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Sunflowers Travels September 10-October 22, 2022


Day 1
09.10.22

Traveling again from Napa up 101 to mid Oregon.. meetup with RIALTA NW owners. Lovely ocean views.. I’m making good time. #sunflowerstravels


Day 2 09.11.22 Spent the night overlooking the ocean. What a beautiful sound to hear first thing in the morning.. . Heading up 101 going north.. #sunflowerstravels


Day 3-6
September 12-15


Nehalem Beach State park Rialta NW Gathering There are so many people here that I have met. I believe there are somewhere around 28 RIALTA’s … what great fun! We had get together’s every night I missed the first one but I went to the second one. It was a potluck meet and greet. The third meetup was a tech gathering for information on our Rigs. Dan gave us information papers so we could find websites on the Rialta’s . We discussed different aspects on how things work. Some people took walks down by the beach. Others just visited with friends I got to see so many friends that I hadn’t seen since the last meetup that I was able to go to at  Silver Falls State Park, in 2019.
#sunflowerstravels


Day 7
September 16


Nehalem Bay State Park
Most of the Rialta owners have left.  I’m here with just a few other RIALTA friends. Linda & I had a small gathering at Marchia’s spot. Just finger foods, wine , & great conversation!! I’m going to hate to leave tomorrow. I did have Fred come visit me he was so cute watching a little pieces of bread how adorable also got to see a few deer wondering about.  #sunflowerstravels


Day 8
September 17,2022


Today it’s time to travel on I drove down Highway 101 until I got to 99 going towards Corvallis in order to go and see a mechanic about a problem clicking that I’m having with sunflower . So off I went.  I talked to Pam who lives there and between Pam and her friend Julie.. they are putting me up from Saturday till Monday morning. I found a nice little place to park for the night. I am just taking it really easy with sunflower until I have her checked out. #sunflowerstravels


Day 8-part 2
September 17,2022


Pam stopped by before work to have Breakfast with us. Later that afternoon Julie and I did some running around she needed to get done.  We went to see some of the cutest little cavalier puppies.  I found out the Owner of the puppies also knows my WW Sister,  Sandra, Who also breeds cavalier puppies. What a small world indeed!
I found a few wild Thanksgiving Turkeys, but they were to shy to be caught in a roaster pan. I’m really grateful for my little RV spot. #sunflowerstravels


Day 9
September 18,2022


Pam stopped by before work to have Breakfast with us again. I’m stlll wating to get Sunflower fixed. #sunflowerstravels


Day 10
September 19, 2022


Really nice people!!! I love Our WW Sisters.. Still in Corvallis. Sunflowers problem was a loose bolt. The mechanic tightened up the bolt that was loose. He said that he didn’t think it was the CV joint that he thought it was the bolt that was loose making that noise, because he couldn’t find anything else. He said if I have any more problems to just bring it back because I would be up and around in this area so that’s good news. Cost $0. He said it’s nothing don’t worry about it.
#sunflowerstravels


Day 10 part2

Monday September 19,2022


Julie sad so kind to let me take a shower and wash clothes. . I went to put gas in Sunflower and dump her tanks at the fairgrounds. Before I could leave Corvallis, I got a call from Bruce and Tina from Springfield. They were having dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory there in Corvallis and invited me to meet them. So naturally I hung around. That place has wonderful Italian food. It was wonderful to be able to see them and their friend and family members. After dinner I headed to Dominic’s house why I plan to stay the night. I was tired so found a nice rest spot headed to bed and waited till morning. #sunflowerstravels

Day 11 Tuesday September 20,2022


I made it to Sutherlin and stopped at Hi Way Heaven RV park. Not only had it changed hands, the name had changed and the prices were $20-$30 more.. Sutherlin Umpqua Valley KOA Holiday (formerly Hi Way Heaven)
Well I paid the fee and I had stay there for the night. I was tired & I was meeting Susan in the morning and we were heading to Florence to go camping at the Elks Campground where we would meet up with Joyce.. #sunflowerstravels

Day 12 Wednesday September 21,2022


Susan and I had breakfast at the Apple Peddlers Restaurant as usual. Took a few minutes, enjoyed ourselves and then headed to Florence to meet up with Joyce. One roads were clear with not much traffic. We set up camp then met at Joyce’s spot. We had a mini pot luck of finger goods and Wonderful conversation. #sunflowerstravels


