LIfted

I'm still not sure where our next adventure will be, but one thing for certain, Waddles will be riding high.   I've been reading about how easy it is to install a lift-kit, and raise the trailer 2.5/8", allowing for better clearance off the pavement.

So after doing some research, and consulting with my resident mechanic and checking the height of the garage door (to make sure Waddles could still fit in), I ordered up the kit for under $100.       It arrived in the mail this morning.

All the parts were pulled out (not too many):

And Waddles was jacked up, by lowering the tongue, lowering the stabilizers and then raising the tongue until the wheels are off the ground.   Then the wheels were removed.

What the lift kit does is inserts a spacer above the axle lifting the trailer chassis 2.5/8".   I watched the process, which consisted of removing 2 bolts which hold the axle to the trailer chassis, inserting the new spacers, and putting in 4 new bolts.

Bolts removed and axle lowered

Spacer inserted, no bolts installed yet.

It is very clear to me, after watching this process, that the proper tools help a great deal, and having the strength to muscle tight bolts loose, and tighten new bolts sufficiently is very helpful.  Not to mention understanding how things are put together.  I'm lacking in all these areas.

This is what the spacer adds to the trailer height.

This is what the spacer looks like from under the other side of the trailer.

We had to change the trailer hitch to a higher one, and the trailer tongue still looks a little bit too high, but with weight in the car, that should balance out.    We took her out for a little test run.  First check was to make sure we could still clear the garage door (no problem).     It is a bit higher for me to climb in and out of the trailer, and to use the kitchen off the back, but I am VERY happy about this modification.  I might have to call her Waddles the Puddle Jumper now.

Hummmmm.  Where to go next...  I'm thinking about Red Lodge, Montana, driving over Bear Ear Highway.   Or maybe Leslie Gulch area.  Ideas?

Spring Weather and Birds!

First trip of the season is under our belts!    Waddles and I spent 3 days at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge, near French Glen, Oregon.   I make an annual trip down there with friends.  This year we stayed in a new place, and I decided to bring Waddles along to provide a much needed extra bed.    I only used her to sleep, sharing the kitchen, living and bathroom space of a cabin with my friends.

I really appreciated the quiet solitude of my cocoon in Waddles.    I wasn't sure what weather we were  in for; cold, sun, rain, wind and snow were predicted.   Sure enough we got all of those.

Driving down the first day we saw a HUGE flock of Snow/Ross Geese flying overhead, and were the target of some pretty sloppy goose poop.    Waddles is now in need of a good bath!

The first night was much warmer than expected, first day of birding was pleasant, partly sunny, not much wind.  

We saw a nest of Great Horned Owls, with 2 babies, very camouflaged in the crotch of a tree.

And not a lot of Sandhill Cranes, but enough!

The second night was not too cool, Waddles and I were comfortable.  Second day birding was very windy, so challenging to see birds, to spend much time outside the car. or to photograph anything.   We splurged and ate dinner at the Frenchglen Hotel, which is a fun experience, family style dinners with all the other guest.    We had Cornish Game Hens, vegetables and rice, with chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert!

The third night started off with rain and cold.    We woke to frost and a bit of snow and used the heater to warm things up in Waddles before venturing out from under the covers.    Driving home on that day we encountered sun, rain, hail, and wind.    I guess that is pretty typical of April in Eastern Oregon!    It was a great trip and Waddles and I are ready for more!

Yes, that is frosty snow on the car and trailer.

In front of the Frenchglen Hotel

On Wright's Point between Frenchglen and Burns.

Spring!

Just to get your attention...here is a pre-dawn shot of the moon reflecting on Mt Hood!   I've been taking a photography workshop, learning to use my DSLR camera to it's full capacity.   Not sure if you can see it in this photo, but to the left of the moon are Jupiter, Saturn and Mars! (click on the photo to embiggen it... it might take a minute)

It's been a pretty mild winter, and I've been itching to take Waddles out for a spin, but I have (cat) obligations at home so I've resisted.   BUT...  Every year a group of us makes a trek down to the Malheur Wildlife Refuge to watch birds.    We normally stay at the Malheur Field Station, but unfortunately the Field Station is having some serious water system issues, and so our reservations were cancelled.   This year we are going to try something new and stay at the Steens Mountain Wilderness Resort, which is very near French Glen.   The accommodations have not quite enough beds for our group, so I volunteered to bring Waddles! Yes, I was looking for an excuse to take her out.    In the next few weeks I'll be loading her up and getting ready to roll.    I'm so excited.   She has been patiently sitting in the garage, right next to my car all winter long.

Let the season begin!

This lovely Sharp-Shinned Hawk perched right outside my window one morning a few weeks ago!

All Good Things Must Come to a (temporary) End

Well, it is fall, there is no doubt.   The snow is moving down the hills, we are waking to frosty mornings and the vegetable garden has mostly been put to bed for the year.

And Waddles and I had to make one more trip before calling it quits for the summer.    We took a jaunt over to La Grande for the weekend to attend a Marimba Workshop.     The drive over was sunny and mostly clear until we got close to La Grande.   Then things turned to rain/snow/sleet.

