Camping with Cats

We got off a little later than expected yesterday, and so we didn't reach the RV park until around 2:00 p.m. We drove through Tillamook on our way to Rockaway Beach, a place we've stayed many times. One knows one has reached Tillamook when the quilt blocks start coming into view. I've written about the Tillamook County Quilt Barn Trail before. You can see more about it at this old blog post. The trail isn't limited to barns. Anybody with a wall large enough joins in, and everywhere you look in Tillamook, you see quilt blocks. I snapped a few pictures as we drove through town.

There was a change in the intersection as we turned north toward Rockaway Beach. This structure seemed different to me, and I don't think I'd seen this quilt block before.

Just another half hour or so north, and we were set up at the RV park. It's a unique spot because it's right next to the breakwater on the beach.

Looking north, we saw this.

Those are the iconic "Twin Rocks" of Rockaway.

There is a natural bridge through the one on the left. The image below was taken on a different trip and farther north along the beach.

Looking south from our spot, we could see this.

Looking straight ahead, this was the view from our living room windows.

Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you all the ways we could die this weekend. You might want to keep your waders on.

And please mind your manners.

The catio was already in place when we let the kitties out of the bedroom. They ran all around exploring. They've been in the new RV many times, but never on a trip before. Sadie checked out the catio. I like this picture of her. You can see how strong and sinewy she is. That's how she's so easily able to escape her harness.

They had water along the way, but they were hungry for their treats when we arrived.

While they enjoyed their little snack, Mike and I kicked back and relaxed.

The kitties were nervous all afternoon and a good part of last night. Smitty was willing to stay out and be sociable.

But he had to keep watch for mans and woofies. Mans WITH woofies...those are the worst kind of mans.

Sadie stayed hidden in the bedroom most of the time. When I brought out the quilts, Smitty was able to relax a little. He first tested this one...

But he was more relaxed on this one.

It was as smoky here in Rockaway as it was back in Portland, unfortunately. As the sun set, it turned into a red orb.

Originally, we thought we might go out for Mexican food last night, but then decided to eat in. We had our first meal together in the new RV...marinated and smoked New York steaks and baked potato with fixings on the side.

It was fairly warm yesterday, but turned cooler overnight. We ran our "fireplace" in the morning. As I've mentioned before, I think these RV fireplaces are kind of silly, but it did make a nice warm place in the morning. Smitty had some good lap time. If you missed my post where we toured the new RV, you can find pictures of the interior right here.

Both kitties are distressed that there are no "cubbies" for them in the new RV. Smitty thought if he reached up and tried climbing up enough, one might materialize. But no dice.

For breakfast, I tried out the new oven with this lemon Dutch baby. So good. 

We decided we needed to go on a little shopping trip today. For one thing, our coffee cups won't work with these chairs that have cup holders. A little scary, no?

So, we planned an outing to the local department store. There were a few other things we need, including a basket to use for a kitty toy box. In the old RV, their toys were stowed away in a cupboard. We don't have a very good place for them here, and so they're stashed in a shoebox behind the table. It looks a little tacky, and so we're going to get a little basket for them. The kitties still managed to drag out a few of them last night.

Also today, we'll pick up some oysters and clams for our traditional dinner of Oysters Rockaway and Linguine alle Vongole (linguine with clams). I'll say more about that in my next post...which might be tomorrow, or it might not, depending on how the day goes. For now I'm signing off. Time to go shopping.