Closing Coffeyville's Fulfillment Center (Coffeyville, KS)

Coffeyville Amazon - Closing

Two weeks ago, Amazon officials told the Coffeyville employees and Camper Force seasonal temps in a meeting that they will be closing this fulfillment center in February 2015.  It was a sad night to watch the reactions of these hard working people.  Shocked silence.  Some crying while others tried to give comfort.  For us, it was a surprised shock.  Granted we are not in the main stream of rumors, but there was absolutely no hint that they were thinking of closing this center.

Some of the reasons given:  lack of manpower and low productivity.  Since Amazon started offering 2 day shipment, they want to have their centers closer to their customers.  They did this recently in Nevada.  It does make sense when they explained the time that could be saved when they are shipping items out to a small town with no city nearby with access to large distribution centers and airports.  The time spent to ship to the center for stocking, processing, then packed to be shipped right back to most cities cost valuable time when we are talking about a 2 day shipping promise.  

We can see their point, but still, we feel real bad for the employees and this small community doesn't offer many new job opportunities.  Amazon is offering different packages for leaving or re-locating with Amazon.  We have talked to a few of the employees and so far, many say they plan to stay here.  Some plan to go to college with their Amazon package while others are not sure what they will do.  Hopefully, it will work out for all of them.

For us - the Camper Force, we have our contracted jobs up  to 23 December.  Work will be normal until January when Amazon stops inbound shipments.  Of course, Amazon's motto seems to be everything is subject to change...so we shall see.

In the meantime, we are slowly getting use to our new work environment.  We go home every morning muscles aching and completely exhausted from stocking shelves, walking from one end of the warehouse to the other side (multiple times), pushing heavy carts, and climbing short step-ladders.  Then there's working the nights, sleeping days, and trying to stick to it during our days off.  Not easy for two people who are use to starting their day at 6 or 7 am to getting up at 1 pm in the afternoon.  Trying to stay up until 4 am isn't easy either on our days off.

The cats are actually adapting to our new schedule better than we are.  We think they like having the bed to themselves at night.  We manage to get them outside in the late afternoon on the warmer days, but that will soon come to an end with the cold weather moving in.  They have been asking for more attention since we started working our 10 hour shift.  Even Hitch has been begging to sit in our laps...well, for about 15 minutes before he decides he has had enough petting.

Mr. Turtle came for a visit

This guy showed up a couple of weeks ago near the back fence.  Actually, Dusty discovered him and alerted us with his quirky leaps and twitching.  We left them alone for awhile until they started having a hissing contest - the turtle won with the loudest hiss for such a small guy.

We thought it might be a good idea to move him down near the pond where the vegetation grew high and he could find plenty of food.  He was back the next day.  He probably wasn't happy about having to make that trip all the way back - up a hill and through four rv sites - yep, a long walk for him.  He was back in the same spot as before near the fence.  Dan removed a board he had used to block a hole under the fence to keep the cats on our side.  The next morning he was gone.  We thought that was the end of seeing him, but he surprised us and showed back up again a couple of days later.  So, now we are not sure if he went under the fence or simply disappeared under our rig for a couple of days.  Either way, he hasn't been back for a visit lately.  It is probably too cold for him now.  Too bad, we and the cats were starting to get used to his visits.

Dalton Defendeers Day

Once a year, Coffeyville reenacts the Dalton Gang's last bank robbery during their Dalton Defenders Day.  The Dalton Gang had been terrorizing the Oklahoma area by robbing trains for over a year and a half when they decided to try robbing two of Coffeyville's banks in broad daylight.  

 Thanks to quick thinking towns people and a brave bank clerk, the Dalton Gang's terrorizing days ended.  As some of the gang emerged from one bank, they were greeted by the town's people and a hail of bullets.

Three escaped down an alley from the second bank only to be shot down by a barber and a livery stable owner. 

All were killed except for one.  Emmett survived multiple bullet wounds and was released after 14 years in prison to become a Hollywood screen writer.

