Saturday, August 17
On our way out of Tieton River Camp in search of internet signal, the crew and I stop at Danny’s camp.
His wife, Bobbie, arrived yesterday. I met her last evening when the two of them came by our camp. She brought a copy of the local newspaper so I could read about the forest fire in the Goat Rocks Wilderness about twelve miles from here.
We had a good chat. Bobbie still works (as a caregiver), so she can only camp here with Danny until Sunday.
I pull off the forest road.
As soon as Danny’s Class C comes into view, my heart sinks. Oh no! Clingers! All these big campsites next to the river and this guy parks right up next to Danny’s rig with his big window facing it.
Danny and Bobbie invite me inside. Mr. Clinger is already in there, yakkin’ away. After he leaves, Danny shakes his head. In his quiet manner he says, “How about that guy?”
“Yeah,” I respond as we go outside. “Parks right next to you. I don’t know what’s the matter with some people.”
A few moments later Mrs. Clinger walks her dog past Danny’s rig.
She watches the river, then strolls the bank further downstream.
“They’re not leaving ‘til Tuesday,” Danny continues. “I may just move to the forest road on the other side of the paved road.”
“Oh, no! You can’t do that, Danny. It’s nothing but dirt and pine trees over there.”
“Well, I can’t camp right on the river like this,” he agrees. “But no one will park next to me over there.”
Sunday, August 18
It’s a beautiful day for a mini-adventure! Spike, Bridget and I take off in the PTV. Before we get on Route 12 to head to Rimrock Lake, a few miles west, I stop in at Danny’s camp for a brief visit. I want to say goodbye to Bobbie, as she’s leaving for home this morning. Oh, for heaven’s sake . . .
More clingers!
I don’t believe it! Now there are three campers parked a stone’s throw from Danny’s rig! Sheesh. Well, that’s what happens. When clingers see two campers together, they figure it’s a campground. Come one, come all!
RVSue Tip of the Day
When you have a choice of a big campsite or a small campsite – all things being pretty much equal, or even if the big campsite is nicer – the small campsite is the better choice. Leave no room for clingers!
Okay, onward to Rimrock Lake . . .
A blue lake under blue sky and bright sunshine with a forest backdrop . . . Gorgeous!
A few motorboats, a sail boat, and a jet skier make the scene look like something out of a tourist brochure. I drive the full length of Rimrock.
When Route 12 heads toward White Pass, I turn us around. I don’t drive up and through mountain passes any more than I have to!
The south side of the lake is off-limits due to the fire-fighting activity.
Lake access on the other side is limited anyway by steep banks.
The crew and I use the annual pass that Harold and Cindy gave us to park in the Horseshoe Cove Day-Use Area, thus saving us five bucks.
It’s a place to launch a boat or have a picnic on the beach.
Only a few have what it takes to swim in the lake’s cold water.
The sun shines brightly on the lake causing it to sparkle.
We walk out to a rocky point. Spike isn’t deterred by rocks.
He trots straight to the water . . .
. . . and sets his body down.
Bridget gives it a try and quickly walks out.
Waves gently caress Spike’s body. A soft breeze catches his ear.
Once again Spike takes a soak in a beautiful place . . . Rimrock Lake, Washington.
We go back and cross over to the other side of the beach.
This must be Horseshoe Cove.
The air and water are calmer here. This photo (below) is pointed in the direction of the dam. This time next week the lake will be much lower. Danny says the boat docks at the resorts will sit on land. Does that mean agriculture trumps tourism?
Monday, August 19
A busy day today! The crew and I make the thirty-mile (give or take), easterly drive to Naches (pronounced Nah – Cheese), a town attached to the northwest end of Yakima.
I stop at a fruit stand and buy three fat peaches for $2.99. The fruit stand man doesn’t know anything about the hybrid fruits recommended by readers of this blog… cotlets? I guess they’re grown in another part of Washington.
Next I stop at the post office.
After that we go to the laundromat. It’s downtown, only a few blocks away. Fortunately Naches Laundry is empty. I have lots of laundry!
While the clothes chug and the crew lies on the cool, vinyl-tile floor, I get busy. I plug in my laptop, turn on the air card, pay my monthly bills, answer emails, read blog comments, and try to sign up for Medicare (I turn 65 in October!). I give up on the latter because it’s too complicated and too confusing to decipher while perched on a plastic chair in a laundromat.
As I’m folding clothes my gaze settles on a sign across the street.
Well, well, well. . . “His and Hers Barber Shop.” Sounds like my kind of place. And the sign says it’s open. Looks like today is the day I finally get rid of this awful pony tail!
After the wash/cut/blow-dry ($24 including tip) we zip over to Slim’s Outrageously Priced Food Market, Liquor Store, Clothes Emporium, Fishing License and Lottery Ticket Shop for a one-stop gouging. I drop about $69 and push a half-full/half-empty cart through the exit door. Well, that’s the price of travel! If the restaurants don’t getcha’, the grocery stores will.
I drive by Danny’s camp on the way to our camp.
But it’s no longer Danny’s camp! Darn, he’s gone. Only Mr. and Mrs. Clinger remain.
He probably came over to say goodbye while we were in Naches. I hate that I missed him.
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