JOINT BASE LEWIS McCHORD (JBLM), WA & KURT COBAIN

JOINT BASE LEWIS McCHORD (JBLM), WA
& KURT COBAIN

JBLM is located just South of Tacoma, WA. Anytime I can stay at a military FAMCAMP I jump at the opportunity. Since they are on or close to a military base, I can get cheaper gas then off base and groceries & shopping are all tax free. Another good thing about FAMCAMP, they don't have high price for laundry average .$75 for wash and $.75 for dry. The camp sites on average are $20 a night with full hook-up and not charged for internet or electricity usage. Try getting that at a "Chain" RV Park.  Besides, even if you don't know your neighbor you already have something in common, you're brothers(sisters)-in-arms.

The goal in the next four days is to make some small fixes to the RV before pulling into a campground for a month long stay in Seattle, WA and of course to check out some local sites. 

28 May

We arrived shortly after 3:00pm. Our name and site number was on the guard box door. It helped that the camp host drove in behind us. We were on top of the hill looking down to the lake. There are three different FAMCAMP locations on this base. I think the other two were first come, first serve. 

There was one small thing I would have to add to the growing list of thing I would have to fix. Our water hose somehow got a hole close to the end that connect to the water pump (outside the rig). I have 3 extra hoses just for this reason. When I tried to disconnect the hose to replace it, the hose was corroded on the connector to the RV. We could still use the water, only that it looked like more water was spraying out of the hose then entering our tanks. I duck taped it and hope it holds until morning. 

Oh, almost forgot... for any NFL fan or Seattle Seahawk fan the Super Bowl Vince Lombardi Trophy was on tour to military bases in Washington and it so happened to be at JBLM today.

While at the BX I saw this T-shirt, just need to change retired Air Force to Navy or even to Full-Time RV.

29 May

I woke up with a list of fixes I wanted to get done today. The first thing I did was turn the water off. There was a large water puddle under the water valve. When I looked up there was a deer walking along the fence line eating it's morning breakfast. As I went back inside to get my camera I followed it until I was able to get a good shoot. 

Then, off to Camping World for the parts. To make a long story short and lesson learned remove the part you need replaced and take it with you. There I was looking at the water valves and I grabbed one, checked out and got back to the RV. When I started to replace it, the old one was a male end and the one I got was a female end. So, off to Camping World again. This time not so lucky, they had no male end to exchange or male to male connectors. The hunt was on... First the military BX, Lowe's and finally Home Depot. After connecting the time came to test my handy work, water started flowed out the threads. At least I was smart enough to have a bucket in the baggage door. I was back at square one and back at Home Depot looking for thread tape to hold the seal. Third times a charm and it was working. One down, a long list of others to do. But first, lunch then back at it. 

Another lesson learned, when you are finish close your baggage door. I left the baggage door open that houses my tools and dry food. We heard noise so we looked out the door to see what it was... a crow was inside our baggage door picking away at a bag of BBQ sunflower seeds. This day is just getting better ever second. Good news nothing got broke or damaged, just lost a bag of sunflower seeds... why could he not take the pickle of range flavored seeds.

After picking up all the seeds, so no more crows would get any funny ideas, I was on the RV roof to fix the TV antenna. I wrote about this on day two of the trip when a snow storm came in Northern Arizona. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. I lost the ribbit at the bending point of the two rods. Since I don't have any ribbits or ribbit gun, I used a large zip tie. Then, flattened the point end that was bend upwards. The list went on with little things needing to be fixed. Lucky for me nothing too big I could not fix or expensive to brake the bank.

30 May

In my younger youth rebellious years and the first couple years in the Navy I listened to a lot of Nirvana. The lead singer Kurt Cobain was a pioneer and a leader in the movement of grunge rock. I have different feeling about his death, but this is not the place to express them,... After his death in April of 1994 he was cremated, with no official grave. A bridge where Kurt Cobain use to hangout close to his childhood home was turned into tribute park named "KC Riverfront Park". With no official address and only with the use of Google Map to find an address close by, I punched it in the navigator and we were off on a hour and a half drive.

As we arrived to the small town of Aberdeen, a sign board reads: Welcome to Aberdeen "Come as you are". That was a title of one of Nirvana songs. When we arrived at the park, I walked to the large guitar statue and looked around. I had a feeling come over me, but can't find any words that can describe that feeling. I walked under the bridge and saw all the graffiti of fans who wrote tribute to Kurt. There is a marble stone with a few of Kurt's quotes... some are funny, others hit home kind of hard. 

 I enlarged the next two, try to make it easier to read

A signboard hanging in the garage of a home next to the park. Thought it was funny, so I had to share.

As we were about ready to leave a local guy was walking through the park and started taking to me. Found out that Aberdeen has a walk of fame with all of it's famous people. Something we just had to checkout. I walked into some stores and asked the workers were Kurt Cobain's location is and everyone had a blank look on their face, like I should know this! I was eventually lead to a guitar store that Kurt Cobain used to learn to play and buy his guitars. The marker was placed in front of that store. The store has moved since the marker was placed, but the owner told us where to find it.  

Since it took over an hour to find his marker, I took pictures so it would be easier for the next fan to find. Coming into town there is a McDonald and Wal Mart on the left. Go over the bridge and stay in the far right lane. Located on the corner of E Wishikah ST and South H ST in front of building address 224 next to the bus stop. 

New Store location

I have long hair and long beard and I feel sometimes people look at me differently .... their lose! For those who I have meet on the road, I'm grateful to them that they did not judge a book by it cover and got to know me. I'm no different then them and we bonded some good friendships.

To top off the day, when we arrived back at the FAMCAMP we walked down to the lake saw a family of Bald Eagles flying over head looking for dinner in the waters below.

31 May

The day before we leave we wanted to stock up on food at the commissary and get our laundry done before we get hit with the high prices at our next Park. Before going to get food, I surprised the wife with a few games of bowling on base. $.75 shoes and $.75 a game... another great deal of being retired military and staying on base. We were the only ones there. Neither one of us will be on the PBA tour anytime soon, but at least we had fun.

Look at our scores, not turning pro anytime soon. 

 At least we scored better in our second game...

Still not ready to turn pro.