In our comfort zone

It's great to be back "out west" again.  Life is more relaxed and less hectic out here.  I write this from Oak Harbor, Wa.  No blistering hot weather here.  In fact, our little fireplace still feels pretty good in the morning. We're here visiting Gail's sister for a couple of weeks then on down to the Oregon coast for our first "job".  We'll be volunteering at Cape Lookout State Park.  Really, all we know is that we'll be surveying people at a day use area for a six week period.  Oregon State Parks will train us and get into depth as to what they want from us during a training class on June 30.  We'll see, but we're both "getting excited".  (Translation:  Saving some money on the free camping we get for volunteering)

Oops.

The main beam

We successfully rebuilt the snow roof over our shed at the cabin.  A lot of the credit has to go to our good neighbor, John Austin, who used his sawmill to cut some substantial beams and posts.  Also, a lot of credit has to go to our good friend, Paul Hardt, who drove up from Boise 3 days in a row hauling up supplies and then building.  Paul is 6'7" and is a really good guy to have around for high work.  He's really got a lot of building experience and knowledge.  If not for both of those guys, I'd probably still be up there bending nails!
We will still need to stop back to the cabin for final finishes on the roof, some bracing and paint, and close the cabin up for winter. We have 2 weeks between the Oregon job and getting down to S. Utah for the hosting at Escalante park in Sept & Oct. Guess we will work it in then.

Earlier this week we were contacted by Arizona State parks and now will be working at Picacho park from Nov to April in different positions. Bill will do ground maintenance and campsite cleanup and Gail will work in the visitor center and gift shop. We will find out if we like AZ for the winter.

This post has been a work in progress.  We've now been on Whidbey Island for almost 2 weeks and it doesn't get warm enough here to wear SHORTS.  We have just a couple of more projects to finish up for Gails sister then on to Oregon.   Earlier this week we took the ferry over to the San Juan Islands.  Really pretty but populated, expensive and a bit remote.  No Lowes or Home Depot until you take the ferry back to the mainland.   The bigger islands that the ferry stops at have campgrounds and golf courses but I think taking "our house" may be a bit expensive.

Well, guess that's all for this post. The next one will hopefully give you some news on the jobs and the Oregon coast.  Till then, stay safe.