Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Getting Stuff Done in the City After a Disappointing Geyser Visit

When we bought the motorhome we didn't know the couch folded out. With industrial-strength Velcro holding the back cushions in place, and heat ducts in the base, it never "felt" like it was "moveable".

While staying in Astoria, one of our phone charger cords got stuck in the back of the couch arm. Thought we were going to have to just cut it off and leave the other piece in there, it was really jammed tight. Instead, I kept trying to figure it out, and when I got the flashlight down in there I could see the bedframe. Wow!

Got the cord finally, and that night we figured out the bed as well. With a full size inflatable mattress and built-in blower/sucker it looked not only comfortable but easy to set up.

Jeff was our first test subject and gave the bed high marks.  I continue to look for other hidden treasures.....

Following a yummy breakfast of pancakes and homemade peach compote we all loaded in the Jeep to take Jeff back to the city.

On the way we stopped at Flaming Geyser State Park. Because who wouldn't want to see that?!

Not what we envisioned
Now that you've seen the "flaming geyser" you understand why I lead with the inflatable bed.

Okay, it's a very pretty park along the Green River, and the history is somewhat interesting except that I don't remember anything except man-made and methane. After all we've seen so far I was disappointed that this is what we got to share with Jeff :-(

He did enjoy being out of the city and spending some time at the river in the forest.

Couldn't decide if it was training camp or a spa

Green River near Maple Valley, WA

Bill and Jeff


Back in the city we headed to the Capitol Hill area where Jeff works. With the recent "relocation" of the homeless from more affluent areas, the park and streets are sad reminders that protecting the environment is not our only battle in this country.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch at 8oz Burger where I actually did have a burger - so good I never paused for a photo of the food!

They offer more than burgers at 8oz Burger
Like much of this area of the city, Jeff's Starbucks is in an old building with high ceilings, brick walls and wood beams. The large curved-wood entrance doors are beautiful.

 
One of only a few Starbucks in Seattle........
 
Love the reused fluorescent tubes as light shades
Dropped Jeff off at his apartment in Madison Park (dang kid lives right ON Lake Washington) and remembered I hadn't downloaded new books on my Kindle. With no internet at the site, this was critical!  Felt pretty stupid when Jeff came out a while later, headed to meet some friends, and we were still sitting in the driveway. Old people.....
 
Thursday was our go-to-Tacoma day for Camping World and Bass Pro Shop. On the way we stopped in Eunumclaw (love this little town) for breakfast at The Kitchen. A tiny spot downtown, the food and service are great, and they make a wonderful cup of coffee!
 
I swear there were other people there when I took this
Camping World was nearly a bust with zero help available in the service department without making an appointment. Bill did find the do-hicky he needed for the water hookup on the rig, but the store felt weird and I had no desire to look for anything else.
 
Bass Pro Shop however was a big hit. Both visually and on the checkbook. If you've been in one you know that they are more than a store. From the salmon aquarium to the display of local fauna overhead, to the plethora of sporting equipment, to the large restaurant, it was very impressive.
 



Fish envy


Bill was able to find everything he needed to complete his fishing set up. For now. You're never really "done".

I really like this area southeast of the city, which is a good thing as we moved less than 30 miles to our next stop where we'll stay put for a couple weeks.

So great to spend time with this guy


23 comments:

  1. We went to the Bass Pro Shop in OKC a couple years back. They're building one just up the freeway from us and we'll have to check it out when it opens. Ron would be just as fascinated with the huge tank as Bill seems to be :-) It's pretty cool that you two get to spend time with your son for more than a short vacation-it's one of the perks of being retired and having your home on wheels!

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    1. All their stores have fish and animals from the area the store is in so it's really interesting. You'll love it. Unfortunately there aren't any parks close to the city but we're loving being close by.

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  2. I think at one point you could actually light the "geyser" with a lighter. Steven and I drove out there once and ended up having a picnic by the river. Nice, but no reason to ever go back. And, I've decided that Camping World always sounds like a fun thing to do, but it never is. It is the one store I have not had to put on the "no fly" list. :)

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    1. That would have been pretty cool - at least a little interactive :-) Our CW in Valencia is bright with high ceilings and really friendly staff. The one in Tacoma was dark and just weird......definitely no desire to stick around and spend money.

