This has been a busy month for us. We have been traveling south from Oregon while visiting a few of our favorite stops and a couple of new ones. We managed to avoid severe weather while traveling.
Valley of the Rogue River
We are in Albuquerque, NM until Saturday when the latest cold front finally fizzles out and then it is on to Texas for the winter. So, I have several posts to do with photos.
So, back in Oregon, we learned that the paved path inside the Valley of the Rogue River State Park is being extended 30 miles from Central Point to Grants Pass and connecting to the Bear Creek Greenway which will add another 20 miles. When the Rogue River Greenway is completed, the 50-mile path will connect 8 cities in southern Oregon encouraging people to use the path for health, travel, and recreation. The best part, users will not have to worry about vehicles except when crossing roads.
We visited Jacksonville during our stay in the state park. We walked a few of the streets, window shopping and enjoyed the peacefulness of the downtown area.
Jacksonville, OR
I have seen Mt. Shasta so many times in the past ten years and I never tire of the view. Such a gorgeous sight to see as we drive down I-5.
Mt. Shasta
We decided on a different route this time. Instead of our usual route through California on I-5, we decided to go through Nevada for a change of scenery and what a change! After a night in one of Reno's casino parking lots, we headed south on US 6/95. Talk about the open road and no traffic!
Dan found online an overnight rest stop for travelers, but not for commercial truckers at Miller's Rest Area near Tonopah, NV. We were the first to park for the evening. The cats enjoyed exploring the area while I enjoyed the views. So much open space! By sunset, there were several recreational vehicles parked near us.
Sunset and sunrise at Miller's Rest Area
Next stop, Las Vegas!
I wish we had been here to see this cactus bloom.
Actually Nellis AFB, but we did get out a couple of times for lunch buffets, plus we visited Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam. I'll save those photos for the next post.
Nellis AFB FamCamp
I think we wore out the cats from all the traveling.
Okay, I'll admit that I have been a homebody for the last month. Except for doctor appointments and shopping, I spent most of the time in the RV park. Most days were spent walking around the park, looking for wildlife, watching cats, reading, and quilting.
We saw two does with twin fawns. I tried to get a quick photo one day, but the family was not co-operating.
Max at least slept through his photoshoot. This became his favorite spot on sunny days. The weather has been wonderful. Plenty of sunny days and cool nights.
The best part of our stay was having a friend drive all the way from San Diego for a two-day visit. We have known each other for many years and it was wonderful spending some time with her.
Today was a travel day. We left Sutherlin and will spend a couple of nights in Grants Pass before starting our journey south to Texas for the winter.
Another snoozer during photo opts! Hitch has become quite a lap cat while we are traveling. Usually, he only sits or sleeps with us when he isn't feeling well. He has a lot of stomach problems that will last a couple of days. During that time, he wants to cuddle all the time. Once he is well, he is back to his aloof cattitude. 😸
On The Cutting Board
My new quilt has occupied most of my time. Trying to decide on block sizes changed a couple of times.
Rabbit
Then I had a hard time deciding on what fabrics to use for the alternate blocks and did I have enough to make a queen-size bed.
Eagle
In the meantime, I kept hand-stitching together the appliqué blocks.
Horse
Five appliquéd blocks later and I am still undecided as to what to use for the alternative block.
Turtle
This was the first block design I had finished, but once it was done....hmm, I just don't like it that much. It looks too dark. Sooo, back to the drawing board.
A month later, this block (below) jumped out at me when I saw it in a beautiful Alaska wildlife-themed quilt was posted on Facebook. The quilt was a sampler design with appliqué and different pieced blocks. I believe it is the perfect alternate block to bring my Southwest quilt together. Since my fabric supply is limited, I am using two different color schemes. I used my EQ7 to make the block and print out templates. Sewed the first two together for a visual test and that was when I realized that I had made the blocks a half-inch too big! Okay, back to the drawing board to resize the block.
I don't know the name of this individual block. It looks like a different version of a square-in-a-diamond with a nine-patch. If you happen to know the name of this block design, please let me know. Happy Quilting!
First, I want to let everyone know that the kayak owner's insurance finally paid for our damages as well as to the Tesla owner. It only took them six weeks and a lot of emails to get them to pay, but Dan and N were diligent in getting them to admit the kayak owner was at fault, not the rack company.
View of Columbia River
We will be spending the winter having the coach fiberglass repaired and the paint touched up. In the meantime, I have photos of our walk to Starvation Falls while we were staying in Viento State Park in July. We were able to walk from our park to the next park on a paved trail that looked like an old road. This made for a pleasant walk on the hillside just above the highway, but we could still hear the traffic from below. Not so much the joy of listening to the wind or singing birds in the trees as much as the engines zooming by. 🤣🐦
Starvation Falls got its name when a train full of people became snowbound during the winter of 1884. It sounds like the beginnings of a tragic story, but this one ends with everyone living.
They ran out of food and coal, but passengers and crew managed with what they had or could find in the nearby forest to keep warm.
With help from the locals, and male passengers risking a dangerous trek through the deep snow to bring food to the snowbound train, the passengers were able to survive for three weeks inside the train. Passengers and crew admitted to being very cold and feeling starved but were happy to be able to live to tell their story.
Back to Sutherlin, OR at the Timber Valley Escapees RV Park. Both Dan and I have been busy with annual check-ups with our doctors and dentists. On quiet days, we have been enjoying the wildlife in the park.
Our next-door neighbor has an Asian pear tree that all the animals love to eat. The jackrabbits are there every morning for breakfast. This is the first time I have been able to get this close to them.
The squirrels usually don't stick around to eat their fruit. We get the feeling that they don't like to hang out with the rabbits except for this guy. He decided that he wanted a breakfast with a view and sat on the planter next to the yellow roses.
