We drove into Roseburg to do shopping. Both of us needed new slippers, so we stopped at Payless Shoes...they didn't have exactly what we were looking for, but we did find some that would do for now at a reasonable price. I bought a new blouse at Macy's, then we walked over to the Red Robin next door for lunch.

There are lots of turkeys and deer (not to mention hordes of jackrabbits) at this park, walking around as though they owned the place!

We had originally planned on leaving Timber Valley today, but we started having trouble with our big awning and called Tom to see if he could come out to fix it, so decided to stay another day. Then we realized that staying another day would mean we'd have to try to find space at our next location during a busy holiday weekend, so we ended up paying for another five days, leaving on Monday...that way, most of the weekenders should be leaving to go back home for work and school.

As it turns out, Tom didn't have the mechanism needed to fix our big awning...the locking mechanism doesn't work and won't allow the awning to stay out nor will it lock when rolled up. The entire locking mechanism needs to be replaced...it can't simply be taken apart to replace the defective part...and it would be about two weeks before the needed part would arrive. We didn't want to hang around Sutherlin that long, so we've decided to wait until we get back to Quartzsite and have RV Lifestyles order the part and do the repairs.

Because the awning won't lock when it's rolled up, we were worried that it might unroll as we drive down the road, so Earl used duct tape to tape up the leading end of the awning so that air can't penetrate when we're moving. One of these days...when we find a place selling them, or we're someplace where we can order one...we'll get an RV Awning Clamp. Normally, we wouldn't need one, but if we ever have problems with the locking mechanism on the awning again, it will be a nice item to have.

Window Awnings -- FINALLY!

We finally got the rest of our window awnings put on...yea! They will really help in hot weather to keep it cooler inside, especially when we're dry camping. Even with the window shades down, when the afternoon sun shines on the windows (particularly the two in the big slide), it can get warm.

Back at the SKP park in Sutherlin

We arrived back in Sutherlin after lunch, so had to wait until the office opened back up in order to check in. We're going to stay for a week so that we can (finally) get the rest of our window awnings installed and so we can sanitize our fresh water tank.

Before leaving Eugene, we stopped at the Fred Meyer's to fill up with diesel ($4.469/gallon) and had breakfast at Ye Olde Pancake House.

Miles driven: 72.4
GPS coordinates: N 43° 22.8995' / W 123° 18.3595'

Eugene, Oregon

We left Newport this morning and headed east on US-20 for the Eugene Elks Lodge. After arriving and setting up, we did shopping at Costco.

Although this lodge has electrical and water hookups, the spaces are between the lodge and another outbuilding. There were only two spaces left...one was on the far side of a Class A that would have been impossible to maneuver back into, and the other was on the near side of the same Class A from where we wouldn't have been able to reach the electrical outlet. Therefore, instead of paying $10 for hookups (which we wouldn't have been able to use), we parked out in the lot for free.

Miles driven: 90.1
GPS coordinates: N 44° 02.8357' / W 123° 07.8423'

Oregon Coast Aquarium

Today is Maxx's 13th birthday! He's not doing too bad for an old dog with Valley Fever! Last night, he got up into bed with us because there was a lightening and thunder storm.

After having breakfast back at the Chalet Restaurant, we visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium.


Oregon Coast Aquarium









Tufted Puffins and Common Murre









Aquatic tunnel









Shark (?) swimming overhead in the aquatic tunnel









Otter









Tidewater display









Japanese Spider Crab

Newport, Oregon

After a month in Winchester Bay, we headed north to Newport, where we're staying at the Elks Lodge. We had dinner at the Chalet Restaurant.

Miles driven: 77.2
GPS coordinates: N 44° 38.1543' / W 124° 02.4858'

In preparation for leaving on Sunday, we filled up the truck with diesel ($4.359/gallon). When we first arrived in Winchester Bay, diesel was somewhere in the $4.80-$4.90 range and we've watched the prices fall since then...now if it would get below $4.00 per gallon!

We went back to Pah Tong Thai Cuisine Restaurant one more time before leaving and again had great Thai food!

Gus and Judy left today. Hopefully, it won't be another couple of years before we see them again!

We took Gus and Judy to The Schooner in Reedsport for lunch and then drove out to the
Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area. We were able to see some Elk off in the distance, but they were all laying down (when we'd driven by it on our way to Winchester Bay last month, there had been a whole group by the road).












We then toured Winchester Bay, stopping to take a tour of the Umpqua Lighthouse. Afterwards, Gus and Judy came over with snacks and we watched the Olympics.

Our good friends, Judy Maynard and Gus Gurule, stopped by on their way to Neskowin, Oregon and will spend a couple of days here at the RV park visiting with us. We haven't seen Gus and Judy for a couple of years, so it's nice to get together with them!

We went out to dinner at the Pah Tong Thai Cuisine Restaurant in Winchester Bay where we had some excelled Thai food. Then we went back to our place and watched the Olympic opening ceremonies.