Not all fun and games being hosts.  Last night the Wedding got a bit out of hand and the antifreeze kicked the noise and testosterone up a notch.  When John returned from reminding them it was time to skedaddle for a second time, things didn’t go well and my pointer finger was poised over the phone to call 911.  Don’t really know what good it would have done as it was late and the sheriff won’t come unless your life is in danger.

We have learned that as hosts, it is better to set the rules down and stand firm.  Next morning, send in a report that hits them in the pocket book and takes away their deposit.  Justice prevails…although we still end up cleaning the nasty mess before the next group arrives.

A quick escape to Roseburg this morning for more asthma meds at Roseburg’s Wal-Martian store, a birthday burger at Red Robin…Yummmm.…and back to Millpond.   A new group of 200 making up Team Roseburg Wrestlers and their families, hosting a fundraiser, selling burgers and holding a silent auction.  Our short escape caused us to miss the silent auction, darn!  Baskets of great “stuff” lined the picnic tables and I’m sure I could have found room in our rolling box for one small basket.

A work free, albeit chilly, day today.  Nary a camper or day use taker for Millpond so Crater Lake calls and we shall answer.  Up and over my roller coaster road to Hwy 138 and off to explore.

Cozy Steamboat Inn was our choice for breakfast to begin our day.  Warm and inviting dining area, the veggie omelet with Grandma’s Bread and fresh blackberry preserves was to-die-for confirming that this place will be a regular for us next year.

After a long pause in our drive to let workers clear a large rock avalanche off the road, we continued through the fog, stopping at Diamond Lake to stretch our legs.  Next year and better weather conditions will lure us back again but for now, we continued on to Crater Lake.

The drive to Crater Lake takes about two hours and, this being Oregon,  incredible views of the North Umpqua River with breathtaking scenic backdrops are a given.

Crater Lake is the remains of the erupted Mt. Mazama , was formed around 5,677 BC, is the deepest cleanest lake in the US and is surrounded by cliffs almost two thousand feet high.  After we drove through the North Entrance it would be another 20 miles before we reached the crater’s rim.

On the outskirts of the crater is Pumice Desert and the fog and clouds played light games with the toast colored expansive pumice dust nearly 100 feet deep, destroying all vegetation.  Beautiful but desolate.

Our first gaze at the Lake was brrrrreath taking…but the icy cold winds didn’t stop our hike up to the top for a best vantage point view.  At its highest point, the elevation is 7317.51 and the vision spreading out before you is incredible.

Back in the car with the heater on, we started along Rim Drive but within seconds, fog crept up the side of the rim and covered the road dropping visibility to a few feet.  Slowing to a crawl we stopped at the next pull-out and the fog drifted past us and evaporated as fast as it had appeared.

Tiny critters scampered up on the rock walls begging for food from anyone that came near.  Don’t know how my little visitor could have fit anything more into its puffy cheeks but it insisted on staying close by until I returned to the car.

A few more in and outs along Rim Drive, catching chills each exit from the car, until we turned towards the Lodge for something to warm and relax us before the return journey.

Crater Lake Lodge opened in 1915 but is lacking in ostentatious anything.  There is not a grand entrance or any interesting sides on the building’s outside.  In front of the Lodge were some peculiar trees.  No one at the Lodge, not even the Ranger, could tell us why they had that odd look.

The most grandiose it offers is a large stone fireplace in the Great Hall but the smaller fireplace in the lobby was far more detailed and had an intimacy and décor that warmed you immediately.

The outside porch of the lodge had a long row of rockers that overlooked Wizard Island in Crater Lake.

Down to the Mazama Village Campground area to check out the competition, none of it being as appealing as our BLM campground, then gassing up the tank for the ride home.

Just past the Pumice Desert, towards the edge of the park, was a large grove of Knotty Pine.  Had I a house, I would love a huge covered wrap around porch with railings and posts of Knotty Pine.

One required stop on the way back down the cliffs.  John promised we could stop at one of the dozens of waterfalls off Hwy 138, known as the Waterfall Highway.  I chose Whitehorse Falls with its wooden bridge and viewing platform jutting out over the North Umpqua River.   The area was cool and shadowy.  Walking through the woods, autopilot statement for safety in the wilds is… ”Hey bears, I’m not food.”  The roar of the falls drowned out humans hearing my every 15 second calls.  Happily it must have been loud enough for the notice of close by bears.

Back at Millpond the leaves on the trees have begun to change colors.  Fall has arrived, bats have left for their local hibernation caves, hummingbirds are searching out alternative provisions, mice continue to fall into our traps but our local raptors are scarce.  It has rained every day this week and no campers have visited for over a week.