There was fresh snow on the hills around the valley, and it was darn cold cooking coffee in the mornings.    My little Heater Buddy did a fine job of keeping the chill off in the evenings and mornings, and I had plenty of blankets so was toasty warm sleeping.

The workshop was amazing, as expected.   Two full days of learning, laughing and love.   It was about so much more than playing notes.   It was about the spirit of the music, the spirit of the musicians, the one-ness of the band.    I come away renewed.

Sunday evening Waddles and I headed back over the hill to Pendleton to spend the night with friends.   It was a beautiful sunset dropping down off Cabbage Hill.

Today we headed home.    It's our final outing together for the year.   Waddles and the car both got a good bath (it was a BEAUTIFUL day today), Waddles is now completely cleared out of camping gear,  and she is neatly tucked into the garage for the winter.

I'm sad.   I still LOVE Waddles, and whenever she is in my rear view mirror it makes me smile.  I have the winter to plan my adventures for next summer.   I can't wait!

Swifts and Marimbas

Waddles and I made a quick trip to La Grande last Thursday.   I used to play in a Marimba Band over there, Kupenga Marimba, and they graciously allow me to make guest appearances with them on occasion.   They were playing for Vaux's Swift Night at Max Square.  

Annually the Vaux's Swifts come and roost in the big chimney right in downtown La Grande.  It is fun to watch, but evidently the Swifts didn't get the memo, because they were not there on Friday evening for the big event.

But the crowd was wonderful, faces were painted and raffle tickets were sold.  Food was eaten and beer consumed.

You have heard me talk about Ladd Marsh before and I never miss an opportunity to visit the Marsh and look for birds when I am in La Grande.   Saturday mornings there is an organized bird outing that the public is invited to join, so I got up at 6am and was at the meeting spot for a 7am departure.   These outings are frequently into places on the Marsh that are not normally accessible by the public, so it is a treat.    

We walked out to the City Ponds, and even though it is not migration season, the birding was good.   We saw Bittern, Green Night Herons, Marsh wrens, a variety of ducks, Horned Grebes, and two Virginia Rails made appearances (for those of you who are not birders, these are very shy wading birds that hide in the reeds, you hear them more than see them normally).    We also saw Vaux's Swifts!  

Thanks to my friend Rachel, Waddles and I had a cozy spot to camp for a couple nights.  If it looks familiar, it is the same place I spent the first 2 nights of my mega trip last spring.

I'm sad to think that winter is coming too quickly and Waddles will have to be put into hibernation in the garage.   I'm hoping to get another trip or two in before that happens, but nothing solid is planned yet.

Bugs and screens and beauty Oh MY!

Waddles and I had a grand adventure this past week.   I loaded up all my gear (it is very different packing for a few days rather than 5 weeks!), including my new side tent and my kayak and headed north in to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  We were heading for the annual gathering of retired co-workers at Takhlakh Lake/Campground.    The drive up was pretty nice.  The road is paved north from Trout Lake until the last 5 miles or so.

We stopped in at the Mt Adams Ranger District office to get some maps and information and then headed out.

Arriving at about 1:45 I was greeted by lots of biting flies, so it was a contest to see how quickly I could set up the side tent, which can be a completely inclosed screen tent.   I did it pretty darn fast!

Others arrived and we all settled in.    This lake is situated right at the edge of the Mt Adams Wilderness, and right at the base of the mountain.

We spent a lot of time sitting inside the screen tent that evening, visiting and staying away from the bugs, and it was PERFECT.

This guy was parked between the screen and the outside of the tent in the morning... anyone know what it is?  The body is about 1-1/4 inches long.   

Next day we all launched our various water craft on the lake and had a look around.  It was very peaceful, and though there were quite a few people on and around the lake it was quite quiet also.   We saw lots of ducks, a Bald Eagle, Osprey and jumping fish.

Dinner that night was a pot luck.  I had also brought a big screen tent that can be put over a picnic table, so we ate under that, which worked well.

Next morning, pretty early, we set out to hike up the Divide (or Devide, depending on which map you look at) trail, which ties into the Pacific Crest Trail.   The views and wildflowers were spectacular.  

We encountered one guy who was hiking the PCT in sections... this was year 19 of doing this.  Next year they will hike the final leg, north to the Canadian border.... 20 years to hike the entire length of the PCT.  Now that is my kind of goal.

A dip in the lake was in order after the 7-8 mile hike in the heat.   And then an evening float on the lake to watch the sun set on the mountain.

After 3 nights we packed up and headed back south.  A few of us stopped in Trout Lake for Huckleberry Milkshakes, and wonderful sandwiches. The place was hopping with diners, many of whom looked like they might be hiking the PCT.

I still love Waddles, and think we should go out more often!   She got a good bath, is tucked back into the garage and is ready to roll.

Living Room?

oh look, Waddles got a living room!   A pre-owned, but never used, set up that is new to me.  This tent is designed to fit around the door of the trailer, providing a 10' x 10' living room.  It can be a screened room, or a closed room.  It has a floor and a rug, a roof cover and awning.     It is big, and not easy for one person to set up ( but I did it😊).    Some campsites may not be big enough to set this up, but I'm hoping to use it on my next trip.    I'll be staying in one place for 3 nights, so worth the effort.  Stay tuned!