Northwest GTG 2012 - Sept 27-Oct 2

[Cougarfan]

Just thought I would update who we have for the gtg so far.

Lenora (AlmostThere) - F36
Beth (Bethers) - F37
Diana (mtngal) - F38
Karen (Oregonluvr with Cougarfan crashing on the sofa) - F39
Marda (WickedLady) - F40

There were others that had posted that they were interested in attending or would be in the area, so please think about coming. Its a beautiful area with lots of hiking and Crater Lake National Park is just a short drive away. For all you non-Oregonians that expressed an interest in this gtg, we have NO SALES TAX in Oregon! How cool is that? This is the wild west but we have paved roads and everything! The other great thing is that we don't have self-serve gas. We have people that pump the gas for you! You don't even have to get out of your rv!

I'm just a teeny bit biased but I think that the Oregon State Parks are the best in the country.

Okay, my sales pitch is over. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at this gtg and hope that a few more will tag along as well.

Laura

[Willibus]

Thanks for the welcome to this site and also the info on the OR gtg. Not sure we can make it this year. We'll probably be back home around 9/23 and too pooped to go out again that soon. We also may be traveling to a wedding in San Diego the week after and that will be by car - quick trip down and back. So, we'll have to take a rain check (in Oregon - imagine that! ) and hope for next year.

[Joan]

Just thought I would update who we have for the gtg so far.

Lenora (AlmostThere) - F36
Beth (Bethers) - F37
Diana (mtngal) - F38
Karen (Oregonluvr with Cougarfan crashing on the sofa) - F39
Marda (WickedLady) - F40

There were others that had posted that they were interested in attending or would be in the area, so please think about coming. Its a beautiful area with lots of hiking and Crater Lake National Park is just a short drive away. For all you non-Oregonians that expressed an interest in this gtg, we have NO SALES TAX in Oregon! How cool is that? This is the wild west but we have paved roads and everything! The other great thing is that we don't have self-serve gas. We have people that pump the gas for you! You don't even have to get out of your rv!

I'm just a teeny bit biased but I think that the Oregon State Parks are the best in the country.

Okay, my sales pitch is over. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at this gtg and hope that a few more will tag along as well.

Laura

Laura,

I just booked my site, F36. I just noticed that Lenora is also listed in that site. Hopefully there is not a mixup. I sent Lenora a pm.

[Cougarfan]

Yay Joan! Can't wait to meet you!

I was just posting the spots based on what people put in their posts. Maybe it is just a typo or Lenora switched spots or something came up and she won't be able to attend.

Laura

[Joan]

Lenora responded that she had cancelled her site.

[Cougarfan]

Oh that's too bad. Thanks for the update Joan.

Laura

[ellenw]

Ummm, hi guys! File this under "Jumping the gun a little" -- I've reserved site F41 to join all of you on September 27. I'm so excited I about pee my pants every time I think about it. (TMI?)

I've never even driven an RV, but I've wanted one forever, so I'm starting the plunge by renting a CruiseAmerica 23'-25' MH in Portland on September 26. I'll get up very early and drive from Spokane to Portland to get to the rental place at 1:00pm. I'll leave my car in some trustworthy looking parking lot within walking distance of CruiseAmerica. (Actually, the satellite view of the area looks a little sketchy, so that might be a weak segment in my plan that needs rethinking.)

Yikes!! The parking lot at the CruiseAmerica site on Google Maps doesn't look big enough for me to do much practicing, so I'm hoping the desk agent there can point me toward a large parking lot very close by. My thought is they want me to wreck their rig even less than I want to! (Note to self: call insurance company to learn about existing coverage.)

After my way-too-short orientation, I'll spend my FIRST EVER night at Milo McIver campground about 40 minutes SW of Portland. Then on Thursday I'll drive on down to Valley of the Rogue. Never drove a motorhome, never backed into a camp site, never hooked up utilities, never spent the night in a MH, and never unhooked utilities. [I better stop that list; I'm getting queasy.] By the time I meet all of you, just think of the number of firsts I will have accomplished. Hopefully dragging cords and utility posts behind me isn't one of them.

I'm REALLY looking forward to meeting you!

Ellen

[Joan]

What an adventure! Look forward to meeting you. Eventually, I want to upgrade to a MH and will rent one first as well. Will be interested in your experience.

[Bethers]

Sorry to see that Lenora has cancelled. Glad to see Joan and Ellen are coming.

And Ellen - we all had to start somewhere. First time I drove my rv - it was from Wisconsin to Alabama - had never backed up etc before that. So I know exactly where you are coming from. Only advice I'll give you - get out and look all around the site you'll be backing into. Then every few feet, if necessary, get out and get your bearings. I still have to do that sometimes - and it's been many, many years now. But little trees and poles can just come shooting out of nowhere - whether experienced or not. So, no matter how many people offer to help you - do NOT trust any of them completely - use your own eyes also - as often as necessary. On all sides of the rig. And you'll be just fine.

[ellenw]

Great advice! Thanks, Beth.

[OregonLuvr]

UMMMMM yeah dont forget to look UP too. I will tell you what I mean by that at the GTG.

So glad you will be joining us, looking forward to it, and if you need any help or advice WE will be your Go-To-Gals ha ha We are usually full of .......advice, opinions, and best of all laughter.

karen

[Cougarfan]

Yay Ellen! Can't wait to meet you at the gtg. Everyone starts rving sometime. I applaud you jumping in with both feet. Like you said, you CAN do it and you WILL do it. There will be plenty of people around to help you if you want. You know, unhooking the cords, utility poles, etc...JUST KIDDING! You'll be fine!

You may want to check with Cruise America. They may have a parking lot for your car or at least a suggestion. Or, maybe you could take the train? I used to live in Spokane and take the train to Portland to visit my sister. Seems to me it leaves in the middle of the night but arrives in Portland before lunch. Not sure you can take pets though now that I think about it but might be worth checking it out.

I'll update the gtg list soon.

Laura

[WickedLady]

Ellen: Just think of a mh as a very large car; they drive the same way. You just have to adjust for the size (swing wide for turns for exampe). Take your time. Freeways have more than one lane and people can go around you. I rarely drive over 60mph. If you can backup a car you can backup a mh and there wil be someone there to help you. Looking forward to meeting you.
Marda

[ellenw]

I'm VERY excited now - even more so! My friend, Kari, is coming with me. She grew up RV'ing with her parents, so even though her experience isn't very current, she'll be a second driver and a second pair of eyes and ears, not to mention good company along the way.

I gave her the link to this forum so she could lurk for a while. I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't just jump right in, like I did.

Good things happening!

[ellenw]

The Jetboat company is only open until the middle of September so we need to keep this in mind when picking a date and it can be fairly hot in August. I am thinking after Labor day.

Phooey - looked like a lot of fun, but they only run until September 23. Oh well, I'll just have to put it on the "go back again" list.