God, Fathers Day, and Older Age Ramblings

Presbyterian was the religion of choice by my mom and dad, mainly mom. Each Sunday growing up, I attended Sunday School or Church. While I can't say we necessarily practiced what was preached we did attend, volunteer and tithe to our local Church. At some point, we stopped after mom became bitterly disenchanted with the Church during a long illness. I can't remember the exact age but I believe I was coming up on or was in my early teens. I lost track of Church and didn't attend again for several years.

In my early marriage, I was not a nice person to be around. My wife is a saint for sticking it out with me. I have two great kids, who I don't see enough. Who could blame them. My grand kids are great and I love everyone in the family but I nearly lost it all. I was an alcholic in my younger days and drank way more than any individual should drink. I was always absent even when I was in the room. My kids grew up with that. I didn't give much direction and who could blame them for not paying attention to a drunk. I wasn't violent, just drunk.

At some point, something happened that brought God back into the picture. I converted to Catholism and started to pray about my miserble life and what I was doing to myself and those around me. I found the strenght to quit smoking and drinking on the very same day of the same year nearly 20 years ago. But by then my kids were nearly grown.

Once I stopped drinking I started preaching. I soon found out that wasn't such a good idea, so I kind of let God slide out of the picture again. While the majority of my immediate family do not believe in a God in the same way that most Christians do, I still have unanswered questions and continue to seek answers. I haven't been to Church for sometime, but recently have had an experience that kind of makes me want to go back. I don't plan to preach to the family or try to change their attitudes but I think it is something that I need.

I was baptised when I was young. Most Christians are. In the days of Constintine people waited until they were nearly on their deathbed before being batised thinking that they couldn't possibly sin in the last days of life. I am thinking maybe I should have waited.

At 64, with Fathers Day looming, I wanted to say how much I appeciate and how proud I am of my two kids and three grandchildren. And to my wife, who stuck it out all these years, I can never thank God enough for her. I love her more each day and hope we have many more years to go.

Travel safe out there and have a Happy Fathers Day

Weather

Here we are, half way through the month of June, and still waiting for spring to arrive. Summer is coming, or is it? Yesterday was a warm one into the low 70's. Today, it is raining, hard, and in the upper 50's. I don't get it. This has happened repeatedly over the past few weeks. One or two days of really nice weather and then back to this junk.
I want to go to the park this weekend.....
We'll see..

Palouse

In the southeastern portion of the state of Washington and parts of Idaho lies an area called the Palouse. Roughly 160 miles north of the Oregon Trail this area was once more populated than the Puget Sound region of the state. It is home to Washington State University and lots of farm land. Nearly every square mile is planted with agricultural products.

As you leave Lewiston via Clarkston you wander through farmland westward towards Pomeroy. Farms spread out across the horizon for as far as you can see. If you take a turn towards Starbuck you come to an area that is pretty much desert terrain. Out in the middle of this terrain is a small sign announcing the fact that two miles down a gravel road is Palouse Falls State Park. Your in the middle of desert terrain. What could it be? A trickle? You would be wrong.....

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Soap Box 3.0

After reading the owners manual it was discovered that synthetic oil was not required by Ford. They did not say "no", but they were clear that it was not essential. In the back of the manual on the maintenance schedule they discovered that the oil and filter service was 10,000 miles not the 3,000 miles on the sticker placed in the window by the competitor. After looking at the receipt one more time it was discovered that the last time the Ford was serviced by the competitor the automatic transmission was serviced and the radiator was flushed.

Next stop, back to the Ford dealership to see if they could learn anything more. Sticking out like a sore thumb was "The Works" - Fords synthetic oil change and comprehensive inspection for $39.95. Their inspection was a whole lot more comprehensive that the competitors.

So is the competitor cheaper and more convenient? No on both counts. Here is the math. They can get "The Works" at a Ford Quick Lane facility that is closer than the competitor for $39.95 - synthetic oil change and comprehensive inspection. This would be done every 10,000 miles. Or, they could go get the "Signature Service" for $35.99 nearly $4.00 cheaper than Ford. But, once there, they switch them to synthetic oil with an up-charge of $29.00. They hand a bill over for $67.25 (after tax, 58% more expensive than "The Works") and slap on a window sticker to come back in 3,000 miles. Their computer reminds them and the customer, that they always get synthetic oil. And the counterperson assures them the Hybrids require it. It is convenient but, probably no more convenient than the Ford Quick Lane they pass on their way to the competitor. Over the course of 10,000 miles I'd be reminded to go to the competitor three times. Total cost would be $201.75.....only if they could resist aggressive sales tactics to change the air filter, flush the radiator, flush the transmission and so on. The "Works" would have saved them $159.20 for a single necessary oil and filter change.

Consumer education is a wonderful thing.

North Bend and Beyond

NEED A CHEVROLET, NO BETTER PLACE TO BUY ONE..
SUNRISE OVER THE CASCADES

So I spend part of my day, a couple of times a week at our dealership, Chaplin's North Bend Chevrolet in of all places, North Bend, Washington. I copied to following of the city website and would add that they are home to Nintendo's North American production and distribution facility. The popular televsion show, Twin Peaks was filmed in North Bend and neighboring Snoqualmie.

North Bend is located just 30 miles east of Seattle on Interstate-90. The City sits at the heart of an impressive array of year-round recreational opportunities including hiking, bicycling, kayaking, fishing, climbing and skiing. Surrounded by stunning vistas of Mount Si, Rattlesnake Ridge and the Cascade Mountains, North Bend charms with its Historic Downtown and offers an eclectic mix of dining and shopping, including the Factory Outlet Mall and its breathtaking views. The area presents impressive hiking and bicycling trails and paths, including the most famous and popular hike in Washington State, the Mount Si Trail, a strenuous 8-mile roundtrip hike with an elevation gain of over 4,000 feet. There are many other outdoor adventures and indoor discoveries awaiting you at the gateway to the Cascades - North Bend . . . easy to reach . . . hard to leave!

MAIN STREET.

While reading the idiots guide to RV Travel I was struck by how many things there are to see and do in so many of the states we plan to visit. Seven months isn't going to be close to enough time for this venture. Don't tell Mia, but I think it is going to take more than one trip over several years to really get the full benefit of going to different places.

I am so looking forward to it.

January 1, 2011

Retirement is actually on the horizon. We have a new truck to go with our nearly two year old trailer.

I have begun some planning for the trip by sending away for State tourism booklets. I have many to review.

My intent is to make a giant loop around the country and cover as much as possible during a six to seven month period. Hoping to be back home before snow flies anywhere in the continental U.S.A.

I hope that you will follow this blog as I develop our trip plans and leave for what promises to be a real adventure.

Ken