Friday 30th June 2017
June has had some big highs and low lows. All started well. We had a couple of great hikes with views of the snow covered Three Sisters. We really like the high desert area of Oregon.
A few harmless grass snakes stopped by here and there to greet us on the trails.
Lupines in all shades of purple covered the hillsides.
We were happy to see plenty of Balsam Root still in bloom.
I think these are some kind of clover. I had to take a deep breath to keep my phone steady to get this closeup.
We were thrilled to have our lovely niece and spouse visit us for a couple of days. The weather turned a bit nippy and drizzly but Robin and Chris were good sports and we took them to Smith Rock State Park. This park is famous for the hundreds of designated rock climbing routes. Robin is pointing to Monkey Face which is an expert climb from the base to the top of his noggin.
There are several self help stations dotted about.
Chris was an excellent gear holder.
There are super views from the top of the cliffs. The clouds hid all the mountains but at least it didn’t rain.
That’s the backside of Monkey Face to the left of Robin and Chris. The Crooked River is winding it’s crooked path around the base of the cliffs.
It was a mighty big drop two feet behind us.
The trail we hiked is called Misery Ridge due to the steep rough trail but Robin and Chris nailed it.
We didn’t see anyone climbing Monkey Face so Chris gave the playground Monkey Face a try out.
The next day we set off for Crater Lake National Park. The sun was shining which makes the lake shine like a giant Sapphire. This is the deepest Lake in the USA and Oregons only National Park.
We met up with Deans sister Minita and spouse Ana. It was a great day family timing.
I bought a picnic lunch but all picnic areas were still snowed in so we had to tail gate it.
Most of the roads in the park were still closed due to snow. The park service said they may have all the roads cleared by August…maybe. The park had 48 feet of snowfall this last winter. The snowbank behind us was at least 10 feet high There was snowball throwing, slip sliding and of course plenty of laughs.
Then came some lows….
Our fridge conked out. Dean tried many fixits over the course of a couple of weeks but the beast was as dead as a doornail. Only four years old. It seems like the appliances these days are programmed to bite the dust fairly soon after the warranty expires.
I had to chuck out quite a bit of grub, that made me sad and then we were back to primitive ice blocks. I basically had a giant cooler.
OK, I was coping and then…..PACK RAT INVASION!!! We spent several days fighting the rat war.
We put out mouse traps, they snacked, laughed and scurried on. Then on to the big RAT TRAPS. We tried cheese, peanut butter, dried fruit…. More snacking and scurrying to say nothing of p and p (poop and pee). By this time we had pretty much emptied the camper from top to toe. Every cupboard had to be removed and cleaned out. They even peed in my slipper.
Dean stayed up till after midnight trying to figure out how they were getting in. One even had the nerve to lick the peanut butter off a trap and come out in the living room to thank Dean. Thank goodness I was asleep or the campground would have heard a bit of girly screaming. Dean said the furry beast was at least a foot long including tail and quick as lightning as it managed to escape.
A helpful lady told us to lay some mothballs as that had worked for her. We mothballed our camper from stem to stern and YIPPEE it worked. Two weeks later our rig still smells like a giant mothball but that’s a delicate perfume compared to rat pee.
Now back to the highs. Our lads came to visit. We had some very hot windy weather. Climbing at Smith Rock was on the schedule. Dax and Jay are checking which route to follow in the climbing guide.
I sure am glad they are attached to some good rope.
It got pretty hot so Jay had to carry his baby back to the car.
We also had some lovely lady visitors. Monique kept us supplied with a wonderful selection of fresh ground boutique coffee. Thanks for all the brewing Monique.
Sherry helped cook a smashing vegetarian Thai curry. Sherry, I could become a vegan except I have to have my bacon and cheese.
The wind picked up and a couple of us looked a little fluffy.
Dean is going for the Albert Einstein look.
The sky turned spectacular shades of pink and gold. Even Jays dog Maya enjoyed the show.
A toast to the sky!
Some of us were looking for a rooftop view.
A most beautiful sunset. Thank you Dax, Jay, Monique, and Sherry for coming to visit.
Then back to the lows. What to do with fridge? (now a worthless cooler). We hired a guy on Craigslist to help us get the fridge out of its hole.
