July 2 by Greg

We finally pulled up stakes from our site on Jack Creek and headed west on Monday, June 30. We spent a full month in a dispersed campsite with no hookups. The systems on the motorhome all worked beautifully especially the solar. In all it was a lazy relaxing time and I am beginning to feel pretty good. The leg rehabilitation is going slowly but surely and I am able to do most any normal activities but still need a cane for some assistance when walking any distances. In all it was a good month.

We drove down the McKenzie River and landed at the Patio RV park after only about an hour’s drive. It is between Blue River and McKenzie Bridge right on the river. We did about 8 loads of laundry yesterday and watched tv for the first time in a month. The only thing I missed was the Olympic trials. It is also nice to finally have cell phone and internet from the motorhome. Being without those two communication tools was the most difficult part of our remote location, well maybe aside from the dust.

Aaron got back into Oregon last night, flying in from Texas where he spent several days with cousins. We hope to see him in the next day or two. From here we will be taking a forest service road that cuts over from the McKenzie drainage to the Willamette drainage and comes out right near the group camp my nephew has reserved for the wedding party beginning on the Fourth. The maps make it look like about 20 miles of good gravel road so we hope that works out. Should be a beautiful if slow drive.

Our site in the rv park here is right next to the McKenzie River Drive. A low traffic road but with bus service all the way into Eugene. While sitting out front last night at about 7 a young woman on a bicycle loaded for touring stopped and asked for directions. She was riding alone, was probably about 25 and quite good looking. She flew over from England to do the entire Transamerica bike route. We talked with her for a few minutes and let her use our cell phone to get directions to the hotel she was planning to stay in. She just started two days ago in Astoria and will be averaging like 95 miles a day to complete the route by her deadline. A brave young lady.

She was saying it is so cheap for her to do this she can afford hotels all the way across. I guess getting 2 dollars for each pound is good for some folks if not necessarily Americans.

I envy her and wish her luck. Averaging those kinds of daily miles is killer.

Later,

Greg