July 24, 2012

07/13//2012

Good Mornin' Everyone!

It has been a while since we last posted and believe me, a lot has been happening here at Smith Rock.

Smith Rock State Park, OR

The black dots in the center are Golden Eagle nests.

 Monkey Face

 Natural Bridge

During the last week of June we welcomed the new Day Use Hosts, Jeff and Sheryl Bright who are full-time RV'ers from Oregon.  They are taking care of the day use area and other projects.

Jim and Jeanne Glaspey came to visit with us here at the Park, parking in our site in from of our rig.  While they were here, Rick and Patty Still stopped in on their way back to their home in Rathdrum, ID.  We had a great time visiting with all of our friends.

The past couple of weeks have been very interesting to say the least.

On June 28th I was filling-in at the Welcome Center when my hands and the bottom of my feet started itching like crazy.  That went on for a while so I called Scott, the park manager to come down and take a look at me.  While waiting for him, my throat started swelling accompanied with difficulty swallowing.  Scott immediately called 911 and I was taken to the hospital in Redmond.

The medic's gave me oxygen, started an IV and a shot of Benadryl on the way to the hospital.  Buy the time we arrived I was feeling much better.

The doctor didn't really know what caused the reaction but he speculated  I got bit by a spider.  He gave me a steroid shot and I was released after about four hours.


Then, on the 30th I noticed that my right arm was swelling followed very shortly by my throat closing again.  Joyce called 911  and I was off to the hospital again.  Same routine but this time the doctor gave me some additional meds to take home.

On Monday I had a followup with my doctor and he prescribed a EpiPen that I am now required to carry with me everywhere I go.  What a pain that is!

On July 10th Joyce and I drove over the Santiam Pass to Clear Lake and hiked the five-mile Clear Lake Trail.  The lake lives up to it's name and is indeed very clear.  The Resort is operated by Linn County Parks and Recreation and has cabins for rent along with a campground.

Clear Lake, OR

During the hike around the lake I got a black fly bite on my right thumb.  Yes, I was using some bug spray but got bit anyway.  Later that evening my hand started swelling and it about 20 minutes the swelling started moving up my arm.  This time I didn't have a problem with my throat but just to be safe Joyce took my to the emergency room...again.  That's three times folks!

07/22/12

Man, time really flies when your having fun!

I have my annual physical with Dr. Russell on the 9th and everything seems to be going along OK.  My blood pressure was 154/70 so he has adjusted that with a new medication.  Cholesterol, PSA and all the other blood work was really good with my at 127 and A1C very good.

Joyce and I have decided to join the Elks Lodge, our home lodge being Lodge No. 1371 in Bend, OR.  I went to the orientation last Thursday evening and will be initiated on Tuesday.  We plan to stop at several Lodges while we are making our way back east this summer and fall.

Both the Golden Eagle and Bald Eagle chicks that were hatched here at Smith Rock have fledged.  The Golden has been seen flying around the rocks on several occasions so he will be on his own soon.  The Bald chick is now flying a little but the adults are still staying very close to the nest.

Below are some of the areas we are going to be on our trip back east.  If you live near one of the places, drop us a line and we'll see if we can meet somewhere.

Rathdrum, ID, 2-6 Aug, Visiting Rick and Patty Stills.
Casper, WY, 9-13 Aug.  Visiting Joyce's sister.
E. Warren AFB, WY, 13-16 Aug.
Offutt AFB, NE, 17-20 Aug.
Ozark, MO, 23-26 Aug
Eureka Springs, AR, 26-29 Aug
Union City, TN, 30 Aug-4 Sep
Fort Knox, KY, 7-14 Sep
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 15-22 Sep
Gettysburg, PA, 23-26 Sep
Colts Neck, NJ, 26-28 Sep
Hanscom AFB, MA, 30 Sep-16 Oct (cruising 7-13 Oct)
Andrews AFB, MD, 19-26 Oct
Charleston, SC, 27 Oct-1Nov
Saint Augustine, FL, 1 Nov-28 Feb 1013

More later!