Day 13 Thursday
September 22,2022


We hung out at Susan’s spot. Talked & ate so much to catch up on!!
Joyce made us all hats. Susan noticed how coordinated she was and how much everything matched
#sunflowerstravels

Day 14 Friday September 23,2022


Joyce, Susan and I went to Florence and had lunch at a nice little restaurant. We decided to go to the thrift store to look. Well you know what happens when women get together and decide to look around !! Yep we were there for hours enjoying ourselves just looking around and shopping. Once we were back to the campsite, we went to Susan’s campsite for more great conversation!!
#sunflowerstravels


Day 15 Saturday
September 24,2022


Today we to check out Washburn Campsite, Tilli, and Beach Side for the June Camp out. This was also the day Joyce, Susan and I would spread Mom’s ashes At Heceta Head Lighthouse Beach area.
#sunflowerstravels

Day 16 Sunday September 25,2022


I Left the park in Florence to Dominic’s to Horse Creek, I stopped at the store and bought some food for the camp out. Oh I always buy too much. The trip there to Horse Creek was windily and seemed a long way. The GPS wanted me to turn off of  highway 128 , but Shirley had given us such great directions that I just followed them and finally found the Spot. All the ladies were around the camp fire talking and visiting with each other at the Meet &greet. I brought food. Shirly had her fires going #sunflowerstravels

Day 17 Monday
September 26,2022

Horse Creek
I made coffee, visited with the group. Shirley had a morning fire. We chatted and just enjoyed coffee together. Later that night Shirley made another fire and we sat around the campfire jut talking and enjoying food everyone brought. Afterwards we had an Ice Cream social with different flavors of Ice cream and toppings .  Becca Brought some dark cherries soaked in brandy ohhhh so good.
Darrel, Dana, Marla, Becca, Abby, Shirley & me.
This has been a really nice group of Women. The Campgrounds are ruel but nice with a toilet, but no showers. There are lots of wooded areas set up as sites. There’s lots of great spots along the way into the group area. #sunflowerstravels


Day 18 Tuesday September 27,2022

Horse Creek
Today every one did their own thing. Shirley and I had a pajama party it’ll about noon. Some of the women stopped for coffee. Today was kind of lazy most of the ladies stayed and rested or did their own thing. Shirley did the morning fire as usual. For now we are resting in our prospective Rv’s. #sunflowerstravels


Day 19 Wednesday September 28,2022

Horse Creek
This was the last time we would get together for this trip. #sunflowerstravels


Day 20 Thursday
September 29,2022

Horse Creek/Leaving
This was the last day with these wonderful Wander Women We all packed up for the trip home. I heard Shirley out side last night cleaning up I guess.. later she said she thought it was me. Trash cans & trash all over the place so she cleaned it up and thought it might have been a bear..
I stayed at a Shamrock RV Park later in the day. I needed a shower and to do laundry. #sunflowerstravels


Day 21 Friday
September 30,2022


Left the RV park  Bruce & Tina’s Dinner wit them, Tisha, Jill& sue
at  great food & new friends. They even had live music. The band played Oldies. #sunflowerstravels

Day 22 Saturday October 1,2022


It was great being able to see Tina and Bruce again they’ve been friends for a while I’m definitely gonna miss them I spent the night at a rest area just up the road. I was going to meet with Rain but she was too far away for me to drive. We are still trying to connect. #sunflowerstravels

Day 23 Sunday
October 2,2022


Sunflowers still making that little knocking noise and I don’t want to take her to far I plan on calling to see if I can get her in the shop possibly on 11 October. I decided to go to Waterloo County Park and stay there for a while until it was time for River Bend,  as it was close and I really don’t feel comfortable driving very far until the repairs are done. #sunflowerstravels

Day 24 Monday October 3,2022


I got up this morning and empty the tanks and put her back in her space that I had rented. Today I called to see if I could get her in to the Repair Shopping Corvallis, Oregon. He said he would see her on 11 October and he’s going to order the parts that I need to get a repaired. I also called Riverbend to see if I could get an extension on my time there. I got to add one day. #sunflowerstravels

