I have been blessed with three solid days of sun on the Oregon coast! I woke each day to heavy rain that would stop just as soon as I was ready to head out for the day. Much appreciated! I just hate that I’m so behind in my posts. 🙁

Yesterday was maintenance day for Miranda. There’s a quick-lube place on the road into Florence and I stopped in to ask if they could take Miranda, but they said no, worried that their bays wouldn’t be big enough (I knew they’d be fine). They referred me to Florence RV, at the north end of town along highway 101. So, I headed there first thing yesterday to see if they could squeeze me in for an oil change and I was told to come in any time before one.

So, around one I pulled out of the casino lot with just Miranda. I took on a full tank of fuel first and then rolled into Florence RV. I had a short wait and then the tech moved Miranda into the bay himself. The reason: they don’t have service wells, so she had to be driven up onto very short and steep ramps! I’m not sure I could have done that without overshooting!

All she needed was a basic oil change (no filter) and air in the tires. Total for the oil change was just $75!!! That’s what I pay for my car in Canada! I also picked up a new regulator ($28) for my on board propane tank. Unfortunately, the part has changed and is now longer, so there will be some pipe cutting to be done to fit it in. Simple projects never are with me! I may end up bartering the installation for beer should I find a good candidate. 🙂

The service tech backed Miranda off the ramps, but let me back her out of the bay. He thought he was guiding me around the various obstacles, but I don’t do well translating flailing arms with what I need to do, so I was actually focused on my mirrors. 🙂

I had mixed feelings about having work done at Florence RV. On the one hand, staff was courteous and knowledgeable, on the other the office was filthy and filled with parts for sale that were probably thirty years old. I only bought the regulator because it was one of the few shiny and obviously recent pieces of equipment they offered. The place served its need for yesterday, but I’d be depressed if it was the only RV place available to me.

I had thought to go to a dump station, too, but there wasn’t a convenient one nearby with potable water. I’m not desperate yet, so I’ll hold off a bit. I have to say that what I miss most while boondocking is a looooong hot shower every night!

Propane levels were also not low enough to consider filling in Florence, so I just headed back to the casino and parked Miranda in a flatter spot that will be easier to pull out of with the toad.

Today, I’ll be heading heading back to Eugene and up I-5. I’m aiming to leave around noon and have a leisurely four and a half to five and a half hour drive ahead of me. With the days being so much longer already, I don’t see any reason to pull in too soon to a purely overnighting spot.

My batteries are holding up splendidly. I’ve now done a full week on them and have never reached evening without them being at at least 13.0 voltage, even in overcast conditions. I have been conscious in my electricity consumption in the evening, but have not scrimped. I think I could do this indefinitely!