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  3. Any time with the kids is great time! I love the last picture of him. How funny you didn't know the sofa was also a bed. They are really great. Our queen size has been used by many guests this past year. I knew it was coming, and the seems started to "pop" on the last night of our guests visit. It was so sad/funny. The bed looked like a giant pillow. It was awful. Now we need to buy another before the next guests come. A capped geyser, crazy!

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    1. It was so fun having him stay over and there's plenty of room so we're looking forward to having other guests now :-) At least you got some good sleep overs on it before it "pillowed"!

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  4. Too funny that you lead with the bed and that no one told you when you bought the coach that like about 99% of all class A's there is a fold out bed in the living room. You guys are a riot! I think you'd better head out to Yellowstone for a real geyser. Maybe Jeff can visit you there. Great picture of him. Beware Camping World.

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    1. We even pulled on it a couple times to see if it was a bed and ruled it out - geez! Can't wait to see real geysers, although we may wait a year to avoid the 100 year craziness in 2016 :-)

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  5. We had the same feeling of let down at Flaming Geyser! There is some okay hiking....but...

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    1. I suppose we could have read about it first, but we like to be surprised.....usually!

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  6. Glad you got your cord stuck so you knew you had a bed:) Strange they didn't show it to you on your walk around. I bet Jeff was glad you found a bed for him:) And speaking of Jeff...while I've never met him, I know we could be great friends. And I knew this when you mentioned "Jeff's Starbucks!" Oh, yes! We were actually surprised there weren't more Starbucks there. We've been to cities with one every block. It is hard to say good bye to our kids but it looks like you enjoyed your time together:)

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    1. We get to see him again this weekend :-)))) I thought the same thing about that cord - thank goodness it got stuck. Our walk around was a joke, almost as bad as the manual. Having a son with Starbucks perks is a definite treat in this area.

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  7. Have never been a fan of any Camping World--your "found the bed" story gave me a morning chuckle!

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    1. I think we got spoiled by our Valencia store :-) Boy did we feel stupid!

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  8. Yea, that geyser is amazing..too funny. I have never been in a Bass pro shop I didn't like! What a great first leg of your journey and to get in a visit with your son just tops it off. Happy trails you two.

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    1. Thanks Maura. So fun to have this time with him :-)

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  9. Our only child lived on Capital Hill for several years, the place has gone CONDO in a big way and the stealing of cars from the curb is a huge mess..Homelessness amongst uber wealthy residents did not impress me at all..Our only took care of a Mariners home on the National Register paid to make sure everything was done correctly, KOI taken care of a Japanese gardener and rent from two interns in cardiology at $1,000 a month no kitchen privileges, she saved money and took public transportation, when some yahoo tried to steal the Hyundai with 250,000 miles on it we gave her she left it at the curb for 5 minutes that was it for our only child, She had the car brought home and she gave notice of her job and moved to NYC where believe it or not she is much much happier and walks everywhere no car whatsoever, taxis when she absolutely cannot go by subway or bus or walking, everything there is delivere..I think Seattle has become so over rated when I read about people going up there we laugh we live at the butt end of the state and are happy as clams, but not about the 100 year drought wildfires, smoke and no precipitation whatsoever..Do enjoy your family and friends though and try to see the coast of Washington it is spectacular indeedy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  10. There are many campgrounds that aren't in areas with cell signal or wifi. We try to stay away from those. Love Bass Pro Shops! They are definitely fun stores to visit and so many things I'd love to buy ... but buying a whole store isn't even reasonable.

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    1. The only good thing was we did save on data usage :-) The store was even more dangerous now that we have a grandson :-)))

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  11. How wonderful to spend extended time with your son -- we love being able to do the same with our daughter and 5-year old grandson while we're in the San Juan Islands. And so funny that you accidentally discovered that you have an extra bed in your coach!

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    1. It's been great getting to see him! We'll spend a month with the other 5 in November :-) So far no other "discoveries"!

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  12. Seattle is one my favorite cities, and that's saying a lot because I'm not a city gal. So many wonderful green belts makes it naturey. My couch folds out to Fill the living room and has a mattress that's like sleeping on the back of a dragon. So I put the airbed on top. Nice to have extra space for guests, especially family. Bass Pro shop kind of reminds me of Cabellas.

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    1. I've only been here in the Spring and Fall before, and have been blown away by how crowded it is now! Still very beautiful. The Madison Park area with the Arboretum is amazing. We were going to stop at the Cabelas "up the highway" but didn't make it.

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