8-1-2021

8-1-2021 Cape Disappointment State Park

Once again it’s the family get together camping trip.  Years ago we would camp at Priest Lake.  Mom and Dad would come and we would plan dinners together.  It was a great excuse to spend some time with family and was fairly easy.  These days it’s much more complicated.  There are 5 families with specific dietary needs and preferences.  This is probably our last year for shared meals.  Next year we will just set a schedule for when dinner will happen and every family will bring their own.  I know mom really enjoyed the shared cooking.  

It’s cold this year.  Not getting above 65 degrees.  Mom is spending as much time as she can visiting but can’t deal with the cold past dinner time.  She goes back to the yurt and sits by the heater.  If it was just cool weather it would be fine, but the wind is really blowing.  That’s the part that is hardest to deal with.  

Matt couldn’t make it but Misha and the children did.   

Truck ran fine.  1/2 qt. low on oil, but that seems normal by now.  It got crap mileage the last trip, 7.5mpg.  We took hwy 6 over to the coast this time.  Winding and rough, and probably bad for fuel economy.  It’s a nice drive but the road is not great.  I’m looking at new(er) trucks.  Maybe a replacement is on the horizon.  We will see.  This has been a good truck and well maintained.  It’s old enough that perhaps I should consider a replacement that will help me have more confidence in it’s abilities.  

8-6-2021

Misha went home today.  Maureen threw up all over their tent, sleeping bags, and pillows.  I’d be done too.  We stayed up late and watched the stars and meteors.  The fire ban has made meal planning quite a bit different this year.  We are doing pretty good though.  I brought the Instant-Pot and cooked a leg of lamb in it.  It turned out really great. I still can’t figure out how we leave with more food than we started though.  

It rained a bit last night.  Just enough to get everything throughly wet.  The clouds parted and the sun came out and it was the best day yet.  The planning for next year has already started.  Bring the gas fireplace, try to get everyone in the same loop, pack slightly warmer clothes.  Maybe bring a couple more cots.