Day 25 Tuesday October 4,2022


I didn’t get much sleep last night the guy in the space next to me had visitors in and out all night. At 3 o’clock in the morning they decided to light a fire and party. They woke me up twice and I never get woken up when I’m sitting next to a trucker who is running his engine all night, so I guess they must’ve been loud. I’m sure we all have those kind of neighbors next to us every now and then.  Today is just a lazy day. I’m catching up on my Blog here & plan to go over and get a shower later. #sunflowerstravels

Day 26 Wednesday October 5,2022


Well time to pack up and head to River Bend to meet my wonderful WW friends. #sunflowerstravels

Day 26.2 Wednesday October 5,2022


I got to River Bend Shirley was already there. We sat by the fire an had a wonderful chat.. #sunflowerstravels

Day 27 Thursday October 6,2022


Everyone was coming in and setting up. Meet and greet was set for 6pm at the P
#sunflowerstravels

Day 28 Friday October 7,2022


Nature walk to some local falls Halloween Costume Parade & Pot luck
#sunflowerstravels

Day 29 Saturday October 8,2022


Saturday events include Rock Painting and the Re-Homing Table ( you place items you no longer need on the table in hopes someone will need them) Absolutely Great Fun
#sunflowerstravels

Day 30 Sunday October 9,2022


Most everyone left today, just a few stayed that one more day.  We had a fire at my spot and some leftovers. We even had S small Ice cream social. Looking back it was a wonderful 5th meetup for River Bend.
#sunflowerstravels #Esmestravels

Day 31 Monday October 10,2022


I got up took my shower and started putting the rest of my items away. Rain,Bill & I had lunch at “The Point” Restaurant . We split up so I could go to Corvallis and get my axel’s repaired. I stayed at Julie’s house where it was safe. #sunflowerstravels #Esmestravels

Day 32 Tuesday October 11, 2022


Got up and went down to the shop. I was there from 7:30 am till about 3:55 pm. Getting New axels put in on both sides. It didn’t cost as much $$ as I though it would. I stopped at Fred Myers to call Rain & find out where she was. So I headed to Tillamook creamery to meet with her. We went to the “Big Wave Cafe” in  Manzanita Or to get clam chowder. Ohh so good! Then drove back towards Wheeler for the night. #sunflowerstravels #Esmestravels

Day 33 Wednesday October 12,2022


We Boondock near Wheeler . Got up and got my coffee . We headed north towards Washington on highway 101. I love the ocean scenery and Windy Roads it was a wonderful drive. We played leap frog each one of us taking turns being the lead car. When I was in lead I found this Elk in the middle of the road. I think he was asking for directions. LoL ..   We went to Walmart for supplies. (Coffee & creamer) Spent the night at another Boondock spot ( Rain knows them all) #sunflowerstravels #Esmestravels

Day 34 Thursday October 13,2022


We got up and headed to Westport Washington. Rain said there’s great places to have lunch there. It took a while but we made it to a place on the water called Blackbeards Brewing Company. It was just a little place but the food was great. I was so tired I asked for just a half hour to hour to rest. We definitely took time to enjoy the scenery.  We then headed to Aberdeen,Wa to our next boondock spot
#sunflowerstravels #Esmestravels

Day 35 Friday October 14,2022


It’s been over a month since I left on September 10.. where has the time gone. This has been an absolutely amazing trip getting to Meet So many new friends and see old friends on my travels. Rain and I decided to go to Ocean Shores through Highway 101. What a beautiful place that is. We found a poo dump at ocean city Park. They also have freshwater.  Then we drove to the beach and parked on the beach for a while. I could feel the front of Sunflower sinking sand, so I started her up and backed her up. It took me a bit but I got out of the sink hole. We had lunch in Esmè & sat there watching the tides come in with rolling waves. It was getting late so on to another boondock spot. Rain has to be the Boondock Queen.. I’m learning so much!!
#sunflowerstravels #Esmestravels

Day 36 Saturday October 15,2022


Up… yes you got it .. Coffee First. We got a late start as we were just enjoying our little boondock spot. We had to wait for the slowest train ever. I called a few places to get the generator repaired. Once the train finally passed and we could drive again, We drove to “La Salvedorena“ Restaurant and had lunch. I thought the food was great. We drove areal the backroads to Hoodsport and We finally made it to Rain’s house. Bill cooked us hamburgers for dinner. No dice on the generator so I’ll have Dan fix it when I get home. #sunflowerstravels #Esmestravels

