Oregon Living 2025 – Blog #20 – A Long Trip, Getting the Bike Serviced and a Party to Meet the Babies!

 

Sunday, May 25^th., 2025…… Our original plan was to stay in Bakersfield Saturday and Sunday and drive home on Monday. But, on the way down, we rethought that! We will now only stay on Saturday and drive back towards home today. Last night when we checked in, I asked about cancelling the second night. They said that since I booked (and paid) it through a third party (Expedia), I would need to get back with them to request a refund. It was easier than I thought and later they called the Hampton and had them change the reservation to only one night. I then made a new reservation at The Red Lion in Redding. So that said, we were up and going early. Stan came to the hotel and ate with us. Then we followed him back to his house, where we loaded up the bike. It took a few extra minutes just to make sure the load was secure.

 

We thanked and said our goodbyes to Stan and headed out. I was a little nervous to get going and carefully watched the bike on the trailer. But it was definitely secure and we had no issues. We made our way up 99 and I5 to Redding, which was 444 miles. It took us around 8 hours because we stopped a few times for gas and a roadside stand. We checked into the Red Lion and they also had a giant parking lot where I could back the trailer in for the night. Plus it was up against a curb so it protected the trailer and bike a little better! And, again, we could see it from our room!  We walked next door to the Mazatlán Grill for dinner. One of the best Mexican restaurants we have ever been to! On the way back, we stopped by the pool and spa area. This Red Lion is huge so it was expected that the pool would be crowded. Too crowded for us so we went to the room for the night. We will be up and going super early tomorrow!

Monday, May 26^th., 2025…… Like I said, super early!  We were up and at the hotel’s breakfast buffet at 6:00am! We were on the road by 6:30. The drive home was uneventful. The traffic was moderate but luckily there were no accidents along our route. It was really hard to watch all of the vehicles scream on past us while we were booking along at 60-63 mph! But it was fine and we made the 360 mile 6½ hour drive and back got back home around 1:00pm. When we got home, we found Corey and Vikki had come by to get the landscape trailer so they could go pick up a bed for them. The plan was to come back here and drop off Corey so he could work around the yard for some extra cash. But they forgot to tie down the mattress and they lost it on the highway!  Cathye had to go help them and brought some ratchet straps so they could continue/ It was getting late, so they decided to hold off on the work here today. We got all of our clothes and things unloaded and rested for a while. Penny came over to see the bike. As I said before, it will stay on the trailer until we take it in for service on Thursday. We had to call Stan because we couldn’t figure out how to get the ‘frunk’ open!  Turns out you needed to pull on the door as you turned the ignition key hard to the right!  We wanted to get to the owner’s manual so we could look through it before we drive it after service. Later, Cathye brought back a Papa Murphy’s pizza for dinner and we cooked that. Later, we rested and caught up on some of our taped shows and we went to bed early!  

Tuesday, May 27^th., 2025…… It was nice sleeping in our own bed last night!  We stayed in there until 8 something then got up and going. We walked and fed the girls and I went to get us breakfast since we didn’t have much in the house. After that, Cathye worked on her garden and I set out to fix the ramps for Thursday. The one I used for the single rear wheel bent so I needed to straighten that up. I decided to bolt two together for when we unload it off the trailer. That went well and then I added some more support and stops for all of the ramps so they couldn’t slide any when we use them in the future. I was done for the morning. The plan for later was to go to the demo at the Senior Center. But Corey and Vikki came over to bring back the trailer and Corey would work in the yard. They brought everyone and Brandyn helped his dad and Bailey took Rylee out to play in her pool while the rest of them stayed in the ac in the house. But we got to visit with the newbies. Both Creedence and Caroline are doing great!  They are gaining weight quickly. Of course we held them and fed them. I told Cathye she should just skip the demo and stay with the kids while I went.  Good thing I went because we just had enough for one demo square! When I got back, Corey was about half done. So, we had some more time with the kids. Bailey is a big help and seems to like taking care of her little sis and bro! After a nice visit and after Corey ran out of batteries for the weed wacker, they left. We ate leftover pizza and relaxed for the evening.        

Wednesday, May 28^th., 2025…… Today we go pick up our car!  They had texted us that it was in and ready and I had made the appointment for a test drive and purchase for noon today. We didn’t walk the dogs today. Rylee was limping really badly this morning! We know she had fun yesterday but we think while jumping in and out of the pool, she must have pulled a muscle. It was better as she got up and going but we made her take a rest day! We ate breakfast and then hung around the house for a bit. CarMax texted and had me do some over the phone paperwork so we could use their ‘express check out’ when we arrive. We made the drive up to Salem and got there right at noon. They brought the car around and we walked around it. There were some rock chip touchups on the paint, but overall, it was really well taken care of. We test drove it and then went in and finished the sale. After a ribbon pic…

Cat drove it home. 

Penny came by a bit later while we were putting our stuff back in from the other car. Of course I had to call my insurance company and get the old one removed and this one added. They said I would be getting a refund for the time from the accident until now for the old car. Nice! We spent the rest of the day resting and watching tv. We went in the spa and then called it a night.       

Thursday, May 29^th,, 2025…… Today we take the bike in. All we need to do today was to drive it up to Sublimity (about 24 miles) to Power Motorsports. I had already told them what kind of service I needed. But I also had called them when Stan told me the rear brakes were at 10% left, so they could order them and add for today’s appointment.  We left early enough to be able to stop for breakfast but when we got there close to 10:00am, they said they were waiting!  Turns out my appointment for drop off was 9:00am! No worries. I had one of the guys there drive it of the trailer while I checked the ramps for clearance. Turns out we needed a little block to help the bike so it didn’t bottom out. While we were there, we checked out bike helmets. They didn’t have too many choices for radio equipped models and I had already seen what we wanted online so we were more or less looking to check sizing. We found what we needed and noted it for later and headed home. I would hear later with an estimate for parts and labor. They also found the tires are aged out, so they will be replaced as well. Not sure when they will be done. I also needed to call in to our insurance company and add the new car. I got that done and will add the bike next week.  

Friday, May 30^th., 2025…… Nothing on the agenda for today. Except for housecleaning. We are prepping for the party tomorrow. I vacuumed and Cathye cleaned the bathrooms and dusted. She also made a couple of cakes for the party. She had bought a flat of strawberries and we had cleaned and froze most of them. But she kept some out and also defrosted some blueberries for each of the two cakes she made.  We decided to mow today as well. Penny came by and we all got that done pretty quickly.  Justin was also here working on weed eating and such around the yard. Cathye gave him some specific tasks close by the house so it would look better for the party. We’re not sure if the weather will be ok for the babies outside but we cleaned and blew off the deck just in case. Later, I went online and read reviews about the helmets we want. Not bad except they pretty much said the sizing was off. No worries, we had already found that out when we were at the dealers!  I only ordered mine for now just to make sure the sizing would work. If it doesn’t fit me, maybe it will Cathye. It is supposed to arrive on Monday

Saturday, May 31^st., 2025…… The kids got here right at 2:00pm. Penny came early and helped us put out the drinks and such. Everyone showed up and we all got a chance to hold the littles.

After eating and visiting, everyone left. Cathye had asked if I wanted to go to the dance tonight but I begged off because I was tired and I knew she was too. We hung out and watched tv until bedtime.