All sites back up to a green common area with grass and trees. Dusty enjoys this area.
We spend half our time following him to the back. He has become quite a tree hugger lately!
On The Cutting Board
All done from A to Zzzz! Well, the embroidery is all done. Now I need to spend time trimming down the blocks.
Then I need to embroider the seams and decide on a border or no border.
Plus a backing. Hmmm, maybe I'm celebrating too early, but it still feels like a big accomplishment.
Okay, back to the cutting board for more planning. Happy Quilting!
NO INJURIES: It's been a long time since I have had an auto accident, but this is the first time I have had a 'boating' accident with our coach on I-84 just 9 miles out from our new destination in Viento State Park. Jokes aside this is turning into a major mess.
Damage to compartment's door and latch
Due to the kayaks NOT being properly secured to the car's front and back the two came flying off the passing Durango with the rack still attached. The kayaks dropped into the left lane and were hit by the car behind them which caused the biggest kayak to slide right in front of the coach. I tried to miss it but did not have enough room or time. By the time I had stopped, the kayak was wedged up against our front tire. We had to use our Air leveler to raise the front and pull out the kayak.
Generator's muffler torn off - cannot dry camp until fixed
There was damage done to the fiberglass on one compartment door and tore off our generator's muffler. We were lucky that no damage was done to the coach's front wheel or to our Honda. I am also happy that the Tesla driver was keeping a good following distance. They could have had a kayak going through their windshield. We have video from three different angles thanks to the Tesla cams and our dashcam.
Quick response from the State Trooper and the Deputy Sheriff. They did a great job of helping us, but they did not cite the kayak owner. Within a few days, this whole incident had become a nightmare for us and for the Tesla owners. Along with damage to our home, we will need coverage for hotel and food while the coach is in the shop.
The coach is fine for traveling, but we will not be able to use our air conditioner while driving on hot days until the generator's muffler has been repaired. You are probably thinking we should travel during the cool early mornings. That would be great except we are booked with quite a few parks with 1pm check-outs and 4pm check-ins Since we are only a couple of hours away from our new locations, we have to find a rest area to wait out the differences. Such fun on these hot days.
Because the kayak owner is now claiming the kayak rack was defective and is in the process of filing claims against the company, his insurance is dragging out our claim for damages to our home and to the Tesla. Dan and the Tesla owner have sent instructions from the rack company showing that they specifically instruct rack owners to secure all items to their cars with straps and not just to the rack so he doesn't have any grounds to make such a claim when we have video of no straps securing the kayaks to the front or back of his car.
Almost two hours later, we finally made it to Viento State Park and were able to destress with these wonderful views of the Columbia River.
We also took a walk to a nearby fall, but I'm going to save the photos for the next posting.
I promised a friend that I would post more photos of our cats this time. So here are a few mugshots that they allowed me to take of them.
Hitch surveying his surroundings
Dusty being a big quilt helper.
Dusty told me: "your lines are crooked."
Caught cuddling - Dusty and Max
It was your idea.
Now, she thinks we look cute and keeps snapping pictures of us!
Time to backtrack to Sturgis, SD.
While I was waiting to get my license renewed, Dan's sister invited me to the Black Hills Quilt Show. The link will take you to the Winner's Gallery if you would like to see more quilts.
Unique Giraffe quilt
Since I did not take my camera, I limited my photos to the quilts that really inspired me and I really needed the inspiration. For a couple of months, I have not felt like quilting just embroidering or reading. Spending time talking and shopping quilts with my sister-in-law was also a major push to my quilting recovery. Whew! that was a close one.
Since I love the more unique appliqué work.....well as you can see...that is about the only photos I took.
Love this Harry Potter's Bookshelf!!
This is my favorite quilt because it has three of my favorite pastimes: Harry Potter/Hogwarts along with lots of books all appliquéd into a quilt.
Crabapple Hills quilt
Speaking of witches, I love the Crabapple Hills designs. I just can't see me spending all that time coloring fabric when I would rather be embroidering or sewing the design. I might try some of their new blocks without coloring and see how it looks when I am done. Have you seen their latest designs? Check out the Witches and their vintage campers in Autumn & Halloween
Okay, here's a few more appliqué quilts that I would like to make...
....someday.
I have the Art Deco pattern for the quilt on the left in the above photo. I started one block and now it is a UFO. If I'm going to make a floral quilt, I should probably start with that one, right?
I added this commentary from The Quiltfolk website. Michael really caught our spirit and passion for quilting or any other hobbyist. I can't imagine life without some kind of hobby. The Quiltfolk "Quilt & Time" by MICHAEL MCCORMICK
On The Cutting Board
With my new found inspiration, I started working on my last, yes definitely my very last large quilt (not written in stone)😌 before we left South Dakota. I have been wanting a Southwest theme quilt for our bed for a couple of years, but I don't have the energy to work on a large quilt in a hoop.
I have decided to try 'quilt-as-you-go'. This is my first time trying this technique. I will need to applique 12 blocks altered with patchwork. I will have to come up with three new designs to make the quilt larger since the Native Flair pattern only has nine. So far, I have decided to add Kokopeli, a gecko, and a hummingbird. I might make a fourth design because the Llama doesn't fit in too well with my SW theme since they are not indigenous to North America. I think a Quail would be more at home in this quilt.
I'm still working on my A to Zzz Snowman quilt. Here's the latest block for U, T, and V! This one took me a while to finish. I can't believe that I am down to W, X, Y, and Z! Then I'll have another quilt to make and I have no idea what I'm going to do with it.
Time to get back to my quilting. I need to cut out my sashings today and start on my nine-patch corners. Sew much to do...where to start? Happy Quilting!
