La Grande, OR, NROA Rally 6/26-27

Friday was a special day for Linda; her birthday.  She had received the FitBit she wanted before we left on this trip and I hadn't given her the birthday card until noon.  One of our friends wished her a Happy Birthday as she was going to the Eagle's Nest to sew but that was about it.  She was feeling a little down when our daughter asked her what we were doing for her birthday when they talked on the phone and she said "Oh, not much".

I had ordered a nice cake, and accessories and had invited several of our friends new and old to come over after the potluck dinner for Linda's birthday cake and some ice cream.  As it was very hot everyone returned to their trailers after the potluck to get cooled down.  One of the couples put a small plant and card on our picnic table and I told her that something for her was on the table.  She sat down and said what are we doing out here in the heat as slowly other people came and pulled up chairs.  She was still unaware of what was going on.  After all eight couples had arrived and we visited for a while we brought out the cake and ice cream and it made her day, a real surprise.  She was really pleased.

Paula, Pauline and Linda serving the cake and ice cream.  Needless to say about half the time I was calling them Paulette.

At the White Elephant gift exchange Linda got a blanket with a Arctic Fox on it like Northwood puts in some trailers.  It was quickly stolen from her and subsequently from the person that took it from Linda.  After an item is stolen twice it is frozen and can't be claimed by anyone.  Kevin had gone to the factory and purchased the one that Linda wanted and gave it to her for her birthday.  Super pleased!

Saturday was the Northwood BBQ and Raffle.  Everyone posed in front of the Northwood trailers for a group picture. Everyone was requested to wear the Northwood tee shirts for the group picture.

Some were in the Eagle's Nest while many were out here for the BBQ.  This is during the raffle drawing. The grand prize was a Mac Airbook and the rest ranged from gift cards to various RV accessories.  Everyone cheered and clapped as each claimed their prize.  Each site received a prize.

 

Our good friends from Sacramento, Kevin and Pauline

Paula and Ken

Sadie loved being in the center of the action.

Kevin said he was going to wear the white tee shirt for the group photo

Paula kept telling me I needed to put on shorts.  Finally she said she would give me $5 if I did.  The proof is the $5 below.   Next year I will take my sandals and see if I can get another $5 for wearing them.

Saturday night several of us went out for Pizza as it was still too hot to cook or even sit outside.  Kevin called the Pizza Parlor to make sure there air conditioning was keeping the place cool.  They assured us it was so we went.

From front to rear, Big Al and Sheryll, Kevin and Pauline, My empty chair and Linda, Dave and Marie, Rich and Maridee

Most evenings we gathered at our trailer but tonight we gathered next to us at Kevin and Pauline's trailer.    People joined later in the evening and when the mosquitoes came out in full attack mode everyone returned to their trailers.

Sadie enjoyed visiting too.

We had planned to visit our daughter and family in Washington after the rally but due to the excessive heat we abandoned that plan.  We will start home tomorrow and stop for the night near Crescent, OR which is forecast to have the coolest temperatures on any of the routes we considered. Still hot but a few degrees cooler.