We did not make it downtown for the reenactments, but we did visit one of the two banks they tried to rob.  Quite a beauty, isn't it?  We took a quick tour of the inside.  The town has done a great job of keeping the bank's original look.

Well, that is it for us.  This first month has gone by quickly.  We have seen a few seasonal camper force  people quit already.  We hope to make it to the end by getting plenty of rest and eating healthy foods.  Basically, we are here to work and not do a lot of touring around.

Happy Trails!

A Cold December (Sutherlin, OR)

The weather changed drastically from overcast foggy fall days to freezing temperatures and a week of snow.  Most nights, we had all four cats in bed with us.  It is unusual to have snow in this area for such a long time, but then again, has anyone in the north had a normal winter this year?  

Dusty helping Sandy with her scraps

All this chilly weather hasn't kept us from taking walks, visiting the community center, or getting out to shop. We have been learning as much as we can about the local area.  Visiting some of the shops and stores in Sutherlin, we are pleasantly surprised by the warm greetings from everyone we meet.  People talk to us as if we have known each other all along.  Standing in long lines at the Post Office during their busiest season has been a nice experience as people took this opportunity to chit-chat with each other with no complaints about having to wait.

Last of the fall leaves

There is a local used book store that we just had to visit.  The Book Gallery is filled new and used books from floor to ceiling in every nook and cranny.  Every shelf is overflowing with books, not to mention, the rows of books lining the floor in front of the stuffed shelves.  We were greeted with the smell of baked goodies, classical music playing in the background, a friendly smile from the lady behind the counter while a couple of women were working on a puzzle at one of the many tables with chandeliers lighting the reading areas.  Eccentric and charming - a place to visit again and again.

Dan found a small organic vegan restaurant called Lighthouse Center Bakery Cafe just outside of Sutherlin in Umpqua.  This place is always busy.  Sandy loves their soy-based Reuben sandwich while Dan has enjoyed the soups and salads.  Even our son, Shaun enjoyed his Guacamole burger.

Roseburg has a good selection of grocery stores, a VA hospital for Dan, and plenty of places with quilting supplies for Sandy.  For some of our organic grocery shopping, we will have to go to Eugene.

It did not take us long to get into a routine which has helped the winter pass by quickly.  Dan joined a local gym and tries to go every day while Sandy enjoys the alone time to spread out her projects and get some quilting done.

We spent a quiet Christmas with Shaun who drove down from Everett for a visit.  It was nice to spend a little more time with him.

As you can see from our photos, the cats have become quite comfortable in their new surroundings.  They enjoy going outdoors.  Our site has plenty for them to explore and birds to watch.  They are fascinated by the turkeys and watch them when they are near the rig.

 A handsome profile of Hitch

We might leave Sutherlin in February.  Tentative travel plans are to go back to the coast and slowly make our way back north.   Hopefully, the weather will stay about the same with no more snow storms closing down roads for several days here or along the coast.

Max has claimed our hamper as his new bed

Since we need to be in South Dakota this year to renew drivers licenses in May, we plan to travel via Spokane, WA for a short visit with family before making our way east to Rapid City, SD.

Squirrel giving the "don't bother me" look

Have a Happy New Year!

Good-Bye Key West!



You're leaving!



The Weavers are leaving Key West!

On 30 March, we left sunny Key West and arrived at stormy Patrick AFB near Melbourne, FL. We had just parked the motorhome in front of the RV Office when high winds and driving rain hit the area. Since our rig was getting hit from the side, it was really rocking and rolling. We drove to a more sheltered area in the campground and waited for a break in the storm to unhook the tow car and park in our site.

On the following day, a lot of the counties in and around central Florida were in Tornado Warning and Watch conditions. What a great way to start our trip Back-to-Civilization. Well, at least it's a little bit cooler here and we have full utility hookups with a view of the Banana River.

We plan to stay in Florida on the east coast and near Orlando for a month or two at multiple campgrounds. 
It feels a little strange to see so many stores, people, highways, and lots of traffic. After kicking back for five months in Key West, we feel like country folk visiting the city for the first time.