And out through the window. Good riddance Whirlpool.
Now we feel better. Dean is cleaning up the fridge hole.
We bought a second hand mini fridge to tide us over and…
are in the process of ordering a new fridge to be installed in a couple of weeks. We are also still rat free. Back to the highs or at least middling. July here we come…….
THE BUS STOPS HERE 
OMG!  What a trip this was with fridge going out and the rat!  We see the lads have girlfriends?  They look to be so very nice and talented in the kitchen.  We just returned from San Diego for Kevin’s daughters wedding at navy sub use.  Also spent time helping his parents both aged 90.  We are home for a while and getting camper up and ready to travel.  WE miss it!  lIke you we are hooked.  Thank you for continuing to keep us involved in your life.  BTW I flew to Vegas to see CHER1  I love CHER!  Met with two other girlfriends and we had a blast!  Keep well!  photos attached below!
From: THE BUS STOPS HERE To: jawheelock1@yahoo.com Sent: Friday, June 30, 2017 8:56 PM Subject: [New post] Bend, Oregon #yiv5165708294 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv5165708294 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv5165708294 a.yiv5165708294primaryactionlink:link, #yiv5165708294 a.yiv5165708294primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv5165708294 a.yiv5165708294primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv5165708294 a.yiv5165708294primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv5165708294 WordPress.com | Rose and Dean’s Travels posted: “Friday 30th June 2017June has had some big highs and low lows. Â All started well. Â We had a couple of great hikes with views of the snow covered Three Sisters. Â We really like the high desert area of Oregon.A few harmless grass snakes stopped by her” | |
Hi Jannell
I am not able to load your pics. Not sure what format you are using to reply to the blog. Hope you can resend in another format.
You are back in the hood – boo rah ! Let’s get us some Dean & Rose time.
Gus and Georgia
On Fri, Jun 30, 2017 at 8:56 PM THE BUS STOPS HERE wrote:
> Rose and Dean’s Travels posted: “Friday 30th June 2017 June has had some > big highs and low lows. All started well. We had a couple of great hikes > with views of the snow covered Three Sisters. We really like the high > desert area of Oregon. A few harmless grass snakes stopped by her” >
Hey Gus and Georgia
We will be in Silverton 10th through 14th and then up by PDX till 1st August. Let us know what works for you. We need some Gus and Georgia time too.
What company you keep! Love the humans hate the rats! Thank you for the trip see ya soon!
We had such a great time with the humans.
The highs and lows sure make it memorable. Chris and I had so much fun. Thank you for all the driving to show us such beauty. Love and hugs.
It was a pleasure to have you both to ourselves.
Wonderful pictures and great comments again ! The boys found a princess charming – they are both beautiful and they can cook! I love Maya and the pic where Jay carries her back to the camper – so cute! We are happy for you that you could solve the rat problem – I would have rented a room in a hotel : I just hate those beasts!! You are a tough cookie that you stayed in the bus….that must the the German in you…ha,ha! We are now in full swing with our season until mid September. June was the slowest month since 2008 – the weather was so cold and we got a lots of rain in June – and we are just hoping that it will pick up for the rest of he season. The first 2 weeks in October our daughter , son in law and the 2 grand children are coming to PEI – so we will not be in GC before end of October this year.
Where are you going next?
Cheers from Prince Edward Island
Barbara and Wolfgang
Hi Guys
What a shame about the slow month of June. You have such a short season already. At least you have family coming to visit. I am sure you are excited about that.
We are staying in Oregon until the middle of September except for August when we go to England.
Hi Rose and Dean, love hearing about your travels and seeing the pictures. The boys are looking gooooood! I remember a certain young lady jumping on top of a small safe to get away from a mouse, cannot believe you coped with those rats, give me broken fridges all the time in comparison. Sooooooooo looking forward to seeing you both in August. Lots of love Gina & Eric xxxx
Thanks Guys
Just make sure you have the weather under control for our trip. Nice sunny days, every day…..
What a trip! I am glad you both are nature lovers. Twe new persons in the family. All for and you two look so happy. Have a wonderful trip in UK.
Thanks guys
We are getting pretty excited about our upcoming England adventure