Wednesday, Sept 11 - Beautiful walk on the beach this morning, a fun tour of areas up the peninsula (Phil & Paula used to live north of Long Beach), bought some freshly caught oysters for a happy hour appie, then hosted dinner for Phil & Paula before they head home.
Thursday, Sept 12 - Phil & Paula headed home early this morning. We had planned to take the car down and drive on the beach, but we got busy trying to figure out our next stop and then trying to get a reservation. Plans changed a few times. By the time we were booked in somewhere, and made our way to the beach, the tide had come in a little further than Robin was comfortable with, so we didn't get our drive on the beach. We headed down the peninsula to Cape Disappointment State Park and enjoyed the scenic drive, the beautiful ocean views and a walk to one of the lighthouses. Back up the peninsula to the town of Long Beach for a late lunch of yummy fish & chips and clam chowder, then back to the RV. Had thought to maybe check out some of the tourist stores along the main drag, but Robin's sciatic was giving him some grief again, and I was so full from lunch all I could think was "I need a nap". Thought we might try doing the beach drive in the evening when the tide was out again, but by then it was raining again pretty hard. Stayed in and listened to it drum down on the roof.
Friday, Sept 13 – Our plan is to head to Fort Stevens in Astoria/Warrenton, OR. Since it's only about 50km/30 miles away, there was no rush to head out. Sun was shining when we got up and we thought about maybe trying to get in that beach drive before packing up. Well, the folks beside us were also packing up their 5th wheel to leave. Got all set to go, he started to drive away and BANG!! – his 5th wheel overhang is resting on the sides of his truck box. Guess he forgot to lock in the hitch. He gets the rig jacked up again and the thing locked in and away he goes. Oh no he doesn't. Just as his rear wheels approach the asphalt, they suddenly sink axle-deep on the right side into the grass and gravel at the edge of their site. The back right side of the rig is resting on the ground. After much deliberation, he gets back in the truck and gives it a good pull and gets it out of the hole which now starts to fill with water. It appears there is a broken line of some kind that has probably been leaking for a while and has created a sink hole. Doesn't seem to be sewer (thankfully) as there is no nasty smell. He is digging trenches across the site to try and divert the water. He contacts the park manager and she comes down right away to check things out. No, it's not sewer as sewer is at the back of the lots, but there are water lines that run near the fronts of the lots. While all this is going on the water continues to rise from the hole and spread itself across their lot and ours, enough that Robin's socks are now soaking wet from walking out there, despite his crocs (we don't discuss this fashion faux pas). Perhaps we should get packed up and out of there before we sink in as well. The manger gets the water turned off and the water rapidly sinks into the sandy soil. Meanwhile, the 5th wheel and truck are stopped in the middle of the road right in front of our site, so we're not going anywhere until he does. He's got enough grief without us asking him to move. Friday the 13th lived up to it's reputation for them.
At least by now the sun is starting to shine again. Once they've moved on, we finish packing up and when it's time to move the rig, Robin doesn't exactly put the pedal to the metal, but he certainly doesn’t pull out in his usual slow and steady manner. No problems encountered, and the manager was happy to see us move out so she could get to work on the sinking site. So no drive on the beach, again. On to Astoria/Warrenton and Fort Stevens State Park. Stop at Walmart to stock up on groceries, grab some lunch then on to the park. Nice big site, surrounded by trees. Very peaceful and quiet. Relaxing afternoon. Tomorrow we'll tour in the car to the south.
At least by now the sun is starting to shine again. Once they've moved on, we finish packing up and when it's time to move the rig, Robin doesn't exactly put the pedal to the metal, but he certainly doesn’t pull out in his usual slow and steady manner. No problems encountered, and the manager was happy to see us move out so she could get to work on the sinking site. So no drive on the beach, again. On to Astoria/Warrenton and Fort Stevens State Park. Stop at Walmart to stock up on groceries, grab some lunch then on to the park. Nice big site, surrounded by trees. Very peaceful and quiet. Relaxing afternoon. Tomorrow we'll tour in the car to the south.