Said good-by to all my seniors and Kitchen People at the Community Center while volunteering at the senior lunch, this being my last Thursday.  The Kitchen People are made up of me, Betty, Barb, Jackie, Steve and our fearless leader Helen with all but Helen being volunteers.  It was a fun experience, one that I shall resume next season.  Came home with a great assortment of fresh home grown veggies that none will bother to take home and cook but me.  How lucky am I that every Thursday I score delicious home grown veggies without any of the work necessary to raise them!

One final cleaning of everything Millpond.  All paths blown off, flush bathrooms cleaned top to bottom, vault toilets cleaned top to bottom, pavilion and tables blown out and washed down, all trash cans emptied.  It was cold and wet but we worked until dark and frozen before pulling in our slides and warming up inside.  Dinner, then sleep.  In the morning we are On The Road Again.

Today we pack it up and move it out.  Special order motorhome shocks arrived in Eugene, a few hours drive from Millpond, so we are off on another motorhome repair adventure.  Traveling down a twisting one-lane is enough to warrant our departure early evening, the alternative being early morning and meet ups with logging trucks and big equipment haulers.

We spent the night at the Elks Lodge, choosing it above the local Wal-Mart parking lot for the 50amp hook-ups and quiet location.   For $15.00 a night, it’s a TX size deal.  Up early the next morning for the 30 minute drive to Kaiser Brake and Alignment for our appointment.  Slight scare that the size of our custom Road King shocks were incorrect, but thanks to Mel at Kaiser, they were professionally installed and we rolled down the road noticing the difference almost immediately.

Early evening fog rolled in and concealed part of our zigzagging path back to Millpond in the dark of night.  It took us almost an hour to get LilyPad back under the security of our cover before the sky’s opened up and dumped buckets of water down, bombarding us and bringing with it bulk loads of leaves.  By morning, the leaves that Kenny pulled off our lawn and parking lot once again carpeted Millpond.   The Yin and Yang of Mother Nature.   Can’t have cool shade in the Summer without removing piles of leaves in the Fall.

I’ve been having a bit of a pity-party lately staying inside our rolling box hiding from the campfire smoke, without TV, for weeks at a time.  Mercifully John bought me a Kindle Fire to occupy my hours confined to our tiny space.   Even our escape to Brookings was short-lived and somewhat disappointing as Oregon allows beach fires all day and night so fresh sea air was only available in fleeting snatches.   As my cousin Kenny would say…send in the Waaaaambulance!

Our maintenance manager Kenny dropped by again bringing with him delectable fresh picked home grown tomatoes from his garden.   Our ranger Ariel brought fresh picked sweet corn and the wedding last Saturday brought over a huge plate piled high with bar-b-q beef, pork and fresh salmon.   We gratefully accept, and are thankful for, the many yummy perks.

Next year our covered area will be across the field and much bigger than our current.  They are laying asphalt in the morning so no worries about tracking stones into the motorhome during our four month stay.  I will be sad to give up my amazing backyard but a larger covered area will come in handy when staying the entire season.  Added to that is the amount of work being cut more than half and the ability to have multiple days off in a row.   Now that’s more like being retired!

Rainy day wedding this afternoon.  Masses of rain dropped this morning while the groom and friends built and set up a beautiful venue in rodeo décor.  Rain magically halted just as the 200 plus people arrived for the “I Do’s”.  Held off until early evening and by that time everyone was so full of antifreeze that no one cared.  Another 200 tomorrow and then peace will once again fall on our Millpond hideaway.

Up early to clean the campground to be on the road as soon as possible.  Visiting dad in Brookings is my birthday present.  Memories will be bittersweet as this is where Millie and KatieBug happily dashed across sand and sea together.  Now KatieBug will be solo.

We were expecting a nice restful trip but it was not meant to be.  John and I blew out the leaves before we left and didn’t wear masks so the dreaded “crud” got us both.  Stuffed up and hacking, the cool sea air was exactly what was needed.  The ride up was a bit foggy but every so often, clear views opened up as the road curved to reveal those amazing ocean panoramas so difficult to capture on camera.

Our ride to Brookings was lengthened due to smoke lingering in Grants Pass resulting in a pleasant meander up to Coquille then across to Bandon before turning South to continue down the coastal route.

KatieBug requested a rest stop at Sandy Creek Covered Bridge, built in 1921, and sniffed the area flowing with rivers of ripening Oregon blackberries beneath its wooden floor and skirting the creek banks.

Old Town Bandon is a quaint little ocean and river inlet community settled in 1873.  It sits along the coastal route to Brookings.  Lunching on a crab sandwich from Bandon Fish Market and wandering for a while, we continued on.

The Inn I chose in Brookings was cautiously selected.   Our regular Inn was not available and most of the motels in the area are old and dated.  I wanted A/C as we were marginally teetering on asthma attacks and Brookings can be Texas sticky hot, which was the case this week.  The Inn boasted having A/C, was recently updated and pet friendly.

