We were up at the crack of dawn; drinking coffee and noshing about this and that, as we shook the cobwebs and felt our bodies waking up and alerting to the excitement of finally being able to get the RV licensed and tagged.
We want to be enjoying the open road by the end of the month :-)
As we were passing through Clatskanie, my phone notified me of an incoming message: I did a double-take … my youngest sister. Hmmm.
Carla's 10 AM text.
It was good to be sharing convo with her … and know that she cares - and is interested in what I am doing. Holland was glad to see that at least one member of my family is reaching out to me: we don't talk that often; our life goals, and lifestyles, are so different.
But Carla is at least trying. It was a good start to this dawning Shabbat.
I am grateful.
We reached the Astoria DMV, and Holland went inside to get the transaction completed while I opted to stay in the 4x Beast with Bleu (we can't roll the windows down yet, until the shading film completely dries: Monday). He wasn't inside very long before he came back out to the truck and said, "We still can't get tagged." I just looked at him, speechless for a moment, before I said, "Why? We've jumped through all the hoops - what could they possibly be bitching about, now?" He said, "They said we couldn't get licensed because of this guy's name on the Title (he sowed me the name of the fella that sold us the RV), and that we need to contact him and have him sign a power of attorney waiver … and we need an odometer reading."
I counted to 10. Then I said, "This is utter bullshit. These people do not know what they are doing - or what they are talking about. We do not need a 'power of attorney'; - we do not need 'an odometer reading': we OWN the RV, and it WAS Licensed BY OREGON last week - it is AN RV … not a freaking car, or truck. I'm going inside, and they are going to stop this nonsense."
My eyes were shooting fire.
Holland said, "It won't do any good Baby; they won't listen to you. We'll just have to get ahold of the people in West Virginia that we bought the 5th Wheel from, and get a license plate from them - then get it tagged that way."
I said, "No - this run-around, is ridiculous. I am going inside here … and they are going to license and tag us here." Then, I looked up a the sky, and said, "God help me, because I am about to shake some teeth loose. Go before me and prepare a way of peace because I have fire in my eyes, and a storm brewing to set it loose. I am tired of all this jerking around nonsense. We've jumped through all the loops, and one way, or another, we are going home today with a license plate, and tags!"
I called Tina at PKB RV's in West Virginia and asked her a few questions that may help us with the Oregon process - she was as confused as us, but said she'd do what she could do to help us. She would call the Astoria DMV personally and walk them through the process they obviously are clueless about: the RV Dealer's Name was not the issue, the people working at Astoria's DMV were.
I gave the process between there and here about 20 minutes before opening the truck door. Holland said, "I'll go with you; a little while Bleu will be okay for." I'm sure he was thinking the fire sparking in my eyes would set the place on fire ;-)
We had a 30 minute wait before our number was called.
And Elohim was faithful - He prepared the way, and I did not have to unleash the fiery storm. The process was finally completed (our documents were accepted, & acknowledged paperwork was filed/stamped), and we left with license plate and tags ;-)
I marched into that DMV Office with a storm brewing in my determined eyes …
My Guardian Angel's mindset. LOL
We were going to be coming home licensed & TAGGED, come Hell or high water; I pulled up the {needed} document and showed it to the clueless woman.
Cages were rattled from both ends (West Virginia; and me standing in front of her with eyes aflame)… and the deed was D.O.N.E. - with NO MORE nonsense.
We ate lunch at Astoria's DQ, down the road from the DMV; backtracked to the Astoria Column … then drove the long way home, over the back road that would drop us in Clatskanie - behind the Safeway Store.
This was a gift to me: love in action.
Holland had not seen the Astor Column - so we backtracked to it.
Astoria Column-OR: (1 Coxcomb Dr, Astoria, OR 97103; https://astoriacolumn.org/)
Located in Astoria, Oregon, the 125-foot-tall Astoria Column serves as a monument to the history Pacific Northwest. The idea for the column first came about in 1898 when the city thought to build an electrified tower that would rival the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. The column overlooks Astoria, and the Columbia River. Its observation platform offers a panoramic view for the many visitors who climb the 164 steps of its winding staircase.
Overlooking the Astoria-Megler Bridge, Astoria, ect.
Saddle Mountain, in the distance.
Saddle Mountain-OR:
(https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=140)
I had warned Holland beforehand that the road was 'very snaky in places', and he was game to drive it.
I pointed out various elk sighting places; Fish Hawk Falls, I like to visit once a year; and places I normally pull over to explore along the route.
I like country backroads; I like enjoying those scenic rides with my husband. But towards the end of that long winding road, he was looking a bit green around the gills, due to the medication he takes. I pointed out the speed limit sign and said, "We're almost off this road - you should see Safeway Store around that next corner." He said, "Praise the Lord". And I burst out laughing because the relief in his tone as so obvious.
Holland is a good husband to me. Every day, I am grateful.
He is a good man~he is a good husband for me :-)
I am highly favored, and greatly blessed.
I am grateful.
As the sun begins to set, we are grateful to embrace the Shabbat Rest.
