TRAVEL PLANS FOR 2012 ON HOLD

For those who follow this blog we need to update you on our current situation.
Rick started having severe back pains in August 2011 when we were in Oregon.
When we finally got home in October he spent a lot of time going to doctors to figure out the problem.
While visiting the kids for Christmas he fractured his L1 vertebrae. By the time we returned home he could only walk with a walker. The doc ordered an MRI and the diagnosis was Cancer of the spine and pelvis.
So you see why all travel plans have been put on hold as we tackle this diagnosis head on. We still are not completely sure what type of cancer it is, but the Oncologist is leaning towards Multiple Myeloma. A cancer in the bone marrow that messes with the plasma cells. So radiation treatments to kill the present tumors and some type of chemotherapy to put it in remission. Because it has compromised his spine and weakened the bones he has to be very careful not to fall, bend or lift anything heavy. He has had the L1 compression fracture fixed with a Kyphoplasty procedure and the Oncologist is working on the back pain with steroids. So with the steroids and Percocet pain meds he is starting to rest more comfortably.
If you are interested in following the journey down the Cancer highway with us we post quite often on our Facebook, Rick Towner, page to help keep friends and family appraised of all the happenings and results.


Wish Rick a speedy recovery so we can get back on the road.

HECETA HEAD LIGHTHOUSE

I finally have a WiFi connection where I can update our travel blog. We are currently in Agness, OR on the Rogue River as Hosts. More on that later. 


This blog will bring you up to date on our Host/Interpreter adventures at Heceta Head Lighthouse, located 12 miles North of Florence, OR.  We were there for the month of August. The first 15 days we gave tours at the lighthouse before it was closed for a full restoration. We then spent the last half of the month as relief Camp Hosts at Carl G. Washburne State Park (where we had a site during our lighthouse duties). Our sight was dark due to lots of trees.  We didn't have cell or WiFi service, but did have satellite TV to entertain us.  We also enjoyed a visit from some friends from our Good Sam Chapter during our last week.


We really enjoyed this volunteer position as Host/Interpreters and will return to this lighthouse when the restoration is complete in about two years.

OUR HOME FOR AUGUST

CARL G. WASHBURNE STATE PARK

WE HAD THE PARTY/MEETING SITE WHICH ALSO GOT THE BEST SATELLITE RECEPTION

HECETA HEAD LIGHTHOUSE

THE TOUR ENTRANCE

THE WORK ROOM WHERE THE LIGHT KEEPER SPEND HIS SHIFT

HISTORY PICTURES

(CLICK ON PIC TO MAKE LARGER)

THE WEIGHT ROOM - BOTTOM OF TOWER

CIRCULAR STAIRS TO THE TOP

THE FIRST LANDING

THE WINDOW WILL BE REPLACE DURING RESTORATION

LIGHT KEEPERS UNIFORM & KEROSENE POT FOR LIGHTING THE WICK

SOME OF THE WATER DAMAGE TO BE REPAIRED DURING RESTORATION

ENTERING THE WATCH ROOM JUST BELOW THE LENS

THE VIEW EAST FROM THE WATCH ROOM WINDOW

THE CLOCKS WORK CABINET NOW WITH 1/4 HP MOTOR TO TURN THE LENS

PICTURES OF WHAT THE CLOCK WORKS LOOKED LIKE

DRAWING OF THE FIRST ORDER REVOLVING FRESNEL (FRAY-NEL) LENS   

LOOKING INSIDE THE LENS FROM THE WATCH ROOM

LOOKING INSIDE THE LENS

THE TOP OF THE LENS SUPPORTS

LOOKING OUT FROM THE LENS ROOM

THE DOOR TO THE CAT WALK TO CLEAN THE OUTSIDE WINDOWS

ONE OF THE VOLUNTEER HOST/INTERPRETERS 

CLEANING THE STAIRS AT THE END OF THE DAYS TOURS

SISTERS, OREGON

Sisters, Oregon, one of my favorite places to spend relaxation time. We are here for a week to recuperate and recover from a very stressful time at Bear Lake.

OUR SITE AT BEND/SISTERS GARDEN RV PARK

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL FULL SERVICE RV PARK

POOL, PUTTING COURSE, PLAY GROUND, HOT TUB

ON THE ROAD TO OREGON

We left Bear Lake State Park on Saturday July 15th. We stopped in Mountain home for two nights to rest up from our stressful Volunteer position. We had some real whinny Volunteers right next to us unfortunately and who also forgot it was suppose to be a team effort not a contest. They literally drove Virg nuts. We will be staying in Sisters, OR for a week to relax, recuperate and finish our Volunteer testing for Oregon State Parks. We are looking forward to cooler weather and a more enjoyable time while at the Lighthouse.


I will try to get some pictures taken while in Sisters, OR.

GRAND KIDS WEEKEND

We had the grand kids last weekend. They absolutely wore the grandparents out. What energy, if we could just bottle some so we could take it when we needed it.  They enjoyed riding in the golf cart and riding grandma & grandpa's bikes. We didn't think Izzy could do it, but she proved us wrong.


Enjoy the pictures.

MASON & IZZY HELPING GRANDPA WITH THE CHORES

ASHTON ON GRANDPA'S BIKE

IZABELLE ON GRANDMA'S BIKE

SEE GRANDMA I CAN TO REACH THE SEAT

MASON ON GRANDPA'S BIKE

MASON AND IZZY RACING

BIRDS OUTSIDE OUR WINDOW

We decided to put up a bird feeder and see if we could attract the local birds to it. Well we are a big success. The birds have found the feed and are now giving us much entertainment. The feeder went to half empty in one day.


We are not bird people so someone help us with what we are seeing. We will get a book next time we are in town. Any suggestions which one?


If you click on the pictures you can see them bigger.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Man we have seen every kind of weather possible in the last two weeks. Most of our reservations showed up for the Holiday weekend only to get snowed on Sunday May 29th. We had tents collapse from the heavy snow along with screen rooms. Some of our campers headed out in the wee hours of Sunday. Now we are back to rain and cloudy weather. 

IT WAS A LITTLE COLD ON SATURDAY

WE WOKE TO THIS SUNDAY MORNING MAY 29TH

THE OLD FUR TRAPPERS CABIN

GRANDPA'S LITTLE HELPER

READY TO GO CHECK THE CAMPGROUND

CLICKING ON PICTURES MAKES THEM BIGGER