Squirrel:  Nice cool rock!  Could be a little softer, but hey, it is a nice cool rock.

 

We will miss Key West, but it was time to move onward with the weather starting to feel more like a 24 hour steam bath. The cats were not enjoying it very much. Poor Dusty with all that fur seemed to do a lot of panting. Even Hitch did a lot of sleeping. We had to tiptoe through our motorhome because the floor was covered with stretched out cats.  Step on one tail and it was a chain reaction!  Cats leaping! Cats running!  Fur flying!  Not a pretty sight…no…not pretty at all.  When we took the cats outside, they would find the deepest shade and lay there for hours. It is cooler here in central Florida thanks to the storm and the full hook ups for air conditioning as needed, so the cats are starting to look a little more perky again.



Hitch sleeping in the hamper.



We hope to make it back to Key West for another winter, but probably not next year.  Too many areas to explore for a back to back winter in Key West.

As the weather is improving, we will begin to explore the space coast over the next week or two.

Our Second Anniversary

Albuquerque, 2009

Two years ago in Albuquerque, NM, we secured the last of our belongings into our motorhome, hitched up the car, and with feelings of amazement, realized we were Full-Timers traveling out of town starting our first of many adventures! That feeling of adventure and amazement is still with us. We have seen a lot of our beautiful country; we have visited family and friends; and we have also made new friends. The best part is knowing there is more to see and a lot more friends to meet. Don’t worry, we have not forgotten family. Yes, we do plan to visit them again someday.

Key West, 2011

(Hitch & Squirrel)

Even our cats seem very happy with their new lifestyle. They know the travel routine very well. As soon as they see us packing away our loose items, the cats start to ‘Man’ their stations. Dusty sits near the bedroom door while Max and Squirrel sit near the barrel chair. They like to be near their hiding places so as soon as the engine is turned on, they disappear. And Hitch? Oh, Hitch is under foot, bouncing off of walls while bobbing his head and howling, “Road Trip! WooHoo!” Yes, Hitch gets a little excited and he never seems to tire of moving on down the road. As soon as we stop, all four cats are greeting us at the door or looking out the windows. They have learned that a new location means new smells to explore and grasses to eat.

Hitch & Dusty

Max

Our winter stay in Key West has been the best winter we have ever had in all the countries and states we have lived in. We now understand why many of the campers have been coming here for over 15 years. It is sort of sad to see our time here come to an end, but we could be back in a couple of years.

So, what’s next on our agenda? Well, we are not quite sure and we like it that way. We do plan to spend some time exploring the Space Coast, central Florida, and a 4-day visit to Disney World. After that, we are not sure, but we will be happy to tell you where we are once we get there!

Squirrel

April 2010

Whew!  It has been a while since we have entered anything into our blog.  At the moment, we are back on the move, but taking care of some family business at Oak Harbor Washington for the next month.  Until we can post on travel again, we would like to introduce Rev. Dennie - SFC, US Army Retired, (Callsign: Padre).  Dennie is currently working in Iraq so he and his wife can fullfill their dreams and become full-timers in the near future.  They also have four kitties and one of them has a special place in Dennie's heart.  We loved his story so much, we asked if we could share it on our blog.   Dennie is reading our blog from Saudi, so he will be able to view comments made by you.   Enjoy!

A Saudi Cat Comes To America

- Part 1 -

In August 1997, I received a call from a company in Saudi Arabia, that they needed people immediately to work in the Kingdom. There had been a vehicle bomb detonated at the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) Headquarters in Riyadh and they needed security on the ground fast. I left for Saudi immediately. We arrived and went to work ensuring that the American compounds were secure by performing vehicle bomb searches and general installation security.

Let me tell you, the environment in Saudi Arabia, in August, is brutal. Temperatures at the screening site was around 135 degrees and 12-hour days were strenuous, both on the body and mind. Many a day, I dragged myself back to my room and fell face down on the bed to get a little sleep. Coming back to an empty room was demoralizing and frustrating.

