Klamath Falls, Or to home, Best in the Desert Race, Good times with friends old and new! Work on the outdoor kitchen

It seems we've been busy ever since we got home on the 9th from the Oregon / Washington trip. So a little catch up. 

We left our motel on the 9th and went looking for a restaurant to have our breakfast before leaving town. We found Casey's Restaurant and what a treat it was. A bunch of local good ole boys and families. The food was awesome and plentiful. The atmosphere had us smiling before even walking in the door. A true Red White and Blue restaurant right down to their complimentary red, white and blue Hershey kisses as you walked out the door!  You will either love it or hate it. We felt right at home! 

                          

Even their ketchup was a patriotic bottle. Each purchase supports Folds of Honor. Folds of Honor supports dependents and/or spouses of fallen or disabled US Service Members. The same for First Responder Scholarships.

So remember kids when you get a bottle of ketchup as a Christmas gift. This is why! 

I should have gotten more inside pictures, but too busy eating I guess. LOL 

After that great breakfast we continued our drive home. I think we got here around 1500. A beautiful drive through Susanville, Ca and other little towns. No big rig traffic! 

Monday, the 11th we drove to Reno and Cabela's had Ken had ordered a new gun and needed to pick it up. After all he does for me, I'm happy he bought something for himself 😁 Then some running around of course. 

Pretty much the the next few days we spent getting ready to head for Silver Springs and the Best of the Desert races we watch every year with friends. This year was a little different as Keith hosted instead of Johnny. A blast for sure. 

We left here Wednesday afternoon and met up with Joel, Randi, Joe and Rachel. Thursday morning more people pulled in. Once they left to go on a ride, we left and came home and got the Can Am on a trailer to take there. 

I made some fruit salad and cooked an egg casserole. We headed back out about 1330. Silver Springs is only about 35 minutes from our house. 

Anyway, the weekend flew by and before you know it, Sunday morning everyone was packed up and gone. It was a great time seeing old friends and meeting and getting to know newer friends 💖

Joe, Ken and I went to watch the races from
the desert area where we usually go. Every
one else stayed at the pit area. 

We were home before 0900 so we went ahead and unloaded the Mansion and I got it cleaned up for the next trip 😁 Ken did his own unloading and stuff. 

Then before we worked the day away, it was Champagne Sunday. Not that we didn't have Mimosas and Bloody Mary's during the camping trip. Tradition is tradition right?! 

Relaxed and then barbecued some hot links. YUM! 

Yesterday was another Reno day as we had an appointment for the Can Am to get serviced. Hard to believe that side by side is 5 years old already! We dropped it off and then went to Lowe's in Carson City to pick up a couple of bags of concrete and an anchor for the last 4x4 in the outdoor kitchen project. When we pick up the Can Am we'll see about the lumber and roofing for it. A Total Wine visit too. 

Luckily there wasn't much unloading to do so we headed next door for Happy Hour. 

Today Ken got started on digging the hole and he should be pouring concrete as I write. I did my once a year repainting on the outdoor kitchen sink. It gets scratched and looks not good. Now it's good for another year! 

The before after I peeled off some paint and sanded

The after...

Just love this Youngstown kitchen 💖 circa 1940 ish..

Aaron took a few days and got to see Jacob and Allissa 💗 Jacob had just got off ship, so perfect timing! 💙💙💙
He also got to
see friends and all is good to go at University of California, Santa Barbara in
September. 
Three of my most favorite people! 💙💙💖

Grand Nephew Owen and Grand Niece Cassidy first day of 
school. 2nd and 5th grade already! 💙💗

I love the look on Owen's face, deep in thought. 
He's got his PROUD shirt on 💙 Can't get any cuter than 
that! 

I'm sure glad he knows what he's doing! Perfectly level.
You can see how much digging he had to do. We're on the
uphill side now. Either tomorrow or Thursday (depending on
Can Am) we'll go get the rest of the lumber etc. 😁😁

Well, it 1600 almost Happy Hour! I'd say he deserves a 🍺
or 🍻 after working in this 96 degree heat! Since I'm the 
supervisor (haha) I should join him! 🍷
Have a great evening! 

