3/14/09
Overcast today there calling for rain today with up to ½ inch of rain today and 1 inch tomorrow. Looking at the long range forecast looks like it will be off and on with this type weather for at least the next 8 to 10 days.
We will be back to house hunting hopefully in the next two days. It makes it real hard to do any serious looking and considering buying when you have your home up for sale. You don’t want to fall into the trap of buying first then selling your home. This type of logic can get you into big problems fast. It dose not hurt to keep looking around though.
The houses up here are not really selling that great either and the ones that are for sale have been on the market for a long time. The housing market overall is not picking up. Prices are a little lower, but the seller is still having a hard time selling. I think everyone else is looking at it the same way we are with our current home. You don’t want to take that big of a hit when you’re selling and of course you want to get a great buy on another home when you’re buying..
We have expanded our search out from Coos Bay; Coquille and Myrtle point to Winston Oregon, which I think is about 50 miles further inland. Interesting enough, the tax rates for houses in Winston are much cheaper than the Coos county area.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
GOOD BUYS (NO TAX)
3/13/09
Still under the weather, one more intravenous treatment for my Pneumonia, and they can pull out the needle. It sounds gory doesn’t it. Considering I may have had to stay in the hospital for a few days this was a better option.
We got a great deal on a winter jacket for Helen at K-mart. They reduced there winter coats down by 60% and this was on top of the previous sale price. I think the coat was originally $60.00; she got it for $13.00. I have to admit prices here are real cheap compared to California prices. Here again no sales tax.
Still under the weather, one more intravenous treatment for my Pneumonia, and they can pull out the needle. It sounds gory doesn’t it. Considering I may have had to stay in the hospital for a few days this was a better option.
We got a great deal on a winter jacket for Helen at K-mart. They reduced there winter coats down by 60% and this was on top of the previous sale price. I think the coat was originally $60.00; she got it for $13.00. I have to admit prices here are real cheap compared to California prices. Here again no sales tax.
IMPORTANT TO CHECK YOUR TIRES FOR MANUFACTURE DATE
3/12/09
The weather in Coquille was great today I think it got into the 60s, sunny and warm. If I would have been feeling better I would have been outside with Helen just taking in all this sunny warm weather.
After going to the pharmacy to get my Rx filled we went to Les Schwab to inform them since I was under the weather we could not be putting on the new tires until probably next Monday. I wanted do make sure the tires would still be on sale.
The sidewalls on the current tires are really cracked and we were skeptical of them making it up here without blowing out, which is too bad since they do have a lot of tread left on them. While we were at Les Schwab I had them check the tires we’re buying for the date they were manufactured to make sure I was not getting older tires that may have been setting in the warehouse for several years. This is a good practice to get into when you buying tires. Check for the manufacturing date always.
We had too go to Coos Bay to get my oxygen supplies from Linacre and naturally had to take Helen out to her favorite restaurant, McDonalds since they had two Big Macs for $4.00. And being a big spender I thought would be better then the $1.00 burger.
The weather in Coquille was great today I think it got into the 60s, sunny and warm. If I would have been feeling better I would have been outside with Helen just taking in all this sunny warm weather.
After going to the pharmacy to get my Rx filled we went to Les Schwab to inform them since I was under the weather we could not be putting on the new tires until probably next Monday. I wanted do make sure the tires would still be on sale.
The sidewalls on the current tires are really cracked and we were skeptical of them making it up here without blowing out, which is too bad since they do have a lot of tread left on them. While we were at Les Schwab I had them check the tires we’re buying for the date they were manufactured to make sure I was not getting older tires that may have been setting in the warehouse for several years. This is a good practice to get into when you buying tires. Check for the manufacturing date always.
We had too go to Coos Bay to get my oxygen supplies from Linacre and naturally had to take Helen out to her favorite restaurant, McDonalds since they had two Big Macs for $4.00. And being a big spender I thought would be better then the $1.00 burger.
RV PLUMBING CAN BE A PROBLEM
3/11/09
For those who say using a laptop in an RV Park is dumb, I have to disagree. I went on line and would you believe, put in our current location and searched for an RV repair service in the area. My first search found one that was located only about ½ mile away from the RV Park called Jackson RV Repair and Parts store. We were lucky and had it in the shop by 8 am and it was repaired by 10 a.m. After spending $98.00 for the repair we were on our way once again.