A fellow worker went to one of the vet clinics in Riyadh to inquire about adopting a cat to keep him company. The process was relatively simple and, within a few days, he had a new roommate. I saw how it upped his spirits so, in a week or two, I also made a call to the clinic. The veterinarian told me that he several cats that were up for adoption and if I wished to do so, to come in after work that afternoon. So, after work that day, I drove across the city of Riyadh to see what kind of felines he had available.

Upon arrival, the doctor greeted me and told me that all of the cats, except for one, had already been adopted. He told me that the remaining cat had been brought in by an English lady who told him that her husband, a Saudi national, had informed her that she had to get rid of the cat and gave her the money to have it put down.

After bringing it into the clinic, the doctor said that he saw what a beautiful and friendly cat it was, so he decided that instead of euthanizing, to put it up for adoption. The doctor took me into the back room and, for the first time, I set my eyes on my new friend and companion. Here, sitting in a wire cage, was the biggest orange and white cat that I had seen in my entire life. He was HUGE. Not fat, just big and muscular. He sat there, giving me this once over look, like he was thinking "Now what do you want?". His arrogant look appealed to me, so I asked the vet how much it would cost to adopt him. He said "Well, his previous owner has already paid me to put him down, so I guess he has already been paid for. Go ahead and take him, if he's what you want.". I loaded him into the car and away we went, off to a new life together.

When we arrived back at my apartment (we lived on a compound, in a high-rise apartment building comprised of 4, 5 room pods per floor), I let him out of his cage and he walked out...well, like a king alighting from his royal coach. He took one look around and seemed to say "OK, I guess this will do, considering".

Weeks and months went by. It was nice to have a companion to come home to. Often, I would stop off at the restaurant and pick up lunch and take it back to my room. The cat and I enjoyed picking out the chicken and sharing it. I also found out that he loved cantaloupe. A strange food for a cat to like, but who am I to question a cat.

Not knowing what to name my new friend became a real problem very soon. I wanted to bestow upon him a good arabic name but, considering I didn't really know much arabic, what was I to call him. I thought of calling him something like Mohamed, but didn't really want to offend any of my Muslim friends.

 One night, I talked to my interpreter and asked for his suggestion. Asking me what words I knew in arabic. I told him that about the only word I knew, and used frequently, was the word that we used, along with the up-thumb signal, when we wanted the barrier gate lifted by our SANG guards. The word is "Quaise" and, in arabic, means "Good or OK". "So name him Quaise" he said. So Quaise it was. He seemed to be OK with the name. Heck, he didn't care what I called him as long as I didn't call him late for chicken or cantaloupe. We spent the next 7 months in the Kingdom and then returned together to continue our lives in his new country, the United States of America. I don't think he honestly looked back for a moment, as long as he had his new daddy, and I am so glad I made the call.

Quaise

Road Trip!

We have been in Westport WA for five months now,with two more to go. We have been feeling a little stale, a little sluggish, and a little bored. Dan suggested a trip to Centralia so he could have some maintenance and upgrade work done on the coach. Road Trip! Civilization! Yes!

We had our work performed at Brazel's Performance RV in Centralia WA. We had the normal chassis and engine lube and fluid changes done, and changed to an updated Air Dryer that conditions the air for air brakes and air ride suspension. Dan had rebuilt the old Air Dryer previously, but it still spit small amounts of oil along with the water, and coated the front of our tow car. The upgraded Air Dryer uses newer technology and should greatly reduce or eliminate that irritation.

We had the ride height of the air suspension checked and adjusted, and four corner weighed the tires. We moved some weight around in the basement storage of our coach to better balance the load. We had Road Master sway bars installed front and rear, and a Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer installed on the steering, followed by a complete alignment of steering.

We next tackled adding some engine performance to our Cummins C8.3 Turbo 300 HP (at the crank) engine. The motor is a mechanical controlled system, not by computer or electronic controls.

