LOOP TRIP ADVENTURE (and REPAIR)

The traffic congestion along the I-5 corridor from Everett through Seattle and Tacoma has become the norm and is not a particularly pleasant drive. Back when we lived in Bellevue we used to head out on a Saturday when traffic was usually lighter, then stopped for the night at the Longview Elks before tackling the drive through Portland. Now that we live 80 miles further north, we tried a new strategy by breaking the first leg of the journey into two shorter drives, spending the first night in Bothell at Lake Pleasant RV Park, then continuing on to our usual stopover at the Elks in Longview.  

We left on our loop trip on Saturday after closing up the house, surprised how many vehicles were on the road despite stay-at-home orders. At both RV stops, strict COVID precautions were in place. At Lake Pleasant, they required masks and checked us in through an exterior office window. At the Elks, again masks were required when Michael went into the lodge to pay and retrieve the key for the electric meter. By now we were quite familiar with the protocol for sanitizing hands and being careful.

The next morning, we continued south to Cape Kiwanda on the Oregon coast choosing the road less traveled along Route 30 through Astoria to avoid Portland congestion. 

The morning sky was heavy with fog as we set off. 

crossing the Columbia River

From Astoria we continued along 101.

crossing the Columbia River estuary at Astoria

The drive went smoothly, the clouds lifted, and the scenery along the coast was predictably beautiful. Eventually we turned on to Sandlake Road which would lead us to Cape Kiwanda, less than 10 miles further along. 

Oregon coast haystack rocks

I began to smell hot brakes but Michael reassured me that it likely came from a truck that passed us in the oncoming lane. The road, which we have traveled previously, is a narrow two-lane route that hugs the coastline with little to no shoulder on either side. And typically it isn't busy, with very few vehicles passing every so often. 

We continued along and I continued to smell hot brakes, then noticed that our tire monitor was registering the right inner back tire a lot hotter than the outer tire. I mentioned this to Michael who immediately took notice.  

All of a sudden we unexpectedly came up on a cyclist ahead of us. We weren't going fast but Michael instinctively braked to stay behind the cyclist until the oncoming traffic had passed.  He braked hard but the pedal went all the way to the floor - no brakes!. This was not good. A truck and camper approaching in the oncoming lane meant we could not move left around the cyclist, and the gap between them was too narrow for our 8-foot width to fit through. There really wasn't anywhere for us to pull over, and the cyclist seemed either unaware or unconcerned about us coming up behind him. I watched terrified as the cyclist appeared closer and closer until I could see his gray hair under the helmet. I was beside myself with fear, convinced we would hit him and in anticipation I yelled for Michael to at least honk the horn to alert the cyclist. The cyclist responded with a wave to acknowledge that he heard the horn but didn't move over or budge and inch and merely pedaled on! 

The truck coming up behind the camper saw the situation and began pulling over to the shoulder. That enabled Michael to swerve immediately behind the passing camper, narrowly missing both the camper and cyclist.  Lucky!  We have a webcam that runs as we drive and it captured all those moments. 

It could have been tragic. Thank goodness we all avoided one another. Pumping the brakes restored a little function, so we continued on, crawling along in low gear, and not more than a couple of miles further along we turned into the RV resort, both pretty shaken. I could feel ants crawling around the top my head, likely from the adrenalin rush and spike in blood pressure. 

The tires and wheel hub felt hot when Michael checked them. The right rear disc brake caliper had jammed full on, and the brake rotor had overheated, boiling the brake fluid.  We now had a problem that would need to be fixed before we could continue on with the rest of our planned trip.  And with the COVID situation, it would pose an extra challenge. We had neither anticipated nor factored in the necessity to be around other people and businesses when we so innocently set off on a self-contained trip to give the Alpine a good run and work the engine after months of hibernation.

 

 All things considered we were very lucky. And in time my rapid heart beat and shaking abated. After setting up, and having a cup of calming tea, Michael contacted Coachnet roadside assistance. They contacted a truck repair shop in Tillamook, 22 miles away, that agreed to send out a tech in three days. We had planned to stay at the resort until Wednesday anyway and could stay longer if necessary. It was time to unwind and enjoy the beach we both like visiting. 

