What a LONG and Exciting Day . . . for Richard

                Though the word “Exciting” is generally related to being a positive adjective, one’s anxiety level does not always mean the “excitement” is positive.  Take yesterday for example.  My, what a long day –

          It started out as a dry run to the dump – just to explore without first loading up and appearing to be lost.  I told Richard he should ask questions while we were there.  He didn’t.  That’s on him.

          As we were passing downtown anyway, Jaime wanted to stop by Tommy’s to get a treat. We loaded up the truck after we returned.

          The truck was purchased from a member who is going through a divorce.  He said that it needed a new battery which we have not purchased yet.  I think we need to do that.

          Point is we haven’t had the truck that long.  I have ridden in it myself but Jaime has not and so I wanted her to have that opportunity.  Good call on my part as whatever all I had eaten at Tommy’s had gone right through me (TMI) and I had problems different from the ones that Richard was about to endure.

          So while I was fighting my own battles with TMI – Richard and Jaime drove back to the MC dump only to be told they would have to go to Roseburg.  After offloading in Roseburg they got back in the truck and it wouldn’t start.  They said a prayer.  It started.

          They then went to Auto Zone to get something.  Got back in the truck.  Wouldn’t start.  Said another prayer.  It wouldn’t start.  Went back into Auto Zone and made a purchase for some other item that didn’t work to their (well Richard’s) expectations.  An employee figured out the problem and drove to the other Auto Zone (apparently Roseburg has two) and obtained the right part.

          Lot of sadness going on with the truck still not starting and Richard sending Jaime home (she had called a friend who came and got her and dropped her off) Finally a mechanic got the truck started and Richard then went to Costco to get some gas.  The truck died again at the fuel pumps.  Workers pushed him out of the way.  I don’t remember how he happened to start again or why he thought he needed to come home and have us follow him back. (Jaime drove as I cannot see at night) and we left the truck at a mechanics in Roseburg.  I think buying a new battery to begin with would have been less costly.  Certainly a lot warmer.

          Meanwhile Jaime had taken her car as she needed gas – which we filled up in Winston.  Richard was not thrilled to learn that neither her defroster or heater work.  Her car will be going to another mechanics tomorrow.  Oh what joy. 

            Perhaps I should mention that both vehicles are Fords.  Her Focus is 1995 and the pick up is 1999.  Fun fact.  Or maybe not FUN - or exciting.

Cold Grey Skies

 

The high today will be 42 – or perhaps that’s already taken place and now it is going back down.  Weird. 

On Tuesday we were told that we would get a storm come Thursday but Wednesday would send a mixture of snow followed by rain. 

We had our snow on Wednesday.  This is what is looked like at 7 a.m. 

 

Two hours later it was gone. 

Throughout the day we saw flurries of snowfall.  

Haven’t seen it since. 

I’m so glad Jaime hasn’t had to drive in it. 

She has had the challenge of fog however. 

Which I suppose could be worse.

It Still Makes Me Laugh

          When we moved from Salt Lake to Oregon we were expecting daily rain – though that hasn’t been the case.  We left polluted smog for light fog which seems to have become more dense with every passing year.  This year has been especially cold – a cold I have definitely felt while living in Utah.  It’s been below freezing at least four times this year.

         Yesterday we got snow.  It started coming down before Jaime left for work.  But it doesn’t stick.  It rarely ever sticks.  This morning there was no sign of it across the street, and barely even noticeable on our own.  Currently it can only be seen in the hills above us.  I don’t know how long it will last.

         And now we have this warning.

 

  In Oregon the snow falls in incheds.  In Utah the snow falls in feet.

A Plea to ALL Civilians of EVERY Nation

                 I have been irritated by the ignorance of those portrayed in so many cowboy pictures that my husband watches – only it isn’t just that time period.  It has been with us through the beginning of time.  I am so ashamed of what is taking place currently.

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/pettiest-protests-
president-donald-trump-united-kingdom-visit

       The entire population of the American population did not vote for Trump.  I’d dare say less than half – but Trump cheats.  I would dare say in all three elections.  I find it hard to believe that ALL seven swing states voted Republican.  He cheats.  He’s a bigger criminal than those he is trying to deport. 

      Just because Trump is an ass does not mean that all Americans are.   

It’s a Nostalgic Thing

 

         Jaime was making this face over something else but thought it fitting for the Big Lots closures.  It looks like eight remain open (at least for now) and all located in Washington State (or that is what I have led myself to believe)

         Jaime and I spent many hours walking to Big Lots and visiting Big Lots in Kearns.  Many times we would drive out of our way to visit the one in Roseburg.  What a sad sight.

other pics with references

 This is a photo I took of Carlin Prison.

I was unable to get photo of the warning sign, but you can find it at this site

Jim Goldstien

I had also missed my opportunity of getting a good photo of what my husband refered to as the "Joshua tree" although I couldn't find it listed under that name. I found the pic below on this site.

also a better picture of the Salt Flat rest stop (last post) found here

I found it interesting that the Elko Temple was built quite near a Wingers Casino and found two pics (with comments)  here and here. 

Apparently I was wrong about the location of the California Trail.  We had passed an exit indicating Hunter, no services and there was the center.  

May have been worth the stop but I don't even know if they were opened when we passed.  Here is the site for that location. 

So that wraps up our journey.  Sometimes I think I need to leave the state and return to appreciate the moist breathable air.

Rest Stops

 I drink a lot of water.  Always have.  As I increase in age my bladder does not seem to hold what it used to and so for the most part our road trips come with many potty stops.

This is the second stop with outhouse and not flushable or heat - or sometimes 

even light.  Walking from the car to the outhouse in the snow was a challenge.

This was the first rest stop crossing the Utah border.  

I was awed by all the matching green roofs - including 

a residential house where I assume the caretaker resides.

They even have a small dog park and electric car chargers

 

This is Bonneville Salt Flat rest stop which we passed without 

stopping; it looked more like an observation deck to me.