It's Raining, It's Pouring on the Oregon Trail and in Washington

We traveled the beautiful Highway 101 up the coast of Oregon from Honeyman State Park to the middle cut off to I-5.  It was honestly, some of the most beautiful and spectacular scenery I've ever experienced.  It totally humbles you to be surrounded by this much beauty and nature.  There are really no words to describe the beauty.  Huge crashing waves capped with white curls on big waves and foam arriving at white sand beaches surrounded by mossy green hills and mountains.  We could have stayed for a longer time and for sure, we'll be back to this area.  These states with large forestry industry have really figured out how to continue these renewable resources.   Hills are wiped clean, re-planted and in various years of growth, keep the countryside and resources abundant.

We arrived around 5:30 p.m  to Dupont, WA where Becky and Jared live.  Once again, Gil wiggled the trailer through the neighborhood to their house. Neighborhoods and freeways are so totally different as you can well imagine!

 I watched the kids while they went to the base to get the 'pass' figured out so we could come and go on the base.  This was not without some drama!  First, we don't carry any type of 'registration' for the car...we have our tabs, but of course, they wanted an official registration.  Secondly, our insurance card expired the end of December and the new one is in the mail at home in MN.  Now one would think you could call your insurance agent and/or go to the website but no that was not meant to be!  It was nowhere near that easy!  

Finally after contacting 'emergency accident claims' we had the document emailed so we could print it out.   The guys left to get the pass.  I was told it was another hurdle getting my name put on the pass because I wasn't physically there in person for the background check.  They talked their way through it with one of the guys in charge, who  goes to Detroit Lakes every summer to visit his parents.  Too funny! 

We arrived at the RV park around 8:30 pm....pitch black dark outside.  I carefully guided Gil, the car and 33 ft rig into the space with a flashlight...a little tricky to keep all the wheels on the asphalt.  Of course this was not a pull through, but a back in!  Gil did it  and his skill continues to amaze me at how he maneuvers this 55 ft  rig into the smallest of spaces just perfectly to hook up sewer, water and cable.  We are right on American Lake on  the Ft. Lewis/McCord military base and will be here until April 7th.  Whew!  We've arrived!

So we awoke to the whoop, whoop, whoop of helicopters and the compression sounds of rounds and rounds of heavy explosions from big guns.  OK, we figured out pretty fast where we were! We also discovered holly growing right outside our window.  We love facing the lake on this spot.   Jared did a fly-over around noon, hovering over our spot...our official welcome!

Today, Becky and I had a wonderful day doing nails and pedi's followed by Thai food for lunch.  We ran a few errands and then picked up the kids on the way home.  Maycen came over to Nana's for a while before Jared picked her up.  It's been so fun being able to see and catch up with these kids who live so far away and who are growing up way too fast!

It's started raining this afternoon and of course is really pouring now.  We know we are in the Seattle area!  Hopefully we'll get a few sunny days.  Warm banana bread is baking, the heavy rain is falling on the roof top and the big guns are still firing!  Thanks again for following our blog and traveling with us as we enjoy all these new adventures and areas.