Meanwhile, our good friends Debi and Sandy joined us at the resort for a couple of days. We had coordinated meeting up here to hand over a base plate that Sandy found for sale close to Anacortes and we picked up for him. 

It was a good to visit, outside and maintaining safe distance of course. We had not seen one another since the Pismo rally last November. 

Cape Kiwanda is as beautiful and calming as we remember. The beach is literally across the road from the resort and was surprisingly active with families. We took our photos of the iconic rock and the cliffs, walked the wide expanse of beach and attempted the climb up the sand dune. One morning while Michael ran, I walked and then watched the dory boats skidding from the ocean on to the beach after their morning fishing expeditions. 

On the appointed morning for road-side assistance to arrive, they called to say they were too busy to send out a technician and could we please drive the 22 miles to Tillamook for the shop to take a look at our brake situation there. To add to our challenges, while packing up there was a problem emptying the black tank. With the Alpine sitting idle for several months, the valve got blocked. Fortunately our neighbor in the next site had a sewer back flush attachment that solved the problem.

Now to get ourselves to Tillamook without further hiccups.....

.

Along this stretch of remote coast we really didn't have many options. Crossing fingers, I followed Michael in the Jeep and prayed he didn't go off a cliff! It was probably the longest 22 miles we ever drove and thankfully arrived safely. Apparently the bound brake worked itself free so that when the technician (an 80-year-old gentleman) wiggled under the coach to take a look and feel the wheels, he reported that the temperature on the wheel hubs was normal but that he recommends that we investigate further, which of course we intended. The soonest he could fit us in to their already busy schedule was Monday. This was only Wednesday!  And of course without knowing what the exact issue is or which parts needed to be replaced, it would take longer.  

This was not good news. We needed a plan B and contacted Coachnet again with the update. Michael also began calling repair places he knows close to Eugene, a well known hub for motor homes and motor home repairs. The responses were astounding. One outfit was happy to help us but their first appointment wasn't until November 3rd! This was the middle of October. The reason for this back up is apparently a result of the pandemic as RV sales suddenly sky rocketed and new owners were having them repaired and serviced. 

Thankfully Coachnet came through for us and found a truck repair in Eugene that agreed to repair our brakes.

Crossing fingers that the brakes would not bind again, we drove the 60 miles to Eugene and pulled in to Premiere RV Resort around 6PM.  

The next morning we reported before 7AM at Petersen's Trucks and waited until a technician was free to assess our problem. 

While he was busy with the Alpine,  we sat in the Jeep for the duration, choosing to avoid the trucker's lounge or remain indoors around other people even though everyone wore masks.  Eventually the problem was diagnosed.  Michael opted to have both rear brake systems replaced, the parts thankfully were available in-house, and so we drove back to the RV park for the night and returned early again the following morning to have the work done. 

While Alpine was being repaired, we spent the day in the Jeep again. 

We were able to use our own bathroom in the Alpine, which helped, and Michael was able to pop into the work bay to check on the progress. 

It was a long long day but the young mechanic got the job done. 

the old brake parts

rear axle with brakes removed

Our technician also owns a Jeep, so Michael and he were able to compare notes and stories. Of course, his Jeep is far more cool with the fancy struts and boss tires! Obviously he enjoys taking it off road. 

It was already dark and close to 7PM when we pulled into Guarantee RV park a few miles down the road once the job was completed. We were very weary and hungry. But first, I put the kettle on as soon as Michael hooked us up and we enjoyed a much needed cup of tea. 

We spent the next day relaxing and unwinding, took a walk once the clouds and rain cleared, and looked forward to getting to our next stop in Bend to see the family. 

My way to unwind and relax is by keeping hands busy. So, I finished knitting this scarf that I worked on while waiting in the Jeep for Alpine to be repaired. It will come in handy with winter approaching.

We set off in the morning under cloudy skies. Route 126 wound its way along the McKenzie River. We didn't at first realize that this is where some of the worst fires had occurred last month and the entire  town of Blue River was also destroyed. 