A little advice for anyone buying an RV is to make sure you know where all the hidden valves are located. Even though this is a new coach there were no directions on where these important valves were located. When we purchased the home in 2006 the sales person should have showed us were this hidden valve was located. Hey, I guess that’s why it’s called hidden he probably did not know.
It’s a unique valve that is usually located near the shower. The bypass valve is need when you winterize your home by opening up this valve your able to flush you water line with special motor home antifreeze. The main reason you’re bypassing the hot water heater is to avoid getting any anti freeze in your hot water tank. I guess it corrodes the tank when you have antifreeze to protect you water lines in the winter you would shut this valve down so the antifreeze does not contaminate the hot water tank. Great idea as long as you know where the hidden valve is.
At the turn off onto Hwy 42, heading west toward Coquille we found gasoline at $1.99 per gallon at a Love’s station right off highway 5. It took almost 38 gallons of gasoline to drive 337 miles from home to Winston OR, which works out to 8.8 miles per gallon. Mileage still holding about the same, towing our Saturn as compared too towing our pickup with the boat last trip.
We got to Coquille around 3 pm or so. Helen drove the last 50 miles or so as I was feeling a little under the weather. I kind of knew I was not feeling that great when we left home, but thought that it was just the cold in our country. By the time we got to Coquille I knew it was something else. We unhooked the car from the motor home and Helen drove me too the Coquille hospital. What a way to start off a vacation!!
Their emergency service for such a small town as Coquille was quite well organized. I don’t think we had to wait more than 10 minute for the doctor to see me. After some testing they diagnosed me with Pneumonia. I knew ahead of time I probably had Pneumonia again and sure enough I did. The first thought I had was that I would be spending a week in a hospital, but they started me on intravenous injections of a strong Antibiotic, followed up with prescriptions of steroids and Leviquin.. They had worked it out so I didn’t have to stay in the hospital for a few days just come back for two more days of additional intravenous antibiotic treatments, which only takes about 1 ½ hours per treatment.
This is another problem caused from the bad habit of smoking. Even though I have not smoked for over 4 years the damage has been done. Once you have COPD it never goes away and you’re prone to Pneumonia the rest of your life.
For those who say using a laptop in an RV Park is dumb, I have to disagree. I went on line and would you believe, put in our current location and searched for an RV repair service in the area. My first search found one that was located only about ½ mile away from the RV Park called Jackson RV Repair and Parts store. We were lucky and had it in the shop by 8 am and it was repaired by 10 a.m. After spending $98.00 for the repair we were on our way once again.
A little advice for anyone buying an RV is to make sure you know where all the hidden valves are located. Even though this is a new coach there were no directions on where these important valves were located. When we purchased the home in 2006 the sales person should have showed us were this hidden valve was located. Hey, I guess that’s why it’s called hidden he probably did not know.
It’s a unique valve that is usually located near the shower. The bypass valve is need when you winterize your home by opening up this valve your able to flush you water line with special motor home antifreeze. The main reason you’re bypassing the hot water heater is to avoid getting any anti freeze in your hot water tank. I guess it corrodes the tank when you have antifreeze to protect you water lines in the winter you would shut this valve down so the antifreeze does not contaminate the hot water tank. Great idea as long as you know where the hidden valve is.
At the turn off onto Hwy 42, heading west toward Coquille we found gasoline at $1.99 per gallon at a Love’s station right off highway 5. It took almost 38 gallons of gasoline to drive 337 miles from home to Winston OR, which works out to 8.8 miles per gallon. Mileage still holding about the same, towing our Saturn as compared too towing our pickup with the boat last trip.
We got to Coquille around 3 pm or so. Helen drove the last 50 miles or so as I was feeling a little under the weather. I kind of knew I was not feeling that great when we left home, but thought that it was just the cold in our country. By the time we got to Coquille I knew it was something else. We unhooked the car from the motor home and Helen drove me too the Coquille hospital. What a way to start off a vacation!!
Their emergency service for such a small town as Coquille was quite well organized. I don’t think we had to wait more than 10 minute for the doctor to see me. After some testing they diagnosed me with Pneumonia. I knew ahead of time I probably had Pneumonia again and sure enough I did. The first thought I had was that I would be spending a week in a hospital, but they started me on intravenous injections of a strong Antibiotic, followed up with prescriptions of steroids and Leviquin.. They had worked it out so I didn’t have to stay in the hospital for a few days just come back for two more days of additional intravenous antibiotic treatments, which only takes about 1 ½ hours per treatment.
