A brief interlude.....

 7:20 am - Tuesday - June 9th - LPG&RVR - 51° F, humidity 45%, cloud cover 27%, wind 12 mph out of the west by northwest......partly cloudy today with a forecast high of 72° F.  On this date in 2020 TLE and I had just moved a few miles from Valley View RV Park to free dry camping sites on Henrys Lake....

The view out our front windshield

.....to ride out the winterish storm we paid $210 for three days, but then we paid zero for the next 5 days at Henrys Lake....it all evens out to about $26 a day for 8 days!

We intended to sleep in until around 7 am Monday, but we were both wide awake by 6:30 am, so we decided to begin our day by getting dressed (somewhat) and heading down to the main floor for the free breakfast which comes with the room.  It is really quite a spread....scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, oatmeal, English muffins, coffee, dry cereal, bagels....you name it.....

....we would have preferred to dine alfresco, but it was drizzly, and cold so we enjoyed the outdoors vicariously instead.

After a leisurely breakfast we headed back to our room to pack, and checkout.  We were doing our shopping at Fred Meyers by 8 am, and on the road home by 9 am.  The drive back to LPG&RVR was uneventful as it should be, but we are coming off the catastrophic loss of coolant a couple of months ago, and haven't driven the VW more than 20 miles at at time.  This was 110 miles each way, and as it turns out the VW is doing just fine.  We would have been home by 11 am, but hit a major construction zone just before we reached Canby, which delayed us about 20 minutes.  We were home by 11:20 am, had the Beetle unpacked, and were relaxing in our salon before noon time.

The drizzly weather we thought we left behind in Klamath Falls followed us home.  Another of those unexpected wintery days in early June.  The daytime high was only 56° F, and the gentle rain came and went all afternoon, so we remained inside the warm confines of our Newell Classic.  Our trip to Klamath Falls was a nice interlude to daily RV park life, and now begins the summer.  This Saturday we have the annual Fireman's Golf Tournament which raises money for the Likely Volunteer Fire Department, and in a little more than 2 weeks we will be in the middle of the 4th of July weekend celebrating our nation's 250 birthday.  What would our forefathers think of us today?

Thanks for stopping by!

Change of venue......

 8:39 pm - Sunday - June 7th - Klamath Falls, OR - 57° F, humidity 51%, cloud cover 76%, wind 7 mph out of the northwest.....mostly cloudy at sunset.....high was 61° F.  On this date in 2017 TLE and I were in South Lake Tahoe, CA.....

.....working at Tahoe Valley Campground for our fourth summer.  We were just finishing building a fence in the group campground.....our last project there.  Within 10 days we were beginning new jobs in Yellowstone National Park.

We haven't been to Klamath Falls this summer yet, and Sunday, the 2nd day of our four day weekend, seemed like the perfect day to do an overnighter there.  We were up a little after 7 am, and on the road north to Oregon by 10:15 am.  It is about 110 miles to Klamath Falls, and it usually takes us two hours to make the beautiful scenery laden drive, and Sunday was no different.....

Mt. Shasta to the west

.....one reason for visiting Klamath Falls is to shop at Walmart, and Fred Myers where TLE buys very specific things.  We arrived at the Walmart Supercenter on Washburn around 12:15 pm.  We were in and out in about 30 minutes, then it was over to Fred Meyers where I planned to get the battery replaced in one of my many watches.  While I took care of that TLE left to look for a suitable back pack for a plane trip we're taking next month.  While the lady in Fred Meyers Jewelry replaced the battery I walked over to the in store Starbucks to buy a Venti Mocha Frappuccino.  By the time I returned my watch was ready....$19 even.  I love Oregon....no sales tax....the price is the price, period.

We usually stay at the local Shilo Inn when in Klamath Falls, however, they are in the middle of a major remodeling of the hotel, so we will stay at the Fairfield Suites by Marriott this time.  We've stayed here once a few years ago when TLE was having cataract surgery.  The 4 story hotel is located on Lake Ewauna about 1/4 mile from 'Old Town'.....we opted for a lakeview room this time.....