Long Beach, Wa to Biggs, OR to Klamath Falls OR with a few stops in between. The Dirty Cowgirl :)

 Wednesday morning we got up and headed to town (Long Beach) found ourselves a cute breakfast place, Benson's by the Sea. We drove, not realizing it was just behind and across the street from the motel. 😂 Oh my, breakfast was so good! They had screwdrivers so I indulged! Biscuits and gravy Ken ordered, how dare he?! He knows I can't resist! LOL. I told him salads are on the menu once we get home!! 

The biscuit and gravy were huge and oh so good! So 
was the screwdriver! :) 

Yes, there was wind! 

World's largest cast iron fry pan! 

After breakfast we took a drive up and down the peninsula to see the other  little towns, not really much to brag about. Long Beach is the best. Once we were done with that we walked the town and visited a couple of souvenir stores. After a few, they're all the same. Coming back around we decided to go into the Long Beach Tavern and have an adult beverage. A really cute place and personable bar tender. Probably spent more time than we should have there.  

Prices were great and so was the bartender! 

We left and drove out to the beach and spent a little time there. The drizzle had quit and it was a nice afternoon. We decided to go back to the Long Beach Tavern  and order dinner. They had a great chicken sandwich and fries that we brought back to the room. 

It says World's Longest Beach..but didn't get it all

These were amazing! 

Thursday morning we got ready to head out and go get some breakfast at the same place. We walked over and there was a sign that said CLOSED Today. OH no! Back to the room and I walked to the office where they said they had a grab and go breakfast. Ok. It was more than a grab and go! I picked up a egg and sausage sandwich and a chorizo burrito for Ken. Could have gotten a lot more, but didn't. 

We got in the car and ate the sandwiches I had made a day or so ago. It worked. 

We had a beautiful drive along the Columbia River Gorge on the Washington side. Two lanes, no semis, just beautiful. In places we could see the Oregon side, with all the semis just like most freeways. So glad we picked this way to go. 

Hard to see, but wind surfers out there! 

Really blurry, but there were lots of them out there! 
Amazing! 

I made reservations at 3 Rivers Inn just on the Oregon side where we wanted to cross over. A very nice place but no restaurants, just fast food. 

I was able to look online and just 9 miles aways in Wasco was The Dirty Cowgirl Saloon and Restaurant. Well, how could you resist that name?! 

Oh, how we enjoyed the place and the food! It's about the only place in the area, been there 3 years, it's so good! No one was there when we got there around 1630 but by the time we left people were coming in! Our server said it's harvest time so she never knows how busy it'll be. 

This is what it looked like before it burned..the only part left
is the right side. 

Had to get the shot glass and beer mug. We loved that place!

Back to our room and then Happy Hour there too. LOL. 

This morning we didn't get out of there until near 1000. Our goal was Bend, Oregon. We got there and tried to go to Deshutes Brewing Company. We found it but there was no parking anywhere near! Adam, Erin, Russell and Lori love Bend, but don't think we'll be back. A very busy city and that's not us. Rooms were going between 200 and 300 a night. Again we were there in the summer and a Friday night. 

We found El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant and he had his Deshutes along with an awesome linner! OH so good. they've been in business since 1999. I brought more than half of mine home! 

El Rodeo..He got his Deshutes! 

Mine was a fajita burrito, his was a chimichanga! Both
were HUGE! 

The place was jumping when we got there..not so much when
we left

Russell and Lori have a project of an outdoor kitchen going. 
Pavers, rock, gazebo and a new fence are done so far!
Looks amazing! 

We left there and headed for Klamath Falls. We're here now. A nice budget motel with all that we need. Tomorrow it looks like we'l be heading home. It's only a little over 4 hours or so to Reno, another hour and half to home. 

It's been a great trip and we've sure enjoyed. Now what's next? Our anniversary is in September so....

Have a great night! 

Jet Boat Ride, Depoe Bay for the night, A beautiful memorial, Long Beach, WA for 2 nights :)

 After a good night's sleep in Brookings, OR we got ourselves up and out of there after burritos from home in the room. a stop to get ice (which is needed daily) we arrived at Jerry's Jet Boats with time to spare. Our tour left at 1215 and we were there just after 1100. Looked in the gift shop, but nothing I had to have LOL. 

