Apr 12th to 14th - to Portland OR

Apr 12th – Mon – to Myrtle Creek OR
We got started fairly early this morning and were ready for a late breakfast by the time we got to Seven Feathers Casino in Canyonville. By the time we played a few slots, we were ready for lunch! I still had some money burning a hole in my pocket so instead of leaving with we had to get rid of it.
When we got back to the rig, I noticed that the tires on one side of the 5th wheel were VERY close together and, sure enough, we had another broken spring. We unhooked, found a repair place nearby, hooked back up and slowly & carefully drove the 5 miles to Myrtle Creek. After much measuring and research by the mechanic, we decided to replace just the broken spring rather than beefing up all the springs. Of course, a spring was only available in Grants Pass – about 1 ½ hours south – so we got to stay overnight in the repair shop parking lot.

Apr 13th – Tues – to Portland
There was no problem getting the new spring put in because the mechanic did not break his ankle when a jack slipped and the axle fell on him! We drove through some heavy rain but it cleared before we reached Portland.
We went to the fairgrounds to get a parking spot as it is the closest place to Terry’s sister Cindy. But there was no one else camped in the isolated RV parking area and we did not feel good about leaving our rig there all day so we headed back about 20 miles to Roamer’s Rest RV park in Tualatin. Of course we had to encounter backed up traffic on a freeway (at 1:45 pm!) so we were really ready to get parked and set up.
Then we drove to Cindy’s (18 ½ miles, 25-30 min) to see Terry’s Mom and her husband (EllaMae & Don) who have recently moved here from Spokane. Cindy’s husband Tim is building a small apartment behind their house for EllaMae & Don as EllaMae is restricted to a wheel chair and Don needs help looking after her. Cindy has been flying to Spokane every weekend for 2 years since EllaMae had a stroke so this will be easier for Cindy.
Cindy had left a casserole and instructions for Don so we had dinner with them.

Apr 14th – Wed – Portland
We went back to Cindy’s this morning. Tim was working on the apartment so Terry was able to help by installing can lights and drilling many holes to run electrical wires. I even got into the act by cleaning up after all the drilling & sawing – but mainly I did laundry and visited with EllaMae & Don.
Cindy ran out on her lunch hour to get steaks for dinner and then had to get more after work when her & Terry’s brother Gary came to visit. Gary’s wife Suzanne, their son Trevor and grandson Reese were also with him. Luckily the weather stayed nice enough that the guys could eat outside.