A view from across the lake (Yelp photo)

.....if you're going to get a lakeview room, why not on the 4th floor, right?  We were able to check in a little after 2 pm.  Our evening plans were to walk .4 miles over to a local Mexican Restaurant....Girasol Family Mexican Restaurant and Cantina  (4.5 stars on 308 reviews on Yelp)....

Of course, we chose their alfresco dining option

Nothing like an ice cold 24 Modelo Negra

For moi....Camarones Guanajuato (Gwanawhato).....bacon wrapped shrimp

For TLE.....Enchiladas Verde

.....after taking a nap we walked over to the restaurant which took less than 10 minutes.  The service, ambiance and food were exceptional.  I would rate this as a fine dining Mexican Restaurant, and would agree with the Yelp rating 100%.  We were on our way back 'home' around 5:30 pm with smiles upon our faces.

Monday we'll do a 'BIG SHOPPING' at Fred Meyers, then head back to LPG&RVR....thanks for stopping by!

Two last projects.....

 7:35 am - Sunday - June 7th - LPG&RVR - 46° F, humidity 37%, cloud cover 80%, wind 9 mph out of the west by southwest, sunrise 5:29 am, sunset 8:33 pm.....sunny right now with a forecast high of 69° F. On this date in 2020 TLE and I were spending a few days at Valley View RV Park....

A lot of snow on the local mountains one week into June

.....near Island Park, ID riding out a winterish storm for a few days during the summer of the Wuhan Flu....far, far away from the urban unrest, and face diapers.

We know the temps will be heading back into the higher 80's/low 90's in the next 10 days so we decided Saturday was the day to deploy the last two sunshades to cover the front windshield of the Newell.  We used pretty much the same system as last year which includes a 12 foot long, 1.5" diameter PVC pipe across the roof to which we attach the sunshades....

....to which we attach the sunshades, which we stitched them together with large safety pins....

....then tether it to the ground with nylon ropes.  It looks pretty cool at night....

....and from the inside....

....it took us about an hour beginning to end to find the right configuration, but in the end it is our best effort to date to keep the afternoon sun off the front windshield.  We do lose the view, but the reduction in interior temperature is well worth that sacrifice.  It will be in place until early September.

I headed over to the Clubhouse to do my usual practice routine on the day of the weekly putting contest.  I putted pretty well, but you never know how that will translate into the actual contest.  Upon my return to the Newell I spent about 45 minutes installing some 12 volt solar Edison lights inside the 'dining/gaming deck' canopy.....

....I'm not sure if one string will be enough, but if we do need an additional string I already have an additional one on hand.  We'll see.

Just before 4 pm I headed over to Clubhouse for the weekly putting contest.  I won my first two rounds easily making all of my second putts.  I putted well in the third round, and was tied with my opponent as we putted the 5th hole.  My putt was about 18" from the hole, and my opponent's was about 3 feet.  He made his second putt, and then it was my turn.  I've made this putt dozens of times, but my ball lipped out of the hole.....doh!  I hate it when I beat myself!  Instead of going to a one hole 'putt off' I was done.....

.....in spite of making an early exit I had a good time with good friends.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Counterparts.....

 8:28 am - Saturday - June 6th - LPG&RVR - 55° F, humidity 32%, cloud cover 32%, wind 16 mph out of the northwest.....partially cloudy skies today with a forecast high of 74° F.  On this date in 2018 TLE and I were in Bass Harbor, ME.....

Left to right: moi, Janet, Tony, Steven, Lois and TLE

....at Seafood Ketch Restaurant having dinner with co-workers Tony and Steven and their wives.

At last, the 4th and final day of our current four day work week arrived.  It promised to be a busy day, and we were not disappointed.  We completely emptied the Cart Shack, and I had washed, and pre-staged 5 of the old square front Club Cars we now keep in reserve.  As it turned out we didn't need those 5 carts, but if I hadn't washed them we would have....that's just the way it works, and you know it....lol.  We rented 28 carts, and that is pretty nice for a Friday.  The weekend promises to be even busier, but that will be for our counterparts to enjoy, as we will be enjoying our four day weekend.