Jerry's! We love this place! We did the mail express
last September which is why we wanted the whitewater
experience! 

Loaded on the boat and headed out on the Rogue River. It turned out to be a beautiful day.  Started out cool and windy. As we went inland it got warmer and I was able to take off my jacket and just long sleeve shirt. Of course once Dave started his 360's on the river and then the whitewater, I got pretty wet. Ken left his windbreaker on, so was smarter than me LOL. 

Such a beautiful river! 

After a few hours we stopped to have a good lunch that's included in the price of the tour. Alcohol was extra, but we're on vacation! LOL. Lunch was close to an hour and we enjoyed the place, scenery and the food :) 

We had several choices of food, but opted for the cheeseburger.
Pistol River Pale Ale for Ken! A local beer. 

We got back to Jerry's around 1630 and we headed back to Brookings and our room. 

Monday morning we got out of town around 1000 and headed north to enjoy more of the beautiful coastline in Oregon. Our goal was Depoe Bay. 

We stopped at a beautiful memorial and had our lunch at a picnic table. The David Dewett Memorial Wayside. It was named after him, a Navy veteran as he spear headed the memorial. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2005 after a battle with lung cancer. It was decided to name the wayside after him. A beautiful memorial it is! 

Our lunch spot! 

Some of the Oregon Dunes in our view 💙

There shall never be peace until the power of LOVE overcomes the LOVE 
of power!  Latrine wall, Pieiku, Vietnam 1968. Powerful! 

We also enjoyed the memories of the Oregon Dunes which is just across from the wayside. For a few years we, along with friends and family would rent a house and enjoy the dunes with our ATV's. Good times! 

After lunch we headed further north and enjoyed the coastal views. We ended our day at Depoe Bay and the Travelodge that sits just across from the ocean. There are beautiful rooms with incredible views. Unfortunately we got the last room in the hotel with no view :( It was large and roomy and beautiful. It also had a gas fireplace, but it was too warm to use. Oh well. If I ever come back I will reserve early and request a room on 2nd or 3rd floors. :) 

We love Newport, OR and their patriotism! Flags from the 
beginning of town to the other! Every 10 feet or so on sidewalks! 

Love the pillars on most of the bridges

Everyones looking for whales! Depoe Bay you can see the most
whales of anywhere or so they say! 

This morning after getting ready we walked the little tourist town of Depoe Bay. We decided to skip breakfast and attempt brunch somewhere up the road. Again, nothing reached out to me so nothing was bought. haha. 

We enjoyed our drive again. Once we got to Tillamook I looked up Mexican Restaurants. There were at least 4 in town, and we picked Las Mexicanas. A nice place, and delicious food. Wasn't impressed by their salsa, too runny, but everything else was yummy. 

After leaving there we decided to stop at the Tillamook Creamery. We took the little self guided tour and enjoyed it. There were so many people everywhere. Cute to see the little ones enjoying feeding a fake calf and milking a fake one too. 

Tillamook Creamery

I was there about 30 years or so with my volunteers on a trip. It was nothing like this, but again it was 30 years ago! After the tour and a beer cozy for Ken we headed outside where there was ice cream. Mind you I don't eat real ice cream, I buy the Breyers low carb that I love and only eat 2/3 of a cup. Well, like Ken said, you have to get ice cream. So I did. OH my was it so good! I had forgotten what real ice cream tastes like! Coffee Almond Fudge. 😀

Astoria Bridge 

Columbia River dividing Oregon and Washington 

We left there and headed here to Longview Washington for two nights. We got here a little after 1700. We're at Inn by the Sea, but you can't see the sea. A little disappointing but the room is huge and roomy and beautiful. 

We're going to take ourselves out for breakfast in the am and play tourist. It's been lightly raining since not too long after we got here. Hopefully not so much tomorrow, but we won't melt if it does. 

                                                     Stole this pic from Instagram, Dusty, Owen 

                                   and Cassidy enjoying their stock tank 💙

                                         Have a good night!