One more week down and three weeks to go!

It has been a busy week.  Getting rid of stuff is an on going battle.  Deciding what to give away and what to sell.   The hauling of things to goodwill and to storage continues.

Andy never did go to "The cabin"... she and her sister had too much going on to go.  They were both really sad.  I am glad they didn't go because Andy was really sick Thanksgiving Morning...delayed reaction to jelly fish sting from Hawaii.  I went Elk hunting for just 2 days...didn't see anything...now I know why I never hunt Coastal Elk..Forest to thick,  lots of people and boy does it rain!

On Thanksgiving Brent, Adam, Falon and Kloee were here at Andy's home.  I cooked the entire dinner except Brent and Falon deep fried the Turkey and Andy made "Pumpkin Dump"  Deep frying a turkey is the way to go.  It cooks in just 45 minutes and the best tasting turkey I ever had.  I will never go back to roasting that bird again.  It can be a little pricey with the oil costing about 50 bucks but they say you can reuse it one more year.  Never heard of saving oil for a year but will give it a try. lol  HAD A GOOD DAY !

Brent signed up college classes which I am very happy about.  Been wanting him to go back for a year or so but I guess he had to decide "when" on his own terms,  I guess he is ready because he decided to!  Brent is doing well at Andy's Parcel seemed to catch on quickly.   Adam is doing good, they found a place to live since the house will be gone in 2 weeks.  That makes me less stressed out now that they have a place and a plan.  Starting to warm up to that little girl of theirs..don't know why yet but have a feeling I am doomed!  LOL

Maui, Hawaii, November 2011

The morning on top of the volcano in Maui, Hawaii.  Was very cold and wet but opened up at sunrise.  Andy said it was one the coldest she has ever felt in her life...oh it wasn't so bad... maybe because of my 21 years of Army training.  LOL

Just Before sunrise.

Sunrise !  It was well worth the cold and wet stuff.  It was amazing, just a few minutes before sunrise, the cold and mist just clears up.  They say it happens all the time!

We took the bike ride down from the crater...it was fantastic..downhill all the way baby! What A view all the way down.

From our condo the evening when got there..was a little breeze

The evening we arrived.

We took a evening ride on the ocean for dancing and a drinking....Great time with Andy's sister and brother.

Just having lunch in Lahaina, Hawaii

Hanging on the beach...snorkeling and soaking in the sun..what a difference between Maui and Portland.  Saw lots of fish and a Sea Turtle. I was loving this !!!  Can I just stay here please !

Isn't she so beautiful.  What a smile !

Saw a wonderful show called "Ulalena"....better than any luau !!!  We went out for dinner afterwards. What a evening it was !

It works finally !

Brent and Grey setting up the satellite receiver, Blu-ray. and the surround sound.  All installed...checked and ready to go.  Works great!  Even watched a football game in HD.  Thanks boys.  Dinner is on me !  Now we are off to Maui, Hawaii in the morning.

Clearing things out !

House will be gone December 9, 2011. Have gotten rid of lots of "stuff".  Mostly just gave it away to friends and family, donated it to Goodwill or simple threw it away! Yesterday Andy, Brent and I cleaned up and organized "Andy's Parcel Warehouse". We, Brent and I, are planning on storing a bit of our "stuff". Things like photos, papers, my raft and raft equipment, and other misc "stuff". Brent will be storing a few things in the warehouse since he will be staying at Andy's while we are gone... to kind of watch over the place and to keep Roxy, the Pit Bull, company. She is the sweetest dog I have ever seen...oh and so smart.  We wanted to take her with us on this adventure but she is not a good traveling dog. She just cannot seem to relax. So she will have to stay home. Very sad for Andy and I.

We do not have much time before we head south for the winter. Lots of things to do and get done! We have 2 slight detours first!

First detour;

Hawaii trip 8-15 November 2011. Andy's daughter, Briana, is getting married in Maui, Hawaii. This wasn't the plan when we booked this trip but it has worked out nicely. I know Andy is loving it!

Second detour;

Andy is going to her cabin in the mountains, Joseph, Oregon, during the Thanksgiving Weekend. She has been going there for years with her sister. No electric...gas...or indoor plumbing but they do have a wood burning stove to stay warm.   They use propane stoves to cook. Water they get from the mountain creek that runs right next to the cabin. All they do is read, take walks, talk and cook. These two woman can cook some fantastic meals.

While they are away in the cabin, I will be going elk hunting along the Oregon Coast.



So time is short...with many things to do, see and go! Can be overwhelming and exciting at the same time ! December 15, is still a go Houston

Epinephrine our 37 ft home !

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This is our 37 Foot 2002 Pace Arrow, I named her "Epinephrine", I purchased her back in April 2011.  It was in excellent condition with just over 22,000 miles.  Epinephrine is our first motor home so we have learned so much.  We have used her a lot since April. Working out the bugs you could say !.  The bugs were mostly "us".  We would think something didn't work or was broken just to find out we didn't know how she works.  Lot of time was spent talking to my RV mechanic...Brad the owner at Blue Lake RV in Portland, Oregon.  He would say, did you do this or that and by gosh I would do what he said and bingo...everything worked. He saved me money and  frustration so many times. Thanks Brad ! One example of us not knowing how she worked was not having hot water.  This  was a huge issue...more for Andy than I.  Found out if outside shower was "on" the cold water would mix with the hot water. So the fix was simple...turn off the outside shower.

In October 2011 thought I would put her through a dry run.  Took the boys, Brent, Adam ( my sons) and Grey (Brent's best friend) hunting is Sisters, Oregon for 12 days with no hookups and then Andy and I had 6 more days alone with hookups.   Everything worked great !

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I am in the process of getting my Portable Satellite TV set up. I just got to have my TV.  Brent and Grey, is working on that install.  I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to stuff like that. They hooked up the surround sound to the TV, Blue ray and stereo.  Will keep you posted on that!