7-27-2019

7-27-19 Sam Owen Campground Lake Pend Orreille, Idaho

7-27-19

We couldn’t get reservations at Priest Lake this year.  Everything was full.  It is always possible to walk-in, but I just don’t feel we can risk the possibility of not finding a site.  We had a tailwind the whole way so fuel economy was pretty good at 9.5mpg.  I had to replace the tires last month.  The right rear had started to delaminate. I replaced the shocks while I was at it.  They seemed original to the truck.  The rear shocks were still good.  I saved them, but the fronts were flat.  The truck drove with a lot more confidence.  It’s felt unstable above 60mph, but this trip 70 was no problem.

We drove by the old Vendersloot property just outside of Sandpoint.  They tore down the big red barn and all the out buildings.  The house looks abandoned too.  Lots of early memories there.

7-28-19 

Dad is having problems with the truck and camper.  The brakes lights were not working.  That took some messing with.  Then the license on the camper wears expired.  Then the battery was dead.

Dad is pretty much done with camping.  I understand, he’s 76 years old.  It’s a lot of work making sure everything is good to go.  It’s no fun wondering if the truck can make it up and back without breaking.  I spent the last 6 weeks working on the our truck making sure everything was just right and that I would have the confidence in the truck I need to not worry about every little thing.  

7-29-19

Mom and dad made it up today after lunch.  Dad seemed pretty frazzled.  They are definitely done camping.  Mom is resigned that this will be her last trip.  She is now talking about car camping by herself and leaving dad at home to do whatever.  

None of the tank sensors in the camper are working.  I need to come up with something to replace them. The spin weld sensors must be expensive to replace.  Might be worth a call to see just how expensive.  There are alternatives that require a 1/4 inch hole to be drilled and they just poke in the tank.  Replaceable too.  For what they are they are fairly expensive, but a fraction of what I imagine to spin weld replacements to be.

7-30-19

I expected the lake to be cold.  It’s really nice actually.  The wind picked up and the waves were about 1 foot.  The kids had lots of fun.  Mom brought her kayak and I took the kids out for a bit until the waves were too big for the little boat.  The lake had been glass smooth up until today. 

7-31-19

I took moms small kayak out to one of the islands.  A good workout.  There were no trespassing signs all over.  No houses or buildings, and the shore had been built up with large boulders.  There were Loons on the back side of the island, that was pretty neat to see.  

Shelly and everyone else arrived about diner time.  They will stay the rest of the week.  Dad has decided that this will be the last camping trip for them.  The truck is old and not terribly reliable.  The camper is difficult to load, and the c-pap that dad uses for camping is barely tolerable.  Mom is resigned to cabins or motels from now on.  Although she did mention that the back seat of her car folds down and with a little preparation she could car camp.  I cant imagine at her age that would be comfortable, which shows how desperate she is to continue camping.  I’ve told everyone that we need to be looking for accommodation for next year that can include everyone.  Cabins or such for mom and dad, and maybe Jenny if she wants to come. Camping for the rest of us.  Something like Kalalock with the resort next door.  The logistics will be challenging.  We shall see what everyone can come up with.

8-1-19

More lazeing around and doing nothing.  I could get used to this.

8-2-19

Drive back to Spokane today.  We stopped to say hi to Yvonne.  She seems very happy.  Her house is amazing.  Cozy and inviting. She has an art studio now.  Stopped to see grandma Rankin.  Very difficult.  She is confused, angry, scared, just wants to go ‘home’.  All the typical dementia issues.  We brought her a strawberry milkshake, she couldn’t even focus on that.

8-3-19

Stopped to see grandpa Long.  He will be 101 in 3 days.  Strong, vibrant, focused.  Showed me his new knee.  ‘They put a lot more iron in there this time’ he says.  5 months latter he still isn’t 100%, but he walks 12 blocks a day pushing his walker the whole way.  He is afraid that if he falls he will be an invalid.  I hope I can be that well off if I make it to 100.

8-4-19

Drove home today.  Hot and a headwind through the state.  Truck drives so much better with new tires and shocks.  At 70 it runs a tiny bit hot.  Took it slow(ish) up the Vantage hill. truck ran hot all the way up.  Not alarmingly hot, but the gauge was quite a bit farther to the right than normal.  Still, it did just fine.  Need to add a temp gauge that shows actual degrees.