Our usual practice is to find an RV park at whatever distance we want to cover for the day, then call to get a reservation for a site. That didn't go as easy today as most days. The first place we called was 99 RV Park in Vancouver, Washington. Yes, they had a site... and as soon as the kid on the phone found out we were traveling with a boat as our camping unit, he said, "No way! The owner won't allow someone to stay here in a boat. We've been down that road before, and we aren't gonna do that again. This is an RV park, not a boat park."
"No problem, young man, we'll find someone else who will be happy to take our money. You have a good day."
Joan went to work researching another park. No answer. She went to another. The guy was very nice - "Yes, we have a site, let me get your information..." Again, all was fine until he heard we were staying in a boat. "Well, that's a new one on me."
I went through my standard discussion about "all the amenities of an RV... 30 amp power... etc, etc."
"I'm going to have to run this by the manager." He came back after about 5 seconds and said, "Nope. No can do. The manager put the kabosh on that. I can suggest other parks in the area."
That one was Portland Fairview RV Park in Portland - just so you boat folks can cross that off your list. I thanked him and said, "We'll find another in our Good Sam Campground Guide. Thanks for your time."
We called another, and they were full. We decided to look for something before Portland, and called Sandy Riverfront RV Resort in Troutdale. I visited with my new best friend, Jerry. He wasn't so sure about having a boat in the park... I let him know that we have traveled over 2,500 miles so far, just on this trip, and have stayed at nice RV parks every single night.
"You have?"
"Yes. We're not going to take the boat off the trailer and put it in your pool. We'd like a nice place to stay, we'll plug in our 30 amp electric, go out for supper, then come back and go to bed. We're moving this boat from south Texas to the San Juan Islands for the summer. We found you in the Good Sam Guide Book and were impressed with your ratings. It sounds like you have a nice place there."
He hemmed and hawed, asked a few more questions, then decided they would take our money. ;-) With a place to stay for the night, we settled into the rest of the day's drive.
Lots of pretty stuff across Oregon...
That is the Blue Mountains in the distance. Then, more rolling hills...
Some long up and downgrades. As we approached the Columbia River, the phone rang: "Hey Wild Blue Jim, we just passed you going the other direction. Did you see me flash my lights?"
It was another friend we haven't met in person, yet, Steve P. (Wandering Sagebrush) (another C-Dory owner). We visited on the phone for a bit. They are headed off with their Airstream (east) and we are anxious to get Wild Blue back in the water (west)... we agreed to try to make our paths cross one day. That was a nice visit. We have a lot in common: boats, RVs, photography, and the desire to wander around a bit. I have no doubt our paths will cross for more than a "drive by." ;-)
Anyone recognize this mountain?
The views along the Columbia River Gorge are always pretty...
More views from the front seat (the other side, 'cause the batteries in my camera gave up; Joan shot with her iPhone)...
The winds really kicked up along the river, of course, right on the nose. Our mpg dropped from the high 13s to just over 10 - time for a fuel stop. We pulled into a Pilot, and the truck lanes all had 2 to 3 trucks waiting in line to fuel up. I started around the side of the building... whoa, this is narrow! Oh, look, we'e about to be in the drive-up lane for the McDonalds!! Yeah, it was close. A sharp turn, and I was able to back into an available fuel lane on the car side. Joan spotted for me (backing towards my blind side); the gas station attendant (yes, this is Oregon, they pump the gas for you) said, "You've done this before."
Joan paid me a nice compliment, but I couldn't do it without the trust and guidance I get from her back there. We fueled up and headed for the home stretch for the day.
The historic town of Troutdale is a neat place. We'd like to come back here when we have more time... and an RV to stay in. ;-) We pulled into the RV park at the far end of town, and I got to meet Jerry. He looked out the window at the boat and said, "Well, that's not what I was thinking it was going to be."
It seems that when you say "boat," people think ski boat... loud music... drunk people being rowdy. We hardly ever do that anymore. ;-)
We pulled into our site...
It's a very nice park. Plenty full, and nice looking RVs in here. It is clear they have "standards," and I'm thinking we just squeeked by. ;-)
We set up, went out for supper, stopped at the store for breakfast stuff, then back to the boat. Just like I promised.
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