After a beautiful drive along the Columbia river we crossed over into Washington state and hit the back roads to the Chehalis TT campground. We will be here for three weeks and once again Bob agreed to make a move the second day we were here so we could secure the "perfect" spot. Thousand Trails parks allow you to move spots, if you choose to, when another becomes available. While I always try.......to pick a great spot the first day, it doesn't usually happen. Matter of fact, Bob would say, it has NEVER happened. It's hard to drive around and quickly choose a site you are going to spend a few weeks in. But when you walk the entire park that afternoon or early the next morning, you start to see all the important variables like shade/sun in the front window, plenty of trees to give you privacy, great view, proximity to family center when you have kids with you....so many choices!!!! Well we made the move this time on the second day of a 21 day stay when, in our opinion, the best view in the entire campground opened up.
From our location here south of Chehalis we have taken day trips to Mount St. Helens National Monument and Mount Rainier National Park. We did the Steam Train in Chehalis and had a couple of short hops to Toledo and Onalaska. For the most part the boys have been super happy just hanging out here at the campground. This is so different for Bob and I, as we like to boondock/dry camp out in the middle of nowhere. But it has been terrific to spend these weeks at the parks where the boys have had access to pools, clubhouse and the opportunity to make new friends. The weather has been perfect, with cool cloudy days intermixed with warm sunny pool ones. Wild blackberries and raspberries - sweet and plump in the July warmth - grow everywhere here! We have even found abandoned cherry trees along the railroad tracks - just perfect for picking.
The sunsets have been amazing!! Every night we sit on the "back patio" and enjoy the cool dampness of the late evening while listening to the boys either playing basketball at the court not far away or whizzing by us on their bikes. It would be hard to come back to this campground and not get this spot, it feels so much like "our home".
The pathways through the park are overgrown with massive ferns and moss covered old growth trees. The birds sing as you walk along in silence. Every morning as I hike along the narrow trail I imagine what this area must have been like when Lewis & Clark first arrived.
Only a few short days till we make the trip to Portland to put the boys on a plane for home. I know they are missing their parents, and their own space - but just the thought of not having them along for the ride puts a sad place in my heart. This month has flown by way to quick, as it always does when they visit.
Once again Bob and I have found another location that we think we could live in. The Pacific Northwest has the temperate climate that Bob loves, and the trees and mountains for me. The more we travel the tougher it is getting to try and narrow down the choices. For now, I just intend to enjoy the view where I am - and be a Happy Camper.
