That's what I'm driving now

taking pictures for trucking and RV magazines.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Leavenworth WA to Crater Lake OR

As we said before we were trying to avoid Interstate driving, it was easy by staying on Hwy 97 all the way south even after crossing into Oregon. I have been on this road many times and always wanted to see Crater Lake in Oregon but never had enough time. Just before Klamath Falls right on Hwy 138 and after 30 some miles you are in Crater Lake National Park. ( 10 $ entrance fee.) The park is at an elevation of 7-8000 feet and is open usually from June to late September because later there is too much snow. The lake was created by a volcano thousands of years ago and later it was filled with water from the average snowfall of 44 feet/year!!!  Later there was a smaller volcano inside the older one and the eruption created Wizard Island in the deepest lake of the US at 1943 feet. Average diameter of the lake is 4.5 to 6 miles and you can see everything from the 33 mile long Rim Drive. Smaller RV-s can handle it easily but bigger rigs should not even try. The Rim Drive has many pull outs, parking and picnic areas, it takes hours to do the circle, see everything, take pictures. If you are running out of time on the south side of the lake is a campground to spend the night or a few days there. Be prepared for tons of Chipmunks, they will show up at every parking lot and beg for food despite the sign: Don't feed wildlife!"

From Hwy 97 right on 138, it's about 30 miles to Crater Lake
 
Lot of parking and picnic areas.
 According to the sign the elevation is 7517. 51 feet.
The Rim Drive is OK for smaller RV-s
 
Crater Lake with Wizard Island on the left.
Another view point on Rim Drive where........ 
.....lot of little visitors come as soon as you stop.
Chipmunks obviously can't read the "Do not feed Wildlife!" sign.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Greenwood BC to Leavenworth WA

Next morning we said Good By to our friend Mike and headed back to Osoyoos for more fishing. There is a long slope going down just before Osoyoos and I heard some grinding noise from the back of the motor home. Goosebumps, sweat and a few bad words but it has to be looked after. I do a good pre trip every time before we leave, I taught everything was in good shape. Well, it was not. Found a shop in Osoyoos, they pulled off the wheel and one brake pad on the inside was gone. The outside one and all the others were at a good 75%  but the rear brakes needed pads. When I did my pre trip I did not pull off the rim of course. It was in the afternoon and the mechanic said: don't worry, if I order the parts before 4:30 pm I'll have it first thing tomorrow morning. And he did!! We spent the day fishing, camping at the same spot where we always do and had a good time, the weather was 25-27 C. Next morning back to the shop, parts just came in and in about an hour we were back on the road headed for the border. A big thank you to RELIABLE  Brake and Muffler on Hwy 97 in Osoyoos, the service is awesome. We crossed the border in about 30 minutes and made it to Leavenworth WA. just before dark. Yes, we have been here before and we will come back again. Maybe it's because we have been living and working in the "real" Bavaria and here in Washington it almost feels like home. We spent the evening walking around, had dinner at München Haus, the sausages are irresistible and the beer is original Münchener Lager. This little village is RV friendly, they let you dry camp 2 minutes from down town for free on a gravel lot, if there is some festival  ( Octoberfest )going on they will ask for a charity donation in exchange for camping. We just love this place and strongly recommend it, you won't be disappointed if you visit.

A little mishap on the way back to Osoyoos.

We are waiting for parts, trying hard but no fish.

Next day late afternoon we are in Leavenworth WA.

Almost like the "real" thing.

Sausages are famous at München Haus.....

.....and the beer selection is huge, lot of oroginal German Lager.

The sign is about 2 minutes west of down town. Free RV parking,
during a festival they will ask for a donation

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Abbotsford to Greenwood

Got to Truxpo right on time and since we pre-registered we just had to pick up our badges and start working. I was surprised how many friends an co workers we ran into but it's the biggest event of it's kind on the Wet Coast. I even met one of the sales people at the Ocean trailer exhibit whom I've known for a long time. The whole Ocean Trailer exhibit was a retro style set up. Theme: Casablanca.
I think it was a good Idea and it was drawing a crowd. Finished shooting and interviews around 3 pm, too early to stay put, we hit the road and made it to Princeton around 6 pm. Had a very nice and quiet night and Sunday around noon we were at one of the best campsites and fishing spots in BC: Heynes Point Provincial Park. ( I know I've told you about it before.) Wife started fishing right away, weather was just perfect but no fish. Left the campground early afternoon to visit a very good friend who lives only 80 km from Osoyoos in Greenwood. He has an RV spot in his backyard, we staid there for the night and had a nice BBQ, talked about the good old times, we got close to change the world but ran out of beer so it has to wait 'till next time.

Retro is in fashion: the Ocean Trailer Exhibit with Casablanca theme

A shiny new Kenworth at the show

I had this one for a test drive

Still a month to Halloween but they are prepared
Did you know there is a Hungarian Winery just a bit east of Keremeos

Wife started fishing when we got to Lake Osoyoos
 
Later we visited a good friend in Greenwood, had a good evening and got close to change the World.
 
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