I spent almost the entire morning in and around the Clubhouse environs staging carts, and washing the carts left over from Thursday.  Finally, around 11 am I retrieved one of the Husqvarna string trimmers and headed down to the 'Night Office' to do the trimming I hadn't been able to do when I mowed a few days ago, then up to the employee sites to trim them in advance of mowing them after lunch.  I finished just a few minutes before TLE's lunch break at 12 pm.  By the way, the new grass down at the 'Night Office' is coming in quickly.

...as you might recall I give TLE a 90 minute lunch break going back to last summer.  We go to work at 7:30 am, and she ends up working 8.5 hours.  We prefer not to report overtime, so by giving her the 90 minute break she ends up working exactly 8 hours.  This is particularly nice for me when it gets hot like Friday (86° F).  I still get off at 3:30 pm, just before the heat of the day, so after her lunch break I only have 2 more hours of work, which I like.

After lunch I hopped on the 2 bag Husqvarna riding lawnmower and headed over to the employee sites to mow them, finishing them in about 35 minutes.  Once that was done it was a matter of washing as many returning carts as possible before 3:30 pm, which ended up being 15 carts, leaving 13 for Steve to wash Saturday morning.  I don't like leaving that many for my counterpart (Steve), but it is what it is.  I can't work more than 8 hours.  By the way, Steve is doing a great job, and for the first time in 2 summers I have a great counterpart who is pulling his weight!

I was home by 3:30 pm to begin my four day weekend.  TLE would follow 90 minutes later.  The restaurant is booming, and now they are serving dinner 7 nights a week.  They have added to employees to serve, and wash dishes, so food is coming out much faster, and the customers love it!  So far, knock on wood, it is shaping up to be a great summer!

Thanks for stopping by!

More of a laid back day....

 5:59 am - Friday - June 5th - LPG&RVR - 45° F, humidity 29%, cloud cover 27%, wind 15 mph out of the west......crystal clear, blue, sunny skies this morning with a forecast high of 84° F.  On this date in 2022 TLE and I were enjoying a Likely Place sunset....

...for some reason we don't get a lot of great sunsets here at LPG&RVR, but when we do I try to memorialize them.

Day 3, Thursday, of our four day work week was not quite as hectic as Wednesday.  In all we rented just 15 carts.  When things slow down a tad I'm able to take more time detailing the carts left over from the day before, which I enjoy doing.  I also set out a couple of sprinklers down at the 'Night Office' to water the new grass being grown on the site of the old mobile home that was removed last winter, and then continued watering the rest of the large grass area as the day progressed.  With all the rain last week I haven't had to do any watering until Thursday.

Around mid morning I headed up the hill to the residential area to mow the three large lawn areas, which only takes about 30 minutes.  Upon return I headed out to the driving range to clear off the range balls.  I only garnered about 1.5 five gallon buckets of balls, which is what I expected.  By the time I finished, and then put the balls to soak it was time for TLE's lunch break.

I actually sent out two foursomes during her lunch break, and checked in a few RV's, so I stayed busy for a change.  After TLE returned I spent my final two hours moving the sprinklers down at the 'Night Office', and then washed the range balls.  By the time I headed home 8 of the 15 carts had returned, so I'll have the remaining 7 to wash Friday morning.  I headed home for my hot shower, and then a long nap before returning to retrieve TLE from the Clubhouse office.  And, thus, another LPG&RVR day came to an end.  Just one more day of work.  For a change real Friday is also 'our' Friday.  The temps will dive back into the 70's for the next week, so we've go that going for us.

Thanks for stopping by!

Back into the 80's....

 5:56 am - Thursday - June 4th - LPG&RVR - 44° F, humidity 42%, cloud cover ZERO %, wind 10 mph out of the northwest.....crystal clear, blue, sunny skies today with a forecast high of 82° F.  On this date in 2014 TLE and I were working at Tahoe Valley Campground.....

......and visited the world famous Emerald Bay, just 8 miles from the campground.  The view this morning....

.....first cloudless day in over a week!

