14-16JUL09 - Woodland, WA (entering the digital TV age)

On Tuesday the 14th, we gave up our “jobs” as Camp Host and departed Monroe, WA, enroute Woodland, WA. We had an appointment starting on the 15th at Dave & LJs RV Interior to install our new flat screen high def TVs (Dave & LJ are brothers who took over the business from their parents). We had tried to find someone locally to do the work but since it involved extensive remodeling of the front overhead cabinets, most RV businesses wouldn’t do it.

http://www.customrvint.com/

Unfortunately Dave & LJs do not have hookups for RVs remaining overnight; so we found a great RV park located on the banks of the Columbia River, where we could watch large oceangoing ships transiting to Portland, OR. That meant that every morning we delivered the RV to their facility in the morning and then had to “entertain ourselves” for about eight hours while they worked on the RV. Then we returned around 1530 to retrieve the RV and head back to the RV park. Not the most efficient operation. After our arrival at the RV park Tuesday night we headed to a local burger chain called Burgerville. They are only located in Washington and Oregon and have very good, freshly ground, burgers.

http://www.columbiariverfrontrvpark.com/

http://burgerville.com/

First thing Wednesday morning we delivered the RV to Dave and LJ and took off for parts unknown to kill time. Obviously having Gumbo the one eyed jack complicated things. While driving down a very scenic country road we came across a “water powered” Grist Mill next to a wooden bridge. While Dan was parking the toad Corrie walked right past two older gentlemen and headed inside to view the exhibits. Dan being a little more observant happened to notice a sign that said the Mill was closed and open only on weekends. Turns out the gentlemen were waiting for a private tour that had paid for exclusive use of the Mill. Dan apologized for Corrie and was told not to worry and enjoy the Grist Mill (sometimes timing is everything?).

http://www.cedarcreekgristmill.com/

From the Mill we took one of the scenic drives on the south side of Mount St Helens (remember the big bang in 1980?). Although you cannot see the devastation from the blast on the NW side of the volcano, the drive is still spectacular; with many beautiful lakes and even views of a lahar, and we found time to stop in the very, very, small village of Cougar for lunch.

http://www.fs.fed.us./gpnf/mshnvm/

The next day we again dropped the RV off and then headed to Portland, OR, to kill time. Corrie is not sure how Dan did it, but we ended up in what could be called the “low rent” part of town (ie strip clubs, dive bars, etc). We then proceeded to have a nice walking tour of China town and “old town” Portland. We soon discovered an unique Portland institution – it seems that in a few locations Portland has allowed mobile food trucks/kitchens to permanently park and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. We had discovered one of four such locations where we found food trucks with Mexican, Thai, Cajun, Austrian, Vietnamese, Chinese, etc, food for purchase. Then we continued to Tom McCall Waterfront Park hoping it was cooler than the average high eighties temperatures we were experiencing. Then it was back to Dave & LJs to pick up the RV and once again head back to the RV park.

Thankfully on Friday morning they wrapped-upped the TV installation and cabinet modifications and we hit the road.