if everyone practiced these little acts regularly? 

I left there to drive north to Astoria, a coastal town at the border of Washington. 
Along the way, I noticed a sign advertising the sale of Cannabis ( marijuana) which seems to be legal in Oregon.

There was also some beautiful coastal scenery.

Astoria was a pretty town on a hill overlooking the Columbia River. A large bridge connects it to Washington state on the other side.
At a length of 4.1 mi, it is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America.
I drove over and back again just for the thrill of driving across such a big bridge!

The Astoria-Megler bridge seen in the distance. ( better photos can be seen on Google search). Photo was taken from the Washington side.

I did not overnight in Astoria, choosing to keep going into Washington and inland to Longview where I stayed at a Walmart.
My experiences in Washington will be a story for the next blog.

                          " One must dare to be happy"
                                    --- Gertrude Stein

                       "Stop trying to find a ladder to reach the sky.
                         Stay still and the sky will touch you."
                                          ---- "Notes from the Song of Life" by Tolbert McCarroll

Smile often.

Maria

whyknotrvmaria@gmail.com