As we drove along, the scenery around us grew bleaker with every turn in the road, the trees charred, many lying on the ground. 

The saddest sight was driving past completely burned homes, nothing remaining except standing chimneys, charred carcasses of vehicles, mangled tin sheds, scorched and singed vegetation.

For miles ahead. 

The overhead low grey cover and drizzle only added to the gloom and sadness surrounding us.

Once we crested the mountain pass, and safely descended to the other side (and the new brakes continued to hold and do their job), the scenery changed dramatically. 

We pressed on to Redmond, where we first filled up and then proceeded to the RV Park at the Fairgrounds. 

It was good to see the family, even if under strange circumstances where we met out of doors and wore masks. 

family gathering outdoors with masks

The highlight was meeting Michael's grand niece, Evie, who is already nine months old. 

loving grandma with her first grand baby

grand uncle, grand mama, nephew and his baby girl

From Bend we set off on the next leg of our trip, heading to Eastern Washington to complete the loop back home. The day was clear and bright, the volcanic peaks rising above the flat horizon in the distance. We were able to see them all, one on the left, the other on the right.

Mt Jefferson and Mt Hood

Mt Hood and Mt Adams

We crossed the mighty Columbia River back into Washington State. 

the Columbia River Gorge

In Yakima, we spent the night at the Elks Lodge at their highly rated RV area and golf course. 

The next morning we continued on to Wenatchee, a favorite town we have visited many times. The trees glowed golden along Route 97.

Unfortunately our favorite park was full but they were kind enough to suggest the fairgrounds on the other side of town in Cashmere where there were spots available. It was a pretty setting with hilly tops surrounding us. 

We took a walk through the fairgrounds where there was a dog training course in session then continued further up the road. 

On our way back we stopped to read several interesting facts about Cashmere on the display boards in the RV park. I found out that this spot is close to the geographical center of Washington. I also learned that before it was Cashmere, the town was first called Mission, so named for the Catholic missions here in the past. Because two other towns were also named Mission, which created confusion for the post offices, a local judge suggested Cashmere, a name in a poem describing India's enchanting Vale of Kashmir. Today, Cashmere is best known for its Aplets and Cotlets fruit and nut candies manufactured at the Cashmere factory.  The company was founded 101 years ago by two enterprising Armenian immigrants who settled here and started an apple farm called Liberty Orchards.    First they created Aplets made with apples and walnuts grown in local orchards then over time expanded to include a variety of fruits and nuts candies.  This valley lies in the heart of Washington's orchard country where fruit orchards are abundant. Pears were planted here in the late 1800s and today more pears are grown in the Wenatchee Valley than anywhere in the world. One more interesting tidbit I learned is that Boy Scouting was established in Cashmere in July 1910, making Cashmere Troop No.1 one of the oldest in the nation, celebrating 110 years this year. 

Our plan was to continue from Wenatchee to Winthrop along the North Cascades Highway which would drop us straight into Anacortes. However, with a threat of snow and plunging temperatures, we decided to head straight home. It was a route very familiar to us, through the picturesque town of  Leavenworth and along I-90 across Snoqualmie Pass. We headed out on a brilliant sunny Sunday morning. 

Closer to the pass, the clouds gathered and hung heavy and low, creating dramatic and changing scenery.  Stray sun rays highlighted the turning trees. And on the higher crests we could see the first snow of the season.  

We arrived back home mid afternoon.  We had a good trip despite the scary encounter and unexpected repair.  It was a welcome change from our isolation these past months. Alpine got its exercise and a new pair of brakes.  We visited family and met up with friends. Michael took care of estate matters and we picked up the family items we are keeping. 

We both agreed that to keep all systems functioning and running smoothly in Alpine, we would take short trips close to home every month or so.  The engine and other working mechanical parts need to be exercised regularly as do all the other coach parts and pipes. 

With Alpine safely perched back on its ramps, we were now ready to hunker down for the coming winter months. It would be our first in Anacortes.