Day 37 Sunday
October 16 ,2022


Bill made us dinner and Rain and I sat and watched old movies, scary movies to be exact in black-and-white I did my laundry and took a shower there were lots of talking and visiting and it was a great time had by all I’m gonna hate to leave tomorrow. #sunflowerstravels #Esmestravels

Day 38 Monday October 17,2022

It’s with a heavy heart that I need to leave Reni & Paul and head home I found a dump site at a rest stop off Highway five in Washington “Fort Gee Rest area”. They even have freshwater in there I wish all the states what do you like Washington does. The areas where you can park were too slanted down, so I went to the next rest area and spent the night. #sunflowerstravels

Day 39 Tuesday October 18,2022
I am now driving down Highway 5. Susan had told me about this place that sells road tracks they had a 2005 to 10 so I wanted to stop and check but then I called the gentleman but he’s attached to the phone so I took a chance and decided to go and check it out I didn’t find a road track on the property I suppose he sold it already. I stopped at Dominic‘s for a bit just to kind of rest and rearrange things in the motorhome and wanted to be able to see the kids I always enjoy meeting up with them.  well I’m going to meet up with Susan for Dinner in Sutherlin at our spot “Apple Peddlers “. We had a nice visit after it was all over it was getting kind of late so I found my usual spot in Sutherlin and hung out for the night to boondock. #sunflowerstravels

Day 40 Wednesday October 19,2022


It’s a great morning! I had my coffee and decided that I was going to go and find a place to get a shower well I belong to Planet Fitness, so I found one in Roseburg, drove to it and hit the shower so to speak. After that I decided I was going to go to Walmart and do a little shopping pick up a few items I need it hang out a bit and have something to eat. Later on I head for my boondock spot down the highway. I certainly met with some company when I got there! Well good night till tomorrow. #sunflowerstravels

Day 41 Thursday October 20,2022


Got up this morning decided to head for Gant’s Pass, Oregon. I  stopped and found a place to give Sunflower a bath, after all she had at least a month worth of dirt on her.  She was no longer white, she was gray! I found a $4.99 per gallon gas station and filled up my thirsty girl. I headed next door to Wendy’s, call Sharon to let her know I was there & asked what they wanted me to picked up something for them for lunch.  chicken sandwiches and french fries is just what they wanted. I headed up the hill to their house. Sharon and I ate lunch and waited for Gary he was down at the doctors office. We had a wonderful conversation. Later I was a bit tired so went back to the motorhome and took a nap for a few minutes. Once I got up & went back in, we had hotdogs for dinner. A while longer and lots more catching up, I finally retired to the comfort of my sunflower . #sunflowerstravels

Day 42 Friday
October 21,2022


Here I am, on my last day to visit. Sharon, Gary & the family. Ann Marie & John came up and we all had coffee I really enjoyed our talks Janet and I went to have lunch with some of old friends and a few new ones at the train station once we got back I had it out and found a quiet place to dump at “Valley of the Rouge State Park” there is no set fee just donations so I left a $5. I also noticed that there was no hose to rinse the sewer hose with, so I left a hose that I was going to get rid of so others could use it. On down the road for a while I finally get to California. Oh I hate this now, I got a pump my own gas. I stopped at rolling Hills Casino for a bit, I spent $60 playing the machine but I won $47 of it back not bad for three hours of fun! Well being in California again the price of gas is anywhere from $.30 to $1.00 more than Oregon! Oh My!!
Found a place at the casino for the night. #sunflowerstravels

Day 43 Saturday October 22,2022


Hey I  figured since I had to go by my daughter’s house would stop and see her for a few minutes I called and let her know I was gonna pop by. But before I got to Emmie’s I stopped at the place I knew I could purchase Cinnabon cinnamon rolls. I got some for both Emmie and Keith and for Duffy and Anthony. Boy they got a great mom that thinks of them… lol I stop by Costco on the way home to get gas it was a lot cheaper there and then stopped at Les Schwab once in my home town, to get the tires pumped up so I could get her into the driveway. I finally made it home Sunflower is all tucked away in her little special spot. I had such a wonderful time being able to visit with all my friends and see people that I hadn’t met before I must say the weather was perfect I’m not sure where I am going next time but till then you drive safe and hope to see you soon.


#sunflowerstravels