Wednesday, August 3, 2011

We're leaving tomorrow : (

We've had a busy couple of days.  Monday I took The Palms to Quality Coach Services in Eugene, OR (thanks for the referral, Sharon!) for an estimate on doing the work I want done.  I decided to have them do the work, so the parts are ordered, and I'm waiting for a call.  I'm working with Jason, and he said the parts would probably be in by Wednesday, and if so, then the work can be done on Thursday.  Everything but the back-up camera install can be done in one day.

He thought it would take longer for the back-up camera to come in. I've decided to have a built in camera rather than a wireless one, so it will take longer to install.  I'll have to come back next week to have that done.  I'm looking forward to having it all completed.

I stopped by Best Buy to check out Sirius Radio receivers, and will probably have one installed and start that service this week, too.  I had a good referral for a company in Springfield, but I called yesterday and haven't received a call back, so will probably go with Best Buy.

I also called the solar company, AM Solar, in Springfield, OR, that was recommended by Donna K.  They are super busy and could give me an estimate soon, but the work couldn't be scheduled until the end of the month.  We had quite a long conversation on the phone, though, and he asked me a lot of questions about how I travel, what I use as far as electricity, if I have a converter, how many batteries I have, if I mind using my generator, etc.

At the end of the conversation, it was obvious I don't need solar panels.  At least not yet.  I've been doing fine without hookups so far when I'm not in an RV Park, and he said I should probably wait a while and see how I do. I really appreciated his honesty, and not installing the solar panels will save me a lot of money.  So,  for now, no solar panels.  Thanks for the referral, Donna.  I was impressed with AM Solar.

Today I cleaned house, vacuumed, did laundry, changed sheets, etc.  It's always so nice to do everything in one day and have it done.  Katie really sheds, so I have to vacuum often, but the rest of the cleaning - once a week seems to do it.  I have a little hand vacuum for the dog hair, and mainly have to do the couch and floor.  Very small area.

I also had the cooking bug today, and made hamburger stroganoff and spaghetti.  I had some stroganoff for lunch, and have enough left for two meals, and enough spaghetti for three meals.  I packed it in small freezer bags, one per meal, and froze them for later. 

I went over this morning to talk to the woman running the office, and I can't stay here in this site after my week is up, it is reserved by one of the permanent residents, and they are now ready to move here.  There is only one other site available, and I went to look at it, and told her I'd take it for a month.  The monthly rate is only $425, plus electricity, and that's the best rate I've found yet. 

But I've changed my mind.

Katie and I had an incident with a dog a couple of days ago, and another today.  The first dog lives three sites down right near the swimming area, is often off his leash, and he came after Katie.  Now...this dog may have been very friendly, but when it's running at full speed toward us, I don't know what his intentions are, and I freaked, scooped Katie as fast as I could, and kept walking.  His owners were sitting outside, and came to get him, but I kept walking and didn't talk to them, and they didn't call to me.

Here is a photo I snapped out my screen door tonight, as you can see, he is not on a leash.  I don't know what kind of dog he is, just BIG and off leash:


Then... this evening when Katie and I were walking along the water's edge on the lawn three sites on the other side of our site, coming back from the laundry room, a big black dog came charging at us - it had slipped it's collar, and luckily the owners were there, but this dog is one that is often outside by itself with a rope tied to its collar, and always pulls at the rope trying to get loose when we walk by.  I freaked again, tried to scoop Katie up, dropped her, got her again.  It was awful.  Katie was screaming in fright, trying to climb up on my shoulder.

The people came running and said their dog is really friendly, and has never bitten anyone or any dogs.  That might be true, but there are rules here, leashed dogs only, and no dogs outside without their owners even if on a leash.

The husband and wife were upset about what happened and apologized, and I told them I had really been scared because of  some recent stories of dogs killing small dogs that had  been in the news, that pit bulls were in one story, other dogs in another - you never know, even with "friendly" breeds, what they will do.  He said his dog was kind of "pitty."  Black lab and pit bull.  The dog jumped in the lake to swim, and seemed like a nice dog.  But I didn't know that when it was charging us barking like crazy.

When we got back, I noticed blood on my leg from where Katie's claws punctured my thigh in two places when she was trying desperately to climb up my leg to get away from the dog.  I felt so bad for her.

Katie is doing fine now, but about 15 minute later, we were sitting on the couch, and she started barking, and I looked out the window and the pit/lab was walking down the lawn between us and the water, the dog and the owner were heading to the children's area, where they both went swimming.  (No dogs are allowed in the swimming area.)  The dog was not on a leash.

After seeing that, and then a few minute later seeing the dog pictured above unleashed, I decided I don't want to stay here.  We are right in the middle of them, so I can't walk Katie along the lake without passing in front on one site or the other.   I just don't feel it's safe to walk Katie here anymore, and we love talking long walks.

I'm soooo glad I didn't pay for the next month yet.

I am all packed and ready to go in the morning.  After getting dressed and getting coffee ready to travel, I'm stopping by the office and checking out.  Tomorrow I'm going to check the campgrounds on the other side of the lake.  There are many places to camp here in the area while I have The Palms worked on.  The Walmart here lets RVs stay overnight, and there are Rest Stops on the freeways and nearby casinos, so I have a lot of options. 

It's pretty bad when I feel Katie and I are safer in a Walmart or Casino parking lot or a Rest Stop than I do in a beautiful area like this, but if the managers aren't enforcing the rules, then I'm not comfortable. I've only been here five days, and have had two incidents and seen both these dogs off leash or alone many times, so they must be aware, too.

Katie's actually been doing really well socializing with other dogs since we've been on the road, as long as it's controlled and she feels safe.  Most people are great about making sure the dogs are okay with each other. I don't want her to be afraid of other dogs.  I hope I'm not over-reacting. 

Last photo of Katie by the lake taken yesterday:



Tomorrow we're on the road again, and that's okay.  A month here would have probably been too long, anyway.   I'll keep you posted.

From Me and My Dog, Katie, have a good Wednesday tomorrow, everyone!  : )