We first tested several mufflers on our rig on a chassis dyno - and chose a Aero 4040XL muffler. Next we changed the fuel plate (that controls the amount of fuel injected) to a number 10 plate. We ran dyno tests for each stage of the changes, and gained a good amount of horsepower and torque. Dan will be adding a turbo boost gauge, and a exhaust gas temperature gauge soon as a safety measure to monitor the effect of our new added power, to ensure we do not over temp on long hard mountain grade climbs.

(click to enlarge chart)












We spent the weekend at a campground only 20 minutes away from Centralia. This campground had pet goats and chickens. We stopped by to feed the goats our scraps and to get some pictures of them.






We spent Sunday in the downtown area of Seattle. Something we have wanted to do since we arrived here. We spent most of our time in Pike Place Market wandering around the maze of stores while enjoying samples of food and watching the colorful vendors. Sandy had to stop by the Undercover Quilt shop. It is small, but it is packed to the ceiling with fabric.




On the street, we met Cubby the Amazing Pike Place Market Cat and one of his owners - Patrick. While Cubby sat surveying his street corner, Patrick explained why they were there. Their mission: “TURNING UNWANTED CATS INTO HAPPY CATS”. They also sell very nice artwork along with their rescue mission.



On a sad note, we lost our oldest and dearest cat yesterday. Mischief, a.k.a. Grey was losing a lot of weight and had developed a fast growing tumor on his hip. After consulting a vet, we decided it was time to let Grey go. Grey was raised on a baby bottle by friends in Germany, and thought he was people - not having been raised by momma cat. He was very athletic and brave. He lived in Germany, Turkey, New Mexico, Texas, and traveled far and wide in our two motorhomes. He had a good 18 1/2 years with us.

He was a wonderful TV companion, a great alarm clock (get up! time to feed me!) and very motherly (where have you been?!) Yes, we still have four cats, but none of them will ever be able to hold up their paw to Grey’s unique and very mild manners. There are few cats as relaxed or as easy going as Grey and he will be missed.




Mischief with his brother, Trouble in Germany, July 1991. We laid Grey to rest in the woods in the very large campground we are hosting in.

A Belated Happy New Year!

Our Weather person is singing “Here comes the rain again, Falling on my head like a memory….!” In the meantime, Sandy is making a fashion statement… Hmmmm…..

All the work campers come out when the sun decides to make an appearance. Slowly, a brave camper opens the rig’s door and reaching out a hand to see if there is still a moisture in the air. The hand goes back in and we hear someone calling out it is dry outside! Out pops a camper’s head. They squint as they look at the sky turning their faces towards the sun with big grin on their face. Yep, we all look like a bunch of moles. Aaahhh the Sun!

We have been keeping ourselves entertained. Dan has been working on maintaining the coach while Sandy works on her quilting.

And if the cats are not waiting on the hummingbird,

They sleep
And sleep
And sleep some more…….

Thanksgiving in Westport

Happy Thanksgiving!

We spent our Thanksgiving with co-workers and other campers. We had a wonderful potluck spread with two large turkeys provided by Gail and Don, the campground owners, and all the trimmings provided by attendees. Oh! And pies, lots of pies! There was sweet potato, strawberry/rhubarb, and our favorite – double chocolate pudding pie. Yum! Sandy made her Herbal Rice dressing, a cranberry relish, and a chocolate pie.

Well, we have not been blown away from the high winds and we have not needed our kayaks to get to work just yet, but it is only November. For the past week, we have had 35-40 mph winds with gusts up to 60 mph. Our Bluebird (motor-home) does give a little shake once in a while. Thank goodness it is built very solid and sits low to the ground. We feel very safe and cozy during these storms. We have also had up to 20 ft ocean swells. The waves have been washing over the jetty near the marina and flooding the road. Sandbags are everywhere.

The cats are staying entertained by watching the hummingbird. We are amazed this tiny hummingbird can fly in such bad weather. He feeds all day long no matter how bad the winds are blowing. They cats are starting to get along a lot better. We try to get them out for walks when the rain slacks off for a short time. Dusty would walk in the rain if given the chance.

We are attaching a picture of a buck deer from the tent area of the campground, and several pictures of our Thanksgiving dinner.