We've arrived

 Our last day at the COE campground in Plymouth, Washington was a hot one.      We hunkered down and tried to stay cool for one more day.

The few times we stuck our noses outside Beluga,  we had unpleasant surprises.    We had been watching a fledgling Cassin's Kingbird on the ground at the base of a huge Sycamore tree, right outside our window.   The parents had been attentive to it's calls and the little thing seemed to be fairing well, hoping around through the grass and looking alert, even catching it's own bugs.       Later that day, while Lewis was outside answering the call of nature, we found the baby dead.    I guess the heat was too much for it's little body to take.

Another quick trip outside to rinse out our dishpan revealed something that we hadn't noticed before.   Beluga had been impaled sometime during our trip from LaGrande to Plymouth!    Because it was so hot upon arrival  we did what we had to do quickly and got back in the air conditioning as soon as possible.   Dave didn't see the 16 " long piece of galvanized steel jabbed into the inside wall of one of the slide's basement compartments.  

On went the coveralls and under he went to try and dislodge the shaft.     Luckily, it came out relatively easily with a pair of channel locks and the hole it made was covered (temporarily) with a line of duct tape.  

We have no idea where it came from, what it was from and how it managed to impale the inside of the compartment as we drove down the highway.    A few inches in either direction and it would have hit the LP or the fuel tank.  

The last unpleasant event happened to poor Lewis and it happened so fast I have no photo to show you.    Dave took him out for the last "get busy" of the night and as he opened Beluga's door and unhooked the leash, a large sprinkler head rose up and a powerful stream of water absolutely soaked him, face first.   He was drenched in seconds, his eyes, ears, mouth, everything was dripping as he clambered up the stairs.   Poor boy.    We left the next day.

We had an uneventful drive to the last destination of this summer's trip....Spokane.     We're in a large, grassy monthly site at the Northern Quest Casino RV Park.    This is a relatively new park located where we want to be for the summer (not far from Jesse and Erin's new home)  with good services, pleasant staff and plenty of space between sites.   There are, however, no trees for shade.   Luckily, the temps have leveled off to the 90's (remember when we used to think 90 was sweltering?) .

We've been at Jesse and Erin's every day since we arrived.   It has been sooo good to see them and their beautiful home, filling in the blanks of each other's lives since we last were able to hug.

 It's fun getting reaquainted with their funny little cat, Dexter.    He appears quietly and observes us.  He knows he's beautiful and he places himself carefully to show  his best advantage.

Dexter enjoys Dave's shoes while we enjoy dinner above

 

he shows off his rainbow toenails......

 Their back yard is lush and beautiful with shady spots to sit and relax beside a burbling water feature beneath a thick grape arbor.     We've enjoyed several meals outside on the deck once the sun dips behind the huge pines.

Lewis joined us there today.   Dexter was not amused by his presence, and yet was curious, appearing in a doorway or around a corner.

 I  sat outside and read while my clothes were in the dryer.   While Lewis enjoyed the freedom of the yard,  he does not enjoy the heat.   He wants to be inside, on the bed, under the airconditioning vent.    The bubbling sound of the water intrigued him but he couldn't see it.

do you see him?

His search kept him busy for quite awhile but eventually he found his way through the Lily's of the Valley to the waters edge and had a long drink.     Back inside we went before he trampled all the flowers and took for a full body dip.

Last night Jesse and Erin officially welcomed us at a wonderful restaurant (Inland Pacific Kitchen) that offers fantastic and unusual small dishes.  We all sampled many of them, I lost count, and shared a couple bottles of good wine.   Dave even tried oysters - and liked them!!!!

Tomorrow we'll go back over and have a small barbeque with a few of their friends.   I know I've said this before, but it's so good to see them and spend time together again.   It's been way too long.