foreshadowing: it's a really good thing we bought the all-terrain tires and jumbo bug spray

 From Gold Beach, we cut across to Roseburg, Oregon where we decided to replace the tires on our vehicle. While we only had about 30K miles on this set, they were looking rather worn and with the plans we had before us, involving off-road and wintry conditions, we decided to err on the side of safety.   

And so it is, we detached the Denali from Quarantinny, and while tires were being replaced - popped open the canopy and set up camp right there in the parking lot of Costco.  

 While the car was in the shop, we ourselves shopped and with two carts packed to the brim, seemed to completely forget that we were living in a 27-foot camper. 

Costco has that effect on us.  

We don't necessarily want new wide brim hats with a chin cinch for the entire family, but we sure do need them.  Just like some of us need new flip flops.  Along with gargantuan sizes of shampoo and conditioner.  A six-pack of toothpaste. Body lotion. Sunscreen. Bug spray.  And croissants.  It's impossible to walk through the Costco bakery without getting a box of croissants.  This time we bought two because who knew when we'd see a Costco again?  It was the responsible thing for us to do.

As we pushed our overflowing carts outside, the shock of seeing the camper again was like jumping in a cold lake when we suddenly recognized our significant spatial limitations.  Everything had critical value, nothing could be returned.  So it took us the better part of an hour to stuff our refrigerator, freezer, pantry - and every nook and cranny with supplies which we thought for sure would last us for four weeks.   (Reality: the food lasted less than a week, what with four ravenous teenagers.)

By the time we had successfully put everything away, broken down camp and pulled out of the Costco parking lot with our new tires, a full tank of gas and full bellies, it was 5:00 PM on Friday, June 19th.  

Oblivious to what lay in store, but with an optimistic attitude and penchant for rolling with whatever adventure comes our way, we pushed north to Crater Lake where we had no reservations nor clear idea where exactly we would be staying.  

The subject of my next post is why Fridays became my most anxiety-ridden day of the week .... and how we honed our skills at boondocking.  

That's it, smile everyone...  ignorance really is bliss!