This is another problem caused from the bad habit of smoking. Even though I have not smoked for over 4 years the damage has been done. Once you have COPD it never goes away and you’re prone to Pneumonia the rest of your life.
FIRST DAY ON THE ROAD
3/10/092
Left home from Janesville around 10:15 a.m. The trip to Medford was uneventful. Since we had a snow storm just two days prior in Janesville I assumed traveling over Hwy 44 and Hwy 89 we would run into some ice, or at least wet pavement. All the highways over here were in great shape. We arrived in Medford Oregon around 3:30 in the afternoon deciding to stay at an RV Park called Pear Tree RV Park. Now for our rotten luck we hooked up the water to the motor home to find that one of the water connectors that go to the shower had broke. No water tonight, but we had a couple of water jugs we had filled at home that got us through.
Left home from Janesville around 10:15 a.m. The trip to Medford was uneventful. Since we had a snow storm just two days prior in Janesville I assumed traveling over Hwy 44 and Hwy 89 we would run into some ice, or at least wet pavement. All the highways over here were in great shape. We arrived in Medford Oregon around 3:30 in the afternoon deciding to stay at an RV Park called Pear Tree RV Park. Now for our rotten luck we hooked up the water to the motor home to find that one of the water connectors that go to the shower had broke. No water tonight, but we had a couple of water jugs we had filled at home that got us through.
Friday, March 6, 2009
COUNT DOWN BEGINS & DANGEROUS TIRES
Well it looks like we have the clearance to migrate North next week if the weather cooperates.
We got about 8 inches of snow the other day, which put a kabosh to any traveling with our motor home.
Our main plan at this time is to leave Tuesday, March 10. According to the weather reports it's supposed to be clear and dry. Ha! I have been told this before and know from experience, you can't always believe the weather man. They're only right with their forecast about 35 % when we're talking 5 days off.
We have reservations in Coquille again at the Rivers Edge RV Park. Last year we stayed there for one month and it was great. The name tells it all and I mean you're right on the rivers edge of the Coquille river.
Although I tried fishing last year on the river it was not productive, at least not for me. They were catching a lot of Steelhead before we arrived, but the water was still a little too high at the time. I don't think I will get a fishing license this time since I really did not catch much last year in March. I will however, get an ocean shell fish license and do some clamming. Crabbing is not good at this time either, so I will avoid crabbing unless I hear different. We get a Fish and Wild Life report for Oregon via computer once a week with up dates. Great service they provide for the fisherman and hunter. If you would like to receive a weekly report just click on the link below and sign up.
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/RR/index.asp
One of our other plans is to get new tires put on our RV since the current tires we have are all cracking around the edges of the tire. Makes you mad when you only really have about 5000 miles on these tires. One of those things they talk about when you get tires specifically on a new Motor home, they're not real high quality. Although they were a Name brand, Michelin. Its one of those cases that the motor home is a 2006 model and the tires were a lot older than the motor home. I believe they put the cheapest tires on them and they're out dated to begin with. Example; they could be on a vehicle that is a 2006 model, but the tire may have been made in 2004 or earlier.
This problem does not specifically apply to motor home, but any new tire you may buy. Check the manufacturing date always
Buyer beware as they say, if you,re buying new tires make sure they,re indeed new. Just because they are sold as new they may be several years old. Check the date when they were manufactured. Usually the date can be
found on the back side of the tire. Example :
I ordered 6 new tires for our motor home from Les Schwab in Coquille Oregon. I figured since we are going up to Oregon, why not get my tires up there. When I checked with Les Schwab in Susanville their cost was nearly $200 more than I can get them in Oregon.
Funny when I checked in Reno Nevada from the same company they were priced about $50.00 cheaper than Susanville.
Surely this must tell you something.
In this day and age always shop around first no matter what you are buying.
As you can see it too white for us in Janesville Ca
We got about 8 inches of snow the other day, which put a kabosh to any traveling with our motor home.
Our main plan at this time is to leave Tuesday, March 10. According to the weather reports it's supposed to be clear and dry. Ha! I have been told this before and know from experience, you can't always believe the weather man. They're only right with their forecast about 35 % when we're talking 5 days off.
We have reservations in Coquille again at the Rivers Edge RV Park. Last year we stayed there for one month and it was great. The name tells it all and I mean you're right on the rivers edge of the Coquille river.
