The Ying and Yang of weather on the Coast

I love the pitter patter of rain on our roof.  What I don't love is the wind that comes along with it on the coast.  Last week we had rain everyday of varying intensity from little misty fog to 'Holy Cow!'  I think we are going to float away!  It would stop instantly and begin again just like a faucet turning on and off.  An old co-worker of mine that moved to SouthWest Washington years ago sent me a post on Facebook "Welcome to the Pacific Northwest!" along with a weather update of 91 mph winds hitting her area.  We clocked a measly 80+ at the clubhouse so she wins the wind contest!  If you have never experienced such winds in a motorhome you don't know what you are missing.  At times it felt like a giant hand picked us up and gave us a shaking then set us down again.  Whew, glad that is over!  Sleepless nights make for cranky campers and I was no exception.  The slides must come in and the satellite must come down.  It makes for tight quarters.

GREY WINTER SKIES

THE SUN TRYING TO PEEK OUT OVER THE LIGHTHOUSE

SEVERAL OF THE LIGHT POSTS BLEW OVER ALONG WITH PICNIC TABLES AND POTS

SUNDAY AFTERNOONS GUST DIED DOWN TO 66 MPH

CHURNING WAVES

SEA FOAM

So what does one do when you are stuck in a rocking tube and everything is wet?  Why you head inland to scope out new motor coaches!  I saw a commercial for an RV show in Salem which is not too far from us (only 2 hours) so we packed up the car and headed out early in the day.  We were disappointed that they had no coaches, but lots of tent trailers, toy haulers, and smaller travel trailers. I bought a couple of toys for the pups and we headed for Portland to relook at a 37 foot Allegro Bus and a 42 foot Phaeton.  Eric would like to go smaller for driving ease and all I want is the dinette on the passenger side.  The 37 foot meets all the requirements but we didn't get that Wow! I must have this! that is needed to purchase a new coach.  While there I ventured into a used 2013 Entegra Anthem.  Wow, it was nice!  The furniture was soft buttery cushy leather, but the fabrics and cabinets were all very dark.  It was a great coach and we had lots to talk about and think about on the rainy windy drive back to the coast.

A few days later we headed over to Eugene to look at a 45 foot Allegro Bus.  Now we're talking!  It was really nice, with a great floor plan, and that wow factor I'm looking for.  We are not ready to purchase yet so we have lots of time to look at more options and get more confused.  We won't be making any decisions until after the FMCA rally in Redmond, OR in August if then.

In between rain breaks we took walks on the beach with the pups and enjoyed hanging outside.  When the sun shines here it is beautiful and everyone runs outside to gather up the rays.

We finally went to the movies the other day.  The theatre is almost across the road from us and we kept saying we should go.  We saw Monuments Men and I loved it.  The theatre only had 10 people in the matinee and it was quiet.  If you haven't seen it, it is a great one for the list.

The Pups enjoy a ride to the gas station

We are getting ready to head south for a month or so.  We hope to leave next Sunday, but it depends on the weather.  Driving the Beast in the snow is not so fun.  If the weather doesn't cooperate we will wait it out here and leave when it breaks.  I am looking forward to seeing family and maybe warmer temperatures.

On a sad note, I lost my Grandmother last week.  Estelle Tate was 96 and from the get go was an energetic woman with a sense of humor and a twinkle in her eye.  She raised 5 strong daughters and was loved by all the grandkids, great grandkids and great great grandkids.   I have happy memories of summers spent with both sets of Grandparents growing up.  Not many people my age still have grandparents and I am grateful for the time we had.  I will miss her.

Today is a sunny beautiful day on the coast!  You would never know it was so blustery and cold last week.  The temps are in the low 50's and the skies are very blue.  We walked along the beach for a while at low tide and the pups had a blast running around.  Tired now, they are ready for their lap naps!