Checking in early evening and turning the A/C to high, we remained dripping with sweat all night.  Next morning before breakfast we chatted with the owner.  After reading the multitudes of You-Better-Be-Careful-And-Follow-The-Rules-Or-We-Will-Charge-Extra signs, we were unhappy about paying full price without the expected A/C.

The owner reminded us that we were given a fan at 9pm, in lieu of A/C.  Remarking that road noise and asthma kept our windows closed, we were still dripping sweat at 3am, we again asked for partial refund.

We were told that we were being difficult, we were never going to be satisfied and to leave immediately.  For the first time in our lives, we were being kicked out of a motel room!  Stunned is an understatement.  Rushing to meet family for breakfast, John demanded an immediate refund for both nights and after being given the refund charge receipt, we threw everything into the car and left, dumbfounded.

Young people with heart pounding music from a door wide open throughout the night…still there.  Motorcycle men with idling Harley’s at 11pm…still there.  Lady with annoying barking dog…still there.  Quiet, asthmatic, sign obeying elderly couple, suffering from heat exhaustion all night…ejected!

As sure as bad luck ends, good luck provided us the last pet friendly room at Beachfront Best Western, our usual stay.  Breakfast with family was followed by sorting out our belongings, having been thrown into bags from the unexpected frantic departure at Motel From Hell.  We opened our sliding glass door to the oceans cool breeze, relaxed on the porch and enjoyed the calming sound of the waves.

Our day off was spent walking along the beach, enjoying meals with family then packing up early morning and leaving for our work camp retirement job.

Kodak moments along the way,  a shot of Isaac Lee Patterson Art Deco bridge across Rogue River built in 1932, the first concrete arch bridge.

Fishing boats at the mouth of the Rogue River busily interlacing the river, their hooks in search of incoming salmon.

Our visit to Rogue River Myrtle Wood Factory halted my yearlong search for unusual wooden charger plates as two custom made pieces are being crafted by owner Michael Merica.  After ordering, Michael proudly showed off his factory and work rooms in a private tour complete with Myrtle Wood history and a sneak peek of his specialty item production.

If anyone is interested, his prices are a steal, his work is masterful and Myrtle Wood is uniquely elegant in pattern and color, giving beauty to any item made from its rare wood.   www.roguerivermyrtlewoodshop.com

Returning to Old Town Bandon, we lunched at Tony’s Crab Shack on the wharf watching the locals crabbing then had desert at my favorite candy shop.  Cranberry Sweets is the number one attraction if you have a sweet tooth as they spread out dozens of samples for visitors to taste.  The variety of choices are so vast that almost everyone leaves with more than one pick of creamy goodness.  My gigantic sweet tooth wasn’t satisfied with samples so we brought home a few bites for future indulging.

Back home to unpack and busy the evening with cleaning the pavilion for a wedding Friday and a company picnic Saturday.   Sunday will be a day of rest…after we clean bathrooms of course.

Today is the one year anniversary of our life rolling down the road.  It has been a learning experience of gargantuan proportions.  Thankfully, after a few months, I was miraculously granted additional patience to live in this small space with John and our surviving fur baby KatieBug.   There was less of a certainty that I would endure this type of life during those first months.

Pro’s and Con’s are many and vary depending on where we are currently planted.   Generally, on the plus side is the ability to easily travel to far off places without the worry of  accommodations, meeting new and interesting people everywhere we are stopped, making new friends that we will meet up with again further down the road, the ability to leave if we don’t like our neighbors, continuing on through foul weather until we reach sunshine, being rid of property taxes and experiencing the joy of visiting family and friends we have not seen in years whenever the mood strikes.

The negative side involves areas that challenge my patience, i.e., abrupt complications with needed repairs, unhappy surprises at less than acceptable campgrounds, facing illnesses in unfamiliar towns miles from doctors or emergency clinics, work camping positions not entirely as portrayed, daily challenges of living tiny (or as some call it, minimalistic) and constantly making due, regularly adjusting and redistributing space, and being away from longtime friends and family.

And what of our Alaskan adventure?   There is no way out of the dust or smoke unless you climb aboard a cruise line, unpack once and enjoy gliding along the  beautiful Alaskan coast, with daily stops at all the main ports, all meals included, your room cleaned and bed made each day for the entire trip.  Hmmm. What to choose.  Breath dust/smoke/drive horrid roads/pay outrageous fuel cost/clean/cook?  OR…Cruise/unpack/relax/enjoy… well, duh!

So to all of you who did not think we would last out the year, tonight we are doing the “Told You So” dance under a brilliant starlight-against-midnight-black sky in our tranquil campground.  As for tomorrow, it’s back to cleaning toilets.