Although I tried fishing last year on the river it was not productive, at least not for me. They were catching a lot of Steelhead before we arrived, but the water was still a little too high at the time. I don't think I will get a fishing license this time since I really did not catch much last year in March. I will however, get an ocean shell fish license and do some clamming. Crabbing is not good at this time either, so I will avoid crabbing unless I hear different. We get a Fish and Wild Life report for Oregon via computer once a week with up dates. Great service they provide for the fisherman and hunter. If you would like to receive a weekly report just click on the link below and sign up.
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/RR/index.asp
One of our other plans is to get new tires put on our RV since the current tires we have are all cracking around the edges of the tire. Makes you mad when you only really have about 5000 miles on these tires. One of those things they talk about when you get tires specifically on a new Motor home, they're not real high quality. Although they were a Name brand, Michelin. Its one of those cases that the motor home is a 2006 model and the tires were a lot older than the motor home. I believe they put the cheapest tires on them and they're out dated to begin with. Example; they could be on a vehicle that is a 2006 model, but the tire may have been made in 2004 or earlier.
This problem does not specifically apply to motor home, but any new tire you may buy. Check the manufacturing date always
Buyer beware as they say, if you,re buying new tires make sure they,re indeed new. Just because they are sold as new they may be several years old. Check the date when they were manufactured. Usually the date can be
found on the back side of the tire. Example :I ordered 6 new tires for our motor home from Les Schwab in Coquille Oregon. I figured since we are going up to Oregon, why not get my tires up there. When I checked with Les Schwab in Susanville their cost was nearly $200 more than I can get them in Oregon.
Funny when I checked in Reno Nevada from the same company they were priced about $50.00 cheaper than Susanville.
Surely this must tell you something.
In this day and age always shop around first no matter what you are buying.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
THE LONG WAY AROUND TOO FLORENCE
October 8,2008
Today is another day of traveling to new parts of Oregon to see what other towns or cities have to offer. One of the big things we have been noticing is the amount of homes that are being offered in Lakeside and Florence, so rather then crossing them off of our list to move to we figured it would be best to check out the community's and the country side.
The original plan was to head right up to Florence via Hwy 101 along the coast highway looking at Winchester and Lakeside again. It was last year when we went up to Winchester and since it was kind of a hurry hurry trip, we figured we would take our time today too look over the area better. Well, it didn't take long before I talked myself into taking another route through Hwy 38 along the Umpqua River at Reedsport to the Elk Viewing area . Of course this was my brilliant idea and this time we did not take a map with us. I assumed that Hwy 38 would circle around and come back into Florence. Mistake one. Never assume you don't need a map of the area!
While traveling up the Highway along the Umpqua river we went by a Roosevelt Elk viewing area called Dean Creek. This is located between Reedsport and Scottsdale. Stopping at the viewing area we did see some Elk and they were impressive. Lots of large Bulls, some with nice size racks. We were able to get within photo distance of the herd and did get some pictures, but not as close as I would have liked.
Now since we were at the Viewing area I thought I would ask one of the locals that were traveling through about Hwy 38 tying back into 101. I was informed it did indeed tie back in to 101. The big kicker is he did not tell me I had to go clear into Eugene Oregon first, which was quite a jont. You may say just a little out of our way. Like about another 80 additional miles or so out of our way.
Elks Creek, between Elkton & Drain. Elks Creek joins the Umpqua River at Elkton
One thing at least I did get the chance to see Eugene, which is a pretty big city, not really centered like most city's it's scattered all around the hills and valley.
I have to admit it to Helen, but she did tell me I was heading the wrong way and that we were headed toward the East and Hwy 5, not the coast, and she was right. Being a retired Forest Service employee we never get our directions mixed up, at least this is what I thought.
One thing I thought was quit unusual is the cost of gasoline in the different parts of Oregon. You would think gasoline in Eugene would be far cheaper than in Coos Bay and the gasoline in Florence being a smaller town along Hwy 101 would be more expensive. Wrong again. I have not figured out how they come up with their gas prices from area to area.
Now Florance s a little bit biger then Coquille. Why the big difference?
Here is the break down on Gas prices and population census:
1, Coos Bay $3.59 per gallon, Population 16,200
2, Grants Pass $3.49 per gallon. Population 30,930
3, Coquille $3.63 per gallon. Population 4184
4. Eugene $3.50 per gallon. Population 153,690
5. Florence $3.22 per gallon. Population 7318
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