After facing 10 golf carts needing their spa treatment Tuesday morning there were only 5 Wednesday morning.  People are beginning play golf later in the day now, and as a result many carts are not returning until well after 5 pm.  Before washing/stowing those 5 carts I staged all ten 0f our Club Cars (5 electrics, and 5 gassers).  I'm not sure if I mentioned this, but one of the gassers (#28) had not been running since 2020.  A lot of parts had been thrown at it over the years, but it would just not run consistently.  It would run for a day, then quit again.  It turned out the coil being used was not OEM, and not for that specific model. Once the correct coil was installed it began to work again, and we have now been renting it for the past 2 days with no issues.

After staging the first 10 carts (we rented 21 in all Wednesday) I set a sprinkler to water the grass in front of the Clubhouse deck, and then washed and stowed the 5 carts left over from Tuesday.  I then turned my attention to one of the Yamaha gassers which had quit running.  I was pretty sure the battery terminals needed cleaning, so I remove the cables and wire brushed everything, then reinstalled the cables.  Just as expected, the cart began working again.  Just to be on the safe side I put a charger on the battery for a few hours.

I spent the rest of the morning mowing the grass area in the parking lot, the large grass area next to site #30, and 3 more of the full hookup, pull through sites.  There is now only one left to mow, but there was too much lawn furniture on the grass, so I deferred it to another day.  By that time it was TLE's lunch break, which was pretty uneventful.  I sent out three golfers, and answered the phone two, or three times....pretty easy stuff.  

After TLE returned I headed out to mow that tee boxes on the golf course for which I am responsible, which took about an hour.  By the time I returned it was 2:45 pm, and time to begin washing and stowing carts.  By 3:30 pm only 14 carts had been returned, so I'll have 7 to wash first thing Thursday.  The temperature hid 81° F Wednesday, our first day back into the 80's in about 10 days.  I headed for home, took a hot shower, then took a nap until it was time to return to the Clubhouse to fetch TLE.  As we always do, we celebrated 'hump night'....the night in the middle of our four day work schedule.  Just two days to go before another four day weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!

The beginning of another 4 day cycle....

 5:45 am - Wednesday - June 3rd - LPG&RVR - 55° F, humidity 34%, cloud cover 27%, wind 15 mph out of the west by southwest.....heavy cloud cover this morning with a forecast high of 80° F.  On this date in 2012 TLE and I were bicycling around Spokane, WA....

.....here we are in front of Spokane Falls on the Spokane River in downtown Spokane.

Tuesday it was back to work for TLE and I.  The skies were clear, and sunny and it promised to be a great day.  I was greeted by 10 unwashed carts at the Cart Return, so I had my work cut out for me.  By 10 am we had rented 10+ golf carts, and by the end of the day we had rented 17 in all....a very good day for the golf course.

After washing, and stowing those 10 carts I headed out to do a round of the golf course checking for goose/duck leavings at the #3 tee boxes (not much), and raking 3 of the four sand traps.  I was back by 10 am to find that TLE had pulled out three more golf carts to add to the 10 I had already staged, which were already gone.  I added a few more then spent time replenishing our sand/grass seed stockpile.  Once the grass seeds are mixed with the fine sand I refilled a number of the sand/grass seed bottles which are on each cart for the purpose of filling in divots at the tee boxes, and on the course so grass will regrow in those divots.

I made another round of the course just before lunch time, then gave TLE her lunch break.  Things were pretty quiet, but I did send a couple of twosomes out to play golf before TLE returned.  I spent time mowing in the afternoon (all five water electric sites, 6 of the 10 pull through full hookup sites, the grass area at the group fire pit, and the large grass area down at the 'Night Office') then connected all of the water lines we use to irrigate the trees.  

By the time I returned from mowing the 'Night Office' grass it was almost 3 pm, and time to begin washing the carts which had been returned while I was mowing.  In all 12 of the 17 carts had been returned at that point.  The rest came back around 5 pm, so I'll have them to wash/stow first thing Wednesday.

I returned to the Clubhouse just before 5 pm, and by 5:10 pm TLE and I were on our way home....one day down, and three to go.  When I am busy like I was Tuesday the time really flies.  It did not seem like I was on the job for 8 hours.

Thanks for stopping by!